Do you remember how often the Siri Singh Sahib would emphasize the importance of our songs? Over and over he would have us sing both English and Gurmukhi versions of songs, uplifting our hearts and souls and inspiring us in the process. He said, “Just sing. It will purify you. It will bring you to your destiny. It will bring you your grace.”
On a personal note, I had recently been making a concerted effort to see God in all, by consciously uplifting others and doing my best to spread light and love. The hukams I had been getting at the end of sadhana for about a week had all been about chanting God’s Name, remembering God’s Name. The question for me was, “How do I do that on a practical level throughout my day?”
In October, I was on my way to facilitate a Tantric course. In listening to the words of one of the songs for the course, I received my answer. The song was “Every Heartbeat” by our most beloved SS Nirinjan Kaur.
Every heartbeat is God’s Name to me.
And every breath of life is ecstasy.
Every night is a bliss to me
And I awake in Your company.
The dawn plays a symphony—revealing reality.
Every heartbeat is God’s Name. What a spectacular concept! The breath is ecstasy. These simple, essential automatic processes of life can be that reminder of God’s Name. And if that is not enough, the chorus says:
Every life is a living God to me; everything is God’s personality.
Every kiss is God’s romance to me,
and every love is God’s originality.
So, in my daily quest to find God in all, I am reminded that every human is a living God. Well, that truth transcends personality. The song goes on:
I hear and see and speak of You.
Each breath reveals this Universal Truth.
From the past and future and now it shall be.
With Thy Name I dwell in You eternally.
Wow, this is so strong! With God’s Name one can dwell in God. God and me, me and God are one. The song continues:
Aad Sach, Jugaad Sach, Haibhay Sach, Nanak Hosee Bhay Sach
In me, with every beat of my heart, I feel the presence of You.
And in me, with every breath You impart, I’m in the rhythm with You.
In me, from the sounds that I hear, I play the music of You.
Within me, through Your words You are here, so I sing the glory of You.
Just by being aware of the beat of your heart and breath, you can be one with God. So simple yet so profound. How often do we stay in this consciousness? The last verse says:
Every heartbeat is God’s Name to me.
And every breath of life is ecstasy.
In a breeze, I feel You touching me.
With every face, I see You looking at me.
By Your grace, I’m in harmony—living reality.
In this state of consciousness, the simple movement of air is God’s touch and with each human, God looks at me. How tender and loving. Being in harmony is living from your highest self. It is your true self, your true identity, the God essence within you. By doing so, everything flows to you and you are in the state we as yogis call Shunia.
I am eternally grateful for our songs.
ABOUT THE SECRETARY OF RELIGION
SS Dr. Sat Kaur Khalsa has served as Secretary of Religion since 1991 and was ordained as a Sikh Dharma Minister in 1975. As Secretary of Religion, Dr. Sat Kaur oversees and is ultimately responsible for the delivery of the functions of this Office. Dr. Sat Kaur is a long-time member of the International Khalsa Council and the Khalsa Council Executive Committee. Dr. Sat Kaur maintains a full-time psychotherapy private practice in Santa Monica, California and Santa Fe, New Mexico. She counsels individuals, couples, and families to support their personal and spiritual growth. She is a certified Kundalini Yoga teacher, facilitates White Tantric Yoga®, and is a published author.