Slipping..
Amritvela (The Ambrosial Hours) is one of the most beneficial things to a Gursikh, or anyone wanting to meditate.
It's the time in the day when everything is quiet, no disturbances and is perfect to contemplate God/read Bani.
My problem is that my Amritvela Rehit is soooooo slack now, I get up one or two days a week.
Amritvela has always been a huge problem for me, by my own doing. I used to be a hardcore gamer, so my routine meant that I'd be playing computer games until 6/7am then sleep until 4/5pm. I did this for around 3 years, but recently when I realised that I was wasting my life and not getting enough out of the 'career' I quit. My standard of life has improved soo much, not just my family/education but I'd like to think my Sikhi too.
Recently however, Amritvela is such a problem for me. I'm currently studying at university 3 days a week, but my evening schedule is very busy. There are atleast 2/3 nights a week when i get home for around 11/12, and get to sleep for around 1. On these days amritvela (12am-6am) wake up is near impossible for me.
Im out of the house 4/5 evenings in the week, and its mostly Sikhi related at the moment. But my Amritvela rehit is being 'sacrificed' for these evening keertans or gatka training. I'm very confused as to wether I should concentrate on solely waking up at Amritvela or attending Sangat.
There is so much emphasis on Sadh Sangat in Gurbani, and so much on waking up at Amritvela - I suppose I just need to find the right balance.
I've thought about doing my Nitnem at 12, after having a full head to toe wash - but without shutting down my system, am I really rising for the Guru?
God Doesn't Exist....
A man went to a barbershop to have his hair and his beard cut as always.
He started to have a good conversation with the barber who attended him.
They talked about so many things and various subjects. Suddenly, they
touched the subject of God.
The barber said: "Look man, I don't believe that God exists as you say so."
"Why do you say that?" - asked the client.
Well, it's so easy; you just have to go out in the street to realize that
God does not exist. Oh, tell me, if God existed, would there be so many
sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would
be neither suffering nor pain. I can't think of a God who permits all of these
things."
The client stopped for a moment thinking but he didn't want to respond so
as to prevent an argument. The barber finished his job and the client went
out of the shop. Just after he left the barber shop he saw a man in the
street with a long hair and beard (it seems that it had been a long time
since he had his cut and he looked so untidy).
Then the client again entered the barbershop and he said to the barber:
You know what? Barbers do not exist."
"How come they don't exist?" - asked the barber. "Well I am here and I am a
barber."
"No!" - the client exclaimed. "They don't exist because if they did there
would be no people with long hair and beard like that man who walks in the
street."
"Ah!...barbers do exist! What happens is that people do not come to me."
"Exactly!" - affirmed the client. "That's the point. God does exist, what
happens is people don't go to Him and do not look for Him that's why
there's so much pain and suffering in the world.
Salok Dumalla Da - Audio/Translation
The Dumalla Salok that is printed in the Budha Dal Gutka.
A scan of said Salok:
Click Here
Partial Translation:
Click Here
The Audio File:
Click Here
Puratan Nihangs read this everytime they tye their dumalla/bunga's.
Apologies for any mistakes within the translation.
Its best to read the shabd from the Gurmukhi Script if you are able to, and listen along to the audio. Eventually you'll know the wording/grammer.
Vaheguru
'Gurdwara' or Party Hall?
Article by Jagdeesh Singh of Slough UK.
"I did not reveal this sacred vision of Khaalsa life, for you to turn into a
dead-creed!"
Guru Gobind Singh jee
What do you do, when confronted with such obstinate abuse and obscenity like this? Do we launch an inspiring morcha like our forefathers did in the 1920s, to liberate and cleanse our sacred institutions from the clutches of the anti-Sikh mahants?
This is, indeed, something to consider in England.
Our gurdwaras are going down the drain, into the muck and mire of man-made whims and desires - "wedding machines", party-ing, commercialisation. They are being drained of their gurmat purpose and beauty. There is no regard for the vital principles and endless sacrifices that, have gone into initiating and sustaining Sikh practises and institutions. The gurdwara has been reduced to a convenient venue for free food, for weddings and all those things people do when they gather in large masses.
This situation described below [refer to thread on this forum titled 'Ramgharia Gurdwara Reject Guru Ji'] is not unique to the said Ramgarhia gurdwara. Indeed, it is commonplace across all so-called 'Ramgarhia gurdwaras' ('ramgarhia' is a title hijacked from Sikh history). For example, according to reports, in one such Ramgarhia gurdwara, surplus langar is being actually sold to sangat. Yes, SOLD for money!
Equally, many other mainstream gurdwara committees are indulging in many other forms of unprincipled behaviour. The jat run gurdwaras are, only, a little better. They commit pretty much the same obscenities as the darkaans and other sectarian groups within the Sikh world. Indeed, all gurdwara committees are the same in their duplicity, manipulation and gross lack of principles. For the committed Sikhs, this is not an issue of jats, darkans, etc. It is first and foremost an issue of SIKH ETHICS. It is about rescuing these powerful Sikh institutions from the hands of these poisonous oppressors - committing self-destruction and contamination in the heart of the Sikh world.
