Sikh Spirit January 1998

We all feel anxious or nervous at times, but Guru Ji says that with Almighty Waheguru looking over us at all times there is no need to worry. This is a difficult concept to understand. It is only 1 in a million people who would really have placed ALL his/her trust in God. Not just on the surface, but truly deep down.

Satnaam - the Naam is True - or Truth is the Naam (God), yet we do not place our trust in God. God is the Only Truth, the creator - so why can’t we place all our Trust in God. The reason is our Ego (Haumai) - which always holds us back.

Guru Ji says "You are my father, mother, protector - my EVERYTHING". Guru ji sings in bliss "By singing God's praise my mind is at peace"... "I have triumphed over all my troubles!". It is by controlling the ego, that we can actually place our trust in God. By recognising the power and grace of God, can we submit to God’s Will and by constantly remembering God can we Realise God.

Do remember that a translation cannot do justice to the words of the Guru. You should, wherever possible, spend time and effort to understand the original words of the Guru.

A man was travelling on his path he was determined to reach his ultimate goal. Along the way he started feeling hungry. He now had a new goal : To eat, he also felt thirsty so he left his original path and started walking towards the river. Reaching the river he thought it's best to wash my hands before eating or drinking - yet another goal. So he bent down. The river was still he could see a golden bracelet deep down. All of a sudden he forgot his hunger and thirst, he forgot about washing his hands and thought only of possessing the golden bracelet. He jumped into the water but couldn't find it, a passer by saw him jumping in and out of the river and asked why. The passer by said 'O Friend, the bracelet is not in the river it's high up on the branches of the tree, you are chasing the reflection!' The man now had yet another goal to climb the tree . . . and so on.

Moral: Guru Sahib has said the purpose of our life is spiritual - to become enlightened. Sikhi is the path our ultimate goal is Waheguru ji. Like the man in the story we set off on the path but get distracted by one thing after another and waste our precious time.

Guru Arjun Dev ji says:

'Gobind milan kee eh teree baria,'

'it's your turn to meet the World Protector'

(Rehraas Sahib)

Harjit Singh

"I hate girls!" shouted Harminder Singh. "They take up so much of your time and then deceive you."

"Well," said Buta Singh, "I told you never to get involved with them. When a girl comes my way, I turn my face the other."

"That sums up your approach to life"

"What do you mean?"

"You think it’s so dangerous you run away from it. You hate it. You never enjoy Life."

"Well," said Buta Singh, "you’re a slave to every passing fashion and whim, including women. You only have to see one and your tongue hangs out like a red carpet. So she walks all over you!"

"You’re scared of the world, that’s why you’re scared of women."

"You’re a slave to the world, that’s why you’re a slave to women."

Darshan Kaur had been listening to this conversation with great interest. "Neither of you are Sikhs," she finally declared. Harminder Singh and Buta Singh looked shocked. "A Sikh is not a slave of the world, nor scared of the world. A Sikh enjoys the world while being the slave of God, like a mother doing her household chores while looking after her baby, or a little boy flying a kite while talking to his friends."

She continued,

"The religions did what you are doing. They were confused by women, confused by life. So they said, `Keep her under control through rituals and stories’, but if you can’t do that `run away from her.’ This is not the Way. Religions have stories and rituals to live in the world, but if you want to find God, they tell you to leave living altogether and live in deserts and jungles. The Way is different: treat women as your friends, as your equals while remaining attached to God. Enjoy life, while remaining above it, attached to God. Be like the swan which, remaining in the water, does not drown and which diving deep finds rare pearls.

Tit savarrai bha-ee-lay nivaasaa, paanee paavak tinaih kee-aa. Pankaj moh,

Ppag nahee chaalai, ham daykhaa taih doobee-alay.

This world in which we live is a lake, filled with waters of fire (desires).

In this lake is the quicksand of attachment, in which people are sinking.

(Rehras Sahib, Asa Mahalla 1)

Kanwar Ranvir Singh

Still Shining

It gets dark at night, but has the sun stopped shining?

I switch off the TV, but has the 24-hour station stopped transmitting?

In the same way, I may close my eyes to God's existence, but God hasn't abandoned me. Love and light permeate throughout Creation whether I accept it or not.

A Sikh shopkeeper said, 'You are lucky you have Guru's kirpa (grace) on you, were as I'm still waiting for it.' To which I replied, 'Guru's kirpa is on every single being, but because of our own ego we can't see it. Like the same sun shines on everybody's house, whether it's a Christian or Muslim, Sikh or Hindu. It's not the Sun's fault if we shut all the doors and draw all the curtains!'

Guru Granth Sahib jee says that between us and God is the curtain of ego. But this curtain is thinner than a butterfly's wing!!!! Yet the whole world is suffering from the chronic disease of ego. All we have to do is follow Hukam, God's order as in Guru Granth Sahib Jee and the curtain will be pulled aside.

Kirpa is on everyone, don't blame Guru jee, blame ego if you can't see it. Guru jee has given us the blueprints, we have to do the construction and build our Jeevan - Spiritual Life.

Guru Nanak came into this land
To preach One God for all of man
He sang a song of love and ecstasy
To bring men's hearts into harmony

Baba Nanak found one disciple true
Bhai Lehna Ji became the guru
Angad was a man of selflessness
He grew in love through righteousness

Guru Amar Das- the man of equality
All who came to see him ate in unity
Leave behind your grandeur, leave behind your schemes
Come live life's ultimate dream

If you chant the name of the fourth Guru
The virtue of grace will be found in you
Guru Ram Das said cant you see
The only way to God is humility

When you chant the hymns of the fifth Guru
The pearl of peace will belong to you
Guru Arjan Dev wrote the Sukhmani
So man could sing of infinity

Guru Hargobind came wearing two gleaming swords
To be both temporal and spiritual Lord
Internally a hermit, externally a king
To fight for righteousness is Gods thing

Guru Har Rai was a gentle man
He walked with grace throughout Gods land
He spent his days in meditation long
The love of the Lord was his life's song

If you chant the name of the eighth Guru
Pain and sorrow shall depart from you
Guru Harkrishan gave his life to the plague
So thousands of lives could be saved

When you call the name of the ninth Guru
The nine treasures will run to you
Guru Teg Bahadur gave his head to the king
In order to usher in the age of the SINGH

Guru Gobind Singh said "I need a head"
And brandished his naked steel
Guru Gobind Singh said "Give me a head"
A thousand people took to their heels

Guru Gobind Singh believed in the trinity
Hospitality, the sword, and victory
Guru Gobind Singh believed in the trinity
"Deg Teg ki Fateh!"

Think of the light of the ten Gurus
The Word of God, the Truth of truths
Meditate on Siri Guru Granth Sahib
And all of your sufferings shall be relieved

Shiva, God Almighty
Pray do confer
A blessing on me
From Pious deeds
I should not flee

And in a battle
There shouldn’t occur
Any fear in me
Determined I may spur
Myself to victory

And Pray Almighty
Let my mind gather
A lesson for me
A craving to utter
Praises of Your Majesty

When the end is nigh
Let me then stir
Myself to ecstasy
And enter
The battlefield and die