Transformation in small steps

Wisdom - From the Cherokees

2008-12-12T13:20:00.000-08:00

My recent fall eco-escape was to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the land of the Cherokee Indians, this past Oct. It was a last-moment trip without any planning.

Threw my tent, hiking boots and some food in the trunk and drove north to escape 12+ hours of work each day, non-stop chores and managing the schedule of my "busier-than-the-president" teenager.

The Smokemont Campground, surrounded by lush autumn foliage and alongside a beautiful stream, was lavishly unoccupied; it didn't take me long to figure out why. The temperature in the night dropped below zero and I had to wake up to put on a third layer of insulation, gloves and hat, before I cozied up in my subzero sleeping bag, surrounded by the ripple of the flowing water.

I could pack in a beautiful mountain hike, a horse ride, visit a farmstead built by the first settlers and catch the most gorgeous sunset I have ever seen from the prettiest spot on earth.

But the next day was reserved for the Cherokees.

I have been always fascinated by our Native tribes; their stories of persecution and triumph remind me of what our people have gone through various times.

One more parallel that is so sharp between our respective cultures is how we both have kept our heroic traditions alive through storytelling.

In the Cherokee tradition, the chief would tell stories around the evening campfire and the village would gather around him, marvelling and reflecting on the traditions, beauty and wisdom shared by him.
So did we when we lived in the jungles, virtually on horseback, escaping persecution by the Moghuls. When we found refuge in secluded spots and fires were lit to cook the langar, the heroic ballads were sung, keeping our history and spirits alive.

Another similarity is that of the names. The Native Americans have meaningful real-life action-oriented names. Like "Soaring Eagle," "Laughing Maiden," etc.

It was hiking on the mountain trail in this sacred land of the natives a few years ago that I got insight into my purpose, from my name. I realized my name had an action association too and the Gurbani spoke of it.

Har ki katha kahania gurmeet sunaiyaa...

Gurmeet, the beloved of the Guru - tells the stories of the Lord ... it made perfect sense to me. We have got stories to tell - and I would make sure I serve my name-action from now on.
What wisdom was I to derive during this trip?

After soaking in the town of Cherokee and some native handicraft shops, I visited the museum of the Cherokee Indians. The entrance had captured my attention already. The statue of the smokey bear and of Sequoia (the Cherokee genius who invented their syllabary in 1821) were both adorned with a turban. I had seen feathery headwear but never a turban on the natives.
It was a good sign. I would soon find a special message for me, a Sikh.

The museum tells you the history of European injustices upon the Cherokee tribe; the initial befriending and trading, then the annihilation, assimilation and continuous humiliation throughout each phase.

One of the displays showed some of the quotes of the Europeans juxtaposed with those from the Cherokees, side by side, to show the different perspectives of each. This one really struck me hard.

Once, after days of deliberation on the Bible by the mission priests in an attempt to "civilize" and "bring to God" the "savage" natives, the Cherokee Chief Yonaguska spoke:
Upon reading chapters of Matthew, he commented, "Well, it seems to be a good book - strange that the white people are not better, after having had it so long."

Why did it strike me? Perhaps - because I find ourselves guilty of adhering to the same predicament that the Europeans were being accused of - our scriptures are overflowing with truth and nobility; therefore surely, we must be a superior people!

I can't imagine the reaction of the Christian priest who was trying to demean and convert the Cherokees, upon hearing what Chief Yonaguska had to say, but I know one thing for sure. If the Chief found the Bible to be a good book - he would certainly find Guru Granth Sahib outstanding; he would then find it even stranger that the Sikhs, too, fall short of the Sikhi ideals today, despite having had this treasure for hundreds of years.

We need to stop hiding behind the greatness of our Guru, our Scripture, and the sacrifices by our great men and women of the past. It is one thing to derive strength from their greatness, but it is cheating to not embody the greatness in our own lives.

We need to be the living and walking embodiment of the lessons taught to us by our Guru. Until we consciously walk the path, talk is useless ... as the Chief would inevitably point out.

Before we say something about our Guru's greatness to an outsider, the latter should have found out about it through our demeanor, our actions, our service, our ethics, our ways.

This is the wisdom I tasted from the mountains this trip.

This is the message of the Cherokee Nation to ours.

This article also appeared on sikhchic.com

Taking Care of Mother Earth - A Conscious Kitchen

2008-04-21T07:21:00.000-07:00

Earth Day - April 2008

While ‘global warming’ has become the most debatable and trendy topic amongst thought leaders, politicians, activists and elites around the world, obvious changes in the climate, drowning of the polar bears, unprecedented pollution and epidemic increase in the number of diseases have forced a common person to think about the reasons and consider changes in lifestyle formerly taken for granted. There is a growing sense of personal responsibility for what we as average human beings can do not only individually but as a global community to make this Earth a better place. As conscious citizens of this world, Sikhs have by far the most enlightened view available to them from the teachings of the Guru(s) and the environmentally conscious lives they lived.

In the Slok, Pavan Guru Paani Pitaa, Mataa Dharat Mahat, the gurbani gives the whole environment that sustains us the status of Guru: Water the Father and, Earth the Mother. Furthermore, the Guru Sahib directs us to take care of them as they take care of us. There are numerous examples that guide our lifestyles towards green living exemplified by the institution of Langar that feeds and nurtures the hungry with simple and nutritious food in the most earth friendly way possible and by the sensitivity that the Guru (Har Rai Ji) showed towards conservation and sustenance of flora and fauna and by the un-tired efforts of Bhagat Puran Singh who lobbied for saving trees and reversing pollutions of our rivers.

Yet somehow we have become a community that takes pride in eco destructive displays that feed off of fast food places and extends the use of bottled water and sodas to Langars and Chhabils that trashes the landfills with plastic bottles and styrofoam plates without a single thought about the negative environmental effects our actions have. It’s time to look at these thoughtless behaviors and say, “enough is enough”. We have abused our planet for a long time. It’s time to stop trashing and contaminating the environment with synthetic toxic wastes that our fast and convenient lifestyle produces.

The thought of taking personal responsibility leaves us feeling challenged, doesn’t it? Yes, theoretically we all want a greener planet but what can we, as average Sikhs and consumers do on a practical level? Isn’t it easier to leave it up to the governments and the activist organizations to make a change? No, not if your name is Kaur or a Singh. You are the change agent for the future and at least you can do your part. Simply by making a few lifestyle changes for yourself and inspiring others to do so, you can bring about a revolution in the way we treat this earth!

A very effective reduction in carbon footprint can be brought about by greening our kitchens and by changing our eating habits; Changes here, need not be monumental, but the results are. Small changes that you will make will become the seed for a larger positive impact on our environment. By adapting to these changes in our kitchen, our family of two alone has reduced thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide emission per year. The prospect is unlimited if you all join us.

