Game of love 175- REMEMBRANCE

REMEMBRANCE 

There was a man walking around in the streets with dirty and ripped clothing. He walked passed people and they looked at him in disgust. He had no friends and no money in his pocket. 

The brahmins threatened to beat him
if he came near them due to his low caste and low status.
Even children would make fun of him and he was given no respect wherever he went. He was always in some kind of transfixed state, people called him mad. 

Guru Arjan Dev Ji saw this man and was mesmerised. He told his Gursikhs (followers) to look at this amazing person. He advised his Gursikhs to do Sangat with him, as the dust of his feet will make them pleasing to God. The Gursikhs followed him to his tiny broken down hut and saw him in a deep meditative state. Naam (Name of God) was radiating from this individual and his presence seemed to be one with Vaheguroo (God). 
Society gave him no place, but Guru sahib said 'this person is one who truly rules the world, as he has been able to conquer all the world has thrown at him.'

Guru Sahib Ji Says, "those that conquer the mind, conquer the universe." Our mind is the universe, we have never really realised it's worth. We are too busy in our worldly affairs. Once we realise the power of the mind through Naam meditation, we will come to recognise our true self. 

Guru Arjun Dev Ji Says, "He dwells in a broken-down shack, in tattered clothes,
with no social status, no honour and no respect; he wanders in the wilderness,
with no friend or lover, without wealth, beauty, relatives or relations.
Even so, he is the king of the whole world, if his mind is imbued with the Lord's Name.
With the dust of his feet, men are redeemed, because God is very pleased with him."

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 174- DISHONESTY

DISHONESTY 

This story is by a grandson. It is one of the most powerful examples of effective parenting I have ever heard. By one simple act, his father taught him a critically important lesson that, unfortunately, many people never grasp.

Arun

When I was sixteen years old, we lived in South Africa about eighteen miles outside the city. One Saturday my father had to go to town to attend a conference and he didn’t feel like driving so he asked me if I would drive him into town and bring him back in the evening. My parents also gave me many small chores to do in town, like getting the car serviced and the oil changed.

When I left my father at the conference venue, he said, “At five o’clock in the evening, come here and pick me up, and we’ll go home together.”

I said, “Fine.” I rushed off, did all my chores as quickly as possible, left the car in the garage—and went straight to the nearest movie theatre. I got so engrossed in a double feature that I didn’t realize the passage of time. The movie ended at 5:30, and I came out and ran to the garage and rushed to where Dad was waiting for me. It was almost six o’clock when I reached there and he was wondering what had happened to me. The first question he asked me was, “Why are you late?”

Instead of telling him the truth, I lied to him, and I said, “The car wasn’t ready; I had to wait for the car,” not realizing that he had already called the garage.

When he caught me in the lie, he said, "There’s something wrong in the way I brought you up, that didn’t give you the confidence to tell me the truth. That made you feel you had to lie to me. I’ve got to find out where I went wrong with you, and to do that I’m going to walk home.” There was absolutely nothing I could do to make him change his mind—and I couldn’t leave him and go away. For five and a half hours I crawled along in the car behind Father, watching him go through all this pain and agony for a stupid lie. I decided then and there, that I was never going to lie again.

It’s almost fifty years since the event, and every time I think about it I still get goose bumps. That is the power of nonviolent action. It’s a lasting thing. It’s a change we bring through love, not fear. Anything that is brought by fear doesn’t last. But anything that is done by love lasts forever.

Guru Ramdas Ji Says, "I have one thing in my mind, and another thing on my lips; I am such a poor, unfortunate liar!"

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 173- FIVE THIEVES

FIVE THIEVES 

Lust, Anger, Greed, Attachment, Ego! 

The panj chor (five thieves) are very very crafty. Every single worldly attachment you have, they will use it to attack you. They will do this especially if they're under threat. So if you've started to get into a good routine, they feel threatened and will come at you through family, friends, TV, food, belongings etc. they will find anyway possible of polluting this mind and pulling you away from meditating on Gods name and becoming peaceful. 

This is why it's important to not have attachment to anything other than Naam (Gods name) and bani (Gurus teachings), because the further you go down the path, the more angry the panj become. The more we practise, the more they try to sneak in to the mind and disrupt our happiness. But with the blessing of Guru Sahib, there becomes a time where they are not allowed in to the mind, as the mind becomes in tune with Gods loving mantra of Vaheguroo which can not be replaced by anything.. This is the most ecstatic ras (taste). 

Even Gursikhs, If your link with them isn't Naam based and your link is worldly friendship and extremely social, then the panj will turn them against you, as nothing is sthir (permanent/trust worthy) without meditation on Gods name. Only the sangat (company) of meditative Sikhs, and virtuous people is accepted. Those people who we learn from, earn from, practice with and spread the love of Vaheguroo's  name in to this world with is accepted at all costs. 

Naam meditation purifies our mind, body and soul. We will not be remembered for having the most beautiful face, we will definitely be remembered by thousands for having the most loving heart and beautiful soul. 

Guru Arjun Dev Ji Says, They do not know how to guard their own home (mind).
The five thieves have plundered them;
The thugs descend upon the unguarded village (body).
Our mothers and fathers cannot save us from them;
Friends and brothers cannot protect us from them
They cannot be restrained by wealth or cleverness.
Only through the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, can those villains be brought under control. 

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 172- NOTHING BELONGS TO YOU!

NOTHING BELONGS TO YOU!

Jaswant died, when he realized it, he saw Vaheguroo (God) coming closer with a suitcase in his hand.
- Vaheguroo said: "Alright son its time to go."
- surprised Jaswant responded: "Now? So soon? I had a lot of plans..."
- "I'm sorry but its time to go."

- "What do you have in that suitcase?" Jaswant asked.
- Vaheguroo answered: "Your belongings."
- "My belongings? you mean my things, my clothes, my money?"
-Vaheguroo answered: "Those things were not yours they belonged to the earth."

- "Is it my memories?" Jaswant asked.
-Vaheguroo answered: "those never belonged to you, they belonged to Time."

- "Is it my talents?"
-Vaheguroo answered: "those were never yours, they belonged to the circumstances."

- "Is it my friends and family?"
-Vaheguroo answered: "I'm sorry they were never yours, they belonged to the path."

- "Is it my wife and son?"
- Vaheguroo answered: "They were never yours they belonged to your heart."

- "Is it my body?"
- Vaheguroo answered: "that was never yours it belonged to the dust."

-"Is it my soul?"
Vaheguroo answered: "No that is mine."

Full of fear, Jaswant Singh took the suitcase from Vaheguroo and opened it, just to find out the suitcase was empty.
- With a tear coming down his cheek Jaswant said: "I never had anything???"
-Vaheguroo answered: "That is correct, every moment you lived were only yours. Life is just a moment a breath, a moment that belongs to you. For this reason enjoy this time while you have it. Don't let anything that you think you owned stop you from progressing in your spiritual journey of becoming one with Vaheguroo and purifying this life's journey. 
- Material things and everything else that you fought for-- stay here.
Your primary duty is to serve & worship Vaheguroo through Naam meditation and following the teachings of the True Guru.  
-YOU CAN'T TAKE ANYTHING WITH YOU! 

