Cannon Breath & Jaap Sahib

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam,

 

Could someone please explain in detail how Cannon Breath is done. I am about to

start a 40-day meditation which has the instructions of ending with an inhale,

then Cannon breath. It's not something I've used much in my practice before.

 

Also,

 

Who wrote Jaap Sahib, was it Guru Gobinde Singh? The meditation uses the music,

with the last 4 lines from it, so I'm interested to know the source.

 

 

Thanks and love to all,

 

Krishan Shiva Kaur

 

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[Guest guest]

Krishan Shiva Kaur wrote:

 

>Sat Nam,

>

>Could someone please explain in detail how Cannon Breath is done. I am about to

start a 40-day meditation which has the instructions of ending with an inhale,

then Cannon breath. It's not something I've used much in my practice before.

>

Cannon breath is done through the mouth. The lips are somewhat puckered

but more so made into a circle. The exhale is forced out with a strong

pull from the navel point. The breath stimulates that ring of flesh at

the back of the mouth and the the beginning of the throat.

 

>Also,

>

>Who wrote Jaap Sahib, was it Guru Gobinde Singh? The meditation uses the

music, with the last 4 lines from it, so I'm interested to know the source.

>

Guru Gobind Singh wrote it. I use it often while doing Gatka (Indian

swordplay) or Panthera.

"A large number of words in this hymn are from Sanskrit. In addition it

also has many expressions in Persian - a court language at that time"

(http://www.sikhreview.org/april2001/theo.htm)

 

 

"Might or power by itself is blind. When it gets bound to

worship instead of becoming the destroyer of mankind it

becomes the destroyer of evil."

 

 

JAAP SAHIB (http://www.dasamgranth.org/dasamgranth/glory.shtml)

 

Jaap Sahib, given place of prominence in the Dasam Granth is the

invocation made by the khalsa-a hymn in praise of the omnipotent God.

The attributes and qualities of God delineated herein are based on the

transcendental nature of God, He who is without attributes as in the

ideology of Nirgunwad. While on one hand the form and shape of the

Almighty God as portrayed in Gurbani have been further honed and

highlighted, on the other hand there is an elaboration and embellishment

of it. There is specific purpose behind this literary creation and it

has been written in a unique style.

 

In fact, of all the transcendental literature written in the middle age

the Jaap Sahib stands out unique for delineating the humanitarian

attributes of God who is without attributes by presenting them in a

worldly and universal form. It has proved itself as a cardinal literary

piece in all northern Indian literature for its brilliance, sublimity

and majesty. The Jaap Sahib has no equal.

 

The Jaap Sahib has evolved as the product of extensive reflection,

cogitation and deliberation through moments of awe and reverence

experienced by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. In this creation the various

attributes of God almighty have been depicted ö He is without caste,

without creed, without community, without religion and he is Îfearlessâ.

He is the destroyer of enemies too. This aspect of "the destroyer of

evil" proved a great force as it enthused the terror ö stricken

multitudes into such an awesome force of might and courage that it could

not be suppressed any more.

 

From the point of view of diction and style too it is a matchless piece

of writing. The vocabulary used and the connotations suggested by these

words have lent it a universalism that makes it significant and

meaningful for people of all religions. This is why people of varied

religious backgrounds have accepted it and even today read it with great

devotion. Indeed, the quintessential message of gurbani is not limited

to followers of any one religion but hold true for people of all

religions. This is why it is said to have a universal appeal. In fact,

this universalism is not limited to the message only. It also holds true

for the language or diction. Because for gurbani every language is pure,

every word is sacred.

 

Another outstanding feature of the Jaap Sahib is the beautiful and

amazing manner in which worship and might merge together. Might or power

by itself is blind. When it gets bound to worship instead of becoming

the destroyer of mankind it becomes the destroyer of evil. These

writings encourage the saint-soldier to participate in war as the metre

and rhyme scheme, full of alliteration and rhythm is set to martial

moves. At the same time care has been taken that all moral values and

norms of society are upheld while fighting evil.