Interesting concept here, here I am practicing Sikhi and the title of this post starts with – not getting Nitnem done.

Here’s why.

I am all for people practicing, building up their Nitnem starting from 1. Japji Sahib, 2. Jaap Sahib and gradually adding more. Being focused, to sit down and read it aloud takes time, practising and patience with yourself. It is a wonderful start to the morning and I’m biased but the best way to start your day is with Gurbani. And do Simran. Also throw in some yoga stretches too to move your body after sleeping.

Though sometimes, it may not happen that you awake at Amrit Vela to proceed with reading 5 Banis. It happens, maybe not often and maybe people don’t admit it. We all know that the only perfect ones are Guru and Waheguru.

You may not get up for a variety of reasons, we all need sleep and because I believe our bodies know things before our actions and words, we may feel the need to listen to it and rest for a bit longer. It could be that your ill or are on menstrual cycle and feel a little bit fragile. You could have been with Sangat late and your getting public transport and coming in at 11pm. Or you’ve been doing Seva overnight and you open the door at 3am. Or you’ve just got chatting to friends or loved ones, usually on a topic of spirituality and life and you both forgot to notice the time so you do Sohila Sahib, set alarm then sleep with every intention to get up before dawn.

Until you don’t and it’s 7.30am instead.

From there you can do your Simran and Nitnem, even on your public transport if it’s a fairly long journey. But it’s not the same as waking up and doing it at Amrit Vela, the Gurbani even tells you that. No getting away from it!

Two lessons I have learnt recently:

• Gurbani is the strongest love of all – Sounds a bit out there but if your practicing Sikhi then, you may relate. For example, I’m now in a loving wonderful relationship and we’re still getting to know each other. As amazing as our journey is together, when we fail to get up for Amrit Vela, I’m reminded that our love for each other is strong though what was around before our love, what do we get advice from and live by – Gurbani. That is the love and connection to really focus on and develop together. Also on an individual note, I know when my Bani isn’t done in the morning I have a strong sense of missing that love, connection, peace and infinity that’t truly there and hard to explain in words.
•  The time after Amrit Vela is yours to chose what to do with – So you may have a nap then read and make breakfast and go to work. Though what about a day off? The rule still applies though is amplified. I noticed when we didn’t get it done, I used my spare moments in the day to catch up with my Nitnem. This is fine if you want to go over Banis again or add other ones. Though that time could be doing something else that lights up your soul and is positive in your day. Get creative! Get intentional! Such as long train journeys with no signal can be used to listen to audio books. Signing up for a workshop, getting a place at camp. Or reading a paperback book while waiting, calling a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while or giving yourself mental space to just be. The list of all the things you can do in peace are endless.

When you recognise, have that awareness of how it feels not to do/to do late your Nitnem or Sadhana and how it feels when you do which feeling is stronger and serves you so you can go onto serve others?