Harbhajan

THE FOUR CANDLES The four candles burned slowly, their ambiance was so soft you could hear them speak. The first candle said, "I am Peace, but these days, nobody wants to keep me lit." Then Peace's flame slowly diminished and went out completely. The second candle said, "I am Faith, but these days, I am no longer indispensable." Then Faith's flame slowly diminished and went out. The third candle spoke, "I am Love and I haven't the strength to stay lit any longer. People put me aside and don't understand my importance. They even forget to love those who are nearest to them." And waiting no longer, Love went out completely. Suddenly, a child entered the room and saw the three candles no longer burning. The child began to cry, "Why are you not burning? You are supposed to stay lit until the end." Then the fourth candle spoke to the little boy, "Don't be afraid, for I am Hope, and while I still burn, we can relight the other candles." With shining eyes the child took the candle of Hope and lit the other three candles. Never let the Flame of Hope to go out of your life. With Hope, no matter how bad things look and are... Peace, Faith and Love can shine brightly in our lives. (author unknown )

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050824/punjab1.htm#3 SGPC move on women as Panj Piaras draws flak Varinder Walia Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 23 Move of the SGPC to involve baptised Sikh women in the Panj Piaras (five beloved ones) and at the time of administering ‘amrit’ has evoked a strong protest from the Sant Samaj, the Damdami Taksal, and former Sikh high priests. Bhai Ranjit Singh, a former Jathedar of Akal Takht, the Damdami Taksal and the Sant Samaj have convened an emergency meeting at Ludhiana on September 1. Bhai Ranjit Singh said that the Panthic organisations would physically remove Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti as Jathedar, Akal Takht if he would toe line of the SGPC and Mr Parkash Singh Badal, President, Shiromani Akali Dal. However, Bibi Jagir Kaur reiterated that as per Panth-approved ‘rehat maryada’ (religious code of conduct), baptised women were allowed to become one of the Panj Piaras. She said the ‘rehat maryada’ had also allowed baptised Sikh women to participate in the ceremony of administering ‘amrit’. Expressing shock over the move of the section of Sikh Panth, she said that it was unfortunate that such religious leaders themselves opposing the ‘maryada’, approved by the Khalsa Panth. However, Bhai Ranjit Singh said that decision to allow Sikh women to perform ‘kirtan’ from the sanctum sanctorum of Harmandar Sahib should be taken only after taking entire Sikh Panth into confidence. Endorsing the views of Bhai Ranjit Singh, Giani Bhagwan Singh, a former head priest of Akal Takht said that there was no tradition of women performing Kirtan from Harmandar Sahib. Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma, Jathedar, Damdami Taksal criticised SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur for her statement that women would be included as Panj Piaras.

What do you seek, O Pilgrim on the Path? “Liberation from pain and freedom from all suffering.†The answer to thy quest is already in thy heart. Listen, O Pilgrim, to the whispering of thy Soul . . . “Know thyself . . . for in thyself is found ALL there is to be known.†— from the Records of Wisdom

http://www.depressionindiaonline.com/main/...nd_suicide1.asp Suicide - The Sikh view: Sikh moral thinking: Sikhs derive their ethics largely from the teachings of their scripture, Guru Granth Sahib, and the Sikh Code of Conduct (the Rehat Maryada). Guidance also comes from the example set by the gurus, and from the experience of the Sikh community over the last 500 years. Suicide: Sikhs have a high respect for life which they see as a gift from God. Most Sikhs are against suicide, as they believe that the timing of birth and death should be left in God's hands. The Sikh Gurus rejected suicide, as it is an interference in God's plan. Many Sikhs faced torture and ultimate death at the hands of tyrant rulers and fanatic leaders, though they could have found relief through suicide. Suffering, they said, was part of the operation of karma, and human beings should not only accept it without complaint but act so as to make the best of the situation that karma has given them. The Gurus regarded that man must have the moral courage to bear his suffering without lament. He should pray for the grace of God to enable him to put up with pain in a spirit of resignation and surrender. Birth and death are the prerogatives of God and under His command, and it is no business of man to oppose the Divine Will. Care for others: Much of Sikh moral teaching is devoted to caring for others who are less fortunate. This suggests that the Sikh reaction to situations where people think about suicide would be to provide such good care that suicide becomes an unattractive option. Conclusion: The Gurus rejected suicide, as we do not have the right to give or take life. Birth and death are the mercy of our dear creator. Sikhism (as already said) believes that life is a gift from God, but it also teaches that we have a duty to use life in a responsible way. Thus, it is amply clear that there is no place for suicide in Sikhism. After all suffering is a part of the human condition and has a place in God's scheme. Suffering also prompts man to turn his thoughts to God.

Q125. What is the Sikh attitude to mercy-killing? from: "Introduction to Sikhism", author: G.S. Mansukhani Today there is a lot of pressure on politicians to legalize mercy-killing. In certain countries, mercy killing of patients suffering from incurable diseases or termnal illness has been regulated by law. It is left either to the discretion of the physician or the patient. Recently a new Society named "EXIT" has been started in Great Britain, which supports the right of the individual to die with dignity and its literature contains some instructions for those who desire a painless suicide. The tendency towards the death- wish is fostered by present-day tensions and the conflicts of our competitive society. Mental illness is on the increase, and some people, in a fit of depression, may welcome death as a relief from the torture of living. What is the Sikh view on this important subject of Euthanasia or mercy-killing? Is it right to end a life on account of the pain and agony faced by the patient? Is the physician under a duty to end life, when the terminally ill patient asks for relief in death? The Gurus regarded suffering as a result of man's Karma. Man must have the moral courage to bear his suffering without lament. He should pray for the grace of God to enable him to put up with pain in a spirit of resignation and surrender. There is no place for mercy-killing in Sikhism. The Gurus tackled the problem of sickness and suffering by providing medical relief and alleviation of pain. Guru Arjan built a leprosarium at Tarn-Taran. Guru Har Rai established a hospital at Kiratpur. It is reported that he supplied a rare herb to emperor Jahangir for the serious illness of his son. After all suffering is a part of the human condition and has a place in God's scheme. Suffering also prompts man to turn his thoughts to God; "Suffering is a medicine; happiness is a disease." The Gurus rejected suicide, as it is an interference in God's plan. Many Sikhs faced torture and ultimate death at the hands of tyrant rulers and fanatic leaders, though they could have found relief through suicide. Birth and death are the prerogatives of God and under His command, and it is no business of man to oppose the Divine Will. Recently, the Pope condemned mercy-killing and suicide as opposed to God's will and declared it a crime of the utmost gravity. It is the duty of the State and society to alleviate the suffering of citizens by medicine, surgery or psychological treatment. Even the expert physician has no right as such to end life. If he cannot cure or heal, he should not destroy life.

