Sikhilove

"We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think.
When the mind is pure,
joy follows like a shadow that never leaves."
- Buddha
 
 
 
"We are what we repeatedly (simran)do.
Excellence(bhakti), then,
is not an act
but a habit."
 
 
 
"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start,
yet anyone can start from now
and
make a brand new ending."
- Unknown
 
 

REALITY OF LIFE
*"At  the  age  of  ten , he  is  a  child ;  
at  twenty ,  a  youth ,  
and  at  thirty ,  he  is  called  handsome .  
At  forty ,  he  is  full  of  life ;  
at  fifty ,  his  foot  slips ,
and  at  sixty ,  old  age  is  upon  him .  
At  seventy , he  loses  his  intellect ,
and  at  eighty ,  he  cannot  perform  his  duties .
At  ninety , he  lies  in  his  bed ,  and  he  cannot  understand  his  weakness .*
*After  seeking  and  searching  for  such  a  long  time ,
O Nanak ,  
I  have  seen  that  the  world  is  just  a  mansion  of  smoke ."*

Who is your fallback..!!
Wonderful..must read..
 
People help you the way they know to help you.
To help you to come out of stress, one friend will ask you to drink and another will ask you to meditate. 
To overcome hurt, one friend will ask you to take revenge and get even,
and another will ask you to forgive and get ahead with your life.
‘Who is your fallback’ makes all the difference. 
Duryodhana’s predicament, in his own words, was, “I know what is right but I am not able to indulge in it.
I know what is wrong but I am not able to avoid it.”
He needed a fallback.
His fallback was his uncle Shakuni, and resultantly, Duryodhana moved from bad to worse. 
Arjuna’s predicament was different.
He was allowing his personal emotions to dominate his sense of duty,
and hence wanted to escape from the responsibilities he had towards upholding righteousness.
He needed a fallback.
His fallback was Krishna, and resultantly, Arjuna was restored to his greatness. 
Humans we are, at some point or the other, we all  need a fallback.
‘Who is your fallback’ makes all the difference.

Choose Well !!!
 
 
Note: in our case as sikhs, if we make Guru Jee and Gurbani our fallback, we shall always remain morally straight.

Life is a Theater
Invite Your Audience Carefully



Not Everyone Is Spiritually Healthy And Mature Enough To Have A Front Row Seat In
Our Lives.
There Are Some People In Our Life That Need To Be Loved From A Distance.
It's Amazing What You Can Accomplish When You Let Go, Or At Least Minimize Your
Time With Draining, Negative, Incompatible, Not-Going-Anywhere Relationships, Friendships, Fellowships.

Observe The Relationships Around You.
Pay Attention To : Which Ones Lift And Which Ones Lean...
Which Ones Encourage And Which Ones Discourage...
Which Ones Are On A Path Of Growth Uphill And Which Ones Are Going Downhill..
When You Leave Certain People, Do You Feel Better Or Feel Worse?
Which Ones Always Have Drama Or Don't Really Understand, Know And Appreciate
You And The Gift That Lies Within You...
When You Seek Growth, Peace Of Mind, Love And Truth, The Easier It Will Become
For You To Decide Who Gets To Sit In The Front Row And Who Should Be Moved
To The Balcony Of Your Life.
You Cannot Change The People Around You But You Can Change The People You '
Are Around With.
Ask God For Godly Wisdom And Discernment And Choose Wisely The People
Who Sit In The Front Row Of Your Life.

Lord Buddha And The Brahman..!


Lord Buddha was sitting under a banyan tree. One day, a furious Brahman came to him and started abusing him.
The Brahman thought that Lord Buddha would reciprocate in the same manner, but to his utter surprise, there was not the slightest change in the
expression on his face.
Now, the Brahman became more furious. He hurled more and more abuses
at Buddha. However, Lord Buddha was completely unmoved. Actually there was a look of compassion on his
face. Ultimately the Brahman was tired of abusing him.
He asked, "I have been abusing you, but why are you not angry at all ?"

Lord Buddha calmly replied, "My dear brother, I have not accepted a
single abuse from you."

"But you heard all of them, didn't you?" The Brahman argued half-heartedly.

Buddha said, "I do not need the abuses, so why should I even hear them?"

Now the Brahman was even more puzzled. He could not understand the
calm reply from Lord Buddha.

Looking at his disturbed face, Buddha further explained,
"All those abuses remain with you."
"It cannot be possible. I have hurled all of them at you,"
the Brahmin persisted.
Buddha calmly repeated his reply, "But I have not accepted even a single
abuse from you ! Dear brother, suppose you give some coins to somebody, and if he does not accept them, with whom will those coins remain?"
The Brahman replied, "If I have given the coins and not needed by someone,
then naturally they would remain with me."
With a meaningful smile on his face, Buddha said, "Now you are right.
The same has happened with your abuses. You
came here and hurled abuses at me, but I have not accepted a single abuse from you. Hence, all those abuses remain with you only. So there is no reason to be angry with you."
The Brahman remained speechless.
He was ashamed of his behavior and begged for Buddha's forgiveness.
Lesson To Learn From This Story:

Inner calmness and peace are keys to contented life. You know who you
are and what you want in
life, so don't respond to what person said about you in
anger. Control your anger with patience and calmness. That is the biggest strength of Wise men.
Never take some one for granted, Hold every person Close to your Heart
because you might wake up one day and realize
that you have lost a diamond while you were too busy collecting stones.

