Central Gurdwara Resource Centre Newsletter
I am still recovering after the World Sikh Council Family Programme
which was held on 1 March. What an action packed day! First was
an introduction to the Akaal Purkh Ki Fauj (the Army of Almighty
Waheguru) This is a concept which the WSC wishes to introduce
to every Gurdwara Sunday School. It is activity based teaching
and also has been described as the Sikh Scouts! We then had an
electrifying Gatka display by the Baba Fateh Singh Gatka Akhara
(who incidentely will be touring Australia and the Far East later
this month).
Later the Family Paath Maala 97 was introduced. This is a commitment
for each family to get together in the evening and recite Rehraas
Sahib and Gurmanter together. This will run from 2 March to 13
April 1997. So do join in because all families should pray together.
Other recent events included the seminar "Are the Gurdwara's
Loosing thier Children?" which was held at the Punjab restauarant
in Covent Garden - look out for a report to be published on these
2 events...
Finally I would like to personally invite you all to attend the
National Sikh Youth Forum on 15 March - see you there.....
Bhupinder Singh - editor
Important Dates in Sikh History - March
This months Gurpurabs
Mar. 17 Gur Gadhi, Patshahi Seventh, Guru Har Rai Sahib
Mar. 20 Gur Gadhi, Patshahi Third, Sri Guru Amar Das Sahib.
Mar. 23 Jotti Jot, Patshahi Second, Sri Guru Angad Dev Sahib.
Mar. 24 Jotti
Jot, Patshahi Sixth, Sri Guru Har Gobind Sahib.
Other dates of observance
Mar. 1 Gurmat Samagam, Alwar - Giani Sant Singh Ji Maskeen.
Mar. 4 Maela Dehra Baba Nanak.
Mar. 6 Annual Holla Mohalla celebrations at Sri Anandpur Sahib.
Mar. 30 Shaheedi: Joga Singh Ji Panth Rattan, Gurdwara
Sukhmani is Guru Arjan Dev Ji's composition in Rag Gauri. Sukh
means "peace" and mani is both "pearl" and
"mind", so the title can be translated as "Pearl
of Peace" or "Peace of Mind". Sikh tradition maintaines
that Guru Arjan Dev Ji composed it under the beri tree which is
still beside the sacred pool of Ramsar in Amritsar.
Sukhmani runs to almost 2000 lines and is divided into 24 sections. Each section contains 8 stanzas (astpadi), prefaced by a couplet (Salok) which embodies the central theme. The exception is an additional couplet after the first stanza which introduces the title of the hymn. The Pearl of Peace is described as the ambrosial Name, cherished by the devout in their selves. The entire hymn extols the importance of the Name.
Guru Granth Sahib p262-296
Below we show the first Astpadi & Saloks
So you want to be a Sant-Sipahee (saint-warrior), the perfect
human being as created by Guru Gobind Singh jee. You want to be
a pure saint with light of Waheguru jee radiating from you day
and night and you want to be a healthy, wealthy fighting fit warrior
riding into all the battles of life with the sword of Waheguru
ji's power held high and coming out victorious.
ARE YOU: Optimistic, enthusiastic and hopeful?
OR : Pessimistic, cynical and despairing?
The most obvious quality of a Sant-Sipahee is an attitude of optimism
and enthusiasm. Sant-Sipahees understand the link between the
mind and body.
The body and soul becomes what the mind thinks. Sant-Sipahees
read the Guru's words and apply them to their life. Guru's words
prophecise that we will become one with the Supreme Being, the
Sant Sipahee believes the True Guru and day by day the prophecy
gets closer and closer to being fulfilled. They see themselves
as a river that is winding its way towards the Ocean of Supreme
Light and Bliss.
The person that doesn't believe in the Guru's words with all their heart and mind, normally has negative thoughts inside them. They expect something bad to happen, they suffer from fears and worries which turn into anxiety. Being distressed their body's hormones and antibodies change, the person becomes more prone to disease and accidents. It has been shown that stressful thinking can cause many minor ailments such as headaches, low back pain, ulcers and certain alergies.
The Saint Soldier expects to be healthy and happy because they have the Guru's grace upon them.
Their feeling of well-being and energy is radiated by their body. They bloom like flowers for all to see. In their mind they are singing the songs of joy, the words of the Guru, they are praising all of Creation and repeat Waheguru ! Waheguru! They've learnt this from Guru Nanak Dev jee. On his travels he came close to the abode of a sect of Hindu Saints. They felt threatened by yet another saint entering their town, so they sent Guru Nanak jee a bowl full to the brim with milk. It symbolised the town was full of saints and there was no room for Guru Nanak. Guru Nanak was forever optimistic and placed a small yellow Jasmin flower to float on the milk. He sent this back to the saints - they understood Guru Nanak's message and that he wasn't there to displace them but to spread the divine fragrance amongst them.
Saint Soldiers expect the best because they know Guru ji's grace
is upon them. They have given mind, body and soul to the service
of Guru jee and Guru jee will give them everything in return.
