Game of love 183- SEND THE FIFTH ONE!

SEND THE FIFTH ONE! 

Someone sent me this inspirational post, I had to send on! 

Vaheguroo, Panjvaa Bhejo Naa
(Send the 5th one)

Once a principal of a village school in Punjab, invited Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Ji and his fellow singhs to do an akhand keertan samagam in his village. This samagam was to be a 4-day samagam and began on a Wednesday. Lots of school children attended it and some of them expressed their desire to do amrit chhak (Sikh Baptism). The amrit sanchaar was to be conducted on Sunday, the last day of samagam. On Thursday evening, the school principal sent a message to Bhai Sahib requesting him to prepone the Amrit Sanchaar. The principal was worried that 3 days of time might change the minds of amrit abhilakhi (potential candidates) children. Bhai Sahib agreed to prepone the samagam and decided to conduct it next day (Friday) morning.

In the morning, one of Bhai Sahib’s fellow singhs came to him and said, that they were one singh short for serving on Panj pyaare (5 beloved ones to ordain the ceremony). He also said that if we go to the city to bring a Singh, it would be almost evening by the time we return. Bhai Sahib said only Guru Sahib can find a way out now. He came to the main hall in the village gurdwara and asked all of the sangat to recite a paath of Siri Japji Sahib before doing the ardaas (prayer) for the Fifth Singh. After the recitation of Siri Japji Sahib, Bhai Sahib started doing the ardaas and by the time conclusion came, Bhai Sahib said:

O Sachhe Patshaah 'Panjva Bhejo na” He kept on saying “Panjva Bhejo naa” (send the fifth singh to serve as Panj Pyaara), “Panjva Bhejo naa”

Since, such a great Gurmukh was doing ardaas, how could it go unfulfilled.

ਬਿਰਥੀ ਕਦੇ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਜਨ ਕੀ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ॥
The prayer of the Lord's humble servant is never offered in vain.

ਨਾਨਕ ਜੋਰੁ ਗੋਵਿੰਦ ਕਾ ਪੂਰਨ ਗੁਣਤਾਸਿ ॥2॥13॥77॥
Nanak takes the strength of the Perfect Lord of the Universe, the treasure of excellence.

Simulatneously Guru Sahib was doing kirpa and making arrangements for Bhai Sahib’s ardaas to be fulfilled.

A Gurmukh Pyaara (Bhai Sahib’s very good friend) was passing through the village and seeking directions to go to the city, unaware that Bhai Sahib was in the village. Suddenly, this Gurmukh Pyaara saw a beautiful Baana-clad Singh riding a bicycle coming towards him. Before this Grumukh could ask him for directions for going to the city, this Singh said, "are you looking for the place where Bhai Randhir Singh ji is doing the samagam?" The Gurmukh said. "Oh Bhai Randhir Singh ji is in town." He said yes and gave him directions to the school. When this Gurmukh reached the village gurdwara, he saw Bhai Sahib in complete Bairaag avastha (a state of longing), with tears rolling down from his eyes, saying “Panjva Bhejo naa”. This Gurmukh asked a person in the gurdwara as to what was Bhai Sahib doing ardaas for. He explained the situation to him and then this Gurmukh said “Panjva aa gaya” (the fifth singh to serve as Panj Pyaara has arrived). After this, Bhai Sahib completed the ardaas and then met his old friend. Both of them hugged and were completely in tears. Bhai Sahib asked his friend: "How come you are here?" He replied, "I was passing by and a beautiful Baana clad singh directed me towards you." One wanders who that beautiful Baana clad singh was? The fifth Singh was Sant Bhai Hira Singh Daudpuri, whose jeevan has been written in Ranglay Sajjan by Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh jee.

The Ardaas of a Gursikh is never failed by Guru Sahib ji. It's our belief in Guru Sahib, in which hinders the Ardaas to not come true. 

Guru Amardas Ji Says, "Without You, nothing can be done. You Yourself have engaged all in their tasks. You have fulfilled my Prayer."

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 182- CONVERSATION WITH GURU JI

CONVERSATION WITH GURU JI 

QUESTION: I know that Gurbani talks over and over about how, as humans, we are full of mistakes. Only Guru and Vaheguroo are perfect but why do I become attached to a man and begin following him? 

GURU SAHIB: Remember bhulan andar sabh ko abhul guru kartaar and Guru Ji also adds, If you follow a person remember 

Guru Jinaa kaa andhulaa, Sikh bhi anday Karam kareeyn - those whose Guru (teacher) is blind, his Sikhs (student) will also commit blind actions. 

