AKJ Press Release

Please find AKJ New Latest Press Release regarding core Gurmat Issues.
Very well done for AKJ for addressing these issues. It is Benti that all AKJ units Worldwide enforce these stated Rehats/ Asools with immediate effect.

Issues Addressed

1. Akhand Paath Dee Seva
2. Akhand Keertan
3. Amrit Sanchaars
4. Sarbloh Bibek Da Langar



AKJ Press Release June 2011


Benti that someone writes up a brief summary in English.

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕਾਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕੀਫ਼ਤਹਿ

Wjkk Wjkf ,"orrak each rahi" bhag heen bhram chotan khave

The issue of parallel Smagams needs to heavily dealt with; in my humble opinion. The AKJ, although conducting an Akhand Paatth Sahib, they also organize and carry out Akhand Keertan programs. No parallel Smagams should be oganized by members of AKJ units while an Akhand Paatth Sahib isa being conducted. I hope the AKJlooks for ways to fix this.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH

I do not mean to sound offensive, but I had been given the impression that the AKJ was supposed to run by 5 Sikhs, not a singular Jathedar? Where has this trend come that one singular person would be allowed to be the decision maker or signee of any document? Was there a decision made at some point that made this a standard of practice?

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I do not mean to sound offensive, but I had been given the impression that the AKJ was supposed to run by 5 Sikhs, not a singular Jathedar? Where has this trend come that one singular person would be allowed to be the decision maker or signee of any document? Was there a decision made at some point that made this a standard of practice?

It is not run by a Singular Jathedar as you have stated. The Jathedar is guided by 5 Gursikhs plus an 11 member Committee.

The above document is a Benti by Bhai Bakshish Singh in the light of numerous queries from Gursikhs around the world. I don't see anything wrong in releasing such a document.

Kulbir Singh

please refrain from sounding assertive over a point that requires knowledge. Chances are; your views or statements may not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of other Jatha Gursikhs. One thing is for sure: our Jathedar is not a product of Government of India or other group that undoubtly wants to create frustration and confusion within Sikhs. He; therefore, has the willing right to choose upon Sikhi-based morals and make decision later on.

Below is a point-form summary of contents in the letter from Jathedar Bhai Bakshish Singh jee:

Siri Akhand Paath Sahib

• Siri Akhand Paath Sahib should not be done just for the sake of showing-off.

• There should be no parallel Samagam e.g. Kirtan, Naam Abhyaas, when Siri Akhand Paath Sahib is going on.

• Paathis should do clear and audible Paath as opposed to murmuring in the mouth.

• It is not appropriate to do Paath slowly, waiting for some big personality to come.

• As per old Maryada, Paathis should wear clean clothes when doing Paath.

• Before and after Siri Akhand Paath Sahib, Kirtan of Siri Asa dee Vaar should be done.

• There should be duties for listening to Paath of 2 or more Gursikhs at a given time.


Akhand Kirtan Samagam

• Siri Asa dee Vaar Kirtan should be started at Amritvela and it should conclude in the first Pehar of the day. Then as per set program, Divas Suhela Kirtan should go on.

• All Kirtani brothers and sisters should reach Kirtan Samagam on time, wearing Gurmukhi attire.

• Stage managers should give turn to the Kirtanis according to the time they arrive and not ignore Kirtanis who come in time, in favour of big-name Kirtanis.

• Sangat too should sing behind not only big-name Kirtanis but behind all Kirtanis.

• Now a days, it is seen that too much showing-off is done. Screaming loudly and doing Saas-Giraas Simran openly in Sangat is taking dangerous form. (Note by Translator: This statement is not for genuine spiritual situation but for ones who show-off).

• Kirtanis should do Kirtani lovingly and pierce the hearts of Sangat with love-arrows of Gurbani.

• All managing Gursikhs are requested that maintaining old Maryada, all kind of Bheta (gifts, remuneration) to Kirtanis should be stopped. It is seen that many Kirtanis going to foreign countries take money in return for attending Kirtan Samagams and providing other Kirtan related services. This is totally contrary to Gurmat Maryada. If a Kirtani can reach far off Samagams using his or her money, it is fine otherwise, it is best that they do Kirtan Sewa in their areas of residence.

• If a Kirtani comes to Kirtan just when it is his turn and pressurizes the stage-manager for allotting certain time for Kirtan; such Kirtani should not be given time to do Kirtan, so that serene atmosphere of the Kirtan Samagam can be maintained.

• Managing Gursikhs should ensure that the Kirtanis should be unstained Gursikhs and there should be no pending case related to Rehit Maryada, against them. A person who is convicted of one of the big Bajjar Kurehits should not be given Kirtan Sewa for few months, even if he or she gets Pesh.


