Landed in Singapore yesturday.
Singapore is a really nice country. Kind of reminds me of Sweden.
Incidentially they're holding a Kids camp here at one of the Gurdwaras in Singapore.
The Sangat and the youth here are AMAZING. Kids are so cute, and everyone so funny!
I was meant to spend one or two nights in Singapore and then move on to Malaysia where I'd meet my sister the 10th December. I've decided I'm going to stay here for another night (was unsure how many nights to spend here since I thought I'd have a boring time).
Kids here are so adorable. Everyone is so open-minded and so 'themself'. I've noticed that in Europe everyone seems to belong to some kind of group and follow some kind of trend (could be religious or whatever). Here everyone can be like they want to without being told of by people. I think its got to do with the fact that Sikhs have lived here for such a long time that Punjabi culture is fading in some way, and instead people can replace that with what they really are. So if you want to wear a 'suit' to Gurdwara, go for it, if you want to wear shorts - go for it. Theres no-one there standing and scolding you for anything and everything. In Europe theres generally more Punjabi culture influencing the way everything is thought to be 'right'.
I've for example seen several cases where bibis who go straight to Gurdwara from school or something, with their normal daily clothes (pants/jeans/shorts whatever) are told off by the people 'in charge', and where they've stopped going just because they are told they have to visit the Gurdwara wearing suits.
I know a lot of people will use words like 'modesty' and stuff like that. But what is modesty? What is modest for someone issn't modest for someone else.
Just allow people to be what they are, relaxed and everything. Everyone (with a few exceptions) here is so relaxed.
Just met Angad Singh yesturday. Nice fellow. He only comes during the evening though, so there wasn't much time yesturday.
Anyway it's a really inspiring camp (although for kids....I'm having fun)..and everyone here seems to be enjoying their time a lot. Atleast I am.
Will try to take some pics and add them when I come back to Sweden.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
MALAYSIA HERE I COME!
Yes Yes! I shall be gong to the Malaysian Samelan in December!
This is going to be a once in a life time thing!
Let me know if anyone else reading is coming...
Will write more sooooon. =D
This is going to be a once in a life time thing!
Let me know if anyone else reading is coming...
Will write more sooooon. =D
Friday, September 22, 2006
Almost dead
So far I've been really close to dying twice in a month.
First time I was close to dying... I was on the bike on the way home after exercising a little bit... I was very dark...
Most driving in India are druggies....which can be seen from their driving.
It had just been raining…. and the brakes usually don't do a good job in India when it's been raining. It was really dark and the road was like most roads in India (broken....rough and full of holes in the ground)..
Suddenly an "auto" (three wheeler leaving BLACK pollution (most European pollution is kind of grayish whitish...you'll notice it even if you don’t observe carefully…lol) ) appears out of nowhere coming right towards me. It seemed like the Howarts Express in the Harry Potter Movie (yes I've found a decent library after a looong search….where I've started passing some of my time)...
I couldn’t brake…the bike wouldn’t stop when I pressed the brakes....it's coming right towards me….with quite a high speed. Of course I was in a such a shock I couldn't change the direction.
Suddenly I'm right beside it with the bike standing still, and the auto standing still a few meter behind me (it passed by on the side).... Either my instincts changed the direction or the auto-driver had. Or something or someone else did. I can't remember changing direction. If I crashed into the auto.... there would be no way I would survive, since it was really dark and there weren't any streetlights to show a body lying on the ground until someone would notice the body the following day...by which time a few other vehicles would have driving over me.....
Second time was just today as I was wheeling on the bike again in the morning...and the pedal of the bike just broke...I feel down on a street with a lot of traffic.. luckily.. it was morning time and there wasn't much traffic...but if there was...well, yes I'd be dead again. The first thing I thought after falling was: "damn Indians!"...since no-one was bothering to help me up...
On another note I was delighted to see that the person who did offer to help after a while happened to be a sardar. Previous experiences have showed that sardars seem very reluctant to help someone in need of help…which is really sad...since that's why we were made distinct…… so that we can't run away from a situation where someone is in need.
For example when I had an accident in the escalator on Heathrow airport with my heavy baggage falling over me….and my dastar flying of….and my hair going loose...the person in front of me (a sardar and his wife)....just walked away....whereas some Gorey came and helped me up.....
So the fact that a young sardar came and offered to help me made me very happy..
Maybe I've revealed too much about me about my accidences in this post (clumsy)... My mum would never allow me to touch the bike if she found out....
On another note...if someone reading this…knows me personally....as in has met me outside the net....I request you NOT to forward this blog add to my sister or anyone else who knows me personally… cause....well just cause I don't want some stuff on this blog to be read by my family members....
Been writing very quickly so probably have a lot of spelling mistakes...but I’m sure you understand what I’m trying to say.
First time I was close to dying... I was on the bike on the way home after exercising a little bit... I was very dark...
Most driving in India are druggies....which can be seen from their driving.
It had just been raining…. and the brakes usually don't do a good job in India when it's been raining. It was really dark and the road was like most roads in India (broken....rough and full of holes in the ground)..
Suddenly an "auto" (three wheeler leaving BLACK pollution (most European pollution is kind of grayish whitish...you'll notice it even if you don’t observe carefully…lol) ) appears out of nowhere coming right towards me. It seemed like the Howarts Express in the Harry Potter Movie (yes I've found a decent library after a looong search….where I've started passing some of my time)...
I couldn’t brake…the bike wouldn’t stop when I pressed the brakes....it's coming right towards me….with quite a high speed. Of course I was in a such a shock I couldn't change the direction.
