In
Sikhism, 'Simran' () refers to the repetition or recital of the God Names:
NÄm or of the
Holy Text Sri
Guru Granth Sahib. The word is derived from
Sanskrit word ''Smaran'' meaning Remembrance. Also translates to ‘Meditation’ – The verb ''Simar'', which is derived from ''Simran'' means ''meditating''.
It says in the
SGGS that by carrying out ''Simran'' the person is purified and attains
Salvation or
Mukti.
Si - mar can also mean "to die over" such that you kill your ''ego'' in order to have union with the infinite reality.
A teaching that staying focused on TRUTH (Thy TRUE Name or 'SAT') gains a person the humility to accept God's Will (
Hukam) and become free of attachment. The person who wishes to gain and benefit from this human life and attain a higher spiritual state must, according to the
Sikh Gurus, undergo the discipline of
Naam Simran, remembrance, i.e. 'constant awareness of Thy TRUE Name (
Satnam).
The act of
Simran (smarana) is on the one hand related to the act of "surati" (sruti) (concentration, focus) ie: 'listening to the teachings of Shri
Guru Granth Sahib' ,..
.. and on the other to the function of "smriti", i.e. 'consciousness' which means 'comprehension & retention of the teachings in one’s consciousness.
The notion of
naam Simran is thus similar to that of "surati-sabda". At one level this involves the practice of
naam japana or 'focusing/concentrating on the TRUTH', a long established convention whereby merit is acquired by devoutly repeating, understanding, comprehending & livig by the sacred word ( 'TRUTH' ) in real life. The practice is explicitly enjoined in the
Sikh faith
Further, the discipline must be practised in a corporate sense...
...with devotees gathering as a fellowship (
satsang) to sing hymns of praise (
kirtan) of no individual gone by /living wordly person, but of Lord TRUTH.
The final level is meditation.
Akal-
Purakh meditation is not merely mechanical repeatition of words or singing of hymns but also being in deep contemplation of the divine mystery of Lord TRUTH. Such repeated contemplation cleans the mind where in TRUE IDEAs by the grace of Lord TRUTH descend down. All these practices constitute legitimate and necessary forms of naam simran; and all serve progressively to reveal the divine Name to the person who earnestly seeks it.
Quotes
"Simran to me means remembrance. I know I can recall to memory only those entities whom I know well viz. individuals, events, things, places etc. When I do not know about 'The Sat' (my way of referring to 'The Ultimate') how can I recall "The Sat' in my mind. The stage of evolution I am, contemplating on 'The Sat' is Simran for me. I exercise my mind to coneptualise the 'Nirakaar' i.e. 'The Sat; I think how can I merge with 'The Sat' etc, etc. this is Simran for me.
Repetition of the word by which one refers to 'The Sat' is 'Jaap' for me. If 'Jaap' and 'Simran' were to mean the same, then there was no need for two separate words. These two words exist because they convey different way of application of mind.
'Simran' and 'Jaap' are two separate practices for mind." by Amarpal Singh
----
In
Surat Shabd Yoga, the spiritual exercises (
sadhanas) include
simran (repetition, particularly silent repetition of a
mantra given at initiation), dhyan (concentration, viewing, or contemplation, particularly on the Inner Master), and
bhajan (listening to the inner sounds of the
Shabd or the Shabd Master).
External links
★
Simran.info
★
Simran Image Gallery
Audio
★
Harjinder Singh (Sri Nagar Wale) - Naam Simran
★
Harbans Singh (Jagadhari Wale) - Naam Simran
★
Sadhu Singh (Dehradun Wale) - Prabh Ka Simran Sabh Teh Ucha
★
Satvinder Singh & Harvinder Singh - Aapne Sevak Ki Aape Raakhai
★
Baljit Kaur Khalsa - Kar Kirpa Kirpal - Simran
★
Ravinder Singh (Hazoori Ragi Sri Darbar Sahib Amritsar) - Gur Purai Meri Raakh Layi - Simran
★
Anoop Singh (Una Sahib Wale) & Anuradha Paudwal - Jo Kichh Hai So Tera - Simran
★
Jasbir Singh (Khanne Wale) - Live Nam Simran At Dixie Road 2006 (Canada)