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Shootout outside US gurdwara Sacramento, California: At least one shot was fired during the annual Baisakhi Parade near a gurdwara at 176 E Pole Road in Lynden on Saturday. The police arrested a Whatcom County man after a fight broke out and at least one shot was fired outside the gurdwara. Witnesses reported that several men started fighting in front of the Guru Nanak Gursikh Gurdwara. Balwinder Singh Nagra (41) from the Bellingham area allegedly grabbed a gun from his vehicle and shot at several men. Nagra was arrested and lodged in Whatcom County Jail on the suspicion of drive by shooting and unlawful possession of a firearm. Under the state law, the term “drive-by shooting” includes shootings from the immediate area of a vehicle used to transport the suspect, the weapon or both. There were no known injuries, but the other men involved in the fight left the area. A bullet went through both the passenger and driver’s side windows of a parked white Toyota Camry in a field, about 150 yards from the event, before striking another parked car. More than 1,000 visitors gathered at the gurdwara for the parade. Source: The Tribune http://sikhsangat.org/2014/shootout-outside-us-gurdwara/ Anyone in California sangat know what was the reason behind this shooting? (Better not be gurdwara politics :stupidme: )

Adapt simple honesty-truthfulness-sat, integrity, bibek (higher intellect to filter right from wrong thoughts) virtues you cannot go wrong, be honest with yourself as none knows you better than yourself -inner real self and besides satguru inside. If your vision senses are easily heavily influenced by outer noise then avoid going there. However, if you have established little contemplation on bairaag, dhian and vichar on shabad then time for you test it and move on learning if you fail it and improve it next time if you fail it (where thoughts are wandering away to outer noise) atleast it should invoke to start higher spiritual quest with earnestly next time. This could be good test for yourself to gauage where you stand as far thoughts in mind goes, see if you can establish dhian on gurmat English vichar while there via mobile ,test it where you stand- observe what thoughts you are getting with bibek while you are in banquet. Sure lot of situations can be avoided, but some situations is beyond our control, no point in being dilemma- absolute reality (Ikongkar) exist everywhere- amrit and poison exist everywhere, its up to your mind whether to dwell in amrit or poison. You can also listen to gurbani with headphones while there that adress your concerns. Most people dont' want to face themselves in mirror in honesty and most people will brush under lining issues they have under the carpet keep down playing them/band aids fixes until they revolt ugly as opposed to facing them head on with bibek on from the point of conception- stand truthfully stand infront of satguru with honesty, learn from downfalls, adapt true bairaag while reading gurbani to naturally get to state- Gurmukh maya vich udasi. This is ithasik sakhi- In Sri guru gobind singh ji darbar there were two group of sikhs wanted to go to mela but one can go..one had to do seva of guru maharaj ..sri guru gobind singh ji sent one group of people to test and others were not too happy. So after the mela group came back..both groups were called in guru maharaj darbar..the group that went to mela were addressed- o sikhs you guys are great, during your time spent in mela your mind was attached to my lotus feet, you were thinking about me , you guys were bairaagi you guys were gurmukh maya vich udasi now guru maharaj addressed to the group which was in hazaar nazaar in sri guru gobind singh ji hazoori doing seva, guru maharaj said even though you were physically present in guru maharaj darbar try to do seva physically, your mind was wandering in mela, have all sort of thoughts things in mela...in this way guru maharaj gave updesh to both groups.

God also exist in strip clubs and red light districts. How many times have you gone to these places looking for God? Also do not forget God exist in addictive drugs. Do take a hit and tell me if you found him. The dera baba also says God exist in my room to lure in young girls and rapes them. Do you get the point.

What do you know about how the milk we drink is produced? All I knew was that cows are milked by a machine and they clean it up making it bug free... I thought nothing more of it. Cows raised for the dairy industry are intensively confined, leaving them unable to fulfil their most basic desires, such as nursing their calves. They are treated like milk-producing machines and are genetically manipulated and pumped full of antibiotics and hormones that cause them to produce more milk. While cows suffer on factory farms, humans who drink their milk increase their chances of developing heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and many other ailments. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZcUrWAK-8Q

You're at a young age so I don't know how much experience you have. I've been to night clubs and parties and such. Other than chatting with friends, I found the whole boring. Actually, not boring but kind of surreal. I would become aware of the entire surroundings and yet be distant from them, like I was outside and looking in through a window. It was interesting to watch and see people act and interact, drinking and dancing, almost as though to convince themselves they were having a good time. Go if you can't get out of it but try to remain detached from it and remember paramatma throughout.

