Concerned over the situation in Burma

Haven't posted for a while....

I'm still very concerned about the situation in Burma. Very sad (and frightening) that all media coverage has stopped there (almost completly). No-one is reporting what's going on in the country?

Now the internationall news is about Georgia, and prior to that it was the torture of the tibetians. Everyone forgot the monks in Burma, and the earthquake victems, who have to take LOANS (yes they have to repay them!) to get back to normal life.

That "normalcy" has been restored to the country seems very doubtful. Anyone got any news about the state of the protesters in Burma? Or the state of the people in general, in Burma?

Quote

"Radiate on soldier! the brave warrior never leaves the battlefield!"

- D

Fruits that smell (and taste) like garbage

Oh my!

I do not mind eating fruits. But some fruits (*cough* *cough* - The official Malaysian fruit, the Durian.) literally smell and taste like garbage....Not any garbage ....garbage that's been lying around for weeks.

Worth trying though, because it's said that, it's a thing that some people actually like. Some LOVE it, some HATE it, it's said.



It is UNBELIEVABLE how smelly they are! The odour actually spreads like some kind of bacteria! Leave a piece (or the seed with a small piece of the fruit) open, the odour will be detected in the entire house!

I have, absolutely, no intention of being offensive to any Malaysian reading this blog; as a matter of fact I've enjoyed your hairy leaches (rambotans?? - sounds like some ig mighty animal!), and mango-thingies (those were the best; the ones that you break with your hands!).



No Durians signs...


But Durians are horrible. I cannot believe how people can eat that kind of stuff.
I was, however, intending on giving it another chance, since it's said that it's a thing that you eventually "learn liking", however my sister loved it - so she ate it all up.

It is said that the smell of the durian can also be detected out of the eater's burps and farts.

I can confirm that the latter is true.

Sikh Warriors

It was a documented fact that Sikh warriors were the most feared and fearless warriors on the battle field, the Mughals, the Persians & even the British documented this in their dairies, reports to their superiors and etc.

They did not get this reputation by just eating Alu Pratha, () they trained their butts off! Not just physically but spiritually as well each soldier was trained to kill anything that moved in a 30 yard radius, they were so good that it is said that each man was equivalent to fifty of any other army’s of that time. Each Sikh warrior was called Fauj which literally means a battalion.

Didn't get his reputation, merely by eating Alu Paratha

They achieved this reputation by training in armed, unarmed combat & meditating countless numbers of hours. The martial art they trained in was Shastar Vidya, literally meaning Science of weapons but i interpret it as the science of making your body a weapon.

I leave you with this quotation written in the Jang Namah (battle chronicles) by Quzi Nur Mohammed in 1765, He was a staunch enemy of the Sikhs but he goes into a rosary of praise when he goes into defining qualities of Sikh Warriors.

” … If you cherish the desire of learning the art of war, face them on the battle field. When they hold their mighty sword, they gallop from Hind to Sind. Nobody however strong and wealthy dare oppose them. If their sword struck a coat of mail, the coat itself becomes the enemy’s shroud. Each and every one of them look like massive boulders of rock. In a grandeur, each one of them excels fifty men…”

An absolutly amazing article I found on Hargobind Singh Khalsa's Blog.

Burma has a few things it can learn from India

Lately a lot of news has been focusing on the state of the people living in Burma. I am very sad to hear all of the stories that are coming out; how the regime is treating its own people; treating the monks and other peaceful protesters where curfew was announced; and the leaders of these peaceful protests are suddenly 'disappearing'.



One thing that Burma can learn form the numerous atrocities that have occurred in India are; how to distract international attention.



Not that it's helped a lot (especially since China and other Asean countries have the capability to end it all with one phone call) - what India did during the genocide of SIkhs in 84 was, they banned the state from foreign journalists - they were totally banned into the state, and those who were inside were forced out in busses.

Recently there's been covering about a Japanese journalist being murdered, and a photo is showed of him lying on the street with a Camera.

I think Burma turned into the "news item" the newspapers needed for a few weeks; now it's over. Peace is yet to be restored in the country of turmoil, and hundreds are still suffering. Unfortunatly after the huge amount of covering, the media attention has gone to other places, such as Pakistan (emergency rule), and Bangladesh (floods); and no-one really cares about Burma anymore.