http://www.uktransplant.org.uk/ukt/how_to_...ome_a_donor.jsp Sikhism and organ donation A guide to organ donation and Sikhist beliefs Organ donation Organ donation is the gift of an organ to help someone else who needs a transplant. Hundreds of people's lives are saved each year by organ transplants. Organs that can be donated by people who have died include the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas and small bowel. Tissue such as skin, bone, heart valves and corneas can also be used to help others. When can organ donation take place? Doctors and nurses are committed to doing everything possible to save life. Organs are only removed for transplantation once all attempts to save life have failed and after death has been certified by a doctor or doctors who are entirely independent of the transplant team. Most donated organs come from people who die from a severe brain injury and who receive treatment on a ventilator in an intensive care unit. The brain injury damages vital centres in the brain stem which are essential to maintain life. No one can live once these centres have been destroyed. Tests can show conclusively when this has happened. In some circumstances, patients who die in hospital but are not on a ventilator may also donate. They are called non-heartbeating donors. Sometimes people who do not die in hospital can become tissue donors. Consent The consent, or lack of objection, of those closest to the patient is always sought before organs can be donated. This is why it is so important for people to discuss their wishes with their loved ones. Donation is an individual choice and views differ even within the same religious groups. Many families who agree to organ donation have said that it helps to know some good has come from their loss. Care and respect The removal of organs is carried out with the greatest care and respect. The family can see the body afterwards and staff can contact a chaplain or local religious leader if the family wishes. Sikhism and organ donation The Sikh philosophy and teachings place great emphasis on the importance of giving and putting others before oneself. "Where self exists, there is no God Where God exists, there is no self." Guru Nanak, Guru Granth Sahib The Sikh faith stresses the importance of performing noble deeds. There are many examples of selfless giving and sacrifice in Sikh teachings by the ten Gurus and other Sikhs. Sikhs believe life after death is a continuous cycle of rebirth but the physical body is not needed in this cycle - a person's soul is their real essence. "The dead sustain their bond with the living through virtuous deeds." Guru Nanak, Guru Granth Sahib "The Sikh religion teaches that life continues after death in the soul, and not the physical body. The last act of giving and helping others through organ donation is both consistent with and in the spirit of Sikh teachings." Dr Indarjit Singh OBE, Director of the Network of Sikh Organisations UK Endorsed by Sikh Authorities in Amritsar, Punjab "The true servants of God are those who serve Him through helping others." Guru Nanak, Guru Granth Sahib "In my family we alI carry donor cards and would encourage all Sikhs to do so" Dr Indarjit Singh OBE, Director, Network of Sikh Organisations UK

Life is a balancing act Have you ever tried to drive a car with only three tires? You won't get very far. No matter how strong each of those three tires is, the car cannot function if it is not balanced on all four tires. The corner with the missing tire will drag the ground and prevent the car from moving. Similarly, the different aspects of our lives must be kept in balance if we're planning to get very far. Ignore one part of your life, and it will drag you down. Work toward balance, and all the different areas of your life will serve to support and reinforce each other. There are at least seven areas of life that we should strive to keep in balance with each other. None is really more important than the other, and none of them can stand alone. 1. Work - The productive, creative, activity of providing value to yourself and others. A job, a business, volunteer work, training, study -- these all fall under the category of work. Producing, creating and serving others is something that is absolutely essential to a meaningful life. 2. Play - This is "down time." Time when you can relax and enjoy yourself, doing whatever you most enjoy. Often called recreation, play time is a vital part of re-energizing and re-charging, literally re-creation. 3. Mind - Regular exercise and stretching for the mind can make it powerful and supple. 4. Body - Regular exercise and stretching for the body can make it powerful and supple. (Hmmm, sounds familiar!) Your body is your home for life. Respect it, enjoy it, and take care of it. 5. Spiritual - The part of yourself that transcends the material world. Your spirit has no limitations and can take you anywhere you want to go. Stay in touch with it and you'll develop a strong sense of perspective. 6. Family - Including blood relatives and all the other people you live with and closely identify with. Your family and your home give you a sense of sanctuary, a place where you will always be welcomed and accepted. 7. Social & Community - Interaction with others in our world. A healthy social life will expose you to an endless stream of concepts, ideas, experiences and opportunities. Keep it all in a healthy balance, and life will flow. -- Ralph Marston source: greatday.com

Looking in the mirror If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change. Do you ever find yourself getting frustrated or angry with the actions of others? Whatever you see when you evaluate other people, is a projection of what is inside of you. When you find yourself thinking, "I wish she could make a firm decision" it is an indication of your own frustration at not being able to make a decision. In order to recognize something in others, you must first have it within yourself. Think about it. Is there something that makes you particularly angry? Why? Look inside yourself for the source of this anger. Even if you could change the behavior of others, it would not resolve your feelings. You are the only one who can change the way you feel. Trying to run away by blaming others, will only prolong the problem and make it worse. The really good news is, that this "mirror" has a positive side to it. The inspiring, uplifting things you see in other people, are in you as well. When you see in others such things as compassion, genius, beauty, caring and affection, you're seeing a projection of yourself. You see these things because they are a part of you. The source of your thoughts and feelings about other people, about things, about situations, is you. When you see darkness, it is your darkness. When you see beauty, it is your own beauty. Grasp this concept, and you can change your world. -- Ralph Marston source: greatday.com

