Game of love 99- SACRIFICE

SACRIFICE 

The below was experienced by a Gursikh brother!

Last weekend I was doing a talk at Barking camp on heroes. I started by asking the kids, who their heroes are and why. A 9 year old gursikh girl put her hand up and said emotionally 'my massi (mothers sister) is my hero'. I said why, she replied 'when I was young both my parents died. My Massi withdrew herself from Uni and gave up her education so she could look after me'. I said that's amazing, your massi is a true hero. Even more amazing is that the massi inspired her to keep her faith in Guru and raise her as a gursikh. Very inspirational.

There are very few people who would give up their own future for their loved ones. The amazing thing is, her faith still remained steadfast after her sister and brother in-law had passed away. Many crumble in this situation. 

Power of having a strong Faith. Giving is a very powerful gift. 

Bhai Gurdaas Ji says, "The Guru has preached people to speak mildly, to conduct themselves humbly and to not get noticed even after giving something to others."

True Humility!!  

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 98- DEVOTION

DEVOTION

In the 1960s a 2nd World War veteran called Ranjit singh came to deliver a speech at Bangla Sahib Gurdwara, Delhi. He talked about an incident which occurred where the German army had surrounded a building containing a joint regiment containing both British and Sikh soldiers. (The Sikhs were fighting for Britain to liberate European countries). There was no safe way out of this building and the leader of the British regiment made the decision to surrender. The Sikhs approached the leader and said, "we will not surrender. A Sikh is taught to never give up, we either win or die fighting, but we never leave the battlefield" (Kabhu na Shaadai keth). The British leader said, "there is no way out." The Gursikhs requested whether they could do an Akhand Paath. The Sikhs were highly respected for their devotion, faith and patriotism and were granted permission. On completion of the Akhand paath, a gora British soldier came running into the building and said, "I've jus seen a man on a horse and he kept pointing in a direction." They were confused, "man on a horse??" They asked what he looked like. The gora (white) soldier said, "he wore long blue clothing and had a large blue turban. He had symbols on his turban and also a large sword." He then said, "oh yeah he also had a feather on his turban" (kalgi). The Sikhs smiled with bairaag (love) and said, "that is our Guru Gobind Singh Ji, you've seen our Guru. We must follow instructions and attack in the direction he said." The Sikhs followed the instruction of their Guru and attacked. Against all the odds they were all able to escape successfully. 

Ranjit singh who was narrating this story to the Bangla sahib Sangat was in fact the gora who had Darshan (vision) of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. After this experience, he and his son both took Amrit (sikh Baptism). 

"So Satgur pyaara mere naal hai jithe kithe menu layee shadaae." That Beloved True Guru is always with me; wherever I may be, He will save me. Guru Amardas Ji. 

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 97- STATUS

STATUS

"None is high, none is low."

Guru Nanak Dev Ji 1469-1539

How do you define high and low people? People are classed by their status, wealth, background and even gender. These are man made classifications. Someone who is high in one persons view, may be low in another's. Look upon all as equals to yourself and realise that we are all human beings. 

Why do we judge others? We only judge others through our ego. Our mind is not at peace so we fear the high status of others. All should be respected in the same way. Wealthy people are given more respect than the poor because we see them as better. People are judged by caste and background. Females are disrespected by many. 

We do not realise the soul of God sits within us all. How can anyone be higher or lower.

We should look within ourselves, judge our heart and minds. Are we lowly or egotistical. When the mind becomes lowly and humble through naam meditation, all negative judgement for others departs. One sees all in a positive light. In this way one begins to love and acknowledge all the same and find inner peace. One is honoured in the court of Vaheguroo. 

The cure again is meditation on Vaheguroo's name. It's the only substance in which will guide us to realise there is no higher or lower, all is Vaheguroo (God). Make space to listen to your wise heart. What you seek lies within. 

Guru Nanak Dev Ji says, if you want a status in life, find the True Guru and he will guide you to the SUPREME STATUS of meeting Vaheguroo. You will discover Vaheguroo within yourself and everyone around you.  

"Meeting him the supreme status is obtained." Guru Nanak Dev Ji 

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 96- SPEECH

SPEECH

"Tender speech fosters the bond Of love."

Guru Nanak Dev Ji 1469-1539

No one wants to listen to a bad tempered person. Always speak gently with others. You will notice how receptive people become to your points of view if your words are tender and kind. 

Why is the above true? Nobody likes listening to angry people, the negative energy passed through them makes everyone around them negative. Its hard to let your soul fly when something is weighing it down. 

