Reading Camp

Last weekend a Gurmat Camp was held at Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Reading, Berkshire. It was a weekend camp that started 9.45am on Saturday 15th December. Bhaji Sukhjeet Singh from Reading Gurdwara Sahib organised the camp and put a lot of effort into getting everything arranged. It was the first ever camp in Reading and we didn't know how much Sangat was going to come. The sevadaars that led the classes included Bhai Ravjeet Singh, his younger brother Jagdeep Singh, Bhaji Harbir Singh, Bhaji Gurpreet Singh, Bhenji Pardeep Kaur and Bhaji Vijay Singh. Bhaji Arwinder Singh and Bhaji Sukhjit Singh did a lot of running around and getting things organised. It was great how Guru Sahib got all the sevadaars and the Sangat together! Waheguru.

If you've been to Reading Gurdwara, you will know that the PARKING is a nightmare! Waheguru! The Gurdwara road has cars on both side and you just about squeeze through, so you can imagine finding a car park space can be stressful (especially with my parking skills! Waheguru!). But with Guru Sahib's Kirpaa, when there are any special programmes at the Gurdwara Sahib, then Gurdwara Sahib hires out the nearby church car park or Thames Valley University car park. During camp the Sangat could park their cars at the university. I'll post more about the camp with the photos in the next part.

The campers where aged 5 years + and split up into three groups, 5-9 years, 10-15 years, 16 years plus. The campers went through various workshops and seminars which included discussions on issues different generations are feeling. Campers got chance to air problems they face at school, work and home and find solutions or places they could seek help from. After 1 hour to 90 minutes depending there was a little break as well as tasty langar throughout the day! Day one of camp was concluded with rehraas and Keertan carrying on late into the night.

Day two started earlier with campers arriving early even though many had stayed late into the night day before. Following Hukamnamma and English explinations campers sat through an interactive talk on Gursikh jeevan followed by questions and answers. The next workshop was dastar tieing. While many people boys, girls, men and women had chance to tie dastar (turban) they also had chance to have informal chat with gursikhs regarding any problems or questions they may have.

The finally of the camp was inform of Kirtan and Katha by Bhai Manvir Singh, Dass Ravjeet Singh and Bhai Vijay Singh for over 1 hour and a half. After this Anand Sahib, Ardaas and Hukamnamma was taken then discussed in English. With Guru Sahib’s grace the camp was a great success.

More info on http://www.SweetSikhi.com

Pics are now up on http://sweetsikhi.com/image/reading-camp-december-2007

How Was Guru Nanak Dev Ji Different?

This is something interesting to think about.

pihlW bwby pwXw bKS dr ipCoN dy iPr Gwl kmweI]

pehilaa(n) baabae paayaa bakhash dhar pishho(n) dhae fir ghaal kamaaee||

First of all Baba Nanak obtained the gate of the grace (of Lord) and then He underwent and earned the rigorous discipline( of heart and mind).

Usually we would think of going through Gwlxw first, but Guru Nanak Dev Ji's case was different. In his case:

rqn lwl jw kw kCU n molu ] Bry BMfwr AKUt Aqol ]2]
rathan laal jaa kaa kashhoo n mol || bharae bha(n)ddaar akhoott athol ||2||
The storehouse is inexhaustible and immeasurable, overflowing with priceless jewels and rubies. ||2||

When Guru Nanak Dev Ji came to this Earth, he had already acquired the naam khajanaa fully. No wonder the Bhatts stated:

sqjuig qY mwixE CilE bil bwvn BwieE ]

sathajug thai maaniou shhaliou bal baavan bhaaeiou ||

In the Golden Age of Sat Yuga, You were pleased to deceive Baal the king, in the form of a dwarf.

qRyqY qY mwixE rwmu rGuvMsu khwieE ]

thraethai thai maaniou raam raghuva(n)s kehaaeiou ||

In the Silver Age of Traytaa Yuga, You were called Raam of the Raghu dynasty.

duAwpuir ik®sn murwir kMsu ikrqwrQu kIE ]

dhuaapur kirasan muraar ka(n)s kirathaarathh keeou ||

In the Brass Age of Dwaapur Yuga, You were Krishna; You killed Mur the demon and saved Kans.

augRsYx kau rwju ABY Bgqh jn dIE ]

ougrasain ko raaj abhai bhagatheh jan dheeou ||

You blessed Ugrasain with a kingdom, and You blessed Your humble devotees with fearlessness.

kiljuig pRmwxu nwnk guru AMgdu Amru khwieE ]

kalijug pramaan naanak gur a(n)gadh amar kehaaeiou ||

In the Iron Age, the Dark Age of Kali Yuga, You are known and accepted as Guru Nanak, Guru Angad and Guru Amar Das.

sRI gurU rwju Aibclu Atlu Awid puriK PurmwieE ]7]

sree guroo raaj abichal attal aadh purakh furamaaeiou ||7||

The sovereign rule of the Great Guru is unchanging and permanent, according the Command of the Primal Lord God. ||7||

Dhan Guru Nanak!!!
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