Often we talk about hardship in the world and problems around us, yet we feel dis-empowered. We sometimes feel like we cannot do anything to change these BIG issues when we are just one or few. Some things we may not be able to directly impact, but through our collective meditative projection we can make HUGE difference.
We are all like individual cells in a body that make up a whole. When we work together through meditative projection for some type of change, it has effects in multiples of the participants. Kind of like 1+1 = 11 (instead of 2). Through our group consciousness we are in that unified state of oneness that is very powerful. If you sit and meditate on your own you might feel one thing....then try it with 20 other people and wow! As Sikhs we recognize that being with the Sadh Sangat uplifts us and allows us to grow more rapidly then on our own.
Scientific Study on Group Meditation
One of the most famous scientific studies on the effects of group meditation was conducted by the National Demonstration Project to Reduce Violent Crime and Improve Governmental Effectiveness. The study brought approximately 4,000 participants in the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi programs to the United States national capital from June 7 to July 30, 1993. In less than 2 months time, the effects of the group meditation had reduced violent crime in Washington D.C by 23%. And based on their statistics, if the program had continued with increased participation, they estimated they could have reduced the violent crime down by a whopping 48%!
Imagine what will be achieved with millions of people around the world meditating in unity with a single focus of intent! The effects will be staggering. Read more information on this study to reduce violent crime in Washington, D.C.
Last year we celebrated the 300th anniversary of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib in many different ways. At SikhNet we wanted to celebrate in ways that we could have an experience, rather than just looking at this in a historical and intellectual way. One of the events which we help was a to make a virtual pledge to deepen your own personal relationship with the Guru. It was a successful event that encouraged thousands of people to make a commitment to doing a meditation or bani for a period of time.
Since then another great pledge drive project has been organized by some Sikhs in England. The goal is to encourage people all over the world to recite Guru Gobind Singh ji's Bani, Chaupai Sahib, a total of 1 Million (1,000,000) by June 2009. The event is being organized in remembrance of the 25th anniversary of the Indian Govt. attack on the Harimandir Sahib (Golden Temple) and the the countless thousands of innocent people that were killed during that event and the following years.
25 years after these attacks the emotions are still ripe in many Sikhs. For many there are strong feelings of anger, frustration and hate that has welled up in people. There is the feeling that the issue is too big for "little 'ol me" to do something. When something unjust is done we feel this void, as if something is empty and must be done to make it right. However, sometimes we forget how powerful our prayer is, and how through positive projection and meditation we can create a change far more powerful than physical actions motivated from emotions like anger.
The past month or so some of our local sangat has been getting together in the Gurdwara every evening to meditate together for similar reasons. We gather and recite/sing the the Narayan Shabad for 31 minutes and then end with a recitation of Chaupai Sahib. There is something so special about a group of people coming together to meditate. It feels so different than when you do it on your own. Something about the group consciousness and doing it together that is very powerful.
There is even a website that I found encouraging people to Meditate for President Barack Obama! ( http://meditateforobama.com). It looks like the concept of group consciousness/meditation to create change is becoming more known.
I think change happens when we come together and shed the differences and recognize that each person around us is merely a part of yourself and God. I am you, you are me. I am, I am.
So, I would like to encourage you, and hope you encourage your friends and family to join in and take part in prayer and meditation to create peace and unity throughout the world.
You can choose to do one/both of the below suggestions or commit to something else.
- One Million Chaupai Sahibs - So far people have recited 250,000 times, however to reach the goal of completion by June people would need do 250,000 recitations each month for the next three months (or 8,333 per day). If 1,666 people recited it five times a day for the next 3 months the goal would be reached.
- 31 Minutes of Narayan Shabad Meditation - Listen to the audio, sing along, meditate on the words of Guru Arjan Dev ji and help restore the glory of the Khalsa! You can even join in with us virtually through the internet every evening at 5:30PM (Mountain Time - USA) we do Rehiras and sing the Shabad and end with Chaupai Sahib.