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Summary of Question:	Japji Sahib ---
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Monday, 2/07/2005 9:13 PM MST

I would first like to say that this site has really helped me a lot in understanding sikhism and I greatly appreciate all the work done by everyone involved in making this site. I have a question, im 21, and i really wanted to start learning values of the sikh religion. i was told by a friend about reading the japji for 40 days. i really want god in my life and want some guidance in life. ive been reading the japji sahib for about 22 days in english and takes me about a half hour to read it in english every morning, i was just wondering is this what i am suppose to be reading for 40 days? and why is it 40 days? and also what other ways can i gain more guidance???

(REPLY) Sat Nam. You were given good advice! Here's the thing: it takes 40 days to establish a habit! Hopefully, you will continue forever to read Japji Sahib first thing in the morning. Ideally, you will learn to read in Gurmukhi! Several things you can do to achieve this. Get a nitnem with English as well as transliteration and the Gurmukhi: play a CD with Japji Sahib on it, and chant along (Ragi Sat Nam Singh has recorded it, and so has Bhai Daya Singh of Australia. I like both their renditions.) When I first started to learn Gurumukhi, it took me 2 hours to get through Japji Sahib! But I didn't give up. Now I can recite it in less than 10 minutes! If you can, learn Gurumukhi -- it is such a blessing to be able to recite the Guru's own words as they were originally spoken! If you really want to have an outstanding experience and understanding of Japji Sahib, then atttend the course in Japji this summer in New Mexico. It will be fabulous. June 12-16 in Espanola, New Mexico. You will get in-depth explanation, inspiring music and presentations, and you will understand Guru Nanak's incredible epic in a way that will enlighten and inspire you! After all, his words are really the foundation for the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. They give us the basis for understanding what life is all about. Contact naad-japji@sikhdharma.org for further information and/or phone 505-367-1349. To subscribe to Aquarian Times, go to www.aquariantimes magazine.com May God and Guru bless you, SP