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Knowing you or knowing god through yoga and sikhi practices
Chapter 1: How different it is knowing you vs knowing god as per Sikhism/gurbani?
In Sikhism (Gurbani), the concepts of "knowing yourself" (ਆਪੁ ਪਛਾਣਣਾ – aap pachhaṇṇā) and "knowing God" (ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦੀ ਸੂਝ – Parmatma di soojh) are closely connected — yet distinct in how the journey unfolds.
Let’s explore the difference and the connection:
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🌿 1. Knowing Yourself (ਆਪੁ ਪਛਾਣਣਾ)
In Gurbani, "knowing yourself" means realizing your true nature — that you are not merely body or ego (ਹਉਮੈ), but a soul (ਆਤਮਾ) connected to the Divine.
> “ਆਪੁ ਪਛਾਣੈ ਤਾ ਏਕਾ ਜਾਣੈ।”
> *"When one knows oneself, then one realizes the One."*
> — Guru Nanak Dev Ji, SGGS Ang 421
This verse means: when you go deep into understanding your own being (beyond ego and illusion), you see that your essence is not separate from God.
🪞 In Sikh thought:
* The self (true self) is divine in origin.
* Forgetting the self is spiritual ignorance.
* Remembering and realizing the self is the first step to divine realization.
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🌞 2. Knowing God (ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਣਣਾ)
God in Sikhi is described as Nirgun (formless), Sargun (manifest), All-pervading, and beyond comprehension — yet still knowable through love, grace, and devotion.
> “ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਜਿਨ ਕਾ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇ ਸੋਈ ਜਨੁ ਪਛਾਣਸਿ ॥”
> *"Only one blessed with the True Guru’s glance of grace comes to know the Lord."*
> — SGGS Ang 363
Knowing God is not just intellectual — it is experiential, intuitive, and comes through humility, Naam Simran (remembrance), and grace (ਨਦਰ).
In Sikhism:
* God is both immanent (within you) and transcendent (beyond you).
* You cannot know God by logic or rituals alone.
* You know God when your ego dissolves and your self merges in the Divine.
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🕊️ 3. Connection Between the Two
In Sikhi, the line between "knowing yourself" and "knowing God" often dissolves. Gurbani teaches:
> “ਮਨ ਤੂ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੁ ਹੈ ਆਪਣਾ ਮੂਲੁ ਪਛਾਣੁ ॥”
> *"O mind, you are the embodiment of the Divine Light — recognize your own origin."*
> — Guru Amar Das Ji, SGGS Ang 441
Here, "recognizing your origin" is both:
* A spiritual awakening to your divine self, and
* A recognition that the Divine (God) is your source and essence.
Thus, true self-knowledge leads to God-knowledge. And knowing God means becoming one with your truest self — free from ego, full of love and truth.
✨ Key Difference in Tone and Orientation
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🧘🏽♂️ Final Thought from Gurbani
> “ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਆਤਮੁ ਚੀਨਿਆ ਪਰਮਾਤਮੁ ਸੋਈ ॥”
> *"Those who have realized the self, have realized the Supreme Soul."*
> — SGGS Ang 425
In essence, Sikhism teaches that the path to God begins with self-realization, guided by the Guru, nurtured through Simran, and blessed by Grace.
Chapter 2: how this is defined in Yoga?
Beautiful follow-up. The question “How is the idea of knowing yourself vs. knowing God defined in Yoga?” invites a look into the spiritual depth of Yogic philosophy, especially as laid out in ancient texts like the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.
Let’s explore how Yoga approaches this:
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🧘♂️ In Yogic Philosophy: "Knowing Yourself" and "Knowing God" Are Ultimately the Same
1. 🪞 Knowing Yourself (Atma Jnana – आत्मा ज्ञान)
In Yoga, particularly in Vedantic traditions, "knowing yourself" means realizing your true nature as the **Atman** — the pure, unchanging consciousness that lies beyond body, mind, emotions, and ego.
