Throughout history we Sikhs have been heroic, justice oriented, egalitarian and a strong people. Such people are often targeted in order for corruption and oppression to thrive. However we believe in Chardi Kala. We hold this tradition true: "Panth Khalsa Hosi Prakash". In the end not only will the pure spirit and lineage that we represent survive... it shall thrive. The minds of the world, who's history is full of deception, betrayal war and atrocities, can not stand the blossoming of such glory.
The worldly and ego oriented powerful have been driven by passion to eliminate the Sikhs. It has happened in history, it has repeated in history, it happened in 1984 and it happens now. Yet we stand strong and Sikhs are known for our ever uplifting optimism, ‘Chardi Kala’. We don’t suffer. We stand resolute in the face of adversity; It was Guru Arjun who taught us this by setting the ultimate example. In the face of unspeakable torture he maintained that even this is God’s Will and we are to accept it sweetly. When asked if he would negotiate his sentence, he refused to look at the situation with worldly eyes. Instead he pointed to the guard at the door and the torturer pouring hot sand on his skin and he said, “I see Guru Arjun there and I see Guru Arjun there.” Wherever he looked he saw his own divine self.
Though it may be difficult to live to such standards we have been asked and challenged to do exactly that. One’s mind begs to know what was in God’s will when Darbar Sahib was attacked in 1984. One's mind begs to know: How was it in God's will when Darbar Sahib was attacked in 1984? How are we to accept this will as sweet? Those who died in 1984, on a soul level, did they sacrifice themselves for a purpose?
Though we may not know God’s plan for our destiny, surely nothing exists outside of the Will,
ਹੁਕਮੈ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਹੁਕਮ ਨ ਕੋਇ॥
hukmai andar sab ko, bahar hukam na koi
Everything is in Thy Will, nothing is outside of it.
We have now come to the 30th anniversay of the attack in the Golden Temple. Operation Blue Star is on the forefront of our collective mind. The stories of tragedy are being heard and spread by more people. We honor those who have gone before, who have themselves or who were given as a sacrifice so we can remember our profound heritage today. Our prayers are always with those who survived. We pray that we will stay in strong collective rememberance so tnothing like that ever happens again.
The light of truth is much harder to ignore in this age of information. Not only has our globally connected world brought the Sikh face into greater recognition by the average person, it brings our tragedies and triumphs as well. We are living in interesting times. As we have seeded in the past, so shall we reap in our future. If our seeds have been of sacrifice and selflessness , than our future is full of glory and the Guru's blessings. Everyone get's what they plant for themselves.
Right now we are deciding, with our attitudes, with our words and with our actions, what the Sikh future will be. An important questino for us to ask in these times is: Who are we and where are we going?
No one can choose love for us, only we can do that. We are the only ones who can choose Chardi Kala for ourselves no matter how things turn out.
Perhaps this generation is witnessing the fruit of the sacrifice made in Punjab 30 years ago. Surely the wheels of karma will turn to favor the true Khalsa, sooner or later. Sikhs are being recognized more and more for who we are. Since 1984, Sikhs have spread and grown in every corner of the earth. We have risin to high levels in the British and Canadian governments and are emerging as leaders wherever we live. We have become a centerpiece in British politics. Hundreds of thousands of security, TSA and police have received sensitivity training and educaiton as to who the Sikhs are. We are joining the U.S. military. We have been allowed as royal mounted police in Canada. We are being increasingly known for community service with organizations that help feed people and aid in humanitarian relief. Gurdwara langars are being visited more and more by the needy in the West. Oregon teacher are allowed to show themselves as external Sikhs. Sikh awareness events are increasing in many places from college campus' to the pentagon, planting seeds of understanding with the new generation. We have grown online. We are emerging as icons in western media. Our media, with our ideas are rising in India and the world.
This 30th anniversary of the 1984 is an auspicious time. We have a unique opportunity to position ourselves in the global media which is our outward projection, our bana, to the world. The Sikh identity is a pure identity. We must show our true face. Whatever communications we pursue and actions we take, let us say to the world:
We are not your strangers, we are your neighbors.
We are not separate from you, we are next to you, still ready to serve you.
Though we have endured hardships, we stay true to our beliefs.
We believe in Nirbhau Nirvair, without fear, without hate.
We believe in Chardi Kala and we look to the future and the enlightenment of all people.
We have been dauntless in the face of holocausts in the past and we will be fearless in our integrity in the future.
For those who want to persecute us we will never fade away.
For those who want to silence us, our songs will never end.
We will be here serving the people of the world, with our open langars, food for all.
Our prayers will never end, we will continue singing our devotion.
We are Sikhs and we are here to stay.
Nanak Naam Chardi Kala, Tere Bhane Sarbat Da Bhala
With the blessing of Guru Nanak may we be in rising spirits, working along with the Will of God for the good of all beings.