Gurdwaras are a bastion of Sikh spirit, Sikh ideals, Sikh practises, Sikh examples. They are a positive and benevolent FORTRESS of Sikhi. Take for example, "Kes-Garh Sahib" - the Fort of Natural Hair! GURDWARAS were set up by the Gurus to be the POWER-HOUSE of Sikh life and living - to inspire, to activate, to unite and take forward human society.
The opponents of the Sikhs throughout history, were always deeply distrustful and hostile to the activity and moral strength of the gurdwaras. Like the Mughals, the British sought to contain and constrict the power of the Akal Takht and Darbar Sahib and all Sikh gurdwaras. A quote from a British minister in the late 1800s refers to gurdwaras as a 'dangerous places', as places of 'resistance and rebellion', as a 'state within a state'. He stresses the need to contain and pacify these places. Indeed, the Indian state wholescale attack on the SIKH NATION in 1984 began with a destructive attack on the primary Sikh gurdwaras (Darbar Sahib, Akaal Takht and 80 other significant historic Gurdwaras across Panjaab). India and British rulers are today happy to see Sikh gurdwaras in a state of chaos and mis-direction. The potential powerhouse of Sikhi have been neutralised and emasculated! No conscious parchar, means no inspiration, which means no activity, which means no campaigns or morchas, which means no threat from the gurdwaras and the Sikh community. Gurmat and active minded Sikhs are excluded from the gurdwaras, as 'trouble-makers' and 'fundamentalists'; as the uncommitted and uncaring 'Sikhs' secure their fiefdoms. The power-houses of Sikh spirit and action are pacified and tamed.
Gurdwaras are not passive centres for individual private prayers - paying £2-300.00 to bribe god to give a named individual or a family a private and personalised form of escapist 'peace' or 'shanti'. Today, gurdwaras up and down Britain have been turned into wholescale commercial operations. As the Sikh writer highlights below, they are "marriage machines". Gurdwaras are rented out on weekends for a jamboree and circus of vane materialism. This shows an open contempt for the Guru, the Gurus precious principles, the sacrifices that went into sustaining Sikh principles and practises and everything to do with the ideals and spirit of an ethical Sikh way of life.
Every gurdwara committee is happy to rent out the gurdwara premises for marriage shows to any and every person whoh is prepared to pay £600.00 plus to the gurdwara coffers.
Sikhi is not about money - never was and never will be! You don't have to pay to go to the gurdwara. You don't have to pay to partake of langar. You don't have to pay to embrace Sikh principles. You don't have to pay for God's benevolent guidance. You don't have to pay to become a member of the Khaalsa Panth, through the baptism of death & life (khande-da-amrit). Why then do you have to have to pay to conduct an Anand Karaj or any other activity in a gurdwara? Why do you have to pay for a Paath in the Gurdwara? Indeed, there is no such thing as a personalised or private prayer in Sikhi. A true Sikh never prayers for private wealth or private gain. Instead, a Sikh always prayers for "sarbat da bhalla" (no less, no more) - abiding fully with god's global hukam (earthquakes, tsunamis, life, death, bliss, sadness, or whatever is ordained). A Sikh accepts that, graceful participation in the entire journey of life - as given and shaped by god -is a fulfilling and purposeful experience.
A Sikh does not seek escapism to some private 'shanti' or private callings for gods 'blessings' for a new car, a new shop or a new businesses. "When my life comes to its end, May I die in the thick of struggle." (Khaalsa National Anthem) Like the Sikhs of old (e.g. Baba Deep Singh) and present (e.g. Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale); a committed believeing Sikh prayers for a glorious death to complete their life on earth. Such a death is one of struggle, torture, painful punishment in the pursuit of a idealistic world - 'halemi raaj'. A Sikh is saint-warrior for a benevolent, just and holistic global world.
Sikhi is a vision for a global 'dharamsaal' (as stated in Japji Sahib). Sikhi is not a private personalised 'religion'; or something that ones does to find private solace or 'shanti'. For that, there are plenty of private gurus and sects across the world. And, indeed, many nervous and fragile minds join these passive 'guru'-worship groups, to address their individual fears, phobias and desires. The Khaalsa is a global vision. The Khaalsa warrior is a global mind, a global citizen. The Khaalsa warrior is a buoyant and free mind (chard-i-kala). As Sukha and Jinda said
in their letters to India: "You can imprison our bodies, but you cannot imprison our minds".
The challenge for us now is, do we respond to this stage of history, by asserting Khalsa sovereignty and freedom over our stolen and hijacked gurdwaras; or do we passively let the current tide of dismantling and destruction take its course?
Do we launch a peaceful morcha of non-violent intervention, like our inspiring forefathers in the historic Gurdwara Sudhar Lehar of the 1920s?
**********
If we stand by, and let someone else take the responsibility it will never get done.
We have to make the moves.
Article by Jagdeesh Singh of Slough UK.
"I did not reveal this sacred vision of Khaalsa life, for you to turn into a
dead-creed!"
Guru Gobind Singh jee
What do you do, when confronted with such obstinate abuse and obscenity like this? Do we launch an inspiring morcha like our forefathers did in the 1920s, to liberate and cleanse our sacred institutions from the clutches of the anti-Sikh mahants?
This is, indeed, something to consider in England.
