Arjan loves the social life and we wanted to do something fun with Narayan so we hosted a small "pot luck" dinner party. All our friends with kids brought the kids over and we ate dinner and then walked around our area going from door to door and "trick or treat"ed. The kids loaded up with candy. I got some video and will post some of that too later.

This is pure American Culture. Do any of you get dressed up on Holloween? I'm Curious if others Sikhs do this. It's a lot of fun for the kids.


The wizard (Dumbledore) and the witch at our holloween party at our house. That's a real beard too...... unlike the actor who plays the wizard in Harry Potter. Comes in Handy being a Sikh :) He could probably dress up as Santa Clause too. Hahaha..

Narayan and some of the Espanola Gang dressed up at our house for holloween.

Dharam and Himat ...whoops... I mean the Ninja turtles came to our house. They ate some magic candy which made them grow 4 times their size so the clothes got too small.

Jaapa Kaur next to the bulletin board showing some of the different workshops that were happening at our GRD Health Clinic. Arjan, Jaapa and others went to support the local breast cancer awareness walk in Espanola.

Narayan eating his "popcorn ball" with his Soccer Mom, Arjan...after playing a game.

Last week I posted something about the upcoming SikhNet fundraiser and was hoping to get some video testimonials from people. To my surprise... I haven't received anything yet. :( I know it's only been 4 days... but I was hoping that some of you would be excited and grab a digital camera for some fun.

Just think....you'll be seen all over the internet! What will this to to your popularity? I guess this might be intimidating for some. But hey...it will be fun and people will enjoy it. You could be up in the Google search engine ranks with Ash Singh who is ranked as the coolest Sikh! Fame and fortune! Have it All! Hahaha...

So...once again I am putting out another request to you all. Just get a camera and have someone record it. Share whatever you want. Share how SikhNet has impacted you, what you like, stories, humor, etc. Just record something that relates to SikhNet. Think of it as your way to help SikhNet out.

You don't want to disappoint Narayan do you??? He asked pretty nicely...didn't he?

If you have any questions about this "assignment"...feel free to email me. You can use the YouSendIt service to send the video to me (Emailing big files can be a pain). In the YouSend It service address it to: gmustuk@sikhnet.com

Ps. I had a great weekend off from the blog (well...sort of.). I started working on a different page to archive all the videos and MP3 files that I post for easy access. More to come.

This is what happens when you spend to much time on the computer like me. You start seeing things! Hahaha.. This is my desk at home. Notice the computer is off. This is how I hope to keep it this weekend.

Time to rest and hang out with the family. Hope you all do to!

Ok...for all you Skype users I just got word of this cool new phone device by Linksys which enables you to use skype like a regular phone. You don't have to sit in front of your computer.

I use Skype (and the SkypeOut feature) for most of my long distance calls from home and also for chatting with friends and business associates (international). If you use skype a lot this might be a useful thing to buy.

Do You Skype? Curious to know how many of you do...

This is an interview with Hari Bhajan Kaur who is another one of our local Sikh Youth. In the interview she shares her experiences wearing a turban and challenges growing up as a Sikh.



Download Video

I am putting together a video for the SikhNet year end Fundraiser and would love to get some video testimonials about why you like SikhNet. We want to share the diverse faces and experiences of Sikhs all over!

I'm sure most of you have a digital camera, right? All you need to do is switch it to video mode (which most of the cameras have) and grab a friend of family member to press the button to record! Have fun with it, just tell us something (serious, fun, whatever!) Then just email the video file to us at SikhNet: support@sikhnet.com

Ps. Please Send ASAP (Within the next few days if you can)

Narayan (MrSikhNet Jr.) heard about this and insisted that I record a message for you all.

Here is another interview from Sunday, with Amrit Singh Khalsa (Phd). In this video he tells a the story of how and why he became a Sikh.

All these interviews were very casual and spur of the moment. I just asked people if I could interview them and sat them before the camera.



Download Video

It has been a lot of fun putting these videos together and getting deeper in the "Video" world. I hope you all have been enjoying watching them. I know there will be much more to come, especially as I get better at it and find the optimum software / techniques.

