back2sikhi

Kar kirpa prabh deen dayala

2011-11-26T05:59:00.000-08:00

(Translation provided courtesy of Sikhnet)

563-3
vadhans mehlaa 5

antarjaamee so parabh pooraa.
God is perfect - He is the Inner-knower, the Searcher of hearts.

daan day-ay saaDhoo kee Dhooraa. ||1||
He blesses us with the gift of the dust of the feet of the Saints. ||1||

kar kirpaa parabh deen da-i-aalaa.
Bless me with Your Grace, God, O Merciful to the meek.

tayree ot pooran gopaalaa. ||1|| rahaa-o.
I seek Your Protection, O Perfect Lord, Sustainer of the World. ||1||Pause||

jal thal mahee-al rahi-aa bharpooray.
He is totally pervading and permeating the water, the land and the sky.

nikat vasai naahee parabh dooray. ||2||
God is near at hand, not far away. ||2||

jis no nadar karay so Dhi-aa-ay.
One whom He blesses with His Grace, meditates on Him.

aath pahar har kay gun gaa-ay. ||3||
Twenty-four hours a day, he sings the Glorious Praises of the Lord. ||3||

jee-a jant saglay partipaaray.
He cherishes and sustains all beings and creatures.

saran pari-o naanak har du-aaray. ||4||4||
Nanak seeks the Sanctuary of the Lord's Door. ||4||4||

Even Shakespeare knew chardia kala was important

2011-09-26T12:38:00.000-07:00

"Frame your mind to mirth and merriment, which bars a thousand harms and lengthens life."
- William Shakespeare

Daily inspiration: Chattr chakkr varti

2011-07-30T16:15:00.000-07:00

From the last lines of Jaap Sahib (still have not figured out how to use AmritLipi on blogger):

Chattr chakkr varti, chattr chakkr bhugte.
God is present on all sides and by Her order controls the universe.

Suyanbhav subhang sarab-da sarab jugte.
God is self-illuminated; She is beautiful and is ever-present in all living beings.

Dukalang pranasi dialang sarupe.
God destroys the pains of births and deaths, and She is compassionate.

Sada ang sange abhangang bibhute.
God is present with all and Her grandeur will never vanish.

No Kaur Left Behind

2011-07-27T13:22:00.000-07:00

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh!

I apologize for being away from the blog for so many months. Such is the ebb and flow of life.

I just wanted to share this beautiful article that I came across on the net. We have a responsibility to support and nourish our Kaurs - they are our future. I certainly struggled with the double standard while growing up and hope to inspire my sisters everywhere to shine.

Please take a moment to read the article and discuss it with your sangat: http://spiritofthesikh.blogspot.com/2011/07/no-kaur-left-behind.html

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh.

What an example for Sikhs everywhere!

2010-07-17T10:40:00.000-07:00

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!

As many of you know, I am both a doctor and huge fan of sports. Unfortunately in our North American diaspora many Sikhs are facing the "battle of the bulge". I think targeting this issue starts with how we educate our youth. One of the best ways to do this is to lead by example. Bhai Fauja Singh Ji is doing just that. Let's get off our couches and start moving! Once we stop making excuses and start doing it is amazing how much things seem to get better.... (stop watching tv, and spend 30 minutes in meditation, for example). I know, easier said than done, but as Nike says, Just Do It!

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!

--
Singh Really IS King!
October 8, 2009 Source: gconnect.in

He replaced David Beckham as Adidas’s new poster boy. On the Adidas 'Nothing Is Impossible' advertising campaigns billboards, spread across London, he was sitting cross-legged; as if cooling his heals after a day’s work out, peeping over Londoners, tired and overworked, telling them the secrets of his unfailing energy.

Fauja Singh, Britain’s most popular Sikh is 98 now, and the oldest runner in the London Marathon.

He is threatening to break his own world record of 5.40 hours in the 90 plus age bracket that he set previously. While running Marathon races in London, New York and Toronto, he raised thousands of pounds for various charities promoting Sikh culture around the world. He has also raised money for B.L.I.S.S., a charity dedicated to the care for premature babies. He describes it as the ‘oldest running for the youngest.

Fauja’s jogging skills were developed on an Indian farm in Punjab, and then at the magical age of 81, when he moved to the UK, his love for the sport became more “serious."

