Sunday, January 30, 2005
"Hell"
I can't think of anything interesting to write, so I'm going to steal something that Gurjeet Kaur put up on the SikhSangat website.
It's from Bhai Rama Singh jee's book, In Search of the True Guru.
"That night I dreamt that the jamdoots (angels of death) were taking my soul away to some destination. On the way, I saw other souls being taken away too. They were being tortured by the jamdoots. We were in a long line with many souls in front of me and many following behind. However, my soul was not being tortured because I had recited God’s name.
Where there is no mother, father, children, friends, or brothers, O my mind, there, only the Naam, the Name of the Lord, shall be with you as your help and support. Where the great and terrible Messenger of Death shall try to crush you, there, only the Naam shall go along with you. (SGGS p. 264)
As we walked along, we passed by a very dark area. In this darkness, we saw some very frightful scenes. They were so terrifying that a person could easily faint from fright.
“Where the path is difficult and the street is narrow, there the Lord shall liberate you.” (SGGS p. 996)
As we went further we came to an extremely hot place. It felt as if there was fire burning under our feet. Then there was a hill, which we were ordered to climb. Those, whose souls were soiled, found it very difficult to climb this hill. The jamdoots beat them and forced them to climb this hill. Those with pure souls climbed the hill very easily. According to the Hindu faith, it takes one year for the soul to reach the court of the judge Dharamraj. My soul was travelling at a very fast speed. Along the way, I saw all these scenes but they did not affect my soul directly.
On the other side of the hill, was the court of Dharamraj where the good and bad deeds done in one’s life are judged, and reward or punishment meted out accordingly. Like the modern computer which enables immediate access to information, Dharamraj too is able to look up accounts of people’s deeds instantly. There was a lady standing in the line next to mine. Dharamraj said to her, “You have served saintly people. There are many pots of milk and a variety of food for you. Although, you have done good deeds, you did not meditate on the Lord’s Name. You will be reborn a human being. This time be sure to meditate on the Lord’s Name and obtain salvation.” Anther person’s turn came before mine. Dharamraj said, “Although you were given a chance as a human being, you didn’t do any good deeds. You wasted your life doing evil deeds.” He told the jamdoots, “Send this soul to hell and throw it back into the cycle of chawrasi lakh joon (8.4 million life forms)
Next it was my turn. Dharamraj said to me, “You have recited Bani and meditated on the Lord’s Name, but your mind is soiled from the sins in this life. You have to be sentenced for this. The jamdoots took me to a place where human souls were punished for their bad deeds. The place resembled an immigration area at the airport where people with different passports line up in different lanes. Here, there was a separate line for each bad deed. There was a signboard displayed on every lane. For a lustful person, there was a door to a fire chamber. Next was a doorway for those who had listened to other’s gossip. They were punished by having red hot liquid iron poured into their ears. Liars had their tongues cut off. Thieves had their hands cut off. I could see these terrifying scenes form where I was standing. There was a long line in front of me.
Then the jamdoots brought me in front of the fire doorway and commanded me to go inside. I was terrified. They said that if I did not go in, they would beat my head with a heavy club. They pushed me in. it was a most dreadful place like a big pond. Many people were suffering there and screaming in agony. Nothing but cries of anguish could be heard. Nobody could think of food or water. The water in the pond was boiling like a volcano and small creatures were stinging people. The whole night passes in this dream. When it was time for me to get up to do my Paath of Sukmani Sahib, my soul returned from hell into my body as I chanted, “Aad Guray nameh, jugad Guray nameh….” The first line of the Bany, “I bow to the Greatest (Waheguru) Who is the source of all; I bow to the Guru Who is through the ages………..”.
When I opened my eyes, I was sweating and I had marks of insect stings all over my body. At this point I thanked Guru Arjan Dev Ji a million times for the Bani of Sukhmani Sahib and started crying profusely. I kept repeating “Dhan (Praise be to) Guru Arjan Dev Ji! Dhan Guru Arjan Dev Ji!” and thanked God for blessing me and saving me from hell.
It is a well-known truth that recommendation of an influential person works in our worldly affairs. If a person is jailed and a high-ranking officer calls in asking for the person’s release, the person is freed. The same is very true in our spiritual life. Guru Arjan Dev Ji Maharaj (Great King) helped me out of hell. I thought to myself, “O’ lustful man! For a moment of sexual pleasure, see how much you had to suffer.”
