Game of love 💚 - POWERFUL FAITH

POWERFUL FAITH

This story took place a few years ago. A sikh soldier was celebrating the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev ji. He was meditating on Vaheguroo's name whilst preparing and serving langar (food). Just then, a Hindu officer approached the soldier and very rudely asked, "what are you doing here?" The soldier explained the story of Guru ArjunDev Jis martyrdom with great love.

The Hindu officer very rudely spoke for the second time and said, "how is this possible, no human can sit on a burning hot plate." The officer continued being very rude and kept questioning the soldier. "He kept saying this is a joke, it can not be true."

The soldier got very upset in listening to this and went sat on a burning hot plate where the langar (food) was being prepared. When witnessing this the officer burst out in to tears and quickly rushed to get the soldier off the plate, he fell at his feet and repeated, "you Sikhs are amazing people, your faith is unmovable, you are very pure at heart and you can not accept the disrespect of your Guru."The soldier lifted the officer and embraced him with a hug.

If we have faith in Guru ji, nothing will come near us. Guru ji will always be our saviour and protect us.

"The hot winds do not even touch those who are protected by their Guru."

Guru Arjun Dev Ji 1563-1606

Vaheguroo!

Game of love 💚- TAKE TIME OUT FOR SANGAT!

TAKE TIME OUT FOR SANGAT!

We attended a wedding the other day at Singh Sabha Bradford. The couple were both monay (shorn hair). The wedding went really well and the seva (service) was accomplished by an English speaking Gursikh, to explain the meaning of the Laavaa (spiritual wedding ceremony) to our non Punjabi speaking guests.

We had a young British born lady come to us at the end of the event, stating how she thought the Gurdwara Sahib was doing an amazing seva by trying to bring the youth in to Sikhi with English speaking events, like the one she had just experienced. The bibi looked quite westernised but when she spoke, she had so much love and thirst for the Sikh way of life. She had a good range of knowledge about Sikhi too. Her faith was very strong and seemed immovable. She was closely related to the boys side but she was very interested in talking about Gurmat to us, as this felt very dear to her at the time. We spoke for around fifteen minutes. She went on to say, how she wants to take steps physically towards Sikhi but struggles to take that initial step. She was certain the time would come very soon for her and Guru Sahib would bless her with their beautiful, loving Sikhi. She mentioned how some of her family were following the Radha Swami way of life but how Sikhi was the complete package and perfect way of life for her. We mentioned how we also used to be monay and also lived a western life style in the past. This shocked her and reassured her steps on the path towards Sikhi were very close by.

It was so nice to see how strong this girls faith was and how she took time out in the hustle and bustle of the wedding to speak for so long about Sikhi. We mentioned how important it was to do the sangat (congregate) of spiritual, like minded Sikhs. She mentioned that she was from Derby so we immediately suggested Singh Sabha Gurdwara, princess Street was a good place for the youth. She was so happy to say it was the Gurdwara she regularly attended.

We often judge others by their appearance but never really realise how much faith they actually really have. It's imperative, as Gursikhs, we do more Seva for the youth at Gurdwara Sahibs and try to give all as much love and time as we can. We never know who will adopt Sikhi and go on to change the lives of many others.

For those who are interested in Sikhi, don't be shy, if you have any questions, feel free to approach any practising young Sikhs, they will always go out of their way to support, help and guide you. This is what they live for!

Guru Arjan Dev Ji Says, "Mere Madho Ji, SatSangat milay so thariya."
O my Dear Lord of souls, one who joins the Sat Sangat, the True Congregation, is saved.

Vaheguroo!

Game of love 💙- FANTASTIC TRANSFORMATIONS!

FANTASTIC TRANSFORMATIONS!

Bhenji Baljinder Kaur's Journey in to Sikhi! 