One thing though is that videos use up quite a bit of bandwidth (meaning hosting costs). About 900 people come to the blog daily and most most are watching the videos. Currently it is costing around $200/month for just the bandwidth used for the blog and videos/audios. (This went up since I have been posting lots of videos).

If you enjoy this web-log, feel inspired, and would like to contribute something to help with the hosting costs, it is definitely appreciated.

Give a Donation (To SikhNet) Any amount is ok.

Thank you all for your support and encouragement!

Here is a video interview with Kirin Kaur Khalsa describing a common day for many Sikhs in Espanola, New Mexico. She also shares her experiences of being a mother, wearing a turban and other things of interest.




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Over the next week or so I will be posting some video interviews of Sikh friends from my local community. The questions and topics are based on the feedback that many of you gave to me earlier.

Originally I had an idea of creating one whole long video, but I think it would be too long, and I don't have the time to make a masterpiece documentary. This is what I do in my "free time" at night after work.

The first video is of my wife Arjan Kaur and her story about why she became a Sikh.

Interview with Arjan Kaur Khalsa


Download Video

A while back I posted some links to download the Gurbani Album titled: "Tribute to Mardana". The album is a fusion of East and West Music. One of the musicians sent me the following link which has better quality MP3 downloads.

Here is a summary of the Album:
Tribute To Mardana is a project conceived by Punjabi Hippie, one of Malaysia's finest djembe players. He did most of the music with help from co-producer RS, and was the main inspiration for many of the fabulous performances by hugely talented and largely unsung Malaysian artists, including TV personality Asha Gill and the amazing Hardev Kaur. There's also a young bagpiper on one of the tracks and the awesome didgeridoo dude Justin guests on 'Family Of Strangers'.

Download MP3 files from:
http://www.download.com/tributetomardana

Limited copies of the CD are also available for free distribution. Anyone interested in a copy should contact Punjabi Hippie at punjabi_hippie@yahoo.com
RS, Punjabi Hippie & the TTM Ensemble

Here is another poem by Gurukirin Kaur from the same book "Pure Longing Fulfilled" which is a beautiful book of art and poetry. This poem tells the story from March of 1996 when Gurukirin Kaur and a group of American & Indian Amritdhari women were (somewhat) allowed to do the ishnaan seva at the Golden Temple under the protection and guidance of Singh Sahib Bhai Manjit Singh, the then acting-Jathedar of the Akal Takhat.

Answering the Call
by Gurukirin Kaur Khalsa

From the Head Jathedar had come the call,
For women to wash the floors
Of the Harimandir Sahib in Amritsar,
The Golden Temple, whose four doors
Face the four corners of the world,
As open as heaven's gate,
Except in the earliest hours of the morn,
When women are made to wait
Outside while men alone clean the dust
Left by the holy saint's feet.
Yet now, his call had come to us,
This sacred rite to complete.

From the West, we made the trip
To the holy nectar tank.
Bowed our heads, took a sip and a dip
And humbly gave our thanks
For this chance to honor the God in all,
Regardless of race, gender, or caste.
By answering the Jathedar's call
We truly felt that at last
Women would be honored as in Nanak's song
Of Bandh Jameeai,
And she who had been separated for so long
Would be bathed in the Guru's ray.

Fireworks burst over the water that night,
During the reading of Kirtan Sohila,
In honor of this, the very first time
That women would perform this seva.
And so with hearts glad and spirits high,
We dressed in our best for the occasion.
Walking down from the Nivas, we felt we could fly,
No doubt, no hesitation
Entered our minds as we bowed our foreheads
And welcomed the cool marble's kiss.
We felt that the hand of destiny had led
Us to this experience of bliss.

Continue Reading The Poem

This sunday we are celebrating "Guru Gaddi Day". The day Siri Guru Granth Sahib was made the Guru by Guru Gobind Singh. We normally have morning langar at someone's house near the Gurdwara and then have a Nagar Kirtan /Jaloose towards the Gurdwara.

I have taken tons of pictures in the past and was thinking of doing some video this time. Especially since I am in the video "mode". I have wanted to do a video about the Espanola Community so this might be a chance to start doing some footage.