“O sexual desire, you lead the mortals to hell; you make them wander in reincarnation through countless species. You cheat the consciousness, and pervade the three worlds. You destroy meditation, penance and virtue. But you give only shallow pleasure, while you make the mortals weak and unsteady; you pervade the high and the low. Your fear is dispelled in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, O Nanak, through the Protection and Support of the Lord.” (SGGS p. 1358)"
It's from Bhai Rama Singh jee's book, In Search of the True Guru.
"That night I dreamt that the jamdoots (angels of death) were taking my soul away to some destination. On the way, I saw other souls being taken away too. They were being tortured by the jamdoots. We were in a long line with many souls in front of me and many following behind. However, my soul was not being tortured because I had recited God’s name.
Where there is no mother, father, children, friends, or brothers, O my mind, there, only the Naam, the Name of the Lord, shall be with you as your help and support. Where the great and terrible Messenger of Death shall try to crush you, there, only the Naam shall go along with you. (SGGS p. 264)
As we walked along, we passed by a very dark area. In this darkness, we saw some very frightful scenes. They were so terrifying that a person could easily faint from fright.
“Where the path is difficult and the street is narrow, there the Lord shall liberate you.” (SGGS p. 996)
As we went further we came to an extremely hot place. It felt as if there was fire burning under our feet. Then there was a hill, which we were ordered to climb. Those, whose souls were soiled, found it very difficult to climb this hill. The jamdoots beat them and forced them to climb this hill. Those with pure souls climbed the hill very easily. According to the Hindu faith, it takes one year for the soul to reach the court of the judge Dharamraj. My soul was travelling at a very fast speed. Along the way, I saw all these scenes but they did not affect my soul directly.
On the other side of the hill, was the court of Dharamraj where the good and bad deeds done in one’s life are judged, and reward or punishment meted out accordingly. Like the modern computer which enables immediate access to information, Dharamraj too is able to look up accounts of people’s deeds instantly. There was a lady standing in the line next to mine. Dharamraj said to her, “You have served saintly people. There are many pots of milk and a variety of food for you. Although, you have done good deeds, you did not meditate on the Lord’s Name. You will be reborn a human being. This time be sure to meditate on the Lord’s Name and obtain salvation.” Anther person’s turn came before mine. Dharamraj said, “Although you were given a chance as a human being, you didn’t do any good deeds. You wasted your life doing evil deeds.” He told the jamdoots, “Send this soul to hell and throw it back into the cycle of chawrasi lakh joon (8.4 million life forms)
Next it was my turn. Dharamraj said to me, “You have recited Bani and meditated on the Lord’s Name, but your mind is soiled from the sins in this life. You have to be sentenced for this. The jamdoots took me to a place where human souls were punished for their bad deeds. The place resembled an immigration area at the airport where people with different passports line up in different lanes. Here, there was a separate line for each bad deed. There was a signboard displayed on every lane. For a lustful person, there was a door to a fire chamber. Next was a doorway for those who had listened to other’s gossip. They were punished by having red hot liquid iron poured into their ears. Liars had their tongues cut off. Thieves had their hands cut off. I could see these terrifying scenes form where I was standing. There was a long line in front of me.
Then the jamdoots brought me in front of the fire doorway and commanded me to go inside. I was terrified. They said that if I did not go in, they would beat my head with a heavy club. They pushed me in. it was a most dreadful place like a big pond. Many people were suffering there and screaming in agony. Nothing but cries of anguish could be heard. Nobody could think of food or water. The water in the pond was boiling like a volcano and small creatures were stinging people. The whole night passes in this dream. When it was time for me to get up to do my Paath of Sukmani Sahib, my soul returned from hell into my body as I chanted, “Aad Guray nameh, jugad Guray nameh….” The first line of the Bany, “I bow to the Greatest (Waheguru) Who is the source of all; I bow to the Guru Who is through the ages………..”.
When I opened my eyes, I was sweating and I had marks of insect stings all over my body. At this point I thanked Guru Arjan Dev Ji a million times for the Bani of Sukhmani Sahib and started crying profusely. I kept repeating “Dhan (Praise be to) Guru Arjan Dev Ji! Dhan Guru Arjan Dev Ji!” and thanked God for blessing me and saving me from hell.
