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Summary of Question:	Life
Category:	Other
Date Posted:	Thursday, 3/31/2005 5:30 PM MDT

hi i think u lot r doing a really great job and you lot are helping out so many people around the world, so thanks alot.

i have a few questions to ask you and i can understand that you have other things to do, so i dont mind when you send the answers back.plus theres alot i need to ask u so i would understand if u took long replying bck....................................................................................
1).i do nitnem every morning but i can read or write punjabi so i read it in english but the thing i dont understand it-so is there any point me doing it?,but if i dnt do it, i feel bad, i feel like i have to do it not in a bad way cos i dnt mind doing it but i just feel should i do it if i dnt understand it? n i lose oncentration easily what should i do?
(REPLY 1): Yes, there is definitely a point in doing nitnem, even in English! Of course it would be ideal to recite in Gurmukhi (the banis are not written in Punjabi, by the way, but in Gurmukhi, which is pretty simple to learn.) At least by reading in English you are getting the message of the banis. You might see if a different translation such as in "Peace Lagoon" would be easier for you to concentrate on. Once in a while you might try accessing the banis on SikhNet, where there is a tranlsation, and transliteration as well, to help you get familiar with the sounds. There are also tapes/CD's available to listen to the banis in Gurmukhi. As for concentration, read as if you're explaining the banis to someone else, and focus on the meaning of the words. It would probably help to do some long deep breathing before you start. Close your eyes, inhale deeply and think (hear) the sound SAT then exhale and think (hear the sound) Nam as you exhale. Do this about 10 times and then resume reading.

2)i no i should learn to read n write punjabi but im 16 nw n i feel like i cnt start punjabi class cos i will be with 5-10 yr olds learning the alphabet.i feel bit embrassesed.what should i do?
(REPLY 2) If you're in London, Contact the Sikh Dharma ashram there; they may be able to find you a teacher, for private lessons, or perhaps a class of adults. Because there are many westerners who want to learn Gurmukhi. And if all else fails, use your courage and go into the class with the kids anyway! Maybe it will inspire them that someone older (16 seems really grown-up to them!)cares enough to want to learn and is willing to study with them!

3)im doing my GCSE n im finding it really really hard,i want to make my family happy but i just dont no what to do.im kinda average with education but i find it hard when i go into xams cos i just forget everything.i realli want to pass n im going to try revising as much as possible but i onli got 6wks left untill my xams.what should i do?
(REPLY 3) All you can do is the best you can do, and leave the rest to God. Study, review, and pray to be able to concentrate and remember what you have learned. Is there any way you can get a tutor to help you?

4)me and my brother dont talk.we havent spoken for lik 2months we are really close.but i no this is going to sound really stupied but i spat in his face so nw we ant talkin i want to talk to him but i just dont no what to say.what shoudl i do?
(REPLY 4) Write him a note with a sincere apology. Admit that you were really out of line, and you are truly sorry, and you love him and miss being able to talk with him, and beg his forgiveness.

5)i feel lik i dnt have a connection with waheguru anymore i no hes always with me but i just dnt feel it. what paath could help me get closer to waheguru?and wher would i get it from?
(REPLY 5) Shabd Hazaray It's in your Nitnem. Also, take time in the early morning before sunrise to simply chant Wahe Guru (pronounce it WA HAY GURU) Over and over for at least seven minutes, and then do it again just before you go to sleep. The way to connect with Wahe Guru is to repeat the Name!

6)if i dnt understand punjabi is there any point in listening to kirtan and gurbani even doh i like listening to them?
(REPLY 6) Of course, because although you're not getting the intellectualy meaning, still your soul is vibrating and receiving the essence of the kirtan. Remember, everything is a matter of vibration, and Gurbani Kirtan opens the heart and nourishes the soul. Best is if you can sing along!

7)if i want to do well in my xams and general life stuff do u tink it would be good it i did sukhmani sahib cos my brother does it n he said when ever u are in need just do that paath? but again i dnt understand it so should i do it?
(REPLY 7) Try it, and see if it helps you. Many people have found it to be a great blessing to recite Sukhmani Sahib. (seemy answers above about

8)im a girl of 16 so its hard for me to attend gurdwara as much but i try as much as i can, i would like to attend workshops or other things that teaches me about sikhi but i dont no wher to find out from.(i live in london)
(REPLY 8) Look in the phone book under 3HO or 3HO Foundation, or Sikh Dharma. also, go to www.3ho.org and follow the link to KUNDALINI YOGA TEACHERS in London. Many of them are Sikhs and I'm sure can help you.

9)i wear a kacheera but b4 i wantd to wear it cos it was part of the 5k's but i thought i dont even no the real resuns so i stopd wearn in but i feel uncomfortable if i dnt wear it....but what is the real resun for wearin it?...sum ppl say cos purity sum say cos guru gobind singh said sumtin bout wearn it in the war but y do sikhs really wear it?
(REPLY 9) Without peeking, we don't know if all Sikhs are wearing kacheras. But the reasons you were give are correct, plus the fact that you feel uncomfortable if you don't wear them -- so what's the problem?

10)im a vegetarian...i dnt eat fish or eggs.i dnt no y i dnt eat eggs i just stopped cos it said.but y ant we allowd to eat egg.it cums out of a chicken so does milk but out of a cow..we still drink dat.so whats the difference? sum ppl say that eggs are chickens period is that rite?is that y we dnt eat it cos its dirty?plz let me no bout that.
(REPLY 10) An egg becomes a chicken. Milk does not become a cow.


i no i have askd u alot so i can understand if u take long to reply
could u plz set ur answers out like i set the questions out so its more easier to understand so i can see u have anserwd all the questions
if u dont no the answer for a question just write the question number and just say u dont no.loll i would comletly understand cos i no u mite nt b able to answer all the questions.
i no i have writtin alot it looks lik an essay when i lok back but i had to explain myself so u would understand my question.
thanks ever soo much and again i i appreciate all the time u have taken out to read and reply to me ...thanks so much.u will ansa Qs that have been on my haed for months...thank u
waheguru ji ka khalsa,waheguru ji ke fateh.xxxxxxxxxx

(REPLY) Sat Nam. Yes, you've asked a lot of questions, and you've used the current abbreviations (which I just got through complaining about in another posting!) but I felt that your questions were sincere, and so I've done my best to reply. I hope the REPLY's above (right after each question by number) will be helpful. Blessings, SP