Amrit Sinchaar Samagam

• The Punj should be chosen very carefully and such individuals who are weak in Rehit should not be chosen, so that they may have no reason to accept weaknesses in Rehit of candidates getting Pesh.

• The Gursikhs doing Sewa in Punj should not have previously done any Bajjar Kurehit.

• Preference should be given to Gursikhs who reach Siri Akhand Paath Samagam and do Sewa there.

• Local Gursikhs should consult senior Gursikhs of Jatha when organizing Amrit Sinchaar Samagam.

• Samagam should be started on time.

• During the time of Peshis, organizers and Sangat should stay vigilant to ensure that individuals who get Pesh again and again for the same offence, are reported to the Punj Pyare.

• The Amrit Sinchaar Samagam should be completed at the place where the Samagam is conducted and the Gursikhs doing Sewa in Punj should attend Kirtan Samagam as normal Sangat (and not as Punj Pyare).


Guru ka Langar

• Langar should be prepared as per Sarbloh Bibek Maryada.

• It's fine if the food is simple but it should be cooked with cleanliness and by Rehitvaan Gursikhs.

• Gursikhs doing Langar sewa should read Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh jee book – Gurmat Bibek – and taking lead from it, should adopt Sikh way of life.

• While cooking Langar, Gurbani or Naam Abhyaas should be done by Sevadaars.

• Fried food, too much sweet or sour foods etc. should be avoided and simple food should be cooked for Langar.

• No one from Pangat should be asked to leave.

• Under no circumstances, the disposable plates and glasses should not be used in Langar.


Miscellaneous

• Gursikhs should get up at Amritvela and do Naam Abhyaas.

• Normally, Amritvela is counted as time starting 1.25 Pehar (3 hours, 45 minutes) before sunrise. This translates to roughly getting up between 1am and 2am in summer and between 2am and 3am in winter.

• Sangat is requested to take special care of clothes they wear. Daughters and sisters should not wear revealing clothes.


Kulbir Singh

Vaheguroo, totally agree on the Kirtan Maryada. Have seen "Gursikhs" arrive 3 mins before their slot and as soon as they sit down in sangat, they quickly open up the Amrit Kirtan, then jump straight on, then go home.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ke Fateh

Absolutely spot 100% - my only view is that the AKJ should do more press releases possible 1 -2 every year- this was one has come along in certain circumstances relating to the points within it - a little too late-- for.eg. naam simran - too loud -- too fast at times by some kirtanis -- has been going on for way too long. All good but Gurbani is clear "sehaj balovooo jasee tutt nah jeee" , i fail to understand no matter how high ones spriitual stage - protocol is to be in sehaj - with the whole sangat involved not some sangat trying to play catch up with the kirtania..

Please don't take comments out of context - bhul chuk maaf if i'm wrong please correct me.

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for.eg. naam simran - too loud -- too fast at times by some kirtanis -- has been going on for way too long. All good but Gurbani is clear "sehaj balovooo jasee tutt nah jeee" , i fail to understand no matter how high ones spriitual stage - protocol is to be in sehaj - with the whole sangat involved not some sangat trying to play catch up with the kirtania..

NS jeeo, what does the Pankiti you have quoted, have to do with whether one does Abhyaas fast, slow, loud or in mouth?

The condition is that "Tutt na jaee". How will "Tatt" go if one does Simran fast or slow, loud or in mind?

Kindly shed some light on what doing Simran in Sehaj means.

Kulbir Singh

Wow, too difficult a question for ns Veer Ji.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ke Fateh

What you ask Kulbir Singh jee is a for another topic however
I'm not sure about TUTT coming in fast in SGGS anywhere - your welcome to educate me here Kulbir Singh jeeo but for sehaj here is the research of Gurbani panktis come to mind read on:



Sahaj (ਸਹਜ) and restlessness are diametrically of the opposing nature: they are antonyms. Both indicate two different and contrasting states of the mind. In a nutshell, Sahaj (ਸਹਜ) indicates the Natural State of Being (Joti-Svaroopa) — Simple and Spontaneous State of Being.

Symptoms of Sahaj are: Celestial or Intuitive Peace, Intuitive Poise, Equipoise, Natural or Peaceful Ease, Intuitive Wisdom, Understanding, undivided abidance in Shabad-Naam, Realization of the Truth, lightness and clarity of the mind, Inner Perfection, Inner Composure, all-round Purity, Quiet, Spiritual Silence (Sunn Samaadhi), Egolessness, Desirelessness, Love, compassion, contentment, humility, harmony, Joy; the sublime state of the Tenth Gate, Chauthaa Pada, Turiyaa Avasthaa, Anand (Bliss), Sahaj Samaadhi, Sukh-Aasan, Divine Lifestyle, ਆਤਮਿਕ ਅਡੋਲਤਾ, and so on. By the way, these are also symptoms of the Gurmukh [the follower of the Truth and truthful living, Spiritual Being established in Unconditioned or Intact Consciousness (Saabat), etc.].