Fauja Singh (born April 1, 1911) is a Sikh marathon runner in his nineties from India who is a world-record holder in his age bracket. His current personal best time for the London marathon is 6 hours 2 minutes, and his marathon record, for age 90-plus, is 5 hours 40 minutes.

Fauja Singh shot to fame, when aged 89, he completed the gruelling 26.2 mile distance in 6 hours and 54 minutes. This knocked 58 minutes off the previous world best for anyone in the 90 plus age bracket. The career of this extraordinary Marathon runner is closely supervised by his personal trainer Harminder Singh. He says ‘he can still run for a few more years. And perhaps he might be the oldest man to run a Marathon.

Fauja Singh came to London in 1992 to live with his son after his wife’s death in his village in Jalandhar. He says ‘Sitting at home was really killing. Most elderly people in Britain eat a rich diet, don’t move about and only travel in cars, and that makes them sick’. He wasn’t prepared to go the same way. So he took up jogging initially to beat the boredom of sitting at home.

I never thought of running a Marathon then. But slowly it grew.’ What surprises many is that he supports his eight stone and six feet tall body frame with a very simple vegetarian diet. ‘I am very careful about different foods. My diet is simple phulka, dal, green vegetables, yoghurt and milk. I do not touch parathas, pakoras, rice or any other fried food. I take lots of water and tea with ginger’.

And that smile is eternally fixed beneath his silver haired beard. Perhaps that’s the reason behind his strikingly inspiring and positive attitude. ‘I go to bed early taking the name of my Rabba [God] as I don’t want all those negative thoughts crossing my mind.’ Doesn’t he find it difficult to cover 26 miles at this age? ‘The first 20 miles are not difficult. As for last six miles, I run while talking to God.’

Adidas signed him up for its ‘Nothing Is Impossible’ advertising campaign. He won’t reveal how much money the deal involves, but says that a large part of his earnings goes to charity.

Fauja Singh has stated,”I won’t stop running until I die.. The next target, God willing, is to be the oldest marathon runner ever.

Fauja Singh returns this year to attempt to break the record for the oldest marathon runner - presently held by a 98-year-old Greek athlete.

His profile as found in Facebook:

•Born: 1st April 1911 in India
•Former Occupation: Farmer
•Running Career: Rediscovered at the age of 81
•Diet: Ginger Curry
•Marathons: London (5), Toronto (1), New York (1)
•Marathon Debut: London, 2000 aged 89
•London Marathon Personal Best: 6h 2m
•London Flora Marathon 2000 6 Hours 54 m
•London Flora Marathon 2001 6 Hours 54 m
•London Flora Marathon 2002 6 Hours 45 m
•Bupa Great North Run (Half Marathon) 2002 2h 39m
•London Flora Marathon 2003 6h 2m
•Toronto Waterfront Marathon 2003 5h 40m
•New York City Marathon 2003 7h 35m
•London Flora Marathon 2004 6h 7m
•Glasgow City Half Marathon 2004 2h 33m
•Capital Radio Help a London Child 10,000m 2004 68m
•Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon 2004 2h 29m 59s

The 1001 Ways we Know God

2010-03-06T08:19:00.000-08:00

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!

Just wanted to share a beautiful article on the multitude of ways our faith understands the entity that sustains us.

From http://www.sikhchic.com/article-detail.php?id=703&cat=19, an article by Sardar T. Sher Singh... please check out the link for the full article!

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!

"I love the relationship we Sikhs have with God. He - or She, if you will - is "tu(n)", not "tusi" or "aap". We address Him with a tu and not a vous, as some other traditions do, as well.

I like that.

I like the informality. I like the absence of rules and boundaries. I particularly like that there are no rituals.

It is all left to the individual - purely personal, one-on-one - to determine the terms of endearment.

I love the freedom we have been given to refer to or address God as whatever we want, in whatever language we choose.

It makes sense, because if He is infinite, then surely, if we add all that each one of us in the world comes up with in describing Him, the sum would still fall short of the whole.

So what does it matter if we call Him God, or Waheguru, Allah or Yahweh, Om or ... whatever. Equally, I think it is even okay to call Him "nothing", or that "God Does Not Exist". They're all merely parts of the whole, the pieces of an infinite puzzle."

If I had my life to live over

2010-02-22T09:58:00.000-08:00

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!

I found this very life-affirming... some may say it is manmukh to live in the present, but I think that is just as much part of being a Sikh as is working towards an ultimate union with Waheguru.

