What's Stopping You?

[Pally]

I have been attending the youth program at Dasmesh Darbar, every Sunday evening, for about the past 4.5 years. It started at Khalsa school and then moved to Dasmesh Darbar about 2-3 years ago. The program, completely in English, was started by members of the Gurmat and Guru Nanak Academies (in particular Parminder Singh Paaji, who has now passed on). Getting more youth involved in Sikhism was a great passion of Parminder Singh Paaji's and he has done a great deal for our community. To have been in the presence of such a great Sikh has truly blessed my life.

The reason for this program is to bring out the youth that do not understand Punjabi Katha, and thus, the program is done by Sikh Youth in English.


My question is this: in the recent years, I have seen less and less youth attending the program (this is my view from the ladies side, I'm not sure of the mens side). What's stopping everyone from attending such programs, or even the Gurdwara at all?

What hesitations/worries do you all have in attending the Gurdwara?


I am not trying to attack individuals, but I would like to see the different viewpoints of all the youth. Its been a question I have wondered for many years, and maybe now I will get some insight!

Forgive me for any mistakes or offensive statements. I'm just looking for insight.

Thanks everyone,
Pally

[arjanb]

Heyy I just attended the program tonight. I can't really answer your question because I have no explanation for why that might be but I was wondering... do any other places offer an English Katha like that? I really enjoyed listening and I am just learning punjabi right now so I don't understand them when they are in punjabi and i'd really like to learn more. So if you had any information on other places that might have english programs such as tonights i'd really appriciate it.

[Pally]

Hey Arjan

I know that Gurmat Center does a youth program similar to this every Sunday morning (unless that's changed) but the Gurmat Academy is in Abbotsford. I also know that Gurmat Academy holds classes for the Sikh Youth which are also in English. I have heard great feedback on Guru Nanak Academy and its classes, so check it out! (I will also be attending some classes there soon, especially in learning Baani)

Here are the website addresses for both locations:

Gurmat Center: www.gurmatcenter.com/
Guru Nanak Academy: www.gurunanakacademy.com/

I am not sure if Singh Sabha still does a youth program any more, but I believe it used to be on Friday nights (I never attended so I am not 100% on this). Has anyone else attended or have more information on this?

I hope this helps you out Arjan. Good luck to you and I hope I see you at the programs more often

Pally

[arjanb]

Thanks a lot pally i'll be sure to check those out.

[ravi]

I think that some reasons that youth don't attend the gurdhwara are (just speculation on my part):

1) lots of negative attention in regards to politics at the gurdhwara - i personally really dislike it when people ask me about my opinions of the latest politics as I really don't care to get involved (maybe that's me wanting to stay ignorant??)

2) not being able to relate to the usually much older sangat - usually our parents and grandparents generation; I would personally feel much more comfortable where I can relate to others there - I guess it would just me more inviting (it would be great if there was a regular youth sangat that everyone could come out to)

3) youth are very negatively labelled by the older generation - most of you probably notice when your at the gurdhwara, people are looking at you and you feel as if they're wondering what your doing there. I feel that a lot of the older people feel that youth are up to no good and apply that label to everyone, regardless if they know anything about them or not. You're automatically made to feel unwelcome.

and 4) it's "uncool" -
Someone asks, "What did you do this weekend?"
"Went to the gurdhwara."
"Who's kirtan/akand path was it?"
"No ones. Just wanted to go to the gurdhwara to listen to some kirtan."
"Oh....ok...."

[Pally]

Thank you Ravi for being so honest!! It gives me a great insight!

As I have mentioned, I have been attending the youth program for about 5 years now and its unbelievable the amount of looks I still get! And I see these people every week . But, I think that aspect of our culture needs to be fixed and I think it is our generation that has the power to do that.

There are regular youth Sangats at various Gurdwaras and I am positive that more will be coming. I think it is essential for our youth to feel like they can relate to the material and understand our history in a language they are most comfortable with.

However, I think our main focus should be changing the ideas of the Gurdwara being "cool or uncool". That is the first time I have heard that. I know that a lot of my family think going to the Gurdwara is boring, with "I can't sit that long, my legs fall asleep" or "I don't know anyone there" being common excuses with most youth. I personally think that all of these excuses are in your head. I'm not pointing fingers at anyone, but we can sit on the couch for hours on end or even in a 2 hour lecture...but no one seems to feel comfortable enough at the Gurdwara.

As members of the SSA and the surrounding community as a whole, we have been given a great blessing. We have come together collectively and have created a voice for ourselves. Our younger youth tend to look up to the elders, particularily those who are post-secondary students. If we use our blessings to change the mindset of the youth even a tiny bit, imagine the changes we could to make to our community. Use the blessings we have been given and make a change.

That's my hope for all of you. See this as a lightened path provided to us by our Guru Ji. See if you can change the feelings most of our youth have towards the Gurdwaras.

Forgive me for my mistakes and please ignore any wrong/offensive statements.

Pally

[Gopi]

When it comes to people not going to the Gurudwara, everyone needs to be honset with themselves. Majority of our youth just don't care about it. When anyone goes to a Gurudwara you should not worry about what other people think of you or care how many looks one gets from people. I encourage people to go to the Gurudwara especially the nightly program on Sundays at Dasmesh, very good program. When someone feels motivated enough to go, they'll go until then people will continue to make excuses, be honest with yourself.

Gurpreet Singh Vinning

[sunny]

Honestly, I don't like going to those English programs because most of the ladies who are there just spend the time talking and gossiping and letting their kids run around screaming. I get distracted easily, so it's hard for me to listen and pay attention when so much is going on around me. I find myself listening to ladies behind me talk about what happened to so and so..and I lose track of what is being said by the presenter. If I can't give it my full attention, I don't see the point in being there.

[Mez]

I don't really have a problem with going to the Gurdwara, I used to go every Friday evening because they have these classes here at Dixie Gurdwara, but then I moved off to University so I attend those classes occasionally whenever I have time. However, at my school, we have weekly Rehraas Paath sessions every Wednesday, and the questions we get asked so many times are "Do I have to be religious to come", or "Will the other people judge me if I'm not Gursikh". I think people are just intimidated (although they dont need to be), and they think that people will pass judgement on them or pick on them if they aren't Gursikh.