Am I A Sikh, Or Am I A Disgrace?

[iksikh0]

Dear sister,

You have already taken first step towards the Guru, congratulations. This realisation welling up within you is only because of Guru's grace. You are blessed, sister. May I become the dust of the feet of those who're blessed.

"I laughed at it with them, but inside it destroyed me.

I live a good life, I always have done and I always will

I always love others before I love myself

I hate no one

I forgive people

I try not to get angry with others and stay calm and patient with them"

See! Love, forgiveness towards all are the most beautiful virtues to possess according to Guru Nanak - and you call yourself bad? You are a beautiful person with a beautiful heart, my sister. Everyone, even the MOST sinful of the sinners, are forgiven by Waheguru.

Things may appear to be hard when you try to begin - where to start, where to not start?! We all go through this in our lives. We're all here to find a meaning in life, and I repeat - you have taken the first step. And with Guru's grace, at a young age. To begin with, try reading an English translation of the Japji Sahib. It is the essence of the teachings of the Gurus. It is simple to read and reveals amazing truths of everyday life. Besides that, be friends with the sangat around your place or online, whichever is suitable. Some words from Japji: "What words can we speak to evoke His Love? In the Amrit Velaa, the ambrosial hours before dawn, chant the True Name, and contemplate His Glorious Greatness."

It is a strange thing that I've heard - jewellery and make up not being allowed - I wonder why Sikhs are taking up to adding so many religious prohibitions now. If you wish to wear it, wear it, dear sister. Don't hesitate. Everyone has rights and liberties. But you see, in the end one realises all of this is nothing beyond mere show. Sister, it is important to truly understand why jewellery is unneccessary: that we're not taking any of pretty looking earrings or bangles along us when we die. That they are not true our true treasure - our true treasure is in our hearts. Basically, what are we trying to achieve showing jewellery to others? It is only binding us up in falseness of showoff leading us to duality. From a more spiritual perspective, we take pride in our own selves when we wear them, thus it makes us egoistic and diverts our attention to our own selves. I must as well mention that as Sikhs, we strive to kill our ego.

To be a Sikh means to be a learner. To be a learner, one must realise what is wrong - so that new things are learnt. So tell me, are you not one? Now, to know what is wrong, one must ask the teacher. Who is the teacher? Guru. What to do to approach the Guru? Take amrit, don't care about what anyone will say, accept Guru Gobind as your teacher.

Many of my dear brothers and sisters have suggested various ways. I am very thankful to them and take pride in my Guru's sangat being so helpful and supporting.

Khalsa belongs to God; To God belongs victory.

- Lowest

[big5abi]

Jewelry and make-up should not be renounced in order to obtain the Guru. If the love of the Master is within and his Honour is upon you, then even the jewels worn by you are also worthy of honour. You are a Sikh do not let anyone tell you any different.

[Guest Guest]

Kindly see answers to Modern & Youth Issues at

http://www.sikhism101.com/faq/6

Will strongly suggest that you start going to Gurudwara, take punjabi classes and mix with Gursikhs, especially Gursikh girls.

You can contact nearest branch of

http://www.kaurageous.com/

Most of us are born in a Sardar family but inorder to become a Sikh we must follow the teachings of

Satguru.

No need to rush, take small baby steps towards WAHEGURU.

[laala gola]

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

In response to your question...

I remember listening to this kirtan by Rarewale sant..

'Satguru Kot Painda age lain aonde ne, Sikha tera prem vekh ke'

(Satguru takes a million steps to reach for his Sikh if the Sikh takes one forward for Guru).

If we were perfect, then what would be the division/distinction between us and the true Satguru.

Our sins are countless..we have taken birth after birth and are trapped in Samsara. EAch birth has added blackness on our minds..

Simran is the way forward..once we realise the fathoms of our sins we can reach for the Guru's bakshish...cry to the Lord...cry like a child.

A child cries for his mother and the child cries with all his heart when he is lost..the mother also feels the pangs of seperation and looks for her child ten fold than that of the child..

When we cry sincerely to the Guru, the Guru feels this and gives us numerous gifts such as faith, and serenity.