Suddenly I'm right beside it with the bike standing still, and the auto standing still a few meter behind me (it passed by on the side).... Either my instincts changed the direction or the auto-driver had. Or something or someone else did. I can't remember changing direction. If I crashed into the auto.... there would be no way I would survive, since it was really dark and there weren't any streetlights to show a body lying on the ground until someone would notice the body the following day...by which time a few other vehicles would have driving over me.....
Second time was just today as I was wheeling on the bike again in the morning...and the pedal of the bike just broke...I feel down on a street with a lot of traffic.. luckily.. it was morning time and there wasn't much traffic...but if there was...well, yes I'd be dead again. The first thing I thought after falling was: "damn Indians!"...since no-one was bothering to help me up...
On another note I was delighted to see that the person who did offer to help after a while happened to be a sardar. Previous experiences have showed that sardars seem very reluctant to help someone in need of help…which is really sad...since that's why we were made distinct…… so that we can't run away from a situation where someone is in need.
For example when I had an accident in the escalator on Heathrow airport with my heavy baggage falling over me….and my dastar flying of….and my hair going loose...the person in front of me (a sardar and his wife)....just walked away....whereas some Gorey came and helped me up.....
So the fact that a young sardar came and offered to help me made me very happy..
Maybe I've revealed too much about me about my accidences in this post (clumsy)... My mum would never allow me to touch the bike if she found out....
On another note...if someone reading this…knows me personally....as in has met me outside the net....I request you NOT to forward this blog add to my sister or anyone else who knows me personally… cause....well just cause I don't want some stuff on this blog to be read by my family members....
Been writing very quickly so probably have a lot of spelling mistakes...but I’m sure you understand what I’m trying to say.
Friday, September 08, 2006
Wasted time
Haven’t posted for quite a long time. So much you could write...so little time....
Anyway will start of this message with a few negative notes:
I'm so jealous I couldn't attend any Summer Sikhi camps in London - Could sort some inspiration.
Was thinking of "going for it"...but I was having doubts...and having doubts about something you should be able to give you life for.. isn't very good (or giving your head for). So I didn't go for it, even though it was planned for 3rd Sept. Its just that I'm not sure I've got that 'trisna'….that thirst...that I can't live without it..... Had a big head ache because of that...for several days.....was lacking inspiration so much...
Positive notes: I've got a really good teacher relatively close to where I live. With Maharaj Kirpa...my lessons are going really well...having both vocal lessons and lessons on the Dilruba...
And and and..I've got a Taus sorted...Not sure If I posted about that ...but I bought it about a month ago...Really beautiful.... But one string too short....
Surprised how I manage to brake so many strings....
Although I'm learning what I came here for.....home is still home...and I miss my home sooo much.
Oh and if you haven’t noticed: “going for it” means…going and begging for the gift of Amrit.
Everything is going relatively well… I’m busy most of the time.. hardly have time over to ‘chill’
Its still very warm and dusty here…but I guess I’ll end this post with “chali janda eeh”
And I hope everything is going well for everyone else.
Anyway will start of this message with a few negative notes:
I'm so jealous I couldn't attend any Summer Sikhi camps in London - Could sort some inspiration.
Was thinking of "going for it"...but I was having doubts...and having doubts about something you should be able to give you life for.. isn't very good (or giving your head for). So I didn't go for it, even though it was planned for 3rd Sept. Its just that I'm not sure I've got that 'trisna'….that thirst...that I can't live without it..... Had a big head ache because of that...for several days.....was lacking inspiration so much...
Positive notes: I've got a really good teacher relatively close to where I live. With Maharaj Kirpa...my lessons are going really well...having both vocal lessons and lessons on the Dilruba...
And and and..I've got a Taus sorted...Not sure If I posted about that ...but I bought it about a month ago...Really beautiful.... But one string too short....
Surprised how I manage to brake so many strings....
Although I'm learning what I came here for.....home is still home...and I miss my home sooo much.
Oh and if you haven’t noticed: “going for it” means…going and begging for the gift of Amrit.
Everything is going relatively well… I’m busy most of the time.. hardly have time over to ‘chill’
Its still very warm and dusty here…but I guess I’ll end this post with “chali janda eeh”
And I hope everything is going well for everyone else.
Saturday, August 12, 2006
I left Patiala...
I left Patiala.
Theres so much to post about..and so little time...
Patiala was getting too much for me... Same food (paronthe & cha) every morning...so it was getting too much. I've had a hard time adjusting in India already...
So I'm back where I started in regards to the taus....
I've been learning the harmonium for a while now and learnt a few shabads... Coincidentially he knew how to play the dilruba (played very similarily to the taus)...so it seems likely I'm going to learn from him...but on the other side the Patiala guy lives in this city..and usually comes here every weekend, so I'm considering going to Patiala for two days a week, and spend two days (weekend) in this city, which means four days a week...which is ok...So I'm a bit confused now....
A bit more important issue that has been on my mind for a while.... is that while our family was in India..someone broke in to our appartment. ..
Although they took some stuff...and threw my and mums cloths out for the wardrobes... that hasn't bothered me too much....but the fact that they went in to Maharaj's room..
It doesn't bothere me that they too the money infront of Maharaj's saroop...and some money that mum hid under the chadar in case a such situation would occur. What bothers me.is that they had thrown around Guntey...and according to the description of my uncle..who came backa few weeks earlier...done "beadbi of Maharaj"..
