How to be Saved from the Trap of Tandra
Original Text: ਇਸ ਸਮੇਂ ਦੀ ਇਕ ਘਟਨਾ ਤੋਂ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾਂ ਅਭਿਆਸੀ ਜਨ ਨੂੰ ਸੁਚੇਤ ਰਹਿਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ। ਫੁਰਨੇ ਸੰਕਲਪ ਵਿਕਲਪਾਂ ਦੀ ਕਲਪਣਾ ਜਦ ਮਿਟ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ ਤਾਂ ਸੁਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਾਂਤ ਘਰ ਵਿਚ ਆਉਣ ਕਰਕੇ ਬਿਰਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਇਕ ਸੁਖ ਜੇਹਾ ਪਰਤੀਤ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਅਭਿਆਸੀ ਦੇ ਅਭਿਆਸ ਨੂੰ ਚੜ੍ਹਦੀ ਕਲਾ ਵਿਖੇ ਜਾਣੋ ਰੋਕਦਾ ਹੈ। ਜੇ ਏਹ ਸੁਖ ਬਿਰਤੀ ਉਤੇ ਪ੍ਰਬਲ ਪੈ ਜਾਵੇ ਤਾਂ ਸੁਰਤੇ ਦੀ ਸੁਰਤੀ ਊਣਮ ਝੂਣੀ ਜੇਹੀ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਅਸਲ ਸਾਵਧਾਨਤਾ ਤੇ ਨਾਮ ਲਿਵ ਦੀ ਏਕਾਗਰਤਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਰਹਿੰਦੀ ਜੋ ਹਰਦੰਮ ਰਹਿਣੀ ਚਾਹੀਦੀ ਹੈ। ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਇਸ ਬਿਹੂਣ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਪ੍ਰਾਇਣੀ ਸਿਫਤਿ ਸਾਲਾਹ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੀ। ਜੈਸਾ ਕਿ ਸੁਖਮਨੀ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਵਿਖੇ ਏਹ ਉਤਸ਼ਾਹੀ ਬਚਨ (ਹੁਕਮ) ਹੈ: ਯਥਾ:
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੀ ਉਸਤਤਿ ਕਰਹੁ ਸੰਤ ਮੀਤ॥ ਸਾਵਧਾਨ ਏਕਾਗਰ ਚੀਤ॥
ਇਸ ਤੋਂ ਬਚਣ ਦਾ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਵਧੀਆ ਉਪਾਉ ਏਹ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਅਵਸਥਾ ਤੋਂ ਹੀ ਨਾਮ ਬਾਣੀ ਦਾ ਅਭਿਆਸ ਇਕੱਠਾ ਹੀ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਵੇ। ਅਤੇ ਬਾਣੀ ਖਾਸ ਕਰਿ ਸੁਖਮਨੀ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਦਾ ਅਭਿਆਸ, ਨਾਮ ਅਭਿਆਸ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਅੱਤ ਗੁਣਕਾਰੀ ਹੈ। ਬਾਣੀ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ (ਨਾਮੀ ਜਿਸ ਦਾ ਕਿ ਨਾਮ ਜਪੀਦਾ ਹੈ) ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਚਾਬਕ ਮਾਰ ਕੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਮੀ (ਅਭਿਆਸੀ ਜਨ) ਨੂੰ ਨਾਮ ਅਭਿਆਸ ਵਲ ਸਾਵਧਾਨ ਰਖਦੀ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਦੇ ਗੁਣਾਨਵਾਦ ਕਹਿ ਕਹਿ ਕੇ ਨਾਮ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਪਿਆਰ ਉਪਜਾਉਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਏਹ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਹੀ ਸਾਵਧਾਨਤਾ ਦਾ ਸੰਜਮ ਹੈ। ਏਹ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਹੀ ਸੁਰਤੀ ਬਿਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਉਚੇਰਾ ਰੱਖਣ ਦੀ ਔਖਧੀ ਹੈ!! ਅਤੇ ਏਹ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਹੀ ਸਰਬਤਰ ਫੁਰਨਿਆਂ ਕੁਫੁਰਨਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਮਾਰਨ ਦਾ ਮਾਰਣ (ਦਾਰੂ) ਹੈ। ਗਲ ਕੀ! ਏਹ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਹੀ ਨਾਮ ਅਭਿਆਸ ਦੀ ਜੁਗਤੀਆਂ ਸਿਰ ਮੁਖ ਜੁਗਤੀ ਹੈ। (Gurmat Bibek page 105-106)
Humble Translation: At this time (when the mind becomes still), the Abhyaasi Jan must stay alert about one spiritual state. At the time when thoughts – good and bad – are removed (from the mind), then the Surthee (concentration) comes in the house of peace (becomes very peaceful) and for this reason the Birthee feels a kind of Sukh (Anand, pleasure) and this prevents the Abhyaas (meditation) of the Abhyaasi to move upwards (in Chardi Kala). If this Sukh or pleasure becomes dominant on the Birthee (Surthee, concentration), then the Surthee of the Surtha (Abhyaasi Jan) becomes deficient and dull and, the true alertness and concentration of Naam, that should remain all the time, does not remain. Because without this (concentration and alertness of Naam), love-filled Praise (Sifat-Salaah) is not possible. As there is this Inspiring Bachan in Siri Sukhmani Sahib:
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੀ ਉਸਤਤਿ ਕਰਹੁ ਸੰਤ ਮੀਤ॥ ਸਾਵਧਾਨ ਏਕਾਗਰ ਚੀਤ॥
The best way to escape from this (dull concentration) is that right from the first stage the Abhyaas of Naam and Gurbani should be done together. And especially to do Abhyaas (recitation with love) of Siri Sukhmani Sahib along with Naam Abhyaas is extremely beneficial. Using the whip or lash of love of the beloved one (whose Naam we chant), Gurbani keeps one alert towards Naam Abhyaas and by praising the greatness of Naam again and again, it increases the love of Naam in the mind of the seeker. This love is the way to get concentration. This love alone is the medicine that takes one’s concentration high. And this love alone is the medicine to kill thoughts or bad thoughts (that keep coming in mind when one tries to concentrate). What else to say, this love alone is the greatest way to do Naam Abhyaas.
Vichaar: There are two kinds of sleep-like Avasthaas. One is Nindra which means normal sleep that worldly people do everyday and the other one is Tandra which is a spiritual sleep that one experiences when during the meditation on Naam, one's mind becomes clear of worldly thoughts. The mind get induced in a sleep-like trance where sometimes spiritual dreams too occur. Many times, one gets visions of other spiritual realms and Ridhi-Sidhi related visions.
The mind gets some pleasure in Tandra and this spiritual sleep called Tandra is much more powerful than Nindra (the normal sleep of worldly people) because half-an-hour of Tandra is more comfort-giving than perhaps many hours of Nindra. Many Abhyaasis who do many hours of Abhyaas, go into Tandra mode of sleep and compensate for less hours of Nindra they get because of their busy schedule.
Many Abhyaasis and Seekers of Vaheguru have written about Tandra but and they have also recognized that spending time in Tandra Avastha means that they sacrifice the rise of their Surthee but they don't offer any concrete solution as to how to avoid Tandra. If one is doing just Naam Abhyaas, one unwittingly slips into Tandra instead of rising in the higher spiritual planes. I believe Sardar Raghbir Singh jee Bir too has mentioned about Tandra and so did Subedar Baghel Singh jee, while conversing with this Daas but other than advising the seekers to be alert, they don't offer real solutions.
The solution to this spiritual hurdle has come from Brahmgyani Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh jee only who has advised that Naam and Gurbani Abhyaas be done together, right from the beginning stages. The first thing of course is to do Abhyaas with full concentration and reach the state where one's thoughts stop and one begins to hear Naam clearly. Bhai Sahib has written that one must stop worldly thoughts as soon as one gets up and particularly when one is doing Ishnaan, one should attempt to do the Ishnaan of the mind as well, by concentrating on Gurbani. When one makes one effort to get concentrated on Gurbani, Gurbani makes countless efforts and takes the mind in it's refuge.