QUESTION: Guru sahib but why do I know more about this persons life than I know about you? 
Why do I listen to this person more than I listen to Gurbani? 
Why can't I realise that you tell me to have no reliance on a man but yet I still do? 

Where I used to wake up and think of you, I now awake and think of them, Is this wrong? What if this man can help support on my Sikhi path?

GURU SAHIB: Maanukh Kee tekh birthee sabh jaan
Devan ko Ekai bhagvaan
The support which humans can provide is pointless. The one lord Vaheguroo is the only giver 

Birthaaa bharvasa lok thakur Prabh teree tekh.
Faith in people is pointless and worthless. Vaheguroo you are the only one who provides support. 

QUESTION: So what should I do Guru sahib?
Apna meet swami gaaeeyai - tisai tiaag maanukh jo sevai tao laaj loon hoe jaaeeai 
Sing the praises of the one Vaheguroo, those that forget him and start serving (singing praises or - follow) a person, will lose any honour they have, just like salt dissolving into water. 

The most a human can provide is some inspiration, when we see the way they live - Nothing else. 

Finally I ask how can I break this attachment to man?

Immerse yourself in Gurbani, and connect with Naam meditation. 
The majority of the Sikhi journey is an individuals journey, where no one can help you apart from Guru Sahib Ji. It is all about your connection and growing love for Guru. Those who still idolize Gursikhs, Kirtanees, Parchaariks (speakers) etc are at a very very early stage in their Sikhi. Those who recognise the journey of Vaheguroo within them will never look at another. 

Akeee prem kasaaeeaa har har Naam pikhann
Je kar dooja dekhde Tao Nanak kadh dichaan 
My eyes are filled with love having the Darshan of you (Naam roop) 
If I now start to look at another, please take my eyes out, for they serve no purpose.

Vaheguroo! 

  

Game of love 181- WHAT DO YOU BRING TO GURU JI'S PANTH!

WHAT DO YOU BRING TO GURU JI'S PANTH! 

98% of the people will read this and think that's me and do nothing about it. Make sure you're in the 2% which will act upon it.

Some people love football and will spend hours and hours watching and playing. They don't think twice about spending a whole evening or night watching football.

Some people love playing computer games and will play continuously without eating or sleeping.

Some love watching TV and will watch serials on different channels. Some spend the entire weekends watching TV or films.

When Gurusahib said we should repeat Vaheguroo, suddenly we have no time.
When Gurusahib asks us to read and memorise Gurbani, suddenly we have no time
When Gurusahib asked us to do seva (serve others), suddenly we have no time.

Ask yourself what do you do to feed your Sikhi AND WHAT DO YOU DO FOR THE PANTH??

Guru Ramdas Ji Says, "Be victorious in the game of life, and earn the profit of the Naam meditation."

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 180- OPENING OF THE HEART

OPENING OF THE HEART

As we take a journey of meditation and opening of the heart, let us experience the heart blossom like a lotus flower. let us connect with the Infinite fountain of love within. We can only truly love others when we are  
attuned to that Self love. All from the Source within.

'The fact is, if a person has not experienced the love of his or her own soul, there is no chance that, that person can go out and love, even though it is a faculty of love that you most powerfully need.'
Yogi Bhajan

When one realises the wealth of love within through meditation, it becomes natural for them to love others in the same way. They see the soul of others, just as they see their own soul. Everything around them becomes spiritual, they tend not to look at anything through their worldly eyes. These eyes have now been transformed to the eyes of God, they only see the love of Vaheguroo in all. 

The opening of the heart and mind only comes through the balance of naam meditation. Otherwise ones mind remains closed and is never ready to develop further and absorb the divine wisdom from within. The ocean of divine knowledge is within, yet we have cut all links to it through our ego and ignorance. 

Guru Ramdas Ji Says, "The Guru, the Perfect True Guru, is my Mother and Father. Obtaining the Water of the Guru, the lotus of my heart blossoms forth."

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 179- MAYA-DELUSION

MAYA-DELUSION 

The Roop (form) of Maya -

Maya's role is to entice you away from a righteous path. It will try many different ways and manifest in many different forms to lure you away from Guru Sahib Ji. 

One of the forms it takes is through woman/man who could befriend you or try to gain your attention and attachment. Maya knows, that when you attach to her then you are in her clutches. From here she will dictate where you go, what you do and how far you can walk on the spiritual path. 
It's like having a shackle on you, you can only reach so far, and can be dragged back at any point. 

