rrss

Jagjeet ji- But due to Daylight Saving, what is actually 2am-6am is now 3am to 7am (and 2am-6am DST is actually 1am-5am) so if come out of meditation by 6am DST, I'm missing a whole hour of amrit vela, plus nature starts vibrating because people are waking up and moving about due to the change in clock. When guru ji says 4th pher of the night- did they use 24 hour/60 minute system to measure hours? Some older cultures have had varying hours so the "hour" is longer at different times of the year, to account for differences in daylight hours. Lion ji- for my practice, amrit vela feels best after 3am. waheguru ja khalsa waheguru ji ki fateh

waheguru ji ka khalsa waheguru ji ki fateh what happens to amrit vela when clocks shift forward due to daylight saving time? DST is man-made, earth's rotation is God-made. Which one to follow? waheguru ji ka khalsa waheguru ji ki fateh

My sisters are being raped, I am outraged and deeply distressed. What can we do about this? Raise a militia / peacekeeping force? Offer to marry rape victims (Like many a good sikh man did during 1947 partition)? Other? Positive and practical suggestions sought. Haters and muslim bashers please refrain, thank you. ------------------------------------------------ http://www.channel4.com/news/syria-women-rape-marriage-refugee-camp-jordan Thousands of Syrians fled to Jordan's Zataari refugee camp to escape violence at home. But now women and children live in fear of kidnap, rape and sham marriages in the camp meant to keep them safe. Thursday 28 March 2013 Rape and sham marriages: the fears of Syria's women refugees Thousands of Syrians fled to Jordan's Zataari refugee camp to escape violence at home. But now women and children live in fear of kidnap, rape and sham marriages in the camp meant to keep them safe. If agony has a sound, it is the cry to God made by 100-year-old Shatwah, as she sits broken and bereft in the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan. In her black hijab, she raises her hands to the sky, almost unable to make sense ofher own distress. "Bashar, Bashar," she keeps crying. "Why are you butchering us?" Shatwah (pictured above) is one of a hundred thousand Syrians whose home is now the sprawling, tented city of Zataari. They fled the fighting to seek shelter and safety. But for many women the camp has offered them anything but. "Three girls in our camp were kidnapped," explains Israa Mohammed. "They raped them. Then they brought them back to the camp. The Jordanian guys, they come to harass Syrian girls from the age of seven or six." Such reports of women being kidnapped, assaulted or raped abound around the camp. Women say security is non existent. They are too afraid even to go to the toilet at night alone. "I come with my daughter, she enters and I stand here waiting for her," says Um Hammad. "There are girls who don't come to the toilet at night. We stay until the morning, holding it in." The marriage market As well as the fear of attack , there is another more insidious assault on the women and girls of Zaatari. Men - usually from Saudi Arabia and other gulf states - are given free rein at the camp. Coming in the guise of benefactors offering charity, in return many want a wife. But these are marriages of convenience - for the men at least. So called "pleasure marriages", they give cover - a sheen of respectability - to what is often wealthy men exploiting vulnerable women for sex. Abu Sanad is the father of two daughters. "People from Jordan, from Saudi Arabia, from Qatar, they come and ask: 'Do you want to give your daughters for marriage?'" he said. "What do they see us as? A market place for selling? Like selling sheep. They see we don't have money. They want to exploit us. 'Give me your daughter for 200,000 lira or 100,000 lira'. It's exploitation." The men often promise the earth. "Lama" says she was told she would "live like a princess." But the reality often means a few days or weeks out of the camp, then they are dumped alone in Jordan, or left to come back to Zaatari, humiliated and abused. Gallery: Inside Jordan's Zaatari refugee camp Um Majed (pictured left) is a Syrian housewife from Homs. She says she understands the refugee families and women who give into the demands of the men from the Gulf offering desperately needed cash. These are "dark days" for Syrians, she offers up by way of reasoning. She has chosen her own way to deal with such bleak times. She has become a marriage broker, offering Syrian girls for sex. "He comes for a coffee and he sees her with her hijab, he pays the 100 dinar and leaves," says Ms Majed, outlining the charges. "If he wants to marry her, he has to pay 1,000 or more. He has to sign a marriage agreement and he takes her and even after one hour they can get divorced. It's none of my business." Vigilantes Frustrated by the authorities' inability to deal with this problem, residents of the camp are forming vigilante groups. They patrol the area, they say to protect their women. They mete out their own justice on the men they decide are the perpetrators. It is one of many problems the authorities now face. Young men, angry, frustrated and bored are running out of control. Several riots have broken out in the camp. The United Nations says it is working hard with the Jordanian government to set up a proper policing structure and have announced a new security initiative. But it may never ease the pain of the women refugees. That will only be soothed when they are allowed to go back to their beloved Syria. Um Majed throws her head back and sighs. "I wish to go back to Syria. I wish to breathe the air of my country. Inshallah, I will go back." But it is more in hope than expectation. She recognises what their future might hold. "I hope we don't have the same destiny of the Palestinians who went out of their country and never went back." The film on the plight of Syria's refugees will be shown on Channel 4 News on Thursday (28 March 2013) from 7pm. It was directed, produced and filmed by Sharron Ward. The editor was Agnieszka Liggett and associate producer was Yasmin Al Tellawy.

