AJAPPAA JAAP - UNCHANTED CHANT

ਅਜਪਾ ਜਾਪੁ ਨ ਵੀਸਰੈ ਆਦਿ ਜੁਗਾਦਿ ਸਮਾਇ ॥: Ajappa jaam na veesarai aadi jugaadi sammai:
The mind that does not forget Jap that goes on without effort ("Ajappa Jaaap")
becomes immersed in the Primal Lord of the ages. (sggs 1291).
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In Sikhi, Jap is essentially to Understand the Gurbani/Gurmat (Aatm-Giaan, Shabad-Giaan, Gur-Updesh...).

The glory of the Divine Name (Naam: Gurmat, Aatam Giaan...) and the efficacy of abidance in it for realizing the Supreme Truth has been underscored in the Gurbani (SGGS). Abidance in the Divine Naam has been recommended as the antidote to man's Haume (psychological ego) — all negative actions and negative emotions of the mind.

Egoism or falsehood is but Naamlessness. Therefore, egoism is opposed to the Naam; as the two cannot coexist. In ego-mind, right way of living and true contentment (Satt Santokh) cannot be practiced, and so the mind remains unfulfilled. The egoism is thus said to be the utter darkness (ignorance); which prevents us from understanding the Truth.

Like the Divine Substance, His Divine Name (Gurmat: Naam-Giaan...) is also True, Complete and Perfect. It has the power of destroying false ego and bringing the seeker into Blissful union with the Mool within (ਮੂਲ, Origin, Source, Jot...). To put it otherwise, once the veil of falsehood (egoism) is removed, the True One (Joti-Svaroopa) stands Realized.

The Jap as indicated in the Gurbani (Gurmat) is totally different than all others. As indicated in the onset of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, there are countless ("ਅਸੰਖ") Jap in the world, for associated with these countless Jap are contless desires (ਇੱਛਾਵਾਂ), demands (ਮੰਗ), love, feelings, ways, methods, etc. (ਅਸੰਖ ਜਪ ਅਸੰਖ ਭਾਉ ॥: Asankh jap asankh bhaaou. sggs 3).

Also, according to one's own intellect, people describe the Supreme Truth differently (ਆਪੁ ਆਪੁਨੀ ਬੁਧਿ ਹੈ ਜੇਤੀ ॥ ਬਰਨਤ ਭਿੰਨ ਭਿੰਨ ਤੁਹਿ ਤੇਤੀ ॥ Aapu aapunibudhi hai jetee. Barnat bhinn bhinn tuhi tetee: According to one's own intellect, one describes Thee differently. Dasam Granth 1467).

The Jap as indicated in the Gurbani is unique. For one, all other Jap needs the support of the external gross body, while the Jap of the Gurbani does not - It is done with the support of the Budhi (discerning intellect, Bibek Budhi...).

The Gurbani asks us to do the Giaan-Jap ("ਗਿਆਨੁ ਜਪਹੁ"). And the Giaan (Wisdom, Knowledge, Aatm-Giaan, Brahm-Giaan...) is the subject of the Budhi, not the gross external body. The Gurbani:

Thus, the "Ajappaa Jaap" makes one humble ("Chaakar", Gurmukh Nature). It destroys one's egotism (Haumai). Such Jap cannot be performed with tongue and rosary. It is to live in Shabad-Surti, constantly, unbrokenly (Gurmukh Lifestyle). This is the Gurmat's Jap - to walk, stand, sit, eat, work, sleep, etc., while internally the Jap continues without a break, spontaneously. Division, fragmentation (i.e., broken) is duality or Maya.

Thus, the unbroken Jap is already going on within even without any effort and choice, regardless if we know it or not! The crux of the matter is to awaken the Naam, Shabad, eternal Bliss, or true Amrit (Immortality) that lies dormant within us. What's the proof of True Naam, Shabad, eternal Bliss, or true Amrit being located nowhere else but within our bosom? The Gurbani reveals this secret as follows, which we can understand only through the Shabad-Vichaar: Once an individual gets fully established in the base of "Ajappaa Jaap", then he will be able to adopt a way of life where his daily activities are in accord with the Gur-Shabad. So, all Spiritual Teachings point to the importance of making sincere self-effort (Uddam), without which we cannot integrate the Naam, Shabad, Hukam, Eternal Bliss or Amrit Dhaaraa in our lives. For a serious seeker, serious efforts are needed! Calculated Jap such as just few short prayers, some chanting, some Mantra recitation with rosary (ਮਾਲਾ ਫੇਰਨੀ), and so on, is not sufficient and will not do the trick. Because this sort of Jap cannot transform the mind enchanted with unproductive thought-wanderings. Our psychological ego is so powerful and stubborn that unbroken efforts are needed (Aath Pahar). If we practice constantly, naturally and spontaneously ("Ajappaa Jaap") only then material tendencies or negative emotions of the mind will cease to be.

— T. Singh
www.gurbani.org

Updated on Thursday, July 12, 2012 7:07 PM (PST)

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