On the other hand people love listening to a tender speaking person. The reason for this is, most of us have no peace within us so when someone speaks to us in a tender voice the peace is felt from that person. We feel calm, relaxed and more at peace. When the mind is balanced and at peace ones speech naturally becomes soft, sweet and tender. When one speaks it feels loving and fresh to the listener. The listener feels a connection. The reason for this is, tender loving speech is only developed through constant meditation on Vaheguroo's (Gods) name creating a balanced mind. Then, when one speaks they speak pure, loving, soft, gentle and truthful words through their spirit. These words then touch the spirit of the listener which fosters the bond of love through speech.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji says, only their speech is true, tender and loving who act by loving and remembering Vaheguroo. 

"O Nanak, false is the speech of one who acts without loving Vaheguroo"

Vaheguroo!  

Game of love 95- COMPASSION

COMPASSION 

A poor old women was living in the neighbourhood of Gurus haveli. Being a widow, she was living alone. She would make ends meet by spinning thread. Whenever the child Guru saw the women had gone outside, he would enter the house and scatter the cotton balls spun by her. The poor women would complain to Mata Gujri against the mischief of the child Guru. Mata Gujri instead of telling off the Guru, she would console the women and give her loads of money compensating her loss. One day Mata Gujri said, "my dear child, why are you playing mischief on this poor lady? What do you get by scattering her cotton balls?" On hearing this, child Guru said, "though I'm not getting anything out of playing mischief however this old lady gets a lot of money. What you give her is much more than she can earn. I want to save the labour of this old mother." Hearing these words of the child Guru, Mata Gujri embraced Guru Ji in a tight hug for his love and compassion. 

No one is born hating another person through the colour of their skin, their background, age, gender or religion. People learn to hate and if they learn to hate, they can be taught to love and be compassionate, for love and compassion comes more natural to the human heart than it's opposites. 

"He makes compassion his shovel, his body the firewood and kindles the fire of divine vision." Bhagat Kabeer Ji. 

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 94- WORD (shabad)

WORD (shabad)

When you begin to meditate through the shabad on a regular basis, you will start to notice that thoughts and feelings that may have been building up inside of you are gently released and you reach the quite place that was always there, waiting for you - the place of pure awareness. It is there that you will experience yourself, peace, healing, love, compassion, contentment, truth, high spirits and true rejuvenation. 

Repeat the name of God-again and again, as you; sit in a bus or take a train to the office, work in the kitchen or garden, during your walks, as you take your bath, as you dress up, before going to sleep, during sleep and on awakening. Repeat the name as often as you can. Repeat the name with love and longing in your heart and tears in your eyes. Take care the repetition does not become mechanical and boring. Fasten this one word, 'Gurmantar' (Gods word Vaheguroo) to your heart. Let the 'word' go with you in your daily work and your daily life. The 'word' will keep your consciousness awake. In the case of doubt, temptation and trouble, solve it with this ONE WORD! Repeat the WORD, until it; penetrates your heart, engulfs your soul, HEAR it with your 'heart'! 'See' it in your integral intuition, and your whole being becomes this ONE WORD! All else is evaporated or eliminated! 

"The precious gift of this human life becomes fruitful when one chants the True Word of the Shabad." Guru Arjun Dev Ji. 

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 93- ARDAAS

ARDAAS - prayer

A prayer that is recited by Gursikhs at-least 3 times a day. There is a formal way of doing Ardaas which is standing up with folded hands. This is usually done after Nitnem (prayers). However, we are not just set to one way of doing Ardaas. As long as the mind is set in the right place and the prayer is said from the heart, it will be heard in Sach Khand (the realm of truth). Our prayers are usually not heard (in most cases) because our concentration wavers and it is not said whole-heartedly or we are still found desiring whilst making the prayer. When doing Ardaas straight after Abhiyaas (meditation) or Nitnem, our surtee (conscious state) should be very high and focussed, thus we come to do a whole hearted prayer.

Ardaas is something we humbly do before our master so that he may grant us what we wish for. Therefore, it should be done everyday to keep us humble spiritually. If we don't do Ardaas, ego very easily creeps in because ardaas is also a way of thanking God for the little or many spiritual and physical gains he blesses us with. Ardaas will help us progress spiritually, it keeps us neech (lowly) but also gives us confidence in everything that we do. Knowing we will do it successfully with the hand of Vaheguroo (God) protecting and forever blessing us.
Everytime you achieve something, whether it be at school, university, work or whilst doing Naam Abhiyaas, always do an Ardaas thanking God. You will realise that the blessings increase ten-fold and you obtain more Phal (fruit) from your Simran (meditation) and Sevaa (service). 

"Whatever I ask for from my Lord and Master, he gives that to me."Guru ArjunDev Ji

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 92- VISION

VISION

In life we can do so much but yet we choose to do so little. We can do small things to create huge changes, yet we choose not to. So many thousands of generations can reap from all the small things we do but we choose not to. We can make such a massive difference but yet we choose not to. Why are we so cooped up inside our own little worlds, thinking about our own small families when we can love them as well as help thousands more. The blessings are vast but we don't realise. Our life night is running away but yet we carry on as though we are never going to die. 

