Tag Archive for 'Guruka Singh'

Guilt vs. Self-Discipline

Here is the second video part to the previously posted video topic of "Sin, Guilt, Heaven and Hell".

This video deals with the issue and question of whether guilt is a good thing to motivate and have self discipline. You might think that without guilt you might not do certain things or be disciplined. Guruka Singh shares a nice perspective in terms of relating to discipline and a daily practice. I used to be one of the "yo-yos" (going up and down in my practice) but now take the slow and steady, building over time approach. Anyways, hope you enjoy.

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Sin, Guilt, Heaven and Hell

Here is one topic which I think is a great one for us all to think about. I have found that even within the Sikh lifestyle many people have adopted the mentality of "guilt and sin". Western influence has definitely played a big part in this, and it doesn’t help to have translations of Gurbani that translate "paap" into "sin".

In the following video interview Guruka Singh shares his thoughts on the topic of Sin, Guilt, Heaven and Hell. Hopefully the next time you catch yourself feeling one of these things you may think more deeply about it.  

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Continue reading ‘Sin, Guilt, Heaven and Hell’

SikhNet Video Shoot

 
Well, we now have the "SikhNet Video Studio" setup! A generous Sikh donated funds to pay for new video/lighting equipment. Someone in our local community had a small storage room that they were not using so we turned it into our "studio". The room is a bit narrow but it’s much better than jumping through hoops filming in the SikhNet office (which is even smaller).

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Dust of the Dust of the Dust….

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….’

How Science and Religion Come Together

This article was originally written in 1981 when I was working as a Research Associate in High Energy Physics at Ohio State University. Reading Rawel Singh’s recent article that he submitted to the SikhNet News reminded me of this article I wrote 27 years ago, and so I dusted it off and updated it for publication here. - Guruka Singh Khalsa 

THERE has always been science, and there has always been religion as long as the human race has walked on this mother Earth. In fact, these two are not only related to each other, but they are really, in essence, identical.

Examining the meaning of the word “science” we can see that it is derived from the Latin “sciens” which is the present participle of “scire” which means “to know or to understand”. Many people completely misunderstand the word ‘religion.’ It comes from the Latin word ‘ligare’ which means to tie or fasten. It is the same root as the word ligature or ligament. It means to be connected, tied. So the actual meaning of religion is to experience that state of being connected or tied to the One – to our origin and our Infinity.

In sum, science is the technology of knowing or understanding the essence of the universe, and religion is the actual experience of one’s own identity with that essence.

Continue reading ‘How Science and Religion Come Together’

Guru and God

An email response (by Guruka Singh) to someone’s question on the topic of God and Guru….


Greetings from Espanola, New Mexico where I have gratefully received and read your email concerning God and Guru.

Your questions show careful thought and consideration and I thank you for them. No man shall be called a god and yet God exists within every man. Guru Gobind Singh Ji was saying someting very simple: "do not worship me as a man. Do not worship my personality. Realize the God within yourself and see only that One God in everyone. The "Guru" is the compass that always points true North. It is within everyone’s heart. Some have simply not yet awakened to listen to it.

The Guru gives the "gur"  the formula.

The Sat Guru embodies the Infinite Truth.

The Shabd Guru exists in the flow of that Truth beyond time and space and not subject to any conditions.

In present day culture, East and West, the term Guru is most commonly thought of as a living, human teacher. Guru is actually an agent of change, a catalyst of transformation that awakens the spiritual knowledge, dispelling darkness and bringing light and deep understanding.  The Guru is alive inside of everyone. This force called Guru is alive inside you. It is embodied in beings who live with enlightened consciousness and it is perfectly encoded in the Shabd Guru, the technology of Naad, the recitation of which awakens your soul. By speaking in the consciousness of the Shabd Guru the inner sound current is started, Wisdom comes and you are merged into the vast awareness of Anhad. Using the Shabd Guru we can quickly and effectively find the calm eye of the worldly storm of mental and social change, and from this place of inner stillness, shuniya, we can find our focus so we can excel and be happy. This state is described as the state of being samdarsi. The Guru describes the attributes of a mind that dwells in such a neutral state:

(To such a state of mind) happiness and grief are same and (To such a state of mind) gold and mud appear the same (Sri Guru Granth Sahib, page 275)

Everybody in one lifetime has one chance to serve one Master. That is the law. The opportunity doesn’t come back again. Remember, no Master ever comes back again. Remember, nobody comes to the Guru’s gate if it is not earned already. But it is still yourself who must have the will to enter the gate or not. The "Guru" is the word of wisdom coming through a person who has attained the state of consciousness where he or she can speak the Infinite Truth under all circumstances.

In the Name of the Guru, the Light of every Sikh, and the Holy Naam which holds the world.

…..Guruka Singh

Transforming Sexual Feelings to Creativity

In this video Guruka Singh share his thoughts and tips on how youth (or anyone) can transform sexual energy into other means of creativity. 

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Youth and Having Relationships/Dating

In this video Guruka Singh answers a question about Sikh youth dealing with the issue of dating, love, romance, sex before marriage and relationships. 

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Guruka Singh - The Five Challenges

Over the past many months we have received emails suggesting different topics for creating new videos with Guruka Singh and others. Last month I was able to sit down with Guruka Singh and record a bit more video. Feel free to email me with any other suggested topics for future videos.

The topic of the following video has to do with the so called "Five Challenges" (AKA: Lust, Anger, Greed, Pride and Attachment) and how one can deal with them.

If you have not seen the other videos with Guruka Singh (and others) you can watch them here.

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Fate and Destiny in Your Life

In this video Guruka Singh talks about the differences between fate and destiny and how in order to reach your destiny it requires effort. Either you can let the river of life just take you where it does (maybe to a waterfall up ahead?), or you take control of your life and direct it consciously.

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