The Burmesen government is free to continue treating its people like sh*t; since no-one cares anymore.

Sad. But true.
My prayers go to the people of Burma.

Wish with care

Although there's a lot of stuff I need to blog about, among other things the two camps I've been to lately and a lot of other stuff, I decided to post about something that's very recent. A bike ride with my cousin where we discussed the issue of 'wishing stuff', and how we easily get carried away wishing stuff and, once we get what we wish we really regret it.

Sometimes what we wish comes as a really big challenge and struggle.

A bit background info; I’ve studying Medical Technological engineering (basically maintaining and developing machines in hospitals). My education started last semester (Jan 2007). The first semester we studied medical courses (in order to make a pulse meter; you need to know what a pulse is! In order to make a pacemaker you need to know how/why/when the heart depolarises etc). I found that a lot of fun. I found it really interesting; thought – I might as well study biomed. So I apply for biomed and a few other extra courses I had applied for ….which are realllllly hard to get in…. The fact that I applied late doesn’t help

I was anxious all summer waiting for the response; did I get into everything I wanted to get in to? (this was one of the small things that didn’t allow me to enjoy Sikh student camp to its fullest).

Ok so a lot of prayers and anxiety later I find out that I got into the program I wanted to!!! Wooohooo!

But what about my other seat, in the engineering? Should I just dump that? How can I dump something I haven’t even done!!?

So although I had gotten what I wished, and prayed for; I was now in a big dilemma – what do study and do for the rest of my life!!!

I since not all of them started at the same time, I decided I’ll start all of them (don’t worry; education in Sweden is totally free [which might be the reason why I’m so spoiled] – so I wasn’t spending all my summer savings paying 4 different university fees.)

Studying 3 different fulltime courses, and one part time course just doesn’t work. Believe me; I’ve tried it. (I’m struggling with 2 fulltime ones – it’s working!!!). On a more serious note; I managed to make up my mind; I decided to carry on studying Medical Technology; and worse comes to worse I'll have to change later on if I find it really boring - but I can't just leave something I haven't even tried! I don't regret it - and am really happy that I've got my priorities straight now. And who says it needs to be so dramatic - something I want to do for THE REST OF MY LIFE. Come on! Nothing says I can't change field later on; after I get my basic degree - I think it's a very tabu thing within Indian culture - to change your mind later on. But one thing is for sure; life was living hell when I still hadn't made up my mind !

Point being; wish with care – cause its very likely that you might get what you want; but in the end you might regret asking it to begin with.

Kind of reminds with the quote;

ਵਿਣੁ ਤੁਧੁ ਹੋਰੁ ਜਿ ਮੰਗਣਾ ਸਿਰਿ ਦੁਖਾ ਕੈ ਦੁਖ ॥

ਦੇਹਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੀਆ ਉਤਰੈ ਮਨ ਕੀ ਭੁਖ ॥

To ask for any other than You, Lord, is the most miserable of miseries.
Please bless me with Your Name, and make me content; may the hunger of my mind be satisfied.

Page: 958

Updates updates

I’ve been a very bad “blogger” lately. Haven’t managed to update my blog for ages.

There’s simply too much stuff going on in my life.

We’ve bought a new house so we’re getting some modifications done; which means there’s a builder working, which means we need to supply stuff and to check everything is going okay. At the same time I’m having work related issues. I’m reading several courses and programs parallel. And loads of other stuff going on.

Too bad summers over!

Okay enough complaining and ranting.

But on a serious note, I do think all of this stuff happening, and everything “co-incidizing” with everything else (all of these coincidences) are very well planned by God. Although I do not claim to understand Gods will or his command; but it seems like he’s reserved everything for august-September. The reason MIGHT just be for me to not think about certain personal things that have happened me lately; and for me not to get stuck in certain things. He might want me to get on… Get over stuff…

Ok that’s me being very vague.

I’ll make a more elaborative post within a few days =)

Politics

I usually don’t tend to post political stuff.

