VanHelsingh

In my opinion, every birth is progress. That fact that you (as in all of us) learn more in one particular life compared to a life where you learn a little bit less, should not be something to be ashamed of. I don't think you lose kamai - I personally think its a running total which can only increase. Sure you could make some incorrect choices but if your kamai is at a high level, you will always deviate towards the correct path eventually. Some people call it a 'conscience' other call it by different names. But that intrinsic feeling you have inside of you which tells you what's right and what's wrong. Now, when life becomes difficult and temptation and evil surrounds you YET you still listen to your conscience and do the right thing - well that's one major hurdle tackled and another tick in the box under kamai..:D Only those who are spiritually lower (i.e. demons incarnated as humans to test us (or them) or people who repeatedly refuse to learn the lessons of their births) will fall into the same traps over and over again. This is where Naam comes into it, as I believe that if you recite Naam and live your life according to its teachings, then you WILL be guided onto the correct path if you fall. I'm not saying you'll never have any troubles or life will be easy because that's never the case. It's very rare for a person who has lived a decent life according to God's will over many rebirths, to suddenly turn bad and basically become evil. However like I said the temptation is always there but that accumulated "goodness" from previous well-lived lives does count for something, and more often than not you are drawn onto the correct path if you do waver. Again, if Naam is a part of your life, finding the correct path oncemore is a little bit easier. If Naam isn't something you partake in, then I believe its a lot harder dare I say nearly impossible.

I've got a wonderful Simran track by Sant Anoop Singh - the original track was only 2:21 but I "remixed" it so that it looped for over 5 minutes. You can't tell where I've cut and pasted...:D The only issue some of you may have with it is that you can hear more of the 'sangat', and just a bit of Sant Anoop Singh's voice. But its really wonderful to listen to. If anyone's interested I'd love to know how I could upload it onto here.

What are the mistakes? The first few paragraphs seem okay. Unless you're talking about misspelt words, missing titles to names, etc?

So is the Vatican. But everyone seems to define them as religious. You get my point don't you? :D - I'm joking. I'll ask again - who are the Tiger group?

Rich, white women use to wear little turbans in the 30's and 40's. I'm not sure whether its still in fashion today. The only reason we should be worrying is if someone is taking the mick out of Sikhi.

Tiger group? Are they a religious Sikhi organisation?

@ Bundha - I suppose its best to get rid of them altogether. Although I do wonder how disabled people or the elderly can be part of the sangat. Any suggestions? I see some Gurudwara's have TV screens in the langar hall which beam pictures from upstairs. However that's not the same as being part of the actual sangat is it?

Its not a laughing matter but when you stated the seats had cup holders, I cracked up!!! Sorry..... But seriously they could be for disabled people or elderley members of the congregation?

@ Whitehorse - "If they find it so twisted, why don't they move back to the Punjab?" I wouldn't go that far either! :D Our ancestral homeland does have its fair share of issues, most of which I despair that such things could happen. As much as I prefer living in the West, its not perfect by any means. The greatest 'triumph' of the West (if one can refer to it in this manner) is the illusion of democracy and freedom that it provides. Whereas the actual truth is so far from these 'hallowed' ideals its actually quite terrifying. But anyways that's another debate for another day. Anyway like I said before, the upper echelons of the Gurudwara must be occupied by people of full Sikhi saroop, with the requisite knowledge and lifestyle that being a true Gursikh entails. Otherwise how would it motivate 'relaxed' Sikhs to aspire to be of full Sikhi saroop if everything is chilled out and "chalo koi ni" in the very place where SIkhi should be thriving? Although I also understand SinghWarrior's point. Its a pickle!!!

@ onlyfive - The pardhaan should always be a full Sikh, as I've stated earlier in this thread. However your line "In your western twisted world where hell is the destination, your arguement would be true" is a bit strong. You sound like one of those intolerant Islamic fundamentalists! Would this be the same Western world where a lot of good Sikhs reside? As much as I don't kowtow to any white folk, the western world isn't 'that' bad. Its what the individual makes of it that determines whether its hell or heaven.

