Harbhajan

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/cliffor...m20050805.shtml Using faith to validate extremism Clifford D. May August 5, 2005 The Spanish Inquisition, the Thirty-Years-War, John Brown’s Pottawatomie Massacre, the terrorist attacks of the Irish Republican Army, the Oklahoma City bombing — these are just a few examples of violence carried out by extremists who found inspiration in their Christian faith. Jewish radicals have justified violence against Arabs by citing the “holy war†that God commanded Israel to wage against the Canaanites for possession of the Promised Land. As recently as 1994, Baruch Goldstein, a deeply religious Jew, murdered 29 Muslims worshipping in a mosque in Hebron. The kamikazes of World War II were religiously motivated. And it was members of Aum Shrinrikyo, an offshoot of Japanese Buddhism, who released vials of poisonous gas into the Tokyo subway in 1995. There have been Hindu terrorists (the word “thug†originally referred to those who murdered to honor the Hindu goddess Kali); also Sikh suicide bombers. So those who think Islam is the only religion that gives rise to extremism and carnage need to think again. But let’s be clear, Islam is not – as has been repeatedly claimed -- a “religion of peace.†Indeed, the idea is absurd, considering that Islam’s founding prophet also was a warrior -- among the most successful in history, establishing an empire ranging from Spain to the South Pacific. Nor did Osama bin Laden “hijack†Islam – any more than Hitler hijacked Germanic culture or Lenin hijacked the Russian ethos. Rather, Hitler and Lenin drew upon the ugliest threads in their nations’ fabrics. So, too, has bin Laden invoked Islam’s most radically xenophobic doctrines to legitimize a vicious assault against all those who refuse to accept his authority, all those he demonizes as “infidels.†Today, the overwhelming majority of modern Christians reject such religiously based fanaticism as that represented by the Ku Klux Klan and Timothy McVeigh. Most Jews condemn religious extremists like Meir Kahane. But while recent polls have found support for suicide bombing declining in most Muslim countries, it is still far from clear that most Muslims unequivocally reject those who murder children in the name of Islam and Islam’s many grievances. And that will not become clear as long as commentators on Arab television praise the killers of Iraqi civilians. It will not be clear as long as Muslim clerics in the holy city of Mecca continue to call for “jihad†against the West. The West “doesn't want us even to say the words 'Allah's enemies,†the Saudi cleric Musa Al-Qarni groused recently on Saudi government television. “They don't want us to say that the Jews and the Christians are the enemies of the Muslims and the enemies of Islam.†But, he added: "This is fixed and established in the Koran...†Hateful rhetoric and incitement to terrorism also can be heard on al-Manar, Hezbollah’s television station, from Iran’s ruling mullahs and even from the Palestinian Authority under “moderate†President Mahmoud Abbas. “By Allah, the day will come when we will rule the entire world again,†the PA’s Sheikh Ibrahim Muayris said last month. There are moderate, reformist voices of Islam but so far they are neither as loud nor as forceful as those of Wahabbism, a fundamentalist strain of Islam that emerged in 18th century Arabia. A bargain struck between the Wahhabis and the House of Sa’ud led to the rise, in the 20th century, of what we now call the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Wahhabis gave religious sanction to the House of Sa’ud; in exchange, Saudi princes have generously funded the Wahhabis, drawing upon enormous wealth derived from selling Arabia’s oil to infidels. To be fair, though Wahhabi proselytizing has always been noxious, it generally stopped short of calls for a full-blown holy war against the Saudis’ best customers and frequent protectors, Britain and the United States. What changed that? Ideas that were blended with Wahhabism beginning early in the 20th century, ideas inspired in large measure by the Nazi, Fascist and Communist movements, ideas promoted by such radical groups as the Muslim Brotherhood and such radical theorists as Sayyid Qutb. The point is this: As Christian behavior need not be modeled on Torquemada, as Jews needn’t emulate the Zealots, as there is nothing in Shinto or Buddhism to prevent Japan from living in peace with its neighbors, so too Muslims need not embrace an interpretation of their religion that is hateful, barbaric and incompatible with freedom, democracy and human rights. It is not inevitable that Muslims will, as bin Laden predicts, join him in an apocalyptic clash of civilizations, intended to return the world to the 7th Century as fanatics dream it must have been. There is an alternative to a Muslim war against the Free World: Muslims can join the Free World instead. Neither Islam nor any other great religion has always been peaceful in the past. But it should not take a prophet to see the need for tolerance, pluralism and peaceful coexistence in our future. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Clifford D. May is the president of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a policy institute focusing on terrorism and a Townhall.com member group.

A Promise... God will not promise you endless blue skies, but he did promise to help bear your burden. God didn't promise that all of your dreams will come true, but he did promise that it's possible to reach them. God didn't promise that everything in your life will turn out as you planned, but he did promise that your prayers will be answered. God didn't promise that you'll become wealthy, but he did promise to give you everything you need. God didn't promise that you'll never feel lonely, but he did promise that he would always be there for you. "A Promise," written and designed by Bobette Bryan, 2001 http://www.passionup.com/fun/fun656.htm