But today this post is going to be very offensive to any of you capitalists who are reading this.

So we had elections last year in Sweden (typically known as a socialist; welfare society). The “moderate-capitalist” party won (first time in twelve years woohoo!). They’ve managed to screw up entire Sweden in one year! And they’ve got three years left!

See in Sweden we’ve got a very different system to the rest of the world; we pay a HUGE amount of taxes (approximately a third of the income; all goods we purchase come with a VAT (tax) of 25% etc etc), but in return we get loads of facilities; such as (pretty much) FREE health care; FREE SCHOOLING/education (primary school up till university; all free!), kids up to a-levels get FREE LUNCH at schools; free dental care for those under 18; no matter how big the surgeries etc are; subvention on stuff like union fees; etc etc the list goes on.

The state owns a lot of the companies which also contribute to keeping this welfare state stable.

Those who earn the least money; the weakest/poor/sick people are those who benefit from this most. Middle class are pretty much unaffected, and the high-class suffer from this, since they have to pay a lot more taxes.

What the current government is doing is; they’re decreasing the taxes slightly, making the income becoming slightly higher (mostly benefiting rich businessmen); and stripping people off of these facilities. What group of people suffers from this the most? The sick and the poor. For middle class its still okay since they get more money, and would thus afford paying school fees etc. For the poor/sick this is catastrophic. Totally bananas.

What’s ironic is that the types of taxes that have been removed or decreased are those that benefit 10% of the population the most (the rich); and working-union fees have been stopped being subvention; which means higher costs for working people/labourers.¨ I think the news reported that 90% of the tax decrease goes to the rich businessmen, since before we used to have a fortune/capital tax, where you pay 1.5 % tax on the money above 1.5 million kr in your account. That means that a HUGE amount of revenue to the state has been lost...which means they'll put in less money into stuff like, schooling, healthcare etc!

P.s they've already increased the costs of traveling on public transports!!! Who does this effect the most? not rich people who constantly drive back and fourth!!!... (crap! I got carried away writing this postand have to drive to work now instead of taking the buss..since I'm late to work now...)

Vote left-wing in the next election!!!

(I’m actually surprised I managed to write such along post on this issue…)

Results!

I’ve been quite busy lately; although I thought I’d have more spare time during the summer due to no time going to studies any more, and although I’d be working more; that’d be okay, since there wouldn’t be any reading or revision to be done after work; but I was wrong.

Most of my time goes to actually working since some days, I begin 10 a.m and end 8 pm! The entire day is ruined!!!

Enough rambling about that!

I got results for my latest exams! I passed wooo!!!

Although this year hasn’t been the most efficient (or as Indians say; I’ve wasted one year), I think I’ve learnt a lot about myself; and about my own passions! I LOVE music, Indian classical instruments and anything related to the topic!

I’ve learnt that I don’t like technology as much as I like biology, and physiology, so I’m going to start studying biomed after the summer (this first semester I was reading physiology as a part of the, engineering in medical technology; which included some physiology courses; but is mostly about machines and stuff like that).

Anyway, my conclusion is this; although life is short and we should learn to use it as efficiently as possible; there's no hurry (realistically)... There is still time to get into the boring adult-life; and I don't need to try to hurry up the process; because I've realised that I LOVE studying [as much as I'd be surprised saying this], and am not looking forward to the working life; unless I get a dream job, straight after university!

Enough for now!

My next post will, most likely, be able some things I saw on youtube =)

Gurmeet Ram

Although I had intentionally avoided writing about the controversy in Punjab, I finally decided to make a post about it. For those of you who haven't heard about what's been going on:

Basically there's been a conflict in Punjab due to the fact that the leader of a dera/sect called Sacha Sauda "appeared in advertisement dressed up as Guru Gobind Singh, the revered 17th century Sikh guru. "

Akal Thakhat has issued edict against the leader, and is currently, (practically) forcing him to apologize. They organized a Punjab Bandh-day, which basically means that all shops, offices, schools and everything are closed, in protest to what happened.

An ultimatum has been issued saying that if he doesn't apologize for this "blasphemous act" by ay 27, they demand the closure of his deras in Punjab.

