Silent New Beginnings

This blog has been an unmatched journey - I met some extraordinary people around the globe, learned so much about Sikhi, practised some of it, gained much more respect for differences in opinions - even the most sacred ones, and most of all, got that so desired opportunity to share religious conscious experience.

I thank Satguru for all those privileges!

But I shall end this journey here - not of appreciation for this beauty in this world, but the recording of it online. Please consider it my last post.

I'd like to thank every person who's visited this blog and shared their wisdom in this process - you all are blessed people. I thank you for inspiring me in your unique ways.

I wish everyone the most blessed, happy, healthy and fulfilling new year 2007!

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh!!!

So children get their expected Sikh heroes

Do you know a Sikh doctor who excelled through medical school and landed a great position at the local hospital? She/He works 20 hour shifts most of the days?

Do you know any Sikh teachers who have worked hard in their fields and moulded millions of tender lives for good?

Do you know of any great Sikh scholars who have spent their lives researching on the subject and helping educate the world of the rich history?

...and the series of those questions can run on for every field that there is in this world. And the answer is that we all know enough of Sikhs in every single field who've contributed in an unmatched and significant way! Yet, they are not the heroes that our children aspire to become like when they grow up. They are not the models of motivation whose posters hang in their rooms and lockers!

I always found it a little sad. But that is reality. Our dreams are always larger than life and somewhere the unreachable makes to the top of the list. The lack of those modern Sikh heroes were one of the strong missing links in inspiring its children to keep the faith and be proud of it - but finally we seem to be getting closer!



I'm sure like other heroes, Monty Panesar does not need introductions! He is the first turbaned Sikh Cricket player for the team of England. This is a modern day Sikh hero. I learnt about him on TV and when I opened my ears, he happened to be the talk of many Sikh children whether or not they were interested in Cricket.

It is such a delight to offer kids someone they'd like to be like when they grow up - offering them that larger than life dream of being someone invaluable to the nation that they belong to and bring grace to their entire global community!

May God bless our new Sikh heroes :)

A common dream

Did you ever wish as a child to be a Rhodes Scholar?? I know we all don't share such geeky dreams...but it is quite an honour that an individual can achieve at a young age.



Meet Parvinder Singh, 21, who has been granted that honour! He was inspired by his grandfather's death which was caused by infectious diarrhea. He has taken up the grand goal to help provide the world ample supply of clean water.

I share pride in his success and his goals. I wish him the very best and hope that he will be an inspiration for all children out there, who lack motivation and ambitions!

Pursuit of Kundalini Yoga

After the wonderful suggestion of Prabhu veerji, I thought that I owe myself this combination of Guru-dhyaan and relaxation. So I looked up for training sessions in this. It turns out that there is a Kundalini yoga Teachers Association in Toronto. That was delightful - it meant lots and lots of classes all around. But it turns out that they are quite expensive - at least for a poor student like me.

So, if any of you wonderful people know of Kundalini yoga classes in or around Brampton being offered at a more reasonable rate, please do let me know :)
Thanks!

The mala for Naam Simran - a great gift, a tool that I did not understand much for a very long time. Today I want to reflect a little more on it after reading a lovely book called, 'Prayer Beads' by Manuela Dunn Mascetti and Priya Hemenway.

The mala is a tool of tremendous significance. To wear one is to acknowledge an inner state of surrender, a devotion to the journey of exploring oneself.

We all move through the many different phases of life, but your mala can be the eternal material constant. The author describes that experience of putting it on in the morning was like remembering something sacred about herself and taking it off at night, she could see in the beads an aspect of herself that would not die. I thought that was a beautiful experience that we can have - especially manmukhs like me, who sometimes need material assurances to keep them on their track of spiritual growth.

The mala has been used for hundreds of years as a tool for remembering - remembering a prayer, remembering a mantra, repeating and remembering. This also includes remembering to respect, remebering to love and remembering to be true.

The mala is one of the many ways that can be used to become acquainted with oneself. Taking the beads in hand, one makes them a part of ones song to existence, an invocation or a call to God.

It is a blissful experience to try those beads at least once to help remember - remember God :)

p.s.// Photo, courtesy of Satvinder bhenji (http://satvinder.blog.com/)

wake up with a smile

When you arise in the morning,

give thanks for the morning light,

for your life and strength.

Give thanks for your food,

and the joy of living.

If you see no reason for giving thanks,

the fault lies with yourself.

-Tecumseh, Shawnee Chief

Darshan

I wanted to share this stunning photo of Sri Harmandir Sahib in the Amrit Vela taken by Raminderpal Singh from Amritsar, who continues to bless the sangat throughout the world with wonderful, blessed views of Sri Harmandir Sahib. But somehow I'm unable to blog it. So you can use the link below to feel the warmth, as if you are in the premises of Harmandir Sahib at that very moment!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/raminder/302461038/

lest you forget

Today's Hukamnama was too compelling to not post! SatNaam Waheguru!

SHALOK, FIFTH MEHL:
Millions of obstacles stand in the way of one who forgets the Name. O Nanak, night and day, he croaks like a raven in a deserted house. 1 FIFTH MEHL: Beauteous is that season, when I am united with my Beloved. I do not forget Him for a moment or an instant; O Nanak, I contemplate Him constantly. 2 PAUREE: Even brave and mighty men cannot withstand the powerful and overwhelming army which the five passions have gathered. The ten organs of sensation attach even detached renunciates to sensory pleasures. They seek to conquer and overpower them, and so increase their following. The world of the three dispositions is under their influence; no one can stand against them. So tell me  how can the fort of doubt and the moat of Maya be overcome? Worshipping the Perfect Guru, this awesome force is subdued. I stand before Him, day and night, with my palms pressed together. 15
Saturday, 5th Maghar (Samvat 538 Nanakshahi)
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