===

If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more. I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded. I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace. I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth. I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed. I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage. I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains. I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life. I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband. I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day. I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime. Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle. When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner." There would have been more "I love yous".. more "I'm sorrys"... but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it...live it...and never give it back.

- Erma Bombeck

Shabd: Hoey ikatr milo mere bhaee

2010-02-21T14:44:00.000-08:00

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!
Another favourite shabd, translations provided courtesy of SikhNet.com:

(1185-10)
basant mehlaa 5 ghar 2 hindol

ho-ay ikatar milhu mayray bhaa-ee dubiDhaa door karahu liv laa-ay.
Come and join together, O my Siblings of Destiny; dispel your sense of duality and let yourselves be lovingly absorbed in the Lord.

har naamai kay hovhu jorhee gurmukh baishu safaa vichhaa-ay. 1
Let yourselves be joined to the Name of the Lord; become Gurmukh, spread out your mat, and sit down. 1
inH biDh paasaa dhaalahu beer.
In this way, throw the dice, O brothers.

gurmukh naam japahu din raatee ant kaal nah laagai peer. 1 rahaa-o.
As Gurmukh, chant the Naam, the Name of the Lord, day and night. At the very last moment, you shall not have to suffer in pain. 1Pause

karam Dharam tumH cha-uparh saajahu sat karahu tumH saaree.
Let righteous actions be your gameboard, and let the truth be your dice.

kaam kroDh lobh moh jeetahu aisee khayl har pi-aaree. 2
Conquer sexual desire, anger, greed and worldly attachment; only such a game as this is dear to the Lord. 2

uth isnaan karahu parbhaatay so-ay har aaraaDhay.
Rise in the early hours of the morning, and take your cleansing bath. Before you go to bed at night, remember to worship the Lord.

bikh-rhay daa-o langhaavai mayraa satgur sukh sahj saytee ghar jaatay. 3
My True Guru will assist you, even on your most difficult moves; you shall reach your true home in celestial peace and poise. 3

har aapay khaylai aapay daykhai har aapay rachan rachaa-i-aa.
The Lord Himself plays, and He Himself watches; the Lord Himself created the creation.

jan naanak gurmukh jo nar khaylai so jin baajee ghar aa-i-aa. 4119
O servant Nanak, that person who plays this game as Gurmukh, wins the game of life, and returns to his true home. 4119

Getting used to the gazes

2010-02-07T13:00:00.000-08:00

When people ask me about my long hair, I tell them that I have never cut it because of my religion.

That is true about the hair on my head, but not about the hair elsewhere on my body. That is - I have shaved, waxed, and threaded. Does this make me a bad person?

I am not sure. Clearly, 98% of the rest of "my world" - particularly the females - remove their body hair. And most of these people are not, necessarily, "bad".

Do I feel guilty about it? To be honest - not really. It was something I went through to fit in. But my actions were still in line with Sikhi: nam japna, vand chakna, kirt karni.

About 2 years ago, after much meditation, I slowly stopped these hair-removing processes. It wasn't something that I woke up and immediately decided. It just kind of happened. And with Guru's grace, I have been entirely okay with it.

The only thing that has taken some getting used to is the stares. I generally keep my body covered, but I also like to swim. My swimming suit, if you will, involves shorts and a t-shirt. A lot of people - especially women - stare at my legs. It's as though they are willing me to feel bad about my choice to keep my hair.

Yet I do not give in to their desire to make me feel ashamed. I actually find my choice liberating and motivating, not to mention economical. Sikhs are supposed to be leaders - leaders do not care about what other people think when they know what they are doing in their heart is right. I am also saving money on these "cosmetic supplies" - money that adds up when you notice that the "treatments" are lifelong. Is there a reason that our hair keeps growing back no matter how much we try to stop it? Why not give in to the way Waheguru has made our bodies?

The most exciting part about this, however, is the opportunities it brings up to educate my brothers and sisters. When I catch people, especially children, staring at me, I look back and smile. If these people ask me questions, I have this golden chance to explain to people that I am a Sikh, and talk about the basic principles of our religion.

Several years ago, when I did shave my legs, I did not have this confidence. Now, ironically, when I am subject to public scrutiny, I do believe - in myself, in humanity, in Waheguru.