More background info about the issue

Basically, I think that what he's done isn't very nice, and one can almost guess that his intentions weren't to be very nice either. Although I can understand that a lot of Sikhs are upset about it, I think that this might be taking it too long.

I agree with the fact that peaceful protests have been made to get people's attention that Sikhs are very upset about the issue, and that what he's done was very offensive. To quote from tribuneindia.com from May 24; "Makkar was reported to have told mediapersons that he did not believe in what the law and Constitution says. He had stated that deras of Sacha Sauda would have to be vacated.” Something gives me the feeling that, the approach that will be used to impose this ultimatum isn't going to be very peaceful, especially considering the fact they are openly saying they don't give two hoots about the law. The fact that some "hard-liners" have announced that they will reward the person who manages to 'bring the dera leader's head' will be weighed in gold, does not help.

I think the approach Sikhs used to use before was really good. In 1920's against the British for having taken over the Gurdwaras and imposing their rules and regulations, Sikhs peacefully protested, and were at times SHOT for doing so [Hence: Gurdwara di seva ley kurbaniya kitiya; Those who sacrificed their lives in order to be able to serve and take care of the religious shrines- in the daily ardaas. (read more about that here).] Another event that comes to mind is the massacre of 1978 in Amritsar, where the Sikhs peacefully, (without weapons) protested against the Nirankari baba for the "blasphemous" words he used to address Guru Granth Sahib Ji. They were shot the whole bunch for protesting (read more here). Today Sikhs are getter more into using violence. It become the easy-way-out to show that we are upset. Whereas before Sikhs would take a lot of sh*t before using violence; Sikhs now quickly jump to the resort of using violence. Sikhs are loosing this tolerance, and ‘taking-the-sh*t-first-resort’, which kind of worries me,

I think the article by I.J Singh and Ravinder Singh raise a lot of very important issues regarding this event. I strongly recommend that you read it, especially if you have been following the recent events in Punjab. Click here to read it.

Wierdness

The other day, I was surprised that the buss I usually take, didn't follow its normal route; it took an entirely different direction.

I yelp out of shock, and find out that the other way has been blocked by police. I wonder what's wrong, but don't get too fussed about it.

The buss leaves me quite a bit from home, so I have to walk home; but the tiredness overweighed curiosity.

Later on I found out that they found a body, a few hundred meters from home, in a forest, nearby the bus stop I pass daily. This was the place I usually passed when going on my walks.

Off course, there's an entirely different feeling passing that place now. I still pass the place a few times a week, but now you make sure you look at the forest extra carefully, just in case.

The other day I noticed how I was holding my kirpan quite tightly when passing the place, during a night-time walk. I had goose bumps.

Sounds very spooky, and it is quite a spooky place. But like everything else, life will go on (what a bad ending to a post you're probably thinking..), the fear will disappear, and soon, everything will back to normal.

The police still hasn’t revealed (or actually identified) the identity of the murdered.

Dost

Dost dost nahi, Khuda hota hai.

Mehsus tab hota hai, Jab voh juda hota hai.

Bina dost ke jina, Ik saza hota hai.

Aur dost aap jaisa ho, To jine ka maza hi aur hota hai.

Copied from Himmat Singh's blog

Humility

There's this Hindu couple that comes to the local Gurdwara. They do soo much seva. It's unbelievable how much seva they do. You caa always find the wife doing the cleaning-the-shoes-seva. And what's so cool is that, they never show off, talk about it or anything. It's as if they do the seva; and forget about it, never to be remembered again. Now I don't know what's going on in their brains; they might be stuck in the 5 vices, and what not; but what really amazes me ias that they do the seva they do, with a LOT of humility.

It feels as if they've got a lot more humility in the Gurdwara than most of the Sikhs put together (including me haha). It feels as if they're the carrier of the torch of Guru Nanak, more than the Sikh sangat is; which is stuck in ritualism, Akhand Paath, and what not. I'm not talking about rehit or anything; because although they might not be following the rehit, I personally think that the devotion they're serving with passes all lengths; of the devotion most rehitvan Sikhs do in this part of the world.

