Sikh Blog Pulse

Sat Nam Este sábado 06 de Septiembre a las 19.00, iniciaremos el mes con una bella meditación. Meditaremos con el Guru Gaitri Mantra. Este Mantra* puede eliminar los bloqueos kármicos o errores del pasado. Tiene el poder de purificar el campo electromagnético (Aura), haciendo que sea mas fácil relajarse y meditar. Es un mantra de protección. Ademas ayuda a limpiar la mente subconsciente, equilibra los hemisferios cerebrales trayendo compasión y paciencia a la persona que medita en el. Esta actividad es sin costo Esperando compartir contigo un grato momento a tu servicio Instructores de Kundalini Yoga del Centro de Yoga Sadhana. *Mantra= Proyección creativa de la mente a través del sonido. Son formulas que alteran los patrones de la mente y la química del cerebro, modificando la consciencia mediante su significado y su repetición rítmica.

Los invitamos a compartir un espacio de sanación que estamos inaugurando en Eduardo de la Barra 1384 depto 306 (Manuel Montt – Providencia) donde ponemos a tu servicio, los conocimientos que hemos adquirido y a un precio accesible para todos.
Pide tu hora a: leon.espiritunatural@gmail.com / 8.288.58.37


A continuación, te contamos las terapias que estamos realizando y los valores:




Terapias complementarias para la sanación



Numerología Tántrica:
Es un mapeo que se hace a través de la fecha de nacimiento que aclara cuáles son nuestras dimensiones, fortalezas y debilidades en este mundo físico y cómo podemos entender lo que nos sucede y transcenderlo de una forma consciente.
Sesión: 7.000 promoción
comunidadkundalini.blogspot.com/2008/05/curso-de-numerologia-tantrica-con.html


Yoga:
Es una técnica milenaria que a través de ejercicios físicos, respiraciones y concentración logra que el cuerpo, la mente, las emociones y tu Ser, funcionen en armonía. Consta de calentamiento respiraciones, serie de ejercicios relajación y meditación.
Para niños, adultos, parejas y adultos mayores.
Valor mensual 35.000 a domicilio
www.kundaliniyogachile.cl


Masaje Yóguico:
Es una técnica que combina la relajación y energía del masaje con la fuerza y claridad mental del yoga otorgando al paciente beneficios sobre el cuerpo físico, la mente y los cuerpos sutiles.
Consta de ajustes de chakras y aplicación de la serie de masaje que puede ser 1) Meridional profundo; para aliviar de bloqueos 2) Liberación de miedo y pena; libera emociones toxicas del organismo 3) Encendiendo el horno dorado; entrega fuerza y voluntad 4) Ajuste craneal; para restituir valentía. Finalizan con una relajación.
Sesión: 7.000 promoción
www.apky.cl/bindu/Bindu-05(Ago-Sep2006).pdf



Sat Nam Rasayan:
Técnica milenaria que permite la relajación profunda y desde ahí la liberación de patrones conscientes y subconscientes que interfieren en el óptimo funcionamiento de la conciencia.
Sesión: 7.000 promoción
www.gurudevsnr.com


Esperamos que estas técnicas sean de gran ayuda en tu camino y que te traigan la fuerza de tu propia energía curativa.
Fraternalmente,


Leon B.
Actor
Profesor de Yoga
Yogaterapeuta
Estudiante deTerapias Naturales IV semestre
Estudiante de Medicina Sintergética
Creador de Neuroplasticidad, Biomeditación y Biomasaje.


