Amrit Kaur

Purpose of Life (exploration part 4)

2011-04-07T11:08:00.003-05:00

Oh Beloved of God
Sing the Shabad!
Sing sing and let your heart be filled with Love
Sing and let your mind dance in the freedom of God's will
Everything is eternal
And all this pain is an illusion

Sing sing and let your heart be at peace
Uniting voice with saints in complete serenity
Sing the song of Joy, of Bliss, of Love
Let fearlessness take you over
Courageously loud and lovely
Sing!

Forever, always was and will be
God almighty, creator of All
Who spread the Self in ALL directions
Who holds all near and dear inside It
Being of Light (and dark)
Being beyond karma or dharma
Being without end
No Name
All Names

Sing sing that Name! True Name! SAT NAAM!
Identity emerging through the utterance of voice
raising up from the root of self, into song!
Vibrate and resound!
Let your soul be found!
Dancing along the string of consciousness
I AM, I AM NOT, and I AM.

Dance and sing and sing and sing!!!!!!!!!
Why else were we put here...
Hahahahahaha....
There's no other reason than to sing
in utter love and remembrance
My part, my All, my beautiful kundal my chatrik beloved my saring song of wild love
Sing sing and let your mind vibrate the shabad
Sing sing and let your heart be filled with love
Sing and let your soul kiss her husband merging
Sing and let your hairs dance along your body
Be the temple of light and sound
Radiate forth, and resonate the passion of blossoming
Fragrant and intoxicating melody
Sing among so many harmonies the One in ALL

Forget your questions
Just sing and let the magic happen
of divine love and transformation
singing the name, the life, the love of the One

~~~~~~*

Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhheguru!!

Purpose of Life (exploration part 3)

2011-03-31T10:27:00.004-05:00

Wahhhh!

Wandering in circles of illusions
The maya of the need for purpose
The need of the rational mind
Why this, why that...
What's the reason behind...

...

Why always asking Why

...

Is it All
It is All
Is it All

...

Purpose = movement
Physical, Mental, Emotional, Spiritual
Spiral in, Spiral out
Cycles upon cycles
Waves upon waves
Patterns upon patterns
Fractals
Expressing in Form
Creative Divine

Dance of clarity or confusion
Distress of duality
For eternal Fusion

Spiraling in, and Spiraling out
The One Oscillation
String of vibration

Silent whispers now aloud
Expression of Purpose
Form of Play

Why I this, why I that...

Why I Not

I AM

Spiraling in
Spiraling out
No Sin
No Doubt
All Love
Is All its about
Purposeful movement
Coming closer
to Kiss You-Me
My spinning partner
Along the wheel of dancing illusions

Why? Why not... I AM IS ALL I AM!

Purpose of Life (exploration part 2)

2011-03-29T12:16:00.003-05:00

In Gurbani, beautiful Naad form of God... says so much about Hukam. Command or Will of God. This implies divine purpose in everything. That we might not know or understand what Hukam is, but that if we accept it and walk in it, our ego will not get in the way... and we'll find the way to salvation walking in His Will. "Hukam rajaee Chalnaa, Nanak Likia'n Nal"...

The difficulty arises when, as people of applied consciousness, we make choices (or at the very least are led to believe that we do), and if we don't know on a conscious level what is the Will, or if we are interpreting it correctly, then we don't know if or how we are following it. We ask - God tell me How. What exactly am I supposed to do... to follow your Will.

This is why we have questions about purpose, because we have to know on a conscious level the will of God. As Sikhs, we ask Guru Ji in the form of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji to guide us through hukamnama. Sometimes even then, we don't understand... the mind is clouded with doubts and biases, misunderstandings and desires that steer the way we perceive the Will. It is not easy being human...

Could it be, that even all of that is still in His Will - afterall, everything would be in His will, would it not?This entire play and struggle to find purpose... only to realise that we are living in a sea of purpose with every single thought and breath and action and movement... with every swirl and direction within the ocean... purposeful beyond our comprehension... divinely inspired, and divinely enacted... the divine playing with the divine in a purposeful and yet playful manner... and us children of divine play simply unaware...

Purpose of Life Quotes by Yogi Bhajan

2011-03-28T13:21:00.003-05:00

"What is the purpose of life? The purpose of life is tomorrow. What is tomorrow? Tomorrow is getting up and knowing who you are, knowing that God is with you, and knowing you can handle yourself with grace"

~~~~

"The path of the spirit is very long, very deep and very lonely. Those who see to walk on it must seek the light of their own tiny soul to reach the infinity and the grandeur of the Godhood, the perfect, the infinite light. This is the purpose of life."

~~~~

"The purpose of life, the attitude of life, is to serve the soul. "

Purpose of Life (exploration part 1)

2011-03-26T15:17:00.005-05:00

Ahh~~* Taking a deep breath, filling my lungs with prana, I contemplate my existence. What am I, who am I, what am I doing here, in this place, in this life. If indeed I am alive... is it a dream? Lucid imagination of One Mind? The play of the divine? What is my part, my role, my destiny in this flow of sacred energy...

Purpose is the biggest question - every philosopher has wondered - every man and woman of dreams - every artist - every spiritual - every saint - every person who's ever suffered has always asked this question. Why??

I myself have asked this question, over and over till I would find myself seeping into existential depression....

Viktor E. Frankl, author of "The Doctor and the Soul" and "Man's Search For Meaning" expresses how each person needs and yearns to have a sense of purpose, and it is this sense of purpose that propels us forward. He survived the Jewish holocaust and concentration camps while writing that book, because he had a purpose to finish it. He saw that it wasn't initial health that determined if someone lived or died, but instead their sense of purpose and meaning of life. When there is a perceived lack of sense of purpose, then people do not engage in anything, they don't support their life... the light in their eyes fades, and the mind goes into sadness, and the body withers from life force till there is nothing left. No point to the breath...

More than food, more than water, more than even breath... we need purpose. That's why we create families, communities, cultures, religions, philosophies of life, ways of life, reasons for doing things, make roles and careers and genders, and norms and goals... But even that does not satisfy the deepest most piercing question of ultimate purpose... Why do I exist even at all?

I've consulted my father on the question, when I was 9 years old "Papa, why do we exist? Why are we put on this Earth?"... he replied "To learn" advance in the spiral of spiritual evolution.

I've consulted the self-help books, they said "To better yourself" and "Everything happens for a reason although we might not know what that reason is".

I've consulted the books of many religions and they said "To be the gatekeepers of God's creation, to be devotional, to be find salvation, to find enlightenment, to praise and serve God and God's creation".

I've consulted the words of saints who said "You come here as something, to become nothing"... "You came out as an expression of God's infinity, and you shall return back to Him"... "Simply to remember your essence"... "To Play within the Play"... and "To Love"...

In this breath, I absorb these words and let them mix within my chemistry like sweet wine, sipping mystery. Flowing waves of mind and body, vibrating core of raw existence.

I might not know why - but I know that I am.

The beauty of feeling

2011-03-23T11:45:00.003-05:00

We are not meant to be Emotionless. Faceless. Heartless. Without soul. We hold the sword in both hands, neutral minded, elegant warriors of peace, shanti shanti, sukhmani, rakhmani, bandh karo mera man. In the kirpan's darshan. So sharp, so piercing. I Am. /// i am. /// Echo of the sword, flame of truth, scorchingly pure emotion. Peirce me through and though. Make me feel..................................... oh so human. Dance within me, twist and writhe. Primal vibration, oscillation, movement. Move in me... yes move me. Move me to tears. Torture my mind into oblivion. Turn my heart-center to radiate out and out. Twist my soul from its hidden cage. Out and out to explore. My God. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1.......... embrace me with your endlessness of expression, collide with me, in and out, through and through, drench me, set me on fire. Primal scream ushering forth within me, indescribable essence, raw. And Beloved.

Love quote by Yogi Bhajan

2011-03-20T10:25:00.003-05:00

"Those who love and put a limitation on it are earthbound.

Those who love and put no limitation on it are Godbound."

© The Teachings of Yogi Bhajan, July 18, 1982

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Guru Ji's Complete Bliss!!

2011-03-09T11:58:00.002-06:00

RAAG BILAAVAL, FIFTH MEHL, CHAU-PADAS AND DU-PADAS, SEVENTH HOUSE:

ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD.

BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU:

The Shabad, the Word of the True Guru, is the light of the lamp. It dispels the darkness from the body-mansion, and opens the beautiful chamber of jewels. || 1 || Pause || I was wonderstruck and astonished, when I looked inside; I cannot even describe its glory and grandeur. I am intoxicated and enraptured with it, and I am wrapped in it, through and through. || 1 || No worldly entanglements or snares can trap me, and no trace of egotistical pride remains. You are the highest of the high, and no curtain separates us; I am Yours, and You are mine. || 2 || The One Creator Lord created the expanse of the one universe; the One Lord is unlimited and infinite. The One Lord pervades the one universe; the One Lord is totally permeating everywhere; the One Lord is the Support of the breath of life. || 3 || He is the most immaculate of the immaculate, the purest of the pure, so pure, so pure. He has no end or limitation; He is forever unlimited. Says Nanak, He is the highest of the high. || 4 || 1 || 87 ||

Ang 821 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji!

~~~~~~~~~~~~
What a beautiful picture Guru Ji painted of that Oneness... and bliss... Waheguru!!!

Beautiful Lord

2011-03-02T02:06:00.003-06:00

Oh my Soul! My Lord is Beautiful!
He is pervading the oceans, the lands
She sees with all eyes
and does with all hands!
Speaking in all tongues
Only the soul can understand
This language of melting
of simran "I Am"!

~~~
Amrit kaur
July 2007

Celebrating International Women's Day

2011-02-22T10:51:00.004-06:00

Sat Naam - Waheguru Jio~~*

Recently I have organized an event to happen at the yoga center I teach at, with another teacher Surjeet Kaur, specifically to celebrate Women's Day. We often hear about this day, but we don't always take the opportunity to really do something. So, we will be taking this time to do the seva of teaching some very special women's meditations and also dance for peace. If you happen to be in the Montreal region, please don't miss this, or please forward this to people you know who will be in Montreal.

“Women for Peace and Unity”

Come join Amrit Kaur & Surjeet Kaur

In an International Women’s Day Celebration!
Sunday, March 6^th 2011, 6:30-7:30 pm.

*Donations only*

International Women's Day on March 8^th 2011 is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. Please join us as we come together to honor the work of women, celebrate their achievements, and remember inequities still to be redressed. Together let’s celebrate the grace, radiance and power for change which begins in creating peace within ourselves and unity among us.

Join us for some light yoga, meditations specific for women, and dance, hip hop for peace the world over. Yogi Tea will be served afterwards.

Note: No previous yoga experience required. Please wear comfortable loose clothing, bring some water, a mat if you have one, friends, sisters, mothers, daughters, and of course yourself!

International Women’s Day is an occasion marked by women's groups around the world. This date is also commemorated at the United Nations and is designated in many countries as a national holiday. When women on all continents, often divided by national boundaries and by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political differences, come together to celebrate their day, they can look back to a tradition that represents at least nine decades of struggle for equality, justice, peace and development.

Surjeet Kaur and Amrit Kaur are both certified kundalini yoga instructors and have taught for a number of years and dedicated to the cause of women, world peace, and well-being for all.

For More Information: www.equilibriumyoga.ca

----------------------------------------

Ame

2011-02-11T10:35:00.002-06:00

Ame = Soul
Am + me = Soul
Ami = Soul
Amo = Soul

I Am Soul
I Am Me
My Soul is my Friend
My Soul is Love

God Bless these eyes
To see Inside
The Soul Awakened
to wondrous Revelation
Beyond body shackle and contained mind
From before it began
Till the end of time
More than sensations up the spine
This Awe-striking Creation
The seen, unseen, what hides
Dancing within the body
Little Flame
Light of God
Endless Love

Me I Am
Ame
Amo
Amour

Waho!!!!!!!! Sachi Bani

2011-01-13T09:53:00.001-06:00

TILANG, THE WORD OF DEVOTEE KABEER JEE:

ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU:

The Vedas and the Scriptures are only make-believe, O Siblings of Destiny; they do not relieve the anxiety of the heart. If you will only center yourself on the Lord, even for just a breath, then you shall see the Lord face-to-face, present before you. || 1 || O human being, search your own heart every day, and do not wander around in confusion. This world is just a magic-show; no one will be holding your hand. || 1 || Pause || Reading and studying falsehood, people are happy; in their ignorance, they speak nonsense. The True Creator Lord is diffused into His creation; He is not just the dark-skinned Krishna of legends. || 2 || Through the Tenth Gate, the stream of nectar flows; take your bath in this. Serve the Lord forever; use your eyes, and see Him ever-present everywhere. || 3 || The Lord is the purest of the pure; only through doubt could there be another. O Kabeer, mercy flows from the Merciful Lord; He alone knows who acts. || 4 || 1 ||

From Ang 727 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

11/1/11

2011-01-11T15:46:00.002-06:00

Today is a special day in history! 11/1/11!! Ik ik ik ik ik ik ik ik ik!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In the spirit of remembrance, may we try doing a sadhana...

11 minutes or 31 minutes of kirtan kriya for 40 days

Guruka Singh Ji's explanation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqOq4v0cD9w

Experience it...

Sat Naam

Always be on Guard!

2011-01-07T11:54:00.005-06:00

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh,

Pyaray Sangat Jio!

Guru kirpa nal, we are saved from the blazing hot fires, tornados, whirlpools and tidal waves and earthquakes and eruptions... that is the movement of sargun maya. Guru kirpa nal, we are given the hem of His robe to clutch onto and be guided and taken across this world ocean of blazing burning acid, into the soothing calming waters of His amrit sarovar. Guru kirpa nal, we remember Him with loving devotion, and are saved.

It is good to be innocent, naïve, sweet, kind and polite. We always should have a pure mind, pure intentions, and pure actions. If evil does not even cross our mind, then God bless us. However - do not let yourself be fooled.

In this Kalyug - you may be dressed as a saint, you may recite your prayers, you may avoid the company of bad people, you may never think an evil thing or be tempted by the 5 evils: Kam, Krodh, Lobh, Moh, Ahangkar. But regardless of all this, do not think you will so easily escape - because others around you may be tempted by these evils, and try to break your innocence. Do not let yourself be so innocent that you can be fooled by the malicious manipulations of others.

Someone once told me "Do not be so sweet that you will be swallowed up and eaten, but also do not be so sour as to be spit out." Same goes for being innocent and pure-minded. You need to be, but also be on guard for others who may not have the best intentions. This world is burning in the 5 evils, and perhaps you are not burning with it but if the flames try to catch your robe you must be aware of it and stomp it out.

This is why Guru Ji wanted us to be warriors, just as much as saints.

Waheguru!! Be on your guard, beautiful Khalsa, and pray to God and Guru to always save You from the fire of the world and the trickery of others. Read the bani of the 10th Master, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and be strong.

I wish to share a few gurvakhs of a very powerful bani called Bachittar Natak, a bani in Sri Dasam Granth Sahib written by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji:

Rasaval Chhand

You are with bow and arrow and You have made many a young man wonder struck. Like great warriors you have a double-edged sword in Your hands. ||37||

When the people gather for war and fierce battle goes on, at that time O Merciful Lord, You are always benevolent. ||38||

For ever You are One, King of all the worlds, undefeatable, unborn and helper of those who come to Your shelter. ||39||

The Sword is blazing in Your hand and You the great giver is always giving gifts to the people. O devoid of all the heats of present and future, I bow before You. ||40||

and in Naraj Chhand

The Sabre adorning Your hands is the wiper of the crores of sins. The mace in Your hand is might and the arrows on your bow are already pulled ones. ||47||

The sound of your conch is like the roar of clouds. O Lord, I am under your shelter, praying You to salvage me and to save my honour. ||48||

and in Charani Dohara

Whose protector is the Lord, no enemy can put any harm to him. No fool can touch even his shadow and all the efforts of putting him to trouble go to waste. ||24||

Nothing can be said about the person who goes in the shelter of saints; their company saves the person in the manner the tongue is saved from the teeth though it remains surrounded by them ||25||

--------------------------------------------------

Please forgive me, sometimes I write and forget to translate certain terms. Below you can refer to them for your own knowledge and understanding:

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh - Khalsa belongs to God and God is always victorious. Khalsa means the pure ones.

Pyaray Sangat Jio - Pyaray means beloved, Sangat is holy congregation, Jio is high respect

Guru Kirpa Nal - By Guru's Grace

Sargun - Worldly, Visible and Tangible, Materialistic attribute

Maya - Illusion of the world as being true, and illusion of separation from God

Kalyug - Kal means dark/death in this context, yug (sometimes referred to as yuga, but the actual word does not have an 'a') means Age like time-period of the history of the planet, thus dark age.

Kam, Krodh, Lobh, Moh, Ahangkar - Lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride/ego are the 5 evils to avoid

Reflections on Change

2011-01-01T10:16:00.004-06:00

Just a self-reflection...

...it is truly amazing what can happen when we start to be utterly honest with ourselves and use that neutral observant mind on ourselves. Then things really start aligning to Sat Naam.

Over the last year and a while, so much has changed in my life and inside of myself because of this process. I feel very different than I used to. More natural, more real, less inhibited, my step is lighter.

The process of letting go of my fears and desires, the process of detaching from my idea of form and identity and destiny that is worldly created or that I created myself. What amazing changes occur when we let go of who we think we should be, and just be who we are....

There are no conditions set on what makes us a beautiful and spiritual and worthy person. Simply, keep the mind and heart pure and simple and true. Is it that hard? All those conditions I set on it before clouded my inner-light from shining, became the colours of my projection. But there is nothing that needs to filter the heart or mind when it is True.

This new year, much more shall change, I am sure. And I am grateful for every part of it.

Simplicity

2010-12-31T08:38:00.003-06:00

During my holidays away from school, I went on a trip. A trip to see a whole new place with whole new people. My eyes and ears and mind experienced and learned so much goodness from it. Thank you God for opening my vision and giving me perspective...

I learned that...

... we don't need as much as we think we do, to live comfortable lives

... people are much nicer than we first assume, if we just say hello

... the most important thing is to be healthy and take care of our health

... education helps but it only goes so far, openness to life and listening to others wisdom and experiences can go even further

... compassion is so in need - towards others, towards ourselves, towards this planet

... why stress, why complicate - no one is pushing us but ourselves

... life would be much better if we'd surround ourselves with loving and kind people, and create a space of wellness that can not be disturbed by outer circumstances

... spread blessings far and wide and to all

... no one is perfect, but also no one is imperfect

... every place has their ups and downs, but perspective makes it so

... Trust and you shall be taken care of

... awareness and consciousness comes from the places we least expect it

... when the basics are covered, everything else is pudding

... Live life like each moment is our last, cause it might just be

... never regret, not saying hello

... Be simple, be joyful... and all shall come to you

Life is truly not complicated... what makes it complicated are all our fears and desires of all the things that don't exist yet in our lives... why? Breathe. Life is so simple and pure.

This year, I want to commit to keeping it simple and pure, no stain of fear nor desire of the restless mind to touch it. Just simply, cherish and observe and embrace the unknown.

A Quote from Yogi Bhajan

2010-12-19T11:41:00.004-06:00

"There is one fundamental question: whether a person wants to take control of her life or not. The fact is that because life is a gift, you have never valued it; therefore you have never cared to take control of it. That’s where the point of pain lies."

© The Teachings of Yogi Bhajan, July 11, 1982

----------------------------------------------------------------