MONEY OR WEALTH (WHAT IT CAN BUY) 1) Wealth can purchase a 'bed' but not 'sleep'. 2) Wealth can purchase 'books' but not 'knowledge'. 3) Wealth can purchase 'foodstuffs' but not the power of 'digestion'. 4) Wealth can purchase 'medicines' but not 'health'. 5) Wealth can purchase a 'house' but not a 'home'. 6) Wealth can purchase 'luxuries' but not 'civilization'. 7) Wealth can purchase 'pleasures' but not 'happiness'. 8 ) Wealth can purchase 'cosmetics' but not 'Beauty'. 9) Wealth can purchase a 'temple' but not 'purity'. 10) Wealth can purchase an 'obedient attendant' but not 'respect'. 11) Wealth can purchase a 'servant' but not a 'friend'. 12) Wealth can purchase 'Positions' but not 'equality'. 13) Wealth can purchase 'sensual pleasures' but not 'love'. 14) Wealth can purchase 'MEN' but not 'BELIEF'. 15) Wealth can purchase 'commodities' but not 'PEACE'. 16) Wealth can purchase 'social status' but not 'nobility'. 17) Wealth can purchase 'credit' but not 'respect'. 18 ) Wealth can purchase 'titles' but not 'greatness'. 19) Wealth can purchase 'service' but not respect for the 'MASTER'. 20) Wealth can purchase 'power' but not 'influence'. 21) Wealth can purchase a 'human' but not 'humanity'. source: urday.com

http://www.sikhmarg.com/english/sikhyouth.html Sincerely praising leads to eternal happiness What would I teach my child / myself? Following are few ideas. 1. Good and bad co-exist in this world, in our own body and in others. 2. While we cannot ignore the bad, we can train our mind to constantly focus on the good. 3. An easy way to focus on the good is to search for it and to sincerely praise it. 4. God has made many things, which can be praised. Few of them are: various organs of our body, a beautiful sunset at the beach, beautiful birds/peacocks, beautiful fishes in an aquarium, the multi-coloured rainbow, etc. 5. Similarly man has inventedmany things, which are truly wonderful. They make our lives easy/comfortable. Few of them are: a cell phone, a tv, computer, a car, camera, a flyover, a sky-scrapper, landing/take-off of a plane, a locomotive, etc. 6. We can intelligently praise our parents, teachers, friends, employees, etc. 7. If we consciously train our child to appreciate things, it will generate positive thought-waves in him. This will give him three benefits: · It will attract ‘positive energies’ from the outer world to him. · It will awaken/strengthen the ‘positive energies’, present within him. · It will make the other person happy. This in turn will rebound back to him. 8. It is a cosmic law that, when we praise something, we attract it towards us. 9. For example, when we praise a person, our friendship increases. So also, if we praise ‘good qualities such as: knowledge, purity etc.’, then these qualities are strengthened within us. Since both, humans and matter, is made-up by the same ‘cosmic life force’, the same law is applicable. 10. Saints reached/became God by praising Him/ His qualities. This is a truth. 11. This cosmic law is a hidden secret, known only to a few people. 12. Praising is difficult. It requires constant training and alertness. 13. Gurbani/Sukhmani Sahib also says:‘ Gunn gaavat teri utras mael ’ . This means that our mind is purified when we praise God and His world. 14. Conversely, criticizing a person/thing will make it go away from us. By criticizing, we strengthen the negative qualities within us. Hope this helps you in ‘ happy parenting ’. Thank you for your valuable time. Your honest feedback will be appreciated. Humbly contributed by Satnam Kaur and colleagues of Gurbani Class,

MY ATTORNEY After living what I felt was a "decent" life, my time on earth came to an end. The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house, of Dharam Raj. The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table. As I looked around I saw the "prosecutor". He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me. He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen. I sat down and looked to my left and there sat My Attorney, a kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed so familuar to me, I felt I knew Him. The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room I couldn't take my eyes off of Him. As He took His seat behind the bench, He said "Let us begin." The prosecutor rose and said, "My name is Kaljug and I am here to show you why this man belongs in hell." He proceeded to tell lies that I told, things that I stole, and in the past when I cheated others. Kaljug told of other horrible Perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank. I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, even my own Attorney, as the Devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about. As upset as I was at Kaljug for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at My Attorney who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all. I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life-couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I'd done? Kaljug finished with a fury and said, "This man belongs in hell, he is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise." When it was His turn, My Attorney first asked if He might approach the bench. The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Kaljug, and beckoned Him to come forward. As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full splendor and majesty. I realized why He seemed so familar; this was My GURU JI representing me, my Lord and my Savior. He stopped at the bench and softly said the the Judge, "Hi Dad," and then He turned to address the court. "Kaljug was correct in saying this man had sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations. And, yes, the wage of sin is death & rebirth, and this man deserves to be punished." Guru JI took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, "However, I sacrified my entire family so that this person might have eternal life and he has accepted Me & My Banni as his Savior, so he is Mine." My GURU JI continued with, "His name is written in the book of life and no one can snatch him from Me. Kaljug still does not undertsand yet. This man is not to be given justice, but rather mercy." As GURU JI sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said, "There is nothing else that needs to be done. I've done it all." The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The following words bellowed from His lips... "This man is free." "The penalty for him has already been paid in full. Cases dismissed." As my GURU JI led me away, I could hear Kaljug ranting and raving, "I won't give up, I will win the next!" "Have You ever lost a case ?", I asked. GURU JI lovingly smiled and said, "Everyone that has come to Me and asked Me to represent them has received the same verdict as you, ~Paid In Full~ source: adapted from an email from a friend