Thankyou. I find yoga to be excellent aswell. Amazing for the body and very relaxing. I believe that it’s totally underrrated and studies have shown that it improves many psychological and stress issues, in many cases more than some therapies. 

Lucky, sat, chatanga, soulfinder, harsharan, dalsingh, jageera sukhpreet and all veer and bheenji, please post more often, you guys are torch bearer of sikhi. Sikhawareness will be on for generations, i'll make sure i will give this seva to my son if he is not interested someone from sangat,  before passing on. What a amazing privilege and honor  is been part of amazing platform and sangat since 2003.Lets continue to contribute on this amazing platform and inspire others including me.

The forums been transformative for me. It's been a privilege to be a part of it. N30, I also note how your style of moderation, which was once greatly misunderstood and outright attacked has now been adopted by many others - not trying to suck up to you or anything, but you was ahead of your time.  
I think the sudden shock of this covid thing has knocked many of us about myself. We'll get back on it.  

Mindfullnes is excellent. I find it particularly Relaxing in the morning. A body scan with mindfullness is very grounding.

Question 10: Sachay Patshah, why do  You throughout the Bani emphasize  only on Nam Bhakti as per means of true devotion?
Guru Jee:   ਕਹਤੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਨਵੈ ਘਰ ਮੂਸੇ ਦਸਵੈਂ ਤਤੁ ਸਮਾਈ ॥੩॥੨੨॥੭੩॥
Kehath Kabeer Navai Ghar Moosae Dhasavain Thath Samaaee ||3||22||73||
Says Kabeer, the nine openings of the body are being plundered; rise up to the Tenth Gate, and discover the True essence. 
 
Here,  what Guru Jee is trying to tell us, is that, the object of whatever efforts of ours as per means of bhakti, is to take us nearer to the True essence, or essence of Spirituality.
And as seen in His words, He says that, that essence of Truth lies in the Tenth Gate, means above the other nine gates or portals, such as : 2 eyes, 2 ears, 2 nostrils, 1 mouth and 2 lower apertures, through which our attention is scattered in the mayavee creation.
So as long our attention does not approach towards  that essence of Truth, which lies above the eyes  at the center of our head, we are much far away from our objective, thus, no matter how many days or hours continously  we remain engaged in those practices, we have not get nearer towards it, not even a fraction of an inch.
For it is only by Nam bhakti that we collect our attention or soul consciousness within and upwards  towards the Tenth Gate, there where lies the True subtle essence of Truth.....
And the more we do that nishkam bhakti with love, the more His blessings upon us, which is nothing but His apaar kirpa,  by which we are cleansed throughly, and become fit to merge and become one with Him.
Manumukhs try all sorts of practices accordingly to please their minds thus they feel they are doing something worthy; but it is only by following Gurmat, which only stresses upon Nam bhakti, for it is only by treading  this path of Nam Bhakti laid by Guru Jee Himself as per means of  true Bhakti, to get closer and become one with Him.
See by yourselves, that by all other practices except Nam bhakti,  we remain scattered in the 9 apertures or gates , thus far away from our goal of Truth,  so, we are not to copy what the world does, and please the world, it is to Him who we have to please, namely Waheguru Akal Purukh, by focussing ourselves on the ever  regular practice of Nam bhakti.
Nam bhakti is called true bhakti, becuase it gets us closer and closer to that Highest Universal unchangeable Truth of Satnam/Wahegru.
Stay blessed.
Sat Sree Akal.

Avar Karathooth Sagalee Jam Ddaanai ||
All other efforts are punished by the Messenger of Death,
Govindh Bhajan Bin Thil Nehee Maanai ||
Which accepts nothing at all, except meditation on the Lord of the Universe.
Sukhmani Sahib  Sree Guru Arjun Dev  Maharaj

ਮਾਰੂ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ॥
Maaroo Mehalaa 1 ||
Maaroo, First Mehl:
 
ਮਾਰੂ ਸੋਲਹੇ (ਮਃ ੧) ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਅੰਗ ੧੦੩੫
ਅਰਬਦ ਨਰਬਦ ਧੁੰਧੂਕਾਰਾ ॥
Arabadh Narabadh Dhhundhhookaaraa ||
For endless eons, there was only utter darkness.

ਧਰਣਿ ਨ ਗਗਨਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਅਪਾਰਾ ॥
Dhharan N Gaganaa Hukam Apaaraa ||
There was no earth or sky; there was only the infinite Command of His Hukam.
 
ਨਾ ਦਿਨੁ ਰੈਨਿ ਨ ਚੰਦੁ ਨ ਸੂਰਜੁ ਸੁੰਨ ਸਮਾਧਿ ਲਗਾਇਦਾ ॥੧॥
Naa Dhin Rain N Chandh N Sooraj Sunn Samaadhh Lagaaeidhaa ||1||
There was no day or night, no moon or sun; God sat in primal, profound Samaadhi. ||1||
 
ਖਾਣੀ ਨ ਬਾਣੀ ਪਉਣ ਨ ਪਾਣੀ ॥
Khaanee N Baanee Poun N Paanee ||
There were no sources of creation or powers of speech, no air or water.
 
