Friends In Life And Death

ਸੁਖ ਮੈ ਬਹੁ ਸੰਗੀ ਭਏ ਦੁਖ ਮੈ ਸੰਗਿ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥
sukh mai bahu sa(n)gee bheae dhukh mai sa(n)g n koe

In good times, there are many companions around, but in bad times, there is no one at all.

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਭਜੁ ਮਨਾ ਅੰਤਿ ਸਹਾਈ ਹੋਇ ॥32॥
kahu naanak har bhaj manaa a(n)th sehaaee hoe 32

Says Nanak, vibrate, and meditate on the Lord; He shall be your only Help and Support in the end. 32

This Shabad is by Guru Tegh Bahaadur Ji in Salok Mehl 9 on Anng 1428

Friends In Life And Death

In happiness and prosperity one finds her many friends;
In sorrow and adversity there is none;
Says Nanak, leaving Communion was gone, my mind,
The Lord will save thee in the end.
Translated by Bhai Tarlochan Singh ji.

Plato once stated, "that friendship arises out of human needs and wants and the higher form of ideal of friendship exists only for the sake of God." Selfish and greedy people become the most flattering friends of prosperous, successful, powerful and rich people, but as soon as they face adversity, they not only disappear be even turn against him/her. True friendship is inspired by wisdom, pyar, selflessness and virtue. These are acquired by leading a contemplative life.

Shakespeare states, "All friends shall taste, the wages of their virtues and all foes, the cup of their deservings."

True friendship is a divine gift, which exalts character, ennobles and purifies man's heart and soul and fills it with compassion and understanding. God, and those who live in the love of the truth, are the only true friends of Man and destined but stand by him and redeem him from the sorrow and tribulations of life and death.

My Dastar, My Crown,

My Dastar, My Crown,
I wear it without a frown.
For you see it is a gift from my father,
To keep my precious hair together.
Not just a piece of cloth,
But a fabric that I fold and mold,
Lovingly around my hair each morn.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji, my father, gave me this crown,
So I can stand out in a crowd,
With a powerful smile showing I’m proud.

Challenges Growing up as a Sikh

These are some excellent videos by Mr Sikh Net, Gurumustuk Singh Khalsa. There two particular.

The latest one is of Bibi Hari Bhajan Kaur about Wearing a Turban & Challenges Growing up as a Sikh. Its a really good one for the youth as she talks about situations she went through which are very relevant to todays youth. To watch this film click here. Download click here

A great insight into Espanola Sikhs and there way of living as Sikhs. She also talks about dastar a really good interview. To watch this film click here. Download click here

:( october... argh......... :(

mannn my luck isn't gettin any better.

My Saranda broke. It's sister saranda is in worse shape my ones gone for repair. There was to much pressure on the wood.

We were working on repairing it to prevent any damage, loosened the strings and they came off. Now there gone have to reattach the string base and each string and make it more stabel. Its the bluming weather. all the saaj went out of tune because it suddenly got really cold here. We got 3 saajs, Sarnada, Dilruba, and Sarangi yet they where all out of tune last week, the whole class was.

Anyway im very lucky another saranda split in half, VaheGurooo, thats been sent back to india to be repaired. With Guroos kirpa should have it back I hope in a week or to.

Keep gettin more and more bad news. :(

ill post more later today.. got assighnment to do for this afternoon :S

O Lord of the world, this is Your lamp-lit worship service.

This Shabad is by Bhagat Dhannaa Ji in Raag Dhanaasree on Anng 695

ਧੰਨਾ ॥
ਗੋਪਾਲ ਤੇਰਾ ਆਰਤਾ ॥
ਜੋ ਜਨ ਤੁਮਰੀ ਭਗਤਿ ਕਰੰਤੇ ਤਿਨ ਕੇ ਕਾਜ ਸਵਾਰਤਾ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਦਾਲਿ ਸੀਧਾ ਮਾਗਉ ਘੀਉ ॥
ਹਮਰਾ ਖੁਸੀ ਕਰੈ ਨਿਤ ਜੀਉ ॥
ਪਨ੍‍ੀਆ ਛਾਦਨੁ ਨੀਕਾ ॥ ਅਨਾਜੁ ਮਗਉ ਸਤ ਸੀ ਕਾ ॥1॥
ਗਊ ਭੈਸ ਮਗਉ ਲਾਵੇਰੀ ॥
ਇਕ ਤਾਜਨਿ ਤੁਰੀ ਚੰਗੇਰੀ ॥
ਘਰ ਕੀ ਗੀਹਨਿ ਚੰਗੀ ॥
ਜਨੁ ਧੰਨਾ ਲੇਵੈ ਮੰਗੀ ॥2॥4॥