My parents weren't really into Sikhi when I was young; they had cut hair and my dad drank etc. But because they were from India they had a routine of listening to Asa Di Vaar every morning on a record player and when they did JapJi Sahib and Rehras Sahib, me, my brother and sister used to be in the same room playing around. We used to walk to Derby Gurdwara every Sunday just for the kheer (rice pudding) and then we would walk home after doing matha tek quickly. After a trip to India (I was in my teenage years), I recieved a Gutka which had the romanized (Punjabi-English) writing. I used to read just a few verses everyday and slowly little bits started making sense out of no effort of my own.

After I got married, my husband would stay asleep, whilst I went to the Gurdwara with my in-laws. Then when I was expecting my first child, I faced many difficulties and almost lost him at 4 months so I cut down on Japji sahib due to stress. I was told by Gursikhs in Bradford to carry on doing JapJi Sahib and read the one line "ishaa poorak sarab sukhadhaathaa har" (The Lord is the Fulfiller of desires, the Giver of total peace). They said don't stop and during the day do Mool Mantar whenever I can; because if a Mother recites Gurbani whilst having a child, it will have a spiritual and positive effect on the baby and will change their life.

After having my baby boy; my life and my families life transformed through only the grace of Guru Ji.
My in-laws took Amrit, and my husband started going to the Gurdwara a bit more and doing Sangat/Amritvela with amazing gursikhs in Bradford. We would take our children to Keertan and Sikhi class on a Wednesday, where they enjoyed the chips and beans too. My husband started keeping rehit (discipline) and said, "lets take Amrit next month." I used to ignore him, as I didn't want to take this step. I especially didn't want to tie a dastar,  as I was into my appearance and societies opinions. Also I thought that living the life of an Amritdhari would be hard and get in the way of what I considered my "normal life". But then speaking to Gursikhs (females especially), they upheld my spirits and made me imagine what life would be like if my husband was an alcoholic and abusive and how blessed am I to have Sikhi in my life. I was still in doubt about it, until my son got upset and said "Mum what is your problem, go take Amrit." So hearing this on the night of the Amrit Sanchaar, I rubbed my make-up off, took out my ear piercings and tied a dastar for the first time. When I got to the amrit sanchar an elder Gursikh hugged me and asked me what was wrong (he knew I was nervous) and he said, Guru Sahib will hold my hand. All I have to do is take the first step.

The Change!

So in December 2007 me and my Husband were blessed into Guru Sahibs beautiful family. And from that day on I've never looked back. The spiritual experience of Amrit is amazing. It's beyond this world. The power is underestimated. I didn't find living as an Amritdhari hard at all, because it was extremely rewarding. My whole life became more peaceful and I felt satisfied. I had never experienced such bliss. I deeply regretted not taking Amrit earlier. Before, I felt lost and clueless but after following Gurus path, I realised the purpose of life and what I should be doing and where true happiness is found. All anxieties and worries were pushed away, because I knew my Guru had my hand. My minds desires were fulfilled. Even in terms of the world, I always wanted a successful business but was scared to start up. Gursikhs would tell me not to be scared as Guru Sahib is very near at hand. All we have to do is Ardaas. My children followed our path and I'm ever thankful to Guru Sahib for taking me out of the dark, useless, pointless lifestyle I lived and bringing me into Sikhi.

Message!

If there's any message I would like my journey to show, firstly I would say that, Sangat of Gursikhs is very important. I realised how important doing Sangat of Gursikhs is and the enjoyment you get of just being around them is much more than any other Sangat. They are so supportive and will guide you and go out of their way for you, especially in difficult times. Don't be scared to approach Gursikhs, they are there to help. They can have an impact without even speaking. So any Keertan programs locally, just go and sit beside the saints and if possible invite Gursikhs to your home and serve them. A lot of blessings are received by sitting in the company of Saints.

Also I would say, take a small step,  any step. Something that will bring you and your children closer to Sikhi. Be it mool mantar or just 2 minutes of Waheguru Simran in the morning, or having Keertan on in the background, on the way to work in the car.
Without a doubt, any little steps we make in our early stages, will have an effect and we will be rewarded in the future. Guru sahib says we can change our Karam; We can change our destiny and future. Just listening to Bani will have an impact on our future, even if we don't understand it. Our whole future will be changed and it will bring us and our children closer to the true path of Sikhi.

