An account of a Gursikh Student on how Sikhi found him
When I was at College
When I was at college, I was just one of the guys. I drank, smoked, did drugs, played with the girls and I used to love it! I was trying to get the best looking girls and thinking I was the man. I would shave my head every Sunday with a razor and kept my goatee trim for Monday! I would also show off my tattoos to the girls and thought I was Tupac’s brother!
One day, when I was bunking off my lessons as usual at college, one of my mates had kept his Kes (hair) and wore a Dastar (turban). I went up to him, and said “Bruv, what are you doing? You ain’t gonna get the girls like that. Why have you kept your hair and beard?” You see I never had a clue about Sikhi. He said to me “Do you know your Guru?” I just looked at him with a blank face! He then asked me “Do you know your 10 Gurus in order” You know what I said? I shamefully said, “I know the first one! What’s his name again?”
My friend then said to me “Just find out about your Gurus and you will see.” That thought had kept going through my head, I didn’t know why, but it kept ringing in my ears, “Find out about your Gurus and you will see!” So I thought, why not? I know more about Islam and Christianity than my own faith. I went home and picked up a book about the 10 Gurus and couldn’t stop from reading it. I felt so at peace with Guru jee’s teachings I felt like crying with joy.
What I found in Guru jee’s teachings I could find nowhere else, in no other religion. Guru jee was pulling me closer and closer. Guru jee had taught his Sikhs to meditate on God’s Name “Waheguru”, so I thought “Why not and try it?". I went to a Simran (meditation) program, where people of my age engaged in reciting Waheguru’s name and I felt so at peace that I joined in and was touched with love. I could feel Guru jee’s pyar (love). No other buzz I had felt was as good as this neither alcohol, drugs, nothing else!Nothing had beaten this buzz of, Waheguru’s name.
After that I just wanted to get closer to Guru jee, Guru Granth Sahib jee. I took that step and it was the best thing I had ever done. I wanted to know more and more. I was so in love. I read the inspiring stories of the Singhs and Singhnees. I read about the equality between man and woman in Sikhi. Believe! It’s just beautiful!
We just need to take that step towards Guru jee. My step was my friend who kept his Kes and reading simple stories of the Gurus. I took that one step and Guru jee took a thousand steps towards me, with open arms, that I might feel the love of Guru jee.
All I have to say to my brothers and sisters is just take one step towards your Guru; whether it be a book, a simran CD, or just reciting Waheguru with pure love, and you will see! You will see Guru jee taking a thousand steps towards you! Just take ten minutes of your busy schedule to learn about Sikhi. You are the future. You are the future Sikhs. We have to know about our roots. If we stop learning and caring about Sikhi then where will we be in twenty years time?
Guru jee loves you. He is our father. Lets show our father appreciation, do Seva, do Simran, help your brothers and sisters, join in the Sikh society at college or uni, bring your mates along to Sikhi Week events and talks, and help at the Gurdwara.
If I have made any mistakes, please forgive me and I offer my humble apologies.
Waheguru jee Ka Khalsa
Waheguru jee Kee Fateh
A Gursikh of the Panth
www.SweetSikhi.com
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Bush And Rice - Joke.
Condi: Sir, I have the report here about the new leader of China.
George: Great. Lay it on me.
Condi: Hu is the new leader of China.
George: That's what I want to know.
Condi: That's what I'm telling you.
George: That's what I'm asking you. Who is the new leader of China?
Condi: Yes.
George: I mean the fellow's name.
Condi: Hu.
George: The guy in China.
Condi: Hu.
George: The new leader of China.
Condi: Hu.
George: The main man in China!
Condi: Hu is leading China.
George: Now whaddya' asking me for?
Condi: I'm telling you, Hu is leading China.
George: Well, I'm asking you. Who is leading China?
Condi: That's the man's name.
George: That's who's name?
Condi: Yes.
George: Will you, or will you not, tell me the name of the new leader of China?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir? Yassir Arafat is in China? I thought he's dead in the Middle East.
Condi: That's correct.
George: Then who is in China?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir is in China?
Condi: No, sir.
George: Then who is?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir?
Condi: No, sir.
George: Look Condi. I need to know the name of the new leader of China.