I don't have much to say, other than; although I'm not saying Rehit isn't important, I still think there are more important things (despite the many quotes the exist to emphasise rehit), in the spiritual life, such as; devotion, gyan etc. That being said; I'm not saying there aren't rehitvaan people who don't have above qualities; but I think more emphasis is put in the exterior, than the interior; rather than a balance of both.

Haven’t posted for long due to getting a part-time job, and due to preparations for a Sikh youth camp in Sweden is on the roll! So much to do; and so much things going on.
Hope to post a bit more frequently =D

ਦੇਦਾ ਦੇ ਲੈਦੇ ਥਕਿ ਪਾਹਿ ॥

ਦੇਦਾ ਦੇ ਲੈਦੇ ਥਕਿ ਪਾਹਿ ॥
ਜੁਗਾ ਜੁਗੰਤਰਿ ਖਾਹੀ ਖਾਹਿ ॥
ਹੁਕਮੀ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਚਲਾਏ ਰਾਹੁ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਵਿਗਸੈ ਵੇਪਰਵਾਹੁ ॥3॥
(SGGS: 2)

Just when I had started thinking life can't get any better; I get a call.



I have no way to express myself, so I really don't see why I'm posting this. All I can say is; acknowledge what you have been given; whether from your brother, sister, mother or whoever. Just acknowledge. Just once go and say 'thank you', and show your appreciation for something; and look how happy they become.

When you're done doing this; Go and do an ardaas, and thank God for everything he's given you.

Just a few days ago, one of my eye went black for a few seconds. I was panicking. It felt as if the right eye was paralyzed (and it didn’t help that I couldn't see anything with it). That's when it struck me. I'm not appreciating what God has given me at all. Not to the extent that I've been writing on this blog. That’s when I realised that I've been given much much more than I appreciate; and now realise that I cannot and will not be able to appreciate everything he's giving me. (My eye’s okay now )

Just once; appreciate; and thank. Acknowledge.
What's funny is; I keep getting materialistic things that keep making me more and more content (sounds very weird I know). When you look at Gurbani; you see that the Bhagats had been blessed by much more than materialistic things, and look at the extent they are content too (post getting weird and weirder ). How much they're thanking God; how much they are
appreciating....

Considering my Sikhi isn't much developed, and I'm (honestly) not making much effort to develop it; I cannot believe I'm getting so much...

ਜਾ ਤੂ ਮੇਰੈ ਵਲਿ ਹੈ ਤਾ ਕਿਆ ਮੁਹਛੰਦਾ ॥
ਤੁਧੁ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਮੈਨੋ ਸਉਪਿਆ ਜਾ ਤੇਰਾ ਬੰਦਾ ॥
ਲਖਮੀ ਤੋਟਿ ਨ ਆਵਈ ਖਾਇ ਖਰਚਿ ਰਹੰਦਾ ॥
ਲਖ ਚਉਰਾਸੀਹ ਮੇਦਨੀ ਸਭ ਸੇਵ ਕਰੰਦਾ ॥
ਏਹ ਵੈਰੀ ਮਿਤ੍ਰ ਸਭਿ ਕੀਤਿਆ ਨਹ ਮੰਗਹਿ ਮੰਦਾ ॥
ਲੇਖਾ ਕੋਇ ਨ ਪੁਛਈ ਜਾ ਹਰਿ ਬਖਸੰਦਾ ॥
ਅਨੰਦੁ ਭਇਆ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਮਿਲਿ ਗੁਰ ਗੋਵਿੰਦਾ ॥
ਸਭੇ ਕਾਜ ਸਵਾਰਿਐ ਜਾ ਤੁਧੁ ਭਾਵੰਦਾ ॥7॥

Shabad; ang 1096

I've been typing and erasing; so I see no point in continuing. Just acknowledge; and love.

During Rehraas

During Rehraas a few days ago, I was (again! ) thinking. What's the message? Whats the point of the prayers at all? I then decided to use my Punjabi skills to try to figure out the message within the bani.