It's only a pure soul, cleansed mind through naam meditation and Baani that follows you to the here after. 

Live by meditating on Vaheguroo's name and in the end, they will reward you with liberation of yourself and others and most of all a blessed place near his loving feet in Sachkhand (most spiritual gate of truth). 

We are born alone, we live alone, we die Alone, only through our love and friendship with vaheguroo (God) can we create the reality for the moment that we're not alone! 

Guru Arjun Dev Ji Says, "I am nothing; nothing belongs to me. I have no power or control.
O Creator, Cause of causes, Lord God of Nanak, I am saved and redeemed in the Society of the Saints."

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 171- REFLECT

REFLECT

If you don't know already; the only thing money brings you is worldly possessions. A big house, an expensive car and nice clothes etc.

It doesn't make you invincible. Everyone will die and those who have to leave behind their fortune will die the most painful death, because
they are getting parted from their wealth, all they have ever worked for.

Live simply, eat simply, and be grateful for everything you have. Be grateful for the food in your fridge, for the comfort of your bed, for the love of your mother/father because millions of people don't have these things. 

That gratitude and your good actions will be worth more to you than billions of pounds, when you leave this world to enter the next and be judged on your actions towards yourself and Vaheguroo's (Gods) creation. 

REFLECT

Let's take a minute out! Where is our life taking us? what is it's purpose? Why are we here? What do we want to achieve? Who are we pleasing? What will be the final result of it's achievement? Where do we go from there? Is it a circle? Do we want more? Will we ever be happy and content? 

If we get the inside right, it's guaranteed the outside will fall in to place. 

Guru Nanak Dev Ji Says, "Worldly possessions are obtained by pain and suffering; when they are gone, they leave pain and suffering. 
O Nanak, without the True meditation on Gods Name, hunger is never satisfied."

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 170- MERA/MY/MINE Vs APNAA/WE/OURS

MERA/MY/MINE Vs APNAA/WE/OURS

A gursikh told me many years ago,  that there are many ways to defeat your ego through the words you use. 
One of which is never using the word mera (my), when you are referring to a possession. We should never say mera ghar or my house, or my car instead we should use apna ghar (our house), or apnee gaddi (our car). 

The only things we should profess to have should be our weaknesses. My weaknesses belong to me, they are mine and my own doings, however any qualities I have belong to you - "tudh gun Mai sabh avgunaa" (you are the virtuous one and I am full of vice). 
In the same way anything we achieve,  should be accredited to vaheguru (vaheguru Ji ki fateh). 

Many gursikh who achieve something, will often say it happened because of 'guru di Kirpa,' with the blessings of vaheguru. Gurbani talks about how nothing belongs to us anyway, including our achievements or our possessions. 

Bhai Gurdas Ji says, "Kar Kay neech sadaavanaa taa Prabh lekhe andar paae" - (When we do a good action, we should not boast about it yet remain humble, then that action is registered in our destiny). 
Naam kamaaee (meditating on Gods name) makes this all 2nd nature, as it will lead us on a path of humility to defeat our ego. 

By adopting these few basic strategies, we can try to live the message of Gurbani a little more efficiently. As the soul purpose of this life is to kill our ego, conquer our mind, become one with God by liberating our soul and remaining humble at all times. 

Guru Arjun Dev Ji, "Crying out, ""Mine! Mine!"", they have departed, but their bodies, their wealth, and their wives did not go with them. Only the naam will accompany you"

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 169- THE POWER OF COMPASSION

THE POWER OF COMPASSION

Harakchand Sawla - Really a great soul!

A young man in his thirties used to stand on the footpath, opposite the famous Tata Cancer Hospital, at Mumbai and stare at the crowd in front. Fear plainly written upon the faces of the patients standing at death's door; Their relatives with equally grim faces running around... These sights disturbed him greatly...
Most of the patients were poor people from distant towns. They had no idea whom to meet, or what to do. They had no money for medicines, not even food. The  young man, heavily depressed, would return home. 'Something should be done for these people', he would think. He was haunted by the thought day and night. At last he found a way! 
He rented out his own hotel that was doing good business and raised some money. From these funds he started a charitable activity right opposite Tata Cancer Hospital, on the pavement next to Kondaji Building. He himself had no idea that the activity would continue to flourish, even after the passage of 27 years. 

The activity consisted of providing free meals for cancer patients and their relatives. Many people in the vicinity approved of this activity. Beginning with fifty, the number of beneficiaries soon rose to hundred, two hundred, three hundred. As the numbers of patients increased, so did the number of helping hands. As years rolled by, the activity continued; undeterred by the change of seasons, come winter, summer or even the dreaded monsoon of Mumbai. The number of beneficiaries soon reached 700. 

Mr Harakhchand Sawla, for that was the name of the pioneer, did not stop here. He started supplying free medicines for the needy. In fact, he started a medicine bank, enlisting voluntary services of three doctors and three pharmacists. A toy banks was opened for kids suffering from cancer. The 'Jeevan Jyot' trust founded by Mr Sawla now runs more than 60 humanitarian  projects. 

Sawla, now 57 years old, works with the same vigour. A thousand salutes to his boundless energy and his monumental contribution!
There are people in this country who look upon Sachin Tendulkar as 'God'- for playing 200 test matches in 20 years, few hundred one day matches, and scoring 100 centuries and 30,000 runs. But hardly anyone knows Harakhchand Sawla, let alone call him 'God' for feeding free lunches to 10 to 12 lac cancer patients and their relatives. We owe this discrepancy to our mass media! 
(A relentless hunt on Google failed to procure a photograph of Mr. Sawla). 

God resides in our vicinity. But we, like mad men run after 'god-men', styled variously as Bapu, Maharaj or Baba. All Babas, Maharajs and Bapus become multi-millionnaires, but our difficulties, agonies and disasters persist unabated till death. For the last 27 years, millions of cancer patients and their relatives have found 'God', in the form of Harakhchand Sawla.

Someone sent me the above post! When reading this, Bhagat Pooran Singh Ji (pingalvaare), Bhai Kannaiyaa ji and Sikhi in general came to mind straight away, as Compassion is the foundation stone of Sikhi. Bhai Kannaiyaa went around giving water to the opposition forces whilst in battle, as he saw God in all. Bhagat Ji fell in love with disabled people. He started doing the Seva (selfless service) of one disabled man by carrying him on his back throughout the whole of his life. Eventually, he set up an institute for the disabled, which runs to this day and many hundreds have been treated and continue to get treated through it. The beauty about bhagat ji was, he looked after hundreds of disabled people, set up an institute, but dressed in rags himself. Such was his humility, kindness, love and compassion. Above is just a minor glimpse of his compassionate acts. He was also a complete environmentalist. He dedicated the whole of his life, until he breathed his last to the selfless service of the disabled. 

Sikhs have set up many organisations around the world, where they go out on to the streets and feed the poor. The Sikh Guru's started this Seva many hundreds of years ago and named it Langar. Anyone can enter any sikh Gurdwara (temple) around the world and be provided with a hot meal for free, as long as they are not under the influence of intoxicants. Therefore a Sikh or anybody else living near a Gurdwara should not starve, such was the vision of the Sikh Gurus. 