Here is where you come in. I am curious to know any questions you might have about the Sikhs in Espanola. What things you might like to see. I would like to do some interviews with people, so if you have any suggestions for topics or questions please post them as a comment. I don't have a whole lot of time for a full video...but was thinking to start with some interviews and general footage.

Here is a beautiful poem and painting by Gurukirin Kaur relating to the longing of women to do seva inside Harmandir Sahib (The Golden Temple).

It's really sad to see that this isn't allowed, and continues to be a political thing. Even though in Sikhi one of our most basic beliefs is equality of Gender. How can we say this if at our most sacred temple it is quite contrary. It doesn't set a good example for people to follow, and for me gives no confidence in the "leadership" there in Punjab. No wonder most Sikh youth don't have an interest in being a Sikh! (not to put all the blame on them...but it does have an impact).

I must not understand the issues in India...but it seems like a no brainer. Does anyone know some of the reasons why people appose women doing seva and playing Gurbani Kirtan inside Harmandir sahib? Most of the things I have heard don't make sense and are so backward. It's like it is a "Platinum Exclusive Club" and they don't want others to be able to get in. We have to stand up to this thinking and make our voice heard. At the very least, let others know. Quite a few people I meet don't even know that women can't do this seva or play kirtan. When they find out...they can't believe it!

Anways... here is the poem.


By Gurukirn Kaur Khalsa

Harimandir Sahib longs for the touch of Thy mothers,
Thy sisters, daughters, and all the others,
Who bow each day to Siri Guru Granth,
Following the path of the Khalsa Panth,
Who enter freely through all four doors,
Except when it is time to clean the floors.

In those holiest hours when it is such
A beautiful time to serve and touch
The marble where the saints have walked,
Why must those gilded doors be locked
To women alone, the Guru's daughters,
Cleansed by Thy Word and Thy Holy Waters?

The women of Bibi Bhani's line,
And those descended from Mata Sahib Kaur's time,
Gather as one to utter this prayer:
"O compassionate Guru of infinite care,
Let all Sikhs enact this holy rite,
As all are immaculate in Thy sight."

Download the poem as a wallpaper
Read updates and background info on the seva issue

The above poem and artwork is from the book of poetry titled "Pure Longing Fulfilled" by Gurukirin Kaur Khalsa.

"This is a work of great depth and originality in which Gurukirn Kaur Khalsa combines her inspiring poetry, exquisite paintings and photography for the first time in one volume. Both witty and wise, she brings a refreshing perspective to the expression of the soul's longing for the infinite. Gurukirn Kaur Khalsa is an Award-winning poet and artist. She is a Sikh, and a juried member of Arizona Artists Guild, and a member of the Interfaith Action Coalition. Available in hardcover or softcover"

Years ago my grandmother gave me some old films (back from before the video days) of when I was a wee lad (1-3 years old). A couple years ago I converted them to VHS tape, and lately I have been wanting to convert this to a digital format to better preserve it. I had to do the needful (as they might say in India) and made a DVD of the film to keep. So, since it is done I am sharing it with you. The original films of course didn't have audio so I added some music by Snatam Kaur.

When I was editing the video Narayan kept pointing to the video saying "That's me!"...and I would say... "No...that's ME when I was little". It's funny...because many of my kid pictures he thinks are him. I guess he is my son...right? I think Narayan mostly looks like Narayan...but he definitely has some Gurumustuk features.

One thing I noticed with the film was that even back then I had a lot of energy and moved pretty fast. My Aries nature makes me a speedster...always zipping around.

In the film you'll see me, my mother and father, grandmother and other friends of mine from way back then. It's not an action packed film...but it is a cool glimpse back at when I was little.

Many of my friends have gotten married recently. It's great! This past Sunday Dharampal Singh and Ardas Kaur got married.

Bibiji Inderjit Kaur (Yogi Bhajan's wife) and Ardas Kaur (the bride) after the wedding Gurdwara.

Some of Narayan's friends at Gurdwara waiting for the wedding to start.

Dharma Kaur sitting behind the Guru to read the Wedding Lavaan.

Deva Kaur and her son Prabhjot Singh at Gurdwara

Here is another report from the Guru Ram Das Lord of Miracles Tour through South America. This one is by another friend in the group, Guru Kirin Kaur.

