Monday, October 30, 2017

Photos from 'Just Sikhi' programme at Banbury Gurdwara

Last Sunday sevadaars from 'Just Sikhi' (Wolverhampton) came to Banbury Gurdwara and inspired the Sangat. Children recited kavitas (poems), did Simran, Keertan and shared their experiences of Sikhi. The Sangat were overwhelmed with how much pyaar the children had for Sikhi and how they adorned with Bana. Sevadaars showed so much pyaar to the local Sangat that they it left a really positive impression. One local girl had a Dastaar tied on her and decided to join the weekly children's Gurmat class. 

May Satguru Ji continue to bless Just Sikhi with seva of Parchaar, and big thanks to Bhai Inderjit Singh Ji, the main Sevadaar for accepting the invitation to do Parchaar.








Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Khalsa Camp BC 2017...

Khalsa Camp BC (Canada) took place from 20th to 25th August 2015. This was the seventh successful year of Khalsa Camp BC. It was very impressive to see how the camp has grown and developed over the years. The camp was well organised and the atmosphere was inspirational! It was great to have darshan of so many Gursikhs.

This years camp had a range of speakers for talks and workshops which included Bhai Tarsem Singh (UK), Bhai Navreet Singh (UK), Bhenji Satnam Kaur (UK), and Bhai Dalvinder Singh (USA). The camp had a great atmosphere and great to see so many new faces in the Sangat.

Some of the photos from the camp (taken from Khalsa Camp BC Facebook):

 
Darbaar Sahib
 
 Guru Jee's Darbaar


 
Aasa Ki Vaar Keertan by Bhai Tarsem Singh

 Bhai Navreet Singh's time capsule workshop

Caligraphy workshop

Lecture on life after death and Gurmat


Bhenji Satnam Kaur's lecture on Gurmat and Health. A really insightful lecture!

Inspirational and motivational lecture by Bhai Tarsem Singh

Gursikh Pyaare

Bhai Navreet Singh's workshop on Panj Chor.

Evening Keertan Darbaar

Sukhaasan Seva  

 Questions and answers session

 When you know it is bedtime but organizers insist camp goes on!

Don't know what I said in the questions and answers. It made Bhai Tarsem Singh Ji laugh!


Keertan on the lake side

Rehraas Sahib at the lake side


With Gursikh Pyaare

  
Amrit Kaur doing Keertan during the Rainsbaaee

Looks like I am being strangled! When receiving a Siropa becomes life threatening! (Note: No one was harmed in taking this photograph)
 When the stage is hijacked and speakers told to go home!

Friday, September 29, 2017

A reflection on the concept of Jhoot (ਜੂਠ) and Gurmat...

The Sikh Rehat Maryada states:

ਠ) ਤਨਖਾਹੀਏ ਇਹ ਹਨ:-
  1. ਮੀਣੇ, ਮਸੰਦ, ਧੀਰਮੱਲੀਏ, ਰਾਮਰਾਈਏ, ਆਦਿਕ ਪੰਥ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਜਾਂ ਨੜੀ ਮਾਰ, ਕੁੜੀ ਮਾਰ, ਸਿਰਗੁੰਮ ਨਾਲ ਵਰਤਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਤਨਖਾਹੀਆ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ |
  2. ਬੇ-ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੀਏ ਜਾਂ ਪਤਿਤ ਦਾ ਜੂਠਾ ਖਾਣ ਵਾਲਾ |
  3. ਦਾਹੜਾ ਰੰਗਣ ਵਾਲਾ |
  4. ਪੁੱਤਰ ਜਾਂ ਧੀ ਦਾ ਸਾਕ ਮੁੱਲ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਜਾਂ ਦੇ ਕੇ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ |
  5. ਕੋਈ ਨਸ਼ਾ(ਭੰਗ,ਅਫੀਮ,ਸ਼ਰਾਬ,ਪੋਸਤ,ਕੁਕੀਨ ਆਦਿ) ਵਰਤਣ ਵਾਲਾ |
  6. ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਤੋਂ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਕੋਈ ਸੰਸਕਾਰ ਕਰਨ ਕਰਾਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ |
  7. ਰਹਿਤ ਵਿਚ ਕੋਈ ਭੁੱਲ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ |
q. The following are Tankhaahias (individuals liable for religious disciplinary action involving automatic social boycott): 
  1. Anyone maintaining relations or communion with Meene, Masand, followers of Dheermal or Ram-Rai, or any other anti-Panthic individuals or groups, Narhee-maar (users of tobacco), Kurhee-maar (those who kill or abort their daughter), and Sirgum (one who cuts their hair). 
  2. One who eats the jootth of (i.e. food contaminated by) a non-Amritdhari or Patit (fallen Sikh)
  3. One who dyes their beard
  4. One who marries their son or daughter in exchange for financial gain 
  5. Users of intoxicants (hemp, opium, liquor, narcotics, bhang (marijuana), etc.) 
  6. One holds any ceremonies against Gurmat
  7. One who [knowingly] makes any mistake in Rehat. 