There are endless examples of compassion in the Sikh faith. 

Guru Nanak Dev Ji Says, "O Nanak, the Gurmukh finds the Diamond of the Lord, by His Kindness and Compassion."

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 168- TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY OF SEVA! (Selfless service)

TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY OF SEVA! (Selfless service)

One snowy morning, a Gursikh walked down to the doctors with his daughter. There was an elderly couple sat in the waiting room who were just leaving, as the Gursikh was going in to see the doctor. 

After seeing the doctor, the Gursikh and his daughter went next door to the chemist. As they went to the chemist, they noticed the elderly man from the doctors pouring sand under his wheels, whilst his vehicle seemed slightly stuck in the snow. They thought nothing of it and walked in to the chemist. 

They were in the chemist for around 10/15 mins. When leaving the chemist, both of them saw the elderly couple in their vehicle with their wheels spinning in the snow. They were in exactly the same position the Gursikh saw them, as they went to the chemist. 

Without any thought, the natural reaction for the Sikh was to go and help. He did a very quick ardaas (prayer), whilst walking to the car by saying, "Guru ji accept and make the Seva successful." He walked to the back of the white elderly couples vehicle and pushed from the back right of the vehicle, as the man look through his mirror at him. The Sikh man was pushing slightly up hill. Amazingly, with one push, the large vehicle spun straight out and started driving slowly away.

The man was very thankful and quickly wound his window down and started saying thank you many times and acknowledged the Sikh mans daughter with a warming smile. The Gursikh said, "no prob, just keep driving," as didn't want him to lose momentum.  

The Gursikh smiled to himself and was very proud that, Guru Ji blessed him to serve and help a fellow human being in need. He was proud that Guru Jis roop will be praised, if the white man ever tells his story. He was happy that Guru ji blessed him to do a good deed, which will be added to his account when he departs. Most of all he was proud that Guru ji was so close and heard and acted out his Ardaas themselves, as it seemed more or less impossible to push the large vehicle up a slight hill on his own. 

MORAL

Always remember, when doing ardaas, believe it will come true, as Guru Sahib will never let their Gursikhs down. Every Karaj (event/action) we do, should be carried out by an ardaas to begin with. Such is the life of a Sikh, Guru Sahib keeps the laaj (respect) of his Gursikhs ardaas. 

Never think twice about doing Seva, just do it, this should be 2nd nature for a Sikh. Many times we say no, when asked to do Seva. Seva is an opportunity given by Guru Ji himself. If we keep saying no or thinking leave it, there will be a time where Guru ji will stop blessing us with it and We'll never be asked again. 

Serving others is serving God (vaheguroo). It gains respect, love, confidence in ones self, divine pride, humility and replaces negative thoughts with positive energy. such is it's power! 

Guru Nanak Dev Ji Says, "Make good deeds the soil, and let the Word of the Shabad (vaheguroo) be the seed; irrigate it continually with the water of Truth."

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 167- FANTASTIC TRANSFORMATIONS

FANTASTIC TRANSFORMATIONS

Bhai Daljinder Singh’s journey!

BACKGROUND

Born into a normal Punjabi family in 1978 in Birmingham, our life was based primarily around family and work. We all lived on one road and all got on really well with each other. It was an open door policy with at least 5 or 6 families on one road. They were good times from what I can remember, from the point of view that people got on with each other. My extended family were not religious at all and still are not to this day. Instead of going to the Gurdwara they are still focused on drink and punjabi music. In my early days I always had cut Kesh (hair).

GROWING UP

After the 1984 attack on Sri Harmandir Sahib Amritsar, my father became a devout Sikh and we started to go to the Gurdwara regularly. We kept our Kesh when I was about 6 or 7 years old.  My father got us involved in Kirtan (singing hymn, learning how to play the harmonium and tabla) and Santhea practice (Gurmukhi tuition) and he would always tell us Sakhia about the Guru Sahibs and great Sikh Leaders. If my sister, brother or I had questions they were promptly answered with answers that made you feel proud to be part of such a great group. I say group as then I had no understanding of what a Sikh is or what it meant. I visited India once and saw some Gurdware but because of the people I was with never really learnt anything, but I can say that I am one of those people that cannot use the excuse, that I was never taught anything about Sikhi when I was young; I had a good start!

From a personal view my santhea was going well and I would get praised regularly by my teacher. I recall the teacher who was from India, as were his children. One day he criticised his own son in front of the whole Santhea sangat saying, how good my Santhea was being British born compared to his own son’s. I felt proud of the teacher; I saw his actions as being honest.

THE CHANGE

However, I remember when I was around 16 years old, I left school and started college. My regular sangat had changed from my parents to my Punjabi friends and I became more influenced by punjabi music and ensuring I ‘looked good’. From the time my beard started growing,  I would cut what Kesh I had with scissors, just to look in the mirror and think it looked better to have cut hair, than to have curly hair sticking out; so I never really had a proper beard. So without even realising it, I was turning away from Sikhi. It was around this time that Sant Baba Thakur Singh Ji and other Singhs came to our house and I was blessed enough to have had their darshan (blessed vision). I remember going upstairs and hiding, as I was scared in case they found out about me cutting my Kesh; my younger brother was also with me. However Baba ji came upstairs and questioned my brother with a hand sign, as to why he was cutting his kesh.  We could give no answer but this is something I remember all the time.    

I then went to University in Coventry and started to do all the usual things; drinking, going out etc . It's quite ironic that most people turn from being Punjabi to becoming Gursikh. My father gave me the start, where I was doing things a Sikh would do i.e. Santhiya, Kirtan and I still became a Punjabi – just goes to show how important true sangat is and what influence others can have on you.

FAMILY LIFE

After University, I got married and settled down with Singhni/wife (Bulbinder Kaur). Her parents too were Amritdhari but she was like me, more Punjabi and enjoyed having a ‘good time’. In the second year of our marriage my wife fell pregnant. Even before we knew she was pregnant, I remember we went to McDonalds drive through for a chicken burger meal. She took one bite into the burger and said to me, “Oh my god! I can’t eat this! Look at all the strings of meat. It feels like I’ve got magnified vision where I can really see the bits of dead flesh!!! I’m not eating this! I feel sick!” From that day on she gave up meat. It’s funny, as a lot of parents help their kids into Sikhi and help them get inspired but for us it seemed like our kids were here for that purpose. Once Gurniv Singh arrived, we settled in Leicester and both had good jobs. Singhni was a strict vegetarian now and so was Gurniv. Even to this day he feels sick at the sight and smell of meat; the same feeling Singhni got at McDonalds when she was pregnant with him.

When Gurniv was about 2 years old and despite having ‘everything’ (good jobs, a nice family, a nice house) Singhni began to feel empty. She would ask questions such as, "Is this it? life has got to be more than just work, coming home, looking after kids, going to sleep and restarting it all again".  She felt empty, like a piece of jigsaw was missing in her heart- there has got to be more to life. Why are we here?