I just want to finish off by saying, if a women changes, many generations are transformed. This is the power of a woman and the blessings of Guru Sahib, Amrit and Sangat are immense.

............................

Bhenji has been blessed with great Seva, Guru Sahib has blessed them with the opportunity of running local camps, being a part of the Kaurs Corner team, serving others in need and many more selfless services of Guru Sahib's Panth. May Guru Sahib ji bless them always ji!

Guru Arjun Dev Ji Says, "Sing forever the Praises of the Lord, O Nanak, and you shall be saved, under the Shelter of the Feet of the True Guru."

Vaheguroo!

Game of love 💛- WITHOUT NAAM MEDITATION 12

WITHOUT NAAM MEDITATION 12

"Without the Name of the Lord, no one can be saved. Through the Guru's Teachings, we are united in His Union."

In the above Shabad, Guru Sahib Ji says, without Naam no one can be liberated or saved. Only Naam will liberate the soul and mind, nothing else. We can search all we want for many lifetimes, but in the end we will all have to accept Guru Sahib Ji's Amrit. In this way, we will all be saved through the blessings of Guru Sahib's devotional worship, Naam, Amrit and rehit (physical discipline). Only the Guru's teachings will unite us with Vaheguroo (God), no other teaching will get us anywhere close.

As mentioned above, Guru Sahib has created a direct link between servant and master through Shabad (Gurus word). Guru Sahib Ji will make sure we meet God in this life time. They only ask for sincere effort, love and belief.

Guru Arjun Dev Ji Says, "Through sincere efforts, the mind is made peaceful and calm.
Walking on the Lord's Way, all pains are taken away.
Chanting the Naam, the Name of God, the mind becomes blissful."

Vaheguroo!

Game of love ❤️- WITHOUT NAAM MEDITATION 6

WITHOUT NAAM MEDITATION 6
Guru Amardas Ji Says, "Without the Name, they find no place of rest. In the City of Death, they suffer in agony."

In this Shabad Guru Ji is saying, those who do not Jap Naam Athai Pehar (meditate 24/7) will find no place of rest, even their soul will suffer after physical death. They will be beaten by the messenger of death and their soul will suffer in the cycle of reincarnation, until Guru Sahib blesses them with the key of this human life and Amrit Naam. This is when we are gifted the opportunity to purify this filthy mind and liberate this soul through Naam.

Let your light shine so brightly through Naam meditation, that others may see the way out of the dark!

Guru Arjun Dev Ji Says, "Without the Naam all affairs are useless."

Vaheguroo!

Game of love 💜 - WITHOUT NAAM MEDITATION 5

Guru Amardas Ji Says, "Without the Name, all are miserable. In the love of duality, they are ruined."

Guru Ji is saying here, all are miserable without the Name. Why are people miserable without the name? They look perfectly happy when we see them. Guru Sahib says in Gurbaanee, "Satgur Taakleeaa Hamaaraa Paapee Pardaa," this means, nobody can see the negative state of our mind, as the Guru has blessed us and covered it with skin. If people really knew what we were thinking, whilst being happy and jolly on the outside, many would avoid speaking to us, as most of the time we are full of negative emotions. We always seem to hide them in amongst  socialising with others. Most people in the world feel miserable and down at times, especially when alone. We need others around us to lift our spirits. Only the Gurmukhs (facing guru), who Jap Naam (meditate) with every breath do not realize what the words 'miserable' and 'down' actually mean, as they very rarely experience negative emotions. They are always on a high through the natural drug of Naam. Their spirits are always raised according to Gurbaanee (Gurus word).

Guru Arjan Dev Ji Says, "Without the Naam, the Name of the Lord, the whole world is just ashes."

Vaheguroo!

Game of love 💚- BUILD A FOREVERLASTING HOUSE!

BUILD A FOREVERLASTING HOUSE! 