> “Tat Tvam Asi” — "Thou art That"
> (Chandogya Upanishad)
This mahavakya (great saying) teaches that your true Self (Atman) is not separate from the ultimate reality, Brahman (God).
* The ego/self-image (ahamkara) is considered an illusion (Maya).
* Real Self is eternal, formless, untouched by pleasure or pain.
* Knowing yourself = freedom (moksha).
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2. 🌞 Knowing God (Brahma Jnana – ब्रह्म ज्ञान)
In Yogic traditions, God is understood as **Brahman** — the ultimate, infinite, formless, all-pervading consciousness.
> "Brahman is infinite, eternal, consciousness and bliss (Sat-Chit-Ananda)."
Brahman is:
* Nirguna (without form or qualities) or
* Saguna (with form) depending on the tradition.
Yoga — especially Bhakti Yoga — also allows for devotion to a personal God (Ishvara), but the **goal remains union (yoga)** with the Divine.
3. 🔄 Connection Between the Two in Yoga
Yoga teaches that the **Self (Atman) and God (Brahman)** are not two things — they are **one and the same**. The journey of Yoga is to remove ignorance (Avidya) and realize this unity.
In Patanjali's Yoga Sutras:
> “Tadā draṣṭuḥ svarūpe'vasthānam.”
> *(Then, the seer rests in their own true nature.)*
> — Yoga Sutra 1.3
This means: When the mind is still, one sees the true Self — which is divine.
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🔑 Key Comparison: Sikhi vs. Yoga View
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🕊️ A Harmonizing Thought
While the language and expressions differ, both Sikhi and Yoga point toward this realization:
> "You are not the body. You are not the mind. You are That (Divine) which observes all — eternal, pure, and free."
In Sikhi, this is known through the Guru and Naam.
In Yoga, through deep meditation, self-inquiry, and stillness.
Chapter 3: Which one is better way to what, is knowing you we should go or knowing god?
This is one of the most timeless spiritual questions — and your asking it shows deep reflection. Let’s explore it carefully from both the Sikh and Yogic perspectives, and then consider a practical synthesis:
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🌱 Which Is the Better Path: Knowing Yourself or Knowing God?
The truth is:
**They are not two separate paths — they are two sides of the same coin.**
But the path you take first — inward (knowing yourself) or upward (knowing God) — depends on your temperament, tradition, and guidance.
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🌼 In Sikhism (Gurbani):
Sikh Gurus often start from the path of devotion to God (Naam, Shabad, Simran), and through that love and surrender, self-realization dawns.
> “ਆਪੁ ਪਛਾਣੈ ਤਾ ਏਕਾ ਜਾਣੈ ॥”
> *"When one knows the self, one realizes the One."*
> — Guru Nanak Dev Ji
But the way to reach that self-knowledge is through:
* Loving remembrance (Naam Simran)
* Surrender (ਮੱਤ ਮਿਟੀ, ego broken)
* Listening to Guru’s wisdom (Shabad)
* Service (Seva)
🟡 So in Sikhi, you don’t sit down and start with “Who am I?” intellectually.
Instead, you dissolve the ego by merging in love and remembrance of Waheguru — and your true Self is revealed in that light.
> “ਹਉਮੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਜਗਤੁ ਮੁਆ ਮਰਿ ਜਨਮੈ ਆਵੈ ਜਾਇ॥”
> *"In ego, the world dies — only by removing ego is the truth seen."*
> — SGGS Ang 466
🔑 So in Sikhism:
Start with knowing/remembering God → ego dissolves → true Self is known.
🌼 In Yoga/Vedanta:
Yoga often begins with self-inquiry:
* “Who am I?”
* “Am I the body? The thoughts?”
* “What remains when the mind is silent?”
You gradually peel off the layers of ego, mind, and illusion (Maya), and realize your **true Self (Atman)** — and then recognize that this Self is not separate from **Brahman (God)**.