There was no spirituality in our lives at all but I did not want to change. I enjoyed going out and having a drink with my extended family and eating meat. We lived like this for a few years and after we was blessed with our second child, Sukhraj Singh, Singhni started realising that she knew no one in Leicester and wanted to make some friends, so inadvertently I sent an email off to Leicester Kaurageous group on behalf of her, to find out when their next program would be so she could meet some people. I look back now and think that I sowed the seed at this point for my return home.

She came back having attended a Kaurageous programme at the Gurdwara. There was a particular speech about Dr Masaru Emoto’s research and his experiments on water and rice which inspired her. She was told about his findings and the effects of prayer and positive thoughts on water which she linked back to Sangat and Amrit. This for her was ‘proof’ behind the effects of sangat and how Amrit is formed - bearing in mind over two thirds of our bodies are water. She started to hint that we should change and that the sangat she had met was inspiring, so loving, welcoming and had a very positive aura about them. From then on she would always get addressed with “Singhni” by a bhenji that she met at the Kaurageous programme, even though she looked the complete opposite. The respect she got when she didn’t think she deserved it by the true sangat was so overwhelming for her.

She wanted to get onto the path of Sikhi but like a lot of couples would always wait for me to change with her before she took any steps, because she wanted us to do it together. She would regularly confide with a close relative as well who one day told her to stop using me as an excuse and if she was serious about it she would take the steps herself. In the end she realised she was using me as an excuse not to make any physical changes to herself and instead she went ahead without me and lead by example. She started taking paths into Sikhi, listening to paath and growing Kesh. I, on the other hand was still reluctant to change. Our lives were going on different paths. She would do Ardaas every day to Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee, for Gursikhi jeevan for us and the children daily and the thought always brought her to tears.

There became a time where we started to attend the Leicester Friday night program's at Gurdwara and this particular Friday, I came home from work after 5pm and she opened the door to me, ready to go to the programme. She looked very different as today she was wearing a Dastaar (turban). I said to her, 'Are you going to Gurdwara like that?' and she responded saying 'Yes! I can't wait for you forever!’ There was growing tension in our relationship. She would sit in the front room with both boys and I would sit in the back whenever I wanted a drink, especially when football was on. She stopped making me meat which I completely supported. To be honest she shouldn't have to make me meat, especially if she had her reasons not to eat it anymore. But I have to say, she never forced me to make any changes; she would hint every so often but most of the time she would let me be and do Ardaas for us when I wasn’t there to watch.

After a little while I started to grow my beard but when we had a punjabi wedding to go to I would want to drink so would cut my Kesh again, so that I didn't feel guilty having a drink with a long beard. I know now how this must have messed with singhni's emotions. She would get very happy seeing me in Gursikhi roop (with unshorn hair) then heartbroken when I would change back. She would speak with sangat regularly and the whole subject would bring her to tears each time. She literally was craving this path for us!

THE POWER OF ARDAAS FROM A PURE AND TRUE HEART

One day Singhni got a phone call from a bhenji she knew, saying a very spiritual and pure soul were in Leicester at the time. Although she was told their name, she didn't know much about them but felt like she needed to go and have darshan. Maybe this was Guru Sahib listening to her ardaasa(n). Sangat was sat around and the bhenji which called her kept nudging saying, go speak with them. In the end she went closer to them but their aura was so positively overpowering that she broke down into tears. She eventually did benti to them in front of all the sangat – that she wanted the whole family to have a puran Gursikhi jeevan and told them about me. She was told to CONTINUE reciting Sri Japji Sahib jee da paath. It was amazing, because how did they know she began to recite it anyway? Baba jee asked my name and said, that they wanted to see me but I was still arrogant to say no and I remember going out that evening. They said to Singhni, not to worry and everything will be ok.

RETURNING HOME

The next morning when I woke up I felt a gush of regret in my entire body. I quickly went downstairs and spilt all the alcohol I had in the house down the sink. Singhni saw me do this and I asked if she would get me a Kanga (wooden comb and one of the 5 articles of faith is Sikhi) for my Kesh. To be honest, she had heard it all before - me wanting to change but not changing so she said NO and said that I was making fun of her and her feelings again (but in different words). This time it felt different! I swapped the bottle for a Gutka sahib that day and I went and met with sangat right away. I have a brother in law who is a Gursikh, who was also very supportive.

In my heart I know Maharaj listens to those that do Ardaas with a pure heart and they will never turn a blind eye to their beloved devotees and Gursikhs. Whatever was done or happened that night changed my life at the flick of a switch and I am forever grateful.

BACK TO SIKHI

A year or so had past and Bulbinder Kaur and I then went on a Yatra to India on our own. We met a lovely Gursikh who I still meet now and again as he lives in Canada and I realised then, that my life away from Sikhi had just been an awful dream. I had just lived in a bubble away from Sikhi for 14 years or so. I had wasted those essential years and knowledge. I did not realise the gift of life given by the True Guru. I had disrespected Sikhi, my true family. I could not help but have a go at myself and the only way to remedy this was to take Amrit. We read a story about a Singh that wanted to take Amrit and was told to come back the next morning at Amrit Vela (ambrosial hours in the morning), but sadly they passed away that night without having received the gift!! Knowing now that life and death was a cycle that could end my life at any point too, we decided to take Amrit straight away. We was told that we may have to wait until December but we was craving it so much that we couldn't even wait until the end of the week! A dear Gursikh arranged an Amrit sanchar for that weekend. It was the best day of my life. I cried on the day asking Guru Gobind Singh Ji our father for forgiveness for my sins and Singhni was in tears, and she still did not feel worthy enough to be blessed with the daath (gift), but still wanted it so bad and was scared of being turned away.

This was the beginning of my life! Singhni has found the piece of jigsaw that was missing and I have never felt as content with my life before. Sangat Ji, we are blessed to be born into Sikhi, we don't realise what a beautiful way of life we have. An honest way of life is the most inspirational. I could never see my life without Sikhi; it's the greatest learning path I will ever experience and still am experiencing. Sikhi brings out good qualities in people that I never thought were possible in this age of Kalyug. Our only Ardaas now is that Guru Sahib blesses all our children with this jeevan (Gursikhi life) as it’s truly priceless – a true treasure chest that can only be experienced, not explained. To those of us that are born into Sikh families, we have a winning lottery ticket in our back pocket. All we need to do is cash it in!

In the end all our Karam's will be judged and if I have to live my life in fear then I am happy with this, as this is the path that keeps me close to my Guru.

Guru Arjun Dev Ji Says, "Save me, O Merciful Saints (Gursikh Sangat in the presence of Guru Sahib Ji)!
You are the All-powerful Cause of causes. You have ended my separation, and joined me with God. 
You save us from the corruption and sins of countless incarnations; associating with You, we obtain sublime understanding.
Forgetting God, we wandered through countless incarnations; with each and every breath, we sing the Lord's Praises.
Whoever meets with the Holy Saints - those sinners are sanctified.
Says Nanak, those who have such high destiny, win this invaluable human life."

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 166- SIKHI BLOSSOMING!

SIKHI BLOSSOMING! 

Often, we underestimate the value of encouraging one person towards Sikhi. At camps or Sikhi events, we may say things like, 'even if one person changes then that's a success,' do we really believe that? We aim at numbers rather than quality. 