http://coachforwomen.org/tentruths.htm Ten Truths to Transform Your Life * Gratitude is the most transformative force in the cosmos, because gratitude is love. Sarah says, "When our hearts are broken, we don't think we have much to be thankful for. We don't have to be smiling when we say 'Thank you.'" * Your happiness increases the happiness of everyone who knows you. "We have so much. All we have is all we need. All we need is the awareness of how blessed we really are." * Whether we live passionately or not is a choice we make. When writers write, the most important emotion is conveyed between the lines. "I want to live in between the lines, where the depth is." * Those who live passionately teach us how to love. Those who love passionately teach us how to live. * Big changes come with small choices. "Little changes [and] little choices add up to be revolutionary changes in your life." * The more risks you take, the luckier you become. * Nothing hurts you more than your expectations. "If you trust life and learn to embrace it and try not to control everything, then life can be more wondrous than you thought it would be." * Our relationships with others are only as emotionally healthy, happy, holy and content as our relationships with ourselves. *The only wound your soul never recovers from is regret. "What I know for sure is that we don't have the luxury of regret any more. The past only asks to be remembered." * Cherish each morning and give thanks for each evening.

Where are you searching for me, friend? Look! Here am I right within you. Not in temple, nor in mosque, Not in Kaaba, nor Kailas, But here right within you am I. – Kabir Some of the most magnificent figures in the history of mysticism have begun the spiritual search while still suffering from severe personal problems. Saint Augustine was deeply enmeshed in the life of the world, and pulled himself free only after great anguish of mind. Others suffered physically. Saint Thérèse of Lisieux endured the constant pain of tuberculosis. So there is no need for any of us to feel downcast about our situation or the particular difficulties we face, provided we do everything we can to purify our mind. Meditation is essentially a discipline for slowing down the furious pace of thinking; if you can gradually bring your mind to a state so still that no movement, no thought, can arise except those you yourself approve, your mind will have become pure. We have no need to teach pure motives to the mind. All that is necessary to make the mind pure is to undo the negative conditioning to which it has been subjected; then we will be left with pure, unconditioned awareness. source: easwaran.com

SPIRITUAL MEDICINE The mind has an influence on the body and vice versa. These two work together, neither side can be ignored. Taking medicine is not wrong in principle; what is wrong is to attend only to the body and ignore the mind. If there is a need for medicine, then take it, but be careful that you don't let it be a support and become dependent. When the mind is kept free from tension and worry, sleep comes naturally. Or, even if you can't sleep, there will be such peace and calm, you will still feel refreshed. Learn to be your own spiritual doctor. Whatever the nature of an illness-heart problems, cancer or simply intense pain-it is through the power of meditation, the remembrance of God, that illness can be overcome. This will also protect you from the negative things your friends and even doctors might say about your health Sometimes even just hearing about another's illness, people worry that they might have it and become ill as a result. If you have something wrong, to worry about it and spread your worry to others will only aggravate your ill-health. So even if the body is sick, learn how to let the mind simply remain in the remembrance of God. If there is even a trace of worry, no cure can be effective Source: athilat.com

http://www.homemakers.com/homemakers/client/en/Home/DetailNews.asp?idNews=231669&pg=3& Can prayer heal? A look at the research, facts and faith surrounding this divine practice By Peter Carter The power of prayer In May 2001, at age 47, Shelley Solmes, host of CBC Radio Two's daily program "Take Five," was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. She contracted pneumonia and an X-ray revealed a tumour. Three months later the cancer had flooded the lymph glands in her neck and underarms. "I could hardly swallow or breathe," says Shelley. "After an excruciating bone-marrow test, I went straight into chemotherapy the same day." The power of prayer Shelley fought her illness with every weapon she had. She followed a strict medical regimen and diet. She enjoyed the moral support of her colleagues and loved ones. She treated herself to positive experiences. And some days at work Shelley would remove her headset, step away from the microphone and sit at a nearby piano. There she would softly play a simple repetitive composition, intended for nobody's ears but God's. Her music of choice was a chant adapted from a prayer of St. Theresa of Avila, "Nada Te Turbe." Roughly translated as "let nothing disturb you." It was one of the ways Shelley prayed her way through cancer. That was almost three years ago. Today Shelley's colour and hair are back. And her faith in the power of prayer is stronger than ever. Shelley believes her own form of praying helped her through cancer. So the question arises: can prayer -- asking for divine help -- really make you better? The answer is yes. Not only have studies linked intercessory prayer, or asking for help, to improved health, but there are also aspects of prayerlike behaviour that are clearly associated with wellness. And you can practise your own form of prayer at home, even if you don't believe in a higher being. What the research says What the research says The research community has been weighing in on the power-of-prayer debate for several years. Scientists have identified clear links between prayerlike activities and good health. Psychoneuroimmunology is the study of how your central nervous system affects your health, and at a conference on the subject last April, Dr. Bruce Rabin, a professor of pathology and psychiatry and medical director of the Health Lifestyle Program of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, illustrated the mind-body connection. "Ask anybody who has psoriasis what makes their disease worse, or multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis." The answer: stress. The antidote: less stress. Rabin says social support, religious activities and optimism are all associated with maintaining your immune system. Attitudes that we associate with praying -- the sense of hope, connectedness and purpose -- have a measurable positive effect on our natural levels of serotonin, dopamine and endorphins, all of which make us feel good. And that's exactly what yoga, meditation and antidepressants do for us, too. Bertholde Carter, a social worker and family therapist in Sudbury, Ont., who has researched the relationship between attitude and pain relief, says: "We all know our chances of achieving goals are greatly influenced by our attitudes. Of course, there's a relationship between positive attitudes and success." Beyond the evidence, faith Beyond evidence, faith Then there's the other side of prayer. That's when an individual or group asks a higher power to actually step in and make somebody healthier. Since the late 1980s, there have been hundreds of studies of intercessory prayer in which people pray for help from a higher being such as God. The grandmother of them all is a 1988 project in which Dr. Randolph Byrd, a cardiologist at San Francisco General Hospital, studied 393 patients in the coronary-care unit. He assigned patients to either a prayed-for group or a control group. The first group was prayed for every day by Christians they had never met -- and from a distance. After 10 months, the patients who were prayed for had fewer symptoms and required less medication than the others. While researchers continue to find links between science and intercessory prayer, believers don't need the lab results. Rev. Michael Caveney, a minister at Gordon Head United Church in Victoria, says the studies are simply evidence of something he has believed for a long time: that God, in a mysterious way, will intercede. Like Shelley, he believes that God responds to our requests. "As far as I can tell, prayer works. And everything happens for a reason. I believe that praying is also about giving over to God, putting our lives in God's hands. There's something terribly liberating about that." Source: Homemakers June 2004

