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shaheediyan

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Everything posted by shaheediyan

  1. What's your theory? How does the GOI benefit in allowing one Sikh to unite the whole Panth? To motivate a whole new (and old) generation into sikhi and positive political activity? To create an intelligent generation who will continue to uncover the rubbish treatment of Sikhs and Punjab since India's azaadi, to request justice for historical and continuing attrocities against Sikhs...? What would be strange, is if after years of allowing open communication with his sister and a few other 'aware' individuals (as they saw him as harmless), if they all of a sudden removed opportunity for contact, especially with every single Sikh inhabited country and human rights organisations eyes watching them. It is very simple. Bhai Balwant Singh is a true Khalsa warrior. His bhagti has removed his fear of death, has made him politically astute and has given him the wisdom to desire to perform an act that he knows (through ithihaasik sabooth) will reinvigorate the Panth. His actions are words have initiated many projects and forms of seva around the world, and I am sure they will continue to do so. The Panth needs to give rise to more 'Mard' like Bhai Balwant Singh, and his actions and the attitude of his family will hopefuly inspire more mothers to raise yodhai like him.
  2. Sehaj-dhari... Slow adopter. What do they eventually aim to adopt? Dasmesh Pita gave open invite to all Sikh Sangat to attend 1699 Vasakhi. His aim, to replace charan amrit with Khande de pahul. The spirituality of keeping kesh and taking amrit for a Sikh is simple, the mysticism lies in pleasing the Master of both world, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. We keep kesh as they are our Gur-Pitas moar (stamp/identity) and we his children carry his identity. Next - baana by it self is not complete, there must also be baani. The tuks shared re outward appearance are relevant to hypocrites in the Guru times... and of course in our times. The tuks are sadly totally relevant to our people today also, many of whom have baana but no baani. Baani is knowledge and manifest personality that knowledge (divine) creates. It is jaagrita. We should not ostracise Sehaj-dhari, but do quality sangat with them, and through personal example, they themselves will be drawn towards the Khalsa Panth. We should also not shy away from doing parchaar (not in a talibanic fashion, but in a highly educated way), puratan sampyrada replenished the Khalsa Panth during times of war, by doing constant parchaar - today we are fighting wars on many levels.. Inside and outside our own community. We must all unite on one thing irrelevant of differences, that is educating ourselves, making our jeevans sucham and sharing our Guru's divine philosophy unapologetically with the world. It is the beauty of our Gurbani and ithihaas which has historically taken care of Khalsa numbers. Today the quality of delivery of both is not what it used to be, especially in our Gurdwarai. This is where all efforts must be made - to change the spending culture of Gurdwarai. Invest in quality parcharaks rather than buildings. Every Gurdwara should have their own Sant Singh Maskeen, and the career of a gyani should be one that people are incentivised to take and inspire to. The first step is to make it financially attractive, so that aspirants will happily invest 10-15 years of their life studying full time and know that it will not go to waste, and that they will be able to live a sustainable grisht jeevan. There are many more actions which need to be taken, but this would be a good start.
  3. Paap certainly does engulf most, to different levels. No one group is exempted, religious or not. Very few diamonds truely encompass the asleeyat of dharma into their jeevans. Tanti does indeed mean stringed, so this includes amongst others: Taus Dilruba Saranda Sarangi Taanpura (although this a drone, rather than saaj per se) Rabaab Sarod Veena Sitaar Taarshanai etc The above vary between bowed open and bowed fretted, and strings played with fingers. Bhaansari (flute) and harmonium are 'vaaja' basically saaj which use air. Tabla, jori, dholak, dholki, pakavaj, nagara etc obviously drums.
  4. http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Star-musician-pound-64-000-scams/story-14218989-detail/story.html The story of the export business makes sense now. The judge sums it up perfectly, what a waste of talent. He seems to forget though in giving advice that he should continue his music career, that in both Hindustani classical and kirtan, one's reputation precedes them. I've been out the music scene for a couple of years so thanks for sharing the info. Will adjust my future advice accordingly.