Our gurdwaras are going down the drain, into the muck and mire of man-made whims and desires - "wedding machines", party-ing, commercialisation. They are being drained of their gurmat purpose and beauty. There is no regard for the vital principles and endless sacrifices that, have gone into initiating and sustaining Sikh practises and institutions. The gurdwara has been reduced to a convenient venue for free food, for weddings and all those things people do when they gather in large masses.
This situation described below [refer to thread on this forum titled 'Ramgharia Gurdwara Reject Guru Ji'] is not unique to the said Ramgarhia gurdwara. Indeed, it is commonplace across all so-called 'Ramgarhia gurdwaras' ('ramgarhia' is a title hijacked from Sikh history). For example, according to reports, in one such Ramgarhia gurdwara, surplus langar is being actually sold to sangat. Yes, SOLD for money!
Equally, many other mainstream gurdwara committees are indulging in many other forms of unprincipled behaviour. The jat run gurdwaras are, only, a little better. They commit pretty much the same obscenities as the darkaans and other sectarian groups within the Sikh world. Indeed, all gurdwara committees are the same in their duplicity, manipulation and gross lack of principles. For the committed Sikhs, this is not an issue of jats, darkans, etc. It is first and foremost an issue of SIKH ETHICS. It is about rescuing these powerful Sikh institutions from the hands of these poisonous oppressors - committing self-destruction and contamination in the heart of the Sikh world.
Gurdwaras are a bastion of Sikh spirit, Sikh ideals, Sikh practises, Sikh examples. They are a positive and benevolent FORTRESS of Sikhi. Take for example, "Kes-Garh Sahib" - the Fort of Natural Hair! GURDWARAS were set up by the Gurus to be the POWER-HOUSE of Sikh life and living - to inspire, to activate, to unite and take forward human society.
The opponents of the Sikhs throughout history, were always deeply distrustful and hostile to the activity and moral strength of the gurdwaras. Like the Mughals, the British sought to contain and constrict the power of the Akal Takht and Darbar Sahib and all Sikh gurdwaras. A quote from a British minister in the late 1800s refers to gurdwaras as a 'dangerous places', as places of 'resistance and rebellion', as a 'state within a state'. He stresses the need to contain and pacify these places. Indeed, the Indian state wholescale attack on the SIKH NATION in 1984 began with a destructive attack on the primary Sikh gurdwaras (Darbar Sahib, Akaal Takht and 80 other significant historic Gurdwaras across Panjaab). India and British rulers are today happy to see Sikh gurdwaras in a state of chaos and mis-direction. The potential powerhouse of Sikhi have been neutralised and emasculated! No conscious parchar, means no inspiration, which means no activity, which means no campaigns or morchas, which means no threat from the gurdwaras and the Sikh community. Gurmat and active minded Sikhs are excluded from the gurdwaras, as 'trouble-makers' and 'fundamentalists'; as the uncommitted and uncaring 'Sikhs' secure their fiefdoms. The power-houses of Sikh spirit and action are pacified and tamed.
Gurdwaras are not passive centres for individual private prayers - paying £2-300.00 to bribe god to give a named individual or a family a private and personalised form of escapist 'peace' or 'shanti'. Today, gurdwaras up and down Britain have been turned into wholescale commercial operations. As the Sikh writer highlights below, they are "marriage machines". Gurdwaras are rented out on weekends for a jamboree and circus of vane materialism. This shows an open contempt for the Guru, the Gurus precious principles, the sacrifices that went into sustaining Sikh principles and practises and everything to do with the ideals and spirit of an ethical Sikh way of life.
Every gurdwara committee is happy to rent out the gurdwara premises for marriage shows to any and every person whoh is prepared to pay £600.00 plus to the gurdwara coffers.
Sikhi is not about money - never was and never will be! You don't have to pay to go to the gurdwara. You don't have to pay to partake of langar. You don't have to pay to embrace Sikh principles. You don't have to pay for God's benevolent guidance. You don't have to pay to become a member of the Khaalsa Panth, through the baptism of death & life (khande-da-amrit). Why then do you have to have to pay to conduct an Anand Karaj or any other activity in a gurdwara? Why do you have to pay for a Paath in the Gurdwara? Indeed, there is no such thing as a personalised or private prayer in Sikhi. A true Sikh never prayers for private wealth or private gain. Instead, a Sikh always prayers for "sarbat da bhalla" (no less, no more) - abiding fully with god's global hukam (earthquakes, tsunamis, life, death, bliss, sadness, or whatever is ordained). A Sikh accepts that, graceful participation in the entire journey of life - as given and shaped by god -is a fulfilling and purposeful experience.
A Sikh does not seek escapism to some private 'shanti' or private callings for gods 'blessings' for a new car, a new shop or a new businesses. "When my life comes to its end, May I die in the thick of struggle." (Khaalsa National Anthem) Like the Sikhs of old (e.g. Baba Deep Singh) and present (e.g. Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale); a committed believeing Sikh prayers for a glorious death to complete their life on earth. Such a death is one of struggle, torture, painful punishment in the pursuit of a idealistic world - 'halemi raaj'. A Sikh is saint-warrior for a benevolent, just and holistic global world.
