The Kundalini Yoga crew do it again ! Dancing to Bani !

[Raaj.Karega.Khalsa]

I an I am not saying we do not need guidance from yourselves to the true teachings of Sikhism but we do not need threats and judgement as if we are fools who do not know what we are doing. We know exactly what we are doing are fully aware of the essence we share in this video is not perfectly aligned to the official Sikh protocol. However, it is uplifting, conscious and totally aligned to the expression of the One which exists within us all. You cannot stop us from dancing and celebrating the beauty of life (especially as it was New Year) and feeling the beauty of the Shabd Guru from our tongues in celebration of Life at a time when it is a natural part of the cycle of life. It was a One off celebration and we do not promote it as Sikhism.

Well, as long as the above 'bold and underlined' is clear.

Also, on a side note, Bani is the Guru themselves. Whilst listening to Bani, covering the head is a must.

[Sevadar01]

Sat Nam Dear Sangat,

My name is Benjahmin and it is my voice you can hear speaking over the microphone. It has come to my attention that our actions within this video has upset some of you. Firstly, I an I would like to say that not one of you were actually present and has no idea of the circumstances and nature of the event. So many of your comments have fallen instantly into full blown judgement and quotation of the scriptures to back up your lack of mindfulness.

The event was a New Years Eve celebration at the end of a 10 months course of becoming a Kundalini Yoga teacher. The celebration was for around 2 1/2 hours and finished at 1am. No drugs or alcohol was present. We had practiced yoga all day whilst partaking in a vegetarian diet. We all went to bed and were up at 4.30am in the Amrit Vela to greet the New Year in the same space to practice yoga and chant the Naam in the true essence of devotional practice for 2 1/2 hours.

So the judgement from you all about being hippies and flower power is totally ludicrous and out of order. We are dedicated individuals to the Creator and express this in the way that is conscious and uplifting to the Sangat we serve. Just because we are not official SIkhs gives you no right to judge us. The Gurus word does not belong to Sikhs. It belongs to the Guru as it is the Guru itself which is Infinite, Formless and can be chanted by any tongue. We do not have the SGGS present as are aware of the total respect that this deserves. Are you telling me someone cant chant Japji without taking Amrit??

I an I used to dance years ago when unconscious in my younger years whilst under the intoxication of drugs to the same kind of music. The feeling we received from dancing this way was UTTERLY different. It was centred, devotional, conscious and present in the form of a Celebration of the Divine within through the medium of dance. As none of you were present you have no concept of the experience. Everyone present commented on how the mantras and words chanted over the music gave them a feeling of centredness and being whole. Rather than intoxicated and the mind drifting off away from the True Self that the Gurus word brings.

Another vital point to cover concerning the Kundalini Yoga community which Yogi Bhajan created is that this kind of event raises awareness of the Shabd Guru and Sikh Dharma and Sikhism in a very subtle form. Some may be lead to the full blown acceptance of themselves as a Sikh through these introduction of the Gurus word.

Ok.... It is not in the space of the SGGS and the traditional way but the Western mindset sometimes needs an introduction to the Shabd Guru in a way it can understand. From that, people can then make a choice to lead further into the chosen devotional path. To be Militant and Fundamentalist about the whole thing is extremely narrow minded and will actually repel the individual from possibly becoming Sikh. Putting up videos of Snatam Kaur as "Heres another One" is quite ignorant. She has brought thousands upon thousands to the Gurus word which has lead them to become fully embrace Sikhism. So you viewpoints are so limited without the knowledge to substantiate your narrow minded stance. How many have you brough to Sikhism?? As many as her? I an I sincerely doubt it.

It is time to drop this fundamentalistic mindset and ALLOW people to express themselves in way that will bring people to the Creators Will and then bow before it in whatever way the Creator sees fit. As long as it is conscious.

I an I am not saying we do not need guidance from yourselves to the true teachings of Sikhism but we do not need threats and judgement as if we are fools who do not know what we are doing. We know exactly what we are doing are fully aware of the essence we share in this video is not perfectly aligned to the official Sikh protocol. However, it is uplifting, conscious and totally aligned to the expression of the One which exists within us all. You cannot stop us from dancing and celebrating the beauty of life (especially as it was New Year) and feeling the beauty of the Shabd Guru from our tongues in celebration of Life at a time when it is a natural part of the cycle of life. It was a One off celebration and we do not promote it as Sikhism.

