Inspirational Thread!

[AvnitK]

The members of the off topic thread haave made a decision in making a inspirational thread for people to put upp some things to inspire others to do ..ps..mostly sikhi related...and since we love inpirational topics i think this wil be great for all of the sangat and also us off topicers since we only waste time anyways lol :D

and sangat ji please give us ur feedback on any of the the topics discussed in this thread ..we will really appreciate it

[Azaad]

Welcome to Planet Khanda

Life on planet Khanda is wonderful.

There are plenty of beautiful places to visit. There is plenty of beautiful music to be heard. And plenty of songs to be sung. There is no death, people live forever. And the best thing is that people don't have to work - well, actually let me take that back - they have to work but only for five weeks of their lives.

Let me explain...

When a person is born, that person is raised by the family until the person is mature enough to work. At that point, the person is sent to work for only five weeks.

Well, work is not your 9 to 5 kind of deal; rather, the person is left on a beach which has many shells, huge dunes of sand and many, many hidden diamonds amongst the shells and the sand. All the person has to do is collect as many diamonds as possible. The hard part is that many of the shells glitter just like diamonds. But with a little knowledge, they can be told apart quite easily.

Needless to say, the person's life after the five weeks depends entirely on the amount of diamonds that person has collected during the "work" period. With the diamonds, the person can buy all kinds of good things and live very, very happily ever after. The wise people don't even sleep during those five weeks. They just collect all the diamonds they can get.

But then there are some whose performance, shall we say, is not up to par. Some of these people become lazy and don't go to the beach for many days. Then there are others who don't go for an entire week. And some don't show up at all! There are others also, who go once in while, but just fill their pockets with shells and sands.

Pyario, this story is our story, yours and mine. When our soul is mature - ie conscious enough, we are sent as humans to dharam khand. Our main work here is to collect naam diamonds. Yes, there are many glittering shells:

• fancy cars,

• expensive dresses,

• flaky stories like this one,

• hot debates about what naam really is,

• witty discussions about existence itself.

And many dunes of sand:

• lust,

• anger,

• greed,

• attachment,

• ego.

But with a little gurbaNi reflection, we can easily tell a diamond apart from a shell. But despite knowing all this, what do we do? We goof off! We don't just goof off; we goof off big time!!! Each moment without naam is like an hour without work on planet Khanda. Each amrit vela that we spend without naam and in sleep is like a week without work on plant Khanda.

The most amazing thing is that we will read this story, some of us will get moved by it. But come tommorrow amrit vela, we will hit that snooze button and drift off once again into dream land.

lets *** WAKE *** up.

Not when we are 60 or 70 but NOW.

Start naam simran tonight. Don't wait for tommorrow - it might or might not come. Let's not waste our precious moments on shells, lets get rich!!!!!!!!!

[AvnitK]

great post AZAAd veerji

heres an article i think would relate to alot of the sangat here ....

Singh Ji

Vaheguroo Jee

My story isn't as inspiring as all of these gurmukhs, but none the less I shall tell.

I was born in Patiala, India and came to NY when I was a young singh. My parents were both amritdhari but not from the jatha. We have the Guru in our house and my parents did paat everyday. Sikhi never really attracted me at a young age. Although, my parents always tried to force it upon me, sending me to Sikh camps, and reciting the mool mantar on my way to school, those types of things. I was never into it with my heart. In high school I got with the wrong crowd, I began to drink, smoke, and do drugs. At a time in my life, I started trimming but not too much, just enough to hide it from my parents.

So the drugs, alcohol, trimming continued. And then I went to this Sikh camp and met this chardi kala uncle. We were working on a project and I went up to him to ask him a question, and we ended up speaking for an hour or two. He told me importance of Amrit, and how when he sees kids going into Sikhi it brings him great happiness. It was inspiring listening to him. I went home with my blind faith and not knowing the importance of Amrit at the time and told my parents I wanted to chuk Amrit. They were happy, but that phase passed in a few days. And I went back to my bad habits. I started going out with this girl, she was a very good girl. She was hindu punjabi, she had a very good heart and she hated everything I did. She tried to stop me but I went behind her back as well. My ego got in the way, thinking that I can do anything and no one can stop me.

