My spirituality entrance was all via the beat of the Dholki (Indian drum). This is my big connection. Music takes you into spiritual realms. I have learnt the importance of Kirtan (the singing of prayers) and this explains why Gurbani (scripture) is written in musical poetry.
Early Life
From a young age I visited India frequently and paid homage to many sacred places with my family. Ranging from Hindu Mandirs (temples) deep in the Himalayas to shrines of Peer Fakeers (Muslim saints and holy men) in Punjab. One thing for sure was that when I used to go to a Gurdwara, I always felt something different inside me, whether it was a small village Gurdwara or a large historical Sikh shrine. Although religion fascinated me, especially seeing images showing the history of our Gurus and brave Sikhs, religion was never really a priority in my life.
Music Industry
As I grew up I slowly achieved all the things I wanted. I had an interest in Punjabi music and met Aman Hayer, a famous music producer. Getting involved in the music industry I got opportunity to meet Bhangra stars like Sukhshinder Shinda and Jazzy B, who were my idols, as well as travel around the world to various countries on music tours. For about one year I even lived in New York.
Throughout all this period, I was living what I thought I was living a ‘normal’ way of life. In reality, I was self-centred and just wanted to make my mates laugh all the time. I never really cared about others. It was always about me and my friends. At this point I can say that my soul was asleep. I didn’t feel like I was wasting my life because I lacked wisdom and understanding of the true purpose of life. Although I lived my dream of touring the world and being around big names and stars, there was something was missing.
The blessing
I had been through some tragic times in my life. In particular, when my grandmother, who had brought me as a child, passed away on my 21st birthday. I had always been scared of ‘death’ and hated the word. Whenever a death occurred I would struggle how to react as I couldn’t get my head around the idea of death and dying. The philosophy of “Khaa-o Pee-o Aish Karo Mitro, Dil Par Kisseh Da Dukhayo Naa” (“Eat, drink and be merry, but don’t hurt anyone’s feelings”) just didn't add up for some reason. Death is something none of us can escape. I think experiencing death can play a big factor in changing how someone sees life.
After getting married in 2009 I had reached the pinnacle of my life so far. Life was still on its normal course until something special happened in my self-centred life. I was at a wedding at a Gurdwara in Coventry. During the Anand Kaaraj (Sikh marriage ceremony) I got bored, so I wandered off downstairs where there was a religious stall selling religious items. There was a very old man standing behind the stall.
I thought I would ask Baba Ji (respected Father) a question that I had inside of me for a long time. I asked, “I want to know more about our religion and what its purpose is.” He was amazing! He came across like a fountain of wisdom. He replied, “Accept this.” He handed me over a red coloured ‘Nitnem Gutka Sahib’ (prayer book of Sikh daily prayers). He said, “Start to read Japji Sahib and your life will transform… There’s nothing more to be done or said.” I asked, “Who wrote it?” He said, “Dhan (the Great) Guru Nanak wrote this directly around 500 years ago.” At this point, the seed of faith that God places within all of begun to sprout. I was intrigued and had lots of questions. He replied, “Just go away and read and begin to recite. Make a decision to never miss a day without Japji Sahib and you will begin to experience its power.”
Wake up call
I purchased the Gutka Sahib (holy prayer book) and took it home. I immediately got sucked back into the play of Maya (worldly-distractions) and Kaljug (darkness filled world), and didn't open the Gutka Sahib (holy prayer book) for at least a month! Then one evening, whilst speaking with friends, the topic of God came up. We spoke about our life being like a pie-chart and that when we will go to the court of God, our life will be shown to us in a pie-chart. I thought to myself, what will be the story of my life if I carry on the way I am going? 50% of my life I would have spent sleeping and 25% eating. I am left with 25%, which will be spent laughing around, dancing and trying to find happiness in the form of entertainment and lots of money.
At this point, two of my friends were drinking. An inner voice told me that I had to do something with my life. It was here that I knew I could make the choice to win over my mind and start to do Paath (prayers) for the rest of my life. I can look back and clearly see that Vaheguru changed the course of my life from that point onwards. That night as I got home I could not sleep. All I kept thinking about was that my life will be a big waste.
