Soulful Journeys Within

I felt comfort of fresh air filling my lungs this morning as I picked my car keys to go to work. There was no notes to leave for my husband; who have happily taken morning stress on his shoulders for many years now so I could go to work early & spend my evenings with children (in other words I could attend to my second full-time job at home in more relaxed manner)……there was no calls to make to the boss while dreading that intimidating talk, how my poor attendance at office is affecting projects’ progress & how I could be terminated on the basis of this poor attendance record…as if HR notification of all this was not enough. This may sound like height of craziness, but last week I needed a place to go where there was not any craziness without actually getting away. I wanted to turn on my computer and go to my on-line happy space where other people who understand life as a working mom balancing a successful career with trying to be a good parent, loving & beautiful wife, cal...

Happy Feet and Sikhi! by MANPREET KAUR SINGH If you want to begin a conversation about Sikhism with a child and don’t quite know where to start, just go to the cinema and watch "Happy Feet". I think Mumble - the central character of the animated movie - is the ideal Sikh, and someone all kids should strive to be. He is different from the rest; and not just that, he is proud to be different. He doesn’t want to follow the pack, even under immense peer pressure. More than that, he is always happy, even when up against heavy odds; moreover, he gallantly risks his life to save the colony - demonstrating the concept of “sarbat da bhalla”, as embodied in Sikhism. Although the movie is primarily a love story, you don’t have to look too deep to discern the real message. If you haven’t watched the movie yet, Happy Feet is an enchanting musical about a penguin colony, where everyone is a singer….or at least tries to be one. But Mumble is different, because he can only tap dance! Even t...

Today is the day, when I needed to read and beleive the following...it came in our District News letter....I thought of sharing it with all...may be someone else needs it too, so I am posting for all my friends who visit my blog faithfully. Thank you all :D 20 Suggestions for Living Wisely and Well 1. Teach by example. 2. Bless every day with a generous act. 3. Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them. 4. Do something every day that maintains your good health. 5. Take family vacations whether you can afford them or not. 6. Stand up for your principles even if you stand alone. 7. Judge your success by the degree that you're enjoying peace, health, and love. 8. Be there when people need you. 9. Be devoted to your spouse and dedicated to your children. 10. Be of service to your community and your country. 11. Have courage when things go wrong. 12. Tell the truth. 13. Maintain a grateful heart. 14. Manage your resources wisely. 15. Don't overlook life's...

Every person reaps as he sowed in the previous life. According to Hindu Mythology; if a person did good deeds(karma) then he lives good life in this birth and if he did bad karma he suffers in this life. No deed is unsuccessful. If this is true than every person makes his life himself, based on the deeds he does. But this is half-truth; because Brahmins took advantage of this principle of deeds and created caste system. So taking this principle as whole truth actually makes a person atheist; because he does not recognize the power that Waheguru ji plays in making a person’s life – good or bad. Guru Sahib revealed to us that both are prevalent in making a person’s life – karma of previous birth as well as Akal purkh’s hukum. Guru Sahib asked us to do Naam Simran to wash our karma of previous births, to seek His Kirpa. Good karma makes the human mind clean and hence helps in Naam simran and that is dooway to salvation. Let us contemplate on what Guru Sahib says on getting out of this vic...

W omanforlk can play a vital role in reviving the glory of sikhism viz a viz the hair and turban. They can rear their kids in the fine atmosphere of Sikh way of living, educate them about the salient principles of the faith and practise them by doing special efforts day in and day out. These concerted efforts would defintiely strengthen the foundations of the kids as far as sikh way of life is concerned. Once they are firmed in their sikh routine, they become strong enough to bear any adverse storm unhesitentily. Similarly, the sisters and wives can impress upon their brothers and parteners not to discard their Sikhi Saroop which we received by the great Gurus who did every sacrifice for us and for our glorious living as a proud sikh. If any mother under the whim of fashion cuts the hair of her young son, she is not less than of a Wazir Khan, Ahmad Shah Abdali, Zakria Khan, Massa Ranghar or Meer Mannu. If they wanted to annihilate Sikhs through their swords, their 'sister' in...

In last Sunday’s Diwaan; a renowned Guru's Kirtania and Kathakaar Bhai Ajit Singh Ji Alankari told touching saakhies of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji’s great Sikhs – Bebe Naanaki, Bhai Mardana and Rai Bulaar. I would like to share what I learnt about Bhai Mardana ji. Bhai Mardana, who has known to spend 54 years of his life in Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s company, belonged to a cline of BARDS known in those days as MIRASIS. They commanded a very high respect in all communities throughout the Northern India . A 'Mirasi' was supposed to be the custodian of 'MIRAS' i.e. The Heritage. They would orally recite long poems about the ancestral heritage of a particular family at the time of birth, marriage and death and indeed on all occasions of celebrations both locally and widespread. The cultural degeneration of Indians, especially Panjabi heritage defamed the title 'Mirasi' and reduced its connotation to a beggar poet. Mardana was born in 1459 at the villag...

We all talk about ‘Love’ but what is ‘Love’. Is love, affection and attachment are transposable in our lives? While contemplating on this most frivolously used word I entered Gurdwara this Sunday, where Bhai Sahib Ajit Singh ji Alankari was doing Katha on the Vaar (Vaar 35 Pauri 20 ) of Bhai Gurdas ji . It was as if Guru himself was talking to me. Gurbani can only be understood fully through love. "Sach kahon sun leho sabai jin prem kio tin hee prabh paio." (All should listen to this truth that only those who love God can realize Him.)" and this ‘love’ is ‘Divine Love’ it is Truth; it is unconditional, it is ever-lasting. pIau dy nwNh ipAwr quil nw PuPI nw ipqIey qwey] peeo dhae naaneh piaar thul naa fufee naa pitheeeae thaaeae|| Bhai Gurdas ji talks about the depth of ‘Love of worldly our father’. He says that the love of a father is so in a child’s life that a child will always feel emptiness in his life if a father dies untimely death. This love can’t be rep...