So open your minds, do your own assessment, and spread the seed. Here is my top 10 to-do list for a Conscious Kitchen – Gurmukh and Green.

10. Onboard with Organic

Why should we?

Excessive use of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides has not only poisoned the food we eat but it has overloaded the earth with synthetic chemicals and made it barren. These toxic chemicals make their way into the water supplies and become a part of our food cycle. Organic and sustainable farming methods produce the food with a natural way of controlling insects and pests while using crop rotations and other sustainable techniques to enrich the earth of its natural nutrients that make their way into the food. Organic dairy practices allow free roaming for cows to feed naturally and healthfully, free of BGH (Bovine Growth Hormones) and antibiotics so those hormones and antibiotics don’t make their way into our body.

Easy Tips:

In the west, almost every food chain carries organic produce, grains and dairy whereas some specifically specialize in them. Ask your grocer about carrying organic items, if they currently don’t. Yes, organic food is slightly more expensive, but investing in your health is the best thing you will do for yourself and your family.
In India, organic farming is finding its roots again. Cooperatives of organic farmers who market their products to end users such as ‘Kudrati Kheti Producers’ are quickly emerging. There is a natural farming movement called ‘Nanak Kheti’ lead by Kheti Virasat Mission (KVM), a civil society action group headquartered in the Jaitu town of Faridkot district which already has 800 members affiliated to it. The KVM network can provide natural grains, pulses, fruits, vegetables and ghee. Get involved today for a better life tomorrow. See the resource guide below for contact information.

9: Love Local

Why should we?

The average meal in the U.S travels 1200 miles before it becomes dinner on our tables. Buying locally grown food accomplishes the goals of eating seasonal, eating fresh and reducing the carbon dioxide emission associated with the transportation thus being healthy for us and mother earth. Buying local produce also supports the local economy and small family farms. Not only the produce that is trucked, flown or shipped in contributes to global warming, it is also harvested prematurely and subjected to chemical, color or radiation treatments for preserving the looks and texture. Local produce, however, is sold shortly after being picked, which makes it not only fresher tasting, but fuller of nutrients and devoid of preservatives.

I was dismayed to hear from an Aunt in India who proudly exclaimed, “Now we can eat everything in every season from every corner of the world, just like you because such supermarkets are coming up everywhere”. My heart went out to the local Sabzi wallas and farmers and I did not know how to explain to my Aunt what I would give to have the comfort of buying great local produce everyday at home -- produce that never saw plastic packaging, refrigeration or a colored wax coating.

Easy Tips:

Look for local farmer markets. They are everywhere. Ask frequented grocery stores to carry more local foods. We enjoy a long summer farmer market in our area held in the town square every Saturday. Food just means so much more if you know your money is going directly to the farmer who worked hard for it.

Some areas also have a Community Share Agriculture (CSAs) where you prepay and the farmer delivers a crate of local produce to your doorstep every week. See the resource guide below.

8: Revert to Re-usable and Biodegradable

Why should we?

Paper plates, napkins and plastic dinnerware waste the environment, increases bulk in trash and kill trees. Real dishes, cloth napkins, and steel cutlery enhance the eating experience while reducing toxic trash and saving trees. For household cleaning, switching to green products such as recycled paper towels and biodegradable cleaning supplies will ensure that you are not dumping toxic wastes into the water supply. But remember, we can't buy our way to a greener world. It takes behavioral change, which often involves buying fewer products, not more. Every product has an environmental cost, from processing to transportation to disposal even though it may be produced out of recycled material.

Easy Tips:

Replace chemical cleaners with good old fashioned baking soda and vinegar and go for biodegradable dishwashing soap.

Use old towels as rags for cleaning counters and floors.
Pack lunches in reusable lunch bags and washable containers instead of plastic wrap and bags.
Keep a set of cutlery at work and wash after each use instead of using disposables.
In India, advocate reverting to Pattal ware (Plates and Bowls made from the tree leaves) for community meals and Langar. The pattal products are completely biodegradable and may be discarded after a single use but used for composting. They are a biodegradable, disposable, and an inexpensive alternative to modern paper or plastic utensils while they promote cottage industry.

7: Efficient on Energy and Water

Why should we?

Clean, Potable water is fast becoming the rarest natural resource. What we take for granted here in water affluent places, is a rare commodity in the world and our overuse and wastefulness affects the availability of water to the rest of the world. Even here in Georgia, U.S.A, we have faced critical water shortages and droughts that have caused many of us to rethink our behavior.
Think of the world water supply as a single tank with several outlets; some fat holes and other places just a few pin holes. Fortune to live near fat holes does not give us the privilege to drain the supply and deprive billions living near pin holes. Women in some countries walk up to 5 miles everyday just to fetch 2 buckets of water for cooking and drinking. The same is true for energy; electricity and natural gas which we take for granted are mostly produced from non-renewable resources and produce significant pollution in the process. Go easy on their use!

Easy Tips:

Soaking your beans, lentils and grains overnight and using a pressure cooker reduces the cooking time and energy by up to 80%.

Eating more raw foods is not only healthier but also more environment friendly. Add whole fruits, sprouts and salad to your diet.

Reuse the water used to wash veggies and fruits for watering your plants.

Chose the right appliance for the job. Heat the water in a kettle not in open pot. Use the toaster oven instead of a large oven for small jobs like toasting nuts. Use smaller pots for cooking small portions. Little changes make big differences. You will be saving thousands of gallons of water and energy making some simple common sense changes.
Use the appliances such as dishwasher only when full. If washing dishes by hand, fill the sink instead of letting the water run.
I want to step outside of kitchen to address just this one. The appliance that is the biggest energy consumer in the household resides in your laundry: your clothes dryer. Revert to the old fashioned clothing line folks! There is nothing wrong with using solar heat to dry your clothes in your backyard. Make it a chore for your children. Teach them to conserve energy as well. It was my change for this Earth Day; I just put a clothes line in my backyard; It took a 20 ft. rope, two trees and 5 minutes to do it.

6: Reduce Restaurant trips (unless if it’s the Dhabas of course)

Why should we?

By reducing the dependency on fast foods, restaurant foods, soft drinks and processed meals and replacing with nutrient-rich, home-cooked meals you will improve both your and the planet’s health. By reducing those trips and eating a family dinner in your kitchen, you'll not only reduce gas pollution and food wastage but also build a stronger foundation for healthy living for your children. By eliminating those empty calories you will lose weight and feel great.

