Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh

It has been a really long time since any new posts have been added to our Nihaal website. Simply because things went through a great change during the lockdown and we were having online webinars and we were simply adding materials from the webinars. Now that we are back to a more or less normal pace although so much has changed, there were requests for more posts. Even though so many of the ‘kids’ using this blogpost are now ‘grown ups’ there are new batches of younger children in the very same place they were a few years back.

I received the following letter from one of the ‘kids’ attending a recent samagam. I have permission to share it anonymously so that the questions/answers asked here could be used as teaching guide for others who may be in similar position.

Dhan Guru Nanak,

I am currently in the process of becoming a pilot. 

Dhan Guru Nanak

Congratulations!  Both for your career path and for reaching out – it takes a brave soul to do so.

Thank you!

As a result of a debilitating back injury during physical training, there have been problems sitting or bending over for long periods and there is constant pain. This makes it near impossible to focus during Simran and sit down during kirtan. At the Ottawa samagam, you talked about giving gratitude for the smallest things like having a back that supports you to sit in kid’s class. That really resonated with me given my current condition and it made me realize how much we actually take for granted.

I am really sorry to hear about the constant physical pain you are enduring and how this is affecting concentration while sitting for Simran and kirtan but may I remind you don’t have to always ‘sit’ to focus or listen to kirtan. Find the most comfortable way - lying or sitting or even standing- important thing is to be comfortable, so that your mind is not frittering away, focusing on the pain. Start with just 5 min of simple mindfulness, gradually bring to mind the glorious omniscient nature of the Divine. Fill the 5 min with gratitude if the mind will not focus.

I’ve been receiving medical guidance but I’m at a stage where I require spiritual guidance as well. For example, how do I practice mindfulness when doing so amplifies the pain I’m feeling in the moment?

As mentioned above – make yourself the most comfortable you can first and then start the process of mindfully reminding yourself about he attributes of PRESENCE. Accept the pain, don’t dwell on it… don’t get carried away with the thought of it. I know – you may say – easier said than done. It’s a process, it will happen slowly but surely. If the mind is still too unruly find another activity in which your mind gets focused. Our thoughts are dissipated in many directions and in order to cultivate and develop their power, they have to be focused to a single point -like sports, painting etc

Essentially mindfulness is becoming aware of what is, in the present moment. There are many things we might become aware of. We might notice our senses, our surroundings, our emotions, our pain, our breath.

We might even practice becoming aware of the stream of thoughts passing through our minds – ideally without getting caught up in them. What is important is that we are aware of what is actually happening in the present moment.

The longer you can stay in the present moment the better.

I joined because I wanted to do something different and out of my comfort zone… because I want to pave the way for people of visible minorities to have equal opportunities in the workplace.

You are certainly out of your comfort zone – and that is wonderful! We become too complacent when we are in our comfort zone. Your intentions are great but always remember to check in within if you are happy doing what you are doing and at what cost?

I sometimes wonder if this is the right place for me being so far from Sadh sangat and surrounded by an often-toxic environment, but at the same time I want to make it a more inclusive space. 

By doing so, am I setting myself back on my own path to Sikhi? 

The most important thing to remember is that you are never far from Sadh Sangat.

In the lekhs on  SANGAT- (KHOJI) explains :

If you can find the time to read through these Gurbani Vichaars – one or two pages at a time, making your own notes – you will begin to understand that you are never far from sangat if you immerse yourself in constant remembrance through the many options available.

At the same time, I have realized that it has made me value sangat so much more. Experiencing discrimination, culture shock, and loneliness, I yearn for sangat and I have become closer with Sikhi. In one of the classes, you spoke about controlling your surroundings. I find it really hard to do -people turn to unhealthy vices to escape the stresses from our everyday lives.

Experiencing discrimination/culture shock/loneliness – are fertile grounds for planting seeds of anxiety and must be examined. If necessary, help can be sought from trained personnel. If you have chosen this path to make a difference – then it begins with sacrifices from you.

Endurance – Acceptance- Resolution-Forgiveness begins with our thoughts.

You have to find all these within yourself by recognizing the Divinity of ALL - OMNIPRESENCE -

- in spite of illusory appearances.

Begin each day with these loving thoughts to all who are causing feelings of discrimination. You are in battle grounds but your weapon is not a bullet but thoughts of love.  Sure, you may miss the target but we never leave the grounds until we score!

I feel encouraged to hear you say that you have become closer to Sikhi and you yearn for Sangat?

How wonderful is that? Be grateful for both!

Now let’s examine the motive behind this -Why?

Is it because you have a place to turn to within yourself - to seek help and guidance and you are convinced that    “GURU MERE SANG SADHA HAI NAALEY”?

If this is so, then all I can say is ‘shukar shukar shukar’ – because I know of many who are right in the midst of ‘sangat’ and ‘Sikhi’ but the yearning is not as strong.