Maya can appear as aalas (laziness). The voice in our head, which tells us to stay asleep at amritvela (early hours). The voice which tells us not to go to Kirtan programmes (singing Vaheguroo's praises) or do seva (selfless service). However it doesn't mind us doing seva, if we are only doing it to boost our ego in the form of Kirtan, tabla, gatka display etc.. The voice that doesn't want us to do anything Gursikhi orientated but instead feed it with TV, food and other stimuli.

Maya can appear in many other forms including ego. The voice that tells us we are something special. Which makes us put others down and glorify ourselves. When we understand our enemy then we can begin to fight it. In truth, constant Naam Jap (meditation) is the only thing which will hold the waves of maya back. 

99.99% will fail but those that constantly immerse themselves in Naam and feel the naam vibrations inside, they will eradicate the power of maya and give themselves stability of mind to fight urges. It is a tough tough battle, but without solid amritvela Naam abhiyas (practice) to kick start your day, we have no chance.. 

"Kaam Krodh nagar meh sabla nit uth uth joojh kareejai" Sexual desire and anger are very powerful in the body-village; I rise up constantly to fight the battle against them.

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 178- WHY DIDN'T I TAKE AMRIT EARLIER!!

WHY DIDN'T I TAKE AMRIT EARLIER!! 

Deciding Whether To Take Amrit ???

Taking Amrit is the highest blessing one can receive from Guru Sahib. The soul has travelled through life times and life times of pain and suffering to get to this human birth. From here receiving Amrit, the soul is accepted into the kingdom of Khalsa. Guru Gobind Singh Ji welcomes this soul into his family.
For thousands and thousands of years, people have been looking for this immortality (Amrit), however it can only be received from the Guru.

​Sur Nar Mun Jan Amrit Khojde, so Amrit Gur te paya 
The angels and the silent sages have been searching for the Amrit; this Amrit is obtained only from the Guru.

Amrit involves giving yourself completely to Guru sahib, so you surrender yourself 100% and whatever Guru Sahib says, we do.

eith maarag chalae bhaaeearrae gur kehai sa kaar kamaae jeeo ||
So walk on this Path, O soul-brides; do that work which the Guru tells you to do.

thiaagae(n) man kee matharree visaarae(n) dhoojaa bhaao jeeo ||
Abandon the intellectual pursuits of the mind, and forget the love of other things.

Prior to Amrit sanchaar, you need to try and ensure that for a short period, you have been waking up at amrit vela (between 2-4am) and doing ishnaan (bath) and then some Vaheguroo simran (meditation) and nitnem. The panj will ask you what tyaaree (preparation) have you done.
They often find people make spur-of-the-moment and their lack of preparation means they fall very quickly. When I say fall, I mean their amritvela stops, they stop doing nitnem (daily prayers) etc…  So they basically go back on all the promises they made in the Amrit sanchaar.
So some level of prep is very important. From here when you go into the Amrit sanchaar (ceremony), the panj will make you aware of the commitment you are about to make, and whether you are 100% sure you want to do this. Remember Amrit is for us… Guru sahib doesn’t need us, we need Guru, so this is a huge blessing. The panj will make you aware of the conduct you must keep as a khalsa (pure soul). 

• No meat fish or egg
• No dishonouring of hair, meaning no cutting plucking, dying, lazering etc….
• No adultery or boyfriend/girlfriend business
• No intoxicants…

From here, if you accept this and the rest of the spiritual wisdom given, the Panj (5 beloved ones) will give you Amrit.
Amrit sanchaar is a world within a world. It will be something that you have never experienced before. I don’t want to tell you too much and to be honest, words wont be able to describe it either.
One thing I should mention is Naam. When we are given Khande baate da Amrit, we are also given Naam, which is planted inside of us by the panj pyaray.
They will place their hands on your head and do Vaheguroo Simran from inside their minds and bodies…. It is surreal. This implants the naam inside of you.

bin naavai jeevan naa thheeai maerae sathigur naam dhrirraae
Without Naam, my life does not even exist. My True Guru has implanted the Naam within me.

samarathh guroo sir hathh dhharyo ||
The All-powerful Guru placed His hand upon my head.

gur keenee kirapaa har naam dheeao jis dhaekh chara(n)n agha(n)n haryo ||
The Guru was kind, and blessed me with the Lord's Name. Gazing upon His Feet, my sins were dispelled.

Reciting this Naam (once it has been implanted) is what will bring you closer to Vaheguroo and make your life the most blissful life ever.
Giving your head to the Guru is the most amazing thing ever and the gift you receive in return will leave you with one regret... Why didn’t I take Amrit earlier!! 