Here is a little advice, just 7 pointers, we can reap the profits from after we die. There are also so many more things we can do. 

1). Give a Gutka (Spiritual Book) to someone. Each time one reads from it, you gain.

2). Donate a wheelchair to a hospital. Each time a sick person uses it, you gain.

3). Participate in building a Gurudwara, hospital, school or college. Anybody uses it, you gain.

4). Place a water cooler in a public place. Anybody drinks water, you gain.

5). Plant a tree. You gain whenever a person or animal sits in its shade or eats from it.

6). To join someone to the love of Vaheguroo's (Gods) meditation. They will gain, you will gain, there generations to come will gain and if they are very blessed, the whole universe will gain. 

7). And the easiest of all is to Share these posts with people. Even if one applies the Gurus Teachings, you will gain.

The internet will always provide for the globe. So find/share something you are good at doing and others will benefit from, you will reap the rewards, even after you've gone. 

"O Nanak, the Gurmukh finds the diamond of Vaheguroo, by his spiritual wisdom, kindness and compassion. He sees Vaheguroo in all hearts."Guru Nanak Dev Ji 

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 91- AMRIT VELA

AMRITVELA Part 3/3 (ambrosial hours)

After we have completed our Amritvelaa and Nitnem (prayers) and we decide to go to sleep for 1 or 2 hours, this is the most peaceful sleep we will have, we have to experience it to know it. We should try to develop our seated meditation further if we have time, for example 4 to 5 hours or even more. This helps purify this filthy mind a lot faster and the name settles within every breath a lot quicker. 

"The night is wet with dew, and the stars twinkle in the heavens.

The Saints remain wakeful; they are the Beloveds of my Lord (Vaheguroo) .

The Beloveds of the Lord remain ever wakeful, remembering the Naam, the Name of the Lord, day and night."

'Meditation Explorers' say, if you meditate single mindedly for 1 hour it is like sleeping for 8 hours, so, therefore those of you who love your sleep have no excuse. The reason for this is when we meditate we replace our thoughts through Naam (the name of God), having no thoughts for 1 hour is like sleeping for 8 hours, it is our thoughts that make us ill, tired and unhealthy. This is why we are tired after a deep sleep, our body might be resting but this filthy mind will not rest for a second. An average human being has over 30 thousand thoughts a day, Guru Jee says, I want you to decrease them to 1 which is Vaheguroo.

Benti (humble request) Sangat Jee, lets all try to get up at Amritvelaa and Jap Naam Athai Pehar (meditate 24/7 with every breath), then with Guru Jee's unparalleled grace, we might see some true unconditional love throughout the Gursikhs in the Panth (sikh family). Khalsa Raaj (the pure to conquer) will not be far off, it will only come through Naam. If we won't Jap Naam for ourselves, lets Jap Naam for the Guru Khalsa Panth. The more Naam that is being meditated upon in the Panth, the stronger and more powerful it becomes.

"The devotees of the Lord plant the seed of the Lord's wealth in the ambrosial hours of the Amrit Vaylaa; they eat it, and spend it, but it is never exhausted."

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 90- AMRIT VELA

AMRIT VELA Part 2/3 (ambrosial hours)

Amritvelaa usually starts at 12am, which is the 3rd watch of the night (Theejaa Pehar). Most Gursikhs usually awaken at 2am, this is a beautiful time because it is the middle of the night and it makes it very difficult to get up. First of all we have a bath (Ishnaan) and then we sit in meditation, this is the only time we will get in the day to have single minded concentration, once we start meditating we naturally through the Shabad, Mind, Body and Soul are connected to every single being praising Vaheguroo at this time. The minimum amount of time that a Gursikh should try to meditate at Amritvelaa is 2 hours, Amritvelaa is the key to the days meditation. 

The body is a battery charged by Shabad at Amritvelaa, if charged through full focus and concentration the battery will last at least 12 hours, meaning the Shabad will stay with us, as long as we put some Udham (effort) into hearing it with our inner ears throughout the day. This is why in the evening, we should try to do a little more seated meditation to keep the mind and body in focus and balance.

Battle with your mind!
At Amritvelaa the first battle we have is with the Douvet (Rajaaee), we want to get up but the Bed is too warm and our mind says go to sleep, no-one wishes to get out of the warm blanket of Kal Jug (this dark age). First we will find it difficult to get up but we have to battle against the mind and force ourselves out of bed, then it becomes a habit, then with Guru Jee's kirpaa (grace) it becomes a Ras (substance, taste), those Gursikhs that get up at Amritvelaa will understand totally. Once it becomes a Ras it will become very difficult to miss an Amritvelaa, if we do due to some fine cause, it feels as if we have lost a part of our body. What can we do without legs, similarly how will we survive without Amritvelaa? A big worry for some people is sleep. When we first start doing Amritvelaa we do feel tired during the day, however the mind and body soon get used to this. If we want to do Amritvelaa we should try to be in bed for 10pm at the latest, 4 hours sleep is more than enough, look at it this way: When the mind reaches a higher state Guru Jee says our eyes find it difficult to sleep, 'Phun Nethro Neend Naa Aavai'. 