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬਿਗਸੈ ਸਹਜਿ ਸੁਭਾਇ ॥: Gurmukh bigsai Sahaj subhhaai: The Gurmukh (Spiritual Being) blossoms forth with Sahaj (sggs 1173).
ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਹਰਿਆ ਸਹਜਿ ਸੁਭਾਏ॥ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮਿ ਰਹੇ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਏ ॥: Manu tanu hariaa sahaj subhaae. Nanak naam rahe liv laae: Our minds and bodies are rejuvenated with Sahaj. O Nanak, through the Lord's Name (Naam) we remain attuned (i.e., intuitively poised, steady, restful, etc.) to (God's) Love (sggs 1173).
ਬਾਬੀਹਾ ਤੂੰ ਸਹਜਿ ਬੋਲਿ ਸਚੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਸੁਭਾਇ ॥ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਤੇਰੈ ਨਾਲਿ ਹੈ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਆ ਦਿਖਾਇ ॥: Baabeehaa toon Sahaj bol sachai Sabad subhaai. Sabh kish terai naal hai satigur deeaa dikhaai: O rainbird (of the mind - O amorist or lover of the drop of rainwater of the Lord's Name thar bestows spiritual life - ਹੇ ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲੀ ਨਾਮ-ਬੂੰਦ ਦੇ ਰਸੀਏ!), by being established in Sahaj (Intuitive Poise, Natural state of Being - ਆਤਮਕ ਅਡੋਲਤਾ ਵਿਚ ਟਿਕ ਕੇ), attune to the True Shabad, with love, engage in Naam-Simran. Everything (Bliss, etc., that emanates from the drop of the Lord's Name) is within you; (but only that person realizes it to whom) the Satguru has shown this (sggs 1420). (Note: a bird called Baabeehaa is said to be an amorist of the first drop of the rainwater, and cries out for it!).
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸੰਸਾ ਮੂਲਿ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਵਿਚਹੁ ਜਾਇ॥ਜੋ ਕਿਛੁ ਹੋਇ ਸੁ ਸਹਜੇ ਹੋਇ ਕਹਣਾ ਕਿਛੂ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥: Gurmukh sansaa mool na hovee chintaa vichahu jaai. Jo kish hoi su sahaje hoi kahanaa kishoo na jaai : The Gurmukh does not have an iota of skepticism or doubt; worries depart from within him. Whatever he does, he does with poise. Nothing else can be said about him (sggs 853
ਏ ਮਨ ਹਰਿਆ ਸਹਜ ਸੁਭਾਇ ॥: Ae mann hariaa sahaj subhaai: This mind is rejuvenated with Sahaj (sggs 1173).
ਜੋ ਕਿਛੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਸਹਜਿ ਸੁਭਾਇ ॥: Jo kish hovai sahaj subhaai: Whatever happens, (the Gurmukh accepts) with Sahaj (sggs 1262).
ਗਉੜੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਰਿਦ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਧਾਰੈ ॥ ਪੰਚ ਜਨਾ ਸਿਉ ਸੰਗੁ ਨਿਵਾਰੈ ॥ ਦਸ ਇੰਦ੍ਰੀ ਕਰਿ ਰਾਖੈ ਵਾਸਿ ॥ ਤਾ ਕੈ ਆਤਮੈ ਹੋਇ ਪਰਗਾਸੁ ॥੧॥ ਐਸੀ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਤਾ ਤਾ ਕੈ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਜਾ ਕਉ ਦਇਆ ਮਇਆ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸੋਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਸਾਜਨੁ ਦੁਸਟੁ ਜਾ ਕੈ ਏਕ ਸਮਾਨੈ ॥ ਜੇਤਾ ਬੋਲਣੁ ਤੇਤਾ ਗਿਆਨੈ ॥ ਜੇਤਾ ਸੁਨਣਾ ਤੇਤਾ ਨਾਮੁ ॥ ਜੇਤਾ ਪੇਖਨੁ ਤੇਤਾ ਧਿਆਨੁ ॥੨॥ ਸਹਜੇ ਜਾਗਣੁ ਸਹਜੇ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਸਹਜੇ ਹੋਤਾ ਜਾਇ ਸੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਸਹਜਿ ਬੈਰਾਗੁ ਸਹਜੇ ਹੀ ਹਸਨਾ ॥ ਸਹਜੇ ਚੂਪ ਸਹਜੇ ਹੀ ਜਪਨਾ ॥੩॥ ਸਹਜੇ ਭੋਜਨੁ ਸਹਜੇ ਭਾਉ ॥ ਸਹਜੇ ਮਿਟਿਓ ਸਗਲ ਦੁਰਾਉ ॥ ਸਹਜੇ ਹੋਆ ਸਾਧੂ ਸੰਗੁ ॥ ਸਹਜਿ ਮਿਲਿਓ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਨਿਸੰਗੁ ॥੪॥ ਸਹਜੇ ਗ੍ਰਿਹ ਮਹਿ ਸਹਜਿ ਉਦਾਸੀ ॥ ਸਹਜੇ ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਤਨ ਕੀ ਨਾਸੀ ॥ ਜਾ ਕੈ ਸਹਜਿ ਮਨਿ ਭਇਆ ਅਨੰਦੁ ॥ ਤਾ ਕਉ ਭੇਟਿਆ ਪਰਮਾਨੰਦੁ ॥੫॥ ਸਹਜੇ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਪੀਓ ਨਾਮੁ ॥ ਸਹਜੇ ਕੀਨੋ ਜੀਅ ਕੋ ਦਾਨੁ ॥ ਸਹਜ ਕਥਾ ਮਹਿ ਆਤਮੁ ਰਸਿਆ ॥ ਤਾ ਕੈ ਸੰਗਿ ਅਬਿਨਾਸੀ ਵਸਿਆ ॥੬॥ ਸਹਜੇ ਆਸਣੁ ਅਸਥਿਰੁ ਭਾਇਆ ॥ ਸਹਜੇ ਅਨਹਤ ਸਬਦੁ ਵਜਾਇਆ ॥ ਸਹਜੇ ਰੁਣ ਝੁਣਕਾਰੁ ਸੁਹਾਇਆ ॥ ਤਾ ਕੈ ਘਰਿ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਸਮਾਇਆ ॥੭॥ ਸਹਜੇ ਜਾ ਕਉ ਪਰਿਓ ਕਰਮਾ ॥ ਸਹਜੇ ਗੁਰੁ ਭੇਟਿਓ ਸਚੁ ਧਰਮਾ ॥ ਜਾ ਕੈ ਸਹਜੁ ਭਇਆ ਸੋ ਜਾਣੈ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾਸ ਤਾ ਕੈ ਕੁਰਬਾਣੈ ॥ ੮॥੩॥: Gaurree mahalaa 5 || Gur kaa sabad rid antar dhaarai ...: Gaurree mahalaa 5. Who implants the Guru's Shabad within his heart; cuts his connections with the five passions. (He) keeps the ten sense organs under his control, and his soul becomes enlightened (ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਦੀ ਸੂਝ ਪੈ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ). ||1|| They alone acquire such steadfastness (ਆਤਮਕ ਬਲ), whom God blesses with His Mercy and Grace. ||1||Pause|| Friend and foe are one and the same to them. Whatever they speak is (spiritual) Wisdom. Whatever they hear is the Naam, the Name of the Lord. Whatever they see, in all (they see God's) meditation. ||2|| They awaken in Sahaj; they sleep in Sahaj. That which naturally to happen, he is pleased with that happening. In Sahaj they weep; in Sahaj they laugh. In Sahaj they remain silent; in Sahaj they repeat God's Name. ||3|| With Sahaj they eat; with Sahaj they love (everybody, God). Because they remain in Sahaj, the illusion of duality (ignorance, evil mindedness, etc.) is easily and totally removed from within. They naturally (in Sahaj) join the Saadh Sangat, the Society of the Holy. In Sahaj they meet and merge with the Transcendent Lord. ||4|| In Sahaj they are at Home, and in Sahaj they remain detached. In Sahaj, their bodies' duality is eliminated. In Sahaj Bliss comes to their minds. They meet the Lord, the Embodiment of Supreme Bliss. ||5|| In Sahaj they drink in the Nectar of the Naam (Amrit), the Name of the Lord. In Sahaj they give to the poor. In Sahaj their souls delight in the Lord's Sermon. The Imperishable Lord abides with them. ||6|| In Sahaj they assume the unchanging position (Eternal Abode). In Sahaj the unstruck vibration of the Shabad resounds. In Sahaj the celestial bells (of ਆਤਮਕ ਰਸ) resound. Within their Homes, the Supreme Lord ever abides. ||7|| In Sahaj, according to their Karma, they meet with the Guru of true Dharma (Naam-Simran). Those in Sahaj only realize God. Servant Nanak is a sacrifice to them. ||8||3|| (sggs 236 - 237).