Waheguru! Sachi... My thoughts about it - There are interestingly two facets in Sikhi - one facet says become the slave of God and listen to His hukam - the other facet says you are kings and tigers and warriors of your destiny, go and fight for it. But are they really so opposite each other? Countless times in Gurbani it says to realize the precious gift of the human body, see how fortunate you are to be living in this seat of consciousness in which you can exert control over your destiny, raise your consciousness and go towards your ultimate destiny which is God-oneness. Sikhi is not only about laying on the ground half-dead crying 'God save me', perhaps God saved many who did that, His pity and Mercy are endless. But you have to exert the mind and the body into action, to create change in your own destiny. It means to take control. It means to make decisions each moment of your life, the decisions which will lead you to 'higher and better' places - they might not be the easiest ones to make, but you have to fight for it, learn from it, advance no matter what it takes. The moment you take responsibility for your life, your health, your happiness, your holiness, you will have no choice but to take control and exert the use of your highest consciousness and neutral mind.

Mirrors Mirrors Everywhere

2010-12-17T12:46:00.002-06:00

Waheguru!! I sit in amazement at the sight all around me. The sounds, the words from all mouths vibrating forth. The sea of emotions, the torrents of thoughts and images. Fading in and out of my perception. The rich myriad of life, breath, movement.

My thought-forms manifested within me and all around me.

Shh! Listen!
Stop, Watch!
See the unknown
Hear the unspoken
See the tapestry of the mind
Hear the words of wisdom
In every child's mouth
In every weeping person
In the laughter
In the sway of branches in the wind
In the Chorus of menial tasks
In the impulsive jump into the darkness
In the expression of Life
In the oscillations
of thoughts, words, images, feelings

I am, I AM.
I am, I AM.
I am, I AM.
I am, I AM.

Ongggggggggg Sohung
Humee Hum Brahm Hum
God and Me, Me and God, Are Oneeee

IK Onggg Kar... Sat Naam.....

Waheguru!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hear my words in the mouths of others
I see my portrait and projection
In the mirrors of others in reaction to myself
I react to myself
My unknown

Shhhh! Listen carefully...
The Shabad's beautiful sound

Stop, Watch and See!!
The image that kills 'me', Akaal Moorat

Waheguru!!!!!!!!

Wahooo!!!

2010-12-10T23:47:00.002-06:00

The hukamnama, so beautiful... so Mehervaan Ji!!! My Beloved God! Thank you!

Ang 623 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Sorat'h, Fifth Mehla:
The Creator Lord Himself stood between us,
and not a hair upon my head was touched.
The Guru made my cleansing bath successful;
meditating on the Lord, Har, Har, my sins were erased. ||1||
O Saints, the purifying pool of Ram Das is sublime.
Whoever bathes in it, his family and ancestry are saved, and his soul is saved as well. ||1||Pause||
The world sings cheers of victory,
and the fruits of his mind's desires are obtained.
Whoever comes and bathes here, and meditates on his God, is safe and sound. ||2||
One who bathes in the healing pool of the Saints,
that humble being obtains the supreme status.
He does not die, or come and go in reincarnation;
he meditates on the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. ||3||
He alone knows this about God,
whom God blesses with His kindness.
Baba Nanak seeks the Sanctuary of God;
all his worries and anxieties are dispelled. ||4||7||57||

The Everchanging

2010-12-05T18:37:00.001-06:00

Life is a continual flow of change. From the moment we are born, we experience things, we learn, and we grow. Sometimes we move forward, other times we move backward. But one thing is certain - we are always moving. Sometimes it may seem like the exterior stayed the same, but lo and behold, much happens inside the mind. Sometimes we don't think we have changed, until we are given an opportunity to compare the past with the present. Our behavior, body language, ways of talking, thoughts, movement... it all shows. Most times we don't realize ourselves, until someone or something tells us. We are constantly in a flow... of change.

When we become aware of the flow of our mind, then we come to know our patterns, our thought-habits, our personal mantras, our true motivators, our animal, human and angel minds. We know what presses our buttons, we know what makes us afraid, we know what makes us work on ourselves. We also know what makes us happy, what lifts us up. Different situations bring different things with them...

Consciousness is the ground upon which to grow the soul. The soul is the unchanging... the beautiful divine light. But it must grow sooo deep into the consciousness that we don't come out of it. Our roots are solid into the foundation of divinity. We do not stray from Sat Naam.

But isn't that the movement which occurs? That everchanging... as the consciousness shifts and discovers that resonant frequency of our sat naam. From moment to moment as the atmosphere changes, we tune into ourselves, the consciousness awakens and listens and hears the sound... the blessing song... and it tunes and sings along with it... the music of the soul the unchanging. But the music moves and the dance continues, as the consciousness plants the seed of wisdom into the body soil, and the soul shines a light through the eyes... and all that is moving and breathing and dancing becomes still...

a silent and oceanic waheguru

Wow - Gurbani

2010-11-07T20:40:00.002-06:00

The most beautiful... ah Waheguru!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From Sukhmani Sahib, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Ang 266

Of all religions, the best religion
is to chant the Name of the Lord and maintain pure conduct.
Of all religious rituals, the most sublime ritual
is to erase the filth of the dirty mind in the Company of the Holy.
Of all efforts, the best effort
is to chant the Name of the Lord in the heart, forever.
Of all speech, the most ambrosial speech
is to hear the Lord's Praise and chant it with the tongue.
Of all places, the most sublime place,
O Nanak, is that heart in which the Name of the Lord abides. ||8||3||

Saint André

2010-10-31T11:00:00.002-05:00

October 30-31, 2010 are the celebrations of the canonization of Brother André, now officially a saint by definition given from the catholic doctrine. Brother André, now Saint André, was a humble man who wanted to help build a church in the honour of Saint Joseph, which became the St-Joseph Oratory - it is a very splendid huge oratory, and people of all faiths go to visit it and feel peace that a sacred space resides at the mountain of Mont-Royal. He is the first Canadian born to become a saint in the catholic church.

But above all - is that this man was not a cardinal or bishop, nor was he a priest. Nor was he any other big post, nor preacher or teacher. He was the porter - the one who would open the door to the church, so that everyone and anyone can enter. He would hold the door open, and greet each person. When people would speak with him on anything that ails them, he would listen with compassion, and say to pray to St-Joseph to heal them or resolve their problem. He would also pray for them. Miracles started to happen - of people being cured of disease, disabilities, everything. In the oratory, you can see the racks upon racks of crutches and canes, left there from the people who were healed. Bahut Mehervaan - So Merciful is God, and His Saints, that those who seek, shall find. And those who ask shall receive. And those who believe shall receive confirmation of their faith, in the form of miracles. Soon, the news spread that the humble porter of the church, was the initiator of miracles...

Even today, countless pilgrims and lovers of God of all faiths, come to see his darshan, and soak up that divine presence and love, that is felt where that saint once walked and breathed and prayed. Countless others beg that their prayers be heard, and many others receive those fruit, with humble and upturned palms.

Mehervaan. This is the form of all Saints.
And endlessly....

God bless, thank you for giving us the presence of your beloveds who inspire millions to love you and return home...!!

The Lines Are Blurring

2010-09-24T08:01:00.000-05:00

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh Jio~~~*

The lines are blurring, it's harder to see
The difference between you and me
Where do You start and I end
Is the concept of 'self' imagined?

What is that line between night and day
When the earth moves, the sun rays gradate
The Object created the Shade..........
Without this occlusion, they'd merge to the same

So would it be - if "I" was removed to become We
Or We removed to become I... ?
The lines are Edgeless Spirit - Are Undefined

What is the difference between vision and reality
Between the formless and concrete
Between the origin and infinity
That spreads out into visible mystery
The shapeless, the Breathless, the non-existing

I cannot count on my reason nor mind
To comprehend the nature that divides
The form from the formless form
The Death from the Life, and the Breath from the Air
Stillness and Movement without space nor measure of time
The weight of the weightless, yet when moves becomes mass
Or what even causes time to pass? My Akaal!

And from You - my Akaal Purakh - Pervading
My Nirgun Lover wearing Sargun cloak
Where do you hide?
Inside?

Or have my eyes simply came to see
Your vision, your darshan, in the form of reality
The one who Spread Himself from the Inside Out?

Muahaha - right on the dot

2010-08-20T09:39:00.002-05:00

What a beautiful hukamnama (as always) today!

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TODEE, THE WORD OF THE DEVOTEES: ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU: Some say that He is near, and others say that He is far away. We might just as well say that the fish climbs out of the water, up the tree. 1 Why do you speak such nonsense? One who has found the Lord, keeps quiet about it. 1 Pause Those who become Pandits, religious scholars, recite the Vedas, but foolish Naam Dayv knows only the Lord. 2 1

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-This Shabad is by Bhagat Naam Dev Ji in Raag Todee on Ang 718, of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

My God!!!

2010-08-14T13:43:00.002-05:00

My Lord, my Heart, my Life!
Please save me from this ocean of pain.
Please take me out and save me!!

I am your beggar
I have wandered everywhere
to every door, to every place of worship
to every book and being
I beg and weep... i beg... you please!
Pleaseeeeeeeee

I am so thirsty for your drop of water
but you leave me dying
my throat so sore and hurting
crying out day and night
begging and waling
my god! my god!

I have been drowned in oceans, but i have yet to drink your water...
Please god, i am dying of thirst.... about to collapse!
this thirsty rain bird chirps and sings but her voice never loud enough to reach you!
wah! guru! Wah!!!!!!!!! guru!!!

why do you ignore me...
im your child...
your baby
your infant
take me in your lap!
stop my cries!

give me your milk.....

my parched lips shall split and break
but i can not stop begging

with one glance you save millions...
why not for an instant look at me
why do you ignore me and turn the other way
please turn your eyes toward me for even just a second!
That i may die seeing you... my god!

I can not live another moment away
save me from this pain of separation
Or atleast....

atleast let me cry at your feet....
and drown in my tears
begging for your love!!!!

Forget Me

2010-08-09T13:52:00.003-05:00

Please forget me.
Put me aside.
Earase me from your memory.
I do not exist.

You made an image of me.
That now melts away
I am liquid - yet I am not
For I am also found in stone.

Forget this person
This human
This body and mind
Forget I

It is time to leave it all behind.
Disperse myself into nothingness
and yet flow in all that is alive

Please let go of me
take away your hands and eyes
For I do not exist
but in your mind

Today, now the present
without time - Akaal
came the time for kaal to call me home
Inside

Let me go. Or make me stay
It's now to me, all the same
Without origin, nor point of departure
nor place where to end

Now is the time to break free
from all that existed of "me"
For I am not... who i thought
I was, I am, I'll Be

Now let me border free
where I do not exist
and where I live
two the same, now one
was always one
will always be one

my mind is in rapture
my heart is the cosmos
my body dissolved in Your ocean
my dance is your melody
my chant is your Name
my breath is your Pran Sar
soaked within it - neither coming nor going

Let me soar!!!!!!!
Oh self - forget me!
Wahh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Beautiful Yogi Ji Quote

2010-08-08T22:08:00.003-05:00

I absolutely love this quote... it is so true and so pure. Do not get caught up in the MAYA of religion or spirituality - but until we reach the TRUTH we are always in maya... ah Waheguru!

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If you do not develop spiritual integrity, then you will develop spiritual prostitution. You will use it as a dummy, a facade, a cover or a bait. Then God will be as far away from you as infinity.

© The Teachings of Yogi Bhajan, August 2, 1981

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Women and Hair

2010-07-25T09:33:00.003-05:00

Just some morning thoughts about hair...

The Sikh community is the only community I know of so far that says hair on women and men is okay, even venerated. It awes me, because we live in a society with much of a double standard about hair on men and women.

Yes there is a pressure on men, with regards to long beards and long hair. Women don't get that pressure with regards to getting rid of their long hair.

But what about body hair - hair on men is totally okay. Hairy legs, hairy chests, hairy arms, hairy eyebrows, hairy chins and jawlines, hairy everything else is fine for men. It's acceptable.

But it's a different story for women... who are told by people and by the media and eventually come to believe that hair on women is not beautiful, nor feminine, and even "dirty". Where did this concept come from? What is this about?

-----------------

I have to say, Guru Ji was completely for Women's Rights and Gender Equality. 400 years before our time, He abolished this double standard idea. What people even to this day, do not understand nor accept.

People boast that in the west, women are free... in some respects they are but they are still slaves to their appearances which creates self-hate of a part of the woman that is completely natural and should be loved.

To slide a razor against one's skin, is that not a form of self-mutilation? Or is it "Taking care of oneself" as people say... is it self-love or self-hate? I mean... it's removing part of yourself what God put there... no? So not only violating God's hukam, but also creating a dislike for that part of yourself, and on top of that giving more life to the double standard and societal nonacceptance of hair. Then to do it again and again each however amount of time, reaffirming this like some mantra - is it not a big distraction from our true purpose and meditation?

I find it absolutely amazing, that Guru Ji... He broke this idea down, and made man and woman equally beautiful in their natural state. If we only learned to truly understand this and love ourselves and others as God made us - to love God's hukam - then keeping hair is a liberation and a symbol of equality and love.

Waho Waho Gobind Singh... !!!!!

An Excerpt

2010-05-31T16:07:00.003-05:00

An excerpt from the book "The Spirit of Oriental Poetry" by beloved Professor Puran Singh Ji~~* page 15. It shows the love of the bride of God, as we all are - so innocent and beautiful and heartful and giving. And yet also, that everything is One - and those who married God, they feel it. Wahh... God bless

"Once our poet, Bullah Shah (the King Bullah) was passing through a street in Lahore. His black locks hung about his neck and his blazing eyes swept round, contemplating all things. A young girl was plaiting the tresses of a new bride in braids and decorating her with jasmine and roses.

Bullah Shah: What art thou doing, O good lady?
The Girl: I am braiding her hair, for tonight her husband cometh home.
Bullah Shah: Wouldst thou do mine, for I, too may meet my Lord?
The Girl: Come, good man! I will do yours, too.

The great saint sat before her on the ground and she braided his locks like those of the bride and adorned his head with jasmine and roses. then Bullah Shah arose and went away, for he lived far from the city.

Towards nightfall a jealous neighbour complained in secret to the bridegroom that his wife had touched the hair of a stranger. The foolish Punjabi began to upbraid his wife. He was small in his jealousy; she was noble, large, spiritual and heroic in her innocence. In the midst of the altercation there came a knock at the door, at about midnight. "Open the door, O sister! Untie my hair. Untie it quick, O sister, for my husband beats me." "

My Lord and Master~~*

2010-05-31T09:29:00.002-05:00

Again my Lord and Master spoke and said through the mouth of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Ang 421:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Aasaa, First Mehla:
Beautiful is the Supreme Lord and Master, and beautiful is the Word of the Guru's Bani.
By great good fortune, one meets the True Guru, and the supreme status of Nirvaanaa is obtained. ||1||
I am the lowest slave of Your slaves; I am Your most humble servant.
As You keep me, I live. Your Name is in my mouth. ||1||Pause||
I have such a great thirst for the Blessed Vision of Your Darshan; my mind accepts Your Will, and so You are pleased with me.
Greatness is in the Hands of my Lord and Master; by His Will, honor is obtained. ||2||
Do not think that the True Lord is far away; He is deep within.
Wherever I look, there I find Him pervading; how can I estimate His value? ||3||
He Himself does, and He Himself undoes. He Himself beholds His glorious greatness.
Becoming Gurmukh, one beholds Him, and so, His value is appraised. ||4||
So earn your profits while you are alive, by serving the Guru.
If it is so pre-ordained, then one finds the True Guru. ||5||
The self-willed manmukhs continually lose, and wander around, deluded by doubt.
The blind manmukhs do not remember the Lord; how can they obtain the Blessed Vision of His Darshan? ||6||
One's coming into the world is judged worthwhile only if one lovingly attunes oneself to the True Lord.
Meeting the Guru, one becomes invaluable; his light merges into the Light. ||7||
Day and night, he remains detached, and serves the Primal Lord.
O Nanak, those who are imbued with the Lord's Lotus Feet, are content with the Naam, the Name of the Lord. ||8||19||

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Lord and Master

2010-05-31T08:36:00.005-05:00

Today's hukamnama - Waho!!! Sooooo beautiful~~ Spoken by Sri Guru Ram Das Ji, in Soohee Raag, on ang 735 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji~~*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Soohee, Fourth Mehl, Seventh House: One Universal Creator God, By the Grace of the True Guru:

Which, which of Your Glorious Virtues should I sing and recount, Lord? You are my Lord and Master, the treasure of excellence. I cannot express Your Glorious Praises. You are my Lord and Master, lofty and benevolent. || 1 || The Name of the Lord, Har, Har, is my only support. If it pleases You, please save me, O my Lord and Master; without You, I have no other at all. || 1 || Pause || You alone are my strength, and my Court, O my Lord and Master; unto You alone I pray. There is no other place where I can offer my prayers; I can tell my pains and pleasures only to You. || 2 || Water is locked up in the earth, and fire is locked up in wood. The sheep and the lions are kept in one place; O mortal, meditate on the Lord, and your doubts and fears shall be removed. || 3 || So behold the glorious greatness of the Lord, O Saints; the Lord blesses the dishonored with honor. As dust rises from underfoot, O Nanak, so does the Lord make all people fall at the feet of the Holy. || 4 || 1 || 12 ||

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Spiritual Gluttony

2010-05-01T15:48:00.000-05:00

You roam the bookstores for the knowledge of religion
You gather book after book in piles on your shelves
Magazines, pamphlets, booklets of all kinds.
The Manufactured, the Printed "10 steps to enlightenment"
Every tidbit of information, you eat it up like a starved animal
Then you spit it out in spiritual discussions
Feeling high and proud like "I know it all"
You search the esoteric mysteries, to the facts of history
To biographies and life stories to tips and tricks for a prettier altar
You eat it all up like a starved pig playing in the mud of Maya

Do you not see?

You gather little trinkets of religion along your way
Symbols, statues, talismans and pentagrams
You build yourself a temple with your statue-symbols
And place your perfectly branded pillow or sheepskin
And you sit there with candles or incense or some image
To adore, to admire, to feel pretty - peaceful
And you pretend to meditate. You calculate your time
Feel proud to have kept your back straight, eyes closed or focused
Surrounded by the Maya of Spirituality

Did you truly feel serene?

You place your ganesha some place auspicious
And your buddha someplace else
And some painting of a Guru in your living room
You have your money plants and bamboo
Your three Chinese coins
Your tarot and runes and angel cards
Your rosaries of some special stone type
Your holy books and prayers somewhere else
Your immaculate white clothes hanging in the closet
(Or be them black, or yellow and blue, or purple)

Where is the end to the piles of foulness?

Then you speak
"I went to Rome, India, Jerusalem, Tibet, Mecca, California"
"I Learned from the best of the best teachers"
"I am certified"
"I went for 10 day retreats, and my life is changed"
"I felt my kundalini"
"I served in the Gurdwaras and Ashrams for 10 years"
"I met so-and-so Teacher or Saint"
"I read a thousand books - better yet, I know them by heart"
"I am a spiritual junkie, and i eat it like a pig"

Honestly now... but seriously. Is there no end to Maya??

I hear you got baptized
and you changed your name
A few times now...

You change outfits depending which practise
Or which class you go to teach or preach

You do things because you were told
You got enveloped by the community-opinion
Wanting to fit in

You visit like a tourist the buildings of faith
The tombs of saints
The museums

You gather and store what you can
Filling your house with objects, books, symbols
Maybe you use it, maybe you don't...
Maybe you show it off

Do you feel peace? Do you feel satiated?
Is your hunger and thirst done with?
Reached enlightenment yet?
Or do you feel some sensations up your spine
See auras... the future
Do you feel special, chosen, blessed?

Eat....
Mmm... yummy. The Ego swallows ravenously His praise
And you become Fat - Heavy - Unable to Fly
And it hurts you inside...