Connecting with Guru Ji
The following morning I woke up, tied a ramaal (head-covering) and went to look for the Gutka Sahib that I had received a month ago. After searching everywhere, I found the Gutka Sahib! I sat down whilst everybody else at home was still asleep. At this point I thought to myself that I am now about to read THE actual words and message of Guru Nanak Dev spoke from their holy mouth! I began to read the English translation and immediately the hairs were all standing on the back of my neck. I now knew that this was the eternal truth!
From here onwards, it didn't matter what anybody else in the world said, the message that Guru Nanak Dev Ji had sent me was the only truth I would ever accept. My soul knew it was unthinkable to even consider that Guru Nanak Dev Ji could have lied! So, from there on I knew that, other than Guru Nanak Dev Ji to Guru Granth Sahib Ji, there is nobody else’s word that I would submit to and follow.
As the weeks went, no matter what happened, I would daily listen to Japji Sahib!
Around about a month after doing the hearing Japji Sahib daily, I asked a friend what he thought the hardest part to taking Amrit (baptism) would be. He replied to me, “For me it would be the look. I don't think I could keep my Kes (uncut hair). All the rest seems easy.” At this point I thought to myself that how hard it could be to throw away all my razors and just never cut another hair on my body. I was changing inside but externally I looked like the same old me. I found it very difficult to sit around in the pub because my inside was feeling something else but externally I was showing the old me. This made it difficult for people to recognise that I wished to live a new way of life. It felt I couldn’t stop drinking alcohol etc. if I didn’t change from outside and kept my Kes (uncut hair). At this point, I felt that I would not want to cut my hair, even if I was faced with being killed!
I then listened to a kathaa (sermon) on Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s life and how they sacrificed everything for us. Immediately my soul over powered my mind. My mind tried to make all sorts of excuses like people at work won’t like me if I keep my hair, I’ll have to stop performing in a musical band etc. But with Vaheguru’s blessing my soul overpowered all these negative thoughts and I went home that night on my 28th birthday having decided that from now on in the name of Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaaj and all the sacrifices he made, I will NEVER cut my hair again.
Embracing Sikh identity
Getting home, I gathered all my electric shavers, Gillette blades, shaving foam etc. and slam dunked them straight into the bin. Inside I felt ecstatic. Honestly, I cannot describe the feeling I had. I was so happy that it’s just hard to explain. I felt like Vaheguru wanted me to make the move to confirm my faith and commitment.
The more I read and asked people, the more I realised that taking the first step was a test that Vaheguru wanted me to take. The next stage for me was to make sure that my mind wouldn’t backtrack on my decision. When you know nobody is watching it’s much easier for your mind to cave in and revert back to your old ways. To overcome this problem, I sent a text to all the people close to me that were in my phonebook. I messaged them saying that I had decided to keep my Kes (uncut hair). This helped me to not turn back, but again, why would I want to turn back?
Guru Ji looks after everything
When foreseeing any problem I would just do an Ardaas (prayer plea) and say to Guru Gobind Singh Ji, “Dear King, my head is now yours, and you will have to help me with my problems.”
Guess what! He took every problem that my mind had created and slashed it into half. (1) I thought how would I tie a Dastaar (turban) – but Guru Ji took care of this! (2) I thought how would I stop drinking – but Guru Ji took care of this! (3) I thought how would I stop eating meat, considering I do weight training – but Guru Ji took care of this! (4) I felt emotional when thought about the old me was slowly dying – but Guru took Ji took care of this! (5) I thought how would I be able to cope with all the responsibility of being a true Sikh and following all the rules – but Guru Ji took care of this!
My mind’s biggest obstacle was dealing with my work place. I worked in an office in Warwick with five-hundred non-Sikhs. I had never seen a Kes-dhari (long-haired) Sikh at work in the 3 years I had been there.
