MrSikhNet Audio

This video began from a discussion about the Amrit Sanchar and became a discussion about the difference between a ritual and a ceremony. In Sikhi we have ceremonies, not rituals. But a ceremony can become a ritual when no one understands the how and why of what is happening. Water is like a battery for sound frequencies and patterns. Water holds vibrations. I’m sure you’ve seen Dr. Emoto’s work on this. This fact is the basis for both the amrit sanchar and also the mechanism of the nectar tank at the Golden Temple. Harimandir Sahib is a giant generator that produces a huge amount of powerful, clear blue light that cleanses the entire planet. Thousands of devotees perambulate the Perkarma - always in an anticlockwise direction. The sound current of the Shabd Guru is constantly being generated within the temple itself. The temple is coated with a layer of copper covered in gold (a great conductor.) Just as an electrical generator rotates a coil within a magnetic field, the electromagnetic fields of the devotees walking around the walkway create a moving field while the sound current within the temple is magnified and focused by the structure itself. This creates a powerful beam of light that penetrates the axis of the temple and in fact, the earth itself. It is like a huge etheric cleaner for the planet. Now on to the Amrit Sanchar discussion….

Every year the Summer Solstice Camp here in Espanola, New Mexico (USA) attracts spiritual seekers of all kind, from all over the world, and from all walks of life. It is a gathering place where you can interface with people from so many different backgrounds and religions (this year around 1,400 people came). I love the universality and oneness that people with a common spiritual goal but different backgrounds can be together. After all…we are all spiritual beings and human right?

During the week of Summer Solstice I frequently visit the sound booth which is way up high near the top of the huge shelter, and overlooks the main stage area. This is the source for connecting my recording equipment or getting audio recordings (which I have shared with you over the years). The sevadhars in the sound booth are hardcore and always seem to be on duty at all hours, tending to some audio related task. (I think there are at least 10 people on the audio team). There is something happening from around 3AM in the morning till about 11PM every night!

One person who is normally part of the sound team every year at Summer Solstice is Mahan Kalpa Singh. I have met him many times in the sound booth, but never really had a chance to get to know him better. I just recently got to know him better through some awesome music that he created. Little did I know that he was actually a music producer (and a good one!). A few weeks ago I heard about his music from a friend after our normal sunday game of ultimate frisbee. I hunted it down till I got my hands on the audio files and had a chance to listen to it. The music is great and very original, so I wanted to share it with you all too. After emailing Mahan Kalpa he was happy to allow me to post the audio files online for you all.

So, grab some headphones and have a listen to the tracks from his album "Love is Love". My thanks go out to Mahan Kalpa Singh for sharing this music and making it freely available for everyone to enjoy. I hope you make more!

Labels: 3ho

Another inspiring Gurdwara lecture, from March 5th 1989, Los Angeles, California by SSS Harbhajan Singh Khalsa (Yogi Bhajan)

In this video Guruka Singh shares his thoughts about the power of prayer, and reasons we why pray.

Here is the first video of the new set that we recorded last week. In this video Guruka Singh is asked why we say the Sikh greeting of "Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa, Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh", and of course gives a unique perspective on the meaning, and the universality of this greeting.

Labels: guruka singh

Gurdwara lecture by SS Harbhajan Singh Khalsa (Yogi Bhajan) on various topics.

In our Ardas every day, we remember the brave women who stood their ground against tyranny - "Those women who sacrificed for truth, suffering through hunger and pain at the hand of the enemy, but never gave up their faith and determination to live according to Sikh Dharma with all their hair to their last breath."

But who were those women? They were the ladies of Punjab who stood against the fanatic and cruel Mir Mannu. In the mid-1700’s, in an attempt to eliminate the Sikhs, Mir Mannu arrested women and children and jailed them under desperately hard circumstances. Their strength and courage was so monumental, that we’ve remembered them in our daily Ardas every since.

Hear their story of sacrifice and to join the voices of generations in shouting their praise. This story was told a few days ago by Shanti K Khalsa during Gurdwara.

Labels: sikh women, stories

Tomorrow is a holiday so I thought I would post something a bit different then I normally do. I’m always on the lookout for unique music and Sikhs, to share with you all.

Many of you who have seen American movies that have scenes on Venice beach, and might already know about the guy named Harry Perry who to many of us is also known as Har Nar Singh. He is well known for riding on his roller skates up and down Venice beach playing music with his electric guitar. He is quite a character! I have known him since I was just a "wee lad" during the time when I lived in Los Angeles.

My most distinct childhood memory with him is related to ice cream sandwiches which we used to eat at a health food store (both of which are not around anymore). I forget the name of them but he used to call me "Nectar Name" which was a spin off of the ice cream sandwich name. For some reason I always remember him saying that to me.

In any case, he comes to Summer Solstice every year and always jams out somewhere singing his heavy metal music. Some of his music has all kinds of spiritual lyrics too, so it is quite interesting hearing it. He also plays some Gurbani (Herry Perry heavy metal style!) which most of you have probably never heard before!

During Summer Solstice on the last day there is always an all night rensabai kirtan, where everyone sleeps under the huge shelter and listens to the kirtan all night (sleeping or awake). I always find it funny how Har Nar Singh (Harry Perry) always ends up with the early morning time slots when everyone is asleep. Why you ask do I amuse on this note? Normally at 2-3AM I would think about hearing some kirtan that is mellow and not too loud. Harry Parry literally rocks you awake from your sleep with his heavy metal version of "Raj Jog Takhat Deen Guru Ram Das". Maybe it is a hint to get up early for the morning Sadhana! Hahaha… I have long since given up trying to sleep during the all night kirtan and normally just sleep in my tent hearing the kirtan from afar as it travels around the campsite.

Have a listen below to a recording of him playing "Raj Jog Takhat Deen Guru Ram Das" during the rensabai kirtan a couple of weeks ago and you’ll know what I mean. It rocks! Not that I’m a heavy metal fan…but it just makes me smile, and I like that. It’s just so unique.