Easy Tips:

Plan a menu for the week ahead of time to cut down on shopping trips. Thinking ahead the night before (for example, soaking the lentils or beans) also makes the job quicker and easier.
Simplify traditional recipes by forgoing the frying of onions, ginger and garlic and instead cooking them raw along with main items - saving time, energy and cutting down on saturated fats.

Keep healthy snacks, like nuts or dried fruit, in your car, so you don't need to waste time and gas sitting in a drive-through for some junk when in need.
If you are on the run, put your money in local eateries such as Punjabi Dhabas or local flavors of Pop and Mom diners that make real food. Retrain taste buds to like the real food taste instead of frozen and reheated processed food. It is unfortunate that even in India our new generation prefers to eat out at McDonalds’ and KFC than to patronize the local dhabas that make fresh and healthy food.

5. Buy Bulk and Banish Bottles

Why should we?
For bottled-water addicts, trading in the convenience and cool looking bottles for good old tap in a reusable glass container may seem like a status downgrade. However, consider this: according to National Geographic magazine, Americans alone buy more than 8 billion gallons of bottled water a year and toss 22 billion empty plastic bottles in the trash. So what’s the problem? Nothing if plastic was biodegradable. Plastic takes anywhere from 500 to 1000 years to degrade and not in a bio friendly way. The toxic little pieces of broken plastic eventually find their way into the water supply or end up in ocean and guess where else ? In you!! Through the fish you eat or water you drink. Oh, and by the way some plastic bottles can be toxic while in use too. Canada just declared it is taking some types of plastic bottles for babies out of the market because they contain bisphenol A, a known toxin.

Why buy bulk ? Because, packaging pollutes. While individual packs are convenient, measuring out snacks, nuts or granola from a big jar into a reusable box for lunch or car takes only a few seconds. Not only do companies charge a premium for individually packaged goods, you will save on trash bags to throw out all that excess garbage, save the landfills and associated transportation emissions.

Going for natural snacks like fresh fruits, dried fruits and nuts eliminates the intake of toxic preservatives, additives, colors and flavors in your diet while minimizing packaging.

Easy Tips:

Buy a reusable neoprene bottle and use it till it breaks. If you do not trust the lead content in your local water supply, get a filter for your home and fill your bottle from that. Remember the facts above when you reach for bottled water at the convenience store or a lunch meeting. If you must purchase a water bottle, please recycle it.
We save our pasta sauce jars and glass juice bottles. Unlike plastic which leeches at higher temperatures, these are safe left in the car. We get called cheap, but that's a small price to pay for the reduction in our CO2 footprint.
Instead of packaged veggies and fruits, go straight for the bin. If you eat a particular food in quantity, such as yogurt, choose the large container and spoon out what you need instead of buying several individual tubs. (Better yet, make the yogurt at home).
Substitute fruit juice with a wholesome fruit. Not only do you save the environment, you get additional fiber along with all the vitamins and minerals intact, which the pasteurization kills.
If you are or have children into sports, buy powdered electrolytes and mix in reusable water bottle instead of buying prepared products such as Gatorade.

4: BYOB – Bring Your own Bags

Why should we?
According to the National Geographic magazine, more than 500 billion plastic bags are consumed worldwide in a year. Most of degrade toxically, go to landfills or get littered and in the end provide hazards to animal and marine life. Over 100,000 birds and marine life die each year, due to an encounter with plastic debris, much of it plastic bags. So is paper better? No. Americans alone use 10 billion paper bags in a year. That's over 14 million of oxygen-producing, carbon consuming trees that are cut down to provide pulp needed for shopping bags. The shopping solution? Bring your own reusable bags.

Easy Tips:

Purchase and use canvas or laminated bags. As soon as the groceries are unloaded; go put them back in your car trunk so they are always there when you stop for shopping.
If you have ethnic prints or embroidered bed spreads lying around for ages; too beautiful to discard; get some shopping bags made out of them and give them the showing they deserve
As further incentive, it would help to know that reusable bags are the status symbol of the decade. Also they are a great statement makers.

3: Revert to Roots (Convert your Lawn to a mini-farm)

Why should we?

Think about the amount of water, fertilizers, weed control and fungicide you use to keep that lawn green. Plant fruit trees if you have the space or go for a vegetable and herb garden. Punjabis have a long connection with agriculture. Guru Nanak, after returning from his journeys, settled in Kartar Pur and farmed. Re-cultivate that connection with the earth. Once you feel that connection with food, you'll change the way you eat. It becomes so much more real, and so much more a part of you. It also brings appreciation for the farmers who make their living nurturing their fields for your food.

I remember visiting Punjab as a child and snacking on a huge carrot or a radish or sugarcane without one knife touching it. Now, our young ones would have no clue what to do with them.

Start community based agriculture share practices. You don’t have to grow the whole array of kitchen vegetables; just a select few coordinated with your friends. Gurdwara provides a perfect place to exchange your tomatoes with Binder’s Bhindi and Maninder’s home grown Methi.

Easy Tips:

You can start with a single window pot of basil and move on to an herb garden with fresh mint, peppers and a rosemary bush then gradually up your level to a vegetable garden.
Already there? Start your compost pile. It’s not as challenging as it sounds. Keep a bucket with a lid in your kitchen right next to your trash can and deposit all your vegetable and fruit peels in it. Once a week empty the bucket in your compost pile and turn the pile over. Add dried up leaves, yard clippings for brown material when you have them. You will not only have healthy compost for your garden but you will reduce your take out garbage amount by more than 50%. That amounts to saving in transportation and landfill area. Go to ehow.com and type compost to learn more.

2: Welcome Vegetarianism

Why should we?

The resources needed to raise, slaughter, process, refrigerate and transport animals for meat : such as livestock feed, water, fuel and land greatly exceed those required for raising fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains – upto seven times more! As the world population multiplies and giant corporations get greedier, the space used for raising animals is reducing, resulting in their exposure to high levels of diseases and toxins from their own waste products, antibiotics and growth hormones. Runoff from meat farms pollutes the water source and methane gas produced by them directly adds to global warming. The health benefits of a vegetarian diet alone give one a reason to say good bye to meat. Most diseases including major killers such as heart disease and most cancers have a direct link to animal based diet. I don’t even have to address the inhumane way the cattle are treated from birth to death.

Easy Tips:

Go vegetarian three days a week and slowly increase. While using meat, use it as an addition instead of as a main dish, adding it into dishes loaded with vegetables, grains and herbs.

Substitute meat with foods high in protein such as lentils, beans, tofu and nuts.
Still worried about protein and other nutrients ? Green foods such as Spirulina have more protein, rare amino acids and B12 one typically attributes to a meat diet. Vegcooking.com has tips to make your transition easy.