If we realise a camp or an event has inspired one person to take amrit, that in reality, is one family of 4 or 5 coming into Sikhi. The kids will grow up into Sikhi and encourage their kids to follow Sikhi, from here a whole community can be affected.

In Wolverhampton, there was one gursikh who took amrit and now is part of a family, who run classes and programmes for youth at the gurdwara. The children inspired other children who started to progress in Sikhi, and the parents inspired other parents. 

This is how Sikhi blossoms. Where does this blossom start? From one person. 

It's the duty of us all, to be proactive in Gurmat parchaar (spreading Guru's teachings). If we all did our bit individually, Sikhi would have blossomed way more than what it has done.  

Take steps towards the True Guru and do your bit ji. You might guide one, who might go on to guide, educate and inspire thousands. 

Guru Ramdas Ji Says, "Blessed is that mortal being, who shares the Teachings for the good of others."

Vaheguroo! 

 

Game of love 165- NEEDS OF AMRIT!

NEEDS OF AMRIT! 

I recently heard the story of a very devoted man, who used to do a lot of vaheguroo simran (meditation) and seva (selfless service), however had not taken Amrit (sikh Baptism). He lived around the time of Baba Kartar Singh Damdami Taksaal vale (1950-60s), and loved to listen to baba jis katha (religious discourses). 

This man had now grown very old and eventually had passed away. He was very devoted to Sikhi but had died before taking Amrit. At his funeral there were many thousands of people in attendance, as his seva and dedication had touched many people. As his body was about to be cremated, he suddenly got up. Everyone was shocked, as he turned to Baba Kartar Singh and said 'Please baba Ji, make me like you.'
Everyone was fascinated to know what had happened. 

The man narrated, that he had left his body and because he did so much seva and simran he was given royal treatment. All those in the next world gave him so much respect. They treated him like a king. He said to them, "I don't want all this, all I want is to see Guru Gobind Singh ji." The people there bowed to this man and he was revered, but he continually said "I don't want this, I want to see Guru Ji." He was taken before Dharam raaj, (King of righteousness) who also showed him immense respect, the mans soul asked, "I want to be with Guru Gobind singh." Dharamraaj said, "you haven't taken amrit, so you can not meet him. You haven't made him your Guru. Guru sahib is in Sach Khand but you can't reach him without Amrit."

He was sent back to take Amrit, and as he told his story approx 80,000 people took Amrit with him. Once receiving Amrit, he left his body permanently.

The acceptance of Amrit is a must for all Sikhs! The world is beginning to realise the purity and power of Guru Sahib Ji's Amrit! 

Bhai Gurdaas Ji Says, "Spending this life fruitfully the Gurmukh goes to the other world. There in the True court (of God) he gets his True place."

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 164- FANTASTIC TRANSFORMATIONS!

FANTASTIC TRANSFORMATIONS! 

Bhai Mehtaab Singh's Journey in to Sikhi!  

Vaheguroo Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguroo  Ji Ki Fateh

As a child I had a somewhat mixed upbringing in that my father was very westernised (having come to the UK at a very young age) but my mother was more traditional. My dad would spend a lot of time socialising with his friends leaving my mother at home with us. My mom would do some paath and would also tell us sakhia from time to time. However looking back she was also a little confused herself when it came to religion as she would partake in ritualistic things with her friends and also attend mandhirs from time to time. 

As a teenager I was a typical Punjabi lad, designer haircut with designer beard with Indian gold jewellery and real ‘proud’ to be jatt/sikh! The type of ‘sikh’ who would celebrate Vaisakhi by getting drunk, blasting bhangra tunes from my car on soho road, but it was ok because I wore an orange armband with a Khanda on it!!!!

The first turning point in my life came when I was about 17 and I heard about Operatinon Bluestar and thus was introduced to Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Bhindranwale. To my family’s dismay in the next year every spare second I had, I would listen to Sant Ji’s speeches. Listening to these speeches would leave me feeling belittled and ashamed of who I was and had many sleepless nights because of how I had failed my ancestors by not living Sikhi.

I then made the decision I would keep my Kesh. BUT still there was something holding me back.  I was now the kind of Sikh who wore a bandana (instead of a Dastaar/Turban) still kept my designer beard and drank alcohol and ate meat!

Then came university. Again I drifted from Sikhi, considering myself to be a lads lads I did many things that now disgust me which I am too ashamed to repeat, but you name it I’ve done it. Whilst studying I was also a Bouncer (security at pubs and clubs) so this was also a huge hindrance to me advancing my sikhi in any way. Funnily enough though it was at this stage in my life where I gave up alcohol (nothing to do with Sikhi though), probably because of working in such places I came to realise how idiotically people behave when drunk!

Completing my studies came that dreaded day, it totally came out of the blue when my mother said someone’s told me about a girl you may be interested in!!!  I was mortified (I had an older brother and sister who were yet to be married!). So not wanting to  hurt my mothers feelings I said I would meet this girl (telling myself I would just tell my parents it didn’t work out). Little did I know this girl would be my now Singhni!

She was light years ahead of me in terms of Sikhi with her parents both being amritdharis! (she was not). At this stage in my life I didn’t know what nitnem was! But we did initially talk about sikhi and I think the reason she agreed to marry me then was because I said to her I could see myself taking amrit one day.

So we got married! For the wedding I grew my beard longer and fuller than normal. I joked to her after the wedding that I wouldn’t cut it again and she became happy telling me that was really good!! I thought to myself don’t worry she’ll tell me to cut it again later, but that day never came and so it was never cut again.

Then came our honeymoon where she would wake each morning and recite japji sahib and I would sit and listen, this was the first time in my life I took an interest in Gurbani!!

Then came the day when I knew Sikhi would be my everything. It was my first experience of a rehansbhai and seeing Gursikhs. I walked into the darbar sahib which was full with all the sangat singing and the atmosphere was amazing.  I could see Guru Gobind Singh Jee’s Khalsa dressed in bana with beautiful dumalleh with Khandeh and chakkars, amazing shastar and I knew this is where I belonged! I sat down quite close to the front and the shabad being sang was ‘man meh ram nama jaap’ (meditate on Gods name within your mind) and the darbar sahib was vibrating with naam, something I had never experienced! I sat that day for about 4/5 hours (having previously never stay for more than 20 mins in a gurdwara). I can remember thinking why have I never seen the gurdwara like this on a Sunday or at a wedding or at any other time infact!

From that day something changed within me and I couldn’t learn about Sikhi quick enough. From that day I never listened to another song again all I wanted was kirtan! I would do more research on the internet and came to learn about mahaan gursikhs like Shaheed Bhai Fauja Singh and Shaheed Bhai Anokh Singh, who's sacrifices were out of this world and had a massive impact on me.

However  now the only thing holding me back was the fact I ate meat. This was very difficult for me as I was very much into my training and a massive meat eater. My wife was desperate for me to give it up, as this was the first time in her life she was around meat, as she had been a vegetarian all her life. But with maharaj’s kirpa (and maybe a little nagging from my wife) a few months into marriage I gave it up.

So by now I was desperate for more sikhi and sangat and I would ensure I would attend all the kirtan darbars and rehansbhais as i possibly could.

