SikhiToTheMax – Respek

Someone actually used my blogs email address and requested that I post the following. I’m assuming the email account was a made up one since the name on the email was Ronald McDonald. Guess someone wants to be heard but not shitted on but nevertheless, here it is.

If you attend weekly keertan programs or a Rehansabai once in a while, you know that SikhiToTheMax has had a huge effect on the sangat. A couple of years ago, keertan programs used to be quieter then an Atlanta Hawks home game, hosted by the Atlanta Public Library. Then one day something magical happened. A screen appeared. It had writing on it. It gave out an ambient blue light. Everyone was drawn to it, and what it had to say. SikhiToTheMax told us what we were singing about. It gave everyone a chance to participate in the keertan, not just the people on the white chaddar. The youth was the luckiest demographic. The translations were beautiful; they were telling us stories of our Guru’s and lessons for our lives.

Although Gurmukhi is not really too complicated once you get down to reading enough of it, the second generation youth of North America grew up with the emphasis put on learning English. No one wanted to be in ESL. Usually and unfortunately, this came at the cost of an understanding for our own language. I only know a small group of people that were lucky enough to integrate Gurmukhi and English in their youth. The majority of us were left with an understanding of basic Punjabi, and recognized a few words in Gurbani. Then SikhiToTheMax came along, and I honestly think it was a better tutor then anyone else around. Slowly but surely we began to remember the meanings of words and phrases. It made singing the Guru’s praises ten times more uplifting.

Of course, everything in the world has its advantages and disadvantages. So let’s break it down.

What’s Really Good

1. Say what? For real??

Who knew that all these words we were singing every week had such amazing messages behind them. All along, Guru Sahib was giving us a chance to learn the history, the values and virtues of being a Gur Ka Sikh. For most, the first time with SikhiToTheMax was a revelation. It made you feel complete, sort of like when the Leafs and Raptors win on the same night and it feels like all is well in the world.

2. Time flew like it was nothing at all … nothing at all … nothing at all (Damn you Flanders!)

Rehansabai’s are not easy to sit through folks. You’ve got to work your way into them. It’s like trying to listen to Glen Healy comment on TSN broadcasts, or Chuck Swirsky yelling MP3 download for the fifth time in two minutes – takes some getting used to. And you need some bionic knees. SikhiToTheMax made it much easier. The majority of the time, you stare at the screen singing along and reading the meanings. Before you know it, your outside in the -20 degree weather trying to break the ice on your front windshield so you can get home to the best night’s sleep of your life … after doing amrit vela of course.

3. I aint cryin’ fool, I got something in my eye!

Face it, we’ve all had that weird feeling at least once during a Rehansabai where you read a meaning that’s so amazing or enlightening, you just feel all tingly and a brother (or sister) gets all emotional. If you haven’t already, read the meanings to this shabad.

kwgw krMg FMFoilAw sglw KwieAw mwsu ]

kaagaa kara(n)g dta(n)dtoliaa sagalaa khaaeiaa maas ||

The crows have searched my skeleton, and eaten all my flesh.

ey duie nYnw miq Cuhau ipr dyKn kI Aws ]91]

eae dhue nainaa math shhuho pir dhaekhan kee aas ||91||

But please do not touch these eyes; I hope to see my Lord. ||91||

 

You have a blessed soul asking for the crows slowing eating the flesh away from his body not to take his eyes, because they have such a longing to see their Guru. Tingly I tell you.

Of course, there is a downside to every great thing. Here are a few disadvantages

1. All was quiet, not a creature was stirring…

There is a reason none of us know how to long divide anymore: the calculator. For this reason, a keertan without a SikhiToTheMax program and screen is like an orchestra without a conductor. We all lose focus and no one seems to remember a single line of gurbani by memory. We became so reliant on the screen, that we just become straight up dumb without it.

2. Okay c’mon, that was funny and you know it.

Most of the people reading this blog are young adults. MOST of us are still immature moorakhs. Hopefully with time it will change, but as of right now, when you read a translation that is funny to you, it’s hard not to smile or laugh. Its wrong, but it’s the truth. We are all victims of our immaturity, and translation involving “sperm” or “Ganika the prostitute” will usually break our concentration.

3. That little scroll bar

Recently, this has not been much of a problem but everyone knows about that scroll bar. When it’s really early in the morning and the bar is so skinny you can barely see it, your endurance seems to go from 88 to 54 (relating to NHL hockey videogame stats). You just know your in for a battle of mind vs. body and can’t wait to hear “Nanak”, signaling the shabad is coming to a close. Again, its wrong but it’s the truth. We all need to try and get it out of our minds, and when that little box is hidden, it makes it much easier.

In conclusion, I know some of the post was tongue in cheek, but mostly I just want to thank the creators of SikhiToTheMax. It is an amazing learning tool, and we don’t appreciate it enough.

One more thing, I’m posting without my name because I don’t want to be associated with Gagandeep Singh in any way but I needed an outlet to write this and Gagan has been known to be a man of the people. I hope he doesn’t turn me down.

Gagan may be a little too dark for his own good, but his hearts in the right place. And for all the bibian going all crazy for the last post, the video illustrates what I think of Sarpanch Gagan. I also think its better that we concentrate on the ideas of the blog, not who writes it. This keeps your minds open and judgments closed.