bhul chuk maaf
Guru sahib knows better - Gurbani is agad bodh--

WahegurU ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji ke Fateh

of course MB Singh jeeo way too difficult -- but prefer sehaj - maybe that is just me - apologies in advance sir

Is this Bhai Baksish Singh Jee?

[www.flickr.com]

This is Jathedhar Bhai Bakshish Singh of Phagwara

WAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA ,WAHEGURU JI KI FATHE,ON FLICKR.COM WAS BHAI BAKSHISH SINGH JI 'BUTALA' eye witness of JUNE 1984 GENOCIDE IN SHRI AMRITSAR SAHIB.

All valid points by AKJ most difficult part is implementing them where certain individuals have been doing their own thing for so long will be a difficult thing but AKJ is not a one man army and doesnt belong to one person but to the Khalsa panth.

NS jeeo,

thanks for providing Pankiti containing"Sahaj" and doing Vichaar on this subject. This word has come in Gurbani in many meanings. Mahan Kosh has listed the following meanings of this word:

ਸੰ. सहज ਵਿ- ਸਾਥ ਪੈਦਾ ਹੋਣ ਵਾਲਾ. ਜੋ ਨਾਲ ਜੰਮੇ। (2) {ਸੰਗ੍ਯਾ}. ਸਾਥ ਪੈਦਾ ਹੋਣ ਵਾਲਾ (ਜੌੜਾ ਜੰਮਿਆ) ਭਾਈ। (3) ਸ੍ਵਭਾਵ. ਖ਼ੋ. ਆਦਤ. ਫ਼ਿਤਰਤ. ਅਸਲ ਪ੍ਰਕ੍ਰਿਤਿ. "ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਲੈ ਲੈ ਨੀਮ ਸਿੰਚਾਈ। ਕਹਿਤ ਕਬੀਰ ਉਆ ਕੋ ਸਹਜੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ।" (ਆਸਾ)। (4) ਵਿਚਾਰ. ਵਿਵੇਕ. "ਸਹਜੇ ਗਾਵਿਆ ਥਾਇ ਪਵੈ". (ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਃ ਮਃ ੩)। (5) ਗ੍ਯਾਨ. "ਕਰਮੀ ਸਹਜ ਨ ਊਪਜੈ ਵਿਣੁ ਸਹਜੈ ਸਹਸਾ ਨ ਜਾਇ". (ਅਨੰਦੁ) "ਗੁਰੁ ਬਿਨ ਸਹਜ ਨ ਊਪਜੈ ਭਾਈ, ਪੂਛਹੁ ਗਿਆਨੀਆ ਜਾਇ". (ਸੋਰ ਅਃ ਮਃ ੩)। (6) ਆਨੰਦ. ਸ਼ੋਕ ਦਾ ਅਭਾਵ. "ਚਉਥੈ ਪਦ ਮਹਿ ਸਹਜ ਹੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਪਲੈ ਪਾਇ". (ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਃ ਮਃ ੩)। (7) ਸੁਸ਼ੀਲ. ਪਤਿਵ੍ਰਤ। (8) ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ. ਕਰਤਾਰ. "ਸਹਜ ਸਾਲਾਹੀ ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ". (ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਃ ਮਃ ੩)। (9) ਸਨਮਾਨ. ਆਦਰ। (10) ਕ੍ਰਿ. ਵਿ- ਨਿਰਯਤਨ. "ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਤ ਪਾਇਆ ਸਹਜ ਸੇਤੀ". (ਅਨੰਦੁ)। (11) ਸ੍ਵਾਭਾਵਿਕ. "ਜੋ ਕਿਛੁ ਹੋਇ ਸੁ ਸਹਜੇ ਹੋਇ". (ਵਾਰ ਬਿਲਾ ਮਃ ੩) "ਸਹਜੇ ਜਾਗੈ ਸਹੇਜੇ ਸੋਵੈ". (ਵਾਰ ਸੋਰ ਮਃ ੩)। (12) ਆਸਾਨੀ ਨਾਲ. "ਮੁਕਤਿ ਦੁਆਰਾ ਮੋਕਲਾ ਸਹਿਜੇ ਆਵਉ ਜਾਉ". (ਸ. ਕਬੀਰ)। (13) ਸਿੰਧੀ. {ਸੰਗ੍ਯਾ}. ਘੋਟੀ ਹੋਈ ਭੰਗ.