Years later I went to camp again, and I took marijuana with me, me and a friend were planning to smoke it there....but the word got out that there was weed in the camp and I got caught (thank god). I can honestly say those days were the worst days of my entire life. I cried every minute was awake, and I cried and cried. I promise waheguroo je would never do anything again, and I was dearly sorry. The pain I put upon my parents was more than I ever thought. My mom fainted in hearing the news, I felt like lower than an ant at that moment Making my father and mother cry was the last thing I wanted.

After that a Sant came to my house, he was a very religious and my parents were talking to him and they thought it would be a good idea if I chilled with him for a couple of weeks. So we and a couple others went around the country. It didn’t really make a difference to me, but me and my girlfriend now were getting serious. It was our one year anniversary and I was too into her to think about anything else. I came home and school started and I got into the same habits. I was in 12 grade now, and back to my crowd and their ways. I did the same thing, but this time, I had guilt. I felt guilty every time I took a puff or drank a little. Soon after I stopped smoking, but I continued to drink. I went to a raesabhai and it was an awesome experience. I wasn’t really into it, but I met Bhai Manmohan Singh Ji. What a gurmukh he is, we spoke and he was soo awesome, and inspiring. It was like talking to a normal guy. And then I heard him to keertan that night, and it was hypnotizing. After that I went home and started doing Japji sahib, but that only lasted a week or so.

School was ending and I was about to enter college, my parents wanted to me to go India to learn the family business so I went. I went, and the commute to the factory was approx. an hour, I saw my chacha and dada Ji do paath in the car so I figure I mite as well do it. I started doing Japji sahib, and now I had more time, so I read the meanings that struck me like a dagger in the back. I realized how I was sooo stupid for everything I had done and had been wasting my life. I read the translations in the back of Gutka and it inspired me soo much, I felt low. I started wearing a kirpan, and I put it on and it felt soo good. It felt too heavy for me, I felt as I was no ready to wear it. Every time I would wear it, I would lose it, it would fall of. SO I got the idea, guru Ji was trying to send me a message.

I still drank and ate meat at that time. I went back to us and started college. I stopped eaten meat so after and drinking just never appealed to me anymore. I started wearing the 5 ks and doing my paah. (japji sahib, rehras and sohila). the morning downloaded Bhai Manmohan Singh Ji's keertan. He was soo inspirational to me, he sang with his heart and I would feel it. A feeling of ecstasy came over me as I listened to it, I never had felt this before I did that, and I wanted more. A Gursikh friend of mine had family in LA and he thought it would be a good idea to go to the LA smagam in November. SO we went. I was sooooooo excited to hear Bhai Manmohan Singh. On Thursday night, he did keetan. It was the best feeling I ever had at that point. All the drugs, alcohol and women could not compete with this. I stayed there and listened with my heart, tears rolled down my eyes, but I did not care. I just listened.

After the program we went to greet Bhai Manmohan Singh Ji. HE was a true Gurmukh, after doing just wonderful keertan he was doing sewa by cleaning the shoes. This was surprising to me I would have never in my wildest dreams would think that such a good keertane would do this. I thought he would be full of ego, but he wasn’t. After this, I do not know what happened. I just keep quiet, I could not say anything to him, and I just stared. He probably thought I was crazy..lol, but it was inspiring, no words had to be said.

I went home and continued on my path, I contemplated Amrit, and was dedicated to take it. BY now I was with my girlfriend for about 2 and half years. I broke up wit her before the LA samagum because of Sikhi but I went back out with her in Feb. of that following year. I gave into my feelings. I contemplated Amrit and thought I would take it at TO samagum in july.

Now only a month away, I began to question myself. I told my girlfriend about it, she was well aware of my position. She supported me, and I told her, if I took Amrit we could no longer be together. She agreed, but still supported me, but I knew deep inside her heart she did not want me to leave her. A week away now, I’m in TO. All these singhs, everyone was just soo inspiring, I have never seen soo many bibis with keskis. It was great, the keertan was awesome and the Sangat was even better.