~~~~

There is no way you can reach the spiritual, but by your own spirit. No place you can go, but within yourself. No thing you could read that will save you, but the grace of God. No spiritual makeup nor image can make you holy. No statue or painting or picture can bless you. No pile of books make you know the mystery. Nor can another bite save you from your spiritual gluttony.

The maya of religion is too great... beg with your heart alone inside your inner temple, with your naked and nameless soul... to the One who created it ALL.

Waheguru....

Fanaticism and Devotion

2010-04-29T15:49:00.002-05:00

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh Jio~~*

Fanaticism sort of sounds harsh as a word. We tend to favour the words "devotion", "dedication", "faith", "surrender" and "sacrifice". So, at what point does dedication to one's faith become "fanatical"? Usually, religion and religious leaders and followers will say that there is no end to what could be called Devotion, because that is Intrinsically what Devotion is - it has no end, nor limit, nor sane judgement and reasoning...

So, the line between Devotion and Fanaticism is in the eye of the beholder?
Or is there any line at all... ?

'Faith' is considered irrational in today's world, because it is believing in assumptions that have not been objectively proven by so-called science. And therefore by default, whatever behaviour that in not validated by science is also considered irrational. And irrational is often considered fanatical.

In Sikhi, we hear it often as "Why do you wear the turban", "Why do you keep your hair", "Why your beard", "What will wearing those 5 symbols do for you practically, does God love you more because of that? Or what is the point", "Does it have to be those 5 morning prayers the same everyday, and why that order, can you read other ones for variation", "Why the kirpan, there is no reason if it in today's world"... and so on and so forth.

There are a lot of "Why"s
And there are a lot of "Because we are Sikh"
and "Because that's just how it is"
and "Because we were told to do this"
and "Because you might not know the reason now, but better not regret later"
and "Because it is love and devotion"...

No wait - Love and Devotion?

Love has no rules and regulations. Devotion has no end. Love can rob you of your sanity. Love does not have to make sense. It simply is what it is. And there are billions of ways to show our love - religion after religion, practice after practice, all have come into the world - as Devotions, as Forms Of Love.

But the magic of love is not in the codification of these behaviours and conducts, but rather in the here and now without limitations and expectations and give-take relationships and comparisons and guilts and fears of sin and remorses. No...

Love is simple, pure, childlike and playful. It is joyous, and infinite. It is cause for celebration, not solemn stern-eyed ritualistic judgements. It is living and breathing and moving... not bordered in by any force of reason and regulation...

And Devotion... Devotion is not the same as "Committed Discipline", because discipline without love is not devotion, it is simply commitment and discipline... and to an extreme seems grounds for fanaticism... but without love it is not Devotion.

I am reminded of some gurvakhs in the 4th Pauree of Jap Ji Sahib:

theerathh thap dhaeiaa dhath dhaan ||
Pilgrimages, austere discipline, compassion and charity

jae ko paavai thil kaa maan ||
these, by themselves, bring only an iota of merit.

suniaa ma(n)niaa man keethaa bhaao ||
Listening and believing with love and humility in your mind,

a(n)tharagath theerathh mal naao ||
cleanse yourself with the Name, at the sacred shrine deep within.

It is not by following some strict disciplinary practices, and being hard-headed, close-minded one-way or the highway people, that God will love us. It is simply by loving God and allllll the ways and devotions, that we can practice the true religion that is inside of us all.

A beautiful gurvakh on Ang 142:

raah dhovai eik jaanai soee sijhasee ||
One who recognizes that all spiritual paths lead to the One shall be emancipated.

.

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

2010-04-27T16:34:00.003-05:00

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen

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A Thought on Reality

2010-04-27T16:29:00.001-05:00

Honesty hurts sometimes, illusions are much more comfortable for most people. But in the long-run, illusions fade and reality always wins. Like the mirage of the desert oasis that can never be reached. So, it is best to be very honest with ourselves, and face reality exactly as it is, then take the necessary actions to create the best reality, not the best illusion.
~

A Verse from the Gospel of St-Thomas

2010-04-18T14:18:00.007-05:00

In The Gospel of Saint Thomas, there is a very mystical verse...

I wish to share it with you because it speaks much of the same essence as Gurbani - that All is One and One is All, and that the creation spreads itself outwards from that One, but the Divine pervades the whole creation everywhere. When we allow our minds to open up to see the 'beads of one string' connected, we can truly appreciate the underlying inner religion - inner truth that is Universal.

Verse 77 -- Jesus said: I am the light that is over them all. I am the All; the All has come forth from me, and the All has attained unto me. Split a piece of wood and I am there. Raise up the stone, and ye shall find me there.

~~~~

Sacrifice

2010-04-17T20:05:00.000-05:00

The concept of sacrifice is very deeply rooted in the human psyche. It is over thousands of years old, and perhaps since the beginning of human-kind. We find it all over world history, in culture, society, religion. We have revered titles for those who have sacrificed: hero, martyr, saint.

There is an understanding that Sacrifice is honourable, courageous, selfless, altruistic. That some can sacrifice all they have, give all they have and are, to the point of giving even their lives for others, for freedom, for rights and liberties, for humanity, for values and ideals that mean more to them than their lives... is something extremely powerful. It shows conviction, determination, endless selflessness... fearlessness, Passion. It is truly Beautiful.

Look at some of the Role Models of Sacrifice, so spoken about...

In the Judaic history there is Moses who sacrificed his future on the throne of Egypt (which in those days was like being the ultimate God and King of the whole world), to stand for human rights and free the Jewish men and women from centuries of slavery.

The most well-known Icon of sacrifice revered for over 2000 years... Jesus with arms open bloody on the cross to die for the sins of the world... which is a pretty big sacrifice for a sinless-holy man to make. It is completely selfless - and even then while on the cross He said "Father (God), forgive them for they know not what they do"... On that same Christian theme there is the Apostle Saint Peter who was crucified also but upside-down as he did not want to die the same way as Jesus. There was Mary Magdalene, who portrays also the image of sacrifice-submission, her long hair wiping her tears from Jesus's feet. There was St-Francis and Sister Clare who gave up all their wealth and possessions, shorn their hair for humility, and lived with nothing but a tunic to submit to "lady poverty" and live the life of the devout believer. And Mother Theresa, modern symbol of selfless service unto others and personal sacrifice, who devoted her entire life to help those who could not help themselves, that the lowest of the low may be cared for or at least die in dignity.

In the Islamic tradition, the concept of Jihad - is the concept of self-sacrifice. Though it is poorly understood these days for what it is, because of what people can do in the name of religion. But the actual meaning of Jihad is "Sacrifice and Submission to the Will of God" it is the "Death of Ego/Self" to make space of God to live in you. Sikhism also has a similar concept but with a different terminology "Jivan Mukt" (I will get to that later on in another post).

In Sikhism, there are countless examples of Sacrifice... The 2nd Master, Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji, is a symbol of complete selfless service and sacrifice and Obedience to the will of the 1st Master, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The 5th Master, Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, sacrificed his life for Freedom of Faith, tortured and boiled and then burned alive on a hot plate. The 9th Master, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, was beheaded in public to save the lives of over 80 000 hindus who were going to be killed by the emperor Auranzeb for not converting to Islam. The 10th Master, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, fought 4 major battles (among others) and in the end He was also killed by impostors. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji's 4 sons also were killed, 2 eldest in battle and smallest 2 were bricked alive for not converting to the religion of the emperor but even at that very young age of 5 and 7, they stood for their right and freedom of faith. Then countless others... And also the important pillar of Sikhism : Seva (Selfless Service for others). And The Khalsa - Khalsa means Pure One. The Khalsa are those who have baptised and "given their head" to the Guru - As Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji said "If you want to play the game of love with me, come to me with your head in your hand". Again it is Sacrifice.

In Japanese history, there are the Samurai - spiritual warriors who worshipped the sword and died by the sword. The concept of honour, being very revered.

Also in recent human memory, images of buddhist monks lighting themselves on fire in silent protest for human rights, not even screaming, not even budging while burning alive. Other images of those beaten and killed for asking in protest, the Freedom of Tibet...

There is also November 11th, of every year - to commemorate the sacrifice and courage of the men who fought in the 1st and 2nd world wars, for the rights and freedoms we now have, here. Though often forgotten from our minds, these sacrifices were not small... but they are men of great honour.

Now more on the personal level, there is the image of the Mother - who is good, obedient, quiet, subservient to her husband and family, sacrificing to care for herself while she cares for her children and husband and elders and community. We tend to say this doesn't happen these days... that women are Free, but millenia of submission of women does not end in only 50 years, and in many cultures and religions is still revered and looked highly upon because it is called "virtuous". In the hindu religion, the concept (and now thank God, Banned practice) of "Sati" (Sati means pure - but the practise is of burning a widow alive on her husband's funeral pyre), and in many places in the world who still practise the horrible thing of "honour killing" whether illegal or not. The sacrifice of women, and the sacrifices women make, in the name of religion, culture, "virtue"... are countless...

~~~~~

What is it that makes Sacrifice Honourable? Worthwhile? Revered and Respected? That it is selfless, that it is rare to care for more than one's own navel... That it means we have character and discipline and courage and strength to stand for something bigger than us... Sacrifice is not for the coward or the weak... it is for those of Character. And Character demands commitment of discipline and control over one's mind and weaker impulses.

Yogi Bhajan said there are 7 steps to Happiness... And when we really think about it, it really makes sense...

