Baby P

Zor Singh opening his eyes for the first time ever
(Copyright Atma Singh 2007)



I guess nowadays, not knowing shields us somewhat from certain newsworthy incidents, the glaring reminders, that humans very often have the capacity to act like demons.

Despite being a member of my local authority's social services team, only several days ago did I make an effort to actually read about Baby P and his short sad life. Poor little thing, he's better-off where he's gone, away from a deluded, cowardly 'mother' and sadistic stepfather under whose control he suffered unspeakable pain.

But what positives could I take from such a horrid reality, from this unwanted post-it I hadn't placed upon the desk of my concern, let alone wished to address? Well I hugged and kissed our 1 year old toddler Zor Singh, who shares his birthday with Guroo Nanak Jee, even more than usual the other night after his evening bath. I hoped that these renewed gestures let him feel my thoughts...

That no matter what he does, whatever lifestyle choices he will make and whether I like them or not, that this man holding him will love him dearly. He is Vaheguroo's child, given to his mother and me, to look over him for a period. He is as dear and as equal to Guroo Gobind Singh Jee as his biological sons. The Satguroo for whom every white sheet is as worthy of being placed as the other, upon the precious bodies of his many children.

We, the transient parents, can only love and advise him - we do not own him nor do we have any power over him. We cannot become attached to him for that will lead to an urge to control him. That to which we become attached directs us, pulling us this way and that. So naturally, we wish to control that which directs us. Would the mind not subconsciously seek to control that which constantly leads us towards happiness, sadness, joy or pain - one minute this, the next minute that? Such 'dangerous things' are better controlled than left to run loose are they not? This deep-rooted fear gives rise to attachment - and in turn, fear is also the fuel that attachment greedily consumes in order to sustain itself.

So I questioned what it is to be attached to and what it is to love Zor Singh and in doing so, the words 'if you love somebody, set them free' came to mind. Let's ponder over what it is to be the transient parents of Satguroo's children - to love them in such a way, that they come to understand the liberty and burden that freedom affords them and in doing so, they make their own choices.

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Atma Singh - everyday sikhee