waheguru ji ka khalsa waheguru ji ki fateh Have you experienced any recent trauma or bump on head? Does this happen only with paath or with simran also and how about any other activities which involve concentration? Do you wear a tight dastaar? Are you depressed? Are you motivated to do nitnem slowly and with love or is it something you are forcing yourself (don't mind the q, it could be an unconscious attempt by the mind to eliminate an unliked activity). Physical and physiological and psychological issues always need to be eliminated before jumping to exotic spiritual pain. Pain is almost always an indicator that something bodily or psychological needs to be addressed. If you are certain its none of these and a doctor is flummoxed, please tell us where the pain is, when the pain started (e.g. if it coincided with making some spiritual progress). PM me if you want to discuss in private.

What started off as a voluntary scheme without parliament approval is now being made mandatory for the most basic of citizen's rights in India: Registering land, pensions, bank accounts, medical treatment, ration, claiming benefits/tax relief etc, still without any legislation (indeed, it was rejected by parliament standing committee and the Supreme Court has challenged this as being unconstitutional). India's UID (Universal Identification) scheme, popularly known as 'Aadhaar' (entitlement) begun to roll out in 2010 on executive order, without parliament approval and with projected costs of billions of dollars (which will no doubt rise). In November 2012, the Supreme Court, following a PIL (public interest litigation), challenged the federal government on the scheme on grounds of it violating constitutional freedoms and usurping parliament scrutiny. Individual states and territories making the scheme compulsory for basic services also discriminates against those who would move often for work, the homeless/destitute and others who are unwilling to sign away their rights. It is a shame that few in India are standing up against this gross violation of rights which could particularly be used to control and harass minority communities- especially Sikhs, Muslims and civil rights activists. Indeed hidden away, one of the clauses, permits the scheme to utilise the biometric information "in the interests of national security"- cue controlling 'troublemakers'. Nothing has stopped the Government so far from false imprisonment, torture, murder, state-sponsored terrorism and indeed genocide. This scheme simply offers further them another tool to control and oppress and legalises it. Similar biometric national ID schemes have failed proceed in the UK and other such nations, where it was stopped dead by fears of high cost and loss of privacy. Indeed the only countries with national biometric ID are undemocratic or corrupt despot nations eager to control and enslave, examples include Ghambia, Iraq etc. India joins such a league of nations. Yes, some hardcore developed nations have always wanted control of immigration and so have in the past decade introduced biometric passports but they are not mandatory for non travelling citizens and rights are typically greatly protected with much court and public scrutiny. Indeed, one of the major 'benefits' of the scheme purported by the Indian Government is reducing corruption (supposedly by cutting out middle men)- but a competent expert will tell you- adding layers of control onto an inherently corrupt system combined with poor policy does more harm than good. Indeed there is only one reason why the Government chose to usurp parliamentary scrutiny and is avoiding a Supreme court notice- for as and when the scheme gains momentum and states begin to illegally make it compulsory, it would have passed the 'point of no return' thus making a likely future anti-constitutional ruling academic. We sikhs have a duty to band together and protect against tyrants and oppressors. Educate yourself further about the subject and lobby both politically and through pressure groups to press for change- not just in beloved Punjab- this is a wide issue affecting weak and vulnerable at large. Stop the tyrants and stand united. At the grassroots you can boycott the scheme and stage protests outside enrolment centres and spread awareness amongst peers. Feel free to form groups on social sites and tweet, spread awareness through any and all means. At the national and international level you can form pressure groups and lobby for change. Further reading: https://www.eff.org/issues/national-ids http://www.countercurrents.org/krishna210313.htm http://kafila.org/2013/03/18/aadjaruid-is-against-equality-and-democracy-moiz-tundawala/

It is wrong to rank sikhs, we are all lowest of low. PS. Should I have heard of the people you have mentioned, what are they known for? Only Fauja Singh rings a bell :stupidme:

Meditating on the Naam, the Name of the Lord, my heart is filled with peace. simrat naam ridai sukh paa-i-aa. 'Naam' here is not just a word to be spoken, it is the spiritual essence of His being which is implanted into you by the true Guru. There are some variations in mantras (but with same results it would seem); some use 'satnaam', satnaam waheguru', 'waheguru', 'waheguru ji', waheguru oankar' etc. However Reciting a mantra is only one aspect of (invoking) 'Naam' but there's much more to it. http://www.info-sikh.com/PageKnow7.html What is the concept of Naam in Sikhism: Naam is a very deep and integral part of Sikh belief. If one reads the English translation of Naam, it says Name. This is true but does not explain Naam completely. This is because Naam is the essence of God, in Sikhism God is Alakh, unfathomable, Apaar, infinite. Naam is not just the Name, but also, truthful living, truthful speaking, seeing the truth in every single being, breathing the truth, eating truth, totally immersed in the truth. In the first line of Guru Granth Sahib Ji, it says ‘SatNaam,’ that God's name is Truth. Naam is also a way of life in Sikhism. Let's do another experiment/demonstration, describe your mother. A mother is someone who feeds you when you are hungry (sustainer), comforts you when you are sad (cherisher), protects you from danger and harm (protector). Now, when someone asks us, who is that woman? We say that is my mother. We do not say, that is the lady that protects me, feeds me, cherishes me, etc. The title of "Mother" is very informative and all the qualities associated with the name are understood without explanation. So it is in Sikhism, the Naam, or the Name is very important. What is that name, SatNaam, the true name. The name is Waheguru, Satnam, Akal Purkh, Kartar, Narain, Nirankar etc. The Name describes the Lord and all the Lord's glorious attributes, infinite in number. Meditation and repartition of the Name brings one closer to the one God and all his attributes. In Sikhism one receives this Naam, from God, or from the Satguru, true guru, the perfect guru or the revealed word of God, Guru Granth Sahib Ji. baani guru, guru hai baani - The word of God is Guru, and Guru is the word of God. Also see: http://www.wahegurunet.com/name-of-gods Name of Gods: The Concept of Naam Introduction to Name of Gods: The Concept of Naam Naam, Shabad, or Word, is the quintessence of Sikh spirituality and is mentioned 2546 times in the Sikh Holy Scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, literally meaning the Name of Gods or God. But what exactly is Naam and why is it so important? What is Naam? Naam as a Controlling Force Naam is the great creative and controlling power of God. Naam has no beginning and no end. It is unchanging, ancient and eternal and it is the life current which pervades the entire creation. The withdrawal of Naam from creation would lead to its decay and destruction. Attributes of Naam Naam is characterised by sweet strains and melodious tunes and powerful light which can be seen and witnessed. This sound current is active in the whole of creation. This is one of the ways humans experience this phenomenon within themselves. Why is Naam Inaudible? Our mind is always in a state of oscillation and all the time our mental faculties are always flowing outward into the world. Never for a moment have they known any rest. Until we internalise our focus and allow the mind to become purified and stilled, one cannot listen to the reverberations of the sound current. The 5 Shabads (Melodies) Naam, the primal sound current is in fact only one continuous vibration. However as it steps down through 5 different planes of existence, with their varying degrees of density, the frequency of Naam changes and this creates the ‘Panj Shabad’, the five distinct melodies, which are contained within the mantra Sat Naam and are S, T, N, M and A. These five melodies come from God and become the means of re-uniting us back with God. It is this internal experience of the 5 shabads that inspired the Sikh Gurus and Yogis to create instruments like the Dilruba, Saranda, Taus, Sitar and Rabab which re-created the sounds of Naam to enable common people to experience these sounds. Bhai Gurdas Ji, the great Sikh philosopher, tells us that it is only after one transcends body-consciousness that one gets contact with the five primal sounds. The 5 Khands (Planes of Existence) The five planes of existence are mentioned at the end of Jap Ji Sahib which is the first poem in the Sikh Holy Scripture. The five planes include: 1) ‘Dharam Khand’ or the Realm of Action 2) ‘Gyan Khand’ or the Realm of Knowledge 3) ‘Saram Khand’ or the Realm of Ecstacy 4) ‘Karam Khand’ or the Realm of Grace 5) ‘Sach Khand’ or the Realm of Truth Relationship between Naam, Anhad-Bani and Gurbani ‘Anhad-Bani’ refers to the five primal sounds of the universe and their mesmerising sounds. So, in actual fact Anhad-Bani is just another word for Naam, as it flows through the different planes of existence. ‘Gurbani’ is made up of two words, which are ‘Guru’ and ‘Bani’, literally meaning ‘Word of the Guru’. Gurbani refers to the chants (Mantras) in the Sikh Scripture, and it is Gurbani which a Sikh will use to connect to Anhad-Bani or Naam. Greatness of Naam In Sukhmani Sahib, a meditation to create ‘Peace of Mind’ contained in the Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, there is a wonderful account of the greatness of Naam: “The rosary, the penances, knowledge and thinking. The study of shastras, simritis and scriptures. The yogic practices and the performance of rites and rituals. A life of solitude in the deep recesses of the forests. All endeavours of various types, including deeds of charity for name and fame, cutting the limbs in self conceit. All these and more still do not come up to the merit of Naam. Says Nanak, a beloved of God is ever engaged in communion with the Word/Naam.” Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Master, in the eighth to the eleventh stanzas of Jap Ji Sahib, enumerates the many advantages that accrue from the hearing and acceptance of Naam by saying: “By communion with Naam, one can attain the status of a super human being with spiritual powers, a god and a yoga master. By communion with Naam, the earthly regions, the heavens and the nether regions stand revealed. By communion with Naam one becomes immortal. Says Nanak, God’s devotees live in perpetual ecstasy for the Naam washes away all sin and sorrow.” How is Naam Obtained? The Quickest Route to Nirvana Guru Nanak Dev Ji has said that the practice of Naam is the quickest and easiest method for self awakening. Guru Arjan Dev Ji confirms this by saying: “In this age, Kirtan (signing the praises of the Lord) occupies the highest place among spiritual practices.” Traversing Spiritual Planes It is with the assistance of Naam that a soul can traverse through higher spiritual regions (Khands). It serves as an electric lift that can safely carry a spirit yearning for God realisation back to its true home (Sach Khand). The sounds of Naam become the “yellow brick road” leading the way back home. Controlling the 10 Doors in the Body The human body has nine visible doors which include two eyes, two nostrils, two ears, one mouth, one sex organ and one rectum. The tenth door is hidden and is located at the crown. Guru Ram Das Ji says: “The Master manifests the Water of Life (Amrit) at the tenth gate. And listening to the divine music (Naam) one is led to stillness absolute.” The Seat of Naam The body is the Temple of God, for God made people in his own image. One way that an individual can contact and become one with Naam and hear the divine melody is by meditating with focus at the sixth chakra (energy centre), also known as the third eye or brow point, located at the roof of the nose between and behind the two eyebrows, whist repeating a Guru Mantra like “Satnam” or listening and singing Gurbani. Names of God A Guru Mantra (chant) can be used for meditation and there are two categories of Guru Mantras which are namely: 1. ‘Karam Naam’ or names which are qualitative or attributive in nature such as merciful, all-pervading, compassionate etc. The most common one used by Sikhs is ‘Vaheguru’ which means ‘Wonderful Lord’. 2. ‘Pura Purbala Naam’ or personal names which are all-comprehensive, ancient and eternal. The eternal name used by Sikhs is ‘Sat Naam’ which means ‘Truth is Your Identity’. Receiving Naam from Khalsa (Master Souls) When an individual chooses to consciously become a Sikh and shine as a Khalsa (pure) light they are given Amrit which is prepared by five baptised Sikhs who will recite five specific Gurbani meditations in order to infuse the Holy Naam into the water. This will then be given to the new Sikhs to give them a head start in their spiritual practice. What is the best time to Meditate on Naam? All times are great for meditation but Amrit Vela, which is from 3am till 6am, is the best and will provide the greatest fruit. This is due to the serenity of the environment at that time of day and the idea that during this time, the power of your meditation is multiplied by many times. Naam in Other Faith Systems Naam is not unique to the Sikh way of life. Naam is ancient and eternal and it is an underlying belief in all the major world religions. Some examples of Naam in other faith beliefs are given below. Hinduism Hindus believe that the whole of creation was made through Naad (Naam). They also refer to Naam as Akash Bani. The Amritbind Upanishad reads, “Like the butter hidden in milk, the Pure Consciousness resides in every being. That ought to be constantly churned out by the churning rod of the mind.” Buddhism An extract from the Tibetan Book of the Dead reads “…vibrating and dazzling like coloured threads, flashing, radiant, transparent, glorious and awe inspiring…will strike against thy heart, so bright that the eye can not bear to look upon them…Be not afraid of that brilliant radiance of five colours, nor terrified; but know that Wisdom to be thine own.” Christianity An extract of the bible states, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” What Happens if you don’t commune with Naam? Human Life is Wasted Guru Nanak Dev Ji says, “Everyone in the world is a unique gambler. They wish for all material joy at the cost of Naam.” Truly Dead Guru Amar Das Ji says, “That person alone wakes up to the reality whom God may so desire and meditates on the Word of the Master. Says Nanak, they indeed are dead who do not commune with Naam.” Enlightenment and Life is Harder Guru Arjan Dev Ji says, “Always sing the praises of God and your sorrows will vanish. By forgetting the Naam, says Nanak, one is behest with difficulties”. Summary to Name of Gods Naam or Anhad-Bani is the creative, destructive and sustaining power of God Naam is characterised by five sets of unique sounds and light patterns called the ‘Panj Shabad’ which are S, T, N, M and A, all contained within the Guru Mantra ‘Sat Naam’ Gurbani and Guru Mantras are used to focus our spirit at the third eye. This is where we will taste the sweet internal nectar called ‘Amrit’ From the third eye onwards, Naam carries us safely, one step at a time, across the five realms of existence (Khands) up to the highest realm of truth or ‘Sach Khand’, which is our true home

