Method to concentrate the mind by Sant Baba Harnam Singh Ji Rampur Khera

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Almost every follower of spirituality has the same dilemma: “We read Gurbani and try to meditate, but our mind does not stay focused on Gurbani. It wanders in thought.” Baba Ji often asks “Do you take time or effort to quieten your wandering mind which you are so anxious on?".

Why the mind wanders?

The accumulation of numerous sins over many past lives, has caused the mind to wander from its true centre and become tarnished with the filth of these sins. It runs and hankers after those material things, which it desires and appeases it.

How does Gurbani help?

The reason why the mind wanders must be sought and stimulus that causes the mind to lose focus must be addressed. Take refuge in Gurbani, which represents the Guru’s intellect, to obtain greater logic to prevent and check the mind from wandering around.

Tips 

1. Sanggat

Remove the stimulus by changing the company that we keep. By changing sanggat from bad to gursikhs, our mind will become engaged in listening to the Guru’s teaching. By repeatedly listening to the Guru’s words, one’s mind will find it easier to meditate on God. 

By keeping good company of Gursikhs or Saintly person, one is inspired and aspires to meet the Almighty. By coming into the company of pious people, one is inspired to adopt merits and shun misdeeds. Eventually, the balance of our karma is tipped in favour of good deeds.

The most helpful act in contemplating the name of the Lord is to keep Saintly company. We should strive to keep such company daily. If for some reason a Gursikh cannot get the company of other Gursikhs then try to enjoy the company of religious and holy texts.


2. Listen

One must now judge how much Gurbani does one listen to as we recite it. We can hear Gurbani only if our mind is stable and not wandering in other thoughts. If we recite Gurmantar “Waheguru,” then we should hear it with our ears attentively. Repeat this action again and again, tuning our mind to the tone of our voice as we say Waheguru. Soon our mind will start to focus more deeply . If a passenger needs to cover a long journey, he first has to travel to a station before boarding a train or bus. His real journey begins only when the train moves. Similarly, when the tongue recites Gurbani, it is like the journey from home to the station. Real spiritual journey starts when we hear, understand and practice the message of Gurbani with constant awareness that Parmaatma is always in and around us, listening to our every word.


3. 27 Times Method

When sitting down to do Mool mantar, say for 27 times, then only count the repetition of Mool mantar that was recited and listened to without other thoughts in the mind. If, when reciting Mool Mantar, one had thoughts, then do not count this as having done the Mool mantar. Very quickly, the mind will realise that to complete 27 repetitions of Mool mantar, thoughts will have to be held down and focus in meditation will be required. You will at first find the mind goes astray a few times but, by counting only those repetitions as complete, when the mind was free of thought it will slowly begin to remain in focus longer. The intensity of concentration increases with time and pleasure is gained as the mind becomes used to meditating on naam. As concentration increases so does the pleasure.


In a nutshell, one’s mental energy must be focused and channelled in one direction only. Once, a great Sufi mystic enquired of his teacher the method to concentrate his mind. His Guru was busy planting onions and whilst working with his hands, he replied, ”Bulleh shah what is there to achieve of God consciousness? Dig up the plant from here (i.e. divert the mind’s attention from the world) and replant it over there (i.e. refocus your mind in meditation of God). Simply put, we need to divert our mind from worldly thoughts, anxieties and bad thoughts into Gurbani, kirtan, and meditation of naam (simran). At first a great deal of effort will be needed, labouring to achieve quietness from thoughts, but, the rewards of bliss will be proportional to the effort we put into meditation. 

4. Ardaas

Along with our personal effort, we should beseech the Guru in Ardaas. Ask Waheguru Ji as a humble servant, “Dear Guru Ji, we are incapable of controlling our mind, please have mercy and help us to control this strong willed mind. Make it seek pleasure in Gurbani”. To devotees seeking spiritual bliss, Baba Ji often used to say, ”In this world self-restraint or self-control is a great quality. Every Gursikh must inculcate this quality in their daily life. It is essential because it enables spiritual benefits to be obtained more easily".

Personal note: The above advice by Baba Ji is very helpful not only in meditation but also to keep our mind focused and sharp generally. We need to evaluate every kind of sanggat we keep including what we see, listen and read in our daily lives as it all affects our focus. 

Se Kihneya is a great book that a lot of Sikhs has used to start their Sikhi journey. Do check it out :