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Meeta SGGS Conference 2013

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This document discusses the concepts of free will and destiny from a Sikh perspective. It presents a story about a man named Dhanna Singh Malhi and reflects on how different events in his life were both within and outside of his control, and how he was able to use his free will to change his destiny through hard work and focusing on relationships. While some things are pre-determined, the discussion suggests that as Sikhs, we can overcome challenges and determine our own destinies by living according to ethical principles of service, justice, and unconditional love.

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When Destiny Offers Her Hand Reach Out and Grab It By Meeta Kaur
My privilege and responsibility as a Sikh-American writer Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility. For the person who is unwilling to grow up, the person who does not want to carry his/her own weight, this is a frightening prospect. Eleanor Roosevelt
Our responsibility as Sikhs Until the great mass of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each others welfare, social justice can never be attained. Helen Keller
Questions Is there a relationship between free will and destiny according to the Guru Granth Sahib How do free will and destiny work together in our lives as Sikhs? Can free will impact pre-determined karma that is in play? How does love shape our destinies as Sikhs?
Methodology for discussion We will engage in a story-telling exercise to tease out the questions Received permission to tell this individuals story Reflect on patterns and the impact of those patterns
Discussion of Reflections In transparency, I am looking at these concepts through the lens of a story and my own biases I invite the audience to participate in the discussion during the Q and A so we can draw a more comprehensive conclusion Every voice counts There is no right or wrong in these discussions
Story time Relax Close your eyes Take in the story like a breath of air
Dhanna Singh Malhi
Defining moments for Dhanna Singh 1. His mother passing at the age of 2 -- lost his primary bond, was unaware of what a mothers love is 2. His father sending him to his Mama Jis home for education at the age of 8 groomed to be a professional in the U.S. 3. Coming to America to practice medicine 4. A heart attack every 10 years a chance to pause and reflect at the way he was living (selfcreated)
Reflections on Dhanna Singhs story O Nanak, only your actions shall go with you; the consequences of your actions cannot be erased. Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Page 460 Reflections: Dhanna Singh decided to study 1618 hours a day building up his destiny to become a doctor. Success begets success.
Reflections Continued O Nanak, only your actions shall go with you; the consequences of your actions cannot be erased. Guru Arjan Dev Ji, pg 460 Reflection: When Dhanna Singh chose success and money over developing his relationships with his wife and children, his decisions caught up with him in the form of heart attacks and his karmic debt as a householder
Reflections Continued O Nanak, only your actions shall go with you; the consequences of your actions cannot be erased. Guru Arjan Dev Ji, pg 460 Reflection: Again, Dhanna Singh chooses to work equally as hard to reverse his situation with his family members and works at his relationships continuously non-stop for 5 years rebuilding trust and respect
A different lens on the same story Love is not an idea that a person may be taught or given, we learn what love is through experience. -Wahe Guru Net Reflection: To fulfill his duties as a Sikh, Dhanna Singh had to learn what love is in the absence of his parents love. Wahe Guru equipped him to climb this learning curve and his free will allowed him to keep making that choice continuously changing his destiny with his family.
Reflection Why was it important that Dhanna Singh learn these virtues, learn the traits we need to love unconditionally? As Sikhs, I believe we are not only taught to love our families unconditionally, but also love humanity unconditionally. When we understand our duty, our destiny as the ability to love and serve humanity unconditionally, we can restore the vision of the world the Gurus blueprinted 500 years ago.
Reflections According to ones desires, ones condition is determined (Guru Nanak Dev Ji, p.1342) That alone is a good deed, O Nanak, which is done by ones own free will (Guru Angad Dev Ji, p.787)
What seems like a contradiction based on Dhanna Singhs Narrative By ones own actions, nothing can be done; destiny was pre-determined from the very beginning. By great good fortune, I meet my God, and then all pain of separation departs (Guru Arjan Dev Ji, p.135) Dhanna Singh realized that his mothers passing shaped him, defined him, and he also realized that he could use free will to change the destiny he had built up from circumstances out of his control. We can overcome anything.
Our destiny as Sikh Americans In understanding that as Sikhs, we determine our own destinies, we are primed to not only be social justice advocates on behalf of our own community, but also defend the the rights of other minority communities around the country/world. We can pre-determine the destiny we hand to our children starting now

