Central Gurdwara Resource Centre Newsletter
Well 1997 seems to have got off to a good start, I wonder how
many of you have made and kept the resolution to "Jap"-
remember Waheguru through regular simran.
This month we have a short extract from the writings of Bhai Vir
Singh, who emphasises simran and kirtan throughout his writings.
Following on from that is an article entitled "Who Am I?".
In a world where moral values have fallen where do Sikhs stand
today? a question that needs reflection, but the answer lies firmly
in our religious tradition.
We go on to discuss the subject of marriage, all the views expressed
are those of the younger generation. We will be happy to publish
further replies from readers who wish to express their views on
this topic which causes much concern to Sikh parents and children
alike.
Finally, you will notice a subscription and donation form below, we are planning to expand and require volunteers, writers and monetary donations to expand the newsletter and undertake various other initiatives for Sikh youth.
Bhupinder Singh
Important Dates in Sikh History - January
This months Gurpurabs & Notable dates
20 Feb Birth Guru Har Rai Ji
22 Feb Birth Bhagat Ravi Das Ji
Bhai Vir Singh Ji is a renowned Sikh Theologian who has won the
hearts and minds of Sikhs throughout the world with his wonderful
writing and personal touch. In times of distress and crisis, many
a soul has reached out to Bhai Sahib for solace and comfort. And
Bhai Sahib, in return never failed them. Despite his busy life,
he took the time to answer these calls for help and guidance.
His writings have been extensively translated and several books
are available a short extract appears below:
Dear One,
THERE is only one thing that is helpful to this being and that
is the love for the feet of the Infinite Lord. Remembering the
Master, this is simran. Either by meditating on the Naam,
by reading the Bani or by doing or listening to kirtan.
Meditation means not getting lost in the appearance or disappearance
of ideas, or in amusements and unexpected negativity. Instead,
keep channelling the thoughts towards the Lord.
When love has matured through concentration, it continuously begins
to reside in the Lord. This is called meditation.
To perfect this and obtain speedy success in this endeavour, we
first need to link up with Guru Nanak Dev Ji's feet. The rest
of the job is to keep the mind detached. The physical body has
to stay in the ashram of a householder and discharge it's
responsibilities. But the consciousness must stay detached.
Gurbani says: My mind is attached to the true Naam. With the people,
I maintain a show (a surface dealing). This is the way. The more
we are in it, the greater the bliss.
Those who attempt all this are the satsangees (disciples)
of the Guru and are blessed. This is all that you have to do.
Satguru is at hand. And does not desert his loved ones. His loved
ones may run wild and drown themselves in play, but over their
head, is the clam, Guru-Warrior.
He does not stop following you. Only after immersing you in the hue of Naam does the Guru let you go.
Partake Amrit and be proud that the Kalgidhar, the Father
is at hand. He is ever loving and making us dwell on the Naam.
We have nothing to fear.
Vir Singh - extract from Piarey Jio (selected letters of Bhai Vir Singh)
This greatest question in the mind of man will remain ever unanswered because we can only know Waheguru, but cannot tell who Waheguru is. In Gurbani there is a simple example to help explain. A mute person, after tasting sugar, knows the taste, enjoys it and expresses it through a smile. But being unable to speak, he cannot tell a word about what sugar is like. Waheguru is love, hence immensely sweet, many times sweeter than anything in this world. Holy persons love Waheguru; they enjoy this sweetness, but cannot say anything by which we can know and understand Waheguru. There is no language and nothing available in this world which can be quoted to describe...
W a h e g u r u
Three simple words, yet they cause much trouble.
Many of our brothers and sisters begin defining themselves first with the cultural/religious background of their ancestors. Many say Sikh, others say Indian, some say Punjabi. However, when you ask them to define these terms, they have no certain answers. Never have they given any thought on who and what they are. Lost in the materialistic culture of Western society, blinded in the desire to conform to Western Culture and "Ideals", they have forgotten their own cultural roots, religion and heritage.
Sadly, Sikhs today have lost touch with the most important mark of their existence; that being their religious principles and values. Today, Sikhs have full-heartedly embraced the evils of Western Society as well as the Indian caste-inflicted culture; thus forgetting the basic tenets of their religion's egalitarian teachings.
Sikhs today listen to blasting Bhangra music from stereos world over. The lyrics make popular, drinking, drugs, sex; as well as discrimination on basis of caste, colour and gender. When such is the psyche of Sikhs today- proud of imitating Western evils, losing themselves in greed and power. Living ignorant to the truth of their own religion, then how can anyone expect any good to exist in Sikh society?
The youth are lost in worldly material ways. The parents are lost in their greed and Ego. The leaders are fighting over power and wealth. While the saints have left to save themselves, whilst leaving the rest to burn in their desires of worldly pleasure.
How many Sikh guys/girls sleep around? How many broken marriages are there now? How many abused children live painful lives? How many parents live in old-age homes? How many children are aborted by Sikhs? How many Sikhs live in poverty? How many have become drugies & alcoholics? How many live without a purpose in life? Sadly there are too many! Too many Sikhs are lost... burning in this worldly flame, living life with empty souls, searching like addicts to get their next "shot" of happiness, from anywhere, from anyone!
How can Sikhs fill the gap in their heart? How can they find lasting peace and tranquillity and not lose themselves in this dualistic reality? Of pain and pleasure, happiness and sorrow, etc. How can Sikhs help cure the ills in our society? How can Sikhs make whole their being? How can Sikhs find bliss and peace? How can Sikhs cure their wounds and diseases?