So, your conditions have become a blessing to you. You are exactly where you need to be.

I have one spare a week which I use for physiotherapy so I’m often stumped for time. In addition, we have mandatory physical training hours, inspections, and other related activities. I still take out time every day to play my Dilruba as it is one of the only spiritual coping strategies I incorporate to manage stress. But given my lack of resources and time, what can I do to stay on the path to oneness?

Sports, exercises and related activities are all fertile grounds for mindfulness – attention, focus on what you are doing, is in itself ‘mindfulness’. Great! You have SO MUCH time – don’t feel stumped – it’s precisely during these times you take your consciousness on a ride of Presence as you concentrate on the activity at hand with all your heart and soul.

That is meditation.

So dear one these too are your spiritual coping strategies just like playing the Dilruba…wow!! Fantastic!!

I graduate in May, after which I may be sent anywhere across Canada, potentially even farther from sangat. I realize that given my choice of career this may be something I have to adapt to accordingly. I think one of the recurring questions I have is how do I manage without sangat and amongst the wrong sangat, if that is even possible?

I think we have already addressed the question of sangat – who, where, when and how we can and do sangat – please read the Gurbani vichaars attentively. You will then hopefully conclude that you don’t have to manage without sangat at all – yes perhaps of ‘bodily’ sangat but you can always try to attend a samagam wherever and whenever you can.

As for the ‘wrong sangat’ – keep yourself occupied with other things – you do not have to participate with them to be accepted and liked. It is just a fallacy. YOU be the leader.

Make friends who have some similar ways of thought and communicate with them – even if it is online. Read books that keep you grounded.

I understand that these are some complex questions, so I thank you in advance for even reading through a fragment of what I am feeling right now.

If any of the above manages to help you and bring the Presence to your consciousness even in a small measure then it is all due to Him.

Dhan Guru Nanak

• Becoming Mindful:Practicing The Presence
• Shukar, Shukar, Shukrana
• Learning to be Aligned with the Divine Will
• Beyond Anger
• The Music of the Heart

7.8.2020

PART 1: Gratitude

If you were to liken your life to a glass with some water in it, then how do you see yourself? Half full or half empty?

Maybe both?

Some days we may seem to be really empty and on other days we may feel exuberant at life’s fullness or half-fullness. Perhaps on some days the water completely fills up to the top and it feels like the glass is full and it’s overflowing. Gratitude fills our very being, and spontaneously we become aware of this grand feeling of gratefulness or perhaps we can say - Great-fullness? It’s at times like these we feel positive, optimistic and joyful.

However, these feelings are inconsistent and they are not assured; the water seems to ‘evaporate’, leaving us feeling hollow, empty, negative, pessimistic and anxious and we have to deal with immense emotional upheavals.

Is it possible to stop that ‘evaporation’, that emptying out?

Certainly, there is – Guru Arjan Dev ji guides us in the following manner:

Stay grounded, stay still and remember that nothing lasts.

Good or bad.

Instead, try to remain grateful for simply having a glass.

Without it, half of anything wouldn’t matter. Would it?

Our well being sprouts from a deeper source. Recognizing this we can access that balance point of equanimity and equilibrium, returning solidly to the mid-way point, the mark of both half-full and half-empty, with less concern, feeling the fullness even when the glass is empty. Aware that all is in Hukum -Divine command.

In the midst of a million forces pulling us toward settling for just one more drop, in a relentless pursuit of “more”, why not spend our lives seeking, accumulating and counting good times and reasons for gratitude as one way to shift the equation from lack to sufficiency; from half-empty to half-full, even gratitude for individual moments and things that can come and go.

Gratefulness is about being able to notice and appreciate the gift of the glass itself, amidst the ups and downs. It is about knowing in our very being that life is a gift, no matter how empty we may feel.

Gratitude is a feeling that spontaneously emerges from within; a gift that is being given to you – gratis – freely!

By practicing gratitude, we are following a path that puts living fully in this moment at the centre of everything. The result is that the more appreciative we are the fuller our glass gets.

While many of you may have already been practicing gratefulness by writing in a Daily Gratitude Journal, I would still like to invite you all to share what you are grateful for in The Gratitude Project, in an artistic, creative way like the yellow picture posted on Nihaal IG.

If you are uncomfortable revealing your name, it can be anonymous, just let me know. This Sunday is the deadline for this project, see more information in last week’s Wednesday newsletter or email me.

This video clip is approx 5 minute, most of it is in English. It shines a beautiful light on the Art of Gratitude. Hope you will take the time to see it:)

DHAN GURU NANAK

DHAN GURU NANAK

DHAN GURU NANAK

DHAN DHAN DHAN SADH JAN

With Warmest Nanak Love

RA

PART 2: Shukrana

I think the above excerpts taken from Prof Puran SIngh’s divine poetry says it all. TAke time to read it once and then again and again until the meaning sinks in.