Some of the stanzas were comprehensible, and some were a bit more complex. Here's what I realised;

Some of the shabads focus on:

- How we should be inspired by the thirst others have had; not being able to live without Naam/Shabad/Akal. Examples are often given (several examples are given in bani; That a Sikhs love should be like; a fish not being able to live without water; a person not being able to live without oxygen; rain birds thirst for water)

- Other focus on humility; where the highest of the highest call themselves lowest of the lowest (kire/ants/insects)

- Other remind us that this life is temporary, and can be disconnected any minute. This actually reminds me of a teacher that just passed away a few days ago. One day he was walking talking, having a good time, making everyone smile in his lectures; the next day he was no more. Felt very odd; but that shook me. The shook me completely; I've been reminded daily by the Guru that this life is temporary, and that although we're not meant to neglect worldly things, we cannot forget that ultimately, we're not going to stay here...yet has this made any difference to my lifestyle? Hardly.

- Other Shabads constantly remind us that the POINT of life IS to become one with Akaal (eternal). We waste our life doing all sorts of other things. That being said, it doesn't mean that other things shouldn't be done, or that Sikhs should become sadhus in mountains and try to become one with the eternal; it doesn't work that way; it's meant to be a balance. That's something I’ve notice I need to work on. A lot of people are probably thinking; this guy’s is being really humble; but I'm not. The point of making this post is not to seem or act humble; because my Sikhi is seriously not very developed [people who have personally met me can wiconfirm this ]; the point is to remind myself (and hopefully some other soul might give me some insights/feedback, and get some might get some insights out of this post).

- Then there’s Shabads praying for the 'kirpa' of Vaheguru, and that he always bestows his hand upon our head, and keep us his sanctuary; other giving insights how much we've been blessed with; how much God has and can give, depending on efforts we make, and the decisions God makes.

The above messages are just the few things I've understood from the Bani; there is yet a lot to be decoded, by those who actually have made efforts to understand it.

Then there’s the morning prayer. My habit is a bit weird; getting up, taking a shower (being the late awakener I am), it's constantly about breaking new records on how quickly I can complete the paath. Never any focus.

Rehraas on the other hand has become a time to reflect, reason, to think, to feel, to remember, to be reminded, but that only comes at times when I really have time, and am not stressed to do thousands of other things.

Feedback and critique of above thoughts appreciated.

Aaj Hum Kush Hai!

Today I'm really happy.
Why? No specific reason.
While we were doing paath this evening.. I was thinking....(yes I was thinking.... not doing much paath...) that I've got everything.

I'm so happy! I've gotten EVERYTHING I want to have. I realised I'm (I'm going to use the word now....); content. I've been given everything I've always wanted to have. Materialistically: part-time job, not bad grades etc. Physically: When I didn't know how to tie a dastar, I always wanted to carry a 'wicked' one, and thought everyone who could tie one were so lucky: got it! I always wanted a good looking dari: got one! (lol ) Always wanted a healthy fit body: got one! (Finally after loosing a lot of flabs in India!) Always wanted to learn to do Kirtan in Raag: although not much, I can do a little! I've got great friends; and a wonderful family! A mindblowing mum, and a great sister !

I'm not saying I've got EVERYTHING. I wouldn't mind having: a license (which is coming soon), a guddi, a digri (Punjabi accent), a nice voti etc etc etc. Will the list ever end?

I think I've gotten everything I want to have, and I'm so happy that I've got everything I need, and stuff I don't need and so much more (recently I even got dandruff; something I've never had before!!! lol).

Ok, I'm not being sarcastic or ironic at all; I'm feeling so good, knowing that I'm being supplied stuff without even needing to think about it. Some people might think that, a life where you're getting stuff automatically; such a life is useless, since there is no motivation to reach goals, make efforts etc etc. I disagree, because there's always things you can work on to obtain; but its always important to acknowledge everything you've already got. We take so much for granted; (most importantly) our family! Our parents! Our parnter. Always there for us!

I'm going to end this post now; you might think that after leaving this post you'll think you'll acknowledge a lot more, things you've taken for granted, but fact is; you won't.

You won't acknowledge things before it comes from inside: a feeling of contentment.

You should leave this post feeling cynical that you won't acknowledge anything before you really feel content; from inside, without needing a reminder, from some blogger from SWEDEN.