Furthermore it has the following more meanings of ਸਹਜਿ

ਕ੍ਰਿ. ਵਿ- ਗ੍ਯਾਨ ਕਰਕੇ। (2) ਸ੍ਵਾਭਾਵਿਕ। (3) ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਤੌਰ ਪੁਰ। (4) ਸਹਜ (ਬ੍ਰਹਮ) ਵਿੱਚ. "ਲਾਗੈ ਸਹਜਿ ਧਿਆਨੁ". (ਜਪੁ)। (4) ਸੁਸ਼ੀਲਤਾ (ਸਾਦਾਚਾਰ) ਦਾ. "ਸਹਜਿ ਸੀਗਾਰ ਕਾਮਣਿ ਕਰਿ ਆਵੈ". (ਸੂਹੀ ਅਃ ਮਃ ੧)। (5) ਸ਼ਨੇ ਸ਼ਨੇ. ਹੌਲੀ ਹੌਲੀ. "ਸਹਜਿ ਪਕੈ ਸੋ ਮੀਠਾ". (ਤੁਖਾ ਬਾਰਹਮਾਹਾ)। (6) ਧੀਰਜ ਅਤੇ ਸ਼ਾਂਤਿ ਨਾਲ. "ਸਹਜਿ ਸਹਜਿ ਗੁਣ ਰਮੈ ਕਬੀਰਾ". (ਗਉ ਕਬੀਰ) "ਬਾਬੀਹਾ ਤੂੰ ਸਹਿਜ ਬੋਲ". (ਸਵਾ ਮ: ੩).

In order to understand what this word means in the Pankiti you quoted originally we have to determine how would one lose "ਤਤੁ". Here is the Pankiti you quoted:

ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਬਿਲੋਵਨਾ ਬਿਲੋਵਹੁ ਮੇਰੇ ਭਾਈ ॥ ਸਹਜਿ ਬਿਲੋਵਹੁ ਜੈਸੇ ਤਤੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

The condition is that while doing Bilovana i.e. doing Simran, one should ensure that the ਤਤੁ is not lost. It we do some Vichaar we realized that the ਤਤੁ would be lost due to following conditions:

1. If we don't do Bilovana continuously or Ik-rass.
2. If we don't do Bilovana correctly i.e. we are chanting but our Surthee is in Maya i.e. our concentration is not in doing Simran but is stuck in worldly thoughts.

In the light of the aforementioned, it seems like Sehaj here means doing Simran continuously and with concentration i.e. in Gurmat Sehaj Avastha that is free from Mayadhaari thoughts.

If we do Simran loudly and do it continuously ਤਤੁ won't be lost.
If we do Simran in mind but continuously, still ਤਤੁ won't be lost.
If we do Simran slowly but continuously and with focus, ਤਤੁ won't be lost.
Then why doing Simran fast but with focus and continuously, will cause ਤਤੁ to be lost?

The main thing is to do Simran with love, concentration and with Gurmat Vidhi. While doing Simran of "Anant-Tranga" Vaheguru, many conditions befall on the Abhyaasi. Sometimes he does simran in Shanti and sometimes he becomes Bihbal (restless) because he wants results right away. Sometimes he does Simran in Bairaag with tears flowing through his eyes and at other times he does Simran and laughs in Anand. Why put any limits on the Abhyaasi? Yes what should not be done is show-off.

Bhul chuk dee Muafi jee.

Kulbir Singh

Some of the most relevant points are the ones related to Kirtanis. One particular point that is taking a dangerous form in foreign countries is this one:

• All managing Gursikhs are requested that maintaining old Maryada, all kind of Bheta (gifts, remuneration) to Kirtanis should be stopped. It is seen that many Kirtanis going to foreign countries take money in return for attending Kirtan Samagams and providing other Kirtan related services. This is totally contrary to Gurmat Maryada. If a Kirtani can reach far off Samagams using his or her money, it is fine otherwise, it is best that they do Kirtan Sewa in their areas of residence.

Kirtanis in AKJ are becoming like professional Raagis. They charge money to come to Kirtan Samagams and are often also seen accepting Bheta for doing Kirtan services like teaching Kirtan. Jatha was and is known for doing Nishkaam Sewa but this recent trend of professional Ragi-ism is very detrimental to Jatha.

Another very relevant point is:

• Managing Gursikhs should ensure that the Kirtanis should be unstained Gursikhs and there should be no pending case related to Rehit Maryada, against them. A person who is convicted of one of the big Bajjar Kurehits should not be given Kirtan Sewa for few months, even if he or she gets Pesh.

The Kirtanis are the face of Jatha. If characterless and Rehit-less Kirtanis are promoted and not condemned, then it will bring shame to the good name of AKJ.

Kulbir Singh

WAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA WAHEGURU JIKIFATHE, KHALSA JIO,

Admin Note: Please don't bring in specific examples of individuals as this is against the guidelines of this message board.

Please post your question without alluding to specific examples of individuals who have committed mistakes in the past.

bhg heen bhram chotan khave.