How totally blessed we are to have had the time to dwell on the loving qualities of our beloved as we yearn to follow in His follow steps, slowly, one baby step at a time but with the shining star always in focus.

For almost six months now, while the Corona Virus has had the world wrapped around its fingers and we too got inflicted with its illusory dance, as we got together every week our focus was able to shift to the thousandfold blessings and we were awash with gratitude and His wonder continued to entrance us. For that how does one say enough thank you to our beloved Mahapurakhs who have bestowed upon us the precious gift of Sangat - Sat Sangat- Sadh Sangat. Even though we have a long way to go at least we are on the road and every second spent in His thought is a seed just waiting to germinate as we water it lovingly with constant mindfulness, simran and stay in the company of the Divine.

I would like to express my sincerest, heartfelt gratitude to all of you for making it possible to have an aura of Sangat. Your enthusiasm, appreciation, participation made the moments we spent together totally blissful. I learnt a lot from your observations and contributions.

I know that each of you will continue on your path as destined by Guru Nanak but for now our journey on Sundays and the newsletters ends as our friend co-vid bids us farewell slowly but surely and we get back to our normal routine, local Sangat and hopefully very soon Samagams.

Until we meet again, please know that I love you from the bottom of my heart and I am so so grateful to all of you for your generosity and largesse of spirit . It has been a gloriously joyful Nanak Love blessing experience for me to have your loving support.

Thank you Bauji, Mataji for your constant companionship for all of us.

DHAN GURU NANAK

DHAN DHAN DHAN SADH JAN

With Warmest Nanak Love

RA

PLEASE NOTE:

1. Nihaal IG (https://www.instagram.com/nihaal.ca/?hl=en) will stay afloat so we can still share loving thoughts:)

2. The recordings and powerpoint presentations of the past webinars will be made available on www.nihaal.ca.

3. To all the beautiful souls who shared their gratitude thoughts-Thank you! May all your heartfelt wishes come true.

4.25.2020

To a certain degree most of us are aware of the story of our Tenth Master, the tribulations and sacrifices He and His family went through. However, we are not aware of the story of a brave soldier, khalsa Spirit, a Sikh lady, who fought courageously with the demons of her mind and learnt to align herself with the Divine Will as she faced adversities life brought her; each one bringing her closer to the ultimate moments of revelation of the Divine Light.

Who was this Sikh Lady?

Bhai Vir Singh, in his majestic way of prose writes the tale of this beautiful soul. It is called “Sat Aukhian Ratan” -“Seven Difficult Nights”. It is a historic eye-opener; a gloriously inspiring story which always leaves me feeling at first quite sentimental and then immensely hopeful and uplifted in spirits.

It is a bit long too read in the time we have allotted for the webinar, but at the request from some of you i thought it might be a good idea to introduce you to the story here in the newsletter, and then allow you to read the first few pages as preparation. This will allow us to dive right into this beautiful story and we will have ample time to finish and discuss it too.

I will let you to figure out exactly who this lady is!

Click here and it will take you to the first four pages of the story. Please please do read them. It will take you about 15 min-20 min.

Bhai Vir SIngh ji is a magician with words that transport you, calm you, flow over you and moreover have the capacity to bring you to awareness, consistently elevating your consciousness.

Come feel the magic of our Mahapurakh’s!

DHAN GURU NANAK! DHAN GURU NANAK!

DHAN DHAN DHAN SADH JAN!

Please continue to practice social distancing! Please Stay Safe. Wear a mask! Please Wash your Hands. Stay in the Moment. Eat well. Exercise. Laugh. Shukar! Shukar! Shukar! With Warmest Nanak Love RA

Always looking forward to getting contributions from you all!!

Please do share your thoughts.

7.15.2020

PART 1: Beyond Anger

Anger is a completely normal, usually healthy, human emotion. But when it gets out of control and turns destructive, it can lead to problems—problems at work, in our personal relationships, and in the overall quality of our life. And it can make us feel as though we are at the mercy of an unpredictable and powerful emotion.

Anger pervades our age. Modern society seems to give us more opportunity than ever to experience irritation and annoyance. Traffic, relentless negativism in the news, instantaneous communication that provides us with the opportunity to respond to one another before we’ve had the opportunity to reflect on what we are communicating. The violence in the world reflects how people are living with feelings of hatred and anger, irritation, annoyance, and frustration. Anger has always been part of the human condition. It exists in us because it offered our ancestors, both human and nonhuman, an evolutionary advantage. It is actually a powerful and healthy force in our life if used properly.

How can we transform the lower qualities, like anger, ego, greediness and deceitfulness, into higher ones?

Can anger serve a useful purpose in the spiritual life?