Utar gayo mere man ka sansa

2010-02-07T12:40:00.000-08:00

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!

Another beautiful shabd... [translations courtesy of sikhnet.com]

(1218-16)
saarag mehlaa 5.

thaakur tumH sarnaa-ee aa-i-aa.
O my Lord and Master, I have come to Your Sanctuary.

utar ga-i-o mayray man kaa sansaa jab tay darsan paa-i-aa. rahaa-o.
The anxiety of my mind departed, when I gazed upon the Blessed Vision of Your Darshan.

anbolat mayree birthaa jaanee apnaa naam japaa-i-aa.
You know my condition, without my speaking. You inspire me to chant Your Name.

dukh naathay sukh sahj samaa-ay anad anad gun gaa-i-aa.
My pains are gone, and I am absorbed in peace, poise and bliss, singing Your Glorious Praises.

baah pakar kadh leenay apunay garih anDh koop tay maa-i-aa.
Taking me by the arm, You lifted me up, out of the deep dark pit of household and Maya.

kaho naanak gur banDhan kaatay bichhurat aan milaa-i-aa.
Says Nanak, the Guru has broken my bonds, and ended my separaation; He has united me with God.

World Religions

2009-12-18T09:26:00.000-08:00

"There will be no world peace until there is peace among the world's religions." -Hans Kung, Catholic theologian

I took the bus today, and was immediately greeted by a turbaned bus driver. This immediately put me in a good mood, a state of calmness. I wonder why. Just because a person is of my religion, does that make them a "better person"? I'd like to think not. But then why don't non-turbaned people strike the same sense of happiness in my heart? That's not true. Some do. Many people of different faiths can strike happiness in my heart.

I didn't even speak to this driver. I have no idea what kind of a person he is. I just know it takes a lot of courage to wear a turban, to keep your hair in this crazy world.

And I know that I will be thinking a lot more about how my ideal of peace between religions plays out in the way I interact with people of different faiths (and in the current world - the increasing number of atheists).

SikhNet Online Film Festival

2009-09-20T12:34:00.000-07:00

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!

Please check out the latest youth-created videos at the SikhNet Youth Online Film Festival: http://www.sikhnet.com/filmfestival/. Some are funny, some sad, some thought-provoking, some touching.... all making me proud to be a Sikh and engage in this dialogue created by films.

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!

Shabd: Satgur ki seva safal hai

2009-09-05T12:39:00.000-07:00

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh.

Just wanted to share a beautiful shabad I came across ... translations courtesy of SikhNet.com. Apologies for lack of Gurmukhi font.

Sometimes I wonder what true Gur ka Seva means - serving others in my community? Serving Sikhs? Living according to the Guru Granth Sahib? Doing naam simran? I try my best to do some of everything - volunteer in my local community, educate the Sikh youth, meditate... well something for me to reflect on more. What do you think?

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!

*

(644-14)
salok mehlaa 3

satgur kee sayvaa safal hai jay ko karay chit laa-ay.
Service to the True Guru is fruitful and rewarding, if one performs it with his mind focused on it.

man chindi-aa fal paavnaa ha-umai vichahu jaa-ay.
The fruits of the mind's desires are obtained, and egotism departs from within.

banDhan torhai mukat ho-ay sachay rahai samaa-ay.
His bonds are broken, and he is liberated; he remains absorbed in the True Lord.

is jag meh naam alabh hai gurmukh vasai man aa-ay.
It is so difficult to obtain the Naam in this world; it comes to dwell in the mind of the Gurmukh.

naanak jo gur sayveh aapnaa ha-o tin balihaarai jaa-o.
O Nanak, I am a sacrifice to one who serves his True Guru.

The significance of kesh

2009-08-13T18:11:00.000-07:00

I'll never forget the day my brother cut his hair. It hurt me so much that I couldn't even look at him in the face for several days.

It's been about five years since the event, and I'm still coming to terms with it. I've always wondered why we are so focused on whether or not people are cleanshaven or not. I always used to tell myself that it's the person inside and their actions that really matters. But the tables were quickly turned when "my own flesh and blood performed the act".

At first, I felt betrayed. Then, I felt angry at him. Why did he do that?

We grew up in a predominantly Caucasian town, where most of the boys in Sikh families we knew had cut their hair. I always knew it was hard for my brother to keep his joora. Kids always made fun of his "girl-like" hair, but he had no Sikh friends to look up to to learn how to deal with this problem.