That really crushed me. Made me soo sad. Most likely they searched through Maharaj's angs for money.....But I don't know the whole situation....Luckely my uncle and another uncle..came in the middle of the night as soon as they found out....did seva of some sort (probably changed or cleaned the rumallas and restorted Maharaj on the Palki Sahib...
Whatever the case be... It really crushed us. Especially since we had just gone to Shimla to relax for a few days...just before mum was going to go back from India...
Anyway...lets hope Maharaj blesses me with the gift of staying in his sharan and blesses me with the gift of singing his praises...
Lets see what happens.
Theres so much to post about..and so little time...
Patiala was getting too much for me... Same food (paronthe & cha) every morning...so it was getting too much. I've had a hard time adjusting in India already...
So I'm back where I started in regards to the taus....
I've been learning the harmonium for a while now and learnt a few shabads... Coincidentially he knew how to play the dilruba (played very similarily to the taus)...so it seems likely I'm going to learn from him...but on the other side the Patiala guy lives in this city..and usually comes here every weekend, so I'm considering going to Patiala for two days a week, and spend two days (weekend) in this city, which means four days a week...which is ok...So I'm a bit confused now....
A bit more important issue that has been on my mind for a while.... is that while our family was in India..someone broke in to our appartment. ..
Although they took some stuff...and threw my and mums cloths out for the wardrobes... that hasn't bothered me too much....but the fact that they went in to Maharaj's room..
It doesn't bothere me that they too the money infront of Maharaj's saroop...and some money that mum hid under the chadar in case a such situation would occur. What bothers me.is that they had thrown around Guntey...and according to the description of my uncle..who came backa few weeks earlier...done "beadbi of Maharaj"..
That really crushed me. Made me soo sad. Most likely they searched through Maharaj's angs for money.....But I don't know the whole situation....Luckely my uncle and another uncle..came in the middle of the night as soon as they found out....did seva of some sort (probably changed or cleaned the rumallas and restorted Maharaj on the Palki Sahib...
Whatever the case be... It really crushed us. Especially since we had just gone to Shimla to relax for a few days...just before mum was going to go back from India...
Anyway...lets hope Maharaj blesses me with the gift of staying in his sharan and blesses me with the gift of singing his praises...
Lets see what happens.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Beauty
The Taus.
Approximately 16:20. 24 July 2006. For the first time I played the Taus.
The very next day it had one string less....
So I joined the regular classes the 24th July. The accommodation wasn't the nicest.. Was staying with the taus/dilruba lecturer...with spiders and spider web on the ceiling.
What surprised me was the extent the lecturers/teachers use their students. The teacher I was staying with had just shifted so the new place was a bit messy.... The lecturer asked his students to clean his apartment (clean all the dust and everything)... and to bring his lunch everyday…
Students who were doing their master degrees in Gurmat Sangeet....:s...
Of course all of this is for the students is under the name of: "respecting the ustad"...
Its now that I realize why very few people decide to for phd's here.. since the tutors use their students to such an extent....
Anyway... I'm not very used to the University system in Punjab, where they (students and some lecturers) eat the same breakfast (paronthe + cha) everyday.....students bringing lunch for each others and some teachers who demand food....and dinner at some really cheap dhaba.
Really hard to adjust…
Approximately 16:20. 24 July 2006. For the first time I played the Taus.
The very next day it had one string less....
So I joined the regular classes the 24th July. The accommodation wasn't the nicest.. Was staying with the taus/dilruba lecturer...with spiders and spider web on the ceiling.
What surprised me was the extent the lecturers/teachers use their students. The teacher I was staying with had just shifted so the new place was a bit messy.... The lecturer asked his students to clean his apartment (clean all the dust and everything)... and to bring his lunch everyday…
Students who were doing their master degrees in Gurmat Sangeet....:s...
Of course all of this is for the students is under the name of: "respecting the ustad"...
Its now that I realize why very few people decide to for phd's here.. since the tutors use their students to such an extent....
Anyway... I'm not very used to the University system in Punjab, where they (students and some lecturers) eat the same breakfast (paronthe + cha) everyday.....students bringing lunch for each others and some teachers who demand food....and dinner at some really cheap dhaba.
Really hard to adjust…
Thursday, July 20, 2006
ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਮਾਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਈ
Wanted to post about something really cool that happened a few weeks ago...
While I was doing Paath in the morning some doubt-thoughts appeared in my mind..about the existance of God. Not that God doesn't exist..but some other issues that hunted me for several weeks regarding God's existance.
Ironically the answer to the doubts lay in the Paath I was doing...but since I couldn't understand it, there wasn't much I could do at the time.... (which means I should start reading interpretations and translations of the nitnem banis...)