Get me the Secretary General of the U.N. on the phone.
Condi: Kofi?
George: No, thanks.
Condi: You want Kofi?
George: No.
Condi: You don't want Kofi.
George: No. But now that you mention it, I could use a glass of milk.
And
then get me the U.N.
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Not Yassir! The guy at the U.N.
Condi: Kofi?
George: Milk! Will you please make the call?
Condi: And call who?
George: Who is the guy at the U.N?
Condi: Hu is the guy in China
George: Will you stay out of China?!
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: And stay out of the Middle East! Just get me the guy at the U.N.
Condi: Kofi.
George: All right! With cream and two sugars.
George: Great. Lay it on me.
Condi: Hu is the new leader of China.
George: That's what I want to know.
Condi: That's what I'm telling you.
George: That's what I'm asking you. Who is the new leader of China?
Condi: Yes.
George: I mean the fellow's name.
Condi: Hu.
George: The guy in China.
Condi: Hu.
George: The new leader of China.
Condi: Hu.
George: The main man in China!
Condi: Hu is leading China.
George: Now whaddya' asking me for?
Condi: I'm telling you, Hu is leading China.
George: Well, I'm asking you. Who is leading China?
Condi: That's the man's name.
George: That's who's name?
Condi: Yes.
George: Will you, or will you not, tell me the name of the new leader of China?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir? Yassir Arafat is in China? I thought he's dead in the Middle East.
Condi: That's correct.
George: Then who is in China?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir is in China?
Condi: No, sir.
George: Then who is?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir?
Condi: No, sir.
George: Look Condi. I need to know the name of the new leader of China.
Get me the Secretary General of the U.N. on the phone.
Condi: Kofi?
George: No, thanks.
Condi: You want Kofi?
George: No.
Condi: You don't want Kofi.
George: No. But now that you mention it, I could use a glass of milk.
And
then get me the U.N.
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Not Yassir! The guy at the U.N.
Condi: Kofi?
George: Milk! Will you please make the call?
Condi: And call who?
George: Who is the guy at the U.N?
Condi: Hu is the guy in China
George: Will you stay out of China?!
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: And stay out of the Middle East! Just get me the guy at the U.N.
Condi: Kofi.
George: All right! With cream and two sugars.
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Calming the Mind
Don't give your mind permission to get disturbed
a disturbed mind is easily influenced
a disturbed mind is easily influenced
This will cost you your peace
Learn to maintain your peace
by freeing yourself from attachments
competing or comparing yourself with others
will not allow you to focus inwards
An inner focus allows you to
keep your eye on your higher self
Remember your original nature
It allows you to forge a like with the Divine
Then it becomes easy to recognise useless thoughts
and replace them with a spiritual perspective
Introversion replaces inner sorrow
with praise for God
you feel delight. You feel renewed.
keep your eye on your higher self
Remember your original nature
It allows you to forge a like with the Divine
Then it becomes easy to recognise useless thoughts
and replace them with a spiritual perspective
Introversion replaces inner sorrow
with praise for God
you feel delight. You feel renewed.
God is teaching us how to turn within
so listen very carefully.
Keep a check on yourself and change
Don't wait for others to say something.
A calm mind is not just peaceful
It is focussed, self-Directing and Divine.
so listen very carefully.
Keep a check on yourself and change
Don't wait for others to say something.
A calm mind is not just peaceful
It is focussed, self-Directing and Divine.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
And God said No
Author - Unknown
I asked God to take away my pride,
And God said "No."
He said, "It's not for Me to take away,
But for you to give up."
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole,
And God said "No."
He said, "Her spirit is whole,
Her body is only temporary."
I asked God to grant me patience,
And God said "No."
He said, "Patience is a byproduct of tribulation,
It isn't granted, it's earned."
I asked God to give me happiness,
And God said "No."
He said, "I give you blessings,
Happiness is up to you."
I asked God to spare me pain,
And God said "No."
He said, "Pain tells Me what to heal,
And brings you closer to Me."
I asked God to make my spirit grow,
And God said "No."
He said, "You must learn how to grow,
And I will prune you to make you fruitful when you ask."
I asked God to help me love others,
As much as He loves me,
"Ah finally,
You have the idea."