1: Nurture the Neighbor in Need

Remember people are a big part of the environment. The no. 1 job of every Sikh kitchen is to feed the hungry. Hunger is everywhere; hunger for nutrition that is. Even in our middle class neighborhood in the USA, our kitchen finds a needy family almost every week. It may be a sick neighbor, a friend who just had a surgery or an elderly person. Many have learned healthy and green ways of eating and benefited. Some who did not have a clue about vegetarianism and health foods are more conscious of what they put in their bodies now. They have learned to eat more vegetables, appreciate more fruits and learned how simple it is to cook beans and rice at home from scratch. They have learned to grow sprouts and fresh herbs.

By focusing on our needs vs. our wants we can afford a lot more in time and money to feed not only ourselves but a neighbor in need. Wherever a Sikh lives, the neighbor should know where to turn to in case of need. They should know the magnanimity and power of a Conscious Kitchen, of Guru Nanak’s kitchen.

In the end, Simply open your mind and evaluate your role as a conscious Kaur and Singh of the Guru. Educate yourself about the issues concerning the planet today. Know that the Guru has empowered you and that even from your own kitchen, you can be a beacon of change. Implement the change and talk to your communities about it. If we all make a resolute and collaborative effort, we can implement positive changes for ourselves, our children, our communities and our mother Earth.

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Conscious Kitchen Resource Guide

For Natural Food Cooperative, Products and Farmer’s Directory in Punjab contact:

Kheti Virasat Mission (KVM)

Umendra Dutt Bishnandi Bazar JAITU-151202 , Faridkot- Punjab Phones:01635-503415 , 09872682161 umendradutt@gmail.com

Harjant SinghVPO- Rai Ke Kalan, BathindaPhone: 9417620814

Ajay Tripathi Jaitu 9915195061 ajayk61@gmail.com

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· Calculate your ecological footprint at http://www.earthday.net/footprint/

· For a directory of eco-friendly and holistic health products including farmers markets and food coo-ops for U.S, U.K, Canada, Australia and more: http://www.greenpeople.org/index.htm

· http://www.bringyourbags.com/

· http://www.vegcooking.com/

Please share with the community on what changes you will make in your kitchen by leaving a comment below.

Today's status of Sikh women in contemporary society

2006-06-12T10:21:00.000-07:00

Guru Nanak had a vision for a conscious path for all men and women equally. We have not done justice to his vision because one pillar of the society remains weak: The woman in Sikh Path of life. Even though our history produced perfect women role models in the past, the dominant cultural subjugation of women has greatly overshadowed the spiritual reforms of the Guru. Hence Guru Nanak’s vision remains unfulfilled, and the lessons from the life of great Sikh women are forgotten.

Only by acknowledging the problem, committing to the solutions, taking personal responsibility, and seeking the true wisdom from Baani, can we, the women and men of the Guru, restore the principles of the social equality, liberty and justice, he laid out.
Let us look at the status conferred upon Sikh women and the state of Sikh women today, along with some important steps in the individual transformation to a Conscious Sikh Woman.

Status given to women in Sikhi

“In a woman man is conceived; from a woman he is born. With a woman he is betrothed and married; with a woman he contracts friendship. Why say she is inferior, the one from who even kings are born? Without woman, there would be no one at all." - Guru Nanak [1]

A unique aspect of the social status of women in Sikhi is that we did not have to fight for it. The Guru’s enlightened ideals and efforts offered equal status some 500 years before most women could even dare to talk about or ask for equality. As suggested in the Gurbani, without women, there would be no one at all; they are the source of the physical existence of humanity. Thus, Gurbani explicitly acknowledges their empowerment, dignity, and strength. A woman’s manifestation as a spiritual being as seen by the Guru goes beyond motherhood. For example, approximately one third of the missionaries Guru Amar Das trained were women. Later Mai Bhago served Guru Gobind as a warrior saint.

According to Bhai Gurdaas, Vaar 5, Pauri 16,[2]
· Lok ved gun gyaan vich aradh sarreri mokh duari: From a temporal and spiritual point of view, woman is the other half of man and assists to the door to final liberation.
Thus, In Sikh thought, a woman is an equal partner to a man in the spiritual advancement of all humanity. Even God is depicted as both man and woman.
· Tu mera Pita tu hai mera maata: O Lord, You are my Father, and You are my Mother[3]
· Aapey purakh aapey hee naari: You Yourself are the male, and You Yourself are the female.[4]

Additionally, Gurbani frequently refers to the individual soul as feminine.
· Thakur ek sabbai naar: There is one Lord, and all are His brides.[5]

Reading Gurbani we can easily see that the Guru condemns practices and restrictions that keep women in a position of inferiority. There are several references to condemn cultural practices, such as sati and dowry requirements, that belittle women and consider them as an inferior gender.

On the physical plane, Gurbani explicitly teaches us to hold men and women as equal beings. Indeed, as we strive towards higher consciousness, we must transcend beyond the distinction of man or woman. On a spiritual level there is no male or female. Differences, conflicts, divisions, and duality do not exist.
· Purakh mey naar naar mey purakha bujhho brahm giani : The female is in the male, and the male is in the female.[6]

Let us now see the results of such vision and effort by the Guru in those times.

Some examples of outstanding Sikh women in early Sikh History

Through the radical teachings of Guru Nanak and in a short period of time, Sikh women broke the shackles of subjugation and became the temporal and spiritual supporters of men, and in some cases, even their leaders. Let us visit some of the well-known examples.

Guru Nanak’s view of the equality of women was shaped by his own mother, Mata Tripta, and his sister, Bebe Nanaki. Legend has it that he argued with the Brahmin at his Janaue Ceremony that if his sister was not good enough for the Janeau, the Janeu was not enough for him. It was a very public declaration on the equality of women.

Mata Khivi, the wife of Guru Angad Dev, took charge of the langar and created a new social consciousness for women. Bibi Amro, the daughter of Guru Angad, brought Guru Amar Das to the fold of Sikhism.

Bibi Bhani, Bibi Dani, Bibi Pal and others were in charge of the different Pirhis (the Parishes) established by Guru Amar Das Ji. He assigned 52 women missionaries out of 146 to go to various parts of the country and unfold the glory of Naam.[7] They enjoyed authoritative powers and had jurisdiction in places like present day Kashmir and Afghanistan. All this occurred in the late 16th century, a time when no other major religion acknowledged the equality of the Creator’s creations.

Mata Gujri is a woman in the Sikh history whose inspiration to Sahibzadas in accepting martyrdom over conversion to Islam, is directly responsible for the way Sikhi stands tall today. She holds the position of a wife of a martyr, mother of a martyr, grandmother of martyrs and herself a martyr.

