Last night the Food for the Soul event was great, and I measure greatness from the way I tend to sit through the Kirtan or other program. Sitting for however long and not knowing that you are sitting makes one focus more on what is going on around oneself.
In class time flies and I don't even have to look at the clock and wonder when the lecture will be over. I can sit through kirtan but my legs don't always cooperate with my mind and thus begins the slow but steady process of twisting and turning of the lower body to opt for a new sitting posture.
I haven't been able to sit through all night the last three Raensbayees I have attended and during these events most of the time I have to change my leg position half an hour in. Its pretty sad but its true....
However last night was different, I came to New West Gurdvara Sahib at around 4:45 and Kirtan began at around 5:15 and went on until around 11:00pm. Bhai Harinaam Singh Khalsa did amazing, down to earth Katha-lecture in between a kirtan slot.
His style of doing katha is unique and powerful, no wonder the guys on TV. He has a homourous site to him as well, he keeps the sangat well entertained, not like Hardev Singh Looloo, but in a more sensible manner. He has a powerful personality which isn't overpowering. He has the same Bhai Jeevan Singh like glow on his face.
It was my first time seeing him in person and I was impressed. I bet you will be too; here is his program schedule in BC:
SATURDAY, FEB 9
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10:40 - 11:40am - Gurdwara Sahib Canadian Singh Sabha, 132 Street, Surrey
7:00pm - Nihaal 2008, Massey Theatre, New Westminster
SUNDAY, FEB 10
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10:30 - 11:15am - Gurmat Center, Abbotsford
11:30 - 12:15am - Gurdwara Sahib Kalgidhar Darbar, Blueridge Way, Abbotsford
7:30 - 8:30pm - Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar, 128th Street, Surrey
MONDAY, FEB 11
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10:00 - 2:00pm - Dasmesh Punjabi School, Abbotsford
7:00 - 8:00pm - Gurdwara Sahib Khalsa Darbar, Vancouver
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Food for the Soul
"Do you ever get the feeling that you are all alone in this world?
Do you feel that you are doing something your mind does not agree with?
Are you sometimes confused about the way things happen?
These are all questions and concerns that are connected with the soul.
Come join us for an evening of uplifting devotional Kirtan, meditation, and discussions on the soul and its spiritual needs; followed by complimentary dinner and desserts.
This event is for everyone and anyone who wishes to explore the deep secrets of the soul.
Please come out bring your family and friends, and also do not miss this opportunity to meet and mingle with all of the other youth in the lower mainland. The event will take place as follows:
Time: Friday February 8th 7-9pm
Location: Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar 347 Wood Street, New Westminister
Do you feel that you are doing something your mind does not agree with?
Are you sometimes confused about the way things happen?
These are all questions and concerns that are connected with the soul.
Come join us for an evening of uplifting devotional Kirtan, meditation, and discussions on the soul and its spiritual needs; followed by complimentary dinner and desserts.
This event is for everyone and anyone who wishes to explore the deep secrets of the soul.
Please come out bring your family and friends, and also do not miss this opportunity to meet and mingle with all of the other youth in the lower mainland. The event will take place as follows:
Time: Friday February 8th 7-9pm
Location: Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar 347 Wood Street, New Westminister
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Dastaar King
For a long time now I have been tying decades old Dastars, all of them are faded. I decided to get a few new ones from a good store. I was getting tired of waiting for someone to bring one from Punjab. While on one of our evening walks out of nowhere Bhai Jagjeet Singh mentioned about Punjab Cloth House, the new mega warehouse the opened up on 80th avenue in Surrey and how they have the best cloth anywhere and the lowest prices
Now normally we don’t buy clothing from here, but get it directly from the homeland whenever someone comes over. We thought that the cloth sold here was somehow inferior, even though the higher quality cloth that mills in Punjab manufacture is sold to outside international markets like Surrey.
He had been reminding me for a long time that they have a huge sale. Time passed. So on November 24th 2007 we decided to head out and see if they had any decent cloth for my dastaar.
As soon as I saw the huge building I knew that this was not just any other Punjabi cloth store but someone far beyond. The place was huge and I had a good feeling that we would not be disappointed.
We went in and lot out a collective WOW at the amount of area they had for the store.
After the initial shock wore off we moved in and walked around. There was bhangra pumping out from the overheard mini-system speaker tied to the rafters with a yellow rope. It seemed like we were transported to Punjab.
On one side there was free cloth and on the other was the ‘readymade’ suits, jackets, jewelry and stiff like that. We went into the khulla kapra section and we were drawn to a man behind the counter cutting cloth.
We approached him and he said fateh and asked what we wanted. I told him that we were looking for some cloth for dastaars. He pointed to a shelf to his right:
As soon as he was done he came over and we asked him what kind of cloth we should get for dastaars, he recommended that we get rubia 2X2(I think that’s what it was). I asked him what kind I was wearing he said that it was the same stuff we were holding.
After that he went for a tea break. He came back a short while later and Jagjeet Singh said that we liked to interview him. He was taken aback but agreed without any hesitation. We talked like we had known each other for many years. He was super-friendly and knew his kapra.
I asked him what his name was; he said he was Lachman Singh. We were very surprised to know that he sells on average over 100 dastaars a day. He further said that the most popular color that people buy is navy blue. And he told us that a good number of youth who come into sikhi buy dastaars from him for the first time and he gives them good wishes and encouragement for starting to tie a dastaar.