Dhannaa:
O Lord of the world, this is Your lamp-lit worship service.
You are the Arranger of the affairs of those humble beings who perform Your devotional worship service. 1Pause
Lentils, flour and ghee - these things, I beg of You.
My mind shall ever be pleased.
Shoes, fine clothes, and grain of seven kinds - I beg of You. 1
A milk cow, and a water buffalo, I beg of You,
and a fine Turkestani horse.
A good wife to care for my home
- Your humble servant Dhanna begs for these things, Lord. 24

Bhai Amrik Singh Zakhmi
Bhai Surjit Singh
Bhai Balwinder Singh Rangeela
Bhai Harjinder Singh

O my mind, why are you so sad? My True Guru is Perfect.

This Shabad is by Guru Arjan Dev Ji in Raag Aasaa on Anng 375

ਆਸਾ ਮਹਲਾ 5 ॥
ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਹੋਇ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਲੁ ਤ ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਲਾਈ ॥
ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਸੇਵਿ ਸਭੈ ਫਲ ਪਾਈ ॥1॥
ਮਨ ਕਿਉ ਬੈਰਾਗੁ ਕਰਹਿਗਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਪੂਰਾ ॥
ਮਨਸਾ ਕਾ ਦਾਤਾ ਸਭ ਸੁਖ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸਰਿ ਸਦ ਹੀ ਭਰਪੂਰਾ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਚਰਣ ਕਮਲ ਰਿਦ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਧਾਰੇ ॥
ਪ੍ਰਗਟੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲੇ ਰਾਮ ਪਿਆਰੇ ॥2॥
ਪੰਚ ਸਖੀ ਮਿਲਿ ਮੰਗਲੁ ਗਾਇਆ ॥
ਅਨਹਦ ਬਾਣੀ ਨਾਦੁ ਵਜਾਇਆ ॥3॥
ਗੁਰੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਤੁਠਾ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਇ ॥
ਸੁਖਿ ਰੈਣਿ ਵਿਹਾਣੀ ਸਹਜਿ ਸੁਭਾਇ ॥4॥17॥

Aasaa, Fifth Mehl:
When God shows His Mercy, then this mind is focused on Him.
Serving the True Guru, all rewards are obtained. 1
O my mind, why are you so sad? My True Guru is Perfect.
He is the Giver of blessings, the treasure of all comforts; His Ambrosial Pool of Nectar is always overflowing. 1Pause
One who enshrines His Lotus Feet within the heart,
meets the Beloved Lord; the Divine Light is revealed to him. 2
The five companions have met together to sing the songs of joy.
The unstruck melody, the sound current of the Naad, vibrates and resounds. 3
O Nanak, when the Guru is totally pleased, one meets the Lord, the King.
Then, the night of one's life passes in peace and natural ease. 417

STTM

Bhai Nirmal Singh
Bhai Ravinder Singh
Bhai Jaswant Singh
Bhai Santokh Singh Thawar

Memories of Bh. Fauja Singh: Interview with Bibi Amarjit Kaur

I found this interview about Shaheed Bhai Fauja Singh Jee with Bibi Amarjit Kaur. There are some points I found particularly intresting. Its a good read and insight into Bhai Fauja Singh Jees life.
http://www.tapoban.org/phorum/read.php?f=1&i=17357&t=17357

Head hurts

my head hurts... thought i would share that with the world...
And no I havent had cha! LOL .... gosh that was a joke...

Naked Eyes

Sikhi was never of any importance to me. I was still young, and always believed it was something that people did in their fifty's to pass time. I wanted to "live life to the fullest," and that wasn't possible if I was living the lifestyle of a Sikh. I didn't care to understand the concept of God, or why people had so much faith in Him. All I cared about was looking good, and having as much fun as I could before I got married (I knew my parents would marry me off to a Sikh). If I was to get into Sikhi it would be a lot later in my life.

I had just turned 22, and because I had finished my degree and was able to support myself, I thought it was time that I went my own way. I had been under the control of my parents all of my life and although I respected that they were devoted to Sikhi, I knew that it wasn't what I wanted in my life.