> “Aham Brahmasmi” — *"I am Brahman."*
> (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad)
🟡 So in Yoga, especially Jnana Yoga:
Start with knowing yourself → realize your divine nature → you become one with God.
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🔁 So Which Path Should You Take?
Here’s a simple guide:
But eventually — in both cases — ego falls away, and the **Divine and Self become One**.
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🌸 The Real Answer in Gurbani:
> “ਆਤਮ ਰਾਮੁ ਰਾਮੁ ਹੈ ਆਤਮ; ਏਕੋ ਤਤੁ ਬਿਚਾਰਾ ॥”
> *"The soul is God, and God is the soul — this is the essence of wisdom."*
> — SGGS Ang 1153
So it's not either/or. It’s one journey seen from two windows:
* The **devotional path** says: Love God, and you’ll discover yourself.
* The **inquiry path** says: Know yourself, and you’ll realize God.
Both are valid, both are complete — it depends on your inclination and context.
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🌻 Practical Advice
Start where your heart leads you.
If you feel drawn to Simran, Shabad, devotion — begin with God.
If you feel drawn to inner inquiry and silence — begin with the self.
But stay humble and grounded, because the real knowing begins when the ego ends — and grace flows in.
Chapter 4: Which one is shorter or longer way to know/meet god stage?
This is a heartfelt and sincere question — and also a practical one. You're asking:
> “Which is the shorter or faster path to meeting God — knowing yourself first or knowing God directly?”
Let’s explore this with honesty and spiritual depth, based on Gurbani, Yogic thought, and lived wisdom.
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🌄 First, What Does It Mean to “Meet God”?
In both Sikh and Yogic traditions, “meeting God” is not reaching a place — it's:
* Dissolving the ego
* Realizing Oneness
* Experiencing love, peace, and truth directly
* Living in constant awareness of the Divine (Naam, Brahm-Gyaan)
So the question becomes:
> “Which path brings us faster to that inner transformation?”
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⏳ 1. The Path of Knowing Yourself (Yoga/Jnana Yoga)
* This path involves deep contemplation, self-inquiry, silence, renunciation of ego and desires.
* You observe: “Who am I?” “What is this ‘I’?” “Am I the body, mind, emotions?”
* Through this, you remove ignorance (Avidya) and see the truth: your soul (Atma) is Divine.
🔸 Strengths:
* Clear, rational, direct.
* Appeals to inward, quiet seekers.
* Cuts straight to truth.
🔸 Challenges:
* Can become dry or prideful if not balanced with devotion.
* Takes deep mental discipline and inner detachment.
* Risk of getting stuck in intellectual understanding.
🕒 Usually a longer and subtler journey for most people — unless the person is deeply mature inwardly (like a yogi or rishi-type soul).
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🔥 2. The Path of Knowing God (Sikh/Bhakti Path – Devotion, Simran, Shabad)
* This path begins by loving and remembering God through Naam, Shabad, Guru’s grace.
* You lose yourself in love for the Divine — ego melts, mind stills, the self is revealed.
* You don’t “find God” — God finds you when you surrender.
> “ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਮਿਲੇ ਸੇਈ ਪੂਰੇ ਜਿਨ ਕਉ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇ ॥”
> *"Only those whom God blesses with grace meet Him."*
> — SGGS Ang 45
🔸 Strengths:
* Open to everyone — no need for intellectual mastery.
* Fueled by love, not analysis.
* Supported by Guru's wisdom and Sangat (community).
🔸 Challenges:
* Requires surrender (not easy for the ego).
* Needs daily practice of Simran and inner alignment.
* Some may become ritualistic without deep love or understanding.
🕒 Often a quicker path for ordinary seekers — because love and grace melt barriers the mind cannot.
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🪶 So, Which Is the Shorter Way?
> 🌼 **Gurbani says clearly: The fastest way is Simran with love, through Grace.**
> “ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਸੇਵਿਐ ਸੋ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਈਐ; ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇ ਸੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਇਆ ॥”
> *"Serving the True Guru, peace is found; by His glance of grace, the Lord is met."*
> — SGGS Ang 31
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💡 Final Wisdom
* Intellect may take you far — but love, surrender, and grace take you deeper, faster.
