Why Remember God? Enemies Go Away!

In the previous post, I discussed that God is limitless. One of the most beautiful things I learned from the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is that by remembering God, your enemies will become your friends. He resides within his creation. If you remember God, and wish for your enemies to become friends, through his unfathomable ways, God can make it happen.

Ang/Page: 107 Shabad: 264

ਦੂਤ ਦੁਸਮਣ ਸਭਿ ਸਜਣ ਹੋਏ ਏਕੋ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਆਹਿਆ ਜੀਉ
dūt dusaman sabh sajan hōē ēkō suāmī āhiā jīu .2.
All the evil-doers and enemies have become friends as I long for but One Lord.

 

Ang/Page: 826 Shabad: 2257

ਆਪਨਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਆਇਆ ਚੀਤਿ ॥

ਦੁਸਮਨ ਦੁਸਟ ਰਹੇ ਝਖ ਮਾਰਤ ਕੁਸਲੁ ਭਇਆ ਮੇਰੇ ਭਾਈ ਮੀਤ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

āpanā prabh āiā chīt .

dusaman dusat rahē jhakh mārat kusal bhaiā mērē bhāī mīt .1. rahāu .

I have pondered over my Lord.

Mine adversaries and villains are grown weary of prating and I have attained bliss. O my brother and friend. Pause.

 

Ang/Page: 262 Shabad: 703

ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੈ ਸਿਮਰਨਿ ਦੁਸਮਨੁ ਟਰੈ ॥

prabh kai simaran dusaman tarai .

 

By Lord’s meditation the enemy keeps away.

 

Ang/Page: 371 Shabad: 953

ਮੈ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਛੋਡਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤੁਹੀ ਧਿਆਇਆ ॥੧॥

ਮਹਾ ਅਨੰਦ ਅਚਿੰਤ ਸਹਜਾਇਆ ॥

ਦੁਸਮਨ ਦੂਤ ਮੁਏ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

mai sabh kish shōd prabh tuhī dhiāiā .1.

mahā anand achint sahajāiā .

dusaman dūt muē sukh pāiā .1. rahāu .

Forsaking one and all, I have meditated on Thee alone, O Lord.

Naturally I am, now, exceedingly happy and care-free.

The enemies and miscreants have perished and I have obtained peace. Pause.

 

Ang/Page: 1339 Shabad: 3525

ਅਨਦ ਸਹਜ ਰਸ ਸੂਖ ਘਨੇਰੇ ॥

ਦੁਸਮਨੁ ਦੂਖੁ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਨੇਰੇ ॥

nānak nām salāhīai bhai dusaman bhāgai .2.3.67.

Joy, poise, pleasure and peace he has in plenty.

Enemy and pain come not near him.

 

 

 

 

 

Why remember God? He takes care of your affairs.

Sometimes, you go through life and you say to yourself, why didn’t I just do this before? Well, I’ve gone through this conversation with myself regarding this topic. For me, I knew of the right path, but the faith and belief was missing. Sadly, I try this method, when everything else fails. When I realize that I have no options left and I am ready to give up, then my stubborn mind turns to God for help. In addition to prayers, remembering God and reciting his name can help sort out our affairs. I used to wonder, does God have time for me? The truth is that we need to stop putting limits on what God can do, wants to do and etc… Just trust Gurbani. Trust that if you are in need, God is your savior and remembering him and reciting his name is the way to connecting to him. In Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, we read:

 

Ang/Page: 1142 Shabad: 2906

ਐਸੋ ਹੀਰਾ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਨਾਮ ॥

ਜਾਸੁ ਜਪਤ ਪੂਰਨ ਸਭਿ ਕਾਮ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Such is the jewel of the immaculate Name.

By uttering which all the tasks are accomplished. Pause.

aisō hīrā niramal nām .

jās japat pūran sabh kām .1. rahāu .

 

Ang/Page: 262 Shabad: 703 :

ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੈ ਸਿਮਰਨਿ ਕਾਰਜ ਪੂਰੇ ॥

Through Lord’s meditation the tasks are accomplished.

Ang/Page: 202 Shabad: 521

ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਜਪਉ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਮ ॥

ਤਾ ਤੇ ਸਿਧਿ ਭਏ ਸਗਲ ਕਾਂਮ ॥੨॥

Night and day, I meditate on the Guru, and the Name of the Guru.

Thus all my works are brought to perfection. ||2||

 

Ang/Page: 292 Shabad: 724 :

ਸਿਰ ਊਪਰਿ ਠਾਢਾ ਗੁਰੁ ਸੂਰਾ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਤਾ ਕੇ ਕਾਰਜ ਪੂਰਾ ॥੭॥

The Brave and Powerful Guru stands over his head.