Francisca V.
Periodista
Profesora de Yoga
Estudiante de Yoga Kundalini Pre-Natal
Terapeuta Floral
Reikista



Pide tu hora a: leon.espiritunatural@gmail.com / 8.288.58.37

Si no puedes ver correctamente este e-mail, o no puedes acceder a los links, haz clic en este vinculo: www.kundaliniyogafestival.cl

Se movió el Curso de SAT NAM RASAYAN© con GURU DEV SINGH una semana, para el SABADO 1 y DOMINGO 2 de NOVIEMBRE 2008 por motivo de las elecciones municipales del 26 de octubre. La clase de yoga con Guru Dev es el día sabado 1 de noviembre 17:30 hrs. en la Parcela, después del curso.El valor de la clase de yoga con Guru Dev Singh es de $20.000 para los que estan inscritos en el curso de SNR©. $25.000 para publico general.Mas informacion en www.kundaliniyoga.cl

Queridos amigos,

Compartimos con ustedes un ensayo escrito por Shiv Charan Singh de Londres,

acerca de el desarrollo de la comunidad global, y de los factores que necesitamos

crear en nosotros para ser parte de este proceso evolutivo natural de la humanidad.

El hace una analogía entre los atributos desarrollados por los 10 Gurus Sikhs y estos factores

esenciales del caracter humano para vivir en el estado Comunitario, que es el verdadero

siginificado y sentido de la palabra YOGA.

Tambien les avisamos que Shiv Charan dará una charla acerca de este tema y el nuevo

Paradigma Acuariano el día viernes 3 de Octubre, a las 19:00 hrs en Narayan Yoga.

Ese mismo fin de semana, Shiv Charan Singh enseñará por primera vez en Chile

"Karam Kriya: Numerología Conciente".

Aqui va el ensayo, por favor compartir, vale la pena recibir tanta luz.

Lean con mucha calma y mediten en estas palabras.

La evolución de la comunidad global

Este artículo describe las 4 etapas del desarrollo de la comunidad y está inspirado en la vida de los 10 Gurus Sikh y sus enseñanzas, las cuales aparecen en el Sri Guru Granth Sabih.

Nuestra calidad de vida, tiene mucho que ver con la calidad de las relaciones que tenemos con las personas que nos rodean.

Las personas que conocemos nos hacen cambiar, como también lo hace la interacción que tenemos con ellos. Cuando experimentamos ambas situaciones, buscamos un cambio en nuestras relaciones interpersonales.

El templo de la era de Acuario, no es una construcción material, sino que es una comunidad (Sangat); es el puente que hay entre el individuo y el universo.

Guru Naanak, dio inicio a la evolución de una comunidad global, en el llamado que hizo las personas de convertirse en discípulos de la verdad (Sikh).

Una verdadera comunidad global, nace del concepto de unidad; todo es uno, por lo tanto, el otro soy yo. Esto equivale a decir que la divinidad es la conciencia de “Nosotros”. Así, la primera línea del Sri Guru Granth Sahib, comienza con el número 1 y con la afirmación de la presencia de la unidad de Dios con todo(s) (Ek Ongkar).

Los individuos son los ladrillos

Una comunidad está compuesta por individuos. Cada uno es un ladrillo, todos valen lo mismo. Decir que ninguno es más importante que otro, no quiere decir que se esté menospreciando al individuo. Al contrario, reconoce, respeta e incluye a todos.

Nosotros buscamos un lugar en el mundo, donde podamos sentir que valemos algo, donde nos quieran tal como somos. Necesitamos un entorno donde nos acepten sin que nos juzguen, para así dejar atrás nuestra vergüenza y unirnos a los demás para construir un nuevo futuro. Pero más allá de la opinión que las personas tengan de nosotros, sólo cuando tenemos la suficiente autoestima como para incluirnos en una comunidad, es que estamos realmente inmersos en ella.

La participación voluntaria de los individuos, es una muestra de la humildad que hace que cada individuo crezca, para ocupar su lugar como alguien indispensable en el templo de la comunidad humana.

Guru Naanak, declaró que él era el polvo bajo los pies de todos. Él, junto con Guru Angad y Guru Amardas, sacaron a la luz los primeros pasos de la construcción de una comunidad, a través de acciones tales como la provisión de una cocina comunal (Langar), educación para los niños y ayudando a las mujeres pobres a tener una mejor forma de vida. Su objetivo principal era hacer que las personas se sintieran incluidas.