  5. Being a Namdhari alone does not alone qualify one to be good at kirtan, this is an incorrect stereotype. As there are many mainstream or jathebanday kirtani, who are not highly qualified, same is true for Namdhari. The real Namdhari Talent is in Bhaini Sahib, Punjab. In the UK there are around 5-6 worldclass musicians, the best being Bhai Surjit Singh (Sarangi), others being Bhai Kiranpaal Singh (Santoor) and Bhai Ranbir Singh (Taus). Chatanga, does Ranbir Singh still teach Taus/Dilruba at Wednesfield (last I heard he was starting up an export business or something)? If so, Bhenji, I would recommend learning from him. he is probably the best Taus player in the world, and has raag vidya and great vidya of Jori (puratan bol) and other tanti saaj also. His Gurdev is Bhai Surjit Singh - who is without a doubt the best person to learn tanti saaj from in the UK. He is a Master in the truest sense of the word. Re buying saaj, nearly all 'Ustaads' will mark up the price. And most (inc above mentioned) get their saaj from Raj Musicals in Delhi (they make the highest quality saaj). That's why it's better to buy direct from them. Yes, they do deliver to the UK. You can buy 2nd hand in the UK, most people take extremely good care of their saaj (because they are expensive), so buying 2nd hand is good idea, makes environmental sense too. Bhai Harjinder Singh Lallies students in UK (he also teaches in Wolverhampton, Leamington and Birmingham) mostly play dilruba, so he usually has or knows about 2nd hand saaj, and his price is usually reasonable too. He is also a good person to learn from, he is not a full time musician like the Namdharis, but is good and knows raag, and specialises in Taus and Dilruba (which are essentially the same saaj). There are a few other mainstream Gursikhs in the UK (and many in Punjab) I have seen totally unconnected top Namdhari etc, who are extremely talented also. If you buy a saaj and want to know the basics, drop me a pm, I will send you a sheet with all the tuning information and sur positioning etc.
  6. "I wonder if there is some guide to the different types of pull ups and what muscles they work? i.e. The wider ones with hands over the bar, the ones with the hands together under the bar etc.?" I've been told they tell you all the science in their DVD, you can also get a hoodie and t-shirt for inspiration :-) http://www.barstarzz.com/store I personally think Mallakhamb is better, it is much more difficult and develops many wrestling/grappling muscles and movements. It also works the legs, something which these guys totally omit. Only problem is getting a cheap Tescos version of the Pole - and finding place to put it, lol. The Tai Chi Chuan people in China also have a version where they use bars to hold certain combat postures. All interesting stuff. The human mind pretty much works the same away all over the world!
  7. Lol no, I'm very normal. I don't have the inclination in my life to use precious time for the purpose of 'body sculpture'. Although I respect the dedication these guys have, that is all (bar exercises) most of them have, on a good note they are at least taking people away from crime and giving them something positive to focus on. Plus they are now creating training DVDs, natural supplements and starting to get employed as trainers. Good luck to them. Most people can achieve an amazing body, but in order to do so, that needs to be singular focus and passion in your life. IMHO better to incorporate a little good form of resistance training in your daily routine, some of which can be got from training in a good martial art. After drug/alchoholism, Body Building is probably the 2nd most popular pass time in Punjab. There are already many gyms (even in small pinds) and the numbers are growing daily. Sadly, steroids are also very popular. Many people from the Kabaddi scene go down this route to develop 'good looking' bodies, and in doing so, the time spent body building means less time is spent on the traditional kabbadi exercises and practice sessions, which is what would otherwise make them very good players. Same sad story for Pehlvani, more and more are ditching the thousands of years old traditional training methods and diets and going for high meat, steroid and body building route, again, they suffer in later years and the quality of the wrestling is much lower. There are actually plenty of people in Indian and Punjab with muscular/sculpted physiques. I had a relative in Birmignham who was a professional Body Builder and won some small international competitions back in the late 80s. I recall his Pita Ji telling me his diet: Roti, Daal, Roti, Daal, Chanai, Raajma, Milk, Badaam, Lassi. Specifically I remember him saying he cooked with no or extremely little oil! That was because as SD says, apne put on fat quite quickly!
