In the past I have posted quite a few audio lectures from Gurdwara by SSS Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji which I thought were very inspirational and educational (and have shaped who I am today). This weekend has been a very thoughtful and pensive weekend for me. I was not feeling so well so stayed home with daughter Charanjeet Kaur and watched quite a few old videos of lectures and questions and answer sessions with Sikh youth from England, Canada and USA.
In the videos he answers many common questions related to Sikhi, and more specifically questions related to Sikhs of western origin. Normally most of his lectures are one way to the sangat in Gurdwara, so the ones I watched are very different because people ask questions and he answers them. As I have time I’ll watch them again and edit them down to smaller chunks so you all can benefit.
Balvinder Singh is currently in India right now learning Sarangi and planning to release a new album mid year (2008). So stay tuned to hear when it is released! In the mean time take a few long deep breaths in and out, and listen to the below shabad. Let your worries and stress melt away….
The sun was beautiful, shining warmly on the Los Angeles neighborhood nestled between the two busy streets of Fairfax and Beverly. I was using some free time between recording sessions on my upcoming children’s album to take a walk. One of my favorite things to do is look at houses and lawns. It’s a fascination for me, really. I love to see beautiful homes and gardens, and in LA there are so many that it is just pure entertainment. As I walked, I was enraptured by the beautiful white roses climbing up white picket fences, the perfectly manicured lawns, the fancy gates with pathway lighting, the exotic orange flowers that look like flamingo heads, and the beautiful windows and stone-laden driveways. I wove in and out of the quiet streets for quite some time, feeling serene and meditative, and then I took a turn and suddenly found myself right in the middle of one of the busiest streets in LA. What a shock.
My mother (Satkirin Kaur) just came out with a beautiful new CD titled "Ignite Your Light". I have been listening to it often since I got it in December. The CD was made to use for meditation and has directions for each meditation included with the CD.
Here is one of my favorite tracks from the CD for your listening pleasure:
Here is an inspiring talk by SSS Harbhajan Singh Khalsa on the topic of "Chardikala" and your relationship with the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. It’s only about 28 min long so definitely have a listen! :)
Here is a short soothing Mul Mantra introduction that Hari Bhajan Kaur played in Gurdwara yesterday before she started playing kirtan. (with Gurujot Singh on Dilruba). Download; set your player on repeat; and relax to the soothing sounds.
Last night I was writing about Charanjeet talking and saying different things and this morning she was at it again talking away. I sometimes try to record her with a video camera….but as soon as she sees the camera she wants it, and starts saying "Baby" because she likes to look at the pictures on the camera or the video. So this time I got Narayan’s new little mp3 player which records audio and just walked around with her for about 20 minutes this morning. Here are two edited clips. Maybe I’m the only one that thinks they are cute because she is my daughter….but then again this blog is sort of a family journal and it will be interesting to look over the years of my family recorded on the internet. By the way…She just turned 18 months old.
Wahe Guru and Nitnem In the morning when we do banis she always wants a nitnem. Here is one of the "Nitnem" encounters along with her cute "wah-hey-goodoo".
Various Talk This is some different snippets of her saying things. Some of her common "expressions" are in this clip: Parantha!, Sikaboo (translation: Scooby doo)
I’m back from my vacation and it’s great to be home. Winter time is a nice time of coziness and consolidation. I feel like everything slows down and I am able to internalize more (Like the plants that go into hibernation the end of the year). For me it’s a time of thinking and evaluating. By the time the new year comes I always start to think about what I want to accomplish in the next year (personally, spiritually and professionally). The winter time is sort of a "deep-breath" to stop and think about where I am and where I want to go. It also helps that at this time of year I normally take a vacation, so I am able to get out of my normal every day patterns of work and day to day things.
Today me and Arjan celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary. In this day and age commitment in marriage is not a common thing. Divorce rates are so high it seems that no one stays married for long these days. I am thankfull to have a happy marriage and a awesome partner to travel this journey with. That’s not to say it is always easy. I think God must be testing to see if I can keep my "marriage black belt" in recent months, since it has been quite challenging having two kids and all that goes with being a family. It is so easy to fall into your emotions and feelings and be reactive when problems come up, rather than being conscious and communicative. Having a relationship is an art and skill in itself. This is one of the reasons why I think having a family and being married is the highest "Yoga"….since it forces you to work on yourself (And hopefully become a better person). It is no longer just about YOU.
It’s been fun watching Narayan and Charanjeet (our kids) change and move into different phases. Charanjeet is 18 months old and is changing so rapidly. I keep thinking how I need to record more of the "moments". She is copying so many words and learning new things every day. Her latest favorite word is "Aaw Man…!". She heard Narayan saying that after something happened and she picked up on it. Now something will drop…and she blurts out "Aaw Man!". It’s quite funny. Another recent classic word is "Parantha!". A month or so ago I made my first stack of paranthas from start to finish and I was saying "Paronetaaaa!!" (with a loud/strong Punjabi accent). Ever since then she just blurts it out like that with lots of enthusiasm at all moments. Children are so beatiful! As much work as they are, they are a gift and jewels to learn from!!
So, as we start this new year I hope you all are thinking about your life and all the gifts that you have. It’s a great time for renewed commitment and change. Even I need a kick in the butt sometimes to get myself going and make a change. Ready-Set-Go! (I’m "cooking" up some plans too)
Here is an audio clip by Hari Bhajan Kaur who brought the Espanola sangat through to the new year during the all night Rainsabhai Kirtan. She ended just after midnight 2008 singing the Shabad "Ram Japo Jee Aasay Aasay".
Last night I was writing about Charanjeet talking and saying different things and this morning she was at it again talking away. I sometimes try to record her with a video camera….but as soon as she sees the camera she wants it, and starts saying "Baby" because she likes to look at the pictures on the camera or the video. So this time I got Narayan’s new little mp3 player which records audio and just walked around with her for about 20 minutes this morning. Here are two edited clips. Maybe I’m the only one that thinks they are cute because she is my daughter….but then again this blog is sort of a family journal and it will be interesting to look over the years of my family recorded on the internet. By the way…She just turned 18 months old. 
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