An elderly Sikh carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house, building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife, enjoying his extended family. He would miss the pay-check but he needed to retire and they could get by.
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favour. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his career.

When Jasbir Singh (carpenter) finished his work and the builder came to inspect the house, the contractor handed the front-door key to Jasbir.  "This is your house," he said, "my gift to you."  

What a shock! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. Now he had to live in the home he had built none too well. 

So it is with us. We build our lives in a distracted way, reacting rather than acting, willing to put up less than the best. At important points, we do not give the job our best effort. Then with a shock, we look at the situation we have created and find that we are now living in the house we have built. If we had realized, we would have done it differently.

Think of yourself as the carpenter. Think of your life as the house. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board or erect a wall, build wisely. It is the only life you will ever build. Even if you live it for only one day more. Each day deserves to be lived graciously, in tune with the love of Vaheguroo's name and Gurbaani (Gurus Teachings). So we can create our true dignity in the house we reside in (our body). Let's liberate our soul from within this house, by living virtuously through selfless service and meditation on Naam (gods name). Let's control the thieves (minds desires), who are plundering our Saintly home. 

The plaque on the wall says, "Life is a do-it-yourself project, do it to the best of your ability. So the Guru can liberate us by merging us with Vaheguroo." 

Guru Arjun Dev Ji Says, "Nanak builds his house upon that site, where there is no death, no birth, and no old age."

Vaheguroo!

Game of love ❤️- ARE YOU SURE GOD EXISTS?

ARE YOU SURE GOD EXISTS?

We were asked a question, if God really existed. Below is our response! 

Hi Guys hope you are all well. What is God? God is beautiful, where shall we start? God is love, energy, force and the creator of all. God exists in the mind, body, spirit, the question should be, where doesn't God exist? God is an experience. How do we experience him? We experience him through conquering this filthy mind. It has been filthy for many life times through our negative thoughts and actions.. We have been given an opportunity to purify this mind through this human body.. We have to reduce our wandering and suffering mind's thoughts to just one love and that is the love of Gods Name through meditation.

We only use 10% of the mind, 90% is not used.. This is only developed and discovered through spiritual gain, through meditation. This is when we gain spiritual powers. All humans can merge with God, develop the mind and develop these powers. Some experience God through seeing a bright light, which can not be described, as it is unbearable.. Just as the mute can not describe the sweet taste of candy. Some experience God through the current Naad, which is the sound, music and Word of God in Sachkhand (the gate of truth and oneness). Some always feel and experience God through Sehj (Nirvaana), always at peace within themselves. 

The senses become controlled by meditation. We control the mind, the mind doesn't control us. We control the vices and use them when required for the good of others. The vices i.e, anger, ego, lust, attachment, greed don't control us. Our ego stops us developing this mind. When we conquer our ego we conquer the world. We merge with the supreme soul God, as we are all souls separated from the supreme soul, God paying back our karma, until we merge with him through purification of the mind. 

We experience God through compassion, love, contentment, truth, patience and peace. The tenth gate (dasam duaar) is opened at the top of our heads through meditation.. All humans can experience this.. Once it opens, we can begin to discover the spirit world.. We say God doesn't exist, we can only experience him through meditation, this is how we see him, we begin to develop unconditional love for their creation.. 

Experience meditation, experience true love, experience spirituality, experience energy, experience upliftment, experience a natural high, (chardeekallah) experience your supreme being (God), experience it within.. Experience the True Guru.. Experience Sikhi.. When you experience God through conquering your mind and becoming one with your spirit, there's no turning back.. Until we experience God, we can't judge.. Until we experience, we will never recognise our true self.. When we experience Vaheguroo, God through meditation, then there's no turning back.. 

Ask those who have experienced God! They believe nothing else exists! only Vaheguroo (God)! 

Guru Arjan Dev Ji Says, "Quietening the ego (mind), ecstasy is obtained. Where the ego does not exist, God Himself is there."

Vaheguroo!

