In less than two weeks, Kudarat's Seattle Sikh Retreat begins!

We are having some amazing people coming out for workshops. Check out our workshop descriptions here.

Grab a buddy and come join us in the rainforest of the Pacific Northwest. There is still time to sign up! Don't delay- sign up today!

Kudarat 2011 dates are set! Join us this year from July 21-24th in the middle of the Olympic National Rainforest in Washington. 

We have a lot of great stuff to share with you over the next couple weeks including this year's theme and workshop facilitators. Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter, Get a live feed to stay in touch with us. Or register here now for this year's retreat.

And if you live in the Seattle area or are coming to town and would like to help out with Kudarat events, shoot us an email at seattlesikh@gmail.com 

In the meantime, from all of us on the Kudarat team, Happy Vaisakhi to everyone! Especially everyone at the Renton Nagar Kirtan from earlier today. If you didn't get a CD, here it is in mp3 format (right click to save).

WaheguruJiKaKhalsa! WaheguruJiKiFateh!

Intro, NaamNitNitLae(2010), JaaKoHarRangLago- English Gurbani Veechar(2009), JhakrJhagiMiVarsai- Shabad w/ English Katha(2008), HarHarSantMilo(2009), Rekindling The Sikh Spirit- Lecture (English/Punjabi Mix)(Full; 2011), SatgurKiSevaSafalHai(2008), NaamSimran(2009)

 

A Camp in UK, all SSR folks see 1:42! :)

-s

In West New Jersey I was born and raised,
In the Gurudwara is where I spent most of my days,
Chillin out maxing, doing kirtan all cool, and
all shooting some b-ball outside of Punjabi school

When a couple of gyanis, who were up to no good
started making trouble in my neighborhood
I heard one little katha and my mom got scared
and she said listen to Bhai Gurdarshan Singh, he's smart and he cares!

I whistled for a Cab and when it came near,
The license plate said "Waheguru" and it had a Khanda in the mirror,
If anything I could say that this cab was quite a feat,
And then I said Bhaji, let's go to Seattle Sikh Retreat!

I Pulled up to Camp Coleman about 3 or 4,
and I yelled to the cabbie Yo Holmes, have some Parshad!!!
I looked at our kingdom we were finally there,
To put the Guru on his Throne as the Prince of Earth, Water, and Air.

Sung to the "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Theme.  This piece was authored by Savraj Singh, and performed at the Seattle Sikh Retreat 2009 Open Mic Night.  Special credit is due to Samsher Singh, who helped with the rhymes. :)

By Samsher Samsher, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

An interesting thing happened on Sunday. It has been raining regularly in Toronto for a few days. Due to the size of my driveway, it was a wonderful greeting full of exercise.  However, that is not the most interesting news. Sunday night post-grass-cutting, I made regular Indian chai and decided to pour it in my camp “mug.” Those who know me know that, during the nights [at the Retreat], it is me, an empty camp, my pen/clipboard, and my mug full of Tea.

As I took a sip from my well-deserved cha break, the essence of retreat Tea was still felt. I thought I was dreaming. Then, with each following sip, I started to remember the camp, and each and every one of you. We each come to the Retreat for various reasons. We all take a piece of the Retreat back home.

Most importantly, we leave a piece of ourselves behind. An experience shared in the moment. A memory called upon for future. Stories exchanged. Healing(s) reflected. Relationships bonded. An anchor to be called upon next year.

I hope everyone has arrived [home] safe and well. As a friend has eloquently stated; “Thank you for being yourselves! I like you just the way you are.”

-----

This reflection brought to you by Samsher Singh, a sewadar and attendee at the 2009 Seattle Sikh Retreat. Please send your reflections to seattlesikh@gmail.com.

We have almost 90 people coming to this year's retreat -- here's the schedule, see you soon!

Here's the packing list, fresh from the camp management! See you soon!

What're you waiting for folks? Go ahead and register for the Seattle Sikh Retreat....

This year's speakers are awesome!

Bhai Gurdarshan Singh has inspired many Sikh youth all across the country with his well-articulated thoughts and experiences with Sikhi...he's the kind of Bhai Sahib who is equally as profound in Panjabi as he is in English, and in conversation throws in things like "When you have a clear sense of purpose, nothing can shake your faith, be it respect or insult." Oh, and he can play a killer game of ping pong too!

We've all heard of Vishavjit Singh..and if you haven't, it's a sign you really need to come to the SSR to meet this cool guy. He makes and runs sikhtoons.com. As if the creativity exhibited on his website doesn't speak for itself and of his coolness, perhaps it's his passion and connection to the state and people of Panjab that will grip you as he presents the life of sikhtoons (and therefore of Sikhs). You really need to meet this brother!

Bikramjit Singh will be joining us from Vancouver. He, like Bhai Gurdarshan Singh, has done much youth outreach and inspired a lot of youth by relating to them on a personal level. He's a wizard, this guy. Ask him anything! He'll come up with an easy-to-understand, Gurmat-generated answer with bits and pieces of Sikh history thrown in for extra encouragement.

While you're at the SSR, in addition to meeting and hanging out with a cool group of Sikhs, you can even go all out on the giant swing..it's the tallest giant swing on this side of the world...as if that's not reason enough to come...

Campfire, giant swing, awesome speakers, really awesome Sikhs, a weekend of amazing memories, the beautiful Pacific NW, giant swing, giant swing, giant swing...

Register before May 16 and avoid paying a late registration fee. Come and share your thoughts and life with all of us for the weekend; be part of a charged group of activists who do amazing seva for the Panth...

There are a few spots remaining in this year's retreat, so register
soon. You'll pay the regular registration price if you register
before the 16. See you at the retreat! We have an all-star lineup of
speakers this year, and an amazing theme!