I was always very conscious of being Asian, let alone being a Sikh. So, this was a tough cookie. But with Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s blessing it all came to plan. I sent a company-wide email to all the employees notifying them that I was now going to be following the Sikh faith and that they should expect to see some changes in my appearance in the coming weeks and months as I won’t be cutting my hair ever again. I told them that to celebrate my new commitment to my faith I would be arranging for Samosas for the whole company. That took care of that!
Preparing for Amrit
This was it, then I was in the deep end and Guru Gobind Singh Ji took care of all my worries. I had never tied a Dastaar before, and learnt how to tie one from my music idol, Sukshinder Shinda. I also ordered lots of new Dastaars from India.
Paath (reciting prayers) wise, I loaded my iPhone with all Banis (prescribed prayers) and since the past 2 years, every 6 months I add a new Bani (prayer) to my routine. At first, I used to listen to the Banis (prayers) but then on New Year’s Day I made the decision that from now on till my final meeting with death, I will make the effort to actual read all the Banis (prayers).
Many people always ask me what made you change. It’s hard to just put it down to one thing. The best way I can try to explain this is: I was always going to be presented the opportunity to purchase the Gutka Sahib (prayer book) at the Gurdwara that day, as it was written in my destiny. But Vaheguru tested me in the sense of will I make the effort to open and read it for the rest of my life? I decided to jump in the deep end, and he was there, waiting for me.
The same thing with keeping Kes (uncut hair). Vaheguru was always going to present me with the opportunity to keep my Kes. I had to get courage within me and he was there again, waiting for me. We feel that we make these decisions to change, but they are gifts waiting for us to accept. It’s up to us if we are going to accept it or turn our back to it. It’s just how the Creator has created this game.
Gratitude for being blessed with Sikhi
When I recently visited Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar, I cried when I bowed before Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaaj. As soon as I went there I could not control my sobbing. It was my soul thanking Guru Ji for pulling me out of the ‘normal’ Kaljug (darkness-filled) world, and giving me this chance. It feels like I have done something good in my previous lives that I, along with my brothers, have been rewarded with the Grace of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
On 22nd February, our journey in Sikhi began with Vaheguru blessing me and my friends with Amrit (baptism) at Sri Kesgarh Sahib. There's countless other amazing things that have happened to me since.
Advice
to others
All the advice you need is within Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Anybody wishing to receive the blessing of Sikhi, surrender your head and all your worries to Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and from there on Guru Ji will take care of the rest. It’s like driving a car on the Highway with your eyes closed you need to conjure up that faith in Vaheguru. He will not let you down. Without faith you cannot do anything. All doubts can only be removed with faith. Doubt is the opposite of faith.
There is so much advice that one can give with regard to this change but the basic foundation is Gurbani (scripture) and faith in Gurbani. Faith in Gurbani is putting your faith in the Word of our Great Gurus. If you doubt Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Hukam (order), then how can you come onto his path? Simple really.
Review the Sangat (company) around you. Once you are blessed by Vaheguru with the company of Gurmukhs (Sikhs devoted to the Guru), the future will be laid down before your eyes. Sangat (company) plays a massive role. Do Ardaas (prayer plea) for all these things when in front of Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaaj.
Make the first move! Let those close to you know about your concerns and how you are now embarking on the journey of Sikhi. Then once that announcement is made, off you go – your blessings await. Begin your Bhajan Bandagee (devotional prayer and meditation) and start to accumulate the spiritual bank balance of Naam, connection with God, and look forward to the rest of your life. More importantly, try to conquer death (attachments to the temporary worldly things and relationships) whilst alive.
Guru Gobind Singh ji Maharaaj wasn't some ordinary person… They were the perfect image of God in human form. All of our Guru Sahibs were perfect and free from Kaam (lust), Krodh (anger), Lobh (greed), Moh (attachment), and Hankaar (egotistical pride). So humbly take the treasure that they are offering you and remain happy not just in this life but for eternity.
The Future
All I know is that this life is now in dedication to Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Sikhi. I pray that he keeps me close to the dust of his holy feet. As Guru Maharaaj speaks to us on Ang 261: “He Himself has acted, and He Himself acts. He was in the past, and He shall be in the future.” Therefore, who best to plan our future other than the Almighty Himself
1 comment:
I love reading these. So inspirational
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