It is a well-known truth that recommendation of an influential person works in our worldly affairs. If a person is jailed and a high-ranking officer calls in asking for the person’s release, the person is freed. The same is very true in our spiritual life. Guru Arjan Dev Ji Maharaj (Great King) helped me out of hell. I thought to myself, “O’ lustful man! For a moment of sexual pleasure, see how much you had to suffer.”
“O sexual desire, you lead the mortals to hell; you make them wander in reincarnation through countless species. You cheat the consciousness, and pervade the three worlds. You destroy meditation, penance and virtue. But you give only shallow pleasure, while you make the mortals weak and unsteady; you pervade the high and the low. Your fear is dispelled in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, O Nanak, through the Protection and Support of the Lord.” (SGGS p. 1358)"
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Strange: Russian Missile Launcher for sale
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Awww... School's Almost Over :-(
Wow! I can’t believe that it’s almost February. This is my last semester in school EVER (if everything goes as expected) and it’s going by so fast. I remember my first day of kindergarten. I was so excited the night before. I was a little disappointed though. I got in trouble for telling a boy he wasn’t allowed to play with the girls since we were playing with the toy kitchen set. Other than that I thought kindergarten was fun.
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Sorry _ _ _
Someone who doesn't want his name to be revealed said he felt offended after this "discussion". I just wanted to say: I'm sorry if your feelings were hurt, but this site has an anti-bollywood policy. If you have a problem with that you can take it up with the person who runs this site (me). Good luck _ _ _.
:-)
Friday, January 21, 2005
Bad Habits
A list of “Bad Habits” follows. Refer to illustration for further clarification.
Throwing litter in open or streets
Gambling
Quarrelling
Animal Teasing
Playing with electricity
Playing with tools
Kite-flying or playing on open roofs
Playing on the road and travelling on foot board
To take law in hands
Use of in hygienic and unclean eatables
Stealing
Throwing litter in open or streets
Gambling
Quarrelling
Animal Teasing
Playing with electricity
Playing with tools
Kite-flying or playing on open roofs
Playing on the road and travelling on foot board
To take law in hands
Use of in hygienic and unclean eatables
Stealing
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Does confidence come easier with ignorance?
Ever been in a position where you overhear people talking, and in the conversation one person is confidently explaining something to the other person, but the person doing the explaining is wrong?
I remember an incident from junior high. This one kid was telling his friends how garbage men made over $20 an hour. This really impressed his friends. One of the friends expressed disbelief and said that there was no way a garbage man could make that much.
The first guy then explained that garbage men only made that much per hour because they worked just one day a week. You could see the brains of these kids working, simultaneously, with their mouths half open, they let out a long “Oh”.
I wanted to say something. “Yes, the most efficient way to collect garbage is to do it on Tuesdays. Garbage can’t be collected any other day of the week. They employ five times more people than they need just so all the garbage can be collected on Tuesdays. No other day, just Tuesdays.” Of course I didn’t say anything, but I always wondered how that kid felt when he eventually realized the truth about garbage collection.
Just today I was studying with a friend and there was an Indian couple sitting across from us. From their accents it seemed that they hadn’t been in the US very long. The guy bought two pieces of cake. One piece was chocolate cheesecake and the other was carrot cake. The girl asked the guy whether the carrot cake was cheesecake or just cake. The guy confidently replied that it was “Carrot cheesecake”. The girl said “Oh really, where is the cheese?” The guy pointed to the icing with his fork and said “That is the cheese.”
Now, I know that icing used for carrot cake does contain some cream cheese but that doesn’t make the icing cheese and it doesn’t make the cake cheesecake. I have some doubts about whether or not he even knew there was cream cheese in the icing.
It’s not that he didn’t know whether it was cheesecake or not that bothered me, it was the fact that he was so confident. It seemed to me that he was just making stuff up to answer the girl. He could have just said “I don’t know.” Wouldn't that be easier?
I remember an incident from junior high. This one kid was telling his friends how garbage men made over $20 an hour. This really impressed his friends. One of the friends expressed disbelief and said that there was no way a garbage man could make that much.
