Listening To Gurbani Discourse

[Jo Kicch Hai So Tera Waheguru]

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa

Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Its really strange how the five vikaars (thieves) shows themselves in different forms. Like Maskeen Singh Ji said the other day on Alpha you think you've conquered one and the others set in and so forth.

Something I find really difficult is controlling ego. A few days ago whilst listening to katha (gurbani discourse) at the gurdwara the kathakaar was talking about the loving relationship between a gursikh and his Guru. He gave a few examples and went on to say about the virtues of a gursikh, how he serves with total devotion through sewa and simran, forever remains humble and stays in hukam. And he ended it by saying there are only rare gursikhs as such who adpot and practise this way of living.

During the whole time my ego was getting a big boost when I know I'm nowhere near to such a way of life. The ego inside me kept saying yep thats me, sewa - another tick and so forth. I went out the darbaar feeling my ego had been just fed big time. Even sometimes when entering the darbaar I can hear myself saying - look everyone its me! I'm here now! (this is happening way too often)

Anyone else get the same and how do you control it?

I hope this has made some sense and forgive me for any mistakes

[Revolutionary]

me too! especially being the only young singh there.. It's hard, and on top of all this, any giani that comes down for 6 months big me up saying "you r such a chardi kala singh" etc etc. Once I got a kathakaar saying to the gianis "hes the image of god" and looking at me. I was like :lol:

its hard..

[Guest lowest of the low singhni]

it's pretty mindblowing to think about how Maharaj incorporates ego in these little situations. really there is no point in praising anyone - praise and slander can be equally bad:

"ousathath ni(n)dhaa gur sam jaanaaee eis jug mehi laahaa har jap lai jaae

The Guru has inspired me to realize, that praise and slander are one and the same; in this world, the profit is obtained by chanting the Name of the Lord." (362)

if you do come across people praising you unnecessarily, then try to tell them that they're not doing you or themselves a favour. you could tell them how ridiculously pakhandi-like you feel by their words - it will have an effect on people and if they listen to what you're trying to say they'll remember that praising doesn't help.

taking the example of this username - lowest of the low singhni - since coming to the forum, i've received a lot of pms commenting on the (apparent) fact that i have a lot of humility and therefore must be a great Gursikh. when people say things like this, i laugh and laugh. how can people make that assumption, when they have no idea of your true character or disposition? this brings on another challenge - combatting the ego beneath the show of humility. you'll be doing them a favour by showing them tuks like the one above.

remember that you are no-one - there is no we, you or i - there's only Maharaj. as for being the "image of God", every human is. it's just a case of how open or closed minded we become every day. remember that you can do *nothing* without Maharaj's help. if someone praises you and you feel your ego rising, take it as a test from Maharaj to check up on whether you are taking credit for His work. He's the one who's given us these qualities. by letting ego fill your mind, we are abusing those gifts and ruining them.

try learning the following shabad off by heart and repeating it in your mind when you are praised - and remember, even this challenge is a gift from Maharaj. He's giving us the chance to be tested, and not many people have that.

http://www.sikhitothemax.com/page.asp?ShabadID=377

~l~

[Guest Bass Singh]

VJKK VJKF

"ousathath ni(n)dhaa gur sam jaanaaee eis jug mehi laahaa har jap lai jaae

The Guru has inspired me to realize, that praise and slander are one and the same; in this world, the profit is obtained by chanting the Name of the Lord." (362)

THAT IS SOO TRUE!!

When you praise someone, ultimatly u r increasing there egoo!! just keep comments to urselff and all wil be good!

VJKK VJKF!