Thank you ji, much appreciated. I will pass on the details to the group. Can't say more about the community at this time, they will themselves release information soon. At this time it being run by those who have dedicated their lives to God/sewa, if you are thinking of such dedication, PM me and I'll put you in touch with someone who can explain more about their aims.

Very well said, I agree completely. The derelict gurdwaras are certainly an opportunity for introspection about the state of Sikhi, both in Pakistan and East Punjab. Hundreds of gurdwaras falling into disrepair seems to mark end to the 'boom years' of sikhi, where Guru ji's message still was being treated as something really special and important, amongst those born into various faiths or none. Rot has set in and unless proactive steps are taken, these gurdwaras will become ancient monuments, a reminder of a past where spirituality was booming in relative terms. And yes there are sikhs and/or those open to learning and benefiting from Guru ji's teachings all over india and the world. Resources (time/money etc) if they exist need to go towards maintaining sikhi and promulgating (the taboo surrounding peaceful proselytizing needs to be addressed also). I recently looked at a global map of active gurdwaras- they mostly exist in Indian Punjab and whereever punjabis have settled aboard (mostly canada, usa and UK). Incidentally all these areas have relatively little hunger. Sikhs like to say that langar helps people, but is it really feeding those who need it or is it feeding the (punjabi origin) sangat only? where is the langar in sudan or madhya pradesh where upto 80% of girls under 5 are malnourished? However this is a matter for another thread.

What's the best place to source 1-2 suitable breed horses (colt/filly) in north India (or south I suppose), for the purposes of regular long distance riding? Do nihangs keep good horses or are they just for novelty/show? Are punjabi 'stud farms' reliable? The budget is very low, this horse is required for a new self sustainable community being set up which is trying to live entirely off a small patch of land and on food and goods generated within the community (no outside goods whatsoever from clothes to consumer goods). The horse will be trained for western riding (bitless if it can be done) and will be used by a sikh for regular transport for personal activities as well as parchar throughout india ('udasis'). The community does not normally use paper money (they barter), they will have to sell their produces to raise cash- so budget is low. This will not be for novelty purposes. Please help.

What's the best place to source 1-2 suitable breed horses (colt/filly) in north India (or south I suppose), for the purposes of regular long distance riding? Do nihangs keep good horses or are they just for novelty/show? Are punjabi 'stud farms' reliable? The budget is very low, this horse is required for a new self sustainable community being set up which is trying to live entirely off a small patch of land and on food and goods generated within the community (no outside goods whatsoever from clothes to consumer goods). The horse will be trained for western riding (bitless if it can be done) and will be used by a sikh for regular transport for personal activities as well as parchar throughout india ('udasis'). The community does not normally use paper money (they barter), they will have to sell their produces to raise cash- so budget is low. This will not be for novelty purposes. Please help. Also, from this thread it would seem that horseback riding and/or keeping horses it somewhat of a novelty activity thus poor quality breeding/health and unrealistically high prices for anything half decent. Why isn't the horse more kept and used in India like it is in the USA?