Waheguru ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji ke Fateh

Veer Kulbir Singh Jeeo,

Gurbani is sublime -so vast- so much knowledge- beautiful, keeree mokhare like me are lost all over - rultee ferteehh.. Thanks for taking the time out to respone - pleasure is all mine.

Tutt is of the essence - I agree how do we know if tutt is lost - fast or slow simran and for the individual heera Gursikh sitting in sangat - who knows where is his spritual level and to which gear he is in - overdrive or 1st for simran.He could be someone crying calling for his father Vaheguru slowly in deep baraag or someone calling for his father Vaheguru so fast - cannot remain without himfor an iota. However, the issue is more related towards the press release in a sense that the kirtania who ever it may be has great - ultimately - HUGE responsibility. I personally feel that if a kirtaniya does simran slowly - in sehaj rather than so fast it is without a shadow of doubt more of an experience to all of sangat no matter which level a Gursikj bhoraa is at. Let's face majority of the sangat will never be AKJ in a smagam-and it is where the beautiful bliss of sehaj naam simran from a kirtana will tune in the lost ones or the ones still trying to figure out some sort of jeevan in life to be attracted and swim in the laha which will hopefully not ever be forgotten.

As you mention - kirtania being the face of the Jatha -- therefore of extreme focus and attention.

Bhul chuk maaf - viewpoints are my personal feelings- any obejctions more than welcome for further learning.

It is a humble bentee that the AKJ.ORG upload the Press Release and English translation provided by Bhai Kulbir Singh.

Gursikhs have being trying to uploaded on akj.org but it is not going through.

Bhai Harpreet Singh jee kirpa karo? I know you are a member of this forum too.

No-Bodh

I know this is a little off topic, and I apologize, but has Bhai Bakshish Singh said anything openly about the recent fiasco in which many prominent "Jatha" members presented a siropaa to Badal? I know he left the program himself out of protest, but what has been done from his side or from the Jatha's side to those people who have smeared the Jatha's image? I noticed that one of the people standing alongside Badal, smiling for the press, was allowed to do keertan sevaa this past week at Hoshiarpur Samaagam. Is there no accountability for one's actions in the Jatha anymore?

We all know that Bhai Bakshish Singh did not attend that political convention at Narangwal where Badal and party came. Jathedar jee is trying to implement as much Gurmat as possible without fragmenting the Jatha. His personal Vichaars are excellent and he is trying to implement them in Jatha but there is a very strong resistence from many sides. The condition of our Jatha had deteriorated quite bit and above that, the Jatha in the last 5 decades has been a very decentralized organization. There are Lakhs of Jatha Singhs who have many different political affiliations and inclinations. Jathedar can't be held responsible for everyone's actions. You can't stop someone from doing Kirtan just because one supports a political party e.g. Congress, Akali Dal etc. A Singh with conscious will not support Badal, Congress or other such political parties but still it's not a Kurehit to support them and their supporter can't be stopped from doing Kirtan. Can you stop Siri Akal Takhat Jathedar who is a known supporter of Badal, from doing Kirtan at Jatha Samagam?

It's also strange that no one says anything for all the good things Jathedar jee has done but are always ready to question him for actions of others too. Who is going to empower the Jathedar Sahib? Its we who are going to do so but how many of us are supporting him? Some Jatha sites are even refusing to put his press release on their site perhaps because it does not suit them.

I believe that if you don't support him, then you have no right to ask him questions either. No one is perfect but I can tell you that Jathedar jee is one of the very good Gurmukhs I have met. If he is given support, he can bring a lot of change in Jatha.

Kulbir Singh

Very well said Bhai Kulbir Singh Jeeo... Its really sad to see a Jatha Singh criticizing the other at a forum rather than questioning Jathedaar Sahib personally.. Isnt this Nindeya..?? (Really wish we could talk to each other out of Pyaar rather than Hankaar and Haomein)

WJKK WJKF,KHALSA JIO,Dass note in the most europe smagam singh when doing parikarma of maharaj they pass between the kitan stage and maharaj .This was not good if they want to parikarma then pass over the kirtan stage not between the maharaj and kirtan stage. Because dass listen from puratan gursikhs that passing in front of the kirtania was make disturbance in waves which connected kirtaniya and GURU SAHIBS. So plz dass request all the gursikh piyare to pay attention on this. bhag heen bhram chotan khave.

Bhai Kulbir Singh and Bhai Deepinder Singh, it's obvious that your responses are aimed at what I have said. I don't think this type of public forum is the type of place to discuss inner politics of the Jatha, but you have now opened this topic and can of worms, so I will indulge a further discussion.

I think you both know that I do not support Bhai Bakshish Singh as Jathedar or AKJ, but rather my support is for Jathedar Bhai Mohinder Singh Jee Kala Sanghiyaa.