Even now I was confused. I spoke with many gursikh and they encouraged and others said that I wouldn’t do it, that I would not be able to break up with my girl and other negative things, I ignored them. I did ardaas and asked for kirpa. Now, sat morning, after the program, the Amrit sanchar was at 1, its 12 now. A friend asked me if I was going to take it, I said I don’t know, because I truly did not know. I wanted to give my head to the guru but I’m not sure if he would take it IF I was READY to live to him. TO GIVE U ALL THE THINGS IN MY LIFE. I did not know, so the time came and I went in. I was still unsure at the time

I went in to meet the punj and I was STILL unsure, we sat outside doing chaupai sahib and mool mantar and I was scared. many questions came. I went to get naam. Now I was knew there was no turning back. The naam was give to me, and I was crying through the whole procedure. I stood there, with no feeling in m body, just standing there. I had no control over myself; my mine was one with the naam. It was the best feeling of my life. I don’t know, I just felt, nothing mattered anymore...nothing at all, everything was just a waste of time and energy.

Its been a less than a month now, and its been the best month of my life. Even though it was hard breaking up with my girl, the vaheguroo jee has helped me through that. What struck my mind was, when I chukd Amrit , on that day 2 years ago was when I got caught for weed. In two years Guru sahib has helped me turn my life around. Waheguru, I feel truly blessed. I don’t now how I did it, but I did. Many people ask me this question, and I do not know....this wasn’t in my hands....vaheguroo

I hope this has inspired some of u...I’m no gurmukh just a wannabe singh....

vaheguroo jeee

so yes sangat jio sometimes bad things do lead u to good things

so just come back to ur good ways before u even start ur bad things lol

[Harsimrat Singh]

excellent!

[AvnitK]

anyone have anything to inspire the sangat with today

[Azaad]

I was parked in front of the mall wiping off my car. I had just come

from the car wash and was waiting for my wife to get out of work.

Coming my way from across the parking lot was what society would

consider a bum.

From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no

money. There are times when you feel generous but there are other times

that you just don't want to be bothered. This was one of those "don't

want to be bothered times."

"I hope he doesn't ask me for any money," I thought.

He didn't.

He came and sat on the curb in front of the bus stop but he didn't look

like he could have enough money to even ride the bus.

After a few minutes he spoke.

"That's a very pretty car," he said.

He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him. His scraggly

blond beard keep more than his face warm.

I said, "thanks," and continued wiping off my car.

He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never

came.

As the silence between us widened something inside said, "ask him if

he needs any help." I was sure that he would say "yes" but I held true

to the inner voice.

"Do you need any help?" I asked.

He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never forget.

We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from

those of higher learning and accomplishments.

I expected nothing but an

outstretched grimy hand. He spoke the three words that shook me.

"Don't we all?" he said.

I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above a bum

in the street, until those three words hit me like a twelve gauge

shotgun.

Don't we all?

I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I

needed help. I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus

fare, but enough to get a warm meal and shelter for the day. Those

three little words still ring true. No matter how much you have, no matter

how much you have accomplished, you need help too. No matter how little you

have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, even without money or

a place to sleep, you can give help.

Even if it's just a compliment, you can give that.

You never know when you may see someone that appears to have it all.

They are waiting on you to give them what they don't have. A different

perspective on life, a glimpse at something beautiful, a respite from

daily chaos, that only you through a torn world can see.

Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets. Maybe

he was more than that.

Maybe he was sent by a power that is great and

wise, to minister to a soul too comfortable in themselves.

Maybe God looked down, called an Angel, dressed him like a bum, then said, "go minister to that man cleaning the car, that man needs help."

Don't we all?

[AvnitK]

wow ....dont we all need help? a good question to ask oneself

[Seeking_Sikhi]

This is good stuff .. earlier i had to search for Azaad Veer's posts ..

