Over the years I have observed some characteristics that some Sikhs have taken on regarding an effort to reduce ego/pride. As Sikhs we are taught to not get attached to the five "challenges" of Lust, Anger, Greed, Pride and Attachment. In an effort to prevent these feelings I have seen some practices by Sikhs which I think are unnecessary.
The first routine is the overly humble guise. It goes something like this: "I am just a lowly sinner…" , "I am the dust of the dust of the dirt"… "I am a das of the das", "I know nothing…", etc. Most of the time when I hear this type of thing from people it feels just like a cover to try to negate any ego. In reality for most people it feels like a false routine to portray ones self as humble. I know in Gurbani Guru Nanak and other Gurus have used similar words as this…but this was our Gurus expression. It’s one thing if you say this to yourself as an internal thing in your mind…..but to say it to other people is very different. It’s as if you have to say it out loud to prove, or make sure that people know you are humble. It’s sort of a false humbleness. If you are humble people will see it in your actions, words, and in your presence (not by words and statements about your humbleness).
Continue reading ‘Dust of the Dust of the Dust….’
Most Sikhs have heard of Nihangs and their usage of marijuana/sukha/bang/etc. But most don’t know why, and that in the pure tradition of the Nihangs this plant was a tool in the warrior tradition of the Sikhs. Many just hear about Nihangs using it and think that they are abusing this drug. During last years Jaap Sahib course we had Question and Answer sessions every day and participants would ask all kinds of questions. One of the questions was asked by a youth about how Nihangs justify their usage of marijuana. Jugat Guru Singh and Sadasat Simran Singh (Chardikala Jatha) give their opinion and understanding of this issue. Basically they share their experience, that while some Nihangs do abuse this tradition and use it as an intoxicant it is a real tool in the tradition of the Nihangs.
Continue reading ‘Marijuana and Nihangs’
In 2007 SikhNet produced quite a few different media products which include the, "Inspiration Series" of short videos (many with Guruka Singh) that we have shown on SikhNet over the past few years, as well as 2006 and 2007 SikhNet Youth Online Film Festival DVDs, and the "SikhNet Gurbani Collection" Audio CD of some of our favorite Gurbani. These are really great products and I highly recommend them all :)
These items were previously only available to SikhNet donors, and are now available for general purchase online. These are great gift items and allow you to enjoy high quality content in the comfort of your home. Plus, all profits from the purchase go to support SikhNet. So, don’t wait, by one….or buy the whole set for your collection, and enjoy!
This weekend I watched a documentary that was very thought provoking.
The documentary examines the world’s dependency on oil and the impending chaos that’s sure to follow when the resource is depleted. Straight from the headlines, this hot-button topic may represent the world’s most dire crisis. Through expert interviews, the film spells out in startling detail the challenge we all face and underscores our desperate need for alternative energy.
Most of you who drive cars probably have experienced the much higher costs for gasoline in the past couple years. We tend to think smaller and just hope for better cars with higher gas mileage. This is only a drop in the bucket to solve the problems.
Continue reading ‘A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash’
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