El cuidado que ellos ofrecían, era una invitación para que cada individuo se aceptara a sí mismo lo suficiente como para desafiar los límites personales y poder incluirse a un grupo colectivo.

Muchas plumas, forman alas

Nuestra humanidad es una identificación interna con la dignidad del alma de cada uno; la luz más oculta de Dios, que constantemente ama a cada uno desde el interior. Ese es el sentido de “Nosotros” en “Mí”.

La comunidad humana conoce el dolor y el amor que se mueve en el corazón solitario de cada uno.

Cuando nos situamos en una verdadera comunidad junto a otras personas, podemos despejar las dudas de por qué el resto se siente distinto a nosotros mismos. Desde esta conciencia de la percepción de los sentidos, directa e interna, nace una inspiración espontánea de servir a los demás. Esto despierta la inclinación a la generosidad y a la gratitud dentro del ser. De este modo, Guru Ramdas, es conocido por servir al resto y no así a él mismo. La verdadera comunidad hace un llamado a recordar a través de la caridad. No hay nada que se imponga, ya que esa es una medida de miedo y terror.

La comunidad espiritual, deposita su fe en la justicia natural y cuando hay un conflicto, el compromiso es luchar por la conciencia y liberarla de la prisión de la hipnosis y la torpeza. La lucha nunca es “en contra”.

La transformación alquimista de la comunidad humana, es que nosotros buscamos su buena compañía y luego, a través de ésta, nos transformamos en una “presencia” que mueve al resto para que descubran nuevamente la relación de confianza con su propia alma.

Con tal compañía, nosotros somos llevados y compartimos la labor de amar, llevando al resto sobre el océano de este mundo. Como una bandada de pájaros que se turnan para dar y recibir. Cada pájaro está tan indefenso como una sola pluma en la misericordia de los elementos.

Así, juntos, el estado de “Nosotros” se realiza. El colectivo es un par de alas que no necesita esperar el viento. “Nosotros” produce su propio viento.

Uniéndose todos en el amor de la grandeza que hay en todo, respiramos el mismo aire; el aliento de la bondad, el aliento de la verdad.

Cantar la misma canción, produce una armonía que aleja de nosotros todos nuestros temores, y como una bandada de cisnes, transforma el temor de los demás en algo maravilloso. Guru Arjun, entregó su vida, para traernos aquellas canciones.

Impacto global

Una comunidad global, es aquella que tiene un impacto global. No por su tiranía o por la opresión de los otros, ni por su impulso misionero o su propia expansión territorial. Los miembros de tal comunidad, viven por el reconocimiento de “Tú” en “Todo(s)”. Esta comunidad, no crea ni proyecta una cultura de pecado, culpa ni castigo.

Para abandonar el sendero de la venganza, se requiere una respuesta extraordinaria; una comprensión y amabilidad más allá de las medidas. Éste fue el ejemplo del Guru Har rai, quien perdonó al emperador y sanó a su hijo, a pesar de los ataques de su predesor.

El oficio de esta comunidad es la compasión; sentir la necesidad del otro y hacer el sacrificio que sea necesario para el bienestar del otro. En la pureza de la conciencia, nos daremos cuenta que el sabor de una sola gota de pena, es el mismo sabor de todo el océano del sufrimiento humano. Así, Guru Hark Rishan y Guru Tegbahadur, ofrecían sus vidas, de tal forma, que las olas de su inmensa compasión, hoy continúan lavando al mundo y seguirá siendo así por miles de años más.

Quien dirige su atención a estos ejemplos y bebe del bien infinito de la sabiduría espiritual, escrita por los Gurus, no puede ayudar, pero sí, se convierte en un miembro de la comunidad global. A estos espíritus, se les llama GuruMukh. Ellos emanan paz y siembran semillas de virtud donde quiera que vayan.

La comunidad más allá de la comunidad

La paradoja de la comunidad es que, para realmente participar en la comunidad global, debemos trascender el pequeño mundo de los grupos. Libres de cualquier alianza con personas o cosas específicas, nosotros tenemos la capacidad de formar una alianza con todo(s). Nuestra atención está en la persona que hizo el juego y no en el juego mismo, en quien da los regalos de la vida y no en los regalos.