He said the kapra they sell comes from all over the world but the cloth for dastaars that we got was made at the famous Phagwara mill in district Jullandher. He told us of the number of different kinds of cloth and the benefits of each and which one is suitable for what kind of dastars.
If you need any kind of kapra you should visit Punajb Cloth House and see baba Lachman Singh; all your clothing needs will be met there and all questions about cloth will be answered. Punjab Cloth House is located on the northern side of 80th avenue at 127th Street, you won’t miss it...
Now normally we don’t buy clothing from here, but get it directly from the homeland whenever someone comes over. We thought that the cloth sold here was somehow inferior, even though the higher quality cloth that mills in Punjab manufacture is sold to outside international markets like Surrey.
He had been reminding me for a long time that they have a huge sale. Time passed. So on November 24th 2007 we decided to head out and see if they had any decent cloth for my dastaar.
As soon as I saw the huge building I knew that this was not just any other Punjabi cloth store but someone far beyond. The place was huge and I had a good feeling that we would not be disappointed.
We went in and lot out a collective WOW at the amount of area they had for the store.
After the initial shock wore off we moved in and walked around. There was bhangra pumping out from the overheard mini-system speaker tied to the rafters with a yellow rope. It seemed like we were transported to Punjab.
On one side there was free cloth and on the other was the ‘readymade’ suits, jackets, jewelry and stiff like that. We went into the khulla kapra section and we were drawn to a man behind the counter cutting cloth.
We approached him and he said fateh and asked what we wanted. I told him that we were looking for some cloth for dastaars. He pointed to a shelf to his right:
As soon as he was done he came over and we asked him what kind of cloth we should get for dastaars, he recommended that we get rubia 2X2(I think that’s what it was). I asked him what kind I was wearing he said that it was the same stuff we were holding.
After that he went for a tea break. He came back a short while later and Jagjeet Singh said that we liked to interview him. He was taken aback but agreed without any hesitation. We talked like we had known each other for many years. He was super-friendly and knew his kapra.
I asked him what his name was; he said he was Lachman Singh. We were very surprised to know that he sells on average over 100 dastaars a day. He further said that the most popular color that people buy is navy blue. And he told us that a good number of youth who come into sikhi buy dastaars from him for the first time and he gives them good wishes and encouragement for starting to tie a dastaar.
He said the kapra they sell comes from all over the world but the cloth for dastaars that we got was made at the famous Phagwara mill in district Jullandher. He told us of the number of different kinds of cloth and the benefits of each and which one is suitable for what kind of dastars.
If you need any kind of kapra you should visit Punajb Cloth House and see baba Lachman Singh; all your clothing needs will be met there and all questions about cloth will be answered. Punjab Cloth House is located on the northern side of 80th avenue at 127th Street, you won’t miss it...
Monday, December 10, 2007
Friday, November 16, 2007
Culture Crawl: This Weekend!
This evening Hari Singh, Jagjeet Singh and I went to one of the most worthwhile events in Vancouver. It’s called the Culture Crawl. The East Side Culture Crawl opened tonight in Vancouver and will go on throughout this weekend. I highly recommend that you take time out and see the great artists out there.
We visited three venues where there were more than 15 artists in each building. I never imagined the art movement was so rich and diverse right here in Vancouver. You will be amazed at the amount of diversity and talent there is out here in our very own city.
Artists are among the best souls out there. Tonight we met some really great people and had the chance to see their artwork. Seeing all the great demos has inspired me to once agian take up art in the free time that i don't have right now.
This event is free and you should check it out tomorrow or SUnday.
"Purchase something that strikes your fancy, commission something to be uniquely yours, or just browse through the studios and meet the artists, learning about their specific works of art, materials and tools, approaches and techniques. This is a once a year opportunity to meet many diversely talented artists and view their creations in the studios where they work. Be part of this exciting event, which brings people from all over the Lower Mainland, and share in the imaginations that enrich our neighbourhood and lives."
Jagjeet Singh liked a T-shirt at Sidual so much that he was desperate to get one. However they did not carry his size; fortunately for him Steph made a white on white on an organic cotton shirt on the spot. He got it autographed too!
We visited three venues where there were more than 15 artists in each building. I never imagined the art movement was so rich and diverse right here in Vancouver. You will be amazed at the amount of diversity and talent there is out here in our very own city.
Artists are among the best souls out there. Tonight we met some really great people and had the chance to see their artwork. Seeing all the great demos has inspired me to once agian take up art in the free time that i don't have right now.
This event is free and you should check it out tomorrow or SUnday.
"Purchase something that strikes your fancy, commission something to be uniquely yours, or just browse through the studios and meet the artists, learning about their specific works of art, materials and tools, approaches and techniques. This is a once a year opportunity to meet many diversely talented artists and view their creations in the studios where they work. Be part of this exciting event, which brings people from all over the Lower Mainland, and share in the imaginations that enrich our neighbourhood and lives."
Jagjeet Singh liked a T-shirt at Sidual so much that he was desperate to get one. However they did not carry his size; fortunately for him Steph made a white on white on an organic cotton shirt on the spot. He got it autographed too!
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