Prayer is like the turning-on of an electric switch. It does not create the current; it simply provides a channel through which the electric current may flow. Max Handel

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=140687 RESENT HER CONTINUANCE AS SGPC CHIEF AND ACCUSE HER OF CONTEMPT OF JUDICIAL COMMISSION Sikh bodies join hands with SGJC to oust Bibi M. Sirhindi Patiala, July 23: A NUMBER of Sikh organisations today welcomed the decision of Shiromani Gurdwara Judicial Commission (SGJC) to remove Bibi Jagir Kaur from the post of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president and bar her from contesting elections to the body for the next five years. In a joint statement issued here, Simranjit Singh Mann of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) (Amritsar), Ravinder Singh, president of Shiromani Akali Dal (Panthic), professor Prem Singh Chandumajra, president Shiromani Akali Dal (Longowal), Harcharanjit Singh, president of Dal Khalsa, Swarn Singh Khalsa of Khalsa Dal and Mandhir Singh, president of the Sikh Students Union, said Bibi should be immediately barred from performing the duties of SGPC chief. The leaders said they had written a letter to SGJC demanding the same over the alleged issue of waving off the fees for some students of the SGPC-run medical college. Defending SGJC’s pronouncement, SGPC member Karnail Singh Panjola said the decision was not politically motivated. In fact, proper court procedures were followed before the verdict was pronounced, he said. These leaders resented that Bibi continued to function as the SGPC chief despite the verdict removing her. The leaders called it ‘‘a contempt of the Commission’’ and demanded that a case of contempt be registered against the Bibi for refusing to obey SGJC’s orders. The leaders also rubbished SAD ( chief Parkash Singh Badal’s allegations of interference by the state government and Chief Minister Amarinder Singh in Sikh affairs. Meanwhile, the Sikh Intelligentsia Forum of Punjabi University, has condemned the SGJC decision terming it as ‘‘politically-oriented’’. Dr Dalbir Singh, and Dr Harpal Singh Pannu, president and secretary of the Forum respectively, said the Forum felt that SGJC had overstepped the powers vested in it as Guru Ram Das Charitable Trust’s does not fall under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Alleging that the SGJC had hurt religious sentiments of Sikhs, these leaders demanded that the Commission should eschew taking such decisions.

Sin Bin It's a great idea in sport. Too many fouls and your out of the game for a short period. The same happens in real life, but we are not aware of it. Sin essentially means forgetfulness, or more specifically, to forget yourself, to forget who you truly are, a pure, peaceful and loving spiritual being who occupies and animates a physical form. It is this forgetfulness that makes us commit what we call sinful action. If you are insulted by another person, and you become angry in response, the sin is the anger which you create not the insult. You are asleep to the truth that you just hurt yourself, and that you are the creator of your anger not the other person. And now you have a recording in your consciousness that contains an image of the other surrounded by the energy of anger. You put it there, not them. Next time you see them, up comes the anger again, and in that moment you are at your least effective, paralysed by self created anger, you are effectively out of the game until you cool down. Interesting isn't it. Never get angry, at anything, or anyone, anytime. It's a sin! www.relax7.com