ਓਪਤਿ ਖਪਤਿ ਨ ਆਵਣ ਜਾਣੀ ॥
Oupath Khapath N Aavan Jaanee ||
There was no creation or destruction, no coming or going.
 
ਖੰਡ ਪਤਾਲ ਸਪਤ ਨਹੀ ਸਾਗਰ ਨਦੀ ਨ ਨੀਰੁ ਵਹਾਇਦਾ ॥੨॥
Khandd Pathaal Sapath Nehee Saagar Nadhee N Neer Vehaaeidhaa ||2||
There were no continents, nether regions, seven seas, rivers or flowing water. ||2||
 
ਨਾ ਤਦਿ ਸੁਰਗੁ ਮਛੁ ਪਇਆਲਾ ॥
Naa Thadh Surag Mashh Paeiaalaa ||
There were no heavenly realms, earth or nether regions of the underworld.
 
ਦੋਜਕੁ ਭਿਸਤੁ ਨਹੀ ਖੈ ਕਾਲਾ ॥
Dhojak Bhisath Nehee Khai Kaalaa ||
There was no heaven or hell, no death or time.
 
ਨਰਕੁ ਸੁਰਗੁ ਨਹੀ ਜੰਮਣੁ ਮਰਣਾ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਆਇ ਨ ਜਾਇਦਾ ॥੩॥
Narak Surag Nehee Janman Maranaa Naa Ko Aae N Jaaeidhaa ||3||
There was no hell or heaven, no birth or death, no coming or going in reincarnation. ||3||
 
ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਬਿਸਨੁ ਮਹੇਸੁ ਨ ਕੋਈ ॥
Brehamaa Bisan Mehaes N Koee ||
There was no Brahma, Vishnu or Shiva.
 
ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੀਸੈ ਏਕੋ ਸੋਈ ॥
Avar N Dheesai Eaeko Soee ||
No one was seen, except the One Lord.
 
ਨਾਰਿ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਨ ਜਨਮਾ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਦੁਖੁ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਦਾ ॥੪॥
Naar Purakh Nehee Jaath N Janamaa Naa Ko Dhukh Sukh Paaeidhaa ||4||
There was no female or male, no social class or caste of birth; no one experienced pain or pleasure. ||4||
 
ਨਾ ਤਦਿ ਜਤੀ ਸਤੀ ਬਨਵਾਸੀ ॥
Naa Thadh Jathee Sathee Banavaasee ||
There were no people of celibacy or charity; no one lived in the forests.
 
ਨਾ ਤਦਿ ਸਿਧ ਸਾਧਿਕ ਸੁਖਵਾਸੀ ॥
Naa Thadh Sidhh Saadhhik Sukhavaasee ||
There were no Siddhas or seekers, no one living in peace.
 
ਜੋਗੀ ਜੰਗਮ ਭੇਖੁ ਨ ਕੋਈ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਨਾਥੁ ਕਹਾਇਦਾ ॥੫॥
Jogee Jangam Bhaekh N Koee Naa Ko Naathh Kehaaeidhaa ||5||
There were no Yogis, no wandering pilgrims, no religious robes; no one called himself the master. ||5||
 
ਜਪ ਤਪ ਸੰਜਮ ਨਾ ਬ੍ਰਤ ਪੂਜਾ ॥
Jap Thap Sanjam Naa Brath Poojaa ||
There was no chanting or meditation, no self-discipline, fasting or worship.
 
ਨਾ ਕੋ ਆਖਿ ਵਖਾਣੈ ਦੂਜਾ ॥
Naa Ko Aakh Vakhaanai Dhoojaa ||
No one spoke or talked in duality.
 
ਆਪੇ ਆਪਿ ਉਪਾਇ ਵਿਗਸੈ ਆਪੇ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਪਾਇਦਾ ॥੬॥
Aapae Aap Oupaae Vigasai Aapae Keemath Paaeidhaa ||6||
He created Himself, and rejoiced; He evaluates Himself. ||6||
 
ਨਾ ਸੁਚਿ ਸੰਜਮੁ ਤੁਲਸੀ ਮਾਲਾ ॥
Naa Such Sanjam Thulasee Maalaa ||
There was no purification, no self-restraint, no malas of basil seeds.
 
ਗੋਪੀ ਕਾਨੁ ਨ ਗਊ ਗਦ਼ਆਲਾ ॥
Gopee Kaan N Goo Guoaalaa ||
There were no Gopis, no Krishna, no cows or cowherds.
 
ਤੰਤੁ ਮੰਤੁ ਪਾਖੰਡੁ ਨ ਕੋਈ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਵੰਸੁ ਵਜਾਇਦਾ ॥੭॥
Thanth Manth Paakhandd N Koee Naa Ko Vans Vajaaeidhaa ||7||
There were no tantras, no mantras and no hypocrisy; no one played the flute. ||7||
 
ਕਰਮ ਧਰਮ ਨਹੀ ਮਾਇਆ ਮਾਖੀ ॥
Karam Dhharam Nehee Maaeiaa Maakhee ||
There was no karma, no Dharma, no buzzing fly of Maya.
 