Sikhi is a vision for a global 'dharamsaal' (as stated in Japji Sahib). Sikhi is not a private personalised 'religion'; or something that ones does to find private solace or 'shanti'. For that, there are plenty of private gurus and sects across the world. And, indeed, many nervous and fragile minds join these passive 'guru'-worship groups, to address their individual fears, phobias and desires. The Khaalsa is a global vision. The Khaalsa warrior is a global mind, a global citizen. The Khaalsa warrior is a buoyant and free mind (chard-i-kala). As Sukha and Jinda said
in their letters to India: "You can imprison our bodies, but you cannot imprison our minds".
The challenge for us now is, do we respond to this stage of history, by asserting Khalsa sovereignty and freedom over our stolen and hijacked gurdwaras; or do we passively let the current tide of dismantling and destruction take its course?
Do we launch a peaceful morcha of non-violent intervention, like our inspiring forefathers in the historic Gurdwara Sudhar Lehar of the 1920s?
**********
If we stand by, and let someone else take the responsibility it will never get done.
We have to make the moves.
One who calls himself a Sikh of the Guru
gur siqgur kw jo isKu AKwey su Blky auiT hir nwmu iDAwvY ]
gur sathigur kaa jo sikh akhaaeae s bhalakae out(h) har naam dhhiaavai ||
One who calls himself a Sikh of the Guru, the True Guru, shall rise in the early morning hours and meditate on the Lord's Name.
audmu kry Blky prBwqI iesnwnu kry AMimRq sir nwvY ]
oudham karae bhalakae parabhaathee eisanaan karae a(n)mrith sar naavai ||
Upon arising early in the morning, he is to bathe, and cleanse himself in the pool of nectar.
aupdyis gurU hir hir jpu jwpY siB iklivK pwp doK lih jwvY ]
oupadhaes guroo har har jap jaapai sabh kilavikh paap dhokh lehi jaavai ||
Following the Instructions of the Guru, he is to chant the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. All sins, misdeeds and negativity shall be erased.
iPir cVY idvsu gurbwxI gwvY bhidAw auTidAw hir nwmu iDAwvY ]
fir charrai dhivas gurabaanee gaavai behadhiaa out(h)adhiaa har naam dhhiaavai ||
Then, at the rising of the sun, he is to sing Gurbani; whether sitting down or standing up, he is to meditate on the Lord's Name.
jo swis igrwis iDAwey myrw hir hir so gurisKu gurU min BwvY ]
jo saas giraas dhhiaaeae maeraa har har so gurasikh guroo man bhaavai ||
One who meditates on my Lord, Har, Har, with every breath and every morsel of food - that GurSikh becomes pleasing to the Guru's Mind.
ijs no dieAwlu hovY myrw suAwmI iqsu gurisK gurU aupdysu suxwvY ]
jis no dhaeiaal hovai maeraa suaamee this gurasikh guroo oupadhaes sunaavai ||
That person, unto whom my Lord and Master is kind and compassionate - upon that GurSikh, the Guru's Teachings are bestowed.
jnu nwnku DUiV mMgY iqsu gurisK kI jo Awip jpY Avrh nwmu jpwvY ]2]
jan naanak dhhoorr ma(n)gai this gurasikh kee jo aap japai avareh naam japaavai ||2||
Servant Nanak begs for the dust of the feet of that GurSikh, who himself chants the Naam, and inspires others to chant it. ||2||
Too busy...
I knelt to pray but not for long,
I had too much to do.
I had to hurry and get to work
For bills would soon be due.
So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
And jumped up off my knees.
My Sikh duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease.
All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer.
No time to speak of waheguru to friends,
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.
No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die.
I went before Waheguru,
I came, I stood with downcast eyes.
For in
his hands He held a book;
It was the book of life.
Waheguru looked into his book and said
Your name I cannot find.
I once was going to write it down...
But never found the time"
Diljeet Dhillon
I knelt to pray but not for long,
I had too much to do.
I had to hurry and get to work
For bills would soon be due.
So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
And jumped up off my knees.
My Sikh duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease.
All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer.
No time to speak of waheguru to friends,
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.
No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die.
I went before Waheguru,
I came, I stood with downcast eyes.
For in
his hands He held a book;
It was the book of life.
Waheguru looked into his book and said
Your name I cannot find.
I once was going to write it down...
But never found the time"
Diljeet Dhillon
Newspost!!! Urgent Attention Needed of UK Sikhs!
Please forward to anyone who will be able to attend, in my eyes any sikh of the Guru MUST attend.
Another Wedding!! - Royal Lancaster Hotel
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!!
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is going to be taken to Royal Lancaster Hotel on 23rd October 2005 for a “Sikh Wedding”.
Members of the UK Sikh Community have been in discussions with the families of the Bride and Groom as well as the Wedding Arranger. All of them are aware of the Hukamnama from Sri Akal Takht Sahib and that taking Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji to a venue that serves alcohol, meat & tabbacco is against Sikh Principles. However they are adamant to proceed with this “Sikh Wedding”.
What can you do?