I asked God to take away my pride,
And God said "No."
He said, "It's not for Me to take away,
But for you to give up."
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole,
And God said "No."
He said, "Her spirit is whole,
Her body is only temporary."
I asked God to grant me patience,
And God said "No."
He said, "Patience is a byproduct of tribulation,
It isn't granted, it's earned."
I asked God to give me happiness,
And God said "No."
He said, "I give you blessings,
Happiness is up to you."
I asked God to spare me pain,
And God said "No."
He said, "Pain tells Me what to heal,
And brings you closer to Me."
I asked God to make my spirit grow,
And God said "No."
He said, "You must learn how to grow,
And I will prune you to make you fruitful when you ask."
I asked God to help me love others,
As much as He loves me,
"Ah finally,
You have the idea."
Khalsa Princess (true story)
This was the time when the army of Mir Mannu was going from house to house searching for Sikhs. Many of the Sikhs took shelter in jungles but some Sikhs who were living with their families in the cities and could not just leave right away or join any jathas. They were captured by the army and all were being sent to Lahore. Most of the prisoners were Sikh women and children. Many of the old women were killed on the way because they were weak and could not walk for a long time. All of the Singhnis and their children were put in Lahore jail. For labor they were given "chakkis". They were given no food or water. This was a way to torture them so they would leave Sikhi. They were separated from their children. Everyday muslims would come and taunt them by saying "where is your Khalsa now?" They can't even come to rescue you. All of them have been killed by the army. So it is better for you to accept islam and live a rich happy life." Singhnis never ever thought of leaving Sikhi. They kept reciting "Waheguru Dhan Guru Waheguru Waheguru".
All children were separated from their mothers and were given no food or water. Then muslims started killing the innocent children by throwing them up in the air and landing them on sharp spears. Some children were cut into pieces and garlands were made out of their pieces. Then they put those garlands around the necks of Sikh mothers. But the faith of Sikh women was unshakable. One of the women was very beautiful and Qazi wanted to marry her. He would come everyday and try to convince her to accept him but she never did. She had a son who was less than two years old. One day upon leaving, qazi gave orders to some of the army men to torture her and her son so she would give up her faith.
One night the cruel animals (men) tied her up first and then started torturing her son. They hung her son upside down, took a knife and started to cut into his flesh from the neck all the way down to stomach. Singhni kept calm and kept praying "Guru Ji, Jaan Jayai par Dharam Na Jaayai". Then they slowly cut her son into pieces and he became shaheed. Then they started beating the Singhni with sticks and "chabuks". They hung her upside down and left. She stayed that way all night. In the morning they took her down but she was unable to get up and walk. She lay there by the wall, did Nitnem and then did Ardas "Sacchay Paatshah Ji, Saari Raat Aap De Bhanay tay Sukh Naal Beetee Hai. Aap ji da kotaan kot shukar hai, aap jee nay aapnee amanat vaapas lai layee hai. Aggay waastay vee bhanay vich chalan da uddam ball bakhsis karna. Daata Ji, praan jayai par Sikhi na jayai. Mehar karni"
Hearing this some of the guards were shocked and wondering what Sikhs were made up of? Some of the guards left their jobs by saying "These Sikhs are religious people. We cannot torture these innocent souls. Even their women and children are so strong and brave. They will rule Punjab one day." Some fanatic muslims were enraged by this. They started to torture her again. Heavy weight was put on her body and her bones were crushed. They hit her with sticks. After so much torture she became shaheed but she never gave up her faith. Only word that came out of her mouth was "Waheguru Waheguru". When Singhs heard the news of the tortures, they attacked Lahore and freed all the prisoners and punished the criminals. At the same time Mir Mannu died a horrible death.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
All children were separated from their mothers and were given no food or water. Then muslims started killing the innocent children by throwing them up in the air and landing them on sharp spears. Some children were cut into pieces and garlands were made out of their pieces. Then they put those garlands around the necks of Sikh mothers. But the faith of Sikh women was unshakable. One of the women was very beautiful and Qazi wanted to marry her. He would come everyday and try to convince her to accept him but she never did. She had a son who was less than two years old. One day upon leaving, qazi gave orders to some of the army men to torture her and her son so she would give up her faith.
