A Journey of Reflection, Learning, and Living Gurbani at Sikh Dharamsal
The 350th Shaheedi anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji is not only a moment of remembrance—it is a call to reflection, courage, and living with awareness. Guru Sahib’s life and sacrifice remind us that Sikhi is not merely to be read or remembered, but to be lived with clarity, fearlessness, humility, and compassion.
At Sikh Dharamsal, this sacred milestone became the inspiration for a journey that began quietly—but grew into something deeply transformative.
A Simple Beginning: Short Punjabi Videos
In June 2024, Sikh Dharamsal initiated a humble experiment: recording 2–3 minute Punjabi videos focused on Salok Mahala Nauva . The idea was simple, daily one short, digestible reflections that people could engage with easily in their daily lives.
The response was encouraging. People began watching, sharing, and reflecting. For us, this was deeply inspirational. The brevity of the videos, combined with the depth of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji’s wisdom, made Gurbani feel accessible, relevant, and alive.
That spark led to a question:
Why not take this deeper? Why not create a space for collective learning? The First Workshop: Stepping into the Unknown
In January 2025, without knowing how many people would attend—or how the initiative would be received—we organized our first workshop. Instead of attempting too many topics, we consciously chose three core themes drawn from Salok Mahala Nauva:
1. Fear
2. Ego
3. Impermanence - approached through the lens of humility
4. Top 10 Lesson from Salok Mehlaa 9
This workshop coincided meaningfully with the 350th Shaheedi anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, further deepening its significance. To our surprise and gratitude, 35 participants attended. More importantly, the feedback was heartfelt. Some participants asked: “Can we slow this down? Can we go deeper—one Salok at a time?”
“Can we slow this down? Can we go deeper, one Salok at a time?” Weekly Sangat Learning: Gurbani as “Staple Food”
What began as a one-time workshop evolved into a weekly Sangat discussion at the Gurdwara. Each week, we focused on three Saloks — discussing its meaning, its relevance, and how it applies to real life.
Over time, these sessions became “staple food” for many of us, a regular practice of learning, reflection, and inner growth. Gurbani was no longer something we only listened to ceremonially; it became guidance for daily living.
Expanding the Vision: Book, Music, and Podcasts
As the journey continued, new ideas emerged organically.
Writing the Book
Understanding Sikhi: A Beginner’s Journey to Inner Peace and Happiness,Through the timeless wisdom of Salok Mahala Nauva by Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, this book guides readers step by step from understanding to transformation. You'll learn how thought becomes action, action becomes habit, and habit shapes character-until awareness itself blossoms into union with the Divine. More than philosophy, Understanding Sikhi is a living guide to self-realization. It unites psychology, spirituality, and daily practice into a single current of awareness-showing that liberation is not found elsewhere or after death, but here, in this very breath, through remembrance of Ik Onkar, the One in all.
The book is also available on Amazon (https://a.co/d/dxDEEuo).
Studio Kirtan Recording
Another inspiration was to experience Gurbani through sound and devotion. We recorded Kirtan in a professional studio, featuring Dilruba, Tabla, and Vaaja.
This recording—beautifully rendered by Arminder Singh and Jatha—has been released on YouTube and SikhNet, allowing Gurbani to reach hearts through music
(Youtube: https://youtu.be/DOjkeXdkRbM,
Sikhnet: https://play.sikhnet.com/album/salok-mahala-9-single).
Punjabi & English Podcasts
In January 2025, we also launched a podcast initiative. We began with Punjabi podcasts, but soon realized that many children and youth in our audience connect more deeply through English. As a result, we introduced English podcasts alongside Punjabi ones.
Today, podcasts are released twice weekly—at the beginning and end of each week—on YouTube and Spotify
(Youtube: Punjabi podcast
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjZs4xhJE9litllIXCi3MEi9ZftlMRkyz,
English podcast
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjZs4xhJE9lhzyPTTaboGc6VN1Y4E2JlS
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2I4Kx4XqrizhFklDsjThzu?si=c7gSm0dKTG2r9_Lz Gxcm9g).
Each episode is grounded in the Saloks from our book and includes personal stories, real-life struggles, and practical solutions, showing how Gurbani can be lived—not just heard and forgotten.
Training the Next Generation: Train-the-Trainer Initiative
As participation grew, it became clear that sustainability required training facilitators, not just delivering content.
This initiative is especially designed for:
● Workshops and camps
● Sikh Student Associations (SSAs) at universities
● Youth and young adult facilitators
What’s Next: Workbooks and Interactive Learning
Today, we are working on workbooks for each Salok, designed with:
● Fill-in-the-blank reflection exercises
● Group discussion prompts
● Word-by-word Gurbani analysis
● Literal vs. spiritual meanings
● Practical life applications
The goal is simple yet profound: To help individuals and Sangat learn Gurbani actively, reflect deeply, and live consciously.
A Living Tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji
This entire journey—videos, workshops, book, music, podcasts, and training—is our humble offering in remembrance of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji’s Shaheedi.
Guru Sahib stood fearlessly for truth, dignity, and spiritual freedom. As we commemorate 350 years of that sacrifice, our hope is not only to remember history—but to embody its message in our lives today.
May this initiative inspire reflection, courage, humility, and lived wisdom—for generations to come.