Sikh women also took prominent roles in the military as exemplified by Mai Bhago and the battalion of 200 women who rode from Punjab to Nanded to rescue the Takhat Sri Hazur Sahib.
Then there was the sacrifice of countless Sikh women who held their butchered children in their arms, who were tortured to death, and starved or flayed alive, but who never gave up their faith.

Besides the service, leadership, and bravery of Sikh women, it is appropriate to mention the reverence Sikh men gave to all women.

The Sikh soldiers never exercised proprietary rights over women captured in battle. It is on record that in a battle, the Begum of the Governor of Bassi Pathan fell into the hands of the Sikhs. Sahibzada Ajit Singh, escorted her back to the enemies' camp, but during her time with the Sikhs she was treated as a sister.[8] The numerous examples of chivalry in history have earned Sikh men a reputation even from their opponents. Qazi Nur Muhammad, who fought against the Sikhs, recorded in his Jangnama, "Really, these dogs have great respect for women."[9]
Why wouldn’t they? Their Master, the great Guru Gobind Singh, set the example by asking Mata Sundar Ji to sweeten the nectar of life for a Sikh in the Amrit Ceremony and declared Mata Sahib Deva as the mother of Khalsa.

Sikh women have played a glorious part in history, and examples of their moral dignity, service, sense of duty, self-sacrifice, and persistence will remain a source of inspiration forever.
From this historical perspective, let us now examine the state of the contemporary Sikh woman in today’s society. How is it different than what the Guru envisioned?

State of the Contemporary Sikh Woman Today

As Sikhs we have proved ourselves as a community of heroes in different fields all inspired by our mothers and sisters, grandmothers and aunts.
However, by and large in a Sikh social setup, it is very disappointing to see mostly men dominate the political, intellectual, academic and spiritual scene with women serving in the background, if at all. A conventional Sikh woman plays the traditional role of mother, daughter, wife and sister very well, but her creative potential to nurture the universal consciousness and her spiritual creativity still remain largely untapped.

Are there real equality, liberty and opportunity for a conventional Sikh woman? Have Sikh women been responsible with the status bestowed upon them? Have Sikh men shared their status of equality as described by Guru Nanak?

The answer is a definite “no.” In fact, evils like female feticide, dowry deaths, honor killings and domestic violence still exist in the Sikh community today. In addition, there remains great controversy about women doing Seva in Darbar Sahib.

Personal responsibility cannot exist without liberty, and liberty will not persist without responsibility. Today, most Sikh women hesitate to participate in the foreground. For example, in local Gurdwaras, they have the right to perform all spiritual duties, but few women manage gurdwara affairs, take the hukam, organize events, give sermons, or, as Panj Pyares, lead a Nagar Kirtan. To an outsider, it definitely looks like a male dominated religion and society.

Unfortunately, many Sikh women hide in their comfort zone and do not take steps toward their spiritual fulfillment. It seems enough to care for the children and manage the langar system. While these are extremely important tasks, why should Sikh women be confined to these duties and men denied them?

By throwing away our rights and responsibilities, Sikh women are doing a great dishonor to the Guru himself and to his ideals, visions, and efforts. We need to come forward, exercise our privileges once again, take our due status, and transform ourselves from the Sikh women that we are to the conscious Sikh women of the Guru. Only then, can we guide our future generations to the path of consciousness.

Road to transformation – From the Contemporary to the Conscious Sikh Woman

Indian culture has downgraded women in many ways for centuries: They have been deemed unworthy of education; restricted to being child bearers and housekeepers. In general, the male children have received preferential treatment in all areas of life. Women have been subjected to economic, social, cultural and judicial oppression from birth to death. They were regarded as a source of sin and obstruction to a man’s salvation; they were declared devoid of intelligence.
Sadly to say, Sikhs have succumbed to the ways of Indian Culture rather than the ideals of the Guru. Equality between men and women in Sikhism has become mere rhetoric. The status of the Sikh woman has become one of:

· Low Self Esteem and hence incapable of independent identity without a male figure – a husband or a father or a son
· Inferior in education and hence not rising beyond traditional roles and devoid of leadership qualities.

The worst part is that subjugation has become so much a part of our lives that we do not even acknowledge that it exists.

If Sikhi is to flourish as a Universal religion, a faith of new age, there is a need to break out, untangle the web of culture, and reach to the core of the Guru’s teachings. There is a need for men to step in and do their part. There is a need for all men and women to live a life of consciousness.

Men’s Role

A Sikh Man can start with his own family; the first step is to acknowledge that there is a problem. Next comes a commitment to solve it. Take a sincere look and see signs of subjugation. Encourage the women to educate themselves. Fathers should make sure their daughters are physically, mentally and spiritually given the same opportunities as their sons. Daughters can help their mothers in the kitchen as well as play tablas with their fathers; daughters and wives can participate in Gurdwara meetings with the active encouragement of men. Sikh men can encourage and invite women in the Gurdwara to share services and seva. Through the Gurdwara, which is the center of our spiritual activities, we will become the champions of liberty, equality and responsibility denied not only to Sikh women but to women all over the world.

Men can pledge to fight practices like female feticide, dowry, and honor killings. They can make sure that Darbar Sahib Discrimination ceases. The whole world is looking at these issues and questioning the principles of equality we claim. Know that if you want Guru’s Sikhi to flourish, you have to restore the status of Sikh women. You have to help to make the other pillar strong.
Let us now see how we all, as physical beings and as the soul brides of the Guru, can transform the state of women.

Conscious Sikh Woman – Consciousness is not a part time job

Sikhi or Consciousness relates to the Soul, and is the very essence of our practical life. We have to practice it all the times; seven days and twenty-four hours a day - Aath Pahar; persistently and forever. This is why in Sikhism there is no particular day of the week, time or place marked for worship. Sikhi is not a part-time job!

Aath pahar raam naam vaparo: Twenty-four hours a day, deal in the Divine Name.[10]

The required efforts are constant practice in truthful living, selfless service (Seva), meditation (Simran), detachment from Maya, introspection and education, and living in contentment and compassion, humility and grace.

How do we make room for non-stop consciousness in our life when we are already so busy? It is very simple. Take a look at our lives. Our needs are few, while our wants are almost limitless. We fill our lives with consumerism where the spiritual efforts have no time or space. Gurbani clearly tells us:

· Raaj kaptam roop kaptam dhan kaptam kul garbatah: Power is fraudulent, beauty is fraudulent, and wealth is fraudulent, as is pride of ancestry.[11]
· Maal ke maaney roop ki sobha it bidhi janam gavaaya: You are wasting this life in the pride of wealth and the splendor of beauty.[12]

How does this manner of living inhibit women from becoming conscious Sikh women? We as women spend endless time and resources in enhancing our outward appearance and beauty. What makes us not beautiful is not freckles on the skin or the age lines, but the freckles on our souls and the lines on our hearts. The face will just reflect the light of the soul eventually. We allow the freckles of anger, ego and pride to taint the beauty of the soul bride. We need to work on these blemishes.

