Take a Deep Breath

Since my last post, I've found it very difficult to gather my thoughts together well enough to write again. Things move so fast. Both of my brothers moved away to university (two different sides of the country), dad has decided to sell up AGAIN and move back to Camberley and I moved back in with them.

It's a lot to deal with; with an added work load, feuding parents, a house move, feuding relatives, a sick old grandmother, an eight year old who doesn't know if she's coming or going... Not to mention a dog and the financial constraints of having three of us at uni.

My mind tells me to relax. It's all under control. I meditate 'Har Har Har Har Har Har Hari' 'Tuhi Tuhi Tuhi Tuhi Tuhi'. I go to Maharaaj and feel comforted. I feel better. I think I do.

My body on the other hand, just won't have it. I'm told stress is the cause of a variety of health problems which creep on me.

It used to be, when I was stressed, the world would cave in and anger would take over. Krodh was my biggest enemy. Now, it seems the mind has retreated into it's own world and the body doesn't have the strength to withstand. It's ever so slowly... crashing. The more I try to ignore it, the worse it gets. The more I try to fight it, the worse it gets.

I know that none of this matters. Illussion. It's not real. But my body just won't listen. how do I control my body? I do everything right. I exercise, eat right, get my vitamins, drink my water.

Which brings us to the question of Karma. Whatever is happening is within Hukm (The Will). There are still some things we just can't control. So we can only accept it, and go with it...

naanak aanae aavai raas

O Nanak, as is The Will, things are made right.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji Siree Raag 25

Summer Solstice. High on Life

So it's been a while since I last posted. I came back from uni last month... Taken a while to get used to being at home again. No independent space here, no privacy...in the words of the Genie from Aladdin "PHENOMENAL COSMIC POWER!....eeeeeedie beedie living space..." Just kidding...

But it is a bit cramped here. Big family and all that.

A few weeks after I moved back home, I was off again. New Mexico, USA. Guru Ram Das Puri to be exact. I ventured out there alone for the Summer Solstice Camp hosted by 3HO, thanks to Gurumustuk Singh from Sikhnet.com.

I didn't know much about the event, apart from what I'd learnt from sikhnet.com. I'd never practised yoga on a serious level before...much like my sikhi, it was largely internet based research.

I don't really want to relay every experience I had out there. So I'm just gonna go with the flow.

Summer Solstice is definately something you have to go to; with an open mind - which might be a little difficult for a lot of punjabi's. There are people of almost every faith, nationality and ethnicity who take part. It is NOT a solely sikh event. That's one of its major charms I think. People coming together as one, praying, chanting, singing, dancing, eating together. As One.

The camp is based around the teachings of Yogi Bhajan who taught Kundalini yoga. I don't know much about the yoga, nor am I gonna pretend to. Postures wise, I thought it was fantastic. Cleared up my mind and my body definitely feels better. Yogi Ji used sikh mantras like - Satnaam, Vaheguroo, Aad Gur E Name and more alongside these different yogic postures. They're not what the typical sikh would be used to but it was a nice difference.

Rising early in the morning to Guru Singh, the very first Western Sikh in the USA, singing 'Rise Up' with a few other musicians at 3am was something to get used to...after a while I'd begin to lay awake in my tent at ten to 3, in anticipation.

Sadhana could be difficult at times...I think I only managed 2 full sadhanas the entire time I was there. The rest of the time I'd sleep through at least one segment. Tended to be yoga....

The heat was not unbearable but it chapped my lips big time. Chapstick became my lifeline. Yogi Ji's prescribed diet was definitely unbearable though...I couldnt handle mungbeans and onion soup, so pretty much lived off of fruit and almonds...and Golden Milk (Haldi doodh) during white tantric days.

My favourite thing about Guru Ram Das Puri...jam sessions. Any time of te day you could sit under a gazebo and sing or chat or meditate with whoevers there. Whether to vaaja or to a makeshift drum beat. That was awesome.