Baba Nand Singh Ji Maharaj used to say that people cry over lost material possesions..some cry to the Guru for ease in their material affairs but there are very few who cry for Guru NAnak. Those who cry for Guru Nanak..their tears are jewels.

Do not stop crying for Guru Nanak my dear sister..never stop.

[Sikhvibes.com]

Be around those that you may categorize as "Guru ka Sikh", you will get your answers either by interacting with them or just being around them

[Guest : )]

"My Wife, the Beautiful One"

======================================

I came in from the fields and found my wife sleeping, her head was down on the table, and there was some papers in her hand. Without

disturbing her I gently removed them and read what she had written.

She wrote:

"Everything has been changing so suddenly, I don't know who to tell, there is no one to tell, but I must tell someone, so I am just writing this to myself to try to organize my thoughts, to try to find some sense, to all the changes, recently, in my life.

My husband had been acting so strangely, weeping and talking about sleep and death.

Then he met this unusual man, Sat Kartar Singh. This man is a Sikh. He wears a beard, and has uncut hair which he keeps bound in a

turban. After this meeting my husband was much calmer, less disturbed, happy even, but still nothing has ever been normal again in the usual sense.

We went for keertan, to this Singhs home. The music was very beautiful,

It wrenched my heart, and made me want to weep, I didn't say anything, because I felt so strange, and the children's father seemed so happy I didn't want to break the spell.

Then a few mornings later he went running from the house. When he returned he seemed calmer, he told me we were going to a Sikh gathering.

The smagham had the most unusual effect on me. It is hard to describe, but I must try. It has changed my whole life...

I met a very unusual woman there. She was a Singhni. I think she was the most beautiful woman I have ever met in my life. Her face

was radiant and glowed with sach light. Her eyes had sach depth, when I looked into them it was as though the universe opened up its

mysteries to me.

This woman Bibi ji, was unlike other woman. Her face was covered with hair like a young man, soft black and curly. She sat quietly and greeted me quietly and softly.

From the very first I was drawn to her. So many were staying at that gathering, she asked me to come and sleep with her and the other ladies.

My husband joined the men, and children went off with others their own age.

Bibi ji slept completely covered with a black lo-ee. Or I was never sure that she was sleeping, she was so still. I found myself

yearning to be like her.

Like the Singhs she also kept her hair bound in a turban. I thought of all the women in my village, with their jewelry, make up lipstick, and nail polish, silk dresses, and artificial finery, none were so beautiful as Bibi ji. She had only 2 changes of clothes, very simple, one blue, and one white, and the ever present black lo-ee.

In the morning everyone began getting up very early, I heard strange sounds, as though there were many lovers, I was frightened and covered my face with my blanket. I slept very late. No one disturbed me.

Later Bibi ji came to take me to the langer. I saw my husband there. He greeted me "Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh." I had never heard these words spoken before. I smiled and nodded.

I asked Bibi ji what the words meant. She said "This is how Singhs greet each other." She told me when Guru Gobind Singh, the father

of the Khalsa, gave AMrit, he told Singhs to greet each other in this manner. I was even more curious. She explained about Guru Gobind Singh and Guru Nanak.

I asked her "How does one become a Singh?"

She said "They must be given Guru jis AMrit, that is baptized "

Just then a very fierce looking Singh, carrying weapons, entered the langer. I must have looked alarmed, She said not to be afraid. He was our protector. Then she explained about the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. There was so much to learn. But I was so thirsty to hear everything. I can't explain even now, to my self what was

happening to me. It was so bewildering. I just knew I did not want to leave Bibi jis side.

She said "Lets go to the keertan." She did keertan for one hour, the same 4 lines over and over,

Gurmukh pi-aaray aa-e mil, main chireen vichhunnay raam raajay.

Mayraa man tan bahut bairaage-aa, har nain ras bhinnay.

Main har prabh pi-aaraa das gur, mil har man mannay

Haon moorakh kaarai laa-ee-aa, naanak har kammay

"I am unworthy. I am unworthy of your love."