· Har ka naam jan ka roop rang: The Divine Name is the Beauty and Delight of His servants.[13]
· Nanak naam vihunniya sundar maaya dhroh: O Nanak, without the Divine Name, the beauty of Maya's illusion or world-appearance is fake.[14]

How beautifully Gurbani tells us about the beauty of a woman, of a soul-bride.

· Nij bhagati seelvanti naar. Roop anoop poori achaar. Jit greh vasse so grah sobha vanta. Gurmukh paayi kine virlay janta: The bride soul engaged in true devotion has agreeable disposition. Her beauty is incomparable, and her character is perfect. The house (body) in which she dwells is such a praiseworthy house. But rare are those who, by becoming Gurmukh, attain that state.[15]

Living in Consciousness - Our Thoughts mold our lives

Our thoughts reflect our words; words manifest as actions; actions shape our lives. Thus, the thoughts we think and surround ourselves will ultimately become our destiny. Thoughts bind us or set us free. That is, she who considers herself free becomes free, and she who thinks she is bound, remains bound. Thus, it is our duty as Sikh women on the path of consciousness to think we are free; that we are equal; and that we are responsible. Introspection to figure out who we really are is needed. Without knowing who we are, doubts and negativity in the form of cultural subservience and inferiority is bound to result. Simply Know that "I am: Jot Saroop".
Man tu jyot saroop hai apna mool pachhan: O my mind, you are the true image of the Divine Light - know your Reality.[16]

We must begin with the premise that we are the manifestation of God. At the same time, we must remember to be humble. Humility is the foundation for consciousness. Humility that teaches equality, not manipulation; humility that teaches us to stand up for ourselves without undue anxiety and to exercise personal rights without denying the rights of others.

Living in Consciousness - Educate ourselves and our children

Knowledge is Power. If we are powerful, we do not need to fight for our place. How do we get this power? Reading is a good start. Culturally, reading is something most Sikh women of Indian origin do not do. It does not make the agenda, when we raise children, tend to the house, cater to our social commitments etc. Some of us spend time watching Indian Soap Operas for 2-3 hours each day, which reinforces cultural subjugation, makes mockery of the Sikhs, and strips them of their identity, values and pride. Why not use that time to read?

We must have a thirst for knowledge and then use reading to quench this thirst. A Conscious Sikh woman must read Gurbani, contemplate on it and practice it. We must draw on its teaching for our actions. In like manner, we must read Sikh history and be inspired by the lives of great men and women. We must read about current issues affecting the world around us. Empowerment is the key! Then we will have the most effective tool to fight any injustice. Then we will have meaning behind the things we say. We will not need to hide behind a man; we will be a capable, knowledgeable and powerful.

Then we will raise our children in consciousness and confidence about themselves as spiritual persons. Only by example can we lead the next generation.

Living in Consciousness - The food we eat and feed

If “We are what we eat” and we are committed to the path of consciousness, we need to look at what we put in our bodies. As women, we not only feed ourselves but our family. As organizers of langar, we feed the community, the world family; thus we affect not only our own consciousness but that of the world around us. As Conscious Sikh women (and men) it is our responsibility to pass to our generations the concept of consciousness associated with food. This factor needs some examination, especially today when the culture of junk and fast food is so overwhelming. As repeatedly emphasized in the Baani, one of the most important disciplines necessary for consciousness is the control of the tongue both for food and speech:

· Jihva suaad lobh mud maato upje anik bikaara: You are intoxicated with the tastes of the tongue, with greed and pride; countless sins spring from these[17]
· Nirmal rasna amrit peeyo : Let your tongue become pure, drinking in the Ambrosial Nectar.[18]

Our aim as true seekers is to purify ourselves of worldly filth by nourishing our body, mind and soul. The food we consume, the source it comes from (honest work), and the manner in which we prepare and partake of it, all affect the body and consciousness.

· Je rut lagge kapRe jaama hoye paleet. Jyo rut peevhe maansa tin kyo nirmal cheet: Clothes stained with blood become impure. O human, if you consume blood of other beings, then how can you have pure consciousness.[19]
· unni duniya Tore bandhana ann paani ThoRa khaaya. They burn away the bonds of the world, who eat a simple diet of grain and water.[20]

On the path of consciousness we must reflect on what we eat, think, speak and do. Otherwise, body and mind will end up becoming a depository of waste instead of consciousness.

Living in Consciousness – Simple lives, nurturing the environment

One of the aspects of living a truly conscious life is to give back to the environment that nurtures us.
· Pavan Guru paani pita maata dharat mahat: Air is the Guru, Water is the Father, and Earth is the Great Mother of all.[21]

We love, respect and care for our physical parents but forget our spiritual nurturers: the Air, the Earth and the Water, i.e. the environment we live in. Living a simple life; nourishing our bodies with simple food; catering to our needs rather than our wants, has a meaning beyond helping our own growth. We should take from the environment only as much as we need, so there is more for the rest of the creation. By our selfish acts of consumerism, we are not only making ourselves devoid of spirituality, but we are stripping this earth of precious resources to sustain the beautiful creatures of God, including our own future generations.

To grow spiritually also means being Citizens of the World: to give to the creation of God whether it’s the air, water, earth or animals or human beings in it. As women on the path of consciousness, we need to be the leaders in this area. Learn and teach to the world: “Live simply; so others may simply live”.

When we give to the entire Universe with our purity, consciousness, and grace, that would be a mission accomplished. That would be a true tribute to Sikhi.

Conclusion

To do justice to Guru Nanak’s vision we must restore the lost equality, liberty and justice given to women some 500 years ago. It starts at home right now. Acknowledge the fact that there is a problem; commit to the solution. Men have to participate equally. Women have to take on the personal responsibility. Together we have to implement this vision.
Take inspiration from the life of great Sikh women in the history; be a source of such strength that your generations will follow by example.

Bande khoj dil har roj: O human being, search your own heart every day, and you will not wander around in confusion.[22]

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your being as a spiritual person. Live fully before dying.

Fire up your enthusiasm. Fill your life with Naam and Chardi Kala is going to follow.

