255 definitions by ♫ Highway to Hell ♫
A monotheistic religion which combines beliefs from Islam and monotheistic Vaishnavite bhakti Hinduism, founded in northern India in the 16th century by the guru Nanak. Nanak spent his off hours singing, praying, and thinking with others from the same monotheistic Vaishnavite or Islamic background as himself. Seeking truth, Nanak reached a crisis at the age of 30. After bathing in a forest stream, Nanak received a vision. He emerged from the forest and annouced what he learned to those who would listen. His message stressed there was one true God, but it was not Vishnu and not Allah, but the Sati Nam, the true name. From that point on, Nanak spent the rest of his life gathering disciples (Sikhs). When Nanak was on his death bed, an arguement broke out over whether he should be buried or cremated (Islamic ritual or Hindu ritual). Nanak said that when he died, Hindu disciples should place flowers on his right and Muslims disciples should place flowers on his left. The flowers that were fresh the next morning could have the body. The morning following his death, the body had disappeared, and all the flowers were fresh. Thus whether originally Hindu or Muslim, to be Sikh places one in a new community of faithful devoted to the One True Name. Sikhism rejects caste distinctions, idolatry, and asceticism and is characterized by belief in a cycle of reincarnation from which humans can free themselves by living righteous lives as active members of society.
Sikhism also teaches that The True Name created Maya, the created world, by his Word. This means the world is real, but only God has ultimate Reality. Maya covers God like a veil. Only spiritual pure minds free of selfishness and desire can pierce the veil and perceive God. Nanak accepted karma and samsara. He also taught that selfish egoism and desire cause humans to make negative choices, accumulating negative karma. The Lord of Death, Yama, uses this to ensnare those separated from God and lost in the world, locking them into the cycle of rebirths. Ethical behavior, the prayerful repetition of the True Name, and focus on God brings control of egoism and desire. When the disciple dies free of karmic guilt, the soul is absorbed into the Sati Nam. The final goal, then, is to attain nirvana, defined as being absorbed into total blissful unity with God like water into water. In total union with God, one is free of samsara, and enjoys bliss forever. The final human guru, Gobind Singh, founded the military order of the Khalsa (The Pure). Initiates in the Khalsa signify it with the five Ks - 1) the kesh: uncut hair on head and chin. The hair is covered by a turban. 2) The kangha: the comb. 3) The kacht or kaccha: short drawers. 4) The kara: the steel bracelet. And 5) the kirpan: the short sword or knife.
by ♫ Highway to Hell ♫ June 1, 2010
Sufism began as an ascetic movement in reaction to the drive for wealth and power characterized by the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties. They drew on the model of Muhammad and the four rightly guided caliphs. Umar was noted for his shabby clothes and Ali gave away all he had. These ascetics abandoned sensuous life and took on coarse woolen garments from which the name Sufi may derive (from suf, wool). They were also called faqir, poor one, for their aspirations to poverty. Mahabbah (love) became a focus for Sufism as exemplified in the poetry of a female mystic poet. While others strove for intellectual knowledge, Sufis strove for interior knowledge, ma’rifa.
by ♫ Highway to Hell ♫ May 31, 2010
by ♫ Highway to Hell ♫ August 4, 2010
King of the winds
Aeolus was the ruler of the winds in Greek mythology.
by ♫ Highway to Hell ♫ August 4, 2010
A style of music, originating in Trinidad and Tobago, that is a blend of Soul and Calypso. Originally combined the melodic lilting sound of Calypso with insistent percussion (which is often electronic in recent music) and local Chutney music. The reputed father of Soca was Lord Shorty (born Garfield Blackman), in Trinidad and Tobago, whose 1973 recording of "Indrani" started the trend.
Ras Shorty I, Rikki Jai, Destra Garcia, KMC Aka Ken Marlon Charles, David Rudder, Alison Hinds, Peter Ram, Blaxx, Lavaman, Superblue, King Wellington, Shadow, Machel Montano, Xtatik, Maximus Dan, Mantius, Charles D. Lewis, The Baron, Krosfyah, Tallpree, Ghetto Flex, Zoelah, Burning Flames, Oscar B Aka Oscar Benjamin, Byron Lee & The Dragonaires, Mr. Killa, Shurwayne Winchester, Square One, Bunji Garlin, Fay-Ann Lyons, Skinny Fabulous, Jamesy P, Kevin Lyttle, Claudette Peters, El-A-Kru, Crossovah, Patrice Roberts, Rupee, Nadia Batson, Nicole David, Soca Johnny, Dawg E Slaughter, and Benjai.
by ♫ Highway to Hell ♫ March 10, 2010
Pan is the god of flocks, pastures, fields, and forests – often portrayed as playing the (seductive) Pan’s pipes.
by ♫ Highway to Hell ♫ August 4, 2010
From October 25, 1944, to January 25, 1945, Kamikazes managed to sink two escort carriers and three destroyers. They also damaged 23 carriers, five battleships, nine cruisers, 23 destroyers and 27 other ships. American casualties amounted to 738 killed and another 1,300 wounded as the result of those attacks.
by ♫ Highway to Hell ♫ July 26, 2011