One night the cruel animals (men) tied her up first and then started torturing her son. They hung her son upside down, took a knife and started to cut into his flesh from the neck all the way down to stomach. Singhni kept calm and kept praying "Guru Ji, Jaan Jayai par Dharam Na Jaayai". Then they slowly cut her son into pieces and he became shaheed. Then they started beating the Singhni with sticks and "chabuks". They hung her upside down and left. She stayed that way all night. In the morning they took her down but she was unable to get up and walk. She lay there by the wall, did Nitnem and then did Ardas "Sacchay Paatshah Ji, Saari Raat Aap De Bhanay tay Sukh Naal Beetee Hai. Aap ji da kotaan kot shukar hai, aap jee nay aapnee amanat vaapas lai layee hai. Aggay waastay vee bhanay vich chalan da uddam ball bakhsis karna. Daata Ji, praan jayai par Sikhi na jayai. Mehar karni"
Hearing this some of the guards were shocked and wondering what Sikhs were made up of? Some of the guards left their jobs by saying "These Sikhs are religious people. We cannot torture these innocent souls. Even their women and children are so strong and brave. They will rule Punjab one day." Some fanatic muslims were enraged by this. They started to torture her again. Heavy weight was put on her body and her bones were crushed. They hit her with sticks. After so much torture she became shaheed but she never gave up her faith. Only word that came out of her mouth was "Waheguru Waheguru". When Singhs heard the news of the tortures, they attacked Lahore and freed all the prisoners and punished the criminals. At the same time Mir Mannu died a horrible death.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Portrait of Bravery
Portrait of Bravery Maj. General M. Khan of Pakistan wrote in his
book 'Crisis of Leadership' about the bravery of the Sikh soldiers during
the Indo-Pak war. Here are some excerpts: "....the main reason of our
defeat was Sikhs fighting facing us. We were helpless to do anything in
front of them. Sikhs are very brave and they have a great craving for
martyrdom. They fight so fiercely that they are capable of defeating an
army many times bigger than theirs." "....On 3rd December 1971, we
fiercely and vigorously attacked the Indian army with our infantry
brigade near Hussainiwala border. This brigade included Pakistan army's
fighter Punjabi regiment together with the Baloch regiment. Within
minutes we pushed the Indian army quite far back. Their defence posts
fell under our control. The Indian army was retreating back very fast and
the Pakistani army was going forward with a great speed. Our army reached
near the Kausre-Hind post. There was a small segment of the Indian army
appointed to defend that post and their soldiers belonged to the Sikh
Regiment. A few number of the Sikh Regiment stopped our way forward like
an iron wall. They loudly greeted us with the ovation of 'Bole-so-Nihal'
and attacked us like blood thirsty hungry lions and hawks. All these
soldiers were Sikhs. There was even a dreadful hand-to-hand battle. The
sky filled with roars of 'Yaa Ali' and 'Sat-Siri-Akal'. Even in this
hand-to-hand fighting the Sikhs fought so bravely that all our desires,
aspirations and dreams were shattered." ".....In this war Lt. Col Gulab
Hussain of Baloch Regiment got killed. With him Major Mohammed Zaeef and
Captain Arif Alim also died. It was difficult to count the number of
soldiers who got killed. We were astonished to see the courage of those
handful of Sikh soldiers. When we seized the possession of the
three-storey defence post of concrete, the Sikh soldiers went onto the
roof and kept on persistently opposing us. The whole night they kept on
showering fires on us and continued shouting the loud ovation of
'Sat-Siri-Akal'. These Sikh soldiers kept on the encounter till the next
day. Next day the Pakistani tanks surrounded this post and bombed it with
guns. Those handful of Sikhs got martyred in this encounter while
resisting us, but other Sikh soldiers then destroyed our tanks with the
help of their artillery. Fighting with great bravery they kept on
marching forward and thus our army lost its foothold." "....Alas, a
handful of Sikhs converted our great victory into a big defeat and
shattered our confidence and courage. ." "....The same thing happened with
us in Dhaka(Bangladesh). In the battle of Jaissur, the Singhs opposed the
Pakistani army so fiercely that our backbone and our foothold was lost.
