VanHelsingh

Are those real surnames?

Sort myself out. :D

Society stopped calling such women 'Bearded Ladies' after the Victorian-era. :lol: But on a serious note, I always thought 'no hair removal' in Sikhi meant 'no hair removal anywhere on the face or body'.

An aphrodisiac??!? First time I've ever heard of this (although I'm not saying it isn't true).

Garlic is one I've heard about and masara di daal (the yellow lentils) is also not (supposedly) allowed. Ever since I was a kid, I was told that masara di dahl should never be part of langar. Now, I've been told its not a problem. Was it just another baseless superstition that had crept into Sikhi? However, I've never seen or heard of anyone serving masara di dahl as langar in the UK, so I reckon people could still be unsure. Although in Nanakmata Sahib in Uttar Pradesh, the standard langar they have is wonderfully hot masara di dahl and prashade.

How awkward must it have been whenever Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited his in-laws? To have to meet your father-in-the-law (the same guy who tried to murder you) must've been terrible.

A bit of media exposure and the hair (wherever it may be) begins to come off - its the same the world over. Although someone heading a religious "committee" where the central tenets of that particular faith are non hair-removal, is pretty wrong.

This link will prove to be more helpful than a few sentences ever will be.

Wow thanks for the history above. Although to be fair, Guru Gobind Singh Ji probably objected to the adoption on the grounds of foreseeing the corrupt future of the kid to be adopted - not the general concept of adoption itself. Our Guru's were compassionate and loving beings. For a child not to be given a loving home whether his biological or adopted parents were to provide it, would be a bit harsh and portrays our Guru's in a harsh and unloving light - which I don't think they were.

A nice bit of daal...! :lol:

Of course, I hope you realise I was referring only to Kalki Avatar and Mehdi Avatar (who I've only heard of after reading your previous posts today). I was in no way questioning our own 10 Gurus. If I've misunderstood the above quote then I apologise.

@GPS (or anyone else with gian on this subject) - You have a lot of knowledge about scriptures (in comparison to someone like myself), and I have a few questions if you don't mind: 1) Do you think such avatars will really be sent to this world, or as some people surmise these verses are actually mythological tales meant to inspire? 2) If Kalki Avatar will be corrupted and will consider himself God, then surely at this moment in time he must understand not to travel the incorrect path he will take? I mean, if we know he will become corrupted then why will he still undertake those mistakes when he could change his nature? Surely a being sent by Akal Purakh must be of incontrovertible character, therefore if it is already prophesied that he shall elevate himself to Godly status (and this knowledge is widely known by people such as us), then wouldn't he have enough self-awareness not to forsake Waheguru in return for self glorification? 3) Why does Akal Purakh continue to send these glory seekers when he could just send someone who doesn't want personal glory? Actually, this might be a weird question as I don't suppose anyone can fathom Waheguru's wisdom and the decisions he takes, but I just thought I'd ask the question.

@ Sikhpaji - I suggest you direct your ire in another direction instead of towards me. I was hoping to discuss a merely philosophical issue, yet you have unleashed a torrent of emotion that has most probably been building up for the past few weeks. Next time, when one of my more direct, passionate and hot-headed brothers on this forum wishes to engage with you in this matter, I hope you'll be as passionate and confrontational with them as you have been with me. Don't assume to know me, my intentions or what I choose to do for the seva of my faith. On a final note, these commitees you are defending can't have their misdeeds balanced out by any so-called "good deeds". Its either one or the other. They can't have their cake and eat it. To even suggest such a thing speaks volumes about these people who think they can camouflage their beadbi with charity. It also speaks volumes about your morals.

I was thinking about the above, and similar, issues yesterday evening. Why do people with such questionable motives (and a disregard for true Sikhi principles) rise to positions of prominence in our religion? What is it about them that allows them to take up such positions, when one could argue that the majority of the people on these boards (and in the outside world) who know the difference between right and wrong - in the context of Sikhi - are relegated to the positions of helpless and frustrated bystanders? What qualities do these groups of questionable people possess that means it is they who are heading our faith? Is it a symptom of the age of Kalyug, or is it too easy to blame everything on Kalyug?

I doubt this is true.

With problems and issues that have accumulated to such an extent, I can only echo Singhsta's advice. It will take time but I'm sure you will feel different. Don't try to look at the overall issue as it is clear you are being overwhelmed. Break it down into small, manageable chunks and tackle each before moving onto the next. Good luck.

I've been experiencing (occasionally to my horror) the real world for a very long time. Anyway, maybe its not that much of a big deal for me. This isn't me being high and mighty but that's how I feel. You know what they say "An idle mind is the devil's workshop". Maybe if the mind was preoccupied with other, more worthwhile thoughts, Kaam wouldn't be such a distraction.

Let's not put these western thinkers on a pedestal. Yes, there are a lot of highly intelligent and deep thinkers amongst them, but western culture and most 'normal' people (probably generalising) seem to err towards shortcuts or simple solutions. Ideas which don't tally with convention are largely ignored or - even worse - ridiculed and/or feared.

What I want to know is why is everyone so obsessed with Kaam? Every other day there's a thread about Kaam. One would think that's all Sikhs think about. I'm not perfect but surely there's more pressing issues that should occupy our mind, instead of expending mental energy constantly trying to fight these thoughts? Sorry to offend anyone but I'm surprised at how many people on here cite Kaam as a problematic issue.

Expend more calories than you take in. Lead an active lifestyle. Don't forsake the junk food completely as you'll end up craving its forbidden goodness (:lol:), and then you'll binge on it thus ruining any progress you'll have made. But DO cut-down on the consumption of junk food so that it becomes a once-a-week treat - NOT a daily occurence. Willpower and positivity is the way! Oh, and remember Waheguru before embarking on this struggle - it won't be easy but its not impossible. Nip this issue in the bud now whilst you're still young and you'll save yourself from a life of battling with food. Let it get out of control and it will consume you. Specifically, you probably already know to increase your intake of vegetables and also any foods that contain protein. Being a vegetarian myself I can't recommend any of the lean meats as I've never touched them myself (and nor should any Sikh to be honest). As for exercise, you can't beat running. Any exercise worth doing is never easy and you'll have to sweat. However there are a lot of other exercises that can also be done. But like I said, running is ideal (if possible). Don't get sidetracked by weights or muscle-building. Due to your relatively young age you shouldn't start lifting weights as you're still growing. Best to get your weight sorted in a gradual and calm manner before hitting the weights when you're 18 or 19. There's so much more stuff I could've said, but I'm sure you get the idea.

These people are meant to be servants of the panth and its holy places - instead they act like Goodfellas! If the situation wasn't so tragic, it would be laughable.

Wonderful link! Thank-you.

I've heard of these occurences too. I suppose it depends if the Gursikh is worthy of being accompanied by Shaheeds after his/her death. Just being a Gursikh in name only will not guarantee such company. But of course, being Gursikh is key. Personally, I don't allow myself to get wrapped up in such matters. Best to focus on what we have to do in our lives.

I think people forget what a talented poet and writer Guru Gobind Singh Ji was. To take everything our great Guru wrote and interpret it one-dimensionally does a great disservice to him and his talents. Sadly those who have vested interests pluck a random line from Gurbani and use it to confuse the gullible or the genuinely un-informed.

You see, its shenanigans like these that dissuade some people from delving deeper into Sikhi - who can you believe if not the people who are supposedly meant to encourage the growth and respect of our faith? Personally, I think that's a lazy attitude to take because if one REALLY wants to get to the root of an issue, one will try very hard to realise the truth and understand. Anyway, I (hopefully) will continue to learn. Thank-you GPS bro, for the information.