[AvnitK]

yup! we off topicers got something better to do than just wasting time.. this is better people can come and read what they want ....

and its a good thread for azaad veerji to post his stories for us

Dastaar for Women

Dastaar (turban) is a very important part of Sikh religion. To Sikhs it is more than what is a crown to a king or queen. Sikh Gurus showed a great respect to turban. But some people think it is only for men and women are not required to wear it. This article will explain why Sikh women should wear Dastaar (turban).

First I will quote from Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Ji says "Saabat Soorat Dastaar Sira" means "Let your total awareness be the turban on your head" (Page 1084). This clearly states that a Sikh is instructed to live a natural life and have unshorn hair and to protect and keep those hair clean he/she must wear a Dastaar on his/her head. This line does not make an exception to women. Sikh Gurus gave women the equal rights. Both men and women are given the same message which means the above line implies to both not only to men. If we are Sikhs of Guru Granth Sahib Ji then we must wear Dastaar doesn't matter if you are male or female.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Rehtname make very clear points about women wearing Dastaar. Guru Gobind Singh Ji said "Jab Lab Khalsa Rahe Niara, Tab Lag Tej Diyoon Mein Saara" which means "As long as Khalsa preserves its uniqueness and follows the path of true Guru I will bless them with all of my powers." This clearly shows that Khalsa must have its uniqueness which means to have that uniqueness one must have a Dastaar on his/her head. Furthermore, when Bhai Jait Mal Ji presented the head of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji to Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Guru Ji said "I will give my Sikh a distinct and unique appearance which will allow him to be recognized while standing in millions". This uniqueness comes from following the path of Sikhi which is to have unshorn hair and wearing Dastaar on the head. One can easily recognize a Sikh by looking at his appearance and most of that does come from Dastaar. Guru Ji did not say that he would give uniqueness only to men. When Guru Ji said "Khalsa" he meant men and women both. Men and women both are Khalsa. Guru Ji gave the same Rehat Maryada, same uniqueness, same message, same symbols, same religious Bana (dress) and same rights then how are women excluded from wearing Dastaar. Guru Ji made no distinction and referred to men and women as Khalsa and instructed them to wear Dastaar. In above line the word "Niara" clearly means different from others and it does mean wearing Dastaar. It doesn't say only men have to be "Niara".

Furthermore, Guru Gobind Singh Ji said "Khalsa Mero Roop Hai Khaas" which means "Khalsa is my own self image." Again, Khalsa means men and women both. Guru Ji did not make two different Sikhs or Khalsa. He made one Sikh and there can only be one type or kind of Sikh. There is only one Khalsa. Women make different hair styles, color their hair, and tie them in the back which is prohibited. Those women are nowhere near Guru Gobind Singh Ji's image. Guru Ji always wore Dastaar. Not only Guru Gobind Singh Ji but all of the other nine Gurus practiced wearing Dastaar. So how are women who dye their hair "Roop" (image) of Guru Gobind Singh Ji? They are not. Guru Ji had one image not two. Guru Ji had unshorn hair and wore Dastaar. Women without Dastaar do not even come close to that image. When those women look in the mirror, do they see Guru Gobind Singh Ji? I don't think so. Dastaar is a sign of dignity. Men still have their dignity but where is women's dignity? They have lost it in fashion. Not many Sikh women wear Dastaar but their numbers are growing. Even white Sikhs men and women wear Dastaar. Women must wear turban as instructed by Guru Ji himself because that's what makes them unique and an image of Guru Ji.

Right up to the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Sikh women had been steadfast in following the edicts of the Satguru in respect to their spiritual inner life as well as dress, including Dastaar. That is what J. D. Cunningham himself saw and wrote in the middle of the Nineteenth Century when he wrote his book, History of the Sikhs. He writes: "The Sikh women are distinguished from Hindus of their sex by some variety of dress but chiefly by a higher top knot of hair." Even after the Punjab came under the British rule, Dastaar was conspicuously seen in case of Sikh women as well as men right up to the Gurudwara movement and the establishment of the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee in 1926. Until then, no one - man as well as woman was allowed to be baptized (by taking Amrit) at Sri Akaal Takhat Sahib without Dastaar. At the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the present one, as a result of the Sikh renaissance movement, a number of Khalsa schools for girls were established in Punjab. Small Dastaar was prescribed as an obligatory head dress for students as well as teachers in such schools at Jaspalon, Ferozepur and Sidhwan in Punjab.