This became the main and important reason of our defeat and the Sikhs'
fancy for martyrdom and mockery with death for the sake of safety and
honour of the country, became the sole cause of their victory." Similar
type of comments were made by Pakistani army in East Pakistan under the
leadership of General Niazi while surrendering their weapons to General
Jagjit Singh Arora. The bravery and spirit of sacrifice of Sikhs were
respected and honoured by one and all. May God rest the souls of all the
fallen soldiers (Sikhs and Pakistanis), in peace. Thought: "Sawa Lakh
se ek laraun, chirian to(n) main baaj taranun, tabhe Gobind Singh naam
kahaun" (Unless I raise one to stand against many, cause sparrow spurn
hawk, I shall not deserve to be called Gobind Singh.) Regards Sodhi Singh
book 'Crisis of Leadership' about the bravery of the Sikh soldiers during
the Indo-Pak war. Here are some excerpts: "....the main reason of our
defeat was Sikhs fighting facing us. We were helpless to do anything in
front of them. Sikhs are very brave and they have a great craving for
martyrdom. They fight so fiercely that they are capable of defeating an
army many times bigger than theirs." "....On 3rd December 1971, we
fiercely and vigorously attacked the Indian army with our infantry
brigade near Hussainiwala border. This brigade included Pakistan army's
fighter Punjabi regiment together with the Baloch regiment. Within
minutes we pushed the Indian army quite far back. Their defence posts
fell under our control. The Indian army was retreating back very fast and
the Pakistani army was going forward with a great speed. Our army reached
near the Kausre-Hind post. There was a small segment of the Indian army
appointed to defend that post and their soldiers belonged to the Sikh
Regiment. A few number of the Sikh Regiment stopped our way forward like
an iron wall. They loudly greeted us with the ovation of 'Bole-so-Nihal'
and attacked us like blood thirsty hungry lions and hawks. All these
soldiers were Sikhs. There was even a dreadful hand-to-hand battle. The
sky filled with roars of 'Yaa Ali' and 'Sat-Siri-Akal'. Even in this
hand-to-hand fighting the Sikhs fought so bravely that all our desires,
aspirations and dreams were shattered." ".....In this war Lt. Col Gulab
Hussain of Baloch Regiment got killed. With him Major Mohammed Zaeef and
Captain Arif Alim also died. It was difficult to count the number of
soldiers who got killed. We were astonished to see the courage of those
handful of Sikh soldiers. When we seized the possession of the
three-storey defence post of concrete, the Sikh soldiers went onto the
roof and kept on persistently opposing us. The whole night they kept on
showering fires on us and continued shouting the loud ovation of
'Sat-Siri-Akal'. These Sikh soldiers kept on the encounter till the next
day. Next day the Pakistani tanks surrounded this post and bombed it with
guns. Those handful of Sikhs got martyred in this encounter while
resisting us, but other Sikh soldiers then destroyed our tanks with the
help of their artillery. Fighting with great bravery they kept on
marching forward and thus our army lost its foothold." "....Alas, a
handful of Sikhs converted our great victory into a big defeat and
shattered our confidence and courage. ." "....The same thing happened with
us in Dhaka(Bangladesh). In the battle of Jaissur, the Singhs opposed the
Pakistani army so fiercely that our backbone and our foothold was lost.
This became the main and important reason of our defeat and the Sikhs'
fancy for martyrdom and mockery with death for the sake of safety and
honour of the country, became the sole cause of their victory." Similar
type of comments were made by Pakistani army in East Pakistan under the
leadership of General Niazi while surrendering their weapons to General
Jagjit Singh Arora. The bravery and spirit of sacrifice of Sikhs were
respected and honoured by one and all. May God rest the souls of all the
fallen soldiers (Sikhs and Pakistanis), in peace. Thought: "Sawa Lakh
se ek laraun, chirian to(n) main baaj taranun, tabhe Gobind Singh naam
kahaun" (Unless I raise one to stand against many, cause sparrow spurn
hawk, I shall not deserve to be called Gobind Singh.) Regards Sodhi Singh
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Why are we waiting?
