Sikhs doing Seva
For many of us school is out and the holidays are upon us.  Throughout the season, many Sikhs throughout the world engage in seva to support members of the community in which they live.  We expect this year to be no different. We hope that commenters will use this section to highlight events or drives...
Seva & I
I was nervous. It was my first day on the job as a crisis hotline volunteer. Although I had just completed weeks of rigorous training on how to handle all types of calls – from anxiety, to depression, domestic abuse, and the dreaded suicide – I was still a little uneasy. I met my mentor for...
So You Think You Can Serve Your Gurdwara?
Blogged by: sikhpulse The Christian community is confronting the development of the “Sixth American:” those individuals who do not exist in or identify with any particular space and ultimately congregate together. These integrated congregations are hopeful signs that the elements of discrimination...
Steel Plates (Thaals)::Seva
On TLH we have discussed Green Gurdwaras. Part of this green initiative is to use steel plates (i.e. thaals) and cutlery instead of the common paperware. A couple of weeks ago at a local Gurdwara langar, I saw steel plates being used that had been stored away in cupboards for years. Every week disposable...
Seva, Redefined
One of the underlying issues to many of the discussions we have here on TLH seems to focus upon whether or not elements of Sikhi are being redefined as we evolve in the communities within which we reside.  We often take concepts such as Seva, Sangat and Simran for granted without wondering if they...
Sikhs and Soft Power
The first week of President Barack Obama’s administration has been important in several respects, perhaps most notably because of the announcements that the Guantanamo Bay facility will close and that the United States, “without exception,” will not torture.  While these statements...
Chinese take-out and matinees
Are how I usually spend December 25th (unless, like this year, Gurpurab services fall on the same day). When I was younger, my family and I would spend the week of Christmas collecting items for donation, volunteering with the local soup kitchen, and generally reflecting on, and brainstorming, how we...
A GREAT Sikh Tradition
I know not whether it is an ‘old tradition‘ or a ‘family tradition’; I only know it seems to be a great tradition.  Last week, Camille bulletin board-ed a winter clothing distribution in Central California being sponsored by Mike Sandhu of Sandhu Brothers Farms. The Tracy Press...