I had been thinking about getting my hair trimmed for a while. I was getting sick of putting my hair up in a bun. My eyebrows took after my Pitha Jee, bushy as can be, and I couldn't wait to get those plucked.

I didn't tell my parents since I felt I was old enough to make my own decisions. I knew it was a bit selfish of me to go behind their backs, but I didn't think too much of it.

I went into the shop and got my hair trimmed a couple of centimeters and had my eyebrows shaped. There was a look of accomplishment when I looked at myself in the mirror for the first time. The reflection showed a new person, it was the person I always wanted to be.

"Freedom!" I remember thinking to myself.

I drove up into the garage of the house I had lived in for the last ten years of my life, and hoped that it would recognize me. As I walked into the house, I could feel my heart beating rapidly. My parents were in the kitchen so I walked in hastily, said my hello's and headed into my room.

I didn't stay long enough in the kitchen to see my parents' reactions. Matha Jee had just looked up at me when I left and Pitha Jee was too absorbed reading the Punjabi newspaper.

I could hear murmurs coming from the living room. And then for a couple of minutes they stopped. My heart was beating so fast.

"Simran?" I could hear my mom calling for me.

At first I didn't want to answer.

"Hunjee Matha Jee?" I whispered back hoping she wouldn't hear me.

"Can you come outside please?"

"Okay, I'll be there in a minute."

I started feeling guilty for cutting my hair but kept my composure and walked down the hall towards the living room.

My parents were sitting cross legged on the rug, holding gutkay in their hands. My mom looked up at me and handed me a gutka and then nodded her head downwards (her way of telling me to sit down).

It was the first time since I can remember that my parents called me to do paat with them. At first I wanted to get up and tell them I had work to do but then I just felt relieved that they weren't yelling at me, so I sat down beside my mom and read along with Reharaas.

Reharaas was finally over, and by this time I was yawning and just wanted to go to bed. We all got up to do ardaas. Pitha Jee did it. Although I didn't care for Sikhi, ardaas was the one aspect of Sikhi that meant something to me so I actually listened to the ardaas.

Pitha Jee came to the end of the ardaas. He did ardaas for Reharaas and then in a calm loving tone he asked, "Guru Sahib Jee, please bless our daughter with a Gursikhi life."

Matha Jee was sobbing. I wanted to cry as well, not because I felt guilty but because I was hurt. Why would they do that to me? They could have done ardaas on their own time.

I didn't sleep that whole night. Pitha Jee's words kept running through my head no matter how high I turned up the radio.

Two months had gone by. I kept my distance from my parents and even when Matha Jee tried to talk to me I gave her one word answers. Although two months had passed, I could still hear Pitha Jee's voice from that night. His ardaas was straight from his heart and I was afraid that it would come true. I had even done ardaas to undo the ardaas he did.

That night my good friend was having a keertan at the Gurudwara. I never liked going to anyone's programs, especially if they were at the Gurudwara, but that day I kept getting this push from inside to go.

I arrived at the Gurudwara early and after failing to find someone I knew I proceeded towards the main darbar hall. I took a glance at Guru Granth Sahib Jee to make sure I was walking in the right direction. As I looked down at the ground I felt warmth take over my body. I felt calm. The vision of Guru Granth Sahib Jee covered with royal blue ramalay was grounded in my mind. I stood still for a moment and embraced the vision in my heart. Everything around me slowly disappeared.

I took a step forward and then another, until I had reached the end. I looked up at the Guru. My mind was silenced in admiration of the beauty that was in front of me. I once again remembered Pitha Jee's ardaas and started to shed tears. Kneeling down to matha taake I could hear Pitha Jee's words so clearly, "Guru Sahib Jee please bless our daughter with a Gursikhi life."

The moment my forehead touched the Guru's Charan I could hear whispers in my ear. I was trying to listen to what was being said but I couldn't make out the words. I concentrated and tried again to listen to the sounds.

"Vahe-Guroo. Vahe-Guroo. Vahe-Guroo..."

At that time I didn't know what to think of the moment. But, with the energy I had left I got up and sat in the Sangath. Time had vanished. My eyes were tightly fastened together and my mind was still. A soft white filled the room and I could hear more voices repeating "Vahe-Guroo." I absorbed myself in the moment.