Even though we are all aware that living with anger, resentment and frustration can lead to many mental and physical conditions we continue to live with anger every day trying to learn to manage this emotion. However, the more we try to control our anger the stronger it gets, as we give it

Imagine fully letting go of our frustration, anger and irritation by learning to dissolve and transform it into the higher power of supreme love and compassion. Like the proverbial saying – Charity begins at home - only when one can be loving and compassionate to oneself can one be loving and compassionate to others.

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion, If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”- Dalai Lama

So, what is the relationship between spirituality and anger?

When we get angry, our energy begins to flow downwards (lower negative thoughts) thus creating uneasiness. Typically, one of the primary emotions, like fear or sadness, can be found underneath the anger. Fear includes things like anxiety and worry, and sadness comes from the experience of loss, disappointment or discouragement. Anger is merely energy that has gone the wrong way. When the energy is transformed and flows upwards (to higher consciousness), as it is supposed to, the resulting effects are love, compassion, peace, and balance in our life. These higher qualities are our true nature.

Only when we are truly there for ourselves are we able to be part of that universal energy, that higher consciousness that is in each and every one of us and we are able to give it even to those who harm us, because it is what we have inside of ourselves. It truly is in everyone, to be love, if we allow it, we can begin by sending love and compassion to that part of ourselves, which is struggling with pain, sorrow and anger.

Giving, in any capacity that we can muster, without any expectations of return for our efforts, is the biggest step we can take to bring abundance into our life and to eliminate the need to forgive. Paradoxically because we don’t expect it we will find ourselves receiving more and more as well. Ultimately, we will discover that giving and receiving are the one and same thing.

Our anger is no one else’s responsibility.

We have to own our anger, befriend it, move with it, release it, transmute it. Recognized, anger can be dealt with in healthy ways that leave us feeling empowered, understood by others, safe and connected.

PART 2: The Holy Man

There was a holy man who lived in a hermitage on a mountain. Although solitary, it was not strictly a hermitage because some monks lived there with him. Even before the world began to seek him out, he was rarely alone.

When word got out about him, people came to see him during the summer months when the hermitage was accessible, first a few people then more and more until there was a long line climbing the steep mountain single file- tens, hundreds, and then thousands, some of whom never made it to is door before the snows came and forced their return.

There were no inns so the pilgrims had to be prepared to camp, which wasn’t a hardship as the weather was warm and dry. The views were outstanding and wildflowers flanked the path. At night the stars were dazzling. However, it did take strength to carry the camping gear and food, so anyone who was frail did not attempt to see the holy man who in any case was not a healer.

The line (can you make it out in the picture above) moved slowly, but it moved continuously during the few hours a day he welcomed people. In fact, those who were near the head of the line and could observe were amazed by how many people he managed to see, even though they were admitted one at a time.

Sometimes the pilgrims had to step aside for one of the monks who lived with the holy man as he or she stepped rapidly and lightly upon the path carrying supplies from the town ten miles below. These men and women were easily distinguished by their wheat-coloured robes.

Each pilgrim had a different type of issue they had come to see the holy man about. When after waiting days, sometimes weeks they knocked at the door, it was opened by a man in a wheat-coloured robe, a small non descript looking person.

“Yes?’ he would ask when the pilgrim reached the threshold.

“I have come to see the holy man.”

“Follow me please”

He or she would follow the small man through the house along a hallway, and in no time at all they had passed through the entire floor of the house and were at the back door.

The monk opened it wide and said, “Good bye”.

“But I have come to see the holy man” the pilgrim would say.

“You have seen me.” He gently replied.

Most times the holy man would add, “If you look on everyone you meet as a holy person, you will be happy.” Rarely, but sometimes, he sat down and talked to a pilgrim.

This story about a holy man, written by Susan Trott, is about several people who came to see the holy man to seek solutions to their problems. Following is an anecdote of a man who could not control his anger.

One pilgrim, when the door was shut behind him, felt enraged. His blood in a tumult rushed to his brain, breaking blood vessels in the whites of his eyes.

He pounded on the door. He shouted at the top of lungs, “Let me back in! You can’t do this to me! Who do you think you are? You fraud! You pipsqueak!”

Angrier and angrier he grew. He banged on the door, then went down the steps, stomping on the ground, flailing his arms, looking for something to harm, to break, a rock to throw, flowers to trample, but his red eyes were too blind with rage to see a rock, a stick, a flower.

So, he roared louder, calling up every vile, vicious profane foul word he knew, and he had many at his command, for the sort of temper tantrum was not new with him. What was new was being alone. There was no one to cower fearfully before his wrath, no one to try to placate him, shudder, turn ashen faced, wring hands and infuriate him further.

So, his anger ran out and he began to return to his senses, but an echo was coming back to him from the hills across the valley. His words were coming back at him as is usually the case with echoes. No, when he fell silent, the entire vile, vicious, foul-mouthed, disgusting tirade came back to him word by word, and at the same time his shadow reenacted his insane dance, his berserk leaping, stomping, and flailing. For the first time he saw how he looked and heard how he sounded and he was ashamed.