Este sendero donde se es puro, cuando nada es puro en lo absoluto, es el camino de Khalsa y fue puesto en práctica por Guru Gobind Singh.

El estado trascendente, no es aquel en el cual el mundo es ignorado, sino que nos libera para conocer a uno en todo(s). A través del rostro de cada uno, conocemos y reconocemos la luz de Dios.

Se pide coraje de la solidaridad universal. Nadie es nuestro enemigo y nadie es un extraño; nosotros caminamos a la par con todo(s).

Y, como dice Guru Naanak en las últimas 2 líneas del Japji: “Cuando seres tan radiantes se liberan y dejan la tierra,

muchas almas se liberan y se van junto a ellos”.

Shiv Charan Singh.

I got several great responses - here are the top 3 (please see Comments for more).

Parvati, Enid, OK
"DON'T MESS WITH EMS!"

Anonymous
Mughal = Ego, Sher Singh = Guru, Sher Singh's sword = SatNaam
Any questions?

Sonu Kapoor
The Spiritual Moral of the story goes back to a Sakhi ["true story"] related to Guru Gobind Singh Ji [the tenth Sikh Master], a moment in his life period where he was once surrounded by enemy forces and a Mugal leader who challenged him for a dual.

Guru Gobind Singh ji offered 3 chances for the Mugal Leader to gain victory, when the 3rd attack came close and touched Guru Gobind Singh Ji, he then took his turn and finished off the Mugal Leader with one strike.

Allowing the enemy to go first, allows a saint to stand behind his principals with confidence, it also brings self assurance that he/she is Right and therefore has the support of the almighty. It is a test of confidence and faith in the principals of one's beliefs; "if I am wrong, than may I die, but if I am right, than victory shall be mine" The moment the first blow of the enemy is missed/altered, the saint gains confidence and assurance that he is correct and therefore uses that bliss of energy to return a blow back to his enemy and gains victory.

Often in a battlefield the weaker opponent will strike first because of fear, by resisting the desire to strike first the stronger opponent projects confidence in himself and in the almighty.

Sher Singh let his opponent go first, being alone in a battlefield, surrounded by mugals and not choosing to take the first strike, showed his confidence in his Guru "ja ko rakhe sahina mar sake na koye". The method which Sher Singh used to strike his opponent sent a clear and precise message to the entire mugal army "You may talk all you want, but the moment you make a move against what is right, you will crumble to the ground, for neither your head nor your body will support your useless talk"

 

                           John McCain gave a brilliant speech last night during his nomination acceptance speech, and I felt that he saved the Republican National Convention from a horrible start. His speech was heartfelt, strong, encouraging, respectful, civil, and uplifting to all Americans. Although I strongly disagree with the war in Iraq and any chance of victory during an oppressive occupation, I felt that the protestors were rude and disrespectful by interrupting his speech to the nation. We all have the right as American citizens to protest and voice our opinions, but disrupting a party’s national speech is just plain wrong. I did not hear any devoted racists or liberal haters injecting uncivil screams during Obama’s acceptance speech, and I believe that John McCain deserved the same respect.

                 There was a sincere fight in his voice last night coming from a man who seems so simple and undeserving of attention. McCain was the underdog during the primaries and through conviction he made it as a middle of the road maverick to the nomination. His ideal that less government is more government is blissful in comparison to an enormous spending agenda by Obama. However, in times like these, fiscally conservative independents need to ask themselves if higher taxes are more dangerous than more potential wars and the degradation of American status in the world. McCain is a war hawk and there is no way around that fact. If he took a more moderate and less aggressive stance on the issue of war he would have been the perfect middle of the road Republican for change, but his persistence to fight a war against a religion fuming vengeance worries me. He lacks the knowledge of foriegn diplomacy and the understanding of war against a religion that transcends greater implications in the future. This is not an army marked by ranks, uniforms, and an unified military. It is a perception of hate and violence fueled by America’s bad judgement and killing of innocent civilians in wars that have no reason. Another grave fault of McCain is that he has no economical sense whatsoever, and he compared laptops to lap dances. A president who cannot understand how to use a computer may not belong in this century. 

