I headed down road for a walk with Luna my huskie. My mind jumped ahead to the turn we would take towards the river. I imagined walking along the river all the time hurrying without paying attention to my surroundings. I rushed through my imagined walk, planning how many minutes it might take, thinking about all the things waiting for me to do upon my return. Luna jerked the leash pulling back to the present as she lurched forward to sniff something alongside the side walk.

I realized that my hurry to get to my walk over with and back to work actually defeated one of the very important aspects of the walk, enjoyment. Sure I would get some exercise but the opportunity for relaxation and pure pleasure of my outing had eluded me completely.

I thought how like this meditating or reading Gurbani can be at times. When I sit down to read Sidharan paath, fondly referred to by many sehaj paath, for its comforting ease, my mind jumps ahead thinking of my task. Counting the minutes, the words, the pages as they turn, contemplating all the many things that I set aside to read waiting to be done, I get the mental exercise of reading, but all the sehaj is lost from the paath.

A beloved sakhi (cherished friend) has been reminding a group of us reading together by turns, to read with love. Some of us refer to ourselves as premee paathees, lovers of paath, yet it can be so difficult to just sit and be in the moment, immersed in the Shabad, the hymns of Gurbani our Guru's word. What my sakhi is saying means much more than simple instruction to love Gurbani. It is a reminder to love the moment. Relax, enjoy, forget the cares of past and worries of the future, take pleasure in tasting each word as it is formed by the tongue. Be immersed in a moment which will never come again, fully aware and completely alive in the present, engaged in preet, the love of now.

I reached the river. An imperceptible breeze ruffled the surface of the water. It looked as though the current flowed backwards. Luna lapped the water pulling me along the bank and through the brush. I spied a river otter diving up stream. Clusters of ripe wild grapes hanging from vines wound high in tree branches, beckoned. Gathering the deep purple, perfectly ripe, treasures of nature and tasting of their sweetness, reminded me yet again, of Gurbani.

"Houmai vich sabh parr thhakae dhoojai bhaae khuaar ||
Reading in egotism, all have grown weary; through the love of duality, they are ruined. SGGS||650

The White House hosted a commemorative event celebrating the 540th anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak on Sunday November 15, 2009.  UNITED SIKHS and SCORE (Sikh Council On Religion and Education) collaborated with The Office of Public Engagement to organize the occasion which featured a religious music performance by ragis from the Golden Temple Harmandir Sahib and members of Sikh Dharma International.  Representatives of  The Sikh Coalition, Sikh Cultural Socity NY and The Sikh Youth of America also attended. Speakers addressed the subject of Sikh civil rights and bias incidents urging Sikh Americans to be "pro-active in advocating for their rights and press the government to address issues of employment discrimination, bullying in schools against Sikh children, hate and bias crimes, and religious and racial profiling at airports and borders." Sikh leaders promised to continue efforts to enable Sikhs to pubicly practice religious mandates of wearing turban and kirpan freely in United States, while expressing gratitude to the White house for recognition of the importance of Guru Nanak's 540th gurpurab.

Wordless Wednesday : Nihang Singh in Repose

A Nihang Singh in Repose
Photo © [Jasleen Kaur]

Why Do Sikhs Wear Turbans?
What Are the Five K's (Articles of Faith) ?
What is the Sikh Martial Arts Parade and Gatka Exhibition?

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The 1999 pooranmashi festival celebrating Guru Nanak's 530th gurpurab in Nankana Sahib Pakistan took place following a military coup. The Military presence that year ensured a successful and peaceful event for the return of Sikhs to the Pakistani part of Punjab in more than 50 years.

In 2009 Pakistan experienced a great deal of political unrest resulting in battles between the Taliban and Pakistan government, and thousands of internally displaced persons (IDP). Hundreds of IDPs were provided relief aid by United Sikhs.

The unstable in Pakistan did not deter Sikh pilgrims from wanting to visit Nankana for the 2009 November 540th pooran mashi festivities. Sikhs entering Pakistan from India by railway faced a touch and go situation. Trains were delayed but Sikhs persevered and eventually permission was given October 31 2009 for trains to transport nearly 2000 Sikhs over the India Pakistan border where Sikhs were greeted at the Wagah Railway Station by the Pakistan Gurdwara Parbhandik Committee and Pakistani paramilitary soldiers. The celebrations for Guru Nanak's gurpurab or birthday celebrations were scheduled to begin November 7^th.

For many Sikhs a visit to the home town of Guru Nanak and Sikhism's ancestral homeland in the Pakistani half of Punjab for the annual pooranmashi celebration is a once in a lifetime opportunity. A ten day stay includes touring Pakistan to visit historical sites, shrines, and gurdwaras important to Sikhism. The visit culminates with Nagar Kirtan festivities in Nankana Sahib celebrating Guru Nanak's Birthday. Festivities usually take place over a three day period beginning with kirtan and ending with a procession through the town of Nankana.

