SikhVibes.com

Swimming Lessons

2009-07-30T08:49:00.001-07:00

Swimming Lessons

The sun was out, my mind was
Dark, the heat was getting strong

Dazed and confused, I sat outside,
Knowing something was wrong

I was sitting outside of the pool, never
Aware that it was there.

Then I saw it, and I jumped in; without a
Thought – without a care.

Suddenly I began to drown, and upon my
Wrist I felt a hand.

It was the Guru guiding me, and from
Then on I swam.

At this point I was just learning, not nearly
Able to swim

But as the Guru swam alongside, I found
Support within

Suddenly Maya came along, and took over
My mind

As Maya pulled, I began to cry, and somehow got left behind
At once, the Grace of Waheguru

Came, and shined within my soul
Finally Maya let me go, and finally I felt whole.

O Sikhs of the Guru, Now is the
Time, to cross the world ocean’s tide

Use sat-Naam as your vessel and
Sat-Guru as your guide.

Submitted by: Anonymous Author

From: www.kaursunited.org

The Importance of Kesh (Hair)

2009-07-10T09:52:00.000-07:00

Kesh (hair):
The keeping of uncut hair is given a great deal of importance in Sikhism. But what is so special about hair?

Historical significance: Well the history of hair goes back to the Bible. The Bible talks of a man called Sampson who obtained supernatural powers through his long hair. His hair was later cut and consequently he lost his powers. It is also a fact that most of the world's prophets and saints including Jesus, the Sikh Gurus and Hindu prophets kept uncut hair.

Meaning: G. A. Gaskell writes, 'Hair of the head is a symbol of faith, intuition of truth, or the highest qualities of the mind.' - Dictionary of all Scriptures Sikhs believe God to be a perfect creator. It therefore follows that whatever He creates is perfect. The keeping of uncut hair is therefore, recognition of God's perfection and the submission of a Sikh to the Will of God.

Function: Most Sikhs regard hair as a gift fromGod. But what does this gift actually do for us? Wellthe functions of hair can be divided into 5 sub categories. These include an ornamental function,physical function, psychological function, Sikhspecific function and a spiritual function. Ornamental function: Nature has decorated aman with a beard and a moustache to differentiate between a male and a female. A good example from the animal kingdom is a lion with its majestic mane.

Physical function: Just like the skin, the hair helpsto synthesize vitamin D from sunlight. It also helpsto supply the piturary gland (located in the head)
with phosphorous. Phosphorous is an elementwhich is used in meditation by the aforesaid gland. The hair on our body regulates body temperatureand our eye lashes, nostril hairs and ear hairs help to keep out dust particles.

Psychological function: This is by far, one of themost important functions of hair. People cut their hair to look good for other people, and although everyone wants to look sexy and cool, a Sikh is encouraged to impress God and not bother so much
about the opinions of everyone else. Keeping hair therefore encourages us to become less vain and more God orientated.

Sikh specific function: Uncut hair is a mark of Sikh identity. The 10th Sikh Guru instructed all his Sikhs to come before him with long hair and weapons. Long hair also represents sacrifice, because there have been many Sikhs like Bhai Taru Singh, who preferred to have their scalp removed instead of their hair cut.

Spiritual function: Hair enhances the ability of a human being to experience God. This can be explained by understanding the workings of electromagnets. An electromagnet consists of an iron rod with a coil of wire wrapped around it. The strength of an electromagnet can be increased by increasing the number of coils. Now in a human being, there are nine visible inlets/outlets (2 nostrils, 2 ear holes, 1 mouth, 2 eyes, 2 below the waistline). And the 10th inlet is located in the head and is invisible. It is called the Dasam Dawar. This is where we experience the
reality of God and we can consider this to be the iron rod. Hairs are like coils of wire which amplify spiritual energy at the 10th inlet. A greater quantity of head
hair will lead to more coils in the (Joora) knot and therefore a higher concentration of spiritual energy. Of course, it is possible to experience God without any head hair like Buddhists. However anything that helps us to experience God more easily should be welcomed. Hair is essentially a spiritual technology that makes it easier to connect with God.

Conclusion:
Wearing 5K's does not automatically make a good Sikh and in addition to this, wearing the 5 K's without understanding their purpose is silly. The 5 K's are not
meaningless symbols, but instead are items which aid us in living a life revolving around God and submission to His Will.

TO Sanjha Smagam 2009: July 16-18

2009-07-06T11:30:00.000-07:00

TO Sanjha Smagam 2009
Thursday, July 16 - Saturday, July 18
Old Rexdale Gurughar
47 Baywood Rd., Rexdale, ON

For more information visit:
http://TOSanjhaSmagam.blogspot.com
Email: TO.Sanjha@gmail.com

LIVE BROADCAST DETAILS COMING SOON!!

The effects of the Pauris of Jap Ji Sahib...

2009-06-24T12:23:00.000-07:00

Reciting the entire Japji daily will balance all aspects of your self, and activate your soul. Or, you may choose one pauri to work on a particular facet. In that case, recite it 11 times a day.

The MUL MANTRA removes the fate and changes the destiny to prosperity.

The FIRST PAURI contains the total knowledge and ecstasy of God. The second half is an antidote to depression. It will lift you from depression, insecurity, nightmares, and loss.

The SECOND PAURI imparts patience and stability.

The THIRD PAURI transforms insufficiency into sufficiency, turns depression into elevation, and transforms low self-esteem into complete self-confidence.

The FOURTH PAURI blesses those trapped in feelings of poverty and lack of means. It blasts through the trap of these feelings like a thunderbolt.

The FIFTH PAURI must be recited when you feel a sense of failure within yourself. When you feel that you are not up to the job this pauri will grant you all success.

The SIXTH PAURI dispels limitation. Recite it when you feel limited, cornered, trapped, or coerced. When you suffer from greed, madness for power, overbearing expansion and the need to control or when you become trapped in your territoriality.

The SEVENTH PAURI will heal you.

The EIGHTH PAURI gives the power to be a perfect sage.

The NINTH PAURI gives expansion.

The TENTH PAURI grants grace.

The ELEVENTH PAURI gives virtuousness.

The TWELFTH PAURI gives your solidarity of self, self-impressiveness, and self-respect, when you feel small.

The THIRTEENTH PAURI gives you the occult knowledge of infinity. It brings deep intuition.

The FOURTEENTH PAURI will show you the way, when you cannot find your path in life, when you cannot see the direction to your destiny, and when you cannot achieve fulfillment.

The FIFTEENTH PAURI brings liberation.

The SIXTEENTH PAURI gives knowledge of the structure of universe.

The SEVENTEENTH PAURI brings freedom and resurrection.

The EIGHTEENTH PAURI fights madness, deep feelings of inferiority, and self-destructive behavior.

The NINETEENTH PAURI brings universal knowledge, inspiration, and revelation.

The TWENTIETH PAURI wipes away all your misdeeds when the monsters are nipping at your heels.

The TWENTY-FIRST PAURI will maintain your status, grace and position

The TWENTY-SECOND PAURI brings victory in legal battles. It gives you’re the strategy.

The TWENTY-THIRD PAURI dispels darkness and elevates the self.

The TWENTY-FOURTH PAURI breaks through all limitations with the force of a thunderbolt, so powerfully that it affects generations; it has the power to kill misfortune.

The TWENTY-FIFTH PAURI pre-fulfills all your needs. Prosperity, virtue, estate, and wealth are yours without asking.

The TWENTY-SIXTH PAURI transforms nothing into everything. In your business it banishes losses, misfortunes, and miseries.

The TWENTY-SEVENTH PAURI shows you the way when you are stuck and you cannot see the window of opportunity before you. It removes obstacles so you can leap over hurdles.

The TWENTY-EIGHTH PAURI is the strongest permutation and combination of words in the world. It unites you with God.

The TWENTH-NINTH PAURI is a shield of protection from enemies. It vaporizes animosity towards you.

The THIRTIETH PAURI places you upon the throne of divinity. It makes you into a sage and a saint.

The THIRTY-FIRST PAURI pulls all virtues from the heavens.

The THIRTY-SECOND PAURI pays your debts and completes your karma.

The THIRTY-THIRD PAURI destroys your ego and brings forth your divinity. It removes negativity, neutralizes your destructive nature, and prevents harm to others by your hand.

The THIRTY-FOURTH PAURI brings stability.

The THIRTY-FIFTH PAURI gives you’re the capacity to do your duty and fulfill your responsibility.

The THIRTY-SIXTH PAURI brings divine realization. It grants complete understanding of the Heavens and the Earth.

The THIRTY-SEVENTH PAURI cuts the karma. It eliminates the impact of all bad karmas.

The THIRTY-EIGHTH PAURI gives you the power to rewrite your own destiny.

The SHALOK brings self-satisfaction, elevation, acknowledgement, and respect.

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Conversation with Sahib Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj on Meat Eating

2009-06-17T07:38:00.000-07:00

Question: Guru Jee please tell me can Sikhs eat meat?
Answer:
ਕਬੀਰ ਜੋਰੀ ਕੀਏ ਜੁਲਮੁ ਹੈ ਕਹਤਾ ਨਾਉ ਹਲਾਲੁ ॥
ਦਫਤਰਿ ਲੇਖਾ ਮਾਂਗੀਐ ਤਬ ਹੋਇਗੋ ਕਉਨੁ ਹਵਾਲੁ ॥੧੮੭॥
"O Kabeer! Those that use force and kill and call it lawful, after going to the Court of God, what will be their state? 187"
(SGGS - Ang 1374)

Question: But my friends told me that I should eat meat because it is good for me and will make me strong. Is it that bad if I have meat now and again?
Answer:
ਕਬੀਰ ਖੂਬੁ ਖਾਨਾ ਖੀਚਰੀ ਜਾ ਮਹਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਲੋਨੁ ॥
ਹੇਰਾ ਰੋਟੀ ਕਾਰਨੇ ਗਲਾ ਕਟਾਵੈ ਕਉਨੁ ॥੧੮੮॥
"O Kabeer! The dinner of beans and rice is excellent, if it is (just) flavoured with salt. I am not ready to have my own throat cut to have meat with my bread? 188"
(SGGS - Ang 1374)

Question: But Guru Jee, why can't Sikhs eat meat?
Answer:
ਦੂਖੁ ਨ ਦੇਈ ਕਿਸੈ ਜੀਅ ਪਤਿ ਸਿਉ ਘਰਿ ਜਾਵਉ ॥
"Do not cause any being to suffer, and you shall go to your true home with honor."
(SGGS - Ang 322)

Question: That's all good, but I have seen Nihang Singhs do Jhatka and they say that its on going tradition to slaughter goats and eat its meat. So is it okay for the Nihang Singhs to do Jhatka?
Answer:
ਜੀਅ ਬਧਹੁ ਸੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਕਰਿ ਥਾਪਹੁ ਅਧਰਮੁ ਕਹਹੁ ਕਤ ਭਾਈ ॥
ਆਪਸ ਕਉ ਮੁਨਿਵਰ ਕਰਿ ਥਾਪਹੁ ਕਾ ਕਉ ਕਹਹੁ ਕਸਾਈ ॥2॥
"You kill living beings, and call it a righteous action. Tell me, brother, what would you call an unrighteous action? If you religious people are doing "religious" killing for meat, then what is A-dharam (atheism)? If you are a religious person then whom will we call a butcher? 2"
(SGGS - Ang 1103)

Question: Okay. What about eating fish? I suppose that isn't really meat?
Answer:
ਕਬੀਰ ਭਾਂਗ ਮਾਛੁਲੀ ਸੁਰਾ ਪਾਨਿ ਜੋ ਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਾਨੀ ਖਾਂਹਿ ॥
ਤੀਰਥ ਬਰਤ ਨੇਮ ਕੀਏ ਤੇ ਸਭੈ ਰਸਾਤਲਿ ਜਾਂਹਿ ॥੨੩੩॥
"O Kabeer! Those mortals who consume marijuana, fish and wine - no matter what pilgrimages, fasts and rituals they follow, they will all go to hell. 233"
(SGGS - Ang 1377)

Question: Guru Jee, can you eat meat and still do Bhagti (devotional worship)?
Answer:
ਜਉ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਏਕੁ ਖੁਦਾਇ ਕਹਤ ਹਉ ਤਉ ਕਿਉ ਮੁਰਗੀ ਮਾਰੈ ॥੧॥
"If in all is the one God, then why kill a chicken?"
(SGGS - Ang 1350)

Question: Does it affect our spirituality if we eat meat?
Answer:
ਜੇ ਰਤੁ ਲਗੈ ਕਪੜੈ ਜਾਮਾ ਹੋਇ ਪਲੀਤੁ ॥
ਜੋ ਰਤੁ ਪੀਵਹਿ ਮਾਣਸਾ ਤਿਨ ਕਿਉ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਚੀਤੁ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਉ ਖੁਦਾਇ ਕਾ ਦਿਲਿ ਹਛੈ ਮੁਖਿ ਲੇਹੁ ॥
ਅਵਰਿ ਦਿਵਾਜੇ ਦੁਨੀ ਕੇ ਝੂਠੇ ਅਮਲ ਕਰੇਹੁ ॥੧॥
"If one's clothes are stained with blood, the garment becomes polluted. Those who drink the blood of others - how can those people's consciousness be pure?"
(SGGS - Ang 140)

Question: Guru Jee does becoming a vegetarian make me religious? If I just give eating meat, does that please you?
Answer:
ਮਾਸੁ ਮਾਸੁ ਕਰਿ ਮੂਰਖੁ ਝਗੜੇ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਣੈ ॥
ਕਉਣੁ ਮਾਸੁ ਕਉਣੁ ਸਾਗੁ ਕਹਾਵੈ ਕਿਸੁ ਮਹਿ ਪਾਪ ਸਮਾਣੇ ॥
"Only the fool quarrels over the question of eating or not eating of the meat; that person does not have the True Wisdom. (Without True Wisdom or Meditation), the person harps on which is flesh and which is not flesh and which food is sinful and which is not."
(SGGS - Ang 1289-1290)

Question: So a Sikh doesn't eat meat because a Sikh should have compassion and kindness for living life, but what thing makes a person religious if just becoming a vegetarian doesn't make a person religious?
Answer:
ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਕਰਤ ਮਿਟੇ ਸਭਿ ਭਰਮਾ ॥
ਹਰਿ ਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਲੈ ਊਤਮ ਧਰਮਾ ॥
"Chanting the Name of the Lord all doubts are dispelled. Naam, the Name of the Lord is the highest religion."
(SGGS – Ang 874)

Question: Guru Jee thanks for clearing up things. But why is the Panth in doubt over what "Kuttha" means and whether it means Halal meat or all meat?
Answer:
ਕਬੀਰ ਸਾਚਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਕਿਆ ਕਰੈ ਜਉ ਸਿਖਾ ਮਹਿ ਚੂਕ ॥
ਅੰਧੇ ਏਕ ਨ ਲਾਗਈ ਜਿਉ ਬਾਂਸੁ ਬਜਾਈਐ ਫੂਕ ॥੧੫੮॥
"O Kabeer! What can the True Guru do, when His Sikhs are at fault? The blind do not take in any of His Teachings; it is as useless as blowing into bamboo. 158"
(SGGS – Ang 1372)

compiled by Bhai Manvir Singh ji (UK)

My Jatha Is The Best :), I love my jatha

2009-06-15T08:11:00.000-07:00

My Jatha Is The Best :), I love my Jatha
By: TejiKaur

I wanted to belong to one who I loved only then could I ever be whole

I wanted The one whose compassion instantly broke my anger to pieces

the one who melted my heart and made it smile over and over when Kaljug took its toll

whenever I was broken he was alway there to heal me as I went over lifes confusing bumps and creases

I longed to be his and dreamed of being his wife

I dreamed of hearing the unspoken speach of love and affection

I dreamed of making his tender sweetness my comfort in trouble and strife

I wanted to build my home in his perfect perfection day and night I would cherish the connection

finnaly the day came when I would join him in his permanant palace

I was to recieve the Amrit the necter of life and join my Lord

I was to be liberated from my bodys flaws no more anger, greed or ego-filled malice

And so my soul became elavated and ecstatic as I embraced the exilir of the double eged sword

For so long my heart was always his but now its official I thought

meanwhile day and night I enjoyed belonging to my wonderous husband

My heart was never lonely nor did my mind ever become distraught

How could ones spirit ever hurt when they have the power of Gods hand

But then would day I met someone who said my life was totally wrong

This was not the way to worship God he said that not how it goes

than he asked me how I do simran and said it was incorecct all along

and to follow his jatha cause only his jatha knows

So I listened about his jatha and my heart filled up with wonder and prem

I loved every bit of Bhai Randhir Singh jis messege and doctrine of jeeven

I followed the akj rehit in hapiness my burning soul peaceful and tame till another messenger came

and I allowed myself to get brainwashed again thinking my bumpy soul would leven

The Sikh He said give up Akj become a nihung

Akj is all about looking good they are pakhand not panthic at all

come on look at their Simran look how its sung

dont you wanna join the army of those strong as a mountain twice as tall

I listened to the teachings and they Vibrated inside

My heart longed to be a nihung but I still loved Akj

Regardless from that day onwards it was with the Gurus Laadli fauj I would abide

or so I thought Till once again a Sikh cane to show me the way once more my soul was to sway

I head the amazing love filled voice of the angels and listed to his Sakhis in awe

I saw God in the face of The Saint in all his glory and extol

Nanaksar Sahib made its place in my heart it was the only way I saw

But still I could not forget the way of life of the Nihungs or Akj from my soul

Than one day a Singh came from Damdami Taksal

He was so brave and so paka in rehit

I thought I would love to join Sant Jis Jatha this is my true call

I would be Taksali and that was that

Untill I heard the Chardi Kala Jatha play

And saw the faces of 3h0

Bibi Snatam Kaur just made my day

3ho was the way to go

I lived in Peace one day I woke to do my nitnem

My heart was wavering confused

I had forgotten the meaning of life and who I am

My soul was broken and confused

I loved the nihungs but akj too

3h0 had a place within me

I was bound to Nanaksar Sahib through and though

The Taksal experience could last eternity

So who do I follow where do I go

All of the Bhramgianis were right

So which jatha to join I don’t know

Their were so many differences but each Unparelled inspite

Do I eat meat or not

What color and style should I tie my dastaar

Such trivial matters but my mind still faught

From the truth I wandered far and far

I missed those days when it was me and my Guru

and I was just his period

The days where I would do Simran in the language of love and dwell on the One whose True

The days where I was free to dance how God moved me and be happy whatever he did

Suddenly it seemed so excruciatinly confusing

Nothing was right nor was it wrong

Hanging on by hopes famous last sting

I wondered where is it that I belong

Than I looked to the sky and remembered the day, the feeling, the monment the true belief

The reason I live, the inspirer of rehit, my Satguru my jaan and support

I remembered the one to who I belonged and who was their to share my trouble and grief

as I gave up all other colors My hear intuitively led my feet to his court

After roaming around I was home to my maharaj

And I asked Guru Ji for the answer

I folderd my hands and offered my body soul and laaj

And placed my faith in one who no obstacle could deter

As I prayed I felt it all it was all right their ahead

The source of all the necter, bliss, and power

The Guru to whom all great Saints bowed their head

The one who mended the broken and loved the meek and at the same time made the 5 sinners cower

Sitting there in Guru Jis Hazoori I found the one who filled the heart of Baba Nand Singh Ji

The one whose love inspires the Nihungs to fight save lakh se ik

The one whose bani enticed the mind of Sant Jarnail Singh Ji

The one who Bhai Randhir Singh ji called his sacha tek

The one who pulled 3ho on the path by sending wandering hearts his call

The source of all this greatness Amazingly Was always there sitting right in front of me

He was the ocean and the source of it all

All the saints came from Guru Granth Sahib Ji

The love was with all there in the bani of all the Gurus and so was the strength

Even though my dastar is not always gol I could still stand for justice like taksal

I could still do simran with each breath like Akj and wear a keski of any length

I could wear a chola like 3ho and fight to defend my kaum with the dal

I relized that this was the truth the teachings of the saints

They wanted Guru jis love thats it !They did not want a wakhree kaum

It doesn’t matter what one calls themself nor does dressing in various turban colors styles and taints

What is the use if you still havent found your home

The Saints are all one with the shabad all perfect and unflawed

And they all want us to follow that way as well

For it is love and compassion that lead to God

And pakhandi rituals pave the way to hell

So with the grace of the saints lets unite in the shelter of our true jatha

The Khalsa panth jathedhar Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharajjjjj

Lets give him our hearts our souls and let him give us the naam with his hand upon our matha

We are his He is ours and that’s the truth of the Khalsa Fauj

Canadian eyewitness recalls bodies 'everywhere, everywhere, everywhere'

2009-06-11T07:57:00.000-07:00

Canadian eyewitness recalls bodies 'everywhere, everywhere, everywhere'
Source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/canadian-eyewitness-recalls-bodies-everywhere-everywhere-everywhere/article1172044/

It has been 25 years, but Inderjit Singh Jagraon talks about his experiences inside the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India, as if he just walked out of the complex

ROBERT MATAS
From Saturday's Globe and Mail, Saturday, Jun. 06, 2009 09:02AM EDT

It's been 25 years, but Inderjit Singh Jagraon talks about his experiences in early June, 1984, inside the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India, as if he just walked out of the complex. His voice quivers as he recounts the horrific scene: dead bodies everywhere, everywhere, everywhere, he repeats. Men with open bullet wounds and limbs missing; floors awash in blood and water.

Mr. Jagraon recalls running from gunfire. The man next to him was shot and fell forward on his head. "He died in my hands," Mr. Jagraon said in an interview this week. "He did not move. I left him where he was. I ran away." Everyone was trying to find a place to hide, like mice. "We ran from room to room," he said.

Mr. Jagraon, who is now married, the father of three daughters and living in Toronto, was a 19-year-old student in 1984, in his second year of studies in civil engineering in his hometown of Jagraon, about two hours away from the holiest shrine in the Sikh religion.

He was active in the Sikh Student Federation, a group considered to be a terrorist organization by the government of India. The group was involved mostly in educating people about the Sikh religion, Mr. Jagraon said. But they did more than that and some members paid a price. "Anyone asking for their rights and justice [at that time] was beaten up or killed, and their voice ... quieted," he said without elaborating.

On June 1, 1984, he heard that government forces had killed a number of people at the temple. He went with a friend to find out what was happening. No one stopped them from going in, but once inside the temple complex, he was unable to leave.

The Golden Temple is actually a collection of religious halls, offices and dormitories. Armed terrorists were in the central temple building. Mr. Jagraon stayed in a dormitory called Guru Ram Das Sarai. He says he was not involved in the fighting. "I was a student, a young kid; I was not trained to do all those things," he said.

The shooting and explosions began around 4:30 a.m. on June 4, his second night at the temple, and continued into the next day. He recalled a voice on a loudspeaker around 5 p.m. on June 5, saying whoever wants to come out would be allowed to leave. He stayed but others went. He saw them being beaten with steel rods as they stepped out.

The exchange of fire ended on June 6. Mr. Jagraon was taken into custody that night. He had fallen asleep and was awaken by a soldier pointing a gun at his chest. Soldiers lined up hundreds of people. He was left sitting for hours with dead bodies on the floor nearby. He recalled seeing people die from their wounds, after asking soldiers for water.

He was eventually put on a bus and taken to a camp in an isolated location. He remembers the intense heat. People went crazy for water, he said. He saw an army tank point its barrel and shoot some of those people. He estimated around 60 people were killed.

He was held in a high-security prison until March, 1989, convicted of fighting against the Indian army. Mr. Jagraon came to Canada via Kenya in August, 1991.

"Now everything is okay," said Mr. Jagraon, who works as a realtor. He continues to support the goals of the student federation that led to his troubles. "I am a well-wisher of all those organizations who seek Sikh rights," he said, "but I'm not really involved in any [of them]."

"When you look at Rwanda, the whole world knew what was happening and was shaken right to the core," Kirpa Kaur, a member of a group called B.C. Sikh Youth, said earlier this week. "So few people know about [the attacks of 1984] and they perceive it as a story brought up needlessly."

She believes human-rights violations that occurred 25 years ago continue to sting because those responsible for the actions were never punished. "As Canadians who have deeply emotional and social connections to the injustices that happened in Punjab, we would hope that the Canadian government would support us in fighting injustices, in helping us indict those who clearly have been found guilty... [by non-governmental organizations]," she said.

The government of India sent the army into the Golden Temple compound in the first week of June, 1984, after years of deadly skirmishes with militant Sikh leaders fighting for Sikh rights and Khalistan. Government officials said their goal was to dislodge terrorists who had turned the religious hall and adjacent buildings into an armed fortress.

The assault coincided with a religious pilgrimage that had drawn thousands of Sikhs to the site on June 3 to pay homage on the martyrdom day of the fifth guru, Arjan Dev. Most were trapped in the compound after Indian forces launched continuous artillery bombardments and mortar fire. Unable to flush the terrorists out, the army stepped up its attack on June 4, sending infantry into the compound.

The deadly exchange of fire with Sikhs armed with machine guns, rifles and pistols ended on June 6. A government white paper says 493 people, including religious leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, were killed. Non-governmental groups say as many as 10,000 people, mostly innocent pilgrims, were killed and priceless historic artifacts, including religious books and historical documents in the library, were destroyed. Bodies were cremated without notifying relatives and without autopsies. No official records of cremations were kept. Many Sikhs perceived the attacks as calculated assaults on their faith, culture and identity.