Peace Prayer Day was terrific, really got me hyped. Amazing energy. The love and energy really lets you believe that we can make a difference for Mother Earth (Maata Dharath) despite the setbacks.

White Tantric Yoga was 3 days of solid kundalini yoga with a partner. We all sat in long rows opposite our partners. It was a weird experience. Absolutely shattering and yet exhilerating. I found it weird and awkward having to stare into my partners eyes at times or hold their hands (since partners tend to be opposite gender). I found it too intimate and to be honest I'd feel the same doing it with a girl. The other thing was...a few people I spoke to had made this whole tantric experience sound like some kind of profound time and apparently a lot of partners would fall in love. Tantric , for me was a good bonding experience for the group of people I had hung around, good work out and made me feel spiritually more clear minded. Other than that...I honestly feel no different to how I feel, if not less so, when I read Gurbani.

For me, there's just nothing more uplifting than Shabad Guru.

I loved the fact that whole time we were out there, we could have a ball, literal midnight raves - without having to intoxicate ourselves with alcohol or cannabis or whatever. We were high on life, on Naam, on love. That was something I've never felt before. That was profound.

GOD???

On Wednesday I attended a lecture led by Guest Speaker Davinder Singh Panesar and hosted by Oxford University Sikh Society. - looking at the psychology of sikhism. Davinder pretty much explained to us the actual techonology of spirituality and sikhi. Sikhi is not a religion, rather its is dharam. A righteous way of life. Every single act of a gursikh has meaning and logic and benefit.

Meditation on Naam is clearly more than just a timepass. It has mental and physical benefits - he showed us the effects of prayer on water, positive energy, compared the sikhi lifestyle goals with maslos goals. It really was a terrific lecture. Everything was going so well!

The he confused us all. He made comments about God. How the sikh thought on The One has been corrupted by Western thought over time. We tried to discuss after the lecture but were mentally exhausted I think. So the next day, my facebook page was the host of a deep discussion on the matter. Here it is: (to protect the identities of those involved, names have been changed to the names of Raags used in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)

(Asa) "What he was saying confused me, like how can ek onkar not mean God - i mean your quote above, talks about the Creator, so who/what is the Creator then? I got what he said about the "moment" and all that, but can it really be the case that everyone has got it all wrong? x"

(Basant) "To be completely honest, I'm not sure that when he said there is no 'God' - he meant there is no Higher Power. I think he was trying to take us away from the idea of 'The Man in the Sky' figure which the West has kinda given us. With or without the english translations attached, there is no doubt that Gurbani speaks of a much Higher Power, which ... See Moreis practically indescribable. The Point of our lives is NOT self-realisation. HOWEVER self-realisation is a definate required step on the path of life- in order for us to fully be able to "realise The One" and achieve Mukti. (which IS the purpose of Life from what I understand). "

(Dhanasari) " its true..to not have something/someone to believe in...to ask for guidance and to look to in times of hardship....its like shit who do i go to!? Im guessin the idea is that..to make every moment a good one you should meditate on the positive words and mantars...and those words will manifest into a positive environment and one that only good will come of.

one question...is the experience of a moment strictly down to you? if there is more than one person in the same place at the same time, then does that moment depend on how they are all thinking and feeling in the moment? spose the answer to that is to surround yourself by changi (good) sangat (company)...such a deep talk!"

(Basant) "Gurbani contantly reminds us that Satguru can be found by being in the company of those of a like-mind, the Saints, the Holy, those who have Realised the One. (As difficult as it is) If we surround ourselves with those who constantly vibrate on Naam, just like the Water he showed us, I think it can only have a positive effect on our souls...."

(Gauri) "Wait I'm confused...To (Basant) did he not agree that the purpose of like is Mukti? At the top of his little pyramid thing that he compared to Maslow's hierarchy of needs he had the word Mokhsa (freedom/ release).

