An integral practice in Sikhism is Naam Simran, which is repeated recitation of the four syllables comprising WaheGuru. Progression is made through action (with the help of a rosary of beads), speech (soft whispering) and thought (mental recitation), culminating in Ajapa Japa, a state when recitation becomes autonomous. Beginner’s Naam Jaap (PDF, 65 pages) by Dr Kulwant Singh Khokhar appears to be the most detailed web article in English on practicing Naam Simran. Another article by him is Way of the Saffron Cloud.
Two sets of hymns explain Naam Simran:
1) Japji Sahib (wikipedia) consists of the first eight pages of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The wikipedia article has many links to translations, audio and video files. Japji Sahib (sikhwiki) has many links as well.
2) Sukhmani Sahib (translation into English) explains many aspects of Naam Simran. Sukhmani Sahib consists of 192 hymns on pages 262–296 in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Article at sikhwiki
In a Gurudwara, when prasad is being served, people usually chant ‘Japo Satnam Satnam Satnam Ji, Waheguru Waheguru Waheguru Ji’, which is a reminder that we must carry out Naam Simran with ‘Waheguru’ as the mantra.
My daughter’s name is also Simran — at the time of choosing her name, I had not realized the great significance of Naam Simran in Sikhism. Today, I’m overjoyed with the choice that my wife and I made. In the main hall at San Jose Gurudwara, three lines are displayed in bold: ਸੁਖ ਵੇਲੇ ਸ਼ੁਕਰਾਨਾ, ਦੁਖ ਵੇਲੇ ਅਰਦਾਸ, ਹਰ ਵੇਲੇ ਸਿਮਰਨ.
Links: Ajapa Japa (Google search) is a term used by many spiritual systems worldwide that employ Mantras for meditation. Mantras in various spiritual systems. Translations of Sri Guru Granth Sahib may be found here.
I cannot read Gurmukhi. Could you please translate the three lines “ਸੁਖ ਵੇਲੇ ਸ਼ੁਕਰਾਨਾ, ਦੁਖ ਵੇਲੇ ਅਰਦਾਸ, ਹਰ ਵੇਲੇ ਸਿਮਰਨ” ?
sukh wele shukrana, dukh welle ardaas, har welle simran.
Thanks !
HAR WELE SHUKARANA, JO VE DITTA, SO TERA
DITTA, HAR WELE ARDAS, HAR WELE SIMRAN HE SIMRAN,
JE ASI HAR WELE ARDAS, SHUKARANA ATTE SIMRAN KARDE RAHIA TAN KADE VE DUKHAN DA SAMNA NA KARNA PAVE, JE KADE THODE BAHUTE DUKH A VI JANDE NE, TAN VE USDA SHUKARANA KARNA CHAHIDA A, KE A MALKA SHUKAR A SANOO THORHE TO HE CHHUTKARA PA DITTA ,TEY PATA NAHI SHAYAD KINNE WADHE NAL BHUGTNA PAINA SEE. IS KARKE MAIN ARDAS KARDA HAN ASI SAREY HAR WELE US RUB DA SHUKARANA KARDE RAHIA AT HAR WELE US NO APNE MUN WHICH AENA BITHA LAHIA KE KADE AUKHI GHARHI VE AA JAVE TAN VE SANU OF GHARHI HAMESHA SUKHA WALI HE LAGGE.