The events fuelled the secessionist insurgency. Radical fringe groups championing the Khalistani cause found themselves suddenly in the mainstream. In Canada, less than a week after the assault, thousands of angry people marched in protest in Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver, vowing to avenge the attack on the Golden Temple. Effigies of Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi were stabbed and burned. Some carried placards with slogans such as "Death to butcher Indira" and "Indira Gandhi dead old meat." An Indian flag was set on fire on the steps of the Manitoba Legislature.

Ms. Gandhi was assassinated four months later. In June, 1985, Sikh radicals had explosives checked onto two flights from Vancouver. The explosions on opposite sides of the world caused 331 deaths.

This year in Canada, events are considerably quieter. The World Sikh Organization held a dinner in Ottawa on Thursday for parliamentarians, community leaders and members of the Sikh community. Public forums are being held throughout June in several cities on how the events of June, 1984, shaped the Sikh community.

In downtown Vancouver, a group of Canadian-born, religious youth are holding a vigil today. Earlier this week, members of the organizing group spoke to The Globe and Mail about the changes within their community since 1984. Following Sikh tradition, the women in the group wished to be identified by the family name Kaur and most of the men identified themselves only as Singh.

Some said they believe many of their generation are unaware of what happened in 1984. "The only reason my history-12 class knew anything about it was because my teacher asked me about it," said Paneet Singh, who was born six years after the assault on the temple. His Grade 12 history textbook had only two paragraphs on the events and his teachers did not elaborate. "It is not as though it is going to be on a final exam," he said.

Their parents' generation was hesitant to talk about 1984 after the Air India bombing. Those who spoke up were tagged as extremists or terrorists. Many remained silent and over the years became apathetic, the members of B.C. Sikh Youth said.

However, the youth are indifferent to the charge of promoting Khalistan. They say the accusation is a myth intended to divert attention from the injustices. "Our main concern at these events is strictly human rights," said Jagjit Singh, the main spokesman for the youth group. Kirpa Kaur, a recent graduate in psychology and social equity, said some of the youth may be supporters of Khalistan. "But these events are about fighting injustice and [the secessionist movement is] absolutely irrelevant to what we are doing."

Prabhroop Kaur, 21, has been going to annual vigils for events in 1984 "ever since I can remember," she said. Her parents instilled in her a strong commitment to justice. "They sat me down and told me what happened. We were supposed to fight injustice everywhere.... We grew up with that. We see clearly injustice and we have to do something about it."

Gurdit Singh, 25, a college student in human-resource management, identified "an education gap" between his parents and himself. His father was a farmer in Punjab and his mother was a high-school teacher. "They talk about it, but they had more raw emotions, more anger built up inside them. They did not know how to proceed, what to do next."

Some parents accepted what the Indian government told them. Paneet Singh said his mother left India in 1986 believing that Sikhs brought the assault upon themselves, as the government of India says. His mother told him the extremists had to be flushed out of the temple and the government had to restore order.

But the younger generation has more tools than their parents to find out what went on in 1984. "The ease with which we can go and find records, find third-party accounts, is exponentially bigger than what our parents would have been able to do, if they had the knowledge base and skills to do it," said Perpinder Singh Patrola, a 31-year-old lawyer. "We have resources that did not exist 15, 20 years ago. We may feel emotions, but we can move beyond raw emotion and look at actual facts and figures, and present it - without reducing it to something that is purely emotional."

Research has shown that stories they were told about their history were often not true, Kirpa Kaur said. "We have to do a lot of work ourselves to figure out the true story."

Shining a global spotlight on what actually happened is a step toward having justice done, she added. "Living in a country as Canada, which claims to support so many human rights-type initiatives, we say it is time to support us in fighting against injustice."

*****

Q&A

What happened?

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi sent the Indian army into the Golden Temple in Amritsar in the first week of June, 1984, to flush out militant Sikh leaders who were using the religious compound as their headquarters in a campaign of violence against their critics, the police and state institutions.

Why did the government send in troops at that time?

The Indian government moved to restore law and order after a lengthy string of killings, arsons and lootings that it said threatened the stability of the state. Violence had claimed the lives of 410 people and injured more than 1,180 in the two years before the attack, according to a white paper on the Punjab agitation dated July 10, 1984. More than 775 violent incidents were recorded in the five months prior to the attack.

Who were the religious

militants?

The political leadership in Punjab province had a lengthy list of grievances with the central government built up over several years, ranging from disputes over surplus water rights to concerns over issues related to the Sikh religion. Sectarian violence erupted in 1978, with fundamentalist Sikhs embracing secession as the most effective way to protect their religion. The troubles escalated in 1981, following several killings, the hijacking of an Indian plane by Sikh extremists, and rallies by the All India Sikh Students Federation calling for the creation of Khalistan. After the head of the student group was arrested in July, 1982, fundamentalist leaders moved into the Golden Temple complex and turned it into a fortified encampment.

Were only religious militants killed in the assault?

The military assault coincided with a religious pilgrimage that had drawn thousands of Sikhs to the site. The militants were in dormitories on the compound as well as in the religious halls. Hundreds if not thousands of pilgrims were caught in the crossfire. Shekhar Gupta, a correspondent with India Today, wrote in a report published Aug 15, 1984: "As the army got sniped at from a number of rooms in the parikrama [a walkway around the pool that surrounded the temple] and the sarais [dormitories ], the troops just threw grenades into the rooms. 'People were dying on both sides,' recalls an officer, adding, 'and there was no time to find out who was inside a room.' Some of the pilgrims also died of thirst. Many died of the fires which broke out."

Never Forget 1984!

2009-06-04T09:51:00.000-07:00

"The first step in liquidating people is to erase its memory. Destory its books, its culture, its history. Then have somebody write new books, manufacture a new culture, invent a new history. Before long that nation will begin to forget what it is and what it was...The struggle of man against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting." --Milan Kundera

Never Forget 1984 !
25 Years and Justice has yet to be served!

For more information please visit the following links:
www.NeverForget84.com
www.sikhgenocide.org

Do you love me?

2009-06-03T06:12:00.001-07:00

One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise. Ah... the beauty of Waheguru's creation is beyond description. As I watched, I praised Waheguru for His beautiful work. As I sat there, I felt the Lord's presence with me.

He asked me, "Do you love me?"

I answered, "Of course, Waheguru! You are my Lord and Support!"

Then He asked, "If you were physically handicapped, would you still love me?"

I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and the rest of my body and wondered how many things I wouldn't be able to do and thought about the things that I take for granted. I answered, "It would be tough Waheguru, but I would still love You."

Then Waheguru said, "If you were blind, would you still love my creation?"

How could I love something without being able to see it? Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how many of them still loved Waheguru and His creation. So I answered, "It's hard to think of it, but I would still love you."

The Waheguru then asked me, "If you were deaf, would you still listen to my word?"

How could I listen to anything being deaf? Then I understood. Listening to Waheguru's Word is not merely using our ears, but our hearts. I answered, "It would be tough, but I would still listen to Your word."

Waheguru then asked, "If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?"

How could I praise without a voice? Then it occurred to me, Waheguru wants us to sing from our very hearts and souls. It never matters what we sound like. And praising Waheguru is not always with a song, but when we are persecuted, we give Waheguru praise with our words of thanks. So I answered, "Though I could not physically sing, I would still praise Your Name."

And Waheguru asked, "Do you really love Me?"

With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly, "Yes Waheguru! I love You because You are the one and true God!"

I thought I had answered well, but Waheguru asked, "Then why do you sin?"

I answered, "Because I am only human. I am not perfect."

"Then why in times of peace do you stray the furthest? Why only in times of trouble do you pray the earnest?"

I had no answers, only tears.

Waheguru continued. "Why seek Me only in times of worship? Why ask things so selfishly? Why ask things so unfaithfully?" The tears continued to roll down my cheeks. "Why are you ashamed of Me? Why are you not spreading the good news? Why in times of persecution, you cry to others when I offer My shoulder to cry on? Why make excuses when I give you opportunities to serve in My Name?"

"You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this gift away. I have blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you continue to turn away. I have revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge. I have spoken to you but your ears were closed. I have shown My blessings to you, but your eyes were turned away. I have sent you servants, but you sat idly by as they were pushed away. I have heard your prayers and I have answered them all. Do you truly love me?

I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond belief. I had no excuse. What could I say to this? When my heart had cried out and the tears had flowed, I said, "Please forgive me Lord. I am unworthy to be Your child."

The Lord answered, "That is My nature, My child."

I asked, "Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do You love me so?"

The Lord answered, " Because you are My creation. You are my child. I will never abandon you. When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you. When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you. When you are down, I will encourage you. When you fall, I will raise you up. When you are tired, I will carry you. I will be with you until the end of days, and I will love you forever."

Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so cold? How could I have hurt God as I had done?

I looked up at my Lord, and asked him "how much do you love me, Waheguru?"

Our father Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji gave up his whole family and everything he ever had for us! This is how much Waheguru loves us.

Old Kirtan going back up!

2009-05-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

Vaheguruu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fateh

We are recently being putting up old Youth Kirtan Darbars, Akhand Kirtan Jatha Smagams, Rare Kirtanee Files, and will soon be putting other old files that use to be up on other sites. A lot of sangat have been waiting for these files to be up again, we hope everyone takes max laha from these recordings. We may not be able to recover all files so, if you have some files you would like to contribute, please get in touch with us at sikhvibes@gmail.com

We will be uploading new kirtan files MANY times a week, please keep checking back.

Vaheguruu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fateh

4th Annual Waterloo Sikh Youth Camp 2009

2009-05-11T06:25:00.001-07:00

Vaheguruu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fateh !

This years 4th annual

Waterloo Sikh Youth Camp 2009
will be from

Friday, June 26th - Monday, June 29th

Kitchener Gurughar Saahib

2070 Snyders Rd. East

Petersburg, Ontario

(519) 634-5681

This Sikh Youth Camp has been designed to bring all the Youth together to share knowledge of Sikhi and to promote Sikhi to our young future! Camp will be run by YOUTH from all over. Working together we shall achieve an important element in Sikhi, which is Sangat. Including in Sangat, the youth will have inspiring role models who are enthusiastic about instilling the Sikhi spirit within these young minds.

For More Information, please visit our BLOG:
http://waterloosikhyouthcamp.blogspot.com

The Importance of Kaur

2009-05-05T09:57:00.000-07:00

The Importance of Kaur

Jayati Chakraborty, 01 March 2008, Saturday

Have you ever thought why Guru Ji, Guru Gobind Singh, gave the Kaur surname to Sikh women? Why did he not accept the status quo and keep the tradition of the woman's surname being determined by her family's name?

WHAT WAS Guru Ji trying to achieve by calling the Sikh woman 'a princess' (literal meaning of Kaur)?

To try to understand the possible reasons behind Guru Ji's decision, we need to look at the situation at the time in different cultures. In Indian society, the brides first and last name was often changed after her marriage. This still happens today. However, this tradition of name changing does not occur just in India. It is a phenomenon, which occurs across the whole world today. Why are women's surnames changed? The reason is family linkage. Surnames allow others to identify you and your family. In some cases the surname can tell others much more about you, such as your caste.

For women the linkage to family is different in comparison to men. Their identity changes with marriage. They are no longer associated with their parents, but with their husband's family. Unsurprisingly, the man's name never changes. Some cultures go as far as considering the woman to be the property of others. This was so for the Hindu Law giver, Manu, who claimed that no woman should ever be independent. Christianity considered woman to be a product of man as Eve had come from 'the rib' of Adam.

Psychologically, women have accepted these unjust rules. They are resigned to male dominance and allowed themselves to become second-class citizens. Guru ji changed all this with the revelation of the Khalsa. He gave women the opportunity to live life free of the chains of a dogmatic society. It was God's Hukam (will).

Once initiated into the Khalsa, Sikh women obtain the surname Kaur. The surname Singh (Lion) is given to men, but Kaur (princess) is reserved solely for women. This difference in names is not about inequality. Rather, Guru ji recognises the difference between men and women. As individuals we are all different from each other, but this difference does not imply inequality.

Women and men are different but remain equals. Guru ji considered women and men to be unique. He respected the sexes and, therefore, made the distinction in surnames.

When you take 'amrit' you are told to consider Guru Gobind Singh as your father and Mata Sahib Kaur as your mother. By joining the Khalsa you abandon all previous chains of linkage. You become the direct descendants of Guru Gobind Singh and Mata Sahib Kaur. You become their sons and daughters. The Khalsa becomes your family. Thus, from the day you are born to the day you die your name remains the same. You do not have to change it due to marriage.

Unfortunately, the tradition of using the 'Kaur' surname has all but disappeared amongst Sikh women. It is either dropped, in favour of caste surnames, or misused as a middle name. Guru Ji never designed it as such. Have we not belittled his concepts? Have we lost so much self-esteem that we must copy the bigoted traditions of others?

Sikh women are today demanding equal rights. Rightly so. However, they fail to realise that they themselves create inequality by not considering themselves princesses. They no longer consider themselves as daughters of the Khalsa. Why should Sikh women feel that they must change their names after marriage?

By keeping your unique and beautiful Sikh identity you are maintaining the freedom given to you by Guru ji. Ultimately, only those who keep the 'Kaur' surname can truly understand its importance. Others will make excuses about the difficulty of having such a common surname It makes paper work and identification difficult! Why make such excuses? We do not hear Patels or Smiths complaining. Mere excuses.

The importance of 'Kaur' is truly inexpressible. It is something very unique in the history of the world. Of late more and more Sikhs are dropping Singh and Kaur from their names. They probably are not aware of the Blessings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji who gifted these decorations to them.

Removing or abbreviating the decorations with S and K is to ape the western culture. In India surnames were initially introduced by the Brahmins to distinguish people of four varna as per their belief. Subsequently the British introduced the system for all those enrolled in government services.

Today, abbreviating the middle name or totally eliminating it has become a fashion. People who are settled abroad have degraded their self-respect to such levels that they feel elated to be called Garry for Gurpreet, Harry for Harpreet, Harmeet, Harbhajan, etc.

Common reason given for such an attitude is that the Westerners cannot understand, pronounce or remember the difficult Indian names. My suggestion to all such Sikhs is to introduce themselves merely as Singh and Kaur, which are very simple and short names. Even in India Sikhs are generally called by a single name of Sardar Ji. Why can't a similar procedure be adopted universally?

Source: http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=130679

raakh laehu....save me..

2009-04-29T16:27:00.000-07:00

iblwvlu ]
rwiK lyhu hm qy ibgrI ]
sIlu Drmu jpu Bgiq n kInI hau AiBmwn tyF pgrI ]1] rhwau ]
Amr jwin sMcI ieh kwieAw ieh imiQAw kwcI ggrI ]
ijnih invwij swij hm kIey iqsih ibswir Avr lgrI ]1]
sMiDk qoih swD nhI khIAau srin pry qumrI pgrI ]
kih kbIr ieh ibnqI sunIAhu mq Gwlhu jm kI KbrI ]2]6]

bilaaval
raakh laehu ham thae bigaree
seel dharam jap bhagath n keenee ho abhimaan ttaet pagaree 1 rehaao
amar jaan sanchee eih kaaeiaa eih mithiaa kaachee gagaree
jinehi nivaaj saaj ham keeeae thisehi bisaar avar lagaree 1
sandhik thohi saadh nehee keheeao saran parae thumaree pagaree
kehi kabeer eih binathee suneeahu math ghaalahu jam kee khabaree 26

Bilaaval:
Save me! I have disobeyed You.
I have not practiced humility, righteousness or devotional worship;
I am proud and egotistical, and I have taken a crooked path. 1Pause
Believing this body to be immortal, I pampered it, but it is a fragile and perishable vessel.
Forgetting the Lord who formed, fashioned and embellished me,
I have become attached to another. 1
I am Your thief; I cannot be called holy. I have fallen at Your feet, seeking Your Sanctuary.
Says Kabeer, please listen to this prayer of mine,
O Lord; please do not send me sommons of the Messenger of Death. 26

Bibi Gurleen Kaur Ji (Mohali)

2009-04-14T07:46:00.000-07:00

Gurleen Kaur expresses herself through the spiritual music of Gurbani Kirtan. She is a trained singer in Indian Classical Music and Gurbani Kirtan. Spiritual music, the Gurbani Kirtan is her forte. Gurleen is an accomplished singer of Gurbani and Gurbani Kirtan who sings in great depth in both Indian Classical Music and the popular Sangati Style Gurbani Kirtan in which all can sing along and experience it. Spiritual Singing of Gurbani Kirtan is the ultimate spiritual experience and spiritual expression for her.

She has performed Gurbani Kirtan for various voluntary organizations like Sikh Missionary College, Akhand Kirtani Jatha, Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle etc. She has been teaching Gurbani Kirtan as a Seva to a large number of students for last more than ten years. She also performs seva as an occasional teacher and examiner in the institutions run by a voluntary organization, Sikh Missionary College.

-----

Live Kirtan recordings of bibi jee have been added to kirtan section here:
KIRTAN RECORDINGS

You can also visit her personal site at: http://www.gurleenkaur.com

Inspirational Thoughts: Tune your Soul and Mind

2009-04-01T07:08:00.001-07:00

As fragrance abides in the flower,
As the reflection is within the mirror,
So doth thy Lord abide within thee,
Why search Him without? (Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji)

The subject on which I meditate is truth.
The practice to which I devote myself is the truth.
The topic of my conversation is truth.
My thoughts are always in truth.
For lo! my self has become the truth (Lord Buddha)

Being asked by the Pharisees when the
kingdom of God was coming, he answered them,
"The kingdom of God is not coming with signs
to be observed; nor will they say, 'Lo, here it is!' or
'There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is within you." (Jesus Christ)

He who knows his own self, knows God. (Prophet Mohammed)

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed. (Albert Einstein)

A remarkable people the Sikhs, with their Ten Prophets, five distinguishing marks and their traditional rite of water stirred with steel: a people who have made history and will make it again. (F Yeats-Brown 1945)

Win as if you were used to it, lose as if you enjoyed it for a change.
"The effects of kindness are not always seen immediately. Sometimes it
takes years until your kindness will pay off. Sometimes you never see
the fruits of your labors, but they are there, deep inside of the soul
of the one you touched." (Dan Kelly)

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it. Life is bliss, taste it.
Life is a dream, realize it. Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it. Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it. Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it. Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it. Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it. Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it. (Mother Teresa)

To begin again means that you won't give up.
To begin again means you're trying.
You can either start over and live your life
Or spend the rest of your life slowly dying.
It is never the falling that makes us fail.
It is never the pain or the crying.
You can never fail in life, my friend,
Unless you give up trying. (Bob Perks)

Source: http://www.sikhsangat.com/index.php?showtopic=43363

Vaheguru tera shukar hai

2009-03-24T07:39:00.000-07:00

mai niraguniaarae ko gun naahee aapae tharas paeiouee
I am unworthy - I have no worth or virtues at all. You have taken pity on me.

What a beautiful tuk this is! This tuk is filled with the feeling of ultimate egolessness, ultimate thankfulness and gratitude, and ultimate surrender. I am nothing by myself, You Yourself took pity on me and saved me. You Yourself chose me and made me what I am. You Yourself put me on this path that I am on, I have no credibility by myself. And why did You do that? That only You know, I don’t. So what do I say now? What else can I say except Vaheguru tera shukar hai.

kabeer maeraa mujh mehi kishh nehee jo kishh hai so thaeraa
Kabeer, nothing is mine within myself. Whatever there is, is Yours, O Lord.

thaeraa thujh ko soupathae kiaa laagai maeraa 203
If I surrender to You what is already Yours, what does it cost me? 203

Another beautiful tuk that has the divine fragrance of total surrender. On several instances in life, we lose a lot. One loses material possessions, one loses people (friends, relatives, loved ones), one may even lose honor and social status. The pain that is experienced is because we were under the impression that we had achieved it all, and thus get attached to all of these mentioned gifts of Vaheguru. If one has the avastha of what this tuk teaches us, we would never lose anything, or anyone! Because then we would know that whatever I had/got, whoever I had/got, was gifted to me by Vaheguru. Now He has taken it/them back. Sahib-E-Kamaal Dhann Dhann Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj Sachay Patshah thanked Vaheguru even after the shaheedi of all 4 of His Sahibzaade. If we could have even a speck of that avastha, our janam would be fulfilled. Then we would always be saying Vaheguru tera shukar hai.

kaethiaa dhookh bhookh sadh maar
So many endure distress, deprivation and constant abuse.

eaehi bh dhaath thaeree dhaathaar
Even these are Your Gifts, O Great Giver!

This is the height of accepting Vaheguru’s Hukam. What kind of avastha would this be when even pain seems sweet? This is what Sahib Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji Maharaj Sachay Patshah meant when He said

thaeraa keeaa meet(h)aa laagai
Your actions seem so sweet to me

This is the avastha of all those Shaheed Singhs and Singhnees who faced the most brutal tortures. They accepted even pain and death as His gifts, and what is even more amazing is that they thanked Him. All they had in their minds was Vaheguru tera shukar hai.

I feel like a hypocrite writing all this, as I am myself unable to live this way. It’s very easy to write things, but becoming a living example is the real challenge. And that is where I fail.

But its ok. I still say Vaheguru tera shukar hai :)

~ Mehtab Singh

A Love Letter From The Womb

2009-03-18T06:44:00.001-07:00

Dear Mom, Dear Dad:

We will meet soon. The past nine months have been transformative. I appreciate the hushed conversations we are having amongst our souls.

With my arrival, know our time together is no random act, a haphazard collision of lives. It wasn't written on a fortune cookie message or wished upon when the sky was full of stars.

This is destiny.

You are meant to be my parents and I'm meant to be your child.

It was established centuries ago when we all existed in the same womb where the sky touches the cosmos. We gathered together as stars forming constellations that nomads used in the desert to find their way back home.

We simply fit with each other.

All it took was a fleeting yet joyful thought in your mind, a nice daydream to lean on while sipping a cup of tea, and that was it, I came to be.

To meet you, I will walk forward in time from a glorious past where we gathered in courtyards wearing jamawari in pomegranate red and pashmina in clear water blues.

We savored papayas and custard apples, almonds and cashews. Listening to the smallest sparrows sing God's greatest songs.

And when we were summoned to ride stallions with pounding hooves, we knew it was our greatest glory to serve and protect the creed established by the Ten Kings illuminated by One Light. It was an honour to serve men who wore cotton and ate rationed rice and daal, for their lives held their weight in gold equally.

Please know the day I arrive, within that hour, that exact moment I come to you, I will be shivering, squinting, naked and wet. As you wrap me into your arms and swaddle me with your skin, know I also come to you in complete and utter perfection.

You are my flesh and blood parents and I'm deeply thankful for that, but please keep me close to the mother, the father who has brightly lit my soul.

Yes. There is a lantern in me that has a wick that will be lit the day I am born. The light will shine through my eyes and as you look at me, really look at me - you will see how much I will want to love this life I will live.

I will rely on you to keep this wick burning in me by seeing me for who I authentically am, and by showing me that there is a lantern brightly lit in every being I encounter, and it is just a matter of looking into their eyes and seeing them, really seeing them.

I will rely on you to help me create a quiet and open field in my mind, where we are still, where cherry and almond trees grow, where the air is pure and the water is clean, where I can sit under a tree with myself and seek guidance and wisdom and know everything and anything is possible.

Please keep me linked to my history and my faith and when you tell me stories about the dynasty of the Ten Kings illuminated by One Light and how they believed that life is sacred, life is a perpetual celebration, life is the truest gift, and that we must do everything we can to make each second count.

I will want to know that I am strong enough and brave enough to serve these Ten Glorious Kings and ride with our history's freedom fighters on stallions with pounding hooves, protecting the light in each and every soul.

And when we have to leave that glorious battle ground in our imaginations and set foot into the real world, I will ask you to listen for those riders on stallions with pounding hooves and prepare me to ride with them by sharpening the sword in my mind and expanding the shield in my heart to take on any thought, idea, or action that extinguishes the wick of a brightly lit soul.

Please know your dreams for me are only the beginning of what I am capable of and when I reach the heights of my potential, my capacity - please remind me I come from the minerals and water of the land of the Five Rivers and keep me grounded near the earth, close to the soil.

When I am prepared to leave home to follow my own light, know that I will take with me a love that YOU have given me that is so complete, so full, given in such absolute faith that my heart will spill over with the sunsets we share, it will run over with the waterfalls we stand under, it will gush with each and every desire you fulfill, it will flood in such excess, I will be able to enter the world, serve it with honour, and be that part of the earth people walk on when they are free.

Source: http://www.sikhsangat.com/index.php?showtopic=43190

Sunrise

2009-03-11T09:27:00.000-07:00

Sunrise

With sunrise I awoke in this world. The sky was red and the air was sweet and warm. The flowers danced with the wind, and the birds sang in tune that day I was born.

My face was fresh and my soul was pure. I remembered heaven and my thousands of lives before. I smiled with joy for my chance of salvation had finally been procured.

I promised my lord I would remember him, I would serve him and teach them all. In ego I thought this lowly servant could save this world.

Slowly the sun rose, minutes became hours, hours turned to days. The flowers all blossoming and showering me with their sweet scent of primrose. In love for this world, I slowly forgot my lord.

At midday, you were watching over me from high in the sky. Your rays of truth shone bright, but I chose to hide in the shade. I sought the darkness, I never cared for your tears of rain. I didn’t need you anymore.

I found happiness in all of the rare diamonds and jewels in this earth. Yet I was never content and my body always hungered for more. Evening approached and I was now missing those youthful days.

The sun now faded, and it was night. The moon shone so bright. I stared at the stars contemplating all I had achieved in this life. I remembered that distant star that once was my guiding light. As the clock struck 12, I breathed my last and then I realised I had failed you my lord.

