Monday, February 20, 2006

Power of Naam

MUSLIM GIRL REALISES NAM AT DERBY UNIVERSITY1
8th February, 2006

It seems more and more people from different backgrounds of race and religion are becoming more and more influenced by the teachings of Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Jee with the realisation of naam. Sikh societies around the UK are becoming more and more proactive to help spread the teachings and help people, regardless of their social background, to come and join in with sangat and learn about the Sikh faith. Derby University Sikh Society is at the forefront of this mission. It has to be stressed, that its not about converting people or forcing them. The aim is to show people the path and leave them the choice whether they want to walk it, or not. So we caught up with Ambreen Raza, a female Muslim student, who talks about her experience and enlightenment thanks to the Sikh Society.
What were you views on Waheguru before learning about Naam and why?
I had a general view, pretty much like everyone else. I've been brought up being told that there is a God and He makes everything happen. I didn't really believe in this much but it was always in the back of my mind.
I guess the main reason why I didn't believe in God that much was from personal experiences i.e. doing good but bad always happening to me. I believed that you make things happen for yourself, for example if you smoke and you have a heart attack, how can that be a sign from God, when its obvious the smoking caused it?
What was your view of religion before learning about parts of Sikhism and Naam?
I didn't really have a view on religion. I respect all faiths but didn't feel strongly about any of them. The main reasons being because whenever I asked questions about religions I was always given ‘blind faith answers' i.e. “it's just the way it is” or “it says so in the Quran (or any other ‘Holy book').” The answers were never fully explained and backed up with proof. They left me feeling unsure and dissatisfied. I felt like there must be more to it than what they were saying.
However, I didn't believe that it was necessary to follow a faith to be good to people and have manners. That's common courtesy. It depends on the type of person you are, not which religion you follow.
From not being bothered about God and religion what got you interested in Sikhism?
I had seen Amarjit (head of Sikh society at uni) around uni a few times and he never seemed upset, angry or stressed out, even on deadline days! It got me wondering about why he never had these negative emotions. I mean if I had 4 assignments to hand in on that same day and I hadn't done any of them I would be stressing, but Amarjit always had a smile on his face and managed to get his work done on time.
I approached him one day and asked him what his secret was and he said Sikhi. So I started asking him questions like, ‘what is the point of life?', ‘is there a God? And how do you know?', ‘why do bad things happen?', ‘what happens when you die?' … he answered all of my questions.
From learning about Naam, what have you learnt? What is your view on Waheguru and religion now?
I've learnt about death; 8,400,000,000 births and deaths, staying in the human karma and actual hell if there is no Naam in your life. It has helped me realise why things happen to people, for example why people are born with disabilities etc.
Learning about Nam has made me realise the importance of Waheguru and the purpose of life. There's so much more to life than I thought.
Prior to Sikhism all the religion heads filled their own egos by diverting the attention of the follower away from God and onto themselves. The effects of Gurbani and Naam have made me realise the power of God.
Do Muslims at uni know you are learning about Sikhism?
Yes they do. I was on the Sikh Society stall during freshers' week.
How have Muslims reacted to you and the person who is teaching you? Any hostility towards you or him?
No one has come directly to me, however there have been notes left at Amarjit's desk, we're not sure if whether it was left by a Muslim. There have been some people from the Islamic society approach my sister and tell her that they feel they need to speak to me, but to this day no one has actually approached me.
How have you been taught? And do you get bored?
I've been taught on a one to one basis, we've had sessions last up to 3 hours. They weren't intended to be that long but once we get talking it's really makes you think and we get carried away.
Are you interested in learning more?
Yes. There is so much I haven't covered yet, I've only been taught the basics and there is so much more to learn. I've been taught everything in so much depth that I just want to keep learning about it.
Many thanks to Derby University Sikh Society and Ambreen Raza.
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Joke of the day

A Professor was explaining marketing concepts to his Students:
1. You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and say:
"I am very rich. Marry me!"
That's Direct Marketing
2. You're at a party with a bunch of friends and see a gorgeous girl. One of your friends goes up to her and pointing at you says: "He's very rich. Marry him." That's Advertising
3. You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and get
her telephone number. The next day, you call and say: "Hi, I'm very rich. Marry me." That's Telemarketing

4. You're at a party and see gorgeous girl. You get up and straighten your tie, you walk up to her and pour her a drink, you open the door (of the car) for her, pick up her bag after she drops it, offer her ride and then say: "By the way, I'm rich. Will you marry me?" That's Public Relations 5. You're at a party and see gorgeous girl. She walks up to you and says: "You are very rich! Can you marry me?" That's Brand Recognition.
6. You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and say: "I am very rich. Marry me!" She gives you a nice hard slap on your face. That's Customer Feedback

7. You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and say: "I am very rich. Marry me!" And she introduces you to her husband. That's demand & supply gap 8. You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and before
you say anything, another person come and tell her: "I'm rich. Will you marry me?" and she goes with him
-That's competition eating into your market share

9. You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and before you say: "I'm rich, Marry me!" your wife arrives. That's restriction for entering new markets

Don't be serious just laugh!!!!