Soon after, I felt angry at myself. Why hadn't I spent more time with him, showing him the importance of his religion?

Slowly, I worked towards acceptance. Despite his drastically different appearance, my brother was still the same caring person that he always was.

I began to think about all the other Sikh people I knew who cut their hair. I began to realize that despite my surface feeling that I did not judge them for not keeping kesh, I really did. Why? I didn't judge my non-Sikh friends, all of whom obviously were clean-shaven.

And why did it make my blood boil when none of the "Sikhs" in the latest Bollywood hit, Love Aaj Kal, had true, uncut dharis?

Finally, why did the youtube video I posted earlier this week give me such kushi when I watched it?

What are your thoughts on this often-discussed issue?

This is why we're hot!

2009-08-10T10:36:00.000-07:00

Singh: Reclaiming My Roots, And My Name

2009-06-10T10:32:00.000-07:00

Another inspiring article on keeping the identity our guru gave us:

http://sikhactivist.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=122%3Asonny-singh&catid=59%3Ablog&Itemid=52

My Guru & I

2009-05-06T21:33:00.001-07:00

A beautiful article on Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in the 21st century - a question many Sikh youth have asked about.

http://sikhchic.com/article-detail.php?cat=19&id=663

Do you need any help?

2009-04-11T19:59:00.000-07:00

From: http://www.sikhsangat.com/index.php?showtopic=11663

I was parked in front of the mall wiping off my car. I had just come from the car wash and was waiting for my wife to get out of work. Coming my way from across the parking lot was what society would consider a bum. From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no money.

There are times when you feel generous but there are other times that you just don't want to be bothered. This was one of those "don't want to be bothered times."

"I hope he doesn't ask me for any money," I thought. He didn't. He came and sat on the curb in front of the bus stop but he didn't look like he could have enough money to even ride the bus.

After a few minutes he spoke. "That's a very pretty car," he said. He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him. His scraggly blond beard keep more than his face warm. I said, "thanks," and continued wiping off my car. He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never came.

As the silence between us widened something inside said, "ask him if he needs any help." I was sure that he would say "yes" but I held true to the inner voice.

"Do you need any help?" I asked.

He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never forget. We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from those of higher learning and accomplishments.I expected nothing but an outstretched grimy hand. He spoke the three words that shook me.

"Don't we all ?" he said.

I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above a bum in the street, until those three words hit me like a twelve gauge shotgun.

Don't we all? I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I needed help. I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus fare, but enough to get a warm meal and shelter for the day. Those three little words still ring true. No matter how much you have, no matter how much you have accomplished, you need help too. No matter how little you have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, even without money or a place to sleep, you can give help! Even if it's just a compliment, you can give that. You never know when you may see someone that appears to have it all. They are waiting on you to give them what they don't have. A different perspective on life, a glimpse at something beautiful, a respite from daily chaos, that only you through a torn world can see.

Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets. Maybe he was more than that. Maybe he was sent by a power that is great and wise, to minister to a soul too comfortable in themselves. Maybe God looked down, called an Angel, dressed him like a bum, then said, "go minister to that man cleaning the car, that man needs help."

Don't we all?

Eh bhi dat, teri datar

2009-03-22T08:06:00.000-07:00

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!

Lately, I have been thinking about the quote from Japji Sahib,

Eh bhi dat, teri datar.
(Loose translation: Even these are your gifts, Waheguru.)

I was in an accident recently and will no longer be able to do some activities that I used to do. This has caused great pain to me, but this is also perhaps a gift from Waheguru, an opportunity to change and become the person She wants me to be. Perhaps it will give me more time to do paat, to do seva, to be still and be amazed by the wonder that surrounds us on this physical earth and share in the spiritual energy of my sangat.

Jo boley, so nihaal!

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!

"Serve others and forget about yourself."

2009-03-11T21:18:00.000-07:00

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!

Lately I have been struggling to figure out what to "do with my life" (I am nearing that age where such a decision "needs to be made"). While being lost in the stress, I came across the quote from Bhai Guruka Singh ji. Things became a lot clearer. I was torn between a career path that others wanted for me, one where I would "get all the glory" but not be satisfied, and a path that would allow me to serve others, with much less recognition, but much more in keeping with what I feel Waheguru has in mind for me... we shall see what happens. If it is right, great. If not, I know Waheguru will help me get where She wants me to be, eventually.