Vaheguru ji ka khalsa, Vaheguru ji ke fateh

-----
By: malkeet (sikhsangat.com user)
Source: http://www.sikhsangat.com/index.php?showtopic=22605&st=108

--Updates-- March2009

2009-03-05T07:29:00.000-08:00

**NEW UPDATES (March2009)**

Kirtan Section Updates !

http://www.sikhvibes.com/kirtan/

- Waterloo Youth Kirtan Darbar - February
- Patiala AKJ Smaagam - February
- Bhai Paramjit Singh Jis Katha
- Local TO House Kirtan - January
- York-UTM Youth Keertan Darbar - January
- Ludhiana annual AKJ Smaagam - January
- Brampton Weekly Simran Programs
- NEW Katha Files
- NEW Rare Kirtan Recordings
- NEW simran files added
- NEW Weekend Sangat Files
- and MANY more added every week !!

----------

Gallery Section Updates !

http://www.sikhvibes.com/gallery/

- Waterloo Youth Kirtan Darbar - February
- York-UTM Youth Keertan Darbar - January
- TO Annual AKJ Smaagam - December
- and MANY more !

----------

Video Section Updates !

http://www.sikhvibes.com/videos/

- Bhog Videos in memory of Bhai Sahib Surat Singh jee (Puran Ji)
- Mohali Raensabayee - 2007
- Delhi AKJ Smaagam - October
- Local Weekend Sangat Program - August
- Dashmesh AKJ Raensabayee - July
- TO AKJ annual Smaagam - July
- ATL AKJ Smaagam - June
- Various Gatka Clips
- and more !

Vaheguruu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fateh

PORTRAIT OF A SIKH

2009-02-21T10:16:00.001-08:00

PORTRAIT OF A SIKH

A true Sikh is a disciple of his Guru

With crown of turban on his head,

With sober face and shining eyes,

He is always calm and never red,

Among billions of men he stands aloof,

To homeless people, he provides roof.

He is an image of harmony and peace,

A hater of vice, evil and war,

A protector of the weak and needy,

His fame has spread near and far,

Terror of the tyrants, a support of the meek,

In his noble praise, we find no words to speak.

Against injustice he raises his voice,

For honour he is prepared to die,

Truth and courage are his weapons,

For selfish gain, he would not lie,

He is an enviable image of grace,

He upholds the dignity of his race.

He is a soldier, he is a saint,

Pure and spotless is his life,

He frightens none, and fears from none,

He is a lover of struggle and strife,

For meditation, he reserves his breath,

He is immune to life and death.

He is a defender of his Faith,

He cares a fig for worldly wealth,

He is an achiever par excellence,

A model of indefineable health,

He treats alike his friends and foes,

He stands like a rock in weal and woes.

If all the Sikhs emulate his role,

And evince their readiness for sacrifice,

They would restore their past glory,

When they cultivate virtue and shun vice,

Sikhism would then scale new height,

Darkness would vanish to pave way for Light.

(By Principal S.S. Prince)

Sikhi Valentines Day

2009-02-11T08:23:00.000-08:00

Valentines day is here, true love is in the air and my beloved is somewhere near. The colour of love, hearts of red, aroma of roses, sweet smiles and sweet nothings abound. This is picture perfect – will you experience this true love?

How many of us really experience this true love, which is so fabulously portrayed in Bollywood – with actors singing in the rain, snow and lush scenery. Our hearts, dreams and emotions yearn for this love of two souls becoming one.

The true sadness is many of us will die yearning and die trying, to find/realise this true love, or the ecstasy of true love. But if love is true – does it have a sell by date? Does it have a till death do us part? The simple answer is NO.

True love carries through this life and next – this is both in a spiritual and material sense. But the Guru & the spiritually gifted tell us to yearn for a love which is not transitory, in that we go after the Creator and not his Creation. Some of us may be happy to get engrossed in the creation whereas others would prefer to yearn for a love which is both fulfilling and saves us from the pain of transmigration. The choice is yours – we make our tomorrow.

But what are the traits of lovers? What are the limits of true love?

Love has its ups and downs, it tears and tantrums, but the pangs of separation of a lover and its tears can be life-changing and rejuvenating. Traits of a true lover are to be attentive to the needs of their lover – by being humble, forgiving/accepting and speaking sweet words to their beloved (Bhagat Fareed Jee, 1384 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee).

Jealousy – is a characteristic that is both frowned upon and cherished by lovers, depending on the love and tendencies to control. The lover I have found though, is the most jealous lover and his love is both painful, tearful and challenging. My lover – the Creator of the Universe, my wonderful enlightener, Allah, Vaheguru, Hari – GOD, is the most jealous lover in the world. He wants me to break all my affections and attachments, all that is illusory and then I may one day realise the ocean of his love.

I walk this lonely path towards him – whilst knowing He is near, yet far, He can hear but I cannot see, but I enjoy the hide and seek. As I will keep seeking him and one day I shall find, then there will be no pangs of separation. Great souls before me, walked this earth and enjoyed and cherished him, the same beloved that I yearn – souls like Mata Kaula Jee (Kaulsar Sarovar in Golden Temple precinct) who left her hearth and home for the 6th Guru and died after being separated from Guru Jee at Kartarpur Sahib (near Jalandhar). Like Bhagat Fareed Jee who begged the crow not to poke his eyes out as he yearned to see the beloved Lord, after strict meditations his body had become like a skeleton and he was afraid the crow thought he was dead (see 1382 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee).

I know who my true love is, my searching has ended and I hope that all that read this and celebrate Valentines also find true love. I celebrate valentines daily when I sing his praises.

by AkaalPublishers.com
(Please take time to visit the website of the author above and continue to support such inspirational and spiritual writings!)

Don’t Feel Sorry For Me, I Am The Daughter Of A Shaheed

2009-02-06T08:52:00.000-08:00

Don’t Feel Sorry For Me, I Am The Daughter Of A Shaheed

I am the daughter of a Shaheed

My dad was a proud Singh
One dark unfortunate night there was a knock on our door
It was a mob of angry people
They all attacked my daddy with sharp weapons
They set him on fire in front of my eyes
My dad is gone, he is a Shaheed
But not to worry, Guru Gobind Singh ji is my father
Don’t feel sorry for me, I am the daughter of a Shaheed

My mum was a proud Singhnee, she taught me sikhi
In broad daylight, she was abducted by the police
The same police that was created to protect us, took away my mummy
That was the last time saw her, no one knows where she is
Will she ever come back?
By not to worry, Mata sahib Kaur ji is my mother
Don’t feel sorry for me, I am the daughter of a Shaheed

My elder brother was a proud Singh
He was also kidnapped by the police, for being a Sikh
But my brother came back
In form of a Shaheed
His body was dumped in a ditch
His beautiful Dastaar and Bana were full of blood
I wiped blood from his face with my chuni
No one knows what they did to him
But not to worry, Singhs in the Khalsa Panth are my brothers
Don’t feel sorry for me, I am the daughter of a Shaheed

Those are my childhood memories, I have grown up now
I am a proud Sikh, just like my mum, dad and brother
I live in this place where they look after children of Shaheeds
I have been to school but cannot study further because it costs too much
I am at a marriageable age but which respectable amritdhari family will have me?
Will I ever have a family of my own where I can live happily ever after?
But not to worry, Guru Khalsa Panth is my family
Don’t feel sorry for me, I am the daughter of a Shaheed

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Play your Part, Pray for the Panth http://www.chaupaisahib.org

Hearing problem... a short story‏

2009-01-30T11:08:00.000-08:00

A man feared his wife wasn't hearing as well as she used to and he
thought she might need a hearing aid. Not quite sure how to approach
her, he called the family Doctor to discuss the problem. The Doctor
told him there is a simple informal test the husband could perform
to give the Doctor a better idea about her hearing loss.

Here's what you do," said the Doctor, "stand about 40 feet away from
her, and in a normal conversational speaking tone see if she hears
you. If not, go to 30 feet, then 20 feet, and s o on until you get a
response.

"That evening, the wife is in the kitchen cooking dinner, and he was
in the den. He says to himself, "I'm about 40 feet away, let's see
what happens." then in a normal tone he asks, 'Honey, what's for
dinner?" No response. So the husband moves to closer to the kitchen,
about 30 feet from his wife and repeats, "Honey, what's for dinner?"
Still no response. Next he moves into the dining room where he is
about 20 feet from his wife and asks, Honey, what's for dinner?"
Again he gets no response so; He walks up to the kitchen door, about
10 feet away. "Honey, what's for dinner?" Again there is no
response. So he walks right up behind her.

"Honey, what's for dinner?" ;;;;"James, for the FIFTH time I've
said, LASAGNIA!"

Moral of the story:
The problem may not be with the other one as we always think, could
be very much within us..!

THE POWER OF POSITIVE SIKHI

2009-01-20T18:28:00.000-08:00

THE POWER OF POSITIVE SIKHI
By Harjit Singh Lakhan
Source: http://www.sikhsangat.com/index.php?showtopic=40985

So you want to be a Sant-Sipahi (Saint-Warrior) , the perfect human being as created by Guru Gobind Singh Ji? You want to be a pure saint with light of WaheguruJi radiating from you day and night and you want to be a healthy, wealthy fighting fit warrior riding into all the battles of life with the sword of WaheguruJi's power held high and coming out victorious?

EXPECT THE BEST

ARE YOU: Optimistic, enthusiastic and hopeful?

OR : Pessimistic, cynical and despairing?

The most obvious quality of a Sant-Sipahi is an attitude of optimism and enthusiasm. Sant-Sipahi understand the link between the mind and body.

The body and soul becomes what the mind thinks. Sant-Sipahi read the Guru's words and apply them to their life. Guru's words prophesise that we will become one with the Supreme Being, the Sant-Sipahi believes the True Guru and day by day the prophecy gets closer and closer to being fulfilled. They see themselves as a river that is winding its way towards the Ocean of Supreme Light and Bliss.

The person that doesn't believe in the Guru's words with all their heart and mind, normally has negative thoughts inside them. They expect something bad to happen, they suffer from fears and worries which turn into anxiety. Being distressed their body's hormones and antibodies change, the person becomes more prone to disease and accidents. It has been shown that stressful thinking can cause many minor ailments such as headaches, low back pain, ulcers and certain allergies.

The Saint-Soldier expects to be healthy and happy because they have the Guru's grace upon them.

Their feeling of well-being and energy is radiated by their body. They bloom like flowers for all to see. In their mind they are singing the songs of joy, the words of the Guru, they are praising all of Creation and repeat Waheguru ! Waheguru! They've learnt this from Guru Nanak Dev Ji. On his travels he came close to the abode of a sect of Hindu Saints. They felt threatened by yet another saint entering their town, so they sent Guru Nanak Ji a bowl full to the brim with milk. It symbolised the town was full of saints and there was no room for Guru Nanak. Guru Nanak was forever optimistic and placed a small yellow Jasmin flower to float on the milk. He sent this back to the saints - they understood Guru Nanak's message and that he wasn't there to displace them but to spread the divine fragrance amongst them.

Saint-Soldiers expect the best because they know GuruJi's grace is upon them. They have given mind, body and soul to the service of GuruJi and GuruJi will give them everything in return. This was taught to us by Guru Angad Dev Ji, he followed Guru Nanak Ji's love-filled words precisely and battled with his own thoughts, day by day he changed and grew spiritually until ultimately Guru Nanak Dev Ji joined his soul into the Supreme Soul from where we came.

Saint-Soldiers say: 'By the Guru's grace I was good today, and I'll be even better tomorrow'.

Ones lacking faith say: 'With my luck I was bound to fail'

SELF-TEST
? Am I optimistic about my life?
? Do I expect to be blessed with becoming one with WaheguruJi?
? Do I expect to be really healthy?
? When I have a setback do I take self-pity?
? Do I praise or criticise more often?

POSITIVE ACTIONS

1. Wake up happy. Wake up early. Sing Waheguru! Wonderful God! Sing your favourite shabad in the shower. Sing your prayers in a happy way. In Ardas ask for GuruJi's blessings and the gift of singing God's praises in a positive way all day. Thank GuruJi because you know he is taking care of all your activities and removing all worldly and spiritual obstacles from your path. Look at yourself in the mirror and thank Guru Gobind Singh Ji for giving you the form of a complete human being with long uncut hair. Feel the Guru's divine hand over your forehead protecting you all day like an umbrella blocking the stormy rain.

2. Think positive thoughts during the day like, 'By Guru's Kirpa, Next time I'll do better', 'By Guru's Kirpa everything is going to work out just fine', 'I'm so blessed to have Guru Gobind Singh Ji as my father and the whole of the Khalsa as my family'.

3. Look for something good in all your personal relationships even in the most trying circumstances. See WaheguruJi inside everyone you deal with, so no matter how irritating they may be remember it is ultimately WaheguruJi that is inside them. So smile and think Wonderful WaheguruJi.

4. Look at problems as opportunities that are going to get you closer to GuruJi. To overcome the problem you're going to pray more sincerely and lean on GurujI for more support and not blame him for it.

5. Learn to stay relaxed and friendly no matter how stressed you are. Accept whatever God does is for your benefit and there's no point upsetting everyone around you. Look for something to praise. Be constructively helpful rather than critical. Lower your voice, breathe slowly and deeply, relax your muscles and respond calmly in the GurSikh way like Guru Amar Das Ji did when he was kicked by the jealous Datu. GuruJi massaged his foot and said, 'My hard bones must have hurt you'. Datu's anger was appeased. Return kindness for evil, not a tooth for a tooth.

6. Look after your health. Cure the curable, expect to get better you've got GuruJi on your side. Prevent what's preventable. Eat healthy and nutritional food, your body and mind are the Temple of WaheguruJi. One day Guru Nanak Dev Ji is going to place his divine light inside your temple so make sure it has strong and pure foundations. Make sure it has no junk food lying in the corners and no negative or dirty thoughts lingering in the shadows. That is why Guru Gobind Singh jee has taught us drinking, smoking, drugs are totally wrong for the Sant-Sipahi.

7. When talking about your health talk optimistically, when asked "how are you?" reply positively -'I'm feeling good, great', don't say 'not bad'. Guru Gobind Singh Ji said that when one Sikh is brave enough to fight against 125,000 then and only then can he justify being called Guru Gobind Singh. Be optimistic - be brave feel like you are healthy enough to battle against the whole of the crowd at the football stadium if need be.

8. Expect the best of others. Encourage them and praise them daily. Tell them your optimistic hopes for them. Guru Gobind Singh Ji expected the best from us that's why he named us Singh (Lion) and Kaur (Princess). So whenever we said our name we'd remember we are great people destined for great things. We are not dirty rats but mighty lions and we are not slave girls but royal princesses with honour and glory.

9. To stay optimistic associate with optimistic people. Meet with Sant-Sipahis and positive people from all walks of life.

Bravery & the Sikh Spirit

2009-01-06T19:49:00.000-08:00

Bravery & the Sikh Spirit

The following are excerpts from the book 'Crisis of Leadership' by Maj. General M. Khan of Pakistan about the bravery of the Sikh soldiers during the Indo-Pak war.

"...the main reason of our defeat was Sikhs fighting facing us. We were helpless to do anything in front of them. Sikhs are very brave and they have a great craving for martyrdom. They fight so fiercely that they are capable of defeating an army many times bigger than theirs.

....On 3rd December 1971, we fiercely and vigorously attacked the Indian army with our infantry brigade near Hussainiwala border. This brigade included Pakistan army's fighter Punjabi regiment together with the Baloch regiment. Within minutes we pushed the Indian army quite far back. Their defence posts fell under our control. The Indian army was retreating back very fast and the Pakistani army was going forward with a great speed. Our army reached near the Kausre-Hind post. There was a small segment of the Indian army appointed to defend that post and their soldiers belonged to the Sikh Regiment. A few number of the Sikh Regiment stopped our way forward like an iron wall. They loudly greeted us with the ovation of 'Bole-so-Nihal' and attacked us like blood thirsty hungry lions and hawks. All these soldiers were Sikhs. There was even a dreadful hand-to-hand battle. The sky filled with roars of 'Yaa Ali' and 'Sat-Siri-Akal'. Even in this hand-to-hand fighting the Sikhs fought so bravely t

hat all our desires, aspirations and dreams were shattered.

.....In this war Lt. Col Gulab Hussain of Baloch Regiment got killed. With him Major Mohammed Zaeef and Captain Arif Alim also died. It was difficult to count the number of soldiers who got killed. We were astonished to see the courage of those handful of Sikh soldiers. When we seized the possession of the three-storey defence post of concrete, the Sikh soldiers went onto the roof and kept on persistently opposing us. The whole night they kept on showering fires on us and continued shouting the loud ovation of 'Sat-Siri-Akal'. These Sikh soldiers kept on the encounter till the next day. Next d ay the Pakistani tanks surrounded this post and bombed it with guns. Those handful of Sikhs got martyred in this encounter while resisting us, but other Sikh soldiers then destroyed our tanks with the help of their artillery. Fighting with great bravery they kept on marching forward and thus our army lost its foothold.

....Alas, a handful of Sikhs converted our great victory into a big defeat and shattered our confidence and courage. ....The same thing happened with us in Dhaka (Bangladesh). In the battle of Jaissur, the Singhs opposed the Pakistani army so fiercely that our backbone and our foothold was lost. This became the main and important reason of our defeat and the Sikhs' fancy for martyrdom and mockery with death for the sake of safety and honour of the country, became the sole cause of their victory.

The bravery and spirit of sacrifice of Sikhs were respected and honoured by one and all."

2009 -- Happy New Year !!

2009-01-01T11:16:00.000-08:00

Vaheguruuu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehh

On behalf of the whole SikhVibes.com team, we wish everyone a

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

May everyone stay in chardee kala, and may guru saahib bless everyone with a gursikhi vala jeevan with lots of a love, prachaar, and seva.

It has been exactly one full year since we launched SikhVibes.com, with guru saahibs kirpa. May he give us more oppurtunity to give the sangat priceless rare recordings from local programs, smaagams, raensbayees and other events from around the world!

We will continue to update our kirtan sections with A LOT of stuff still to go up. Please be patient, we all know you are all waiting for the AKJ TO Smaagam and other programs :D .. they all will be up soon !

Please give us your feedback for the year at sikhvibes@gmail.com

Also our blog is updated every week -- http://sikhvibes.blogspot.com

Vaheguruuu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fateh !!

Upcoming TO Programs + AKJ Smaagam Schedule

2008-12-26T09:07:00.000-08:00

Vaheguruu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehh

Below are details on TO AKJ Smaagam which is going on this week.

Here are also some upcoming local TO programs in the upcoming weeks:

AKJ Smaagam -- Dec 22-28 (akj.org for schedule)
Sangat Program -- Dec 28th (Dixie Gurughar --WestHall --4pm-730pm)
AKJ Raaensbayee -- Dec 31 (Old Rexdale Gurughar --7pm-3am)
YorkSSA YKD -- Jan 3rd (Dixie Gurughar -- Hall5 --6pm-2am)
AKJ Raaensbayee --Jan10th (Dixie Gurughar -- Main Hall --8pm-4am)

-----

Here is the remaining schedule for the Smaagam (which started at the beginning of this week):

Dec. 26, 2008:
Aasaa dee Vaar Keertan: 3:00am-11:30am
Rexdale Gurdwara Sahib Sikh Spiritual Centre (9 Carrier Drive)
Main Hall ( 416-746-6666)

Akhand Keertan: 5:30pm-9:00pm
Rexdale Gurdwara Sahib Sikh Spiritual Centre (9 Carrier Drive)
Main Hall ( 416-746-6666)

Dec. 27, 2008:
Nitname and Aasaa dee Vaar Keertan: 3:30am to 11:30am
Rexdale Gurdwara Sahib (Carrier Drive)
Main Hall (416)746-6666

Amrit Sanchaar: 1:00pm
Rexdale Gurdwara Sahib (Carrier Drive)Main Hall
Please contact 647.224.5319 if you plan on attending Amrit Sanchaar Program

Raensabaayee Keertan: 8:00pm to 4:00am
Malton Gurdwara Sahib (905)671-1662

Here is the remaining LIVE BROADCAST schedule for the Smaagam:

Dec. 27, 2008:
Raensabaayee Keertan: 9:00pm to 4:00am
Malton Gurdwara Sahib (905-671-1662)

Link for broadcast: http://akj.org/skins/one/live.php

Dhan Guru Gobind Singh Saahib Jee !

2008-12-16T07:10:00.000-08:00

I want to meet, the dispeller of darkess who watches the world act in the play of life, the lion who fought a hawk with a sparrow, the sweetest of sweets who would kill a hundred thousand men with the smallest expense of energy, whose eyes would look into yours with so much love as to never blink, who brought from the ceremonial fire of cowardice the deity of the blade, the knower of all hearts, of all time, of all life, the father of four dead sons who gave birth to millions, the warrior in the plumed turban, who bowed to his disciples, loved those who deserted him, sits in each and ever particle of existence waiting for a realisation... If i can meet him, anything is worth enduring.

--Vaheguruuu
By: Unknown
Source: SikhSangat.com

UTM SSA YKD - FRIDAY, December 19th @ 6pm - Old Rexdale Gurughar‏

2008-12-13T09:36:00.000-08:00

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh

The UTM SSA humbly requests your sangat to Youth Kirtan Darbar as we sing the glorious praises of our beloved lord.

When: FRIDAY December 19th 2008.

Where: 47 Baywood Road, Etobicoke Ontario. (Old Rexdale Gurudwara)
Main intersection Mars Road and Highway 27.

Program starts at 6 PM.

Please feel free to spread the word to family and friends.

UTM SSA awaits your darshan.

Akal Ji Sahai

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ke Fateh !

-=December2008 - Site Updates=-

2008-12-04T11:35:00.000-08:00

Vaheguruu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehh

With Guru saahibs kirpa it has almost been a year since the launch of SikhVibes and sevadaars have contributed well over 100GB of rare kirtan material. Any more suggestions would be welcomed by sending us an email to sikhvibes@gmail.com

It has been a while since we last updated sangat about new uploads on our site, so here they are by section:

Kirtan Section

- **NEW** rare RAAG files by various gurmukh pyaarai kirtanees!

- we will be adding up more new RARE raag/akj files !

- many AKJ smaagams up from TO/Julandhar/Dyalpur/Phagwara and others!

- AKJ Gursikhi Jeevan Camp - August

- latest TO Youth Kirtan Darbars (YKDs) - waterloo/london

- new Sadh Sangat Smaagams

- weekly weekend sangat programs in brampton!

- other various local programs!

- and much much more !

(updated many times a week)

Gallery Section

- TO AKJ Raaensbayee - Guru Nanak Dev Jees Gurpurb - Dixie Gurughar

- WaterlooYKD - November

- LondonYKD - November

- AKJ Raensbayee - Dasmesh Gurughar - October

- and more !

Video Section

- new videos added, more to come!

- please check our videos on googlevideo, type/search in SikhVibes.com!

-----

Vaheguruuu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehh

DHAN GURU TEGH BAHADHUR SAAHIB JEE

2008-11-26T07:48:00.000-08:00

GURU TEGH BAHADHUR SAAHIB JEE

DO NOT FEAR ANY DON'T EVER BE AFRIAD
THIS IS THE LESSON GURJI PORTRAYED
LIVE AND LET LIVE BE ONE WITH THE LORD
FALLOW THIS PATH AS THIN AS A HAIR AS SHARP AS A SWORD
STAND UP FOR WHATS RIGHT EVEN IF YOU STAND ALONE
THESE ARE THE TEACHINGS SATGURU TEGH BAHADHUR JI'S JEEVEN HAS SHOWN

GURU JI TELL ME WHO IS GREATER THAN YOU ASKED YOUNG GURU GOBIND SINGH
FATHER ONLY YOU ALONE CAN ANSWER THE CALL WHICH THE BHRAMINS BRING
YOU MUST FIGHT FOR THEM FATHER EVEN IF IT MEANS GIVING YOUR LIFE
GOD SENT YOU TO THIS EARTH TO END MISERY AND STRIFE
YOU ARE RIGHT SAID GURU TEGH BAHADHUR WE MUST DEFEND BELIEF
WE MUST GO NOW TO DEHLI TO PUT THE OPRESSED OUT OF THEIR GRIEF
WE WILL SHOW THEM ONCE AGIN AS GURU ARJUN DEV JI DID BEFORE
THAT NOONE CAN MOVE THOSE WHO LAY AT THE SHELTER OF GOD'S DOOR

AND SO GURU JI WENT TO DEHLI IN A CALM PEACEFUL STATE
HE WALKED WITHOUT A SINGLE CARE TOWARDS HIS GLORIOUS FATE
DEATH WAS DRAWING NEAR BUT GURU JI WAS TO WRAPPED UP IN GOD TO NOTICE
LIFE AND DEATH WERE ONE TO HIM HE ROSE ABOVE THE WORLD LIKE A GLORIOUS LOTUS
ALL OF CHANDNI CHAUK SHOOK TO SEE SUCH IMMORTAL MITE
EVEN THE MOST LEARNED OF SCHOLARS WERE PERPLEXED AT THE SITE
NOWHERE ELSE IN HISTORY HAS IT EVER BEEN KNOWN
TO SACRIFICE YOUR SELF FOR A RELIGION THAT WASN'T YOU OWN
WHEN TYPE OF SOUL DOES IT TAKE TO SACRIFICE THEMSELVES FOR UNIVERSAL WELFARE
WELL WE SENT THE HOLIEST ONE THE GURU ; WHEN INJUSTICE STRIKES HE WILL ALWAYS BE THERE
YOU WERE PUT IN A CAGE AND BEHEADED NEVER DID YOU WAVER
YOU TAUGHT THE TRUE LESSON OF A GREAT SAINTS BEHAVIOR
DHAN GURU TEGH BAHADHUR SAAHIB JEE !

