Sukhraj

If the above link for Bandagi Nama doesn't work for you (it didn't for me), try this: http://www.gurmat.info/sms/smspublications/Bandgi%20Nama.pdf

Amardeep, First off congratulations for recognising that your mind is separate from your true self. You've got to start somewhere - 20 seconds isn't bad. Can you read Gurmukhi? If so, I recommend you read Sant Isher Singh Ji's diary "Ishwar Amolak Lal" at the link below. I've tried many many different ways of Simran but this works best for me. Everyone starts at different stages depending on previous kamaii etc so we have to find what works for us. ( The diary is long but read the whole thing if you're serious) Before starting simran, ALWAYS do Ardas for Prema bhagti and Ik munn, Ik chit. For concentration (Ik Munn Ik Chit), you MUST have 100% faith that you are on the right path. This where 'comparative religion' can be a hindrance - your munn doesn't know which boat to take. Also, concentration increases slowly, as you wash away the mal from the mind by reading Gurbani (and then following it!), doing sewa and of course, simran. Sewa really helps. Also, if you spend all day arguing about something, you can rest assured that when you sit for simran, your mind will go back to the arguments etc. This applies to everything elso as well, which is why it's good to try to keep doing simran throughout the day. Guru Ji says " Kaljug Meh Kirtan Pardhaana" - the mind is attracted to music and 'tiks' easily during kirtan. You can try putting on a kirtan cd and doing simran by losing yourself in the kirtan. I could go on and on but don't have time right now - how about starting another thread just for sharing Simran techniques and experiences? The diary can be downladed from here: (choose "Iswratmak Amulaya Lal) http://www.rarasahib.com/downloads.htm OR from here: http://www.bhorasahib.com/Diary.htm

I'm no fan of Niddar's, but I do know there are some muslims who attend his classes. Have you been to a class, or is golestan's word now gospel? The same golestani advertised the classes on shiachat.com some time ago - check for yourself. Kind Regards.

Who cares what mohammed or the quran say? This isn't an islamic forum. You repeatedly insult Guru Ji and still people reply to your trash with courtesy. Try that on an islamic forum. You want to talk jurisprudence? Come meet me at the Inns Court near Chancery Lane and we'll talk. Do you get gratification from insulting others? What's the matter, your parents cousins or something? People like you are the reason for 'islamophobia'. I'd like to see you say the same things face to face rather than from behind a computer screen.

This is serious....all such incidents need to be nipped in the bud, before they become acceptable. The UK is much better for Sikhs, but is there any country where Sikhs can freely be Sikhs? Then again, there must be a reason Maharaj Ji said 'Khalsa Karey Nit Jung...'

check out the following link for en explanation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pehlwan

Sukhmani Sahib Ji explains what Simran leads to, Lavan da paat also lays out different stages / avastha , Guru ji gives us these and many more examples of tangible progress - just ask Him. Sant Isher Singh Ji (Rarasahib) were explaining the stages of simran to the sangat once and someone recorded it - it was posted on this site as 'Atmik Bachan' a while back, I think by Neo, but could be wrong.

You must be quite lean (or skinny...)at the moment judging from your height/weight, how long you been training for, and how much you gained? Don't be afraid of saying goodbye to your abs during your bulking phase - a little fat helps create an anabolic environment. I'd stay away from tribulus at your stage, stick to loads of food, milk and hard work. Creatine is ok as are mineral supps like ZMA (Zinc, Magnesium). Stick to basic compound lifts ie Bench, squat, deadlift, rows for the core of your routine - you don't really need small isolation movements yet. It's also important to change your routine every 6 weeks or so to prevent your body adapting. Where did u get your current routine from? If it's working, fine. If not, I can send you the program I found most effective when getting started years ago - it could save u months of trial and error but is impractical if u at uni or work. There some good articles at www.elitefts.com - check them out.

ultimately, "Jin Prem Kio, Thin Hi Prabh Paiyo" .....but it's that prem, the longing to meet Maharaj that drives us to follow Maharaj's directions.

Make sure you're recovering properly between workouts and eating enough calories to build mass. How tall are you? Just asking to get an idea of your body type - makes a difference to how you should train. A good idea would be to go to a site like www.t-nation.com and do a search for "hypertrophy" - some of the best trainers/ nutritionists around post on that site, not your usual rubbish from Flex etc. There are some good programs there, and it's free. Good to see Singhs getting strong...

Started lifting years ago, using the Westside system (www.westside-barbell.com), those numbers were at about 250lbs body weight and aren't really that impressive for the gym I was training in at the time! Bench was relatively weak due to body type. I had given up meat by then but supplemented with creatine and protein shakes. I also used herbal methods (Tribulus)to keep up test levels and flaxseed oil for the joints. Also ate like mad. Back to the topic, I think it's important to check spiritual progress the same way u chart progress in the gym, school etc. So many people just stay at one level and think nothing of it.

-Does "International Law" apply to the USA? or China? It's a farce. Anyway, no worldly law applies to the Khalsa. - Nation does not have to mean a geographic country. There is unity in language - Gurbani (translations just aren't the same), belief etc - Do you know that Bhai Ranjit Singh didn't receive the gold?

Rather than just quote books that have been read etc, why not take a look at our own progress and experience? Sikhi is practical, to be lived not just studied. I believe 100% that everyone, with some Kirpa, can reach the avasthas that Gurbani and Mahapursh speak of.

There's been alot of debate about eating meat and Sikhi, so I thought I would throw in my 2 cents worth - but from personal experience rather than merely quote texts. It's not my place to judge, but how many Singhs today actually progress spiritually? Have you experienced the Atmik Ras that Gurbani speaks of, the progression of simran from the mouth to the throat, heart, etc? If not, something's wrong - it's like going to school and staying in the same class for years. To cut a long story short, I have eaten meat in the past - from antelope to zebra. I'm not going to go into my life history, but straight to the point - a stage came where if I had eaten meat during the day, my mind wouldn't focus, would become 'ashant' and I could literally feel the 'paar', so, with guidance from a Mahapursh, I stopped. Today, if food is cooked in anger, I can feel it; unfortunately this has led to less take away pizzas.....although ardas before eating helps! Really spicy food has an effect similar to but not as bad as meat. There are other spiritual issues too - the 'Suleman tapes' make those clear. Of course, giving up meat is not all that's needed for spiritual progress, but from my personal experience it helps. By the way, I powerlift as well and current PRs are: Bench - 450lbs (without a bench shirt), Squat - 703, D/Lift - 725. All natural and vegetarian.

"Converting holy sites into military functionalities is and has always been considered an offense." according to whom? what are the bungey for? "....In fact in international law it is considered a crime." There is no such thing as "international law" " Especially in Bhindranvala's case because he had no reason to do it. If he wanted to wage war on the Indian government he should have done what other generations of Sikhs did before: use the Shivallik hills. ...." I dont't remember him ever saying or implying that he wanted to wage war against the government - he would have been arrested and charged with treason. Interestingly, Sant ji was never actually charged with anything, even when they did arrest him once, he was released. Unlike most of the forum users, I was there (in Amritsar) at the time. The attack on Harmandir Sahib was planned well in advance of June 1984 and fortifications only began when intelligence was received supporting this point. Sikh soldiers told of training exercises involving mock-ups of Harmandir Sahib's layout.