In this video Shanti Kaur shares some inspiring words. She talks about the Akal Takhat and how it was attacked by the Indian Army June 6th, 1984 and thousands of Sikhs were brutally killed. She explains why many of us celebrate this day as the Martyrdom of the Akat Takhat and gives an explanation about why. She talks about Guru Gobind Singh and the concept of death and fearlessness. For me this was very inspirational and gave me a very different perspective on fear and death. Have a watch below:
Chardikala Jatha start off reading from the autobiography of Guru Gobind Singh, and then talk about the 10th Guru’s stance on protecting all religions.
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.
Jugat Guru Singh and Sadasat Simran Singh (Chardikala Jatha) share their thoughts on the relationship of Sikhi and Yoga. Many of us who are Sikhs don’t realize the many close ties and things in Sikhi that are in fact Yoga. Many Sikhs think of Yoga in a negative way because they associate it as a Hindu practice, or that the writings in the Siri Guru Granth Sahib say that "yoga is bad" when in fact this is a total mis-understanding and most of the time taken out of context.
This is a video excerpt from the 2007 Jaap Sahib Course in Espanola, New Mexico.
A friend recently recommended that I watch this video, and because it was a bit long I didn’t have time to watch it until now. I’m in Toronto right now in a hotel taking a break from meetings and networking and had the time to watch this video on my laptop. This video is related to the world economy and effects everyone whether or not you are an American. It is quite informative and just peels another layer of understanding of the current economical situation (particularly affecting the American population right now). It’s amazing how those few in power are driven to get more and more at the expense of the average person in the world.
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.
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.
Years ago marble was installed on the floors and base of the walls in the Gurdwara here in Espanola, New Mexico. Ever since then it has become a beautiful weekly get together to clean the Guru’s House. I used to hear about it from Prabhu Singh and a few others (Sat Bachan Kaur) who were always trying to encourage people to participate. Back then It took place late at night (rather than 6:30am nowadays) so I never did take part in it. At first I thought it silly to install marble in the Gurdwara when it seemed to be perfectly nice as it was. I thought, why make more work and the need to clean the marble?? Was this our sangat’s way of having a similar experience of cleaning the marble floors of Harimandir Sahib (which most are not allowed to take part in)? Anyways, that was my critical mind at work and was a factor in my not taking the opportunity to do this seva till this year.
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).
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.
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