No I'm just kidding; Don't leave my blog feeling cynical!
Feel happy; and try to realise how much you've been given; how much has been given to you, how much has been done for you; how much was planned before your arrival for you.


Smile !

Spead the positive energy and the love!

Oh, and just to make sure you smile, at least once, while reading this post, I'm going to leave you with a small cartoon :

Who is great by the greatness of Maya?

ਗਉੜੀ ਮਹਲਾ 5 ॥
ਵਡੇ ਵਡੇ ਜੋ ਦੀਸਹਿ ਲੋਗ ॥
ਤਿਨ ਕਉ ਬਿਆਪੈ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਰੋਗ ॥1॥
ਕਉਨ ਵਡਾ ਮਾਇਆ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥
ਸੋ ਵਡਾ ਜਿਨਿ ਰਾਮ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਈ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਭੂਮੀਆ ਭੂਮਿ ਊਪਰਿ ਨਿਤ ਲੁਝੈ ॥
ਛੋਡਿ ਚਲੈ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਨਹੀ ਬੁਝੈ ॥2॥
ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਇਹੁ ਤਤੁ ਬੀਚਾਰਾ ॥
ਬਿਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਭਜਨ ਨਾਹੀ ਛੁਟਕਾਰਾ ॥3॥44॥113॥

Gauree, Fifth Mehla:
Those who seem to be great and powerful,
are afflicted by the disease of anxiety. ||1||
Who is great by the greatness of Maya?
They alone are great, who are lovingly attached to the Lord. ||1||Pause||
The landlord fights over his land each day.
He shall have to leave it in the end, and yet his desire is still not satisfied. ||2||
Says Nanak, this is the essence of Truth:
without the Lord's meditation, there is no salvation. ||3||44||113||


Shabad: 188.

Hope to write a few thoughts about Maya: What it is. What it does etc. Need a bit more time and more brain activity which is mostly spent on chemistry.......

The hardships you suffer are from your own actions. |

ਕਰਮੀ ਆਪੋ ਆਪਣੀ ਕੇ ਨੇੜੈ ਕੇ ਦੂਰਿ ॥
ਜਿਨੀ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇਆ ਗਏ ਮਸਕਤਿ ਘਾਲਿ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਤੇ ਮੁਖ ਉਜਲੇ ਕੇਤੀ ਛੁਟੀ ਨਾਲਿ ॥੧॥

According to their own actions, some are drawn closer, and some are driven farther away.
Those who have meditated on the Naam, the Name of the Lord, and departed after having worked by the sweat of their brows.
-O Nanak, their faces are radiant in the Court of the Lord, and many are saved along with them! ||1||

Shabad: 8


ਸੁਖੁ ਦੁਖੁ ਪੁਰਬ ਜਨਮ ਕੇ ਕੀਏ ॥
ਸੋ ਜਾਣੈ ਜਿਨਿ ਦਾਤੈ ਦੀਏ ॥
ਕਿਸ ਕਉ ਦੋਸੁ ਦੇਹਿ ਤੂ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਸਹੁ ਅਪਣਾ ਕੀਆ ਕਰਾਰਾ ਹੇ ॥੧੪॥

Pleasure and pain are the consequences of the actions of past lives.
The Giver, who blesses us with these - He alone knows.
So who can you blame, O mortal being? The hardships you suffer are from your own actions. ||14||

Shabad: 1030-1031


I'm not really suffering from any hardship or anything - Everything is going as it should be. I'm happy with life. It's just that today I was in the Gurdwara and there was an Akhand Paath, and the Sikhitothemax thing was running. Gurbani is just full of jewels. All of it's so true. We've got 'good phases' in our life, and 'bad phases'. Often these are due to our own actions, and our own mentality. We are the ones who put ourselves into the sticky ****.

We can't blame God when we ourselves are responsible for it. We are responsible for our actions and their rewards, yet we blame God. Poor God. God has to endure the torture of listening to us whining and complaining about being stuck in some hard circumstance the we ourselves put ourselves into!

God has a lot of patience. Thank God for that, otherwise we'd be quite screwed =D

Singapore Kids Camp

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.