Browsing Tag: Sikhi

One day a Sikh who was a family man came to see Guru Har Rai Ji, the seventh Guru. This man worked hard to take care of his family but when he came to see the Guru he was very troubled. He told the Guru that for many years he had wanted to leave everything and come stay in the Guru's service. He said, " I want only to serve you and earn salvation in the next world". Then he told the Guru how he had a son who would have taken over the family responsibilities but, sadly, the boy had died. "All my hopes are shattered, what can I do?!" he asked the Guru.

One day a Sikh who was a family man came to see Guru Har Rai Ji, the seventh Guru. This man worked hard to take care of his family but when he came to see the Guru he was very troubled. He told the Guru that for many years he had wanted to leave everything and come stay in the Guru's service. He said, " I want only to serve you and earn salvation in the next world". Then he told the Guru how he had a son who would have taken over the family responsibilities but, sadly, the boy had died. "All my hopes are shattered, what can I do?!" he asked the Guru.

There was a panj carrying swords, another panj carrying nishans (flags), chour seva and umbrellas over both Granths, a trumpet, a drum, a bell, flowers, sprinkled water. The minimum for the procession was 18 to 21 sevadars plus the sangat.

Although society protests against dowry, many many Sikhs individually still continue to encourage it.This practice is not confined to Sikhs alone but throughout the Indian sub continent.But in Sikhi, it has been clearly prohibited, and places women on an equal footing with men. Although religiously banned, it is culturally ingrained and many find it hard to let go of this gruesome practice of dahez.

Book Release by SikhRI. "...This book will make a great gift to second time parents and grandparents expecting a second grandbaby."

What does it mean to be a Sikh? 11-year-old Simran explains all about her religion of Sikhism in this Learning Zone programme for primary school children.

While not every Sikh is Khalsa, some try to keep the 5Ks as a way to internalize Sikhi. In the following article, one young Kaur discusses her relationship with kesh and her journey on the Sikh path.

I would not have sent a 'note' from Ludhiana where I have ended up after Kenya, but for a very interesting story which I must share. It could make the basis of an excellent Punjabi movie - a love story. The romantics amongst you are going to love this!

Gurumustuk Singh says, "This is my personal experience as an American-born Sikh with parents from Christian and Jewish backgrounds; the changing world of Sikhi, and how various people are connecting with this lifestyle..."

Sikhi is more than what is normally associated with the term religion; it is a way of life that offers personal, societal and ethical guidance. This is what is at it's very core, to ensure that all aspects of our lives and actions chime with the teachings of the Gurus.

Anand means bliss and is the blessed evenness which one experiences inside one's own heart. It may be when relaxing in the shade on a summer's day, or smiling with delight in the company of great friends, the irrepressible bliss of life is revealed. Bliss may be outward smiling and laughter, but is also a quiet sense of calm...

On "Super Soul Sunday," Sikh singer Snatam Kaur is opening up about how a painful childhood experience led to a stronger relationship with her higher truth. Watch this sneak peek as Snatam takes you inside her faith as a Sikh and her career as a spiritual recording artist.

If I insist that engagement with Gurbani requires more than bowing ones head to the Guru Granth; that it requires reading and cogitation on the Guru's words. If I say that Guru Granth is not to be worshiped but reverently read and integrated into one's life, then why should I be distressed that some people react unkindly to my words?

“ I am clueless! How do you get these kids to sit for 4 hours?”- said one parent.

Everyone wants to be a teacher, but a disciple is rare. When we have grasped something, we need to act on it instead of teaching others without having practiced it ourselves.

The Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI) is pleased to announce the publication of a valuable resource, Sikhi: Faith and Followers, a 32-page full-color illustrated booklet, covering the basic tenets, beliefs and practices of Sikhs.

These titles illustrate the love for Sikh history, ethos, and theology, and will whet the appetite for further reading.

Why is this important? Any educator will tell you that lessons are most effective when parents reinforce concepts at home.

The teachers provided inspiring personal testimony of embracing and practicing their Sikh faith, the sanctity and respect we have for the diverse faiths and traditions that today form the rich global spiritual landscape. They addressed the spiritual ideals, outside pressures, and faith-mandated lifestyle.

It is a highly rewarding exercise to inquire more discerningly what our founders and the enlightened souls have meant when they understood "Sikh" as a noun or an adjective, or even a verb.

Who were those who were first to be called ‘Sikhs’ and when did the term come into literature?...

I cannot recall any one asking me the question, “Are you a Sikh?” ...

The significance of Vaisakhi did not start with 1699 nor did it end on that day. The revolution of Vaisakhi continues apace and is, in fact, undiminished today. We need to move our heads, hearts and beings into the 21st century to see it.

Guru Nanak gave us a very easy way to understand that every being is part of the Divine creation. The Creator is within you and everyone.

If at times we are not cool enough for those around us, even fellow Sikhs, let us remind ourselves why we are truly here, why we were given this path and not another one.

Although there were people from all parts of the Sikhi spectrum, ie those who had been Amritdhari for many years to those totally new to Sikhi, everyone was able to take something away with them.

...and then I saw it as an opportunity to talk to him about Sikhi. I started to discuss the appearance of a Sikh because I realised that was the most intriguing thing for him initially.

But my weekend in New York wasn’t just about learning the ways of a different city, it was about learning more about myself, my community, and Sikhi. You see, the real reason I had an excuse and opportunity to go to the Big Apple was Surat, my first east coast Sikh conference.

There comes a point in life when you’re sitting alone thinking "what is my purpose in life" –

The Guru instructed us before he passed away to follow Guru Granth and Guru Panth. I have been trying to practice this in my daily life since 1996.