Spirituality – Abhiyaas & Bhagti

What is the difference between a ‘Naam-Abhiyaasee’ and a ‘Naam-Rasseeyaa’?

ਮਃ ੫ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਭੇਟਿਐ ਪੂਰੀ ਹੋਵੈ ਜੁਗਤਿ ॥
ਹਸੰਦਿਆ ਖੇਲੰਦਿਆ ਪੈਨੰਦਿਆ ਖਾਵੰਦਿਆ ਵਿਚੇ ਹੋਵੈ ਮੁਕਤਿ ॥੨॥
Mehlaa 5: Naanak saṯgur bẖėti­ai pooree hovai jugaṯ.
Hasandiaa, Khelandiaa, Pehnandiaa, Khaavandiaa vichai hovai mukht||
Fifth Mehl: O Nanak, meeting the True Guru, one comes to know the Perfect Way. Whilst laughing, playing, dressing and eating they are liberated.
(Ang 522)

There is a difference between people who are Naam Abhiyaasees and people who are Naam Rasseeyai. Gursikhs who are Naam Abhiyaas are the people that just practise and practise and keep their head down all the time getting on with their own thing. The sort of people that never talk with anyone.

Now a Gursikh who is Naam Rasseeyaa can do anything and Jap Naam at the same time. Just like the Panktee (Gurbani line) above – Laughing, Playing, Dressing and eating they are liberated. Naam Rasseeyai Gursikhs can have a laugh with anyone, play with anyone and have fun and at the same time they are liberated through the Naam.

You will know who is Naam Abhiyaasee because they will hardly talk and mostly have their head down getting on with Naam Abhiyaas.

Whereas a Naam Raseeyaa Gursikh will always have a slight smile on his face, and a smile in his eyes. He will socialise with everyone and have a laugh.