Some time had gone by and I could see two figures appear in the distance. They were too far away for me to see if they were male or female but I could see that one was shorter than the other. I couldn't see any details because the colours were meshed into one blur consisting of black, red and a pale brown. I tried to focus on the two figures hoping that I could piece together who they were.

The two figures had vanished and then for a split second materialized again and this time I could see them clearly.

That was the day that my Pitha Jee's ardaas had been answered. I took Amrit a week later. Every night in my ardaas I ask that everyone be blessed with a Gursikhi life.

There are still days that go by when I feel distant from Sikhi. But, when those days come, I think back to the day when Guru Sahib Jee, with my naked eyes, showed me the Piyaar in the face of Bhai Taru Singh Jee as his scalp was being cut away from his body.

I might as well just die crying, if You will not come into my mind.

Someone sent me this shabad audio a while back its only 6mins but I cant stop listening to it. So I looked up the meanings and loads have been posted on forum which are just fantastic so I thought I would post there hear.

ਸਲੋਕ ਮ: 2 ॥
salok ma 2
Shalok, Second Mehl:

ਕਿਸ ਹੀ ਕੋਈ ਕੋਇ ਮੰਞੁ ਨਿਮਾਣੀ ਇਕੁ ਤੂ ॥
kis hee koee koe ma(n)n(j) nimaanee eik thoo
Some people have others, but I am forlorn and dishonored; I have only You, Lord.

ਕਿਉ ਨ ਮਰੀਜੈ ਰੋਇ ਜਾ ਲਗੁ ਚਿਤਿ ਨ ਆਵਹੀ ॥1॥
kio n mareejai roe jaa lag chith n aavehee 1
I might as well just die crying, if You will not come into my mind. 1

This Shabad is by Guru Angad Dev Ji in Raag Soohee on Anng 791

Someone posted an audio which you can listen to from here. The meaning are the following.

This Shabad is by Guru Angad Dev Ji in Raag Soohee on Anng 791
ਸਲੋਕ ਮ: 2 ॥ (791-19)
salok mehlaa 2.
Shalok, Second Mehl:

ਕਿਸ ਹੀ ਕੋਈ ਕੋਇ ਮੰਞੁ ਨਿਮਾਣੀ ਇਕੁ ਤੂ ॥ (791-19, ਸੂਹੀ, ਮ: 2)
kis hee ko-ee ko-ay manj nimaanee ik too.
Some people have others, but I am forlorn and dishonored; I have only You, Lord.

ਕਿਉ ਨ ਮਰੀਜੈ ਰੋਇ ਜਾ ਲਗੁ ਚਿਤਿ ਨ ਆਵਹੀ ॥1॥ (792-1, ਸੂਹੀ, ਮ: 2)
ki-o na mareejai ro-ay jaa lag chit na aavhee. 1
I might as well just die crying, if You will not come into my mind. 1


This Shabad is by Guru Arjan Dev Ji in Raag Aasaa on Anng 378

ਗਉੜੀ ਮਹਲਾ 5 ॥
ਤੁਝ ਬਿਨੁ ਕਵਨੁ ਹਮਾਰਾ ॥
ਮੇਰੇ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ ਪ੍ਰਾਨ ਅਧਾਰਾ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਅੰਤਰ ਕੀ ਬਿਧਿ ਤੁਮ ਹੀ ਜਾਨੀ ਤੁਮ ਹੀ ਸਜਨ ਸੁਹੇਲੇ ॥
ਸਰਬ ਸੁਖਾ ਮੈ ਤੁਝ ਤੇ ਪਾਏ ਮੇਰੇ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਅਗਹ ਅਤੋਲੇ ॥1॥
ਬਰਨਿ ਨ ਸਾਕਉ ਤੁਮਰੇ ਰੰਗਾ ਗੁਣ ਨਿਧਾਨ ਸੁਖਦਾਤੇ ॥
ਅਗਮ ਅਗੋਚਰ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਅਬਿਨਾਸੀ ਪੂਰੇ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਜਾਤੇ ॥2॥
ਭ੍ਰਮੁ ਭਉ ਕਾਟਿ ਕੀਏ ਨਿਹਕੇਵਲ ਜਬ ਤੇ ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਰੀ ॥
ਜਨਮ ਮਰਣ ਕੋ ਚੂਕੋ ਸਹਸਾ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਦਰਸਾਰੀ ॥3॥
ਚਰਣ ਪਖਾਰਿ ਕਰਉ ਗੁਰ ਸੇਵਾ ਬਾਰਿ ਜਾਉ ਲਖ ਬਰੀਆ ॥
ਜਿਹ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ਇਹੁ ਭਉਜਲੁ ਤਰਿਆ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰਿਅ ਸੰਗਿ ਮਿਰੀਆ ॥4॥7॥128॥