Many famous Rehatname also support wearing of Dastaar. Here are some quotes:

"Each candidate for Baptism be made to wear kachhehra, tie hair in a topknot and cover the same with Dastaar; wear Sri Sahib (Kirpan) in Gaatra (shoulder belt). Then he/she should stand with folded hands." (Rahitnama Bhai Daya Singh Ji)

"...Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa should keep his hair unshorn, have flowing beard and have simple Dastaar which saves him from impiety. Then the Sikhs asked what would happen to those Amritdhari who start cutting their hair or do not keep their hair covered. The Guru replied that they would be stupid and will lose their sensibility It is a blemish to remain bareheaded...Always keep two turbans. When the bigger turban is removed, the smaller be kept. The smaller turban should not be removed."(Bijai Mukat Dharam Shastra - Sakhi-8)

"(A Sikh) who eats food with turban removed from the head (i.e., bareheaded) is destined for 'Kumbhi' hell." (Rahit Rama Bhai Prahlad Singh Ji)

"One who combs hair twice a day, ties turban fold by fold and cleans teeth everyday will not come to grief." (Tankhah Naama Bhai Nandlal Ji)

"Whosoever roams about bareheaded, takes food bareheaded and distributes the 'prasad' bareheaded is considered punishable." (Uttar-prashan Bhai Nandlal Ji)

"Women should tie their hair in topknot and should not keep them loose." (Rahitnama Bhai Daya Singh Ji)

"Keshas be washed. Turban or Dastaar should not be placed on floor but should always be kept with due respect. Food should not be eaten bareheaded." (Bijai Mukt Dharam Shastra, Sakhi 70)

It is thus, absolutely clear from the above quotations that remaining bareheaded at any time (except when washing, drying, and combing) and keeping hair loose and unknotted are basically against the Sikh Code of Conduct, which is applicable to all, men and women alike. For obvious reasons, therefore, the use of Dastaar is indispensable. There is no other way to keep the head covered all the time. Sikhs women who wear only dupattas, mostly remain bareheaded, at least in the privacy of their own homes, while taking food, etc., and thus are, perhaps unconsciously, infringing the Sikh Code of Conduct in this respect.

A FEW HISTORICAL AND OTHER FACTS IN THIS RESPECT:

1. Well-known Sikh historian Bhai Sahib Bhai Santokh Singh has given a somewhat detailed description concerning Mai Bhaag Kaur (commonly known as Mai Bhago) of Forty Muktas fame in his well known historical work GUR PARTAP SOORAJ. He mentions that Mai Bhaag Kaur had reached the highest stage of enlightenment and had almost lost her body consciousness...so much so that when her clothes became worn to shreds, she did not care to replace them. Sahib Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji called her in His Holy presence and instructed her to always stick to the Gursikh dress as prescribed in the Code of Conduct. In particular, she was ordered to wear Kachhehra and Dastaar. In fact, according to some chroniclers, the Dastaar was tied on her head by the Satguru himself. If this Dastaar was not a part of Sikhi, where was the need to include this item in the instructions given to a lady who had reached almost the Brahmgyan stage? It apparently shows that the Satguru gave very high importance to Dastaar.

2. In the Museum of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's fort at Lahore and Victoria Museum at Calcutta, the pictures of Sikh women of old time can be seen even now, depicting them with Dastaar.

3. Bhai Sahib Veer Singh, in his well known poetical work, RANA SURAT SINGH, depicts Rani Raj Kaur as a Saint Soldier or Rajyogi of the highest order. Her very impressive picture given in the book depicts her with a well-tied Dastaar, on which is also affixed a khanda-chakkar, the emblem of Sikhism. In another of his book "Mata Satwant Kaur" Satwant Kaur is shown as wearing Khalsa dress including Dastaar.