  8. The famous 'Bar-Tenders'. The original guys from NYC are amazing, I have friends who have trained with them. The original Bartenders developed their resistence training system in Prison when the guards didn't let them out their cells and eliminated their access to the gyms. The original guys and present hardcore Bartenders developed amazing strength and muscular defintion without supplements/steriods or any form of weight training!
  9. Just passing by. Not here to argue meat - for or against, just wanted to clear up some 'facts'. Irrelevant of what personal opinion on meat consumption (or any other subject) is, we should always strive to present facts honestly and in a balanced fashion: "The closest cousin of Humans ,Chimpanzee hunt and eat meat". Chimps are just 1 of 7 members of the great ape family, with humans at the apex. The Chimp/Human theory is just one of many (there are other explanations as to why genetics are similar), but there are other valid theories which show humans are actually more closely related to Gorillas, Orangutans and Bonobos. Orangs actually share many, many more physical similarities to man than Chimps. In any case, the chimps that actually hunt (they don't all hunt, only some populations), still prefer fruit as their favorite food, and eat leaves, roots, nuts, berries as the large part of their diet, only occassionally supplmenting with a hunt. "Now today some are debating that the origin of various illnesses is to do with meat consumption which is against some of our function. Even carnivores seek fibre from certain plants themselves tigers have to eat grass for fibre." To equate ourselves to Carnivores is stupidity. We are not Carnivores. The only possible exception in the human race would possibly be Inuits who live in the most extreme northern hemisphere and solely depend on meat (and don't forget that is their adopted home, it's not where humans evolved). At best (or worst depending on your angle) we are Omnivores, with more weight on the Herbivore side. "Apart from Brahmins jains some Budhists and few other castes of Hindu's almost the entire world ate non veg food ,yet there is no evidence that these people were healthier or even stronger ,infact Indians are weakest in Athletic sports and more prone to various diseases" In India, there are hundreds of Hindu Pehlvani/Kushti Akharai where vegetarianism is practiced. These guys are very strong, muscular, fit and their diet without meat is very high in nutrition and protein. Even the traditional Punjabi wrestlers didn't introduce meat (chicken/goat) into their diet until teenage years as per old traditions. For many years (when growing up) diet was beefed up with Bufallo milk, pure ghee and almonds. Let's not also forget the 2 groups who in my opinion are the most advanced fighters, super tough in mind and physically superior (without muscle bulk) in the world... the Shaolin Buddists and Wudang Daoists. Japan and the Golden Triangle also have famous tradiitons of ferocious warrior monks. Lastly, don't forget the near mythical 'Bodhi Dharma' was also a Buddist Monk. All these traditions believe in perfection of the self in this lifetime - this strictly includes not eating any flesh. "Also through meat eating humans wiped out the dodo bird, which we replaced with chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) which came from" The Dodo was discovered by and exterminated to extinction by Dutch Sailors in less than 100 years in the 1500/1600s. Chickens were used in the west long before that, and the Dodo only ever existed in Mauritius. "So what, so many species were gone extinct ,some by natural causes some by humans.Infact humans cutting down tree's and making farmlands is the biggest destroyer of eco system.so many carnivores were hunted down and made extinct by humans because they were dangerous to humans". Maybe a few millenia ago, but far worse damage is being done today by clearing millions of hectares of rainforest to breed and graze cattle to feed the worlds growing appetite for burgers and steak. Add to this the many more millions of hectares cleared to grow cattle cereal crops to speed up their growth. The majority of South Americas environmental destruction is not for growing veg, but for supporting cattle. Let's not even mention water usage and the massive effect of green house gases (which is no longer a theory). "the opposite can also be said that almost all vegetarian communitties became coward and they were unable to defend themselves.Jains were never known as warriors, Budhists and hindu's lost massively against muslims .also most of developed countries were meat eaters and most of them are now peaceful .Vegetarianism is recent phenomina in most of them" Again, see my response re Hindu Pehvaans i.e. in Benares and the extant Daosit and Buddist Warrior Monk traditions. Most of the martial arts in China today were born in these 2 vegetarian traditions (except for the highly dangeous and secretive traditional Chinese combat wrestling, which predates the Buddist/Daoist faiths). Ok, that's 10 minutes of my life mis-spent... have fun :-)