When doing Abhyaas, we notice that one part of the Mind is chanting Naam while another part is thinking about something else. Unless the Mind becomes one and all parts of Mind are concentrated on Naam, the full rewards of Naam Abhyaas are not awarded. Naam Abhyaas should continue as normal, audibly, at Amritvela, and with other part of the mind, one should attempt to hear Manglacharan, Siri Jap jee Sahib or most preferably Siri Sukhmani Sahib. One should not attempt to do Paath as this will take away concentration from Naam but the Paath should happen effortlessly, just as Furnay (thoughts) flash effortlessly in the mind. Mind should continue to focus on Naam Dhuni but when the Pankitis of Siri Sukhmani Sahib flash in the mind, they bring Chardi Kala in Abhyaas. It's this Chardi Kala that Bhai Sahib is talking about in the passage above. The Gurbani Pankitis are drenched in divine Love and this Love causes the Chardi Kala in the Simran and it is this Love that protects the Mind from getting entangled in Tandra. Of course, doing Abhyaas audibly in the presence of other Gursikhs, shields against Tandra.
The above is based on books of Gurmukhs and Vichaars with Gurmukhs. Bhul chuk dee Maafi jee.
Daas,
Kulbir Singh
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੀ ਉਸਤਤਿ ਕਰਹੁ ਸੰਤ ਮੀਤ॥ ਸਾਵਧਾਨ ਏਕਾਗਰ ਚੀਤ॥
ਇਸ ਤੋਂ ਬਚਣ ਦਾ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਵਧੀਆ ਉਪਾਉ ਏਹ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਅਵਸਥਾ ਤੋਂ ਹੀ ਨਾਮ ਬਾਣੀ ਦਾ ਅਭਿਆਸ ਇਕੱਠਾ ਹੀ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਵੇ। ਅਤੇ ਬਾਣੀ ਖਾਸ ਕਰਿ ਸੁਖਮਨੀ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਦਾ ਅਭਿਆਸ, ਨਾਮ ਅਭਿਆਸ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਅੱਤ ਗੁਣਕਾਰੀ ਹੈ। ਬਾਣੀ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ (ਨਾਮੀ ਜਿਸ ਦਾ ਕਿ ਨਾਮ ਜਪੀਦਾ ਹੈ) ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਚਾਬਕ ਮਾਰ ਕੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਮੀ (ਅਭਿਆਸੀ ਜਨ) ਨੂੰ ਨਾਮ ਅਭਿਆਸ ਵਲ ਸਾਵਧਾਨ ਰਖਦੀ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਦੇ ਗੁਣਾਨਵਾਦ ਕਹਿ ਕਹਿ ਕੇ ਨਾਮ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਪਿਆਰ ਉਪਜਾਉਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਏਹ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਹੀ ਸਾਵਧਾਨਤਾ ਦਾ ਸੰਜਮ ਹੈ। ਏਹ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਹੀ ਸੁਰਤੀ ਬਿਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਉਚੇਰਾ ਰੱਖਣ ਦੀ ਔਖਧੀ ਹੈ!! ਅਤੇ ਏਹ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਹੀ ਸਰਬਤਰ ਫੁਰਨਿਆਂ ਕੁਫੁਰਨਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਮਾਰਨ ਦਾ ਮਾਰਣ (ਦਾਰੂ) ਹੈ। ਗਲ ਕੀ! ਏਹ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਹੀ ਨਾਮ ਅਭਿਆਸ ਦੀ ਜੁਗਤੀਆਂ ਸਿਰ ਮੁਖ ਜੁਗਤੀ ਹੈ। (Gurmat Bibek page 105-106)
Humble Translation: At this time (when the mind becomes still), the Abhyaasi Jan must stay alert about one spiritual state. At the time when thoughts – good and bad – are removed (from the mind), then the Surthee (concentration) comes in the house of peace (becomes very peaceful) and for this reason the Birthee feels a kind of Sukh (Anand, pleasure) and this prevents the Abhyaas (meditation) of the Abhyaasi to move upwards (in Chardi Kala). If this Sukh or pleasure becomes dominant on the Birthee (Surthee, concentration), then the Surthee of the Surtha (Abhyaasi Jan) becomes deficient and dull and, the true alertness and concentration of Naam, that should remain all the time, does not remain. Because without this (concentration and alertness of Naam), love-filled Praise (Sifat-Salaah) is not possible. As there is this Inspiring Bachan in Siri Sukhmani Sahib:
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੀ ਉਸਤਤਿ ਕਰਹੁ ਸੰਤ ਮੀਤ॥ ਸਾਵਧਾਨ ਏਕਾਗਰ ਚੀਤ॥
The best way to escape from this (dull concentration) is that right from the first stage the Abhyaas of Naam and Gurbani should be done together. And especially to do Abhyaas (recitation with love) of Siri Sukhmani Sahib along with Naam Abhyaas is extremely beneficial. Using the whip or lash of love of the beloved one (whose Naam we chant), Gurbani keeps one alert towards Naam Abhyaas and by praising the greatness of Naam again and again, it increases the love of Naam in the mind of the seeker. This love is the way to get concentration. This love alone is the medicine that takes one’s concentration high. And this love alone is the medicine to kill thoughts or bad thoughts (that keep coming in mind when one tries to concentrate). What else to say, this love alone is the greatest way to do Naam Abhyaas.