Man toon Jot Swaroop Hain Apna Mool Pachhaan (Something on mind) True identity of the mind does not rest with the body. ‘I am the body’ is a wrong notion of the mind. Its true identity lies with the Atam - with the JOT. It is a reflection of the Jot and that is its true identity. Mind derives its Light from the source which is JOT. Spark of the JOT is aflame, aglow in the mind and that is why and how the mind becomes alive, active. It derives its life from the Divine and Holy Flame (JOT). A pure mind finds its resting place in the Jot - the Atam where no cluttering, no chirping of a normal mind can cause any disturbance. It loses its own identity in the Divine silence and Bliss of Atam - JOT. Unless thick black coating of mind with numerous sins of this birth and of previous births is washed away wholesale, how can it behold and reflect the true glory of the Atam - the JOT. Once the thick black layers are washed away, mind becomes transparent and starts reflecting the JOT. It becomes tranquil and like a spotless and tranquil mirror reflects the splendour of the “JOT”. It becomes “JOT SWAROOP”.

2 things, firstly, the name of our way of life is not Sikhism, its Sikhi or GurSikhi. It was the British who coined the term Sikhism, I think? And although people may also want to blame the British for “differentiating” Sikhi from Hinduism, fact is that Guru Sahibaan had long before already blessed His Panth as distinct and unique from all other pre-existing faiths. Secondly, I am not sure if this is even a religion, or a way of life. Earlier on I used to say its a way of life and death, its a spiritually developmental journey of the soul, etc. But anyone can claim the same about their “religion” as well. Hinduism is a tradition/culture, not exactly a religion per say. Buddhism and Jainism are probably more of philosophies you could say. The 3 Semitic religions born in the Middle East (Judaism, Christianity & Islam) might be considered religions based on the definition of religion. Each and every one of them can claim to be “a spiritually developmental journey of the soul” using their own logic. So how do I define Sikhi as unique? It just struck me today. The one word I can think of right now in the English language which can define Sikhi is “CHALLENGE”. From day one Sikhi has been about challenges. Guru Sahibaan challenged the evils of society when They were physically present on earth in human form. Caste system, gender inequality, female infanticide, exploitation and oppression of the economically weaker sections of society, blind rituals and superstitions, you name it. Then later on They challenged the tyrant rulers. After 1708 the Khalsa challenged both the Mughals and the foreign Afghan invaders. In later stages more recently it was the British and in present times the Indian regime who have faced challenges from the Khalsa. Besides these, there are the internal challenges to fight our vikaars within us. When you become a Sikh, you take up the challenge to 1.) control your vikaars 2.) raise your voice against the evils prevailing in society 3.) fight oppressive regimes and invasions of tyrants There are several more which I may not be able to think of as I type right now, but there are definitely tons more. Sikhi is about taking up the challenge. Winning or losing doesn’t always really matter. Once we become Vaheguru Jee Ka Khalsa, we will automatically get Fateh (victory) because Vaheguru Jee Kee Fateh, that Fateh also belongs to Vaheguru Jee. When Dasmesh Pita demanded 5 heads, that was also a challenge. When Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Jee asked only those who were ready to die to come forward, that was also a challenge. A Sikh’s life and death are both challenges! Lets live and die this challenge! The challenge to be the best human being and best Sikh! Mehtab Singh May 7, 2014