By: Teji Kaur (NY)
Source: http://www.sikhsangat.com/index.php?showtopic=41224

17th Adutti Gurmat Sangeet Sammelan-2008 - Live Broadcast

2008-11-21T10:18:00.000-08:00

Adutti Gurmat Sangeet Sammelan

started yesterday, Thursday 11/20/08 at 7PM,

for those of you at home watching the live broadcast.

Here are the timings for the live broadcast for EST; those who need timings for another time zone use timezoneconverter.com.

Eastern Standard Time (Toronto):
Thursday, November 20, 2008 - 7:30PM to 11/21-12:30PM (EST)
Friday, November 21 2008 - 7:30PM to 11/22-12:30PM (EST)
Saturday, November 22, 2008 - 7:30PM to 11/23-12:30PM (EST)

Indian Standard Time:
Friday, November 21, 2008 - 5AM to 11PM (IST)
Saturday, November 22, 2008 - 5AM to 11PM (IST)
Sunday, November 23, 2008 - 5AM to 11PM (IST)

Please join in Live Broadcast at the following link:

http://www.akalmultimedia.com/

Dhan Guru Dhan Guru Pyaarai !

2008-11-18T12:21:00.000-08:00

These two octogenarians remember Guru Granth Sahib by heart
Source: Times of India
Publication: Times Of India Chandigarh
Date:Oct 27, 2008
Section:North India
Page Number:4

IP Singh TNN

Jalandhar: When others are busy in the hustle-bustle of the celebrations of Guruta Gaddi Diwas, there are two octogenarians, with rare glow on their faces, who are quietly engaged in the recitation of Gurbani. The astonishing part is that they remember by heart almost the entire holy book spread over 1,430 pages. Just consider the vastness of the scripture. According to SGPC website, Guru Granth Sahib contains 5,894 hymns and the number of stanzas are 15,575.

The first one is Bhai Jiwan Singh, who lives near the Golden Temple and gets the oppotunity to listen to the continuous kirtan and the second one is Bhai Surat Singh, known as “Pooran ji”, who starts his daily routine of “path” just around midnight.

“It is not yet known about any other surviving member of the community who has been able to memorize the vast holy book. There were some more such persons but they were not alive,” says Balwinder Pal Singh, editor of a journal.

Remaining reticent and epitomizing humility the two prefer not to make any such claim or even discuss it but those who know them reveal their accomplishment. “Just read out one line from any hymn and both will complete it,” says Ranjodh Singh, co-editor of another journal, who knows the two quite well.

A revered spiritualist in the Sikh community, Bhai Jiwan Singh has travelled extensively around the world. However, for the last couple of years, as age took over him, he remains confined to his house.

“In which ever house he went kirtan started emanating,” says Jaswinder Singh Khalsa, an NRI living in UK, who is also chairman of the Sukrit Trust and owes change in his life to the spiritualist.

“He not just transformed lives but also played a role in starting several welfare projects,” reveals Harkirat Singh, former GM of Coal India and now trustee of Satnam Sarb Kalyan Trust, which was got started by Bhai Jiwan Singh.

About Pooran ji, who retired as district manager of the FCI, his son-in-law Kuljit Singh revealed that after retiring to his bed at around 7.30 pm he gets up at 10.45 pm. Then after a bath he goes to Darbar Sahib around 11.45 pm and just after midnight he along with some other devotees starts recitation of Gurbani at the “parikarma”. “Then he goes to the sanctum sanctorum when its doors open after 2 am and after listening to kirtan he returns. He remains engrossed in reciting “path” in the day also,” he disclosed, adding that “he can listen to kirtan for continuous 12 hours.”

FAITH ON MEMORY: Bhai Jiwan Singh Jee (left); Bhai Surat Singh Jee (right)

Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Saahib Jee !!

2008-11-13T11:49:00.000-08:00

The Mist cleared and the Sun shone everywhere...

Thursday 13th November 2008, marks the 539th Prakaash divas (birth date) of Guru Nanak Dev jee, the founder of the Sikh faith. Happy gurpurb to everyone. May Guru jee bless everyone with Gursikhi Jeevan and eternal love for Waheguru.

ਸੁਣੀ ਪੁਕਾਰਿ ਦਾਤਾਰ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਗ ਮਾਹਿ ਪਠਾਇਆ ॥
sunee pukaar daataar prabh guru naanak jag mahi patthaaeiaa.
The benefactor Lord listened to the cries (of humanity) and sent Guru Nanak to this world.

(Bhai Gurdaas jee)

Mist of Darkness
According to Gurmat there are two types of bodies - the physical body (asthool sareer) and invisible internal body (sooksham sareer). As the internal body is a spiritual being and not physical matter, scientists have not acknowledged it. When there is mist, one cannot see where one is going. In thick fog people are more likely to have car accidents because they cannot see ahead of them.

Humanity Crying
Leading up to the birth of Guru Nanak Dev jee, the world was covered in heavy mist. When the five vices - lust, anger, greed, emotional attachment, and ego - go out of control, then the inner body gets covered with mist and darkness of corruption. At first a human being commits individual acts (karams) fuelled by vices, then it becomes habit which leads to it becoming the individual's character (sanskaar). When vice and corruption become part of one's character then one feels no shame and they see no wrongness in their wickedness and sinful actions. The repeated actions leaves an imprint on the soul. Humanity was crying out as its spirituality was lost and people became blind in the mist of Maya (materialism) and the five vices.

Clearing the Mist
Mist can only be cleared with light, however a small light like a lamp or torch would not be able to do this. In order to clear the heavy mist, the Sun must shine. When the Sun shines the morning mist clears. A small diva (oil-lamp) can only light one house and provide light to a few people, but it would not be able to clear the mist. There could be hundreds of divas (oil-lamps) and still the mist would not clear. In the world, there were many changing religious leaders, holy-men and prophets, however their light was not enough to illuminate the world's spiritual darkness.

The Divine Light Shines
The changing religious leaders and world prophets provided some light to the people but were like divas (oil-lamps) and were limited in their light. The Sun itself had to shine to clear the mist of spiritual darkness, Waheguru Himself had to shine His Light in the world and give spiritual enlightenment to everyone. The Sun, unlike a lamp or torch, shines everywhere indiscriminately. "With the emergence of the True Guru, Satguru Guru Nanak, the mist cleared and the light scattered all around. As if at the sun rise the stars disappeared and the darkness dispelled" (Bhai Gurdaas jee). Although the Sun shines everywhere, if someone is sitting inside with the curtains drawn, they prevent themselves from experiencing the Sun. Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born in 1469, and Waheguru manifested His Light within him and revealed Himself to the world through the Satguru. "Waheguru placed Himself within the Satguru (True Guru); revealing Himself (to the world), He declares this openly" (Ang 466, SGGS). The fortunate ones, opened their hearts and allowed the Divine Light of the Waheguru to change their lives.

ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਨੋ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਵੇਖਦਾ ਜੇਤਾ ਜਗਤੁ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥
Saṯgur no sabẖ ko vekẖḏā jeṯā jagaṯ sansār.
All the living beings of the world see the True Guru.

ਡਿਠੈ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਜਿਚਰੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਨ ਕਰੇ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥
Diṯẖai mukaṯ na hova▫ī jicẖar sabaḏ na kare vīcẖār.
(However) One is not liberated by merely seeing (the Satguru), unless one contemplates the Shabad (Divine Word).
(Ang 594, SGGS)

-----

Vaheguruu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fateh !!

The Dawn of Guru Nanak

2008-11-09T10:11:00.001-08:00

The Dawn of Guru Nanak
Edited & Translated by
Harjinder Singh
www.akaalpublishers.com

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Jee came to this earth in mortal form 539 years ago and Sikhs all over the globe will be celebrating the arrival of Guru Nanak on the 13th November. But why did Guru Nanak need to come to the earth?

The benefactor Lord listened to the cries (of humanity) and sent Guru Nanak to this world ... Guru Nanak came to redeem humanity in Kalyug. (Bhai Gurdas Jee)

The path of righteousness had become clouded by ritualistic and hypocritical practices and the true path to self-realisation was very hard to decipher. Sri Guru Nanak Dev Jee came and roared like a lion in the wilderness of the world and reinstated true practice of faith. He put Hindus & Muslims back on to their respective paths of self-realisation, no faith was denounced. He founded the Sikh faith which was a pure and simple path to follow.

With the emergence of the True Guru Nanak, the mist cleared and the light scattered all around. Similar to the rising sun, the stars and darkness were dispelled. With the roar of the lion in the forest, the flocks of escaping deer cannot now survive (the escaping deer are evil-doers). Wherever Baba Nanak put his feet, a religious place was erected and established. All the siddh-places now have been renamed on the name of Nanak. Every home has become a place of righteousness where the praises of the Lord are sung. Baba Nanak liberated all four directions and nine divisions of earth. Gurmukh (Guru Nanak) has emerged in this Kalyug, the dark age.

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Jee met Kaljug (Kaljug is the name given to this present era that we live in, an era that is dominated by sin and evil actions), when on his revolutionary tours. This historical account of this meeting was written by the great Sikh Poet Bhai Santokh Singh Jee in “Guru Nanak Parkash” the following is the translation of the summary that Giani Gian Singh has written of the story:

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Jee was on his missionary tour, when He and Bhai Mardana Jee took a rest. Upon being seated, a frightful storm began, this storm was carrying much debris and the whole sky and surrounding area was shroud in darkness. Nothing at hands length could be seen, such was the force of the storm. Bhai Mardana Jee put a cloth over his mouth and lay down on the ground. He said to Guru Jee, “If I die at this dreadful spot I won’t even get my funeral rites carried out and won’t even be buried, travelling with you I have encountered much suffering.” Guru Jee laughed and said, “Why are you scared, nothing will harm you.”

Then a frightful demon appeared, whose head was in the sky and his feet were implanted deep into the earth, his nostrils were deep like a well and he had long teeth, he was gigantic, he made his way towards Guru Jee. Bhai Mardana Jee getting scared said, “Maharaj! We have survived the storm but now our deaths are almost certain, we won’t survive an encounter with this giant.” Guru Jee calmly replied, “Mardana! He will not come near you, do not be afraid, meditate on Vaheguru.” Then Kaljug changed his form again, now he took the form of fire and smoke emanated from all pores of his physical being. He finally changed his form again into a frightful one, yet Guru Jee remained calm and unconcerned. After all this Kaljug decided that Guru Jee must be a prophet as none of his frightful forms had scared Guru Sahib, and he thus accordingly changed into a man, in the form of a man Kaljug carried a tongue in one hand and a in the other, and he made his way to Guru Jee. Guru Jee said to Bhai Maradana Jee, come along and watch this drama, which is taking place. Kaljug bowed his head to Guru Jee in obeisance and supplicated, “Maharaj! Please forgive me for my mistakes, I did not know of your fame and greatness. In this age I rule, I am in this physical form of a man as I am displaying to you what passions humans are being led by. Humans will disregard all virtue and will be led by passions of the tongue and , and in turn their lives will be dictated by these passions.”

Guru Jee pryingly asked, “Who are you – what is your name? Why have you come to meet us?” Kaljug replied, “My name is Kaljug and I have come to meet you to pay my respects to you, I initially changed into the various forms to test you.” Guru jee further questioned, “What are your characteristics? You said it is your rule in this age, then with what army do you enforce your Rule?”

Kaljug replied, my greatest warrior is falsehood – falsehood carries the flag at the forefront of my army. Worldly attachment is the King of all. My army general is violence and murder. Lust, anger, greed and ego are my warriors on elephant back. Jealousy, gossip, slander, robbery and unfulfilled craving for worldly things – are all warriors on chariots. Laziness, gambling, alcohol/intoxicants and other bad actions are warriors on horse back. Attachment to others, sin of want and steeling are my foot-soldiers. Wherever I make advances with my army, I am always victorious. My warriors of falsehood and anger, have made me victorious everywhere. These are the characteristics of my reign. Upon listening to Kaljugs narration of the current state of the world Guru jee uttered,

Whoever is in charge, is humiliated. Why should the servant be afraid.
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee, Limb 902)

The servant is not afraid as he has nothing to lose as he is not the ruler, the servant can freely move about without fear of consequence but the ruler is bound by his rule and duties.

When the master is put in chains? He dies at the hands of his servant.
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee, Limb 902)

So Guru Jee said that even if you do rule, it is you (Kaljug) who is also humiliated for these actions in your rule. Guru Jee further said that if it is your rule now and I am the servant of God, when your rule comes to an end it will be due to this servant – Sri Guru Nanak Dev Jee. Kaljug replied that this is the reason I have come to you Maharaj, because there is no difference between you and God, I will give you a house to live in which will be made of Gold and Pearls. In this house I will use sandalwood and will spray musk – where you will enjoy your abode with much happiness. Kaljug begged Maharaj to accept his offering and Guru Jee replied,

If I had a palace made of pearls, inlaid with jewels, scented with musk, saffron and sandalwood, a sheer delight to behold -seeing this, I might go astray and forget You (Vaheguru), and Your Name would not enter into my mind. Without the Lord, my soul is scorched and burnt. I consulted my Guru, and now I see that there is no other place at all. Pause. If the floor of this palace was a mosaic of diamonds and rubies, and if my bed was encased with rubies, and if heavenly beauties, their faces adorned with emeralds, tried to entice me with sensual gestures of love-seeing these, I might go astray and forget You, and Your Name would not enter into my mind. If I were to become a Siddha, and work miracles, summon wealth and become invisible and visible at will, so that people would hold me in awe-seeing these, I might go astray and forget You, and Your Name would not enter into my mind. If I were to become an emperor and raise a huge army, and sit on a throne, issuing commands and collecting taxes-O Nanak, all of this could pass away like a puff of wind. Seeing these, I might go astray and forget You, and Your Name would not enter into my mind. (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee, Limb 14)

After trying to convince Guru jee to accept the above offerings and not succeeding, Kaljug said, “Maharaj, you have taken birth to liberate people from the cycle of births and deaths. I have come humbly to your feet – why do you make my meeting with you of no reward? You have not accepted any of my offerings – please accept an offering so that I know that you have blessed me. Upon hearing such a humble request Guru jee replied, “If you have a sincere desire to make an offering to me then give me this – that those who are my dedicated Sikhs can not be influenced by the powers of your army. Meditation, charity and Bathing (Physical and Spiritual cleansing) should never be forgotten – you should not stop Sikhs doing these 3 actions in any form. Your powers should not work on those who have faith in me.

Kaljug humbly clasped his hands and said, “Maharaj! I can not refuse your command, but I have God’s permission to change everyone’s thought process – with the changing of which they steel, gossip, lie, slander etc. In line with God’s permission I make the following occur:

• Disrespect the virtuous and make fools famous and powerful.
• Not allow faithful relations between the married.
• Bring the good and bad on a par to one another.
• In my rule those who say they have become Sanyasi’s/Tyagis (ones that have give up all material possession in the search of God) will amass much wealth and gristis/householders will starve to death.

But now, whatever you command me to do, I will do.” Upon hearing this Guru jee was happy and said,

“In your rule God’s praise will increase many fold – a par to 100,000’s of years in Satjug, in Tretajug what would have taken 10,000 years and what would have taken 1000 years in Dvapur (these are references to the other 3 eras of time), in you rule of Kaljug singing the praises of God will be very rewarding and what would have taken many years in the other ages will be realised in very little time and will be the provider of happiness. Those that sing God’s praises with love and devotion will be ferried across the world ocean. If you are persistent about making offerings of jewels then I will accept these in my forth form as the 4th Guru. (Kaljugs’ offerings of money/gold etc are thus accepted at the house of the fourth Guru, Sri Guru Ram Das Jee at Sri Darbar Sahib, also known as The Golden Temple).

Upon hearing this Kaljug was overjoyed, he bowed down to Guru Jee and said that those Sikhs that obey your wishes I will not go near them. Kaljug after granting this concession to Sikhs disappeared and Guru Jee continued on his missionary travels of liberating the world.

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Jee has provided us protection from the influence of Kaljug, now it is up to us as Sikhs to decide whether we want to enter his sanctuary and lead a life devoid of want and enjoy lasting happiness/peace of mind.

Halloween & The Sikhs

2008-10-31T10:51:00.000-07:00

Halloween & The Sikhs
by Harjinder Singh
www.akaalpublishers.com

Halloween is a global festival which is cheerfully celebrated with kids trick or treating, people mocking and gimmicking ghosts, ghouls, goblins and demons. For Sikhs on the other hand Halloween carries a real grave significance, of real ghouls and demons, who massacred Sikhs in October and November 1984.

On Halloween, 31st October 1984 – Indira Gandhi the Indian Prime Minister was assassinated. What followed her death was inhumane, depraved and despicable, some call it genocide others ethnic cleansing, I’ll let the readers decide what they feel. The world silently turned a blind eye to these events and rather mourned the death of Mrs Gandhi.

Sikhs were burnt alive, raped, made refugees, murdered on mass, Gurdwaras attacked and Sikh businesses singled out for attacks. All this happened in what Sikhs at the time saw as ‘mother India.’ What was the crime of these Sikhs? What had they done to bring out the demons of Halloween?

The bodyguards of Mrs Gandhi who assassinated her, were Sikhs, so the orchestrated carnage was planned to ‘teach the Sikhs a lesson.’ These children, mothers, daughters, brothers, sisters, fathers and grandparents had no link to the Sikh assassins. In the times of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Jee, Guru Jee saw the destruction of the Mughal ruler Baabar and said,

There was so much slaughter that the people screamed. Didn't You feel compassion, Lord? O Creator Lord, You are the Master of all. If some powerful man strikes out against another man, then no one feels any grief in their mind. But if a powerful tiger attacks a flock of sheep and kills them, then its master must answer for it. This priceless country has been laid to waste and defiled by dogs, and no one pays any attention to the dead (Limb 360, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee)

These words ring true of what happened to Sikhs across India following Mrs Gandhi’s death, to the extent that Guru Sahibs words above aptly describe the attacks on these common, everyday Sikhs. Sikhs were brutally and clinically attacked in cities across India, Delhi, Kanpur, Patna and the list goes on, over 10,000 Sikhs died between 31st October – 3rd November, 1984, many more refugees lived on with nightmares of what they witnessed.

Hitler killed the Jews in gas chambers which were in secret locations but in India Sikhs were killed in public. The Jews have pursued Nazi’s for these genocidal acts, today the culprits of Sikh genocide walk free, let’s try and achieve some justice. Let’s remember these Sikhs and support the surviving families and widows, so the pain of Halloween can be lessened. Please see the links below to start making practical steps in this endeavour;

Genocide of Sikhs: www.carnage84.com
www.witness84.com

Films: www.amuthefilm.com

Human Rights: www.lfhri.org – Lawyers for Human Rights
International

Books: Government-organised Carnage, by
Gurcharan Singh Babbar

Happy Bandi Chhor Diwas !!

2008-10-28T15:23:00.001-07:00

Bandi Chhor Diwas

Guru Hargobind being released from the Gwalior Jail along with 52 Rajas, who held the strings attached to the dress of the Guru, hence the Guru was called Bandi Chhod.

Bandi Chhor Diwas (Diwali) is the anniversary of Guru Hargobind ji being released from the prison at Gwalior Fort. In was on this day in 1619 A D. The kind Guru ji refused to leave the fort of his own and demanded release of other 52 Hindu Rajas. The Moghuls being the cunning rulers they were, decided on a compromise. They said all the Maharajas that can hold onto your Chowla (gown) could walk out free along side you. The Sikhs smartly made a special Chowla with 50 long strips and all the prisoners walked free. Guru Hargobind ji is known as Bandhi Chhor because the imprisoned ones (Bandhi) were released (Chhor) by Him. Upon their return to Amritsar grand celebrations were held. Harmandir Sahib ji (Golden Temple) was illuminated and fireworks were displayed. Gurbani Kirtan (Hymns) and prayers were performed.

Guru ji was always prepared to sacrifice his own freedom for the sake of other innocent people. Once Guru ji was accompanying Jahangir, then, a tiger attacked Jahangir. He fired all his shots/arrows but missed attacking on tiger. His accompanying officers failed to respond to his distress call. Brave Guru ji got off His horse and put the tiger to rest with His sword. This incident made Jahangir feel obliged to Guru ji for having saved his life and he began to repent for the sin he had committed by ordering assassination of Guru Arjun Dev ji (Guru ji's father). He visited Guru ji's mother, Mata Ganga ji and apologized for the cruelty. Guru ji demonstrated the extreme and difficult virtue of "forgiveness" when He saved Jahangir's life from an attacking tiger, despite all the hostility and the awful act of ordering assassination of the 5th Guru, Guru Arjun dev ji with an excuse that the latter was a threat to Islam.

Diwali of 1737

Bhai Mani singh transcribed the final version of Guru Granth Sahib upon dictation from Guru Gobind Singh ji in 1704 at Damdamma Sahib. After heavenly abode of Guru Sahib in 1708 he look charge of Harmandir Sahib ji's management. In 1737, invitations were rent to the Sikhs all over India to join Bandi Chhor Diwas celebrations at Harmandir Sahib. A tax of 5000 rupees (some say 10,000) had to be paid to the Mogul governor of Punjab; Zakariya Khan. Bhai Mani Singh Ji later discovered the secret plan of Zakariya khan to kill the Sikhs during the gathering. Bhai Mani Singh ji immediately sent message to all the Sikhs not to turn up for celebrations. Zakariya Khan wasn't happy about the situation and he ordered Bhai Mani Singh ji's assassination at Lahore by ruthlessly cutting him limb-by-limb to death. Ever since, the great sacrifice and devotion of Bhai Mani Singh ji is remembered on the Bandi Chhor Diwas (Diwali) celebration. After knowing the great history of these occasions or festivals, heart wants to say:

Hey Waheguru!
"Raaj Na Chaahayu, Mukti Na Chaahyu
Man Preet Charan Kamlaare"

Oh Wonderful Lord!
I neither desire for empire and material realm nor liberation or mukti,
my soul longs for the love of your lotus feet.

Celebrating Diwali and Lightening a Deeva in true sense is acquiring divine knowledge and being selfless, tolerant, humble, kind and sweet spoken. That leads one to become one with Waheguru (god).

Pray to God on this beautiful occasion of Diwali to give us light,
to give us understanding,
so that we may know what
pleaseth thee,
and may all (all whole mankind)
prosper by the Grace.

What do we learn from Bandi-Chhor Diwas?

52 Hindu Kings were freed with Guru Sahib. Guru Sahib could have left the Fort when he was offered the chance. However, Guru Ji thought of others before himself. Others freedom and rights were more important than his own. Guru Ji is always thinking not of his emancipation but everyone's emancipation. This is the attitude and virtue which Guru Ji filled within his Sikhs, by putting into reality this positive message.

Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Granth Saahib Jee !!

2008-10-22T01:29:00.000-07:00

Vaheguruuuuu ....

300 Saal Guru De Naal!

2008-10-20T11:00:00.000-07:00

Vaheguruu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehh

On behalf of all SikhVibes.com Sevadaars,

300 Saal Gurgaddi Divas Diyaa Lakh Lakh Vadiaaeeeyaan!

300 Saal Guru De Naal!

Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee !!!!

bhairo mehalaa 5
Bhairao, Fifth Mehla:

sathigur maeraa baemuhathaaj
My True Guru is totally independet.

sathigur maerae sachaa saaj
My True Guru is adorned with Truth.

sathigur maeraa sabhas kaa dhaathaa
My True Guru is the Giver of all.

sathigur maeraa purakh bidhhaathaa 1
My True Guru is the Primal Creator Lord, the Architect of Destiny. 1

gur jaisaa naahee ko dhaev
There is no deity equal to the Guru.

jis masathak bhaag s laagaa saev 1 rehaao
Whoever has good destiny inscribed on his forehead, applies himself to seva - selfless service. 1Pause

sathigur maeraa sarab prathipaalai
My True Guru is the Sustainer and Cherisher of all.

sathigur maeraa maar jeevaalai
My True Guru kills and revives.

sathigur maerae kee vaddiaaee pragatt bhee hai sabhanee thhaaee 2
The glorious greatness of my True Guru has become manifest everywhere. 2

sathigur maeraa thaan nithaan
My True Guru is the power of the powerless.

sathigur maeraa ghar dheebaan
My True Guru is my home and court.

sathigur kai ho sadh bal jaaeiaa
I am forever a sacrifice to the True Guru.

pragatt maarag jin kar dhikhalaaeiaa 3
He has shown me the path. 3

jin gur saeviaa this bho n biaapai
One who serves the Guru is not afflicted with fear.

jin gur saeviaa this dhukh n sa(n)thaapai
One who serves the Guru does not suffer in pain.

naanak sodhhae si(n)mrith baedh
Nanak has studied the Simritees and the Vedas.

paarabreham gur naahee bhaedh 41124
There is no difference between the Supreme Lord God and the Guru. 41124

-----

Vaheguruu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehh

Vaheguruuu

2008-10-14T11:17:00.000-07:00

Many more things are wrought by prayer than those of which the world can dream…

THE WINTER DAYS were severely cold. In the small dark room in the corner of the house in which she sat, she comforted her brother in her lap. He was severely ill with a lung infection and was unable to speak. He did not let anyone even switch on the lights.