Bhai Kulbir Singh, you say "I believe that if you don't support him, then you have no right to ask him questions either." Why not?

As an elected official, which he is, we all have the right to question him. It would be different is he was selected after true input from world-wide Jatha sangat, and careful considerations. For example, if I am a Republican (which I am not, by the way), and I did not vote for President Obama (who is a Democrat), I would still have the right to question him, because I am an American. Likewise, though I may not personally support Bhai Bakshish Singh, I still have respect for the position others in the Jatha have given him, and as a member of AKJ (having peshed in Jatha), I have 100% right to question what he's doing for the Jathebandee.

Bhai Sahib, you say "It's also strange that no one says anything for all the good things Jathedar jee has done but are always ready to question him for actions of others too." To this, I can say that I agree with the content of his press release 100%. I think it's a good first step forward. I think the fact that people like me question him for the actions of others bothers you quite a bit. Why is that? He is the leader of AKJ, right? With guidance from 5 Singhs, he can give any sandesh to Jatha sangat, as long as it's in-line with Gurmat, right? If I, sitting here alone in California, know of MANY prominent member of AKJ who are known to have violated maryaadaa, yet still fly around the world to do "sevaa" in the name of the Jatha and in Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee's yaad, then how can he not know? It's well known amongst so many that some famed and lauded keertanee are accused, many guilty, of serious violations. Why have they not been asked to pesh yet? Sangataan in pardeshaan like Canada, USA, etc., have taken a strong stand against them, yet Bhai Bakshish Singh and other prominent members of Jatha have turned a blind eye to this, and continue to allow them to do "sevaa." He could easily put a stop to this, and ask for these people to pesh before continuing on representing AKJ.

Veer Deepinder Singh, you say "Its really sad to see a Jatha Singh criticizing the other at a forum rather than questioning Jathedaar Sahib personally.. Isnt this Nindeya..?" How does questioning someone amount to nindiyaa? Criticizing his actions, or lack of taking actions in some cases, is far from nindiyaa. I know his stance of the topic of Sri Dasam Granth Sahib, and shastar parkaash. I do not agree with him, and neither do hundreds of other GurSikhs. I have no problem saying this to him personally, and if given the chance during my next visit to India, I will. I will also congratulate him on taking firm stances in some aspects of maryaadaa, and trying to bring back some puraatan rehats back to this modern Jatha. I would also ask him to clarify his position of many other topics, which have yet to be addressed by him or his section of AKJ, and which are important topics this day and age.

Tarnveer Singh

Can the Admin please consider making a the thread sticky(or another thread), where Press Releases will remain on the top of forum message board?

Chota veer

Quote

Bhai Kulbir Singh, you say "I believe that if you don't support him, then you have no right to ask him questions either." Why not?

As an elected official, which he is, we all have the right to question him. It would be different is he was selected after true input from world-wide Jatha sangat, and careful considerations. For example, if I am a Republican (which I am not, by the way), and I did not vote for President Obama (who is a Democrat), I would still have the right to question him, because I am an American. Likewise, though I may not personally support Bhai Bakshish Singh, I still have respect for the position others in the Jatha have given him, and as a member of AKJ (having peshed in Jatha), I have 100% right to question what he's doing for the Jathebandee.

I did not mean to say that you cannot question him in the way you have understood. What I did mean was that if we don't support him and thus make his arms strong, we should not expect him to act in a certain way. Jatha has been a very decentralized organization for the last 5 decades. If we want Jathedar jee to take certain decisions or act in a certain way, we will have to empower him by supporting him. In the recent past he has attempted many changes and has succeeded in some cases and in some cases he is still trying. The opposition from the Dhillay (weak in Rehit) has been fierce. Success in bringing change will depend on how much we support him.

To be honest, most of the people in Jatha want such Jathedar who acts like a rubber-stamp and keeps status-quo in Jatha. Jathedar Bhai Bakshish Singh is not of this kind. I hope he gets the required support to bring positive change in Jatha. The disheartening thing will be if he loses enthusiasm and either resigns and sits home or just loses enthusiasm to bring the change. It will all depend on how much support he gets from Sangat to bring about this change.

The letter he has released tells all about what his views are. A lot of Sangat, especially Rehitvaan Singhs are supporting him and a lot of people are also opposing him. May Guru Sahib give him courage and Shakti to bring positive change.

Kulbir Singh

JATHEYDAAR Bhai Bakhshish Singh jee's stances should be highly valued and implemented with full consideration, because he is INTERNATIONAL JATHEYDAAR OF AKHAND KEERTANEE JATHAA. Therefore; he is the Jatheydaar of all AKJ Units worldwide.