Boss Sikhi Camp 2008 Photos

I came back from Boss Sikhi Camp last week! It was amazing! Guru Sahib did so much kirpaa and blessed me as well everyone else with so much inspiration.

At Sikhi Camp I met so many nice souls and pyaar wale Gursikhs. Waheguru. Group 14 was great. (Even though I was a group leader, I thought our group was "group 16". Only realised few days later that we were actually "Group 14"!). Waheguru. Everyone was great! The Keertan was uplifting (as usual!). It was humbling to have to darshan of Bhai Rajinder Singh jee! No words to describe what he said at camp!

It was also moving to see brothers making steps of keeping their Kesh, starting Nitnem, starting to tie dastaars (turbans), and also sisters saying they were going to stop doing beadbi (dishonouring) of their Kesh and wanting to crown themselves with the Dastaar blessed by our Father, Guru Gobind Singh jee Maharaaj. Some campers even decided that they want to take Amrit. So much kirpaa! Unbelievable! Waheguru. Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji!

Here's some photos (taken by others):



Satguru Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee going to Darbaar Sahib.

Diwaan.


Breakfast.


Dorms.



Outside diwaan. Very humbling to have sewadaars wash everyone's feet and hands before going into Darbaar Sahib.


For Parkaash and Sukhaasan the Nagaaraa (drum) was beaten the horn was played. It created the same atmosphere as you can imagine at Sri Harmander Sahib, Amritsar.


Happy Singhs. I wonder who looks like they are from East London?


Charan-Kamal Singh. I think this is called Abseiling? Is that right? Or is rock climbing?


Stand up comedy night.

This is from the "hiking" activity. Waheguru Sache Paatshaah! I was told it was a "short walk" and to come along. It wasn't even timetabled for my group. I decided to come along for the "short walk" (which in normal terms means "10 minute walk"). Chalo, we start walking and I realise that the bhai sahib leading the activity is taking us some steep hills which seemed like training for a Yatra of Sri Hemkuntt Sahib! The "short walk" hike took something like 2 or more hours!


Waheguru. It looks like Sukhi bhaji's being crucified! (Note: no one was harmed at Sikhi Camp!).


Rab da shukar. Sukhi bhaji safe and well. (It's zip wire activity, in case someone didn't know what's happening).


Now, how many camps promise a free tractor ride? hehe. (Reminds me of India! Obviously in India you wouldn't have a Gora driving a tractor with apna hitching a ride!).


Truly Panjabi style! Sukhi bhaji hitching a free ride whilst the tractor is moving.


Enjoying the fresh air and beautiful green fields.

Group 14 - What a happy chappy bunch!



Can't wait for Khalsa Camp in a few days!!!


Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Teree Sikhee!

Dublin Gurmat Camp Photos

On Saturday 9th August, a Gurmat Camp was held in Dublin (Ireland) by Guru Nanak Darbaar Gurdwara, Dublin. It was a one day camp open to all the sangat. Bhaji Harpreet Singh jee and the local Sangat went through the effort of organising it. All the sevadaars, Singhs and sangat had so much pyaar for Sikhi and are doing great sevaa.

The camp began with Naam Simran followed by Ardaas and Hukamnama. Afterwards all the campers were mixed into different groups for the "10 Guru Sahibaans" workshop. The workshop looked at the main contribution each of the 10 Guru Sahibaans brought to Sikhi. It's a good test of everyone's knowledge of Sikh history, starting from basics.

The second session, after langar, was getting campers to make a Guru period timeline (from 1469 to 1708) which was followed by a talk on the importance of learning Sikh history. The last session was on "Beauty of Sikhi" by Bhaji Vijay Singh (Hayes). The talk looked at the lives and aims of a Manmukh and Gurmukh and how one can achieve happiness according to Gurbani. After lunch the film "Anokhe Amar Shaheed: Baba Deep Singh" which was followed by Keertan and Samaaptee.

