paapiman

Another ingredient of Sukhnidhaan.
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Cardamom helps reduce brain damage linked with stress. Multiple studies have shown that cardamom extracts can be used as a stress-reducing agent to reverse or prevent cognitive impairment in adults. ... It is key to maintaining brain health by reducing oxidative stress injuries in brain cells
Unquote[1]
[1] - 14 Health Benefits of Cardamom, According to Science (+4 Delicious Recipes) | Jen Reviews
@dalsingh101 @Ragmaala @GurjantGnostic
 
Bhul chuk maaf

There's an interesting terpene in cannabis called beta-caryophyllene or caryophyllene.
 
Also called beta-caryophyllene or BCP, this terpene can be found in aromatic oils like rosemary and clove oil, and in nature it's most commonly found in hops, cloves, black pepper, oregano, cinnamon, and basil. It's responsible for the slight bite of pungency associated with smelling cracked pepper.
 
Also, the following might help explain why black pepper is a common ingredient in bhang:
 
Black pepper contains the terpenes pinene and caryophyllene, which are both known to tamp down THC's psychoactive tendencies to create a more calming, therapeutic effect. Caryophyllene, which is also found in cloves and cinnamon, is the only terpene that can bind to the same receptors as THC, according to Leafly.
 
The above is interesting, because if it's true, our traditional recipes for bhang have ingredients that dampen down the THC psychoactive affect? 
 
https://www.chicagotribune.com/marijuana/sns-tft-how-black-pepper-sedates-marijuana-paranoia-20190729-yxtja2apsbhzvnzk6dilimhbka-story.html

Yes, it's called "bioperine" and available to purchase in tablet and capsule form also. Piperine or Bioperine works by stimulating liver enzymes which in turn will help metabolize haldee  more efficiently. Personally, I do recommend that you take it with most fat soluble vitamins and supplements. Common fat soluble vitamins are A,D,E and K.  Nowadays, some multivitamin and mineral brands include the bioperine (3-5g) as an active ingredient.
 
 

Good question...
It's about disassociating your consciousness(surti) from the illusion of maya. 
We don't physically plug the ears, nose or the privates down below, but the eyes become more of a concern?   Yes, they do. 
Why?... because we have got so accustomed to allowing our mind to sit at the eyes more than any other indries.  Now, remember that the bhagtee is all about "Sukham"  So we  can learn to have physical eyes open whilst keeping  sukham eyes disassociated from physical objects or akar.  The aim is to not let the mann sit at the physical eyes whether they are open on not.    A little tricky? I  know.   But  with practice, and as naam starts to become more manifest, you should start seeing the brahm prakash everywhere in the empty space around you. It will become a lot easier then.    
The Gurmat Meditation guys and Bhai Tohana jee always suggest us to try and focus on that empty space with eyes open and then slowly close the eyes, and you should be looking at the same 'khalee khalaa' (empty space) when eyes are closed. This is helpful because it stops people moving their eyeball around when eyes are shut. To look at the void empty space, your eyes have to be still at first, and then when you start to see the prakash of satch, you can move them around and see it everywhere.  
Hope that answers how it may be done with eyes open, however, I'm sure many will suggest that if you find it easier to halt your mann with closed eyes, then continue closing them.  But yes, it is good practice to attempt both and like @GurjantGnostic stated above.  It's how we can take it into the world on a day to day basis.
Personally, and most of the time, I find it easier with eyes closed and then If I've been in a session for a while and the room is dim, I can usually carry on with as much focus with the eyes open.
 

Everything is in duality, both on the inner level and outwardly also.  From moment creation was created, so was duality. A few key things to remember is that IDA is on the left side and called moon energy, whereas PINGALA is on the right and called sun energy. Because of the imbalance of these, we all suffer in life. Emotions, suppressing emotions, suppressing guilt, anger etc..all lead to disease and illness. Primary root cause is always the degree of imbalance from left to right nostril.  Sukhmana is the channel in the middle and is only activated and awakened when ida and pingala are balanced. The geographical rivers gunga,jumna and sarswati represent these 3 channels also.   
These energy channels are subtle and if physical body is cut open. then nerve fibers, blood vessels, veins etc can be seen but NOT these channels. The energy they carry is "PRANA" which is also subtle and not to be confused with Air or Pavan.  However, the process of breathing does activate and stimulate the flow of this subtle life force called PRAAN or PRANA.  So there is a correlation between breath and prana but it's not the same thing. NOTE that these Nadee channels are also called meridians and chi. Acupuncture, IMS etc. and most ayuverdic approaches work on these 'invisible' channels. 
I remember a little about thermocouple from physics, and yes I agree.  When a closed circuit is formed by closing junctions then the electrical force within is generated. In similar fashion, when 9 doors of body are closed, then spiritual force from praan is generated that would open the 10th gate.  
When you look around at even a battery, we have negative and positive charges that don't do anything until a closed circuit connection is made on both ends.

 

I think it's close ourselves off to the 9. As in no attachment to them and their associated traps..I mean senses and function. 
You have to be able to do Simran eyes open because we take it into the world and are supposed to do it 25hrs a day. Like on the battle field. Eyes need to be open. 
But if you wish to do some closed or semi open eyed Simran that's great. You should. And also open. 

One small question 🙋 rises in my mind wenever I hear this even in kathas, so i take this opportunity to ask veerji - If we have to close 9 doors to open the 10th then why do they say to do simran with open eyes. ? It's practically almost impossible for me to do simran with open eyes as yet. .. 
Becomes rarely possible only wen I used to sit in Nanaksar months ago and keep my eyes steady on Guru sahibs saroop but otherwise 👎

I keep being reminded of this.
You know how a thermocouple works? 
It has two wires, of different types, and as the heat travels down one side faster than the other it creates an electrical charge from the imbalance. Because of the imbalance. 
Not only do we hear about these energy channels being slightly out of balance, but we have one side longer than the other. 
It makes me wonder if the human body works like an energy thermocouple?