Went to the Gurdwara after Nitnem and this is the Hukamnama that Guru Ji blessed me with...:
ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੩ ਘਰੁ ੨ ਚਉਪਦੇ
ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
ਇਹੁ ਧਨੁ ਅਖੁਟੁ ਨ ਨਿਖੁਟੈ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥
ਪੂਰੈ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਆ ਦਿਖਾਇ ॥
ਅਪੁਨੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਉ ਸਦ ਬਲਿ ਜਾਈ ॥
ਗੁਰ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਤੇ ਹਰਿ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਈ ॥੧॥
ਸੇ ਧਨਵੰਤ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਇ ॥
ਗੁਰਿ ਪੂਰੈ ਹਰਿ ਧਨੁ ਪਰਗਾਸਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਤੇ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਆਇ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਅਵਗੁਣ ਕਾਟਿ ਗੁਣ ਰਿਦੈ ਸਮਾਇ ॥
ਪੂਰੇ ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਹਜਿ ਸੁਭਾਇ ॥
ਪੂਰੇ ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸਾਚੀ ਬਾਣੀ ॥
ਸੁਖ ਮਨ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਸਹਜਿ ਸਮਾਣੀ ॥੨॥
ਏਕੁ ਅਚਰਜੁ ਜਨ ਦੇਖਹੁ ਭਾਈ ॥
ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਮਾਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਈ ॥
ਨਾਮੁ ਅਮੋਲਕੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾਇ ॥
ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦਿ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਆਇ ॥੩॥
ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਵਸੈ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਏਕੋ ਸੋਇ ॥
ਗੁਰਮਤੀ ਘਟਿ ਪਰਗਟੁ ਹੋਇ ॥
ਸਹਜੇ ਜਿਨਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਜਾਣਿ ਪਛਾਣਿਆ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਿਆ ॥੪॥੧॥
663-664
Click here for translation
Really crushed the doubt. Although the Shabads doesn't explain what I was having doubts about it was like a tap on my head from Guru Ji.. with him saying:
"My Son, trust me.. trust....by following the Shabad Guru your doubts WILL be removed"...
Simplying reading my mind...knowing the doubts existed...he gave me the path to remove these doubts... he spoke to me through the Hukamnama...Now comes the hard part: following these instructions..
I know this means very little for others... just as little as ..someone telling me about them personally seeing someone elevating while doing pagti...meant to me...
Anyway..this shabad has kept the candle lit for a few weeks..and filled my required quota of inspiration for quite a while....
Trust the Guru. Experience and talk to your Guru. He is not a book, or someone to be feared. Go forward and talk to him....
ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਮਾਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਈ...
While I was doing Paath in the morning some doubt-thoughts appeared in my mind..about the existance of God. Not that God doesn't exist..but some other issues that hunted me for several weeks regarding God's existance.
Ironically the answer to the doubts lay in the Paath I was doing...but since I couldn't understand it, there wasn't much I could do at the time.... (which means I should start reading interpretations and translations of the nitnem banis...)
Went to the Gurdwara after Nitnem and this is the Hukamnama that Guru Ji blessed me with...:
ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੩ ਘਰੁ ੨ ਚਉਪਦੇ
ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
ਇਹੁ ਧਨੁ ਅਖੁਟੁ ਨ ਨਿਖੁਟੈ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥
ਪੂਰੈ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਆ ਦਿਖਾਇ ॥
ਅਪੁਨੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਉ ਸਦ ਬਲਿ ਜਾਈ ॥
ਗੁਰ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਤੇ ਹਰਿ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਈ ॥੧॥
ਸੇ ਧਨਵੰਤ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਇ ॥
ਗੁਰਿ ਪੂਰੈ ਹਰਿ ਧਨੁ ਪਰਗਾਸਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਤੇ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਆਇ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਅਵਗੁਣ ਕਾਟਿ ਗੁਣ ਰਿਦੈ ਸਮਾਇ ॥
ਪੂਰੇ ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਹਜਿ ਸੁਭਾਇ ॥
ਪੂਰੇ ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸਾਚੀ ਬਾਣੀ ॥
ਸੁਖ ਮਨ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਸਹਜਿ ਸਮਾਣੀ ॥੨॥
ਏਕੁ ਅਚਰਜੁ ਜਨ ਦੇਖਹੁ ਭਾਈ ॥
ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਮਾਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਈ ॥
ਨਾਮੁ ਅਮੋਲਕੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾਇ ॥
ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦਿ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਆਇ ॥੩॥
ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਵਸੈ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਏਕੋ ਸੋਇ ॥
ਗੁਰਮਤੀ ਘਟਿ ਪਰਗਟੁ ਹੋਇ ॥
ਸਹਜੇ ਜਿਨਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਜਾਣਿ ਪਛਾਣਿਆ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਿਆ ॥੪॥੧॥
663-664
Click here for translation
Really crushed the doubt. Although the Shabads doesn't explain what I was having doubts about it was like a tap on my head from Guru Ji.. with him saying:
"My Son, trust me.. trust....by following the Shabad Guru your doubts WILL be removed"...
Simplying reading my mind...knowing the doubts existed...he gave me the path to remove these doubts... he spoke to me through the Hukamnama...Now comes the hard part: following these instructions..
I know this means very little for others... just as little as ..someone telling me about them personally seeing someone elevating while doing pagti...meant to me...
Anyway..this shabad has kept the candle lit for a few weeks..and filled my required quota of inspiration for quite a while....
Trust the Guru. Experience and talk to your Guru. He is not a book, or someone to be feared. Go forward and talk to him....
ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਮਾਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਈ...
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Sorted
Everything has finally been sorted.
Went to Punjabi University in Patiala after being recommended by Prof Kartar Singh Ji. Met with a really nice person who is to teach me and the principle of the Gurmat Sangeet Department at the University, Dr Gurnam Singh.
Although he seemed quite strict and everything and it seemed like a formal interview he would use phrases that would relax you, like: "phikar na kar puttar, apa solve kar dange"
My case was a bit obscure since I'm not going to study at the University for a few years, but only a short time course...
I'm a bit nervous though..since I'm going to have to stay at the hostel (halls) at the Uni, and wonder what it's going to be like... being surrounded by a bunch of freshiesss..haha...