1 - Commitment gives you Character
2 - Character gives you Dignity
3 - Dignity gives you Divinity
4 - Divinity gives you Grace
5 - Grace gives you the Power to Sacrifice
6 - Power to Sacrifice gives you Happiness
7 - Happiness

~~~~~

Sacrifice is not to be judged in terms of right or wrong - those values and ideals can vary greatly from group to group. But the concept and respect for Sacrifice is Universal, whether it be used in good ways with good intentions or not. It is so deeply ingrained in our human psyche... It takes purpose to sacrifice, and sacrifice also gives purpose. It feeds something we all want inside - to feel we live for a purpose and can die for that same purpose. It makes pain worthwhile, and gives discipline and character a direction... It unites people. It speaks louder than words. It gives peace. It is Honour. It is Fearless. It is Passion. It is Power.

Ahhh.......
Waheguruu

Përsonal Reflections Free-flow

2010-04-02T08:39:00.004-05:00

I recently went to a public conversation with a dear sister of mine. It was about Identity and Transformation or Metamorphosis. It was about Layers and what is beyond them, deep inside. It was about the Masks we wear. And the Truth of Unity that we don't quite see because of all these "smokey mirrors". What is the mirror, and what is the smoke? And where do we go from there...

It made me reflect on a few personal things, I don't mind sharing here if it might help anyone else on their own quest.

In the quest to find myself, have I drifted further away from myself? In this search, did I create my identity rather than find it? Did I prematurely give up and take on another identity as my own, instead of truly finding who I am. Was my rampant search, a way to run away from myself, an act of self-denial, or was it a true search within...

It is not yet over as you can gather. But did I not look outside a lot more than within?

~~~~~~~~~~~

We were All put on this Earth all the same when we were born. All newborn babies who didn't have a name yet, nor clothing style, nor culture or language, nor religion. We were simple babies, we laughed or we cried, we were awake or we slept, and we were curious about everyone and everything, we were innocent and playful.

What happened?

What changed that made us all so different and divided our Unity. What soiled our innocence, and made us so solemn, judgemental, streamlined, cut-0ut, and serious. What purity is there now that we are grown up and defined.

Definitions make finite out of the infinite. And then we became aware of our mortality. Then fears set in, and purpose increased thus seriousness and rigidity of movement - forward onward to the goal. And in all this movement, have we not stayed in our ever-still center...

~~~~~~~~~~~

Since I was a newborn, I got clothed with fabric and culture and a name and identity. Then when I got older, I chose to change - my name and identity, my religious fabric, my way of life and language and mentality. I clothed myself of these, and yet the Naked One within remains the same. Where do I find her and who is she...

I am unravelling a covered mystery.

~~~~~~~~~~~

No Name. No Gender. No Nationality. No Religion. No Culture. No Language. No Costume. No Ritual. No Tradition. No Mentality. No Identity. No Definition. No Separation. No Layers of Confusion. No Questions. No Answers. No Something. Nor Nothing.

The Ones that I have are borrowed, and not Mine. They were given to me, for now here on Earth. Clothes to wear. Yet "I" remain Naked.

Maya quote

2010-04-02T08:36:00.003-05:00

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"That is called maya-
when you prefer your own ego over Truth."
© The Teachings of Yogi Bhajan, July 15, 1981
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Way of Love

2010-03-25T09:50:00.003-05:00

My mind is filled with bliss, reading the Hukamnama of the Lord of the UniVerse. Each time so beautiful, each time so piercing deep and transformative, each time so pure it cleanses, each time the red dye seeps into me, body and mind bathing in the colour of LOVE... Wahh.....

It was spoken on Ang 527 by the tongue of Sri Guru Ram Das Ji:

Dayv-Gandhaaree:
O my mind, chant the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, Har.
The Gurmukh is imbued with the deep red color of the poppy. His shawl is saturated with the Lord's Love. ||1||Pause||
I wander around here and there, like a madman, bewildered, seeking out my Darling Lord.
I shall be the slave of the slave of whoever unites me with my Darling Beloved. ||1||
So align yourself with the Almighty True Guru; drink in and savor the Ambrosial Nectar of the Lord.
By Guru's Grace, servant Nanak has obtained the wealth of the Lord within. ||2||3||

When everything else crumbles

2010-03-05T10:29:00.003-06:00

When the world shakes and crumbles, and our visions blur and dreams fade... when our hopes lay slain upon the battlefield of endless enemies who have invaded... When the blood of family is not thick enough to keep, when the word of friend is volatile as the breeze... when all speak something but none can be trusted... when experience is bitter, and laughter but a sweet memory... of some faroff place, a mirage... a dream...

I am disillusionned.

This place we call home, can be destroyed in an instant. I can not hold on to earth nor sky nor ocean. Nor may my trembling hands cling to wood, brick or stone... any place I had taken on as my own. Nor to this wretched body, St-Francis called "Brother Ass", and covered with ash on his last day, laughing like a child. Oh Sweetness...

For one after the other, I am disillusionned and whisper a solemness of "Not Mine".

No Earth, no Sky
No Place nor home
No Object or exterior
No Person nor relation
No Body
No Mind!

And soul? Who gave it to me... who's me. Is it me? Container of etheric material. Sheathe or light? Measurable? Infinite. Deathless. Akaal. But even then - Not Mine...

I've resigned my selfishness and greed. My attachment so clinging to me. My lust, my anger, my desire to be something, someone, to be loved. My dreams and illusions, my hopes and wishes. External fire - white hot and burning. I've resigned it. I've given up the battle. I'm done.

May the light of Your Soul shine through - I'm clear as crystal, transparent, ephemeral...
May Your Word be spoken through these rough pink lips - I'm beyond tongue
May Your Will be done - body and mind vessels for You
My Beloved...

Take me in Your arms, whisper Your sweet shabad lullaby... and let me die there in your warmth... deliver me... my Love

The Bliss of "Sabh Gobind Hai"

2009-12-13T20:07:00.004-06:00

Waheguru~~~*!

This shabad is pure bliss... Waheguru!!!! Waheguru!!! Wahhhhh!Guru!!!!!! Sabh Gobind Hai!!! Everything is God, Everything is God. Everything is God. Everything is God! Repeat it, over and over and over. Wahhhhh Jap! Repeat and believe, and see - All around is God, all within is God. Each breath, each person, each soul - the light in the eyes of every friend and stranger. Each whisper of the wind. His Shabad written on each leaf, vibrating on each string on each hair of the human instrument. Wahhhhh Sahb Gobind Hai! Sabh Gobind Hai! Without God, there is nothing at all... Without God, there is nothing at all... Eyes - Awake! Heart - Awake! Soul - Awake! See, He is All. Waheguru...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ik Oa(ng)kaar sathigur prasaadh ||
Aasaa baanee sree naamadhaeo jee kee
Eaek anaek biaapak poorak jath dhaekho thath soee ||
Maaeiaa chithr bachithr bimohith biralaa boojhai koee ||1||
Sabh gobi(n)dh hai sabh gobi(n)dh hai gobi(n)dh bin nehee koee ||
Sooth eaek man sath seha(n)s jaisae outh poth prabh soee ||1|| rehaao ||
Jal thara(n)g ar faen budhabudhaa jal thae bhi(n)n n hoee ||
Eihu parapa(n)ch paarabreham kee leelaa bicharath aan n hoee ||2||
Mithhiaa bharam ar supan manorathh sath padhaarathh jaaniaa ||
Sukirath manasaa gur oupadhaesee jaagath hee man maaniaa ||3||
Kehath naamadhaeo har kee rachanaa dhaekhahu ridhai beechaaree ||
Ghatt ghatt a(n)thar sarab nira(n)thar kaeval eaek muraaree ||4||1||

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:
Aasaa, The Word Of The Reverend Naam Dayv Jee:
In the one and in the many, He is pervading and permeating;
wherever I look, there He is.
The marvellous image of Maya is so fascinating;
how few understand this. ||1||
God is everything, God is everything.
Without God, there is nothing at all.
As one thread holds hundreds and thousands of beads,
He is woven into His creation. ||1||Pause||
The waves of the water, the foam and bubbles,
are not distinct from the water.
This manifested world is the playful game of the Supreme Lord God;
reflecting upon it, we find that it is not different from Him. ||2||
False doubts and dream objects - man believes them to be true.
The Guru has instructed me to try to do good deeds,
and my awakened mind has accepted this. ||3||
Says Naam Dayv, see the Creation of the Lord,
and reflect upon it in your heart.
In each and every heart, and deep within the very nucleus of all,
is the One Lord. ||4||1||

Shabad by Bhagat Naamdev Ji, in Raag Asa
Ang 485 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To listen to a version of it on mrsikhnet.com
click on the first audio file, by Hari Bhajan Kaur
http://www.mrsikhnet.com/index.php/2008/08/04/latest-audio-picks/

Union and Alignment

2009-12-13T17:03:00.003-06:00

Just wish to share a thought that came to me today, while moving furniture around in my home... I happened to notice that I was standing between two mirrors that were facing each other.

The mirrors were not exactly parallel
So there I was - an image of me
repeated unto Infinity

It made me think about the cause of Duality
The way Maya* comes into Being.
The Illusion of Many from One.

And how - if only I could align the Me with the other me
Perfectly Parallel - mirror to Mirror, soul to Soul
They would Unite, and become One.

~~~Isn't that the point of all Yoga, Spirituality and Religion?
To Align Oneself completely, with ones True Identity
To break the bonds of Duality... to Merge in the Middle
So, that the One may experience the Infinite
And the Infinite may experience the One~~~

Ahhh...
---------------------------
*Maya: The illusion of separateness between two (or more) entities/objects, that occurs during the Manifestation or Materialization of the "gross" from the "subtle".

Who is Blessed? - a Free flow

2009-12-13T01:03:00.001-06:00

My inner mind burns with questions - curiosity never satisfied - the walls of my consciousness even if transparent veils - too thick to handle. I grapple with the air. My Paven Guru. Teach me - no. Bless me.

Like an animal pacing in its cage, I roar out question after question. Paws with sharp nails clawing at the solidity of my foundation - particles of earth rise up like stardust. Hair raised - a tangled mane of insanity. Eyes lucid and lingering upon the cracks of "Here" and "There" - Piercing. Smokey mirrors, give rise to Grave illusions dancing.

I cry out, voice cracked, echoing upon the walls of my compound - WHO IS BLESSED? - looking up toward the sky and laugh devilish - midnight mingling with madness. - WHO IS BLESSED? ---- My roar turning into a soft whine, bewilderment and urgency. - Who is blessed?!

Images of Prophets, and Saints stream through my mind. Then visions of thieves and killers and rapists and sinners. Those in white, and those in black. "What the..." I pause - frozen in the crispness of my mind's illusions.

I hear voices of people praying in various languages, voices mingling together in the thick moist air, tears like pin-drops raining on cement floors, begging, clammy hands clasped tight together, "bless me dear God, bless me..."

I rumble in the cage of my self-identity, snarling "Who is this God, that seems to play favourites?!! Who gives joy to some, pain to others... Virtues to some, sinfulness to others... Honour to some, and shame to others... Some life and others death... To some faith, and others non-belief... To some you clothe in Black, and others you clothe in White... To some you give pleasures of the World and other you give pain and suffering and complete despair... You answer some prayers, and others You ignore. Some you heal, and some you make sick. Some you cause them to die in loneliness. And yet others, you send them on a Search for You - the all pervading. (As You laugh like a child playing hide-and-seek - knowing You are everywhere, and yet they cannot see You). To some You make them wander forever in vain... and to others You bless them with mercy, and your divine touch - they become saints and mystics...

...How do you decide who you will Bless?" My animal mind rocking to and fro, the chains of my narrow understanding clanging against the cold floor. But my voice becoming soft, whisper-like, a glint of awe in the eyes... fingers playing nervously with the fabric of my torn body-cloth...

"Some say it is based on Karma, on our Actions and Intentions, on how good or Bad we are - something we earn or lose. Some say it's based on sincere prayer, true devotion and dedication, service after years and years (or lifetimes). Some say, it only takes in instant of self-annihilation, the death of the Ego. Some say it is purely Love.

But does it even make any sense? One Omnipotent Being - My Lord and Master - causes some to do good and others bad, some with good intentions others not, some you give prayer and virtues, some you cause the death of their ego, and to some you fill their hearts with Love. There is nothing we can earn by our own doing - As You my Lord, are the cause of causes."

"Thus my question remains - Or is it just a strike of luck? Some random roll of the dice? A bit of amusement for the Tenant of the Sky, to look upon the Earth and smile... as we mere humans dig our toes into the soil, and laugh or cry?

Or...

Perhaps the Blessing is all the same... that You blow the breath of life within us, and when You wish you take it back. Even if for just a brief moment - that we may live and experience the wonderment of Your infinite polarities. None greater or lesser than the other, as all are within You.

So, who is blessed...? We all are, by Your Divine Touch, you make us what You will. And live, through us, your Being..."

Ahhhh............. the beast of questions within me subsiding... purring softly in Wahhhh of God's intricate unknowable Beauty...

Waheguru...

Rain of Nectar

2009-11-25T11:53:00.003-06:00

Dearest Beloveds, dearest souls - beings of light. Dearest boundless and beautiful.... my heart wishes to envelope You... in a warm embrace of pure conscious connection - acknowledgement of your existence and of mine, mirroring one another, intuitive understanding that we are One. I love you All, as deeply as I love the One who lives in All~~~*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

God bless
I must share this... wahhhh
The Cage of my Heart opens forth!

One sweet afternoon in the midst of August, a young woman returns Home. She's dressed in white from head to toe, turban wrapped around unshorn hair, heavy kirpan hanging at the left hip, thick iron around thin wrists....

She's walking home, and it is pouring rain outside. Heavy wet drops of water are pouring down from heaven's gate... and it strikes her. The Saring, the Chatrik, the thirsty rainbird who has much cried for a single drop of rain, obtains it... and it strikes at her body fiercely heavy hard drops of God's Love Tears...

She feels suddenly light! And it strikes her! My Beloved is Everywhere! She lifts her face towards the sky, eyes closed as it pours on her, washing away all her minds illusions... she laughs and tastes the sweet drops of God's blessing... wonder and amazement seeping into her wet skin, her body begins to dance!

She laughs, and submits to this urge to be One with nature, and its Creator. A hand quickly grasps her immaculate white turban and places it in her bag. Long golden curls fly in the wind and rain as she spins upon herself, twirling, laughing and dancing... the flow of here-and-now upon her, Hai Bhee Sach. God is Everywhere, Here and Now. God is....

Her clothes are drenched... her hair is wet and matted to her face and back, strands clinging down the whole length of her arms... she falls at her knees on the muddy grass... white clothes humbled by the kiss of earth and dust and rain. Shavasana, her body lies merging with the elements... palms up by the sides of her body... chest open to the infinite sky! Heart racing, smile of rapture upon her glowing wet face... tears merging with Tears.

"My Beloved~~*!"... she cries out wonder-struck... "You drench me in your nectar! Oh God! You kiss me with your tears of mercy! You bathe me in your Earth and Sky and Water and Rain... You fill me with your Spirit.... You soak me in your Love!!! And free me from my bonds of illusion... You baptize me as Yours, with the rain of your Amrit...!!!"

Lying in the mud, she had never felt so clean. Naked hair sprawled around her. Heart open to receive... God's baptism, the tears of His own mercy.... and hers mingling with the dust of her being... my God!

My God.... Sooooo Beautiful.......

Oh God Beautiful!

2009-11-09T14:30:00.008-06:00

Another song I wish to share... It is entitled "Oh God Beautiful" on a CD called "songs of the Lord's Love" and was recorded live at the Guru Nanak Dwara Ashram in 1978 by the sweet nightengale of the Lord, Singh Kaur. She passed away some years ago, but her music leaves a legacy of grace, beauty and wonder. I absolutely love her music, and this song is my most favourite by her... Ahhh... God bless...

To listen to it, scroll to the bottom of this link and click on "Oh God Beautiful":
http://www.invinciblemusic.com/yoga-music-reiki-music-14.htm
Or open the direct link at:
http://www.invinciblemedia.com/SLL8.ram

Wah....

"Su-asat aath banee barmaa-o.
Sat suhaan sadaa man chaa-o."
I bow to the Lord of the World, to His Word, to Brahma the Creator.
He is Beautiful, True and Eternally Joyful.
-In Pauree 21 of Jap Ji Sahib

By request, I have tried to find the lyrics to post them here. Since I have not found them, I did my best to transcribe them here. Please forgive me and inform me of any errors that may have been made in transcription. I hope this song brings peace and love into your heart... It is indeed soooo beautiful!!!!

Oh God Beautiful - Lyrics
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oh God Beautiful Oh God, So Beautiful
Oh God Beautiful Oh God, So Beautiful!!
At Thy Feet, I do bow~~*

Oh God Beautiful Oh God, So Beautiful
Oh God Beautiful Oh God, So Beautiful!!
Oh God!!! So Beautiful!!

At Thy Feet, I do bow
At Thy Feet, I do bow

In the forest, Thou art green
In the mountains, Thou art High
In the rivers, Thou art restless
In the oceans, Thou art rain

Oh God Beautiful Oh God, So Beautiful
Oh God Beautiful Oh God, So Beautiful!!
Oh God!!! So Beautiful!!
Oh God!! So Beautiful!!!
Oh God!! So Beautiful!!
Oh God!!! So Beautiful!!!!

At Thy feet, I do bow
At Thy feet, I do bow

To the serviceful, Thou art service
To the lover, Thou art Love
To the sorrowful, Thou art sympathy
To the Yogi, Thou art Bliss

Oh God Beautiful Oh God, So Beautiful
Oh God Beautiful Oh God, So Beautiful!!
Oh God!! So Beautiful!!
Oh God!! So Beautiful!!
Oh God!! So Beautiful!!!!!!
Oh God!! So Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At Thy feet, I do bow
At Thy feet, I do bow
At Thy feet, I do bow!!!
I --- I do bow...
I do bow...

Peace to All
Light to All
Peace to All
Light to All
Love to All~~*

Hallelujah!!!

2009-11-08T13:11:00.007-06:00

Though this might not be from Gurbani, Sikh scripture... it contains a holliness too. Ahaha... Please, I wish to share this gem of a song, which has been one of my longtime favourites from the "western world". The music and lyrics are written by Leonard Cohen. There are tons of cover versions of this song, it is just so beautiful. Each time I play it, read it, hear it, sing it... I am filled with a blazing passion and awe... And indeed Hallelujah in the chrisitian world contains the same emotion and exclamation of Wow and Wonder - as Waheguru...

It relates to a story found in the old testament of King David and a woman named Bathsheba. Even though King David was a man of God, and wrote many of the Psalms contained in the bible... he still had his weaknesses as we all do, as the story of Bathsheba shows...

But what amazes me the most about this song - as a Sikh - reading these words are in the last 2 stanzas... it is sooo beautiful... Tears drip down my face, filled with the amazing awe of it... singing "There's a blaze of light in every word! It doesn't matter which you heard!" and "even though all went wrong, I'll stand before the Lord in song, with nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah"!

Ahh... Waheguru!

The Lyrics of Hallelujah:

Now I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this - The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Baby I have been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you.
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

There was a time you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show it to me, do you?
And remember when I moved in you
The holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

You say I took the name in vain
I don't even know the name
But if I did, well really, what's it to you?
There's a blaze of light - In every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though - It all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah....

A few of the many versions of the song on YouTube:

Leonard Cohen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzWeN-bVDUc

Sherl Crow:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWDfH51gvc0

Damien Leith:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA9Gpisd2IY

The Giver of Virtues

2009-11-07T10:03:00.007-06:00

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh, Jio~~*

What is the nature of *Virtue*. I am sure that at the core of everyone - no one wants to be cheap, no one wants to be fake. We all yearn to be true, virtuous, and to have good qualities. No one wants to be a failure, in anything. But in reality, we are unable to give ourselves Virtue - just like - How can the blind, give themselves sight? How can the limp, learn how to walk on their own, without legs? How can one breathe, without lungs?

Some say... Chant and Meditate... then you will become a saint and become virtuous and good. But WHO is the one who allows anyone to Chant and Meditate? Have you so forgotten, that before the 'Jap' in Mool Mantra there is 'Gur Prasaad'?

Gur Prasaad - By Guru's (God's) Grace
Jap - Chant and Meditate

Only the Virtuous are able to exercise Virtue... but where do their virtues come from? Without the gift of consciousness, how can one realise? Without realisation, how can one actualize? Who gives the gift of consciousness, of realisation, and of virtue?

Naanak Nirgun Gun Karay Gunvanti-aa Gun Day.
O Nanak, God blesses the unworthy with virtue, and bestows virtue on the virtuous.
-In 7th Pauree of Jap Ji Sahib

Then what becomes of the hierarchy of good and bad, of virtue and lack of virtue, of saintliness and sin, of guilt even? What becomes of judgement of others and of self... and of so-called spiritual evolution? What state is "more" than the other? What kind of illusion of "more or less" spiritual, is this? Who is high or low, who is sinner and who is saint... and what is the difference if God Himself is the only Giver of Virtue...

Hukmai Andar Sabh Ko Baahar Hukam Na Ko-ay.
Everyone is subject to His Command; no one is beyond His Command.
Naanak Hukmai Jay Bujhai Ta Ha-umai Kahai Na Ko-ay. ||2||
O Nanak, one who understands His Command, does not speak in ego. ||2||
-In 2nd Pauree of Jap Ji Sahib

And what of this EGO - The desire to "be good", to "be saintly" to "be enlightenned" - is it not as fake as any other maya-related desire? This desire to be more than what you already are - is to deny the will of God - is to deny the equality of all qualities - is to cling to the false dualistic idea of hierarchy. Is to deny that All is Divine, by the touch of God's will.

No wait... There's an important distinction to make here:
The desire to be Good, is a good thing.
But the desire to claim that goodness as your own, is Not.
Whatever goodness you have is a blessing, recognize it as such - in this way you win over the ego, and remain humble.

sabh gun tayray mai naahee ko-ay.
All virtues are Yours, Lord, I have none at all.
vin gun keetay bhagat na ho-ay.
Without virtue, there is no devotional worship.
-In 21st Pauree of Jap Ji Sahib

Some say, and rightly so - that we should not desire enlightenment and virtue, instead we should simply desire to worship and praise God. But even this, we cannot do without virtue, without His blessing. Oh Great Giver!!! I cannot even take a breath, without you! How can I think I could worship you, have your name sweet upon my tongue, without your doing? My Lord! My Love...

In what Sea can I drown myself
To drench in Your crimson essence?
To bask in Your glories and praises...
Ah my love! I can not even swim there...
Let me sink in The Ocean of Your Grace.
In Your Command, Your Embrace..
Dye this body and mind cloth, the colour of Your Love
In the Nectar of Your Pervading Presence...

Too'n ghat ghat antar sarab nirantar jee har ayko purakh samaanaa.
You are constant in each and every heart, and in all things.
O Dear Lord, you are the One.
Ik daatay ik bhaykhaaree jee sabh tayray choj vidaanaa.
Some are givers, and some are beggars. This is all Your Wondrous Play.
Too'n aapay daataa aapay bhugtaa jee ha-o tuDh bin avar na jaanaa.
You Yourself are the Giver, and You Yourself are the Enjoyer.
I know no other than You.
Too'n paarbarahm bay-ant bay-ant jee tayray ki-aa gun aakh vakhaanaa.
You are the Supreme Lord God, Limitless and Infinite.
What Virtues of Yours can I speak of and describe?
Jo sayveh jo sayveh tuDh jee jan naanak tin kurbaanaa. ||2||
Unto those who serve You, unto those who serve You,
Dear Lord, servant Nanak is a sacrifice. ||2||
-2nd Stanza of So Purakh, Ang 11 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

What more to say, but Wow. I seek not virtues, nor enlightenment, nor the status of Your Beloved. If you may grant me with Your grace, then by your doing may I praise You... my each fiber infused with Your WOW... Your Wonder... and me, humble before You who has all virtues, the greatest of the great, the undescribable, the great Giver - I humbly Bow. I humbly bow.

Quality vs. Quantity

2009-11-06T22:04:00.001-06:00

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh, Pyaray Sangat Jio~~*

My heart weeps... that I am unable to give myself the virtue of *Quality* and instead I try to make up for it by *Quantity*.

In fact this disease of consciousness plagues us all. If we don't have a few close very good friends, then what do we do - we want more friends in numbers. If we don't buy something that is right away good quality and it breaks, we don't care and just buy a new cheap one. If we don't have one thing of quality, we have two things or more of non-quality. If our work was not very good, we try to compensate by saying we did a lot in quantity. We are cheating our own selves - When we do not possess character, we create personality to try and compensate, or imitate what we are not - we are being fake. It is cheap. And it reeks.

On the spiritual plane, it is seen by the famous *reading a billion paaths a day* mentality. (Note: Reading Gurbani is indeed very healing, very soothing, very beautiful and very recommended... the question is not about reading it or not - it is about the intention and state of mind/heart with which you engage in it). But how many times have I witnessed and heard the dry loud booming voice of a straight backed ego-driven person, reading like a machine or soldier with bullets coming out from each harsh accent. And the many who boast "I have read 30 Jap Ji sahibs a day" or "I do my 1000 day meditation without fail, look at me - how dedicated", or "My gutka Sahib was 1/4 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and I did it everyday for 10 years"... or "108 this or that"... Or even not only that... "I own two wallas worth of books that I know my heart and I know everything and..."...

What is it - Spiritual Gluttony? Or Spiritual Ego? Or do you dare call it *thirst*?... While you read and read and don't understand a word you are saying,... how can you flip the ang (page) and keep going - without understanding what you just read?... Is that not fake? Do you feel good that you read so emptily - is it fulfilling to you? Or you have to fill yourself with more and more and more and more... never once gaining the experience of a second of peace from just ONE WORD.

It was never about the quantity - but always Quality. It was never about feeding your mind and intellect and ego, it was all about the intention, and the heart and truly listening to what you are reading. It was never even about reading, it was about practicing. Know it that the counterfeit are disgarded, and only the true mint are put into His treasury....

Gurbani says:

"kathnai kahan na chhutee-ai naa parh pustak bhaar.
No one is saved by mere talk and speech, nor by reading loads of books.

kaa-i-aa soch na paa-ee-ai bin har bhagat pi-aar.
The body does not obtain purity without loving devotion to the Lord.

naanak naam na veesrai maylay gur kartaar. ||8||9||
O Nanak, never forget the Naam; the Guru shall unite us with the Creator. ||8||9||"
-Ang 59, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"akhar parh parh bhulee-ai bhaykhee bahut abhimaan.
Reading their books over and over again, people continue making mistakes; they areso proud of their religious robes.

tirath naataa ki-aa karay man meh mail gumaan.
But what is the use of bathing at sacred shrines of pilgrimage, when the filth of stubborn pride is within the mind?

gur bin kin samjaa-ee-ai man raajaa sultaan. ||4||
Other than the Guru, who can explain that within the mind is the Lord, the King, the Emperor? ||4||"
-Ang 61, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"har nirmal at oojlaa bin gur paa-i-aa na jaa-ay.
The Lord is Immaculate and Radiantly Bright; without the Guru, He cannot be found.

paath parhai naa boojh-ee bhaykhee bharam bhulaa-ay.
He cannot be understood by reading scriptures; the deceitful pretenders are deluded by doubt.

gurmatee har sadaa paa-i-aa rasnaa har ras samaa-ay. ||3||
Through the Guru's Teachings, the Lord is always found, and the tongue is permeated with the Sublime Essence of the Lord. ||3||"
-Ang 66, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"tarihu gunaa vich sahj na paa-ee-ai tarai gun bharam bhulaa-ay.
In the three qualities, intuitive balance is not obtained; the three qualities lead to delusion and doubt.

parhee-ai gunee-ai ki-aa kathee-ai jaa mundhhu ghuthaa jaa-ay.
What is the point of reading, studying and debating, if one loses his roots?

cha-uthay pad meh sahj hai gurmukh palai paa-ay. ||6||
In the fourth state, there is intuitive balance; the Gurmukhs gather it in. ||6||"
-Ang 68, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"lakh cha-oraaseeh firday rahay bin satgur mukat na ho-ee.
People continue wandering through the cycle of 8.4 million incarnations; without the True Guru, liberation is not obtained.

parh parh pandit monee thakay doojai bhaa-ay pat kho-ee.
Reading and studying, the Pandits and the silent sages have grown weary, but attached to the love of duality, they have lost their honor.

satgur sabad sunaa-i-aa bin sachay avar na ko-ee. ||7||
The True Guru teaches the Word of the Shabad; without the True One, there is no other at all. ||7||"
-Ang 70, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

mehlaa 3.
Third Mehl:

hor koorh parh-naa koorh bolnaa maa-i-aa naal pi-aar.
False is other reading, and false is other speaking, in the love of Maya.

naanak vin naavai ko thir nahee parh parh ho-ay khu-aar. ||2||
O Nanak, without the Name, nothing is permanent; those who read and read are ruined. ||2||
-Ang 84, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"laykhaa parh na pahoochee-ai kath kahnai ant na paa-ay.
By reading books, one cannot reach Him; by speaking and talking, His limits cannot be found.

gur tay keemat paa-ee-ai sach sabad sojhee paa-ay. ||7||
Through the Guru, His value is found; through the True Word of the Shabad,
understanding is obtained. ||7||

ih man dayhee soDh tooN gur sabad veechaar.
So reform this mind and body, by contemplating the Word of the Guru's Shabad.

naanak is dayhee vich naam niDhaan hai paa-ee-ai gur kai hayt apaar. ||8||10||32||
O Nanak, within this body is the treasure of the Naam, the Name of the Lord; it is
found through the Love of the Infinite Guru. ||8||10||32||"
-Ang 427, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"mehlaa 1.
First Mehl:

lakh naykee-aa chang-aa-ee-aa lakh punnaa parvaan.
Hundreds of thousands of virtues and good actions, and hundreds of thousands of
blessed charities, hundreds of thousands of penances at sacred shrines, and the practice of Sehj Yoga in the wilderness,

lakh soortan sangraam ran meh chhuteh paraan.
hundreds of thousands of courageous actions and giving up the breath of life on the field of battle,

lakh surtee lakh gi-aan Dhi-aan parhee-ah paath puraan.
hundreds of thousands of divine understandings, hundreds of thousands of divine
wisdoms and meditations and readings of the Vedas and the Puraanas

jin kartai karnaa kee-aa likhi-aa aavan jaan.
- before the Creator who created the creation, and who ordained coming and going,

naanak matee mithi-aa karam sachaa neesaan. ||2||
O Nanak, all these things are false. True is the Insignia of His Grace. ||2||

pa-orhee.
Pauree:

sachaa saahib ayk tooN jin sacho sach vartaa-i-aa.
You alone are the True Lord. The Truth of Truths is pervading everywhere.

jis tooN deh tis milai sach taa tinHee sach kamaa-i-aa.
He alone receives the Truth, unto whom You give it; then, he practices Truth.

satgur mili-ai sach paa-i-aa jinH kai hirdai sach vasaa-i-aa.
Meeting the True Guru, Truth is found. In His Heart, Truth is abiding.

moorakh sach na jaananHee manmukhee janam gavaa-i-aa.
The fools do not know the Truth. The self-willed manmukhs waste their lives away in vain.

vich dunee-aa kaahay aa-i-aa. ||8||
Why have they even come into the world? ||8||

salok mehlaa 1.
Shalok, First Mehl:

parh parh gadee ladee-ah parh parh bharee-ah saath.
You may read and read loads of books; you may read and study vast multitudes of books.

parh parh bayrhee paa-ee-ai parh parh gadee-ah khaat.
You may read and read boat-loads of books; you may read and read and fill pits with them.

parhee-ah jaytay baras baras parhee-ah jaytay maas.
You may read them year after year; you may read them as many months are there
are.

parhee-ai jaytee aarjaa parhee-ah jaytay saas.
You may read them all your life; you may read them with every breath.

naanak laykhai ik gal hor ha-umai jhakh-naa jhaakh. ||1||
O Nanak, only one thing is of any account: everything else is useless babbling and idle talk in ego. ||1||

mehlaa 1.
First Mehl:

likh likh parhi-aa.
The more one write and reads,

taytaa karhi-aa.
the more one burns.

baho tirath bhavi-aa.
The more one wanders at sacred shrines of pilgrimage,

tayto lavi-aa.
the more one talks uselessly.

baho bhaykh kee-aa dayhee dukh dee-aa.
The more one wears religious robes, the more pain he causes his body.

saho vay jee-aa apnaa kee-aa.
O my soul, you must endure the consequences of your own actions.

ann na khaa-i-aa saad gavaa-i-aa.
One who does not eat the corn, misses out on the taste.

baho dukh paa-i-aa doojaa bhaa-i-aa.
One obtains great pain, in the love of duality.

bastar na pahirai.
One who does not wear any clothes,

ahinis kahrai.
suffers night and day.

mon vigootaa.
Through silence, he is ruined.

ki-o jaagai gur bin sootaa.
How can the sleeping one be awakened without the Guru?

pag upaytaanaa.
One who goes barefoot

apnaa kee-aa kamaanaa.
suffers by his own actions.

al mal khaa-ee sir chhaa-ee paa-ee.
One who eats filth and throws ashes on his head

moorakh anDhai pat gavaa-ee.
- the blind fool loses his honor.

vin naavai kichh thaa-ay na paa-ee.
Without the Name, nothing is of any use.

rahai baybaanee marhee masaanee.
One who lives in the wilderness, in cemetaries and cremation grounds

anDh na jaanai fir pachhutaanee.
- that blind man does not know the Lord; he regrets and repents in the end.

satgur bhaytay so sukh paa-ay.
One who meets the True Guru finds peace.

har kaa naam man vasaa-ay.
He enshrines the Name of the Lord in his mind.

naanak nadar karay so paa-ay.
O Nanak, when the Lord grants His Grace, He is obtained.

aas andaysay tay nihkayval ha-umai sabad jalaa-ay. ||2||
He becomes free of hope and fear, and burns away his ego with the Word of the Shabad. ||2||"
-Ang 467-468, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Need I say more?
Nope. :-)
Waheguru!!!!!!!!!!

Being HUMAN -senseless freeflow

2009-09-26T13:03:00.006-05:00

**Don't try to make sense out of what I wrote. It's just words typed fast without thinking. The mind is on a small vacation to no-humans-land.**

I keep hearing people talking black and white - thinking some are Angels, others are Devils. Whatever happened to just being Human? I've heard of the Tamastic, and I've heard the Sattvic - but what about the kinaesthetic between the two - the Rajastic? I've heard of being a success, and a failure... is there any way of making a realistic compromise? Or rather realize that there is no escape for who we are inside.

We are HUMAN.

There's no two ways about it. Call yourself a saint, and a divine - where are you running to? The Himalayas offer no comfort, nor does the numbing chant of a billion mantras --- Until!! you tune in - screaming "I am what I am!". Be who you ARE. Flesh and blood and twisted mind. Accept it.

We are DIVINE.

Somehow I don't understand it - because I only see the mud. "How can the wall of mud be washed clean?". But this is what they say, those sages. That as much as there is earth of the animal, and mud of the deamon - as much this is ocean and sky and ether to compensate and perhaps to permeate. The idea that we are more than human. Angel souls born innocent. Never tarnished, never dirty, always pure.

We are DEAMON.

Even the thieves and the sinners find some kind of comfort in what they do - it's the weirdest thing. And our minds, we can't blame them - they're untamed and wild looking. The animal unapproachable, full of strong senses and fears and emotions instinctual. Basic and primal. Earth and soil sniffing. Hands gripping. Greedy. ME.

And then you put it all together, it makes a nice big mashed mess of Human. Divine Demon. I like it. Sounds good. Sounds real, sounds genuine, hypocrisy free. Sounds honest and less disjointed. Sounds Human.

What more do you want to be?

How many more times...

2009-09-18T07:49:00.005-05:00

How many more times will you fake your belief. Hide behind your appearance. Pretend you are an angel. Perfect in your bana, rehit, in your discipline and desire. Straight backed, white-chola straight-jacket, smile upon the face. How many times will you enjoy the heavy shifting weight of your turban while you sway your head and talk about things you don't even know. How many times will you play humble, your ego hidden under cloths of flower-talk. How many times will you bow your head in sangat, wondering who's watching and who's there in the dark hall. How many times are you going to parade before everyone, like some kind of enlightened saint, or some kind of thirsty, or some kind of gursikh "to the T".

Who are you? Rather - Who do you think you are??

How many more times are you going to repeat the same old actions, rituals and regulations. Do this, don't do that. How many times you gonna say "waheguru waheguru" like a zombie-drone without it meaning anything to you, expecting to get enlightenment? How many times are you going to repeat your nitnem paath, and feel "ahhh nice" guilt-free, done it for the day. Not a single word ever staying between those deaf ears. How many times you gonna slander the non-believers, the manmukhs and the monay, and the different denominations and faiths. Do you gain any sick pleasure from all that babble?

What are you doing?!

How many more times are you going to eat at yourself - alive? Trying to be something you are not. Trying to make a good impression, you compress yourself into an image and projection - to please others - to free yourself from the shame of worldliness? To puff up your chest, ego ample wide?

So you know the jargon. You know the history. You know all the dance steps. You got the name. The appearance. The projection. The looks. You walk the walk, and talk the talk. Found your way around the ropes - puppet strings. How nice - Impressive. God bless you.

What is all this?!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sikhism, or any other religion - is not something you can "put on" and wear like some costume and voila. It's not something you do 2 hours a day and you're done. It's not something once a week at the place-of-worship. It's not even in the recitation of some language you don't understand. It's not about self-mortification and self-denial, and fake humility. Nor is it about "I'm good, he's bad", or even the notion of the dualistic idea of good and bad. It's not in reading, or learning or crushing yourself and playing it out.

It's about being True and honest. Being Human. And becoming the embodiment of love. Love to everything, love to everyone - regardless. Love to all Words, Love to all styles of dress, and languages, and cultures and religions. Love to all paths. Love to all - because you really connect - because you recognize in the most basic-primal human sense that they are you and you are them. Now - THAT - makes you humble, that makes you human, and that makes you divine. Regardless what you wear, what you say, what you do. Without being honest about who you are, and without true Unconditional Love for All (including yourself), you are just another one swirling around in the ocean of Maya - playing a role on the world stage.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So... How many more times are you going to fake it?
How much longer are you going to do it, aren't you already fed up of the game?

I know I am.

Hukam and Karma - a Freeflow

2009-07-21T10:29:00.004-05:00

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh Ji~~*
This is just an exploration, a thought, a wonder in Vismaad... this play so mysterious and incomprehensibly electrifying... The One who is All, and yet remains One... Wahhhhh!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They say God Is

Ong
nipotent
Ong
niscient
Ong
nibenevolent

They say God
Pervades
Permeates
IS
Everything
Everywhere

Then where is the second?
Doojay Kaun Hai?

