We have all felt it from time to time...the sinking feeling in your heart that lets you know you've arrived at a place of sadness. Depression. What once was shiny and new for you is suddenly filled with pockmarks of worry. Am I good enough? Do I love my life? Do I love myself? Doubt swirls around you like a windstorm and leaves you disoriented and disheveled. You hardly know which way is up.
There was a time in my life when I didn't know what I wanted, but I knew that where I was wasn't it. I was miserable in my job, incredibly stressed out, unhealthy, and in a terrible relationship. I would cry when I woke up. I actually greeted each day with tears. I hadn't yet found Kundalini Yoga and mantra, and I knew more than anything I needed something that would help me. A trail of circumstances lead me to a Snatam Kaur CD called " Shanti ", which I sceptically began to listen to. When I got to the second track, "Dayndaa Day", almost immediately I felt the cloud of darkness lift. Warmth and light streamed into my heart and the tears were no longer from sadness. It started me on my path as a Kundalini Yogi and into a life of joy, and it is a mantra that I reach for even now, whenever the clouds threaten to block out the light.
Dayndaa Day is the start of a line within the mantra Gaavai Ko Taan , and all of these powerful words are from the holy prayer of Japji . The energy in Japji is both powerful and subtle and works in a million different ways upon you. The mantra Gaavai Ko Taan , according to Yogi Bhajan, "transforms insufficiency into sufficiency, turns depression into elevation, and transforms low self esteem into complete self confidence."
And who doesn't need some more of all that? I Gaavai
destined, destined kisai hovai
I Gaavai daat, I Gaavai jaanai
neeshaan vadeeaa gun-chaar
eeaa I Gavvai vidiaa vikham veechaar saaj
I brought Gaavai
Gaavai khayh I see lai fir jeea dayh
I Gaavai door jaapai disai I Gaavai vaykhai
haadara hadoor
Kathna aavai kathee to thwart
Kath kath kathee, kotee afraid afraid
Dayndaa day thak paaeh lainday
Jugaa jugantar khaahee khaaeh
Hukamee Hukam is raaho
chalaa-Naanak vigasai vayparvaaho