Gurmat refers to a way of thinking, obtained via following and practising the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and Gurbani. Meditation refers to the actions and techniques that are consciousness evolving and help to create a heightened awareness and focus. Gurbani is synonymous with Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, or any other writings that are considered customary to reference in Sangat according to the Sikh Rehat Maryada (Decorum) 

Goal: Research, teach and share techniques of Gurmat Meditation

Keeping qualities and attitudes of openness, non-judgement, respect, Sewa (selfless, love-inspired service), Sarbat da Bhalla (welfare and wellbeing of all), and Chardi Kala (high spirits and optimism) our goal is to research, teach and share the techniques of Gurmat Meditation for the benefit of all, and to apply the lessons and instructions of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Holy Sikh Scripture in Gurmukhi Script/Punjabi Language) practically 

Activities: both virtual and in-person - open to all, free and easily accessible

• Each activity will seek to reflect qualities and attitude of:

  • Sewa (selfless, love-inspired service), 

  • Chardi Kala (high spirits) and 

  • Sarbat da Bhalla (welfare and well-being of all)

• Activities include online guided meditation sessions, classes, lectures and information sessions, via 24x7 audio chat

• Activities will provide an environment of support, feedback and growth for practitioners of Gurmat Meditation 

• Activities will include translation efforts and multilingual services

  • The writings and wisdom of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is for the benefit of all humanity, and therefore translations of the message into multilingual formats will be a part of the volunteer work. Efforts will utilise virtual formats and technology to transcribe, translate, review and edit documents that will be freely available via online platforms and coursework. Meditation techniques will be explained via online coursework, video captioning, and other tools, and translated documents. 

• In-person activities will feature Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Langar, and are intrinsically tied to Gurmat Meditation via teaching, practical application of concepts, and support. 

  • Four main ceremonies are: Naming Ceremony (Naam Sanskar), The Baptism/Initiation Ceremony (Amrit Sanskar), The Marriage Ceremony (Anand Sanskar), and The Death Ceremony (Mirtak/Antim Sanskar)

See more under Virtual Sewa Assignments

The Gurmat system refers to the teaching and guidance done in accordance with Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in a Sangat (congregation) decorum. 

On going research is required to continually re-assess ones biases, and to ensure teachers and learners continue to grow by challenging their biases.

Teaching and guidance is required to ensure a practitioner of Gurmat Meditation is able to unlearn harmful habits or avoid hindrances in their progression. Meditation can be personal or communal. The mind can either be in Gurmat or Manmat. Manmat, by comparison with Gurmat, is the behaviour and actions that one takes according to their own wisdom, not the Guru’s wisdom. Sometimes subtle differences exist between Manmat and Gurmat. 

Access our resources via:

• Website, GurmatMeditation.org

• 24 hour live stream Telegram chat "Gurmat Meditation - ਸਚੁਨਾਉਵਡਿਆਈਵੀਚਾਰੁ" (link to Telegram chat)

• YouTube page "Gurmat Meditation Live" that features a 24 hour Live stream (link to Youtube page)

Guru Granth Sahib ji is a Collection of revered and divine teachings of different writers from various backgrounds during different timelines and ages, who preached a unified message. These were those blessed souls sent by the Lord himself who had understood the purpose of human life and met their goal- the formless, timeless, Ek (One) Akal Purakh. Starting in the 15th century with Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the writings of Guru Granth Sahib ji feature the words of 6 Sikh Gurus and 15 bhagats (13 Hindu and 2 Muslim saints), representing the interfaith nature of Sikh Congregations. They were compiled by the 5th Sikh Guru Arjan Dev ji. The 10th and final human Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, stated that the 11th and eternal Guru would be Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Just as each of the ten Gurus were referred to as Sateguru (True Guru), so will Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, ie Sateguru Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, or simply Sateguru Ji. The writings are from many linguistic backgrounds (but are written in the same phonetic script of Gurmukhi), are in musical rhyme and rhythm, and follow a structure. The writings start with the digit one with the character Ek Onkar, in reference to The One Almighty Lord - the Ultimate Akal Purakh. 

Ek (One), pervading power (The Truth), without shape, without form, there in the beginning, now, ever present, and always into the future, in everything and everyone, who is our mind's origin, who we are estranged from, and who we are trying to re-establish our connection with. 

ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ - ਅੰਗ 12 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji - Ang 12

ਆਸਾਮਹਲਾ੫॥

Aasaa, Fifth Mehla:

ਭਈਪਰਾਪਤਿਮਾਨੁਖਦੇਹੁਰੀਆ॥

This human body has been given to you.

ਗੋਬਿੰਦਮਿਲਣਕੀਇਹਤੇਰੀਬਰੀਆ॥

This is your chance to meet the Lord of the Universe.

ਅਵਰਿਕਾਜਤੇਰੈਕਿਤੈਨਕਾਮ॥

Nothing else will work.

ਮਿਲੁਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿਭਜੁਕੇਵਲਨਾਮ॥੧॥

Join the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy; vibrate and meditate on the Jewel of the Naam. ||1||

ਸਰੰਜਾਮਿਲਾਗੁਭਵਜਲਤਰਨਕੈ॥

Make every effort to cross over this terrifying world-ocean.

ਜਨਮੁਬ੍ਰਿਥਾਜਾਤਰੰਗਿਮਾਇਆਕੈ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ॥

You are squandering this life uselessly in the love of Maya. ||1||Pause||

ਜਪੁਤਪੁਸੰਜਮੁਧਰਮੁਨਕਮਾਇਆ॥

I have not practiced meditation, self-discipline, self-restraint or righteous living.

ਸੇਵਾਸਾਧਨਜਾਨਿਆਹਰਿਰਾਇਆ॥

I have not served the Holy; I have not acknowledged the Lord, my King.

ਕਹੁਨਾਨਕਹਮਨੀਚਕਰੰਮਾ॥

Says Nanak, my actions are contemptible!

ਸਰਣਿਪਰੇਕੀਰਾਖਹੁਸਰਮਾ॥੨॥੪॥

O Lord, I seek Your Sanctuary; please, preserve my honor! ||2||4||

Gur = meaning something given from Guru, Mantar = Mind tool

Gurmantar is a word that the Guru gave us to help our mind on its journey to meet Waheguru ji

For Gursikh’s, the Gurmantar is “Waheguru”. They have faith and love with the Gurmantar.

With Gurparsad "Gurus blessing" can the Gurmantar be a part of a Gursikhs life; the ability to acknowledge and accept this wisdom is divine and per-arranged.

It is the basis of Gurmat Meditation, where one practices this daily by oneself, and with sangat (congregation), in order to progress.

The Gurmantar can be chanted in variations - loudly, quietly, slow, fast, drawn out or short. The speed and pace can change to stimulate and engage our ever ‘windy’/’wavey’ mind to be present, without thoughts, and listen to each time we speak. 

• There are three general points to consider: our tongue, our eyes, and our ears. Our tongue chants the gurmantar, the ears listen, and the eyes look ahead into the primal void, the sunn (empty space; which is infinite), which is where Akal Purakh is in light form in infinity. 

• Via the tongue and ears, the Gurmantar connects us to the sound of our voice. We say it out loud in a chanting fashion with gyan (knowledge) and dhian (focus) to progress; the sound has no akaar (forms/images), and slowly over time and with kirpa (blessings), our minds chatter (thoughts/furnay/vichaar) quietens. In this way, the gurmantar prepares our mind to get to Naam, which is also a sound, and to do the Sewa of that sound according to Gurmat, that is done without thoughts by a quietened mind via the Gurmantar.

• Via the eyes, using the gurmatar and avoiding akaar (forms/shapes), we repel a crucial point where illusions (Maya) of the mind are created.

By engaging our mind at these three points, with Guru’s Kirpa (blessings) we are able to repel our continual stream of thoughts and progress to the point of thoughtlessness that will allow us to get to the next stages - progress to higher spiritual awareness and reception power to finally hear the Naam and have darshan (vision) of Waheguru Ji using our minds’ ears and eyes to look and listen

In sangat (congregation), the Gurmantar can be done regardless of beginner or advanced status; it allows the sangat congregation to meet and join together and have a multiplier effect of its power. To do Gurmantar Jaap with the sangat congregation, stay at the same pace as the rest of the sangat; this helps reduce the ego and create the multiplier effect. 