Only one solution there is if you desire to believe. You must walk the path that Satguru Nanak Dev Ji preached. Without the remembrance of our Loving Creator, without the knowledge of Satguru's Wisdom (as enshrined in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji), without acting upon these God-sent teachings, none can save themselves from the ravaging fire that is burning in everyone's heart all over the world.
How can the ignorant help him/herself? How can the Egotistical save him/herself? How can one save themselves from Worldly Lust, Anger, Greed, Attachment, Pride? Without the knowledge of knowing the falsehoods in life, one can never save themselves. Apply the wisdom of Satguru Ji with love and sincerity. Make Truth your speech, make Humility your expression. Give selfless love and friendship and charity too the weak, poor, needy if you can. You need to spend time with yourself, in honest reflection and thought. Do not be afraid to confront the evils that live within us all. Only after facing your real-self, knowing your inner-most secrets, can you then wash away the evil that lives in your mind, using Satguru's divine wisdom and God's loving remembrance.
I urge everyone to try, to walk the path of truth that leads to enlightenment. One day we will all go from this world, what worldly riches, what friends and family will then help us after death? Our soul will be judged according to our actions. Salvation can only occur while living, not hence after. Why suffer from worldly pangs? When one can live a blissful existence? Try, I urge you my brothers and sisters, to walk the path of our Satgurus.
Let lasting bliss fill your heart and peace saturate your mind. All sorrows will vanish away, all sufferings will cease to cause pain. When the balm of Satguru's love touches your heart, his teachings enlighten your mind, then you will become a sea of serenity, the wind of ecstasy, the earth of true happiness and the fire of bliss.
Jaswinder Singh.
"When the Lord casts His Glance of Grace, then I see Him with my own eyes; He is indescribable, and cannot be described. With my ears, I continually listen to the Word of the Shabad, and I praise Him; His Ambrosial Name abides within my heart. He is Fearless, Formless and absolutely without vengeance; I am absorbed in His Perfect Light. O Nanak, without the Guru, doubt is not dispelled; through the True Naam, glorious greatness is obtained.
Guru Granth p597
"A religious person is
devout in the sense that he has no doubt of the significance and
loftiness of those super personal objects and goals which neither
require nor are capable of rational foundation" ....
"Possibly we shall know
a little more than we do now. But the real nature of things, that
we shall never know."
Albert Einstein
"All I want is to fall in love and be loved in that special
way and feel that wonderful feeling of being at the core of someone's
life" - Anon
I remember my aunty asking me if I wanted to meet this nice girl
she knew. She then asked me what I was looking for in a girl.
She burst out laughing and looked at me like I was from the X-files
when I said character and personality were more important than
look, family, breeding, education and job. "That (character
& personality) can be settled during your marriage,"
she said with a wave of her hand.
But her words chilled me to my core. I could not afford to find
out if a person's character and personality traits were compatible
to mine AFTER we had vowed to spend the rest of our lives together.
If I am going to share the rest of my life with someone I should
have the major say in who it should be. Isn't it logical? I don't
want to get into a situation where I wake up every morning and
look at the person next to me, wondering "IS she really the
one for me," That would be extremely unfair, to both, but
is a distinct possibility in an arranged marriage.
I won't wade into that quagmire of "Arranged marriages worked
for your parents and their parents before them and will work for
you." All I will say is that times have changed tremendously.
Women have progressed and compete with men on equal terms, there
is intense pressure on both spouses to be working - not just to
make ends meet but to get all the material symbols that we crave
for that will herald our arrival as having "made it"
in the world.
To me marriage should be a beginning. It is a situation where
both parties are able to help the other reach further, achieve
higher and experience more that they would have on their own.
Call me a dreamer but that is how I see it.
Right now in my situation (where none of the kids are married),
it seems marriage is for the sole purpose of giving my parents
grand kids. I love my parents dearly but do not think I can "sacrifice"
my search for my life journey's partner to appease their desire
for grandkids. I hope this does not come across as being harsh
and cold. No doubt my parents think kids will bring joy and warmth
into my life too. Of course they will, but with the right person
I keep telling them.
My mum says my ears need a good pulling. My dad just turns his
eyes skywards, sighs and says, "I hope you are looking high
and hard son because I am not getting any younger."
I am, but as any singh Sikh adult will attest to, it is not easy
to meet and strike up a friendship with a Sikh of the opposite
sex, unless it happens to be at the place of work or in an organisation
both belong to.
Karamjit Singh
This article has highlighted many points that young Sikhs worry
about when Marriage is discussed. In fact I may have written similar
views only a short while ago, but having gone through an arranged
marriage recently, I would like to add a few points that seem
relevant.
Bhupinder Singh - editor
Feb 5 1792 The Great Holocaust - the forces of the Afgan Ahmed Abdali Khan attacked the Sikhs an estimated 30-50,000 Sikhs were killed.
Feb 21 1849 The last battle of the Anglo-Sikh War was faught at Gujrat.
Feb 21 1921 Massacre at Nankana Sahib, a group of 200 devotees were killed by Mahant Narain Das who did not want to give up control of the Gurdwara to the SGPC. The next day he was forced to hand over the keys.
This is YOUR newsletter please do send us your comments,
articles & poems.
If you are organising an event please let us know - to publicise
it in the newsletter.
Editor: Bhupinder Singh
Tel: 0171 460-2020
Email: Khalsa@bigfoot.com
Central Gurdwara Resource Centre
62 Queensdale Road
London W11 4SG
Assistant editors:
Ranvir Singh
Gurpreet Singh
The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the
Editors or Management of the Gurdwara