Greetings from Beautiful La Paz, Bolivia:

We are winding down our trip in this beautiful city. Last night after Hari Dharam's sweet class full of stories of the Gurus and lovely chanting, Simran Singh and myself gave a short Gatka presentation, and people were delighted. Needless to say, we were both quite out of breath, since excersing in this altitude takes its toll!

This morning several of us attended group Sadhana here at the hotel. There were about 15 people from the Bolivian Sangat, and Sat Kirn Kaur led the meditation with live music, which was greatly appreciated and highly regarded. We had literally no time to go home and rest afterwards since the day was jammed packed. After breakfast, Guru Bachan Singh, Sat Kirn Kaur, Deva Kaur (our beautiful hostess), Hari Purkh Kaur (another devoted yoga student) and myself went to visit a lovely lady who collects antique weavings from the indigenous people of the area. When she greeted us in perfect english, Guru Bachan Singh mentioned her perfect pronunciation, and it turns out she's american but has been living in La Paz since 1976! She has had exhibitions at the Smithsonian and other major museums and at present, she has a whole exhibit in storage in Santa Fe, NM waiting for the perfect exposure!!

Some of the pieces she showed us were tightly woven traditional alpaca skirts, chieftain ponchos and other assorted cloths with simple yet elegant designs in vibrant blues, reds, indigos, whites and yellows, which was amazing since ALL of them use natural dyes from local plants and insects (ugh!), and are all quite old.... some dating as early as early 1800´s.

Right after that, we all rushed to our next appointment: a meeting specially set up for us to meet with several doctors, and psychologists working in a Drug Rehabilitation Center. Thanks to another connection with a Kundalini Yoga student whose husband (Dr. Rodolfo Lopez) runs the State Mental Health Ministry, we were able to talk to these dedicated group of professionals. Guru Bachan Singh and Sat Kirn Kaur gave a short summary presentation on 3HO SuperHealth, its success rate, and our willingness to share these precious teachings with them, and there seemed to be genuine interest in exploring the possibility of setting up something here in Bolivia in the near future!! We left feeling this could be the beginning of a partnership with the Bolivian Drug Rehabilitaion world, where it is so needed.

After lunch we had yet another meeting set up for us.... this time in the poorest section of La Paz. This particular meeting happened through the synchronicity of Guru Ram Das! It so happened that when we arrived at the airport, there was quite a short lady there waiting for some other passenger, but when she saw our dazzlingly white radiant group, she approached us and begged us to come see her place and the work she was doing. This destination turned out to be a project to give help and aid to orphans and the poorest elderly folk. The lady we had met at the airport and her husband both run this project by providing clothing, food, toys, and basic needs to these people who have nowhere else to turn to.

When we arrived we were guided up some dark stairwells to the second story into a room that was FULL of children and some elderly indigenous people.. You could hear a pin drop, it was so quiet. But as soon as we walked in, as if waiting a cue they all broke into loud applause with HUGE grinning faces. All of them were moved to see these strange white ¨foreigners¨here in their humble surroundings visiting THEM! They literally all rushed to hug Guru Bachan Singh (who even sitting down towers over everybody!), Jai Hari Kaur, and myself. The kids swamped us and GBS was so touched he started crying. Later in the car he said that in each of those children's faces all he could see was the Siri Singh Sahib's face. It was quite moving. The children ranged between a few months old to teenagers.

GBS gave a short talk about how Guru Ram Das himself had been an orphan, and how he grew up to become a great Saint who had changed and touched many many lives, even to this day. And then much to the kids surprise, we brought out cookies and candies we had bought earlier. The children were SO excited! At one point while the goodies were being passed around, we asked all of them to close their eyes and take a few long deep breaths. Well, many of the kids were NOT going to let go of their cookies, so with the cookie sticking out of their mouths they were tightly squeezeing their eyes and trying to breathe deep! It was precious!

It seems everywhere we go, the Guru points the way.... sets up the meetings with whomever needs to hear our message, and the doors open for all kinds of amazing connections at every level. Our impact is felt by many, young and old.

