The Name is in my veins,
it turns my pain into poignancy and compassion.
The Name makes life exquisitely special and precious,
each moment lit from within with GOD's presence.

But what is the Holy Nam?
Is it simply a mantra? Is it a philosophy? A practice?
Is the Nam the Logos? Is the Nam the primal hum of all Creation?

My special friend, my Guru, my scripture, my teacher, my guide answers:

"The Name is the ground of all beings.
The Name is the ground of all continents and constellations.
The Name is the ground of all Smrities, Vedas and Puranas (scriptures).
The Name is the ground of all hearing, knowledge and contemplation.
The Name is the ground of all earths and skies.
The Name is the ground of all forms.
The Name is the ground of all spheres and universes.
All are liberated by hearing the Name.
They, who through GOD's gift follow the Name,
says Nanak, they attain the highest state."*

And I reflect on how
into this moment,
into the mantra,
contained within each repetition of God's Name,
infinite power and destiny and goodness is surging.
The Holy Nam is pure mystery.
Yet it is a simple concept too.

If you seek God,
then call out God's Name.

*From Sukhmani Sahib

Kamalla Rose Kaur is USA born, of Irish descent, and embraced Sikhism in 1972, at age 18. She tried everything for over twenty years, including frantic practice of Yoga, until she learned "why Sikhs are so adament about having the Sri Guru Granth Sahib as their only Guru."

Kamalla Rose is a professional writer, theater director, workshop and seminar leader,
publicist, events planner and singer. Her column appears every Saturday and, starting with this article, every Wednesday as well.

The author welcomes comments and feedback: Love&Light