The Age-Old Questions of Life “Why are we here?†“What is the meaning of life?†According to basic spiritual principles, we are individual expressions of Infinite Being and we are here to experience life. Each person is unique, and our purpose on Earth is to experience life from our own unique perspective. We are the eyes and ears, so to speak, of Infinite Being. You are here to experience your uniqueness, and to experience it as fully as possible. That way, you learn as much as possible from the experience of being who you are in this particular incarnation. The Paradoxes It is a paradox that everyone is here for the same reason and yet everyone has an individual purpose. Everyone is here to experience life as deeply as possible, and yet your individual purpose is to explore your unique character. Everyone, therefore, has an unique function within the infinite variety of Creation. Another paradox is the question of destiny versus freewill. People seem to have freewill, and yet, if destiny exists, wouldn’t pre-destiny cancel freewill? Not exactly. Here’s how it works. You planned your overall path through life before you were born. That life plan is your overall destiny, but the details of life leave plenty of room for freewill. You could even use your freewill to change your whole life plan, but then, why would you want to change your own life plan? The fact that your physical brain doesn’t remember your own pre-made plan doesn’t hinder the fact that it continues to unfold as time goes by. Your inner self, your soul, remembers your plan perfectly. One of the functions of your inner self is to give you hunches that you can follow. These hunches, when acted upon, assist you to explore your life’s potential to the fullest effect. Meditators Have More Fun Regular meditation keeps you in tune with your inner self and helps to guarantee that you get the most out of life by being in the right places at the right times. Then synchronicity can unfold in the form of meetings and events which support your life’s purpose. At a soul level, you are a member of an extended family of many hundreds of people. All of these people know and love you, so there are always ample opportunities available for incarnation through parents that you already know at a soul level. People usually choose lives where they can surround themselves with members of their extended soul family. People in the same soul family share common themes. They are in tune with your consciousness and therefore interested in the same issues and experiences in life. Before the Veil of Birth When it was time for you to incarnate into this life, you viewed several alternatives, including several possible sets of parents. Your final choice offered you the best opportunity to explore the activities and issues that you have been experiencing. How much detail goes into planning an entire lifetime? Destiny exists for the main events in your life – the major choices, events and connections in your life. Important relationships are carefully planned so that they have the best chance of happening. Your parents and your environment are chosen for how they will mold your life in the direction that you wish to explore. In the pre-life planning stage, you actually get to see how everything will turn out as you explore different alternatives and scenarios. Then you make your big choice. You say, “I’ll take Fred and Freda Smith as parents. I’ll be their baby boy, starting in 9 months when I get born. Until then I’ll hang around them in spirit, at least on and off, until it’s time to emerge and become a baby person. Then I’ll grow up in their family, attending that local elementary school. When they move to Phoenix as planned, I’ll go to high school there and meet my old buddy, who’ll be called Freddie, and he’ll be the same age as me. Sylvia’s family will move into town when I’m sixteen, and being her boyfriend will start to shape the direction of the rest of my life. We’ll go to the same college together and explore the idea that she will need me to support her while she goes on to medical school to become a doctor.†And so on, and so on, as the plan unfolds. Themes, Issues, Adventures Personal themes are planned for exploration in life, as well as soul family themes. Also, there are cultural themes and global issues, especially in today’s growing global awareness. One theme that society has been developing over the last few decades is the issue of liberation from the imbalance of a patriarchal society. At the same time, an even larger shift has been taking place – the shift from a consciousness of separation to one of integration. Separation consciousness has been the theme for thousands of years. We have separated into tribes, then countries and empires. We have separated ourselves by race, sex and religion. We have even separated our own consciousness, focusing it further into the external world and away from the inner light which is the very source of our consciousness. One of the first differences that will be noticed as the world evolves towards integrated consciousness is that people will care more about their work. Most people today see their work as a means to an end, as a way to pay the bills and maybe get ahead a little. Tomorrow, people will work at what they love and they will care deeply about the quality of service that they provide, because they will care for their customers. Of course, there are people who work just like that today, but they are in the minority. Tomorrow, it will become the new standard, the new work ethic. Loving what you do and doing what you love. Basically, even when you’re knee-deep in issues, remember that the purpose of life is to transform reality and to have fun doing it. source: http://www.infinitebeing.com/0405/whyarewe.htm

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050819/punjab1.htm Sikh clergy refuse to toe SGPC line Kirtan issue to be taken up again Varinder Walia Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 18 Despite a lot of pressure, the Sikh clergy today refused to toe the line of the SGPC for giving a final nod to baptised Sikh women for performing kirtan in the sanctum sanctorum of Harmandar Sahib. It is learnt that Bibi Jagir Kaur, SGPC President, personally spoke to Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar, Akal Takht for constituting a committee for a code of conduct for women who wish to perform kirtan and clean the sanctum sanctorum. Mr Waryam Singh, secretary dharm parchar, Mr Harbir Singh Bhanwar, media adviser, and Mr Harjit Singh, personal assistant to the SGPC chief, took the typed paper to Jathedar Vedanti but he refused to sign the paper. However, after the initial hiccups, the Sikh clergy today gave clear indications that gender discrimination had no place in Sikhism and hence the case regarding allowing baptised Sikh women to perform kirtan in the sanctum sanctorum of Harmandar Sahib would again be taken up at the next meeting, being convened shortly. In a written release, issued late in the evening, Jathedar Vedanti said the issue needed a marathon discussion. However, he said except for kirtan and cleaning of the sanctum sanctorum, women had been performing religious ‘seva’. Earlier, after the meeting of the Sikh clergy, Jathedar Vedanti told mediapersons that no decision could be taken up regarding allowing women to perform kirtan. Interestingly, in the evening senior officials of the SGPC rang up journalists stating that the Sikh high priests had ‘agreed in principle’ to allow Sikh women to perform kirtan. However, Mr Prithipal Singh Sandhu , non-official personal assistant to the Jathedar, Akal Takht, claimed that no such decision was taken. It is reliably learnt that the Sikh high priests are divided over taking a ‘hasty’ decision on this important matter concerning the entire community. While a section of the Damdami Taksal and the Sant Samaj (headed by Baba Sarbjot Singh Bedi) had openly opposed the move, the SGPC chief is eager to ensure a final nod by the Sikh clergy on the plea that gender discrimination could not be allowed as per Sikh tenets. The Dharam Parchar Committee of the SGPC has already given its approval to allow baptised women to perform kirtan in the sanctum sanctorum. However, Giani Gurbachan Singh, Head Granthi, Darbar Sahib, had stated that only the high priests were authorised to take a final decision on such matters. Interestingly, the Religious Advisory Committee of the SGPC had passed a resolution on March 9, 1940, to allow baptised Sikh women to perform Kirtan, which could not be implemented for various reasons. Later, five Sikh high priests had directed the SGPC to allow baptised Sikh women to perform ‘seva’ in the sanctum sanctorum of Harmandar Sahib on February 9, 1996, which was also opposed by a section of the Sikh Panth.