http://www.jammu-kashmir.com/insights/insight990525.html Islamic Pakistan Proceeds to Annex Sikh Gurdwaras 25 May 1999 All previous protestations of friendship of the Sikh community ring hollow and it is becoming increasingly clear that Islamic fundamentalist elements, who control the Government in Pakistan, have decided to appropriate unto themselves Sikh gurdwaras in Pakistan and the properties attached to them. The Archaeological Department of Pakistan had conducted a survey of the Sikh historical gurdwaras soon after the 1947 Partition. It had listed as many as 130 important historical gurdwaras. Detailed information about these gurdwaras was later incorporated in the book "Sikh Shrines in West Pakistan" by Khan Mohammed Waliullah Khan and published by the Department of Archaeology, Govt. of Pakistan in 1962. These shrines include 28 gurdwaras built in the sacred memory of Guru Nanak Devji - Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib; Gurdwara Sachcha Sauda; Gurdwara Parija Sahib, Hassan Abdal; GUrdwara Chaki Sahib, Eminabad; Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur; Gurdwara Bairi Sahib; Sialkot, etc. One gurdwara, Janam Asthan Guru Ram Das, Lahore, marks the memory of the fourth Guru, Sri Ram Das. Eight gurdwaras, including Gurdwara Budhu Ka Awa, Lahore; Samadh of Guru Arjan Dev; and Gurdwara Haft Madar, Sheikhupura are in the sacred memory of the fifth Guru, Sri Arjan Devji. There are twelve gurdwaras in the memory of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind ji. Each of these gurdwaras has its own property in the form of agricultural land and buildings. Such land had been donated by the Sikh devotees from time to time for the maintenance and upkeep of these historical qurdwaras. Some of these gurdwaras thus have thousands of acres of land. The property of these gurdwaras is worth hundreds of crores of Rupees. This property went under the control of the Waqf Board after Partition and has since then been systematically misused and misappropriated. Except very few gurdwaras, where Sikh pilgrims from India are allowed to visit in the form of Jathas on religious/historical occasions, not a Rupee has been spent on the maintenance and upkeep of other gurdwaras by the Waqf Board. Sikh devotees, who have acquired foreign nationalities and could visit some of the gurdwaras (beyond access to Indian Sikhs), have come back with horrifying accounts These gurdwaras are not only in a bad state of disrepair but have been systematically desecrated by local residents who use them as shelter for domestic animals and as ground for Sun drying dung cakes, Shops have been set up in gurdwara premises and the essential routine of prayers is not being followed. These grand sites marking significant events in Sikh history are today hut lifeless and decrepit buildings. Knowledge of the Sad state Of gurdwaras in Pakistan has been common place among Sikhs worldwide., There has been an intense desire among them to gain access to all the gurdwaras in Pakistan so that they can they can be surveyed before repair work is undertaken and moves are initiated with the administrntion for eviction of encroachers and for restoration of alienated kind. On its part, the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) has been demanding that the gurdwaras in Pakistan, which were part of its domain between 1929 and 1947 (when Partition took place) should be restored to it. The SGPC has made several appeals to the Pakistan Government in this regard. The intensity of the desire of Sikhs to accomplish this is amply reflected in the fact that, in prayers said twice a day, every Sikh beseeches God to bless him with free access to the gurdwaras in Pakistan so that they can be maintained as well as the gurdwaras in India. It is worth recalling that the Sikhs had to wage a prolonged struggle to recover control of gurdwaras from corrupt Mahants, who were using the resources Of gurdwaras for personal aggrandisement. The Mahants, had taken care to keep the British on their right side. The patience and persistence of Sikhs involved in the struggle to liberate the gurdwaras was rewarded as the SGPC was formed as an elected body to run the gurdwaras. In the wake of the Partition, the Waqf Board took over charge of the gurdwaras in Pakistan and the results are for all to see. The Waqf Board has been no better than the Mahants. The resultant pain in the hearts of Sikhs is so intense that it cannot be imagined. Three centuries have passed since the 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, ordained the Khalsa. In commemorating this event recently, the entire Sikh community paid tribute to the vision of the great Guru, resolved to abide by his ministerations and undertook not to spare any effort for the preservation and advancement of Sikhism. Many world leaders, including heads of State and the governments of India, UK and Canada, have felicitated the Sikhs and made complimentary references to the honesty and integrity exhibited consistently by members of the Sikh community. At this great juncture, as all Sikhs celebrate and re-dedicate themselves to the ideals cherished by their Gurus, Pakistan has delivered a body blow to the entire Sikh Community. The Pakistan Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PGPC) was formed through a recent notification. Its autocratic chief, Lt. Gen. (Retd) Javed Nasir was quick to unveil his real colours as he prevented the SGPC from maintaining its traditional right to collection of offerings made by pilgrims on important religious occasions, when Jathas from India visit three gurdwaras in Pakistan. If the Pakistan Government was sincere in its protestations of concern for the Sikh community and if it wanted to make a symbolic gesture on the occasion of the tercentenary of Khalsa, it need not have wasted its time to set up the PGPC. Without even giving up the stranglehold that it has maintained over the gurdwaras in Pakistan, it could have announced a phased programme for their restoration and repair, and for the restoration of alienated lands Instead, it proceeded to appoint puppets from amongst Pakistani Sikhs to the PGPC, so that it could project that the Sikh Community was being allowed to run its own affairs in Pakistan. It does not need any effort to understand that neither Gyan Singh of Baluchistan, nor Ram Singh of Peshawar, nor Satnam Singh of Sindh and their three other Sikh colleagues have religious credentials and that they are but instruments in the hands of Gen. Javed Nasir. One fails to understand as to why another three Muslims have been appointed on to the PGPC. Is there an intention to Islamise the Sikhs in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which is inexorably sliding towards obscurantism? Clearly, no discerning Sikh would regard the creation of the PGPC as a step in the right direction. Gen. Nasir has already given away his real intentions. In an interview (April 23, 1999) to "Jung", the largest circulated Urdu daily in Pakistan, Gen. Nasir did not so much as outline any plan for the restoration of gurdwaras in Pakistan to their original glory but proceeded to suggest that the creation of the PGPC would provide a fillip to the "separatist movement" in Punjab, which, in due course, would threaten the very integrity of the Indian nation. One wonders why an experienced General should believe the myth that there is a separatist movement in Punjab and why he should lay store by a non-existent phenomenon to achieve what might be regarded as a military objective. Clearly, he is not equipped in any way to handle the affairs of gurdwaras, as he remains burdened primarily by military prooccupations. All previous protestations of friendship of the Sikh community ring hollow and it is becoming increasingly clear that Islamic fundamentalist elements, who control the Government in Pakistan, have decided to appropriate unto themselves Sikh gurdwaras in Pakistan and the properties attached to them, so that all traces of the Sikh faith are removed from the firmament in Pakistan. Sikhs have combated such challenges in the past and will do so now. Let the Government of Pakistan and its operatives not forget that the raisom d'etre of the Sikh religion was its ability to protect the meek from oppression by Muslim rulers. The Sikh Gurus made several sacrifices in the course of their such campaign. Two of them, the 5th Guru and the 9th Guru, were martyred in the process and the four sons of the 10th Guru were brutally killed. Many other loyal adherents of the Gurus gave up their lives in the Struggle to liberate this land from the clutches of ruthless and avaricious Muslim rulers. The Sikhs maintain the spirit even today and will not hesitate to shed blood, if that should be necessary, to protect their religion and all elements of their heritage, no matter what the locale.