Gurpurab Greetings to all Sikh brethern! 8th Saavan - 23rd July - Parkash Divas Shri Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji (as per Nanakshahi Calendar) Siri Guru Harkrishan Ji Guru Har Krishan who was the second and the youngest son of Guru Har Rai and Mata Krishan Kaur, was born of in 1656 at Kiratpur. Guru Har Krishan was appointed Guru when he was five years and three months old. Ram Rai began conspiring against the child Guru at the Imperial Court at Delhi, and finally succeeded in getting him summoned there. Like his father, Har Krishan was averse to seeing Aurangzeb. At Delhi, though he was ordered many times to see the Emperor, he persistently refused to do so. Raja Jai Singh had previously heard the Guru’s praises and was, therefore, pleased at the prospector making his acquaintance and of listening to his instruction. He sent his emissary to Kiratpur to request the Guru to come to Delhi. The Guru refused the invitation, for he had been forbidden by his father not to see the Emperor. Raja Jai Singh sent back this communication, “Rajaj Jai Singh humbly requests the Guru to come to Delhi so that he and the Guru’s Sikhs may behold him. The Guru may act as he pleases regarding an interview with the Emperor.†It was made clear by the emissary of Jai Singh that He (Guru) would not be compelled to go to the Emperor. When the Guru reached Delhi, he was received by Raja Jai Singh who came bare footed to meet the Guru. He requested the Guru to stay at his palace. That palace is now known as Gurdwara Bangla Sahib in New Delhi. Thousands of people of Delhi came to have ‘darshan’ of the Guru. The sick were healed and those in distress were comforted at the very sight of the holy Master. The Emperor sent presents at the arrival of the Guru and expressed a wish to see him but the invitation was refused. On the instruction of Emperor Aurangzeb, Raja Jai Singh agreed to test the Guru whether he possessed any superhuman power. His head queen dressed like a maid servant and sat among other maid servants and queens. The Guru was requested to identify the head queen (Rani) which he immediately did. Upon this Raja Jai Singh and his queens acknowledged the Guru’s spiritual power. Cholera and small-pox were raging fiercely in Delhi at that time. The Guru ordered to spare all the offerings to reduce the suffering of the poor. The food, medicine and clothes distributed among the poor and the sick. He won many followers in this way. Shortly after the occurrence of Cholera, the Guru was seized with high fever which was followed by small-pox. His mother at his bedside, saw that he was thinking of his coming death. “O son, why art thou turning thy thoughts away from this earth so soon?†she asked. “Be not anxious, mother, for me,†said the Guru, “My safety is in His will. I am safe wherever He may take me. Mother, be not anxious; youth or age matters not. The Master is the Reaper of His crop; it is His pleasure and sometime He reaps it while green and sometimes when golden ripe? Know, mother; what our God does is best. The family-jealousy was blazing then at its full, and many blood-relations of the Guru were setting themselves up as “Mastersâ€. Guru Har Krishan, though very ill, sent for five paisa and a coconut, and bowed down saying, “Baba Bakale†(Baba Nanak is at Bakala). The Boy-master felt his spiritual responsibility for the people, and named the place whence Guru Nanak would come to his disciples once again. Guru Har Krishan then breathed his last in 1664. His body was cremated on the bank of river Jamna where now stands the Gurdwara Bala Sahib. Copyright ©2004 SearchSikhism.com

Live Now The past is history, so let it go. The future is a mystery, so let it come. The present is this moment now - a gift. To be truly in the present today, it is useful to release all your fears (based on the past) and your worries (imagined futures) - this is the work of someone who truly wants to awaken, and break free from the anchors and burdens of dead yesterdays and speculative tomorrows. It begins simply - with awareness. See your fears, see your worries, look at them in the face, watch them come and go. Treat them like your children on their way out to play. Let them go. Be here now they say, easier said than done, I hear you say. But no one can stop us, except for ourselves. There is only now - even if you are in planning mode, stay in the present as you plan tomorrow, it's when we drift into tomorrow with our imagination that we succumb to a lazy avoidance of this moment. www.relax7.com _________________

A certain man planted a rose and watered it faithfully, and before it blossomed, he examined it. He saw the bud that would soon blossom and also the thorns. And he thought, "How can any beautiful flower come from a plant burdened with so many sharp thorns?" Saddened by this thought, he neglected to water the rose, and before it was ready to bloom, it died. So it is with many people. Within every soul there is a rose. The God-like qualities planted in us at birth grow amid the thorns of our faults. Many of us look at ourselves and see only the thorns, the defects. We despair, thinking that nothing good can possibly come from us. We neglect to water the good within us, and eventually it dies. We never realize our potential. Some people do not see the rose within themselves; someone else must show it to them. One of the greatest gifts a person can possess is to be able to reach past the thorns and find the rose within others. This is the characteristic of love, to look at a person, and knowing his faults, recognize the nobility in his soul, and help him realize that he can overcome his faults. If we show him the rose, he will conquer the thorns. Then will he blossom, blooming forth thirty, sixty, a hundred-fold as it is given to him. Our duty in this world is to help others by showing them their roses and not their thorns. Only then can we achieve the love we should feel for each other; only then can we bloom in our own garden. Author Unknown

