Vegan Sikh Geek – Navdeep Singh

Disconnect

2018-08-02T19:18:28+00:00

Some months ago, as we were having dinner with our friends and their two kids, they were telling us about their plans to go camping over the summer. They’d gone before a few times but it would be their first time since having children. They floated the idea of all of us going together and while we hummed our assention to think about it, internally we were full of doubts. For my wife and I, the thought of being out in the forest in tents sounded fun but unrealistic for our lifestyle of mostly staying inside our comfort zone.

Not long after, and likely knowing that we might just need a little push, they told us they’d made a booking for four adults and four children at the end of July.

Skipping ahead a few months to three days ago, we’ve come back home from our first camping trip. It was an amazing experience. I could write at length about the actual camping, but what I loved about the experience the most was escaping my digital life. I turned off my data as soon as we arrived and not a ding was heard nor a buzz felt for three days. Once each morning, I turned on my data to post one-word updates to my scripture-reading clubs on Telegram, but for the better part of three days, I was completely disconnected.

The immersion that I felt was a breath of fresh air. In each activity, I was wholly present. Distraction and thoughts from within still came, of course: I didn’t suddenly become one with the universe. However, without a means to act on that distraction by taking out my phone and opening up Feedly, for example, it was a much quicker route back to the present. I’m someone who uses his phone throughout the day to multitask and fill downtime with listening to podcasts, watching YouTube videos, reading news, and managing to-do lists and finances. With the decision to keep the phone absent, single-tasking became the norm and downtime was felt for what it was. Observing the stars became my YouTube, chatter from birds and neighbouring campers became my Stitcher, and my own thoughts/observations became the news.

We’re going again in a few weeks and I’m very much looking forward to reliving the experience.

Photo by Scott Goodwill

Death in Sikhi

2018-04-30T23:25:48+00:00

Some months ago, I was humbled to be chosen to give an explanation of Sikhi’s perspective of death at the funeral of my uncle. Though I know very little, a cherished brother of mine helped me a great deal, and the result was the following. It’s my hope that it can perhaps help someone in understanding death as it did me. If needed, others are free to use the speech without need of giving credit. I’ve modified it slightly to remove names and improve clarity.

Vaahiguroo Jee Kaa Khalsa, Vaahiguroo Jee Kee Fateh

Dearest family and friends, We are gathered today for the purposes of remembering my TaayaaJee, sharing our love and support, and coming together in prayer for TaayaaJee’s well-being in the afterlife.

I am humbled to have been asked by the family to speak today for five minutes about death from a Sikhi perspective. I’m still learning myself but I will do my best to explain what I’ve learned to date and pray that I do not deviate from the teachings of our spiritual teacher, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

Who We Are

In order to understand this concept, it’s important to know who we are as individuals. We should ask ourselves, “Who am I?” Perhaps a more relevant question is, “What am I?” Sikhi teaches us that we are not the body. The body is merely a vessel and who/what we are is the soul contained within that vessel.

The third Guru, Sri Guru Amar Daas Jee, says

ਮਨ ਤੂੰ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੁ ਹੈ ਆਪਣਾ ਮੂਲੁ ਪਛਾਣੁ ॥
O my mind, you are the embodiment of the Divine Light - recognize your own origin.

This makes it clear that our essence is the soul, that divine light. Shortly, we will uncover from where that divine light comes and for what purpose. For the time being, I would implore you to keep this knowledge of self as being a soul at the forefront of your mind as we go through the next points.

Game

An example that I’d like to share with you to better understand the concept of death is that Vaahiguroo, God, has created this game where we, the souls, are participants.

The fifth Guru, Sri Guru Arjan Dev Jee, says

ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾਸ ਤੇਰੈ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੈ ਸਭੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਖੇਲੁ ਦਸਾਹਰਾ ਜੀਉ ॥੪॥੨॥੯॥
Slave Nanak is a sacrifice to You; Your Entire Play is self-evident, Lord. ||4||2||9||

The fourth Guru, Sri Guru Ram Daas Jee, says

ਜੀਅ ਜੰਤ ਸਭਿ ਤੇਰਾ ਖੇਲੁ ॥
All living beings are Your playthings.

