I just happened across this nice video on Snatam Kaur and Guruganesha Singh sharing their gratitude about being able to do what they do; traveling around the world, singing gods prays, and uplifting people. I feel the same way about the work that we do at SikhNet and also feel fortunate and grateful to be able to do this.
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.
I just got a beautiful new audio track from Balvinder Singh (Australia wale) which is titled "The Sweet Song". The actual words are from the shabad by Guru Arjan Dev Ji: "Jo Mangeh Thakur Apne Thae". The vocals are by Harinder Kaur. You can hear some other music by Balvinder Singh that I have posted in the past.
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….
Ps. We just got lots of new snow last night so it is so magical outside with white all over and the bright New Mexico sun!
by Snatam Kaur
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.
I know this topic is never short of arguments and debate but here are a few short interesting videos from the Jaap Sahib course here in Espanola, New Mexico. These (4) videos are excerpts from on class during a talk about the Dasam Granth and Writings of Guru Gobind Singh. In the videos Jugat Guru Singh and Sada Sat Simran Singh (Chardikala Jatha) share their thoughts on the various related topics.
The above video is a playlist of 4 videos, so after the first one ends another one will start.
Those of you who are in Australia, Chardikala Jatha and the Senior class of Miri Piri Academy are going to be in Austalia at the end of December!
Gurdwara Kirtan Darbar
Day Camp Programme
The class programme will be held at Parklea Gurdwara on 24th, 25th and 26th December between 8am and 1pm each day. You must be 10 years or older to participate.
There will be a $5 registration fee per person which will cover all 3 days. This fee will be charged even if you attend only 1 or 2 days.
Those of you who have an IPOD or other digital audio/video player might have heard the term "podcast". Podcasting is a way to get the audio/videos automatically downloaded to your computer or portable audio player. Once you have things set up, you will always have access to the most recent shows, as MP3 files on your computer or portable device, ready for listening!
There are very few Sikh related podcasts at this time, however one of my friends (Dr. Savi) produces a regular podcast called "Sikhwithin". One tuned into one of the recent podcasts and enjoyed listening to it, so I thought I would share it with you all.
Sikhwithin Episode 28 - Special with Snatam Kaur
Nice interview with Snatam Kaur from here recent visit to England and a recording of her playing kirtan.
You can also hear another recording with Dr. Savi on BBC Radio on the topic of "Religion in the Digital Age".
This summer Chardikala Jatha released two great new CDs! They haven’t been online for sale so I didn’t mention it earlier. Many of you have seen videos of them teaching, playing kirtan at Harimandir Sahib, 
or downloaded live mp3 files of live recordings. I have received many emails of people asking about CDs, so hear you go!
The first CD is "Mantras from Jaap Sahib". The length of the tracks are 31 minutes, 31 min and 11 minutes which are ideal times for meditating. The first track is Ajai Alai, then Gobinday Mukhanday, and last is Chatar Chakar Varti. The mantras are played in a very up-beat and energetic pace great for meditation. You can order the CD and hear audio samples here.
The second CD is a Sadhana Music CD meant for meditation in the morning. The CD includes seven different audio tracks for chanting with. This is one of the CDs that I meditate and chant along with in the morning. It is sung in classical raag and has beautiful instrumentation. Some of the tracks are: Mul Mantra, Rakhe Rakhan Haar and Waheguru Simran. You can order the CD and hear audio samples here.
If you don’t already have their older CDs you can also check out:
Earlier this summer a new CD came out by Sat Hari Singh (Germany) called "Servant of the Heart". Sat Hari Singh just came for a visit from Germany for the Khalsa Council Meetings here in Espanola, and he gave me a copy of this CD. On this CD my friend Hari Bhajan Kaur sings along with Sat Hari Singh, however the last track on the CD is a solo song with just her. This is an awesome track! Normally I would wait till the CD was for sale online before posting anything here, but I couldn’t help it. The last CD track titled "Sarab Nirantar" which is from a section of the So Purkh, written by Guru Ram Das and is in the Rehiras prayer/bani. This track has an upbeat yet meditative energy to it. Ever since I got this CD I have been playing it over and over. I force myself to listen to something else for a while so I don’t "burn it out". I guess I am a music junkie when it comes to good music!
Here is a sneak peak of this one audio track from the Cd for your listening pleasure. Listening on the computer doesn’t do it justice. When I hear it in my car driving it’s like my car lifts off the ground I go to another planet
Sarab Nirantar - by Hari Bhajan Kaur
Translation of the Words : "You are constant in each and every heart, and in all things. O Dear lord, you are the one. Some are givers, and some are beggars. This is all your wondrous play. You yourself are the giver, and you yourself are the enjoyer. I know no other than you. You are the supreme lord God, limitless and infinite. What virtues of yours can I speak of and describe? Unto those who serve you, unto those who serve you, dear lord, sevany Nanak is a sacrifice." - Guru Ram Das ji (So purkhs)
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