So everything is sorted and my lessons are going to start next Monday.... The only probelm is sorting an instrument... I really want to learn the Taus...and although the technique of using the Dilruba is the same....it's not the same......But the Taus is really expensive...
It costs about as much as the flight ticket to Punjab!
Pretty dissappointing how learning to sing raag kirtan has become a class question. I mean, we're doing quite fine and can afford one..but what about those who really want to learn..but don't have the money to sort an instrument and everything. I really don't think these instruments were meant to be so expensive....
Anyway, they've got ONE Taus in Patiala which I'll be aloud to use until I get my own (still looking for a good one...where it will take little time to construct it..)
Hope everyone is having a nice time....and enjoying their summer.
P.s Those looking for inspiration: www.sikhstudent.net =)
Went to Punjabi University in Patiala after being recommended by Prof Kartar Singh Ji. Met with a really nice person who is to teach me and the principle of the Gurmat Sangeet Department at the University, Dr Gurnam Singh.
Although he seemed quite strict and everything and it seemed like a formal interview he would use phrases that would relax you, like: "phikar na kar puttar, apa solve kar dange"
My case was a bit obscure since I'm not going to study at the University for a few years, but only a short time course...
I'm a bit nervous though..since I'm going to have to stay at the hostel (halls) at the Uni, and wonder what it's going to be like... being surrounded by a bunch of freshiesss..haha...
So everything is sorted and my lessons are going to start next Monday.... The only probelm is sorting an instrument... I really want to learn the Taus...and although the technique of using the Dilruba is the same....it's not the same......But the Taus is really expensive...
It costs about as much as the flight ticket to Punjab!
Pretty dissappointing how learning to sing raag kirtan has become a class question. I mean, we're doing quite fine and can afford one..but what about those who really want to learn..but don't have the money to sort an instrument and everything. I really don't think these instruments were meant to be so expensive....
Anyway, they've got ONE Taus in Patiala which I'll be aloud to use until I get my own (still looking for a good one...where it will take little time to construct it..)
Hope everyone is having a nice time....and enjoying their summer.
P.s Those looking for inspiration: www.sikhstudent.net =)
Sunday, July 02, 2006
More non-productiveness
The first two weeks have been quite unproductive. Although I've met some really nice people, including Bhai Balbir Singh Raagi...and some other people.. I still haven’t started doing what I came here for. I'm going to meet a teacher tonight and see how it goes. The biggest difficulty isn't in getting a teacher, but a saaj sorted. I've been to one shop that Bhai Balbir SIngh JI recommended... He told me to call him when I'm in the shop so that he could speak to the owner himself to give specifications of how the saaj should be. Bad luck. After speaking to the instrument maker Bhai Sahib called me and told me that he was giving a really high price and told me not to buy from him. He said he would look on his next journey to Delhi if he could get a nice saaj (taus) sorted for me.... Bhai Sahib is a really sweet person... He's helping me to get stuff going...which reminds me that I should call him soon to find out what he's found out...
Went to Gurmat Sangeet Academy (run by SGPC under Prof Kartar Singh Ji)...in Anandpur Sahib...but found out that Prof Sahib had left the academy for his home ten minutes before my arrival. Got his number...spoke to him and he recommended me someone from Patiala..Punjabi University, will meet him tonight. At the academy I found out there's going to be a seminar in Khalsa Collage Amritsar on the occasion of 400 years anniversary of the founding of the Akal Thakhat...thought I'd go there.
On the buss I met a really pervert person who started touching me... (embarrassing)... One thing that I think is important to point out is that the person was a sardar. I am not implying all sardars (which includes me) are perverts... But that you sould stay wary wherever you are. I've meet quite a few sardars who have been responsible for quite a lot of damage.. directly or indirectly. This is not only in India..but also elsewhere. So just because someone seems to be 'chardikala, khula darha, vada chola, 24/7 paath karan vala'..it doesn't mean the inside is as clean. I'm not saying I'm perfect from inside.. cause I'm still being looted by the 5 theives...but all I'm saying is..that one should stay wary…because there’s been cases where so-called gyanis have turned out to be sexual predators... stay wary..
When I finally reached the Collage (I think it's a University now..) there were some scholars who spoke about the concept of miri piri, history of Akal Thakhat..followed by propaganda by Badal (one of the...if not the...corrupt-est politician in Punjab)... So that was a big time waste. Apart from that nothing major going on..except looking for girls for my two cousins.... It's so warm here...everyone’s dying.
On another note..I found a really good cooler which I think would be really popular if sold in Europe..so I've got a business idea..hahaha.
I really want to go to some camp in England this summer.....there's absolutly no inspiration in this country..except the speaches by Sukha Singh, Kirtan by a few 'gupt' individuals (can be found on ektaone.com)...which I've got on my mp3 player...
Hopefully the coming few days will be more productive and efficient...
Enough rambling and complaining for now..
Let's see what’s coming....
Hope you have a nice time wherever you are...
Went to Gurmat Sangeet Academy (run by SGPC under Prof Kartar Singh Ji)...in Anandpur Sahib...but found out that Prof Sahib had left the academy for his home ten minutes before my arrival. Got his number...spoke to him and he recommended me someone from Patiala..Punjabi University, will meet him tonight. At the academy I found out there's going to be a seminar in Khalsa Collage Amritsar on the occasion of 400 years anniversary of the founding of the Akal Thakhat...thought I'd go there.
