Naam literally means Name. In Gurbani it is used as a way of remembering Akal Purakh the eternal God. God is not a physical entity and as such cannot be described. He is present in every one and every thing that exists. However we cannot experience Him because of distractions around us. These in turn are caused by temptations which are strong and keep the mind in bondage. The fifth Guru describes the situation thus:

ਐਸਾ ਕਰਹੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ਗਿਆਨੀ ॥ ਜਾ ਤੇ ਪਾਈਐ ਪਦੁ ਨਿਰਬਾਨੀ ॥ ਆਸਿ ਪਾਸਿ ਬਿਖੂਆ ਕੇ ਕੁੰਟਾ ਬੀਚਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਹੈ ਭਾਈ ਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥੫੩੮੫

There are pits full of poison (vice) around and in the midst is a spring of nectar; a wise man thinks of how to avoid the poison and get the nectar (M: 5, SGGS, p 385).

This metaphor explains that God can be experienced if we overcome evil which forms an obstacle between man and God.

This is done by thinking of His virtues and trying to emulate them as far as humanly possible. God has great virtues. As we think of them we experience awe and wonder (Vismaad) which attracts us. Repetition of this results in development of love with the virtues and we want to be in their company. If this love is not to gain any thing material, we find this love being reciprocated and a relationship between two beloveds is established. This is greatly facilitated by participation in holy congregation, Sadh Sangat.

Guru Arjun describes this in the following Shabad (the bold Gurmukhi verses below are of this Shabad and the others are supporting quotations).

ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਃ ੫ ॥ Dhanaasree M: 5, SGGS, p 671.

ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਦੀਓ ਮੋਹਿ ਨਾਮਾ ਬੰਧਨ ਤੇ ਛੁਟਕਾਏ ॥ ਮਨ ਤੇ ਬਿਸਰਿਓ ਸਗਲੋ ਧੰਧਾ ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਚਰਣੀ ਲਾਏ॥੧॥

The Lord by His kindness blessed me with Naam thus breaking all bondages; being at the service of the Guru I have given up other methods :1:

A man of God looks for a friend who can help in this:

ਬੰਧਨ ਤੇ ਛੁਟਕਾਵੈ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਮਿਲਾਵੈ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਸੁਨਾਵੈ ॥ ਅਸਥਿਰੁ ਕਰੇ ਨਿਹਚਲੁ ਇਹੁ ਮਨੂਆ ਬਹੁਰਿ ਨਕਤਹੂ ਧਾਵੈ ॥੧॥ ੫੬੭੪

Is there any one who can relieve mefrom bondage, unite with God and relate God’s virtues to me? One who stabilizes this wandering mind so that it does not run around any more? (M: 5, SGGS, p 674).

Bondages are of many types. The third Guru explains:

ਕਰਮ ਧਰਮ ਸਭਿ ਬੰਧਨਾ ਪਾਪ ਪੁੰਨ ਸਨਬੰਧੁ ॥ ਮਮਤਾ ਮੋਹੁ ਸੁ ਬੰਧਨਾ ਪੁਤ੍ਰ ਕਲਤ੍ਰ ਸੁ ਧੰਧੁ ॥ ਜਹ ਦੇਖਾ ਤਹ ਜੇਵਰੀ ਮਾਇਆ ਕਾ ਸਨਬੰਧੁ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਚੇ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨੁ ਵਰਤਣਿ ਵਰਤੈ ਅੰਧੁ ॥੧॥੩੫੫੧

One type of bondages are connected with superstitions in the form of rituals; another type are attachment to children, spouse and work; they are all Maya and keep one tied as if with a rope; These are due ignorance in the absence of Naam (virtues) of the eternal Lord (M: 3, SGGS, p 551).

