Question: Can I meditate on Mantar of "Waheguru", "Allah" and "Raam"

Vaheguru jee. There is a question. There is a person who is a mona. They are trying to find spirituality. They are making positive steps in giving up meat, eggs, and fish and waking up Amrit-vela (2am) everyday. And doing 2 hours Paath/Simran in the evening and 2-3 hours Paath Simran at Amrit-vela.

Their question was, "Is it okay to do 1 hour of simran on the Mantar of "Waheguru" and then do 1 hour of simran on the Mantar of "Allah" etc" They said that both are names of God and he is remembering the One God. Is their anything wrong in meditating Raam or Hari etc in addition to Waheguru Simran." They clarified that they do not wish to follow Islam or any other religion, just use the names of God (from across religions - but which are also mentioned in Gurbani). They asked if there was a conflict in doing so.

I personally think that considering the guy is a mona and not taking Amrit, its very positive he is waking up Amrit-vela and dedicating time to remember God.

Sangat's thoughts of an appropriate answer would be appreciated.

If someone who is not an Amritdhari and asks us what Naam he or she should chant, we should never suggest anything because initiating Naam or suggesting Naam to chant is the prerogative of Guru Sahib alone. No one else has any right or authority to suggest or advice a non-Amritdhari to chant any Naam. Such people should be encouraged to do as much Gurbani Paath as possible. He or she should be told not to chant any Naam without divine Hukam of Guru Sahib, which is given at the time of Amrit Sinchaar Samagam.

You have written that this person is doing Amritvela of about 2 hours and 2-3 hours in the evening. Tell this person to do 7 Baani Nitnem, Punj Granthi which constitutes Siri Sukhmani Sahib, Siri Asa kee Vaar, Siri Baavan Akhri, Siri Oankaar and Siri Sidh Gosht. Once a person is fully trained, this much Nitnem takes about 2 hours to 3 hours. For the rest of 2 hours, this person can do 15-25 Siri Jap jee Sahib Paaths or 3-4 Siri Sukhmani Sahib Paaths or Sadhaaran Paath from Maharaj jee's Pothis for this much time

If this person is able to do this kind of Nitnem (this is not normal for an ordinary person but for the person you have written above), then you see what Avastha this person gets as soon as he or she gets Amrit (provided Rehit is kept).

Kulbir Singh

Excellent Reply Bhai Sahib Jee


Amanjot Singh

In daas's opinion Naam should be kept as gupt as possible.

However it seems that is only opinion of minority including Gursikhs in jatha. Daas was going to write something in regards to the rise of simran programs especially here in the UK. Daas believes the rise of simran programs are an offshoot of simran done at rainsbais. However reading about smagams in puratan times and from puratan Gursikhs, dhunee (simran) was rare.

One problem with simran programmes is that many non-amritdhari attend. The non-amritdhari who go to these programmes may get wrong impression and feel that they have done simran and therefore taking is amrit is not mandatory. In reality, Naam can only be recieved from Panj Piare.

For sure there is lots of simran being done at gurdwaras and rainbais but daas feels that the tatt is not present. Also I do not see this trend reversing.

Some may suggest that they enjoy simran at rainbais and can't do without. However, puratan Gursikhs used to both together. When doing kirtan or paath the khanda of Naam would also reside (inside).

Daas has no authority or kamai to write about such lofty topics but 100% agrees with bhai kulbir singh jee. To have any sort of abhiyaas of naam we must have heavy abhiyaas of Gurbanee. When we do parchaar we must insist on heavy abhiyaas of Gurbanee. An abhiyaasi of Gurbanee will become an abhiyaasi of Naam especially if they have naam drir.

Bhul chuk maaf jee.

If he is keen on reciting the different names of God from the different languages ns you don't want to discourage him then I suggest you recommend he recite Sri Jaap Sahib which includes many Kirtam Names of Waaheguru. Also you can suggest he read "Adhrisht Waaheguru Dey Partakh Darshan" this way he will understand the superiority of Gurmat naam as opposed to any other name plus he would be more convinced the importance of taking amrit and japing naam.

Its best to encourage him to meditate with sangat instead of meditating alone on other mantras. there are many Gurdwaras in UK in which sangat get together and do Waaheguru simran. Bhai Rama SIngh Ji started one in Southall, and I remember when I was in Smethwick ( Guru Nanak Sikh Temple) they had youth program once a week so if he is from London or West Midlands area he should be able to attend either one of these programs.