Above will be explained in the next post! 

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 89- AMRIT VELA

AMRIT VELA Part 1/3 (ambrosial hours)

The rainbird chirps in the ambrosial hours of the morning before the dawn; its prayers are heard in the Court of vaheguroo (god). Guru Amardas Ji. 

Amritvelaa (ambrosial hours), for a Gursikh is a very special time; this is the time a Gursikh should sit in single minded concentration in remembrance of the Shabad (word) Vaheguroo. Guru Jee says in the Pangtee above, when we sit in Amritvelaa and praise the Lord Vaheguroo, our prayers are heard in the court of the Lord.

Why is this such a special time?
This is the time most Gursikhs all over the world rise in the early hours of the morning, before dawn and praise the Lord. Some praise the Lord in Sangat (congregation) and some by themselves. Praising vaheguroo in Sangat is a lot more powerful and a lot easier to concentrate, unfortunately for some people it is very difficult to get Sangat at this time. If we do not get Sangat at this time it is not a problem; meditating by ourselves will make our minds a lot stronger also, as long as we are focussed fully on the Shabad. Amritvelaa is most likely the only time we will be blessed with spiritual experiences, as life becomes very busy in a Gristhee Jeevan (householders life).

This specific time is called Amritvelaa because this is the time we drink Amrit naam (ambrosial nectar of the name). This Naam travels up through our body and through our Chakras until it reaches our dasam duar (tenth gate). The word 'Vela' means time. Once we start to wake up for Amritvelaa, it is very important to keep it (Samaal). It has to be done everyday as a form of Spiritual and Physical discipline. This is the most peaceful time of day because everyone is sleeping. The only beings that are awake at this time are those who are thirsting to meet God; just like the Rainbird.

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 88- WISDOM FOR LIFE 3

WISDOM FOR LIFE 3

11. INNOCENCE 

Today, in the cutest voice, my 8-year-old daughter asked me to start recycling. I chuckled and asked, “Why?” She replied, “So you can help me save the planet.”  I chuckled again and asked, “And why do you want to save the planet?” “Because that’s where I keep all my stuff,” she said.

12. JOY

Today, when I witnessed a 27-year-old breast cancer patient laughing hysterically at her 2-year-old daughter’s antics, I suddenly realized that I need to stop complaining about my life and start celebrating it again.

13. KINDNESS

Today, a boy in a wheelchair saw me desperately struggling on crutches with my broken leg and offered to carry my backpack and books for me.  He helped me all the way across campus to my class and as he was leaving he said, “I hope you feel better soon.”.

14. SHARING

Today, I was traveling in Kenya and I met a refugee from Zimbabwe.  He said he hadn’t eaten anything in over 3 days and looked extremely skinny and unhealthy.  Then my friend offered him the rest of the sandwich he was eating.  The first thing the man said was, “We can share it.”

Guru Ramdas Ji says, "those without virtue are stained by the filth of their own ego."

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 87- WISDOM FOR LIFE 2

WISDOM FOR LIFE 2

6. GOODNESS & GRATITUDE

Today, after a 72 hour shift at the fire station, a woman ran up to me at the grocery store and gave me a hug.  When I tensed up, she realized I didn’t recognize her.  She let go with tears of joy in her eyes and the most sincere smile and said, “On 9-11-2001, you carried me out of the World Trade Center.”

7. LOVE CONQUERS PAIN

Today, after I watched my dog get run over by a car, I sat on the side of the road holding him and crying.  And just before he died, he licked the tears off my face.

8. A DOOR CLOSES TO OPEN ANOTHER

Today at 7AM, I woke up feeling ill, but decided I needed the money, so I went into work. At 3PM I got laid off. On my drive home I got a flat tyre. When I went into the trunk for the spare, it was flat too. A man in a BMW pulled over, gave me a ride, we chatted, and then he offered me a job.  I start tomorrow.

9. LOOKING BACK

Today, as my father, three brothers, and two sisters stood around my mother’s hospital bed, my mother uttered her last coherent words before she died. She simply said, “I feel so loved right now. We should have gotten together like this more often.”

10. AFFECTION

Today, I kissed my dad on the forehead as he passed away in a small hospital bed.  About 5 seconds after he passed, I realized it was the first time I had given him a kiss since I was a little boy.

Guru ArjunDev Ji says, "I am without virtue, please bless me with virtue so I may do good in this world through meditating on your name Vaheguroo (God)."

Vaheguroo!