Images: above, thumbnail and homepage - artwork by Pardeep Singh for "Journey With The Gurus".
Books
An Incredible Journey
by INNI KAUR
Journey with the Gurus has been an incredible journey for me.
At every step of the way, I felt a voice guiding me.
I often get asked, "How long did it take you to write the stories for this book?"
"Many lifetimes," would be the truthful answer.
Many have guided and helped me in this process.
From some, it was expected.
From others, it was unexpected. I took it as a blessing.
I' d like to share with you one such blessing.
A good friend of mine is the Director of a Christian Sunday school. She insisted on reading the stories and then proceeded to guide me in framing the discussion points. I was amazed at her ability to connect the dots in the stories.
"How can you do this?" I asked. "These stories are stories of my Guru."
"It's quite simple," she replied. "The thread ceremony (janeu) story is like that of Jesus at the temple. In my head, I replaced Jesus for the Guru and it worked. Isn' t it all the same, Inni?"
WOW!!
Yes! It is all the same.
But many of us only pay lip service to that.
She reinforced my belief that sat sangat is not necessarily being with people of your own spiritual practice.
Instead, sat sangat is being with individuals who consciously live their lives in the Presence of the Divine.
Her parting words were poignant: "Inni, make the Guru relevant to the lives of your children. If you can make that connection for
them, you' ll have them for life."
I've made every effort to follow her advice in framing the discussion points in the book.
Whether I' ve succeeded, only time will tell.
Even if one child in his or her predicament says, "What would Guru Ji do if He was in my place?" then I'll know I've done my job.
The rest is in the Guru's Hands.
October 29, 2010
Conversation about this article
1: Sangat Singh (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), October 29, 2010, 9:47 AM.
What an incredible journey indeed. May it never end. For you, Inni ji, and your friend Guru Nanak's shabad by way of blessing comes to mind: "Taidee bandas mai ko-ay no dithaa too naanak man bhannaa/ Ghol ghumaa-ee tis mitar vicholayjai mil kant pachhaanaa" [GGS:964.4] - 'I have not seen any other like you, you alone are pleasing to Nanak's mind/ I am dedicated, devoted sacrifice to he who leads me to recognize my Husband Lord'. Bhai Vir Singh, then in his early teens, used to go incognito to Harmandar Sahib in the wee hours of the morning. One day he met his father's dear and devout friend, Lala Banarsi Das in Hall Bazaar. He took Vir Singh in his close embrace and said "Kaka ji, come to the refuge of Krishan Maharaj". "Where does Krishan ji live?" asked the teenager, Vir Singh. "He is all pervading," replied Lala ji. "Then, I am already under his refuge." Lala Banarsi Das held him even tighter and said Vir Singh had explained to him the real meaning of the Gita that day! Maharajah Ranjit Singh had acquired a Koran from a calligraphist and then asked Fakir Azizuddin to read out a passage from it. Fakir ji read out the 'Sura Yusuf' and then translated it for the Maharajah. "But, Fakir ji, Guru Granth Sahib says the same thing. What is the difference?" "None, Your Highness," replied Fakir ji, "the goal is the same, only the paths are different." Inni- Guru Nanak is holding your hand and also has his other Hand on your friend's head. May you continue with the incredible journey.
2: Inni Kaur (Fairfield, CT, U.S.A.), October 29, 2010, 3:22 PM.
Sangat Singh ji, gratitude flows for sharing this. I consider Bhai Vir Singh ji my spiritual Pita ji. The stories for 'Journey with the Gurus', Volumes 1, 2, 3 and 4 are inspired by his Baalam Saakhia(n) and Guru Nanak Chamatakaar. Thank you for your blessings - you are part of my sadh sangat!
3: Sangat Singh (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), October 29, 2010, 5:13 PM.
Inni ji, like you, I too was weaned on Bhai Vir Singh ji. He was always addressed deferentially as 'Pita ji'. My first formative impression of him was when I was about 6 or 7 years old, when my elder sister Bhenji Man got married. The year was probably 1939-40, I think. As a brother, I was to accompany the 'doli'. Luckily it was in Lyallpur itself and not too far from where we lived. When the doli arrived at her new home, the scene was incredible. As we stood at the threshold, it faced a small courtyard. The mother-in-law - fondly addressed as 'Waddey Bibi ji' and a well known saintly person - was sitting on a wooden bench and on the floor beside her were about 20 women. She had a book in her hands. She got up to receive the bride, no oil was poured on the threshold, she just walked and embraced her gently and put her hands on Bhen ji's head in blessing, then made her sit next to her on the bench. She handed her the book she was reading and I distinctly remember what she said: "Laey aree-ay, parr ennu" - "Here take this, girl, and read it!" I later found it, the book was "Guru Nanak Chamatkaar". On another occasion, at a satsang, Bibi ji pushed the harmonium towards Bhenji and said "laey, kar kirtan!" Bhenji had never in her life touched a harmonium before that. But a miracle happened. Bhenji's eyes became closed, and her fingers started to move on the keys and she started to sing some shabad. The gift of kirtan came to her instantly as a Gurparsad. From then onwards Bhenji started to sing regularly, always without an Amrit Kirtan, her eyes always closed and became a picture of kirtan itself. Inni ji, I could go on and on, and relate to you lots and lots of stories about Bhai Vir Singh ji as my family had a very close connection with him. Perhaps you could get my e-mail address from Sher Singh ji. There is a lot to share. Come sister, gal milli-ey, and let's talk about 'kant'. I promise not to disappoint you.
4: Bibek Singh (Jersey City, U.S.A.), October 29, 2010, 5:16 PM.
Thanks for the wonderful book. I also placed a copy in our local Gurdwara library. Eagerly looking forward to the next one.
5: Inni Kaur (Fairfield, CT, U.S.A.), October 29, 2010, 6:54 PM.
Shukkar for modern technology! Have requested your email ID. Waiting with baited breath to connect ...
6: Gurmeet Kaur (Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.), October 31, 2010, 10:11 AM.
You were blessed with an incredible team on your journey. Starting from the Guru himself to Bhai Vir Singh ji to your wonderful illustrator, editor and the friend (from the Sunday School). But it is you who became the instrument of the Guru to bring it all together. What an incredible gift! We are with you on your journey in our own little ways. Keep marching forward.
7: Dya Singh (Melbourne, Australia), May 10, 2016, 12:50 AM.
My dear Inni, Sangat Singh ji is, as they say, not just 'laakhon' but 'karrorron mein aik'. I have spent some very fruitful times with him in Malaysia. Your books have opened the door for a new generation. This is true Guru Sahib's work. My daughters are using them as communication and interaction tools with their children. You have done sterling service for the community.