The concept of disconnecting the Maan from Pavan is well worded too. Nice post. 

@dalsingh101 @Ragmaala @GurjantGnostic
 
Benefits of some other ingredients, used in making Sukhnidhaan.
 
Almonds
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It is full of vitamin E, which is known to preserve memory longer by boosting alertness, and preventing cognitive decline. Vitamin E is known to be a retardant of the onset of dementia diseases like Alzheimer's
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[1] - Benefits of Eating Soaked Almonds You Might Not Know (aimsindia.com)
 
Cloves
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Cloves. Containing more antioxidant power than potent herbs like oregano, cloves are a surprising source of brain-boosting nutrients. “Cloves contain manganese, which is an essential mineral for maintaining brain function,” 
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[2] - 5 spices that can boost your brain health (bodyandsoul.com.au)
 
Black Pepper
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Black pepper is one of the most commonly traded spices in the world and may have quite a few brain-boosting effects. Studies have shown that piperine, the primary component in black pepper, can help improve brain function and lower depression symptoms.
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[3] - 4 Spices To Boost Brain Power | UPMC HealthBeat
 
Bhul chuk maaf

Thanks a lot Paaji for sharing this.
Did you notice that some of the items specified here (and others ingredients which are used to make Sukhnidhaan) are good for the brain (and overall health)? It relates to the point made by Gyani Thakur Singh jee about mental illnesses faced by our kids, which was shared earlier.
One example, Nutmeg.
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The spice contains various compounds that boost mood, help relieve pain, and relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure. Some research suggests that a nutrient found in nutmeg may help slow cognitive decline in individuals with Alzheimer's disease and promote the recovery of brain tissue following a stroke.
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[1] - Spice up your holidays with brain-healthy seasonings - Harvard Health
@Ragmaala @GurjantGnostic
 
Bhul chuk maaf

Another ingredient of Sukhnidhaan.
Quote
Cardamom helps reduce brain damage linked with stress. Multiple studies have shown that cardamom extracts can be used as a stress-reducing agent to reverse or prevent cognitive impairment in adults. ... It is key to maintaining brain health by reducing oxidative stress injuries in brain cells
Unquote[1]
[1] - 14 Health Benefits of Cardamom, According to Science (+4 Delicious Recipes) | Jen Reviews
@dalsingh101 @Ragmaala @GurjantGnostic
 
Bhul chuk maaf

Another ingredient of Sukhnidhaan.
Quote
Cardamom helps reduce brain damage linked with stress. Multiple studies have shown that cardamom extracts can be used as a stress-reducing agent to reverse or prevent cognitive impairment in adults. ... It is key to maintaining brain health by reducing oxidative stress injuries in brain cells
Unquote[1]
[1] - 14 Health Benefits of Cardamom, According to Science (+4 Delicious Recipes) | Jen Reviews
@dalsingh101 @Ragmaala @GurjantGnostic
 
Bhul chuk maaf

You might want to look at the Prem Sumarag quote below, interestingly it actually says that amal is prohibited for this very reason. 

In the following  link, Guru Nanak Dev Ji is having conversation with Babar in Emnabad, regarding the Bhang, and how to do bhagti, very detailed. This is katha of Gurbani on Ang 721. Reference to bhang 15:50 minutes.
 
https://www.gurmatveechar.com/audios/Katha/01_Puratan_Katha/Sant_Gurbachan_Singh_(Bhindran_wale)/Guru_Granth_Sahib_Larivaar_Katha/Volume_08_Ang_0660-0761/053--Sant.Gurbachan.Singh.(Bhindran.wale)--Raag.Tilang--Ang-721.mp3
 
@Soulfinder veer, are you able to create an audio clip starting from 13:42 till end. thanks. 
 

There's sections on political rule too. This granth is eye opening. But if you do notice any discrepancies between the Panjabi and English translation, do flag them if you have the time and inclination. 

Thanks for the upload, looking forward to it.

About the same, PP was written around the the early to middle 1800s, and the white accounts are probably very late 1700s. 
Here's the granth:
 

And what time period are we talking about here? Thanks 

Panj pattay or 5 leaves is a traditional amount I've heard of. Note that it's leaf, not bud (what modern growers throw away)
The topic of time of administration is interesting: Sikh sources often state the morning (Panth Prakash specifically), European sources mention Sikh soldiers doing it in the evening after fatigues. 

Uploading it now. 

That's what I thought it was, but given the rarity of that stuff (if I recall rightly is extracted from deers with a silver spoon), I think it is something else here?

Thanks. Are you able to upload the punjabi version as a pdf here? I don’t have a scribd subscription. I found the english version pdf online.
Yes, it will be interesting to read it and see for myself. 

Author's gupt, but assess the granth for yourself brother. It's at the very least very early 1800s (confirmable) if not earlier (possibly much earlier). It's shockingly sophisticated. 
https://www.scribd.com/document/403366715/Prem-Sumarag-Granth-Author-s-unknown-Panjabi-Date-of-completion-not-know-but-at-least-the-early-1800s-possibly-much-earlier-Edited-by-Randhir
 
https://www.scribd.com/document/403367561/Prem-Sumarag-Granth-English-translation-by-W-H-Mcleod
 
Let me know if you have any problems downloading and we'll find some some other way to get it to you.