O Nanak, his efforts are fulfilled. ||7||

Ang/Page: 320 Shabad: 786

ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਪੂਰੈ ਸੇਵਿਐ ਦੂਖਾ ਕਾ ਹੋਇ ਨਾਸੁ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮਿ ਅਰਾਧਿਐ ਕਾਰਜੁ ਆਵੈ ਰਾਸਿ ॥੧॥

satigur pūrai sēviai dūkhā kā hōi nās .

nānak nām arādhiai kāraj āvai rās .1.

By serving the perfect True Guru the pain come to an end.

Nanak, by meditating on the Name the affairs are set right.

 

Ang/Page: 1425 Shabad: 3616

ਗੁਰੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਜਿਨ ਸਿਮਰਿਆ ਸੇਈ ਭਏ ਨਿਹਾਲ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਰਾਧਣਾ ਕਾਰਜੁ ਆਵੈ ਰਾਸਿ ॥੮॥

Supremely blissful become they, who meditate on the perfect Guru.

Nanak, by dwelling upon the Lord’s Name, the affairs are adjusted.

gur pūrā jin simariā sēī bhaē nihāl .

nānak nām arādhanā kāraj āvai rās .8.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why Remember God? – No More Worries

These days, anxiety is common. Family support systems are less common; consequently, people are not able to address their internal demons. Secondly, everything is publicized and passed around on social networks, which adds to the problems when things are going wrong. We are constantly connected to news, media, people, work, and other sources of potential anxiety. We connect to everything accept the one source that deserves our attention. The one source that brings true peace, GOD!

Peace is hard to find. Think about your day. Think about your lifestyle. Of all the things that we accomplish, gain, or obtain, what has brought you true peace? Probably not much. Everything comes with worries and stress. Some of us have a higher capacity to handle it than others, but we are all vulnerable to our worries. One of the reasons to remember God is to rid yourself of worries. When you constantly remember him, pray to him, trust him, and let him reside in your heart, you need not to worry any longer. From Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji:

 

 

 

 

Why Remember God? – No more Pain

In the excerpts below, Gurbani says, by remembering God, meditating and reciting his name, a person can obtain the cure for all ailments. Whether they be the ailments of the mind, body, or soul, the name of God is the cure for all.  Does this mean you can be healed without any medicine or actions? Miracles do happen; however, sometimes, it is because of our prayers and remembrance that we end up in situations that alleviate our pain. Whether it is a person coming to help us (doctor), or finding medicine that works for you. Whether it be a friend suggesting the right solution, or perhaps, a good idea comes to mind.

In addition, when our mind turns to God, that positivity also alleviates a lot of effects of negativity. Science has also proven that the power of positivity is amazing, and there is nothing more positive then the name of God. Gurbani says, Vadaa Sahib, Oocha Thaao, Oocha Oopar, Oochaa Naao. You just have to remember that God can do anything. Sabhna Galaa Samarath Swami So Kyon Manno Visaareh . There is nothing beyond him. Hukmai Andar Sabh Ko, Baahar Hukam Naa Koe. All below is the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. 

Dukh Bhanjani Sahib, Sukhmani Sahib, and many other scriptures from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji deal with pain and suffering. Reading them not only gives us relief from our miseries, it also convinces us that the remembrance of God’s name is most important. The first step  is convincing your mind and having faith. Without trust and faith, the process does not begin. The second step is to praise him at ever step. The next is to submit to his will. Then next comes…??

Why Remember God? – Most Pure Act

Select Verses, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji:

1. “Sarab Dharam mein Sreshta Dharam Har Ko Naam Jap Nirmal Karam”
   
2. “Gobind Bhajan Bin Birthe Sab Kaaj”

An attempt at translating these verses:

1. Of all faiths/religions/paths, this is the most pure or accepted path, which is remembering God and reciting his name (externally or internally) and it is the most filth-less (pure) act.
2. Without remembering Gobind all other acts are in vain.

ANG 269 from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Does this mean you should give up everything else? That’s a complicated answer. All I can say is that I’ve come to understanding that remember God at all times, and secondly, do everything as God would want you to, which until you fully connect with him it is hard for a person to understand. If what you do gets you closer to God, then its an act that is better than one that doesn’t, but maximize the time that you spend on the contemplation of God, Singing his praises, talking about him, sharing information about him and so forth. Where does this come from? Love!