(Jaitshree) "sometimes with these type of things, its always a good thing to take the good things that he said, and is ok to ignore certain things. (Basant) is, as always, being a sikh about all this and learning in what way she can. but of course there is a higher power, whether he was saying that i do not know, everywhere in gurbani is Tu, Tu , Tu,

but he said one thing which is probably the most correct, he said "dont think" haha so dont worry and dont think about it, you can always look for answers in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji: the hukamnama at Darbar Sahib today: http://www.sgpc.net/hukumnama/index.asp very appropriate. and think about the last line, " sing continually Your Glorious Praises, O Beloved; as Gurmukh, my doubts and fears have been dispelled. 7 " so dont worry, Guruji will take away whatever doubts and fears you have, it'll be fine."

(Basant) "He did talk about Mukti on his little pyramid but I think his interpretation was that to be Jeevan Mukt is simply to be free of reincarnation and that's all that life's about. So recognise who you are and you are free (like the Matrix haha). Whereas, Mukti is more a benefit of having become One with The One. Merging with The One is THE purpose of Life. Mukti is a gift."

(Jaitshree) "and about Mukti this shabad somes it up well: Sooraj Kiran Mile: The rays of light merge with the sun, and the water merges with water. One's light blends with the Light, and one becomes totally perfect. I see God, hear God, and speak of the One and only God, The soul is the Creator of the expanse of creation. Without God, I know no other at all. He Himself is the Creator, and he Himself is the Enjoyer. He created the Creation. Prays Nanak, they alone know this, who drink in the subtle essence of the Lord....anyways the first few lines is what Mukti is."

(Kalyaan) "Yo (Dhanasari), the point is that you come to a point where you look to yoursef!! God aint gonna fix anything, no matter how much you pray. In most religions, God is a scapegoat. From what I've interpreted, the monotheistic view given by western religious thought is completely different than what our Gurus have provided (athiest?). God is more of a ... spirit, a collective that includes everything and everyone--kinda like the notion of the Universe. To (Jaitshree), I know he says 'tu," but that could mean anything. He could be talking to the world or the universe as 'tu.' You are the creator, you are created, you are my mother, my father, etc. you are everything. All of this can be addressed to something other than 'God' as described in western thought as a 'diety' (which is what most Sikhs perceive God to be). I swear I've been saying something along these lines all along. I wish I coulda made it to the talk! Guru Nanak is a genius.... And to (Asa), yes it's true that everyone (well not everyone, but you get the jist) has it wrong. That's often the case! When people believe things blindly, they speak blindly, they think blindly, live blindly and will die still not being able to see! Blind believers are missing out of the whole point of Sikhism!"

(Dhanasari) "to (Kalyaan)! I am actually understanding now what you were talking about all that time ago! God is not a deity and more a collective as you said!.."

(Basant) Though you are right, we have to look to ourselves sometimes, it does not necessarily mean that Akaal Purakh isn't there for support as well (hence Chaupai Sahib). Western views or teachings or whatever you want to call them may well have seeped into Sikhi, but that it doesn't mean that the Guru's were atheist. For me the supreme authority on Gurbani is Bhai Gurdas Ji, because, at the end of the day it was him who was the scribe AND he was around when the Guru's were. And in his Vaars he pretty much explains that atheists are not close to The One.

Not everyone follows blindly but besides that, Gurbani shows us how having 100% faith in ANYTHING is above all that. Baghat Dhanna Jatt treated a stone like God, trying to feed it and not eating until it did because he TRULLY believed that the stone was God and he was lovingly devoted to it. So The One appeared before him. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib was meant to be readable and accessable to any common man or woman. Which is the logical reason why in referring to The One, words which were already around and commonly used like Har, Paramaesar, Paarabreham, Prabh, Khudaa and more are used. If they don't refer to Akaal Purakh (Immortal Creator Lord), what or who do they refer to?
At the end of the day it's just a word. God, Allah, Ram, etc. We just get afraid of the negative connotations which come with it. Like the word religion."