I had now made up my mind I wanted to take Amrit... but... my wife wasn’t ready!! It was definitely something she wanted to do but she was still being held back. We then made the decision to attend sikhi camp, as I wanted her to be away from everyday life and family who were feeding us with negativity around sikhi. I remember packing a dastar for her, as I was desperate for us to start preparing for amrit. With Guru Sahib's kirpa she tied a dastar at camp and soon after returning home she began tying it daily.

Now the time came where we were both ready and we decided we would take amrit. It was at 2010 smagam in Bradford and we decided we would attend the whole smagam to get us in the right frame of mind. It was beautiful. But then came the day of the rehansbhai. When we woke up it had snowed very heavily and I was informed by elder gursikhs that the amrit sanchar would not be taking place as the sevadars would not make it because of the distance they had to travel in the snow. I was DEVASTATED! There I was this fully grown man blubbering like a baby, I couldn’t control myself. I begged and pleaded and said I would pick up each sevadar myself but it was of no use. This gursikh sat with me and my wife for a while and just said leave it in Maharaj’s hands, if he thinks you are ready and worthy then you will be blessed. We then immediately went to maharaj and did an ardas begging to be made worthy of receiving amrit that night.... and so it was, maharaj did beant kirpa on this moorakh and I was blessed with amrit.

Along the way I suffered alot of negative comments from my nearest and dearest, warning me not to grow my kesh, take amrit etc but eventually maharaj held my hand and took me into his embrace and gave me the understanding of ‘sir deejeh kaan na keejeh’ – (Give me your head and do not pay attention to public opinion). And that is how I try to live my life today, if my actions upset anyone then so be it, as long as they do not upset or go against the teachings of my guru.
Looking back I have countless regrets and wish I had found Sikhi earlier but I believe due to my past actions It wasn’t meant to happen any earlier. I am eternally grateful to maharaj who has blessed me with so much, everything I need and more. I have been blessed with two amazing daughters, who's birth together with beant kirpa from guru sahib have inspired my mother to also take amrit. I am grateful to the sangat and gursikhs around me who inspire me and encourage me to improve my jeevan (life) and be a better Sikh.

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

A great transformation, when we see veer ji at programmes he always adorns his dummalla (turban) with a beautiful khanda and karra chakar. May guru Sahib bless us all with the love of adopting Guru Sahibs amazing roop (image). 

Guru Ramdas Ji Says, "Ham Jaisae apraadee avar koi rakhai, jaisae ham satgur rakh leeae shadae."
Can anyone else save a sinner like me? The True Guru has protected and saved me.

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 163- ACCEPTANCE/APPRECIATION!

ACCEPTANCE/APPRECIATION!

A bird was walking on the baking hot desert floor. An angel came down and greeted the bird. The bird recognized the angel was from Vaheguroo (God), and asked if it could help by blessing it with a tree to perch on and avoid the burning desert floor. 
The angel said it couldn't grant this gift but it would go and ask Vaheguroo if he could give the bird this blessing.
The angel went to Vaheguroo and asked whether the bird could be given a tree to help it cope with the desert heat. 
Vaheguroo replied 'No it can't, because it is not in it's destiny, however go back and tell the bird to walk on one leg and then switch to the other, it should find walking easier. Another message Vaheguroo had for the bird was, 'tell the bird it should be grateful for all the things it's ever been given and all the good things it has now' 
The angel agreed and went back to the bird. The bird was told Vaheguroo's  message and it thanked the angel. The bird began walking on one foot and then switched to the other which helped it manage the heat better. 
The angel then left.
A little while later the angel returned to the desert to find the bird looking happy, as it now perched on a tree. 
The angel was shocked and surprised. It immediately went to Vaheguroo to ask, 'you said that the tree wasn't in the birds destiny and now I have seen it perching on a tree, I don't understand'. 
Vaheguroo replied 'when the bird began to be grateful for what it had previously received and thankful for all the gifts it currently had, then its destiny changed. It changed because it appreciated all the gifts it had ever received, hence now being blessed with the tree. 

This is a valuable lesson for us all. We may suffer ups and downs and focus on looking at what we don't have or need. This can lead us to be unappreciative of what we currently have. Let us appreciate all the great blessings we have been given and our destiny may change to include more positivity. 

When one accepts the will of Akaal Purakh Vaheguroo (God), one becomes peaceful and content. The mind becomes relaxed, the name of God settles within them and Guru Sahib Ji fulfils all their wishes. 

Guru Ramdas Ji Says, "I have obtained the fruits of my mind's desires, O my Lord of the Universe; I am transfixed with ecstasy, gazing upon the Perfect Guru."

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 162- WITHOUT NAAM MEDITATION 13

WITHOUT NAAM MEDITATION 13

"Without the Naam, the Name of the Lord, the body and mind are empty; like fish out of water, they die."

Guru Sahib is clearing us from all doubt in this Shabad, just like a Fish will die out of Water, Guru Sahib says the Gurmukh will die without Naam. The body and mind are empty without naam, the mind searches for materialistic pleasures to occupy itself. If this mind is not occupied by the love of Naam, it will be occupied by evil thought, which in turn will cause evil actions. 

Why are we wasting time in worldly affairs and spending less time Japping Naam. All worldly affairs are only accomplished with great honor through every breath of Naam Abhiyaas (practice). To meditate is a command of our Guru and it should not be ignored. Just as we are punctual in all our worldly affairs, we should be equally punctual, if not more when it comes to waking up and reciting Vaheguroo's (Gods) name with every breath. Failure to do so is classed as turning our back on the True Guru. We physically try not to turn our back on Guru Sahib, but have we ever thought, that Guru Sahib wants us not to turn our back on them with every breath we breathe. They want us to love them always. If we are only practicing the physical without the every breath of spiritual, it is pakhand (hypocrisy). 

When we do something wrong or make a mistake in our physical discipline (Rehit), we go to the Panj (beloved ones) for forgiveness. Guru Sahibs Hukum (command) is also of Athai Pehar Naam Abhiyaas (24/7meditation on Naam). Do we meditate with every breath? Lets all ask ourselves this question, if not shouldn’t we be presenting ourselves to the Panj for a solution. There is no solution, the solution is effort. We are not willing to put the effort in but we all want to look like Gurmukhs (true Sikhs) on the outside. The true Gurmukh will always be pure on the inside and outside. In this way the true Gurmukh will earn love and respect in this life and the here after. 

This is the last of "without naam" posts. The whole of Gurbaanee is full of Shabads, in which tell us what happens to us WITHOUT NAAM. The question is, do we read Gurbaani to follow, or has it become another ritual within our lives. 

The mind is a drunken elephant and can only be controlled through meditation on the love of Vaheguroo's name. 

Guru Nanak Dev Ji Says, "The intellect of the mind is like a drunken elephant.
Whatever one utters is totally false, the most false of the false."

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 161- 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. Gurikhs 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 women 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 Sahibs 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 160- 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 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 Jis Amrit. In this way we will all be saved through the blessings of Guru Sahibs devotional worship, Naam, Amrit and rehit (physical discipline). Only the Gurus 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 the Lord, the mind becomes blissful."

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 159- WITHOUT NAAM MEDITATION 11

WITHOUT NAAM MEDITATION 11

"Without the Name, wealth is useless; deceived by wealth, they have lost their way."