Vichaar: There are two kinds of sleep-like Avasthaas. One is Nindra which means normal sleep that worldly people do everyday and the other one is Tandra which is a spiritual sleep that one experiences when during the meditation on Naam, one's mind becomes clear of worldly thoughts. The mind get induced in a sleep-like trance where sometimes spiritual dreams too occur. Many times, one gets visions of other spiritual realms and Ridhi-Sidhi related visions.
The mind gets some pleasure in Tandra and this spiritual sleep called Tandra is much more powerful than Nindra (the normal sleep of worldly people) because half-an-hour of Tandra is more comfort-giving than perhaps many hours of Nindra. Many Abhyaasis who do many hours of Abhyaas, go into Tandra mode of sleep and compensate for less hours of Nindra they get because of their busy schedule.
Many Abhyaasis and Seekers of Vaheguru have written about Tandra but and they have also recognized that spending time in Tandra Avastha means that they sacrifice the rise of their Surthee but they don't offer any concrete solution as to how to avoid Tandra. If one is doing just Naam Abhyaas, one unwittingly slips into Tandra instead of rising in the higher spiritual planes. I believe Sardar Raghbir Singh jee Bir too has mentioned about Tandra and so did Subedar Baghel Singh jee, while conversing with this Daas but other than advising the seekers to be alert, they don't offer real solutions.
The solution to this spiritual hurdle has come from Brahmgyani Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh jee only who has advised that Naam and Gurbani Abhyaas be done together, right from the beginning stages. The first thing of course is to do Abhyaas with full concentration and reach the state where one's thoughts stop and one begins to hear Naam clearly. Bhai Sahib has written that one must stop worldly thoughts as soon as one gets up and particularly when one is doing Ishnaan, one should attempt to do the Ishnaan of the mind as well, by concentrating on Gurbani. When one makes one effort to get concentrated on Gurbani, Gurbani makes countless efforts and takes the mind in it's refuge.
When doing Abhyaas, we notice that one part of the Mind is chanting Naam while another part is thinking about something else. Unless the Mind becomes one and all parts of Mind are concentrated on Naam, the full rewards of Naam Abhyaas are not awarded. Naam Abhyaas should continue as normal, audibly, at Amritvela, and with other part of the mind, one should attempt to hear Manglacharan, Siri Jap jee Sahib or most preferably Siri Sukhmani Sahib. One should not attempt to do Paath as this will take away concentration from Naam but the Paath should happen effortlessly, just as Furnay (thoughts) flash effortlessly in the mind. Mind should continue to focus on Naam Dhuni but when the Pankitis of Siri Sukhmani Sahib flash in the mind, they bring Chardi Kala in Abhyaas. It's this Chardi Kala that Bhai Sahib is talking about in the passage above. The Gurbani Pankitis are drenched in divine Love and this Love causes the Chardi Kala in the Simran and it is this Love that protects the Mind from getting entangled in Tandra. Of course, doing Abhyaas audibly in the presence of other Gursikhs, shields against Tandra.
The above is based on books of Gurmukhs and Vichaars with Gurmukhs. Bhul chuk dee Maafi jee.
Daas,
Kulbir Singh