On the buss I met a really pervert person who started touching me... (embarrassing)... One thing that I think is important to point out is that the person was a sardar. I am not implying all sardars (which includes me) are perverts... But that you sould stay wary wherever you are. I've meet quite a few sardars who have been responsible for quite a lot of damage.. directly or indirectly. This is not only in India..but also elsewhere. So just because someone seems to be 'chardikala, khula darha, vada chola, 24/7 paath karan vala'..it doesn't mean the inside is as clean. I'm not saying I'm perfect from inside.. cause I'm still being looted by the 5 theives...but all I'm saying is..that one should stay wary…because there’s been cases where so-called gyanis have turned out to be sexual predators... stay wary..
When I finally reached the Collage (I think it's a University now..) there were some scholars who spoke about the concept of miri piri, history of Akal Thakhat..followed by propaganda by Badal (one of the...if not the...corrupt-est politician in Punjab)... So that was a big time waste. Apart from that nothing major going on..except looking for girls for my two cousins.... It's so warm here...everyone’s dying.
On another note..I found a really good cooler which I think would be really popular if sold in Europe..so I've got a business idea..hahaha.
I really want to go to some camp in England this summer.....there's absolutly no inspiration in this country..except the speaches by Sukha Singh, Kirtan by a few 'gupt' individuals (can be found on ektaone.com)...which I've got on my mp3 player...
Hopefully the coming few days will be more productive and efficient...
Enough rambling and complaining for now..
Let's see what’s coming....
Hope you have a nice time wherever you are...
Sunday, June 18, 2006
The month of Aasaarh seems burning hot
I failed to notice the heat. I thought "people are exaggerating about the heat in this country". Until I left the air-conditioned car. It was terrible. Sooo warm.
aasaarr thapa(n)dhaa this lagai har naahu n ji(n)naa paas
jagajeevan purakh thiaag kai maanas sa(n)dhee aas
aasaarr suha(n)dhaa this lagai jis man har charan nivaas 5
The month of Aasaarh seems burning hot, to those who are not close to their Husband Lord.
They have forsaken God the Primal Being, the Life of the World, and they have come to rely upon mere mortals.
The month of Aasaarh is pleasant, when the Feet of the Lord abide in the mind. 5
The desi month of AsaR (or HaR, as most people now call it) is here. Click here for a great katha of this Shabad.
It is really warm here in Punjab. The reason is probably that the "Feet of the Lord do not abide in the mind."
I'd first I'd like to thank for the sweet comment that have been left (",)
A little bit about my journey:
Being an owner of some Indian genes I was bound not be on time on the airport. My flight was at 11:55. I called the travel agent at 9:20, asking when I should be at the airport since the email I received didn't have this information. They recommended that we arrive two hours before the take-off (9:55). The absolute latest, one and a half hour before (10:25). We live about an hour to hour and a half from the airport. Although everything was packed, mum started doing Ardaas that Guru ji keep me in his Sharan and that I have a safe journey. Guess where my mind was...
After a speedy journey we arrived at the airport at 10:30 (too late). The lines were really long at the check in desk. Guru Ji had taken care of everything...
Journey was really good..met a few apney also going to Punjab..really nice people.....
Although I had booked my ticket for the Indo-Canadian bus service for Delhi to Punjab I ended up in a Tata Sumo (typical Indian van) with 4 stinking men who were sweating themselves off. Not funny at all. After a long journey, I'm finally in Punjab. Then Guru Arjan Dev JI's shaheedi divas came, one day after I arrived. Really wanted to go to the Nagar Kirtan the day after. Woke up really late due to tiredness and laziness, so ended up doing nothing at home.... I’m a bit sad I didn’t get a double visa for Pakistan..I could have gone for the nagar kirtan to Lahore (Place of Guru Ji’s Shaheedi)
So: Journey hasn't been the best. Haven’t been able to do much useful yet. Still waiting mum to come (coming in a few days)....and then we're going to met the person who is to teach me....she didn't want me to go by my own... ..So haven’t been able to do anything constructive the last few days.
Also: Punjabi people are very very superstitious... One of my on relatives (from far) claims to be a palm-reader. It is unbelievable how vague they are! The person read four people's hands in front of me..and everything she said to them seemed to refer to me to (she spoke about their personality and past..and barely mentioned future).... Very vague.. Unbelievable enough they all believed her. She’s really afraid of being home alone… because she fears some stranger will come in…yet she claims to be able to see people’s future…. Anyway.
But not everything is going wrong.... I hope to meet some interesting people soon...so everything isn't going out of planning. Mum will be coming here soon (cause she wanted to get me ‘established’ and all, so she will be leaving after a while) and then I will be doing constructive stuff…
Hope everything is great at home… in Europe (“,)
aasaarr thapa(n)dhaa this lagai har naahu n ji(n)naa paas
jagajeevan purakh thiaag kai maanas sa(n)dhee aas
aasaarr suha(n)dhaa this lagai jis man har charan nivaas 5
The month of Aasaarh seems burning hot, to those who are not close to their Husband Lord.
They have forsaken God the Primal Being, the Life of the World, and they have come to rely upon mere mortals.
The month of Aasaarh is pleasant, when the Feet of the Lord abide in the mind. 5
The desi month of AsaR (or HaR, as most people now call it) is here. Click here for a great katha of this Shabad.
It is really warm here in Punjab. The reason is probably that the "Feet of the Lord do not abide in the mind."