As members of the Sikh Community please ring the following and voice your concerns:
Royal Lancaster Hotel (Royal Lancaster Hotel, Lancaster Terrace, London W2 2TY):
Craig Robertson - Director Conference & Banqueting (car@royallancaster.com) on 020 7262 6737
Wedding Arrangers
Paul (Director of Curry Special) on 07768 422181 or 020 8518 3003
Sanjay Anand of Madhu's on 020 8574 1897
Granthi Harbans Singh Suraj (currently on Vectone Punjabi's Gur Kirpa programme) will be taking Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji to this hotel. Please contact him & inform that his actions are direct violation of Sri Akal Takht Sahib & the Khalsa Panth.
Ring Harbans Singh Suraj on 01634 576100
Please remember when ringing that you are representing the Sikh Community. Please refrain from bad language and confrontational discussions.
Together as Sadh Sangat we can stop this bad practice and give respect to Gurbani & Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as given by our Gurus & GurSikhs.
GurFateh!
--------------------
Respect for Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Campaign
07944 445651
sikhalerts@yahoo.co.uk
www.GuruGranthSahibJi.com
www.SikhDreamWeddings.co.uk
People living in internationally please remember to edit the phone numbers slightly. The UK dialling code is 0044.
If you are going to the keertan programme in Coventry on the 22nd (http://www.akj.org/skins/default/programs.php?countryid=4) there will be more details given by sevadaars at the programme itself.
The least you can do is email on behalf of the sikh nation, thanks for any contribution to this cause.
Please forward to anyone who will be able to attend, in my eyes any sikh of the Guru MUST attend.
Another Wedding!! - Royal Lancaster Hotel
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!!
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is going to be taken to Royal Lancaster Hotel on 23rd October 2005 for a “Sikh Wedding”.
Members of the UK Sikh Community have been in discussions with the families of the Bride and Groom as well as the Wedding Arranger. All of them are aware of the Hukamnama from Sri Akal Takht Sahib and that taking Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji to a venue that serves alcohol, meat & tabbacco is against Sikh Principles. However they are adamant to proceed with this “Sikh Wedding”.
What can you do?
As members of the Sikh Community please ring the following and voice your concerns:
Royal Lancaster Hotel (Royal Lancaster Hotel, Lancaster Terrace, London W2 2TY):
Craig Robertson - Director Conference & Banqueting (car@royallancaster.com) on 020 7262 6737
Wedding Arrangers
Paul (Director of Curry Special) on 07768 422181 or 020 8518 3003
Sanjay Anand of Madhu's on 020 8574 1897
Granthi Harbans Singh Suraj (currently on Vectone Punjabi's Gur Kirpa programme) will be taking Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji to this hotel. Please contact him & inform that his actions are direct violation of Sri Akal Takht Sahib & the Khalsa Panth.
Ring Harbans Singh Suraj on 01634 576100
Please remember when ringing that you are representing the Sikh Community. Please refrain from bad language and confrontational discussions.
Together as Sadh Sangat we can stop this bad practice and give respect to Gurbani & Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as given by our Gurus & GurSikhs.
GurFateh!
--------------------
Respect for Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Campaign
07944 445651
sikhalerts@yahoo.co.uk
www.GuruGranthSahibJi.com
www.SikhDreamWeddings.co.uk
People living in internationally please remember to edit the phone numbers slightly. The UK dialling code is 0044.
If you are going to the keertan programme in Coventry on the 22nd (http://www.akj.org/skins/default/programs.php?countryid=4) there will be more details given by sevadaars at the programme itself.
The least you can do is email on behalf of the sikh nation, thanks for any contribution to this cause.
Kirpan Memories from the past...
I'd like to share a story from when I was growing up, that suddenly came to my mind.
I'd like to share a story from when I was growing up, that suddenly came to my mind.
When I was younger, around the age of 13 I began working for my dad. Whenever I had the opportunity I would sneak away from my chores in order to play football. There used to be an area indoors where we could play, but was usually cluttered with lots of work related things and sheer laziness would mean me and my friends would usually go over to the park.
When I say park, I don’t actually mean a park. It was a place with grass but there were also many signs saying "No Ball Games". It was a large area in between rows of houses on a council estate.
We'd been playing there for about 30 minutes or so, using sweatshirts as goal posts. I looked up and 10/15 young people around our age were walking towards us carrying lots of random things. Like a plank of wood and a street cone. At first I thought nothing of it, but when they started walking towards us I thought they might want to play with us or something.
However, as soon as they came over all they did was swear and they started attacking us. My two friends who were of 11/16 years of age stuck together while the older one just covered up the little one while I got things thrown at me.
At this point I thought they were going to walk away because this was a pretty built up area but then one of the oldest boys walked over to me and went to pick something off the floor near my foot (so I thought) but instead un-tied my shoelace really quickly. At the time with mixed emotions I didn’t even think about it so instinctively knelt down to retie it. At which point the boy who was now standing over me took off my patka (head covering) and threw it on the floor.
At this stage I was really mixed up, part of me wanted to attack all 15 of them the other part wanted to run away. Slowly a couple of them helped me collect my patka and kanga (small comb), and they even apologised for the other group members actions. At this point they all left, leaving me and my friends in a sad state.
