Wednesday 30 October 2013

Mata Sahib Kaur Jee Program

12 HOURS SUKHMANI SAHIB JAAP IN 6 DIFFERENT CITIES!

12 HOURS CHAUPAI SAHIB JAAP WILL ALSO TAKE PLACE IN THE UK IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE SHAHEEDS OF 1984!

UK SANGAT: THE SAMAGAM WILL TAKE PLACE AT GURDWARA GURU NANAK PARKASH IN COVENTRY. WE HUMBLY REQUEST ALL TO ATTEND. ...


JATHE ATTENDING ARE:
BIBI RANMEET KAUR AND BIBI GURNEET KAUR
BABA JAGJIT SINGH JEE HARKHOVAL WALE
BIBI GURBINDER KAUR
NIRVAIR KHALSA JATHA
 
Baba Jagjit Singh ji Harkhowal will be doing katha from 6:30 - 7:30PM at the program for Mata Sahib Kaur Ji at Guru Nanak Prakash Gurughar in Coventry.

Baba ji is pretty much an authority on giaan, these opportunities don't come by so often.

sant manddal mehi nirmal katha ||
In the Realm of the Saints, the immaculate sermon is spoken.
 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdWgdyq1p_M 






Monday 28 October 2013

***3 weeks to go until #GCD2013*** ACTION HOMELESS


***3 weeks to go until #GCD2013***

Maharaj Kirpa we are supporting three charities for the #GCD2013 Gurpurab Clothes Drive; Rainbows Hospice (reg. charity 1014051), Unique Home for Girls (reg. charity 1127531) and Action Homeless (reg. charity 702230) this Gurpurab. These three local charities are carrying out vital work to help children suffering from terminal illness (Rainbows), abandoned girls (Unique Home for Girls) and women and children who have been left homeless as a result of domestic violence (Action Homeless).

 

This week we’re providing the Sangat with more information about the great work Action Homeless does…..


Action Homeless: Bridge House 702230 



Action Homeless is a local charity dedicated to tackling the causes and consequences of homelessness in Leicester and Leicestershire. We have been supporting homeless people for 40 years and currently run 10 supported housing projects in Leicester. On any given night, we have approximately 100 people living in our accommodation. The majority of our service users are single homeless men but we do run one refuge, Bridge House, for women and children who have had to flee their homes due to domestic violence.

We also support people who are rough sleeping in Leicester by offering emergency accommodation and support. Our clients can live with us for up to two years. Whilst they are with us, we support them to find suitable move-on accommodation and deal with any additional needs that they may have. As well as our housing projects, we run Engage - a support centre packed full of services to help people to move on with their lives and leave homelessness behind. Once our clients have been resettled in the community, we continue to support them for a further two years by visiting them regularly in their own homes.

There is more information about our services on the Action Homeless website, the attached leaflets and Youtube video.

This year, our Winter Appeal will focus on our women and children's project Bridge House. We currently receive no funding for Bridge House and rely on the kindness and generosity of our supporters to keep the project open. Supporting the Bridge House Project which rehabilitates and supports women & children left homeless as a result of domestic abuse. The women and children living at Bridge House usually arrive with very little as they have had to flee their homes. In addition, they have often had to leave friends, family and support networks behind and have to start the process of rebuilding their lives from scratch.

 

Clothing Requests from Action Homeless:

Women and children’s clothing (quality/clean used and new), in particular we could benefit from:

ü Winter coats

ü Hats,

ü Gloves

ü Scarfs

ü Children's clothing

Contacts for more information, media communication, baking requests and Seva slots:

leicesterkaurs@hotmail.com or 07816 901665


 

Team #GCD2013 on Rupal Rajani Show on BBC Leicester http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01hnysy

1 hour 16 minutes in.
 