Aasaa, Fifth Mehl:
Without You, there is no other for me; You alone are in my mind.
You are my Friend and Companion, God; why should my soul be afraid? 1
You are my support, You are my hope.
While sitting down or standing up, while sleeping or waking, with every breath and morsel of food, I never forget You. 1Pause
Protect me, please protect me, O God; I have come to Your Sanctuary; the ocean of fire is so horrible.
The True Guru is the Giver of peace to Nanak; I am Your child, O Lord of the World. 230



ਗਉੜੀ ਮਹਲਾ 5 ॥
ਤੁਝ ਬਿਨੁ ਕਵਨੁ ਹਮਾਰਾ ॥
ਮੇਰੇ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ ਪ੍ਰਾਨ ਅਧਾਰਾ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਅੰਤਰ ਕੀ ਬਿਧਿ ਤੁਮ ਹੀ ਜਾਨੀ ਤੁਮ ਹੀ ਸਜਨ ਸੁਹੇਲੇ ॥
ਸਰਬ ਸੁਖਾ ਮੈ ਤੁਝ ਤੇ ਪਾਏ ਮੇਰੇ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਅਗਹ ਅਤੋਲੇ ॥1॥
ਬਰਨਿ ਨ ਸਾਕਉ ਤੁਮਰੇ ਰੰਗਾ ਗੁਣ ਨਿਧਾਨ ਸੁਖਦਾਤੇ ॥
ਅਗਮ ਅਗੋਚਰ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਅਬਿਨਾਸੀ ਪੂਰੇ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਜਾਤੇ ॥2॥
ਭ੍ਰਮੁ ਭਉ ਕਾਟਿ ਕੀਏ ਨਿਹਕੇਵਲ ਜਬ ਤੇ ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਰੀ ॥
ਜਨਮ ਮਰਣ ਕੋ ਚੂਕੋ ਸਹਸਾ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਦਰਸਾਰੀ ॥3॥
ਚਰਣ ਪਖਾਰਿ ਕਰਉ ਗੁਰ ਸੇਵਾ ਬਾਰਿ ਜਾਉ ਲਖ ਬਰੀਆ ॥
ਜਿਹ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ਇਹੁ ਭਉਜਲੁ ਤਰਿਆ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰਿਅ ਸੰਗਿ ਮਿਰੀਆ ॥4॥7॥128॥

Gauree, Fifth Mehl:
Except for You, who is mine?
O my Beloved, You are the Support of the breath of life. 1Pause
You alone know the condition of my inner being. You are my Beautiful Friend.
I receive all comforts from You, O my Unfathomable and Immeasurable Lord and Master. 1
I cannot describe Your Manifestations, O Treasure of Excellence, O Giver of peace.
God is Inaccessible, Incomprehensible and Imperishable; He is known through the Perfect Guru. 2
My doubt and fear have been taken away, and I have been made pure, since my ego was conquered.
My fear of birth and death has been abolished, beholding Your Blessed Vision in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy. 3
I wash the Guru's Feet and serve Him; I am a sacrifice to Him, 100,000 times.
By His Grace, servant Nanak has crossed over this terrifying world-ocean; I am united with my Beloved. 47128

Everyone was forced to bow, before the power of Naam

Everyone was forced to bow, before the power of Naam

Author: Kulbir Singh
Date: 10-11-05 06:47

Karanpreet Kaur is 7 years old and Virla Singh close to 5 years. They live in that part of Brampton that is mostly populated by goray and kaalay. They are neighbours to Nihaal Singh (8 years old) and Gurjant Singh (7 years old). The four of them always stand united against external forces that sometimes attack them. These kids always wear Baana and dumaala; even to school they go to.

One day Gurjant Singh and Nihaal Singh were away and Karanpreet Kaur and Virla Singh were playing in the lawn of their house. About 10-12 goray bachay between the age of 6 years and 10 years came in a group and started throwing things at them. Normally, all four of these kids would have combated these external forces but that day, half of the fauj was out and only 2 Lakh fauj was home. First they thought of defending themselves but then, both Virla Singh and Karanpreet Kaur closed their eyes and started doing simran. At times, when the attacks would become fierce, they would do simran loudly.