ਜਾਤਿ ਜਨਮੁ ਨਹੀ ਦੀਸੈ ਆਖੀ ॥
Jaath Janam Nehee Dheesai Aakhee ||
Social class and birth were not seen with any eyes.
 
ਮਮਤਾ ਜਾਲੁ ਕਾਲੁ ਨਹੀ ਮਾਥੈ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਕਿਸੈ ਧਿਆਇਦਾ ॥੮॥
Mamathaa Jaal Kaal Nehee Maathhai Naa Ko Kisai Dhhiaaeidhaa ||8||
There was no noose of attachment, no death inscribed upon the forehead; no one meditated on anything. ||8||
 
ਨਿੰਦੁ ਬਿੰਦੁ ਨਹੀ ਜੀਉ ਨ ਜਿੰਦੋ ॥
Nindh Bindh Nehee Jeeo N Jindho ||
There was no slander, no seed, no soul and no life.
 
ਨਾ ਤਦਿ ਗੋਰਖੁ ਨਾ ਮਾਛਿੰਦੋ ॥
Naa Thadh Gorakh Naa Maashhindho ||
There was no Gorakh and no Maachhindra.
 
ਨਾ ਤਦਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਕੁਲ ਓਪਤਿ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਗਣਤ ਗਣਾਇਦਾ ॥੯॥
Naa Thadh Giaan Dhhiaan Kul Oupath Naa Ko Ganath Ganaaeidhaa ||9||
There was no spiritual wisdom or meditation, no ancestry or creation, no reckoning of accounts. ||9||
ਵਰਨ ਭੇਖ ਨਹੀ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਣ ਖਤ੍ਰੀ ॥
Varan Bhaekh Nehee Brehaman Khathree ||
There were no castes or social classes, no religious robes, no Brahmin or Kh'shaatriya.
 
ਦੇਉ ਨ ਦੇਹੁਰਾ ਗਊ ਗਾਇਤ੍ਰੀ ॥
Dhaeo N Dhaehuraa Goo Gaaeithree ||
There were no demi-gods or temples, no cows or Gaayatri prayer.
 
ਹੋਮ ਜਗ ਨਹੀ ਤੀਰਥਿ ਨਾਵਣੁ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਪੂਜਾ ਲਾਇਦਾ ॥੧੦॥
Hom Jag Nehee Theerathh Naavan Naa Ko Poojaa Laaeidhaa ||10||
There were no burnt offerings, no ceremonial feasts, no cleansing rituals at sacred shrines of pilgrimage; no one worshipped in adoration. ||10||
 
ਨਾ ਕੋ ਮੁਲਾ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਕਾਜੀ ॥
Naa Ko Mulaa Naa Ko Kaajee ||
There was no Mullah, there was no Qazi.
 
ਨਾ ਕੋ ਸੇਖੁ ਮਸਾਇਕੁ ਹਾਜੀ ॥
Naa Ko Saekh Masaaeik Haajee ||
There was no Shaykh, or pilgrims to Mecca.
 
ਰਈਅਤਿ ਰਾਉ ਨ ਹਉਮੈ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਕਹਣੁ ਕਹਾਇਦਾ ॥੧੧॥
Reeath Raao N Houmai Dhuneeaa Naa Ko Kehan Kehaaeidhaa ||11||
There was no king or subjects, and no worldly egotism; no one spoke of himself. ||11||
 
ਭਾਉ ਨ ਭਗਤੀ ਨਾ ਸਿਵ ਸਕਤੀ ॥
Bhaao N Bhagathee Naa Siv Sakathee ||
There was no love or devotion, no Shiva or Shakti - no energy or matter.
 
ਸਾਜਨੁ ਮੀਤੁ ਬਿੰਦੁ ਨਹੀ ਰਕਤੀ ॥
Saajan Meeth Bindh Nehee Rakathee ||
There were no friends or companions, no semen or blood.
 
ਆਪੇ ਸਾਹੁ ਆਪੇ ਵਣਜਾਰਾ ਸਾਚੇ ਏਹੋ ਭਾਇਦਾ ॥੧੨॥
Aapae Saahu Aapae Vanajaaraa Saachae Eaeho Bhaaeidhaa ||12||
He Himself is the banker, and He Himself is the merchant. Such is the Pleasure of the Will of the True Lord. ||12||
 
ਬੇਦ ਕਤੇਬ ਨ ਸਿੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਸਾਸਤ ॥
Baedh Kathaeb N Sinmrith Saasath ||
There were no Vedas, Korans or Bibles, no Simritees or Shaastras.
 
ਪਾਠ ਪੁਰਾਣ ਉਦੈ ਨਹੀ ਆਸਤ ॥
Paath Puraan Oudhai Nehee Aasath ||
There was no recitation of the Puraanas, no sunrise or sunset.
 