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Meeta SGGS Conference 2013

  • 1. When Destiny Offers Her Hand Reach Out and Grab It By Meeta Kaur
  • 2. My privilege and responsibility as a Sikh-American writer Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility. For the person who is unwilling to grow up, the person who does not want to carry his/her own weight, this is a frightening prospect. Eleanor Roosevelt
  • 3. Our responsibility as Sikhs Until the great mass of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each others welfare, social justice can never be attained. Helen Keller
  • 4. Questions Is there a relationship between free will and destiny according to the Guru Granth Sahib How do free will and destiny work together in our lives as Sikhs? Can free will impact pre-determined karma that is in play? How does love shape our destinies as Sikhs?
  • 5. Methodology for discussion We will engage in a story-telling exercise to tease out the questions Received permission to tell this individuals story Reflect on patterns and the impact of those patterns
  • 6. Discussion of Reflections In transparency, I am looking at these concepts through the lens of a story and my own biases I invite the audience to participate in the discussion during the Q and A so we can draw a more comprehensive conclusion Every voice counts There is no right or wrong in these discussions
  • 7. Story time Relax Close your eyes Take in the story like a breath of air
  • 9. Defining moments for Dhanna Singh 1. His mother passing at the age of 2 -- lost his primary bond, was unaware of what a mothers love is 2. His father sending him to his Mama Jis home for education at the age of 8 groomed to be a professional in the U.S. 3. Coming to America to practice medicine 4. A heart attack every 10 years a chance to pause and reflect at the way he was living (selfcreated)
  • 10. Reflections on Dhanna Singhs story O Nanak, only your actions shall go with you; the consequences of your actions cannot be erased. Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Page 460 Reflections: Dhanna Singh decided to study 1618 hours a day building up his destiny to become a doctor. Success begets success.
  • 11. Reflections Continued O Nanak, only your actions shall go with you; the consequences of your actions cannot be erased. Guru Arjan Dev Ji, pg 460 Reflection: When Dhanna Singh chose success and money over developing his relationships with his wife and children, his decisions caught up with him in the form of heart attacks and his karmic debt as a householder
  • 12. Reflections Continued O Nanak, only your actions shall go with you; the consequences of your actions cannot be erased. Guru Arjan Dev Ji, pg 460 Reflection: Again, Dhanna Singh chooses to work equally as hard to reverse his situation with his family members and works at his relationships continuously non-stop for 5 years rebuilding trust and respect
  • 13. A different lens on the same story Love is not an idea that a person may be taught or given, we learn what love is through experience. -Wahe Guru Net Reflection: To fulfill his duties as a Sikh, Dhanna Singh had to learn what love is in the absence of his parents love. Wahe Guru equipped him to climb this learning curve and his free will allowed him to keep making that choice continuously changing his destiny with his family.
  • 14. Reflection Why was it important that Dhanna Singh learn these virtues, learn the traits we need to love unconditionally? As Sikhs, I believe we are not only taught to love our families unconditionally, but also love humanity unconditionally. When we understand our duty, our destiny as the ability to love and serve humanity unconditionally, we can restore the vision of the world the Gurus blueprinted 500 years ago.
  • 15. Reflections According to ones desires, ones condition is determined (Guru Nanak Dev Ji, p.1342) That alone is a good deed, O Nanak, which is done by ones own free will (Guru Angad Dev Ji, p.787)
  • 16. What seems like a contradiction based on Dhanna Singhs Narrative By ones own actions, nothing can be done; destiny was pre-determined from the very beginning. By great good fortune, I meet my God, and then all pain of separation departs (Guru Arjan Dev Ji, p.135) Dhanna Singh realized that his mothers passing shaped him, defined him, and he also realized that he could use free will to change the destiny he had built up from circumstances out of his control. We can overcome anything.
  • 17. Our destiny as Sikh Americans In understanding that as Sikhs, we determine our own destinies, we are primed to not only be social justice advocates on behalf of our own community, but also defend the the rights of other minority communities around the country/world. We can pre-determine the destiny we hand to our children starting now

Editor's Notes

  • #3: I come to this topic of free will and destiny as a student. I recognize my own privilege. I am blessed with the space and time to reflect on this subject matter. While many hardworking women and men are doing their best to make a living and provide for their families, I recognize that I have been gifted time to think and for that I am truly grateful to Wahe Guru while also recognizing my responsibility to speak responsibly on each and every topic.
  • #5: I came to this presentation trying to understand and determine if there is a relationship between free will and destiny.
  • #9: The gentleman on the left is my father Dhanna Singh Malhi. This is his job now Nana and Dada duties year round. His story.