        He is a leader in the wrong century lacking charisma, understanding, and progression. He is a hero, but being a P.O.W does not qualify a whole resume that has intentions of reaching the most powerful position in the world. I have my doubts about McCain and Obama, but picking Palin was most likely McCain’s biggest fault in this election because I cannot get myself to like her. I continue to waiver on my support for one of the two potential presidents, but one thing is certain that either of them will be much better than George W. Bush.

[updates in italics]

The New York City school system has established a new process for reporting bias and bullying, prompted partially by Sikhs marching in Queens, led by the Sikh Coalition, two months ago. 1.1 million students will be affected by the new regulations.

The new regulation — which is intended to prevent bullying based on a student’s ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability — comes two months after leaders of the Sikh population marched in Queens to protest attacks against Sikh students and what the leaders described as a lackluster response by the public school system. [link]

What is this new regulation? It includes several important provisions:

• Every principal must designate a staff member to whom students can report bullying and harassment episodes.
• A new e-mail address — RespectForAll@schools.nyc.gov — has been set up so that students who have been harassed, but do not feel comfortable reporting it to their school, can seek help.
• Each school must create an annual plan “to ensure that it has a safe and supportive learning environment,” and train students in the new rules so that they understand what behavior is prohibited and where to go for help if they have been bullied.
• Schools will have to report all complaints of harassment, intimidation or bullying within 24 hours, and conduct full investigations, including interviews and written statements.
• A full investigation of an incident within 5 days
• A written report for the alleged victim of the results of any incident within 10 days
• School staff members who witness or are told about bullying episodes must report them, and schools must contact the families of accused students. [link]

It seems that “Respect for All” will be a idea promoted by NY schools this coming year, and trends in bias-related bullying will also be tracked.

This year, schools are to distribute Respect for All brochures to all students and “prominently post” Respect for All posters. Also this year, the Education Department began a system that tracks bias-related episodes as part of a “safety incident reporting system.” The system is intended to allow principals and central administrators to detect trends in bullying. [link]

From a press release by the Coalition:

The Coalition looks forward to enhancing the regulation where necessary in the coming months and years and also working with the DOE to ensure that city schools are bias-free environments for all school children. The Sikh Coalition believes that today’s announcement demonstrates strong movement to end bias in schools on the part of the Department.

“I hope this new policy means that other students won’t have to go through what I went through,” stated Jagmohan Singh Premi, who was violently attacked on June 3, 2008 at Richmond Hill High school after almost a year of daily bias-based bullying. “Sikh students should feel safe in their schools.”

“While this new regulation is an important step, it is only half the battle,” stated Sonny Singh, Sikh Coalition Community Organizer. “We will continue to review the safety of Sikh students in city schools and work to ensure that the regulation is fully implemented on the ground. The Sikh Coalition and our allies will continue our watchdog role. We will also continue to work with the DOE to secure new changes and enhancements to the regulation.”

Congratulations to the Sikh Coalition and all the individuals who contributed to this success.

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The pictures I've been showing are from 3 14ers we did on one weekend. I've since done one more, which was a crazy hike, but also awesome. I'll put pictures up from that when I upload them.

At the top of Mt. Democrat with my brother.

At the top with my brother and my friend M'hamed.

At the top of Mt. Lincoln.

At the top of Mt. Bross.

Coming down on the second day. We did Mt. Democrat on one afternoon and the other two the next morning. We were down by around 1 PM and went to the hot springs :-) It had been snowing on us a lot that day, so it was nice.