As they immersed their concentrations in Naam Simran, they forgot about other options they had e.g. going inside their home. Goray and Kaalay kids continued their offensive. A Gori Bibi was watching everything. She could no longer restrain herself and she came out of her house and stopped the goray and kaalay kids. Then she went to their homes and complained to their moms.

In the meantime, Karanpreet Kaur and Virla Singh finished doing simran and went to their home. An hour or so later, a big group including all the kids who had attacked Karanpreet Kaur and Virla Singh, and their moms came to their house. Each gora kid and kaala kid apologised for their mistake. Virla Singh and Karanpreet Kaur accepted their apology.

All I can say is that the power of Naam forced everyone to bow before Karanpreet Kaur and Virla Singh. Nihaal Singh and Gurjant Singh were quite upset when they heard about the attack but they were pacified by their parents. All four of the kids living together found out about the power of Naam.

The following Shabad comes to mind:

ਪਉੜੀ ॥
ਸੋ ਐਸਾ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਈਐ ਮਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਜੋ ਸਭਨਾ ਉਪਰਿ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਚਲਾਏ ॥
ਸੋ ਐਸਾ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪੀਐ ਮਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਜੋ ਅੰਤੀ ਅਉਸਰਿ ਲਏ ਛਡਾਏ ॥
ਸੋ ਐਸਾ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪੀਐ ਮਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਜੁ ਮਨ ਕੀ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਸਭ ਭੁਖ ਗਵਾਏ ॥

pourree ||
so aisaa har naam dhhiaaeeai man maerae jo sabhanaa oupar hukam chalaaeae ||
so aisaa har naam japeeai man maerae jo a(n)thee aousar leae shhaddaaeae ||
so aisaa har naam japeeai man maerae j man kee thrisanaa sabh bhukh gavaaeae ||
so guramukh naam japiaa vaddabhaagee thin ni(n)dhak dhusatt sabh pairee paaeae ||
naanak naam araadhh sabhanaa thae vaddaa sabh naavai agai aan nivaaeae ||15||

Pauree:
Meditate on that Name of the Lord, O my mind, whose Command rules over all.
Chant that Name of the Lord, O my mind, which will save you at the very last moment.
Chant that Name of the Lord, O my mind, which shall drive out all hunger and desire from your mind.
Very fortunate and blessed is that Gurmukh who chants the Naam; it shall bring all slanderers and wicked enemies to fall at his feet.
O Nanak, worship and adore the Naam, the Greatest Name of all, before which all come and bow. ||15||

Kulbir Singh

http://forums.waheguroo.com/index.php?showtopic=12206

We are good at talking, but our actions are bad

This Shabad is by Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Siree Raag on Anng 85

ma 1 ||
First Mehl:

gala(n)aee asee cha(n)geeaa aachaaree bureeaah ||
We are good at talking, but our actions are bad.

manahu kusudhhaa kaaleeaa baahar chittaveeaah ||
Mentally, we are impure and black, but outwardly, we appear white.

reesaa karih thinaarreeaa jo saevehi dhar kharreeaah ||
We imitate those who stand and serve at the Lord's Door.

naal khasamai ratheeaa maanehi sukh raleeaah ||
They are attuned to the Love of their Husband Lord, and they experience the pleasure of His Love.

hodhai thaan nithaaneeaa rehehi nimaananeeaah ||
They remain powerless, even while they have power; they remain humble and meek.

naanak janam sakaarathhaa jae thin kai sa(n)g milaah ||2||
O Nanak, our lives become profitable if we associate with them. ||2||

That Beloved True Guru is always with me

This Shabad is by Guru Amar Daas Ji in Raag Vadhans on Anng 587

pourree
Pauree:

this gur ko ho vaariaa jin har kee har kathhaa sunaaee
I am a sacrifice to the Guru, who recites the sermon of the Lord's Teachings.

this gur ko sadh balihaaranai jin har saevaa banath banaaee
I am forever a sacrifice to that Guru, who has led me to serve the Lord.

so sathigur piaaraa maerai naal hai jithhai kithhai maino leae shhaddaaee
That Beloved True Guru is always with me; wherever I may be, He will save me.