These bondages can be broken by participating in holy congregation where one listens to the praises of God and engages in service:

ਸਾਧਸੰਗਿ ਚਿੰਤ ਬਿਰਾਨੀ ਛਾਡੀ ॥ ਅਹੰਬੁਧਿ ਮੋਹ ਮਨ ਬਾਸਨ ਦੇ ਕਰਿ ਗਡਹਾ ਗਾਡੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

One who participates in Sadh Sangat, the holy congregation worries about nothing else; he, getting hold of vanity, attachment and temptations buries them as if in a pit: Pause:

Then this is what happens:

ਨਾ ਕੋ ਮੇਰਾ ਦੁਸਮਨੁ ਰਹਿਆ ਨਾ ਹਮ ਕਿਸ ਕੇ ਬੈਰਾਈ ॥ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਪਸਾਰੁ ਪਸਾਰਿਓ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਸੋਝੀ ਪਾਈ ॥੨॥

With the understanding given by the Guru that the universe is God’s manifestation and He abides in all, I now have no enemy nor am I against any one: 2:

This understanding also comes from Sadh Sangat:

ਬਿਸਰਿ ਗਈ ਸਭ ਤਾਤਿ ਪਰਾਈ ॥ ਜਬ ਤੇ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਮੋਹਿ ਪਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਬੈਰੀ ਨਹੀ ਬਿਗਾਨਾ ਸਗਲ ਸੰਗਿ ਹਮ ਕਉ ਬਨਿ ਆਈ ॥੧॥੫੧੨੯੯

I have given up all jealousy since I joined Sadh Sangat: Pause:there is now no enemy or stranger, I get along with all (M:, SGGS, p 1299).

We get to participate in Sadh Sangat by Divine grace; this helps to enlighten the mind and enjoy the presence of God along with all others there. The fourth Guru says:

ਜਿਨ ਹਰਿ ਜਨ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਪਾਈ ਤਿਨ ਧੁਰਿ ਮਸਤਕਿ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਲਿਖਾਸਿ ॥ ਧਨੁ ਧੰਨੁ ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਜਿਤੁ ਹਰਿ ਰਸੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਮਿਲਿ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਪਰਗਾਸਿ ॥੪॥੪॥੪੧੦

Only one who is blessed goes to Sadh Sangat; hail the holy congregation due which my mind is enlightened and I am able to enjoy Divine presence (M: 4, p 10).

This is possible if one sheds evil thoughts from the mind. Once that is done we find every one is our friend. We read in Sukhmani Sahib:

ਮਨ ਅਪੁਨੇ ਤੇ ਬੁਰਾ ਮਿਟਾਨਾ ॥ ਪੇਖੈ ਸਗਲ ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਸਾਜਨਾ ॥੫੨੬੬

If evil is erased from the mind we look at the whole universe as friends (M: 5, SGGS, p 266).

Now:

ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਮੀਤੁ ਹਮ ਆਪਨ ਕੀਨਾ ਹਮ ਸਭਨਾ ਕੇ ਸਾਜਨ ॥ ਦੂਰਿ ਪਰਾਇਓ ਮਨ ਕਾ ਬਿਰਹਾ ਤਾ ਮੇਲੁ ਕੀਓ ਮੇਰੈ ਰਾਜਨ ॥੩॥

I have made every one my friend and am a friend of all; with the cause of separation in my mind removed I have been united with the Lord: 3:

Once Naam abides in the mind ego, which is at the root of conflicts, disappears and we are able to enjoy bliss of seeing God all round:

ਬਿਨਸਿਓ ਢੀਠਾ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਵੂਠਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਲਗੋ ਗੁਰ ਮੀਠਾ ॥ ਜਲਿ ਥਲਿ ਮਹੀਅਲਿ ਸਰਬ ਨਿਵਾਸੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਰਮਈਆ ਡੀਠਾ ॥੪॥੩॥

With Naam abiding in my mind I am no longer obstinate and relish the Divine Word; I now perceive my Beloved pervading every where on the earth and in water :4:3:

Let us go to Sadh Sangat and relish the experience.