Becoming a True Human Being True individuality, or true humanness, is only achieved when our Love nature becomes our will to serve all — expecting nothing in return. This achievement is only possible when we learn to live according to the Ideal of Love and not according to opinions. Living according to the Ideal of Love is true Service, and true Service is always an experiment for us to discover that we can truly love all. Source:http://www.disciplelight.com/Library/Pearls/512_pearls.htm#true%20human

http://www.sikhnet.com/GurbaniKirtan/tr_0024.html Sri Guru Granth Sahi Ji (526-5) goojree, trilochan Goojaree, Trilochan ant kaal jo lachhmee simrai aisee chintaa meh jay marai. At the very last moment, one who thinks of wealth, and dies in such thoughts, sarap jon val val a-utarai. ||1|| shall be reincarnated over and over again, in the form of serpents. ||1|| aree baa-ee gobid naam mat beesrai. rahaa-o. O sister, do not forget the Name of the Lord of the Universe. ||Pause|| ant kaal jo istaree simrai aisee chintaa meh jay marai. At the very last moment, he who thinks of women, and dies in such thoughts, baysvaa jon val val a-utarai. ||2|| shall be reincarnated over and over again as a prostitute. ||2|| ant kaal jo larhikay simrai aisee chintaa meh jay marai. At the very last moment, one who thinks of his children, and dies in such thoughts, sookar jon val val a-utarai. ||3|| shall be reincarnated over and over again as a pig. ||3|| ant kaal jo mandar simrai aisee chintaa meh jay marai. At the very last moment, one who thinks of mansions, and dies in such thoughts, parayt jon val val a-utarai. ||4|| shall be reincarnated over and over again as a goblin. ||4|| ant kaal naaraa-in simrai aisee chintaa meh jay marai. At the very last moment, one who thinks of the Lord, and dies in such thoughts, badat tilochan tay nar muktaa peetambar vaa kay ridai basai. ||5||2|| says Trilochan, that man shall be liberated; the Lord shall abide in his heart. ||5||2||

How many trees are in the seed? A tiny seed becomes a tree. That tree produces many more seeds, which become trees, which produce seeds, and so on. So how many trees are in the seed? There are no trees in the seed. Crack it open, and you won't find even a single tree. The seed contains only the idea of a tree, the potential for a tree, and the plans for building that tree. The tree itself appears only when the seed is nourished with water and soil and sunlight. The people you meet, the new things you learn, the experiences you live, the choices you make, the days and moments of your life -- all are seeds with limitless potential to bear fruit. But only when placed in fertile ground and nourished. That's where you come in. Though you can't always control the seeds that fall into your life, you can control the way they're planted and cared for. In every moment is a lifetime of possibilities. Think of that! You can change the course of the rest of your life right now, this very instant. By deciding which seeds to plant, which choices to make, which relationships to nurture. By giving the seeds of opportunity a fertile soil in which to grow. -- Ralph Marston source: greatday.com

Mantra and Thought A Mantra is different from a thought in the following respects. A Thought is a vibration that comes from the lower plane of nature ... But A Mantra is a vibration that comes from the higher plane of nature. A Thought has always a meaning ... Whereas A Mantra, although it has a meaning, it is rarely uniform. It has a force, and the meaning of the Mantra is revealed to the person who has received it through revelation, which comes at a higher level of realization. A Thought is a reflection of turbulence in the lower nature ... But A Mantra -- when it becomes natural -- is a reflection of the psychic state. A Thought always has a direction, a dimension, a depth. All or any of these properties must be found in a thought ... But A Mantra has nothing of the above. It is only a rhythm and always withers away automatically the moment the psychic state of awareness is active. A Mantra necessarily turns into a desire when it acquires the properties of direction, dimension and depth ... But A Mantra never becomes a desire. On the other hand it neutralises the desire formation process. A Thought generally originates from the lower mental, lower vital or higher vital planes ... But A Mantra has no such origin and its sole purpose is to activise the psychic being. A Mantra is given by the spiritual master or may descend automatically when the seeker reaches a high state of psychic awareness. A Thought attracts other thoughts ... But A Mantra never attracts other Mantras. A Thought has no sound aspect. It has only the meaning aspect ... Whereas A Mantra has no meaning aspect. It has only the sound aspect. Thoughts make us restless ... But A Mantra makes us calm. A Thought automatically dies when it has become a desire ... But A Mantra automatically merges into the consciousness when the psychic state is established. A Thought clouds the soul ... Whereas A Mantra awakens the soul. A Thought comes automatically ... But A Mantra is invoked and it may come automatically only when the psychic state has become more or less permanent.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050813/nation.htm#4 Bill on separate identity for Sikhs introduced Tribune News Service New Delhi, August 12 A Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha today by Mr Tarlochan Singh, who is also the Chairman of National Commission for Minorities, to amend Article 25 of the Constitution. The Bill, a private member Bill, says that in Article 25 of the Constitution in place of clause (2) sub-clause (, the following sub-clause should be substituted: "Providing for social welfare and reform or throwing open of Hindu, Sikh, Jaina or Buddhist religious institutions of a public character to all classes and sections of these religions." Mr Tarlochan Singh has said in the statement of objects and reasons that he was moving the Bill on the basis of the recommendations of the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution which gave its report to the government in March, 2002. The Commission recommended the omission of Explanation-II to Article 25 and re-wording of sub-clause ( of clause (2) of the Article with a view to distinctively refer to Sikh, Jaina and Buddhist religions. In the original clause of the Constitution, it is written that "reference to Hindus shall be construed as including a reference to persons professing the Sikh, Jaina or Buddhist religion, and the reference to Hindu religious institutions shall be construed accordingly". According to Mr Tarlochan Singh, existing clause does not give a distinct and independent identity to the Sikhs and there was a long-standing demand of the community to amend the Article 25 of the Constitution. The Buddhists and Jains would also get separate identity by passage of this Bill, he said.