Some photos from the camp:


Simran before the camp started.


Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee


Sangat.


Bhenji Rominder Kaur jee welcoming Sangat.


Young Singh reciting the Guru Sahibaans names.


Workshop on the contributions of the 10 Guru Sahibaan.


















Feedback and going through answers! By this stage I was dying for some paanee! (Thankfully someone got me some!).



Langar time.


The Gurdwara Giani jee. He is so nice! Bhai Sahib is very simple and loving Gursikh. Dhan Guru Ke Piaare.


Younger children and parents watching Baba Deep Singh movie:





Timeline workshop:

After the camp there was a house Keertan programme at someone's house. I was told it was a 10 minute car journey! It ended up taking 2 and half hours or something! On the way, whilst stuck in traffic, I was told "Dublin, after Calcutta, has the worst traffic congestion in the world." Waheguru! We eventually got to the Gursikh family's house. The programme was really good and it was nice how everyone gathered in the house to do keertan. It reminded me of Bhai Gurdaas jee's bachan (words):

ਘਰਿ ਘਰਿ ਅੰਦਿਰ ਧਰਮਸਾਲ ਹੋਵੈ ਕੀਰਤਨੁ ਸਦਾ ਵਿਸੋਆ ॥
ghar ghar andar dharamsaal hovai keertan sadaa visoaa.
Every home has become a Dharamsaal, a place of Dharam, where there is Keertan being sung.

Dhan Guru, Dhan Teree Sikhee.

KPS Slough Camp Photos

From Monday 4th August till Friday 8th August, Khalsa Primary School held it's summer Sikhi Camp. Khalsa Primary School is amazing. It has such a peaceful and inspiring atmosphere! Below are photos from the camp that were kindly forwarded by the camp organizers:

Morning Diwaan! With Guru Sahib's kirpaa, there were so many children that there was no space to sit!


12-14 years old class.


Bhai Jagjeet Singh jee (Leeds) with the younger children.


Langar.


Bumper cars (I think that's what it is called!). Looks fun! I didn't actually see this.


Bhai Roop Singh jee (Leeds) doing vichaar with the children in the "Contemplation" zone.


Gladiators.


Waheguru. Looks really fun! I felt like going on! hehe.


Daas with under 10 years talking about the purpose of life.


On Friday all the campers and their parents went on a trip to the sea-side!


Bhenji Daljeet Kaur jee's young son doing Ardaas. Waheguru.


Eating Langar on the grass outside.



Gatka by local Singhs.


On Thursday the campers did tests. Unlike most camps, this camp tests the children on what they have learnt during the week.



Closing diwaan - Bhai Roop Singh jee doing a talk to the Sangat.

Dhan Guru, Dhan Teree Sikhee!



Information on regular programmes at Khalsa Primary School, Slough:

Saturdays:
6.30 am - 7.30 am: Naam Simran on Vaaja

Sundays:
7.30 am - 10am: Aasa Ki Vaar
10am - 1pm: Panjabi School
2pm - 4pm: Keertan Class

For more info about the school: Khalsa Primary School website

Bhenji Amrit Kaur Ji's Anand Kaaraj

More photos on Ravjeet Singh's Flickr

Weird Story from Saturday... (Part 2)

...Continued.

I offered to do Ardaas for the lady. She said, "I don't believe in your God though. I believe in Jesus and my Christian God." I said, "There is only one God. My God, is your God, and your God is my God!" She said, "Really? (Pointing upwards) You believe in the God who is up there." I said again, "There is only one God for everyone." She smiled and said, "O really! O okay! I don't believe in your prayers but I suppose I have to do what you say because I am desperate."

I told the lady that she can follow me into the main diwaan hall. "We will stand for Ardaas, a standing prayer, and that Guru Sahib will listen to your prayer and help." The lady followed me into the diwaan hall. I did matha tekh in front of Satguru Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee and she copied me and bowed down. She said (with a confused and baffled voice), "Tell me. What I am bowing to?" I said, "We are bowing to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Word of God." She said, "Ermm... okay".