In the Name of the Almighty Creator.

Blessings to One and All and please accept our humblest standing in if this video has caused you any offence.

Wholly Love and Tender Blessings

Benjahmin

WJKK WJKF Benjahmin Ji,

Firstly i am glad that you have decided to post a comment and secondly i would like to apologise if any of my words have been offensive to you. I am far from a perfect person myself and hold my hands up to that.

Whilst i respect that this celebration is meat, alcohol, drugs free and Maharaj was not present the point still comes down to what Maharaj says themselves in relation to finding the almighty through dancing (Quotes have been given in previous comments). Personally i do not have an issue with you dancing however the same guru's bani should not be used to dance to as this becomes an act of maanmath. Ultimately no one can phsically stop you from doing what you want and the Jhaam Dhoot and Dharamraj will be the one we ultimately answer to.

I totally agree that anyone can jaap naam (including even the most wrong doers) however this needs to be done with satkaar and not in condradictory terms to what maharaj is telling us. The Shri Akal Takht Shaib has even upheld the respect of Shri Guru Granth Shaib ji maharaj's Bani / Keertan Shabad by speaking to the Gianis who have made Kirtan albums with the instrumentals from bhangra songs or bollywood movies.

On the one hand you say that you are open to guidance however in the following sentence you say that you know exactley what you are doing and are fully aware of your actions. So which one is it Guidance or you know exactley what you are doing and are not insterested in what anyone else says ?

Please a humble benthi, dance all you want and do all the yoga you please but using Bani in contradictory terms to what maharaj says is wrong. Even i am a moorakh and do not know anything so if you are interested maybe we can get claification on this from more senior figures in the panth ??

Again apologise for any comments i have made that you found offensive.

Phul Maaf

WJKK WJKF

[Sevadar01]

Also forgot to add that this is not an ego contest on who is right and wrong but is about showing maharaj's Bani the appropriate satkaar/Respect.

[innergear]

If by listenin to the kirtan you no can still yor body How R u goin 2still yor mind. This hed bangin in guru ghar is bad. Sikh police nd 2 come down n sort !

[bluespace]

sevadar01,

paaji i have no personal "beef" with any one or any jathabandi/samprada..neither am i part of any jathabandi if you want to put me in a "group" then label me as that somebody who is in the "group" of the sadh sangat regardless of race colour or religion....you are quiet right that maharaj witnesses everything, everywhere...if guru nanak in his sargun roop was sitting in font of you reciting shadad would you really be dancing/or sitting spinning your head around...sri guru granth sahib maharaj is no different to guru gobind singh ji sitting in front of you...

what is the diference betwen the goreh dancing and most akj programmes ive personally been to and witnessed where majority (especially those on "stage") are screaming "croo, croo" and moving their heads back and forth and sideways in a very fast pace....i spoke to a few singhs at the programme asking what is this all about and all the responses were that it is the "ras" they are experiancing so therefore that body movements is an expression of that "ras"....so now we can argue that "dancing" standing up is also an expression of the "ras" they are experiancing....the fact that one is standing up and not controling their body is the same as one sitting and not being in control of their body but why do we tend to call the one standing a "dance" and the other sitting a spiritual experiance/.ras?..

im not condoning the gora rave as much as i dont condone the panjabi rave in darbar sahib...

[Sevadar01]

sevadar01,

paaji i have no personal "beef" with any one or any jathabandi/samprada..neither am i part of any jathabandi if you want to put me in a "group" then label me as that somebody who is in the "group" of the sadh sangat regardless of race colour or religion....you are quiet right that maharaj witnesses everything, everywhere...if guru nanak in his sargun roop was sitting in font of you reciting shadad would you really be dancing/or sitting spinning your head around...sri guru granth sahib maharaj is no different to guru gobind singh ji sitting in front of you...

what is the diference betwen the goreh dancing and most akj programmes ive personally been to and witnessed where majority (especially those on "stage") are screaming "croo, croo" and moving their heads back and forth and sideways in a very fast pace....i spoke to a few singhs at the programme asking what is this all about and all the responses were that it is the "ras" they are experiancing so therefore that body movements is an expression of that "ras"....so now we can argue that "dancing" standing up is also an expression of the "ras" they are experiancing....the fact that one is standing up and not controling their body is the same as one sitting and not being in control of their body but why do we tend to call the one standing a "dance" and the other sitting a spiritual experiance/.ras?..

im not condoning the gora rave as much as i dont condone the panjabi rave in darbar sahib...