(Jaitshree) listen i think a lot of us are actually not disagreeing with each other, to (Kalyaan), i do not think God is a man in the sky at all, They are chakar chayn, formless, imagine like a light, and everything is in the light and the light is in everything. and the Light can be anything and everything. Of course there is a higher power, but the guy who came (Mr. Panesar) was... saying something slightly different, like its only a state of mind, or maybe i totally misunderstood that guy and it turns out we're all on the same page and there's nothing to talk about : lol. But most Sikhs, i think dont have that image of a Man in the Sky? at least from who I've talked to.. yeah and to what (Basant) is saying, like Bhagat Namdev Ji saw Waheguru Ji over 70 -80 times (i cant remember exact times), and all in different forms, and in so many shabads he talks to them. and also many shabads always asks to please grab my hand, and grab my arm and save me,Yeah .. and again I don't think we're actually disagreeing with each other here..."

(Kalyaan) "To (Basant)- The Sri Guru Granth Sahib is meant to be readable to all people, but it's funny how few people actually understand it. I, for example, do not have a very good understanding of it because it is so vast and so intellectual. The concept of Akaal Purakh (God, Ram, Allah, whatever you want to call it) is completely different is my point! The Sri Guru Granth Sahib is saying that all of these are the same--and so are we! We are all Akaal Purakh. We are all a part of something so big and completely unfathomable to our minds. That's what Japji Sahib is about. I won't comment on your reference to Chaupai Sahib because it is actually a part of the Charitars (sp?) in the Dasam Granth, one of the most controversial parts of the Dasam Granth. The Charitars talk about drugs and erotica, yet people still want to believe that these are written by our Guru...I guess that's something for another discussion, but that's why the writings from the Dasam Granth can't be referred to as 100% credible in any debate on Sikhism. And when I say athiest, I mean athiest in the western sense...which the Sri Guru Granth Sahib does not comment on.

To (Jaitshree)- What you are saying about Bhagat Namdev seeing 'Waheguru' (whatever that may be) 70-80 times, how do you know? You were not the one who put his hand in the fire or the one who saw the one who got burned. Until you have proof, how can you really know? It's only faith, but faith isn't anything for sure. Blind faith is what causes terrorism and irrationality. In a way, it can be argued that Guru Nanak was trying to teach India the scientific method lol. That's what Sikhi is about though (in my inferior understanding, at least). Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent his entire life asking why people believe things and do things blindly. He created a philosophy (not an institutionalized religion I might add) so practical, where the principal actors are the individuals! Not deities, not statues, but rather us. As Sikhs, we are the seekers of truth (or knowledge) and the only way to learn is by not believing blindly. If we believe blindly, we become unable to learn what is real and what is true. Therefore, we cannot truly be Sikhs (students, from the word 'sikhna', to learn). The search for 'God' as is ignorantly translated in translations of the SGGS is not about reaching one with a supreme or magical being that is outside of us, but rather about understanding that everything around us--including ourselves--is the 'magical being' that the Gurus keep talking about. The focus is haumai (ego). If we understand what we are a part of, we will lose this false idea of self-importance that we have, and can therefore be freed from human nature. Kinda like Buddhism, which says that it's the inflated ego that is human nature which causes suffering."

(Basant) "To (Kalyaan) I completely agree with you. From what I understand of Gurbani, the message is loud and clear. Lose your ego, realise who you are, merge with the One, achieve Mukti. The One is, indeed within Us and everything around Us, we are One. We just have to realise this. So, again , I agree. Maybe it just wasn't clear from my posts, so I apologise. "

(Jaitshree) "To (Kalyaan), what I said about Bhagat Namdev Ji is in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, and dude i totally agree with you, lmao. we are saying the same thing I promise you, I'm sorry if i've been very unclear, and maybe been using wrong words? but like (Basant) said, its just a word, so no worries and be happy :D"

__________________________END____________________________________

I don't really think I need to conclude that :-)

What are your guys thoughts??

FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THE LECTURE:

http://www.facebook.com/sjkgill#!/event.php?eid=116967741657555&ref=mf

Distance

A saint asked his disciples, 'Why do we shout in anger? Why do people shout at each other when they are upset?'

Disciples thought for a while. One of them said, 'Because we lose our calm, we shout for that.' 'But, why to shout when the other person is just next to you?' asked the saint. 'Isn't it possible to speak to him or her with a soft voice? Why do you shout at a person when you're angry?' Disciples gave some other answers but none satisfied the saint.

Finally he explained, 'When two people are angry at each other, their hearts distance a lot. To cover that distance they must shout to be able to hear each other. The angrier they are, the stronger they will have to shout to hear each other through that great distance.' Then the saint asked, 'What happens when two people fall in love? They don't shout at each other but talk softly, why? Because their hearts are very close. The distance between them is very small...' The saint continued, 'When they love each other even more, what happens? They do not speak, only whisper and they get even closer to each other in their love. Finally they even need not whisper, they only look at each other and that's all.

That is how close two people are when they love each other.'

So when you argue don't let your hearts get distanced... don't say words that distance each other more, else there will come a day when the distance is so great that you will not find the path to return.

(Taken from Delraj Singh's facebook note)

Back to Basics

"If some lucky men survive the onslaught of the third world war of atomic and hydrogen bombs, then the Sikh religion will be the only means of guiding them.' When asked, isn’t this religion capable of guiding mankind before the third world war? He said, ‘Yes it has the capability, but the Sikhs haven’t brought out in the broad daylight the splendid doctrines of this religion, which has come into existence for the benefit of the entire mankind. This is their greatest sin and the Sikhs cannot be freed of it."

Bertrand Russell (Philosopher, Mathematician 1872-1970)

Half of us don't follow the 'splendid doctrines of this religion'. How can this dude expect us to teach others about it??

We spend so much time worrying about tiny details in reht (conduct), pro vs anti-khalistan, jatha v jatha (groups/sects within Sikhi) that we've forgotten the basics of Sikhi:

Truth, Contentment, Humility, Love, Honest earning (Kirat Karna), Seva (selfless service) Vand ke Shakna (Sharing), Reading Gurbani and most importantly Naam Japna (contemplation on the Divine Name).

I bet you ANY money, once we start practicing all of these aspects together, everything will fall into place...until then...

*photo i think is from Jasleen Kaur but I could be wrong :S

The Importance of Kes (hair) to a Sikh

Why don't Sikhs cut their hair? The unshorn hair (Kesh) is part of nature and God's system. Sikhs maintains long unshorn hair (‘Kesh’) as an act of acceptance of God's Will and living as nature intended, sustaining the individual in higher consciousness. The unshorn hair is regarded with the highest importance in the Sikh religion and is one of the basic requirements for a Sikh. Dishonouring one’s hair is one of the four Bajjar Kurehats (cardinal sins), which the Guru has told a Sikh never to commit. A Sikh doesn’t disfigure their hair from head to toe because of the Guru's order to maintain the sanctity of the Kesh. Nothing else matters. A Sikh does what their Guru tells them to do.

ਮਾਈ ਸਤਿ ਸਤਿ ਸਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਸਤਿ ਸਤਿ ਸਤਿ ਸਾਧਾ ॥ ਬਚਨੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਜੋ ਪੂਰੈ ਕਹਿਓ ਮੈ ਛੀਕਿ ਗਾਂਠਰੀ ਬਾਧਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

“O mother, True, True True is the Lord, and True, True, True is the Guru. The Word, which the Perfect Guru has spoken, I have tied to my robe. 1Pause”

(Ang 1204)

The Kesh act as the identity for a Sikh as well being a spiritual and practical tool that helps the body. Guru Nanak Sahib Ji, the founder of the Sikh Path, followed the ancient practice of the sages, prophets, and holy mystics of keeping the hair unshorn because keeping it in a natural state is regarded as living in harmony with the Will of Vaheguru.