ਕਹਤਾ ਬਕਤਾ ਆਪਿ ਅਗੋਚਰੁ ਆਪੇ ਅਲਖੁ ਲਖਾਇਦਾ ॥੧੩॥
Kehathaa Bakathaa Aap Agochar Aapae Alakh Lakhaaeidhaa ||13||
The Unfathomable Lord Himself was the speaker and the preacher; the unseen Lord Himself saw everything. ||13||
 
ਜਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਣਾ ਤਾ ਜਗਤੁ ਉਪਾਇਆ ॥
Jaa This Bhaanaa Thaa Jagath Oupaaeiaa ||
When He so willed, He created the world.
 
ਬਾਝੁ ਕਲਾ ਆਡਾਣੁ ਰਹਾਇਆ ॥
Baajh Kalaa Aaddaan Rehaaeiaa ||
Without any supporting power, He sustained the universe.
 
ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਬਿਸਨੁ ਮਹੇਸੁ ਉਪਾਏ ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹੁ ਵਧਾਇਦਾ ॥੧੪॥
Brehamaa Bisan Mehaes Oupaaeae Maaeiaa Mohu Vadhhaaeidhaa ||14||
He created Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva; He fostered enticement and attachment to Maya. ||14||
 
ਵਿਰਲੇ ਕਉ ਗੁਰਿ ਸਬਦੁ ਸੁਣਾਇਆ ॥
Viralae Ko Gur Sabadh Sunaaeiaa ||
How rare is that person who listens to the Word of the Guru's Shabad.
 
ਕਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਦੇਖੈ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਸਬਾਇਆ ॥
Kar Kar Dhaekhai Hukam Sabaaeiaa ||
He created the creation, and watches over it; the Hukam of His Command is over all.
 
ਖੰਡ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰਡ ਪਾਤਾਲ ਅਰੰਭੇ ਗੁਪਤਹੁ ਪਰਗਟੀ ਆਇਦਾ ॥੧੫॥
Khandd Brehamandd Paathaal Aranbhae Gupathahu Paragattee Aaeidhaa ||15||
He formed the planets, solar systems and nether regions, and brought what was hidden to manifestation. ||15||
 
ਤਾ ਕਾ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਜਾਣੈ ਕੋਈ ॥
Thaa Kaa Anth N Jaanai Koee ||
No one knows His limits.
 
ਪੂਰੇ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਸੋਝੀ ਹੋਈ ॥
Poorae Gur Thae Sojhee Hoee ||
This understanding comes from the Perfect Guru.
 
ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾਚਿ ਰਤੇ ਬਿਸਮਾਦੀ ਬਿਸਮ ਭਏ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਇਦਾ ॥੧੬॥੩॥੧੫॥
Naanak Saach Rathae Bisamaadhee Bisam Bheae Gun Gaaeidhaa ||16||3||15||
O Nanak, those who are attuned to the Truth are wonderstruck; singing His Glorious Praises, they are filled with wonder. ||16||3||15||

ਮਾਰੂ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ਦਖਣੀ ॥
Maaroo Mehalaa 1 Dhakhanee ||
Maaroo, First Mehl, Dakhanee:
ਮਾਰੂ ਦਖਣੀ (ਮਃ ੧) ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਅੰਗ ੧੦੩੩ 
 
ਕਾਇਆ ਨਗਰੁ ਨਗਰ ਗੜ ਅੰਦਰਿ ॥
Kaaeiaa Nagar Nagar Garr Andhar ||
Deep within the body-village is the fortress.
 
ਸਾਚਾ ਵਾਸਾ ਪੁਰਿ ਗਗਨੰਦਰਿ ॥
Saachaa Vaasaa Pur Gaganandhar ||
The dwelling of the True Lord is within the city of the Tenth Gate.
 
ਅਸਥਿਰੁ ਥਾਨੁ ਸਦਾ ਨਿਰਮਾਇਲੁ ਆਪੇ ਆਪੁ ਉਪਾਇਦਾ ॥੧॥
Asathhir Thhaan Sadhaa Niramaaeil Aapae Aap Oupaaeidhaa ||1||
This place is permanent and forever immaculate. He Himself created it. ||1||
 
ਅੰਦਰਿ ਕੋਟ ਛਜੇ ਹਟਨਾਲੇ ॥
Andhar Kott Shhajae Hattanaalae ||
Within the fortress are balconies and bazaars.
 
ਆਪੇ ਲੇਵੈ ਵਸਤੁ ਸਮਾਲੇ ॥
Aapae Laevai Vasath Samaalae ||
He Himself takes care of His merchandise.
 
ਬਜਰ ਕਪਾਟ ਜੜੇ ਜੜਿ ਜਾਣੈ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਖੋਲਾਇਦਾ ॥੨॥
Bajar Kapaatt Jarrae Jarr Jaanai Gur Sabadhee Kholaaeidhaa ||2||
The hard and heavy doors of the Tenth Gate are closed and locked. Through the Word of the Guru's Shabad, they are thrown open. ||2||
 
ਭੀਤਰਿ ਕੋਟ ਗੁਫਾ ਘਰ ਜਾਈ ॥
Bheethar Kott Gufaa Ghar Jaaee ||
Within the fortress is the cave, the home of the self.
 