I'd first I'd like to thank for the sweet comment that have been left (",)
A little bit about my journey:
Being an owner of some Indian genes I was bound not be on time on the airport. My flight was at 11:55. I called the travel agent at 9:20, asking when I should be at the airport since the email I received didn't have this information. They recommended that we arrive two hours before the take-off (9:55). The absolute latest, one and a half hour before (10:25). We live about an hour to hour and a half from the airport. Although everything was packed, mum started doing Ardaas that Guru ji keep me in his Sharan and that I have a safe journey. Guess where my mind was...
After a speedy journey we arrived at the airport at 10:30 (too late). The lines were really long at the check in desk. Guru Ji had taken care of everything...
Journey was really good..met a few apney also going to Punjab..really nice people.....
Although I had booked my ticket for the Indo-Canadian bus service for Delhi to Punjab I ended up in a Tata Sumo (typical Indian van) with 4 stinking men who were sweating themselves off. Not funny at all. After a long journey, I'm finally in Punjab. Then Guru Arjan Dev JI's shaheedi divas came, one day after I arrived. Really wanted to go to the Nagar Kirtan the day after. Woke up really late due to tiredness and laziness, so ended up doing nothing at home.... I’m a bit sad I didn’t get a double visa for Pakistan..I could have gone for the nagar kirtan to Lahore (Place of Guru Ji’s Shaheedi)
So: Journey hasn't been the best. Haven’t been able to do much useful yet. Still waiting mum to come (coming in a few days)....and then we're going to met the person who is to teach me....she didn't want me to go by my own... ..So haven’t been able to do anything constructive the last few days.
Also: Punjabi people are very very superstitious... One of my on relatives (from far) claims to be a palm-reader. It is unbelievable how vague they are! The person read four people's hands in front of me..and everything she said to them seemed to refer to me to (she spoke about their personality and past..and barely mentioned future).... Very vague.. Unbelievable enough they all believed her. She’s really afraid of being home alone… because she fears some stranger will come in…yet she claims to be able to see people’s future…. Anyway.
But not everything is going wrong.... I hope to meet some interesting people soon...so everything isn't going out of planning. Mum will be coming here soon (cause she wanted to get me ‘established’ and all, so she will be leaving after a while) and then I will be doing constructive stuff…
Hope everything is great at home… in Europe (“,)
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
ਭਈ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਮਾਨੁਖ ਦੇਹੁਰੀਆ - Some thoughts
I do realise that many of my posts are pretty long and boring. I will try to cut them down. This post will also be quite long..but in future..I shall try to make the posts shorter.
While attending a Sikhi Week lecture about Why Are We Here? A few thoughts arose. The main Shabad that was brought up was:
ਭਈ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਮਾਨੁਖ ਦੇਹੁਰੀਆ ॥
ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਮਿਲਣ ਕੀ ਇਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਰੀਆ ॥
ਅਵਰਿ ਕਾਜ ਤੇਰੈ ਕਿਤੈ ਨ ਕਾਮ ॥
ਮਿਲੁ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਭਜੁ ਕੇਵਲ ਨਾਮ ॥1॥
ASSG 12
This human body has been given to you.
This is your chance to meet the Lord of the Universe.
Nothing else will work.
Join the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy; vibrate and meditate on the Jewel of the Naam. ||1||
Gurbani says that we've been blessed with this chance to make a difference. To change ourself. To change the world. Yet do we do this? The speaker stopped talking and arranged two small discussion groups about what our goal is in life. Out of 10-15 people sitting around in our group, only 1-2 said that their goal in life was to meet Vaheguru (I was not one of those..).
Although we might all say that ideally, we should make more effort on the spiritual path... it is something we should really ask ourself: How much of an effort are we making?
Are we taking that little step that will make Guru Ji come so much closer?
Bhai Gurdas Ji writes:
ਚਰਨ ਸਰਨਿ ਗੁਰ ਏਕ ਪੈਡਾ ਜਾਇ ਚਲ
ਸਤਿ ਗੁਰ ਕੋਟਿ ਪੈਡਾ ਆਗੇ ਹੋਇ ਲੇਤ ਹੈ ॥
charan saran gur eaek paiddaa jaae chala
sath gur kott paiddaa aagae hoe laeth hai ||
By taking one single step towards the Guru
The True Guru will take many (I believe kot means Thousands? or millions?) of steps towards you to recieve you.
Yet do we take that step? Do we acknowledge that: Vaheguru, you are with me? I'm not sure I should be posting about this..since I personally do not. Although I might say that, in theory, the goal of my life is to meet parmatma, my practicle life doesn't show this. I do not remember Vaheguru. I do not treat my everyone with respect... It's so interesting how we read this shabad everyday...(sometimes) understand it...but fail to realise it.
There's nothing wrong with getting degrees and good job, as a matter of fact..it's a really good thing to do so... but should that not be something secondary? Doesn't Gurbani say you should live a practicle life..yet at the same time be pious? Isn't a Sikh to be beutiful like a lotus in a dirty pond?
Again, I don't know whether I should've posted this..since I do not do this myself..it's just some observations I made from the talk I listened to...
What is the point of your life?
Bhull Chukk Maaf
P.s I might not post for a while now. Hasdey roh, Vasdey roh (",)
The morning Hukam Guru Ji blessed me with.