~~~

The Dance of Karma
is like a tango, that can only be danced by Two
One is the giver, the other the receiver
and over in circles they gracefully move

How can One dance this tango Al.one?

The Music of Hukam
Girates forth in loving embrace
Pervades - and caresses its lover - Karam
Bringing her to resonate and resound
The Fundamental
In Uni.son

~~~

This One, watching
The Two dancing along the string of Shabad
Swaying thus the Same
One as Song
One as Dance
And this One, in Vismaad
Vibrates....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Sikh Converts" ...and the challenges they face

2009-07-16T09:54:00.002-05:00

***I want to make a few things clear before I begin - Sikhism never proselytizes and never ever imposes conversion. If someone becomes a Sikh, it must be entirely by their own freewill and their desire for Sikhism. Thus "Convert" is not the most appropriate term to use... but I am using it because it is common terminology. Secondly, not all "Converts" are white or "goray". Thus, when I mention "Sikh Converts" I am referring instead to ALL Sikhs who were not Sikhs 'by birth' - which includes Sikhs of all colours and backgrounds, who may have 'bumped into' Sikhism along their path and chose Sikhism.***

In the beginning, I knew very little about Sikhism and had to learn bits and pieces along the way. I faced many challenges, all very common among "Sikh Converts" in general, and also very common among Sikh youth who have not been raised in a Gursikh Punjabi speaking family. I must admit that I have been particularly lucky with regards to help from sangat, but I know of others like me who have not been as fortunate... and have left Sikhism before they had a chance to truly understand the soul of it, because of a lack of community spirit and a lack of resources and help.

I'm bringing up these challenges here, so that the Sikh Community may be more consciously aware of them, and realize that addressing these issues isn't only a Seva (Selfless Service), but a Responsibility that must be taken seriously. It directly affects the Now of the Sikh Panth. And it will continue to affect the future of the Sikh Panth, as Sikhs continue to immigrate to other parts of the world, as people of various backgrounds spike an interest in Sikhi, as the 3ho community grows allowing more people to find Sikhism through Kundalini Yoga, and as the Punjabi Youth who live in the west struggle to define and refine and merge their identities in both worlds. I hope this discussion will be taken seriously, and inspire some thought, leadership and perhaps some tangible solutions...

An overview of the various challenges:

RESOURCES

Lack of Easily Available Resources
It can be very hard (and frustrating) to search for more information regarding Sikhism. Taking a trip to the local bookstore, or even big chain stores like Chapters and Indigo, and most often you will not find even one book on Sikhism. If you are lucky there is one book from the "Teach Yourself" series. Yes, maybe one book among seven huge bookcases full of other religions books that intriguingly include other remote religions smaller in size compared to Sikhism. But let's face it, a 'western' person who just heard the word "Sikhism" in passing and decided to look it up at the local bookstore, will not find the info there. And they will not know that they had to go to Sacha Sauda all the way in Toronto to get books on Sikhism, let alone that the place even existed. And for those who are thinking "well, they just had to search online" is being elitist - not everyone has the internet, and even if they do, many still prefer to read something tangible and concrete on paper written by an actual scholar 'author'. Let's just say that with regards to books and other information (not just online forums), one's got to be *really* interested, and *really* determined.

I understand that books that include Gurbani and Gurmukhi, are not to be put in the hands of 'anyone', and not to be put on random messy dusty shelves and handled by people who don't cover their head and wash their hands. It's a tricky situation... but the solution is simple - there should at least be some quality books on Sikhism that don't have Gurmukhi in them, which could be distributed.

Gurdwaras should also give out these resources (freely or for a small fee). I know that a lot of them do give out some form of small Introduction to Sikhism booklet to visitors already, but not all. It would be great if they'd give them out to the general public during Nagar Kirtans too...instead of having people stare and watch and wonder who all these turbaned people are - it would be the ideal time to give out information and resources and spark up some awareness about Sikhs and the Sikh Faith - not just parade around spiking more questions than answers in curious onlookers.

Lack of Quality Resources
Ok, so resources are hard to find. And when you finally find them, they aren't necessarily of good quality. It seems like 'everyone' is writing books and translations these days. Truly, I understand the desire to do seva (selfless service) - and it's well appreciated - but at the same time it's getting confusing having a billion versions and not knowing which one to 'trust' - so if you want this Seva to be done, why not pool resources and get a true Gursikh Scolar or even a Team of them to do this high quality detailed work instead?

I won't name anyone, but some books I've read have been 'almost' a waste of time - and even misinforming and misguiding about Sikhism. Thank God I've been blessed with educated sangat, or I would be very confused and perhaps not on the path anymore because of too many questions and doubts and conflicting information (Hint- I know people how have left because they got too confused).

And Other Materials of Importance
Not only are books and those kind of resources hard to find... but so are the Big Ks (Kanga - comb, Kachera - undershorts, Kirpan - ceremonial sword, Kara - metal bangle)... and Turban Material or any other kind of desired Bana - Sikh uniform items.

I am proud to say, that the first thing I ever sewed in my whole life was a Gatra (the sling type cloth item that holds the kirpan). I learned all on my own, because I only had one gatra that was given to me at my Amrit Sanchar, and I had to wash it once in a while and realised I needed a second one to alternate - but I didn't have an Uncle or Auntie to ask where the Sikh store was, or how to make it - so I fighured it out by carefully examining the one I had... (I still haven't fighured out the kachera though, I get all confused with it - and have been asking left and right for any Auntie to give me a pattern... but alas they don't wear kacheras?) and my first turban was actually a sarong (shh!). Sikh Converts can get pretty crafty and creative when the need arises... But coming up with your own solutions doesn't always work - I had 2 tiny kangas given to me, and despite all the care and carefulness a few teeth still broke and I needed a new one... sadly I am not very good at the art of carving wood...

I know that sangat can be very helpful this way, and the help is very appreciated (thank you to those brothers and sisters who've helped me soooo much in my very beginning... I've never forgotten you). But Sikh converts might not always be very verbal or shyless to ask for what they need... or feel comfortable accepting these seva-gifts... Would be nice if these items could be easily found at Gurdwaras or something... (not everyone lives in Toronto or New Mexico, if that's what you're thinking! Hahaha).

EDUCATION

Lack of Sikhi Specific Education
As a newcomer "Sikh", I have always been thirsty, soooo thirsty to learn as much as I can about Sikhism and the Sikh way of life. I would love to learn Kirtan, Santhiyaa, Gurmukhi and Punjabi, Gatka... and so on. But where I live, classes and teachers are just not available, and classes arn't given at the local Gurdwara(s). It's too bad... :-( Not just for me and other newcomers, but also for the Punjabi Sikh Youth who are loosing their connection with their own roots.

It might be worth hiring some teachers, no? [I say hire because I know some would do it volunteerily but then their personal affaires get all strained and they need to live too - so instead of becoming drivers or real estate agents or factory workers - they could use their precious knowledge and skills to help the community... but alas they can't cause they have bills to pay like everyone else... and then the community suffers without teachers there to teach... get what I'm saying? A community that does not cherish and take care of their education and the teachers that provide it, is a doomed community indeed... ]

LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

The Language Barrier
This is the obvious one. Now-a-days many gurdwara's are using projectors with English translations - that helps a lot (especially when the next slide comes on time and not too fast) - thank you, it's really appreciated. Sadly, it's not like that everywhere. My first visit to a gurdwara was very hard linguistically because no one there spoke a word of English, and no one was there to guide me or explain anything to me about what was going on and what I had to do or could and couldn't do, and so on. (Actually I got scolded in Punjabi by some man because I was wearing "Jaraban - what?")

One of the first things Sikhs would tell me, was "Learn Punjabi". It's not as easy as it sounds. Especially without a teacher, and without comprehensive learning materials (Oh, and don't forget to tell them they have to go all the way to Toronto if they want those materials). It's also hard to swallow that you have to learn a whole new language (on your own!) just to enjoy and dive deeper into understanding your new found faith. But of course, I wouldn't mind it - if materials were more available, and teachers (perhaps available at Gurdwaras for group lessons) could teach me, guide me and correct my many errors.

Let's also not forget that Sikhs are now all over the globe, and converts are from all nationalities and languages. It would be nice, if Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and Gurbani (in Pothis - smaller volumes) could be translated/described in as many other languages as possible - for the sake of studying and understanding Sikh concepts. This would also be an aide in learning Gurmukhi. Even Punjabi Sikhs need a translation into Punjabi as they don't all know Gurmukhi - so why not in other languages too?

Sikhism is a Universal Concept that should have it's place all over the map - not to create converts but to create understanding and break the chains of injustice and unfair treatement of Sikhs. That's not the perpetrators fault (entirely) - we also as Sikhs have the responsibility to educate others (as Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji did when he travelled for years and year all over the place and spoke in the native languages of the people who lived there).

[Oh! And a funny little note: I have seen this often, ahahaha, but when you write something in English, don't assume people know Sikh terminology already!! For example "Sikhism is a religion from Northern India, which follows a lineage of 10 Gurus, that preachs seva, sangat, and naam simran. Sikhs wear 5k's, and wake up in the amritvela, and read nitnem and go to Gurdwara, and believe in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji." Do I have to explain???! *pause* Ok, I will -- I didn't know these words 5 years ago : guru, seva, sangat, simran, naam, 5k, amritvela, nitnem, gurdwara, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. So explaining what Sikhism is, using these words just doesn't make sense to a newcomer. ]

Cultural Barrier and Cultural Assimilation
There are two things that are of importance here:

1) I am unable to count the amount of times people have gotten confused on this one. Generally, people mix up Hindus with Sikhs, and Sikhs with Muslims - it's well-known. That is a tragedy in and of itself, but the tragedy really begins when new Sikh converts, who are thirsty to abide by all rules start getting into cultural things and mixing up the Sikh way of life, with Punjabi culture (especially modern Punjabi as opposed to authentic traditional Punjabi culture).

There seems to be a lack of a clear distinction sometimes. Take note that I am not in any shape or form "putting down" Punjabi culture, but rather I am pointing out that it is crucial for the understanding of Sikhism that a distinction be made between the two. For example: I have met some Sikh converts who have become crazy for Salvar Kameez, and Mendhi, and Bindis, and Bangles of all colours and all the Jewelery and Bhangra music and so on. Frankly, I have no idea how this has to do with religion, but it happens. Perhaps a bit of education on this would be worth the try.

2) When a person first enters into Sikhism, or even firstly encounters it - it can be very hard to delve into the topic of Sikh Concepts and understanding, without getting overwhelmed by the cultural differences of East and West, and all the minor but expected cultural things you are supposed to understand especially on your way to a Gurdwara. Simple but small things like covering one's head as a sign of respect as opposed to uncovering one's head in the west, taking off one's shoes, sitting on the floor as opposed to in chairs, being vegetarian and then all the Indian food that comes along with it in Gurdwaras (you begin to think that Sikhism is based on Indian food - haha - just kidding), the whole man-woman division in the middle of the Darbar Hall, the coming and going of people as they please without fixed times in the Darbar is also something a westerner first doesn't understand. It's good to be aware of these small but important cultural differences and perhaps address them as they are when they come up (with simplicity and universal understanding), could make the 'new person' more at ease and less overwhelmed, confused or uncomfortable.

PREJUDICE, STEREOTYPING AND LACK OF AWARENESS

Prejudice and Lack of Awareness
This actually has to do with 2 major things:
lack of education in the greater communities Sikhs live in, which leads to prejudice and stereotyping
family and societal pressures to conform to the norms of the dominating culture
We as Sikhs just have to educate others and this problem will fade away. Wear and smile, and become true Khalsas - with the spirit of seva for everyone regardless of religion or background - and the community will begin to earn it's true reputation as in the times of Guru Ji. Don't become afraid or hide away from others - show yourself and your kindness, don't be afraid of share about Sikhism, and become a flag of good-will for All. Don't fight among yourselves, and don't fight with others - instead befriend them and they will come to understand you. Right? And if the surrounding culture can learn to appreciate Sikhs, then so will the families of those who are punjabi but not practicing sikhs, and the families of 'sikh converts', then the pressure will be off and it will be easier for everyone... So, let's show the world what being Sikh really means!

Stereotyping of Sikh Converts within the Sikh Community
We like to think that we are all angels, but we almost all do it, don't we... Punjabis are well-known for being great story-makers and for assuming things about people and then blowing their ideas out of proportion in what I call "langar gossip". Oh wait, did I just stereotype?

When this happens to a newcomer, for example: a white "Gori" girl coming to Gurdwara - what's the first few things passing through the Punjabi-mind? "She's 3ho, she must be into yoga..." and "I wonder if she got corrupted by a Punjabi guy to come here" and "Oh, she's a westerner, probably all unholy - what is she doing here". Stereotyping can happen unconsciously, and sometimes they are true sometimes completely false, and it is not up to YOU to judge or think up what the case is. Ok?! It does happen that Western people get interested in Sikhism without a yoga-background, and without an intercultural relationship happenning, and they happen to be very genuine and pure people like you are. So, please just be fair and open-minded... if you ask them questions don't jump to your own conclusions about who they are and what they do... or they'll get frustrated and won't come back!

Here's a personal anecdote about stereotyping with a funnily good outcome: I started getting into Kundalini Yoga because most people at Gurdwara already assumed I was a Yogi and that I was familiar with 3ho and Yogi Bhajan - openly asking me questions about it even though I had no clue what they were asking about. I began to get curious, and so I got into Yoga (which I now enjoy very much, so thanks to all those who've unknowingly gotten me into it)! See the stereotype self-fulfilling prophecy?! Wonderful...moving on...

COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND UNITY

Too Many Divisions in Sikhism
It gets confusing. At first I had no clue about the various 'denominations' in Sikhism - just thought it was all One religion as Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji meant when he said "Na ko hindu, na ko musulman", we are all but children of the same God. So I thought Sikhism would be very much a religion of unity and understanding, tolerance and acceptance. But when I heard that 'such and such a group thinks X' and 'such and such a group thinks Y' and that they're fighting among themselves about it... I seriously got all confused about Sikhism and what path I had to follow as a Sikh. I just wanted to be a plain and simple 'Sikh' - no denomination strings attached - but it's not easy staying simple, when even gurdwaras start being about denominations, and Sikhs discriminating other Sikhs...

And, please don't try to corrupt the newcomer into your own way-of-thinking or denomination. Give them resources, try to answer their questions with a neutral mind, and let them decide for themselves what they believe and what path they want to follow within Sikhism if any at all... most of the time they came into Sikhism for the love of it, not to be involved in the politics... they dream of a United Sikh Community where we uplift and nurture eachother together as One Sikh Panth... but get disillusioned when they hear all the unneccessary junk going on...

Lack of Community
That being said, many Sikh Converts have often mentionned to me that they feel a lack of community, they feel isolated and alone - missing community spirit and support. And that given all the challenges they have to face already as a New Sikh, it just makes it a lot harder to stay strong and committed to one's Sikh way of life. They often can't turn to their family or their former friends for help and understanding, because these people often are the ones pushing the Newcomer to leave Sikhism, and come back to "normal". Community is sooo crucial, not just for New Sikhs but for Sikh Youth too who may not be getting much support from their family and their friends who arn't Gursikh... So please keep this in mind - inside and outside of Gurdwara stay connected, and watch over eachother... support one another... feel the brother and sisterhood and truly with your heart... and cherish this rare jewel called Sangat, and welcome people in it as your own breath and blood... and let it grow and flourish. Share the love!

I know this article has been long, and perhaps unpleasant at times - but all things that needed to be said. I hope that whatever I have said does not get misunderstood or wrongly taken - as it comes from a space of true desire to help the community old and new, and for love of Sikhism... We have such a beautiful religion, and so much to offer... I hope that those who come to our door may recognize that and with their thirsty cupped hands be filled and fulfilled...

God bless.

Dearest Love~~

2009-04-15T22:10:00.002-05:00

Please forgive the nakedness of this poem. It is between me and my husband-Lord. Shh

To my Lover Lord, My Beautiful~~*
In Whom, all joys are obtained...

Let me dance with the blessed beat,
To Your rhythm, rhyme and melody~~*
Making Love to Thee.

Kissing and Crying, Melting and Moving
Let me sway in the Sound Current of Your Shabad.
Making Love to Thee.

Drinking in that Sweet Liquid Love like Rain
Let me forget this worldly suffering and pain
While Making Love to Thee.

Kissing and caressing Your Holy Lotus Feet.

God, Really make me your Chaur~~!

2009-04-07T10:49:00.003-05:00

*chaur means fan to wave over one's respected master

Oh God~~ allow me to sit by your Palki
Behind you, with the Servant Chaur
Let me wave its white wise hair -
like a half-moon glistening over You~~
I am a Servant, a servant of the Servant
A servant to the Lord~~*

Oh God~~ I am nearly insane now!~~
Shh!! Don't tell anyone... I beg you
This is our sacred little secret -
keep it between You and me!!
Shh! Oh God!!!!!!! I'm trembling!

There's no one in the Hall now
I'm completely alone with You
Lock the doors, Quick!
That we may share our little secret...

Sitting behind You, oh Waheguru
I've laid the Chaur to rest beside you
He sleeps in peace in Your Lap
And I, so near, nakedly unravel...
Yes - slowly slowly Unwinding my turban
In Your Love, In Your Love!!!
I've gone insane~~~

My naked head, before you~~~
Oh Antarjaami Ji! Only You know my heart
I slowly slowly unknot my jhoura
That It may tie the knot with You...
Waheguru!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shh! Don't tell anyone...
I've kept my hair uncut, solely for this purpose
That it may be long long, to wave over you~~~

I bow my head~~ Ah my Love~~
I bow my head to You~~~ and in One hand,
I catch my long long hair, and whisk it over You!
The joy of my chest cannot be expressed!!
I'm shaking, trembling, shivering in Your Love!
Waving my Hair, my Kesh, before You~~

Ah, for sooo long I've had a secret jelousy
To be that long white chaur!
And now, in Your utmost mercy, I've become~
Your Real Chaur, Ahhh... Your Chaur...
My head waving side to side
Bowing to you over and over~~
and my hair, vibrating your Name Love
Ahhh~~~ Shh! Keep this joy inside oh mind!
Don't tell a soul...

In Awe of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

2009-04-06T22:57:00.002-05:00

I am struck with amazement-vismaad!!! Waaho~~~!
kissing the feet of my Guru, I bow~~*

"Aad Guray Nameh
Jugaad Guray Nameh
Sat Guray Nameh
Siri Guru Devay Nameh"
- from Sri Sukhmani Sahib

Waho! Sat Naam, Namo, Namastang...!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Below is a freeflow awe-love "poem" to my Guru:~~~*

When You sat in the Unchanging position
Like an Unborn, Unmanifest, still and silent
Beyond form, beyond time and space
You were, and are True - Aad Sach
Who can know this state of You?!
Indescribable, beyond words.
Yes you forever were, and are, beyond Word.

And when the Void became Creator
S/He blew the breath of life-Praan into the Akaashic Creation
The Unstruck sound current began to oscillate
And from the Lord's Mouth, the Maha Gyan Gupha
Came the Music, the Naad, the Word, the Name...
This way, oh Love - You were Born into form!
And You became, and are True - Jugaad Sach

Oh Love, who vibrates in each any every hair and cell
Who resonates throughout the Whole UniVerse
Who Unstruck still Waves His fan of love on All
Oh Primal Sound! Within and Surrounding All~~*
Who always was, Is, Am - Hai Bhee Sach

Oh! Pervading sound, beyond duality
Emanation of Truth Eternal
Undying, current without End
Unstoppable - Indestructible
You in space, air, solid alike, permeating
You pass through everything
Flowing your Amrit Naam everywhere
Oh Wah! My Beloved Nanak said True
You Are - Nanak Hosee Bhee Sach.

~~

Tears well up in my eyes, contemplating
The Mercy~~~~~~~* of My Mehervaan Ji

Oh Waheguru! How merciful You Are!
That you - from the Unstruck, struck yourself
That with sharp heart-ears, I may hear You...

Ahhh~~~ how much Merciful! You Are!
That even if my ears still can not hear your Naad
- You give me another chance, and yet another...!

And form your Word in the Mouths of your Saints!
Yes, You speak through them!!!
That perhaps then, I may hear You!
You give Words of the Wordless,
Kissing the lips of Your Saints.

And in your Endless Mercy -
You spread your Saints everywhere
In every country, every time in history
Every religion, and culture and place
You spread your Saints to Speak of You
that I, your ignorant slave, may hear it!
Your Naad, Your Word, Your Name

Ah, Mehervaan, Your mercy has no end
That if even then, if I have no heart or ears
to understand, to tune in or hear the Truth...
You come and embody Yourself in flesh and blood
In the forms of My Divine Beloved, My Guru

Who in 10 lifetimes, spoke and recorded You
On Paper-Body and Amrit Ink-Soul ~
They gave you a worldly form - A Granth Chola
And decorated You with Gur-Akhree
Wah! Then the Wordless -- Became Gurbani~~*

How merciful! Now millions read and speak your Word
From thousands of copies, You've spreaded of Yourself!
WAHH~~really You Became:
"ik doo jeebhou lakh hohi lakh hoveh lakh vees!!!"
Your Name and praise, oh Creator! now spring forth
from Millions of mouths! and Echos upon your Creation!

And Your Form, Your Vision, Your Decoration -Endless
That our eyes may be blessed with your Darshan
Our mouth be electrified with the kiss of your Current
And our Ears be blessed by the Music of Your Love...

Wah!!!!!!!!!!

Now that You are here, my Love...
Wearing the Chola of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
I Find your feet! And Bow to Thee~~
Within Whom all the bhagats and saints
sit together as a Sangat, at your Door
Ahh~~ your door, the buttons of your chola, Waheguru
At that door, they sit and sing their songs of Love
Like Soul-brides to their Husband-Lord, they sing!
And I bow to them again and again... I Bow~~~*
To the Word, To the Naad, To the Name, To the Truth
I bow, I bow, i bow, i Bow, i bow, i bow i bow~~~~~*
And beg, that I may sit among that saintly sangat
and sing at your door, perhaps to take a peek within
Within the buttons of your Chola, to You, the Unformed

Waheguru Waheguru Waheguru Waheguru Waheguru
Waheguru Waheguru Waheguru Waheguru Waheguruuuu
Waheguru Waheguru Waheguru Waheguru Waheguru
Waheguru Waheguru Waheguru Waheguru Waheguruuuuuu~~

Dear Lord, Make me Your Chaur

2009-04-05T22:55:00.001-05:00

Note: Chaur means fan that is waved over one's master in love and respect

Make me your True Chaur
That I may wave the fan over You forever.

What is the use of this long hair on my head
If it's not to wave it in praise of you

What is the use of my tongue
If not to tremble in your Love Shabad

What is the use of my arms
If not to raise them in praise for You Earth, You Sky, You on All sides

What is the use of these hands
If not to serve You, to pray for Your love, and to touch You

What is the use of my swaying body
If not to flow in the breeze of your permeating company

What's the purpose of all this fine hair everywhere
If not to vibrate and quiver to the frequency of WAH!!!!!

Dear Lord! Please hear my prayer ~~!*

That I may with each breath, with each limb, with each hair
Sing your shabad, sway in your praise
Wave my mind, my tongue, my soul
As your Devotee, As your Chaur

True Yoga

2009-04-05T22:38:00.002-05:00

Plenty are those who arch their trunks to and fro
Inhaling and exhaling as they go
Flexing their stiff steel spines

Plenty are those who breathe right and left
Through the nose, with a powerful long breath
Their fingers rigid curling

Plenty are those who keep their eyes posed
One Tenth, at the brow, chin, crown or nose
Practicing (Two-in) One-pointedness

Plenty are those chanting mantras in ashrams
And locking their minds between index and thumb
Clearing their throats and straining to hear

Plenty there are, and Plenty I've seen.
That Harvest is plentiful and overflowing.

~~~*~~~

But Rare is the Delicacy, that wondrous Subtlety
Of the One, Who Truly Bows to Thee.

Who, with each breath, performs the Yoga of Bhakti
Who without fail or falsehood
Realizes and Remembers Thee

Who, with every movement and every limb
Who in every angle, without and within
Humbly Bows to Thee

Who, in all 84 asanas and their variations
Stays within the ultimate undying state
of Gurpranam

Namo Namo Namaste to that True Yogi
Who forever bows to Thee

The One in All.

A Yogi Poem

2009-04-05T22:05:00.003-05:00

Just a thought... to keep in mind next time a ky yogi sits on his dear sheepskin. Always have reverence...

The Yogi sits on His Sheepskin
Strong and tall, eyes closed, immersed within
But little does he know, a True Saint lies below him
Dressed in white, whose Divine Touch; so soft, so comforting
That One who gave His own skin
Who lay dying has obtained the Eternal state of Shuniya
Who became a nothing, sprawled on the floor
To serve selflessly, without a word
The feet of the Servant of the Servant of His Lord

Vote Earth! ~ a seva for the planet

2009-03-27T13:14:00.005-05:00

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh!

Please switch off your lights to Vote Earth!! The global vote will take place between 8:30pm-9:30pm on Saturday March 28, 2009. This is a fairly easy Seva to do, and I encourage you all to take part. Spread the word quickly as it is happening tomorrow!

The results of this planetary Vote will be presented at a conference in Copenhagen, where world leaders will be gathered - it is hoped that by shutting off our lights for this one hour, we can let those leaders know that the public is serious about Climate Change and Global Warming, and is serious for Kyoto and more stringent laws against pollution and carbon emissions.

I strongly believe that it is a duty and a responsibility, for each Sikh - to stand up for the Environment and do it's Seva. It is the creation of Waheguru Ji, and the home He gave us to live on as Pranees, that we may do more simran and more Seva...

Please Visit: www.earthhour.org

What is Guru? ~ Part III

2009-03-11T22:22:00.016-05:00

The mind knows not what the heart knows... silencing my mind, and surrendering my head, I now speak from the realm of my heart...

Contemplating my Guru, I am filled with Wonder - Wah - Vismaad

Contemplating my Guru, my Heart blossoms forth in Bliss
Contemplating my Guru, I bow in Reverence, Amazement
Remembering my Guru, He's forever fresh and forever new
My Sada Ang Sangay... my Pyaaray... my love, my life...The Truth

Some call Him by 11 Names:

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Who's divine footstep turn dust into silver and gold,
Minds into Rubies, and silence into Shabad Ras and Saring song
Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji
Who's selflessness and service are endless
and who's love of hukam made Him and God, One
Sri Guru Amar Das Ji
Who's supreme humility shatters the Ego of the proudest
as lovely as kissing the feet of one's enemy, such is His love
Sri Guru Ram Das Ji
Who's Bhakti Raj Yog enshrines immortal Temples,
as Hearts of gold drenched in ambrosial nectar
Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji
Who's ultimate sacrifice smiled that Hukam is sweet,
He who's sees the Darshan of God everywhere, in everyone
Sri Guru Hargobind Ji

Who's strength and resilience for humanity and Divine Justice

is the Neutral, the non-duality, the Shunia of the Sword
Sri Guru Har Rai Ji
Who's flower heart spreads the scent of Jasmine and Rose
the Anand-perfume of unyielding devotion to One Truth
Sri Guru Har Krishan Ji
Who embodies the Ageless and Timeless, the Akaal Moorat
Sweetness that cures the ailments of mind, body and soul
Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
Who in the game of Love, surrenders his head to the God of All
shelter of the oppressed, voice of the speechless, Unstruck Beloved
Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Who's royal courage, give the Khalsa life, Jivan Mukts at the edge of Sword
as stone becomes liquid, and love of Nectar Merges into Naam
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Who with 1430 love arms, hugs Her devotees like children
and sings them sweet lullabies that they may awaken
Ahhh the Word of light, song of peace, and giver of anand

So many call Him by these 11 names, and -
Some others say He is not 11, but just 1; Ik
Guru Nanak Jyot

Some see Him in the Five:

The Panj Pyaray, the Five Beloveds

Who gave their heads and hearts
and like Patasay merging into the Amrit Sar
They became Guru Sar Roop,
In infinite Anand pur - the state of Bliss
They merged, and the One became Five
And the five are One
The Panj Kakkar, the Five K's
Who like 5 Warriors adorn the body-mind
and Remind us of the path of Saintliness
each 5, dealing with the other 5, they fight the dual
on the body field of "Man Jeetai Jag Jeet"
They show us the way to break through the fort
of Sargun-Nirgun, and merge with Nirankar
The Panj Tattv, the Five Elements

With whom the Formless Lord created Form
And gave the gift of a human body, with which to praise Him
With every breath repeating the Name - Pavan Guru
To fan the flames of Tapas - creator of thirst - Agni
To prepare the earth of the body field - Dharti
That Amrit love may rain upon it and give it Life - Pani
And the seed of Bij mantra may grow into a Mool
And the Mool expand into Infinite Space like - Akash
~It is through these 5 elements that God gave us the gift of Life
And through these 5, the Guru spreads his Light
That in this life, we may merge into Him, the One beyond five

The Panj Thugs, the Five Evils

Who seem so mean and cruel - these five theives
Anger, greed, lust, attachment and ego - the creators of pain
They are but only five obedient soldiers under the Hukam of Guru
Who so cleverly repeats - "Dukh Daru Sukh Rog Bhaaya"
That through the pain and plundering of these famous five
Thousands upon thousands run to God's refuge - The Gur'dwara
And there, ready to die... as Jivan Mukt... they are given True Life

The Panj Khand, the Five Realms

Dharam, Gyan, Saram, Karam and Sach
He is all pervading - endless are His Worlds
Endless are His lessons, and forms and Word
The One who follows the path
- has already reached the destination

Oh Beloved of the Five, bind my senses Go-Bind
That I may see only You Pervading

To see him in the Five, and to see him in the Eleven
And yet still He remains only One - Ik
Siri Guru Jyot

Some see Him in Two:

Sargun and Nirgun

"Sargun Nirgun Nirankar Sun Samadi Aap"
Pervading Sargun and Nirgun
The One Himself sits in Samadhi~~*
---
As the beggar and the giver
The Guru and the Cheyla
The saint and the ignorant
Like night and day, gold and dust
He's all the same, Just as Pyaaray
The Husband, and the Bride
The home of the Self, and the Infinite
The Word and Sword, spreaded and merged
Reciting True Bani, in infinite Banas
Sitting among the Sangat, doing simran and seva
Dazed among the wildflowers, clouds and stars
Ocean and Desert, upon All - he Waves his fan of love
It's all the same to Him, Just as Pyaaray
He pervades and permeates -
and calls each place His Home

The lucky ones see Him as One, their eyes blessed with Divine Darshan
Their minds showered with Grace and GurPrasaad
Illuminated, Brahmgyani Saints, Inner-knowers, Beloveds, Pyaarays
ALL proclaiming 'He Is One, He Is One', in Wordless Words, in Awe:

WAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Guru~~~*?
Waaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!
Guru~~~~*!!!
WAhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!
Wahhhhhhhhhhhhh~~~~!!
Wahhhh~~~*~~~*~~~~**
Waheguruuuuuu....

Love love love love love love love
To my Infinite NA ANT Guru
My Beloved, My Pyaaray
My IK ONG KAR
My Ik, My Wahhhh
My Wahe - Guru

What is Guru ? ~ Part II

2009-03-09T16:34:00.003-05:00

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh,
Dear Sadh Sangat Jio~~~*

I have spent some time wondering, contemplating, feeling my hair rise up in awe and amazement... I am unable to speak. In honesty, no one can truly describe what they don't know, and what they haven't experienced personally. And even if they have experienced it, and know it, still it can not be described. Guru is undecribable. No one knows the end of Guru, and no one knows what Guru is. Only those who have merged with Guru know. Only Guru knows Himself.

laykhaa ho-ay ta likee-ai laykhai ho-ay vinaas.
If you try to write an account of this,
you will surely finish yourself before you finish writing it.
naanak vadaa aakhee-ai aapay jaanai aap. 22
O Nanak, call Him Great! He Himself knows Himself. 22
-From Jap Ji Sahib, Pauree 22

So in this place of Awesome smallness, as the moorakh that I am... I have come to the feet of my Guru and humbly ask the question... Who are you? Ki Hai? Tell me the secret of your enlightening existence! Show me your darshan that I may kiss you with my love-lorn eyes... O Guru!

And the Guru Himself speaks of the Guru, with music and melody and love and Wah~~~*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shalok:

Gurdayv maataa gurdayv pitaa gurdayv su-aamee parmaysuraa.
The Divine Guru is my mother, the Divine Guru is my father;
the Divine Guru is my Transcendent Lord and Master.

Gurdayv sakhaa agi-aan bhanjan gurdayv banDhip sahodaraa.
The Divine Guru is my companion, the Destroyer of ignorance;
the Divine Guru is my relative and brother.

Gurdayv daataa har naam updaysai gurdayv mant niroDharaa.
The Divine Guru is the Giver, the Teacher of the Lord's Name.
The Divine Guru is the Mantra which never fails.

Gurdayv saant sat buDh moorat gurdayv paaras paras paraa.
The Divine Guru is the Image of peace, truth and wisdom.
The Divine Guru is the Philosopher's Stone - touching it, one is transformed.

Gurdayv tirath amrit sarovar gur gi-aan majan apramparaa.
The Divine Guru is the sacred shrine of pilgrimage,
and the pool of divine ambrosia; bathing in the Guru's wisdom, one experiences the Infinite.

Gurdayv kartaa sabh paap hartaa gurdayv patit pavit karaa.
The Divine Guru is the Creator, and the Destroyer of all sins;
the Divine Guru is the Purifier of sinners.