*The biological functions and benefits of human body hair are for example:*

* The hair on our head protects the skull and brain

* The hair on our body acts an insulator and is linked to our nervous system

* Our eyebrows prevent water going into your eyes

* Facial hair absorb ether energy

* The hair under our armpits prevent friction and irritation when we move our arms *

----- KESH REHAT - GURBANI UPDESH -----

* There is a principle (vidhaan) of maintaining Kesh.

ਸੋਹਣੇ ਨਕ ਜਿਨ ਲੰਮੜੇ ਵਾਲਾ ॥

"Beautiful is Your nose and long hair." (Ang 567)

Meaning, those who have beautiful nose and beautiful Kesh, they too are your nose and Kesh. Thus, a Sikh should keep full appearance (i.e. maintain unshorn hair and not pierce the nose), crowned with a turban on the head.

ਮਾਠਿ ਗੁੰਦਾਈਂ ਪਟੀਆ ਭਰੀਐ ਮਾਗ ਸੰਧੂਰੇ ॥ ਅਗੈ ਗਈ ਨ ਮੰਨੀਆ ਮਰਉ ਵਿਸੂਰਿ ਵਿਸੂਰੇ ॥

"I have woven my hair into lovely braids, plaits, and marked the centre parting with red colouring (Sandhoor); but in the presence of You, I am still not accepted, and (because of this) I am dying suffering in anguish."

(Ang 558)

Meaning, braids, plaits, making partings with the hair and adding colour to the hair etc is prohibited for the Sikh of the Guru. Such people do not get accepted the Court of the Lord. Any form of intended disfigurement or mutilation of the body is prohibited in Gurmat, including shaving, plucking, tattooing, circumcision, piercing, colouring etc.

Guru Ji says: ਨਾਪਾਕ ਪਾਕੁ ਕਰਿ ਹਦੂਰਿ ਹਦੀਸਾ ਸਾਬਤ ਸੂਰਤਿ ਦਸਤਾਰ ਸਿਰਾ ॥ 12 ॥

"O person of God! Purify the mind what is impure (with bad thoughts) “this is the religious tradition through which you can experience the Lord's Presence.

(Abandoning circumcision, mutilation and deferment of the body etc) preserve a complete appearance with a turban on your head"

this becomes the way to maintain respect and honour. 12" (Ang 1084)

There is one Salokh of Bhagat Kabeer Ji which is often misquoted by mischievous people trying to justify the un-Godly act of shaving or trimming their hair.

ਕਬੀਰ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਇਕ ਸਿਉ ਕੀਏ ਆਨ ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਭਾਵੈ ਲਾਂਬੇ ਕੇਸ ਕਰੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਘਰਰਿ ਮੁਡਾਇ ॥੨੫॥

"O Kabeer! When you are in love with the One Lord, duality and alienation depart. You may have long matted hair, or you may shave your head bald. 25"

(Ang 1365)

These lines criticize both those who have long matted hair or shave their head completely in order to achieve union with God. In these lines, the question of keeping or not keeping Kesh is not the case.

Similarly Guru Ji says: ਕਬੀਰ ਮਨੁ ਮੂੰਡਿਆ ਨਹੀ ਕੇਸ ਮੁੰਡਾਏ ਕਾਂਇ ॥ ਜੋ ਕਿਛੁ ਕੀਆ ਸੋ ਮਨ ਕੀਆ ਮੂੰਡਾ ਮੂੰਡੁ ਅਜਾਂਇ ॥੧੦੧॥

"O Kabeer! You have not shaved your mind, so why do you shave your head? Whatever is done, is done by the mind; it is useless to shave your head. 101"

(Ang 1369)

This salok (couplet) clarifies the above salok. As well as having biological functions and benefits, the hair is sacred due to the fact that spiritual energy abides within each and every pore of hair on the body. The hairs are like electrical wires, which preserve, carry and vibrate energy. When one chants & meditates the Divine- Name (Naam), each hair vibrates. Sikhs do not forcibly or intentionally remove any hair from the body but maintain clean hair with proper washing; tying and keeping them covered are requirements for a Sikh.

