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Summary of Question:	Prayer
Category:	Other
Date Posted:	Friday, 7/27/2001 12:55 AM MDT

Hi I've asked a question (guru's guidance in marriage)online and got a reply. I really appreciate it.There were some things I'm not very clear with in the response. I was advised to do the naam for 30 minutes, I'm not familiar with that. I've trouble keeping my mind in prayer, how should I handle that? Then take a hukum, what is the best way to do that. Does cyber hukum works? And how

would I know if i'm ready to take a hukum (when I change)...

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REPLY
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Dear One:

FIrst of all, chanting the Naam will HELP you change, as will reading Gurbani whenever you can. So don't 'wait to change', Guru gave us these tools to help us change and be devoted Gursikhs. Just DO IT.

Have you ever attended a Gurdwara? Do we not bow before Siri Guru, say Ardas, bow again, and then read a hukum from Siri Guru? The process is the more or less the same, you can use a cyber hukum, if you have no other access to a Siri Guru. Have Siri Guru on computer then. But still do Ardas and in your heart ask Guruji the question you have, and with your open mind, take the hukum.

Keeping one's mind in prayer is the whole idea and the whole challenge. That is why we chant the Naam, this brings us focus and clarity. You are not the ONLY person in the world who has trouble keeping one's mind on God or on prayer. Most of us have this problem, since the mind puts forth 1000 thoughts in the wink of an eye!

Have you ever chanted Waheguru with sangat while seated in gurdwara? That is Naam Simran.

To do it at home: Create a sacred space in your home or room. An altar helps, not because we worship what's ON the altar, but because it helps us create a sacred space. Things to put on the altar include: picture of Siri Guru, Nit Naym or Gutka, picture of any of 10 Gurus (think of yourself as meditating WITH the Guru), mala or rosary, khanda or kirpan, etc. In any event, you want a quiet space with NO distractions or telephones, TVs, etc. Get a mantra tape or CD (go to http://www.sikhseek.com for music and gurbani resources) and mantra should be Mul Mantra or Waheguru or Sat Nam Waheguru or other mantras from Siri Guru that appeal to you (such as 17th slok of Sukhmani Sahib). OR, if there is a shabd that particularly appeals to you, then get it on tape and play it over and over again. Sit STRAIGHT-spined for at least 30 minutes with your chosen mantra or shabd, close your eyes and chant with the music. (Actually, you don't HAVE to have a tape or CD, but I find it helps immensely in keeping focus and enhancin
g the space. So you could chant Sat Nam Waheguru at your own pace without any tape or music accompaniment.)

In any event, I PROMISE you, you will feel peaceful and at ease when you are finished. Try to do it at the same time every day, but best is before sunrise, as Guru Nanak tells us.

I hope this helps. Guru ang sang,
-DKK