For almost three full days, she sat there in the dark, knowing that she had a Physics exam coming up. But nothing could comfort her more than comforting the lovely, miraculous child who was now lying in his sister's warm lap.

The three days passed. It was now the morning of the midterm examination. Her supposed three days of preparation had passed without her having read a single word, but she felt not even a hint of anxiety or fear. Her mind was completely at rest, filled with the peace of knowing that she had done what she really needed to do. In her heart she knew that she had everything to gain and nothing to lose.

Her mom arrived home at 8:15 that morning, tired from working a night shift. She handed over her brother to her mom and she hurriedly assembled her things. Without even changing her dress she headed to the porch to get her bicycle for the 40 minute ride to college. As she pulled out the bicycle it rolled heavily....What…A rear tyre was punctured! It was too early for any of the shops to be open yet in such cold weather. The sun still would not rise until past 10:00.

Having no choice, she rushed to her friend's home a seven minute walk away. Although her friend was studying at the same college as she, it was already too late. She had left ten minutes before. She asked her friend's mom to lend her her bicycle for a day, but she couldn't find the keys.

Walking back home in the chill morning through the deep dark endless river of fog on the lonely street, she noticed that all the shops on both sides of the street wre shut down. There was not a sign of life. The silence was profound. There was no way to reach the auto-stand 15 minutes away by bicycle. Though she knew she would lose a full year by not sitting for the exam, her mind was still at peace. She felt that nothing could shake her. It was a state of grace. She was now halfway home passing through those lonely streets, and she still enjoyed the feeling of having lost nothing.

Suddenly a polite and sweet voice came through the morning fog, "Daughter, where do you want to go?" As she turned around, to her surprise she saw a rickshaw stopped beside the curb. She stopped at once feeling a little strange. From where had this man suddenly appeared? She had never seen a rickshaw in that colony, and so early in the morning?

Before she could think too much, her eyes caught a glimpse of the rickshaw driver. He was wearing a pearly white robe and had a long white beard which was shining in the faint morning light. A pure white cloth was wrapped on his head. In between his red cheeks crinkled with apparent joy, his heavenly smile was radiant and he seemed surrounded by a bright aura. He looked a completely saintly figure. She had never seen anyone like this before.

But now a feeling of insecurity ran across her mind. She didn't have nearly enough money to pay the driver to take her anywhere near school. She had only 10 dollars and no rickshaw driver would accept that little for such a journey. Despite her insecurity, and knowing that she had no other option at this point, she gathered up her courage and asked softly, "how much?" With a warm smile, the rickshaw man said, "two dollars."

She stood shocked. Was this seemingly saintly man might an immoral person? How could he possibly be asking such a low price? She hesitated, but realizing that this was her only opportunity, she agreed. As she put her foot on the rickshaw, she noticed that it was brand new. It was beautifully decorated with colorful and finely painted flowers and elephants. She had never seen such a wonderful and comfortable rickshaw in her lifetime.

As the rickshaw man started riding through the lonely street, she heard him start murmuring something, Again, doubt arose in her and she wondered, "perhaps he is not a good man after all.". Sitting quite still on the rickshaw, she just squeezed down her fear for a while. The rickshaw man was driving very fast and in two minutes they were on the main road which was much more secure and well lit. Her fear began to subside.

Within less than six minutes, the rickshaw man had taken her to the front of the auto which was preparing to leave for her college. It was the only auto on the well lit road, the formal auto-stand. She stepped down the rickshaw and signaled the auto to stop for her. Averting her eyes, she hurriedly handed her ten dollars to the rickshaw man.. But he waved it away with a smile..The thought came to her that perhaps he did not have any change, since it was so early in the morning.

She turned to the auto driver and asked him to change the ten dollar bill so she could give two dollars to the rickshaw man. The driver looked at her very strangely. She realized that everyone in the auto was staring at her as if she were mad. As she turned her head to look back at the rickshaw, there saw nothing but the streetlights reflecting off the shiny black surface of the road. She gazed back as far as she could standing there clutching her money in her hand.

Stunned, she faintly realized the driver was speaking to her. "Are you coming or not?" She turned to the rother riders. "Did you see the rickshaw?" Everyone just stared at her blankly. No one replied.

Bewildered, she sat down in the auto and 15 minutes later she was in front of her college and as the bell rang at 9:00 am sharp, she was sitting on her seat in the examination hall.

After her examination was over, with six dollars remaining in her pocket, she caught the auto back to the auto stand, and then a rickshaw back to her home where her mother paid the rickshaw driver ten dollars.

Her mom served her food and asked her if everything had gone okay. She slowly recounted the whole incident and expressed her regret that the old rickshaw man had not taken even two dollars for his service. She described how, to her surprise, the rickshaw driver had vanished without a word and how the other people in the auto had stared at her so strangely.

Her mom chuckled and said. "You know dear, that old rickshaw driver was God himself. That's why He wasn't visible to the auto driver and the other people. That's why they looked at you as if you were mad."

Suddenly she felt a pang of regret in her heart and tears filled her eyes. "Why couldn't I recognize Him? Oh, my gosh! I even had bad thoughts about Him!" She wondered if He would forgive her.

Being a science student, she had never believed the story her mom had told her about her brother's miraculous birth.

Her brother had been born prematurely a month early. His lungs were undeveloped and he could not get enough oxygen. The doctors told her mother that the baby would probably survive only twelve hours or so. As that evening approached, the baby's toenails began turning blue from lack of oxygen.

Crying softly, her mother had watched as the nails of his tiny hands turned blue as well. The life was draining from his weak and forlorn cries signaled his approaching death.

His father had left the hospital. He was simply unable to watch his newborn child dying for no apparent reason. Her mom could not help crying and finally she placed her hand on the child's head and started to pray. Her eyes were shut and she looked as if in a trance.

After a half an hour of praying fervently with her whole heart, she told her how she had seen a man with a beautiful white beard, wearing a white robe and a white turban. His eyes sparkled and she saw rays of lights coming from his entire body. He slowly approached, walking between the long lines of beds in the hospital's birthing ward.

He stood beside the child and pointed a finger towards him. Her mother had clearly understood the message,"Life is given to him by God's order (Hukam) and his name should be Hukam." Her mother watched him silently turn and leave the ward.

Suddenly one of the nurses shook her mother's shoulder screaming in joy, "He is coming back to life!" Her mother opened her eyes and saw movement in his tiny. The entire hospital staff gathered to say goodbye to this little one. They were overwhelmed to see this miracle. The most senior doctor, pointed upwards with his index finger and said, "God is great!"

Now, for the very first time, she believed that story. She understood that God can come to this earth to help you when you are alone and helpless. She understood that God is not beyond even becoming a rickshaw puller for a poor creatures like me.

Author's Note: This incident is a true story. It happened to me about 15 years ago. Now I am doing my PhD studies at the University of Sydney. Over this time I have realized how God is completely forgiving and extremely generous. I have experienced His help several times since the incident described in this story. But even with this understanding, every time it happened I was unable to recognize Him and didn't realize until sometime afterward that it was God Himself who had reached out to come to my aid.

- Navdeep Kaur Sandhu (Sydney)

-----
Source: http://www.sikhnet.com/inspiration/many-more-things-are-wrought-prayer-those-which-world-can-dream

New Kirtan Updates !

2008-10-09T13:07:00.001-07:00

Vaheguruuu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehh

Various new additions in our Kirtan folder including:

- Windsor AKJ Raensbayee - September 2008
- Cambridge YKD - September 2008
- Calgary Sadh Sangat Smaagam - August 2008
- Local Toronto Programs
- and more !

...to be added this week...

- Detroit Sadh Sangat Smaagam - October 2008
- Delhi Annual AKJ Smaagam - October 2008
- Local House Youth Kirtan - October 2008
- Various Weekend Sangat Programs
- and more !

CLICK HERE
-----
Vaheguruuuuuu

How to take Hukamnama

2008-10-03T07:08:00.000-07:00

Vaheguruu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fateh !!

Hukamnama is the command of Guru Ji intended for the whole congregation in a congregational session to understand and follow. Therefore when commencing or finishing a congregational session, when doing parkaash (ceremoniously opening Guru Ji) or sukhaasan (when Guru Ji ceremoniously is closed and is taking to Guru Ji's private room) then reading a Hukamnama is essential. Through Hukamnama, the living and speaking soul of Guru Nanak Ji gives us guidance, instruction and blessings.

How to take a Hukamnama step by step:

(1) An Ardaas or standing prayer, should be offered before taking a Hukamnama.

(2) If Guru Ji is covered with a Rumaala Sahib (beautiful fabric draping), then slowly with reverence roll or fold the Rumaala Sahib on itself. It is advisable to tuck the rolled up section of the Rumaala Sahib between the hard cover of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and the Angs on both sides. Ang litterally means 'part' as in part of a body. Each ang is reverently considered to be part of the body of the living Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahibji

(3) If Guru Ji has not been opened, then when opening Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the opening angs at the top will be the Hukamnama. If Guru is already open then from the middle of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, lift an equal amount of Angs from one side and the other side, and with both thumbs carefully and randomly select an ang from the middle section of Guru Ji.

(4) Before reciting a Hukamnama, it is common to recite a mangla-chaaran, which means an invocation. We not only invoke the blessing of the Guru but clear our minds that we may read the Hukamnaama with proper attention. This can be a small shabad, salokh or saying 'Satnaam Vaahiguroo' in between opening Guru Ji for the Hukamnama and before reading the Hukam.

Some examples of Mangla-chaarans which are commonly used when taking Hukamnamas are:

Mool Mantar: -
ੴ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ ਅਕਾਲ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਅਜੂਨੀ ਸੈਭੰ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
"One Universal Creator God. The Name Is Truth. Creative Being Personified. No Fear. No Hatred. Image Of The Undying, Beyond Birth, Self-Existent. By Guru's Grace." (Ang 1, SGGS)

Salokh (couplet):
"Salokh: I bow down, and fall to the ground in humble adoration, countless times, to the All-powerful Lord, who possesses all powers. Please protect me, and save me from wandering, God. Reach out and give Nanak Your Hand. 1" (Ang 256, SGGS)

A pauree (stanza) from a shabad:
ਸਲੋਕੁ ॥ਡੰਡਉਤਿ ਬੰਦਨ ਅਨਿਕ ਬਾਰ ਸਰਬ ਕਲਾ ਸਮਰਥ ॥ ਡੋਲਨ ਤੇ ਰਾਖਹੁ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇ ਕਰਿ ਹਥ ॥1॥
I seek Your Sanctuary - You are my only hope. You are my companion, and my best friend. Save me, O Merciful Saviour Lord; Nanak is the slave of Your home. 312 (Ang 673)

(5) The Hukamnama according to the Rehat Maryada is always from the top left hand side. If the shabad is continuing from the previous ang turn the ang over to the point where the shabad begins.

If the Bani is a Salokh (couplet) or a Pauree (stanza), read the Salokh and the Pauree (if it starts on the previous ang, start from there). The pauree typically at the end of a given Shabad, which is deliniated by the pause or 'Rahao' line, in a shabad contains the central idea of Guru Ji's message. The other stanzas then expound in greater detail on this central theme.

(6) You need to read the first two lines of the Hukamnama twice. Again the Pauree before the "Rahaao" (if applicable) is usually the central idea of the Shabad. The last two lines are then to also read twice (as indication that this is the end of the Hukamnama).

(7) A shabad usually ends with "Nanak" Also you can tell by looking at the numbers following after the line after a given Pauree where you are. The final Pauree contains a number then another number indicating fianlity of the Shabad. Thus Gurbani is organized in a logical way most can follow.

------
Vaheguruu

THE FOUR CANDLES

2008-09-29T08:42:00.000-07:00

THE FOUR CANDLES

The four candles burned slowly, their ambiance was so soft you could
hear them speak.

The first candle said, "I am Peace, but these days, nobody wants to
keep me lit." Then Peace's flame slowly diminished and went out
completely.

The second candle said, "I am Faith, but these days, I am no longer
indispensable." Then Faith's flame slowly diminished and went out.

The third candle spoke, "I am Love and I haven't the strength to stay
lit any longer. People put me aside and don't understand my
importance. They even forget to love those who are nearest to them."
And waiting no longer, Love went out completely.

Suddenly, a child entered the room and saw the three candles no
longer burning. The child began to cry, "Why are you not burning? You
are supposed to stay lit until the end."

Then the fourth candle spoke to the little boy, "Don't be afraid, for
I am Hope, and while I still burn, we can relight the other candles."

With shining eyes the child took the candle of Hope and lit the other
three candles.

Never let the Flame of Hope to go out of your life. With Hope, no
matter how bad things look and are... Peace, Faith and Love can shine
brightly in our lives.

By: Unknown Author
Source: http://forums.panthic.net/index.php?showtopic=25578

Cambridge Youth Kirtan Darbar - Sat. Sept 27th

2008-09-21T19:22:00.000-07:00

Vaheguruu ji khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehh

Its that time again, where Universities host their local YKDs. First up for September is Cambridge hosted by LaurierSSA, in October its in London by WesternSSA and then Waterloo in November ! More information will be sent out as we get it.

Cambridge YKD

Saturday September 27th

6pm-1am

For the convenience of sangat living in the GTA, there will be a bus available at dixie gurdhwara. The bus will be leaving at 5:00p.m. sharp.

Destination:
1401 Roseville Road
Cambridge, Ontario
(519) 623 – 7972

From Toronto/Ottawa:

Take Hwy 401 WEST towards LONDON
Take exit # 275
FOUNTAIN ST. / RR-28 / HOMER WATSON BLVD toward CAMBRIDGE/KITCHENER
Turn LEFT onto FOUNTAIN ST S / HOMER WATSON BLVD – go 0.5 miles
Turn RIGHT onto DICKIE SETTLEMENT RD / RR-71. – go 1.9 miles
Turn LEFT onto ROSEVILLE RD / RR-46 / RR-71. Continue to follow ROSEVILLE RD / RR-46. – go 1.1 miles
Gurdwara is on your RIGHT side

From London:

Take Hwy 401 EAST towards TORONTO
Take the CEDAR CREEK ROAD EAST / RR-97 E exit- EXIT 268A- toward CAMBRIDGE.
Merge onto RR-97 / CEDAR CREEK RD.
Turn LEFT onto DUMFRIES RD / RR-47.
Turn RIGHT onto ROSEVILLE RD / RR-46
Gurdwara is on your RIGHT side

Previous Recordings/Pics from Cambridge Kirtans are up on SikhVibes.com !!

BC Annual AKJ Smaagam - August

2008-09-13T11:21:00.000-07:00

Vaheguruu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehh

Pictures: http://www.sikhvibes.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=79

Recordings: http://www.sikhvibes.com/kirtan/index.php?q=f&f=%2FAkhand+Keertani+Jatha+%28AKJ%29%2FSmaagams-Raensabayees%2F2008%2F12+-+BC+Annual+Smaagam+-+August

21 REASONS for being VEGETARIAN

2008-09-07T10:06:00.001-07:00

21 REASONS for being VEGETARIAN

Vegetarianism is the fastest growing trend in the developed world. Here are 21 reasons why you should think about turning green too.

* Avoiding meat is one of the best and simplest ways to cut down your fat consumption. Modern farm animals are deliberately fattened up to increase profits. Eating fatty meat increases your chances of having a heart attack or developing cancer.

* Every minute of every working day, thousands of animals are killed in slaughter-houses. Pain and misery are common. In the US alone, 500,000 animals are killed for meat every hour.

* There are millions of cases of food poisoning recorded every year. The vast majority are caused by eating meat.

* Meat contains absolutely nothing - no proteins, vitamins or minerals - that the human body cannot obtain perfectly happily from a vegetarian diet.

* African countries - where millions are starving to death - export grain to the developed world so that animals can be fattened for our dining tables.

* 'Meat' can include the tail, head, feet, rectum and spinal cord of an animal.

* A sausage can contain ground up intestines. How can anyone be sure that the intestines are empty when they are ground up? Do you really want to eat the content of a pig's intestines?

* If we eat the plants we grow instead of feeding them to animals, the world's food shortage will disappear virtually overnight. Remember that 100 acres of land will produce enough beef for 20 people but enough wheat to feed 240 people.

* Every day, tens of millions of one-day-old male chicks are killed because they will not be able to lay eggs. There are no rules about how this mass slaughter takes place. Some are crushed or suffocated to death. Many are used for fertilizer or fed to other animals.

* Animals who die for your dinner table die alone, in terror, in sadness and in pain. The killing is merciless and inhumane.

* It's much easier to become (and stay) slim if you are a vegetarian. (By 'slim', I do not mean 'abnormally slender' or 'underweight' but rather, an absence of excess weight!)

* Half the rainforests in the world have been destroyed to clear ground to graze cattle to make beefburgers. The burning of the forests contributes 20% of all green-house gases. Roughly 1,000 species a year become extinct because of the destruction of the rainforests. Approximately 60 million people a year die of starvation. All those lives could be saved because those people could eat grain used to fatten cattle and other farm animals - if Americans ate 10% less meat.

* The world's fresh water shortage is being made worse by animal farming. And meat producers are the biggest polluters of water. It takes 2,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of meat. If the US meat industry wasn't supported by the taxpayer paying a large proportion of its water costs, then hamburger meat would cost $35 a pound.

* If you eat meat, you are consuming hormones that were fed to the animals. No one knows what effect those hormones will have on your health. In some parts of the world, as many as one on four hamburgers contain growth hormones that were originally given to cattle.

* The following diseases are commoner among meat eaters: anemia, appendicitis, arthritis, breast cancer, cancer of the colon, cancer of the prostrate, constipation, diabetes, gallstones, gout, high blood pressure, indigestion, obesity, piles, strokes and varicose veins. Lifelong vegetarians visit hospital 22% less often than meat eaters and for shorter stays. Vegetarians have a 20% lower blood cholesterol level than meat eaters and this reduces heart attack and cancer risks considerably.

* Some farmers use tranquillizers to keep animals calm. Other routinely use antibiotics to starve off infection. When you eat meat you are eating those drugs. In America, 55% of all antibiotics are fed to animals and the percentage of staphylococci infections resistant to penicillin went up from 14% in 1960 to 91% in 1988.

* In a lifetime, the average meat eater will consumer 36 pigs, 36 sheep and 750 chickens and turkeys. Do you want that much carnage on your conscience?

* Animals suffer from pain and fear just as much as you do. How would you like to spend your last hours locked in a truck, packed into a cage with hundreds of other terrified animal and then cruelly pushed into a blood soaked death chamber. Anyone who eats meat condones and supports the way animals are treated.

* Animals which are a year old are often far more rational - and capable of logical thought - than six week old babies. Pigs and sheep are far more intelligent than small children. Eating dead animals is barbaric.

* Vegetarians are fitter than meat eaters, many of the world's most successful athletes are vegetarian.

Source: http://www.giveusahome.co.uk/articles/vegetarianism.htm

Some quotes:

“It is my view that the vegetarian manner of living, by its purely physical effect on the human temperament, would most beneficially influence the lot of mankind.”
— Albert Einstein

"There will never be any peace in the world as long as we eat animals." -Isaac Bashevis Singer

"If a man aspires towards a righteous life, his first act of abstinence is from injury to animals." -Albert Einstein

"I have no doubt that it is a part of the destiny of the human race, in its gradual improvement, to leave off eating animals." -Henry Thoreau:

"Flesh eating is simply immoral, as it involves the performance of an
act which is contrary to moral feeling: killing. By killing, man
suppresses in himself, unnecessarily, the highest spiritual capacity,
that of sympathy and pity towards living creatures like himself and by
violating his own feelings becomes cruel." "As long as there are slaughterhouses, there will be battlefields." -Leo Tolstoy

"If man wants freedom why keep birds and animals in cages? Truly man
is the king of beasts, for his brutality exceeds them. We live by the
death of others. We are burial places! I have since an early age abjured
the use of meat." -Leonardo-da-Vinci

“My refusing to eat flesh occasioned an inconveniency, and I was frequently chided for my singularity, but, with this lighter repast, I made the greater progress, for greater clearness of head and quicker comprehension.”
— Benjamin Franklin

http://www.vegetarianimage.com/Quotes.htm

Meet your Meat -----------------> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIjanhKqVC4

Power of Ardas

2008-09-02T12:10:00.000-07:00

During the partition of India and Pakistan, in a remote village near the border in the Western Punjab (Pakistan side), there were few Sikh families who used to go to the local Gurudwara where the head Granthee jee always preached the Guru's word. One night when the riots started, everyone gathered in the Gurudwara. They started asking the Granthee jee if Guru is going to come and rescue them from this.

Granthee jee went in front of the Guru Granth Sahib jee and did the Ardaas. "Hey Sache Patshah, I have always lived by your word. I have always belived and taught everyone Gur Mere Sang Sadda hai Naale. Hey mere Sahib, the time is here where everyone is looking at me and asking me if you will save us. Hey mere Waheguru jee, please show everyone that you are always our Ang Sang. Please save us."

The Granthee jee did the Ardaas and went to the people. Everyone started questioning him, where is your Guru? Where is the one who will save us? The mob started getting near the Gurudwara. Everyone could hear the angry mob and started getting anxious.

Then they heard a truck's voice. Someone looked outside and saw a Gursikh Army officer honking the truck and calling everyone to get in the truck. Everyone ran and sat down in the truck. The Granthee jee looked at the Gursikh and asked him where did he come from? The Gursikh told him that he was here to take everyone to the other side of the border (Indian side). The Singh had a shiny face and he looked very calm. He was constantly reciting the naam and baani. After reaching the Indian side of the Punjab, the Singh took everyone to the Gurudwara sahib where every one got off safely.

Granthee jee thanked the Gursikh and asked him again who he was and where did he come from. The Gursikh told him that his duty was done and it's time for him to go now. After saying Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh, the Gursikh left. Granthee jee started weeping becaause he knew that GurSikh was none other than Sahib Guru Gobind Singh jee himself who heard his Ardaas and came to help him.

Source: http://www.sikhsangat.com/index.php?showtopic=39211&st=0

YUDH

2008-08-28T17:37:00.001-07:00

Vaheguruu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehh

Here are the Winners of YUDH International Gatka Tournament that took place this past weekend on Sunday, August 24th in Calgary.

Singhs:

1st: Sukhjinder Singh
2nd: Jarnail Singh
3rd: Gursheel Singh

Kaurs:

1st: Amarpreet Kaur
2nd: Amrit Kaur

Pictures from the event are now up on SikhVibes.com !!

http://www.sikhvibes.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=76

Dhan Sri Guru Granth Saahib Jee

2008-08-21T09:22:00.000-07:00

bhairo mehalaa 5
sathigur maeraa baemuhathaaj
sathigur maerae sachaa saaj
sathigur maeraa sabhas kaa dhaathaa
sathigur maeraa purakh bidhaathaa 1
gur jaisaa naahee ko dhaev
jis masathak bhaag s laagaa saev 1 rehaao
sathigur maeraa sarab prathipaalai
sathigur maeraa maar jeevaalai
sathigur maerae kee vaddiaaee pragatt bhee hai sabhanee thaaee 2
sathigur maeraa thaan nithaan
sathigur maeraa ghar dheebaan
sathigur kai ho sadh bal jaaeiaa
pragatt maarag jin kar dhikhalaaeiaa 3
jin gur saeviaa this bho n biaapai
jin gur saeviaa this dhukh n santhaapai
naanak sodhae sinmrith baedh
paarabreham gur naahee bhaedh 41124

Bhairao, Fifth Mehl:
My True Guru is totally independent.
My True Guru is adorned with Truth.
My True Guru is the Giver of all.
My True Guru is the Primal Creator Lord, the Architect of Destiny. 1
There is no deity equal to the Guru.
Whoever has good destiny inscribed on his forehead, applies himself to seva - selfless service. 1Pause
My True Guru is the Sustainer and Cherisher of all.
My True Guru kills and revives.
The glorious greatness of my True Guru has become manifest everywhere. 2
My True Guru is the power of the powerless.
My True Guru is my home and court.
I am forever a sacrifice to the True Guru.
He has shown me the path. 3
One who serves the Guru is not afflicted with fear.
One who serves the Guru does not suffer in pain.
Nanak has studied the Simritees and the Vedas.
There is no difference between the Supreme Lord God and the Guru. 41124

August Sangat Programs - Toronto

2008-08-10T10:03:00.000-07:00

Vaheguruu Ji Ka Khalsa, Vaheguruu Ji Ki Fateh !

Below is a list of Sangat programs happening in August at various locations, mostly in Brampton and Rexdale.

Sant Seva Singh Jee (Rampur Khere Vale) is in Toronto for the month of August. Baba jee is known for his great works, including, "Se Kinehiya", which is on the jeevan of Sant Baba Harnaam Singh Jee Rampur Khere Vale. More information about Baba jee, the sangat and other online resources, please visit: www.rampurkhera.net

Baba Jee will be present at all these programs. The programs will consist of Simran, Nitnem, Akhand Kirtan by sangat followed by Katha Vichaar by Baba Jee. Baba Jee is only here until the end of August. Invitations to these programs are open to anyone that would like to come and take laha in sangat. Please refer to the below list (list will be updated as more programs are booked).

For exact directions please use mapquest.com and for further information please contact the phone numbers provided for each program.

Program List:

Please visit www.sikhvibes.com/augustsangatprograms

(Recordings from the programs that have already happened are going up here: http://www.sikhvibes.com/kirtan/index.php?q=f&f=%2FWeekend+Sangat+Programs%2F2008 )

Am I Normal?

