Awakening to Leadership

http://www.sikhnet.com/dvd - In the video SSS Harbhajan Singh Khalsa (Yogi Bhajan) starts by talking about just "being" a Sikh verses experiencing and living as a Sikh (He related this in the terms he called "Concept" and "Conception"). He then talks about how Sikhs have been betrayed by the so called "Sikh Leadership" and how youth should not rely on them and BECOME the leaders themselves. He shares inspiring experiences from his youth before the partition of India when he was part of creating the All India Sikh Student Federation. He explains how the youth worked together and formed a powerful force with Sikhi as a base and through trust, honesty, equality. He shares the ingredients of what made this work and how youth of today can do this as well.

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• india
• sikh
• student
• federation
• leadership
• Youth
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[Dervi5h]

I thought it was a great video but i have one question.

He mentions that the older generations of Indian Sikhs think there should be no mingling with white Sikhs. Did I hear that correctly? and is he referring to white as in skin color? i dont understand.

Thanks

[gmustuk]

I think you heard correctly. Back in those days (1970's-90's) there was a strong negative campaign by many Sikhs of punjabi background to not associate with us. Some Gurdwaras even refused to allow us in Gurdwara. Those were much heavier times. People used to say that we were not Sikhs and looked at our practice of Kundalini Yoga as anti-Sikh. People now have gotten to know us better and don't take the propaganda anymore so things are much better.

[Dervi5h]

I ask this because I have attended a Gurdwara about 5 times so far. I tend to get a lot of stares and feel a bit out of place. I am the only non-indian in the sangat which does not bother me but I just get a bad vibe from some people. I am however going there for spiritual reasons so I put aside my worries.

[gmustuk]

In my experience sometimes this is mistaken perception and is what WE think they must be thinking when they are looking at us. It is not common to have Sikhs who are from non-indian background so people tend to stare out of curiosity. This just goes with the territory of looking different. I have dealt with this my whole life. Smile back...be friendly and make an effort to introduce yourself. You'll find that as you get to know people these stares will go down.

[NanakLove]

i personally love western sikhs.with the guidance of yogi bhajan they've revived the true nature of sikhi

[a110ne]

>>>the crowd, to me they were they were the only people there. The experience left me humbled and wondering what do they know, which I don't, those who walk with such, humility dignity and poise. This, I now know is due to western Sikhs have far greater knowledge of Sikhi. I am very grateful to Sikhnet for giving me and family access to their wisdom, because I get the answers which I do not get elsewhere. Please keep the good work!!!

[mrkatamura]

without concepts we are free. There is no need for concepts and no need to be this or that. Simply BE.

To be sikh is an idea... a thought... let go of it and be free.

[sikhsoldier911]

wonderful

[sikhsoldier911]

wow amazing yogi bhajan is a true sikh...can anyone tell me how yogi bhajan ji passed away?....ive heard many stories just wanna hear the real deal thanks

FATEH

[HSC1000]

Western sikhs (White Sikhs) are the key to the survival and future of SIKHI. Without them, .......there is only the "concept" of a sikh left.

Yogi Bhajan did an amazing job in training and creating the teachers (white sikhs) of tomorrow.

..........the youth NEEDS the white sikhs because they are on our LEVEL.

[amrinderchadha]

much needed debunking of mere concept and ideas we usually cling to....

[sandhu2484]

Interesting views. Althought I do agree with his idea on being a Sikh is more of a concept and experiencing and living like one is different or Conceptual as he puts it. But this is the thing I wasn't aware of when he mentions that there was discrimination with white's who have converted to Sikhism. I mean if so the case then this is pure hypocrisy. Sikhism is all about diminishing the concept of discrimination based on cast or color. Anybody can join the faith period. There are no restrictions.

[FiveLovedOnes]

My dear friend,Concept of yoga is always a non-sikh part.u r liked n accepted by sikhs for doing work on the path of sikhi,following SGGS Ji n sikhi ways but not the yoga.if u r still in a misconception that u r liked becoz of yoga,forget abt it.Even if sikhs r growing bcoz of yoga n sikhi practice,yoga will be always a non-sikhi practice.SIKHI MEANS BANI,BANA,REHYAT MARYADA,RISING EARLY FOR SIMRAN,SHASTAR PRACTICE N LOT LOT MORE.

[khalistan5]

we must realize that in sikhism we don't need a priest to find god. it is our personal connection with god and we must not stray away from the basic principals. our goal in life is to meet god nothing else. sikh politics are corrupt right now. we can't trust sikh leadership only guru ji.

[jagmeet7]

there are no more than a handfull of true gur sikhs left in this bad world we live in ut are many so called sikhs.