Please note that Anger was discussed at length in Wednesdays’s Newsletter.

Also check this out

It appears that many things are returning to near-normal now and most people are becoming more busy and have places to go out to. Keeping that in mind, please note that starting next week there will be only one newsletter (Saturday).

DHAN GURU NANAK

DHAN DHAN DHAN SADH JAN

With Warmest Nanak Love

RA

7.11.2020

If our consciousness could be visualized, then perhaps it could be likened to a lotus flower. In the same manner as a bird flies in the sky without leaving any mark, a fish swims in the water without making any footprints, and the swan swims across the stream without getting wet similarly the lotus lives in murky waters but remains untouched. Gurbani urges us (our consciousness) to live in the materialistic world without being affected by it just like the lotus. This analogy of the lotus flower helps us better understand this Reality.

Everything exists in the Consciousness, rises from It, and finally merges back into It. Just as all the pictures thrown on the screen are visible by the light projected from a spot; similarly, the body and other objects are all visible in the reflected Consciousness.

The Heart-Lotus is the seat or the centre of the Infinite Consciousness. The enlightened souls (Gurus, Saints, Bhagat Jan) ) are likened to such a fully blossomed lotus flower; they remain untouched by the so called impurities of the material world (Maya, body-consciousness…), just like the lotus flower which remains untouched (unattached, uncontaminated, unaffected) by the slimy water. Just as the waves rise from the ocean, subsist in the ocean and then merge back into the ocean; similarly, the thoughts (mind) rise from this centre on which they exist and where they are dissolved.

How can a lotus plant grow deep within the Heart or the mind?

How can the feet of Guru-God exist in one’s mind or Heart?

Neither the Heart is physical, nor the Lotus and nor the Feet.

They are without any feature or form – pure consciousness.

Therefore, the “Lotus of the Heart” mentioned in Gurbani represents a subtle centre and not a physical one. We are guided to intuitively see the Infinite Consciousness as the lotus flower within.

The Heart-Lotus is none other than the Divine Light within everyone.

We are That Light!

In order to realize these “Lotus-Feet”, one needs to link his individual consciousness to the source within through earnest Shabad-Vichaar –Wordless Word Contemplation. Similarly, we are instructed to connect with the infinite music - the unstruck sound or melody within. This is referred to as “Anhat Dhuni“, “Anhata Baaje“, “Anhata Naad” in Gurbani. So, in order to “look within” one has to focus the attention on this Infinite Consciousness. This un struck melody!

So what is this Anhut Dhuni – Aaoji -let us try to learn more about this in the upcoming webinar.

DHAN GURU NANAK

DHAN DHAN DHAN SADH JAN

With Warmest Nanak Love

RA

6.27.2020

PART 1:

I am always blown away with how gifted and talented you are - ALL OF YOU!!

In fact i feel both humbled and proud (if that is even possible!) because in you I see the glorious loving, nurturing effects of Sadh Sangat. I am not kidding when i say - ALL OF YOU!

Seriously, when you bring to the forefront your thoughts during kid’s classes, your well written contributions for Nihaal, your general remarks, your emails and your expressions of art which still hang at the Bunga Sahib in Montreal you leave me with a deep sense of gratitude and amazement. The Grace is flowing in different ways in each and every one of you, and in expressing yourself you are allowing your light to shine for others. This is the blessing of our Mahapurakhs.

I would like to invite you to shine even more.

The world needs extra doses o love, joy, gratitude and truth seekers.

What better way than art to do so?

So guru pyaree sadh sangat jee: SHINE: SHOW YOUR TRUE COLOURS

I am proposing a GIVE AWAY of three copies of the book (Mantra Art: The Journey Within) to the best contributions and any three from the Reflective Mini-Series as prizes.

What: Make your personal 8″x8″ Gratitude expression -see yellow one above. It can be the same, it can be in Punjabi (wow!), it can be any other design your heart desires.

It can also be something a blog post for Nihaal.ca on a topic of your choice.

When: You have until next Sunday morning (July 5th) until noon

Where: Submit to jussrani@gmail.com

Who: Anyone- no age restriction

Why: To share your creative expression - your inner authentic self so we all can do sangat

How: By just doing it! Let all the love flow!

Aao jee..tun aao hamarey. Har juss tum sang gavna.

Please do share about this with those who don’t know about it.

PART 2:

Art is a form of meditation when you get absorbed in it. It brings you to the present moment. It is a great tool for bringing forth the inner voice and ground you. It would be amazing if we can do this all together.

I am sending the same message as i did on Saturday just in case you didn’t see it. Maybe you can also let others know so we get quite a few entries. Collectively we are trying to be grateful, collectively we are trying to bring positive vibrations by bringing love and gratutude vibes with the art about Gratitude (see last post) .