I have had it all; as one of our three children entered Kindergarten every other year in span of 5 years. The oldest one was fully organized and shared it all – from what happened at school, what teacher said, what mama has to see and sign….to what that little girl with purple jacket did in the class. He would not eat or play until the homework was finished and that reminded me of my childhood. I thought I gave birth to my replicas. Well that dream of mine was broken soon when our middle child, daughter, entered her kindergarten. She was not only distracted with short attention span but also treated class room as park where she could catch butterflies if one came along. Boy! I still remember those evenings when it took me an hour to have her sit and have her complete her 10 minute homework. This bundle of my joy ruled over my all winter vacation when we learnt and tried all methods in the world to harness her energy and put that creative mind into doing academic work. She is fifth grad...

The Spiritual Strength of Woman In this article Shanti Kaur Khalsa assesses the spiritual position and strength of Sikh women. Drawing from both Sikh philosophy and personal experiences, she demonstrates the importance of being a Sikh woman in today’s world… "As we enter the change of the millennium, the role of the woman has changed and will continue to change dramatically. Striving to maintain ourselves in the age of technology, we find years pass with such speed and anxiety that sometimes we do not know what maintains us except the blessing of God’s companion. A woman carries the responsibility of the physical, mental and spiritual well being of her family. This is a serious job that can reap great rewards, but also carries dire consequences when not done successfully. In addition to that, many women have added the weight of work and career. When there is constant pressure and no relaxation, when there is no outlet, when there is a constant deficit in our...

In her childhood, Mai Bhag Kaur was called Bhag Bhari, which means “fortunate”. On being baptized, she was named Bhag Kaur. In the Sikh history, she is known as Mai Bhago. She was born in a well known village, Jhabal, near Amritsar . She was the daughter of Malo Shah, son of Bhai Pare Shah. Her grandfather and Pare Shah’s brother, Bhai Langaha, had served under Guru Arjan Dev and Guru Hargobind. Bhai Langaha had helped Guru Arjan Dev in the construction of Harmander Sahib and was one of the five Sikhs who accompanied Guru Arjan Dev when he went to Lahore for martyrdom. It shows her two generations were closely involved with the Sikh Gurus. As a young girl she had heard about the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev, the wars of Guru Hargobind, injustice done to the Sikhs and their harassment by the Mughal army These left a deep impression on her tender mind. Sad news of the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur and his companions —Bhai Dayala, Bhai Mati Das, and Bhai Sati Das – touched her heart. S...

Disturbed by the News in Outlook India , back in October of 2006, I kept looking for something positive that somehow erases the memory of that picture in the news. With His Kirpa; since then I have witnessed so much positive going on in US Sikh community that now I can read this news without my eyes getting wet and in my heart I know that it is the Guru's will. One of events I recently attended is 'Sahibjada Rememberance Day' observed by Gurdwara Riverside in which children of IIGS school participated. I consider myself blessed for being able to do sewa of teaching these students. Here are the pictures and small report on these children's Chardi Kala. Los AYNjls (AmrIkw) iv`c is~K ivrsw sMBwldy hoey b`cy dsMbr 2006- Los AYNjls dy b`icAW ny 23 dsMbr, 2006 nUM swihbzwdw fy iek vwr Pyr, srihMd dy swky nUM Xwd krdy, cmkOr dI gVHI nUM isjdw krdy, swihbzwidAW nUM SrDwjlI idMdy hoey mnwieAw [gurduAwrw irvrsweIf dw ieh qIjw swl sI, ijs iv`c vIh swl qoN Coty 140 b`icAW...

"Na Baat Kahoon main ab ki Na baat kahoon main tab ki Agar Na hotay Guru Gobind Singh Tau Sunat hoti Sab ki"

……… Nihung aa gaye………Nihung aa gaye………Nihung aa gaye . She heard these loud voices of children and she ran as fast as she could to get to the firni (dirt road around the village) to watch Nihings. In fact to watch the almost never ending strip of horses on which the singhs came to their village every fall. The echo of the Jaikaras was so melodious that she did not leave her place for hours, not until the last horse passed by but until she could not see the last horse either due to dusk or due to dust of the firni or both. It was the yearly event of her childhood that she looked forward to; each year. Nihungs stayed in her village for about two months and these months were full of festivity. And Nihungs came this year too. She was no longer a little girl; something changed about her. She could tell because her mother would ask her to come home before the sun set. She was not supposed to play gulli-danda or kanche with boys any more. So this year she stood next to bunch of other g...

By Mrs. Wayne E. Hunter Adultery, pornography, broken homes, domestic abuse, abusive children, poor mental, physical, and emotional health, illness, disease, dysfunctional schools, heart disease now killing one out of two women; these problems plague our families and nation. These things break women’s hearts, literally. They not only break our hearts, but our nation. They are of profound seriousness. Families and nations don’t thrive under these conditions, and despite law after law being passed to try to alleviate these problems, they still grow and grow. America , we have hope. The New Women’s Movement holds the key and the cure to these problems. This hope, key, and cure stand to affect us all in more ways than can be imagined. America , your wives and mothers are coming home. Freedom Today’s wives and mothers have found their total freedom. Freedom from tyrannical bosses. Freedom from unfair wages and promotions. Freedom from dividing our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls between wo...