I’m sure most of you have been to a Gurdwara while Kirtan is being sung, and seen the Gurbani with a translation projected onto a screen. Isn’t this cool?? This is has changed the way that Gurdwaras in this modern age bring a deeper understanding of Gurbani to the sangat. In our Gurdwaras since the old days in the 70’s we didn’t have this and relied on hundreds and hundreds of shabad sheets which were put together, copied and then organized in file cabinets. They would then be handed out in the Gurdwara so that we could sing along with the Shabad and understand the meaning.
We have come a long way since then in the world! With the digitalization of Gurbani and various translations becoming available, the options for viewing and searching through Gurbani are limitless. What we can do and how we can view Gurbani is really only limited by our creativity and imagination…and taking the time to create something new.
Shakti Parwha Kaur and Sikh Dharma International have been working hard on a much needed book about Sikh Dharma. This book is to serve the need of the growing number of people (not from Indian origin) who want to get a better understanding about Sikhi. Last week alone I got four emails from people asking about how they can become a Sikh and various questions related to living this lifestyle! Many people start by practicing Kundalini Yoga and see the many Sikh teachers with turbans on without knowing very much about this lifestyle. They chant various mantras from Gurbani and want to know more. This book is will help serve the growing need of those people that are new to Sikh Dharma and interested in incorporating this lifestyle into their life. Of course this book will also be a huge gem to many people within the Sikh community as well because it is presented in a very unique way and is not your typical preachy/scholarly/history book on Sikhi. The book is very modern in the way the content is presented using stories and people’s experiences of living this lifestyle as well as teaching the basics.
Here are a few excerpts from the draft book from the chapter "Science of Sound" that I thought would be interesting for you all. When the book is released you’ll be sure to hear about it on SikhNet :)
There are facts of life which we don’t normally talk about publicly, and one of them has to do with something that we all do every day (at least if you are healthy and regular). Ok, I know this is going to be a far throw from my normal blog posts. Don’t expect any cute pictures of Charanjeet, Inspirational stories, or videos.
I can be serious and spiritual, but I also like to have fun and laugh. A few weeks ago I went over to a friends house for dinner and while I was there I made a funny discovery while stopping in on the washroom. Normally when I go to the bathroom (#2) I like to read a magazine. I’m normally pretty busy all the time so this is my one time to "relax" for a bit and catch up on my tech magazine reading. I have a rack for magazines next to the toilet and take my pick when I sit on the "throne". Charanjeet has been copying me lately. She says "poopoo"….and then goes and sits on the toilet…and then says "magazeen" and acts like she is going to the bathroom and reading. It’s quite funny how kids copy their parents. Anyways….as I was saying earlier I was at a friends house and noticed this small hardcover book title "What’s Your Poo Telling You?". Interested, I picked it up and started reading it. It was soo funny and educational at the same time that I couldn’t put it down. So much for socializing! I took it in the living room and kept flipping through it reading. It then was time to leave and I had to part with my dear "poo book" (and I’m not talking about a Winnie the Poo book). I hoped that one day I would be re-united with the book for more good fun and laughs.
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.
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:
Over the past 11 years I have made various screen savers available online, which featured beautiful photographs and Sikh Art. I recently made an updated and higher quality screen saver which displays most of the art and photographs that are on SikhPhotos.com.
Download and install the screen saver on your computer, then enjoy watching the picture fade in and out as you hear a soft "waheguru" simran playing in the background. If you see any pictures that you like, you can order copies of it along with other related Sikh Gifts at SikhPhotos.com. I hope you all enjoy it! Let me know what you think…
The screen saver is currently only available for windows computers and is about 58MB in size (Because there are LOTS of pictures).
Earlier this week I got a copy of the film "Amu" which just came out on DVD and Commemorating 23rd Anniversary Of Genocide Against Sikhs. Every night when I came home I have been wanting to watch it, but each night it was too late or I was exhausted and had to get some sleep. Finally tonight, (Friday) I had the chance to watch the film for the first time. It’s about 12:30AM and I just finished watching it so wanted to jot down some thoughts before I head off to sleep.
"This is a film about a 21 year old Indian American women visiting from India to get in touch with her family and learn about her roots. She is then blocked at every turn when she begins asking simple questions about her past. She embarks on an unstoppable journey to seek the truth. She soon learns that a genocide in New Delhi from 20 years ago might hold the key to her mysterious origin."
I just got a copy of the new Snatam Kaur Live in Concert Album today and as soon as I got home I started watching the DVD 45 min video documentary (Path of Peace) which is part of this album. It was so inspiring to watch and see the "behind the scenes" of the Celebrate Peace Tour (Snatam Kaur and company) which meant to bring peace to people all over and from all backgrounds. Narayan snuggled up on the couch as I held Charanjeet Kaur in my lap sitting on the floor. The sounds and music made everyone (including Charanjeet) quite and relaxed. It was quite nice.
I then embarked on the next phase of my evening relaxation listening to the Audio CD of Snatam Kaur Live in Concert. I still had my parental duties to take care of so while listening to the CD after dinner I got the kids in the bathtub, cleaned them off, gave Charanjeet her nightly massage and dressed in pajamas. Near the middle of the CD when the kids were all taken care of I put on my wireless headphones and got "in the zone" lying on the couch listening to the music. All I can say is "aaaaahhhhhh". I melted away.
So, if you don’t have a copy of this new album head on over to SpiritVoyage.com to get one! (If you order before Oct 26th you can 20% off if you use the promo Code: autumn17 at checkout)
In related news: On Oct. 30th here in Santa Fe, New Mexico Snatam Kaur will be performing at The Yogi Bhajan Library of Teachings Benefit Concert and CD Release Party! (Even if you are not local this might just be a great chance for you to come visit us!)
One other new thing I wanted to let you know from SikhPhotos.com. In the past you have been able to order photographic prints from the SikhPhotos.com gallery. However, you can now pick out a picture and customize it online with your choice of a frame style and mat! Choose from over 5 million museum quality mat and frame combinations! This saves you time and money and makes it quick and easy to see how it will look before you purchase it. Start browsing the SikhPhotos.com gallery and customizing art!
Last week I wrote a blog post about some new 2008 Sikh calendars, cards and other items that I made and am selling. I ordered a bunch of the items for gifts, and to check out the quality and I was REALLY impressed! I hadn’t yet seen how the calendars and cards would look printed (since I had only seen them in digital form). Yesterday I got them in the mail and was really happy with the quality of the printing and how the designs came out. These calendars and cards are high quality and not cheap printing. Definitely worth the cost! One cool tip if you buy the calendars is that after the month is over you can cut the page out and frame the picture. So with each calendar you get 12 beautiful pictures which you can continue to enjoy.
Anyways, I just wanted to share my excitement because I am happy with the quality and wasn’t sure what it would end up looking like. I’m sure that those of you who have ordered some of the items will be happy as well. :) If for some reason you are not happy with it, you can get a full refund.
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:
There are facts of life which we don’t normally talk about publicly, and one of them has to do with something that we all do every day (at least if you are healthy and regular). Ok, I know this is going to be a far throw from my normal blog posts. Don’t expect any cute pictures of Charanjeet, Inspirational stories, or videos. 
This weekend I watched a documentary that was very thought provoking. 
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