Meet Our SPNer in Focus - Lee Douglas

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Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh!!

Preface:

Dear SPN'ers, in our endeavor to make Sikh Philosophy Network a more closely knit community, beginning this fortnight, we are initiating a special section focusing on members, who have over the years nurtured and patronized SPN to make it what it is today!

Please Note: If you would like to share your life's experiences with us, or would like to nominate someone who has inspired you, please contact us here for the future interviews. :welcome:

Thank You,
SPN Administration

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- Meet Our First SPN'er in Focus -
- (Fortnight Nov 15,2009 to Nov 30, 2009) -

Lee Douglas

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• Please tell us about your first experiences of Sikhi (either in your family or as a convert).

I have always been spiritual in nature, ever since I can remember, despite or perhaps because I come from a largely atheist family.

For many years my searching for God (although at the time I did not realise this was what I was doing) lead me down the Neo-Pagan path, which eventually lead nowhere, except round and round in logical circles.

So, one day I decided to simply stop that part of my life and look elsewhere. After a few years, I found myself reading a book from the library about Sikhi.

I was astounded! I found that Sikhi encompasses all that I had come to believe about God. I found it just made sense to me, and so I sought out Sikhs to talk to.

• What events and experiences inspired you to continue on your journey learning about Sikhism, and deepening your understanding?

I work in the IT industry; and so prior to making my decision to convert, I met many Sikhs via the Internet, which lead to a memorable email exchange with a young Sikh living in London. He invited me to a Sikh Summer Camp in which he was doing some fine Seva. I went to this camp, the only white man, and an older man surrounded predominantly by children.

I was left largely to my own devices. I spoke to many people there, old and young. The children were full of exuberance and more than willing to come and talk to this strange, small, fat and hairy bloke. The elders initially stayed away, but as the two weeks progressed, I found them approaching me, and I asked questions. I arose at 4:00 am. I did all the things that the rest of the camp did, and went home with a very nice copy of Nitnem.

Let me say this to any new non-Punjabi converts: The youth at that camp were a great help to me. I will never forget their kindness.

• If you could name one thing about Sikhism that is most important to you (something that you would never give up) what would it be?

When I first read Mool Mantar, again I was almost blown away by what it was communicating to me! It is I think the very essence of Sikh.

One God who is all, all pervading, the realisation of the interconnectedness of everything, the idea that nothing exists that is not God! Wow! It has made me treat people better.

• Were there individuals who were role models, who taught you how to be and live as a Sikh?

Too many to mention: the Sikh youth from that camp, the young Sikh who invited me, his younger brother, and an old gentleman who did approach me on the very first day, and who spoke Punjabi to me. I shrugged my shoulders, he signed for me to wait, and he wandered off. A few minutes later, he was back with another man, who served as translator for us.

I met a few years ago a white couple about 10 years older than me who had a very Western slant on the Sikhi they practiced, not by any means what I would call orthodox, but very nice, unassuming, friendly, gentle people.

• Who may have motivated you to learn more about Sikhism?

Everybody, but admittedly myself. I by this time had the bit between my teeth. I am dogged when it comes to trying to understand new things

• Did you ever experience barriers as you continued on your journey?

When I see the pettiness displayed by some Sikhs, it does bring me down, but not for long. What we do here on this earth? Well all of that is ordained. We all are little tiny facets of God. All that God does cannot be wrong, so if I can attempt to see God in others, then my mood improves.

• Thinking of yourself today as a Sikh, how do you live Sikhism in your own way?

I do the things that most of us do. I go to Gurdwara. I even awake early (some days) for Simran. I try to get up continuously, but Ahhh! Life has a habit of getting in the way. I help anybody that asks for it, even those who do not ask but I can see need it.

• How do you understand Seva to the Guru and to the panth, in your own words and in your own experience?

Seva? Well that’s a bit different for me. Sikhi has, over the last 8 to 9 years, made me a better man, more considerate, willing to forgive, more helpful generally. If you need help, than ask a Sikh. This is now a major belief of mine.

• What is the most difficult part of being a Sikh?

The hardest part of any spiritual path is not being too hard on yourself. We all fall from time to time. God will always pick us up, dust us down, and put us back on the road. That is if our intent is pure.

So, guilt, you don't need it. Say, Sorry! Mean it! Then, forge ahead. God forgives.

• Is there anything else you would like to share with the Readers?

People are people the word over. We each of us are unique and individual, and the reality is that not all of us will reach for God. Those people who do not believe, or believe in another way from us: Well they are God too. We must treat them all as such.

• What are the Top 5 Critical Things that you would like to suggest for the Overall Improvement of SPN.

A tiny thing really. When you write or reply to a post, there are two buttons. Save and Submit, I often hit the wrong one. It would be handy if the Submit button was on the right rather than the left, but it is a tiny thing.


Sikh Philosophy Network thanks Lee ji for this interview with this prayer. Guru Ram Das Ang 775

ਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਕਹੈ ਸੋਈ ਪਰੁ ਕੀਜੈ ਨਾਨਕ ਅੰਕਿ ਸਮਾਇਆ ॥੩॥
jo prabh kehai soee par keejai naanak ank samaaeiaa ||3||
Whatever God says, I gladly do. O Nanak, I have merged into the fiber of His Being. ||3||

ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਕਾਜੁ ਰਚਾਇਆ ॥
har prabh kaaj rachaaeiaa ||
The Lord God has arranged the marriage ceremony;

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਵੀਆਹਣਿ ਆਇਆ ॥
guramukh veeaahan aaeiaa ||
He has come to marry the Gurmukh.

ਵੀਆਹਣਿ ਆਇਆ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹਰਿ ਪਾਇਆ ਸਾ ਧਨ ਕੰਤ ਪਿਆਰੀ ॥
veeaahan aaeiaa guramukh har paaeiaa saa dhhan kanth piaaree ||
He has come to marry the Gurmukh, who has found the Lord. That bride is very dear to her Lord.

ਸੰਤ ਜਨਾ ਮਿਲਿ ਮੰਗਲ ਗਾਏ ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਆਪਿ ਸਵਾਰੀ ॥
santh janaa mil mangal gaaeae har jeeo aap savaaree ||
The humble Saints join together and sing the songs of joy; the Dear Lord Himself has adorned the soul-bride.

ਸੁਰਿ ਨਰ ਗਣ ਗੰਧਰਬ ਮਿਲਿ ਆਏ ਅਪੂਰਬ ਜੰਞ ਬਣਾਈ ॥
sur nar gan gandhharab mil aaeae apoorab jannj banaaee ||
The angels and mortal beings, the heavenly heralds and celestial singers, have come together and formed a wondrous wedding party.

ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਮੈ ਸਾਚਾ ਨਾ ਕਦੇ ਮਰੈ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥੪॥੧॥੩॥
naanak prabh paaeiaa mai saachaa naa kadhae marai n jaaee ||4||1||3||
O Nanak, I have found my True Lord God, who never dies, and is not born. ||4||1||3||

• Top 5 Critical Things That You Would Love to Suggest for the Overall Improvement of SPN.

A tiny thing really. When you write or reply to a post, there are two buttons. Save and Submit, I often hit the wrong one. It would be handy if the Submit button was on the right rather than the left, but it is a tiny thing.

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