Gurdayv aad jugaad jug jug gurdayv mant har jap uDhraa.
The Divine Guru existed at the primal beginning,
throughout the ages, in each and every age.
The Divine Guru is the Mantra of the Lord's Name;
chanting it, one is saved.

Gurdayv sangat parabh mayl kar kirpaa ham moorh paapee jit lag taraa.
O God, please be merciful to me,
that I may be with the Divine Guru;
I am a foolish sinner, but holding onto Him,
I am carried across.

Gurdayv satgur paarbarahm parmaysar gurdayv naanak har namaskaraa. 1
The Divine Guru is the True Guru, the Supreme Lord God,
the Transcendent Lord; Nanak bows in humble reverence to the Lord, the Divine Guru. 1

- Ang 250 and 262 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ahh~~~* The Guru has spoken of himself... my parent, my lord, my mantra, the revealer, the light of my soul, my cleanser, my river and raft, my deathless companion, my creator, my amrit, the one who transforms lead into gold....... and stone into water......

What is Guru... ? ~ Part I

2009-03-01T23:53:00.001-06:00

When I first encountered Sikhism, almost 5 years ago already, I had a hard time understanding the concept of 'Guru'.

As a Westerner, I heard of lineages of Prophets, Messiah and Christ, Apostles and Patron Saints, Hierarchies of Angels, Demons, and of the Holy Ghost. Sometimes I heard of Ninjas, Buddhas, Druids, Witches, Wizards, Medicine Men, Shamans, Gypsies and Seers, other times I heard of Gremlins, Trolls, Vampires, Zombies and Poltergeists and Leprechauns. It seems like I heard of a lot of strange and different things, but I hadn't really heard a lot about 'Gurus'.

The closest categories that the idea 'Guru' seemed to fit into, with regards to my mental-filing-cabinet was "Prophet", "Saint", "Messiah" and "Teacher". But since then I've come to realize that these interpretations alone are inaccurate and misleading. Yes - Guru Ji was and is all of those things - Prophet, Saint, Messiah and Teacher - but there is something more... something very different about Guru as compared to those other terms.

-- Before I continue, I want to ask you to think about it. Try to come up with your own understanding of it, and share if you like --

What or Who is Guru, and What does it mean? What are the parameters that make 'Guru' what Guru is? What makes Guru different?

Your Path...

2009-02-10T17:24:00.001-06:00

Gurbani says this beautiful Gurvakh:

raah dovai ik jaanai so-ee sijhsee.
One who recognizes that all spiritual paths lead to the One shall be emancipated.
- Ang 142, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

One God, Many Devotions - a freeflow

2009-02-10T16:32:00.001-06:00

What a wonder - Vismaad - God is Only One

and there are endless religions praising Him/Her
each one claiming to be the final truth
each and all bickering among themselves
each engaged in rituals and false practices

The Spiritual Ego sits tall and straight backed
Voices sounding thunder

What a wonder - Vismaad - God is Only One

some say that there is a heaven and hell
some say there are lives upon lives
some say there are angels and devils
some say All is Divine

The Spiritual Ego sits tall and straight backed
Eyes dry with Spiritual Intellect

What a wonder - Vismaad - God is Only One

some argue that their prophet alone can give salvation
some argue that the prophet lies within
some say that their religion is the Last for all of Time
others say that religions come and go like the wind

There is no end to the Spiritual Ego, straight sitting and stomach churning
Tongues drip with acid burn

But what a wonder - Vismaad - God, is Only One!

some read the bible and others the koran
some read the vedas and simrities and puranas
some read mountains of gnostic texts looking for mystery
some eat whole libraries with their eyes but remain hungry

There is no end to the Spiritual Ego, Sitting tall and straight, unmoving
But within the beast-mind rages

some wake up at 3am, and some at 9, other lazy ones wake at 4pm
some take cold showers, others hot baths, and others don't wash at all
some shave their head, and others shed not a hair
some wear religious clothes, and others, jeans and t-shirts
some speak in sacred languages like Latin, Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, Pali, Arabic, and Sanskit
and some speak English, French, German, Polish, Spanish or Russian
and some others don't know how to speak at all, some even curse all day long
some meditate and do yoga 108 hours a day (if they could)
some cover their head and face, others walk around naked without shame
some wear white, and some wear black
some wear red, and some wear blue, some even wear pink pokadots

There is no end to the Forms worn by Spiritual Ego
Bodies upon bodies are being robed and unrobed and placed upon the fire

Some say 'Har', others say 'Ram'
Some say 'Jesus', others say 'Muhammed (pbuh)' or 'Buddha' and 'Guru'
Some say 'Hare Krsna', others say 'Shiva' and some 'Govinda'
And some say 'Sat Naam' and others say 'Allah' and 'Shalom'
and 'Yahweh' or 'Wahe' and others 'Om' or 'Ong'
....
Some mean it, and other's don't...........

The Spiritual Ego has built itself a big castle in the sky made of stone
But the One who has No Walls watches and laughs, while everyone else groans

What a wonder - Vismaad - God is the Only One.
~~~

So what is all this play that God has created?
Why so many religions, so many prayers
So many ways of devotion, so many religious robes
So many prophets and so many followers
So many mantras, so many meditations
So many Names assigned to God...

Your play is ANT NA ANT

To some you are an old man with a white beard, sitting on a cloud
To others you are female with 4 arms, some say you are male with 4 heads
Some others see you in the wild flowers and the grass and stars

Some say do this or do that... not this or not that
Some say repeat this or repeat that...
Some say bow here, others say bow there...

Dear Lord, I beg you to answer my burning question... tell me your final truth!

Where is your Home, and What is Your Name?
Where are your feet infront of which to bow, dear lord?
What practice must I do that devotion and love may well up within me?
What colour must I dye myself, that it may please your artist eye?

Only you do what you please to do.
I am your humble slave.

I simply beg you for one thing only -
That whatever you make me do, or wear, or believe, and whatever you make me speak as your name... please link it with my Heart that it may Find You...

That I may repeat - in love like dancing
Ayk Moorat, Anayk Darshan...
One Image, with Countless Visions
Tuhi, Tuhi, Tuhi, Tuhi
You are, you are, you are, you are

Ah... No one can know. Only You know your Truth.
But I guess, The Most Beautiful thing is Love.

Community Seva - One Million Chaupai Sahibs

2009-01-19T19:28:00.003-06:00

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh Sangat Ji~~~*

June 2009 will mark 25 years since the 1984 attack(s) by the Indian Government on Sikhs, which caused the deaths of thousands of innocent Sikhs, and the burning and the near destruction of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, and a huge number of other Gurdwaras and towns in Punjab. This attempt at Genocide of the Sikh Population by the Indian Government shall never be forgotten...

So, in the spirit of Seva, in Rememberance of 1984, to pray for all the victems and their families, and for the protection of the Panth... a collective effort is being made to recite One Million Chaupai Sahibs by June 2009.

Please take part in this Seva, and do as many Chaupai Sahibs for the Panth!

Visit www.chaupaisahib.org !

The Clay Drum

2009-01-03T15:58:00.002-06:00

A poem, from my heart... that He beats like the drum, keeping me alive... singing "Oh my Beloved, Oh my Lord"...

The Clay Drum

I have nothing.
I am empty.
I am a hollow clay pot,
Resounding.

Millions of hands may batter my sides with their wooden sticks
But how may I cry out? my skin is so thick...

I am the clay drum
my master may strike and kick
On my own I am voiceless
I only sound when He hits

So how may I cry out? "Oh my beloved"?!

I pray in the silence of my mind... that he may strike me once again
May he beat me continually
Make the sound of a heart beating
so that I may continually cry out!
"Oh! My Beloved"! "Oh! My Beloved"!

May he thrash me about
And beat me harder and louder
That this empty clay pot be brimful with the music of simran

"Oh, my lord! oh my beautiful"

Trashed and kicked and beaten to the ground
He shatters the pot with which I am bound
He crushes me more and more
With every "Oh my beloved, oh my lord"!
He crushes me into the powder
The dust that I adore

And oh! He dances to the beat!
of "Oh my beloved, Oh my lord"
His feet upon the dust of me, He dances!

And I am no more, but the dust that kisses His dancing feet...
Singing, "Oh my beloved, Oh my lord"!

The Disciple

2009-01-03T14:40:00.004-06:00

This is a short story I wrote a few years ago... it came back to me and so I wish to share it with you. It is just a touch of the reveries of the saints... God's Blessing.

A Short Story:

Once upon a time, there lived a great saint. Everyday he would meditate one-mindedly on the Guru, and would flow into Samadhi. In those deep states of consciousness, he merged with the Lord and worried not about the world.

When he would come back to his physical consciousness, his devotees would surround him, and ask him to bless them with the same experiences as he, to teach them the way. One disciple was most devoted to this saint. Day and night he would watch over his master, do chores for him, bring him water and food, and wash his feet. In return the Saint would nod his thanks and carry on with his meditation.

Day after day, month after month, year after year… the devoted disciple continued giving to his master and watching over him with much love and affection. The only thing he wanted most in the world was to stay close to the saint and receive his blessings and love. Day after day it bothered him that the Saint would not show his love to him.

One day the saint stopped his disciple and said “Oh dear devoted, why do you attach yourself to me? I am growing old and will soon pass away from this body. You are a good disciple and have listened to my sermons. But your attachment to me has stopped you from attaining what you are really here for.”

The disciple was stunned by his master’s words. All of these years spent in vain? The saint, reading his mind, placed his hands on his head and blessed him. With this, the disciple had drifted into the deep timeless state of Samadhi and merged into the ocean of consciousness.

After what seemed like hours, the disciple slowly 'awakened' and returned to the world of the senses... his eye lids lifting ever slowly to catch the divine glimpse of his master... the Saint he had served and loved so dearly. Now, an old man with profound loving eyes, long deep lines and wrinkles in his brow and cheeks. A smiling saint, frozen in time. His many devotees surrounded him, crying and wondering, “What next, what now… our master is gone…”

Hearing these whispers and cries, the Disciple smiled, as he knew... the master’s final and most precious teaching happened when He left.

Blessed New Year

2009-01-01T10:00:00.002-06:00

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh
Dear Sangat Ji~~~*

May this New Year bring us closer to our ultimate destination, by Guru's grace. That regardless of happiness or sadness, victories or miseries, as the world play of sukh and dukh continues on... may we never forget Him and Love Him! And if any doubts and sufferings come to us... may the following become like a mantra/simran of Ecstasy that may give some solace:

Dukh daaroo sukh rog bha-i-aa jaa sukh taam na ho-ee.
Suffering is the medicine, and pleasure the disease,
because where there is pleasure, there is no desire for God

-Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, ang 469

May we remember that God has already given us everything we need. Why do you bow down and demand more Maya? He has given each of us the most precious thing - Praan for the Praanee - He keeps on blowing the breath of life into our lungs... that this body-instrument may make the sound of Shabad-Kirtan - Wahhh~~~~* Why ask for too much? Let's make a resolution, to ask for Thirst, to ask for that pinch of pain that makes us desire God and cling to His feet, to ask for the dirt and the Earth and the stains so that we may stay humble and seek out His Holy Ishnaan of Amrit-sarovar. May we not even ask for the saints company for that would be too huge, but instead may we be lucky to touch a particle of the dust they once tread upon... And, May we yearn for that pain of separation, that we may seek Union.

This life is too pricey. The years are passing by. The seconds are ticking away. My breath one by one is leaving... and what have I done? I have not meditated, I have not served the saints, I have not bowed my head enough to my Guru that in exhaustion my forehead does not rise again from his feet. I have not surrendered my self, my life, my breath, my mind, my soul... I am not worthy to ask for anything. But please God, if you may grant me with sooo much pain (of the soul) that I may cry out your name, for you to come and save me... then by God that is the greatest gift. Waheguru...

So my dear sangat beloveds~~~ may you have a most beautiful blessed new year... count your blessings, and beg for His mercy and Love, and above all, His thirst.

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh Ji~~*

The Amrit Vela

2008-12-31T23:00:00.006-06:00

This is a poem that came to me, somewhere through space it came. May Waheguru Ji bless you all with the taste of the Amrit nectar and of naam~~~*

Amritvela

In the Night - of our life
Is the dark of ignorance, strife
Asleep in the dream
Named Maya.

Before the Dawn - of our life
We remember - Reality
Deep inside we bow and pray
Slowly awakening

In the Day - of our life
We laugh and play
Freed from the dream
Saved and redeemed

Our mind, like the sky
Is enlightened.

The Darkest Hour

2008-12-31T21:59:00.003-06:00

A Freeflow Poem:

In the darkest hour
You rock yourself in pain
Thinking you have power
Over wealth and material gain
Indeed, you plan ahead
But all in vain -
It's an insane type of vanity.

Yes that darkest hour
Sends shivers up one's spine
It's when sweetness turns sour
And you've wasted so much time
Indeed, you've lusted much
For taste and touch - but all in vain

All just to cover up the pain inside...

Don't you realize the Truth?

The more you search outside,

The more you hurt inside and cry...

For it is only within, that you shall find

That sweet sublime salve, that nectar divine

That mends all maladies of the heart and mind

And enchants the tongue into prayer and praise

And gives youth to the spirit that it may - Rise up!

Yes, Rising up like the sun, in that Darkest Hour...
Your soul is entranced into the chants of praise
The Vismaad of the Lord~~~*
Drips like Nectar on the tongue...
The Amrit of the Amrit Vela...
When Guru and Chayla merge
Then there is no pain...
Only the pangs of the ego dying
And the soul, like the Saring flying...
Up up to meet the Sun!

AllOne - A thought

2008-12-28T00:29:00.005-06:00

The Journey shall be travelled Alone, because there is only One~~~*

Alone

2008-12-27T12:30:00.011-06:00

My love, on paper... in ink of soul tears.

Regardless of all the many people and things that surround you, the journey is Alone. It might sound blasphemous, but hear me through... Sargun Sangat is necessary to grow, learn from one another, humble each other through service, and get infected with that Divine Waheguru Love. BUT - the further you walk along the path, the more terribly alone you shall become. Morbid? No. It is the greatest blessing one could recieve.

The more you walk your path to the Lord, the less and less worldly you become. The less you belong to those of the world. The less they will understand you, and the less you will understand them. You will be utterly alone, even if surrounded my crowds of people. Even the religious ones will not understand you. You are singled out, tormented, teased, outcast. You give up your role as an entranced participant in the world play, and you become an Observer. The one behind the camera. Detached.

It is a lonely place sometimes. Everyone wants to be understood. Everyone wants something to cling to. Everyone wants to be loved. We all long for affiliation, friendship, loveship, merging. The Others look happy, running after mirages, their faces smiling with the glimmer of hope. But you know it's not real... like everything else it comes and goes. Everything that comes, shall go. So you keep on walking. Just keep on walking... this dusty deserted road.

And the more you walk forward, the more these chains that have hooked you into slavery, tug at your skin. You are faced with a choice; stay stuck, return to the comfort of familiarity, or cut free and run loose. And you know that pretending can never make you happy. So, you move on... one last tug and the chains give way. You're lighter... carefree... and all the more alone without the companionship of miseries, dreams and hookeries. Now the only thing you cling to is the Truth that calls you forward.

It's a place where only enlightened saints may accompany you. They 've already passed through there, once like you, on the route to the One. They are so rare... singled out as pure... those who turn lead to gold. If only you could behold those glistening eyes of old wisdom... they hold the secrets of the lonely path, the One from Many. The Many into One. They are the Nirgun Sangat, without shape or form, far from time and space, those fountains of love and pure pure grace... they do not die, they're here to stay. In the unchanging, unmoving, the stillness of the sWord of Truth. Sharper than the blade that pierces you... they reveal that crimson dye of passion... Passion for the Lord. Only these Beloveds may accompany you... and urge you to continue... some more steps forward...

So, you apply the scented fragrance of Jasmine and Rose, that deep deep reddish purple, that crimson consummation, that consumes you so. Intoxicated with love and fervour... you march on. The chains left you miles ago, your clothes now turned to tatters break down into thin air, dissolved... your mind like the chatrik yearns for the drop of rain. The pain only increases - you're a stranger in a strange land, now unacknowledged by the worldly man, they say you've gone insane... that you have lost your mind, that you have nothing to hang on to, nothing to call your own, no one to cling to, just naked and dusty, tired, exhausted, thirsty. Inching forward tooth and nail, dragging dirt. Skin and bones so heavy... so heavy... you must leave them too. Become a nothing. Ah! You cry out! Even your own skin has betrayed you... You are utterly alone.

And, you've walked so far that you've walked out of yourself. Out of the layers and layers that covered that dazzling light within... out of obligations, expectations, social constraints, social ties, out from the mountains of possessions that clung to you like cheap purfume the smell of stench dispersing... Out from all the crowds upon crowds of weeping clowns that once surrounded you. Your fake plastic company. Yes, You've even stepped out of your own shoes, your clothes merely flags in the wind of surrender. You've left the constraints of your own skin, that home you were living in - that separated you from the All.

Now, Your own ego has no space to go. No place to hide. Don't you think it's time to dissolve it too? You are crimson soul, floating in the chilly air, light beaming from every pore... why not shed the last of it, that you may become even more alone, even more naked, even more exposed, a nothing, a no one, that you may shed that final layer of self-existence, that the light within you may blaze outward... that you may be sooo excruciatingly alone, that there is no other... you are AllOne... from solid to liquid to vapour... thin air... and space... permeating.

Within you, you hear the children laughing and playing, the wars raging, the elder man whistling, the church bells ringing, the babies crying, the mothers talking, the leaves rustling, the oceans churning, the wind whispering... and the saints meditating... Within you, they are Many, but you stand Alone, as One, who turns a baby's cry into milk, a desert into ocean, the songbird into nectar, stones into diamonds, and lead into gold...

You, all One alone... I bow...
Namo my dear love~~
Tears wash your dusty feet
Who have travelled so far
Lives upon lives of tooth and nail
My love of long hair
My Kundal and sweet
My Chatrik, my Nightingale
Who have seen the eyes of the saints
Playing in the forests of your chest
As that sounds within, the Nagara Drum
Oh love... I bow to you, who became
All One, Alone
And made me here, within you bow...
That I may walk this path as you once did.
In tears of soul, I beg you bless me.

Waheguru..... I've lost my mind...

Dear Sister Candle...

2008-12-16T20:30:00.008-06:00

I always hesitate to share my free-flow poetry... it doesn't rhyme, nor does it have rhythm, neither shape nor pattern. It simply is, from the depth of my heart... This one came when I glanced at the candle in my room, suddenly shivers went up my spine, at how beautiful we candles are, and at how blessed we are, how merciful the Lord is... he left a wick at the core of us, that we may transform from wax to liquid! Waheguru!

Oh Sister Candle, how wonderous you are!
The Creator fashioned you from his nectar
And as you cooled you took form in this world.
But dear Sister, how blessed are we!!!
He left a wick in at the core of your being -
That it may catch on fire!
And by the grace of the True Guru -
the wick is caught ablaze
At the tenth gate, the fire rages
and the mind becomes a lamplight
yes it flickers fiercely, and bright!
Oh dear Sister, your wick has caught aflame!
And your form that covers you is melting. Yes -
I see your tears of love!
The more they drip, the lower and humbler you become...
The karma turns to ash!
Your melting back into his form... Melting
Merging back into the liquid from which you came!
Yes the fire transforms you... your soul is ablaze...
Such a blessing, So beautiful!
The Guru has ignited you, and all that is left is liquid, and light!

Where is the Love?

2008-12-07T19:07:00.004-06:00

In the world we live in today, there's just one question that comes up in the human mind - Where is the love? Where did it go? What happened to humanity and unity, and brother and sisterhood, peace and idealism, open hearts, acknowledgment that "The Other is You"? Where's all the love?

Remember all you Sikhs out there - Guru Nanak Dev Ji was a preacher of this message! He saw the everyday quarrels between the Hindus and the Muslims, he saw Babar conquer India, he saw so many suffering, divided by caste and creed, and gender... And to break the spell that bound man to division, he did mercy onus, and told us that "Na ko Hindu, Na Ko Musulman" and "Ik Ong Kar" --- and "Oh Nanak, know this well that the True One him/herself is All"... So, why aren't we ourselves remembering this message? And rising up for Unity, and Tolerance, and Genuine Compassion and Love for all our brethren?

Here's some Inspiration!

Watch this Video! & Read the Lyrics ~~by the Black Eyed Peas~*

Last Night's Freeflow ~ To my Beloved

2008-11-30T09:36:00.005-06:00

Click the image for a larger view

Creat(or/ion) - A freestyle flow

2008-11-19T22:13:00.003-06:00

Sitting in the unmoving position
Centered Within
My dear Lord swirls and swirls
Yes, He spins!
Like the I of a tornado
On all sides
Centered Within
He twirls like infinity
With no beginning or end
So fast, He spins!

That... I think I've caught a glimpse of Him!

What is Sadh Sangat? - Part 2

2008-11-18T21:54:00.006-06:00

Inside, I could hardly contain myself...
My mind melted down into the iron bowl of my heart
like nectar trickling.

My each each hair stood on end~!!
...thinking about my Sadh Sangat
my Sada Ang Sangay
my Beloved Wah
my One and
my Many

There are countless congregations, countless the singers of Your praise, and countless are whose who speak of You. Countless beloveds, and countless saints and warriors kissing and adorning Your feet with their henna-pasted minds. Countless Your lovers, countless Ones and countless Manys... Countless come and countless go.

To whom should I attach to?

Oh Wah, My Sangat does not come or go. My Sangat never dies. He shall never leaves me, not even for a second. He permeates me with his fragrance, he drenches me in His Love. He hugs me near and dear, kissing each molecule of me. He sings his lullaby's in my ears, and twinkles in my eyes. He lives in my heart and pervades my mind. My Sadh Sangat never leaves me, my Sadh Sangat never dies.

First, You were only One - Anand Sangay
Then, You spreaded yourself - Ong Aad Roopay
You became in the Many - and made Yourself a Sangat

Oh my mind!!
Saada Rehai Har Naalay
Simaraa-o!!
~~Saada Sadh Naam~~

Mayray Pyaray
Saada Mayray Sangay

Love love love love love love love love love love love love love!!!!!!

What is Sadh Sangat? - Part 1

2008-11-17T15:16:00.005-06:00

I attended a Samagam 'kids class', it must have already been over a year ago by now... but the memory lingers on like the sweet aroma of freshly blossomed rose petals... yes... jasmine and rose.

~~~~~

We were sitting on the floor in the Gurdwara, all huddled together, listening to a young Sikh man explain the importance of having a 'Kaphlaa' (Punjabi word for Caravan) or Sadh Sangat, so that we may not get lost in the desert of Maya.

Shivers ran along my spine, I could not help but ask. I raised my hand like a little school girl - "Sir, what is Sadh Sangat?"

He looked at me perplexed; I- one of the eldest in the group of children was asking one of the dumbest questions he had probably ever heard - "What do you mean, what is Sadh Sangat? It's simple - it's the congregation; a group of people."

"No no..." I insisted, "What's the difference between Sangat and Sadh Sangat?" I paused. He stared at me confused, then looked around to the other youths there, for an answer. I attempted to clarify my question and save myself the embarassment - "What makes the sangat Sadh, or... what is Sadh?"