ਜੂਠ (jooth) refers to something that is contaminated or lost its purity (i.e. polluted) through contact. Gurbani defines jooth comes from when one turns their face away from God, i.e. doesn’t follow the instructions of God: 
ਸਲੋਕ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ || ਜੂਠਿ ਨ ਰਾਗੀਂ ਜੂਠਿ ਨ ਵੇਦੀਂ || 
ਜੂਠਿ ਨ ਚੰਦ ਸੂਰਜ ਕੀ ਭੇਦੀ || ਜੂਠਿ ਨ ਅੰਨੀ ਜੂਠਿ ਨ ਨਾਈ ||
ਜੂਠਿ ਨ ਮੀਹੁ ਵਰ੍ਹਿਐ ਸਭ ਥਾਈ || ਜੂਠਿ ਨ ਧਰਤੀ ਜੂਠਿ ਨ ਪਾਣੀ || 
ਜੂਠਿ ਨ ਪਉਣੈ ਮਾਹਿ ਸਮਾਣੀ || ਨਾਨਕ ਨਿਗੁਰਿਆ ਗੁਣੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਕੋਇ || 
ਮੁਹਿ ਫੇਰਿਐ ਮੁਹੁ ਜੂਠਾ ਹੋਇ ||੧||
“Impurity (jooth) does not come from music; impurity does not come from the Vedas. Impurity does not come from the phases of the sun and the moon. Impurity does not come from food; impurity does not come from ritual cleansing baths. Impurity does not come from the rain, which falls everywhere. Impurity does not come from the earth; impurity does not come from the water. Impurity does not come from the air which is diffused everywhere. O Nanak, the one who has no Guru, has no redeeming virtues at all. Impurity comes from turning one's face away from God. ||1||” 
(Saarang M:1, 1240) 

According to Gurbani, the only way to become purified from jooth is receive the Shabad from the Guru, i.e. become initiated on to the path of Naam

ਮਨਿ ਜੂਠੈ ਤਨਿ ਜੂਠਿ ਹੈ ਜਿਹਵਾ ਜੂਠੀ ਹੋਇ || 
ਮੁਖਿ ਝੂਠੈ ਝੂਠੁ ਬੋਲਣਾ ਕਿਉ ਕਰਿ ਸੂਚਾ ਹੋਇ ||
ਬਿਨੁ ਅਭ ਸਬਦ ਨ ਮਾਂਜੀਐ ਸਾਚੇ ਤੇ ਸਚੁ ਹੋਇ ||੧||
“If the mind is polluted, then the body is polluted, and the tongue is polluted as well. With false mouths, people speak falsehood. How can they be made pure? Without the Holy Water of the Shabad (i.e. Amrit), they are not cleansed. From the True One alone comes Truth. ||1||” 
(Siree Raag M:1, 55) 

For the above reasons, in Amrit Sanchaars, the Panj Piaare say: ‘ਖਾਲਸੇ ਦੀ ਰੋਟੀ ਬੇਟੀ ਦੀ ਸਾਂਝ ਖਾਲਸੇ ਨਾਲ ਹੈ |’ “The Khalsa keeps the relation of food and marriage within the Khalsa,” which has been passed down in oral Rehat. The company we keep and our diet has a direct effect on our mind. It is common saying that “ਜੈਸੀ ਸੰਗਤ, ਤੈਸੀ ਰੰਗਤ” (“a company one keeps, rubs off on on”) and “ਜੈਸਾ ਅੰਨ, ਤੈਸਾ ਮੰਨ” (“You are what you eat”). It is noteworthy that although a Gursikh does not eat any cooked or prepared foods from someone who doesn't practice Rehat, this does not apply to raw ingredients that can be washed and eaten. The core idea is to have food prepared by practitioners of Naam dedicated to the Guru's Code of Conduct that has been infused with Gurbani and Naam. The purity of the ingredients is something we should strive for, but there will never be perfection. 

A Gursikh strives to live in spiritual purity and become spiritually pure. Spiritual purity only comes from obeying the Guru and joining with Naam. Therefore, to aid one in their spiritual progress, a Gursikh avoids contact via food or marriage with someone who has not obeyed the Guru by taking Amrit and follow the Khalsa way of life. This wisdom or ability to recognise what is good and bad for one’s spirituality, is called ‘Bibek’. Whilst mixing with the world on a practical level and sharing love and compassion for all, Guru Ji wants his Khalsa to remain distinct and unique. 