Then I did Ardaas to Satguru to help the lady who has come to the Guru's Sancturay and that if anyone has done any black-magic or negative things against this lady, may it stop. Also, may Waheguru bless the lady with good-health and prevent her from being vulnerable from anyone's misdeeds. After the Ardaas I did matha tekh and the lady copied me and bowed down. As I looked up, I realised that two or three people doing Akhand Paatths seva at the side were staring at me and the kaalee (which was kind of worrying, considering that they were meant to be reading paatth!).

I have a personal habit of walking backwards in Guru Sahib's presence and trying not to turn my back. It's a habit which has stuck since I took Amrit in India. Anyway, I started walking backwards after doing the Ardaas. (Anyone who knows of Southall Park Avenue Gurdwara, will know that the diwaan hall is quite big!). As I was walking backwards, the lady looked at me and started to copy me. She started walking backwards. Waheguru.

The lady said to me (with a confused and baffled voice), "Tell me, why on earth am I walking backwards?" Waheguru. I replied, "No one told you to walk backwards. I am walking backwards out of my personal devotion for my Guru. It is up to you. You can walk normally." She said, "No. I will do what you do." She carried on walking backwards (at the same time she looked scared as if she was going to fall over. Waheguru).

When we got to the door leading to the main entrance area, I touched the floor and wiped the charan dhoor (dust) of the Sangat on my forehead. The lady copied me and got her hand, wiped it across the floor and wiped it across her forehead. The lady said, "Why am I wiping the dirt from the floor on my forehead?" Hai Rabbaa! No one was telling her to do anything but she felt the need to copy. I said, "It's not dirt. But the dust of the feet of the devotees who come to see the Guru. It is a blessing in itself." She look at me with a confused face and said, "Ermm... Okay."

ਚਰਣਾਮਿ੍ਤ ਕਸਮਲ ਕਟੇ ਗੁਰੁ ਧੂਰੀ ਬੁਰੇ ਲੇਖ ਮਿਟਾਏ॥

charna-mrit kasmal katte gur dhooree bure lekh mittaae.
"Nectar of the Feet of the Guru (i.e. Gurbani, the Divine Word) cuts all sins and the dust of the Guru’s feet erases all evil writs."
(Bhai Gurdaas jee)

The lady then asked, "Will this work now?" I said, "Have faith in Guru Nanak. This is the House of the Great Guru. No one goes empty handed if you have faith, devotion and belief." She said okay and I made my way out of the Gurdwara. The lady continued to stand around the shoe area talking to other Sangat members. I would have told the lady to do Mool Mantar paatth or Vaheguru simran, but as the lady said she had no faith or belief in anything else other than Christianity and Jesus, I left it. She said she recites the Lord's Prayer everyday (which I remember from the days when I used to go to Scouts! "Our Father which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy Name..."). The main thing is remembering Akaal Purkh (God).

ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਜੋ ਜਨੁ ਜਪੈ ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਸਦ ਜਾਗੈ ॥

Rām nām jo jan japai an­ḏin saḏ jāgai.
That humble being who chants the Lord's Name, remains always awake and aware (of evil desires and inclinations), night and day.

ਤੰਤੁ ਮੰਤੁ ਨਹ ਜੋਹਈ ਤਿਤੁ ਚਾਖੁ ਨ ਲਾਗੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Ŧanṯ manṯ nah joh­ī ṯiṯ cẖākẖ na lāgai. ||1|| rahā­o.||
That person is not affected by any charms and spells (black-magic), nor are they harmed by the evil eye (burree nazar). ||1||Pause||
(Ang 817)

Hope the lady is okay. It is difficult to tell in these cases whether people are genuine, suffering mental difficulties, or intoxicated. May Waheguru bless her and everyone.


Related links:
- Black-magic & Gurmat (Video Vichaar)
- Discussion topic on Forum