Here is beautiful video i came across yesterday- ~ Twins are born and not realize they were born ~- still in naam lev (unbroken current) with akaal purkh ji. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToiU9-5wk80 sireeraag mehalaa 4 || pehilai peharai rain kai vanajaariaa mithraa har paaeiaa oudhar ma(n)jhaar || har dhhiaavai har oucharai vanajaariaa mithraa har har naam samaar || har har naam japae aaraadhhae vich aganee har jap jeeviaa || baahar janam bhaeiaa mukh laagaa sarasae pithaa maath thheeviaa || jis kee vasath this chaethahu praanee kar hiradhai guramukh beechaar || kahu naanak praanee pehilai peharai har japeeai kirapaa dhhaar ||1|| dhoojai peharai rain kai vanajaariaa mithraa man laagaa dhoojai bhaae || maeraa maeraa kar paaleeai vanajaariaa mithraa lae maath pithaa gal laae || laavai maath pithaa sadhaa gal saethee man jaanai khatt khavaaeae || jo dhaevai thisai n jaanai moorraa dhithae no lapattaaeae || koee guramukh hovai s karai veechaar har dhhiaavai man liv laae || kahu naanak dhoojai peharai praanee this kaal n kabehoo khaae ||2|| theejai peharai rain kai vanajaariaa mithraa man lagaa aal ja(n)jaal || dhhan chithavai dhhan sa(n)chavai vanajaariaa mithraa har naamaa har n samaal || har naamaa har har kadhae n samaalai j hovai a(n)th sakhaaee || eihu dhhan sa(n)pai maaeiaa jhoot(h)ee a(n)th shhodd chaliaa pashhuthaaee || jis no kirapaa karae gur maelae so har har naam samaal || kahu naanak theejai peharai praanee sae jaae milae har naal ||3|| chouthhai peharai rain kai vanajaariaa mithraa har chalan vaelaa aadhee || kar saevahu pooraa sathiguroo vanajaariaa mithraa sabh chalee rain vihaadhee || har saevahu khin khin dtil mool n karihu jith asathhir jug jug hovahu || har saethee sadh maanahu raleeaa janam maran dhukh khovahu || gur sathigur suaamee bhaedh n jaanahu jith mil har bhagath sukhaa(n)dhee || kahu naanak praanee chouthhai peharai safalio rain bhagathaa dhee ||4||1||3|| Siree Raag, Fourth Mehla: In the first watch of the night, O my merchant friend, the Lord places you in the womb. You meditate on the Lord, and chant the Lord's Name, O my merchant friend. You contemplate the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. Chanting the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, and meditating on it within the fire of the womb, your life is sustained by dwelling on the Naam. You are born and you come out, and your mother and father are delighted to see your face. Remember the One, O mortal, to whom the child belongs. As Gurmukh, reflect upon Him within your heart. Says Nanak, O mortal, in the first watch of the night, dwell upon the Lord, who shall shower you with His Grace. ||1|| In the second watch of the night, O my merchant friend, the mind is attached to the love of duality. Mother and father hug you close in their embrace, claiming, ""He is mine, he is mine""; so is the child brought up, O my merchant friend. Your mother and father constantly hug you close in their embrace; in their minds, they believe that you will provide for them and support them. The fool does not know the One who gives; instead, he clings to the gift. Rare is the Gurmukh who reflects upon, meditates upon, and within his mind, is lovingly attached to the Lord. Says Nanak, in the second watch of the night, O mortal, death never devours you. ||2|| In the third watch of the night, O my merchant friend, your mind is entangled in worldly and household affairs. You think of wealth, and gather wealth, O my merchant friend, but you do not contemplate the Lord or the Lord's Name. You never dwell upon the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, who will be your only Helper and Support in the end. This wealth, property and Maya are false. In the end, you must leave these, and depart in sorrow. Those whom the Lord, in His Mercy, unites with the Guru, reflect upon the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. Says Nanak, in the third watch of the night, O mortal, they go, and are united with the Lord. ||3|| In the fourth watch of the night, O my merchant friend, the Lord announces the time of departure. Serve the Perfect True Guru, O my merchant friend; your entire life-night is passing away. Serve the Lord each and every instant-do not delay! You shall become eternal throughout the ages. Enjoy ecstasy forever with the Lord, and do away with the pains of birth and death. Know that there is no difference between the Guru, the True Guru, and your Lord and Master. Meeting with Him, take pleasure in the Lord's devotional service. Says Nanak, O mortal, in the fourth watch of the night, the life-night of the devotee is fruitful. ||4||1||3|| May we all go back to our innocent child hood moment in the womb and jaap naam with unbroken current (naam liv). Vahiguroo, very beautiful video and beautiful shabad put things in perspective.

WJKK WJKF OMG!!! Wahegurus creation is just unbelievable! How perfect! Thanks for the upload veer ji!

Agree with sikhiseeker and N30ji......................test yourself and test your inner purity. SIkh's don't hide, our women don't wear burkhas, we be proud of our roop. The purer you make your mind.... the more untouchable it becomes.. My advise is to practice whenever you can and wherever you can. Next time you in shopping mall or something, where you just accompanying family and don't need to be thinking/searching for some purchase,....then just try some internal 'waheguru' jap with dhian...and see how it goes and how long you can do it !!!! even if you only manage a couple of minutes.....this should be incentive to double it next time.