Guru Jee says in this Shabad, crying out "mine mine!" for wealth, they have departed but their body, family and friends did not go with them. Guru Sahib goes on to say, deceived by wealth they have lost their way. We always want more and more, we will never be satisfied or content with what we have, as desire and greed always makes us strive for more. This causes us to be unhappy and we lose our inner peace. We can be as rich as we want but ideally we should remain content, never desire more, and be detached from all our possessions. In this way we will find true peace and contentment. 

Guru Sahib says, the true wealth is the wealth of Naam. Naam is only given to us by Guru Sahib Ji after taking Amrit, alongside the practice of Rehit (physical discipline). This wealth is carried across with us after death. This wealth will naturally spread itself in to the Universe through our physical being. This wealth will not decrease, burn, get wet or die. This beautiful wealth will find us peace, respect and honour. This wealth will introduce us to love, compassion, truth, and many more virtues. This wealth is an immaculate treasure, which we can never get bored of and can never stop talking about.

You are made of Gods light, shine brightly through Naam meditation dear one, it is your nature. 

Guru Ramdaas Ji is talking about those that love to meditate: "Even if the entire earth were to be transformed into gold, and given to them, without the Naam, they love nothing else.

The Lord's Name is pleasing to their minds, and they obtain supreme peace; when they depart in the end, it shall go with them as their support.

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 158- TRANSFORMATIONS!

TRANSFORMATIONS! 

Bhai Bhupinder Singh's journey! 

I'm a British born sikh, born In a relatively punjabi family. My parents kept my kesh (hair) until I was 16. They never really educated me on Sikhi and the reason we keep our hair. I was a proud punjabi lad and would never let anyone outside Sikhi speak ill about my hair or faith. At the age of 16, due to hardly ever going to the gurdwara and lack of education, I made the decision to cut my kesh. My family were very upset, yet could really do nothing about it. 

For the next 5 years, I thought I really enjoyed life, having loads of friends, going out, smoking, clubbing and all the rest of it. I would come home in the early hours of every Friday andSaturday night, sleep until late, freshen up and get ready for the next night out. I hardly spent any time with my family, if I did it would be sitting on the couch, not speaking to anyone and just staring at the tv, recovering from the last night out. 

My parents got sick of this behaviour and wanted me to get married, so that I would settle down. It wasn't something I really wanted to do at the age of 20. Anyway, they found a girl who I agreed to speak with, we both were attracted to each other and agreed to get married a year later. 

I was getting married in August 1998 and told all my friends, "In April I will be settling down and not be having anymore late nights out." I was true to my word and settled down in April, after having my last night out on my 21st birthday. I wanted to create a fresh start with my partner. 

After April, I started going to the Gurdwara every Sunday with my mother and father, as felt, I needed to practice sitting cross legged with my marriage date approaching swiftly. I could barely cross my legs and struggled to sit for 10 minutes. 

After our wedding in August, we both started going to the Gurdwara regularly on Sundays. We got on really well and the relationship was growing superbly. 

One Sunday, the speaker on the stage was reiterating the story of Guru Teghbahadur Ji. He got to the part where Gobind Rai said, "How many Sikhs were there when my father was beheaded?" Bhai Jetha responded, "I couldn't see any; They all looked like Hindus and Muslims, I couldn't tell the difference." Gobind Rai replied, "In time, I will create such a Sikh who will stand out in thousands, he/she won't be able to hide, they will have a tall dastaar (turban)." (This was 3 Months in to my marriage). 

I went home that day, looked in the mirror and thought to my self, my surname is Singh but I don't look like one, I look like a Hindu or Muslim. I was deeply hurt. I wanted to look like a Sikh, because I was now aware of my forefathers' sacrifices. From that day, I decided to keep my hair on my head, wrapped with a turban, but I decided I would trim my beard. My wife was very upset with my decision and didn't at all agree. She said, she never married a turbaned Sikh and doesn't want me to wear a turban or grow my hair. 

This was a very challenging time in our lives, there would be many arguments between us. It got worse, as I never trimmed my beard after the promise I made either. She said, she would sleep with a pair of scissors under the pillow and cut my beard, whilst I was sleeping. At the time it was quite frightening, but now we both laugh about it to this day.

I began to live life like an Amritdhaaree Sikh, kept all of Guru Ji's rehit (discipline), Nitnem (daily prayers), amritvela (rise early to meditate). Guru sahib was doing a lot of bakhshish (blessings). When I look back, it's probably the best times I had spiritually. I kept doing Ardaas to Guru Sahib for Amrit (sikh baptism) and to change Sukhy's (wife's) thinking. I was getting very thirsty for Amrit, I didn't want to lose this life after being so close. I would go to Camps, Rehansbhais, Kirtans, do sangat with Gursikhs and would always try to take the Mrs with me. One family of Gursikhs and my chacha (uncle) would guide and support me daily. The Singh Sabha Bradford family also helped greatly in my journey. 

THE CHANGE!

A year passed, we had the opportunity to go to Italy with a Jatha (group) of Gursikhs (think it was year 2000). I asked Singhni (wife) to wear a patka (head covering), I always wanted her to be adorned with Guru's fantastic roop of a dastaar. Patka was a start, she agreed. It was a four day smaagam (I think). From what I can remember, I've not felt anything like it to this day. For me it was the best smaagam (program) to date. The kirtan was electrifying, sangat was awesome, so much love from the Gursikhs, I never experienced anything like it. The love seemed so genuine, there was no difference between us and the sangat, we were welcomed with open arms. This is where I learnt, Gursikh prem is the most powerful love ever. I never experienced this with my sansaaree (worldly) friends. 

On this trip, I was more worried about my Singhni and hoped the trip would change her life. Then all of a sudden, out of the blue, Bhai Rama Singh Ji came up to both of us. He hugged us both with so much love in his eyes and said, thusee lardyaa na karo (you guys shouldn't fight), smiled and walked away. We were shocked, thinking how did he know? Throughout this smaagam Bhai Sahib gave us so much love it was indescribable. He would always come to speak to us when we were alone, he would just stand there and keep smiling. His glass like eyes would shine in our faces, we both felt magnetically attracted to Bhai sahib, we never wanted to be separated from him, such was his aura and energy. We became very close with Bhai Sahib, until he breathed his last. He would always come to speak and sit with us in the langar hall at rehansbhais and whenever we met. He was a very special and extremely beautiful soul. 

This was it, the smaagam was over, we came back home, we were separated from Guru's sangat. We were both depressed, it was as though our souls had been ripped out of our bodies. We both had never experienced anything like it. The power, energy and love of Gursikh sangat was the connecting energy to our soul. We had both realised, this is who we are, we can not be separated from Guru and their pyaaree (loving) sangat. 

That same year we both went on to be blessed with Amrit, Guru Sahib had fulfilled our dreams. It was the happiest day of our life. Guru sahib ji had accepted us and blessed us with their rehit and naam (name of God). 