In addition to this, our coming and going in this game is done according to Vaahiguroo’s Hukam or God’s Will:

The second Guru, Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji, says

ਜੇਹਾ ਚੀਰੀ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਤੇਹਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਕਮਾਹਿ ॥
As His Decree is issued, so is His Command obeyed.

ਘਲੇ ਆਵਹਿ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਸਦੇ ਉਠੀ ਜਾਹਿ ॥੧॥
Those who are sent, come, O Nanak; when they are called back, they depart and go. ||1||

To Succeed

If, indeed, this is a game, it is only natural to ask how it is that one succeeds. In simple terms, it is to meditate, internalize Gurbani (scripture), gain virtues, and eradicate our demerits or faults, which is possible through the Guru’s universal teachings.

In Rehraas Sahib, the evening prayers, we read the following every day:

The fifth Guru, Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, says

ਭਈ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਮਾਨੁਖ ਦੇਹੁਰੀਆ ॥
This human body has been given to you.

ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਮਿਲਣ ਕੀ ਇਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਰੀਆ ॥
This is your chance to meet the Lord of the Universe.

ਅਵਰਿ ਕਾਜ ਤੇਰੈ ਕਿਤੈ ਨ ਕਾਮ ॥
Nothing else will work.

ਮਿਲੁ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਭਜੁ ਕੇਵਲ ਨਾਮ ॥੧॥
Join the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy; vibrate and meditate on the Jewel of the Naam. ||1||

One of the most important virtues to practice, by which means we succeed in life, is to love.

The tenth Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, says

ਸਾਚੁ ਕਹੌ ਸੁਨ ਲੇਹੁ ਸਭੈ ਜਿਨ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਕੀਓ ਤਿਨ ਹੀ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਪਾਇਓ ॥੯॥੨੯॥
I speak Truth, all should turn their ears towards it: he, who is absorbed in True Love, he would realize the Lord. 9.29.

Death

What is death? Put simply, death is the expiry of the number of breaths that are preordained when one enters this world.

The fifth Guru, Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, says

ਙਣਿ ਘਾਲੇ ਸਭ ਦਿਵਸ ਸਾਸ ਨਹ ਬਢਨ ਘਟਨ ਤਿਲੁ ਸਾਰ ॥
He has counted all the days and the breaths, and placed them in people’s destiny; they do not increase or decrease one little bit.

And so while we do not know precisely when anyone’s time will come, by arming ourselves with the knowledge that it is a certainty, we are better prepared for acceptance.

We find solace in the knowledge that the soul never dies, but takes multiple births as it continues its journey to merge with God.

Bhagat Ravi Daas Ji says

ਬਹੁਤ ਜਨਮ ਬਿਛੁਰੇ ਥੇ ਮਾਧਉ ਇਹੁ ਜਨਮੁ ਤੁਮ੍ਹਾਰੇ ਲੇਖੇ ॥
For so many incarnations, I have been separated from You, Lord; I dedicate this life to You.

ਕਹਿ ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਆਸ ਲਗਿ ਜੀਵਉ ਚਿਰ ਭਇਓ ਦਰਸਨੁ ਦੇਖੇ ॥੨॥੧॥
Says Ravi Daas: placing my hopes in You, I live; it is so long since I have gazed upon the Blessed Vision of Your Darshan. ||2||1||

What happens to the body after death is that the elements will merge back to their source, which is why in Sikhi we cremate the body. Our Guru teaches us to not attach ourselves to the body, as the soul is immortal. Depending on our actions, we are given a new body as our soul continues its journey.

The holy congregation has high significance in Sikhi. When we come together and in a unified voice offer our prayer for someone’s well-being, God is pleased and blesses the congregation as well as the individual that is being prayed for…

Everyone’s presence here and feelings for TaayaaJee are of utmost importance because our prayers, love, and well-wishes transcend the physical realm in which the temporary vessel resides and extend to the immortal soul.