ਨਉ ਘਰ ਥਾਪੇ ਹੁਕਮਿ ਰਜਾਈ ॥
No Ghar Thhaapae Hukam Rajaaee ||
He established the nine gates of this house, by His Command and His Will.
 
ਦਸਵੈ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਅਲੇਖੁ ਅਪਾਰੀ ਆਪੇ ਅਲਖੁ ਲਖਾਇਦਾ ॥੩॥
Dhasavai Purakh Alaekh Apaaree Aapae Alakh Lakhaaeidhaa ||3||
In the Tenth Gate, the Primal Lord, the unknowable and infinite dwells; the unseen Lord reveals Himself. ||3||
 

Be happy and confident and a positive and optimistic person , no matter what. Never doubt yourself 
Dont believe or waste time and your precious life and energy dwelling on the losers and their B.S and avoid bad eggs and sangat, 
Walk around the earth freely and without fear and enjoy your life.
Be a free spirit and strong 
Be happy and grateful for what you have 
Be real (and never get over excited or nervous about anything), and accept reality 
Accept that only I dictate my life and who I am, no one else can define me or dictate my life. Only I truly know who I am
Don’t look for or need approval or validation, approve of and validate yourself, only believe yourself and no one else
Love, cherish, respect, take care of, Believe in and be kind to yourself
Accept good things, make the most of your opportunities and accept praise graciously 
Be good and be Positive
Work hard and smart, don’t procrastinate, build your life and make it amazing 

Enjoy your life to the fullest and love your life 
Know yourself (as Sat/Truth and stay true to yourself and all around you 
I think this is such a good exercise even imagining you’re older than you are and giving advice to yourself now at what age you are currently

Be happy and confident and a positive and optimistic person , no matter what. Never doubt yourself 
Dont believe or waste time and your precious life and energy dwelling on the losers and their B.S and avoid bad eggs and sangat, 
Walk around the earth freely and without fear and enjoy your life.
Be a free spirit and strong 
Be happy and grateful for what you have 
Be real (and never get over excited or nervous about anything), and accept reality 
Accept that only I dictate my life and who I am, no one else can define me or dictate my life. Only I truly know who I am
Don’t look for or need approval or validation, approve of and validate yourself, only believe yourself and no one else
Love, cherish, respect, take care of, Believe in and be kind to yourself
Accept good things, make the most of your opportunities and accept praise graciously 
Be good and be Positive
Work hard and smart, don’t procrastinate, build your life and make it amazing 

Enjoy your life to the fullest and love your life 
Know yourself (as Sat/Truth and stay true to yourself and all around you 
I think this is such a good exercise even imagining you’re older than you are and giving advice to yourself now at what age you are currently

Taking this a step further. I experienced this love as the pain and the pleasure. In great pain, I recognized Him. As feeding me that pain out of the purest, most unconditional love for me, his daughter. Paying off my karams as deserved, leading me to discover reality. And I realized that the beauty, just the sukh, isn’t the reality. Love is. Love in Dukh and Sukh. It’s all Him.
 
Love is All. He’s All. 

It's been a month now, and I'd like to share some things I noticed because of the advice of the sangat in the hopes that it may help someone who felt like I did at the time of writing the original post
Simran is being aware of waheguru ji that they are here right now and staying in this awareness of truly feeling their presence and remembering their qualities is to do their simran. Through doing the effort of jap, awareness of waheguru ji arises and you begin to feel waheguru ji is here right now. 
 
Or what also works is reading,doing vichar,listening and Singing waheguru ji's praises/qualities.It starts to bring some papi filled guy like me who's totally forgetten waheguru ji into their rememberance and the mind becomes aware of waheguru ji. Listening to the praises of Waheguru while feeling their presence, how could it be that by consciously remembering their praises/qualities that love for waheguru ji won't arise. Remembering Waheguru ji's praises are so great that it will melt this stone heart and love will begin to seap through.Actually the reason it's so hard to feel this love is because there's so much poison within from the sins committed that the mind totally forgets waheguru ji. Without any awareness of waheguru ji's presence how can one expect to feel love. How can you love something you can't even remember. Well, the first step is to begin to remember, through jap and singing praises. Slowly and steadily, singing their praises with their grace, love will sprout and will burn away the weight of many sins from the mind, making it more pure, making it easier to find this love and easier to connect to waheguru ji. In Bani, it is emphasized so much to sing the gun of vaheguru ji and gurbani itself is full of praises of waheguru ji and is the praise of waheguru ji aswell. Every name used for waheguru ji is their quality/praise it's amazing.How do you even begin to remember the infinite one with infinite qualities and infinite praises,the one without any form and yet infinite forms? It's through their praise/gun. There is no beginning or end to their qualities and to their praise but I never understood most of the meanings of these qualities  and virtues in gurbani until I started reading english translations alongside bani. Even if I did,the feeling of presence that waheguru ji is infront me and everywhere wouldnt be there. 
I noticed a huge difference especially with Jaap sahib, it is so amazing when you take some time to understand and do vichar of the meaning and it becomes simran. For so long,I'd be just reading nitnem banis without much understanding. Now, I sometimes I feel lightweight when reading bani/gurmantar jap in this way. I also feel something down near the center my chest, like something is going up and down.Any idea of what this might be,should I try doing anything with it or just leave it be and observe next time?Listening to ragis who do kirtan with love like bhai harjinder singh srinagar wale,bhai lakhwinder singh etc helps so much and I notice these things happen more when listening to kirtan and doing vichar of the shabad together.  I also don't feel miserable and frustrated like how I used to feel near the time of writing this post.  Things are better since then thanks to the grace of the sangat.I honestly would've never discovered any of this in the past month without the guidance from sangat here. I am so grateful for this virtual sangat.