From Obama's website (http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/newenergy):

• 1. Provide short-term relief to American families facing pain at the pump
• 2. Help create five million new jobs by strategically investing $150 billion over the next ten years to catalyze private efforts to build a clean energy future.
• 3. Within 10 years save more oil than we currently import from the Middle East and Venezuela combined.
• 4. Put 1 million Plug-In Hybrid cars -- cars that can get up to 150 miles per gallon -- on the road by 2015, cars that we will work to make sure are built here in America.
• 5. Ensure 10 percent of our electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025.
• 6. Implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050.

Translation:
1. Use tax money to increase profits of oil companies. How will he provide relief? "an immediate $1,000 emergency energy rebate to help families pay rising bills." Isn't that nice, he's giving us some of our own money back, but only if we use it for energy (i.e. profits for oil companies).
2. Any time you see the word "private" you have to be on alert. Here he's saying that he will use $150 billion, which is no small amount, of our (tax payer's) money to invest in "private" business (read Exxon, etc.) to "build a clean energy future." What does that mean? Shouldn't the voters have a say in where this money gets invested and which technologies look the most promising? Bush invested in Hydrogen which may or may not be useful and is a long way off, while helping to destroy the electric car which already existed and already demonstrated enormous beneficial impact to reduce the consumption of resources.
3. Within 10 years, with the resources at your disposal, we could be almost completely off of oil! HELLO!!!! He also writes on his website "Promote the Responsible Domestic Production of Oil and Natural Gas. " What does "responsible" mean? It's environmentally destructive any way you look at it!
4. What is the point of this? Why not electric cars that don't need any gas and get even better mileage? It's not like they don't already exist.
5. Why 10% by 2012? Why not 50% by 2012? Why not education programs that help people reduce energy usage instead of finding ways for people to continue to consume more?
6. Not soon enough.

Solution:
1. Short term solution would be a public campaign to encourage people to carpool and use public transport. Also increase public transport options. Long term, there are thousands of solutions.
2. Use the funding to support the National Laboratories and government programs with clear objectives and oversight to produce energy solutions.
3. We reduce our use of gas and use gas-free products when or if they become available.
4. Use electric cars, air cars, whatever it takes to reduce our need for oil.
5. We learn to live with less electricity and build houses that don't require any energy input more than what the sun, wind, rain can provide.
6. We can only reduce emissions by doing it on an individual level. We can start now, we don't need Obama.

On the radio this morning, they were telling the story of the year that 'bra burners' gathered at the Miss USA pageant to protest and call for a women's liberation movement. It was 1968, the year I was born. A few years later, my own mother picketed the state capital in Austin, Texas, to protest against the Equal Rights Amendment to the constitution--yes, you read that correctly. She only confessed this to me a few years ago, with some trepidation in her voice. Yet, despite my roots, or perhaps because of the vibration happening the year I was born, I became a feminist (well as much as anyone from my generation could be one).

I quickly learned the limitations of the movement as well as the complete lack of awareness on the part of women my age and younger of the benefits that the women's movement had delivered to to them. Before the early 70s, women couldn't get a credit card without a cosigner, much less buy a car or a house. So even though women still aren't paid the same as men for the same work, we've made progress.

Forty years ago Yogi Bhajan came to the states and within 10 years he began his own women's movement--The Grace of God Movement--to elevate the consciousness of women and in turn heal the planet. He would scoff at those women crying out for 'equal' rights and declared that being equal to a man would not only be impossible but a huge step down for women, who he described as 16 times more intelligent, 16 times more capacity, and 16 times more powerful than men. (The downside is that we're also 16 times more neurotic, insecure, etc., but we don't like to talk about that as much--smile.) That in fact, women were the source of everything--including men.

So as I listen to contemporary women still longing to be "equal" to men, I let out a little sigh. Why be equal when you can be worshipped? Why be equal when you can be infinite? Why be equal when you can be you--and there's nothing equal about that!

Our culture espouses this notion of love at first sight from the time we're very young. In movies, books, stories, poetry, and songs, we're fed the idea of the look, the moment, when everything changes. It's an expression of our soul's longing for transformation, for union, our longing to belong--to something, to someone.