Bibi Jagir Kaur disqualified as SGPC chief Varinder Walia Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 19 In a landmark order, first such decision after the enactment of the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission (SGJC) today disqualified Bibi Jagir Kaur as SGPC chief for five years. The order was pronounced here by the three-member SGJC panel comprising, Mr Kashmir Singh Patti (president), Mr Ajwant Singh Mann and Mr Amrik Singh Randhawa (both members). Passing the decree with costs, the SGJC ordered Bibi Jagir Kaur to deposit Rs 2.55 crore in the SGPC funds along with 9 per cent per annum interest from the date of filing the petition till its realisation. The order reads, “she is removed from the membership of SGPC and consequently from its presidentship. She is further disqualified to become member of the SGPC or its executive body for the period of five yearsâ€. The order has been pronounced on the basis of a petition filed by Mr Narinderpal Singh, a resident of Loharrian village (Ludhiana) who had challenged the non-realisation of the huge fees outstanding against the wards of senior Akali /SGPC leaders and VVIPs who had taken admission in the MBBS course in the SGPC-run Guru Ram Dass Institute of Medical Science and Research under the NRI quota (payment). The petition was filed on August 1, 2002. However, the SGJC has absolved other respondents in the petition, including Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, Mr Harbeant Singh and Mr Gurbachan Singh Bachan of the charges. The order reads, “in the light of our findings on the issue , the case against other respondents is not proved, as such, the same is dismissedâ€. The issue of outstanding amount against students who got admission under the NRI quota had become an election issue during the last general election of the SGPC. Panthic Morcha had given a call to defeat SAD candidates for having failed to recover the outstanding amount from the wards of senior Akali leaders even as the funds were collected from the offerings in the SGPC-run gurdwaras. Bhai Ranjit Singh, a former Akal Takht Jathedar, Mr Parmjit Singh Sarna, president, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, Mr Jaswant Singh Mann, president, All-India Shiromani Akali Dal and Bhai Ram Singh, secretary general, SAD (Amritsar) have asked Mr Parkash Singh Badal, president SAD and Bibi Jagir Kaur to quit politics in the wake of the order. However, Bibi Jagir Kaur said she would comment on the order after getting a copy of the same. However, Prof H.S. Bolina, a close confidant of the SGPC chief alleged the ‘SGJC was biased’. Earlier, Bibi Jagir Kaur had openly challenged the jurisdiction of SGJC when she was directed to remove Mr Dalmegh Singh as secretary SGPC in a case. Challenging the locus standi of the petitioner, the SGPC claimed that the shiromani committee and its trust which runs a medical college were separate entities and hence Bibi Jagir Kaur or other office-bearers could not be blamed for the non-realisation of the fee from the defaulters. However, the petitioner claimed that the SGPC had been funding the medical college and could not be considered a separate entity. The petitioner also challenged reducing of the fee of the wards of VIPs, including those of senior Akali leaders. The petitioner said that vide a resolution on March 29, 2002, it was passed that fee from all students admitted under the payment scheme be recovered as per the norms, as per fee payable decided at the time of admission. However, the petitioner alleged that the outstanding amount had not be realised so far. The petitioner alleged that the respondents had committed acts of malfeasance, misfeasance, a breach of the trust, neglect of duty, abuse of power by not collecting outstanding fee and reducing the fee in certain cases.

After awhile you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul and you learn that love doesn't mean possession and company doesn't mean security. And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts and presents aren't promises and you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes ahead with the grace of an adult not the grief of a child. And you learn to build your roads today because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans and futures have ways of falling down in mid-flight. After awhile you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much so you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers. And you learn that you really can endure that you really are strong and you really do have worth and you learn and you learn... Veronica A. Shoffstall © Copyright 1971

Don't be so busy adding up your troubles that you forget to count your blessings. The smallest deed done is greater than the best of intentions. Love is a language that can be heard by the deaf and seen by the blind. A house is made of wooden beams. A home is made of love and dreams. To be a good friend open your ears and heart more often than your mouth. People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. Have A Beautiful Day! God Bless You My Friend. Source: http://www.castlemountains.com/

"The moment we arrived on earth, we were given bodies, the vehicles that carry our spiritual essence. You and I do not live inside our bodies. Our bodies live inside us. They're the means through which we travel in time in this life journey. None of us knows how long this particular vehicle will last. But rather than worrying about when its warranty might run out, it's much more important to concern ourselves with the journey itself, with the knowledge, hopes and dreams our spirits guide us to along the way." - Mary Manin Morrissey

OUTLOOK INDIA ( www.outlookindia.com ) DSGMC holds prayer for London blast victims NEW DELHI, JULY 17 (PTI) Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee today held a special prayer meeting in memory of those killed in the recent blasts in London and condemned fundamentalism in all its forms. "The London blasts show an ugly face of fundamentalism, which does not have a place in any society," DSGMC President Paramjit Singh Sarna said addressing the meeting at the historic Gurudwara Bangla Sahib here. "The principles of Sikh religion are also against fundamentalism and we fully condemn it," he said. The DSGMC chief said he had recently written a letter to British Prime Minister Tony Blair urging him to ensure the safety of Sikhs and Gurudwaras in the United Kingdom. Besides Sarna, the other DSGMC members along with a large number of devotees were present at the prayer meeting.

One should not strive for physical strength and happiness alone. One should strive hard for control of the mind. One who becomes a slave to his mind is bound to become weak, however powerful he may be. So, you should make the mind your slave. The power of the mind is matchless. It is from the mind that the most precious virtues originate. If wealth is lost, it can be earned back. If health is lost, it can be restored. But, if human values are lost, life becomes worthless. Only when we develop noble thoughts and follow the path of truth in our daily life will human values blossom in us and protect us under all circumstances. Source: email from friend

THE INDIAN EXPRESS Saturday, July 16, 2005 National Network Sikh outfits’ revival: India talks to Britain PRANAB DHAL SAMANTA NEW DELHI, JULY 15 Given that some Sikh militant organisations trace their support to the non-resident Sikh population, India has conveyed to Britain its concerns over outfits like Babbar Khalsa International — which made its presence felt through Delhi blasts — becoming active again. Sources said the Indian High Commission in London took up the issue with the British authorities last week. New Delhi also shared its assessment of the revival of these outfits at the meeting of the Indo-UK joint working group on June 27-29. Sources say India’s main concern is the funding of these organisations, an area where London can help. Britain had banned Babbar Khalsa International and the Indian Sikh Youth Federation after 9/11 along with 20 other outfits. While Delhi welcomed this, it does not rule out the possibility of their receiving funds through a network of Sikh outfits in Europe. India has also been exchanging notes with the EU as Germany is considered a major base of the Babbar Khalsa. Satnam Singh, a key Babbar, is believed to be residing there. He is also supposed to be in touch with Jagtar Singh Hawara, arrested after the blasts in Delhi and an accused in the assassination of Punjab chief minister Beant Singh. The police say those arrested in connection with the blasts in Satyam and Liberty cinemas in Delhi had made se eral calls to Germany. Hawara had escaped from Burail jail in January last year and had since been involved in reviving the Babbar Khalsa. India has shared information about him and his links in Europe with Britain and the EU. URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=74529