 

Sunday 20 October 2013

Khalsa Aid Bake Sale Recipes

Recipes for the Bake Sale:
1. Melting Moments
2. Fairy Cakes
3. Chocolate whirls
4. Scones
5. Shortbread


Recipes from Kaurageous Leicester Newsletter www.leicesterkaurs.com





Saturday 19 October 2013

Cakeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :-)


Donations, Seva, Love, Sangat and Cake!!!

During #GCD2013 there will be a Bake Sale stand whereby Kaurageous Leicester will be selling baked goodies to raise money for Khalsa Aid. Established in 1999, Khalsa Aid (reg. charity 1080374) is an international non-profit aid and relief organization founded on the Sikh principles of selfless service and universal love. If you would like to bake some vegetarian, egg free baked goodies please contact leicesterkaurs@hotmail.com

Contacts for more information, media communication, baking requests and Seva slots:

leicesterkaurs@hotmail.com or 07816 901665

 
 

Shopping? Autumn Clean? Then join #GCD2013‏


#GCD2013

Gurpurab Clothes Drive 2013

InVEST in those in Need


On Sunday 17th November 2013 The Sikh Community of Leicester would like to celebrate Sri Guru Nanak Dev Jee’s Gurpurab by encouraging the Sangat (congregation) and wider Leicester community to partake in the Seva (selfless service) of the poor, disadvantaged, in need and homeless.

 

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Jee, the first Sikh Guru was a social reformer and a spiritual guide for Sikhs. He blessed Sikhs with key principles such as a belief in One God, equality, selfless service, earning an honest living, sharing with and caring for humanity. Accordingly, the November Gurpurab is a time when Sikhs celebrate the day we were blessed with Sri Guru Nanak Dev Jee on this earth.

 

Consequently, The Sikh Community of Leicester would like to fulfil Sri Guru Nanak Dev Jee’s message to selflessly serve humanity by supporting Rainbows Hospice (reg. charity 1014051), Unique Home for Girls (reg. charity 1127531) and Action Homeless (reg. charity 702230) this Gurpurab. These three local charities are carrying out vital work to help children suffering from terminal illness (Rainbows), abandoned girls (Unique Home for Girls) and women and children who have been left homeless as a result of domestic violence (Action Homeless).

 

On Sunday 17th November 2013 the Clothes Drive will take place in the Day Centre at Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara, 106 East Park Road, Leicester, LE5 4QB between 9am-4pm so that people of all faiths and backgrounds can drop off their quality used and new clothes. Please note that clothes must be in good condition as these will be worn by those children, women and families in need. More donation details and contact information is attached on the poster and clothes donation list.

 

Furthermore, there will be a Cake Sale stand whereby Kaurageous Leicester will be selling baked goodies to raise money for Khalsa Aid. Established in 1999, Khalsa Aid (reg. charity 1080374) is an international non-profit aid and relief organization founded on the Sikh principles of selfless service and universal love.

 

Your generosity is greatly appreciated in making this Gurpurab special for everyone in Leicester.

 

#GCD2013

 

Nanak Naam Chardikala, teraa bhanaa Sarbaht dah Bhalla

“Nanak asks for 'Naam' (name of God) with which comes well-being, happiness and positive spirit and with your blessings, Lord may everyone in the world prosper and be in peace"

Contacts for more information, media communication, baking requests and Seva slots:

leicesterkaurs@hotmail.com or 07816 901665

 

 

 

 

Thursday 17 October 2013

Why is reading beneficial for Sikhs?


Why is reading beneficial for Sikhs?