The best way to get rid of blind faith and  doubts , is by own personal experience.
And sikhee provides all the tools to do so.
No doubt sikhee is all about establishing a bond, a relationship of total love with the highest level of consciousness, the ultimate everlasting  and changeless Truth, to which First Patshahee right in the very beginning of the Bani calls it Sat Nam.
Jug Chaarae Naam Outham Sabadh Beechaar
Throughout the four ages, the Naam is the ultimate/Highest; reflect upon the Word of the Shabad
Raag Gauri Guaarayree
Sree Guru Amar Das Maharaj.
In the above verse, Guru Jee is telling us, that throughout the 4 yugas upon yugas, countless incarnations of trinties, gods, devtays, prophets may come and go, but, it is Nam alone, which is constant and changeless  throughout all the 4 yugas, thus beyond the parameters of time and space.  
The duty of the countless trinties is only to keep going on the nashvant creations, worlds, spheres. They come only to establish righteoousness when the weight of sins becomes too heavy, in our case, of Mother Earth.
That´s it.
The abode of the central deity of the trinities is Baikunth, very much under the realms of Maya, thus perishable in Parlay or Mahaparlay. Meanwhile, the abode of the ultimate Parbrahm Truth is  Sach Khand, which is far beyond the cycles of creations and dissolutions, thus eternal and changeless. It is Satnam what we have to look for alone, in order to escape from the clutches of maya and death, and become immortal, means we are not anymore subject to births and deaths.
And to this Truth of Satnam/Nam/Shabad/Amrit Bani/Sachee Bani/Dhur kee Bani...etc ... is the only reality to which we have to devote ourselves, for it is this very Power which will ferry us from the false and perishable creations/realms, to the eternal and changeless abode of that ultimate Truth, namely Sach Khand
This ultimate Truth as per Bani can be realized within the living temple of our human body, known also as Har mandir.
Now the thing is, that to realize Him within us is totally true, but at the same time it can never be done all by ourselves.
Nobody can ever succeed in doing so, unless He showers His kirpa on that particular jeev atma.
In that respect, almost all of us may have heard and read in Asa Ki War, the following verses:
Bin Satgur kinnay na paayo
Bis Satgur kinnay na paaya.
 
Moreover,  let us see what Sree Guru Ram Das is telling us in the following verse below:
ਜਨ ਊਪਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਧਾਰੀ ਮਿਲਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪਾਰਿ ਪਰਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Jan Oopar Kirapaa Prabh Dhhaaree Mil Sathigur Paar Paraa ||1|| Rehaao ||
God has showered His Mercy upon His humble servant; meeting with the True Guru, he is carried across.
 
Mukat, bhugat, jugat tayree sayvaa, jis toon  aap karaa-ihi.
Liberation, comfort and proper lifestyle comes from devoting You; 
and that also, to whom you make him do it
Naanak ka-o parabh bha-ay kirpaalaa, Satgur pooraa paa-i-aa. 
God has become compassionate to Nanak; I have found the Perfect True Guru
Raag Soohee, Sree Guru Arjun Dev
 
 
ਜਿਨ ਕਉ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਹਰਿ ਮੇਲਹੁ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਤੇ ਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾਏ ਸੰਤੋਖ ਗੁਰ ਸਰਾ ॥
Jin Ko Thumh Har Maelahu Suaamee Thae Nhaaeae Santhokh Gur Saraa ||
Those whom You unite with Yourself, O Lord and Master, bathe in the Guru's cleansing pool of contentment.
 
Now, the question arises how does Guru Jee ferry us across? 
Well, He says, you are too heavy with countless sins, I will surely make you cross to Sach Khand, but for that you have to get cleansed thoroughly from all your dirt accumulated upon your soul since you left Sach Khand eons ago.
For that purpose  Guru Jee gives us the soap of Nam, and the water of His grace, to wash away  all our impurities. 
Our daily devotion to Nam, which is constantly repeated again and again throughout the Bani, is that our cleansing thoroughly;  slowly, but for sure progressive, depending on how sincere we are in this our offering our love and devotion at His Lotus Feet, through Nam bhakti.
Prabh Ka Simran, manh kee mael jaaey, Prabh ka Simran garb na baseh.
Once we are cleansed from all our impurities and become spotless, and become fit to merge in Him,  Guru Jee extends His powerful arm to pull us and we board  the vessel of Nam, which carries us directly to Sach Khand, the True home of our True Father, Satnam.
Such is beauty and reality of the teachings of Guru Jee,namely Sikhee.
Stay blessed.
SSA.