Finally, we finished our busy day by having a lovely dinner at the house of the Ex-chancellor of Bolivia, someone in the political realm equivalent to Dick Cheney. He basically ran the country behind the scenes, with the last president. His lovely wife has an angelical voice and she delighted us with the sweetest bolivian songs. This enchanting evenning ended our lovely tour of this beatiful country. A country that really feels like the Tibet in Latin America. Perhaps it's the high altitude, perhaps it's the majority of indigenous people who never got assimilated into the western mind-set.... perhaps it's the rugged countryside (it looks like the city was built inside the Grand Canyon!).... perhaps.... perhaps.....but there is a deep spiritual feeling permeating the crystal-clear air.... and it beckons us to keep coming back, which is our prayer we all will someday!

So, for now... signing off yet from beautiful Boliva, till we sign on again from Paraguay..... the yatra of the tour of miracles in honor of Guru Ram Das.

Arjan and Me this past sunday before Gurdwara.

Prabhjot and Narayan doing some fake smiles. I guess not enough cheese... I have to yell something more exciting like.... "Look..there's Spider Man!"

As explained by Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji

Naad means "the essence of all sounds". All languages contain sounds which relate to one or more of the five elements of air, fire, water, earth or ether. Gurbani is a perfect combination and permutation of sounds relating to all the five elements in complete balance. When Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Guru Nanak, compiled the Siri Guru Granth Sahib, in 1604, he put in only those Banis which were in Naad. These compositions are called Gurbani.

There are eighty-four meridian points on the upper palate of a human's mouth. One can feel that upper palate with the tongue and experience its different surfaces. There are two rows of meridian points on the upper palate and on the gum behind the upper teeth. The tongue stimulates those meridian points, and they in turn stimulate the hypothalamus which makes the pineal gland radiate. When the pineal gland radiates, it creates an impulsation in the pituitary gland. When the pituitary gland gives impulsation, the entire glandular system secretes and a human being obtains bliss. This is the science.

Gurbani is the combination of the tongue with the meridian points. When you read and recite Gurbani, it stimulates your hypothalamus. It is totally different than any scriptures because Gurbani is made in a scientific way. There are two banis: "kachee bani" is that which does not fit on the Naad. It is not a balanced sound current. "Pakee bani" is that which fits on the Naad and is balanced. One who knows the Naad knows the Aad, the Primal Creativity. One who knows the Aad is Parmayshwaar, the Supreme God.

The whole language of Gurbani has the power to make a person divine, just in its recitation, if done correctly. One need not be concerned with the meaning for a change in consciousness. Bani has to be understood by the heart, not by the head. There is no power in the head, it is in the heart. The head is for God and the heart is for you. That is why Guru Gobind Singh asked for the head, and not for the heart. Whosoever lives with the head to God and heart for self, that prayer is complete.

The entire Siri Guru Granth Sahib is the calling of the Beloved. It is in Naad. Torah, Bible and Vedas are not in Naad because none of them felt that much pain of separation between God and the beloved."

We got some rain this evening and when I got home I was greeted with a beautiful double rainbow. The whole sky was reddish/orange. It was great! Maybe Prabhu got some pics too.

Pot of Gold up ahead? Looks like at my neighbor's house. Better go check....

It looked so cool out tonight with the moon and the clouds passing by. This picture that I took didn't have the detail of the moon. But the picture looks cool anyways.

The clouds passing over the moon.

Here is another "journal from the road" by my mother Sat Kirin Kaur who is currently in South America. You can read the background info here.

Greetings from balmy and humid Paraguay!

If you're anything at all like me, you probably haven't even heard of Asuncion, and have probably the vaguest notion of where Paraguay is…… somewhere deep in South America, right? Well…. What a pleasant surprise this place is! After having landed from cold and rainy La Paz, we all had to pack away our sweaters and coats since Asuncion lies in a flat, tropical plain laden with fruit trees everywhere. It is easier to pluck a mango, an avocado, a couple dozen tangerines, oranges, lemons, maracullas, or chirimboyas than it is to go shopping at a local market! This abundance reflects in the attitudes of the local population.

