Yesterday we all went off to Waterstone's in Ealing for the book signing of Nidar Singh Nihang and Parmjit Singh's book In the Master's Presence.
Millie and I waited patiently outside, her four feet being unwelcome beyond the threshold. What a wonderful opportunity for us to stand outside enjoying the spring sunshine and to chat to passers by.
Meanwhile, inside Nick and the authors talked to the punters about all things Nihang, past and present. These three have such indepth knowledge and experience about Nihangs, the Soldier Saints, that everyone was eager to learn from them as much as they could. Finally, Nidar Singh came out and Millie fell in love.
Nidar Singh Nihang, a Master of Shastar Vidya, the Sikh martial tradition, is a true Nihang. He is such a gentle man. I mean that literally. There is around him such a feeling of ease and contentment and I watched people just relaxing around him. He knows that his strength is his inner steel which is contained in his softness. That is the mastery of a man. It's got nothing to do with getting in touch with a man's feminine side or whether they eat quiche or not; it's about being whole.
Millie, I totally understand: real men are gentlemen.