Though this is quite an old thread, yet many may have similar doubts. 
So in this respect, it could well be said, that everybody knows smoking is injurious to health, yet people do smoke ...
Everybody knows alcohol and drug consumption are also injurious to health, yet people do get into drugs and drinking...
Evrybody knows one should not exceed the speed limits, yet people get fined for it and cause fatal accidents ....
People know, jealousy, hatred, lies, ego, greed, untruthfulness .... are all bad, yet they enjoy  getting dirty in that mud of ignorance and malice ...
So you see, we are who in spite of knowing the rules and regulations, we do break them, so naturally we have to learn to behave, and unless we learn it, nature goes giving us chances upon chances, until we mature, whether by good ways or by the hard ways .
So is the purpose of the cycle of 84, unless we become good human beings in order to evolve spiritually and reach our True Home, we shall keep on stumbling in the mayavee creation.

Well there are the lights, the visions, sometimes other powers/siddis. The lights and visions open your mind and serve as a guide in your path. Positive visions can give you comfort that you’re on the right track. 
 
Blind faith after this is great. If you can practice a Truthful living, without needing or desiring the visions etc, and experience life beyond the thieves, it’s something to behold. The path never ends. 
 
Live life free of the thieves, free of the bs. Live and apply Gurbani. And detach and guide and teach others to detach.

Be happy and confident and a positive and optimistic person , no matter what. Never doubt yourself 
Dont believe or waste time and your precious life and energy dwelling on the losers and their B.S and avoid bad eggs and sangat, 
Walk around the earth freely and without fear and enjoy your life.
Be a free spirit and strong 
Be happy and grateful for what you have 
Be real (and never get over excited or nervous about anything), and accept reality 
Accept that only I dictate my life and who I am, no one else can define me or dictate my life. Only I truly know who I am
Don’t look for or need approval or validation, approve of and validate yourself, only believe yourself and no one else
Love, cherish, respect, take care of, Believe in and be kind to yourself
Accept good things, make the most of your opportunities and accept praise graciously 
Be good and be Positive
Work hard and smart, don’t procrastinate, build your life and make it amazing 

Enjoy your life to the fullest and love your life 
Know yourself (as Sat/Truth and stay true to yourself and all around you 
I think this is such a good exercise even imagining you’re older than you are and giving advice to yourself now at what age you are currently

Be happy and confident and a positive and optimistic person , no matter what. Never doubt yourself 
Dont believe or waste time and your precious life and energy dwelling on the losers and their B.S and avoid bad eggs and sangat, 
Walk around the earth freely and without fear and enjoy your life.
Be a free spirit and strong 
Be happy and grateful for what you have 
Be real (and never get over excited or nervous about anything), and accept reality 
Accept that only I dictate my life and who I am, no one else can define me or dictate my life. Only I truly know who I am
Don’t look for or need approval or validation, approve of and validate yourself, only believe yourself and no one else
Love, cherish, respect, take care of, Believe in and be kind to yourself
Accept good things, make the most of your opportunities and accept praise graciously 
Be good and be Positive
Work hard and smart, don’t procrastinate, build your life and make it amazing 

Enjoy your life to the fullest and love your life 
Know yourself (as Sat/Truth and stay true to yourself and all around you 
I think this is such a good exercise even imagining you’re older than you are and giving advice to yourself now at what age you are currently

Be happy and confident and a positive and optimistic person , no matter what. Never doubt yourself 
Dont believe or waste time and your precious life and energy dwelling on the losers and their B.S and avoid bad eggs and sangat, 
Walk around the earth freely and without fear and enjoy your life.
Be a free spirit and strong 
Be happy and grateful for what you have 
Be real (and never get over excited or nervous about anything), and accept reality 
Accept that only I dictate my life and who I am, no one else can define me or dictate my life. Only I truly know who I am
Don’t look for or need approval or validation, approve of and validate yourself, only believe yourself and no one else
Love, cherish, respect, take care of, Believe in and be kind to yourself
Accept good things, make the most of your opportunities and accept praise graciously 
Be good and be Positive
Work hard and smart, don’t procrastinate, build your life and make it amazing 

Enjoy your life to the fullest and love your life 
Know yourself (as Sat/Truth and stay true to yourself and all around you 
I think this is such a good exercise even imagining you’re older than you are and giving advice to yourself now at what age you are currently

Be happy and confident and a positive and optimistic person , no matter what. Never doubt yourself 
Dont believe or waste time and your precious life and energy dwelling on the losers and their B.S and avoid bad eggs and sangat, 
Walk around the earth freely and without fear and enjoy your life.
Be a free spirit and strong 
Be happy and grateful for what you have 
Be real (and never get over excited or nervous about anything), and accept reality 
Accept that only I dictate my life and who I am, no one else can define me or dictate my life. Only I truly know who I am
Don’t look for or need approval or validation, approve of and validate yourself, only believe yourself and no one else
Love, cherish, respect, take care of, Believe in and be kind to yourself
Accept good things, make the most of your opportunities and accept praise graciously 
Be good and be Positive
Work hard and smart, don’t procrastinate, build your life and make it amazing 

Enjoy your life to the fullest and love your life 
Know yourself (as Sat/Truth and stay true to yourself and all around you 
I think this is such a good exercise even imagining you’re older than you are and giving advice to yourself now at what age you are currently