This was the only time in my life when I needed a kirpan (defensive blade carried by baptised Sikhs), and this was one of the few times when I didn’t have it. At first I started keeping the kirpan in my pocket, and then I even used to carry a pocket knife around - but obviously the problem with this is that we empty our pockets sometimes...
The reason for me writing this is purely to tell people that keeping the kirpan as a kakaar is just as important now as when it was first given to us by our Guru's.
We never know when we are going to need to defend ourselves or others around us, and believe me it’s the worst feeling in the world when you don’t have it when you need it most.
I look back and thank God for giving me the experience of that day as a constant reminder to keep my Kirpan on me at all times, and keep strict kakaar Rehit.
Some Sikh's I have talked to in the past have said it is fanatical to wear kirpan in the shower (wrapped around the head), or to never take the Kachera off behind locked doors. However, all these "crazy" things that we do when no one is around are the things that we'll be most thankful for if times get rough.
Pressures from Society
On the theme of taking bits from other peoples blogs, i found this piece on Manvir Singhs Blog:For the past two days I have been getting to know my flat mates in halls of residence. They are really nice people and very easy to talk to and have a laugh with. As I am a Senior Student for the Block where I am living (it's like being a Warden or helper for the residents), people have been coming up to me and asking about the Freshers Events i.e. student events during the week at night-clubs.
People have been asking me "are you coming?", "did you go last year", "where's the best pub around here", and "what you do tonight?". Society expects us to "fit in". I felt awkward when people ask questions about clubbing, because I feel will they understand if I say I don't go clubbing, I don't go to pubs and I don't drink?
I was standing outside guiding the students to their rooms on the first day of people moving int Halls. A group of boys came and asked, "Excuse mate. Do you know which is the best pub or bar around here?" I said, "err... I wouldn't know. I don't go to pubs or bars." The group of boys were puzzled and showed an _expression of shock when they heard me say that. One of them then said, "You can't be a student and not know about pubs!?" I smiled and thought it was bit humorous how they expected me to go to pubs and clubs and by not doing so found me to be odd.
Today in the kitchen my flatmates saw my Kirpaan and so they asked me about it. I explained about the Panj Kakkaar being a uniform of the Sikh who is a 'Saint-Warrior' (Santi-Sipaahi), and how each Kakkaar has a symbol (i.e. a meaning) as well as a practical function. The flatmates took a keen interest and were pleased to hear about why I wear a dastaar and Kirpaan etc.
Then one the flatmates asked, "so do you have trouble going to clubs?" You feel the pressure of Kaljug, the pressure of society to conform and you are made to feel out of place for being different. However, I was direct and straight and said, "I don't go clubbing or go to pubs". The flatmates where suprised and there faces expressed a bit of confusion of how I enjoy myself. It is difficult to explain to someone who hasn't experienced the path of the Guru that you can have fun without clubbing, pubbing, drinking sharaab or in sangat with people who doing those things. You can enjoy "anand" in Saadh Sangat and doing other things which don't involve alcohol, smoking or provoking the Panj Chor. But, the flatmates respected my principles and Sikh way of life and showed support. The conversation concluded with one of the flatmates saying: "We are lucky to have a Sikh living with us in our flat."
Even yesterday morning, a Panjabi boy from a Sikh family asked, "Bhaji are you going to the Freshers event at Inverse (the night-club)?" I had to bite the bullet and be honest with him without giving a round about answer (which society's pressures push us to do). I said, "I am Amritdhari and don't feel going to those places." However, the Bhaji seemed okay with me and respected me for the way of life I choose to live.
I learnt that as long as a person respects their own way of life, respects themselves and respects the principles he or she stands for and is proud of them, then others will admire and respect you for that and not be judgemental. However, if we ourselves are unsure of our way of life, unsure of our principles and not able to give our Rehat the respect it deserves, then you will be swooped into following others like a sheep and compromising what you stand for in order to "fit in" and "not be awkward".
Thank you to my Guru who gave me the name "Singh" (meaning 'lion') and reminding me to stick out of the crowd and be unique and distinct and not follow the crowd like a sheep.
The Guru is great, and great is His Sikhi!
Sukhmani Kaur - How Guru Does Kirpa..
This is an extract from Sukhmani Kaur's blog, focusing on how Guru Ji changed her life....
Vaheguroo Vaheguroo Vaheguroo Vaheguroo
It's a story of Love, of His Love, which He's showing to all of us - to all Singhs and Singhnees, to all His children and even to those who never in their life even heard such word as 'S-I-K-H-I'. And I will tell you this story, because it's my story as well. I was born in Moscow in quite normal Russian family, with Mother and Father and few relatives. The whole thing started for me at the autumn of 1996, I was 16 at that time and just started my Uni. One day I was in the bus on my way to university and I saw someone in the window. That was a tall guy, bearded and TURBANED! And that was first time in my life as I ever even saw a Singh. And I just started to think that it would be fun to talk to that guy and ask him stuff of his Turban etc etc. At the meantime bus moved and Singh passed out of my sight.
Few weeks passed, and it was the time when I was searching for anything what could bring me some calmness and happiness, because all the escapes which young people using normally are so destructive, and there's no way to life with that. And by advice of my friends I went to one group where they were practicing some kind of shamanic path. And will you believe what happened there? This Singh whom I saw at the street few weeks ago - he was there! He just walked in and I recognized him - and that was the very beginning.