Be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. Talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet. Make all your friends feel there is something special in them. Look at the sunny side of everything. Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best. Be as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. Give everyone a smile. Spend so much time improving yourself that you have no time left to criticize others. Be too big for worry and too noble for anger." Source: thehelpline.net

There is a wonderful mythical law of nature that the three things we crave most in life - happiness, freedom and peace of mind - are always attained by giving them to someone else. Peyton Conway March

http://www.wholefitness.com/spiritualwbeing.html Spiritual well-being Healthy spirit: > Don't undermine your worth by comparing yourself to others. It is because we are different that each of us is special. > Don't set your goals by what other people deem important. Only you know what is best for you. > Don't take for granted the things closest to your heart. Cling to them as you would your life, for without them life is meaningless. > Don't let life slip through your fingers by living in the past or for the future. By living your life one day at a time, you live up all the days of your life. > Don't give up when you still have something left to give, Nothing is really over . . . till the moment you stop trying. > Don't be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect. It is this fragile thread that binds us together. > Don't be afraid to encounter risks. It is by taking chances, that we learn to be brave. > Don't shut love out of your life by saying it's impossible to find. The quickest way to receive love is to give love; the fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly; and the best way to keep love is to give it wings. > Don't dismiss your dreams. To be without dreams is to be without hope; to be without hope is to be without purpose. > Don't run through life so fast that you forget not only where you've been, but where you are going. Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored every step of the way.

Life Between Breaths At the moment of our birth, we inhale. At the moment of our death, we exhale. Before we first inhale, there is no ego. After we last exhale, there is no ego. In between our first and last breaths, we breathe in and out mostly unconsciously, and we live in our egos mostly unconsciously. We know we are alive when we are still breathing and when we hear the chatter of our thoughts. We identify with the chatter and think it represents our minds. It is like looking at the ocean and identifying the waves as the ocean. The visible surface is not all there is, but we can’t judge the quiet depths when all we see is the turbulent surface. Practice meditating with awareness of the space between breaths. Let your awareness follow the breath out of your body and don’t rush to fill the void. Let your breath settle into it’s own rhythm, don’t force it, but become especially attentive to allowing the breath to leave you. The in-breathing will take care of itself. Don’t impede it; just don’t worry about it as you attend to the exhalation and the space behind it. As you relax in your meditation, you may notice the period of non-action between breaths lengthens a bit. Allow your mind to rest in silence in these intervals between breaths. As you breathe out and in, don’t so much watch your breath as feel it going out, pausing and coming back in. The breath is not an object to be watched so much as it is the process of life happening. Allow yourself to live in this moment quietly, peacefully and fully awake. If you experience yourself thinking, just label those thoughts as thinking and disengage from them. Assume that your thoughts are merely turbulence left over from the more active part of your day and that they are not important to you right now. When one stirs the mud at the bottom of a small pond, the water becomes muddy. For the water to be clear, one must stop stirring the mud. For our minds to be clear and calm, we need to stop stirring our thoughts. In the space between breaths just be still. No stirring. source: www.interluderetreat.com

Open Mind The mind is like a parachute - it works best when it is open. How quickly we make assumptions, jump to conclusions and close our mind. How easily we form and hold fast to our opinions and then close our mind. How fast do we make a judgement, slap on a label and then close our mind. A closed mind never knows the delight of playing with possibilities, being enlightened by others point of view or enjoying the diversity of human life. An open and understanding mind never assumes, doesn't jump to conclusions and won't hold fast to any opinion. Perhaps it is no wonder a closed mind is not a very relaxed mind. www.relax7.com