There is a large European influence, mostly german descendants who fled Germany after losing the war in World War II. And they have capitalized their prosperity by acquiring large landholds, accumulating wealth and creating industries mostly with their well-earned reputation of hard work and consistency! The local populace has more of an attitude of laisez-faire….. why work so hard when the food is so readily available?? It is cute to see the mixture of these quite opposite points of seeing life!!

Much to our delight, upon our arrival in the Asuncion International Airport the lovely Paraguayan Sangat greeted us with local music (consisting of harp and guitar) and a lovely dance performance by 3 young graceful girls beautifully decked in local costumes.

Asuncion itself is a beautiful, manicured, affluent and clean city with a distinctive European flavour, and without the obvious poverty assaulting it at every turn. Even after having taken a trip to the countryside, we did not see the slums that pervade every Latin American city. And it is quite obvious to see how much they value the environment….both personal and public in the way they immaculately keep their yards, streets, roads, and public spaces! It is quite a contrast with the other major cities we've visited so far.

Everyone we´ve met is sincerely enthusiastic and devoted. The key player here is Sat Pal Kaur, a beautiful Shakti powerhouse who works tirelessly. Many here have gone to Summer Solstices, and have come back to implement what they´ve learned over there. In fact, it is quite impressive to see how well run and managed is their entire scene here. They have a beautiful, elegant and spacious Yoga Center called Dharma, with well-attended classes back to back throughout the day. There is also a jewelry store (also called Dharma) which sells the Guru Bachan´s jewelry line. They also have an office which acts as the South American headquarters for Sikh Dharma and 3HO for all Spanish speaking people, as well as a beautiful website in Spanish with all kinds of information, schedules, classes, tantrics, tidbits, stories, etc. You can check it out: www.elcaminorealiberoamerica.com.

Our schedule here has been quite packed with appointments, visits, classes and visiting with these lovely people. On our first morning here, Sat Pal Kaur set up a meeting for GBS with the Paraguay Vice-President. (The actual president is out of the country at the moment). They were met graciously and welcomed warmly to their country. Right afterwards, she set up a T.V. interview with the most popular morning talk show….. our equivalent of Good Morning America. The lively and humorous talk by GBS's was a delight to watch. Towards the end of the show, there was a cooking class where he showed the entire Paraguayan nation how to make scrambled tofu! As the hostess, Pelusa, started to serve herself daintily unto a plate, GBS says:" No, no, no, no….. that´s not how you do it…. It won't taste as good that way…. Here!"…. And he proceeds to get a cracker, dip it into the pan, scoop up a mountain of hot, sizzling tofu, says: "Open up" and feeds it directly into her mouth!! It was quite hilarious to watch her wide-eyed surprise looking up at Guru Bachan Singh towering over here making her eat! Everyone in the studio was laughing and cheering him on, and of course they all loved the dish!

In the afternoon, Guru Bachan Kaur gave a talk and meditation to a group of about 70 abused women and girls in the downtown marketplace. It was very inspiring to see these working-class women of all ages sitting on the floor absorbing every bit of information and feeling the power of their meditation. Afterwards, they swamped us with questions, gratitude and requests to keep coming to teach them more about yoga and ways to make their lives better. They loved SatKirin's Ramadasa...meditation and promised to continue it for the next 40 days.

That same evening, Sat Kirn Kaur taught a beautiful class on the power of mantra with Shabds and stories from Guru Ram Das. It was a well attended class after which we all went to the Presidential Suite at the Sheraton to have pizzas and be delighted with Paraguayan folk music by yet another one of our yoga students who plays lovely guitar. Such a talent pool!

This morning, after yet another T.V. interview with the competing station, our Khalsa delegation headed downtown to distribute food to a group of about 400 of the poorest indigenous people. These families have set up a provisional tent city made of garbage bags in this downtown park as the only way to protest against some injustice by the government.

We showed up with sacks and sacks of rice, beans, sugar, tea, milk and soap and set up a distributing system. Before long, the line of people extended quite a ways. They were quite grateful to receive this bit of help in the form of food, since many of them have not had a decent meal since they arrived here in Asuncion, around 12 days ago. It was seva in the truest sense, and we all praised Guru Ram Das for the opportunity to serve in this way.