Everything has a polarity just as everything has a seed of truth, a kernal of wisdom, in it. So, love at first sight? Is it really just karma, samskaras, patterns, hooks--love at first bite? Or is it that moment when the heart sees, again, for the very first time? That spontaneous opening, that fresh breath of air, that awakens us to possibility? For it's never about the one upon whom the gaze falls; it's about the stirring in our own hearts. The truth in each moment, the opportunity to be new, with each breath, to renew.

So as my gaze rests upon your face, in the presence of the guru, and I sense my heart stirring awake, I understand that I love. Just that--I love. I still have within me--after all the pain and heartache--the capacity to love, to love infinitely, to love infinity--to love at first sight--and see myself, again, for the very first time. And with any luck, finally be able to see you, too.

Vaheguroo Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguroo Ji Ki Fateh!

As always, the first saturday of each month means that there is a kirtan darbaar taking place at sri guru singh sabha gurudwara, coventry tommorow

Time: 7pm- till late.

please bless us with your darshan

If anyone wants to do kirtan seva please let a sevaadaar know who normally sit near the front where the kirtan is taking place.

Vaheguroo Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguroo Ji Ki Fateh!

In case the 3rd Annual SikhNet Youth Online Film Festival wasn’t on your mind, the submission deadline just passed. This year I got seriously nervous!! EVERYONE literally waited till the very last day to submit their videos. Before the deadline we only had ONE video submission. I thought we would have to cancel the event. My wife tried to remind me of how it went down last year…..but at least last year we had a few more videos a week before the deadline. I’m sure everyone procrastinated till they knew they had to make the film. How many of you that sent in videos started your video a month or earlier before the Sept 1st deadline?? Grrrrr…..

This year we received about 23 or so video submissions. This is smaller in number than last years 40 some videos, but we still had some great participation. Despite the smaller numbers it’s been exciting watching the videos that people submitted. There are a great mix of comedy, drama and documentary style videos from participants 11 years of age and up! It was great to see so much creativity and everyone’s effort. Every year brings a few of the previous contestants and lots of new people.

This year we are going to do something totally different for the SikhNet Youth Online Film Festival. In the past we just featured a few new videos every day for a few weeks and allowed people to watch them on demand. We will still have this same method, however before that we are going to have a REAL Online Film Festival. On the weekend of September 13-14th we will have three timings (on Saturday and Sunday) to tune into a live broadcast of the film festival event. Through your computer you can tune in and watch the live event along with lots of others.

This will start off with the SikhNet team (Guruka Singh, Gurujot Singh and Myself) on live video talking about the videos (while the rest of the participants chat in the chat room next to the video). I think of it like a "Pre-game show" where we talk about the "players" before the Superbowl starts. Everyone will watch the videos at the same time and be able to chat with each other and see who else is watching.

We plan to have two one hour segments of videos and three different timings for the live event (Geared towards India/Asia, England/Europe, and North America).The first hour segment we plan to have around 6-7pm on Saturday (of each of the three time zones) and the same on Sunday for the second hour segment. So, block your calendars and make sure you have your popcorn and butter ready for the nights! This will be the first of it’s kind as a true online film festival! I hope to see you all there.

Stay tuned on SikhNet for more information and a schedule of the events to come!

The Republican National Convention looked like a cheap after-party from senior bingo night in the rural South. The stadium was only half packed with supporters, and they all seemed to be over the age of sixty. I had to strain my eyes to see any young adults or anyone that seemed to symbolize anything more than the retirement group escapees or veterans from ancient wars. Where were the Americans whose skin color was not pale white, and by that I mean any minorities other than the three supporters of the Hispanic state senator from California who chewed gum while giving his speech in a squealing yell. The whole get up was a disaster and the disdainful and combative speeches given by all the members of the Republican party could not help much either. While watching the convention I was just thinking to myself, boy the Republicans really do not want to win this election. I truly believe that the GOP has decided to abandon this election and pass the baton over to the Democrats in the downward spiral of America. They may be betting that they will have a better chance by letting the Democrats try and clean up the mess after a disastrous Republican administration and congress. Cleaning up the disaster will not be possible in one term, but blaming the democrats for everything afterward will be the ploy to win the administration back again.