Don't you worry about chardi kala, buddy. Its the only thing I've got left! :lol: I refuse to be beat...:D I sometimes do wonder about us being punished (as a quom like you mentioned). I occasionally wonder whether we are being punished because we've slowly drifted back into those habits and lifestyles our Guru's stated we should completely abandon. Caste issues, female infanticide, alcohol, dabbling in the dark arts, etc. We were clearly told to become one and stop messing about as individuals and stop messing with each other (I'm paraphrasing :D), but we didn't listen. Oh well - I'm sure we'll find out one day.

A martial race? We are so far removed from that concept its not even funny. The issue that I have is that why do we need to resort to arms at all to get our dues, even in this day and age? Why are our people still facing these problems? What is it about us that means that everything is such a struggle? Do we make life hard for ourselves OR are others not allowing us to live as we would like to? I wouldn't hold the blacks up as anything to aspire to (I'm referring to those who do the scaring :D - not the type who just get on with life like most people), although I do get amused when white folk get visibly scared by them, yet never admit its an issue. As for that 'fierce streak' you mentioned, I don't know where its gone. Personally I think Islamic issues haven't helped especially these past 9 years or so. Some of our people just don't want to rock the boat (in its simplest terms) as they don't want to be labelled as troublemakers or worse by ignorant sections of society who can't tell the difference between various Asian groups / religions. There are so many issues its tiring just thinking about them.

Who is this 'Ishmeet' fellow anyway? Sorry I don't follow Asian or Punjabi media.

That's very easy to say sitting in-front of a computer in the comfort of our homes (as we all are). The truth is a lot more stark and when such events do befall people, even our day-to-day existence becomes a struggle and one is surrounded by loneliness. But you most likely already know that. I'm just making a point. The current breed of Sikhs aren't fit to face our ancestors - and I include myself in the current group. Those Sikhs from yesteryear were something else entirely.

I think they were so out of it, and desperate for a 'fix' they didn't give a [beep] who was watching. Very sad.

I agree with you in principle, but you know as well as I do about double standards. The people who stand up for themselves (in a vociferous manner) are always the ones who are painted as the troublemakers, the disturbers of the peace, etc., whilst the real culprits who incite this kind of behaviour manage to fade into the background as the baying mobs scream for blood. Its like the classic issue of "Sant Bhindranwale = Terrorist" which does my head in even to this day. Someone who had the gumption and principles to tackle government sponsored injustice and treachery has been portrayed to the world as a terrorist. We all know how distorted this is, but when the media and people in general make their minds up, its pretty darn hard to change perceptions.

I'm dubious of putting too much stock into anything that happens in-front of cameras involving celebrities, etc., but the subject of past life therapy is always dismissed as cheap entertainment, or scientifically as the accumulation (subconciously) of background information which settles into the subconcious, and is then brought out into the open as the subject is interrogated about their past lives. Its hard to prove but I DO believe in the overall area of previous lives, etc. As to whether past life therapy is real, your guess is as good as mine. I don't see why not.

You'd think if these channels were really concerned about the future and direction of Sikhi, they wouldn't be falling over each other trying to compete as if Sikhi is a horse-race or something. Another example of religion being used as a front for other reasons.

The sad thing about this issue is that other faiths must be laughing their heads off, when they hear news like this. Most knowledgeable people of other faiths know how important it is for there not to be meat or alcohol in langar - so why are some aspects within our faith doing these things? Its very embarrassing and infuriating.

If my memory serves me correct, Sacramento is in California, so I'm guessing they are of Mexican lineage. Or they could be Puerto Rican. Definitely South American.

What is a bana?

That seems wrong to me. Sofas? Definitely not right.

Thank-you for the video, brother. Very interesting. Of course these are sad facts our community has known for years, but at least other (non-Punjabi) people are also hearing about these issues too.

Free will. Like it or not, we've got it and its up to us to choose how we use it - as 'Only Five' has highlighted so competently. If your free-will manages to coincide with a Sikhi way of life, then happy days!

Are you talking about Feng Shui? If you're looking for Gurmat-related advice on decorating your home and / or furniture placement, I think our Guru's had slightly more important issues to contend with, than what direction a chair should face. :D I could be wrong, though.