In this interview Siri Chand Singh shares some of his experiences growing up as a Sikh and being from an African American background.
Monthly Archive for November, 2005
In this video Guruka Singh shares his explanation of the word "Naam", which is mentioned a lot in the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. He also discusses being Happy, Experiencing God within everything around you, Living a life to do seva, and being present in every moment to serve. This is the final video from the interview that I did with Guruka Singh a few weeks ago. Of course, there will be more some time in the future, so stay tuned :)
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Yes, I will soon post some more poems from the Furmaan Khalsa, but today I simply want to share one of my own poems with everyone. This simple poem is based on a vision I had in 1981 where I clearly saw the return of the Khalsa to the earth, 960,000,000 (96 crore) strong as Guru Gobind Singh Ji predicted.
Here’s the story as it was told to me… As Guru Gobind Singh and his Sikhs were moving South, nearing the village of Saheva, they came to a grove of Jand trees. Here they decided to make their camp. When all was set up, the Guru ordered his soldiers to find a Pipal tree (fig tree). The men protested that the climate was too dry, and that the Pipal tree would only grow with sufficient water, yet the Guru repeatedly insisted that they go and look. When the men had searched without success, one Sikh climbed to the heights of a tall Jand tree. Looking over the entire area and seeing no Pipal tree, he climbed down and told the Guru that there was no Pipal tree in sight, but that a tiny Pipal sapling was growing in the roots of the great Jand tree. When he saw the sapling, the Master said: “This sapling will grow into a mighty tree. When it overshadows the parent Jand tree and overwhelms it, that is the time for the Order of the Khalsa to grow in large numbers. They shall achieve recognition in the direction and the countries of the West. Then the flag of True Religion shall be implanted there. They shall become sovereign in the Sikh homelands and then become the decision makers at the seat of government at Delhi.” In 1959 it was reported that this Pipal tree had reached the same height as the Jand tree.
Khalsa
Essence of Joy in total freedom
Born from clear vibration of Shabd
Nourished by the Guru’s Bani
Flashing fearless strength of steel
Ancient prophecy fulfilled
Out of many comes the One!
Melted in the forge of the Creative Intelligence
Welded together through millions of lifetimes
Joined forever beyond time and space
Perfect form of the Divine Purpose
Infinite flowing source of radiance
Warm deep heart of endless service
Ecstasy of the Living Dharma
Perfection of humanity
Alive with Shakti energy
Foundation of God
———————————
Winter Solstice 1981
from the introduction to the Furmaan Khalsa
Ik Ong Kaar Satgur Prasad, Sat Gurprasad Ek Ong Kaar. It’s a reminder of who you are…and that you are one with the infinite. Everything is a gift; even the painful things in your life.
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Some of you who are regular SikhNet visitors might have noticed that we are having our annual fundraiser to raise money to support the operation of SikhNet.com. We hope you can participate!
SikhNet impacts Over 100,000 people around the world every month! We receive dozens of emails every day from those whose lives have been touched by SikhNet, especially young people who feel inspired and supported. We LOVE serving you in this way! It is our life work.
Most people probably imagine that we are a pretty big operation and have tons of funding. Actually SikhNet is just seven dedicated people. We work in a small office (about 55 square metres) attached to our Gurdwara here in Espanola (a very small town - population about 10,000 people) in northern New Mexico (USA). We have a few older computers here in our office, and we rent servers from a large hosting provider. Our SikhNet staff here in our office is just a small devoted band of sevadars, but we consider all of you who are reading this and who visit SikhNet and who participate in our CyberSangat to be part of our SikhNet family as well. And it is your participation, suggestions, contributions and generous donations that make SikhNet what it is.
Lately, I have been enjoying putting together all these educational interview videos on the blog, however the side effect of that is the increased costs for the web hosting. When you have 600-1000 people visiting this blog website every day…and watching/downloading large videos the costs really start to add up. Current costs are now at about $400/month (Just for this blog. I’m not joking either!).
In order to continue this type of service on a long term basis it is important that we get the your support to help with the costs. One day someone may make a large grant/donation to SikhNet and I can stop posting these fundraiser messages, but until then…all your donations (small and large) make a HUGE difference and is what keeps us going.
So, if you feel that this blog and SikhNet has benefited you and your life please make a donation to SikhNet (however much you can afford. Even if it is $1 or $2 per month! It all adds up. We do have an automatic monthly donation option for credit card donations)
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The SikhNet “West Wing” as we jokingly call it. This is one of our “cozy” offices with 4 desks packed in the room. Here is Joginder Singh showing me and Guru Jot Singh his big muscles.
The SikhNet “East Wing”. I don’t think they are actually “east/west” but I like to joke about it (some of you might know of the TV show “The West Wing”). This is the office that myself and Guruka Singh share.
SikhNet Radio Broadcast Center. This is the office space that we have some of our different computers for broadcasting SikhNet Radio. We also use the computers and audio equipment for archiving old Gurbani tapes/reels to digital formats and video processing.
Is this what you expected?? NOT! Hahaha…
Today the topic is about setting a daily routine and rhythm in your life and the effects of doing so. Changing the way that you look at your daily Sadhana (Daily Discipline), Creating prosperity in your life.
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Snatam Kaur, GuruGanesha Singh, and Krishan Prakash Singh are touring throughout the United States, Cananda, Europe and Asia in the year of 2006. They will be sharing Gurubani Kirtan with audiences of many walks of life. They would very much like to have the opportunity to play in Gurdwaras wherever they go, and to connect with the local sangats of each area that they go to. Snatam Kaur is known for her gift to bring inspiration and love into her kirtan, and is especially able to connect with youth. If you would like more information about Snatam Kaur, please visit www.snatamkaur.com.
If you are interested in hosting them to come to your Gurdwara or have any special classes with youth, please contact GuruGanesha Singh at: guruganesha@spiritvoyage.com, by December 1st. Their schedule is filling up fast, so please do not hesitate to contact GuruGanesha Singh if you are interested.
Having a hard time getting up early in the morning to do banis or meditate? In this video Guruka Singh talks about reasons for getting up early in the morning, and gives many practical suggestions / inspirations to help you do so.
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In this video Guruka talks about the significance of the banis being done at different times of the day and the effect.
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by Ek Ong Kaar Kaur Khalsa
Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa, Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh.
Today is November 11th, 2005. It is a date that I have looked forward to and dreaded all at the same time. One mustn’t believe in astrology, I understand. But still – here we are- about to go into the last seven year cycle in the transition between the ages.
When Yogi Bhajan first came to the United States in the late 1960’s, there was a lot of singing and talking about the Aquarian Age. There’s even a musical – Hair – with an entire song dedicated to the theme. While pop culture has forgotten about the fact that we are going through a cusp period between two ages (the Piscean and the Aquarian) – in our little corner of the world, it is a subject that Yogi Bhajan taught about at length. And the key theme he repeated over and over again was: Look – the transition time is going to be difficult, people are going to go crazy. You have to be in a position to help them, to serve them, to teach them, to heal them. If you can’t reach out and help elevate someone from their pain and misery, who is going to do it?
Stars and planets, zodiac ages and the center of the galaxy. It is for every individual to decide for themselves whether the Hukam which guides creation can be understood through the stars. There is the One Creator behind it all, guiding it according to Divine Will. And as Guru Nanak says in Japji Sahib – no one can talk about what that Hukam is – although everything is contained within it.
For myself, because today starts the last seven year cycle in the transition between the ages, I do want to share with all of you a little bit of what he shared with us. Because deep in my heart, I believe it is important.
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