Established in 2003 and located in San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A., SikhRI is a non-profit, faith-based initiative whose mission is to "facilitate training and development while inspiring Sikh values.
Every year, when December rolls around, there is much buzz about the holiday season. From Hanukah to Kwanzaa and, of course, Christmas, it is a time of gatherings, decorations and gift exchange.
This summer, I was able to take part in a two-week intensive learning program in San Antonio, Texas. I didn't know what to expect, since it was my first year attending, but I heard so many great things about the program so I had to see it for myself.
Vismadh. The feeling of pure awe, love, and inspiration. Even that definition doesn’t do justice to the true meaning of Vismadh. It took Guru Nanak Patshah an entire Salok to define and give an essence of what this sabad actually means.
Recently, my six year old son was given an assignment to write about a holiday his family celebrates in December. Much to my surprise he chose the Shahadat (martyrdom) of Sahibzade (4 sons of Guru Gobind Singh in 1704). As a parent I was so pleased and yet curious at the same time. Here is how our conversation went:
867 “hate incidents” were reported in the ten days following Donald Trump as the United States (US) President-elect by Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a US advocacy group, terming it a “national outbreak of hate.”
“You are Divine” says Guru Granth Sahib in order to trigger our journey on the path of awareness. With the realization of your divinity, you become one.
2016 was the year I came to the realization life no longer had joy. On the outside life was satisfying from every metric society would measure success by. Internally there was a discontentment with life. After a series of difficult personal events I decided to take a year off work and assess what was lacking in my life.
Life has become so transactional these days. Wake up. Get kids ready. Send them off to school. Go to work. Attend client meetings. Respond to deadlines. Pick kids up. Run them to afterschool activities like swimming lessons, kung fu, music, etc. Prepare dinner while helping them with their projects/homework. Put them to bed. Answer emails and phone calls when able. On weekends, take them to their games and Khalsa School. Everything has a deadline and life has become a competition. The drive is to outperform the competition rather than to develop the best with us.
Jasleen Kaur and Sean Holden look into the concept of Vastness in Sikhi. Through poetics and Gurbani from the Guru Granth Sahib and renowned Sikh poets, we delve into how to find comfort and 1ness in times of struggle.
Jasleen Kaur and Sean Holden look into the concept of Vastness in Sikhi. Through poetics and Gurbani from the Guru Granth Sahib and renowned Sikh poets, we delve into how to find comfort and 1ness in times of struggle.