I’m gone try and post when I can but won’t be a lot of stuff by me. I’ve got so much stuff I want to write about past experiences and things that have happened but I just don’t have time at the moment unfortunately at the moment. I’ve taken a lot on and have lots to do and not getting it done. So I need to seriously concentrate on that. I will aim to blog a few times a week with stuff I find on my pc or net which I think others will find interesting to.
One thing I have realised since starting university is to say no to people and don’t let them suck you in with there talk. Everyone is concerned about number one, i.e. themselves and I guess it’s a man eats man world out there so you have to be the same. Some times I guess you have to be cruel to be kind. This probably won’t make sense to you but it’s not meant to.
One thing I have realised since starting university is to say no to people and don’t let them suck you in with there talk. Everyone is concerned about number one, i.e. themselves and I guess it’s a man eats man world out there so you have to be the same. Some times I guess you have to be cruel to be kind. This probably won’t make sense to you but it’s not meant to.
vahiguroo
Today was weird. I have to run from one part of London to another for simran at Sikh Society and as I was about to cross the road a car went past with a coffin. you automatically imagine to se a big one for an adult but it was really small and white. I was just taken back a bit, made me realise as well that we never know when we are going to go.
Any way after simran I went back to my campus for my seminar and on the way back some med students where collecting for a charity. The charity was for youth who would not live to see there 19th birthday.
I was just thinking I’m only what 20 and I have just started to live in my terms where by I got my bit of freedom and stuff. I dunno it just brings things home to you.
I guess I will end on, Live life to fullest, enjoy have fun but most importantly realise your goal in life and jaap naam. Vahiguroo.
Any way after simran I went back to my campus for my seminar and on the way back some med students where collecting for a charity. The charity was for youth who would not live to see there 19th birthday.
I was just thinking I’m only what 20 and I have just started to live in my terms where by I got my bit of freedom and stuff. I dunno it just brings things home to you.
I guess I will end on, Live life to fullest, enjoy have fun but most importantly realise your goal in life and jaap naam. Vahiguroo.
Monday, February 13, 2006
How Sikhi Is Different?
Please take time to visit this link, Click Here
This weeks article on Gupt Naam Abhiyaasee's blog is on "How Sikhi Is Different?" The article seeks to show this through a comparision between Sikhi and other world religions through gurbani. It ends with how SIkhi is different. Pass it on to your freinds and family :)
Gupt Wannabe Naam Abhiyaasee:
"Can you please email this article any brothers and sisters who are not very familiar with Gurmat and Gurbani or those wishing to learn more about Sikhi. Or alternatively introduce them to the blog."
This weeks article on Gupt Naam Abhiyaasee's blog is on "How Sikhi Is Different?" The article seeks to show this through a comparision between Sikhi and other world religions through gurbani. It ends with how SIkhi is different. Pass it on to your freinds and family :)
Gupt Wannabe Naam Abhiyaasee:
"Can you please email this article any brothers and sisters who are not very familiar with Gurmat and Gurbani or those wishing to learn more about Sikhi. Or alternatively introduce them to the blog."
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Heaven and Hell
Heaven and Hell
Guru Arjun Dev ji sung
Amrit priya bachan tuhare.
Raj na chaho, Mukat na chao
Man preet charan kamalareh.
Your words are nectar,
I don't desire Kingdom (Raaj) and I don't want Liberation (Muktee)
my mind (only wants) the love of your lotus feet'.
People think Muktee is the thing to get, i.e salvation or liberation or freedom from the bonds of the world. People want heaven where they meet all there relatives and have the house and garden they always dreamed about. But Guru Arjun Dev ji is light years ahead of that stage and sings:
Man preet charan kamalareh
my mind (only wants) the love of your lotus feet.
But isn't having the love of Guru ji's lotus feet the same as heaven or mukti?
No, a giani jee gave the following example : it's like a little boy who's lost in a shopping mall. At first he loved spending hours in the toy shop, then he really wanted to go to the sweet shop and eat all the chocolates. In the end he started crying because he wanted his mummy. He ran past the sweet shop, he ran past the toy shop, the only important thing was finding his mummy and she'd pick him up and hug him to the chest.