WJKK WJKF sorry for my staggered post lol! I'm all for going to the party as the whole world is in the last half of kal jugh, you can't simply remove yourself from it. If a gursikh hides themselves and the gian of sikhi what they know, that in itself is paap as a gursikh should do parchar of the guru everywhere 24/7. A gursikh should know how to stand which izhat in any place in any situation, just how when raja shivnabh of sangladeep (now Sri Lanka) sent dancing girls (prostitutes) to halt the gurus arrival at sangladeep, the guru referred to them as his sisters and daughters at which point the girls realised that this was no normal man, slave to the five vices, I'm sure they would of learnt something from that meeting? Hence why we as sikhs should stand anywhere and still represent of guru, we may fail however the importance is understanding where you failed an how to empower yourself and correct the fault within your Mann. Hope I cleared up my earlier gibberish! WJKK WJKF WJKK WJKF Great post, great reference and great advice! Keep it up brother! WJKK WJKF

The type of party you will be attending is where open alcohol, sexually charged music, and foolish behaviour including sexual behaviour will be flowing throughout the night. This is a typical banquet hall party. You will be the odd person out who will be the guy being pushed into indulging in the fully blown out maya. Your mind will be affected negatively by what is going on in the party. There will be no discourse on Gurbani or anything remotely virtuous. Others will be caught up in flirting, food, alcohol, dancing, and gossiping amongst each other. Does a Sikh fit into such an environment? The mind absorbs these types of acts very quickly. And Gianis are the but of these foolish peoples jokes made at these parties.............Yo look at that giani....lets find him a aunty?.....Yo that giani is ripping it with that girl......hes a ggb (giani gone bad)....Yo, why is that giani here....if hes just going to look all depressed......this is a party..... The Sardar who goes cannot even deny these jokes are made because they are made right to his face. No one can expect anything more sensible coming out of a fools mouth. The Gurus said the body is like a temple. What you will put in it or where you go will effect you. In this case nothing good will come of it. This is what a Taksali Jathedar says about these events.

WJKK WJKF I will be studing in rotterdam from this year in spetember and need accommdation - preferabbly amirtdhari sikh family - does anyone know of Gursikhs in rotterdam?

WJKK WJKF IMHO one can't hide from the world. In situations like these where maryada does not mention any guideline, I try and look at the sakhiya of fbte gurus. In this case, it reminds me of when the guru told the sadhu sants in the Himalayas that theirs no point hiding up in the mountains if you do not agree with the world and you have gian, go down and make a change..... In the same instance by you respecting that someone wishes your family and your personal presence on a celebratory occasion should be respected, you being in the banqueting hall changes nothing. It doesn't undo the naam you have spoken. It's making a stance in society, that you respect the people, but will not participate in the culture as it is not rehat. People "should" respect that, as you have respected them and maybe someone their will see the example you set and their sleeping soul might wake up! Hope that helps! WJKK WJKF

was baba ram rai. Ji 's mistake was also honest?

If you remain anonymous you shouldn't have any problem. You can get PCC from passport office the same day as long as you know someone and pay bribe.

I think all right minded Sikhs are now waiting for all those community elders and organisation members present on that sad day at Derby Gurdwara to distance themselves from this persons comments and behaviour. Inside closed doors a person may do as they please within reason and harbour whichever views he or she wishes. But to say such shocking, harmful, evil words in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib Ji and the sangat is unacceptable. I think if the leaders are serious about following the Gurus teachings, protecting our image, setting the right example to the next generation then this should be referred to the Akal Takhat for them to make a decision on, such is the gravity of what happened. This would send out the signal that we do not adhere to mere words but those words speak through our actions. I think this is a landmark event. Nothing of this type has ever happened before from a U.K Gurdwara stage or indeed probably a Gurdwara stage anywhere. This will also prove to our brothers and sisters who feel alienated because of such people that we are not all the same. It will be interesting to see what step is now taken.

does he?

No one else is like you, which is why you were made to look in a particular way. The Creator didn't make anyone else with the same kind of eyes, or lips, or ears, or hair, or fingerprints as yours ever before. Everything you got was solely made for you in the most unique and distinct manner. Same goes for your brain, heart, mind and soul as well. This is what shapes your thoughts, opinions, viewpoints, and this is what forms your character and attitudes. None of this is in any way similar to anyone else. The sooner you realize this, the better. The sooner you discover this, the faster you can rid yourself from all sorts of frustrations and depressions. Consider yourself totally different from everyone else. No, not higher, because that’s arrogance, that’s not who/what you are. And no, not lower either, because that’s self-degrading, you're better than that. Whether he/she is related to you by blood, or by religion, or by race, or by ethnicity, or by nationality, or by community, or by any other demographic division, NO other person on this planet is like you. Just know that you ARE different from every single person around you, and enjoy your distinctness and uniqueness. Do NOT expect, or hope, or wish, or even wait for anyone else to be like you in ANY manner or form. They can't be you, and you don't need to be them. Stop expecting and enjoy the variations set up by the Creator Himself.