Ray Man Shabad

For the first year of my Bound Lotus practice, I tried all sorts of mantras and music to help me through the 31 minutes. The time did not seem to go by faster as the days passed, and my mind would wander and become bored. When I started listening to the Ray Man Shabad, my mind became calm, and just by focusing on the sound current, time seemed to slip by quicker. I have been listening to it ever since.
 

The Use of Mantra
Mantra, the repetition of sacred sounds, is one of the oldest meditation techniques. Mantra is found in some form or name in every world religion and spiritual path. The use of mantra gives great depth to a person’s yoga practice.

The different Kriyas we do in our yoga practice have different effects and focus on different, specific areas of the body, mind and spirit. The same is true of mantra.

In the course of over three years of practicing Bound Lotus, I experimented with different mantras. One in particular finally rang true. It is described below. While this mantra comes to us from the Sikh spiritual tradition, its effect transcends any limits of faith or religious affiliation. This mantra speaks directly to the Spirit in all of us.

Everyone is free to incorporate a mantra of their choosing. The following mantra is offered as a suggestion.
 

What is Shabad?
Shabad means without the ego (Sha- ego, bad- without). Shabads are sacred combinations of sounds that when recited bring a state of ecstasy, healing, and grace. Shabad is a sound current that permeates the entire being on every level from subtle to physical. Shabad permeates the mind and replaces unhealthy thought patterns with healing vibrations.

One Shabad in particular resonates especially well with the practice of Bound Lotus. We refer to it as the “Ray Man” Shabad, from the first line – “Ray Man eh bideh jog kamao…” – Oh my mind, practice yoga in this way…

In the Ray Man Shabad we journey into the way of yoga, or union. It is an instruction to the soul to practice yoga in every thought, word, or action. It is about living in reality and being human and still achieving inner transformation and discovery of the Self.

When you listen to and/or recite this Shabad, there is a sound current that has a subtle but profound effect on all levels of your being. This sound current travels through every cell of the body and adjusts your inner vibratory frequency to a happier, healthier, holier state. This has been described as a state of grace, the state of the Golden Buddha, and by many other terms in many spiritual traditions.

The Ray Man Shabad is uniquely beautiful and perfect for Bound Lotus. This Shabad permeates the mind with the sacred sound current which allows you to experience your own infinity. This Shabad has eight verses. Eight turned on its side is infinity. (The number eight relates to and represents infinity) In Bound Lotus the physical body creates the symbol of infinity with the position of the body, arms and legs.

The Ray Man Shabad was written by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, who was a master of yoga, a master of poetry, a master warrior, and a master of the Shabad Guru. By practicing the Ray Man Shabad with the Bound Lotus we embrace the essence of Guru Gobind Singh, the essence of fearlessness, and the ability to rise above any challenge, any chaos, or any dream to find the state of pure presence and awareness in the pure golden throne of our own discipline and daily practice.

“Let every cell of your body vibrate and extend that vibration to every extent. Feel it as a big whirlwind of energy, circling with each cell of your body.” - Yogi Bhajan
 

What Yogi Bhajan says about this Shabad:
“Guru Gobind Singh’s entire Shabad is meant to penetrate through the mental body, right into your own spirit. The secret of this Shabad is that it is a pure Naad Yoga. The combination and permutation of sound is totally practical in his Shabad. The tongue creates a certain pressure on the upper palate. This Shabad has the capacity, if man is bewitched by incurable disease, if sung properly through the tongue and mouth, can bring total health. Each sound must be said exactly correctly. It can lead to perfect state of mental health and surrounding spirit.”

“Perfection of this Shabad can make you like a Golden Buddha. You will have wisdom, you will have the 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 Shabad
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.