 Akal Bani Kaur (Sholeen) When the heart is so locked up that healing cannot penetrate, there is a way through. There is a mantra that can break down the walls -- the Miracle Mantra, Dhan Dhan Ram Das Guru. Today, I spoke to MKY's spiritual sister Akal Bani Kaur (Sholeen) about her profound self-healing experience with this mantra.When Akal Bani (who is now a Kundalini Yoga teacher) first started practicing Kundalini Yoga, she would chant mantras in class and, at her teacher's suggestion, try 40 day practices with some. But she didn't keep up with any and never reached 40 days. Then one day in class, she heard Dhan Dhan Ram Das Guru playing in the background. Something about it caught her; she asked her teacher for the details and then began a 40 day experience that, among other things, surprised her. As she chanted Dhan Dhan Ram Das Guru, she was overcome with tears. "I've always thought of myself as a happy person, an optimistic person." Akal Bani said. "I didn't know I had so many tears." She had committed to chanting 31 minutes a day but would often keep going for longer until the tears had moved through. After weeks and weeks of tears, something else surprised her. Her heart opened. "I didn't even remember that after my first boyfriend broke my heart, I had like encased my heart in metal." As she chanted, the metaphorical metal around her heart melted. After 40 days of daily chanting of Dhan Dhan Ram Das Guru, Akal Bani opted to continue beyond the 40 days to over six months. She stopped counting. The heart opening led to a new compassion, and she was able to turn that compassion to herself. She was able to finally really look at herself, really see herself and love herself. "The miracle of the mantra," she said, "is self-love." Dhan Dhan Ram Das Guru is a longer mantra, also known as a shabd or Sikh prayer, that honors Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru in the lineage. Guru Ram Das represented miracles, humility, and service. In the Kundalini Yoga tradition, we chant this mantra in the 11 days leading up to Guru Ram Das's birthday, which is celebrated on October 9. If you like, you can see the mantra and its translation below, as well as a link to a playlist of some of the most beautiful versions of it that I know.  Guru Ram Das (1534-1581) Mantra:
Dhan dhan raam daas gur jin siri-aa tinai savaari-aa Pooree hoee karaamaat aap sirajanhaarai dhaari-aa Sikhee atai sangatee paarbrahm kar namasakaari-aa Atal athaa-o atol too tayraa ant na paaraavaari-aa Jinee too sayvi-aa bhaa-o kar say tudh paar utaari-aa Lab lobh kaam krodh mo maar kadhay tudh saparvaari-aa Dhan so tayraa thaan hai sach tayraa paisakaari-aa Naanak too lehanaa toohai gur amar too veechaari-aa Gur dithaa taa man saadhaari-aa Translation: Blessed, blessed is Guru Ram Das; the One who created You has also exalted You. Perfect is Your miracle; the Creator has installed You on a throne. Sikhs as well as all Conscious people recognize You because you manifest the Creator. You are unchanging, unfathomable and immeasurable; You have no end or limitation. You are unchanging, unfathomable and immeasurable; Those who serve You with love are carried across the sea of existence. The five obstacles of lust, anger, greed, pride and attachment: You have beaten them and driven them out. Blessed is Your realm, and True is Your magnificent glory. You are Nanak, You are Angad, and You are Amar Daas; When I recognize You, my soul is comforted. Playlist: Link to it here on iTunes.
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