I am always interested in the practical aspects of projects like this so that we know what we are actually signing onto or rejecting based on more not little information.
Aside from the practical aspects there is a different issue for me. Many other faiths have programs of worship that involve large groups engaged in multiple hour-long, day-long, week-long, repetitive observance. For example, novenas in the Roman Church. Over let's say 10 Saturdays a group convenes to say the the rosary to seek the intercession of a particular saint for the good of participant souls. These are often organized by a priest or member of a religious order. The practice often gains popularity and momentum and becomes part of a larger, more wide-spread congregational tradition. Speakers may also offer special prayers and sermons to encourage the faithful. The feeling of the doing of it becomes the important thing.
With Sikhi, I wonder...
With any kind of ' 'a-thon' are we packaging our spiritual practice? As Gyani ji points out, the doing of it, as a regimen, stands to substitute for the individual reflection on it. Gyan is not the fundamental reason for it. Perhaps leading to the sense ... now that I have done it! Now I have this under my belt! The actions become the outcomes. The 'a-thon' becomes a rote experience. Everyone leaves feeling good because the doing of it is the end in itself. The focus on the "IT" changes things for me.
initially everything starts off with goals, something to work towards, a finish line of some sorts...
there are many people out there that want to try doing amrit vela, or daily simran...a longing inside to try and connect to Waheguru in a way that Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji describes, and sometimes sangat doing it together for a period of time (or even remove the words 30 day or amrit vel 'a' thon...doesnt matter) ... but doing it together is important...speaking to each other regularly about obstacles that occur, difficulties, the joys ... this inspires...this gets us going...this is how it got me going, got me moving, and now i don;t look back.
Maybe just maybe there is one reader out there that gets inspired.
Maybe i'm going about it in the wrong way....if you think of a more productive way, please put some ideas forward. otherwise all we're left again with is more opinion opinion opinions...when all that Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji says is:
faer k agai rakheeai jith dhisai dharabaar ||
So what offering can we place before Him, by which we might see the Darbaar of His Court?
muha k bolan boleeai jith sun dhharae piaar ||
What words can we speak to evoke His Love?
a(n)mrith vaelaa sach naao vaddiaaee veechaar ||
In the Amrit Vaylaa, the ambrosial hours before dawn, chant the True Name, and contemplate His Glorious Greatness.
karamee aavai kaparraa nadharee mokh dhuaar ||
By the karma of past actions, the robe of this physical body is obtained. By His Grace, the Gate of Liberation is found.
naanak eaevai jaaneeai sabh aapae sachiaar ||4||
O Nanak, know this well: the True One Himself is All. ||4||