The first guy then explained that garbage men only made that much per hour because they worked just one day a week. You could see the brains of these kids working, simultaneously, with their mouths half open, they let out a long “Oh”.
I wanted to say something. “Yes, the most efficient way to collect garbage is to do it on Tuesdays. Garbage can’t be collected any other day of the week. They employ five times more people than they need just so all the garbage can be collected on Tuesdays. No other day, just Tuesdays.” Of course I didn’t say anything, but I always wondered how that kid felt when he eventually realized the truth about garbage collection.
Just today I was studying with a friend and there was an Indian couple sitting across from us. From their accents it seemed that they hadn’t been in the US very long. The guy bought two pieces of cake. One piece was chocolate cheesecake and the other was carrot cake. The girl asked the guy whether the carrot cake was cheesecake or just cake. The guy confidently replied that it was “Carrot cheesecake”. The girl said “Oh really, where is the cheese?” The guy pointed to the icing with his fork and said “That is the cheese.”
Now, I know that icing used for carrot cake does contain some cream cheese but that doesn’t make the icing cheese and it doesn’t make the cake cheesecake. I have some doubts about whether or not he even knew there was cream cheese in the icing.
It’s not that he didn’t know whether it was cheesecake or not that bothered me, it was the fact that he was so confident. It seemed to me that he was just making stuff up to answer the girl. He could have just said “I don’t know.” Wouldn't that be easier?
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Split-toe socks
About ten years ago my mom had returned home from a visit to India. My mom brought back what she thought was an ingenious Indian invention. They were split-toe socks meant to be worn with flip flops. Why would anyone invent those?!??!
Not only did they look like a ruined pair of normal socks, but they were supposed to be “skin colour”. I have never seen a human being with that colour skin. I don’t even think that colour has a name. I guess it’s what you would get by mixing brown, beige and peach. The Indians couldn’t stop there. They had to make them look “fancy” so these socks were contoured. So, say you do fool someone into thinking that colour is your normal skin colour, now they’re just going to think you have some sort of disease that makes your skin lumpy. I’ve seen variations of split-toe socks that have glitter on them. Who wants people to think they have shiny feet?!?
Socks with individual compartments for every toe are okay. It’s even better if they are multicoloured. However, there is no need to allot one compartment to the big toe, without giving the same attention to the other toes.
If it’s too cold to go without socks then wear shoes that will contain the socks. Don’t try to trick people into thinking you aren’t wearing socks. It’s wrong.
Not only did they look like a ruined pair of normal socks, but they were supposed to be “skin colour”. I have never seen a human being with that colour skin. I don’t even think that colour has a name. I guess it’s what you would get by mixing brown, beige and peach. The Indians couldn’t stop there. They had to make them look “fancy” so these socks were contoured. So, say you do fool someone into thinking that colour is your normal skin colour, now they’re just going to think you have some sort of disease that makes your skin lumpy. I’ve seen variations of split-toe socks that have glitter on them. Who wants people to think they have shiny feet?!?
Socks with individual compartments for every toe are okay. It’s even better if they are multicoloured. However, there is no need to allot one compartment to the big toe, without giving the same attention to the other toes.
If it’s too cold to go without socks then wear shoes that will contain the socks. Don’t try to trick people into thinking you aren’t wearing socks. It’s wrong.
Here’s a picture of decent looking split-toe socks (should still be avoided); I couldn’t find a picture of the Indian version.
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Ways to make people think you're smart
1. Walk around with a really big textbook about some obscure subject. I did this recently (by accident) and found it worked. The textbook I was carrying was called “Financial Reporting and Analysis” and it was hardcover, big and over a thousand pages long. Remember, you have to be in the right environment. Don’t carry around a book on Quantum Physics around a group of physicists.
2. Get the New York Times Crossword puzzle book (the Sunday edition is the hardest, therefore the best) and rip out a page to carry with you. Do the hard parts of the crossword puzzle at home using the answers in the back. Keep the unfinished puzzle in your bag/pocket/purse and pull it out when you want to show off. Announce that you’re doing the crossword puzzle in a subtle way. For example, you could say “Well since I have a few minutes I can finish off the crossword puzzle I started this morning during breakfast”. You want to emphasize that you’ve spent very little time on the puzzle, and that you expect to finish it up soon. Make sure it’s done in pen. Make it seem like you’re thinking about the clues, and finish the crossword puzzle using the few remaining answers you’ve memorized.