2008-08-07T15:54:00.000-07:00

AM I NORMAL ?
by Gurpreet Singh

Who wants to be normal ?
Was Guru Nanak Dev Ji normal when he walked 82,000 miles ?
Was Guru Gobind Singh ji normal when he asked for a head ?
Were any of the martyrs normal, choosing death than living like slaves ?
No, the devotees of God are not normal they are madly and deeply in love with God while the whole world thinks they are insane ...

When Guru Nanak Maharaj appeared from the river after three days, all soaked and with messy hair, people called him many things as guru nanak dev ji himself writes:

"Some call him a ghost; some say that he is a demon.
Some call him a mere mortal; O, poor Nanak! 1
Crazy Nanak has gone insane, after his Lord, the King.
I know of none other than the Lord. 1Pause" (SGGS jeeo-991)

So on this path to being a Gurmukh, forget about what the world thinks of you, forget about being normal, forget about fiiting in with society, think only of loving God, the Wondrous Creator and go where God takes you

Everyday is new,
every day my Master is New .. "sahib mera nit navaa"
every moment is wondrous,
every second something amazing is happening in the universe.

God is not just the Creator,
God is Karta Purakh...the Creative Being...
God is still the Master Artist
still creating ,
still being young and fresh
brilliant and beautiful,
if being normal means being bored ,
being stuck in another rut ,
then that God is not.

Being in love with God is exciting every day,
everday the love increases
everyday God calls me closer,
everyday the spiritual sun shines
brighter in my heart.

Don't be normal
be different
be in love with God
by loving the Name of your Beloved
swing your arms in joy

"Nanak says: swing your arms in joy!" (SGGS jeeo-22)

smile and laugh
while singing the Name of your Beloved
You are God's and God is Yours !

God says, "If you reform yourself, you shall meet me, and meeting me, you shall be at peace.
O Fareed, if you will be mine, the whole world will be yours."95 (SGGS jeeo-1382)

Khalsa are known to live like shooting stars, sometimes short-lived but always bright, wonderous, energetic and are an awe-inspiring spectacle for the world

Thank WAHEGURU jeeo you are not normal, you are Magnificent !

Source: http://www.sikhlionz.com/aminormal.htm

Dying to the Shabad ...

2008-07-25T11:24:00.000-07:00

Dying to the Shabad...

Tulsee Das was a Saint. When he was young he was devoted to reaching God and he struggled slowly on this path. When he got married he was head over heels in love with his beautiful wife, she became the sole reason for his living, everything he did was to please her. One day he surprised her with a gift - she was overwhelmed by his love and said, 'If you were devoted to God half as much as you are to me, I'm sure you would have reached God by now.' The words struck Tulsee Das to the core and his earlier life of devotion came flooding back to his mind, from that day on God became his sole focus once again.

Many years later when Tulsee Das was old and wise and respected by all in the village as a saint, a Brahmin priest came to him. He said to Tulsee Das, 'All my life I've preached and read the scriptures, but I haven't met my Beloved Ram. Tell me what I should do?'. Tulsee Das said, 'It's very simple, all you have to do is climb that tall tree and jump off the branch with full faith that Ram will catch you.'

The Brahmin was inspired and climbed the tree, he sat on the branch and looked down at the hard ground below. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't make the leap. Many hours passed and the Village HeadMan (SarPanch) walked by with a bag of money. Noticing the Brahmin he enquired as to what he was doing. The Brahmin explained that Tulsee Das had said that by jumping off the tree Ram would catch him. The SarPanch who wasn't a religious man quickly said, 'O Brahmin, if you like you may have this bag of money, but give me Tulsee Das's blessing in exchange.'

The Brahmin didn't take too long to think about the offer and was soon off on his way with the bag of money. The SarPanch climbed the tree went across the branch and with full faith in Ram he jumped off. Ram caught him like a baby in its mother's arms.

Sounds too unbelievable to be true? But look for the deeper meaning, there's a very, very important spiritual point to this story. I am like the Brahmin, I do my nitnem prayers and preach to people. I do Waheguru Waheguru meditation and I follow the bits of the Guru's Shabad that I like and ignore the bits that are difficult to apply. I follow half of the Hukam, God's Order, and my life trickles away like this then I wonder why I haven't met Waheguru ji. When my brother comes to me with a great business opportunity my focus becomes how I can make lots and lots of money and in the background I rush my nitnem and Waheguru Waheguru meditation. My life trickles away like this and I wonder why I haven't met Waheguru ji.

But one day with Guru Ji's great kirpa, I hear the story of Tulsee Das. Now I realise I am like the Brahmin, I have lots of things to live for and I am scared of dying. Guru Nanak Ji says 'I have no anxiety about dying, and no hope of living.' (p20). Why is Guru Nanak Ji so brave? Because he has full faith that Waheguru ji is looking after him 'SIREE RAAG, FIRST MEHL: I have no anxiety about dying, and no hope of living. You are the Cherisher of all beings; You keep the account of our breaths and morsels of food. You abide within the Gurmukh. As it pleases You, You decide our allotment. 1 ' (p20).

So in my ardas, 'Guru Granth Sahib Jee you have given your blessing like Tulsee Das gave to the Brahmin. Give me full faith in your Gurbanee Words like the SarPanch had full faith in what Tulsee Das said. Baba Ji may I follow your words 100% and if it kills me then I have faith Waheguru ji You yourself will catch me.'

And dear Khalsa Ji, when you die while alive and are caught by Waheguru ji then you will be called Jeevan Mukhat. While still alive you have obtained liberation. By dying to the Shabad one finds the True Life held in the arms of Waheguru ji.

------

link: http://www.sikhsangat.com/index.php?showtopic=38491

Vaheguruu

TO AKJ annual July Smaagam

2008-07-21T08:34:00.000-07:00

Vaheguruuu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruuu ji ki fatehh

All recordings and pics were put up by sevadaars the week after the smaagam.

Now we put up some rare VIDEOS from the samaagam. They are now going up here: http://www.sikhvibes.com/videos/

More are still to be uploaded in the coming week along with videos from previous Atlanta Smaagam 08. They will also be posted up on google video.

Vaheguruuu

Nitnem w/ English Translations

2008-07-05T13:55:00.000-07:00

Vaaheguruuu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehhh

LINK

Click the above link for nitnem bani files in mp3 format, with line by line english translations!

Vaheguruu

Waterloo Camp YOUTH KIRTAN DARBAR !!

2008-06-24T13:59:00.000-07:00

(Message from WaterlooCAMP Sevadaars!)

Vaheguruuu ji ka khalsa, Vaaheguruuu ji ki fatehh

Waterloo Camp Youth Kirtan Darbar

Kitchener Gurughar Saahib

Sunday, June 29th
5pm - 10pm

Everyone is invited to join us for our Camp YKD on Sunday. Please bless us with your sangat!

(Please keep in mind, the kirtan will end around 10pm since campers/sevadaars need to be up next morning!)

Destination (Kitchener Gurughar):

From East (Toronto/Ottawa):
Take Hwy 401 WEST towards LONDON

Take exit # 278 onto HWY-8 WEST toward Kitchener – go 10.3mi

Take the TRUSSLER ROAD exit onto TRUSSLER RD. NORTH – go 1.2 mi

Turn LEFT on SNYDER'S RD E[RR-6] – go 1.0 mi

Gurdwara is on your RIGHT side, can not miss the entrance!

From West (London):

Take Hwy 401 EAST towards TORONTO

Take exit # 278B onto HWY-8 WEST toward Kitchener – go 10.3mi

Take the TRUSSLER ROAD exit onto TRUSSLER RD. NORTH – go 1.2 mi

Turn LEFT on SNYDER'S RD E[RR-6] – go 1.0 mi

Gurdwara is on your RIGHT side, can not miss the entrance!
----------

The 3rd Annual Waterloo Sikh Youth Camp
will be held at
Kitchener Gurughar Saahib (2070 Snyder's Road East, Petersburg, Ontario).
The Camp is completely FREE !

If you can not attend the full 4 days with us, you are still encouraged to join us even for a day !
This Sikh Youth Camp has been designed to bring all the Youth together to share knowledge of Sikhi and to promote Sikhi to our young future !

Camp will be run by YOUTH from all over.
Working together we shall achieve an important element in Sikhi, which is Sangat. Including in Sangat, the youth will have inspiring role models who are enthusiastic about instilling the Sikhi spirit within these young minds.

If you have any more questions, please email us back.
For complete CAMP information visit http://sikhvibes.com/waterloocamp

Vaheguruuu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruuu ji ki fatehhh !

Akhand Jaap TO - June 2008

2008-06-14T10:10:00.001-07:00

Vaaheguruuu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruuu ji ki fatehh

A wonderful loved filled night remembering guru saahibs shaaheedi purb.

Dhan Guru Arjun Dev Saahib Jee!!

Recordings: CLICK HERE

Pics: CLICK HERE

Vaheguruuu Vaheguruuuuu Vaheguruuuuuuuu !!

Sikhs will never forget June 1984‏

2008-06-05T21:59:00.000-07:00

Vaheguruuu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruuu ji ki fatehhh

The Indian army surrounded the Golden Temple complex and attacked without warning on June 3rd, a day that thousands of Sikhs were visiting the temple in memory of the Martyrdom anniversary of the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjun Dev.

Another fact often ignored by writers is the simultaneous attack of 40 or so other Gurudwaras in Punjab as well . Were there armed terrorists who posed a major threat in each of these locations? Or was this the attempt of a majority community and its government to assert its authority, and send a message of brutal repression to those who advocated self-determination?

The government forbade news coverage of the army attacks, expelled all foreign journalists, cut phone lines across Punjab, and banned all international human rights organisations . A claim often made is that there was a massive store of weapons in the temple. A question that arises is how did they get there? Why did the government not take appropriate measures earlier, when the armed forces had been stationed outside the temple for months prior to the attack? Or was there no such massive store in the first place? Could it have been brought in by Indian intelligence after the attack?

The army attacked with helicopters and tanks but met with fanatical resistance and were not able to gain control of the shrine until June 6th. The army reduced the Akal Takht, the ultimate seat of temporal power in Sikhism, to rubble; they burned down the Sikh Reference Library, and looted the treasury . The hands of Sikhs were tied behind their backs with their turbans and were shot point-blank range . It is estimated that the number of dead ranged between 4000 to 8000 civilians along with about 500 militants .

Sikhs around the world were outraged to hear that their holiest shrine had been attacked. Regardless of if one believed in independent Khalistan before or not, everyone questioned the future that Sikhs could have in India. Sikhs in the Indian army rebelled, Sikhs in the government resigned, and Sikhs who had received honours and medals from the Indian government returned them .

... we must NOT forget what happened in 1984....... please attend sikhi programs that are organized every year in rememberence of those shaheeds of 1984 in your local area or gurdwara ... or organize a program ... we must NOT forget ...... Vaheguruuuuu...

Sri Dasam Granth Saahib

2008-06-01T18:51:00.000-07:00

Vaaheguruu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehhh

There have been many controversies with the Sri Dasam Granth Debate, in the following link you will find pro-vichhaar on Dasam Granth Saahib. Please take time to listen to the files by well known Sikh-Scholars !

CLICK HERE

Vaheguruuu

“I hear revolution music”

2008-05-28T08:55:00.000-07:00

“I hear revolution music”
By: Jasdeep Singh (TO)

I hear Horse hooves poundin
I hear Nagara’s soundin
I hear arrows deliverin
I hear tyrants quiverin
I hear kirpans blessin
I hear sinners confessin

I hear Jakara’s thundering
Gajj ke jakara gajavey fateh pavey Gur Kalgidhar Mann nu pavey nihal ho javey
SAT SRI AKAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLL

I hear the percussion of prayer
I hear the Strings and bows and arrows
I hear soldiers marching in rows
I hear armies making inroads

I hear revolution music

Khalsa ji flank to the right
Khalsa ji flank to the left
I hear maestro’s orchestrating
If you don’t win this battle,
There won’t be nothing left

I hear revolution music

I hear beds being made
With petals on the floor
I hear candles being lit
With lovers by the door
Waiting for their lover to come home
and love’em some more

I hear the sound of Aurengzeb’s fear drenched sweat
I hear the sound of Massa Rangar’s thumpin head
I hear the Sound of Abdali’s running in the night
I hear the sound of Hindu bibian praying for a Knight
I hear the Sound of O’Dwyer getting cold
I hear the Sound of Nirankari baba’s never getting the chance to grow old

I hear “physical death I do not fear, but death of conscious is a sure death”
I hear Mrs. Ghandi breathing her last breath
cuz

True lions will defend when you start attackin ‘em
That’s why two lions put 7 bullets in mrs. Gandhi’s abdomen

I hear baby’s crying in mannu’s jails
But
I don’t hear any crying on the road to jaito

I hear British Trains stopping on slippery rails
I hear drunken elephants showing their tails

I hear Bhai Gurdas writing
I hear Bibi Amro Singing

I hear Bhag Kaur Mata Insulting
I hear Dalair Kaur hunting

I hear Baba Deep Singh Walking
I hear Both Halfs of Bhai Mati Das talking
I hear brick walls being built
I hear two sons laughing

I hear fortress doors being opened
I hear two sons walking out
I hear 4 pots being broken

I hear a badava being written
I hear a badava being torn

I hear my father’s bleeding feet
Bleeding from the thorns and the rocks
That he walked
On
That night in the jungle

I hear revolution music

I hear 960 million
And then…

I hear Tank treads poundin
I hear Nagara’s soundin
I hear bullets deliverin
I hear tyrants quivering
I still hear Kirpans blessin
I still hear sinners confessing

I hear Jakara’s thundering

Gajj ke jakara gajavey fateh pavey Gur Kalgidhar Mann nu pavey Nihal ho javey
SAT SRI AKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL

I hear
Raj Karega Khalsa

vaheguru ji ka khalsa vaheguru ji ki fateh

-----

Live Audio Recording: CLICK HERE and also hear other kavitas by others from Kavi-Kirtan Darbar at Pape Gurughar (TO) - CLICK HERE

Get involved with SikhVibes.com !!

2008-05-25T16:45:00.000-07:00

Vaaheguruuu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehh

We first like to thank all those gupt sangataan that helped contribute their share of recordings/pictures/videos to SikhVibes.com ! Most are not up yet, we apologize, but we are trying our best with gruu saahibs kirpaa to get content regularily updated every week !

We know theres a lot more rare recordings out there and sangat would LOVE to hear these precious recordings and/or videos.

If you have any rare recordings/videos that you would like to put up for sangat, or if you would like more information on how you can get them up, please get in touch with us at sikhvibes@gmail.com or contact@sikhvibes.com !

Vaheguruuuu

Sant Baba Ranjit Singh Jee (Dhandriawale) - US (Various) Visit 2008

2008-05-14T21:00:00.000-07:00

Vaheguruu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehh

As most of you know, Baba jee was in US recently for his april/may 2008 visit at various Gurudwaras. His bachan are great and they are doing amazing seva worldwide promoting gurmat. Sevadaars have done seva of audio recordings, pictures and video clips of the diwaans. Please click on the below links to each section:

Audio Recordings: CLICK HERE

Pictures Set 1: CLICK HERE

Pictures Set 2: CLICK HERE

Videos: CLICK HERE

(More recordings/videos to be added later this week!)

Vaheguruuuuu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruuu ji ki fatehh

Deriving Maximum Benefit from Satsang

2008-05-12T08:59:00.000-07:00

Deriving Maximum Benefit from Satsang
By: Baba Waryam Singh Ji

"If pride enters a devotees heart when
he comes to attend a religious congregation,
then he stands to gain nothing. Whoever
wishes to derive the maximum benefit from
a holy congregation, and to reap the fruit
of crores of ‘yagyas’ (sacrificial rituals),
should do the following four things. Look,
you labour, but if you work in a wrong
manner and sow seed in dry land, it does
not sprout into plant. It is either burnt by
heat or eaten by termite. Only seed that is
sown in wet land, in the right manner, at a
proper depth and in the right season
sprouts and bears fruit. Similarly, when you
attend a holy congregation of the true, you
should keep four things in mind.

First, start from home with faith and devotion. In this
manner, all the distance travelled and time
spent to reach the place of congregation is
accounted for in heaven where abide Guru
Nanak Sahib and the Tenth Master Sri Guru
Gobind Singh. There, like a computer, our
presence is accounted for in heaven. Instead
of taking us to be present in the mundane
world, we are considered present in the
court of God Almighty. Whether one comes
on foot or on a vehicle, one’s mind and
heart should be focused on the holy
congregation. Even more than this, the
moment a man starts thinking that he is to
attend the holy congregation and so must
finish his worldly tasks, the entire period of
time from that moment is accounted for in
heaven. If he starts finishing his tasks from
the previous day, the time spent in doing
so is also reckoned in heaven provided he
has faith and devotion.

Secondly, when you come here, you
must pay obeisance with love and
reverence. What is your gain? When you
bow your head to the Guru, you will be rid
of your evil deeds and good deeds will
naturally take their place.

Thirdly, you should come here in utter
humility after shedding all sense of pride.
If you come with pride in your heart, you
have nothing to gain here. Don’t come here
with a sense of importance of your power
and position. At the Guru’s threshold
everyone is a cipher, a non-entity. We are
mere beggars seeking favours, “Lord God!
Give us this; give us that.” And our prayers
are granted by the bountiful and gracious
God.

Finally, you should listen
to the discourse with total concentration of
mind; first listen here attentively, and then
remember it at home ; it is only then you
reap full advantage of attending a holy
congregation. This is the fourth thing that
you should keep in mind."

-----
Vaheguruuu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehh

3rd Annual Waterloo Sikh Youth Camp - June 27-30

2008-05-06T13:38:00.000-07:00

Vaheguruu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehh

3rd Annual Waterloo Sikh Youth Camp
4 days - June 27-30

(Sleepover Camp @ Kitchener Gurughar Saahib)

NO CAMP FEE

Absolutely FREE !!

WaterlooSikhYouthCamp@gmail.com

Further Details will be released soon including Camp Information & Forms (for both Campers & Sevadaars).

Camp Trailer Video:

Updates --May2008--

2008-05-01T12:16:00.000-07:00

Vaaheguruuuu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruuu ji ki fatehhh

SikhVibes.com
(Updates as of May.1.2008)

Kirtan Section Updates !

- Sacha Sauda (Brampton) YKD

- AKJ Dixie Raaensbayee - April

- Audio Books - Sabad Gur Peera by Sant Sewa Singh Ji

- Bh. Niranjan Singh Jee - April Visit to TO

- Dallas Mini Smaagam

- Local UK Programs

- Katha files by Giani Jaswant Singh Jee Parwana

- Houston Akhand Jaap & Local Programs

- NEW Rare Kirtan Recordings

- NEW simran files added (Weekly Simran at Dixie Gurughar)

- NEW Weekend Sangat Files

- and MANY more added every week !

----------
Gallery Section Updates !

- Sacha Sauda (Brampton) YKD

- AKJ Dixie Raaensbayee - April

- Malton-Rexdale AND Downtown TO Nagar Kirtan PICS

- Houston Akhand Jaap

- and MANY more added every week

----------
Videos Section Updates !
- Montreal Sadh Smaagam Sukhasan Video
- Detroit AKJ Raaensabayee Video Clips up
- Nihung Navjeet Singhs House
- and more !

**NEW ADDITIONS MANY TIMES A WEEK, KEEP CHECKING BACK !!**

SIKHVIBES BLOG
(updated weekly)

Downtown TO Nagar Kirtan

2008-04-28T11:47:00.000-07:00

Vaaheguruu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehh

Pics from Downtown TO Nagar Kirtan are now up in our gallery along with last weeks Nagar Kirtan from Malton-Rexdale Gurughar. Like previous years, this years nagar kirtans were packed with many love-filled sangat. Here are some pics from Downtown TO:

(For complete set of PICS from both nagar kirtans, please CLICK HERE)

Panj Pyarai @ CNE grounds preparing to leave for CITY HALL

SIKH ACTIVIST NETWORK !!

Nihung Singhs with Baba Ram Singh Jee !

YUDH Gatka Akhara

KAURSUNITED camp in Toronto,
visit: kaursunited.org/torontocamp for more information! -----

Vaheguruuu

Bhai Manpreet Singh Jee (Kanpur) - Amritsar Smaagam - April2008

2008-04-21T15:22:00.000-07:00

Vaheguruuuuuuuuu ...

Amritsar AKJ Smaagam - April2008

2008-04-18T11:54:00.001-07:00

Vaaheguruuu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehh

Below are two videos taken at the recent Amritsar Vasaikhi Smaagam.

The smaagam was outside and a storm had hit the city that night. As you can see in the videos, the whole tent is moving because of the strong winds. Smaagam was still in chardee kala!!! The sangat did Sukhaasan of Guru Saahib and moved the smaagam inside at Gurdwara Ramsar Saahib.

Dhan Guru Dhan Guru Pyaarey !!

Bhai Manjit Singh Jee (UK)

Bhai Ravinder Singh Jee (Delhi)

Happy Vasaikhi !!!

2008-04-15T08:56:00.000-07:00

Vaheguruuu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehh

On Behalf of SikhVibes.com,
Happy Vasaikhi !!!

Also on this occasion for the Khalsa, we have launched a NEW SITE LAYOUT and many new features for SikhVibes! New features includes a shoutbox to stay uptodate with latest site information and give your own feedback, a Videos section which will be updated more often with more content, and more!!
CLICK HERE !!

We have added many new Kirtan files, here are some updates:

- Annual Gurmat Sangeet Raag Darbar - Dunwin Gurughar-Mississauga (Sunday Diwaan+Pictures+Videos will be upload soon)

- Local House Kirtan - B. Jagbir Kaurs Residence
- Nihung Navjeet Singhs Residence Kirtan - (Baba Sukha Singh Jee (UK) was present)
- Tuesday Dixie Simran Files
- Weekend Sangat Programs
- Local Kirtan Programs

Houston Akhand Jaap is now up!

Along with local programs during the weekend!

(Baba Sukha Singh Jee (UK) was present)

Bh. Niranjhan Singh Jee (Jawaddi Kalan Vale) are here in TO until the 20th of April and do kirtan di seva at Dixie Gurughar every evening from 8:30-9:10pm. We have most of their recordings and will be uploading them shortly as well.

NEW rare kirtans are uploaded every week on SikhVibes.com !!

Please send us your comments/suggestions by email. If you would like to contribute to the site please send us an email: contact@sikhvibes.com

Do not forget to leave a message on our shoutbox! :)

Vaaheguruuu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruuu ji ki fatehh

NEW LOOK FOR SIKHVIBES !!!

2008-04-10T10:59:00.000-07:00

Vaheguruuu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruuu ji ki fatehhh

SikhVibes launches new website layout designed by StarkFirms.com for the holy occassion of Khalsa Sajna Divas (Vaisakhi) !

--->>> SIKHVIBES.COM <<<---

Gone..

2008-04-08T13:43:00.000-07:00

GONE

I feel dizzy,
Memories flash through my mind
I think of everyone i ever loved
Everyone i ever hated
I wish i had told them i loved them
I wish God would give me another day,
Another hour
Just so i can tell them
I wish for another minute
I'm sorry! I try to yell,
But no sound escapes my lips
They can't hear me
Help me! I want to say
But it's no use
My sadness turns into anger,
Then reality hits me
I am going to die,
No one can hear me
I am all alone
I take a deep breath,
Maybe my last
I close my eyes and pray
That god
Would help me
I see a light,
So bright
So beautiful
Yet, It isnt blinding
It becomes brighter,
And comes closer,
My heart slows down
Beats one
Last time
And
My last breath escapes my lips
I AM GONE

-The end
-by Late Bibi Rena Kaur Jee (1987-2004)

Sundri: The Brave Kaur - NEW animated film !

2008-04-05T12:44:00.000-07:00

Vaheguruuu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruuuu ji ki fatehhh

http://www.sundrithemovie.com/index.html

Sundri: The Brave Kaur trailor
based on the novel by Bhai Vir Singh Ji

Baba Sukha Singh Jee (UK) in T.O - March2008

2008-04-03T13:29:00.000-07:00

Vaheguruu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehhh

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Updates --April2008--

2008-04-01T13:25:00.000-07:00

Vaaheguruuuu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruuu ji ki fatehhh

SikhVibes.com
(Updates as of April2008)

Kirtan Section Updates !

- Bh. Niranjan Singh Jee (Jawaddi Kalan Vale) - Recent TO visit - March
- B. Snatam Kaur Jee - Recent To visit - March
- Montreal Sadh Sangat Smaagam
- Gurdwara Rampur Khera Saahib (India) - NEW katha/kirtan files !!!
- NEW Rare Kirtan Recordings
- NEW weekly simran files - Tuesday Dixie Gurughar
- NEW Weekend Sangat Files
- NEW Video Files
- and MANY more added every week !

----------

Gallery Section Updates !

- Montreal Sadh Sangat Smaagam
- Bh. Niranjan Singh Jee/B. Snatam Kaur Jee recent TO visit
- and MANY more added every week !

**Some videos will be up later this week along with a few more local programs, and other smaagams !!**

(Baba Sukha Singh Jee Audio/Video/Pictures from his recent TO visit will be up soon along with the recent Gurmat Sangeet Raag Darbar this past weekend!)

-----

For more uptodate information visit:
SIKHVIBES BLOG
(updated weekly)

SikhiToTheMAX 2

2008-03-28T13:13:00.000-07:00

Vaaheguruuu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruuu ji ki fatehh

The long await has finally come:

introducing

SIKHITOTHEMAX 2 !!!!

