Why is reading beneficial for Sikhs?

Why is reading beneficial for Sikhs?

Extract from: http://www.ratwarasahib.com/atammargmagazine.html

 

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:

·      Download Atam Marg magazines: http://www.gurmatveechar.com/literature?browse=Magazines/Atam_Marg_Magazines

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

·      English books: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/id7crkcslzi3e0p/PBVhXDvFv0/Sikh-Books-English

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/