http://www.tracypress.com/ourTown/2005-07-16-neighbor.php Sikh sects differ just like Christian denominations Published July 16, 2005, in Our Town for the Tracy Press. “I am a Methodist.†“I go to our local Baptist Church.†“I am a Catholic.†I belong to the Church of England.†These are all familiar words to most Christians, but have you ever heard “He is a Nihang Sikh,†“They are Nirankari Sikhs,†or “They go to the Namdharis Gurdwara, but I am a Radha Swami?†Just as Christian denominations all have the same basic beliefs but differ in their interpretation of some doctrines of Christianity, there are different Sikh sects. Not only do Sikh sects differ in some of the traditional practices of the religion, but they also have distinct differences in their symbolic apparel. Over the years, many sects have come out of other sects, some more recently than others, including many I have not even heard of. While visiting the U.K., I came across a Namdhari Gurdwara in Little India, a nickname for the town of Southall. After learning about the difference from the traditional Sikh Gurdwara, I thought I would like to share with you two types of Sikhs that have a historical beginning. Niether of these sects has a large following, but surprisingly seem to have survived more than 100 years. Nihangs One can recognize a Nihang Singh by the dark royal-blue cone-shaped turban wrapped around his head, sometimes rising to a tall point and decorated with quoits (steel rings), a steel Khalsa insignia and steel rosaries. They also wear long blue shirts and carry weapons, such as swords and daggers, like fierce-looking warriors from the past. When you see a Nihang Singh, it is like stepping back in time, for they represent fighting Sikhs from the days of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru (1666-1708). Nihangs are best known for their mastery of a martial arts form known as gatka, which was originally used as a defense for the preservation of Sikhism. Today, the Nihangs in Punjab live a nomadic life and travel as small armies. They are still skilled horsemen and swordsmen capable of defending themselves and any Sikh Gurdwara. The most famous display of their skill in gatka is when hundreds of Nihangs gather at the annual Hola Mohalla fair held in Anandphur Sahib in March. It was in the city of Anandphur Sahib that Guru Gobind first organized his followers in the order of Nihangs, or warriors, and it is still an important city for the Nihangs of today. In the U.S., Canada and England, the tradition of gatka is often displayed in parks during religious celebrations such as Vaisaki. Men dress up as Nihang warriors to show their skills with swords and daggers and act out fighting. Namdhari Sikhs Originally, the Namdhari movement started as a revival of Sikhism. The religion was discriminated against and lost ground during British rule and the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It was at that time, in 1857, that the Namdhari sect was started by Baba Balak Singh. He encouraged people to lead simple lives, like puritans, and learn from the writings of the gurus and the Granth Sahib. They are also easily recognized by their style of dress: a white turban worn horizontally across the forehead and white clothing, as well as an unusual rosary made of a white woolen or cotton cord with 108 knots tied in it and hung around the neck. Namdharis are known for their contribution to Indian classical music and raghas, which they have composed for the Sikh hymns written in the Granth Sahib. However, there is one fundamental difference between the traditional Sikh and the Namdhari Sikh — the Namdharis believe in the living Guru. They reject Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s proclamation that after him there will be no Gurus and all Sikhs will refer only to the Granth Sahib (Holy Sikh Scriptures) for guidance. Namdharis believe that Guru Nanak Ji, the founder of the Sikh religion, started the succession of gurus and it has not ended. Namdhari Gurus after the 10th are Baba Balak Singh Ji, Guru Ram Singh Ji, Guru Hari Singh Ji, Sat Guru Pratan Singh Ji, and the current Guru Jagjit Singh Ji, who will in turn name a successor. The group also deviates from traditional Sikhs in the wedding ceremony, by having a Havan, or central fire, during the wedding ceremony. The lighting of the Havan is a Hindu tradition that has been preserved by the Namdhari Sikhs. They are also strict vegetarians and believe in the saving of cows and are very sincere to the words in the Granth Sahib. Still, many traditional Sikhs who clearly see the deviations do not recognize them as true Sikhs. =============================================== To contact Manjit Sidhu about this column, e-mail ourtown@tracypress.com. “Thy Neighbor, Thy Self†is a reflection of the rich tapestry that makes up Tracy’s spiritual community. Spiritual leaders, clergy and youth are especially encouraged to contribute to this. To do so, contact Jack Elliott at 832-4230 or jelliott@tracypress.com.

Two Wolves A Native American grandfather was talking to his grandson about how he felt....... He said, "I feel as if I have two wolves fighting in my heart. One wolf is the vengeful, angry, violent one. The other wolf is the loving, compassionate one." The grandson asked him, "Which wolf will win the fight in your heart?" The grandfather answered, "The one I feed."

