VanHelsingh

Yes there are. Its sad.

Tell it to the people who don't turn up! I do.

Whilst I agree, it means the Kirtani Jatha's will be playing to nearly half-empty halls if the Gurpurabs are held during the week. However, in the Gurudwara I've frequented since childhood, the turnout during the week for occasions like Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Gurpurab, Bandi Chor, Vaisakhi, Guru Gobind Singh Ji's Gurpurab, the December Shaheedi events, etc., is still packed during the weekday as much as anything on the weekend. I guess its about the Shardaa of the sangat too.

No insurance. :rolleyes:

To the person who posted the original video on YouTube: Don't post something as controversial as the above, then prevent the sangat from at least discussing the issues it raises. Whilst the lady above is not partaking in heresy per se (she is preaching about Sikhi which is a good thing), to claim that the 'inner voice' is Mata Gujri Ji isn't something to be taken lightly. To claim to be channelling such a hugely important and loved historical / religious figure such as Mata Gujri Ji needs to be examined and not taken at face value. I hope for the lady's sake she isn't hoodwinking people, and Mata Ji genuinely is visiting this horrible plane of existence to guide us towards the light. I seriously doubt it though.

What about clowns?

Are racists mistaking Gurudwaras for Mosques? Is this why this nonsense is happening? Oh, for the record I don't approve of Mosques being torched either - whatever I may think of Islam, no house of God should be attacked in such a way.

@ gurdssingh - You make some very honest points, and whilst they may not be to everyone's liking, they are representative of the reality facing people today. But I always return to the central issue that if one is serious about Sikhi (and adhering to its tenets 100%), then societal pressures, Western perceptions, etc., are all secondary. I know how very easy it is to say this - and I'm not stating I'm perfect - but a true Sikh (which I am not at the moment, but DO hope to be eventually) would say that if our ancestors gave their heads for Sikhi, a few stray hairs here and there are not that important in the long-run. But again, as I said previously its much more difficult to adhere to certain practices when the world is always judging you for one thing or another.

CPU = 5% and Memory = 33% isn't that bad y'know? Could be better though. As for a Mac - better start doing Ardaas and more Paath if you want one of those! :D

@ Hau Apraadhi - I've got a Dell too. There should be a partition on your hard disc called RECOVERY. That's where the original, factory installed image of your hard disc is kept. When you start the 'Dell Factory Image Restore' option (by pressing F8 before Windows loads), that image is what is used to reload everything from scratch. So you say that's not working? Hmmm.....that doesn't sound too good. Personally (and from what you've described), I think your laptop is clogged up with unnecessary processes, services, and possible spyware. The BSOD is not a good thing and usually a precursor to hardware failure - I've had it on my previous PC. But like I said, back-up EVERYTHING. If you don't mind spending the money, then PC World would probably help but they over-charge on these type of services, when you could do most of it by yourself with a little bit of care. As for Dell, I'm guessing your warranty has expired (unless you've purchased the 5 year option) so I doubt they could help. No harm in asking them.

Do what I did last week. Back-up all your work and personal files (i.e. everything in your [insert username] folder), and format the hard disc. Then re-install Windows and ONLY the programs you need (such as an Office suite, anti-virus / spyware software, etc). Mine is running like a dream and I've realised that half the programs I'd installed on my hard disc, I didn't really need. If the problems persist even after the format & reinstall, then you need to get someone to check it out.

Whilst I'm unable to decide whether you're a passionate youngster or someone on a windup, a bit of sensitivity goes far. As for your question, I reckon anyone who considers themselves anything approaching a Sikh could not stand-by if something similar to Bluestar happened again. The problem would be the labelling of those rushing to help as extremists. It wouldn't bother me to be labelled in such a way, but it would dissuade non-Sikhs from supporting our cause.

In regards to the food profession, I've seen Sikhs wearing beard nets. This could be a solution. Is wearing a beard net permissable in Sikhi?

Do you mean chairs which are built lower into the ground, but their seats are on the same level of the sangat who are sitting on the floor? That's actually a good idea. The extremely immobile can sit on these lowered chairs, but they aren't sitting higher than the sangat or Guru Granth Sahib. Any chance of a picture? Obviously this area would have to be policed, so that cheeky kids or lazy jokers don't abuse the service on offer. As much as one would like to have a zero-tolerance policy on this issue, it would be heartless to stop those whose bodies aren't what they were, the opportunity to sit in the congregation.

Don't be surprised. You get these closet racists posting on most online newspaper comments sections. They're usually cowardly no-marks who, in their real lives, haven't got the courage to even sneeze in the direction of ethnic minorities. So what they do is take out their frustrations on these comments sections under the cover of anonymity, safe in the knowledge that nobody will ever know who or where they are. In this instance, the majority of them probably equate anything Asian with Islam, thus the utter nonsense being spouted. Sometimes I really do feel sorry for bigoted white people. Thankfully not all of them are thick, lol.

That is absolute key. I'm glad you brought this issue forward. Yes, whilst we should not be ashamed of our Sikhi spirit, the people we need to reach are, on the whole, only concerned with the facts. Anything which has even a hint of emotion - no matter how true - is not taken seriously, and sadly dismissed as a propaganda piece.

On a related note, I hope the Satkaar Sevadaars undertake follow-up investigations to ensure that Gurudwaras that have stopped such beadbi, DO NOT resume such shameful practices once everything has settled down. This is just as important as stopping the initial beadbi from occuring.

Proof - if any was needed - that the end is near. Also, why is he hiding the roti's (and his hands) behind the handcloth? Wrestlers have been doing this trick for years (as in making 'blood' appear) - its the classic 'blood capsule' ruse.

That's a really melodic version of Chaupai Sahib. I've never heard it recited in this manner. I've always heard Chaupai Sahib in a slightly fast, serious style - almost in "josh".

Why are the Singhs with sticks hitting the Singh sitting in the tractor trolley? EDIT: I get it. The 'Singhs' with sticks are coppers aren't they? There's another thread in the 'Whats Happening' section which had a link to some more info.

Apologies for my ignorance but is Sant Sahib a good guy (as in does he do veechar, etc)?

Take 'Sikh' girls out of the equation first of all. Focus on yourself and the path you must travel. When the time for a partner comes, hopefully you will have started such a wonderful journey that Waheguru will already have taken care of such issues for you. As for learning more about Sikhi and trying to embark upon it's way of life, the first step is always sangat. Attend a Gurudwara regularly, and listen to kirtan and Gurbani. That's what I'd do. There's a lot more to follow but you don't want to overwhelm yourself at this early stage. I'm sure my brothers and sisters on Sikhsangat.com have more specific advice for you.

Whilst I agree with you about a single parent being perfectly capable of raising a chid, to bring a baby into the world - almost cynically - so that there is no father on the scene is quite wrong IMO.

"....preserve the future of Sikhism." If these "artistes" are the purported future of our faith, then Sikhi has no future.

Apologies for the randomness of this thread but I need help from the sangat. When I was a kid, there was a shabad that I always loved listening to. Although the subject was far from joyful (Guru Gobind Singh Ji's trek through the Machiwara jungle), there was something about the shabad and the associated veechar which really connected with me. As much as I can remember, the shabad was sung by Bhai Sadhu Singh, and the only lines I can remember are: "Soh kaun geya (or reha) rohra te?". Apologies for the vagueness and poor spelling of the line. Thanks in advance to anyone who can locate a recording of the above (or even confirm that I've not lost my marbles and such a shabad does exist). Waheguru.