  10. Hahaha... the not so 'publicly known' side of the popularly perceived 'subservient' Punjabi house Wife!
  11. Shardaayi - Gurmeet Kaur from Sikhnet This cools you down and powers your brain. It also provides all the essential amino acids. For 4 servings: 1/2 cup of nuts (Almonds and/or Pistachios) 1/2 cup of seeds (Sunflower, Pumpkin and/or Melon) A tablespoon of Poppy Seeds A teaspoon of fennel seeds (if you like the flavour) A pinch of Saffron A few black peppercorns A pinch of cardamom seeds (discard the pods first) Water for desired thickness Sugar or Honey for desired sweetness Shardaayi can stay in the refrigerator for a couple of days. In winter, it can be boiled with some chopped dates (instead of sugar) for extra warmth and body. This nut-milk is many times superior than the dairy counterpart in terms of nutrition. It also carries a much smaller carbon and cruelty footprint. Soak nuts overnight(optional – peel off almond skin as it loosens upon soaking). Soak rest of the ingredients. Grind all ingredients to a very smooth paste adding small quantities of water very slowly. Blend in appropriate amount of sweetener and rest of the water. Chill before serving. Just a note, soaking seeds and nuts for a few hours before eating makes the nutrients more bioavailable. Also, there’s a layer of phytic acid (which removes nutrients from the body) on all grains, legumes, seeds. After being soaked for several hours, the seeds begin to sprout and the phytic acid layer disappears.
  12. Read and contemplate the quoted part of the surah, it couldn't be more clear. The word has only been highlighted so you could see where the concept of fanaa arises from in the Quran. If you do a little research, you will find that there are Sufi texts which date back before the influence of India. Surely Rumi Sahib is also one such example. I don't expect you to accept this, it's more for the benefit of the spectators. I pray Parmatma is keeping you in good health :-)
  13. "Sufi ideas like fanaa only entered islam much later through muslim scholars coming into contact with Indic philosophy - there is certainly no such thing in the quran." Ar Rahmân Surah 55. The Beneficent, The Mercy Giving 55:26 All that is on earth will perish: Kullu man AAalayha fanin 55:27 But will abide (for ever) the Face of thy Lord,- full of Majesty, Bounty and Honour. Wayabqa wajhu rabbika thooaljalali waal-ikrami Amardeep, your head seems to have a strange infatuation with brick walls :-) Here is something to soothe the pain: http://folkpunjab.com/shahida-parveen/hai-ishq-da-jalwa-har-ja/
  14. http://www.sikhnet.com/news/varinder-singh-world-s-first-vegetarian-super-body-builder
  15. "I would go as far to say that one can't be a good warrior in the battfield without bhagti, the two go hand in hand." Don't confuse being a good person with being a good warrior. History is replete with unsavoury characters who were fearless and victorious on the battlefield. It's not the outcome that matters, but the reason. Shaheedi is what inspires future generations, it is this that is the real victory. Being heavily involved in martial arts, I can confidently say that the most fearsome, brave and skilled Masters I have met.... are from Bhagats...!