Sikhi is not about going to heaven or hell (the shops), but about going back to sit in Gurdev-Pita Guru Nanak Ji's fatherly laps, it's about being absorbed in the lovelight of Guru ji's Lotus feet. And being absorbed in the love of God's Lotus Feet is to do naam simran with humility and love.
Guru Arjun Dev ji sung
Amrit priya bachan tuhare.
Raj na chaho, Mukat na chao
Man preet charan kamalareh.
Your words are nectar,
I don't desire Kingdom (Raaj) and I don't want Liberation (Muktee)
my mind (only wants) the love of your lotus feet'.
People think Muktee is the thing to get, i.e salvation or liberation or freedom from the bonds of the world. People want heaven where they meet all there relatives and have the house and garden they always dreamed about. But Guru Arjun Dev ji is light years ahead of that stage and sings:
Man preet charan kamalareh
my mind (only wants) the love of your lotus feet.
But isn't having the love of Guru ji's lotus feet the same as heaven or mukti?
No, a giani jee gave the following example : it's like a little boy who's lost in a shopping mall. At first he loved spending hours in the toy shop, then he really wanted to go to the sweet shop and eat all the chocolates. In the end he started crying because he wanted his mummy. He ran past the sweet shop, he ran past the toy shop, the only important thing was finding his mummy and she'd pick him up and hug him to the chest.
Sikhi is not about going to heaven or hell (the shops), but about going back to sit in Gurdev-Pita Guru Nanak Ji's fatherly laps, it's about being absorbed in the lovelight of Guru ji's Lotus feet. And being absorbed in the love of God's Lotus Feet is to do naam simran with humility and love.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Fourteen Good Resons Why Society Needs Religion
In today’s Britain,the people are increasingly drifting away from religion and God.For some it is a disillusionment,dislike and distrust of the Church.While others say that religion causes wars and conflicts and bad-blood.The new generations of ethnic minorities like Sikhs,Muslims and Hindus don’t find religion meaningful and attractive enough.Perhaps they want help in understanding its importance and meaning.Perhaps their elders are not competent enough to explain and exemplify religion to them.Or maybe they are too busy raising families and earning livelihood,etc.Whatever the reason,fact is that religion is fast eroding from its place in peoples’ lives and I would like to state fourteen good reasons why we all,and society in general genuinely need religion in our lives :-
Religion
1.Religion helps to regulate our conduct and behaviour in society by providing a set of morals and value-system for human existence.
2.Religion guides our actions in life, putting a check on criminal tendency in human nature.
3.A true religion will ensure peaceful co-existence,love and harmony among human beings.
4.Religion keeps our feet firmly planted on the ground even when our heads are up in clouds because of fast-moving technology resulting in hectic and stressful lifestyle.
5.A true religion gives you a clear conscience while performing an action or taking a difficult decision,like resorting to arms in self-defence or in war.
6.Religion ensures balance in a life where negative social influences can be increasingly disruptive,immoral and corruptive for the mind.
7.As a science of self-improvement,religion offers a therapeutic and success-oriented lifestyle,a victorious way of life.
8.Religion prevents deterioration of the mind due to dehumanization and desensitization caused by highly mechanized modern living,thus providing stability.
9.True religion is the manifestation of mercy - God’s mercy for His Creation and man’s mercy towards his fellow-beings and environment(Creation).
10.Religion prevents us from being carried away by the tides of the times,because a true religion has an eternal value-system.
11.True religion protects the human rights of everyone and prevents their violation.
12.True religion ensures social justice,equality and security for all its adherents.
13.True religion ensures a happy,holy,healthy mind in a healthy body.
14.True religion provides for good governance of society and good care of its citizens.
Sikh religion satisfies ALL of the above criteria,and is therefore the most perfect religion or way of life for all humanity.
Misgivings about the future of Sikhism:
One often hears from some concerned Sikhs or even non-Sikhs,that Sikh religion is in danger of gradual extinction.In support they cite various reasons like influence of Western lifestyle,lack of adherence by existing or younger members of the faith,or interference by external forces.