"Serve others and forget about yourself. The universe will take care of you. You do not have to do it yourself. Every little baby bird and every little bug under a rock has its food provided for it. Why not you? Just pay attention to what the moment is asking of you and then do it! Care for others. Serve others, and let yourself be served. Only those who spend their lives serving are truly happy."

- Guruka Singh

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!

Sikh Spirit Foundation Launches Contest Seeking Project Ideas

2009-03-11T21:09:00.000-07:00

What a proactive thing to do for our community! I encourage you to submit your ideas.

The Sikh Spirit Foundation has invited people from around the world to participate in its first-ever idea contest. The Foundation hopes to collect creative and feasible project ideas that will benefit the Sikh community.

The Foundation intends to reward the selected project idea with an iPod Nano. The first five submissions will also receive a t-shirt of choice from PanjabMall.com.

A committee will review the submitted project ideas and select one to pursue. To turn this winning idea into a reality, The Sikh Spirit Foundation will invite proposals this summer for this project. The Foundation will then select and fund the best proposal among the submissions.
All project ideas should consist of at least two paragraphs that explain the project and its importance for the Sikh community. Submissions should fall within a budget of $25,000 and address critical issues facing the Sikh community.

Project ideas should be sent to ideas@sikhspiritfoundation.org by March 25, 2009.
The grand prize winner will be announced by April 10, 2009. All project ideas will be measured according to feasibility, impact and need.

For further information, visit www.sikhspiritfoundation.org, or contact us at info@sikhspiritfoundation.org

Self-Discipline or Just Uptight

2009-02-19T21:17:00.000-08:00

http://paintingmylife.wordpress.com/2009/02/14/self-discipline-or-just-uptight/

Power of Gurbani

2009-01-26T15:12:00.000-08:00

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh,

This heartwarming story was passed on to me by sanjit_h - thank you. It is a lesson to all of us struggling to stay true to our faith.

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!

--

A young child went to a Gursikh and stated that no matter how hard he tried to keep Gurbani in his heart, he just could not understand or keep it. He stated that his mind was not a bucket, but a strainer, which let everything pass through and did not contain the meaning of gurbani.

The Gursikh said "Let us try an experiment. Here is a strainer, and here is some water. Now pour a bucket of water through the strainer."

The child did this and said "See, the water was not contained, it just passed through. My mind is just like this".

The Gursikh said. "Do it once more". So the child did, and still the water passed through the strainer. The Gursikh said. "Do it ten times at least". The child did, and at the end of this experiment, he said " See, water still passes through, no matter how many times , and how many buckets we pass through it".

The Gursikh said "Look carefully at the strainer and see if there is any thing different." The child did, and his eyes were filled with tears, and he said, "Yes, i see the difference now. The grimy dirty strainer is now shiny and bright, like never before." The Gursikh said "My son, this is what Gurbani does for you. It slowly cleanses your mind, even if you do not realize it. The more you recite Gurbani, the more your mind will not only become shinier, but become like the bucket itself, which will not only become clean , but hold the meaning of Gurbani in your heart". The child smiled, and felt he had received the best example of the power of Gurbani, ever.

Gurbani: Gaviai suniai

2009-01-24T11:15:00.000-08:00

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!
The other day, an older woman reminded me of this beautiful quote from Pauri 5 of Japji Sahib. I apologize for not knowing how to put Amrit Lipi fonts on the web. Translation courtesy of Harbans Singh Doabia.

Gaviai suniai man rakhiai bhao.
Sing the praises of God and keep love for Her in the heart.

Dukh parhar sukh ghar lai jae.
Then you will obtain joy in your mind and throw away your pain.

So many of us are hurting right now (consciously or subconsciously). Some of us have looked for and/or tried several different methods for soothing this pain. Perhaps Gurbani tells us of one possible solution...

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!

The Five Challenges

2009-01-22T09:59:00.000-08:00

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!

Pyari sadh sangat jee, I watched this video this morning and was inspired to go through the wonderful meditation exercise Guruka Singh veerjee discusses in this video. Hopefully it will be as challenging for you as it was for me.

Please feel free to share your experiences by commenting, and to pass this video on to others.

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!

New Year's Resolution

2009-01-02T10:51:00.000-08:00

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!