The man could not answer, and the more the seconds passed, the more he seemed annoyed with me, and the more I regretted opening my mouth - I should have just kept "IT" to myself. Eventually it was clarified that Sadh sangat is good sangat like gurmukhs, and 'normal' sangat is a group of people who could be either good or bad. The young man looked at me - "Ok? Does that make sense now?" I faked a nod, and that was the end of that - or so it seemed.

~~~~

A question for you - What do you think or feel is Sadh Sangat?

A Thought from Infinity

2008-11-03T15:12:00.004-06:00

This came through me some years ago already... but it still rings True within my being... May you feel it, as I do:

The Universe, breathes millions of vibrating dancing souls into Being~~
All soaked and drenched in the love of God.
Those who touch truth, become truth.
Those who touch love, become love.
Those who touch the light, become the light, and forever shine forward.

The Angel - A free-flow creation

2008-11-03T14:47:00.005-06:00

~~~
She raises her arms up toward the sky
In Praise of You
Her heart home projecting unto Infinity
In Love of You
Her Tenth-Gate blossoming Bliss and Light
In the Oneness of You
She is the embodiment of The Angel
Her Aura like wings, flying colour and wonder
To all those around
She spreads the Word and blessings
Of You
~~~

The Boy Who Loved Rocks

2008-10-23T12:20:00.001-05:00

Here's a story I wrote some years back, it's not perfect... but it was a fun little freewrite.

A Short Story:

A young boy and his father went walking along a beach side, when the little boy saw a shimmering glimmer in the sand. “Daddy, daddy – take a look!” The father said “Be careful son, stay safe, do not go too far away from me.” The little boy ran to see the glimmer, and sure enough there was this beautiful white crystal the whole size of his hand! He picked it up and carried it home. The little boy was very excited about his new find and showed it to everyone. His parents decided to have the crystal looked at by a jeweler friend of theirs and sure enough it was a very precious stone. They decided to keep it safe, and one day sell it when they were in need of money.

Each summer he would find more and more beautiful precious gems and stones along the beaches. Each visit to the beach became an excavation. His father who often accompanied him, would often call to his son, “Don’t go too far, I don’t want you to get lost”. As the years went by, and the boy grew older, his mother and father decided it would be a good idea to have him become a geologist. They sold some of the precious stones, to pay for his schooling in a city far away.

The boy became more and more fascinated and passionate about stones, precious gems, crystals, fossils, minerals… that he could not think of anything else! He aced his classes, and after a few years he had surpassed his own teacher’s knowledge. He finished his studies and returned home.

His family had a huge celebration for him, and married him to a beautiful girl. On their honey moon, they decided to take a walk along the beautiful beaches. The girl wanted her husband to stay close to her, so their union can be felt. But the young man kept going farther away in search of other treasures. She would call to him “Come talk with me, stay near my love” but still he would say “Wait wait, I think I’ve found something”.

Many many years passed this way. The man and his wife grew distant. He spent most of his days in search of a more beautiful jewel than the previous one. The search became an obsession.

One day, while he was walking on the beach alone after sunset, small glimmers began to appear everywhere on the beach. The old man ran in the directions of the twinkles, one after the other, but each disappeared before the man could reach them. He kept searching and searching, but in vain. Tired and bewildered, he sat down, feeling the aches of his bones, and pressed his two old wrinkled hands together. All of this searching had seen him grow old and weary.

Then a gentle strong voice, coming from all around him said: “Why do you trouble yourself with this world? You have grown old and worn-out, and yet not once have you listened to my voice calling you. ‘Stay near me, come close my dear.’ Only within me will you find the jewel you are looking for.”

Dana's Story

2008-07-27T17:28:00.006-05:00

I recently met a kind 'Gori Sikh' girl from across the ocean. Here is her story, that she wishes to share with you on my blog~~* I hope it may inspire you, and bring awareness that there are indeed many people from around the world discovering Sikhism... welcome them with big hearts~~~

Dana's Story:

"I always knew that my life is going to be colourful and eventful. I was born in former USSR, now Latvia. I could have stayed in Latvia but something brought me to Emerald Island. Here I met my husband, who introduced me to his culture and religion. Sikhism. Did I know about it? No. Never heard before. Who are the Sikhs? Those people in turbans?

My introduction to Punjabi culture and Sikhism was through Punjabi music, bollywood movies, going to gurudwara and visiting Punjab... sorry I forgot food of course (aloo matar,chapatis, sabji and mirchi).

Sikhism is 5th largest religion and I didn't know about before. My family is from Catholic background. When I was small, I was sent for religion lesson to the church, I was reading kid's bible, going to church....but something wasn't right....

Who am I? I feel I'm a sikh... I didn't convert... I just live and learn everyday more and more about Sikhism. I wish I could read Gurmukhi and speak Punjabi, visit one day Miri Piri Academy. I feel strongly about Sikh culture and would love to create more awareness about who Sikhs are.

GOD IS TRUTH. Three words but so much truth! I always thought that if you are truthful to yourself and others, there is a hope.

The reason I created Gora Sikh blog because I wanted to find other goras and share my experience. As well me and my partner, we run Desi Legend blog and Desi Legend T-shirt Shop. Everyone is welcome!"

The Middle Path - A way to neutrality

2008-07-24T23:24:00.007-05:00

The Path of Sikhism is quite difficult when theory comes into the practical realm. We are expected to cultivate balance between poles of existence; miri and piri, shakti and bhakti, bani and bana, sargun and nirgun, sant and sipahi.

It doesn't only mean to stay in the middle of each spectrum, shying away from either extreme... But rather to excel on both extremes of the spectrum so that you ARE the spectrum. You become the embodiment of the totality of these poles of existence. Indeed when you reach the end of the end, and you can no longer go further, then duality breaks - you became two in One.

It is the ultimate Neutral mind that blossoms forth in all it's bliss and wonder, when one truly comes to embody all poles of existence and pulls them into your One form. It is Wah! I am, I am. Then there are no more questions, no more fears, no more mysteries... only WAH!

Prejudice - Part 2

2008-07-20T12:37:00.004-05:00

It takes a lot of patience and tact to rub off prejudices, and to take them as lightly as possible. It also takes a lot of compassion, to not get angry at ignorant people. And it takes a lot of selflessness and even more compassion to do the hard work needed to break negative prejudices. So, I want to discuss a few ways to help break the prejudices facing turban-wearing Sikhs that were listed in Part 1 of this article:

Don't get yourself into the justifying trap. People will find a billion ways of trying to explain to you that wearing a turban is not needed, and that you should "let your hair down" and chillax. They will go through the troubles of explaining why they eat meat or drink, and why it's not bad, and they won't stop blabbering until you "agree" with them. Or they'll bombard you with "questions" when they already have answers in their heads, but are just trying to lure you into a "conclusion" that would demand you to stop your Sikh-ways. Sooo - how to stop it before it starts? Remember the fact that you do NOT have to justify to them why you do what you do - Sikhism isn't just about logic, it is a way of life, that can not and should not have to be put on trial. Instead clearly state that "This is the way I do things, because I believe in it. And it works for me. Period." That should do the trick, and help nurture tolerance from the get-go...
When talking about your religion, way of life, beliefs, or opinions use language that makes it belong to you. Say "I believe...", "My faith...", "According to me..." Instead of "We" and "Us". This is because it makes it more personal - and less debatable. It also helps stop the "us and them" paradigm that separates "Sikhs from non-Sikhs" and instead makes you an individual, with your own choices and freedoms. It is also less threatening to others, so they don't feel like the "them" part of the paradigm. It will help people you communicate with to be more open, less defensive, and be more accepting your choices and way of life.
Do Seva (Selfless Service) for people of all communities all around you. Whenever you have the chance to do something nice, do it. Seva doesn't just happen in Gurdwaras, it happens on buses at at door entrances, in kind words and in your presence and blessings. You could also volunteer at places too. One main way of breaking prejudices on Sikhs, is actually by living like a real Sikh - do Seva for all of humanity equally and have a good character. Go out there and represent the Guru's command.
Be Universal in your Speech. Don't push down other faiths because you chose Sikhism or were born in it. It's important to be aware of history but don't dwell in it, dwell in now and the future of peace and humanity. Always remember the main message of Sikhism "There is only One God for all" - so be accepting to others, and see they will also become more accepting of you too. Guru Ji went to Mecca, and to Tibet and all around India - not to convert people, but to share the Love of the One and bring peace. And if you vibrate this seed-lesson of Guru Ji, at the core of your heart... it will bear it's fruit.
Be A Good Sport. If someone overtly attacks you or says something completely off, do not respond with the same immaturity and lack of consciousness. Keep your cool, and go beyond it - speak with grace and truth - stay universal and positive. Of course this doesn't mean that you don't report it and make sure it is "taken care of", it just means you do it with more class and maturity that will gain you (and Sikhs) more respect.
Provide Information. If anyone asks you questions, or would like to know more, you can refer them to some websites or other sources. Education destroys ignorance. So, don't be shy!
Wear Your Turban, and Smile! Don't be afraid to get out there, and wear bana, represent Sikhism, and live it. Just remember to keep a smile. If people stare at you, or ask you questions about it, if they look like they're uncertain about what to think of you... answer them and just smile from your heart and bless them. Chances are they will smile back, and the wall of prejudice will be shattered. Indeed, most people judge because they fear - but a smile is nothing to fear... it is something everyone wants to receive. :)

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh!

Prejudice - Part 1

2008-07-20T11:16:00.007-05:00

It's soon going to be one full year that I've been wearing a Sikh turban everyday, everywhere I go. And, not that I never noticed before, but ever since I started wearing a turban, I've often gotten strange stares, questions, prejudices, and misunderstandings on so many levels it's incredible. Even from people that I've spent a considerable amount of time with, many still seem to not quite "get" who I am, because of this "dramatic image" associated with so many misconceived ideas in their heads.

You know it all too well, I'm sure. Here's a funny but true list of unspoken or inferred prejudices that people "say" about you, the Turban Wearer:

You must be very heavy, a fanatic, an extremist, a terrorist?
A muslim? Or... a genie? Or what?
You can't see beyond the box of your own religion, if you're that committed to it
It's impossible for you to understand anything "normal" or non-sikh, I'm sure... Sikhism is all you know - or you wouldn't be a Sikh.
You're very strict and rigid - you need to soften up for God's sake!
You need to be educated in the Joys of Life, because you certainly must be very serious, bored, missing out on life, and solemn to be "locked in" by a turban and faith
I have to justify all the things I do different than you (like eating meat, drinking alcohol, or cutting my hair), or you'll judge me as a heathen, a sinner, a bad person. And I won't stop justifying until you agree with me, thus redeeming myself unto the heavens.
To a White Sikh: Oh my, Who coerced you?! You must be a very naive or a brainwashed person. How was your childhood?
To a White Girl Sikh: Did you marry a Sikh Man, is that why? Because most certainly you couldn't have chosen 'that' way of life on your own, could you?!
If you're a woman: ...I thought only men wore turbans? *quizzical look*
And from people of other faiths, you will sometimes hear: well if you chose Sikhism, it most certainly is because you didn't research/read/understand enough about 'our' faith (be it Christianity, Islam, etc).
What are you hiding under your turban... why don't you show us your hair. It's driving me nuts that you're hiding your hair. I must find a way to see it! Gah!!!!!! (aka: I must gain power by destroying all walls that exist between you and me).

Other little things include Muslim people asking me if I'm Muslim, or just plainly saying "Salam", people comment it looks like the olden times European paintings with women in turbans, others ask how long it takes to tie it and that it must be very hard to do. I've also had Rastafarians yell out "Ja!" and "Empress!". Or angry old men say "Read the bible!". The whole spectrum exists...

But one thing is for sure, if you are to wear a religious symbol outwardly, as obvious as the Sikh turban... then you have to be prepared to hear it all, and live with these prejudices, and bear them - AND be patient and willing to do what is in our power to help change them. Part 2 of this article will be directly about "Changing Prejudices", so stay tuned.

Experience

2008-07-05T20:01:00.004-05:00

Now more than ever before, I realize the value of Experience.

I admit that for the most part of my life I have been an intellectual, a philosopher, a spiritual wannabe, always full of interest and passion for ideas and concepts to blow the mind. I have shelves and shelves of books on these subjects. Things I would read later, and try later, and put into practise - Later. And the years passed, and still I have not gained the Experience.

One thing helped change that - Kundalini Yoga. I had always wanted to do yoga for staying in shape in a calm refreshing way, and it won over a gym membership because yoga doesn't depend on machines and can be done anywhere at any age. I also liked the fact that Kundalini Yoga uses Sikh mantras and so on. But lo and behold - the changes were more than I expected. Not only did I gain physical strength and develop willpower that I never thought I had, I also recognized the huge importance of Experience - as yoga happens 'on the mat', not in a book or in the head.

It is not until one Experiences something, that it truly becomes theirs. That you can own it. And... I also realized that that is the message of Sikhism too - religion and faith does not happen in blind rituals and repetition of traditions or by anyone else doing it for you... its about you experiencing the Divine in and all around you. It's about chanting the Name and meditating consciously with Love no matter what you may be doing - it is about practising humility and serving others - it is a life style that you live everyday day in and day out... that leads to an experience that becomes Yours.

Without the practical, it just stays a theory...

So, my challenge to myself and to anyone reading this is to 'quit thinking too hard' and start the experience of living and breathing and being... put things to the test and see the effects... for living is Now... the experience is Now... or forever hold your peace.

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh

The Womb

2008-04-08T18:27:00.003-05:00

How soon does the soul inhabit the body of the child sleeping within? What are they doing and thinking during this time, waiting for birth? In Gurbani it says that the soul of the baby-to-be is very aware of their mission here on Earth, and they meditate and pray in the wombs of their mothers~* Is that why there is such marvel and amazement when one comes into the presence of a pregnant mother? There is something so sublime, so mysterious, so saintly... that emanates from the core of her being... a consciousness in deep samadhi and bliss... a saint wrapped in the body sheath of a baby...

Namo Namo~~

Field of Hearts

2008-04-08T13:48:00.005-05:00

In the desert of maya
is a field where hearts grow
like saint-warriors lined up row on row
like flowers blooming
....
Yet no one knows the secret

Seed Poem

2008-03-09T19:34:00.004-05:00

Dear Creation of the Lord,

Plant the seed of service
onto the body-field so that -
Your hands shall help millions across the world ocean
Your feet shall walk the path fearlessly
Your mouth shall sing the praises and songs of the One
Your eyes shall be filled with exuberant light and wonder
Your ears shall resonate the Eternal sound current of the Shabad
In this way your body shall dance in service of the Lord.

Plant the seed of humility
onto the mind-field so that -
Your thoughts shall stop running circles confusing you -
You shall know the Truth
Your actions shall never harm your many forms -
You shall be the form of Compassion

Plant the seed of longing
onto the soul-field,
So that God's Name can take root...

But most of all, my dear beloveds -
Plant the seeds of love
that it may flourish and blossom
within the garden of your heart!

What is the Real Seva?

2008-02-21T22:34:00.005-06:00

Seva means Selfless Service. People do "seva" all the time in the Gurdwara by cleaning up, helping in the kitchen, greeting people, and many other ways people can help others. But, what is Real seva?

Real Seva begins when the self, the "I", the identity is no longer,
and instead we are serving the infinite manifestations or forms of Our Beloved.
When everything becomes our Beloved,
We start caring and trying to heal each and every suffering.
When everything becomes our Beloved,
Humility and devotion begin to permeate all our actions, thoughts and words.
When everything becomes our Beloved,
Compassion spills outward from the heart home.
When everything becomes our Beloved,
We completely forget ourselves, there are no limits.
When everything becomes our Beloved,
We bow to All.
When everything becomes our Beloved,
We are no longer, but the embodiment of Love.

This is the True Spirit of Selfless Service:
The One becomes All, through the sacrifice of Love.

The Will of God vs. Freewill

2008-02-21T21:42:00.005-06:00

The Problem of Freewill is a very old unsolved philosophical enigma... People have always asked "If God is omnipotent, how could we have a freewill - wouldn't God's will ultimately win over our own will as God is more powerful"? These questions lead us to another philosophical enigma called The Problem of Evil, but I will leave that to another day. First let's take a closer look at this Freewill thing...

In all religions, all societal rules and regulations, all human interactions are based on some fundamental assumptions about what is deemed to be appropriate moral/ethical behavior. It is assumed that a person is doing "good" or doing "bad" and that the responsibility and thus consequences of behaviors would be directed towards the individual in question. We assume we, and everyone else has freewill. We are free to sin or not to sin, it is our own choice.

But then if God comes into the picture: The Omnibenevolent, The Omniscient, The Omnipotent... our idea of freewill just kinda looks as "powerful" as an ant standing beside an elephant! What to do? How to make sense of all this?

In Jap Ji Sahib, which is the first prayer in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, The Living Guru of the Sikhs, in the form of scripture, Hukam (God's Command) is one of the first concepts introduced.

At the end of the first pauree (stanza):
So how can you become truthful? And how can the veil of illusion be torn away? O Nanak, it is written that you shall obey the Hukam of His Command, and walk in the Way of His Will. ||1||

Then at the end of the Second pauree:
Everyone is subject to His Command; no one is beyond His Command. O Nanak, one who understands His Command, does not speak in ego. ||2||

At the end of the third pauree:
The Commander, by His Command, leads us to walk on the Path. O Nanak, He blossoms forth, Carefree and Untroubled. ||3||

Then at the end of the fourth pauree:
By the karma of past actions, the robe of this physical body is obtained. By His Grace, the Gate of Liberation is found. O Nanak, know this well: the True One Himself is All. ||4||

Note: I just posted the last parts of these 4 paurees to really point out the "thread" of Hukam, but I do encourage those who wish, to read all of Jap Ji Sahib to capture the full essence and depth of the scripture...

Looking at these points in scripture one deduces that we must bring our will "in line with" God's will, but that in fact God's will is the only will that exists, we just have to remember and realize that. When we realize that it's not only God's will that is all, but that God IS all, our ego is shattered and we are liberated.

In other words: when we remember and realize that God him/herself is ALL, all people, all places, all things, pervading and doing everything... then there is really only One Existence and One Will.

Gurbani's Love and Respect

2007-12-27T16:32:00.004-06:00

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh Ji,

It has come to my attention that certain individuals and groups of Sikhs are unfamiliar with the cultural and religious sensitivities of how to respect and take care of Gurbani. This is very unfortunate, but is a clear byproduct of our lack of proactive religious education and awareness.

Here's 2 things I want to share with you today : Why it's important to respect Gurbani, and how to respect and take care of Gurbani.

Why is it important to respect Gurbani:

A Sikh must respect Gurbani in all it's forms, because it is the form (saroop) of Guru Ji. If one values the goal of Sikhism, to become a devotee of the Waheguru Ji and to merge into the Shabad, then they must highly value the source of such teachings!

Gurbani is Guru, and Guru is Gurbani. It is our ultimate guide and teacher on this Earth. These Words of spiritual wisdom that the Guru spoke are jewels, gems and rubies. They are not cheap, and are not easy to come by in this world. One is very lucky to be able to hear, read, listen and understand such wisdom from the True Guru. The True Guru, as embodied in Gurbani, is our spiritual teacher and saint, a form of the Lord him/herself - they give light and understanding to the minds so indulged in "the dark age". They enlighten through their words and their grace. As such they demand a place of respect and love in one's heart! Without Gurbani and Guru, what is a Sikh to do?

Doing the Seva (service) of the Saroop (form) of The True Guru
Devotion and Love well up to overflow within the heart home
Humility is applied to the mind as its robe of honor
The ego quiets down enough to listen to the Shabad
One becomes Guruward
And the True Guru in turn, blesses such a One.

How to Respect and Take Care of Gurbani:

Never under any circumstances should one put Gurbani, in any form, on the ground or floor. That would be considered highly disrespectful! It deserves a higher place, a clean place, and to be handled with utmost care.
Wash your hands before handling Gurbani. Hygiene in general is always expected from anyone, but take some extra steps for Gurbani's devotion.
Cover your head when you are in the presence of Gurbani, reading Gurbani or listening to Gurbani. This is an act of humility, respect, and devotion.
Take off your shoes. Preferably you should be barefoot, but if need be in the case of extreme cold, socks may be permitted. Being barefoot is a sign of respect and humility, and keeps the premises clean.
When handling Gurbani one should wear a "Hazooria" which is a clean cloth "scarf" around one's neck. This is used incase you need to sneeze, scratch yourself, wipe tears or anything else, that you will use the Hazooria instead of your hands, so that your hands will stay clean during the time you are touching Gurbani.
When reading from a Gutka Sahib (A prayer 'book'), one should use a clean cloth to cover the covers of the book, or to place on the surface where the book will be resting
When handling the Angs (pages), one must not wet one's fingers, must not rub pages together, and must not dog-ear pages.
When holding an Ang (page), do not put your fingers directly "on" the Gurmukhi letters as the sweat and oils of your hands may damage the print.
If you are doing "Chaur Seva" (the service of waving the fan over Gurbani Saroop) do not "whip" the chaur/fan on the angs/pages of Guru Sahib. The chaur should not directly touch Gurbani, but rather fan over it like a half circle.
All in all, the most important thing is that you act and do with Love, and sincerity. When love and sincerity are there, most of these rules make intuitive sense and are followed without effort, but come naturally.

Feel free to share this information with your loved ones and friends. May we learn how to become the Servants of Gurubani, and inspire others to become so as well.

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh Ji

Attachment - Moh

2007-12-01T17:10:00.001-06:00

Someone once explained to me that... the 5 evils are like a house.

Attachment is the foundation
Anger, Greed, Lust, and Ego are the 4 pillars at the corners
The walls and ceiling is the mind, the doors and windows are the senses
If the foundation breaks, the house can't stand and the pillars crumble to the ground.
With it will crumble the mind and the limits of the senses.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Indeed...
Anger can not happen without attachment to one's own views
Greed can not happen without attachment to what we collect and want to possess
Lust can't happen without attachment to worldly pleasures of the flesh
Ego can't happen without attachment to one's own self identity

It's like a house of cards... If the foundation of attachment for worldly things breaks... the rest tumbles down with it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The cure? Attach yourself to the un-attachable, the un-graspable, the formless, the permeating, the deathless and permanent One.

Attach yourself to the feet of such a One, and make it your home and shelter.
Only in this house, shall you find comfort.

The Real Way to God is Love

2007-10-24T13:43:00.001-05:00

I say this all the time, so forgive me for repeating, but it is the ultimate truth of the Sikh spiritual practice.

Without love, anything you do is utterly useless.

You may wake up every morning at 2am and take a shower, wear your 5 symbols all the time, cover your head, and recite your prayers. But without love and understanding of what you are doing, it is worse than doing nothing at all. Who are you trying to prove? Why do you perpetually do this? Reciting words you memorized, but do not understand! Where are you now, how far has it taken you?

God knows what you think about when you do these daily rituals. God knows how you feel proud after completing nitnem, though you didn't understand a word of it, and even less have you lived by it's teachings. God knows your heart. You may try to lead the world into thinking you are some hotshot spiritual fanatic, but God always knows who you really are. You may hide behind your religious clothes and symbols, but God will find you out. In God's court, you are utterly naked. Not even your hands can cover your shameful face.

So tell me, why do you pretend?

Without real love and understanding, all religious practices are dead. Wake up and realize this! If you do anything religious, do it out of LOVE, out of thirst! Out of genuine wanting!!! And then you will reap the benefits a thousand fold!

The way of the Sikh, is to love the Lord and the Guru's teachings, and to live them every second of his life.
By remembering and loving God every second, you wear your robe made from the fabric of grace and purity.
By remembering God and Loving Him every second, you are bowing to Him who is all.
By remembering, you will never faulter, all your actions will be service to Him.
By loving Him, you will conquer even death the torturer.
By loving Him, you bath yourself every second of the day, in the cleansing waters of Ambrosial Nectar.
By Remembering and Loving Him, you come to merge with God in the true home of your inner self.

Please dear beloved followers of Sikhism, follow this true way of the Heart~*
This is my only request.

God Bless
Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh

Division In Sikhi

2007-10-12T20:59:00.000-05:00

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh Pyaray Sangat Ji,

The issue of "Jathas" in Sikhism is huge. I'm sure most of you Sikhs out there have witnessed some sort of clash, argument, anger and hate, ect that started off as a difference/division between Jatha beliefs, focuses, views and what not. In this rather long post, I'm going to attempt to show you how disastrous division is for communities, Sikh Panth included.