I don't use facebook :biggrin2: There's not many that I could inform anyways, most of my Sikh 'friends' are bazurg- many would be aware having migrated from pakistan however, I will enquire and let you know. Thanks for the website, good find. Any information about the authors?

Write from the heart veerji :-) what God means to you, how he touches your life. Loving God is true love.

I am glad to be of assistance! I will send you a personal message. God bless.

Could admin please pin this? Surely very important to help in any way.

Sikh sangat please don't disappoint :sad2: There must be someone who has time and the desire to praise God?

No object will last forever, all the objects even if carefully preserved will perish in the end. For a sikh, if he cannot take something with him in the end it is useless to treasure it. Respect yes, look after if it serves a purpose sure, treasure, no. The Gurus teachings, Actions and good deeds, love for God etc will go in the end, so this is highly treasured. It is these teachings which teach importance to be detached life above material things and sentiments. The stories that are allegedly told about said objects given to people were (even as said stories admit) to remember the Guru and his teachings by, not to be worshipped, placed on view for darshan etc like they are today. Nowhere has the Guru said 'keep this object for as long as you can', but he has said forever keep alive the message of God, the sikh path, etc.

Whomsoever contemplates on the relevance of Shabad and has a relationship with God will understand that spirituality is all about the shabad and has been since the beginning of time. Any and all SatGurus have spiritually always been a shabad guru and will continue to be. Namdharis trying to prove otherwise or Sikhs trying to prove so using any other means are wasting their time.