By practicing the Gurmantar daily with love and faith, we start to become present of mind, and as the mind is continually connected in this way with the Gurmantar, the mind’s spiritual progress blossoms. Many blessings are bestowed on the mind. The power of the Gurmantar begins to manifest in the mind. 

When going to sleep, Gurmantar should be chanted; albeit at a slower, drawn out almost silent pace as you become more in sehaj (peace). When you fall asleep while practicing the gurmantar, you are learning how to 'die' in the gurmantar - ie your mind is getting rid of its ego. Your mind will start to gain power via the Guru. This is a process that can take a short while or a long time - it depends on your faith and your love of the Gurmantar. 

The Gurmantar is a tool that we use to engage our mind daily, either with one focus, when we are free of work and responsibilities and going to sleep and waking, or via a balanced focus which can be utilized while we are out in the world doing our responsibilities. 

One focus service of Gurmantar must be done with with goal of minimal or no thoughts. 

The gurmantar gets us to the Naam. It is a continuum; you can do Gurmantar practice (abhyaas) and Naam can be present at the same time. Alternatively, one may not be able to hear Naam yet, but can use the gurmantar to achieve naam; the amount of time it takes is dependent on Gurparsad (blessing). Then, the Gurmukh can have both a daily practice of Gurmantar and Naam. This can be done in Sangat and by oneself.

Naam is the sound of Waheguru Ji Akal Purakh’s voice. 

• The power of Naam - by listening to it with a clear mind (i.e. without thoughts), Naam leads us to the Darshan (vision) of Waheguru Ji Akal Purakh. 

• The qualities of Naam - it is a sound, has no shape, it cannot be written, it is sookham (subtle/invisible). 

• Naam is everywhere in creation; a Gurmukh can attune to it at any moment, whether in this world or in the dream world.

• No human can give Naam to you; Only Satguru/Waheguru Ji can give Naam. It has been always present: since creation and it is in creation as part of the play that Gurmukhs enjoy at any moment.

• As mentioned above, the gurmantar gets us to the Naam. It is a continuum; you can do Gurmantar jaap and Naam can be heard at the same time. Alternatively, one may not be able to hear Naam yet, but can use the gurmantar to achieve naam; the amount of time it takes is dependent on Gurparsad (blessing). 

• Therefore, Naam is a blessing. With this blessing, the Gurmukh can have both a daily practice of Gurmantar and Naam. This can be done in Sangat and by oneself.

• Naam is used to control the 5 thieves. 

• Naam is said to be hukam (the command/will of Waheguru Ji); by staying attuned to it we are in ‘hukam’ of Waheguru ji; it can only be listened to with a clean mind (i.e. in the avoidance or control of the panj). 

• Naam is also referred to as: Shabad, Shabad Guru, Bachan, Anhad, Bani, etc. in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

• Gurmat Meditation is essentially the practice of Naam

The gurmantar gets us to the Naam. It is a continuum; you can do Gurmantar jaap and Naam can be present at the same time. Alternatively, one may not be able to hear Naam yet, but can use the gurmantar to achieve naam; the amount of time it takes is dependent on Gurparsad (blessing). Then, the Gurmukh can have both a daily practice of Gurmantar and Naam. This can be done in Sangat and by oneself. 

1) Gossip, Slander, Insipid words, Condemnation
2) Jealousy, Hate
3) Ego / Arrogance
4) Shame / Afraid of who you are

• Gurmantar Simran Jaap - connect to audio chat at specified time, and with love, chant Waheguru

• Scheduling Assignments - work with various Gurmukhs to accomodate Sewa requests and update a calendar that is shared with all Sangat

• Pehrehdar - using the established calendar, provide help and support to those Gurmukhs who will be starting and ending their sewa by muting and unmuting, and backing them up if they cannot attend or technical difficulty

• Recording - record classroom Katha sessions and share to all Sangat 

• Review and edit documents - utilizing messaging and google documents, work with TEC "Translation Editors and Coursework" Team

• Translation - as above

Please see contact us section if interested in any and all of the above

Alternatively you may sign up using Virtual Sewa Form