While speaking, I may have made many mistakes. I ask for the forgiveness of the Sangat and our Satguru. Please join me in saying the Fateh:

Vaahiguroo Jee Kaa Khalsa, Vaahiguroo Jee Kee Fateh

Photo by Sebastian Molina fotografía

Sikh Wedding Ceremony Speech

2018-04-09T21:56:16+00:00

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to give an explanation of the Sikh Wedding Ceremony, Anand Karaj, at my cousin’s wedding this just-passed weekend. The first thing I did when I opened my laptop to start writing was type “Sikh wedding speech” into Google to see if I could find inspiration. When nothing came up, I realized I was on my own. Not really, though, because my wife helped me a great deal. In the interest of helping anyone out in the future who may be in a similar situation, I offer here a slightly modified (to remove personal quips and mentions) version of my speech.

Vaahiguroo Jee Kaa Khalsa, Vaahiguroo Jee Kee Fateh

Dearest family and friends,

We are gathered today for an auspicious occasion. It is one that will forever bind the lives of two individuals.

It’s my honour to have been blessed with the privilege of giving a brief explanation of the Sikh marriage ceremony, which is called Anand Kaaraj and translated as the ceremony of bliss. It’s a beautiful representation of elegance, purity, and serenity.

These days, weddings in Sikh families can be a week-long affair or more, and that’s usually from events borrowed from other cultures to bulk that up. Now, those events are actually a lot of fun and quite wonderful in their own right. Relatives come from afar and close bonds are made as time is spent with one another. There’s much laughter and everything is busy with much movement.

Ultimately, the culmination of all that is what takes place here. We pause, take a moment, and in the tranquility of the Guru’s presence, come together to bestow love and blessings upon this beautiful couple. Anything or everything else can be stripped away, but this here is where the miracle takes place.

The ceremony itself is actually quite simple. Firstly, the scripture is our Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, whom we hold in our devotion as a living being. And so, we seek permission from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji by means of a standing supplication to begin the ceremony, and the Guru gives a Hukam, or blessed order. In this case, it is the blessings to begin.

Following this, the groom’s Pallaa - scarf - is given to the bride by her relative, which is usually her father. This affirms to everyone that the wedding is mutually agreed upon by both families.

There is a scripture written by our Guru in the 4th human form, Sri Guru Ram Das Ji, which is the Chaar Laavaa(n) - four rounds. These are four hymns that describe the progression of love between a soul – Aatmaa(n) - and the Eternal Soul – Parmaatmaa(n) – God.

The first Laav focuses on the instructions for a pious married life and there are three basic instructions: To embrace Dharam – Sikhi, meditate on Vaahiguroo – embrace and practice Simran (meditation), and to worship and adore the Perfect True Guru. With this, celestial bliss is attained.

The second Laav illustrates the vastness of Vaahiguroo, permeating all that is. This cleanses the mind of ego.

In the third Laav, now that the mind is cleansed of ego and there is an appreciation and awe of Vaahiguroo’s greatness, the heart’s filled with love and there is a longing to be One with Vaahiguroo and it’s by keeping company with saintly people that the path to Vaahiguroo is found.

The fourth Laav, Vaahiguroo Jee is attained, and there is peace and harmony. Night and day, consciousness is focused on Vaahiguroo. This is the ultimate destination for us, and Guru Jee lays it out in these four steps.

The Laavaa(n) are also representative of the progression of love between spouses. For each of these Laavaa(n), the Granthi, who is the one who recites and explains the scriptures, reads a Laav and the Raagees – musicians – then sing the same verse while the couple circumambulates Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. This affirms their acceptance and resolve to keep the Guru as their guide in embarking on their journey.

On the completion of these, a few more hymns may be sung, finishing with Anand Sahib, which is the Ballad of Bliss. It’s generally at this point that we all get very excited and the volume in the Darbar Hall starts escalating with the sound of us giving congratulations to the family and comparing notes on how beautiful the bride is and how oddly the groom walked. What’s important to note here is that the ceremony is actually still ongoing at that point, and we need to maintain the respect and stillness to allow this lovely couple to keep their focus, because what follows is vital.

