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How Sikhi Found Me

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh A common question I get is “How did you find Sikhi?” Actually, Sikhi found me... by way of a Shaman.  During a 9-month course I was taking in Austin, a Shaman introduced me to a mantra. Aad Guray Nameh. I didn’t know where the mantra originated or what it meant, other than it was “protective”. I was resistant at first, but followed the Shaman’s instructions to sing the mantra daily. I found this practice oddly soothing and comforting. When I returned two weeks later for our next class, the Shaman assigned another mantra and revealed their origins: Sikhi. I learned a few more mantras over the next month and began listening to kirtan. My curiosity about Sikhi grew. I studied Sikh beliefs for several months before I was ready to visit a Gurdwara. Gurdwara Nishkam Seva - Irving (where I now serve) is just 2 miles from my home. I’ve been a long-time resident of Irving since 1978, yet never knew we had a Gurdwara in our city. Since my “dance wi...
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Sleeping at the Guru’s Feet

A central hallmark of the Sikh Gurdwara is its hospitality to all visitors. Race, gender, religion, social status georgaphical origins - none of these things matter at the Gurdwara - all are welcome.  Gurdwaras provide a place for visitors to escape the elements, pray, grab a bite to eat, and bed down for the night. Many visitors even plan their travel around Gurdwara locations.  The demographics of these visitors and the reasons they appear at the Guru’s feet vary. At my Gurdwara I’ve seen the homeless - simply needing a meal, families on the move from one home to another - needing a place to pray and rest from the road, and truckers needing a place to bed down before they head to their next stop.  If you find yourself in need of a place to stay for the night and you’ve decided to stay at a Gurdwara, seek out the Granthi or Bhai Sahab of the Gurdwara. There are several things you should discuss before you settle in for the night: Length of Stay: Many Gurdwaras have a lim...
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Paramaysureh

ਆਦਿ ਪੂਰਨ ਮਧਿ ਪੂਰਨ ਅੰਤਿ ਪੂਰਨ ਪਰਮੇਸੁਰਹ ॥ Language:  Gurmukhi Source:  Siri Guru Granth Sahib (Page 705, Line 19) Communities:  Sikh, Sikh Dharma, Kundalini Yoga Author:  Guru Arjun Dev ji Transliteration: Aad Pooran Madh Pooran Ant Pooran Paramaysureh Paramaysareh, Paramaysareh Aad Pooran Madh Pooran Ant Pooran Paramaysureh Paramaysareh, Paramaysareh Paramaysareh ditaa bannaa Dukh rog kaa dayraa bannaa Anad karahi nar naaree Har har prabh kirpaa Dharee Translation: "From the beginning, He was pervading; in the middle, He is pervading; in the end, He will be pervading. He is the Transcendent Lord." More Information: Aad means "the beginning", but its definition is actually closer to "the primal", something that existed before the beginning, beyond and predating anything we consider to be in existence. Pooran means "complete" as it is - it needs nothing more to complete it. In the beginning, God was complete truth. Madh Poora...
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