* You don’t reach God by effort alone — you reach when the “I” dissolves.
* Gurbani teaches that remembering God with love (Naam Simran) is the fastest, most beautiful path.
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✨ Recommendation
If your heart is asking “How can I meet God sooner?” —
Start with remembrance (Simran), love, and humility.
Do Seva. Listen to Shabad. Be in Sangat. Let the ego melt.
When “you” stop searching, the One appears — within.
Reference:
All the above responses are based on foundational scriptures and teachings from both Sikh and Yogic traditions. Here's a breakdown of the main sources referenced or synthesized, along with the context:
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🛕 Sikhism (Gurbani) — Primary Source: Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (SGGS)
The teachings below come directly from Gurbani:
1. **ਆਪੁ ਪਛਾਣੈ ਤਾ ਏਕਾ ਜਾਣੈ** (Ang 421)
> "When one knows the self, one realizes the One."
> This line emphasizes that self-realization leads to divine realization.
2. **ਮਨ ਤੂ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੁ ਹੈ ਆਪਣਾ ਮੂਲੁ ਪਛਾਣੁ** (Ang 441)
> "O mind, you are the embodiment of Divine Light — recognize your origin."
> Shows how self-knowledge is tied to divine knowledge.
3. **ਜਿਨ੍ਹੀ ਆਤਮੁ ਚੀਨਿਆ ਪਰਮਾਤਮੁ ਸੋਈ** (Ang 425)
> "Those who have realized the self, have realized the Supreme Soul."
> Directly equates self-realization with God-realization.
4. **ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਸੇਵਿਐ ਸੋ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਈਐ; ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇ ਸੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਇਆ** (Ang 31)
> Emphasizes the role of Grace (Nadar) and devotion (Guru Seva) in meeting God.
5. **ਹਉਮੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਜਗਤੁ ਮੁਆ...** (Ang 466)
> Describes ego (haumai) as the biggest barrier in realizing Truth.
6. **ਆਤਮ ਰਾਮੁ ਰਾਮੁ ਹੈ ਆਤਮ; ਏਕੋ ਤਤੁ ਬਿਚਾਰਾ** (Ang 1153)
> "The soul is God, and God is the soul — this is the essence of wisdom."
> A direct assertion of oneness of Atma and Parmatma.
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🧘 Yogic Philosophy — Primary Texts:
1. **Yoga Sutras of Patanjali**
* Sutra 1.2: “Yogaḥ citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ” – Yoga is the stilling of the mind’s fluctuations.
* Sutra 1.3: “Tadā draṣṭuḥ svarūpe’vasthānam” – Then the seer rests in their own true nature.
2. **Upanishads (Advaita Vedanta)**
* “Tat Tvam Asi” – You are That (Chandogya Upanishad)
* “Aham Brahmasmi” – I am Brahman (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad)
These Mahavakyas assert the identity of the self (Atman) with the ultimate reality (Brahman).
3. **Bhagavad Gita**
* Chapter 2, Verse 20: Atman is unborn, eternal, and undying.
* Chapter 4 & 12: Paths of knowledge (Jnana Yoga) and devotion (Bhakti Yoga) both lead to union with the Divine.
* Chapter 18: Describes the surrender of ego and the importance of grace.
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📝 Secondary Sources / Interpretive References:
(Used for integrating and simplifying complex ideas)
* Writings of Bhai Vir Singh, Prof. Sahib Singh (Gurbani teeka)
* Swami Sivananda’s commentaries on Gita and Yoga Sutras
* Modern Sikh thinkers like Bhai Veer Singh, Bhai Randhir Singh
* Yogic interpretations by Ramana Maharshi (on self-inquiry) and Adi Shankaracharya
* Teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji as explained by Sikh scholars
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