Benefits of Meditation for Individuals and for Society as a Whole Robert Elias Najemy How is Meditation Used Today? People from all walks of life, in all the countries of the world belonging to all the possible religions, meditate for a wide variety of reasons. The same technique offers something different to each according to his needs and motives. Some of the motives for which people meditate today are: 1. To relax the body, mind and rejuvenate one¹s flow of energy in order to more effectively face the responsibilities of one¹s demanding and active life. 2. To heal illnesses (especially psychosomatic ones). 3. To overcome emotional problems. 4. To develop a more relaxed and positive view towards life. 5. To develop a peaceful and more clearly functioning mind. 6. For greater ability to penetrate into the core of problems and find inspirational solutions. This has been found especially useful by scientists and businessmen. 7. To tune into a creative inspirations for artistic expression. 8. For freeing oneself from addictions such as cigarettes, alcohol, narcotics and tranquilizers. 9. To purify one¹s character. 10. To develop will-power. 11. As a method of self-observation and self-discovery. 12. To develop the latent powers of the mind. 13. To create a relationship with God. 14. To develop an inner relationship with the Divine. 15. For spiritual growth, self-knowledge or enlightenment. 16. To transcend the identification with the body and mind, and experience spiritual realities. 17. For the ecstasy of union with the Universal Spirit, which is the essential reality of the universe. Scientific Research on the Effects of Meditation on the Body and Personality Numerous scientific experiments on people who meditate and similar control groups who do not meditate, have given repeatable results concerning the effects of meditation on a person¹s body and personality. Most of the following studies have been made on persons practicing Transcendental Meditation. (However, my personal opinion after 34 years of practicing various forms including T.M., is that most forms of meditation will give the same results) 1. DEEP PHYSIOLOGICAL REST is shown by a distinct drop in the metabolism rate, as measured by the oxygen consumption by an individual in meditation, waking activity, sleep and hypnosis. 2. Another indication of the deep rest is that the number of breaths needed to be taken each minute during meditation drops significantly. 3. Good news for those with heart problems is that meditation is also extremely restful and rejuvenating for the heart. 4. Another indication of the deep rest produced by meditation is the significant drop in the blood lactate level. The lower the lactate level the more rested and rejuvenated is the muscle tissue. 5. Tests show meditation¹s deep calming effect through the decrease in skin conductivity. 6. Brain wave measurements during meditation show a higher incidence of alpha waves indicating a restful alertness. There is a sense of peace and yet a wakeful awareness in one¹s environment. 7. Another scientific study showed that meditation induces greater communication and interaction between the two hemispheres of the brain. 8. Perhaps the best documented and well known effects of meditation concern its ability to reduce blood pressure in those with high blood pressure. LONG TERM PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES 9. In the long run both the heart rate and breathing rate develop a slower pace as the body experiences less mental-emotional stress and learns to waste less energy. The body becomes more relaxed and more efficient. 10. Persons who meditate experience much more stable health. They have less illnesses in general in their lives. LONG TERM PSYCHOLOGICAL CHANGES 11. Studies have also shown that those who meditate regularly react more quickly and more effectively to a stressful event. 12. Meditation also increases one¹s perceptual ability and motor performance. 13. Studies on high school students showed that those who meditated had a higher «intelligence growth rate» than those who did not. 14. Memory recall is also enhanced by meditation. 15. Many psychological studies have been made in work environments concerning meditators and control groups of non-meditators. Meditators had above average increases in a. JOB SATISFACTION b. PRODUCTIVITY, c. Improvement in their relationships with coworkers d. Improvement in their relationship with their supervisors. 16. A large number of psychological tests have been done on those who have been meditating for various periods of time. A test made on those who had been meditating for only two months in comparison to non-meditators produced the following results: a. Meditators had greater inner-directedness than non meditators. b. They measured higher self acceptance. c. Greater spontaneity and creativity. d. Greater self-esteem. e. An increase in the capacity for intimate contact with loved ones. f. Less anxiety . 17. Prisoners who stared meditation showed: a. A marked decrease in mental illness. b. Their behavior became more socially acceptable. c. Less anxiety and less aggressiveness. d. Became inclined to more positive activities such as sports, clubs and educational activities. OTHER LONG TERM PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES 18. After 4 to 6 weeks of meditation, meditators with hypertension have found their blood pressure fall. 19. A group of meditators who had been suffering from bronchial asthma found significant relief. 20. Meditators checked for their consumption of cigarettes after starting to meditate showed marked decrease. 21. Meditation significantly reduces ones need for or dependency on tranquilizers. alcohol and or drugs. 22. Other tests made on meditators show that they need much less sleep to recover from sleep deprivation. 23. Meditators show significant decrease in the illness after starting meditation. 24. Meditators showed greatly increased ability to recover from psychosomatic illnesses. 25. Insomniacs who start meditation require much less time to fall asleep. 26. A study on athletes showed that, after starting to meditate, there was an improvement in their performance on various athletic events as well as their intelligence as measured by intelligence tests. 27. In one other study it was found that meditation has the tendency to normalize a person¹s weight. That is if he is overweight, he tends to loose, and if he is underweight, he tends to gain. SOME CONCLUSIONS CONCERNING THESE RESEARCH STUDIES The conclusion is obvious. Meditation increases whatever is good and life supporting in a person. It strengthens our immune system, harmonizes our endocrine system and relaxes our nervous system. It creates health and vitality. On a mental level it develops inner peace, clarity, self-confidence, self-acceptance, creativity, productivity and eventually greater self-actualization. It makes our work environment more satisfactory, improves our relationships with coworkers, supervisors and subordinates. It makes us more creative, more responsible and more productive. On a spiritual level it puts us in contact with our inner voice, with our inner strength, with our inner spiritual wisdom and love. Think now, what would happen if many people in our society meditated? How would it affect our society? Think what would happen if you meditated daily. If we care for our bodies and minds, they will care for us. **********