Usually most westerner Sikhs coming into Sikhi through teachings of Harbajan Singh Yogi AKA Yogi Bhajan. In Moscow since 1990 there were people practicing Kundalini Yoga and following teachings of Yogi Ji. And some of those Yoga students becoming Singhs, and that's just real Grace of Guru Ji. So in Moscow in 1996 there were 2 Russian guys who were Singhs: Manjit Singh & Guru Das Singh. And what should be my luck and good fortune if in 14-million Moscow I met one of them - Manjit Singh.
I started to practice Kundalini Yoga as it taught by Yogi Bhajan. Few hours daily and also attending public classes. And do you know how it works? None is saying much about Sikhi there, but the whole philosophic system which this knowledge based on penetrated by Sikhi. And behind each and any meditation stands the very essence - Naam which awakening ones devotion and Love. So if you are in the aware process of spiritual search those techniques will bring you to Guru Ji for sure. At Moscow KY classes there were from 70 to 100 people each week. And this is incredible feeling when all those people starting to chant: "Vaheguroo, Vaheguroo, Vaheguroo, Vaheguroo…" - there's no way for your mind and ego to reject this overflowing stream. Your heart and soul all vibrating from this feeling of unity of the whole creation. And that's the idea of how it all works. And I was so excited by that experience, so I just dived headlong into it.
After some time I came to know more about Singhs and Sikhi itself, and one day I heard about Gurdwara. So somehow I decided to go and see what's going on in there. Till nowadays there's no permanent Gurdwara in Moscow, like proper Darbar or Mandir. And Gurdwara committee just renting some big public hall somewhere and they are installing Gurdwara over there for Sundays. But all that I found out much later, because that very first time as I went to attend Gurdwara program I was so scared of look of Singhs whom I met on my way there, so I found no guts to enter Divan and just run away abashed. It's really funny when I'm thinking of that day now, but still…
Later on in august 1998 I went with group of Moscow Yoga students at European Yoga festival in France, Loches. At this festival there are about 8-8,5 hundred people all over Europe and world. There are loads of positive and negative sides of such kind of gatherings, but one thing is incontestable - it's Sangat! GURSANGAT!!! Maybe there are just 10% of Sikhs at that camp, but the very look of those Singhs and Singhnees is just so much inspiring! Maybe they are not too much precise in rituals or sometimes they read in English instead of Gurmukhi, still all the external things do not mean so much if Love and Devotion are there.
At Yoga Festival I heard Jap Ji Sahib for the first time. Early morning hours at 3.30 - 4.00 am the whole Sangat is gathering at the big field for Sadhana. And it's such an experience when you are sitting surrounded by high trees and stars are shining in the dark skies. And beautiful voices reciting hymns of Guru Ji sweet-sounding. That was unforgettable and even if I didn't know anything bout Jap Ji Sahib I just couldn't miss it, was waking every morning at amritvela to hear it. After Jap Ji Sahib there are Yoga exercises taking place and after it - chanting. Chanting lasts for more then one hour, including Mul Mantr for 7 minutes, last verse from Reharas Sahib 'Rakhe Rakhanhar' for 7 minutes as well, Guru Ram Das chant & the most maaad part is 21 minute of 'Vaheguroo, Vaheguroo, Vaheguroo, Vahe Jio…' you should sit in birasan. And while everyone is chanting this day is dawning. And the whole entire being of yours recognizing the Power of the Naam - it brings light in the world, guiding ones soul from Darkness of the Night to the Light of the Day. And as the first rays of sunlight touching your face the whole being of yours just exulting, overfilling with joy and delight. After such an experience one just couldn't stay the same, the whole life of mine get turned towards Sikhi.
In September 1999 I got really blessed by close acquaintance with real very Chardi Kala Gursikh, to be precise GurSinghnee. Her name is Hari Kaur Khalsa and she's from US basically and she's following Sikhi since more then 30 years already, and she has so much Love for Guru Ji, that just every single person in her presence feels blessed and loved as a dear child. She tied Dastaar to me for the first time. And even my parents who are far from understanding Sikhi appreciated my turban. In Moscow none ever saw a Singhnee, and people were just so amazed by my look, I heard them speaking: 'Look, like a princess going there'. And I feel Dastaar being really a crown, crown of dignity and honor.
In a year I had a chance to read during Akhand Paath at Gurdwara in Loches - European Yoga festival 2000. It was such an amazing night - the whole Sangat was doing all-night Kirtan program and the energy was so high that none could leave, everyone were sitting and chanting for the whole night. I was reading at amritvela. I remember how I seat near Baba Ji and felt like I'm diving, diving in the whole stream where's no time, no space, no thoughts, - only One, only His Love and it takes all your being, all levels of your consciousness getting penetrated with that vibration. After that hour I couldn't move, was just sitting right by the side and just crying. And from that moment I recognized the only true asylum of mine - Him.