Will you give it a shot? Will you get involved?

No age restriction. The more the better.I was asked if i could extend the time to July 15th.

With Warmest Nanak Love

RA

DHAN GURU NANAK! DHAN GURU NANAK!

DHAN DHAN DHAN SADH JAN!

Please continue to practice social distancing! Please Stay Safe. Wear a mask! Please Wash your Hands. Stay in the Moment. Eat well. Exercise. Laugh. Shukar! Shukar! Shukar!

6.24.2020

Are you tired of people suggesting you “live in the moment”, “be present”, or “stop to smell the roses”?

Sorry – I might be one of them!

Apologies for that. The intention however is that we all learn together and reminders are always helpful. I seem to forget each time ‘life takes over’. For example, I recall at times as I am driving, I am so absorbed in listening to what is on the radio, or my own thoughts that I have no idea how I reached my destination. It is as if life is on auto-pilot. This is certainly not being present. If you pay close enough attention, you will notice that you spend an unbelievable amount of time thinking about something other than the present moment. Research has found that on average our minds wander about 47% of the time!

We are told life is a process not a destination so that the more we focus on our destination, the more we push our happiness and satisfaction into the future. The more we focus on the process, the surroundings, the easier it is to see the joy and satisfaction in the work we are doing today because we have to understand that what we are doing now will ultimately get us to where we want to go.

Does this require patience? Yup!

Does it require commitment? Absolutely.

Is this easy? Nope!

The present moment matters because it’s the only place where you can do the work that will ever allow you to ever achieve your goals.

Examining ourselves, it is easy to recognize how absorbed we are in what we are doing – cooking, cleaning, working, resting, eating? Certainly, the example above of me driving is not the type of absorption I am talking about. It’s the complete opposite. I am very passionate about teaching and art – in either situation, I experience the joy of ‘Now’. The moments I spend in these two occupations bring meaning to life for me because I don’t WANT anything else but to be there.

But you may ask, surely desires and goals are a natural part of being human?

Sure, they are, but have you ever noticed a commonality among them all? We mostly live our lives fixating on the future, for salvation, because we think our present circumstances aren’t good enough. This is the perpetual cycle we find ourselves in. We pursue our desires and goals thinking that they will give us some lasting satisfaction but once we get them we find there is more to achieve. There has to be a way of finding satisfaction today, now, in this moment.

Setting goals for ourselves and determining how to achieve them is critical to self-improvement and realizing our potential, but we do need to be careful that we don’t shortchange ourselves of happiness by always wanting to be like someone or get something else. The constant cycle of wanting to be somewhere else robs us of our inner stillness.

In the beginning we have to pull ourselves in the present. How? Simran is the tool that we have been graciously guided towards. Practice being in the ‘sadh-hun’ – the present as Bauji puts it and pay particular attention to your thoughts– are you thinking of what you don’t have- because that is what you are attracting. When we are in sangat, we get an opportunity to practice gratitude, love and grace follows in the form of a surreal feeling of ‘all is well’.

Actually, all is well now! NOW!

DHAN GURU NANAK!

DHAN GURU NANAK!

DHAN DHAN DHAN SADH JAN!

6.20.2020

PART 1:

Within you is a small still voice- present not only to light your way but to guide you on your authentic path, lovingly, unconditionally. Here is what your inner voice would like you to know:

“You are everything! Present in everything! You are the shooting star, the rose bud, the rainbow, the tree roots, the baby, the old man, kitties rolling around, the first sprig of the leaf emerging in spring, the sunset, the sunrise, the snake, the mosquito and the grass blade. You are the dolphins frolicking in the ocean, the seaweed, the lion, the strawberry and the pancake.”

“You are a poem, a masterpiece, a one-of-a kind painting, the music notes and concert itself. You are everything.”

“You are what you are seeking for.”

“I am present always to remind you of your true nature (tun jot saroop hain), to accept you as you are and to gently but fiercely remind you of who you are when needed by reminding you of your wholeness, even when you forget. I am here to heal whatever wounds you may have accumulated on your journey. I am here to help you forget everything you think you lack, any hurt you might have suffered.”

“There is however one requirement.”

“You have to have the conditions in which you can hear me. How else will you get the guidance that will elevate you? How else will you recall your own radiance? I can’t help you if you don’t listen. You see, the noise – the constant chatter of your mind drowns me. I am here for you always but you have to find ways to hear me. Meditation, Cultivation of Silence, Solitude, becoming an Introvert, avoidance of unnecessary sensory stimulation (social interactions off and online ones) are just some ways that really help. I guarantee you that once you start hearing me others can come and go, I can love you so fully that you need nothing. So, to create space for me, your inner voice, to come through, set the intention to tune into it, don’t let your mind take over. Breathe into it.”