This was taught to us by Guru Angad Dev jee, he followed Guru
Nanak jee's love-filled words precisley and battled with his own
thoughts, day by day he changed and grew spiritually until ultimately
Guru Nanak Dev jee joined his soul into the Supreme Soul from
where we came.
Saint Soldiers say: 'By the Guru's grace I was good today and I'll be even better tomorrow'.
Ones lacking faith say: 'With my luck I was bound to fail'
SELF-TEST
POSITIVE ACTIONS
1. Wake up happy. Wake up early. Sing Waheguru! Wonderful God! Sing your favourite shabad in the shower. Sing your prayers in a happy way. In Ardas ask for Guru ji's blessings and the gift of singing God's praises in a positive way all day. Thank Guru jee because you know he is taking care of all your activities and removing all worldly and spiritual obstacles from your path. Look at yourself in the mirror and thank Guru Gobind Singh jee for giving you the form of a complete human being with long uncut hair. Feel the Guru's divine hand over your forehead protecting you all day like an umbrella blocking the stormy rain.
2. Think positive thoughts during the day like, 'By Guru's Kirpa, Next time I'll do better', 'By Guru's Kirpa everything is going to work out just fine', 'I'm so blessed to have Guru Gobind Singh jee as my father and the whole of the Khalsa as my family'.
3. Look for something good in all your personal relationships even in the most trying circumstances. See Waheguru jee inside everyone you deal with, so no matter how irritating they may be remember it is ultimately Waheguru ji that is inside them. So smile and think Wonderful Waheguru ji.
4. Look at problems as opportunities that are going to get you closer to Guru ji. To overcome the problem you're going to pray more sincerely and lean on Guru jee for more support and not blame him for it.
5. Learn to stay relaxed and friendly no matter how stressed you are. Accept whatever God does is for your benefit and there's no point upsetting everyone around you. Look for something to praise. Be constructively helpful rather than critical. Lower your voice, breathe slowly and deeply, relax your muscles and respond calmly in the GurSikh way like Guru Amar Das jee did when he was kicked by the jealous Datu. Guru ji massaged his foot and said, 'My hard bones must have hurt you'. Datu's anger was appeased. Return kindness for evil, not a tooth for a tooth.
6. Look after your health. Cure the curable, expect to get better you've got Guru jee on your side. Prevent what's preventable. Eat healthy and nutritional food, your body and mind are the Temple of Waheguru ji. One day Guru Nanak jee is going to place his divine light inside your temple so make sure it has strong and pure foundations. Make sure it has no junk food lying in the corners and no negative or dirty thoughts lingering in the shadows. That is why Guru Gobind Singh jee has taught us drinking, smoking, drugs are totally wrong for the Sant-Sipahee.
7. When talking about your health talk optimistically, when asked "how are you?" reply positively -'I'm feeling good, great', don't say 'not bad'. Guru Gobind Singh jee said that when one Sikh is brave enough to fight against 125,000 then and only then can he justify being called Guru Gobind Singh. Be optimistic - be brave feel like you are healthy enough to battle against the whole of the crowd at the football stadium if need be.
8. Expect the best of others. Encourage them and praise them daily. Tell them your optimistic hopes for them. Guru Gobind Singh ji expected the best from us that's why he named us Singh (Lion) and Kaur (Princess). So whenever we said our name we'd remember we are great people destined for great things. We are not dirty rats but mighty lions and we are not slave girls but royal princesses with honour and glory.
9. To stay optimistic associate with optimistic people. Meet with Sant-Sipahee's and positive people from all walks of life.
Harjit Singh Lakhan
Mar 2 1909 Sirdar Kapur Singh, the Sikh scholar, was born.
Mar 5 1716 Execution of 740 Sikh associates of Banda Singh Bahadhur.
Mar 6 1959 SGPC's general meeting accepts the announcement for 5th Takhat.
Mar 9 1783 Sikhs attack and capture Delhi
Mar10 1644 Birthday of Bhai Mani Singh Ji.
Mar 10 1746 Shahadat of Subaegh Singh and Mehtaab Singh Ji.
Mar 11 1783 Kesri Flag was hoisted on Red Fort by the Khalsa Forces and Jassa Singh Ahluwalia seated on "Diwane-Aam" throne.
Mar 13 1940 Udham Singh of Sunam killed Sir Michael Dwyer in London to avenge the massacre of Jalliawala Bagh, Amritsar.
Mar 15 1553 Bhai Jetha, Guru Ram Das, married Bibi Bhani.
Mar 16 1849 Punjab Annexed by British
Mar 17 1823 Maharaja Ranjit Singh victoriously entered Peshawar
Mar 21 1664 Guru Tegh Bahadhur Ji visits Delhi.
Mar 21 1758 Sikhs captured Sirhind.
Mar. 24, 1664 Guru Har Krishan visited Aurangzeb's court.
Mar 29 1699 KHALSA Created by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Anandpur Sahib ACTUAL DATE).
Mar 31 1519
Lehna, Guru Angad, married Mata Khivi.