Dearest sangat, I would like to share something I tried to spread across the web about five years ago, when my relationship with Sikhi was much stronger. I found it the other day, and thought I might share it with you. It's always nice to be inspired by our past selves, and I hope that with Waheguru's hukam, you, too, will be uplifted by the message.

Chardi kala,
mk

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!

It’s hard not to be bitten by the resolution bug each New Year’s Eve. The sense that we can make a fresh start in a fresh new year has many of us pledging to lose weight, exercise more, and quit bad habits in the coming year, but few of us resolve to do anything about our (often unhealthy) relationship with God.

This year, think about giving up just one hour each week for Waheguru. During this time, perhaps you can volunteer, meditate, go to Gurdwara, count your blessings, learn more about Sikhi, pray...be creative! Whether you get it all done in one 60-minute “marathon”, or break the time down into smaller, more manageable sizes, spending just one hour will likely not only increase your happiness but the happiness of those around you.

Too often, we forget about the essence of Sikhism, getting lost in the constant rush of our society. We rarely take the time to think about all that Waheguru has done for us, and even spending ten minutes each day to remember Her can change our perspective.

This New Year’s Eve, I hope that along with your pledges to get fit, read more, and spend less, you choose to devote one hour each week to Waheguru. Spending 52 hours this year is the least you can do for a being that spends about 8766 hours a year on you.

Think about it...
Chardi Kala!

A holiday message

2008-12-26T09:04:00.000-08:00

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!

This beautiful quote ends the Sikh prayer, Ardaas, and to me reflects the essence of the Sikh faith. Best wishes to all of my brothers and sisters as the Roman calendar comes to an end.

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh.

In the name of Guru Nanak, Waheguru, give us the strength to be positive and shower Thy blessings over all of mankind.

Jo boley so nihaal!!

Shabd: Niramal naam haumai mal dhoe

2008-12-16T16:59:00.000-08:00

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!

Beautiful hukamnama from p. 664 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

dhhanaasaree mehalaa 3

har naam dhhan niramal ath apaaraa
The wealth of the Lord’s Name is immaculate, and absolutely infinite.

gur kai sabadh bharae bha(n)ddaaraa
The Word of the Guru’s Shabad is over-flowing with treasure.

naam dhhan bin hor sabh bikh jaan
Know that, except for the wealth of the Name, all other wealth is poison.

maaeiaa mohi jalai abhimaan
The egotistical people are burning in their attachment to Maya.

guramukh har ras chaakhai koe
How rare is that Gurmukh who tastes the sublime essence of the Lord.

this sadhaa ana(n)dh hovai dhin raathee poorai bhaag paraapath hoe
He is always in bliss, day and night; through perfect good destiny, he obtains the Name.

sabadh dheepak varathai thihu loe
The Word of the Shabad is a lamp, illuminating the three worlds.

jo chaakhai so niramal hoe
One who tastes it, becomes immaculate.

niramal naam houmai mal dhhoe
The immaculate Naam, the Name of the Lord, washes off the filth of ego.

saachee bhagath sadhaa sukh hoe
True devotional worship brings lasting peace.

jin har ras chaakhiaa so har jan log
One who tastes the sublime essence of the Lord is the Lord’s humble servant.

this sadhaa harakh naahee kadhae sog
He is forever happy; he is never sad.

aap mukath avaraa mukath karaavai
He himself is liberated, and he liberates others as well.

har naam japai har thae sukh paavai
He chants the Lord’s Name, and through the Lord, he finds peace.

bin sathigur sabh muee bilalaae
Without the True Guru, everyone dies, crying out in pain.

anadhin dhaajhehi saath n paae
Night and day, they burn, and find no peace.

sathigur milai sabh thrisan bujhaaeae
But meeting the True Guru, all thirst is quenched.

naanak naam saa(n)th sukh paaeae
O Nanak, through the Naam, one finds peace and tranquility.

Miracles

2008-11-25T21:27:00.000-08:00

I know Sikhs don't believe in miracles, but when one chooses to appreciate the beauty Waheguru has created around us, the beauty Waheguru has given us the privilege to experience with all our senses and with our soul, one realizes how insignificant and yet significant each one of us is in this master plan we have no sense of.

There are only two ways to live your life.
One is though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as though everything is a miracle.