Pakistani Military Police Accompany Nagar Kirtan Parade Festivites Celebrating 530th Gur Purab of Guru Nanak
Photo © Khalsa Panth

Photo © [S. Khalsa]
Guru Nanaks' Birthday Celebration In Nankana, Pakistan

Sikhs around the world are the celebrating the birthday of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism. The festivities are known to Sikhs as gurpurab. Historians agree that the birth of Nanak Dev took place in the town of Nankana around the beginning of April on the western calendar, but his birthday is observed on the full moon during the month corresponding to October-November on the Indian calendar.

Wordless Wednesday : Sikh Women Preparing Free Food for a Multitude

Sikh Women Roll Out Atta and Cook Roti While Preparing Free Food for a Multitude
Photo © Khalsa Panth

What is Rolling Out Roti?
Illustrated Atta Recipe
The Establishment of Langar by Mata Khivi

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Bhagat Kabeer ji, one of the authors of Guru Granth Sahib wrote:
"Ham kookar tere darbaar ||
I am a dog in Your Court, O Lord. SGGS||969

My son and I took our dog out a walk down to the river. She strained at her leash, every scent along the way a new sensation pulling her nose this way or that. In a bid to focus her attention, my son held her leash tight, bringing her to heel reinforcing his position as master. When we reached the river bank, he went wading with her into the water. Excited by a variety of water fowl swimming in the current, she splashed happily in the shallows. After a bit he let her go. Thrilled with her freedom, she raced giddily up and down the river bank and we lost sight of her.

Guru Arjun Dev likened the mind devoid of meditation to a mad dog, running hither and thither:
"Bin simran kookar harkaaiaa ||
Without meditating in remembrance on the Lord, one is like a mad dog." SGGS||239

Unable to follow her when the trail narrowed, we had to climb up to a path high above the bank and became separated. We called to her. Confused by the sound of our voices coming from different locations, it took her several minutes to find us. She ran up and down the trails through the shrubs and trees until, upon finally locating us, she ran up and slid between my son's feet, her head to the ground in submission.

Guru Teg Bahadur advised bind the mind to God as a loyal dog to its master:
"Suaamee ko grehou jio sadaa suaan tajat nehee nit ||
A dog never abandons the home of its master for another.
Nanak eh bidh har bhajo ik man hue ik chit ||
Nanak, single-mindedly contemplate God, whole-heartedly, with one-pointed consciousness." ||45||
SGGS || 1428

"Sagal santan peh vast ek maago||
I beg of all the Saints: please, give me the merchandise". SGGS||99

Walking my dog is often an opportunity for introspection. One time I happened to think about prosperity and the laws of attraction.

I reflected on some earlier musings considering ways that Sikhs might manifest success in their lives perhaps by performing akhand or sidharan paath, complete readings of Guru Granth Sahib, by listening to or reciting the scripture of Sukhmani, performing seva, selfless service, or sharing of earnings.

Once when reading gurbani, the scripture of Guru Granth Sahib, I had come across a verse where Guru Arjan had written that he would give all his property to anyone who could unite him with God. Pondering the implications, I confess to having felt a bit shaken.

As I walked on I recited a bit of gurbani still searching outwardly for clues to show me the path to prosperity. I imagined holding out my hands and having them filled up, as though the heavens opened up and rained down all blessings. Coming back to reality I could see they held only a dogs leash.

Walking on, I thought about how two magnets close together may either attract or repel. Turn one around and a reversal occurs. Of a sudden it came to me that I had been thinking in reverse attempting to understand and compel affluence.

The tendency is to look outsides oneself when seeking to fulfill, when in reality fortune is self contained. The greatest treasure is within. Looking inward one discovers the source of all abundance, the true and inexhaustible wealth, an inner emanating golden light welling up, spilling over, flooding, seeping, and saturating one with opulence.

"Satgur milai oultee bhee nav nidh kharchio khaao||
Meeting the True Guru, I am totally transformed; I have obtained the nine treasures to use and consume.||

Ataareh sidhee pichhai lagee-aa firan nij ghar vasai nij thaae||
The eighteen supernatural spiritual powers-follow in my footsteps; I dwell in my own home, within my own self". SGGS||91

A little dog, by the name of Mini-me, yapping in the neighboring yard set me to thinking about the many me's, - the infinite manifestations of Ik Onkar, of whom we are all part and participle. One formless, creative, essence whose inventive and productive personality, with meditative focus, brought into being all of existence in an out pouring of prolific, unending, fruitful, fertility.

"Anik oop khin maa-eh kudrat dhardaa"||
"By His creative power, He assumes numerous forms in an instant." SGGS||519

It may be a bit backwards, but reflecting on a dog's name led to contemplating both God's name and bountiful disposition. The giver, the source of all resources, the plentiful replenisher, fulfiller, and refiller of all depletions, is the ultimate eliminator of all emptinesses.

"simrat simrat prabh aapnnaa sabh fal paa-ae aa-eh "||
"Contemplating and meditating on my God, I obtain all the fruits." SGGS||519

Wordless Wednesday : An Ocean of Humanity Attend the Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade

An Ocean of Humanity Attend the Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade
Photo © Khalsa Panth

What is the Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade?
What is the Annual Guru Gadee Inauguration?
What is a Gur Purab?

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