The Ray Man Shabd
Water holds many lessons for us in the realm of vibration – Water can flow, it absorbs all that we add to it, responding to cold, at sub-zero temperatures it takes a solid form as ice. At higher temperatures -the water rises as vapour. We too can be dense and rigid, frozen emotions making us part of that which does not move. We may experience stuckness and entrenched positions – duality and division arise. In these rigid states it is difficult to access the deeper flow of emotion, of tears, of that which brings us together in the ocean of compassion. Separate selves and divided perceptions bring further suffering. And that sweetness of the water element is less available to us : pleasure and creativity that can be expressed through a healthy sacral chakra. As we draw our focus towards the divine, towards elevating sounds words and intentions, like water vapour, we too can rise up
( ah yes, but hopefullly in our case not forming a cloud !)
A gift of the tradition of Sikh Dharma, a Shabd holds a beautiful vibration to cut the flow of thought.
It can bring the listener to an experience of the divine. I have experienced this as a beautiful
gift and you may have heard me play it during long deep relaxation.
Rather than succumbing to the flow of negative thoughts, I am grateful to turn to prayer and sound currents such as these encoded within words written by Guru Gobind Singh the 10th Sikh Guru.I have been chanting the Ray Man shabd for at least a year now as a shabd for Healing . I include a recording here and the words below if you might like to join in.
Yogi Bhajan on Ray Man Shabd:
“Perfection of this shabad can make you like a Golden Buddha. You will have wisdom, you will have purity of a yogi, and you will have an essence. I request everyone who believes in higher values to remember this shabad in perfect sound. It is very perfect combination. As a shabad you can sing 11 times a day, you will feel the miraculous effect of it on your body, mind, and soul.”
Ray man eh bidh jog kamaa-o
Oh my mind, practice Yoga in this way:
Singee saach akapat kanthalaa
Let Truth be your horn, sincerity your necklace,
Dhi-aan Bibhoot charaa-o
and meditation the ashes you apply on your body.
Taatee geho aatam bas kar kee
Catch your burning soul (self) and stop the flames.
Bhicchhaa naam adhaarang
Let the soul (self) be the alms bowl in which you collect the sweet Naam and this will be the only support you will ever need.
Baajay param taar tat har ko
The Universe plays its divine music. The sound of reality is shrill, but this is where God is.
Upajai raag rasaarang
When you listen to the reality from this place of awareness the sweet essence of Raag arises.
Ughatai taan tarang rang
Waves of melodies, emotions, and passions arise and flow through you.
Gi-aan geet bandhaanang
Bind yourself with the song of God.
Chak chak rehay dayv daanav mun
The Universe spins like a potter’s wheel and from it fly demons and angels.
Chhak chhak bayom bivaanang
The sage listens to this and instead of getting caught in either one, the sage drinks the nectar of the heavens and is carried to the heavens in a divine chariot.
Aatam upadays bhays sanjam ko
Instruct and clothe yourself with self control. Meditate unto infinity
Jaap so ajapaa jaapai
until you are meditating without meditating.
Sadaa rehai kanchan see kaayaa
In this way, your body shall remain forever golden,
Kaal na kabahoo bayaapai
and death shall never approach you.