Gurbani says: 
ਸੋ ਜਨੁ ਰਲਾਇਆ ਨਾ ਰਲੈ ਜਿਸੁ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਬਿਬੇਕ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ||੨|| 
“Those humble beings who are filled with keen understanding and meditative contemplation-even though they intermingle with others, they remain distinct. ||2||” 
(Siree Raag M:3, 28)

Monday, September 25, 2017

ਨਿੰਦਾ ਚੁਗਲੀ ਬਾਰੇ ਵਿਚਾਰ। Reflections on slander and gossip...

ਨਿੰਦਿਆ ਚੁਗਲੀ ਕਰਨ ਦਾ ਕੀ ਫਲ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਨਿੰਦਿਆ ਦਾ ਮੂਲ ਕੀ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਇਸਤੋਂ ਛੁਟਕਾਰਾ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ? ਇਹਨਾਂ ਸਵਾਲਾਂ ਦੇ ਜਵਾਬ ਅਸੀਂ ਇਸ ਵੀਡੀਓ ਵਿਚ ਦੇ ਰਹੇ ਹਾਂ। ਆਪ ਜੀ ਜ਼ਰੂਰ ਦੇਖੋ ਅਤੇ ਹੋਰਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦਿਖਾਓ ਤਾਂ ਕੇ ਇਹਨਾਂ ਰੋਗਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਟਕਾਰਾ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾ ਸਕੇ। 

What are the spiritual harms of indulging in slander and how can one eschew this bad habit. This is a very important video that will enhance your spirituality; therefore, please share it liberally so others too can benefit from it.

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Greenwood (Indiana) Summer Gurmat Camp 2017...

From 17th July to 23rd July, Gurdwara Shri Guru Hargobind Sahib Greenwood (Indiana, USA), held its annual summer Gurmat Camp. Bhai Baljit Singh and the local Sangat organized the camp. Speakers were invited from across the USA and Canada. Approximately 300 people participated in the week-long camp. With Guru Sahib's Grace, the camp was a great success. Both parents and children showed great enthusiasm to learn and progress in their Sikhi.

Some photos from the camp:

 
Morning Nitnem of Panj Banian being recited by campers

Morning Hukamnama being taken by a camper.

Bapu Sadhu Singh Ji (Fresno) explaining the fundamentals of Gurmat to the elder group

 
Youngest group playing a game

 
 Elder group learning Santhiya

Campers learning the difference in living between a Gurmukh and Manmukh

Children designing posters on Gurmat and Manmat

 
Bapu Sadhu Singh Ji taken the parents class on the importance of Amrit and Gursikhi Jeevan

Langar time 

 
 On hearing about the death of Bhai Jagraj Singh (Basics of Sikhi), Bhai Harman Singh leads Chaupai Sahib Jaap and share's some reflections on Veer Ji's life and achievements

 Sangat paying their respects to Bhai Jagraj Singh after hearing of his death

Young campers busy at work

Bhenji prepared and presented a fantastic presentation on inspiring Sikh women

Campers present to their group their presentation. 

Campers present to their group their presentation. 

Future parchaariks using presentaton skills to deliver a talk on Sikh women

 
Campers taking notes from the talks being presented by other campers

 Veer Keertan Singh. A very confident Naujawan, talking about inspiring Sikh women in history

 Bhenji is a promising future Sikh parchaarik. She showed great enthusiasm, confidence and study in her topic that she presented.

 Campers having opportunities to ride ponies

 Never seen a pony that small!

 Another great speaker and future parchaarik. It was so uplifting to hear these Naujawan speak and share with the Sangat what they have researched.

 Campers listening to the presentations

 Campers presenting their presentations

I was pleasantly surprised to see how confident and enthusiastic our fellow young sisters were in sharing Sikhi with others. 

End of camp test. The test was on the life of important Sikh women during the Guru period.

 Assembly at the end of the day

Campers doing Guru Ji's seva

 On the last day of camp, campers and parents had a day out in a nature park

 Sangat in the park

Daas and Bhai Harman Singh seeing who can reach the highest on the swings!

 Bhai Harman Singh sharing some Saakhis near the lake

 On the last day of my stay, the children of the Gursikh family I stayed with were given a task of finding out why taking Amrit is important. The children watched a video made by Gurmat Bibek on YouTube and made notes.

 After researching about Amrit, the children made a short video on why it is important to take Amrit.