-Talk Presented at IFCAPS Seminar, Chicago 2004 as a UNITED SIKHS participant

References
[1] SGGS p. 473
[2] T. Singh Gurbani Articles www.gurbani.org
[3] SGGS p. 103
[4] SGGS p. 1020
[5] SGGS p. 933
[6] SGGS p. 879
[7] Allaboutsikhs.com
[8] The Sikh Women, Sikh Missionary Society U.K.
[9] Ibid.
[10] SGGS p. 107
[11] SGGS p. 708
[12] SGGS p. 24
[13] SGGS p. 264
[14] SGGS p. 707
[15] SGGS p. 370
[16] SGGS p. 441
[17] SGGS p. 616
[18] SGGS p. 281
[19] SGGS p. 140
[20] SGGS p. 467
[21] SGGS p. 8
[22] SGGS p. 727

Roots And Wings: 1984's Answer to You O India

2006-06-05T16:00:00.000-07:00

On 22nd Anniversary of your attack on my Nation

Pre - 1984

I was merely a little girl then,
I lived far away from Punjab
I read the biased news about my people in your papers
I grew up believing we were wrong.

In your text books O India
Sikhi was just another stream off your Noble Heritage
Gone astray by militant philosophy of the tenth Guru
And in present times it did not make sense.

We grew up being ridiculed
By teachers, playmates and street goers
fighting prejudice everyday
And being ashamed of our own selves.

My parents were busy making ends meet
They were the children of the 1947 displacement
They had no time for sharing Sikh life and pride
They lost it somewhere with all the socio-economic strife.

So I grew up confused without an identity
With you telling how you did a favor on us refugees
I did not know about Sikh history and heritage
And its contribution to your freedom, power and existence.

But, we had a Sufi [1] worker at our business
He was so spiritual and had a sense of wisdom
I always found him longing to touch the feet of Guru’s Sikhs
He always told me that Gur-Sikhi Jeevan[2] commanded utmost reverence.

His words ignited a spark in my soul somewhere
The truth had to be found
My parents had given me wings
It was time to dig the roots in the ground.

Then came 1984

The news about several innocents being killed
In busses and trains of Punjab
Why did I know were setups and propaganda,
To create a context for BlueStar[3].

When you stormed Harimander[4]
Hot month of June it was
Sangat[5] in tens of thousands had come to pay reverence
To the great Guru Arjan Shaheeda-de-Sirtaaj[6].

In pretext to disarm a few dozen men
You brought tanks, rocket launchers, heavy artillery and cannons
You entrapped thousands and cut off their supplies
And used poisonous gas to consume those innocents.

You killed uncountable mothers, fathers and children
After you parched them with thirst,
You filled the sarovar[7] with the blood of thousands
And tried to patch up your acts by mass cremations.

When Lion Bhindrawale[8] was declared found
With hundreds of GurSikhs around
Something had ached my heart
For you it was the beginning of the end; for me it was just a start.

Then came fake encounters[9]
I suspected things were not how they were shown
But just a teenager I was
With no access to the truth or cries
of bereaving mothers in Punjab.

But You know what O cruel Brahmanvaad[10]
The ties of Guru’s Kaum are very strong
Generations away from Guru’s land
But my blood and soul was always a Punjab.

Then 30th of October came
Satwant & Beant[11] had done their share.
You decided to teach 18 million of us another lesson
And issued the orders of Sikh massacre.

Our house was set afire and a few relatives blazed,
Rape, torture and death we had barely escaped.
With days of hiding, uncertainty and gloom ahead
The spirit was still Guru’s; it couldn’t be scared.

When the sad news poured in from all directions,
O India you had opened our eyes to the Sikhi connection.
We were connected, we were made one;
Punjab or outside any place in the world.
That awakening had finally taken place
That feeling was invaluable, that discovery priceless.

As you unveiled your centuries’ long hatred
And unleashed your long held wrath!
It was a blessing in disguise, I’ll tell you
And finally everything had made sense.

It was our identity you loathed
It was our sovereignty and strength that you despised
It was our magnanimity that you thrived on
It was our subjugated loyalty that you desired.

When those fearless souls revealed the truth
And masses pledged to stand up for their nation
You feared losing your strength and position
And planned this brutal retaliation.

The spark had turned into a flame
To be a Sikh was no longer a shame
I knew we were not one of you
And standing up for equality, liberty and justice would never please you.

You finally dug your own grave
Your cover-ups and false promises will bear no fruits
My parents had given me the wings
But Thank You India; You put me in touch with my roots.

June, 2006

I am a parent of a pre teen now
And the flame is a full grown fire
That fire; it also burns in his heart
And that to you is the start of my 1984’s answer.

The fire now burns with full vigor
It will consume me lest I take action
Hence I will not sit quiet
I pledge to turn it into a revolution.

I brought him up telling stories about his heritage
About your betrayal, your intentions and your treacheries
I am not alone; thousands of Mothers there are
That dedicated their lives to this purpose.

I will not let him down; in grounding him to his roots.
Not one day has passed since he was born
That I didn’t tell him a story of Sikh pride
Of Khalsa Nation and its sacrifice.

This is my revenge O India
I will never forget and forgive you
I will raise many such more daughters and sons
They will never let your cruel intentions come true.

They will walk tall; They will be in your face
Proving we survived against all odds
They will not demolish themselves ashamed by your lies
But will stand eternally in Guru’s grace.

We are a strong Nation, We are sovereign
You cannot stop us, The game has just begin.
For you see,
We are the people of our own destiny, of spirit and of freedom
We have wings we roam everywhere,
But,
We also have roots in truth and perfection.
We have roots only in truth and perfection.

[1] Follower of a mystic sect of Islam
[2] Living the life completely in tune with the Guru’s teachings
[3] Name of the 3 day long Army Operation conducted by Indian Govt. Harimander Sahib (AKA Golden Temple) and 37 other Sikh shrines were attacked by modern artillery; thousands of innocents were killed
[4] Temple of the Divine: Commonly known as Golden Temple the most revered Sikh Center of worship established in 16th Century where tens of thousands of devotees worship everyday
[5] Congregation / Worshippers
[6] The fifth Guru of Sikhs – Martyred by Mughal Emperor of India - Jahangir for exercising and propagating freedom of religion and beliefs
[7] The Pool surrounding Harimander Sahib
[8] Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa (Bhindrawale) – Revered Leaders of the Sikhs who instilled pride in Sikhs and called f or action towards injustice and oppression
[9] Sikh Youth was rounded up and killed all over in Punjab in well disguised and so called terrorist encounters for 10 years post BlueStar. Missing Sikh Youth Estimates exceed 250,000
[10] Philosophy of Supremacy of the ruling Brahman class
[11] Satwant Singh and Beant Singh – Avenged the attack on Harimander Sahib and killing of uncountable innocent Sikhs by killing Indira Gandhi the Prime Minister of India who masterminded the attack.

