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ome people say that they like doing Simran (remembering God) but they don't really concentrate on Paatth (recital of Gurbani). In this article, we will learn how one can concentrate on Paatth and why we cannot concentrate.
Single-minded Focus
The reason for not being able to concentrate on Paath is because we don’t listen to Bani (Guru’s words) when we're reading it. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji says,
ਨਾਨਕ ਇਹ ਬਿਧਿ ਹਰਿ ਭਜਉ ਇਕ ਮਨ ਹੁਇ ਇਕਿ ਚਿਤ ॥੪੫॥
that you should read Paatth with a single-minded focus. Your mind and Chit (consciousness) should focus on the same thing. So, focus on what you're reading, understand and listen to what you’re saying. We've got five senses and we should involve all our senses. So, look at the Paatth with your eyes. If you've got it memorized, then close your eyes and think about the Paatth. Read the Paatth out loud, so your ears can hear it and your mouth is focused on saying it. This way you will keep your mind inside the Bani. It also helps to do the Paatth at the same time every day. If you have a fixed time, your mind will start focusing on Paatth at that time due to an internal clock in the body. So, make Paatth your routine.
Continuance Battle
If your mind is wandering then bring it back and don’t give up. If you give up and let your mind win, it will get stronger and keep winning. So, you have to keep on bringing it back. This is a battle for the rest of your life. If you don't want to fight this battle, then go back to Kaljug (age of ignorance). If you're going to fight this battle, you'll be fighting it until the day you die. Guru Gobind Singh Ji says,
ਖਾਲਸਾ ਸੋਇ ਜੋ ਕਰੇ ਨਿਤ ਜੰਗ ॥ (੫੩)
Khalsa is the one who is ever ready for righteous war. (53)
It is a “nit jang”, a daily battle. The Khalsa (collective of initiated Sikhs) fight this battle every day against the mind. You're going to be fighting the mind every day until you get Braham Giaan (spiritual wisdom of Vaheguru/God). So, you've to accept this battle to get there.
This article is a transcribed version of the video below.