- Albert Einstein

Shabd: Jithai Jaye Bahai Mera Satguru

2008-11-05T20:44:00.000-08:00

A beautiful shabad that has been keeping me going, of late.
(Translation courtesy of http://fateh.sikhnet.com/)

(from Asa Di War)

jithai jaa-ay bahai mayraa satguroo so thaan suhaavaa raam raajay
Wherever my True Guru goes and sits, that place is beautiful, O Lord King.

gusikheeN so thaan bhaali-aa lai Dhoor mukh laavaa
The Guru's Sikhs seek out that place; they take the dust and apply it to their faces.

gursikhaa kee ghaal thaa-ay pa-ee jin har naam Dhi-aavaa
The works of the Guru's Sikhs, who meditate on the Lord's Name, are approved.

jinH naanak satgur pooji-aa tin har pooj karaavaa 2
Those who worship the True Guru, O Nanak - the Lord causes them to be worshipped in turn.

gursikhaa man har pareet hai har naam har tayree raam raajay
The Guru's Sikh keeps the Love of the Lord, and the Name of the Lord, in his mind. He loves You, O Lord, O Lord King.

Live Sikh Film Festival

2008-09-13T09:44:00.000-07:00

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh!

Please check out the SikhNet Youth Online Film Festival - it is being broadcast live this year! I watched several of the videos this morning and was inspired, challenged, and overall so proud to be a Sikh and of our Sikh youth.

Check out http://www.sikhnet.com/ to view some amazing films!

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh.

Broken Hearts

2008-09-09T13:01:00.000-07:00

WJKK, WJKF.

I apologize sincerely for not staying on top of my "Sikh Leaders" idea. It's so difficult to a) find information, and b) put that information into my own words so as not to plagiarize! I think I will put this project off until the summer.

In the meantime, I wanted to share this vignette with you. It is particularly meaningful to me and helps me in times of hopelessness. I believe that each of us can learn from all people, all faiths, and all cultures, and I hope both Sikhs and non-Sikhs reading this too can learn something from my humble journey.

~
A disciple asks the rebbe, "Why does the Torah tell us to 'place these words upon your hearts'? Why does it not tell us to place these holy words in our hearts?"

The rebbe answers, "It is because as we are, our hearts are closed, and we cannot place the holy words in our hearts. So we place them on top of our hearts. And there they stay until, one day, the heart breaks and the words fall in."

-- Parker J. Palmer, The Politics of the Brokenhearted

PS - This story is also found in the book Broken: My Story of Addiction and Redemption, by William Cope Myers - an excellent read.

Sikh Youth Film Festival

2008-07-29T17:41:00.000-07:00

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!

Sadh sangat,

I encourage you all to submit videos for this Film Festival and to browse through the archives - there are some very talented youth out there!

http://www.sikhnet.com/video/sikhnet-film-festival-promo-2

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!

Explanation of the Five Khands

2008-07-27T07:15:00.001-07:00

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!

While doing Japji Sahib this morning (still working on getting my mind to remain completely still while doing paat), I was thinking about how little I remembered regarding the progression of one's soul towards Waheguru. By some divine coincidence, I came across this article this morning - it was exactly what I was looking for. Hope it can enlighten some of you as it has me.

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!

Welcome

2008-07-26T07:43:00.001-07:00

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh,

Welcome to back2sikhi.

I'm not quite sure why I've started this blog. It's been one of those things that boils just under the surface of your consciousness for awhile until you start to smell the burning and realize that it's time. Time to... well, I guess we'll find out.

So what's with the title?

Ever since my childhood until about seven years ago, I felt the spirit of Sikhi. In fact, I used to have my own website and e-group to educate Sikhs and non-Sikhs about the Sikh religion and to encourage Sikh youth to examine their spirituality and use it to empower themselves. Sikhi was at the essence of who I was, it was my way of life. Then, slowly, things began to unravel. And although every time things had unraveled in my life before, I had looked to Waheguru for strength, I just couldn't do it anymore. It wasn't any one event, and there wasn't any one reason that it happened... but I just no longer had faith, no longer cared. Some days I'd pick up a gutka and do a prayer, but my heart was no longer in it.

Over the past year, my heart has slowly returned. Some days are more difficult than others, but I can again feel Waheguru. I can feel Sikhi. So I guess I have started this blog to document the journey of returning to this path. And I hope you can join me and help me get back2sikhi.

Please forgive me if I make any errors at any time. As a Sikh, I will always be learning.

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!