What's become of Langar and How to revive the original spirit ?

2006-04-28T06:05:00.000-07:00

When Guru Nanak started the tradition of Langar upon his return to Kartarpur; it was meant to be its literal meaning: ‘The Anchor’ to bind the community together under the principles of Vand Chhakana . A simple diet of produce and water which would not only satiate the basic dietary need of the visitors, but of the needy, the servers and the Guru alike in their physical, mental and spiritual quest. Guru Ka Langar since then embarked on its journey enriched by the sweetness of Mata Khivi, the dedication of Bhai Manjh, the humility of Emperor Akbar, and the revival of the true spirit of the principle of Langar by Bhai Nand Lal Ji.

Whatever the transformation, the basic principles remained the same. Langar was kept simple. It was there for everyone to partake. Needy people knew where to go to satisfy their hunger if they could not provide for their family, and the community was bound together.
Unfortunately, today in the Diaspora, Langar is losing its meaning. It has lost most of its original characteristics. Let us see how.

1. Langar today is anything but the simple nutritious food it was intended to be.
2. It is not reaching the truly needy and homeless.
3. It has become a burden and in some cases a competition.
4. The Spirit of gratefulness and appreciation with which it is received is somewhat gone.

Simple and Langar are antonyms today. Loaded with ghee and oils, deep fried items, dairy, sugars, spices, refined white flour and artificial colors, our Langar today is complicated and refined Indian cuisine. You feel like you are eating fancy Indian Restaurant food only on the floor and in Styrofoam plates. You are virtually unable to move after you stuff yourself with Langar on Sunday afternoons. Was that Guru Nanak’s intention for Langar?

And by the way, what happened to feeding the needy and homeless? Do they even know that something like Langar exits? Granted, often in North America Gurdwaras are not located in areas surrounded by people having to beg for food. However, even the leftover food is usually distributed among the Sangat instead of being carried to shelters or low-income areas.

In the past Langar was prepared from the collaborative dasvandh and by the sangat pooling in physical sewa together complete with humility and dedication. Today in many western Gurdwaras, it has become the responsibility of individual families as they take turns providing the sewa. In the quest to show off their skills and resources, Langar has become so elaborate that some people are scared to take the responsibility for fear of not being able to meet expectations. This, in turn, means that a limited number of families keep getting assigned to the sewa. The pleasure and gratitude of doing sewa for the Sangat then becomes a burden every time they have to take their turn.

Another complication is that we produce so much non biodegradable trash during Sunday Langars from the North American Gurdwaras that I am certain it contributes to the pollution of our environment, to Nature, and to the Cosmic Physical Entity.
The Baani says, “Pavan Guru Paani Pita Maata Dhart Mahat” – Environment is the Guru, Water the Father, Earth is the great mother. Yet, we go out of our way to prepare fancy dishes that are costly both in time and money when we could put that time and money towards buying and washing reusable steel plates.

The spirit of thankfulness in which the Langar is received today is gone. If it is anything less than a lavish party meal done to culinary perfection, you can hear comments being whispered. On the flip side, unnecessary encouragement on elaborate and lavish food deters families who want to keep it simple. Instead they are forced to be flexible and keep up with the trend.

If we transform the Langar back to a simple daal, whole grain roti and a side of slightly cooked vegetables or a salad, we can easily satisfy our stomachs. We save time, money and effort, which we can spend on spreading the mission of Langar and other useful programs. Besides, we ensure that we are providing only nutritious food to our body, mind and spirit in accordance with the Guru’s Hukam:
Unni Duniya toRe bandhanaa ann paani thoRa khaayaa: They burn away the bonds of the world, who eat a simple diet of grain and water (SGGS – Ang 467)

It is a simple task to incorporate ‘serving the needy’ element back into Langar. Most Churches have a marquee where they display a Sunday message. We could advertise something to the effect of “Free Nutritious Food For All – Sunday 1-2 PM”. A volunteer could be assigned to receive the visitors, explain Sikhi and make sure they are served. What a way to serve the hungry and reach out to the community at the same time! In addition we could advertise in other venues like homeless shelters, local food banks, offices and universities campuses (you can find a lot of hungry; short of money and, eager to learn students).

Also, by doing this we will alleviate the evils of competition and the problems that arise at times when Langar becomes a burden. If the Langar was going to be just the three items of daal, roti and vegetables, it will be so much easier that more people will be willing to sponsor it.

Fortunately, in spite of the shortcomings, to a great extent Langar today is still the anchor that holds the community together; which gives us the chance and hope to revive it completely in its true meaning as Bhai Nadlal Ji did.

For readers who are not familiar with the context; during Guru Gobind Singh’s time Langar did take a ritualistic flavor. They were offered only after a whole sequence of ceremonies, i.e. Path and Ardaas. It also was opened only at meal times when all the dishes were ready. Bhai Sahib felt that the spirit of Langar needed revival. So he opened Langar at his house where, irrespective of the time of day, whatever food was ready was rationed to any who came. Guru Ji visited Bhai Sahib’s Langar and was pleased with the true spirit.

And now it is time for us to revive the true spirit and practice of this wonderful tradition.

Men, discuss Langar with your families, including its simplicity, impact upon the environmental, and nutritional value as well as the need to provide it in a spirit of dedication to the Sangat and the needy alike.

Ladies, stop that competition and let go of the desire for praise of your culinary skills. Add a piece of fruit if you feel the need for sweets at the end of Langar. Don’t worry; with the plenty of beans, lentils, legumes available in the market your daal will not be boring. With the array of vegetables, herbs and fruits your sabzi or salad can be simple, highly nutritious yet, colorful with nature’s beauty and taste. With whole grain flour available at all grocery stores around the continent; you can make the goodness and wholesomeness of the traditional Langar parshaade felt once more.

Gurdwara Management Leaders, talk to the Sangat to make Langar simple. Mandate it. Start a project to fund raise for those reusable steel utensils and build large sinks. Encourage youth to take on the dish cleaning sewa. And, make sure to get those biodegradable dishwashing soaps to protect the water and earth.

Youngsters, stop pressuring your parents to cater Pizza and donuts for Langar. It is neither nutritious nor prepared with sewa bhavna (serving devotion); nor are the devotional traditions in preparations observed, i.e. heads covered; simaran done.

Let us take whatever steps we as individuals can take on this road to transformation.
Let us make the Gurdwaras once again a model that anchors the community, revives our physical, mental and spiritual bodies, and caters to the needy with eco-friendly, nutritious, simple meals.

More information on the tradition of Langar can be found at:
http://allaboutsikhs.com/way/langar.htm