-----

The file can be downloaded HERE

and for more information/troubleshooting please click HERE !

We thank the SikhiToTheMax team for doing such a priceless seva for the sangat, may guru saahib continue to give them more seva like these in the future! Please visit them at sikhitothemax.com and if there are any comments or concerns please forward to them at: requests@sikhitothemax.com or info@sevatothemax.com

STTM2 Intro Video:

-----

Vaheguruuuu

What did Guru Saahib do for us?

2008-03-26T11:09:00.000-07:00

RAAMKALEE, FIFTH MEHL:

He created you out of this water. From clay, He fashioned your body. He blessed you with the light of reason and clear consciousness. In your mother's womb, He preserved you. 1 Contemplate your Savior Lord. Give up all others thoughts, O mind. 1 Pause

He gave you your mother and father; he gave you your charming children and siblings; he gave you your spouse and friends; enshrine that Lord and Master in your consciousness. 2

He gave you the invaluable air; He gave you the priceless water; He gave you burning fire; let your mind remain in the Sanctuary of that Lord and Master. 3

He gave you the thirty-six varieties of tasty foods; He gave you a place within to hold them; He gave you the earth, and things to use; enshrine in your consciousness the feet of that Lord and Master. 4

He gave you eyes to see, and ears to hear; He gave you hands to work with, and a nose and a tongue; He gave you feet to walk upon, and the crowning glory of your head; O mind, worship the Feet of that Lord and Master. 5

He transformed you from impure to pure; He installed you above the heads of all creatures; now, you may fulfill your destiny or not; Your affairs shall be resolved, O mind, meditating on God. 6

Here and there, only the One God exists. Wherever I look, there You are. My mind is reluctant to serve Him; forgetting Him, I cannot survive, even for an instant. 7

I am a sinner, without any virtue at all. I do not serve You, or do any good deeds. By great good fortune, I have found the boat the Guru. Slave Nanak has crossed over, with Him. 8 2

(from SikhiToTheMax: http://sikhitothemax.com/page.asp?ShabadID=3367)

-----

Vaheguruuu

Why Worry?

2008-03-24T20:51:00.000-07:00

Atam Updesh
Compiled By

Sant Baba Isher Singh Jee (Rara Sahib Wale)

Why are you so engrossed in worries? Why are you afraid of some one? Who may kill you? The soul is immortal; it neither dies nor takes birth.

The present is here and now, the past is irrecoverable and the future will be good. Don't fret over the past and don't be worried about the future. The present is going on.

Why do you cry? What did you lose? When you were born, what did you bring along, which has been lost? What did you produce which has been perished? It is here that you gained and it is here that you lose. The man comes to; and goes from world, empty handed.

What you own today was not yours yesterday and will not be yours tomorrow. It does not and will not belong to anyone. You consider it your own and rejoice. This happiness of possession leads you to utter grief.

Yours is this world. Start from where you feel to; stay where you desire and wind up where you want to. It has no beginning and no end. You don't fear anyone, but yourself. You are the fright and also the frightened.

Change is the truth of life. What you consider as death is life in reality. In a moment a multi-millionaire is turned pauper. Give up the feeling of possession, great & the mean; differentiation of friend & foe. Then all is yours and you for everyone. Your corporeal being is a product of air, water and fire and it merges into the same leaving behind neither blood nor bones. Still yours existence remains the same. Then ponder over what you are.

Wake up! and become the eternal sons of the Almighty. You are the great and unique manifestation of Nature's power. All the divine powers are possessed by you, like a tree hidden in the seed.

In fact you don't fear anybody; you don't have any worry, suspicion, pain or grief. You are His dear ones. Surrender yourself completely to Him.

Always, remember the "Waheguru" (God) to achieve salvation. Let your life be guided by the saying "Whatever God wills, is good". Be content with the will of God. Remember Him both in pleasure & pain.

-----

Vaheguruuu

The State of My Nation.

2008-03-19T17:13:00.000-07:00

The State of My Nation.

How Far Did You Take Your Amrit?

Now this is a message, to all you young and old
A story everyone knows, yet it's never been told
The state of my nation, today, is a shame
I'm here to let you know, the rules to this game
Before I begin, I'll apologize to you
You don't want to hear the truth but that's how we do.

We call ourselves children of the King of Perfection
Have you ever looked ahead, at your own reflection?
How far have you taken your Amrit, Singh?
Do you know what it means, to represent the True King?

Your blue bana blows, as you walk with a limp
Your nice kirpan and clean dastar, callin' yourself a "pimp"
You don't even know the name of Guru Nanak's Father,
You'd rather check out all the Singhnees and tell them to holler

You walk into the scene thinking you're so great,
You never do your nitnem, but hey, that can wait...
You want to make sure everyone thinks you're hot
You want to show all the sangat the respect you've got

Guru Gobind Singh, Mata Sahib Kaur, yeah they'll forgive me,
You say, oblivious, to their great Kurbani
You think it's all good if you look the part,
You yourself don't realize, you'll have to depart

Where'd your Bani go, your simran and sweetness?
Did you lose it all in the pleasures of fake, false bliss?
You dress up in Bana as if God is a game
You're getting jealous of other Singhs and you forgot The Name!!

You have rivalry with x,y, and z Singh,
There is even a girl with which you have a fling!!
Have you forgot where you're from, Sri KesGarh Sahib?
Did you forget our Shaheed's blood at Sri Amritsar Sahib?

Do you realize the great bhagti of Baba Deep Singh ji?
Of Mata Bhag Kaur, and dear Bhai Mani Singh ji?
They took their Amrit straight to Sach Khand, and proved, it's true
This Amrit can make lions, of weaklings like you

Now tell me about your Amrit, where did you take it?
You're living in a lie, but to your Guru, don't fake it
You should be seeing every girl like a sister or mother,
But you've told em "hey baby, don't call me your brother"

It's a SHAME to the name, and the fame of Sikhi,
Where'd you take your Amrit and where should you be?
You look down on people who cut their hair,
But you have no Sikhi inside, so how would you compare?

Now listen, Sikh girls, you aint any less,
Your desire's can't be hid beneath a nice Khalsa dress
Your Bana, kirpan, hair, sure, it gives you grace,
But you hide and bleach all the hair on your face...

I know it's hard, sister, to be this strong
But you have every excuse to do what's wrong
You hide under your graceful shawl and suit,
Walkin in the Gurdwara, thinkin "Hey, that Singh's cute"

What has become, of the Khalsa glory, dear Kaur
Without your Amritvela, you've just lost your core,
And even those who have Amritvela and Bana - whoa!!
Are still caught in slandering every girl they know

You should be a leader, ambassador of Truth
But you're wrapped in the false beauty of youth
You want to prove to everyone that you're better than them,
You're holding on to rocks, letting go of the gem

Forget Gurbani, and nitnem, and showerin' and prayers
We wanna get guys and girls, we wanna live like players
We look so hot in our Bana, our 9'inch Kirpans and Pughs
Forget Singh Shaheeds, our role models are Thugs

We enter the Gurdwara, and we swear and do ninda,
But we don't ever forget to wear t-shirts of Sukha & Jinda!!
Yeah, sure, parade Sant Jarnail Singh ji's face on your shirt,
Without learning his legacy, and keepin' your mind in the dirt

Why do we pretend to understand our Guru's grace?
We've taken our Amrit into the dirt, black is our face
And the saddest thing about this is it's 100% true
And unfortunately, I'm in the same spot as you.

- Anonymous

Updates --March2008--

2008-03-17T22:34:00.000-07:00

Vaaheguruuuu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruuu ji ki fatehhh

SikhVibes.com
(Updates as of March2008)

Kirtan Section Updates !

- Detroit AKJ Raaensbayeee

- Scarborough RAAG KIRTAN DARBAR

- NEW Local Program Kirtans up (B. Navjot Kaurs House,
Bh. Jaspaul Singhs House. Bh. Jagdish Singhs Bday Kirtan)

- NEW Rare Kirtan Recordings

- NEW simran files

- NEW Weekend Sangat Files

- EDMONTON Local Programs
- NEW Video Files

- and MANY more added every week !

----------

Gallery Section Updates !

- Detroit AKJ Raaensbayeee

- Local Kirtan Programs (2008)
- UTMgivesFOOD

- and MANY more added every week !

**Some videos will be up later this week along with a few more local programs, and other smaagams !!**

(Kirtan from this weeks diwaans of Bhai Niranjan Singh jee (Jawaddi Kalan Vale)

and as well Bibi Snatam Kaur jee will be up soon!)

SIKHVIBES BLOG
(updated weekly)

Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?

2008-03-13T17:56:00.000-07:00

Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People
By: Teji Kaur
(from SikhSangat.com)

sometime I wonder God why did u create pain

was it all a big mistake or had you gone insane

y r some ppl tortured and oppressed

while others are elegent and well dressed

why do some die of hunger digging for scraps of food

while others dine in pleasure drinking wine n beer freshly brewed

why are some children born just to die in a war at age thirteen

while others live long in mansion with grass so fresh and green

why are some born with no love they grow up lonely depressed

while others are glorified worshipped and lovingly caressed

why do some accumulate wealth and pleasures easily with haste

while othere try n try there efforts all in waste

one can think over and over about this mess that u created

one can question question question question till the mind gets frustrated

the rich have grown into ennui so weary

the poor have grown so tired and teary

the rich are hurting God the poor are hurting God we all cry out in pain

so many search and search for hapiness their efforts all in vain

does anyone even care anymore for the hurt of anothers soul

love stands back forgotten as greed and apathy take control

fear hate and terrorism always leave us shaking

look at us God wer'e the very image of dystopia in the making

outwardly our world is filled with polloution and chaos

inwardly our souls are suffering lost in a blurry grey loss

have we even forgotten how to love with one in every two marriges ending in divorce

it scares my heart to see how people can just trample over eachother showing no remorse

it depresses me how in this day and age our children can't even play outside

do something God help us save us from this world in which we abide

even religion the one hope for humanity has turned into a mess

all religions seem to do these days is fight bellitle God and make followers feel worthless

we have become so fake putting up an outer gate a show

who we are lies lost inside us burried so long ago

we have such a thirst a longing for your love so divine

we ignore it : it never goes away though and our hearts slowly pay the fine

Lord I could not take it anymore

so I came running running a begger at your door

when i felt your love for the first time it all became so clear

only you can fill the emptyness make it disapear

many paths many religions lay down different doctorines

but I only see you in everyone and everything beholding you my burning heart always grins

you can cure the world God if only we could see

that the way to hapiness is grabbing you intuitively

you love has the power to carry the soul above all pain and pleasure

you grace is beyond all mention your bounty beyond all measure

somehow I know that if I were to lose my riches my wealth instantly overnight

but still if I have you I have everything and everything will always be alright

rags or riches Ill be rich when its you I serve

My souls will always stand steady nothing will make it swerve

I guess there is a method to your madness God make no mistake

the true treasure is reall while the rest is a joke so feelably fake

I'd rather cry with your love then laugh dryly without your grace

I dont care what pain you may make me face

whether im flying or falling running or stalling poor or well fed

In the words of Guru Gobind Singh I'd give up the conforts of thoushands of blankets

for the warmth of my beloved friend God's humble straw bed.

----------

Vaheguruuuu

Naam

2008-03-12T21:51:00.000-07:00

ab thab avar n maago har pehi naam nira(n)jan dheejai piaar ||
I shall never ask anything else of the Lord; please, bless me with the Love of Your Immaculate Name.

naanak chaathrik a(n)mrith jal maagai har jas dheejai kirapaa dhhaar ||8||2||
Nanak, the song-bird, begs for the Ambrosial Water; O Lord, shower Your Mercy upon him, and bless him with Your Praise. ||8||2||

- Sri Guru Granth Saahib Jee (Ang 503)

Gurdwara Rampur Khera Saahib !!

2008-03-09T11:04:00.000-07:00

Vaaheguruuu ji ka khalsa, Vaaheguruu ji ki fatehh

Sevadaars have gathered MANY rare files from Gurdwara Saahib Rampur Khera and will be adding up in our kirtan section. This is the same place where gursikh jeeo Baba Harnaam Singh jee did sangat. Some of you may also know that there are many smaagams that are held there every year. SikhVibes.com will be continuously updated with NEW and RARE kirtan AND katha files from gurdwara saahib.

Here is the link: Gurdwara Rampur Khera Sahib

(So far only a handful of katha files are up (which are up elsewhere as well), more rare files will be up soon. Barsi Smaagam of Baba jee from Jan2008 are now up in their full, more previous diwaans will be uploaded soon)

For more information on baba jees jeevan and more history behind Gurdwara Saahib Rampur Khera please visit: http://www.rampurkhera.net/index.html

Baba Sewa Singh jee does sangat presently at gurdwara saahib and have written many recognized books about baba jees jeevan (ie. Se khanaiya). If you would like to receive a copy please email them at: rampurkhera@yahoo.ca

If there are any further questions/contributions please email us at contact@sikhvibes.com !!

VAHEGURUUU !!!!

Updates !!

2008-03-09T11:00:00.001-07:00

Vaaheguruuu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehhh

Some Kirtan section updates !!
http://www.sikhvibes.com/kirtan/

- Scarborough Raag Kirtan Darbar is now up (February)
- Two local kirtans are now up (Toronto - B. Navjot Kaurs House and Bh. Jaspaul Singhs House)
- New Folder and Kirtan - Edmonton Local Programs
- New Simran Files - From Tuesday Dixie Simran
- Dallas Sadh Sangat Smaagam
- New Gurdwara Rampur Khera Saahib Kirtan/Katha !!

and more to come soon !! Updated weekly !!

VAHEGURUUUU !!

Always a winner – that’s Darsh Singh !!

2008-03-05T18:31:00.000-08:00

Always a winner – that’s Darsh Singh

By Justin Parker

Anyone who has been to Trinity’s men’s basketball games during the past four years has probably heard fans chanting for Coach Pat Cunningham to put fan favorite Darsh Singh in the game. This season, fans haven’t had to chant for Darsh – the team co-captain has appeared in every game, and every time he plays, he makes a statement.

As a follower of the Sikh religion, Darsh speaks volumes by wearing a turban and allowing his beard to grow. In fact, it’s believed that he is the only turbaned Sikh to play in an NCAA basketball game. The Sikh faith, which is around 500 years old, has more than 23 million followers, but it remains a mystery to some Westerners.

Darsh’s appearance can sometimes bring out the worst in people. At a young age, he was forced to come to terms with the fact that his appearance made some people suspect him of being involved in terrorism. But Darsh doesn’t let it get to him. He says those very prejudices helped to solidify his faith and make him the person he is today. His statement involves one of his firmest beliefs: “If you don’t believe in what you’re doing, don’t do it.”

Darsh also involves himself in numerous groups and organizations. He is not only a basketball player for the Tigers, but he is also a resident mentor and an active member of TUVAC. He serves on the Student-Athlete Advisory Council, is a part of Students Taking Action Now: Darfur and Save Darfur, and he is president of the Students Creating Awareness of the Sikh Faith. He has volunteered in various Sikh organizations in Chicago, Maryland, and Washington D.C., and is a repeat guest lecturer at a leadership development program. Darsh also was recently selected as a Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges recipient.

He is an engineering science major who is affiliated with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and who has been on the SCAC Honor Roll (minimum qualification of 3.20 GPA) for three of his four years at Trinity. Following graduation, he plans to work while he pursues his professional engineering license and then go on to get his MBA. Darsh is minoring in mathematics to prepare him for a position involving investing and budget planning, among other things.

For now, he is enjoying his time as a Trinity student. Darsh is always eager to share his beliefs with those willing to listen, and he credits the Trinity community’s support and encouragement for enhancing his college experience. He no longer notices when fans of other teams point to his “different” look. He’s too busy trying to help his team win basketball games.

-----

From http://www.trinity.edu/departments/public_relations/oth/oth-feb08/pages/student_spotlight.htm

Awakening to Leadership

2008-03-02T12:13:00.000-08:00

Vaheguruu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehhh

In the video SSS Harbhajan Singh Khalsa (Yogi Bhajan) starts by talking about just "being" a Sikh verses experiencing and living as a Sikh (He related this in the terms he called "Concept" and "Conception"). He then talks about how Sikhs have been betrayed by the so called "Sikh Leadership" and how youth should not rely on them and BECOME the leaders themselves. He shares inspiring experiences from his youth before the partition of India when he was part of creating the All India Sikh Student Federation. He explains how the youth worked together and formed a powerful force with Sikhi as a base and through trust, honesty, equality. He shares the ingredients of what made this work and how youth of today can do this as well.

----------

Vaheguruuu

Support Navjot Kaur & Amritpal Singh !!

2008-02-28T18:20:00.000-08:00

Vaheguruu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehh

Please support their Ride to Conquer Cancer! Read on to see how everyone can contribute! (Any amount of donation will be much appreciated.)

----------

Navjot Kaur

Dear Family and Friends,

Many of you know about my younger sister's struggle with cancer. She passed away at a young age of 13. Since she passed away almost 4 years ago, I have been searching for a way to help families that are going through similar situations. Although I have found other ways to help, I think this is what I have been searching for. I've always felt like I couldn't do enough. Until now. I'm not a scientist and can't find a cure on my own, but I can and will be participating in an event called The Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting The Princess Margaret, one of the top 5 cancer research hospitals in the world. Through this event, I can help prevent other families from having to struggle with this disease.

The Ride to Conquer Cancer is a 2-day bike ride, over 200 kilometres, from Toronto to Niagara Falls, on June 21st and 22nd, 2008. Crazy, eh?! Me, riding 100 kilometres two days in a row, with thousands of other people. As you can image, riding that far is not going to be a simple feat for me. I'll have to train and get in shape. But I'm excited that I can finally do something this big in the fight against cancer.

I know you understand why this is so important to me, and know why I'm asking for your financial support. My goal is to raise $3,000 and I really hope you'll help me get there or hey, even beat it. It's hard asking my family and friends for money, but this cause and this event are very important to me. I hope that you can donate $100. I figure if everyone on my list donates $100, I'll meet my goal. If this isn't possible for you, I ask that you donate as much as you can, no matter how little. Every penny counts. The proceeds benefit The Princess Margaret, Canada's leading institution dedicated to cancer research.

Click the link at the bottom of this email to donate to me online. You'll also find a printed donation form on my webpage, if you prefer that. I also ask that you forward this e-mail on to people that I may have missed, and your family and friends as well. This really means a lot to my family and I.. and many other families out there. Thank you all for your support in my participation in this cycling event.

Sincerely,
Navjot Grewal

Click here to visit my personal page.

Click here to view the team page for Team IBM

----------

Amritpal Singh

Hi,

On June 20 - 22, 2008, I'll be participating in a 2-day major cycling event called The Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting The Princess Margaret, one of the top 5 cancer research hospitals in the world.

I'll be cycling over 200 kilometres that weekend, from Toronto to Niagara Falls, with thousands of other Riders. All the proceeds will go to The Princess Margaret to support cancer research, treatment, and services. The Princess Margaret is Canada's leading comprehensive institution devoted to cancer research and care, and the work they're doing is leading-edge.

I've agreed to raise at least $2,500, but I've set my personal goal to $5000.00. So here's where you come in, because I need your help to do that. Could you please consider making a donation of $100? Use the link at the bottom of this email to go visit my webpage, and please take the time to support me. Please keep in mind the commitment I'm making to end this heartbreaking disease and the personal efforts I'll have to make to accomplish this.

When I say "heartbreaking," here's what I mean: according to the National Cancer Institute of Canada, over 153,100 new cases of cancer and 70,400 deaths from cancer were estimated to occur in 2006. Men outnumber women for new cases by 5% and mortality by 11%. That's why I'm riding. To do something BIG about cancer. I hope that you'll share this incredible adventure with me by supporting me in my fundraising efforts.

Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Sincerely,
Amrit

Click here to visit my personal page.

Click here to view the team page for Team IBM

----------

Vaheguruuu

Bhai Shamsher Singh Jee Zakhmi - Rare Videos!

2008-02-26T16:33:00.000-08:00

Vaheguruuu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehh

Bhai Shamsher Singh Jee Zakhmi - to view more videos by bhai saahib jee please click on the "Google Video" link and goto the exact location to view more Rare videos!

Life...

2008-02-20T15:06:00.000-08:00

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is bliss, taste it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.

Mother Teresa

Waterloo YKD - Pics/Recordings !!

2008-02-17T20:40:00.001-08:00

Vaheguruuu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehh

Pics & Audio Recordings are now up from this weekends Waterloo Youth Kirtan Darbar. Please click on the below links:

Pictures

Recordings

Here are some random shots from the morning and evening programs:

Bhai Kavitoj Singh (NY) - Morning Program @ B. Gursev Veerjees Residence

Bibi Geetika Kaur - Evening Raaensabayeee

Bhai Kavitoj Singh (NY) - Evening Raaensabayeee

Sangat Jee - Evening Raaensabayeee

Bibi Bismaadh Kaur (BC) - Evening Raaensabayeee

Unknown Bibi jee - sometimes it just takes one person to speak the mind of many ... vaheguruuuuuuuu ..

----------

Vaaheguruuuuuu

Once upon a time...

2008-02-09T16:55:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time...

There was a rich King who had 4 wives.

He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing her off to neighbouring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another.

He also loved his 2nd wife. She was his confidante and was always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her to help him get through the difficult times.

The King's 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife and although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her.

One day, the King fell ill and he knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and pondered, "I now have 4 wives with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone.

Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I have loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No way!" replied the 4th wife and she walked away without another word. Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart.

The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No!" replied the 3rd wife. "Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to remarry!" His heart sank and turned cold.

He then asked the 2nd wife, "I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?" "I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!" replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only send you to your grave." Her answer came like a bolt of thunder and the King was devastated.

Then a voice called out: "I'll leave with you and follow you no matter where you go." The King looked up and there was his 1st wife. She was so skinny, she suffered from malnutrition. Greatly grieved, the King said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!"

In Truth, we all have 4 wives in our lives ...

Our 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it'll leave us when we die.

Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, it will all go to others.

Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.

And our 1st wife is our Soul, often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the ego. However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go. So cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now! It is your greatest gift to offer the world. Let it Shine!

----------

Vaheguruuuu

Updates, updates and more updates !!

2008-02-05T12:39:00.000-08:00

Vaaheguruuu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehh

We have replaced the Events section with a "NEWs & Updates" Section, which you can view by going to: www.sikhvibes.com/updates/

We will keep this section for all new updates/event information/and local News.

----------

Amritpal Singhs: Ride to Conquer Cancer !

On June 20 - 22, 2008, I'll be participating in a 2-day major cycling event called The Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting The Princess Margaret, one of the top 5 cancer research hospitals in the world. READ MORE here...

www.sikhvibes.com/updates/updates1.html

----------

Waterloo Youth Kirtan Darbar

Saturday Feb. 16th starting at 6PM !!

The sangat of kitchener/waterloo would like to invite everyone for their February annual Youth Raensbayee. Again there will be two programs, one in the morning at Bh. Gursev Singhs Residence and in the Evening, a Raensbayee Keertan @ Kitchener Gurughar!! READ MORE here...

www.sikhvibes.com/updates/updates2.html

----------

OntarioSikhs.com

Official site for Sikh community of Ontario website built by sevadaars!! Please visit them for information/news/programs happening in the community, their database of audio/videos/pictures and much much more !

http://www.ontariosikhs.com/

Their events calandar will now be used for ALL events/local programs happening all across ontario ... click HERE for the calandar!!

----------

Vaheguruuuu

Monthly Updates !!

2008-02-01T17:06:00.000-08:00

Vaheguruu ji ka khalsa, Vaaheguruu ji ki fatehh

Kirtan Section Updates !

- York-UTM YKD - January2008

- B. Sonia Kaurs House Youth Kirtan - January2008

- AKJ local Programs Section

- Sadh Sangat Smaagams (ie. Montreal/Toronto/Boston/Ottawa added)

- NEW Rare Kirtan Files !

- and MANY more added every week !

----------

Gallery Section Updates !

- York-UTM YKD

- B. Sonia Kaurs House Kirtan

- Laibar Singh Solidarity Rally - Toronto

- and MANY more added every week !

----------

Upcoming February Events !

- Monthly Raag Kirtan Darbar - Sat. Feb. 2nd - Scarborough Gurughar @ 7PM

- Waterloo Youth Kirtan Darbar - Sat. Feb. 16th - Kitchener Gurughar @ 6PM

- Ottawa AKJ Raensbayaee - Sat. Feb. 23rd - Ottawa Gurughar @ 7PM

----------------------------------------------------

Please keep checking back. SikhVibes is updated many times a week !

Vaaheguruuuu

Operation Shudi Karan - 1984

2008-01-27T19:36:00.000-08:00

Vaheguruuu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehhh !!

Must watch the video below.... Vaheguruuuu..

Something to think about

2008-01-24T21:14:00.000-08:00

Something to think about..

Person One:

There is a woman who pours her heart and soul into helping others. She plays a large part in promoting social equality and gives away all the money she doesn’t need. She is very humble, but very confident in her dealings. She travels to countries affected by famine and disease, and is actively involved with international organizations. She has also mananged to find herself work with an organization that collects money for the poor and exposes government injustices. She will give her life to save an innocent person. Before she dies, she hopes to dedicate her life to rid the world of poverty and war.

Person Two:

There is another woman who keeps to herself and does not talk much. She quietly goes to work and returns home. She wakes up in the early hours of the morning to meditate. All day long she praises Akaal Purakh, she dreams of one day meeting her one true lover. She dedicates her life, every thought, every breath and every action in rememberance and praise of Akaal. She wants nothing more to be at the feet of her lover.Which life is the wasted life?