She was weeping. I was weeping. A beautiful young girl wiped the tears from her face as she sang. I wondered where her children and husband were. It was obvious to me that she was in some sort of deep mourning. I thought she must have lost a child. I learned later

that this mourning was called "vairaag" by the Sikhs. It meant deep and urgent longing for the Guru. I felt so much love for her.

That evening when we went for sleep. I asked her if she would wake me too, in the morning. She agreed, then, disappeared beneath her

lo-ee.

I was sleeping face down, I heard "waheguru waheguru" just as I turned, she touched me, I gasped. An electrical current shot though

my body shocking me. "Are you ok ?" she asked. I replied only that I had been startled. How could I explain?

She led me to the showers, "isnaan", she said. During her bath she kept on some of her clothing. I was surprised, she said these are

kachara, and kirpan, they are a part of me given to me at baptism I can never be separated from them... She explained more about the

baptism, how one never removes hair and must keep a comb, and kara also, with one at all times. Her hair, kesh, fell to her knees

gleaming as she washed, oiled, and combed it.

Beside her I felt utterly filthy, to my soul. I started weeping, I couldn't stop my self, "No amount of water can ever clean me," I sobbed. She put her arms around me, lovingly and said, "Guru can wash you clean in an instant, when you receive His AMrit."

We went to join the others. "Waheguru Waheguru waheguru waheguru waheguru" Every one together, in once voice was calling "waheguru"; it was very comforting.

When I met my husband again , I said," I want to take the AMrit." He looked deeply into my eyes and smiled. It felt as though he touched my soul.

The thing is since baptism I have undergoing so many changes. Nothing has been easy, everything has been very difficult, and sometimes a real struggle. Those three hairs, I had plucked from my chin before, have turned to fifty. All my facial hair has gotten darker and much heavier. I don't know what to do. I feel so hideous, and yet there is my Masters face looking back at me when ever I look in the mirror.

Some of my closest former friends are shunning me. I know it is not because they do not love me., They are uncomfortable, and so am I. But my farmer comes in from the fields happy now. He looks at me and says, "I feel so alive." He tells me I am beautiful and the daughter of Guru Gobind Singh, but it doesn't stop the shame. The Singhs give me so much love and treat me as their sister. But inside I see the beautiful smooth faces of other women, and I feel disfigured.

Bibi ji was special, she had courage, I am not like her. I want to cover my face in shame. I weep into the ramalas and plead with Guru ji, for what? To make me like other women rather than like Him. I can't ask for that, and so I just weep and feel ashamed. I feel like I am being punished for all my past misdeeds. Sometimes, I don't know how I can bear it.

We went to another smagham. A young girl was washing feet. I heard her say, "Who is she she? She is so beautiful." Later she met me

and said, "They say you practice a different kind of Sikhism." I said, "There is only one Waheguru, What is different? We both love

Him. Sikhism is Sikhism." I wanted to tell her , "Yes, do AMrit vela, do waheguru waheguru waheguru waheguru waheguru. Do naAM simran." But I couldn't say anything.

I felt beautiful, but I know that I am not. It's just vanity , this body is corruption, and it is rotting away. Nothing matters to me

any more but naAM and my Kakars and Paath. I can't be separated from them, it would kill me. Literally I would die. Slip back into a

partial person, not fit to be called human, consumed in pain, always trying to anesthetize myself with fruitless activities.

It is a struggle to wake up and do Paath. Sometimes we are so sleepy, we want to go for the bed, but we look at each other and

remember how it was before, that is enough to wake us up again. I envy those born to this path, so pure and innocent, they don't

feel the traces of dirt..."

I put the papers down, and woke my wife, I pulled her into my arms, and looked in to her eyes, *HE* looked back at me.

"I didn't know, you should have told me. I have been so selfish, thinking everything was me all this time. I thought you just did this for me. Forgive me."

We both started weeping in to each others arms. "It will be ok, we'll get through this with waheguru waheguru waheguru waheguru waheguru." Then we were weeping and laughing together.

The children came in and found us. They just looked at us like we were crazy, "What's for langer?" the little one asked.

http://sikhism.about.com/mbiopage.htm

http://members.tripod.com/prodi_gal-ivil/daasndaas/id14.html

[Nehmat]

:-)