While attending a Sikhi Week lecture about Why Are We Here? A few thoughts arose. The main Shabad that was brought up was:
ਭਈ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਮਾਨੁਖ ਦੇਹੁਰੀਆ ॥
ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਮਿਲਣ ਕੀ ਇਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਰੀਆ ॥
ਅਵਰਿ ਕਾਜ ਤੇਰੈ ਕਿਤੈ ਨ ਕਾਮ ॥
ਮਿਲੁ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਭਜੁ ਕੇਵਲ ਨਾਮ ॥1॥
ASSG 12
This human body has been given to you.
This is your chance to meet the Lord of the Universe.
Nothing else will work.
Join the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy; vibrate and meditate on the Jewel of the Naam. ||1||
Gurbani says that we've been blessed with this chance to make a difference. To change ourself. To change the world. Yet do we do this? The speaker stopped talking and arranged two small discussion groups about what our goal is in life. Out of 10-15 people sitting around in our group, only 1-2 said that their goal in life was to meet Vaheguru (I was not one of those..).
Although we might all say that ideally, we should make more effort on the spiritual path... it is something we should really ask ourself: How much of an effort are we making?
Are we taking that little step that will make Guru Ji come so much closer?
Bhai Gurdas Ji writes:
ਚਰਨ ਸਰਨਿ ਗੁਰ ਏਕ ਪੈਡਾ ਜਾਇ ਚਲ
ਸਤਿ ਗੁਰ ਕੋਟਿ ਪੈਡਾ ਆਗੇ ਹੋਇ ਲੇਤ ਹੈ ॥
charan saran gur eaek paiddaa jaae chala
sath gur kott paiddaa aagae hoe laeth hai ||
By taking one single step towards the Guru
The True Guru will take many (I believe kot means Thousands? or millions?) of steps towards you to recieve you.
Yet do we take that step? Do we acknowledge that: Vaheguru, you are with me? I'm not sure I should be posting about this..since I personally do not. Although I might say that, in theory, the goal of my life is to meet parmatma, my practicle life doesn't show this. I do not remember Vaheguru. I do not treat my everyone with respect... It's so interesting how we read this shabad everyday...(sometimes) understand it...but fail to realise it.
There's nothing wrong with getting degrees and good job, as a matter of fact..it's a really good thing to do so... but should that not be something secondary? Doesn't Gurbani say you should live a practicle life..yet at the same time be pious? Isn't a Sikh to be beutiful like a lotus in a dirty pond?
Again, I don't know whether I should've posted this..since I do not do this myself..it's just some observations I made from the talk I listened to...
What is the point of your life?
Bhull Chukk Maaf
P.s I might not post for a while now. Hasdey roh, Vasdey roh (",)
The morning Hukam Guru Ji blessed me with.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
My inspirations #2 - Through innocent love, the Lord is met.
ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਭਗਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਪਾਇਆ ॥
ਭੋਲੇ ਭਾਇ ਮਿਲੇ ਰਘੁਰਾਇਆ ॥4॥6॥
kahu kabeer bhagath kar paaeiaa ||
bholae bhaae milae raghuraaeiaa ||4||6||
Through innocent love, the Lord is met. ||4||6||
Says Kabeer, He is obtained only by devotional worship.
324
Continuing the series posts on people who inspire me.
My second post on people that inspire me is about:
Bhagat Puran Singh Ji. Or, as some would call him: ‘the bearded Mother Teresa'
Wow. What a personality. What devotion for mankind. Synonymous to compassion.
So much love. Truly a ‘Puran’ (complete) being.
Bhagat Puran Singh Ji, was the founder of the Pingalwara. The literal meaning of Pingalwara is, house of the disabled.
Born as ‘Ramji Das’, he later on became a Sikh. The story of how and why he became a Sikh is also so uplifting. There is a book by Patwant Singh about Bhagat Puran Singh Ji called, Garland around my Neck by Patwant Singh which can be ordered from both from singhbrothers.com and dtfbooks.com. The book has a lot of pictures and is simply amazing!
Khushwant Singh writes that he was a
tall, shabbily dressed man, who may be found tramping with his wooden sandals or riding a rickshaw, along with an invalid.
Those words create is such a beautiful picture. There’s many photographs of Bhagat Ji trampling around on his rickshaw, helping someone who is in need. He wouldn’t ask anyone else: “Oye! Tu eh kar, Oye! To oh kar”. He did it all himself. He was such a great person, that he wouldn’t make any distinction based on creed, caste, race etc… he recognized the jyot of parmatma in everyone…
The Pingalwara created by him still stands in
Bhagat Ji was awarded by a Padam Pooshan (an award from the Indian Government), which he later on returned after the Attack on Sri Darbar Sahib.
Bhagat Puran Singh Ji renders true love for humanity, and shows how a Sikh should serve humanity shattering all superficies labels.
For many years, Bhagat Puran Singh ji physically carried Piara (an incontinent and mentally disadvantaged person) on his back while he carried out the great sewa for the sick and handicapped. In paying tribute to this, the book mentioned earlier has been named "Garland Around My Neck".
I still havn't worked our how to post pictures properly so, you will have to check the links:
Bhagat Puran Singh and Piara 1
Bhagat Puran Singh and Piara 2
More info and pictures of Bhagat Ji can be found here
Here is my favourite. I use this as my wallpaper:
Just look at the peace. The calmness. The sehaj.
Read more about Bhagat Puran Singh Ji:
Dhan Guru Dhan Guru Pyaarey.
P.s Leaving for Punjab soon check the wicked Hukam Guru Ji blessed with tonight:
Click here for Hukam
Just that I havn't really been "Contemplating my Lord and Master, my True Guru".
Seems like a happy Hukam (",)
Bhull Chukk Maaf
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