On a personal note, our lovely Hari Dharam Kaur developed a serious sinus and ear infection, what with all the changes of altitudes, places, and busy schedules. She is taking care of herself, but she has missed out on all the activities here in lovely Paraguay. So, please send her your prayer and healing energy so she can get better fast.

On that note, from the lovely Tour of the Lord of Miracles, until our next stop, in Santiago, Chile, we bid you adieu and Sat Nam….

SS Satkirin Kaur Khalsa
Brooklyn, NY

Here is a video about Miri Piri Academy which is in Amritsar, India (Cherta Sahib). This is where the Chardi Kala Jatha lives and teaches. They have been teaching at the school for quite a few years. There are about 130 students at the school. My brother Dharam graduated from MPA a few years ago. The MPA website is currently being developed...but will be up soon.

You can check out Amrit Singh's blog which has lot's of MPA pictures.

The below video is introduced by Jagat Guru Singh:



"I want these children to be stronger than steel. They should walk taller than the stars, be brighter than the sun, and be as peaceful, bright and beautiful as the moon."

"These children are the fruit of prayer and sacrifice. The steel of Guru Gobind Singh runs through their veins and the grace of Guru Ram Das flows from their hearts."

"To be a parent in the essential sense is to make your child strong to face tommorow. This is what your child wants from you, nothing less.... nothing more." - Siri Singh Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogi Ji

Today I want to share with you a really good video / sound clip of the Chardi Kala Jatha who were in Singapore in December 2004. They taught at one of the Sikh camps there and also played kirtan in some of the Gurdwaras. Here is a recording of them at the Sikh Center, Gurdwara Sahib (Silat Road) in Singapore. Thanks to Raveenjiv Singh of vlpro.com for sharing the DVD recording of that "Saturday Night Live".

This was the first time I have seen Chardi Kala Jatha teaching and in this role. It was pretty cool for me to watch the video. These are friends of mine that I went to school with and have changed so much since then. It's inspiring to see them "out in the field". Normally when they play kirtan in our communities they don't talk or teach.... so this was eye opening to hear them talk and share in a different way than I am used to. Not only do they play "wicked" Kirtan (as my friends from UK would say) but they have a lot of inspiring and interesting things to say too.

Throughout the video there will be shabds and little talks/explanations on different topics. Towards the middle and end you'll get to hear Sada Sat Simran Singh and Jagat Guru Singh speaking their desi Punjabi which is also pretty cool. It kind of catches you off guard to see white nihang looking Sikhs talking in Punjabi. I wasn't fortunate enough to go to school in Punjab so I didn't get punjabi down that well. Mostly Hindi....and nowadays it is majorly rusty. It helps to live in India :)

It's now pretty early in the morning (1:30AM) and I have spent WAY too much time trying to get these videos online. Too many technical hurdles trying to get the video files off the DVD...edit them down to shorten and convert to different formats. I know Arjan is going to be asking me again how late I was up. I was up last night too past 2AM trying to get this stuff worked out so that the video stuff could encode while I was sleeping (video encoding takes a long time). At least I have my new computer, which definitely helps.

Anyways... The video is about 53 minutes which is pretty long....but it is well worth it. I wouldn't post huge video files (which munch our bandwidth like pop corn) if I didn't think it was worth it.

I am also posting an audio only file for those who don't have a broadband internet connection. This way you can at least listen. Something for everyone. I hope you all enjoy it. Please do post comments :)

• Download the Audio (37 MB MP3 file)

If you feel so inspired...you can help out by making a donation to SikhNet to help cover the bandwidth/hosting costs for this and other files that I post online. Thanks!

This past thursday (Oct 6th) at the Gurdwara here, Bibiji Inderjit Kaur (Wife of Siri Singh Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa ) spent some time sharing stories of her life with her husband and family over the past 40 some years. This was the 1 year anniversary of his passing.

Listen to the Audio or Watch the video:

Raminder Kaur from New York recently went to the Gurdwara in Manhattan, NY and visited with the Sangat and my father Siri Vishnu Singh. Here is a slideshow of pictures that she took at the Gurdwara.

For the past month we have been having a hard time trying to get Narayan to play soccer. He is normally at school the whole day and is tired by the end of the day when I pick him up.

