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Summary of Question:	Inspiration!!??
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Monday, 8/13/2001 9:36 PM MDT

Ik Ongkar.

Sat Naam.
Karta Purakh.
Nirbhau.
Nirvair.
Akaal Murat.
Ajuni.
Saibhang.
Gurprasad.
JAP!
Ad Such.
Jug-aad Such.
Hai Bhee Such.
Nanak: Hosee Bhee Such.

SAT NAAM, SAT SRI AKAAL!

WAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA !!! WAHEGURU JI KI FATEH !!!

I am an 18 year old Sikh male living in the Vancouver area of British Columbia, Canada. This is a brief description of how I found Sikhism, or how Sikhism found me, and a request for some help with my current situation.

I was blessed by the grace of the Guru a few years ago with the path of Sikhi. It all started when I attended a Sikh youth camp in British Columbia. I was very pessimistic, as the camps I had attended before were old-fashioned, gender biased, culturally saturated and brahministic. They were soiled with the dirt of the impurities in Punjabi culture, like the caste system and sexism. However this camp was awesome. Taught by the youth, based on modern principles, and full of common sense and rising spirits, this camp was SIMPLY AMAZING.

I was amazed by the Chardi Kalaa that Maharaj Sahib Sri Guru Har Krishan Ji's example brings out of young people. I was amazed that Sikhism is NOT a religion. The religion of Sikhs is not Sikhism. The religion of Sikhs is TRUTH. Being touched by truth, I began on a path to learning from, applying and being amazed by teachings of the Gurus as embodied in the light of the Kal Yug, the Grace of Royalty, the Support of the Supportless, the Wealth of the Poor, the teacher of Truth Maharaj Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

I am a mere, insignificant, petty, lowly, sinning, selfish, maya-filled animal; but within me the Guru has sparked a flame that becomes stronger and stronger, and my darkness is turning into light.

I attend this camp annually now, (this year will be my third) and there are a few other activities I'm involved in throughout the year - but I'm beginning to find that I lack the one thing that keeps Gursikhs going: INSPIRATION.

Gursikhs are inspired by Truth, but I can't recognize truth anymore.
Gursikhs are turned off by Lust, but I can't avoid lust and rather I'm attached to lust.

Gursikhs have their Ego in control, but I can't avoid slandering and bragging.

With these problems, I've lost my drive. My stamina.

It's like I was on the Sikhi path, and I've been de-railed.

What I come to YOU to ask, is the following:

Where is inspiration? Where can I find inspiration?

Could you please help me find that energy that comes from within me, when I attend camp?

Could you please help me find that ANAND that I feel when I hear Shabad Gurbani Keertan - the voice of Truth at the Guru's Gate?

Could you please help me feel that Chardi Kalaa that fills my mind when I see the way Sikhs are working for Sarbat dha Bhalaa?

I think it's just the lack of inspiration that's preventing me from doing things that I should be doing as a Student of the Dispeller of Darkness.

For instance, last year I stopped cutting my hair. I started to wear a dastaar just one month ago and ALREADY I find my self being lazy and not willing to represent the Khalsa of Guru Gobind Singh. It's that laziness that has prevented me from becoming a Khalsa and taking Amrit - or has at least forced me to put the THOUGHT of Amrit at the extreme back of mind, in some corner.

Furthermore, I started to read Nitnem about a year ago, but within a few months I read less and less.

I still love to have Guru Maharaaj Ji's darshan, and to receive Guru Maharaaj Ji's hukam in the morning and after Kirtan Sohila - but lately I can't even gather the will to recite Kirtan Sohila.

I just find that I'm distracted a lot - by the computer, by the tv, by the stereo, by my mind and especially Lust and Ego.

The only thing that keeps me going is these gatherings, like camps and smagams and programs.

How do I keep myself energized, inspired and learning 24 / 7 ?

I ask you this because you all probably live in places around the world - or at least around the USA and Canada, where there is a variety of Sikhi practices, functions, smagams, programs, camps, conferences and such.

Could you inform me of some of these? Some of the best ones you can think of - so I can go somewhere once in a while and get inspired?

How do I make the experience with the Guru more fruitful?

I know these are a lot of questions but questions is all I have in this world.

A Sikh isn't a Sikh if he doesn't learn. A Sikh isn't a Sikh if he doesn't practice. A Sikh isn't a Sikh if he doesn't TEACH.

I would love to hear your thoughts.

I sincerely apologize for any offensive comment throughout this e-mail.

I appreciate your assistance VERY VERY much.

Wishing you Naam, Chardi Kalaa and INSPIRATION.

Sat Naam, Sat Sri Akaal!

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa !!! Waheguru Ji ki Fateh !!!

kulpreet singh

*** IF ANYBODY READING THIS MESSAGE HAS ANY COMMENTS PLEASE E-MAIL ME AT [email protected] ***

----reply

Sat Nam Kulpreet Singh,

Your growth, sincerity and efforts are commendable. Keep doing all that you are doing, it will "feed" you and inspire you. There is one ingredient missing, which will make your growth complete...you need to now serve. As Sikhs we are not meant to keep our inspiration to ourselves. Get involved with other Sikh youth in your area...volunteer at a free kitchen in your community...give something back. There must be many opportunities to serve in your Sikh community or the community at large. Do something that you are interested in, using your skills and talents. Allow the Guru to use your life to help others also be inspired and uplifted. In His Grace, GTKK