 

  1. Reading is an active mental process: Unlike sitting in front of a television, reading makes your brain put to work which helps you visualize the stories of 'Guru Jees'. While reading you would be forced to reason out many things which are unfamiliar to you. In this process you would use the grey cells of your brain to think and become smarter. You will be able to remember the 'Saakhis' with more interest.
  2. Reading improves your 'Gurmukh' vocabulary: Remember in elementary school when you learned how to infer the meaning of one word by reading the context of the other words in the sentence? You get the same benefit from reading Atam Marg magazines and other Sikhi based books.
  3. Improves concentration and focus: It requires you to focus on what you are reading for long periods. Unlike listening, Internet posts or e-mails that might contain small chunks of information, Atam Marg magazine tells the whole story. Since you must concentrate in order to read, like a muscle, you will get better at concentration.
  4. Builds self-esteem: The more you read, the more knowledgeable you become. With more knowledge comes more confidence. More confidence builds self-esteem. So it’s a chain reaction. Understanding the messages of Sant Waryam Singh Ji and Sant Isher Singh Ji will become not only more clear but also more internally realized. Your feelings about 'Saakhis' will only get better.
  5. Improves memory: Many studies show if you don’t use your memory, you lose it. Crossword puzzles are an example of a word game that staves off Alzheimer’s. Reading, although not a game, helps you stretch your memory muscles in a similar way. Reading requires remembering details, facts and figures and in literature, plot lines, themes and characters. However, in this matter you are not only improving the memory you are also cleaning your brain with 'Saakhis' offered by our great 'Sants'.
  6. You always have something to talk about: Have you ever found yourself in an embarrassing situation where you didn’t have anything to talk about when it came to Sikhism and what it has offer to humanity? Did you hate yourself for making a fool of yourself? Do you want a remedy for this? It’s simple. Start reading Atam Margs. Reading widens your horizon of information. You’ll always have something to teach to your kids, family and relatives about Sikhi.
  7. Understand the message of Sant Isher Singh Ji and Sant Waryam Singh Ji: They devoted their entire lives to us so we can understand Waheguru ji. We are here for a reason and often forget that. Our true goal of life is to remember Waheguru ji and praise him every breath of our life. We cannot praise him if we do not understand his true givings and his spiritual message. Understanding takes enormous amount of devotion and a great passion for Sikhi. Therefore, our first step is to get started and a great place to start is by reading Atam Marg Magazines.

 

Other reading and links:

Free online book and magazine downloads:


·      Other Punjabi and English books: http://www.gurmatveechar.com/literature


Ordering paperback and hard copies of books:

·      Books and Comics in English (UK based) http://www.sikhistore.com/category/books-and-comics/

·      Punjabi and English books (India based but accepts PayPal and good international delivery) http://jsks.biz/

Wednesday 16 October 2013

***YEAR 2 SIKHI RESOURCES ONLINE NOW*****

***YEAR 2 SIKHI RESOURCES ONLINE NOW*****

 Download FREE resources about the 11 Guru Sahibs

Sikhi Resources Year 2

Theme: The 11 Guru Sahibs
Term 1
Resources can be downloaded from:

 Week 1: ICE BREAKERS and WELCOME BACK
Week 2: Sri Guru Nanak Dev Jee
Week 3: Sri Guru Angad Dev Jee ...

Week 4: Sri Guru Amar Das Jee
Week 5: Sri Guru Ram Das Jee
Week 6: Sri Guru Arjan Dev Jee
Week 7: Sri Guru Hargobind Jee (Miri-Piri)
Week 8: Test and Homework
Email: sikhiresources@hotmail.com
Website:
https://www.facebook.com/SikhiResources
Theme: The 11 Guru Sahibs
Term 2
Resources can be downloaded from:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/eireu9lw4oooewj/f9YVSiHVqv 

Week 1: Welcome Back and Ice Breaker lesson
Week 2: Sri Guru Har Rai Jee
Week 3: Sri Guru Harkrishan Jee
Week 4: Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Jee
Week 5: Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee
Week 6: Test
Easter Homework
Email: sikhiresources@hotmail.com
Website:
https://www.facebook.com/SikhiResources

Theme: Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee Maharaj
Term 3
Resources can be downloaded from:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/qs1h56nszbllnzx/Wi5hfI4_jp 

 Week 1: Welcome Back Vaisakhi Lesson
Week 2: Lesson 1 SGGSJ Prakash of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee
Week 3: Lesson 2 The Composition of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee
Week 4: Lesson 3 2 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee- the Living Guru
Week 5: Creative testing and introduce summer homework
Email: sikhiresources@hotmail.com
Website:
https://www.facebook.com/SikhiResources