Lately Narayan has been into chewing gum so I tried a different tactic today. I offered to give him some bubble gum if be played soccer today. It worked! His team had a game with some other kids and it was GREAT! I had so much fun screaming for him and the other kids to kick the ball.

With kids his age playing, it is pretty much a mob of kids just kicking and running. It's pretty wild and funny to watch. Most don't really know what is going on. In any case we all had fun (and got some bubble gum too!).

Devta Kaur, Sarabjot Kaur and Narayan Singh

Sarabjot Kaur and Narayan Singh

Siri Vishnu always keeps busy. Even back then he had a handful :)

Here is a video that I made in February of this year for my father's 50th Birthday celebration (Siri Vishnu Singh Khalsa). For me this video was to celebrate his amazing presence, and of being such a great support to me personally and our family.

Even though Siri Vishnu Singh isn't my father by "blood" he has always been a great father to me.

I remember the day at Summer Solstice camp many years ago (before he had met/married my mother) and I was showing him some of my photographs that I was selling. After talking to him for a while I thought, "How cool it would be to to have him as a father". I remember liking that he was very young at heart and could relate to me as a young person and also be an adult.

Of course shortly after that encounter I went back to school in India (after my vacation) and found out that he was marrying my mother! Wow...how Guru works things out. Both him and my mother are very spiritual and dedicated individuals...and are a good match.

Marriage is the carriage to take you to Infinity! No one said marriage was an easy thing! You each have to keep working on yourself. Chiseling away like the master carver perfecting his masterpiece.




Watch/download windows media version (31 MB)

ps. The background music is by Prem Joshua.

Siri Singh Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa had given the directive to the American Sikhs to take the teachings of Siri Guru Granth Sahib to South America. In the spirit and dedication that Yogiji had brought the Guru's teachings to the Western hemisphere, so have a group of North American Sikhs taken time away from their work with their own resources undertaken a very extensive tour of 9 countries and 13 cities to teach of the power and love of our Sacred Siri Guru Granth Sahib.

The first tour took place in October of 2003. Organized and directed by Singh Sahib Guru Bachan Singh Khalsa this mission began by organizing a teaching tour of South America called: The Lord Of Miracles Tour. The entire tour has been created and dedicated to the honor of Guru Ram Das and is held during the month of Guru Ram Das Birthday.

In October 2004, the Siri Singh Sahib ji passed away on the actual birthdate of Guru Ram Das. As the tour was scheduled to depart on that very day, it became a virtual tour culminating with the first Amrit Sanchar of South America in Chili February 2004.

Today, October 10, 2005 the tour continues once again. Through the dedication of Singh Sahib Gurubachan Singh Khalsa, he is accompanied by his wife, Sardarni Sahiba Guru Bachan Kaur Khalsa, his daughter Sat Bachan Kaur Khalsa, his son Sat Gurmukh Singh, his 2 year old grandson Amar Singh Khalsa and a Jatha of other very distinguished teachers and kirtanees; Mukhia Sardarni Sahiba Hari Dharam Kaur Khalsa, Guru Granthi, Sardarni Sahiba Sat Kirin Kaur Khalsa...Granthi and Ragi....to be continued
--
SS Satkirin Kaur Khalsa
Brooklyn, NY

I had a really fun time visiting with Arjan's sister Kelly and doing all the out door activities. We drove back early this morning and are now back home. Back to work tommorow at SikhNet! :)

As we drove through the moutain it was magical seeing the snow covering everything; including the grass strands.

It was cool seeing the Aspen trees that were still yellow and with their leaves and the snow at the same time. Normally the leaves are gone before the snow comes.

The snowy mountains as we drove home to New Mexico.

Well, the weather report yesterday was correct. We were lucky to get a beautiful sunny day yesterday. Today is all snow and rain. We managed to get a good hike this morning in between the snow and rain. Then hanging out in the a cafe drinking de-caff coffees and hot chocolate. Aaahh... relaxing. Then snuggling up in bed and watching DVDs with pints of Ben & Jerry's ice cream. fun fun.

Well...tommorow morning we drive back early in the morning to head home to our little town of Espanola, New Mexico. Hopefully there isn't much snow, because it's no fun to drive in.