WORLDWIDE—The world sees the unveiling of the new segment of the multi-generation spanning epic saga of good versus evil today. The phenomenon that is Star Wars sees the next installment of the enthralling story-line that has enraptured millions across the world, with Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
For those who have followed the plot from the original 1977 movie, Star Wars: A New Hope, through to The Empire Strikes Back and finally, Return of the Jedi, they will be acutely aware of the continuing battle between the ruling “empire” and the uprising of the “rebels”. The empire, being the ruthless dictatorial regime which came to fruit through [originally] democratic foundations, but leading on to more a autocratic control, which spanned the whole galaxy. The rebel alliance, however, being the uprising of the common man, underpinned and led by the highly religious Jedi, a peace and nature loving group of warriors with a wealth of spiritual strength (aptly named ‘the force’), who stood up to the empire’s strangling grip.
In almost mirror-image fashion, the Sikhs have always been inwardly concentrated beings, with a positive engagement with the environment around them. Hard working, loyal and fearless. Trusted and admired the world over due to these qualities, gained by the wisdom of the word of Gurbani (sacred heavenly texts).
The parallels to the Jedi are many-fold. Sikhs endevour to single-mindedly focus on the universe spanning vibration of creation – Naam. Sikhs strive to live, breathe and absorb Naam (a creative energy within all things – animate or inanimate) – to center their emotions and become the finest specimen of spiritual humans possible – and share this love, peace and tranquility within society. A fearless community of self-sacrificing givers, who know no limits in helping in any shape or form – even if requiring a loss of their own life.
But as with most peace seeking civilizations, peace is short lived, as power and wealth thirsty leaders and groups enforce their will and grip upon common folk.
If we were to shrink the vast expanse of the galaxy, and reduce it to the size of the plains of Punjab, we can immediately draw the parallel of the ruthless Badal led regime, with it’s iron-fist grip on the simple people of Punjab, ultimately answering to their own master(s), the central government (empire).
Since independence from the British, an unhealthy fear of Sikhs has been prevalent amongst the prevailing governments. A fear, stemming from knowledge that Sikhs have stood up and fought with the pen and the sword, for the rights of minorities, and have a strong intolerance for unfair rulers. This fear has led to implementations of numerous straining and constricting laws against the Sikhs. The 60s saw many revolts in Punjab as educated and free-thinking Sikhs realized many laws were deliberately designed to keep Sikhs repressed economically and physically. The requests, protests, and revolts of the 60s were silently and lethally stamped out. An uneasy two decades of oppressive heavy handed clamp-downs from the central government in Punjab, finally burst at the seams, with violence pouring out onto the streets and the ‘death star’ of all maneuvers, an attack on Harmandar Sahib (Golden temple) – the spiritual center for Sikhs.
The spiritually minded amongst the Sikhs (Jedis, if you like), recognized that enough was enough. They reluctantly mobilized. The common man of Punjab, being shocked out of their shells, followed suit. Many stepped up against the oppressive regime’s police and paramilitary army (empire’s storm troopers).
Those who used the guidance of Gurbani (the force), used measured retaliatory attacks against the machine. Others with little spiritual guidance ran amok in rage due to innocent family members having been ‘picked off’ by the army and police.
30 years after that attack, the Sikhs in Punjab are again vividly noticing the suppression of freedom of voice and opinion. The vibration of Naam (the force) is ever present, waiting for Sikhs to once again tap into it, to create a resurgence of the caliber of self-sacrificing, fearless spiritual warriors, like forefathers of the past. The calm and fearless Bhai Mani Singhs. The brave and bold Bota and Garja Singhs. The spiritually elevated Bhai Taru Singhs. A cosmically tuned army who recognized, felt, and absorbed life and it’s subtle vibe, enough to become not only formidable at an individual level, but when banding together, to form an unstoppable force. Pun intended.
VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA – VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH
[the Khalsa (pure ones) belong to the Amazing True Teacher – the Victory belongs to the Amazing True Teacher]
Beautifully written
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