“Oh, a last reminder, I am not a part of you – I am you. I am the you that is not a part, the one who can love all of your precious, messy, scared wounded parts, no matter how unacceptable you may judge them to be. I love you unconditionally. Give it a shot, try coming closer, listen…hear me – you are beautiful, complete and all love.”

“Psst – sometimes I am known as Intuition.”

Gurbani also advices us about what learning to listen to the inner voice can do for us:

PART 2:

The golden voice within utters softly, sending signals – both outer and within for you to pay attention to it. It implores to you -are you listening?

There is a story that goes something like this:

An old Cherokee told his grandson, “My son, there is a battle between two wolves inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, jealousy, greed, resentment, inferiority, lies, and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy, and truth.” The boy thought about it, and asked, “Grandfather, which wolf wins?” The old man quietly replied, “The one you feed.”
-Author Unknown

Which wolf are you feeding?

With so many enticing stimuli drawing our attention outward, most of us have lost touch with our ability to connect inward. Listening for your inner voice is like training a new muscle. It won’t happen overnight, but if we make a consistent effort to hone it, the stronger it will become—like a tuner tuning into the right frequency. By cultivating present moment awareness, by practicing mindfulness in all activities, by following a healthy diet, exercising and surrounding ourselves with like-minded spiritual seekers and by meditating we can learn to tune in to the right wavelengths. With meditation, we can find stillness and it is here we finally meet our true self, the one whispering to us all these years.

DHAN GURU NANAK! DHAN GURU NANAK!

DHAN DHAN DHAN SADH JAN!

Please continue to practice social distancing! Please Stay Safe. Wear a mask! Please Wash your Hands. Stay in the Moment. Eat well. Exercise. Laugh. Shukar! Shukar! Shukar! With Warmest Nanak Love RA

6.7.2020

Q: Is it considered bullying if I make a joke about someone, and that person and the others around us laughs at it too? No, right?

Q: Could “just teasing” become a euphemism for “bullying?”

Teasing is light-hearted, playful joking around between friends and family mutually. It is done with a sense of fun and to create laughter and amusement between the people involved. Teasing is friendly and fun even if it makes someone a little embarrassed sometimes. What we laugh at – seems both important and relevant. Laughter is as important as contemplation and is said to release endorphins which help us feel good and help us bond to others. Laughter has also been called the best medicine.

But is there a relation of laughter to humiliation and bullying?

Bullying—publicly ridiculing and laughing at someone, helping to normalize the humiliation of one’s friends, and the intent to ridicule them is a completely new ball game. Sharing a laugh positions those who are amused (fans) as insiders, and those who are the object of chuckles as outsiders, or “others.” The insiders laugh at an individual; the “other,” and in so doing connect onlookers.

What is “teasing” to one person may feel like bullying to another. How can one be sure that the other is laughing with you or just pretending and is actually feeling very uncomfortable? There can be a fine line between the two. Teasing can become bullying if it hurts a person even if is done with the intention not to hurt the other. Bullying comes in many shapes and sizes. There is the proverbial mean kid at school who mistreats others, and is easy to identify. Then there is the more common and subtle form of bullying which comes in the disguise of playing and joking. When playing turns into teasing or targeting an individual or a group it has become a form of bullying. If one person is creating humor and causing others to laugh at the expense of another, and everyone else is laughing except for the individual who is at the blunt end of the joke, it is a form of bullying.

Teasing usually comes from someone we trust and that we know is only messing with us as a friend and can be seen as mere camaraderie. It can even be seen as helping one another to face our own dis-ease, to ‘take-the vulnerability’ in stride and help facilitate taking our own selves less seriously- letting laughter of others roll off our back stoically. Does that mean also not acknowledging our emotions? What if we really feel so uncomfortable that it causes anxiety, sadness, fear, depression, discouraged. What if the very ‘family’ ‘friends’ we go to escape from the world begins to become just like the world.

Could it then be called bullying?

Would you agree that there’s a fine line; teasing can have the effect of bullying but it is not usually intentional and is disguised as “humor”.

Cyberbullying has been on the rise since Co-Vid has forced more and more people in isolation with more time to be online. This form of harassment is a way to inject excitement and drama into their lives, and it has become a form of entertainment; it can give a sense of power and status to those doing it. Having an audience, especially those who laugh at the bullying, gives that person a feeling of control and importance inflamed by egotism. Many who get involved give in to peer pressure. They want to fit in or not be seen as the odd one out or uncool. Groups spur each other on. Some really don’t see that they’re doing anything wrong. They see it as just a harmless joke, especially when they have the sense that everyone does it. Online, there’s a sense of invincibility because one never sees the pain and discouragement of the victim, which makes it harder to have empathy and far easier to continue .

As a bystander, one is playing a role in the bullying.