Another supplication is made to give thanks to Guru Jee and ask for a blessing to begin the new journey, and it is with this Hukam that the ceremony is officially complete and couple begins their new journey.

What Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji says about husband and wife is beautiful:

ਧਨ ਪਿਰੁ ਏਹਿ ਨ ਆਖੀਅਨਿ ਬਹਨਿ ਇਕਠੇ ਹੋਇ ।।
ਏਕ ਜੋਤ ਦੁਇ ਮੂਰਤੀ ਧਨ ਪਿਰੁ ਕਹੀਐ ਸੋਇ ।।
They are not said to be husband and wife, who merely sit together.
They alone are called husband and wife, who have one light in two bodies.

With this ceremony, your individual souls are merged and become one. You begin this journey as one unit and have the love of everyone here today and the blessings of Guru Jee to navigate and share one life of betterment and truthful living. We wish you a lifetime of bliss and happiness.

While speaking I may have made many mistakes. I ask for the forgiveness of the gathered Sangat and our Satguru. Please join me in the Fateh

Vaahiguroo Jee Kaa Khalsa, Vaahiguroo Jee Kee Fateh

Photo by Micheile Henderson

Turning It Up To Vegan

2017-12-28T17:54:38+00:00

In life, I have found only one thing about which I can say without ego that I have kept strict discipline. I have tried with a great number of aspects in my life, and have come up short time and time again, but I continue to strive. The one thing that has never been a problem for me has been sticking to my vegan lifestyle.

As I reflect on this, I realize there’s a reason both for why I have kept up with being vegan and why I fail with everything else. When I made the decision to go vegan, it was because I had a fundamental shift in my mindset. I made a conscious decision that I would not be able to live with myself if I consumed animal products and I devoted months of mental energy to adapt my lifestyle to this new mindset.

Since then, I’ve thought many a time that it would be good to “eat right,” usually after reading a blog post or watching a video about health, and started on a poorly-planned diet the next day. Unsurprisingly, it’s never stuck with me. The problem has been that inspiration doesn’t last very long. I could feel inspired to start rising early but come time to get up when the alarm goes off, none of that inspiration comes to the forefront.

Another thing is that I’ve probably set a record for having the most “first day of the rest of my life” moments in a lifetime. Internally, it’s nearly every day that I’ve told myself that I’m going to start doing so many things that add up to my ideals. Even outwardly, I doubt my wife could recall the number of times I’ve gone to her and said, “That’s it, Jeeo. Starting tomorrow, I’m not going to be so lazy. I’m going to start doing X, Y, and Z and stop doing A, B, and C.” She’s been supportive at every instance, but I could never thank her enough for pointing out recently that every time I make the speech, I’m trying to make so many changes at the same time. If I chose one and focused on that only, I would surely have more success.

Putting the two together, I seem to have come upon the winning formula: Discipline comes with deep desire and focus. In order to keep discipline, the mind must hunger for that change. Internally, a strong desire felt will lend to that determination to keep up the practice. Focus comes with eliminating distractions. By giving oneself the mental resources to put toward making a single change, the mind doesn’t exhaust itself of its capacity and willingness to improve.

At another point in my life, I might have called it “going hardcore” on something, while some might call it “turning it up to 11.” Today, I call it “turning it up to vegan” to indicate the level to which I am dialing up my focus with the shift in mindset.

Photo by Joshua Earle

The Lord Hath Taken Away

2017-04-24T09:18:54+00:00

One week ago, by the will of the universe, my NaaneeJee (mother's mother) breathed the last breath made available to her in this life.

She was a beautiful soul whose capacity for love showed no end. Although I have many memories of her, when I think back to recall anything, what comes to the foreground of my mind most overwhelmingly is simply her love that she showed in every moment.

Last year, her husband (my NaanaaJee, mother's father) also passed from this world, as did my father-in-law. I loved them dearly and my memories of them also are ones that I cherish deeply.

