Gurupranam (Mathe Tek): Breaking Issues with Authority and Developing Devotion
It could be from upbringing, culture or whatever, but we have a very low tolerance to being told what to do. Many of us do not have one person we listen to without question. With our boss or parents, we may listen to what we are told, but only because there will be consequences. Even when being told what to do we end up resenting it, so we make half the effort to do it.
Being told what to do takes a shot to your ego. It can make you feel small and no one wants to feel that way. It can make you feel that someone has authority over you and in today’s world, no one has that right. At least that is what we tell ourselves. Yet if we cannot listen to anyone else, how can we even listen to our intuition?
On some level, we all believe that we have all the answers and we are the authority. It can be a source of power or belonging for some to think that they have all the answers. You can find it everywhere you go. Even in yoga circles, some will position themselves as being the expert in this or that.
Yet this need to feel important and think that we know it all separates us from ourselves and each other. It can put you on your own little island and isolate you from truth and on this path isn’t truth the most important thing?
When you feel that you arrived or know it all, that is the point to be concerned. This is the point where you are not allowing anything new. We can do this for many reasons. Perhaps it is out of comfort or to feel important.
Yet there is and will always be a knowledge that is beyond you and me. It is so hard to get beyond your own self to access this knowledge. That is the hardest part. We want what is best for us and have all these great intentions, but we want to be in control of the process. It is very humbling to realize that we are not in control and there is an authority bigger than us.
Yogi Bhajan taught a great meditation to get beyond this struggle with authority and develop true devotion. The great thing about devotion is that once you have it, you cannot lose it.
The meditation is done in Gurupranam. You sit on your heals and then bow forward with your forehead on the ground. The arms are outstretched in front of you in prayer. Then you recite the Japji in this posture for either 11, 31 or 62 minutes.
Gurupranam is one of the most powerful asanas we can hold. Gurupranam means, “Bowing to the Teacher of All Things.” Physically it works on the heart and frontal lobe of the brain. The posture has an interesting emotional effect as it brings about a sense of grieving and sadness. This feeling comes about because you are actually grieving the loss of your own self. You loose a part of yourself when surrendering to something bigger than you. This is the ultimate posture of devotion.
Guru Dev, Master of Sat Nam Rasayan said of this meditation, “Only when you keep your head down will you understand.”
If you feel called to build your devotion or work on issues with authority, try this meditation for 40-90 days.
Here are some recommended recordings of the Japji to learn to recite along with the meditation:
 Mata Mandir Singh - Japji |
 Guru Raj Kaur- Japji |
 Song of the Soul |
 Amarjit Kaur- Daily Banis |
 Rajnarind Kaur- Bani Pro 1 | |