3. If a group of people are discussing something, and they all agree on the issue, take the opposite stand. Use words like “conspiracy, brainwash, propaganda, etc. It’s really important that you only try this around people of similar intelligence. Do not attempt to fool smart people because they’ll see right through you.
I'll try to think of some more ways to seem smart. I think points 1 and 2 will work for almost anyone, but only do them once or twice.
2. Get the New York Times Crossword puzzle book (the Sunday edition is the hardest, therefore the best) and rip out a page to carry with you. Do the hard parts of the crossword puzzle at home using the answers in the back. Keep the unfinished puzzle in your bag/pocket/purse and pull it out when you want to show off. Announce that you’re doing the crossword puzzle in a subtle way. For example, you could say “Well since I have a few minutes I can finish off the crossword puzzle I started this morning during breakfast”. You want to emphasize that you’ve spent very little time on the puzzle, and that you expect to finish it up soon. Make sure it’s done in pen. Make it seem like you’re thinking about the clues, and finish the crossword puzzle using the few remaining answers you’ve memorized.
3. If a group of people are discussing something, and they all agree on the issue, take the opposite stand. Use words like “conspiracy, brainwash, propaganda, etc. It’s really important that you only try this around people of similar intelligence. Do not attempt to fool smart people because they’ll see right through you.
I'll try to think of some more ways to seem smart. I think points 1 and 2 will work for almost anyone, but only do them once or twice.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
My favorite pen:
The "ComfortMate" ballpoint pen by Papermate is currently my favorite pen. I've been using these pens for a year now, and they never leave blots. Also, they're comfortable to grip (hence the name) and they require very little pressure to write. They write smoothly in a nice blue color (not too dark and not too light). They're cheap and easy to clean.
I highly recommend this pen.
I highly recommend this pen.
Thursday, January 06, 2005
This is a featherbrained perspective...
http://www.icssa.org/tsunami.htm
Tsunami: Allah is Great
Allah is great. There is no doubt about that. The tsunami episode has shown that there is no one mightier than Allah. If he wants to save someone, he will save. He saved a person even three days after the disaster. He saved a mosque in Indonesia, where the stopped clock at the minerat shows the time the tidal waves struck the country.
With this disaster, Allah also gave a lesson to those who are committing a genocide of Muslims in the world. The Muslims throughout the globe are currently under threat from those who want to dominate this world, by hook or crook. Their ultimate objective is to gain global dominance at any cost. Allah has shown them that it is his will that the world is running not theirs. The infidels, can deny Allah, and create the holocaust of the modern age on the Muslims. But, the supreme power is of Allah. The infidels can do whatever they want. But this would be to a limit. Allah is giving them all the opportunity to accept his supremacy. But they are drunk in their own delusions and hallucinations...
I can't believe that this guy, Minhaj, thinks that God would punish innocent human beings to prove a point to Americans. Why wouldn't God punish Americans with a natural disaster of their own?
Here are some more of his thoughts:
Tsunami crises has become a blessing in disguise for the American media. They now have something else to talk, and take their viewers away from the death tolls and the tragedies in Iraq. Even the Iraqi elections have been overshadowed by this news. Allah is giving time to Americans and their cronies, and showing his might.
Okay, so how did the tsunami teach the Americans a lesson? The number of Americans killed is very, very small in comparison to the loss suffered by other countries. Apparently the tsunami is a "blessing in disguise". I thought it was a lesson, why would Allah give Americans more time?
The author keeps saying that Allah is showing his power. Yes, God is powerful and able to do anything, but I don't understand the "American" connection(s).
Tsunami: Allah is Great
Allah is great. There is no doubt about that. The tsunami episode has shown that there is no one mightier than Allah. If he wants to save someone, he will save. He saved a person even three days after the disaster. He saved a mosque in Indonesia, where the stopped clock at the minerat shows the time the tidal waves struck the country.