4. The Sikh women belonging to the Jatha of Bhai Sahib (Sant) Teja Singh Ji of Mastuana, have been seen doing Kirtan in congregations wearing Dastaar. He was instrumental in establishing Akaal Academy - a Higher Secondary School at Baru in Himachal Pradesh wherein all students - boys as well as girls - are required to wear Dastaar as a prescribed school uniform.

6. Jathedar of Damdami Taksaal Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale's whole family, including his wife, two sons and their wives practiced wearing Dastaar.

7. It is a historical fact that there was a time when a price was put on the head of a male Sikh. Greedy and unprincipled people, both Hindus and Muslims, availed of this opportunity to make money. When they could no longer find male Sikhs in the villages and towns, they started beheading Khalsa women and presenting their heads as the heads of young unbearded teenager Sikh lads. Even in those dark times Sikh women did not stop wearing Dastaar. It was only because of fashion and their misunderstanding of Sikh faith that they stopped wearing Dastaar and started piercing nose and ears.

8. S. Shamsher Singh Ashok who has been an active member of the Singh Sabha movement and an erstwhile Research Scholar of the S.G.P.C., while discussing the prevalence of the use of 'Dastaar', states: "...and, consequently in the Amrit-Parchaar at the Akaal Takhat Sahib, this was a precondition even for ladies before they could be baptized there. Any woman who was not prepared to wear Dastaar was not baptized. This practice continued even after the end of the Gurudwara movement. Relaxation was made only when Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafar became the Jathedar of the Akaal Takhat."

The wearing of Dastaar enables Sikh women to show their distinctiveness of being Sikh or Khalsa like men. The importance of this Khalsa distinctiveness has been clearly emphasized by the Tenth Guru for the Khalsa as a community, both men and women, and not for men only. At the time of the baptismal ceremony, the same Amrit (Khande-Ki-Pahul) is administered to all without any distinction, including that of sex. The title of Khalsa is bestowed on all of them. The same way of life and Code of Conduct is enjoined upon all of them. All of them are forbidden to roam about, take food, etc. bareheaded. How, then, have women become exempt from any of these injunctions? Dastaar is the only answer to this contradiction.

In view of all the aforesaid, it is clear that Dastaar has been traditionally worn by Sikhs, or Khalsa men and women, right from the birth of the Khalsa Nation. This practice has been enunciated and strongly emphasized by the Satguru himself. Akhand Kirtani Jatha, white Sikhs and a few other individuals and organizations are preserving this dignified Khalsa tradition with Guru's grace. Having become aware of these facts, the Sikh intelligentsia has also started showing a remarkable response in this regard. If the Khalsa is to live in accordance with the Rules of true Gurmat , both Khalsa men and women have to accept it. Dastaar is the crown bestowed by the Satguru for the head of the Khalsa, whether man or woman, who stands bestowed with the special form of the Satguru himself. By refraining from the use of Dastaar, a Sikh becomes a follower of his own ego instead of the Will of the Satguru. Wearing of Dastaar by Sikh women is decried mainly because modern day Sikhs want their women to fall in line with other women with respect to the so called modern way of life, including the modern fashions of dress. Sikhs - both men and women - will continue to be guilty of showing disrespect to the sacred hair by keeping them uncovered. In fact, it is the Dastaar's non-acceptance (and not its acceptance) that is very unconsciously eviscerating the Rehtname of their "tremendous and literally unlimited potency that operates on the collective subconscious level" of the Sikhs in general. One fails to understand how the use of Dastaar "...destroys the purity of the Khalsa and sabotages the unity of the Khalsa", as alleged by some. In fact, the shoe is on the other foot. If Dastaar is accepted by all Khalsa men and women, it will help in maintaining the purity and ensuring the unity of the Khalsa, as even women of the Khalsa faith, like the Khalsa men, will be distinguishable.

[Seeking_Sikhi]

^^ wow this seems to be an improved version of your earlier blog post on the same topic ..