This question made me ponder for several days until I came across an article from Sikhpoint.com titled Seva and Simran. If you are struggling with this question, read this piece of writing and it will clarify the measures of this question.

Seva and Simran
from SikhPoint.com

The word Seva is derived from root word sev which literally means to serve, wait or attend upon, honor, or worship. It is usually translated as 'service' or 'serving'.God in Sikhism is not apart from His creatures but pervades His Creation. Therefore, service rendered to humanity (i.e. God's light in man) is indeed considered a form of worship. In fact, in Sikhism, no worship is conceivable without seva (GGS, 1013). The Sikh is forbidden from serving anyone apart from God ('Serve you the Lord alone : none else must you serve' GGS, 490). However, this also means that whomsoever we serve, we really serve our Lord through him. Therefore, it becomes incumbent upon the Sikh to render seva with the highest sense of duty since thereby he or she is worshipping the Lord.

Seva in Sikhism is imperative for spiritual life. It is the highest penance (GGS, 423). It is a means to acquiring the highest merit. The Sikh often prays to God for a chance to render seva. Says Guru Arjan, Nanak V, "I beg to serve those who serve you (GGS, 43)" and "I, Your servant, beg for seva of Your people, which is available through good fortune alone (GGS, 802)." According to Guru Amar Das, "He who is turned towards the Guru finds repose and joy in seva".

Three varieties of seva are sanctioned in the Sikh lore : that rendered through the corporal instrument (tan), that through the mental apparatus (man) and that through the material means (dhan). The first of them is considered to be the highest of all and is imperatively prescribed for every Sikh : "Cursed are the hands and feet that engage not in seva" (Bhai Gurdas, Varan, 27.1). In traditional Indian society work involving corporal labour was considered low and relegated to the humblest castes. By sanctifying it as an honourable religious practice, the Sikh Gurus established the dignity of labour, a concept then unknown to the Indian Hindu society. Not only did the Gurus sanctify it, they also institutionalized it, e.g. in the service of Langar (the Guru's community kitchen) and in serving the sangat (holy assembly) in other ways such as by grinding corn for it, fanning it to soften the rigour of a hot day and drawing water for it. "I beg of you, O, Merciful One, make me the slave of Your Slaves... Let me have the pleasure of fanning them, drawing water for them, grinding corn for them and of washing their feet," prays Guru Arjan Dev (GGS, 518).

Seva through the mental apparatus (man) lies in contributing one's talents - creative, communicative, managerial, etc. - to the corporate welfare of the community and mankind in general. It also lies in sharing the pain of others. Response to the pain of others is a sine qua non of the membership of the brotherhood of man. That is why the Sikh prayer said in unison ends with a supplication for the welfare of all. Seva of this kind is motivated not by the attitude of compassion alone, but primarily to discover practical avenues for serving God through man.

Seva through material means (dhan) or philanthropy (daan) was particularly sought to be made non-personal. The offerings (kar bheta) made to the Gurus and the daswandh (tenth part of one's earnings) contributed by the Sikhs went straight into the common coffers of the community. Personal philanthropy can be debasing for the receiver and ego-entrenching for the giver, but self-effacing community service is ennobling. Seva must be so carried out as to dissolve the ego and lead to self-transcendence, which is the ability to acknowledge and respond to that which is other than oneself. Seva must serve to indicate the way in which such transcendence manifests in one's responsiveness to the needs of others in an impersonal way.The Sikh is particularly enjoined upon to render seva to the poor. "The poor man's mouth is the depository of the Guru". The poor and the needy are, thus, treated as legitimate recipients of dan (charity) and not the Brahman who had traditionally reserved for himself this privilege. Even in serving the poor, one serves not the person but God. This, thus, is the Sikh ideal of seva.

In the Sikh way of life, seva is considered the prime duty of the householder (grihasthi). "That home in which men-of-God are not served, God is served not. Such mansions must be likened to graveyards where ghosts alone abide", says Kabir (GGS 1374). The Sikhs are all ordained to be householders, and do seva as their duty. In Sikh thought, the polarity of renunciation is not with attachment, but with seva.True seva according to Sikh scripture must be without desire of fruit (nishkam), in humility (nimarta), with purity of intention (hirda suddh), with sincerity (chit lae) and in utter selflessness (vichon ap gavae). Such seva for the Sikh is the doorway to dignity as well as to mukti (liberation). "If one earns merit here through seva, one will get the seat of honour in His Court hereafter (GGS 26).

Simran or Nam Simran, literally means to remember, love, and meditate on God by reciting and repeating the name of God. God's names are myriad, but the one accepted among Sikhs is Waheguru. In practice nam simran takes two forms. One is participation in worship in the sangat, i.e. believers gathered together to express or seek unity with God through singing and hearing His praises. The other way is that of private meditation , with or without the help of a rosary. The two methods are not exclusive of each other; they are complementary and a Sikh is expected to use both. Attendance in sangat is as important as contemplation in solitude. "Repetition of God's name erases doubt and delusion," says Guru Arjan (GGS 814), and "expunging grief, pain and fear, it produces happiness everlasting" (GGS 456). But mechanical repetition of Name is not enough. One has to realize the Divine as a reality and be in harmony with Him. As Guru Amar Das, Nanak III, has pointed out: "Everyone repeats 'Ram ! Ram !', but merely uttering 'Ram' from one's lips does not suffice; it is only when by the Guru's grace Ram abides in the heart that one gathers fruit" (GGS 491). And again: "Everyone has 'Hari, Hari' on his lips, but very few have Him in the heart; they in whose heart the Lord abides, O Nanak, achieve mokh/mukti, liberation" (GGS 565). Nam simran, if it is to lead to union with God, depends on three things. The first is knowledge of the true nature of God as both nirguna (ineffable, abstract principle) and sarguna (manifest, with attributes, knowable).Bhagat Tirlochan, finding Bhagat Namdev busy in calico printing, is said to have asked him, “You seem to be more interested in money than in God’s Name. You remain busy printing sheets instead of meditating on God.” Bhagat Namdev responded, “While the body is busy doing work one can keep his mind turned in to the love of God.” (GGS 1375)

In another hymn Bhagat Namdev refers to some daily experiences in life explaining how we keep our mind fixed in things with which we are deeply concerned and which we greatly love.

"When the boys fly kites, they also enjoy their mutual conversation. While busy in their conversation, their minds always remain tuned to their kites. A mother, who has her child sleeping in the crib while busy in her daily house chores, keeps her mind all the time tuned to the baby. The same way a devotee should always keep himself tuned to the love of God while he is busy performing his routine worldly chores." (GGS 972)

In a professional course, both theory and practice are necessary to learn the subject. Each has its own importance. In the same way, a Sikh must practice all the methods mentioned above depending upon his mood, time, situation, environment, and need.The utility and benefit of regular Nam Simran can be understood from the following simple example. To live a happy and peaceful life, we need both body and mind in a healthy condition. Proper food is needed to keep the body healthy and strong. Sewa and Simran are needed to keep the mind free from vices. This is the way to keep your mind strong and direct your activities on the right path.

This article can be found at the following website: http://www.sikhpoint.com/religion/philosophyofsikhism/Seva%20and%20Simran.php

York-UTM Youth Keertan Darbar Recordings/Pics !!

2008-01-21T10:52:00.000-08:00

Vaheguruu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehhh

This past weekend was the Yorks 3rd annual Youth Keertan Darbar @ Dashmesh with collaboration with UTM this year. Program started at 630pm and went until 3am in the morning. We have put up recordings and pics.

Recordings - http://www.sikhvibes.com/kirtan/index.php?q=f&f=%2FYouth+Keertan+Darbars%2F2008%2F01+-+York-UTM+Youth+Keertan+Darbar+-+January

Here are some glimpse of pic shots from the night...

Full set of Pics - http://www.sikhvibes.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=41

------------

Vaheguruu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehh !!

RARE/LIVE Kirtan Recordings Added !

2008-01-17T17:09:00.000-08:00

Vaaheguruu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehh

Many NEW and RARE recordings of various gurmukh keertania added in our kirtan section: http://www.sikhvibes.com/kirtan/index.php?q=f&f=%2FRare+Keertan+Files+-+Live+Recordings

Still more to come. Please contact us at contact@sikhvibes.com if you would like to contribute any of your live/rare recordings.

Vaheguruu

Dastaar

2008-01-13T12:40:00.000-08:00

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

Dastaar

By: Anonymous

from SikhSangat.com

Sometimes I hesitate before I face the mirror...
it's like a game with the friend you know is always right
it's like a battle with your ego and your conscience
it's like... a playful laugh... "i don't like you..."

pause...

"i love you."

it's like that.

me and my dastaar.
it's like i wake up in the morning and look skyward...
and then i look down...
and then left and right and back and forward and all i see is that...
that love, that light - omniscient and divine.

my dastaar ...
Dastaar... i cannot call it mine
anything beyond you is not yours -

A closed fist can't stop the river flow,
A wide open mouth won't drink all the rain,

I can't envelope your sunshine
I can just embrace it

The water I gather in my hands
someday slips out...

but it is that... that purity, clear and concise
nirmal, nirbhau, nirvair, nirlobh, nirlep, nirvaan
the dastaar...

they call it a crown, a symbol of
whose reign?
of majestic benevolence - the Almighty

And exhibition of grace and dignity
of honour and beauty
of balance and coordination
of direction and dedication
of belief and faith
of love and truth
the dastaar - is all these things -

I feel the light of Truth on my face... I see the waves of love overtaking me...
I feel the tears of gratitude gracing me...
I feel the challenges of life facing me...
I feel the rush of Maya chasing me..
I feel the arms of the Guru embracing me ...
with each time I tie the Dastaar.

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

Bibi Harjeet Kaur (TO) - NewYearsEve2007 - Old Rexdale Gurughar Toronto

2008-01-09T21:37:00.000-08:00

Vaaheguruuu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehh

Part 1 of 2

Part 2 of 2

York-UTM Youth Keertan Darbar on Sat. Jan. 19 @ Dashmesh Gurughar !!

2008-01-08T11:07:00.001-08:00

Vaaheguruu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehh

Firstly, info on new updates ! Many Keertan Files added to the Keertan Section from many different programs. TorontoAKJDecSmaagam, DashmeshAKJRaensbayee, Bh. Gurjot Singhs House Keertan, and MANY weekend sangat files added, just to name a few updates !

Below is the information of upcoming Youth Keertan Darbar at Dashmesh Gurughar on the 19th from 6pm-2am. Please bring your family and friends !!

--------------------------------------------------

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa
Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh

With the kirpa of Guru Sahib and the Sangat, York and UTM are having our Annual Youth Keertan Darbar on January 19th, 2008 at Dashmesh Darbar Gurughar!!!

Who: YOU
What: Youth Keertan
When: January 19th, 2008 at 6pm – 2am
Where: Dashmesh Darbar Gurughar

Saturday, January 19 th, 2008

The Program times are as follows:

6:00pm – 6:30pm : Prakaash & Rehraas Sahib
6:30pm – 7:00pm : Simran
7:00pm – 2am : Akhand Keertan

Dashmesh Darbar Gurughar:
905-794-4664
4525 Ebenezer Rd
Brampton, ON L6P 2K8 , CA
(For a Map or Directions to the Gurughar, you can also type in Jaipur Plaza in Mapquest.com)

For more information please contact by email at:
york.sikhs@gmail.com
esikhsa@hotmail.com
(Or Call us at the Numbers on the attached poster)

For the previous YKD's pictures and recordings, visit our website at http://www.yorkssa.com/ or http://www.sikhvibes.com/ !!!

Also, if anyone would like to do a Shabad from Dasam Granth, please email us the Shabad in advance so we can have a shabad on Powerpoint ready for you !

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa
Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh

York SSA & UTM SSA

What is Girl Power !?

2008-01-02T00:55:00.000-08:00

Vaaheguruu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehh

Happy New Year to Everyone !!

Today we have a brilliant essay by guru saahibs pyaari, Bibi Himmat Kaur Jee. It is called "What is Girl Power !?"

(If the Gurbani Fonts are not visible below,

Click HERE and extract the fonts to c:/windows/fonts/)

-----------------------------------------

<> siqgur pRswid ]

Dear Brothers & Sisters of this infinitely beautiful Sikh Nation, this essay about the image and attitude of women in contemporary Sikhi (is~KI) is a dedication to you. It is my hope that this work will be well received by you; my Guru Ji’s sangat (gurU jI dI sMgq). It is inevitable that some of the views expressed in this essay will definitely upset some members of our panth(pMQ). However my intention in writing this essay to give voice to an opinion that I think has never been heard by our panth’s ears, and one that I think desperately needs to be heard.

Before beginning, I would like to say that all praise is due to the wonderful and all powerful Creator (krqwr); the inspirer of all thought and action.

qyry kvn kvn gux kih kih gwvw; qU swihb guxI inDwnw ]
Which, which of Your Great Virtues should I sing and repeat, Vaaheguroo Jee you are my Master; the treasure of virtues.
qumrI mihmw brin n swkau; qUM Twkur aUc Bgvwnw ]1] AMg 735
Oh Vaaheguroo Jee! I cannot express Your Greatness. You are the highest of high Ang 735

Furthermore I hope that Guru Sahib will deliver the work of this servant (syvk) successfully and acceptingly into the hands and hearts of His Gurmukhs (gurmuiK). I am neither a scholar nor a learned individual; I can only hope to become a better Sikh with Guru Sahib Ji's blessing through Sangat (gurpRswid + sMgq).

igAwnu iDAwnu ikCu krmu n jwnw; nwihn inrml krxI ]
I do not know anything about spiritual wisdom, meditation or karma, and my way of life is not clean and pure.

swDsMgiq kY AMcil lwvhu; ibKm ndI jwie qrxI ] AMg 702
Please attach me to the hem of the robe of Guru Ji’s Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy; so that I may swim across this terrible river of attachment greed ego lust and anger Ang 702

What does girl power mean to you?

We live in a world that is still gripped with gender inequality, so in a male-dominant society a woman still feels the need to prove her worth in the work force, in social circles and most unfortunately in our Sikh panth as well. The latter arena is the most concerning, since Guru Sahib created his Sikhs equally and prescribed ways for us to live that would ensure that equality.
Please allow me to further explore the above mentioned issues by posing a question. Have you ever heard the saying:

“The eye does not see what the mind does not know.”

For example, pretend that you are taking a stroll in a garden that has thousands of different types of flowers. At the end of your stroll your friend asks you “what flowers did you see in the garden?” you could only tell them about the flowers that you already know about. So you might say “I saw roses, lilies, lilacs etc” but you wouldn’t say “I saw a plumeria, a hibiscus, or a lantana.” So even though those flowers were in the garden you didn’t know what they looked like, so your eyes just glanced over them without mentally processing them. You would have to learn about those flowers, then re-visit that garden and only then will your eye recognize them.

There is a similar trend in global-society, and even within contemporary Sikhi that I was totally oblivious to until it was pointed out to me. If you ever examine this matter, then you will also realize the truth in it. In Sikhi when you think of girl-power, who comes to mind? Naturally the first image that comes to mind is Mata Bhag Kaur Ji (mwqw Bwg kOr jI aka Mai Bhago mweI Bwgo jI), Mata Sada Kaur Ji (mwqw sdw kOr jI) or other female-warriors. Rarely will anyone tell you that they initially pictured Mata Sahib Kaur Ji (jgq mwqw swihb kOr jI; Mother of the Khalsa) or Mata Khivi Ji (jgq mwqw KIvI jI Guru Angad Dev Sahib Ji’s wife & a sevadar syvwdwr of the highest eminence).

Sangat Ji, this is just a way of demonstrating that young Sikhs and Sikh girls especially associate the notion of girl-power with female soldiers, warriors, and group leaders etc. In short, they associate girl-power with roles that were traditionally given to men. As females we think that in order to be considered equals in a male-dominant society, we need to show competence in the same fields as men: i.e. demonstrate the ability to fight in battle, being group leaders, and being the alpha-dog etc. Many girls in western society believe that fulfilling traditional female roles are demeaning: i.e. Rearing children, providing guidance for family members, cooking for the family, and completing house-hold chores etc.
I would like to ask:

Are the women who stayed home and raised their children less heroic than those that went to battle & fought alongside the Singhs?

It’s my humble belief that a Sikh woman’s ultimate seva (syvw)to the panth is raising her children to be complete Gurmukhs and provide support and guidance to members of her home. Although I firmly believe that if they were ever called upon, the daugther of the panth would lead for Sikhi and bleed for Sikhi. We must realize that Sikh mothers have a role in protecting our traditions that no other member of our nation has.

jnnI jxY qo Bgq jn; kY dwqw, kY sUr[
Oh child-bearing woman, if you are going to give birth to a child then give birth to a devotee, to a philanthropist or to a righteous warrior.

nhI qo jnnI bWJ rhY; kwhy gvwvY nUr[
Otherwise oh woman, do not bear children at all. Why squander your beauty and the beauty of life?

In this context a Giver/philanthropist is one who can even give selflessly when there is nothing to give. A warrior is one who fights the physical battles on earth’s battlefields with weapons of steel as well as fighting the mental war waging inside the mind with the weapons of good virtue, good character & Bani.

http://www.sikhitothemax.com/page.asp?ShabadID=2590

These lines ** (from this essay not the url) have been cited many times in our history to instruct expecting mothers about their duty to prepare their children to be guruwale (gurU vwly).

Devoting time to teaching their children about Sikhi is a seva which is taken very lightly by modern Sikh women. The progression of a pure Sikh tradition without the compromise of our rehat (rihq) is being challenged by the forces of western culture, media, fashion and thought. While the latter influences are shaping our generation on a daily basis in our schools, work places, and television, we are struggling to instill a sense of pride and confidence in our youth. We could meet this challenge by properly educating our youngsters in our very own homes, through our children’s first educator: our mothers. Along with nourishing her child’s body with food, a mother can nourish her child’s mind through the narration of stories from our marvelous Sikh history, teaching them to read gurmukhi(gurmuKI), to learn santhiya (gurbwxI jI dI sMiQAw), to become proficient in understanding bani (gurbwxI dy ArQ), and doing simran (ismrn).

The lack of knowledge and regard that Punjabi youth have toward the Sikh way of life may be substantially reduced if Sikh mothers would educate their children and raise them on the ideals of Sikhi. This is not to say that all problems owing to generations of “Sikhi-less-ness” falls on the shoulders of Sikh mothers, but this is surely one of the greatest fields pertaining to the chardi kala (cVHdI klw) of the future of our panth.

This leads into another issue in Sikh society which was briefly touched upon earlier in this paper: Gender inequality. As the Chinese proverb states

“A gardener who does not guard his flowers from looming weeds, will one day find his garden being choked of its livelihood.”

Many of the problems within the Sikh nation are stemming from our inability to deal with our own problems as they come up. For some time now sentiments of feeling unappreciated, feeling inferior, and not feeling respected have been settling into the hearts of Sikh women, owing to an inability of Sikh men to realize a woman’s worth. Keeping this in mind, young women are trying to earn their respect through acquiring an attitude and an image consistent with the notion of “girl-power.” Women are subconsciously placing less importance on familial duties and more importance on taking on “male-roles” in order to achieve equal status & stature. This trend can be illustrated by observing the appearance of aspiring female leaders in the corporate world. Female presidents, and CEOs as well as women who are trying to reach such posts often have short hair (boy-cuts) and wear blazers & dress pants; the image of a man in the corporate world. By comparison female employees or secretaries often have long hair and wear dress skirts.

My aim is not to critique this ideology of “girl-power” in Sikhi, but to show what this attitude has caused. It’s been my experience that Amritdhari (AMimRqDwrI) people, but especially amritdhari girls tend to alienate non-amritdhari Punjabis. My parents are amritdhari, but growing up they never enforced or encouraged my sisters and I to keep a complete Sikhi saroop (is~KI srUp). We learned to read bani (bwxI pVnI), speak Punjabi, and to guard our honor as women (lwj r~KxI). Like many Punjabi parents, my parents didn’t want their girls to feel left out of American society. So although we were “Sikhs on the inside” (even though such a thing cannot truly exist), we were not Sikhs on the outside. I believe that the outer appearance of a Sikh is as important as the inner aspect, but I have met MANY, people who adorn the Sikhi saroop, but are void of Gurmat (gurmq) on the inside.

Sangat Ji, I regret to admit that there have been many times when I felt discriminated against by my amritdhari sisters for trimming my eyebrows or wearing skirts. Although I admire amritdhari people for keeping a Sikhi saroop & lifestyle, many of them tend to be intimidating and selective, which is why I never had meaningful friendships with them. And although my parents were amritdhari and I was aware of Rehat and Amrit, I never completely felt that I would commit to a life of an amritdhari Sikh until I had a wonderful experience with the sangat at my last university. One Singh’s mannerism in particular had a lasting impression on me and many others at my school. I was not surprised at all to learn that the reason he was such a great Sikh was largely due to the way his mother raised him. His elderly Ustad (bjurg ausqwd) in Toronto and his sangat also had a large role in the shaping of his Faith, but he explains that his foundation and strength in Sikhi was unquestionably from his mother’s teachings. I have seen other examples of Gurmukhs who are a shining reminder of what a Sikh should be, and those Singhs and Kaurs are also products of fantastic child rearing.

Through Guru sahib’s grace (gurpRswid) I have stopped cutting my hair (kysW dI byAdbI) and I plan on walking the path of the Gurmat very soon(KMfy bwty dw AMimRq Ckxw). Gurprasaadhé.

I realize that this is not enough though, even once becoming a certified Kaur (kOr), my duty to Sikhi will not be complete. In the future when I become a mother I realize that a large part of my commitment to Sikhi entails that I must devote myself to teaching my children about Sikhi, Bani and Maryada (mrXwdw).

Dear readers, as a young panth we have come a long way, but we still have a great deal more to cover. We have the tools with which we can remedy many of our own problems. It’s the aim of many panthic well-wishers to reshape the way we treat each other. The threats that Sikhi faces demand us to be more sincere and dear to each other. We need to feel that each man, woman and child in our panth is precious. I think this realization only starts to take effect if each Sikh considers the next person to be more valuable than his/her self.

In closing I must express that it was not my intention to hurt anyone’s feelings or to make accusations at any individual or group of people. I would never intentionally say anything malicious about my fellow brothers and especially sisters, as I place you on the highest pedestals.

As Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji once said:
swD AswD jwno nhI bwd subwd ibbwid; (sRI dsm gRMQ swihb jI, AMg 254)
I don’t know who is righteous or evil, nor am I cleverly arguing for against anyone to make conflict. (Sri Dasm Granth, Ang 254)

I didn’t write this paper to simply “give my two-cents,” because I believe my opinion isn’t of any importance. I wrote this article because I thought it was of interest to my fellow Gursikhs. I’m bound to offend some readers and make errors in trying to express my views. For that I apologize and hope that I did not hurt anyone’s feelings. It took me a long time to decide how I was going to express my opinion simply because I was very cautious of upsetting any Gurmukhs. Even though I was careful in the selection of my words I know that I cannot control how the sangat will react, as those are matters that I will leave in God’s hands.

jIA jMq siB srix qum@wrI; srb icMq quDu pwsy ]
All beings and creatures are in your Sanctuary; all of our cares and worries rest with You.
jo quDu BwvY soeI cMgw; iek nwnk kI Ardwsy ]4]
Oh Vaheguroo Jee! Whatever pleases you is acceptable, good, this alone is my prayer Ang 795.

Humbly & Respectfully,
Himmat Kaur (ihMmq kOr)
Elizabethtown, New Jersey
January 2, 2008
gurpRswid smpUrnM[
vwihgurU jI kw Kwlsw]
vwihgurU jI kI Pqih]

More Updates + Reminders !!

2007-12-29T12:48:00.001-08:00

Vaaheguruuu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehh

Both Kirtan and Gallery sections have been continuously been updated this past week and we still have lots more to put up ! Please keep checking back for more site additions !

-------AKJ TORONTO SMAAGAM --------
Just a reminder about the AKJ toronto raensbayaee tonite at malton gurughar from 8pm-5am. Live broadcast is available on akj.org ! We will also be adding up smaagam recordings in the kirtan section along with smaagam pictures !!

-------Patshahi 10 RAAG Kirtan Darbar --------

On Saturday, January 5th at Oakville Gurughar (2403 Bronte Road, Oakville) from 6:30-9:30pm.

This will be a day to remember the "True Warrior Poet", the one who gave all and asked for nothing. Not only was Guru Gobind Singh ji a master poet, a master singer, but a composer of true individuality. With the essence of Guru Nanak, firstly proving to be a true student of the Akaal Moorat, Satguru Nanak, sat down at Paonta Sahib and did "keertan", sang the praises of Akaal, composed works of art, poetry and compositions in raags and measures unfamiliar to the world. Great artists from around the Asian Sub-continent came to see him and his glorious raagis and 52 poets. That day we will be reciting the works of the one who put the world in awe. Please bring your family and friends. It will be an event echoing throughout the year.

For more information please contact,
Karanjeet Singh: 416 899 0843 - s.karanjeet@gmail.com
Manraj Singh: 416 671 0313 - manraj.pannu@gmail.com
Jaswinder Singh: 416 854 5412 - jazzsehmbi@hotmail.com

-------York-UTM Youth Keertan Darbar --------

Saturday, January 19th, 2008 at Dashmesh Gurughar (Gore Rd/Ebenezer, Brampton) from 6pm-2am .................. more information to come soon !

Vaheguruu ji ka khalsa, Vaheguruu ji ki fatehhh !