Among followers of teachings of Yogi Bhajan there are so many different kinds of people. Some are just doing Yoga, some people just hanging around 'esoteric' stuff, many kinds of. But some people they are most real Gursikhs, and I believe, that it was the main idea of coming of Yogi Ji in the end of 60-s to the West, - to search for those whose souls are true devoted. And this Singhs & Singhnees they are just so amazing, they have so much Piaar, they are so close to Guru Ji. We've done some meditations and payers with the team of teachers who came from Europe to teach at Moscow Yoga festival in September 2000. We were chanting to Guru Ram Das Ji, and I just felt and saw loving palms of Guru Ji covering everyone forehead and blessing each of us. There could be no doubts, this Love is surrounding like a sphere all the Chardi Kala Singhs. And it doesn't matter whether they are Indians or Westerners, Africans or Japanese - we all are beloved, and none is better or more deserving, there's no limits, no boundaries to His Love, so there's nothing to divide.
Since I met Sikhi I was dreaming to go to India and get Darshan of all the Gurdwaras and Guru's land - Punjab. It happened this way that in few weeks everything came in one and I was able to go. I was so spaced out of all that came to back to myself only when my forehead touched cold marbles of Prakarma of Darbar Sahib. I was crying - couldn't stand it's heavenly beauty and glorious space, presence of Guru Ji and saturation with such a vibration that your heart forever recognizing them as most precious on that Earth. I was staying at Darbar Sahib over all day and sleeping right there at the Prakarma right by holy waters of Amrit Sarovar. This celestial golden shining forever stays at your heart. It's like your eyes just like bowls getting filled with that glowing and whatever you glance at you see it's glimmering.
I was just bursting from elation - all the bearded and turbaned Singhs all over around. From that moment I definitely knew how does heaven looks like: ocean of Dastaars and beards and sounds of Gurbani, and nothing else. Ah! No, forgot one thing - and loads of Prashad! What else one needs? :)
Never felt I anything similar to what I've experienced watching Anandpur Sahib from the hill as I got there for the first time. Blend of pain, yearning and sweetness which belongs only to dear home of yours. In Keshghar Sahib I've done Ardas to Guru Ji to get His Darshan. And sitting by the side of Sachkhand place and Guru Ji's Shastr I felt this astonishing courage, fortitude, strength, braveness - spirit of the perfect Warrior - no hate or anger, only love, care and protection. He just took my soul, was holding me in just one hand, all of me in a fist. He just took and never left.
Anandpur Sahib made an impression on me of abandoned town, but later on I found out where everyone are. As I was sitting and meditating in the Fort of Guru Ji I saw with closed eyes His Singhs passing all over around, heard them talking and heard tinkling of their swords. They all are there, prepared for Guru Ji to call them.
What could I do now? After all what happened to me, did I have any choice? Could I reject Guru Ji asking for a head? After all Love and Blessings countless number of which I got in my life. What would be my Love if I can't do this. I was thinking for months of taking Amrit, but you know, always doubts if you worth, etc etc. But in fact you are not deciding anything, it's just happening with you. There were only few days left from my almost 5 months trip in India. And it happened to me - I should just be straight with my own self and solid in my determination, and that's all. Bol: 'Vaheguroo Ji Ka Khalsa, Vaheguroo Ji Ki Fateh!', 'Vaheguroo Ji Ka Khalsa, Vaheguroo Ji Ki Fateh!', Bol: 'Vaheguroo Ji Ka Khalsa, Vaheguroo Ji Ki Fateh!'… Man! After I bowed to Guru Granth Sahib I burst out into such a mighty Fateh, just in Mega Maha FATEH!!! Yes!!! I was Khalsa from now on!! Khalsa RULES!!!
How everything is changing! You feel totally different. It's like inside yourself there's the same substance which presents in all the Gurdwaras, Sachkhand places, the same thing got developed in you. You are Khalsa - you are like Mandir of Guru Ji, one of Khalsa Panth of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
I came back home at Moscow. And one day I was on the way to Uni. I thought: 'Man, everything is so bad: this bloody Russian winter, all the people here knows anything bout Sikhi, where are beards & Dastaars of beloved Khalsa… I can't stay here, wanna back to Punjab, mera Punjab piara…" I was well sad and vexed of all this thoughts. And something happened. I felt that even in the place where are no Gurdwaras, no Sangat, no Sikhi one should be even stronger. You alone are as 1 Lakh Mighty Singhs. And in the twinkling of an eye cheerless Moscow winter blazed with colors of orange and blue, and I REALLY felt myself at the head of the whole army of Singhs. All the wicked Sarbloh Warriors: gorgeous Dastaars, perfect outlook - full beards, Shastr all over them, spears, shields, all in Bana. They all were going with me. They are always with you - prepared for you to call. And you are a Lion, you are a Princess, you are beloved by Guru Ji. And all His invaluable treasures are there for you - His Fauja, His Sangat, His House & Temple, His Presence and HIS LOVE.
Vaheguroo Vaheguroo Vaheguroo Vaheguroo Vaheguroo Vaheguroo Vaheguroo Vaheguroo Vaheguroo Vaheguroo Vaheguroo Vaheguroo Vaheguroo Vaheguroo Vaheguroo Vaheguroo Vaheguroo Vaheguroo
Vaheguroo Ji Ka Khalsa, Vaheguroo Ji Ki Fateh!
Sukhmani Kaur
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