Meditating, meditating, meditating in remembrance, I have found peace.
God’s Name is the key to emancipation (mukti) and the means of attaining it (jugati); God’s Name is the fulfilment (tripati) and enjoyment (bhugati). He who repeats God’s Name suffers no setback. God’s Name is the devotee’s distinction. Repeating God’s Name the devotee wins honour.
Simran refers to the remembrance of God by repetition or recital of his name or Naam. The word “simran” is derived from the Sanskrit word Smaran meaning Remembrance. This also translates to ‘Meditation’.
It is said that by carrying out Simran, the person is purified and attains Salvation or Mukti. While early morning is preferred, there isn’t a strict guideline on the time.
The process is said to bring a sense of calm and help one concentrate on the qualities of God and connect with him. It comes from the teaching that repeating Gods name will gain a person the humility to accept god’s will and become free of attachment. The person who wishes to gain and benefit from this human life and attain a higher spiritual state must undergo the discipline of Naam Simran, remembrance, i.e. constant awareness of the Name.
There are multiple facets to Simran.
On one hand, it relates to the act of “surati” which is concentration or focus which one gains from listening to the teachings of the Guru and thereby comprehends and retains the teachings in his consciousness (“smriti”).
Simran also involves the practice of naam japana or repeating of the Name. This helps devotees to internalize the meaning of the word he may be uttering. Another facet to this is meditation. Akal-Purakh, as expressed in the Name, is to be remembered not merely in the mechanical repeating of auspicious words or the singing of inspired hymns but also in deep contemplation.