Gurbaani (the Divine Word) says: ਰੋਮ ਰੋਮ ਮਹਿ ਬਸਹਿ ਮੁਰਾਰਿ ॥

“On each and every hair, the Lord abides.”

(Ang 344)

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਰੋਮਿ ਰੋਮਿ ਹਰਿ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥

“The Gurmukh meditates on the Lord with every hair of his body.”

(Ang 941)

*----- KESH REHAT - REHATNAMAS & PURAATAN GRANTH -----*

ਜਬ ਪਹਿਲੇ ਸਬ ਸਿ੍ਰਸਿਟ ਉਪਾਈ । ਤਬ ਹੀ ਮਾਨੁਖ ਦੇਹਿ ਬਨਾਈ । ਤਨ ਇਸ ਕੇ ਸਿਰ ਕੇਸ ਜੁ ਦੀਨੋ । ਸੋ ਇਹ ਤਨ ਸ਼ਿੰਗਾਰਿਹ ਕੀਨੋ । ਦਾੜ੍ਹਾ ਮੁੱਛ ਸਿਰ ਕੇਸ ਬਨਾਈ । ਹੈ ਇਹ ਦਿ੍ੜ ਜਿਹ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਰਜ਼ਾਈ । ਮੇਟ ਰਜ਼ਾਇ ਜੁ ਸੀਸ ਮੁੰਡਾਵੈ । ਕਹੁ ਤੇ ਜਗ ਕੈਸੇ ਹਰਿ ਪਾਵੈ ।

“God created the whole universe and then he fashioned the human body. He gave man a beard, moustaches and hair on the head. He who submits to His Will steadfastly adheres to them. They who deny His Will how will they find God in this world?”

(Bhai Desa Singh Rehatnama)

ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਛਾਪ ਸਿਰ ਕੇਸ ਕੀ ਪਾਹੁਲ, ਦੇਇ ਉਤਾਰ ਸੋ ਬੇਮੁਖ ਜਾਨਹੁ। ਬੇਟੇ ਕੋ ਬੰਧੁ ਕੋ ਛਾਪ ਮੁੰਡਾਵਤ, ਜਮ ਦੁਖ ਭੋਗ ਕੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਤ ਪਛਾਨਹੁ।

"The Guru's stamp is Kesh and (Khandi di) Pahul, one who removes (their Kesh) is known as an apostate (bemukh). One who shaves the stamp (of the Guru) of their child (i.e. cut their children's hair), realise that person will suffer a terrible death and known as a ghost."

(Bhai Sahib Singh Rehatnama)

ਸਾਬਤ ਸੂਰਤ ਰੱਬ ਦੀ, ਭੰਨੇ ਬੇਈਮਾਨ । ਦਰਗਹਿ ਢੋਈ ਨਾ ਮਿਲੇ, ਕਾਫ਼ਰ, ਕੁੱਤਾ, ਸ਼ੈਤਾਨ । "God has made the human perfect, but the dishonourable destroy it. They will find no place in the Court of God, like the unbeliever, dog and Satanist."

(Guru Nanak Janam Sakhi)

ਨਾਈ ਦਾ ਹਥ ਸੀਸ ਚਿਹਰੇ ਨ ਲਗਣਾ ਪਾਵੈ । ਕੇਸਾਧਾਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਦਾ ਪੰਥ ਕਹਾਵੈ ।

"The head (of a Sikh) should never have to pass through the hands of a barber. The Guru's Panth (community) calls itself Keshdhari (those with unshorn hair)."

