Self-reflection and Sikhi

[Guest Harps]

Hi guys,

can anyone help me understand the link between meditation and self-reflection, in terms of sikhi. 

Can self-reflection be a stepping stone to being a better person and thus being able to meditate more effectively..?i

I have started to write in a daily diary of my day and if I could have handled situations better or reflecting on what I said and how I said it or if I was offensive to anyone..

[N30S1NGH]

Yes off course, self reflection -vichar and meditation/simran-remembrance of truth/gyan/shabad goes hand in hand. For eg-

Thaal Vich Tin Vastu Paio Sat Santokh Vichaaro Amrit Nam Thakur Ka Paio Jis Ka Sabas Adhaaro  ||

Also look at the thread below:

http://www.sikhawareness.com/topic/16369-akaal-ustat-beautiful-questions-riddles/

 

 

 

 

[BhForce]

3 hours ago, Guest Harps said:

can anyone help me understand the link between meditation and self-reflection, in terms of sikhi. 

Can self-reflection be a stepping stone to being a better person and thus being able to meditate more effectively..?i

Yes, it can be, because in Sikhism, the self is a part of God. Therefore reflection on one's self is meditation on God.

This concept is called Aatam Raam, God within Self:

ਆਤਮ ਮਹਿ ਰਾਮੁ ਰਾਮ ਮਹਿ ਆਤਮੁ ਚੀਨਸਿ ਗੁਰ ਬੀਚਾਰਾ ॥

Aatham Mehi Raam Raam Mehi Aatham Cheenas Gur Beechaaraa ||

The Lord is in the soul, and the soul is in the Lord. This is realized through the Guru's Teachings.

ਭੈਰਉ (ਮਃ ੧) ਅਸਟ. (੧) ੧:੧ - ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ : ਅੰਗ ੧੧੫੩ ਪੰ. ੮ 
Raag Bhaira-o Guru Nanak Dev

 

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮਨੁ ਸਮਝਾਈਐ ਆਤਮ ਰਾਮੁ ਬੀਚਾਰਿ ॥੨॥

Guramukh Man Samajhaaeeai Aatham Raam Beechaar ||2||

The Gurmukhs train their minds to contemplate the Lord, the Supreme Soul. ||2||

ਸਿਰੀਰਾਗੁ (ਮਃ ੧) (੧੨) ੨:੩ - ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ : ਅੰਗ ੧੮ ਪੰ. ੧੪ 
Sri Raag Guru Nanak Dev

 

ਤ੍ਰੈ ਗੁਣ ਮੇਟੇ ਚਉਥੈ ਵਰਤੈ ਏਹਾ ਭਗਤਿ ਨਿਰਾਰੀ ॥੧੬॥

Thrai Gun Maettae Chouthhai Varathai Eaehaa Bhagath Niraaree ||16||

Eradicating the three qualities, dwell in the fourth state. This is the unparalleled devotional worship. ||16||

ਰਾਮਕਲੀ (ਮਃ ੧) ਅਸਟ. (੯) ੧੬:੧ - ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ : ਅੰਗ ੯੦੮ ਪੰ. ੩ 

 

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜੋਗ ਸਬਦਿ ਆਤਮੁ ਚੀਨੈ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਏਕੁ ਮੁਰਾਰੀ ॥੧੭॥

Guramukh Jog Sabadh Aatham Cheenai Hiradhai Eaek Muraaree ||17||

This is the Yoga of the Gurmukh: Through the Shabad, he understands his own soul, and he enshrines within his heart the One Lord. ||17||

ਮਨੂਆ ਅਸਥਿਰੁ ਸਬਦੇ ਰਾਤਾ ਏਹਾ ਕਰਣੀ ਸਾਰੀ ॥੧੮॥

Manooaa Asathhir Sabadhae Raathaa Eaehaa Karanee Saaree ||18||

Imbued with the Shabad, his mind becomes steady and stable; this is the most excellent action. ||18||

 

ਆਤਮੁ ਚੀਨੈ ਸੁ ਤਤੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੇ ॥੮॥

Aatham Cheenai S Thath Beechaarae ||8||

One who understands his own soul, contemplates the essence of reality. ||8||

ਗਉੜੀ (ਮਃ ੧) ਅਸਟ. (੮) ੮:੨ - ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ : ਅੰਗ ੨੨੪ ਪੰ. ੧੦ 
Raag Gauri Guru Nanak Dev

 

ਫਲੁ ਪਾਵੈ ਬ੍ਰਤੁ ਆਤਮ ਚੀਨੈ ॥

Fal Paavai Brath Aatham Cheenai ||

Earn the fruitful rewards, by observing the fast of knowing your own self.

ਬਿਲਾਵਲੁ ਥਿਤੀ (ਮਃ ੧) (੧੩):੩ - ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ : ਅੰਗ ੮੪੦ ਪੰ. ੪ 
Raag Bilaaval Guru Nanak Dev

 

[Sukhvirk1976]

SATNAM 

Nirankaar is truth. Guru is truth. It is only through contemplation, study, discipline of thought. Self - introspection is a must.. 

If you can find a contradiction in a supposition then you haven't found truth but have at least discounted one permutation, one less to consider.. If the logic and rationale does not fit it means you have to have to however hard the pill is to swallow accept until you can disprove it accept that as the best answer. Until through introspection and questioning you can develop a better hypothesis