Why, then, do I not shed a tear when those who are my beloved depart from this world? I had wondered this about myself after my DaadaaJee (father's father) passed almost 10 years ago. I was very close with him, having driven him to doctors and car appointments and helped him through his then recent knee surgery. The drives and physiotherapy sessions were filled with much passing of his wisdom and stories of his life.

Perhaps it's ego or something else speaking, but I don't think I love any less than others such that I am not filled with sorrow at a passing. That feeling of loss certainly is there and remains with me everywhere I go, but more overwhelming than it is the culmination of three individual mindsets that, by Grace, I have internalized. I'd like to touch upon them now and provide more depth in later posts.

When it comes to raw emotion to fill me, sorrow is replaced by gratitude. I am thankful for the time with which I was blessed to spend with my beloved. As in the case of my NaaneeJee, one moment with her put you in the receipt of enough love to last a lifetime. I am thankful to have gotten as many of those moments as I did in my life.

My Guru reminds me time and time again of another mindset that is a coupling of two teachings. Love without limitation but know deep in your heart that everyone has physical impermanence.

ਜੇਹਾ ਚੀਰੀ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਤੇਹਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਕਮਾਹਿ ॥
As His Decree is issued, so is His Command obeyed.

ਘਲੇ ਆਵਹਿ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਸਦੇ ਉਠੀ ਜਾਹਿ ॥੧॥
Those who are sent, come, O Nanak; when they are called back, they depart and go. ||1||

-Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji, the 2nd human form of the Sikh Guru

By believing that when you say goodbye to someone, it very well may be the last time you ever see them, it changes how you interact with them. Small moments which seem otherwise insignificant count so much more and small issues which otherwise would have been blown out of proportion don't matter.

Humility lends to the third mindset. As much as you may love someone and however close your relationship may be, you must realize that you are not owed anybody's existence. It is perhaps the simplest of the three but can be very difficult to accept. Acceptance of this fact helps to feed the practicing of the above two mindsets.

To feel pain is human. It builds character and expressing that anguish is essential in the path to picking up the pieces and moving forward. The above doesn't negate this, nor is it better. Dealing with loss is difficult no matter what the approach. There are many ways and the above was an attempt to put some thoughts on one approach in words with some semblance of order.

Gravity

2017-04-07T06:53:56+00:00

In the spring of 2009, a few months before getting married, without telling anyone, and with very little planning, I got into my car and started to drive to Abbotsford. On the way, I called my then friend (and now brother-in-law) to ask if he was busy. He said he wasn't and so I inquired if he'd like to join me to go skydiving. He laughed and asked when and I let him know that I was already on my way. He was up for it and so we went and, wow, what an experience it was. Together with our instructors, we got into the smallest plane in which I'd ever been. Slowly but surely, it started to climb and the view was becoming ever more breathtaking as we rose. At a height of 3KM from the earth's surface, we chose to take the leap and dove back down, falling faster and faster, reaching 200km/h in free fall.

The experience made me realize, upon later reflection, something I couldn't have predicted, in how similar of an experience it was with controlling the 5 major vices (lust, anger, greed, emotional attachment, ego). When you're on the ground and amongst all the vices, or gravity in this metaphor, you don't feel its force acting on you at all times. When you decide that you want to break free, unless you're Superman, you need a vehicle to help you escape. As you elevate, your view becomes much greater. If you decide you want to take a break from your vehicle, though, you're not floating; you're going nowhere but down. And once you allow gravity to take its hold back on you, you're accelerating at 9.8m/s every second. What's beautiful about this reality, though, is you can re-enter your vehicle at any point and continue your journey.

Perfect Pairings

2017-01-15T01:30:57+00:00

Strawberries and Chocolate

Babies and Giggles

Apples and Peanut Butter

Saint and Soldier

Science and Morality

Meditation and Selfless Service

Humanity and Peace

Love and Everything

ਸਾਚੁ ਕਹੋਂ ਸੁਨ ਲੇਹੁ ਸਭੈ ਜਿਨ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਕੀਓ ਤਿਨ ਹੀ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਪਾਇਓ ॥੯॥੨੯॥
I speak Truth, all should turn their ears towards it: he, who is absorbed in True Love, he would realize the Lord. 9.29.

-Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the 10th human form of the Sikh Guru

Photo by Josh Adamski

January 1st

2017-01-01T20:06:11+00:00

Some might think as I did and, to an extent, still do that January 1st is just another day on an arbitrary calendar created by a pope in the 16th century, and is no cause for celebration. I don't really really have a need to ring it in at midnight either but, to me at my stage in my spiritual life, it does serve great purpose for a few reasons: it is a representation of new beginnings, new outlooks, and new goals, while being a time to reflect on the just-passed year. It is a representation of what I would like to have as my daily ritual. Indeed, each day that passes is cause for reflection and each new day is a blessing and I will make strides to internalize this mindset.

Last month my whole family got sick (and it's still affecting us weeks later) and the month of fitness took a back seat. Join me on Patreon to work together on our goals.

Photo by Annie Spratt

Naal Dee Naal

2016-12-02T16:15:17+00:00

Lately I have been trying to do a better job of keeping clutter to a minimum. It's simply not sustainable to dedicate a day of the week to just clean the house, and so I have started to adhere to an old system that has been passed down for generations. I like to describe it as a centuries-old way of keeping clutter at bay, with the mess out the door and cleanliness to stay. In Punjabi, it's called Naal Dee Naal, or As You Go, and my wife has been trying to get me to follow it for years.

The idea is quite simple and has two basic implementations. The first is a no-brainer, which is to put everything away that you bring out, be it the dishes and ingredients to a meal or tools and scraps for a DIY project. Leave nothing to be picked up at a later time. This ensures that you don't add to the existing clutter. Parent tip: Get your kids in this habit as early as possible. If they pick up after themselves, you're not left to clean up everywhere they've been that day after they go to bed.

The other implementation is for helping to declutter an already-full house. When leaving a room, do a scan to see if there's anything that doesn't belong and take it with you on your way out. You will see a huge improvement in a very short time in how much more you're able to enjoy living in your home without the visual noise of clutter surrounding you.

This does wonders for minimizing possessions as well. Instead of putting off the task with the excuse that you have no time to go through everything, do it Naal Dee Naal over time. If something comes into your hands that you no longer need, recycle/toss it right then, or put it in a box/bag to donate to the thrift store when you fill it with enough things. These days, with the capabilities of smartphones in general and in photography capabilities, it's also very easy to list an item for sale as well. It takes just a few minutes to list and you could soon be a bit closer to the joys of owning less.

Give it a try and see how you like it!

Peace and blessings

Photo by Jennifer Burk

Perspective

2016-11-29T17:00:14+00:00

There come many times in life that seem to automatically change the way we look at things. While a number could be named and discussed, such as birth, graduation, moving, marriage, injury, etc, the one I'd like to focus on is loss.

A loved one passes away and suddenly everything changes. Arguments in the past that somehow seemed important become meaningless, appreciation is gained for the little things that will be remembered, and occurrences in the new reality that once may have bothered us seem laughably insignificant. Whereas we once might have spent much time doing things such as collecting possessions, holding grudges, or ruminating, being awoken to the reality that life has an ending paints a clearer picture of what is important: to cherish what we have.

When loss is felt, pain is the symptom. It can be so consuming that there simply isn't time to feel pain for the small matters in our day-to-day lives. The degree is high, but we have the ability to heal over time. Inevitably, pain becomes numb and we get used to our new reality. Sometimes I wonder, though, if many of us have a particular need to feel a certain amount of pain in life. It would be great if we could continue to let go of small matters in light of the bigger picture blessing to be alive, but with the pain being numbed, having availability to feel other pains almost seems to make us seek them out. What was insignificant becomes significant because we have extra energy to put toward it.

If instead we could keep the perspective that life has an end, our appreciation for the present would increase exponentially. Insignificant matters could remain as such and we could focus on making our lives fulfilling. Remembering that you will die is the greatest way to live.

Photo by Ran Berkovich