What makes a true Sikh

[lakhvir]

We are truly fortunate to have not only the human form, but also, the life of a Sikh; and Gurbani is living testimony to that fact.

Over 300 years after Guru Gobind Singh decorated and formalised the Khalsa Panth, and we find that Sikhism is alive to this day even amongst rising modernism and worldly filth. But the very fabric of our culture, religious values and moral principles are crumbling under the weight of apathy, miseducation and ignorance.

The fear in today’s world is not as much of war and uncertainties, but of Truth itself. When one fears Truth, there is nowhere to run, but away from it. There begins the decay of the self and of society.

Guru Gobind Singh created a beautiful Panth and we owe our being and our peace to not only to our Gurus for their unfaltering foresight, but also to the thousands of their devoted Sikhs who sacrrificed their life, limb and all, so that they could safe-guard the faith for coming generations. Sacrtifices have been forgotten and Gurmat put aside. Manmat rules today because we think we know more than our Gurus.

So what makes a Sikh? By simply being born into the Sikh faith certainly doesn’t. Neither does the show of wearing a turban and keeping of kesh alone. Even though we fulfil our obligation to doing our daily Nitnem and visiting the Gurudwara, still that does not easily make a Sikh.

To many, being a Sikh is difficult and to others, easy. To those who feel it difficult, the reasons are many and to those who find it easy, their reasons are far less and simpler.

Why does being a Sikh feel so tough? Some people are easily influenced by the ways of the world. They pick the world’s weaknesses and feel comforted

that they are not alone in what they do. Many think that there is simply too much to do and that they have not the time. Others are intimidated by the world and give in.

And what makes it so easy for the others to be a Sikh? They love the Guru. They love what he loved and hold dear what He did. They remember their sacrifices, teachings and the faith their countless followers exhibited. For them, the Guru’s Will is ultimate. As the Guru instructs, so they follow. They just cannot forget their history for it is history that drives them forward. They are not deluded by the world’s ways, and live in high spirits (Chardikala). They are not just religious, they live in the world and within the ideals set by the Gurus. They know no other way and trust the Guru. This is where the former group has faltered - they have simply lost faith in their Guru - and wander in all directions looking for an escape and alternative beliefs.

There are also those who meet half-way. Many who wear turbans and beards and are even Amritdhari are incomplete Sikhs if they have not forsaken their ego, greed, lust, wrath and attachment. Those who have forsaken the five vices and yet, do not adhere to the faith’s Bana (uniform), are incomplete too.

Often people claim that it is the inside that is more important while the outside form is unimportant. Nothing could be more further away from truth. The Guru seeks his complete Sikh - one who not only reads the Bani, and live up to its teachings, and keeps the identity of a Sikh as well. Bani and Bana are inseparable for a true Sikh of the Guru. There are no compromises because complete trust is their guiding support.

Guru Gobind Singh said that a Sikh is not dear to him, but Rehat (Sikh Code of Conduct) is. The fact will remain and will never change because there were valid reasons for the Guru having emphasised on the Bani and Bana. They know what lies ahead, we don’t. The Guru’s way can never be wrong, our’s can. The way of the Guru is one of discipline, humility and love

. Our way is bound with attachment, ego, lust, wrath and greed. Manmat is corruptive, Gurmat is corrective.

Being a Sikh is, thus, all about our love for the Guru. If we do not follow what the Guru has instructed, all forms of devotion and good deeds are futile.

All the Guru seeks from us is our trust in Him. Do we trust the Guru? The Guru awaits the day when we can hand over our vices to Him and trust Him to lead us. That is when we will have true peace and become true Sikhs of the Guru.

L*

[Guest mehtab]

:WW::WW::WW::WW::WW::WW::WW::WW::WW::WW:

[V]

:WW: :WW: :WW:

Very beautiful indeed :WW:

[Akaali]

Really very beautiful!!!