Gurdwara Power

A thread created to discuss the importance of sangat and Gurdwara Sahib in your spiritual and cultural life.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/business-and-lifestyle/22630-gurdwara-power.html

Once someone I know said gurdwara was just a Punjabi social club. It hurt to hear that. What he was missing was the way that gurdwara supports and maintains Sikhi -- in every way. In the diaspora, gurdwara is not a social club, but a small society always struggling to understand how it can help is members make sense of Sikhi in a changing world. Does this happen for forum members on SPN? Please share your stories.
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Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=22630

Guru ka Bagh
(remembered each year on August 8)


This is a first installment. Gurdwara Sahib under storm -- it is easy to take life for granted. I am wondering about reactions to this story.

"... There were four Akali Sikhs with their black turbans facing a band of about a dozen policemen, including two English officers. They had walked slowly up to the line of the police just before I had arrived and they were standing silently in front of them at about a yard's distance. They were perfectly still and did not move further forward. Their hands were placed together in prayer and it was clear that they were praying. Then without the slightest provocation on their part, an Englishman lunged forward the head of his lathi (staff) which was bound with brass. He lunged it forward in such a way that his fist which held the staff struck the Akali Sikh, who was praying, just at the collar-bone with great force. It looked the most cowardly blow as I saw it struck...."
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=22630

Read the rest of the story at this link Guru_ka_Bagh

Once someone I know said gurdwara was just a Punjabi social club.( quote)
aad0002 Ji
This kind of statement can be of a person who got frustrated by getting involved in Gurudawara politics that prevails among those who have no respect for the Gurbani. All people go there, do not get involved in any kind of "show off" or" power gaining games", their only purpose is to go there is to sit in the presence of Guru to contemplate on Guru Shabad, very rarely they talk with those who find good time to boast about their possessions or involved in baseless chattering. Going to Gurudawara by keeping in mind one thing" I am going to meet Guru to take guidance," will always help. Hear a shabad, contemplate on it and never acknowledge the commotion that is on. I have witnessed many doing that.

Agree with pk70, aad0002, ji. Those who see the gurdawara with their eyes, see it as a social scene. But those who see it from their heart, see Who really is there.

japreet ji

Thank you for your insight. I am hoping the thread will be about seeing with heart and the soul.

Sat Nam, everyone!
When I first started going to Gurdwara I was joyously struck with the Kirtan. Such wonderful music and song! I have been going ever since, because I find great comfort in Gurdwara; the Kirtan and prayers are very uplifting and inspirational.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=22630
When in any Gurdwara, Temple or Church, one will always see those who are there for what we could call social reasons. I like to think that even though that might be their main reason for going, the music, prayers and it being a House of God (even though we may all think about remembering the main House of God is within each of our hearts) will stay with them, even if they are not conscious or aware of it.
Let us all celebrate the occassions we go to Gurdwara, (it can be any time, not just a special occassion) and enjoy the wonderful gifts we have been given!
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=22630
Thank you for starting this thread!
Wahe Guru,
Cheers, Blessings and Love to all
KulwantK

The Gurdwara has been many things for me in my life. A school, a refuge, a place to unburden my problems, a gym, a place I have frequently felt alienated from. A place I have said my last farewell to people on their deaths, a place in which I have seen people join together in marriage. A personal confessional. A place that united people whilst at the same time contained endless factional disputes. A place I have turned to in my most desperate times. Where I turn to when I have something great to celebrate. But when it is empty and there is just me and Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, it actually feels like home.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=22630
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=22630

And yes, it was also a social place once.

SmasHits.com - Flash Player - OnDemand

amarsanghera ji
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=22630

Great song -- but you have to explain what made you think of uploading it. Help me/some of us out with some context. I am not smart enough to figure it out on my own. The song is in Hindi, am I correct?
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=22630

Maybe you are saying some people just go to gurdwara to eat Indian food and celebrate weddings? Just my little joke. Thanx! I have Punjabi friends who can explain this if you are busy.

its a Kafi by Bulleh Shah

nutshell message is:

When i recognized and accepted my true calling - Love for One, i gave up going to Mandir or Masjid.

you say light lives in the holy places, my beloved lives within my doghouse- my body.

why i put it there...??? hope that explained...this is a rather long one....i am sorry can't translate the whole.

Gurudwaras today serve a basic purpose, bring us to the "door", but whe the journey starts, we are on our own.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=22630

So choose to knock and enter, some choose to sit there and compare notes.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=22630

i still enjoy going to Gurudwara for the kirtan & yummy Kheer in langar

My mind shuts off during the Secretary sahib's speech