With this disaster, Allah also gave a lesson to those who are committing a genocide of Muslims in the world. The Muslims throughout the globe are currently under threat from those who want to dominate this world, by hook or crook. Their ultimate objective is to gain global dominance at any cost. Allah has shown them that it is his will that the world is running not theirs. The infidels, can deny Allah, and create the holocaust of the modern age on the Muslims. But, the supreme power is of Allah. The infidels can do whatever they want. But this would be to a limit. Allah is giving them all the opportunity to accept his supremacy. But they are drunk in their own delusions and hallucinations...
I can't believe that this guy, Minhaj, thinks that God would punish innocent human beings to prove a point to Americans. Why wouldn't God punish Americans with a natural disaster of their own?
Here are some more of his thoughts:
Tsunami crises has become a blessing in disguise for the American media. They now have something else to talk, and take their viewers away from the death tolls and the tragedies in Iraq. Even the Iraqi elections have been overshadowed by this news. Allah is giving time to Americans and their cronies, and showing his might.
Okay, so how did the tsunami teach the Americans a lesson? The number of Americans killed is very, very small in comparison to the loss suffered by other countries. Apparently the tsunami is a "blessing in disguise". I thought it was a lesson, why would Allah give Americans more time?
The author keeps saying that Allah is showing his power. Yes, God is powerful and able to do anything, but I don't understand the "American" connection(s).
Sunday, January 02, 2005
Why I love flying...
I think everyone I know is aware that I have the worst luck when it comes to getting my luggage on time or at all. Yes, they lost my suitcase again! In the last 12 months my luggage has been delayed or lost 4 times.
When we landed in Philadelphia the guy next to me commented about how he hated waiting for his luggage. I told him that I didn’t expect my suitcase to be there. He looked confused, so I told him that my bags were always getting lost. He fully anticipated being reunited with his luggage. Such high expectations, I thought.
I waited by the baggage carousel until the last piece was out. Then I went right over and filed a claim. As I was walking out of the Northwest office I saw the guy who had been sitting next to me. His luggage never came – the poor guy looked so disappointed.
Moral of this story: have very low expectations. That way if things work in your favor, you’ll appreciate the results so much more.
I got back to my apartment, opened the door and heard an annoying beep (beeeeeeep). The fire alarm was beeping every 45 seconds. I pushed the button marked “Hush” but that didn’t help. Took the battery out, and that didn’t work either. I disassembled it and put the part making the sound in the bathroom, but it’s a loud “beep” – I could still hear it. I wrapped a towel around it and then closed the door. I listened, and listened a little longer… Yes! I had muted the annoying beep.
This had happened once before and that time I was reminded of a Friends episode where Phoebe had a similar experience. I didn’t think that could actually happen in real life. One would think that removing the battery would silence the alarm. The reason why it’s beeping is because it needs a new battery. The person who thought to do that was so clever: that beep is so annoying, and if it wasn’t for the “beeeeeeep” I probably wouldn’t ever get around to putting a new battery in.
When we landed in Philadelphia the guy next to me commented about how he hated waiting for his luggage. I told him that I didn’t expect my suitcase to be there. He looked confused, so I told him that my bags were always getting lost. He fully anticipated being reunited with his luggage. Such high expectations, I thought.
I waited by the baggage carousel until the last piece was out. Then I went right over and filed a claim. As I was walking out of the Northwest office I saw the guy who had been sitting next to me. His luggage never came – the poor guy looked so disappointed.
Moral of this story: have very low expectations. That way if things work in your favor, you’ll appreciate the results so much more.
I got back to my apartment, opened the door and heard an annoying beep (beeeeeeep). The fire alarm was beeping every 45 seconds. I pushed the button marked “Hush” but that didn’t help. Took the battery out, and that didn’t work either. I disassembled it and put the part making the sound in the bathroom, but it’s a loud “beep” – I could still hear it. I wrapped a towel around it and then closed the door. I listened, and listened a little longer… Yes! I had muted the annoying beep.
This had happened once before and that time I was reminded of a Friends episode where Phoebe had a similar experience. I didn’t think that could actually happen in real life. One would think that removing the battery would silence the alarm. The reason why it’s beeping is because it needs a new battery. The person who thought to do that was so clever: that beep is so annoying, and if it wasn’t for the “beeeeeeep” I probably wouldn’t ever get around to putting a new battery in.