this gur ko saabaas hai jin har sojhee paaee
Most blessed is that Guru, who imparts understanding of the Lord.

naanak gur vittahu vaariaa jin har naam dheeaa maerae man kee aas puraaee 5
O Nanak, I am a sacrifice to the Guru, who has given me the Lord's Name, and fulfilled the desires of my mind. 5

so sathigur piaaraa maerai naal hai - Audio

Dhan Guroo Gobind Singh Jee

Today is the Jotie Joat Divas of Dhan Guroo Gobind Singh Jee

Various Audios I found online:
Waaho Waaho Gobind Singh - Bhai Chattar Singh
Bhai Gurmail Singh Jee - Nasro Mansoor Gur Gobind Singh
Bhai Dilbagh Singh Gulbagh Singh Nasro mansoor guru gobind singh -
Bhai Surjan Singh Jee Ragi - Waho Waho Gobind Singh Ji
Mero Tho Nao Gobind Singh - Bhai Balbir Singh
Kader-E-Harkaar Gur Gobind Singh - Bhai Goplal Singh

Defence Techniques For Various Attack Scenarios

Just got this of forum, good ideas a must read.

SCENARIO 1: IN THE ELEVATOR

-stand close to buttons. If someone attacks, push all the buttons so the elevator will stop on all floors. Hit alarm button if possible, or try to knock off the emergency phone.


SCENARIO 2: UNDERGROUND PARKING GARAGE

-always look around, make yourself aware of surroundings

-If someone tries to grab you, use your shopping cart as a sheild (stay behind it, and turn it to stay behind it), and scream loudly.

-If you see a big vehicle like a truck, SUV, van etc... get under it. Chances are the guy won't waste time trying to get you out...and make sure you scream loudly.


SCENARIO 3: IN A CAR

If a guy somehow gets you into his car, try to jump into the back seat. Then you can attack him from behind, scratch face, and COVER HIS EYES, so that he will be forced to stop the car, and then jump out! If you can't get into the back seat, jump in his lap, and start honking the horn, or turn the ignition key off, and then try to jump out.


SCENARIO 4: IF A DRIVER PULLS OUT A GUN AND TELLS YOU TO GET IN CAR

-If you are walking down the street, and some guy pulls up in a car, and points a gun at you telling you to get into the car...DO NOT GET IN!...run away!!! make sure you run backwards, towards the back of the car...never run forward. The reason for this is, if you run back, he will have to put the car in reverse, and drive backwards to chase you (which he probabaly won't do)

- chances are that he will not shoot you through his back window while you run away because it will cause too much attention.


These are some useful tips, but it is still essential for all Sikhs to learn how to fight (with and without weapons). It builds confidence, and instead of panicking, you react to what you have been practicing. Although these scenarios were set for women, they are just as useful for men.

http://forums.waheguroo.com/index.php?showtopic=12209

God Doesn't Exist....

Something else I found,...

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."

Todays Gurpurabs

Vaheguroo

Today there ar three Gurpubs:

Jotie Joat 7th Guroo Har Rai Sahib Jee

Gurgadee 8th Guroo Har Krishan Sahib Jee

Gurgadee Dhan Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Sri Har Krishan Dhiayeeye - Bhai Baljeet and Gurmeet Singh

Guru Granth Jee Maneyo - Bhai Chattar Singh

Kings Cha And Samosa Today...

Chaa Vale Baba Jee has been waiting 2 hours for his Desi Chaa... First Cup for Baba Jee
Samosa Competition, shame on Singh, he lost... haha... not first time as well ;)Singh Struggles to swollow... he got beat by phenjee last year in Prontha Eating Competition

Amanroop Phenjee doing her talk... (Harjeet Singh took the photo)
Dilpreet Phenjee and other Phenjee who will kill me

>

(WARNING: The after effects of Chaa) Baba Jee is so
thirsty he needs two cups

President on Left Harjeet Singh and Bhajee

Mother Committs Suicide

A story of a women who last week committed suicide at Southall train station with her two children. I found this story really sad when I first read it. The women who is described by a security guard as well spoken, clam, etc committed suicide killing her self her girl, Simran and 26 month old son. Article one, Article two with family photo.

Just Last week another mother took her life, it makes you feel for the kids more then anyone as they are effected the most.