Meditation Benefits Meditation is one of the most important skills we can develop, as it is the foundation for cultivating awareness. Whenever awareness is present in a part of our life, that part can improve. Awareness is the key to health, higher knowledge, greater intelligence, intuition, and to uncovering our hidden abilities. The awareness derived through meditation allows us to manage life, its joys, sorrows and difficulties, with intelligence and creativity. Through the regular practice of meditation we develop our powers of perception and begin to see things as they really are. Meditation requires a range of processes and activities, including mental exercises, relaxation, introversion, concentration, self-reflection, contemplation and the capacity to generate higher states of mind and being. All of these activities and processes have one main aim, to cultivate greater awareness. From meditation we derive: 1. Health Benefits 2. Physical Benefits 3. Mental, Emotional and Psychic Benefits 4. Spiritual Benefits 5. Courage and Skill in Facing Life 6. Improved Relationships (with ourselves, others and with all of our activities) Health Benefits of Meditation Today, the healing benefits of meditation are widely recognized. Meditation practice is prescribed in many medical texts as an effective process for reducing physical, emotional and mental problems, and for positively influencing a diverse array of diseases. Chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, cancer, digestive problems, disorders of the nervous system, anxiety, and many other conditions can be helped significantly through meditation. Better health is often a pleasant side effect of meditation because it calms and strengthens the nervous and other core controlling systems of the body-mind. These systems are connected to every aspect of our being: physical, mental and emotional. They form a vast network that plays a pivotal role in our ability to remain healthy and to heal ourselves. Physical Benefits of Meditation Meditation has been shown to turn on the relaxation response, which is effected by the parasympathetic nervous system. This affects every organ and system in the body. For example, meditation slows the heart rate and breathing, lowers blood pressure, improves digestion, benefits the immune systems ability to respond to stress, and so on. Meditation also acts to sensitize us to our body’s needs. By calming the nervous system, our mind becomes calm. When the mind becomes calm intuition, normally suppressed by stress, has the opportunity to grow. Intuitive knowledge becomes our greatest ally, as we automatically begin to feel what our body needs. It is only when we become aware of our needs that we can provide for these needs. For example, if we can feel how deeply tired we really are we can do what is required to heal that tiredness through slowing down, sleeping more and practicing simple relaxation, such as Yoga Nidra, more often. Learning to feel the needs of the body is one of the most important steps in overcoming or preventing disease. Over time, regular meditation allows us to see the effects that our lifestyle and habits are having on our body. We can make gradual, appropriate and intelligent changes. Mental and Emotional Benefits of Meditation Meditation allows us to clarify and empower our perception. We learn to see things as they are. Meditation helps us to become aware of and face our lower mind, our thoughts, memories, desires and emotions with greater objectivity and self-control. Meditation helps us to develop mental calm, focus and stability, and improves our ability to make decisions. Once we have the ability to manage the lower mind, then we can engage in more powerful meditation techniques that direct our awareness to an awakening of the higher mind. These techniques unleash the vast creative intelligence at the core of our being. They add a new dimension to our lives so that each and every action and experience in life is lifted to a higher level. We experience the dawning of greater emotional intelligence, the capacity for greater empathy and compassion, and a real sense of being connected to life that is deeply fulfilling. Our intellect and intuition are also empowered by connection to the higher mind so that they function with greater understanding and discriminative ability. We become more connected to our own innate happiness and feel strong and able to live full, creative, interesting, useful lives. Spiritual Benefits of Meditation Meditation has been used by many cultures over thousands of years as a method to merge the singular, individual self into the highest Self. The spiritual benefits of meditation accrue as a result of Self-knowledge, which results from ongoing study, reflection and meditation on the Self. This is not the little self of the personality but the higher Self, the highest consciousness, the source, and the essence. This Self, our true nature, is extremely powerful. The great spiritual texts tell us that the Self shines with the light of a million suns. We do not experience ourselves in this way because our awareness is disconnected from our own essence. Instead we identify with the ever-demanding and ultimately mortal body-mind; we are caught up in its biological imperatives and dictates. The spiritual aim of meditation is to take our awareness back to identify with who we really are, the immortal and unchanging Self. The experience of identification with who we are informs us that we are at one with all other beings and that their happiness is our happiness. Courage and Skill in Facing Life through Meditation The consistent practice of meditation creates a powerful, resilient inner core that is undisturbed by negative experiences. Specific meditation techniques that involve grounding our energy and aligning us to our higher Self accelerate the refinement and power of our inner core. Grounding meditation techniques create a structure for us to safely and effectively connect with the higher Self and to express this relationship in our lives meaningfully and in a grounded way. The side effects of developing a stable inner core include the capacity to transform weakness into strength, rigidity into flexibility, and ignorance into wisdom. Then we can withstand life’s difficulties and setbacks with knowledge, courage, intelligence and skill. Improving Relationships through Meditation As we begin to understand ourselves through meditation and self-study, we develop a feeling of what is needed to truly self-nourish for sustained growth of body-mind and spirit. Self-nourishment implies that we care for and strengthen ourselves in every way available to us and in every aspect of our lives, internal and external. When we know how to self-nourish and support ourselves, we can nourish and support others. When we know how to love and respect ourselves we can love and respect others. The ultimate promise of meditation is authentic Self-knowledge and Self-love. When we know and love ourselves, we become people of the world, we stand on our own feet, accept what we can’t change and work enthusiastically towards improving what we can. We develop a very natural confidence and heart felt compassion. We spontaneously relate to others as they are, without fear and the need for agendas. This is the beginning of healthy relationships as we can allow ourselves to feel the joys and pains of others without becoming emotionally entangled. As a result, we bring freedom, respect, creativity and joy into all of our relationships. Source: bigshakti.com

http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=315774 SGPC permits Sikh women to take part in two key rituals CHANDIGARH, AUG 08 (PTI) In a path breaking move in the Sikh religion, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee today allowed women to perform religious service in the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple and threw open to them participation in another ritual hitherto reserved for men. 'Dharam Salahkaar Board' at a meeting of the SGPC here presided by SGPC chief Bibi Jagir decided that women can now sing 'kirtans' (hymns) inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Harmandir Sahib and take part in 'Sukhasan' (carrying of Guru Granth sahib in the golden palanquin in the evening hours in the Harmandir sahib). The issue of women being not allowed to take part in Sukhasan hit headlines over two years ago when two London-based women Manjinder Kaur and Lakhbir Kaur were allegedly roughed up by devotees on the premises of Harmandir Sahib when they tried to take part in the ceremony. The SGPC chief reiterated that women were never stopped by the authorities in performing sewa and from taking part in Sukhasan. While performing religious service, women would have to follow a dress code to be stipulated by SGPC soon, Kaur said. She said that instead of attempting to touch the golden palanquin during Sukhasan the people should bow before the palanquin with folded hands.