Sikhi Resources Year 3: Sikh Identity


Year 3 Sikhi Resources

Theme: Sikh Identity

Resources can be downloaded from: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ixhai7ozwf5kke4/1yBY4qTltS

Week 1: Enrolment Leaflet

Week 2: Welcome Lessons: Rules, Rewards, Structure, Ice Breakers and Sakhia

Week 3: Sikh Identity Lesson 1; The Origins of the Sikh Uniform

Week 4: Sikh Identity Lesson 2; The 5 Kakkar

Week 5: Sikh Identity Lesson 3; BBC The Story of the Turban Video Lesson

Week 6: Sikh Identity Lesson 4; Sikhs in the Media

Week 7: Sikh Identity Completion and Test

 

Website: https://www.facebook.com/SikhiResources

Friday 11 October 2013

Coming soon......#GCD2013

Coming soon...#GCD2013 Gurpurab Clothes Drive Leicester. Your quality new & used clothes needed please...#GCD2013
 
 

Mata Sahib Kaur Smagam November 2013

The 3rd Annual International Mata Sahib Kaur Smagam will be taking place on the 2nd November this year in 6 cities across the globe. Cities taking part are Perth (Australia), Begowal (Panjab), Bobigny (France), Coventry (UK), Toronto and Vancouver (Canada). Sukhmani Sahib Jaap will start at 5.30am and bhog will be at 5.30pm followed by kirtan.

Please attend with family and friends!

 

 

Monday 7 October 2013

October Book of the Month: The First Step


October Book of the Month: The First Step

The First Step by Mighty Khalsa "My kids just loved the pictures and I love the quality of the book" "It's such a cute book and definitely makes a great present. My niece loves it" Mighty Khalsa is thankful to Guru Nanak Dev ji for allowing this labour of love to finally come to completion. 'The First Step' is wonderfully illustrated board book that goes through the meaning of each word in Guru Nanak Dev ji's Mool Mantar, also affectionately called Pehli Pauri (literally the first Step). Its colourful illustrations and simple language make it a brilliant present for any Sikh child or anybody who wants to explore the meaning of Mool Mantar in a child-friendly manner. The artwork is by Miss Baljinder Kaur aka KAUR Illustration, an up and coming young artist from Leicester, whose unique style is much loved amongst the youth. This is book is her vision and conception. She is currently studying Art at University. Kids will also love the explanations by Navreet Singh from Coventry who has vast experience in teaching Sikhi to both children and adults. This book is printed using sustainable resources and soy ink, so as not to harm the environment. Many thanks to "Invest in the Panth" a project by www.everythings13.org to fund the production of resources that make teaching Sikhi fun for both kids and adults.


 

The First Step: Available to purchase on the following sites:

 


 


 

 
 

September Book Of The Month: The Life Stories of Sant Attar Singh Ji

SEPTEMBER BOOK OF THE MONTH: http://www.dtfbooks.com/Pages/ShowProductDetails.php?pID=MTI2NQ==


The Life Stories Of Sant Attar Singh Ji


 From an inspiring soul you can learn a lesson which will last and inspire you for a life time. Souls like Sant Jee were pure perfection in the goal to join with Akal Purkh. We might not be perfect and we may never be perfect but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t strive for perfection. Below are some sakhia, rehat, advice and lessons from Sant Jee. A summary of the book ‘Life Story of Sant Attar Singh Jee’ can be downloaded from the Sikh Roots- Resources section.