The speeches were absolutely appalling. Rudy Guiliani went as far as to attack the community service that Barrack Obama did in the slums of Chicago. Speaking of elitist attitudes, that sounds pretty low to me. Then the rest of the night sounded like a broken record of alarmist measures: higher taxes, bigger government, hostile business environment, and a losing war plan. Palin came off as woman who built her speech around low jabs and hits. A satirical speech for a Vice President on a platform such as the RNC, to me, is absurd. There was no substance in her speech except the main point that Americans should not vote for Obama. Where was the Republicans plan? It was a night of attacking and no uplifting whatsoever. One of the speakers made a statement that Palin got more votes in Alaska for governor than Biden got while running for president. The low shots came off to me as cheap and self destructive. The Republicans seemed to resemble a crew on a sinking ship cursing their fate and the luck of their opponents.

I was really debating voting for John McCain, because he seemed to be an independent and a maverick, but the RNC really turned me off by excluding me from the main audience. The Republicans better save their money as a party and turn over the ballot to Obama for they have already lost the election, probably per plan. McCain is but a puppet made to feel important as the evident strings above him in GOP move him towards loss. Let the Democrats win so we can play the blame game next time. A strategy that may just work come Obama’s relection bid. Overall a weak night for the RNC, so will just have to see how the McCain handles the night.

Khalsa Camp 2008 was AMAZING!!

Sangat, Keertan, Amrit-Vela and Chardi Kalaa Gursikhs!

Dhan Guru, Dhan Guru Ke Piyaare!


Here's some photos from the camp (taken from Ravjeet Singh's flickr):


Satguru Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee


Evening Diwaan.


The Khalsa Camp experience! (Bhaji Jaskeerat Singh and Bhaji Bhupinder Singh (Bass) getting knocked out with an overdose of muffins and milk!).


Langar.


Bhaji Rajdeep Singh, Veerji from Edinburgh, Bhai Butta Singh and Veer Jasjit Singh.


The bhaji wearing the orange rumaal did so much sevaa throughout the camp. It was very inspiring to see. Waheguru!


Group photo with Veer ji from Edinburgh, Bhaji Harmeet Singh and Ravjeet Singh.


Bhaji Ranbir Singh talking to Bhaji Harpreet Singh from Peterborough. It was Veerji's first camp and he loved it. With Guru's kirpaa bhaji decided to keep his Kesh and come into Sikhi. Waheguru! May Guru Sahib bless him with with Gursikhi Jeevan and eternal love for Guru's Feet.


Bhaji Harbir Singh jee. Waheguru.


Bonfire night. Bhai Satvinder Singh sharing some thoughts.


Bhai Bhupinder Singh (Bass) asking a question.


Dr. D shared some scary stories! (Some people near the back got scared!!!).



Bhaji Sukhwinder Singh doing a talk.



Sangat in lecture hall.


Happy-chappy Singhs. Bhaji Jaskeerat Singh and Bhaji Jaskeerat Singh.


Chardi Kalaa Gursikhs.


Bhai Joginder Singh jee answering questions doing the Q&A session. Waheguru.


Bhai Pardip Singh reading the Panthic Sikh Rehit Maryada.


Dastaar-tying class.


Langar.


Group photo with Scotland Singhs! Waheguru.


Sangat doing Simran before talk starting.


Bhai Jagjeet Singh jee talking about Panthic pyaar and eikta.


Jathedaar Bhai Ravjeet Singh.


Rainasbaaee Keertan on last night od


Bhenji from Leamington doing Keertan.


Panj Singh lead the way as Satguru Maharaaj leaves the camp site on the last day.


Jathedaar Bhai Sahib Raghbir Singh jee carrying Satguru's Pavitar Svaaree.


For more photos, check http://www.flickr.com/photos/rskhalsa/



Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Sikhee