One can choose to make things better or worse. You might wonder, “How can I be a bystander if the bullying (laughing @) is not happening in front of me?”

You are a bystander if you read it, see it, or hear about it and here is how you are supporting it:

• Seeing the bullying online and doing nothing.
• Participating and going along, being disrespectful to elders.
• Calling people and telling them to log on to see the comments or pictures.
• Talking to others about it or laughing about it.
• Commenting on wall pictures, or messages in a way that encourages the bully.
• Forwarding messages, emails, instant messaging chats, tests, etc.
• As a bystander you have a choice to take actions when you see or hear and help guide the others.
• If they make fun of you for being uptight, they are bullying you.

6.13.2020

It would mostly likely be a lie if anyone of us says that I am not prejudiced or that I don’t discriminate. What stories do we tell ourselves about ourselves?

What are our most subversive beliefs or biases?

Everyone is talking about hidden superiority complexes, racial discrimination (said to be more pronounced in white people) yet we all have many hidden biases, whether we acknowledge them or not.

If we wish to stand up for the rights of those who are being trampled upon and if we want to bring any lasting change then the change has to begin within each and every one of us. We have to address our own prejudices first.

When I look within myself, I find an army of prejudices that need to be addressed, biases I learnt from the society I grew up. I was born in Nairobi, Kenya under the British rule, a highly stratified society. Everyone had their own schools – whites, browns, blacks and we did not mix. It was only when I moved to the UK and found myself to be the first brown girl in an all- white school that I realized there was something different going on here.

Most of our core beliefs are formed when we are children. When we are born, we enter this world with a clean slate and without preconceived beliefs. We are not born prejudiced but we cultivate biases at an early age influenced by family, friends, religion and first-hand experiences. Stored in our subconscious mind, which does not even care if the belief is true or false, we cling to an endless supply of prejudices which create automatic thoughts and responses. It is hard to stop that first emotional reaction that goes on inside of us.

All human societies have prejudices in some form and to some degree. Let’s examine some behaviours, multiple prejudices that we as Sikhs or Indians may be inflicted by. In spite of our Masters command – Bandeh Khoj Dil Har Roj – O’Human Being search within your heart every day, we enshrine many biases:

Colour Bias – White/Fair/Gora complexion is favoured over darker ones. In fact, when we look for marriage partners this becomes a priority! A learnt behaviour from the British Raj we inadvertently contribute to the white being better complex. In fact, in India there are creams and facial procedures that claim to make you ‘white’.

Gender Bias- Even in these so -called modern times, women are not allowed to have full rights. Wife-beating and worse abuse is tolerated. Rape is still rampant, not enough people speak out. Women still do not have all the privileges in education and jobs. Males still rule. Girls are still being murdered before they are even born.

Weight -We have no qualms about making jokes about someone’s size – fat or thin. Thin and fair is given preference because of cultural indoctrination.

Religion- Most people think that their own religion is the best, in spite of the fact that each one urges us to embrace the principle of oneness.

Social Stratification- Prejudice exists not only at the personal individual level, but also at the collective societal level. Rich/poor, Higher caste/lower caste. Particular biases that Sikh Masters tried to eliminate but which are right back in our society.

Educational Preferences- We still give preference to Doctors, Engineers and Lawyers over Musicians, Plumbers or Artists.

6.10.2020

Most of us who have been attending the Sunday Sangat Webinars and reading the newsletters will be probably aware that much time and attention has been given towards understanding of the two realms -The Materialistic Realm and the Divine Realm. We all seem to know about these terms intellectually yet don’t really understand what is meant by Intuitional Realization. An enigmatic process – which can only by understood by each person when it is felt intrinsically because of a certain experience in their life. One cannot be taught, it has to be caught J

Intuition is said to be the gateway to inner realization, the only way we can find entrance to the Divine Realm. By and by, as more and more intuitive understandings dawn upon us, we begin to grasp the inherent meanings of Gurbani – it’s like using a map to find a treasure chest full of precious gems by unraveling hidden signs buried deep within us.

I am always most grateful when I receive your feedback and it brings me great joy when you share your own reflections. The following contribution from RPS last Sunday brings home the above point of Intuitional Realization.

What a valuable intuitional realization!

We only have this moment! Remain in it. Stay aware of it.

Nothing belongs to us and nothing is going to go with us. So why worry?

No one is ours and no one can help.

Yet we are not alone - not if we realize our Divine heritage.

Constantly remain in the consciousness of Presence.

DHAN GURU NANAK! DHAN GURU NANAK!

DHAN DHAN DHAN SADH JAN!

Please continue to practice social distancing! Please Stay Safe. Wear a mask! Please Wash your Hands. Stay in the Moment. Eat well. Exercise. Laugh. Shukar! Shukar! Shukar! With Warmest Nanak Love RA

Always looking forward to getting contributions from you all!!

Please do share your thoughts.