Become that one in a million my sibling. If you are not an Indian citizen, it is a thousand times easier to get access to Pakistan for such activities. Saving Gurdwaras for posterity is one thing and keeping them alive for the original purpose is another. Remember that everything must perish, sentimental value is maya. There is hunger in Pakistan, langar sewa is required. People are suffering spiritually, parchar is required. These gurdwaras have survived this long because the Guru is eagerly waiting for sewaks to come to his doors, otherwise there has been nothing stopping Pak govt from demolishing all especially at the time Taliban was demollishing buddha statues and relics in Afg.

If you're genuinely interested in Sikhism, then his family should have no problem, stress on this point. Sikhi is a true spiritual path, if followed with true intentions and love for God in the heart, it is very rewarding life. Also whilst 'love' might seem like everything now, know that on the Sikhi path, we understanding that this love is not really true. Put the 'love' aside for a moment and see whether you reckon it will be a stable and happy marriage considering all other parameters. I wish you the best.

Good approach, but please also consider for future that we do not fully know ourselves or what is planned by God. Did sikhs of old have so much doubt when it came to marriage and yet they have become great amritdhari families? It is definitely good to exercise your judgement, but also balance this with input from your parents (marriage is more than just rehat, parents who have had a good happy marriage and children know what makes a relationship work which you cannot imagine at your level of experience, there are challenges that you can not know of until you experience them). Have faith in God. He does not let down the true gurmukh in spiriritual matters and marriage is very much a spiritual matter- two bodies one light. Pray to God and ask him to let you know which is the right match, that is the true way when one is following hukam one has a strong relationship with God. Bhul chuk maaf and Godspeed.

Veerji, I can only humbly suggest that the nub of the issue is one: God. You have described great rehat compliance, love for and then disgrace to religion and guru and so on. Have you ever had love for God? If you have then you would not feel that he does not exist. Sikhi is about God, not about religious actions or pyar for Guru etc, it is all false if one has not actually realised that we are doing all this to be closer to our wonderful God. The core of sikhi is not a set of actions by any means and keeping rehat etc will not lead to God like some people like to think. Guru ji has free'd us from this mentality of actions leading to God. Only love in the heart and bonding to his True name will make the true essence of reality visible. Rehat and religious activities serve to bolster this along with practising 5 virtues and note that this in turn comes through God's grace. PM me and I can discuss in further detail as to something which may help you. I would not be able to discuss this publicly as your spirituality is a private matter. ----------------- Standard disclaimer:Would others refrain from the urge to engage with me please, I have no interest to waste my time discussing, I'm only wanting to talk to the OP nobody else.

I need a simran/prabh ki keerat buddy. All ages, gender acceptable. Goals: Better spiritual understanding and generating ideas for helping humanity. I have been training (albeit unconsciously) since God infused my soul into this perishable body. Intermediate or advanced level. For this to work at least one person is required to partake, but more would be better.

As noted by some people, no middle man is required. We link directly to God and the Shabad guides us. Indeed the Shabad is God's shabad, presented to us by the true Guru. Such disregard for God is appalling and you talk of slandering 'saints'. Sikhi is all about God, not men. Have faith in God, trust him, have a direct relationship with Guru and God. Few are those who understand and live life believing that no man is all powerful, each and every action, even the ability to walk and speak is by His grace alone. And it is with God's grace alone that one is put on the spiritual path, this attitude of requiring a middle man is very dera like and very much sant mat philosophy, not sikhi. Finally, a true saint does serve a purpose but that is not to replace a Guru. He is of utmost humility and performs God's work and where his services are called upon by the sangat he seeks God's guidance and commits only if it is within hukam. If he is commanded to not remain gupt then he would primarily consider spreading the message of God throughout humanity, selflessly serve all of humanity and unite fractions, spread peace and love etc. A humble bhramgyani will consider himself part of a sadhsangat not a one man operation, be warned. If someone is struggling with spiritual matters (such as uncertainty over a spiritual experience), Guru ji gives us absolutely everything one needs, but Guru ji recognises that people need assistance so a person may want to discuss with a saint, but one need not any special jatha or dera wala bhramgyai for this, there are thousands of humble and mostly gupt saints in satsangat who can perform this sewa and indeed Guru ji reccomends to seek the company of the holy for this reason- but unfortunately we are not bonding together as a spiritual community- i.e. localised groups which help one another as there are and always will be someone in the sathsangat who has sufficient spiritual knowledge such that one can help each other. I have been helped like this- I have never met and with God's grace, don't have the need to meet a jatha sant for spiritual matters because I have the true Guru and sufficient holy company. God's system is absolutely perfect, do not doubt it for a nano second. I would recommend extended hours of mool mantar and gurmantar jaap, simran, prabh ki keerat and contemplation on bani to resolve doubts in your mind.