http://www.sikhtempledallas.org/youth/fiveevil.html The Five Evils -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kaam : refers to lust and illegitimate sex. It is one of the greatest evils that tempts people away from God. It makes an individual weak-willed and unreliable. Normal sexual relationhip as a house-holder is not restricted in any way in Sikhism. But sex outside marriage or sex against the will of the partner is taboo, as it can cause unlimited sorrows. Krodh : is anger and needs to be controlled. A person overcome by 'krodh' loses his balance of mind and becomes incapable of thinking. According to Sikhism, 'krodh' takes a person away from God as hatred has no place in religious practise. Lobh : means greed, a strong desire to possess what rightfully belongs to others. It makes an individual selfish and self-centred. It takes a person away from his religious and social duties. A person can become blind with greed if an effort to control the desire for unlimited possessions is not made. Moh : refers to the strong attachment that an individual has to worldly possessions and relationships. It blurs the perspective of a human being and makes him narrow minded. It deviates a person from his moral duties and responsibilities and leads him towards a path of sin. Ahankar : means false pride due to one's possessions, material wealth, intelligence or powers. It gives an individual a feeling that he is superior to others and therefore they are at a lower level than him. It leads to jealousy, feelings of enmity and restlessness amongst people. Sikhism requires that a person serves the society and community with humility. Hence, the practise of cleaning the footwear of visitors to a Gurudwara is followed by many devout Sikhs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8 VIRTUES TO COMBAT THE 5 EVILS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wisdom (gyan) : is the complete knowledge of a set of religious principles. It can be achieved by hearing good, thinking good and doing good. A man of wisdom tries to achieve a high moral standard in his life and interaction with others. According to Sikhism, the first steps to wisdom is to consider oneself as an ignorant person who has to learn a lot in life. Truthful Living (sat) : This is more than 'truth'. It means living according to the way of God i.e. the thoughts should match the words that a person speaks and his actions should also match his words. Truthful living brings a person closer to God. Justice (niaon) : means freedom and equal oppurtunities for all. Respect for the rights of others and strict absence of attempts to exploit a fellowbeing. Sikhism forbids the desire to loot anothers property. It also strictly instructs the Sikhs to show respect even for the women and children of an enemy. Temperance (santokh) : means self control which has to be developed through meditation and prayers. A Sikh has to banish evil thoughts from his mind by constantly repeating Gods name and reciting prayers. Torture to the body to develop self-control is not advocated in Sikhism. Patience (dhiraj) : implies a high level of tolerance and empathy for others. It requires control over ones ego and willingness to overlook anothers weakness or mistakes. It requires that a Sikh should be strongwilled, but kind hearted. Courage (himmat) : means bravery i.e. absence of fear. It is the ability to stake ones life for ones convictions and for saving others from injustice or cruelty. Humility (namarta) : is a deliberate denial of pleasure at one's own praise and admiration. It means underplaying ones own strengths and respecting the abilities of others. It is the antidote to 'ahankar' Contentment (sabar) : means refraining from worldly fears and submitting oneself to the will of God. The typical worldly fears can be fear of death, poverty, disrespect and defeat. It is this virtue that has given the Sikhs the moral strength to withstand the various atrocities committed on their community in the last three centuries. ============================================================================= http://userpages.umbc.edu/~tmccau1/flash/5evils.txt MORAL EVILS Sikhism. Kam(Lust), Krodh(Anger), Lobh(Greed), Moh(Wordly attachment), Ahankar(Pride). Kam Krodh Lobh Moh Ahankar Kaam : refers to lust and illegitimate sex. It is one of the greatest evils that tempts people away from God. It makes an individual weak-willed and unreliable. Normal sexual relationship as a house-holder is not restricted in any way in Sikhism. But sex outside marriage or sex against the will of the partner is taboo, as it can cause unlimited sorrows. Krodh : is anger and needs to be controlled. A person overcome by 'krodh' loses his balance of mind and becomes incapable of thinking. According to Sikhism, 'krodh' takes a person away from God as hatred has no place in religious practice. Lobh : means greed, a strong desire to possess what rightfully belongs to others. It makes an individual selfish and self-centered. It takes a person away from his religious and social duties. A person can become blind with greed if an effort to control the desire for unlimited possessions is not made. Moh : refers to the strong attachment that an individual has to worldly possessions and relationships. It blurs the perspective of a human being and makes him narrow minded. It deviates a person from his moral duties and responsibilities and leads him towards a path of sin. Ahankar : means false pride due to one's possessions, material wealth, intelligence or powers. It gives an individual a feeling that he is superior to others and therefore they are at a lower level than him. It leads to jealousy, feelings of enmity and restlessness amongst people. Sikhism requires that a person serves the society and community with humility. Hence, the practice of cleaning the footwear of visitors to a Gurdwara is followed by many devout Sikhs. VICES ACCORDING TO SIKHISM The five major vices according to the Sikh faith are Lust (Kam), Anger (Krodh), Greed (Lobh), Worldly attachment (Moh), and Pride (Ahankar). There are many minor vices like deceit, falsehood, backbiting, hatred, stealing, suspiciousness, profanity, vindictiveness, self-abuse through the use of intoxicants and drugs etc. but here, we shall deal only with the five major vices mentioned above. 1. Lust Excessive sexual activity is harmful, physically, mentally and morally. It gives rise to many psychological problems. The common cause of divorce is adultery, which means infidelity to the marital partner. It leaves a bad impression on the children who feel insecure and neglected. Illegal sexual conduct is due to sex perversion. It produces disease, nervous tension and emotional outbursts. Guru Nanak says: “As borax melts gold, so do lust and anger consume the body.†(AG, 932) Moreover, lust creates feelings of guilt. Pre-marital and extramarital sex produce emotional disorders and often involve lying, revenge and crime. It washes away the benefit of many good things done earlier often at his life’s end, the lustful man feels repentant for the misery he has brought to himself and many others. For the momentary pleasure of satisfying his own passion, he aggressively tramples over the sensitivities and rights of others. Some people take a sadistic satisfaction in inflicting injury and punishment in orgies with their partners. Sometimes unnatural and beastly acts are committed by the lustful men. Homo-sexuality, lesbianism and prostitution are some of the more frequent manifestations of lustful behaviour. All these practices are forbidden to Sikhs. Immodesty in thoughts, word or deed is to be shunned. 2. Anger Anger is another form of self-indiscipline. It is a spontaneous emotional reaction to insult or frustration—actual or imaginary—which leaves its mark on both the angered and the victim The Guru says: “An angry man frets and fumes, abuses and suffers humiliation.†(AG, 1288) Anger leads to quarrels, violence and victimisation, An angry man becomes impatient, peevish or sullen. At the time a person’s mental faculties are lost in the excitement and explosiveness of the situation. Anger may be a symbol of emotional imbalance, of conceit or of mercurial temper. The Guru preached that God is present in all, and therefore to be angry with another is to reject the God in him. Sweetness of speech and courteous conduct are recommended in Sikhism. A small measure of anger may be necessary for maintaning discipline or correcting one who is at fault. Righteous indiguetion for purpose of reform is excluded from the ambit of anger. Anger is the destroyer of social relations and harmony in society. Hatred and jealousy are often consequences of anger. As such, we should be vigilant and keep both our patience and composure. 3. Greed Greed is the excessive love of money or possession. A greedy person grabs whatever he can whenever he can. It is not that he really needs the things, it is his excessive passion for acquisition and hoarding which makes him rapacious. Generally a greedy person is selfish, discontented, untrustworthy as he runs hither and thither to collect whatever he can. The Guru says: “A greedy man is like a mad dog who wanders in different directions; He devours both lawful and forbidden food.†(AG, 50) This quotation tells us that a greedy person’s mind is restless and excited, and that he of ten takes what is prohibited to him, this resulting in his antisocial behaviour as he misappropriates for himself that which belongs to others. Greed is a major sin; it creates an instable condition of mind and leads to inhuman behaviour. A greedy man cannot be trusted and as such his company is to be avoided. 4. Worldly attachment Attachment to the fleeting and the perishable is called moh. This attachment does not only relate to wealth and possessions, but also to near and dear relatives. Man is caught in the illusion of the importance of mundane things, he feels that their possession will give him peace and joy.For example, in order to express his attachment to his family, men often do many foolish things and often get steeped in vice. The Guru says: “Give up attachment, for it leads to sin.†(AG, 356) This does not mean that one has to neglect the family or the care of one’s dependents. What is implied by attachment, is that one does not “keep some distance†or draw a line between ‘interest in the family’ and ‘deep involvement in family affairs.’ A person must discharge his responsibilities, but at the same time must also think of the things of the spirit which alone can lead to his moral development. They should realise that all things will ultimately perish and therefore attachment to them, will bring only sorrow and despair in the end. 5. Pride Pride is nothing but a reflection to self-esteem and arrogance. It is Ego, writ large. It includes touchiness, superiority complex and aggressiveness. Some people are proud of learning, youth, wealth, power and charisma. Others boast of the performance of religious duties and charitable works. Pride makes’ one blind to the merits of others. It produces a false sense of one’s superiority and Often sense of jealousy and domination. The proud man is foolish and mean in his relationship with others. By his ego, he creates enemies, and also falls in the estimation of others. A man of achievement should not blow his own trumpet; he should feel humble and grateful to God for what he has attained. Pride is both socially wrong and morally undesirable. The Guru says: “A person who gives up pride in the company of saints is supreme; He who considers himself as low is regarded as the highest of all.†(AG, 266) Guru Tegh Bahadur warns us against the pride of one’s achievement: “O seers! Renounce the pride of your spirituality.†(AG, 219) God does not like pride. Those who are proud of their spiritual attainment are rejected in God’s Court. Humility is the passport to the Divine Mansion.

