Featured: Injury During Filming of Martyrs Docu Feature

Nihang Mangal Singh pictured below is an amateur actor chosen for his skill in the gatka sword dance. He and his co-star Nihang Ranjit Singh are real life Nihang warriors who tied themselves together back to back and fought off dozens of assailants in real life hand to hand combat using traditional weapons while filming a scene in the documentary film Martyrs Docu Feature (Shaheed).

The director Jagmeet Singh Samundri is shown here tending a wound Mangal Singh sustained during filming.

I had the opportunity to see the Martyrs Docu Feature and became immediately enthralled as the documentary is a synopsis of the history of martyrdom (shaheed) in Sikhism and covers many of the same topics I write about.

Martyrs Docu Feature Sikh History Documentary Film: Review

The History of Martyrdom in Sikhism
Shaheed - Martyr

The Siege of Anandpur (1705)
Flight From Anandpur (December 1705)
Battle of Chamkaur (Dec 1705) Martyrdom of Elder Sahibzadas

Guru Amar Das decreed that whoever came to his court, whether an emperor or an untouchable, should sit at the same level side by side, and partake of the same fare before being admitted to his presence. Humbling of the ego, and preparing the soul for spiritual nourishment, when nurturing the body, is the legacy of Gur ka langar, the Guru's free kitchen.

Guru Amar Das wrote: "The humble being filled with keen understanding and meditative contemplation - though intermingling with others, remains distinct." (SGGS ||28||)

Vegetarian Food and Recipes From the Guru's Free Kitchen
All About Langar and the Guru's Free Kitchen
Eight Guidelines For Langar

Have you ever looked over at someone having something which looked particularly delectable? Maybe you thought to yourself, "That looks good, I'd like a taste of that."

When I saw this video clip, that's exactly what happened to me. Watching the obvious enjoyment being had, I began to long for a similar experience, and I thought to myself, "I'd like some of what he's having!"

The immediate question becomes how to go about procuring ecstasy (no, not the drug)? How is such a state of obvious intoxication induced? Is the means readily available? Is it legal? How does one obtain the evident everlasting and all encompassing peace?

It's so simple.
Just listen and repeat the words. SGGS||813
Drink in the bliss. SGGS||885
Whoever understands this is a friend. SGGS||1364
Savor the essence SGGS||1164
Be completely absorbed. SGGS||1185
There is no death, no birth, and no old age. SGGS||44
Seek this sanctuary. SGGS||692

Is Medical Marijuana OK for Sikhs?

Featured: Sasha and Malia at the White House

One of the things I really love about Sikhism is that we believe that all human beings regardless are race or gender are equal, because we are all created by one creator present in each of us, which makes all of us brothers and sisters of one family. Our founder Guru Nanak rejected the society he grew up in which practiced a restrictive caste system of hierarchy. The people at the top were considered better than everyone else and people from lower castes were not allowed to touch, or be touched by, them lest they become polluted. This attitude led to horrible abuses of lower caste people in India where many atrocities still exist today. Guru Nanak perceived a singular radiance emanating from within every soul. He named this presence Ik Onkar, meaning one Creator present in all creation, and made it his life's mission to foster awareness of divine luminance and impartiality in each individual he met.  

"Lochaa samsar ehu biouhaaraa ||
To look upon all with an impartial eye, let this be your daily occupation." SGGS||327

"Ek dristt sabh sam kar jaanai nadaree aavai sabh breham pasareeaa ||7||
With a single, impartial eye, look upon all alike, and see God pervading all." ||7|| SGGS||883

I'm fortunate to live in a country which has a constitution written in July 4, 1776, stating,

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." - United States Declaration of Independence

It's taken more than 200 years for these words to become reality in America, "the land of the free and home of the brave," where slavery legally existed until January 1, 1863, and segregation remained widespread until the late 1960's. In 2008 America elected its first president of color when Barak Obama, whose father was an African man from Kenya, took office.
Barak Obama is a humanitarian president and though he is a Christian shares three fundamental Sikhs values:

• Worshiping God.
• Earning a living by honest means.
• Sharing resources with those less fortunate.

President Barak Obama and First lady Michele Obama are Americans with humble beginnings. They experienced prejudice and segregation, worked hard to attain their accomplishments, and understand the everyday challenges facing the average American.

Sikh Americans, many of whom are immigrants, or children of immigrants, because of their distinct identity, also struggle with prejudice and bias in school and the work place. Some experience such great difficulty that they feel compelled give up basic tenants of faith such as keeping hair intact and wearing a turban. However, only perseverance creates the kind of change resulting in tolerance and acceptance needed so that one day our children will live truly free to practice their faith while pursuing the American dream.

The emancipation of American women guaranteed women the right to vote. Women have taken an active part in politics, and women presidential candidates have been put forward, but the United States has yet to elect a woman to the presidential office.

The 2012 presidential candidates have given quite a lot of focus to women's health rights and minority issues. Sometimes it seems the nation is ready to take a step backwards.
It's easy for those who have overcome obstacles and challenges to forget about those who have not. Every American needs to be reminded of our history so that we do not repeat mistakes of the past.

Carol Francois is an African American woman who remembers what it was like growing up during segregation in the United States. Carol's father, Terry A. Francois, was the first African America to be elected in San Francisco and was personal friends with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Bobby Kennedy. Carol's family was the first to move into their all white neighborhood. She was the only black student in her school of 500 children.

Carol has written a charming book featuring President Obama's daughters, titled:
The Adventures of Sasha and Malia at the White House

Carol wrote the book to help children to be aware of African American history. She uses the sweetest voice imaginable to tell a story of how President Obama's daughter's Sasha and Malia time travel into the past, meet Charles Douglass, son of abolitionist Frederick Douglass who has been captured, and help to release him, and so he can get a message to President Lincoln which will help to free the slaves so that their father Barak Obama can someday become president.

Carol's book is a gentle reminder to all Americans that sacrifices have to be made for humanitarian progress, and stresses that no one is too young or innocent to take part. It reminds me a bit of Jessi Kaur's book The Royal Falcon, featuring a Sikh boy who travels back in time to Guru Gobind Singh's court and learns valuable lessons in compassion. Such literature encourages values that Sikhs share with leaders like President Obama. These are the kinds of books which can help prepare children to be future humanitarian leaders in an America where currently 25% of children have inadequate food, defense spending vastly exceeds human resources, 60% of the national budget is being projected for military spending, while GOP proposes to cut Medicare, food stamps, and raise interest on student loans.

The Adventures of Sasha and Malia at the White House
by Carol Francois & P Segal Illustrated by Jay Mazhar
(Compare Prices)

The Royal Falcon by Jessi Kaur: Review

Challenges of Sikh Americans
Three Principles of Sikhism