Guru Ramdas Ji Says, "The True Essence is Amrit (Ambrosial Nectar); through the Ambrosial Words of the Perfect Guru, this Amrit is obtained."

Vaheguroo!

Game of love 177- JESUS CHRIST, MOHAMED SAHIB AND BHRIGU RISHI JI, APPEAR IN A VISION!

JESUS CHRIST, MOHAMED SAHIB AND BHRIGU RISHI JI, APPEAR IN A VISION!

Taken from the life of Baba Harnam Singh Ji Rampur Kheray Vaalay! 

One day Baba Harnam Singh Ji was in deep meditation when Jesus Christ,
Mohammed Sahib and Bhrigu Rishi Ji together, appeared before him.
Their faces were radiant and had spiritually bright auras around their
heads. After blessing Baba Ji with this vision, Hazrat Mohammed Sahib
Ji spoke, ‘‘You are blessed and truly fortunate to whom Guru Nanak Dev Ji has shown the direct and easy method to attain enlightenment of the
almighty God, especially in this age of kalyug (dark age). The followers of the Great Guru Nanak Dev Ji, are not deriving the full benefit of his teachings.”

After this, Bhrigu Rishi Ji spoke, ”In our times, we had to
undergo hard penance and rigorous spiritual austerities, in order to achieve enlightenment. The whole life of a man was spent in meditation and
making offerings to God and even then, union with God was hard to
achieve. The true nectar of naam which great Guru Nanak Dev Ji has
brought for his Sikhs is remarkable; even we could not obtain this boon
of naam meditation. No doubt, we amassed great spiritual and miraculous powers through rigorous meditation and penance, including powers to curse or bless anyone, but we were still deprived of the nectar of naam.”

Jesus Christ just said simply, ”It is my inner desire that my followers one day adopt the path shown by great Guru Nanak Dev Ji.”
Saying these words, all three prophets disappeared.

We have been blessed with such a beautiful path of Sikhi, yet we have failed to spread it within the world! 

Bhai Gurdaas Ji Says, "The benefactor Lord listened to the cries (of humanity) and sent Guru Nanak to this world.

He washed His feet, praised God and got his Disciples drink the ambrosia of his feet.

He preached in this dark age (Kalyug) that, Saragun (Brahm) and Nirgun (Parbrahm) are the same and identical.

Dharma was now established on its four feet and all the four castes (through fraternal feeling) were converted into one caste (of humanity).

Equating the poor with the prince, he spread the etiquette of humbly touching the feet.

Inverse is the game of the beloved, he got the egotist high heads bowed to feet.

Baba Nanak rescued this dark age (Kalyug) and recited ‘Satnam’ mantra for one and all.

Guru Nanak came to redeem the Kalyug."

Vaheguroo!

Game of love 176- LOWERED EYES

LOWERED EYES

neechae loein kar reho lae saajan ghatt maahi |
Kabeer, I keep my eyes lowered, and enshrine my Friend within my heart.

sabh ras khaelo peea so kisee lakhaavo naahi 
I enjoy all pleasures with my Beloved, but I do not let anyone else know.

This is a beautiful shalok from Bhagat Kabeer Ji and has a very deep meaning. Keeping eyes low refers to humility, being introvert and constantly focussing on naam meditation to avoid a break of concentration. That person who recognises vaheguroo inside them and has been blessed with the vision of God, will naturally become quieter, humble and more introvert. 

Keeping eyes down, also refers to not looking at the illusion of the world. This has become uninteresting for the person who has enshrined vaheguroo (God) within them. 
This person now enjoys the sublime rass (taste) of Naam and feels and sees vaheguroo everywhere. Their soul is very close to merging with the pure soul (vaheguroo) at this stage. 

These are the final stages. They don't shout this about. They just keep it to themselves, experience and enjoy it. Nothing else tastes as sweet. They sit quietly in Sangat and during Kirtan (singing Gods praises) they listen to the Naam within them, which is going automatically through blessings and constant practice. 

No one knows what they are experiencing and even if they tried to explain in words, they couldn't. Only those that have experienced the same will know this state. One just wants to look within themselves and enjoy all the inner experiences Vaheguroo blesses them with.

We as human beings, all have the potential to achieve this stage but choose to throw away this gift, of loving God through peaceful meditation. Bhagat Ji, on the same ang (page) goes on to say, 'neechae loein kio karo sabh ghatt dhaekho peeo'
Why should I keep my eyes lowered? I see my Beloved in every heart. 

This is the perfect state of spiritual enlightenment! 

Vaheguroo! 

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.

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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!