New to Sikhism

itsmaneet · #37 (**permalink**) 24-Jul-2012, 14:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akasha

Actually it's kind of eerie how when I think back, Sikhism has been popping up in my life many times over long before I decided to actually become Sikh. SO I think Waheguru has been sending me messages to get me on this path for much of my life really!! It just took me this long to listen!

When I was in my teens, I had some weird experiences... out of body experiences (aka Astral Projections) they happened on their own. I didn't do any occult practices or meditation to make them happen. (these experiences are a bit difficult to talk about for fear of non belief by others or ridicule, so pls note) I always thought of them as gifts from God though but things I learned when researching Astral Projection pretty much killed any belief I had (if I even had any at all) in my birth religion (Catholicism, which shuns anything it considers Occult - read between the lines - it actually shuns anything that encourages people to explore their true spirituality and direct relationship with God). Things like knowledge of the Akashic Records, the Astral Plane etc. ... So here was something I KNEW from experience, but could not fit to any specific religion I knew of. When I researched what was happening to me, Sikhism came up (references to Akashic Ethers etc). So I really started reading about Sikhism more than 20 years ago now! I think this was the first cue Waheguru was sending me...

Then when I was 21 I joined the Navy. In one of my first foreign ports I was shopping and came upon one of those Cd displays where you can push the button and listen to samples of music. What I heard was amazing... and I bought the Cd. I didn't understand the lyrics at first, and didn't know it until several months later, but what I was listening to was literally the Mool Mantra put to music by Singh Kaur. (even though the music is 3HO based, the content of the song - the words - is what matters I think... and even though its not traditional punjabi music, you'd be surprised how well celtic harp works with it!! 3HO might have strayed off the path of True Sikhism, but they do have some good contributions like music etc. - just wish they'd dump the kundalini BS) So there was another cue Waheguru was sending me... music I could listen to and really let go and meditate. I didn't even know I was meditating on the Mool Mantra! I still listen to Singh Kaur's music btw... she has a beautiful voice!

Then in my late 20's I met a guy online (ya I know...) locally. He was a Sikh and a doctor. Though he was also a jerk (different story) and a bad example of a Sikh since he drank, got caught drunk driving, lost his medical license, etc... it got my interest in Sikhism piqued yet again so I started reading more.... Third cue from Waheguru!

So even though I only recently decided to contact the local Gurdwara... I feel that I have been steered by Waheguru on this path pretty much my whole life, through subtle (or maybe not so subtle when you look at them) cues.

I think those born into Sikhism are so lucky... you learn everything growing up. I have to learn everything now as an adult at 36 years but had I listened to my heart, and to Waheguru in my teens when I was given such a beautiful gift as knowing (not believing but actually KNOWING) we are spiritual beings much beyond this physical shell... I would have been on this path a lot sooner!

Better late than never I guess...

Dear Akasha Ji

There's a famous saying "God Helps Those Who Help Themselves" but exceptions do exist

& Waheguru held your hand right from your teenage to answer your questions. Interestingly, am myself a Sikh, born in a Sikh family but was very careless on doing Nitnem & visiting Gurudwaras inspite of my parents strict instructions to me. I being a practical natured person want things to be proved before i follow anything & my interest in Sikhism sharpened with my interest to know more about the universe, the planets, stars, various worlds etc. & when i tried searching it in our Granths i started getting answers from Waheguru.

So what i mean to say is that you just lay your questions infront of Gurbani & Guruji is so kind to answer it always !

Further in punjabi there's a famous phrase "Divve Thalle Nera" that means - there's always shadowy darkness beneath diyas (candles) & when you just make an effort & come out of that shadow you experience the immense power of light that would let your sight reach distant places.... such is the power of divine power. You just have to make a small effort to come out of the dark shadow.

Gurfateh !!

Astroboy · #38 (**permalink**) 25-Jul-2012, 01:45 AM

Akasha Ji,

There have been members of Eckankar, a western spiritual org, who have converted into Sikhism here in Malaysia. When I heard their story - in summary this is what they said - they traced the origin of Eckankar teachings to Sikhism. OBE or Soul Travel - a widely used term in ECKankar, was performed by Guru Nanak as told in the Sao Sakhi.

The main reason why they quested to find the origins of the ECK teachings was because they wanted to trace the predecessor of Paul Twitchell. There was a dispute when Harold Klemp overthrew Darwin Gross and it shattered their core beliefs.This led them in the lap of Sikhism and they are Sikhs now together with their families.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/new-to-sikhism/38811-new-to-sikhism.html

Video of Singh Kaur with Celtic Harp. Lyrics are : Ardas Bhaee, Ram Das Guru, Ram Das Guru, Ram Das Guru, Sachee Sahee

Singh Kaur Crimson Vol. 6, Ardas - YouTube

Akasha · #39 (**permalink**) 25-Jul-2012, 05:16 AM

Astroboy, I have heard of Eckankar... and that they are likened to a cult. When I was researching what was happening to me in my teens I inevitably came across this group. What happened to me naturally, these people were trying to make happen on their own through practice. That in itself is not bad, but Eckankar is membership based, requiring money, and threats if you leave. And a good majority of the material was plagiarized from Sikhism and Rhadsoami / Sant Mat.

Here is another Sing Kaur song... the one that I bought the cd for so many years ago now! When I read the translation of the words in English, that was the pivotal moment when I knew I had to actually pursue Sikhism... The Mool Mantra. Its almost funny to think that for literally years I listened to this song to meditate / relax and I had no idea just how special this mantra was, not consciously anyway.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38811

Singh Kaur ~ Mool Mantra - YouTube

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38811
edit: I just looked up references to Guru Nanak and Astral Travel and I literally got shivers! My experiences really were a gift from God! The first time it happened I was only 8 years old... though I didn't know what it was or how to even describe it. IN my teens is when I started to explore what it was... My experiences (I now believe) are truly what drove me to Sikhism from the beginning. (as a side note, it has no happened in quite awhile...

)

Astroboy · #40 (**permalink**) 25-Jul-2012, 23:53 PM

Akasha Ji,

Many experience based episodes brought me back into the real path of Sikhism myself. Sikhism isn't really understood - rather those born into Sikhism, like me, take things for granted and don't really grasp the reality. Rather, we want to fit Sikhism into our own viewpoints picking up those aspects which agree with our standards and discarding those which seem to be a stumbling block to pursue our worldly goals.

Dreams were the first kind of experiences. Apart from that, as a kid, I used to get goose-pimples listening to kirtan. Death of my father brought me into a real soul searching journey. I have opened a thread here called Journey of the Soul - Part 1 and Part 2 and other members have poured in valuable info with references from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38811
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38811

SPN is really a good forum to learn Sikhi from.