Even though Even though you have every right to be angry, you have every reason to let it go. For when you let go of your anger, you make more room for joy. Even though your first impulse may be to retaliate, you're likely to be better off when you reconcile and forgive. After all, when you've been hurt, it makes no sense for you to prolong the hurt with your own attitude and actions. Even though the world is often cruel and unfair, it does not have to get you down. The more fully and willingly you accept what is, the more power you have to improve upon it. Even though many things will come along that could be frustrating and annoying, you can always choose to respond with patience and with grace. By so doing, you'll be building strength as well as focusing your energy in a more positive and productive direction. Even though events may not go your way, you can continue to move in the direction of your own choosing. Success depends very little on being given what you want, and much more on becoming the best you can be. Even though life has its setbacks, disappointments and tragedies, they pale in comparison to the new and positive possibilities that increase with each passing moment. Choose to fully live the immeasurable blessing that is your life, and every day will move you forward. -- Ralph Marston Source: greatday.com

SPIRITUAL PROGRESS We learn from the past how to live today for a better tomorrow. Our habits, our attitudes, our character traits form our minds. Each of us, in every nation and in every station, contains both good and evil at this same moment. It remains for us to choose for ourself our course each day again. Consider the words of Omar Khayyam, Persian poet, mathematician and astronomer, living from 1050-1132, writing in The Rubaiyat, his collection of rational quatrains: "I sent my soul through the Invisible, Some letter of that Afterlife to spell: And by and by my Soul returned to me, And answered "I myself am Heav'n and Hell:" Or consider the words of William Shakespeare, English player, playwright and poet, living from 1564-1616, writing in Hamlet, his deepest psychological study: "So, oft chances it in particular men, That for some vicious mole of nature in them, As, in their birth, - - wherein they are not guilty, Since nature cannot choose his origin, - - By the o'ergrowth of some complexion, Oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason, Or by some habit that too much o'er-leavens The form of plausive manners, that these men, -- Carrying, I say, the stamp of one defect, Being nature's livery, or fortune's star, -- Their virtues else -- be they as pure as grace, As infinite as man may undergo -- Shall in the general censure take corruption From that particular fault:" Finally, consider the words of Arnold J. Toynbee, World historian, living from 1889-1975, writing in his final book "Surviving the Future": "I am convinced, myself, that man's fundamental problem is his human egocentricity." These writers understood the importance of habits, attitudes and character traits. We need to follow their lead, to deepen their insight, and to find new solutions. This search must not be limited, and we will need to learn from the entire planet, into the future. Curiosity, scholarship, conversations, research, imagination and perseverance, will be needed by people everywhere. Computers and matrix cognition. Parallel thinking. These too can assist in our search. Our humanity, our humaneness, even a touch of our own holiness, can be ours today. source: spiritualprogress.org