  16. "Personally I find questions of religious identity interesting but of limited relevance. That supreme Braham is singular and has always been a truth that has existed and has been realised as per Gurbani". :-)
  17. Karai have been long around a lot longer than Sikhi. In some rare Gujrati Akharas which still practice Vajra Mushti, there is a big history of using various styles of dangerous iron bracelets as weapons whilst engaging in grappling. If one looks at old paintings of Nihang Singhs, its very clear what the kara was used for. They protect the sword arm, but unless someone has knowledge of combat, it will make no sense to them. Karai were used as chakkars, shields for the arms and weapons in their own right. Jamdar karai are a good example. In other Hindu influenced SE Asian cultures, braclets made of different materials are also used as weapons, I have come across Mindanoan Filipino tribes who wore sharp thick bracelts made of shell, which were used offensively. In traditional boktar Martial traditions, one also sees warriors wearing bracelets. I certain forms of Kungfu, iron bangles of various sizes are used for conditioning and developing strength in the arms, as well as used as weapons in their own right i.e. Hung Gar. Some Warrior tribes from Africa (tribal and Sufi) also have amazing dangerous forms of war karai i.e. The Murle from Sudan ane Hausa from Nigeria.
  18. http://saadigitalarchive.org/sites/default/files/objects/exclusion/item-exclusion-0001.jpg
  19. http://www.flickriver.com/photos/himachalpradeshtrip/4599826759/
  20. The value of Goat milk is also generally little known in this era. Goat milk is far more nutritious than cow/buffalo milk, but obviously harder to attain in consumable quantities (comparitively to Cow/Buffalo). Because of the massively varied diet of a Goat, it's milk has far more vitamins, proteins etc. In the old days, if a mother in Punjab could not produce milk, her child would initially be given Goats milk (Cow/Buffalo milk to heavy and not nutritious enough). after between 6-12 months it would move to Buffalo milk (which is fattier than cow milk). Due to its richer make up, the Goats milk also helped develop good immunity in the child (which cow milk cannot). Goats are such versatile animals, they keep the grass short, defend your home (lol), give great natural fertiliser, give the best milk, provide for material for all manner of saaj, their horns make great weapons (madhu) and if worst comes to worst, they can feed you (or feed Chatanga if the worst hasn't quite arrived :-) I hope the Farmers and the Government etc manage this properly and don't go ape and use the land to change what they are currently growing etc.
  21. "Who are the kabir panthis? What was bhagat kabir ji's life about are there are more saloks I think of his which are not incorporated into bani what was Guru Nanak's relation to bhagat kabir was he the foundation for gurmat. Is Bhagat Kabir attributable to being a sufi saint or a bhagati hindu saint?" Kabir Panth is the religion of the followers of Bhagat Kabir. Kabir Jis baani is contained in 3 granths outside of Aad Guru - Anuraag Saager, Maan Sarowar and Bijak. Kabir Ji, as were Guru Nanak Dev Ji, is Hindu, is Muslim, is both and is neither - it depends on your understanding/outlook/avastha. There are still a number of Kabir Panthis in Punjab (as well as East India) and there are a number of temples and melas which exist in Bhagat Kabir Jis memory. From what I remember, in the Kabir Panthi tradition, it says that Kabir Ji met and guided/influenced Guru Nanak Dev Ji, in some areas of our tradition, it's the other way around. In Bhai Gurdas Jis vaaran, it cleary indicates Swami Parmanand was Kabir Jis Guru.
  22. Lol, Jus Reign is too funny, clever too. His videos on day to day Punjabi life are classics.
  23. Interesting. This nearly follows the same sort of sleeping pattern I know quite a few Gursikhs keep i.e. 9.30pm to 2am then ishnaan, simran & nitnem, then back to sleep until daylight/morning. Gursikhs I know who follow this pattern are from GNNSJ, AKJ and various Sant Jathai (as promoted by the same).
  24. "Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices, but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence" Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)
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