Bhai Shaib Guru Nanak's jhadi Jhoot IS in all 11 Guru's Ji and is still present in the form of Shri Guru Granth Shaib Ji Maharaj but it is us that have lost the eyes to see this.

:-)

*Jhagdi

[N30S1NGH]

Benjahmin Ji,

Thanks for posting your clarification. I also apologize myself and behalf of others- if any of posts in this thread come across as arrogant,ignorant and judgmental.

Gurbani talks about - vismaad(intoxicated meditational state of mind) and and sehaj (patience) state of mind. In Sikhism, both vismad and sehaj are carefully blended together one must strike a right balance specially when engaged with Gurbani and Sri guru granth sahib ji so one does not inadvertently come across as disrespecting gurbani and offending other sikhs.

In traditional Sikhism there are always been mastane sikhs(who are imbued in intoxicated meditation) and movements sprouting out naturally be it in coming across as dancing and other movements but with that being said even they have full understanding when it comes to be in darbar of sri guru granth sahib ji or listening to gurbani openly infront of wider public that to practice sehaj(patience), pay utmost respect(cover their hairs etc) while listening to gurbani and strike a right balance between vismad and sehaj state of mind while filtering out hyperism behavior so one does not inadvertently come across as disrespecting gurbani and offending other sikhs. .

It's very subtle, so full caution must be paid:

Some of dancing people do with spiritual songs- its natural and spontaneous and some of it its enforced- some what empty ritual..either way its very subtle... sometimes one think they are in spiritual trance or in vismaad but in reality they are in hyperventilate/hyperism state but at times depending on individual perception, emotions, devotion they could really be in vismaad or spiritual trance depending on Vahiguroo magentic pull of this jiv towards him..its very deep subtle difference between small drizzle of vismaad and hyperventilate/hyperism state..only vahiguroo know but with that being said, we should all be self aware of these things and all try to strike balance- sehaj and vismaad state of mind in our life.

[Raaj.Karega.Khalsa]

http://www.sikhitothemax.com/Page.asp?SourceID=G&PageNo=&ShabadID=1873

nirath karee eihu man nachaaee ||
gur parasaadhee aap gavaaee ||
chith thhir raakhai so mukath hovai jo eishhee soee fal paaee ||1||
naach rae man gur kai aagai ||
gur kai bhaanai naachehi thaa sukh paavehi a(n)thae jam bho bhaagai || rehaao ||

[N30S1NGH]

http://www.sikhitothemax.com/Page.asp?SourceID=G&PageNo=&ShabadID=1873

nirath karee eihu man nachaaee ||

gur parasaadhee aap gavaaee ||

chith thhir raakhai so mukath hovai jo eishhee soee fal paaee ||1||

naach rae man gur kai aagai ||

gur kai bhaanai naachehi thaa sukh paavehi a(n)thae jam bho bhaagai || rehaao ||

Amazing, reminds of pure devotees of vahiguroo like - baba bulleh shah and rumi .thanks for sharing gurbani talking about sufi (internal) aspect of devotee life..!!!.!!!!

[Raaj.Karega.Khalsa]

Amazing, reminds of pure devotees of vahiguroo like - baba bulleh shah and rumi .thanks for sharing gurbani talking about sufi (internal) aspect of devotee life..!!!.!!!!

Okay, I'm being honest now. We just spoke to Baba Lakhbir Singh ji about this clip and asked him about it being Gurmat or not (especially regarding being in vismaad etc.)

He replied that there is nothing Gurmat about it and that nothing about it is related to the Vismaad a Gursikh experiences.

The Shabad that I posted above is what Baba ji quoted and explained that it is not the body that's supposed to dance rather the mind. "naach rae man gur kai aagai ||"