A few months before the Amrit Sanchaar, we wanted to visit Darbaar Sahib (Amritsar) and a few inspirational Gursikhs. We were fortunate enough to visit Bhai Jeevan Singh Ji and beg him to do an Ardass (prayer) at Darbaar Sahib for us. We asked him to do the ardaas for: "The blessings of Amrit, pooran (pure) Gursikhi Jeevan and a naam/baanee filled jeevan (life) throughout." Bhai Sahib ji accepted and did it straight away. Gursikhs blessings (asseesaa) are very pure in Gurmat (Gurus teachings). 

FOUNDATION!

Today it seems, Sikhi has become more of an outwardly show and more about the image. I remember the time when working in a warehouse for 9 years, I met a practicing bhuddist there, he had immense love and compassion. I learnt that a human should be extremely virtuous throughout their jivan, I held this teaching close to my heart, as this is what Gurbaanee teaches us too. I would continue repeating, "Become the dust of every beings feet through humility." (Hoho sabna ki rainkaa). If I ever saw anyone struggling with their work or in general, I would take the opportunity as Seva (service of good deeds) and try helping them. In general, I would try not to say no to any form of Seva, as I realised Seva was only blessed by Guru Ji. I would endeavour to acknowledge everyone with a smile and give all as much prem (love) as possible. This gave me a great inner feeling of contentment, as others would become very happy, through these 'not so hard to do' deeds. I would often repeat, "bahut janam bishray thay maadho, eh janam thumaare lekhay" (i have been separated from you for many life times God, I dedicate this life only to you). Repeating this would strengthen my will and belief in Wanting to meet Vaheguroo. 

The bhuddist friend would meditate with so much dhiaan (focus) throughout the day. This also raised my hopes and practice, it was as if Guru sahib Ji sent him only for me, as he left after a few months. I understood as a Sikh I could learn from all, as long as it was in line with Gurbaanee (Gurus Teachings). I wanted to meditate with every breath,  as this was my Guru's hukum (command). I didn't want to waste even a breath, as this would be a breath wasted in evil thought. With Guru Sahibs kirpa I started meditating with full concentration for 9 hours of the working day, this lasted 9 years. I would attempt to speak little. This improved my Amritvela and daily abhiyaas (practice) immensely. Even when doing daily house chores, brushing my teeth, eating etc I wanted to be adjoined to the love of Vaheguroo's feet (God), as the ras (taste) of God's name became ecstatic and inseparable. 

The warehouse job consisted of very little concentration, it was picking car parts, whilst walking down aisles, hence finding it easy to meditate. Walking Simran (meditation) became a part of my life, I would repeat 'Vahe' with left foot and 'Guroo' with my right foot forward and listen intensely with my inner ears (mind). The love of Gods Name is what I wanted most from life, hence keeping the job for so long. I wanted Guru Sahib to bless me with the drishtee (internal vision) of seeing the love of Vaheguroo's supreme soul in every being, and wherever I may look, it now became my only desire. 

I remember when going to Rehansbhais, we would make a conscious decision of not leaving, until Guru Sahib ji had stopped speaking to us. We would have one parshada (chapatee), with one dhaal (curry) and some kheer (rice pudding), so we were not too full to sit down for a long period of time. We would go to the men's room before hand, in order that we didn't have to leave the darbaar. Then we would make a conscious decision of sitting through the full Rehansbhai Kirtan, with our eyes closed throughout and meditate constantly with ik mann ik chitt dhiaan (single minded concentration), until the event was samaapath (finished). This would last for around9/10 hours. With Guru sahibs apaar kirpa (blessings), the Nitnem baaneeaa and hours of meditation at Amritvela increased naturally and impressively through Anand (ecstasy).  I would also try to find time throughout the day for seated meditation. Naturally, when repeating one word constantly for long periods, it becomes a part of the mind, body and soul. These practices became the foundation of our jeevan (life).  

Once one has done ghaalnaa (worked hard) in the early stages of their Sikhi, it becomes easier to practice throughout their jivan. Guru sahib blesses the individual and implants the naam within them forever.   

Also, It's extremely important for every Gursikh to read Sehj paath daily (recitation of GGSJ from Guru's Saroop or senchyaa). Gurbaanee is paraskalla (philosophers stone) and transforms us from being like iron to the purity of gold. 

To all those reading, I would like to say, the life of falsehood I lived, was no where near the peace, love and contentment I have received from Guru Sahibs Sangat and Sikhi in it's self. Guru Sahib is the best father/friend anyone can have, he always listens and never let's us down. It's just we lose our faith very easily in him, we stop believing. 

Guru Nanak Dev ji has blessed us with two beautiful children, and blessed both of them with the daat (gift) of his kirtan (singing of Gods word), in order to bring raunak (constant happiness) in to our very poor home. We now feel the most wealthiest, after receiving this sweet gift.  

Sikhi is a path/way of life, which needs to be experienced, until we experience it, we will not realise its worth. It's an ecstasy that guides us through life in high spirits. 

Don't waste this human life. Please take steps, so Guru Sahib can shower his love and grace on all of us!

Guru Ramdas Ji Says, "I am a sinner, saved only by the Company of the True Guru and their sangat. He has bestowed the Teachings of God's Name, which saved me."

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 157- WITHOUT NAAM MEDITATION 10

WITHOUT NAAM MEDITATION 10

"Without the Name, the body suffers in pain; it crumbles like a wall of sand."

In this Shabad, Guru Sahib says the body crumbles like a wall of Sand and suffers in pain. Without Naam our life is not worth living, we will struggle to be happy, content and at peace. One tends to suffer through greed and personal ego. we will most likely not be respected or loved by anyone, as most people look out for themselves or their own in this World. We will have no one to turn to in hard times, If we did find someone, there would usually come a point where we would have to repay them in some form or another. And life goes on in a struggle for survival, until the body falls like a wall of Sand. 

True love only comes through the Guru and their sangat (congregation), the rest is all false. 

We will be more successful in all our endeavours if we can let go of the habit of running all the time, and take little pauses to relax and re-centre ourselves through naam meditation. In this way we would gain a lot more joy and peace in living. 

Guru Amardas Ji Says, "In the Sat Sangat, the True Congregation, the Name of the Lord wells up, when the True Guru unites us in His Sublime Love."

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 156- WITHOUT NAAM MEDITATION 9

WITHOUT NAAM MEDITATION 9

"Those chaylaas, those devotees, whose spiritual teacher is blind, shall not find their place of rest."

In this Shabad Guru Sahib talks about those students who search for a spiritual teacher. Guru Sahib says, their teacher is blind without divine-knowledge, so how will he enlighten you? Only Guru Sahib (Satguru) is pure, we can not be sure of any human being to be pure. Only God is pure this is why Guru Sahib has united us with Shabad and a direct link to God, through the mantra of Naam (Vaheguroo). 

All the Sikh Gurus, Bhagats (saints) and Patts (poets) were one to one with God, this is why their teachings were compiled in the Guru Granth Sahib Jee. The Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the word of God and has come straight from God through the blessings of the True Guru. Sikhi has no flaws and there will never be a more purer faith. 

Don't wait for anyone to bring you flowers. Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, with Guru Ji's extremely beautiful baani (teachings), and mantra of Gods name (Vaheguroo).

"Without the True Guru, the Name is not obtained. Without the Name, what is the use of it all (life)?"

Vaheguroo!