Game of love 💚- MEDITATION & SCIENCE

MEDITATION & SCIENCE

The beauty is, Guru Sahib Ji revealed the below 550 years ago but we won't listen to Guru Ji. For some reason, it makes more sense when it comes from others! 

It turns out meditating is good for more than just quiet time: It can actually help us fight the cripplingly high stress levels we experience during our busy lives, in the office or elsewhere.

November 7, 2014: Scientists from Harvard University and the University of Sienna, recently found that meditation is so powerful it can change the physiology of a person's brain, resulting in positive changes like a decrease in anxiety and depression.

The science: Scientists put 24 participants with no history of meditation through an eight-week course on best practices for, "mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR)," fancy science talk for meditation. The course consisted of 2.5 hour sessions each week, where participants learned "body scanning, sitting meditation, walking meditation and mindful stretching movements." The scientists also requested each participant perform at least 45 minutes of meditation each day. MRI's were performed before and after the meditation boot camp and each participant answered a series of psychological evaluations to determine their stress and anxiety levels, before and after the MBSR course as well.

The team compared these results to a control group, who went through no meditation training at all during the eight weeks.

The comparison demonstrated "an increase of cortical thickness in the right insular lobe and somatosensory cortex" of the meditation group. In layman's terms, meditation made parts of the brain corresponding to emotion and perception thicker. This ultimately resulted in "a significant after-training reduction of several psychological indices related to worry, state anxiety, depression and alexithymia."

So ultimately, meditation made people more emotionally attuned and less depressed — a pretty good argument to spend time solemnly reflecting each day.

The takeaway: We live in a society where depression, anxiety, and stress are increasingly part of our lives. Stress levels among Americans have risen by up to 30%, and it's not much better in Europe or Asia, where anxiety and depression is growing at alarming rates. Instead of solving the root causes of these problems, Westerners are resorting to antidepressants at a higher rate than ever before. One in 10 are now taking a prescription antidepressant.

Meditation, while not a panacea, can help us deal with such a society by decreasing our stress levels and increasing our abilities to emotionally relate to ourselves and others. And with further research, it could provide an alternative to being constantly doped to the gills in order to be happy (or just less sad).

Guru Ji gave us the answer to the above many years ago. If we want to live a depressed/stressed free life, we have to take to the True Guru. There's no other cure. 🙏

Guru Arjun Dev Ji Says, "The True Guru has inspired me to hear the Treasure of meditation on Gods Naam (name); all my mental & physical illnesses have been dispelled."

Vaheguroo!

Game of love 💛- ONE DAY I DECIDED TO QUIT!

ONE DAY I DECIDED TO QUIT!

My relationship, my spirituality… I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with Vaheguroo (God)

...

“Vaheguroo” I asked, “Can you give me one good reason not to quit?” His answer surprised me… “Look around,” He said. “Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

“Yes,” I replied. “When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant, green covered the floor yet nothing came from the bamboo seed but I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year, the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful and again, nothing came from the bamboo seed but I did not quit on the bamboo, he said,

“In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit,” he said.

“Then in the fifth year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern, it was seemingly small and insignificant…But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge they could not handle.” 

He asked me, “Did you know my child that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots. I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. Don’t compare yourself to others,” he said.

”The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern yet they both make the forest beautiful. Your time will come,” Vaheguroo said to me. “You will rise high.”

“How high should I rise?” I asked.

“How high will the bamboo rise?” He asked in return.

“As high as it can?” I questioned.

”Yes,” he said, “Give Me glory by rising as high as you can," said Vaheguroo! 

Don't Ever Give Up! Guru Sahib ji will always look after you. We think he's not there but he's always watching us grow. We grow according to our past karma, some grow faster than others. We are his loving children. Don't compare yourself to others, we are on our journey and they are on theirs. We all have a personal relationship with Guru Ji. Make it a strong one by following his teachings.  

Guru Arjun Dev Ji Says, "At the very last moment, God becomes the mortal's Help and Support; here and hereafter, Vaheguroo is my Savior."

Vaheguroo!