Actually there is no long-term threat to Sikhi,because Waheguru is Himself the all-powerful,all-knowing Creator and originator of Sikhi.He is 100% behind his Sikhs with all His Might.Sikhism is powerful and stable beyond words.It is The Way for modern times and the modern world.It is the answer to humanity’s problems.Time will tell.Have faith.Do YOUR bit for the Guru.Let us each do our bit - be good Sikhs.Be practising Sikhs.Leave the rest to Waheguru.We only have to follow our Guru for all our needs.And the Panth will automatically sort out the worldly matters,like Raaj,etc.
History proves that Sikhs are survivors.They will always come out victorious in any and all circumstances despite heavy odds.Remember that Khalsa is destined to usher in Satyug after the apocalyptic demise of the present Kalyug.So let us everyone get baptised into Khalsa while we still have the chance.
Hail to Sikhism, the greatest religion ever , and forever!
Wahegurujee Ka Khalsa.Wahegurujee Kee Fateh.
by, Bharat Vir Singh
Religion
1.Religion helps to regulate our conduct and behaviour in society by providing a set of morals and value-system for human existence.
2.Religion guides our actions in life, putting a check on criminal tendency in human nature.
3.A true religion will ensure peaceful co-existence,love and harmony among human beings.
4.Religion keeps our feet firmly planted on the ground even when our heads are up in clouds because of fast-moving technology resulting in hectic and stressful lifestyle.
5.A true religion gives you a clear conscience while performing an action or taking a difficult decision,like resorting to arms in self-defence or in war.
6.Religion ensures balance in a life where negative social influences can be increasingly disruptive,immoral and corruptive for the mind.
7.As a science of self-improvement,religion offers a therapeutic and success-oriented lifestyle,a victorious way of life.
8.Religion prevents deterioration of the mind due to dehumanization and desensitization caused by highly mechanized modern living,thus providing stability.
9.True religion is the manifestation of mercy - God’s mercy for His Creation and man’s mercy towards his fellow-beings and environment(Creation).
10.Religion prevents us from being carried away by the tides of the times,because a true religion has an eternal value-system.
11.True religion protects the human rights of everyone and prevents their violation.
12.True religion ensures social justice,equality and security for all its adherents.
13.True religion ensures a happy,holy,healthy mind in a healthy body.
14.True religion provides for good governance of society and good care of its citizens.
Sikh religion satisfies ALL of the above criteria,and is therefore the most perfect religion or way of life for all humanity.
Misgivings about the future of Sikhism:
One often hears from some concerned Sikhs or even non-Sikhs,that Sikh religion is in danger of gradual extinction.In support they cite various reasons like influence of Western lifestyle,lack of adherence by existing or younger members of the faith,or interference by external forces.
Actually there is no long-term threat to Sikhi,because Waheguru is Himself the all-powerful,all-knowing Creator and originator of Sikhi.He is 100% behind his Sikhs with all His Might.Sikhism is powerful and stable beyond words.It is The Way for modern times and the modern world.It is the answer to humanity’s problems.Time will tell.Have faith.Do YOUR bit for the Guru.Let us each do our bit - be good Sikhs.Be practising Sikhs.Leave the rest to Waheguru.We only have to follow our Guru for all our needs.And the Panth will automatically sort out the worldly matters,like Raaj,etc.
History proves that Sikhs are survivors.They will always come out victorious in any and all circumstances despite heavy odds.Remember that Khalsa is destined to usher in Satyug after the apocalyptic demise of the present Kalyug.So let us everyone get baptised into Khalsa while we still have the chance.
Hail to Sikhism, the greatest religion ever , and forever!
Wahegurujee Ka Khalsa.Wahegurujee Kee Fateh.
by, Bharat Vir Singh
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Friday, February 03, 2006
Done
I just had last exam. woohooo
Now I got a music assesment and coursework this weekend. And start of the new semester on Monday. :(
All audios from keertan at penjee Simrit Kaurs house are now up.
Click here for simran playing on rsingh blog (bibi Prajeet Kaur)
Click here for simran playing on Gurbani Khajana blog (bibi Ishpreet Kaur)
Now I got a music assesment and coursework this weekend. And start of the new semester on Monday. :(
All audios from keertan at penjee Simrit Kaurs house are now up.
Click here for simran playing on rsingh blog (bibi Prajeet Kaur)
Click here for simran playing on Gurbani Khajana blog (bibi Ishpreet Kaur)
Thursday, February 02, 2006
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