Sant Attar Singh was an inspiring soul, whose life was solely devoted to naam. Sant Attar Singh Jee lived and breathed Sikhi, “He would utter ‘Wah’ while lifting his left foot and ‘Guru’ while lifting his right foot”. Sant Ji was so imbued in bani he wouldn’t consume food for 10 days or more at a time. With increasing devotion to naam he had no need for food as bani was the source of all the nutrients he needed for his body to function. Sant Jee had so much pyaar for maharaj that he completed an akhand patt (non stop recitation of Guru Granth Sahib Jee Maharaj) all alone. “The reading could be heard up to a distance of half a mile”.


Sant Jee saw every being as capable of praising the Lord and he emphasised the beautiful nature of amritvela. Sant Jee stated, “ You remain sleeping at this time of early morning; but even animals pray to God at this time.” Animals like tigers, snakes and dangerous spiders approached Sant Jee during his meditations. The presence of such animals scared the sangat but Sant Ji did not flinch. He always replied, “It will not cause any harm. It has come to hear divine hymns and pay respects.”


Rehat and Advice from Sant Jee


· Giving maya to Ragis: “It is better if you give whatever you desire when the kirtan is finished. The Raagis can make prayers for the welfare of the donars at the close of kirtan.”


· Importance of Amrit: “Drink Amrit prepared with the double edged sword. Get benefits of the human birth.”


· Jap Jee Sahib Bani: “Sant Jee directed each newly made Singh to repeat 100 to 500 recitation of Japji Sahib.


· Importance of Kes: “God lives in your hair….by pulling your hair you have pricked the body of Satguru.”


· Preparation of Amrit: “….while preparing the Amrit, the tenth Guru himself showers the Nectar of name. The nectar infuses bravery and love.”


· Forgiveness: “The biggest virtue is to excuse and pardon others. To tolerate harsh words is equal to the greatest penance and the biggest virtue.”


· Kachera: Never completely remove the kachera from the body. If this sin is committed one must clean the shoes of the sangat for 25 days.


· Sewa : “Without sewa the I-am-ness of the man does not vanish, although he may devote as much time as he likes in the Religious Meditation etc. Without sewa, transmigration does not come to an end.”


· Naam: “Nama (Bhagat Nam Dev) says O Tarclochen (Bhagat)! Repeat and keep in your mouth the name (of the Supreme Being). Then go on doing your daily duties works with your hands and feet, but always keep God (the Lord of Mammon) in your heart.”


· Kirtan Sohila: “The Religious mandates (maryada) for the shaheed Singhs is very strict. They do not utter even a single word after Kirtan Sohila.”


· Langar: Never talk ill of langar. “One and a quarter maund of ghee is secretly supplied by the supernatural Power in the langar, everyday.”


· Ardas: “Ardas should not be long. When Ardas is performed, all the ten Satgurus come there and stand on their toes till the Ardas is finished. If Ardas is long, this causes unnecessary discomfort to them.”


· Kirtan: “It is the religious duty of a Sikh that he must not detract his mind from kirtan, although a bullet may peirce his body. If death comes during kirtan, it is a very fortunate event. He, who allows, during kirtan any part of his body to move is an accursed person.”


 


Sant Jee stated that Sikhs would advance by following this maryada:


Wake up at 3am and bathe


Contribute a tenth of your earning


Support a monthly project


Repeat and remember the name


Perform Hari Kirtan


Do all business in Gurmukhi letters


 


Sant Jee explains to become a Saint we must:


Get up early and take a bath


Recite Gurbani


If you feel sleepy wash your face with water again


If you still feel sleepy recite bani loudly


 


Sant Jee always said “Please do remember that to become a true Khalsa, one has to travel a very difficult path.”


 


The path is full of challenges, ups and downs and numerous tests but the support of naam, seva, simran and sangat can help you overcome any obstacles. Sant Jee himself says “No sincere Sikh of Satguru Nanak can ever face any shortage of anything.” Remember Kaurageous is here to unite Kaurs so please feel free to contact us with any queries or speak to us at events.


 


Please forgive the writer for any mistakes. This short piece does not do enough justice to the beautiful Gursikh- Sant Attar Singh Jee.


 


Dhan Dhan Sant Attar Singh Jee.