(Bansaavaleenama, Bhai Kesar Singh Chhibar)

ਇਹੈ ਮੋਰ ਆਗਯਾ ਸੁਨੋ ਲੈ ਪਿਆਰੇ । ਬਿਨਾ ਤੇਗ, ਕੇਸੰ ਦਿਵੋ ਨ ਦਿਦਾਰੇ ।

"Listen O beloved ones: It (the Kesh) is my stamp. Without (wearing) a weapon and keeping Kesh, I will not give my audience."

(Gurbilaas Paatshaahee 10 - Bhai Sukha Singh)

ਕੇਸਨ ਕੀ ਕੀਜਹੁ ਪ੍ਰਤਿਪਾਲ । ਨ ਉਸਤਰਨ ਸੇ ਕਟਯੋ ਬਾਲ ।੧੮।

"Maintain and look after your Kesh. Do not remove or cut any hair."

(Gur Panth Prakaash - Rattan Singh Bhangu)

*----- NAILS & HAIR -----*

Someone could argue why do Sikhs cut their nails when they don't cut their hair. Firstly, nails and the importance of hair cannot be compared. The hair is sacred that have a spiritual importance whereas the nails merely have biological function. Scientifically nails are dead soon as they grow further than the tips of your finger tips. A Sikh is required to do seva (selfless service) with his or her hands. When a individual uses their hands to do selfless service of washing up dirty dishes, cleaning shoes, sweeping the floor, cooking and serving food then there is no possibility for nails to remain long.

*----- BHAI TARU SINGH JI - SCALPED ALIVE -----*

A Sikh lives in the grace and glory of God. The Kesh are magnificent. Biologically, physically and spiritually they do so much for us. Looking at the Kesh of a Sikh one sees the Sikh principle of "Living in the Will (Bhaanaa) of the Almighty." The Kesh is a symbol of Sikhism and what the fundamental belief of Sikhs. Bhai Taru Singh jee is a Shaheed (martyr) who is a living reminder of what the Kesh means to the Khalsa. When asked to give up his faith and denounce Sikhi, he preferred to have his scalp removed than cut and disfigure his Sacred Kesh.

*Can't remember where I got the image from (anyone who know, let me know)

*Post taken from a friends' Facebook notes page :)

WOMENS EMPOWERMENT PROJECT INDIA

PLEASE READ AND HELP OUT/DONATE GUYS, IT'S A WORTHY CAUSE!!

Dear All,
Hi guys .. we are just about to embark on our second trip to india to do further voluntary work, we will be aiming most of our funds to the Unique Home (Bhai Ghannaya Trust) and helping the young girls who were abandoned at birth, and are now being looked after under the care of Bibi Parkash Kaur (a devout sikh lady) who has dedicated her life to these girls. Please read more in the report below and forward it on to others who would be interested to support or girls who would like to volunteer in the future ...http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B_a4WOAjdhVTZGVhNTFmYTAtOGNhYS00MzEyLWI0ZDQtNzZjMmQ0M2FmZDUw&hl=en Please donate any amount small or large £1 to £1000 and within a few weeks see your money really helping disadvantaged women and children in India. To donate towards any of the projects described in the blog. We are in the process of setting up a charity account.
At the moment we have the following account set up for donations ...
ABBEY
Sort Code: 09 01 26
Account Number: 87132172
Everyone internet banks these days, so get in touch, talk to us if there are any specific things you would like to see your money go towards .. you will receive photos and a report on where your money has been spent :) Thank you :)

I tried a massive post earlier, but technology hates me and it all got deleted. SO here's a very inspirational video I just watched featuring Guru Kaur, Sikh from the UK in an interview w/. Jay Singh.

http://www.jaysinghsohal.com/turbantemp/video-guru-kaur.php