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Jul 16, 2021
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Greetings, I am new to the SPN, and I have found myself increasingly reading more articles and discussions here, simply from my internet searches, without ever making an account. This is a bit lengthy but thought I should make this post to introduce myself to the community at large.

My path of discovery started when I found Jagraj Singh's videos on Youtue through the "Basics of Sikhi" channel. Until recently, I did not know that he had passed, because to me he looked like an older brother, being so young looking. Everyone used to tell me that Sikhs do not talk about their faith publicly, but that was until I met Jagraj ji in public, speaking at lengths with people in his community about what he believes in discourses with others, and I was inspired by him to learn more about Sikhism. He impressed me with his boldness, kindness, familiar style of teaching, and calm temperament. So when I found out that he was no longer on earth, my heart was grieved upon hearing the news. In the spirit he felt like a friend to me.

It made sense of me to join this community and become a member in order to contribute, because I have known several people from the Punjab and Kashmir in my life, even developing a good friendship from my youth, and think I might be able to have some good discussions with you all on topics that I feel confident in sharing about or that we have in common.

I've always had a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and a faith in God since a boy and was raised in a Christian family. It's always a blessing to be around people who are lovingly devoted to God, who write His words on their hearts, and who are active in helping their fellow man and neighbors -- living out their faith! I am naturally curious/passionate about archaeology, antiquity, history, learning languages, medieval and classical music around the world, people, places, and theology!

There are things about Sikhism that I am naturally drawn to because there are elements that remind me of my faith, especially from the teachings of Christ Jesus of Nazareth, and I love to discuss righteousness as a result: as much as it is in me to witness with all due diligence the intuitive glances of my soul in the light of what I have understood.

It's important to learn the Gurumukhi for me, because just like when studying the Holy Bible it makes sense to have an understanding of the Greek, because you get a richer expression and fuller experience of the scriptures as a result. Greek thought in a way reminds me sometimes of the tenor of Classical Indian thought in it's expressed accuracy of metaphysical and spiritual concepts. I found it curious that the same word Ashoka used after uniting the Indian subcontinent to describe, what I assume to be his Parthian subjects regarding the Dharma is the same word the Greeks used to describe Holiness/Righteousness in the New Testament of the Bible.


One of my friends is a Yogi of a kind and I am interested in learning more about Indian thought and philosophy, so naturally it makes sense to learn the language that the scriptures are written in! :) One of the philosophers that I have spent a lot of time studying is a French woman named Simone Weil from the 1940's and she self-taught herself Sanskrit to read the Bagavad Gita, which makes me wonder if I can too :)




I've downloaded a few apps for Android but think it best to humble myself before you and inquire here such that one of you might give me more advice or recommend me in a few areas as I have some questions.... for example!

  1. Where is the best place to meet other outgoing Sikhi in my community, and find good language tutors of Gurumuki script and Punjabi where I live?

In closing, since this is a philosophical community I wanted to share with you a word on the topic of Faith from the scriptures that are in my tradition, as I believe interfaith dialogues are important in this day and age.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1, KJV translation)


Signed and present,


Your friendly neighborhood Gora scholar

Ciao ciao :)

P.S. --- my primary language is English and my secondary languages are Italian and Japanese

P.P.S --- Moderators: I don't believe this is the right sub-forum for this topic, could you help me relocate it, as I wasn't able to delete this post on my own, and don't want to post twice. Thank you sincerely!
 
Last edited:

Ishna

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SPNer
May 9, 2006
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Hello there. It's been a long while since I posted here myself, so I'm not sure if I can say "welcome!" but welcome, nonetheless.

The old-style Punjabi language used in Gurbani is fascinating, for sure! It's not the only language used in there but it's the bulk.

Because the language in Gurbani is so different from the Punjabi language today, you may be hard pressed to find a language tutor to help you to learn about the language in Gurbani specifically. Your best bet is to start with the Gurdwaras near you and see what the local community is like. At the very least you'll get a nice langar and some first hand experience of the ceremonies! I'm not sure how Gurdwaras are running in your part of the world given the, you know, situation. So, in the meantime, I've sent you a resource via DM that you might find very useful in your quest. Obviously you're welcome to ask questions and chat about it here in on SPN. :)

There's an interfaith forum for discussion about faiths other than Sikhi - you might want to start a new thread there with your quote from Hebrews.
 
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