If we look at World History, we will find a couple common features: Societies, Countries, Nations, Entire civilizations, and even Religions, literally break down by Division. I'm going to share a bit of examples, because history is a greatly undervalued source of advice on what "not to do".

Here are a few examples:

The Jews of Ancient time divided into 14 tribes and lead nomadic lives; It made their homeland of Israel very hard to rule-over and manage, thus Egypt ruled over the Jews and used them as slaves. (Until Moses came along and lead them out of slavery and made them strong again)... In modern times they have divided again into "orthodox, reform, conservative etc" but the not-so-far memory of the Holocaust has united them in some ways... (not there yet)

The Muslims divided into Sunni and Shi'ite and Sufis. The division was caused by belief in different successor for Muhammed. (Sunnis believe the successor gotta be the most religious follower, and the Shi'ites believe it was Ali the cousin of Muhammed). Now they are constantly killing eachother, and at eachother's throats, even though ironically they are both muslim. Not to mention a dark period of history in which it was a "Sufi Hunt" - to kill all sufis possible, in the most gruesome ways possible, just because of their slightly more mystical beliefs.

The Christians divided, and as a result a lot of bloodshed, wars, crusades and murders, supposed "Witch-hunts", burning of books, burning and jailing of people, etc. Their main divisions was into Catholicism, Orthodox and Protestantism, and from then Protestantism into a huge bunch of sub denominations. Today things seem to be "stable", but it is obvious that the Catholic Church and Vatican, Rome hold hardly any power at all, over anything much, compared to some hundred years ago, mainly because of the divisions.

The Amerindians (aka First Nations) of Mexico, USA, and Canada, were already widely divided. A whole bunch of tribes/nations flourished (despite small mini-wars and attacks among themselves) mainly because of the vastness of land available. Some were sedentary, others nomadic... Well, when the explorers came along and decided to STEAL their land and claim it for France, Spain and England... the Amerindians were so divided that they could not organize themselves to fight in a way that could benefit them all for saving their land. And as a result they lost their birth-land, the land they had for thousands of years. They were brutally killed, massive genocides took place, etc... though some small tribes are still around today, their "Nation" has been reduced for the most part to... small Indian reserves struck with poverty and drug abuse, and their resources (like water and trees and mines) are routinely getting taken away from them.

As for India... Firstly, take a look at the Caste System (an obvious form of division of people) and what it has done to the lives of people? Marriages being broken cause he/she wasn't of the "right" caste, wives and children enslaved to brahmins because men of lower caste thought it would "bring them salvation" to give their wives and children away and then kill themselves with some "big saw". Countless murders and injustices on the basis of Caste. (On the basis of Division). (an example given above by someone is the story of Bhagat Namdev, who was beaten and kicked out for "spoiling" a "holy bhramin temple"... because we was of lower caste.

What about 1947... What did the partition of 1947 do to Punjab and the Punjabi people? And the Sikh people? The Sikh Nation? It was yet again, a Division (this time, obviously physical). Looking at maps of Punjab one can see the constant "getting smaller and smaller" divisions being made, of the once Huge and Vast and Riverful Punjab. And what effects it has had on it's people... Once a Nation, Once a Kingdom, now... a state that is quite small, divided, and surrounded by 'enemies' so to speak. It's inhabitants being driven into poverty, people willing to sell off relatives, water and wheat constantly being "Stolen" away from them, people resorting to drugs and alcohol to numb the mind... signs of a breaking society...

Conquering/Ruling People who love Power have always known this simple Fact:

DIVIDE AND RULE.
If you can manage to create physical, or even better instigate psychological/mental divisions in the Country, Religion, Nation, you wish to conquer over, you are set! Division creates havoc in communities, divisions make people vulnerable, and thus easier to control, assimilate, rule over, etc.

Division, is the LAST thing the Sikh Nation, The Sikh Faith, The Sikh Community, the Followers of our Great Gurus... need at this point. We already have OTHER people who are trying to divide us ... why are we dividing our own selves?

Hindu fundamentalists, and some government secret agencies are out there trying to divide the Sikh panth (the rise of unstopped random Dera groups, the rise of badly written school books miseducating punjabi youth about Sikhism, the spying on foreign and Indian Gurdwaras, the spreading of rumors, tension, etc).
1947
1984
Muslim fundamentalists trying to convert Sikh (and other) girls to Islam, and then some of them shipping them unwittingly to Pakistan and other places to sell them as prostitutes.
The Jailing, torturing, and "mysterious" disappearances of Thousands of Sikh Youth in Punjab and other states since even before 1984, and still goes on today (less noticed)...
Some Christian organizations trying to convert Sikhs to Christianity
The immigration to the west of tons of Sikhs, and then the challenges faced in western society regarding Beards, Turbans, Kirpans... discrimination... hate crimes... which gave rise of a bunch of Sikhs becoming clean-shaven, and then finding rationals for it thus more division.
The huge amount of "Sikh-Denominations"... (Some of them small out there ones, started God-Knows how)

Division leads to Destruction.
**That's indeed how to throw a mountain to the ground... blast it with explosives so it breaks into smaller and smaller rocks... no longer a big strong mountain, aint it?!**

In this dark age of Kaliyug, we must become stronger than ever, united as ever, fearless and brave, and watching out for ALL our brothers and sisters, and walk with conviction, faith, grace, strength, fierceness when needed, and compassion, love, and UNITY.

Bickering over small details and dividing our own community is of pure ignorant, egotistical, and shameful behavior. Spread more PYAR, Love your brothers and sisters, love all of humanity. Do Seva for ALL, Do Simran for ALL, Do Sangat with ALL. In this way not only can we unite the panth, we can also unite our minds to our Lord and Guru.

What are you waiting for?! Get out there and show your Unity to the Sikh Panth, and the Panth of Humanity. We have a lot of work to do...

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh Ji....

PS: It IS Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji who said "There is no Hindu, There is no Muslim" - The God of ALL is ONE. Now, if OUR Guru said that about different Religions, how can we GRR about different groups within Sikhi?

May we echo, with longing and love... There is no 'this Jatha' and 'that Jatha', There is no Us and Them. - The God of ALL is ONE.

Sikhi and The Need for Enviromental Seva

2007-10-10T15:00:00.001-05:00

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh Ji

It is my intention in this article to expose and hopefully awaken something within you, as a Sikh of Guru Sahib, regarding particular environmental issues that need to be faced.

So - Let's face it: Most Gurdwaras are not giving much thought to being environmentally friendly. And it is also likely that most Sikhs don't act environmentally conscious even in their own homes.

What is wrong with this picture, you ask?

Sikh call themselves men and women of God; God's servant, God's Das, But why arn't they serving God's creation? It says in Gurbani that God is pervading the water, sky and land... why arn't we honoring that?

Sikhs are supposed to represent the Guru's message, the Sikh faith, and the spirit of Seva for the whole of the world. But instead, we are thinking seva is only for Sikhs, Sikh issues, seva is only in the Gurdwara, serve Langar or something, or go sort the shoes. We go do it and then we feel good "Ah, it's done, I did a bit of seva today..." but we are not seeing all the things that NEED to be done! Why arn't gurdwaras recycling, and composting and other things, and reusing what can be reused, and reducing the use of pollutants such as Styrofoam plates and cups, and plastic utensils! This is just basic!

Sikhs have to serve the whole of creation, and one big chunk of that is Seva for the Earth. I don't want to get into the details of "How", I'm very sure most of you already know how, and if you don't you can find an abundance of information online.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh Ji

A Story of Devotion

2007-10-01T17:38:00.000-05:00

I got this story in an email. It is beautiful!

A bhagat (devotee) of almighty Waheguru (God) did so much simran (rememberence of God, done by calling God's Name) that even his thumb had eroded and deformed from the constant use of the malla (rosary).

One day another mahapursh (Enlightened One) came across this bhagat (devotee) and was shocked at the state of his thumb. After learning that this was caused by the constant use of the malla (rosary) during simran (rememberence), the mahapursh (Enlightened One) asked what avasta (state of realization) have you reached? The bhagat (devotee) replied I do not know!

With his divine vision the mahapursh (Enlightened One) looked into the heavens and discovered that not one recited naam (the Name of the Lord) had been noticed in God's court. The mahapursh was really upset and said that your thumb has even been deformed by the vast amount of simran you have done yet you have received nothing for it yet.

The bhagat smiled and kept his composure, not upset at the least by the revelation and replied, "It is my duty to pray to almighty Waheguru (God) and it Waheguru's duty to decide whether my bhagti (devotion) bares any fruit.."

Tears began to roll down the cheeks of the mahapursh at the amount of pyaar (love) this bhagat had and embraced him.

Youth of the Month Interview

2007-10-01T17:14:00.004-05:00

In August I was asked to do an interview for the website www.unitedsikhs.com to share my experience coming into Sikhism, and to inspire the Sikh youth. Here is a copy of it:

please tell us a little bit about yourself to begin with including your hobbies, interests, your school and memberships?

Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji ki Fateh!

I am very fond of anything spiritual, artistic and thought provoking. I enjoy immersing myself in painting, song-writing; singing and classical guitar, creative writing, poetry... spiritual concepts such as Naam, Amrit, IK, Shabad, and Merging fascinate me, and the occasional mind-blowing spiritual conversations are very dear to me. I love learning and I'm never done learning... During my time at Acadia, I started off in philosophy, then music technology. I transfered to Concordia and now I will complete my BA after all, in psychology.

Were you brought up in a gursikh family? How do you feel your family, friends, and sangat have impacted you looking at yourself now?

No, I was not brought up in a Gursikh family. My father is Catholic, and my mother who was a determined atheist only recently became a new-born Christian. My parents were never married, and did not live together. In my earlier childhood, I stayed with my mother. It was a very frightening time in my life, and a hard time in hers. I was surrounded by alcohol, drugs, bars, poverty and abuse. Because of these circumstances, I was handed over to and brought up by a lot of different people, all of whom have shaped me in some way. These include but are not limited to: strangers in homeless shelters, foster homes, relatives, my grandmother, and family friends.

All these experiences taught me so many things. Firstly, I developed a strong distaste for drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, bars and the like. To me, they are the symbol of pain, broken homes and hearts. This saved me from bad company and situations many a times.

Secondly, because I was changing schools and moving all the time, living out of a suitcase, I came to realize that NO ONE and NO PLACE is ever permanent. I will always have to pack my bags, and go. This is a lesson in Sikhi too: Don't attach to your family, friends, spouse, not even your own body as you will have to leave it too. I didn't belong anywhere, I never stayed long enough in one place to build close friendships, I was bullied or laughed at more than liked. The French call me English, and the English call me French, I have Native blood, but I am not Native, and neither am I Punjabi. I am a cultural mutt. Spending so many years like this, belonging nowhere, alone as an outsider and stranger, I was - without a place to call home... I had made my body my temporary walking home and my mind, my companion, and music a soothing ointment - but even these will not stay with me. I was drenched in pain, and on this search for "Home", I came to the shelter of Sikhi, empty handed and thirsty.

In my later childhood, I went under the custody of my father. This changed my life completely. He taught me respect by respecting me. He taught me gentleness, by never yelling or calling me names. He taught me acceptance by laughing with me when I made a mistake, and saying "no one is perfect"... Today he is not only my father, but a dear friend. I used to ask him questions about God, and why we are on the Earth, why do we suffer, and what's the purpose of life... very patiently, he would try to answer them the best he could. This became the seed of my spiritual life, and I continue to ask questions, learn and try to understand.

As for Sangat ... Without sangat, I would never have heard about and learned about Sikhism. I would never have made it to that first and special samagam. I would not have had the courage to walk the path. I would not have met, and been able to look up to the role models before me, in awe and wonder, and secret jelousy which made me all the more thirsty, seeing their radiant faces... I would not have found my real kindred family, and I would not have been able to join them... singing the songs of Gurbani... Without them, I would not be where I am now... and to them, I am indebted a thousand times over. May Waheguru Ji bless them with His grace and Name.

What inspired you to get on the path of Sikhi? What interested you? Was there any one thing that kept your motivation and faith sky high?

The profound experience of pain, made me question why we are on Earth and why do we suffer. Pain brought me on the journey of seeking out the Truth of human existence. For over 10 years, I searched and searched in all directions. I looked at so many religions, and tried many things and ways of life. Nothing stuck, nothing felt right, nothing belonged to me. I didn't know anything about Sikhism, and perhaps I would have never heard of Sikhism if it wasn't for God's grace that one day 3 years ago a sikh lent me a copy of Jap Ji Sahib Ji.

"One Universal Creator God" ----- long pause ----- my mind was enraptured, yet trying to grasp the meaning. The words took life and mesmerized me. Only ONE God? God is All there is? Permeating everywhere and everything? ----- "THE NAME IS TRUTH" ----- I stared at the words in shock, surprise, stung by its purity and truth. It did not say God's name is Allah, Ram, Jehovah, Yahweh... It said God's name is (the essence of) TRUTH. About 10 minutes passed in this way. I read the rest of the Mool Mantr. I can not describe how I felt... but it was like suddenly finding that 'thing' that was inside you all along, this truth that didn't have a voice, was so bluntly, and simply infront of me in written word. And it was at that moment that I met and fell in love with Gurbani.

From there, I learned more about Sikhism and started reading more Gurbani. Some road blocks appeared here and there; doubts, questions, and misunderstandings... But with time, education, discussions, help from sangat, and Gurbani, I started to grasp what Sikhism is all about, and how it is practiced in daily life. If ever any doubts remained, then Gurbani washed it all clean. Slowly, with Guru Ji's kirpa, I decided that I will live the life of a Sikh.

Many things keep me on the path, with faith, and hunger. The stories of the lovers of God, saints and bhagats who've thirsted for and have been blessed with the jewel of Naam. The lives of our Gurus and of Gursikhs. Sangat in it's various forms; inspires and uplifts me, reminding me of the way. And above all, my ultimate companion, sangat and inspiration; Gurbani. Bani is so mystical and deep. It is the poetry of the lover who yearns to merge with the Lord...it is a vast and endless ocean of Truth and peace. Infront of the embodiment of Truth, my small problems become quite insignificant. Infront of the embodiment of Truth, I become even more thirsty for merging... in that thirst, there's no more questions, no more doubts, only LOVE and Melting.

In your opinion, whats the best way for youth to learn about Sikhi and to encourage them to take amrit and follow the path of Guru jee?

The best way to learn about Sikhi, is to take the dive. Even if you don't know anything at all about Sikhism (as I started off), ask questions, and find answers. Read as much Gurbani as you can, and find the Guru-ward sangat.

As for Amrit... the only prerequisite is love and thirst. Don't think about if it is convenient for you or not. Don't think about "what others will think". Don't think "later". Remember Vaisakhi - when Guru Ji asked the thousands present "Who will give their head to me"?... Guru Ji asks this very same question on every occasion where there is an Amrit Sanchar. What will you say to Him? "No Guru Ji, not now... maybe later... I'm not ready yet". What kind of love and devotion? Become His now... and He will make you ready, and He will arrange everything for you, He will find ways to teach you what you have to know.

There are no bounds to the joy, bliss and peace that comes from taking the Sacred Amrit, and being soaked in the Lord's love. Pray that Waheguru Ji may give you this rare opportunity in this life, and don't turn back if given the chance.

When did you get blessed with Amrit and what was the reason you wanted to give your head to Guroo Maharaaj? How did being blessed with Amrit change your lifestyle? How were your family with this?

Sunday, September 4th, 2005. It was about my fourth visit to a Gurdwara, and my first samagam. By the miracle of Guru Ji's grace, I was blessed with Amrit, and was named Amrit Kaur. Remembering that day brings me back to that time and place, and all the emotions... it still feels like yesterday.

The reason? Logic is useless, when Love prevails. I was sitting in sangat since the very early morning, listening to simran and kirtan, and something happened inside of me. Memories of all the wrongs I've committed, things I regretted, were flashing in my mind. I was acutely aware of my demerits, my faults, my blunders and sins, my filth and foulness. My stench of a being. But, at the same time... I was also very conscious of the miracle and mercy Waheguru Ji was bestowing upon me, having that chance of sitting among the sangat and listening to His Praises. My soul melted. How could God, be so forgiving, so merciful, so loving... to a dirty blackened sinner like me?! I felt Him calling me, and asking me... if I will give myself to Him. If I would die for Him. I could not say "no" to Guru Ji and I drank the Amrit... I can't tell you my emotions... it is by far the most beautiful day of my whole life...

After Amrit, my life changed. I was living on clouds for many weeks! And I had to get used to the 5k, and other rehit. Keeping my hair wasn't too big of a change for me. I never liked cutting my hair, and shaving seemed pointless. I was already vegetarian since some months because of ethical and ecological reasons, but after Amrit it became set in stone. Just being strict vegetarian is a huge challenge in this society and in my family. It generated a lot of discussion, and my father often got frustrated that I would not eat the same thing as him. Most French Canadians can not even imagine that a vegetarian diet could keep you alive... But now after 2 years, even my father occasionally eats vegetarian meals with me.

Only my father and friends know that I am Sikh. My father accepted that I am sikh, but could not understand the kirpan. It was a very big issue for a long time. To him, it was clearly a weapon and nothing else. I hid it under my clothes the best I could, as to not upset him. Now he is somewhat ok with it, I haven't hurt anyone yet, haha. Covering my head is also a very big problem in my house. I wore bandanas, but my father would call me "pirate" and give me cold looks. One day I wore a turban in front of him. He jumped back, taking a big inhale of air, eyes dilated in shock, horror and fear. It hurt me, because I care for him, he is a really good person, but he doesn't fully understand Sikhism. It is only recently, after all the stories and explanations that he's starting to understand Sikhism, and that it's not related to Islam or Hinduism, and that Sikh women have rights. All this made me realize how uninformed and/or misinformed most westerners are about Sikhism. I, myself didn't even hear the word Sikhism until I met a Sikh who told me. I think it is high time that sikhs realize the importance of connecting with and opening up to the community at large to spread awareness on Sikhism and Sikhs.

Despite the little difficulties, Sikhi is my path, my breathe, my life, and hope of life. And I will continue to follow it, with Guru Ji's Grace.

There seems to be an ever growing battle in the western world to tackle the vices which can seriously affect our Sikhi. What would you say can help overcome these in our day to day life?

With every action, you have a choice to 'do' or 'not do'. Before engaging in anything, ask yourself if it will bring good in the end. If not, don't do it. Don't plant even a seed, though it may seem innocent, but can grow into an opportunity for any of the five vices. Learn to say "No" to situations that can deviate you away from Sikhi and good conduct. Don't let your mind control you no matter how it tries to trick you, you have to control it!

In Sikhi, we are taught to become Saint-Warriors. We must use that Warrior aspect, on our own minds to tackle the five vices. They are our real enemies, they perpetuate duality. How to destroy them? Use Truth as the Sword of your mind. Stay determined and do not waver; keep your mind sharply focused on the Truth - which is found in Gurbani, the Truth that is sharper than a razor blade, straight and hair-thin as the edge of the Sword. In this way, whatever thoughts or impulses that are false will be destroyed.

We must also use the Saint aspect. How? The measure of our success in this world, is Love. If we are thirsty, and melting in love for the Lord, then we know we are on the true path. On the other hand, if we don't have love and thirst for God, then we should reconsider what we are doing, and how we are living. You will know you are on the right path, when love and thirst for God well up to overflow inside. Without the Name and Love for the Lord, everything is false. The falsehoods only bring pain, emptiness, and shame. Realize that these vices, in the end only bring excruciating pain - they eat at us from the inside out. If you don't believe me, test it, see that it is not real happiness. Youth, money, reputation, popularity, 'beauty', and material possessions... the more you care about them, the more they will hurt you in the end. It is only till we turn to God, and become Guru-ward, become the saint-warrior, live a life of sadh sangat, seva, simran (true congregation, selfless service, remembrance), and Gurbani... until we live in the world but become dead from the world... that we will find peace from the burning fire of the vices.

What are your views on Today's youth?

They are full of potential! They are the future of the Sikh Panth! They have the power to revive the spirit of Sikhi, and inspire others to follow on the path. They have the power to unite the Sikh Panth, by realizing that a Sikh is a Sikh is a Sikh. They have the power to bring peace, by realizing a human is a human is a human. They have the power to change the world, through the teachings of the True Guru - and by doing Seva for the Earth, animals, and all humans irrespective of religion, caste, creed, gender, language and country of origin, so that other communities my be inspired to do the same. Today's youth, by the grace of the True Guru, have the potential to become Khalsa, and True Devotees of Waheguru Ji, soaked and drenched in the love of Naam.

May the youth realize this potential, which can be easily forgotten amongst the nitty gritty of everyday life...
And may they act upon it...

What is your message to Sikh youth reading this interview right now?

You have the opportunity to follow the path of Sikhism! Realize your luck! There are millions of truth-thirsty people on the Earth, who would be amazed at the Truth of Gurbani, if only they had the chance. Don't forsake the most beautiful and priceless jewel! Realize your luck!

The time is Now! Don't wait till your old age to begin to jap (chant and meditate) on the Lord. Don't wait till your death bed to remember Him and get thirsty for Naam and Merging. Pray to Waheguru Ji! Who knows when we will have to leave this Earth?

Take the Dive!

Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji ki Fateh!

PS: Please forgive me for anything that I may have said that is inaccurate or incorrect. I am still just a student in Sikhi, grasping for the Truth.

The One God is the same God for ALL

2007-10-01T16:33:00.000-05:00

One of the things that kept me away from certain faiths is their insistence on "________ is the only way". It felt absurd, as strange as putting God into a box and labeling it. Putting words on "God's forehead" and in "God's mouth". But who are we to place limits on him/her/it/they?

I fell in love with this line in the Sikh scripture:

raah dhovai eik jaanai soee sijhasee ||
One who recognizes that all spiritual paths lead to the One shall be emancipated.
by Guru Nanak Dev Ji on page 142

It felt liberating! Finally, 'someone out there' is saying that no matter your choice of spiritual paths, as long as it is spiritual (and truthful) will lead you to God. It also means not to judge/hate/despise any religion, but to respect and honour all those who are True within their hearts and on their spiritual path.

It also challenges our preconceived ideas about God. God is the same god for everyone. We call him/her/it/they by different names, in a myriad of languages. We practice infinitely different ways of showing our devotion and love to God. We wear a variety of different religious clothes and surround ourselves with various religious memorabilia. BUT, what is comes down to it, the God for "Them" is also the God for "Us", he/she has merely "changed forms" in the minds of people.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who founded the Sikh (Learner) 'religion'/way of life, in India in the 15th Century started his mission with one message:

"There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim. There is Only ONE God for all the people."

What he set out to do, was create peace among the different religions in saying that we may call God by different names and practice devotion differently, but the core is the same: There is but One God for all of humanity, the essence of which is Truth. Live a truthful life and remember God always.

And I love that!

Amrit Kaur

*Purpose of Life* (exploration part 4)

*Purpose of Life* (exploration part 3)

*Purpose of Life* (exploration part 2)

Purpose of Life Quotes by Yogi Bhajan

*Purpose of Life* (exploration part 1)

The beauty of feeling

Love quote by Yogi Bhajan

Guru Ji's Complete Bliss!!

Beautiful Lord

Celebrating International Women's Day

Ame

Waho!!!!!!!! Sachi Bani

11/1/11

Always be on Guard!

Reflections on Change

Simplicity

A Quote from Yogi Bhajan

Mirrors Mirrors Everywhere

Wahooo!!!

The Everchanging

Wow - Gurbani

Saint André

The Lines Are Blurring

Muahaha - right on the dot

My God!!!

Forget Me

Beautiful Yogi Ji Quote

Women and Hair

An Excerpt

My Lord and Master~~*

My Lord and Master

Spiritual Gluttony

Fanaticism and Devotion

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

A Thought on Reality

A Verse from the Gospel of St-Thomas

Sacrifice

Përsonal Reflections Free-flow

Maya quote

The Way of Love

When everything else crumbles

The Bliss of "Sabh Gobind Hai"

Union and Alignment

Who is Blessed? - a Free flow

Rain of Nectar

Oh God Beautiful!

Hallelujah!!!

The Giver of Virtues

Quality vs. Quantity

Being HUMAN -senseless freeflow

How many more times...

Hukam and Karma - a Freeflow

"Sikh Converts" ...and the challenges they face

Dearest Love~~

God, Really make me your Chaur~~!

In Awe of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Dear Lord, Make me Your Chaur

True Yoga

A Yogi Poem

Vote Earth! ~ a seva for the planet

What is Guru? ~ Part III

What is Guru ? ~ Part II

What is Guru... ? ~ Part I

Your Path...

One God, Many Devotions - a freeflow

Community Seva - One Million Chaupai Sahibs

The Clay Drum

The Disciple

Blessed New Year

The Amrit Vela

The Darkest Hour

AllOne - A thought

Alone

Dear Sister Candle...

Where is the Love?

Last Night's Freeflow ~ To my Beloved

Creat(or/ion) - A freestyle flow

What is Sadh Sangat? - Part 2

What is Sadh Sangat? - Part 1

Purpose of Life (exploration part 4)

Purpose of Life (exploration part 3)

Purpose of Life (exploration part 2)

Purpose of Life (exploration part 1)