In a separate case another Sikh mother committed suicide this week in
London--it is not clear as to why, her in laws are reported to be very
supportive. She leaves behind her children, eldest daughter only 16
years. Article

Its sad when anyone feels they have no alternative but to committee suicide but when someone takes innocent people with them especially children it just makes you really sad. Those kids had the rest of there life in front of them. Only her family will really know why she did it but it just seems to be a growing situation these days.

Being a young person/adult being bought up in a western country, Sikh religion/culture bit bit of panjabiness mixed in its not easy. The pressures of doing well in education, getting a job, getting married, making your family and parents proud, etc doesn't make life easy.

Our community doesn't seem to understand the problems or they chose to ignore it eighter way the problems just growing. Family life seems to be neglected, parents are not spending time with children as they have been tied up in making a living for there family and giving them everything people around them have. You cant blame parents entirely at the end of the day they have there children present and future in mind.

On the other hand I find in the same home religion has been neglected and ignored and the basic teachings of Sikhi are ignored. If every Sikh child was thought the basics of Sikhi I think it would be a great help to the current situation of depression, drink, drugs, and self harm, amongst the youth, as well as girls vanishing or running away from home in the name of "love." Is it not time Gurdwaras played a more active role in family life not only in encouraging the youth but family activities.

One other thing which I find shamefully is the way professional help is viewed in our community. For some reason counseling is seen as an admission of not being able to cope and therefore its like you have some kind of disease.

So what can be done? You tell me, first thing I would say is learning more about Sikhi and gurbani as it is the key to all over problems. We need to take this stigma off getting professional help encouraging it where needed. Its time we start listening, what about gurdwaras offering counseling. We also need to tackle the problems in our community. We need to do more parchar. Teach our future generation about Sikhi from a young age, encourage families to come gurdwara more and give the youth more responsibility and active role in running the gurdwara organizing activities for them.

Hurricane Katrina

I had writtern this after the hurrican just some thoughts.

America looks like a mess. It’s amazing to see the world super power that seemed untouchable to be in a state no different to that of a third world country after a natural disaster. America is really a mess with the affected area cut of and having no help in 4 days, with the news reporting of blasts, rape, looting, murder and anarchy.

we living in the "western developed" world think we are untouchable living in UK, USA, Canada, etc with the latest technology, arms defences and what not yet amazingly look how nature brings chaos to America its quite scary. People who had everything and people in other less well off countries aspired for have lost everything and now have nothing what so ever.

"We pee on the floor. We are like animals," 25-year-old Taffany Smith told the Los Angeles Times, cradling her three-week-old son in the Superdome stadium, BBC News.

The worst thing is like usual it’s the poor who are hit hardest. When they were evacuating it was the poor people who couldn’t as they didn't have the cars or the means to escape to safety and it is them now who aren’t being helped quickly enough with basic survival needs.

It gets you thinking doesn’t it? I mean we sit at home thinking about today and tomorrow taking the basics we have for granted not giving a second thought when we turn the water on, yet when its taken away from us suddenly the harsh reality of the world hits us smack in the face.

We look to the future to much, I’m just as guilty if not more of leaving things till tomorrow which then goes to day after and so on, yet we don’t really know when out short journey on the world will be up. The real question then is who will our actions in this life affect our future. As a Sikh I believe in the life of birth and death and Gurbani says:

This Shabad is by Guru Amar Daas Ji in Raag Raamkalee on Anng 917

eae sareeraa maeriaa eis jag mehi aae kai kiaa thudhh karam kamaaeiaa
O my body, why have you come into this world? What actions have you committed?

k karam kamaaeiaa thudhh sareeraa jaa thoo jag mehi aaeiaa
And what actions have you committed, O my body, since you came into this world?

jin har thaeraa rachan rachiaa so har man n vasaaeiaa
The Lord who formed your form - you have not enshrined that Lord in your mind.

gur parasaadhee har ma(n)n vasiaa poorab likhiaa paaeiaa
By Guru's Grace, the Lord abides within the mind, and one's pre-ordained destiny is fulfilled.

kehai naanak eaehu sareer paravaan hoaa jin sathigur sio chith laaeiaa 35
Says Nanak, this body is adorned and honored, when one's consciousness is focused on the True Guru. 35

That’s what it’s all about in the end... I mean what have we done in this world apart from get entangled in the 5 thieves of Kaam (lust), Krodh (anger), Lobh (greed), Moh (attachment), Ahankar (ego).

Back to the topic... So the Hurricane was it an act of god? Well yes everything is an act of god.