growing spiritually

[nehkeval]

If one wants to grow spiritually, as per SGGS the following are needed

1. Udam - effort for instance one can start waking up 30 minutes before one's usual time to do waheguru jap or breath meditation, also keep bringing the focus on naam simran throughout the day

ਉਦਮੁ ਕਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਾਪਣਾ ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ਧਨੁ ਖਾਟਿ ॥

Oudham Kar Har Jaapanaa Vaddabhaagee Dhhan Khaatt ||

Make the effort and chant the Lord's Name. O very fortunate ones earn this wealth.

2. Detachment from the worldly affairs - We are always engrossed in thoughts about wealth, seeking approval, improving the conditions of our own and family members, etc, however a clear understanding that these are not the goal of our life will help us keep our mind focused on naam.

ਏਕ ਰੈਣ ਕੇ ਪਾਹੁਨ ਤੁਮ ਆਏ ਬਹੁ ਜੁਗ ਆਸ ਬਧਾਏ ॥
ਗ੍ਰਿਹ ਮੰਦਰ ਸੰਪੈ ਜੋ ਦੀਸੈ ਜਿਉ ਤਰਵਰ ਕੀ ਛਾਏ ॥੧॥

Grih Mandhar Sanpai Jo Dheesai Jio Tharavar Kee Shhaaeae ||1||

Households, mansions and wealth - whatever is seen, is like the shade of a tree.

3. Rehat / Sheel - rehat is a word usually used only for amritdharis but in fact this should be applicable to anyone who claims to be a sikh - the real benefit of a life of virtue that one can go deeper into simran with much less wandering of the mind. At the minimum the following precepts should be observed

(i) Earn only by honest means (haq paraya nanaka us sooar us gai ) , live simply and share with those in need.(ghal khaye kich hatho de nanak rah pachane soi)

(ii) No sexual misconduct (not even rolling in thoughts of lust ) ( par treya roop na nekhai naitra)

(iii) Right speech - no lying, slander, harsh or useless talk (such as about politics, movies, religion etc)

(iv) No harm to other beings (ਦੂਖੁ ਨ ਦੇਈ ਕਿਸੈ ਜੀਅ ਪਤਿ ਸਿਉ ਘਰਿ ਜਾਵਉ ॥)

(v) No use of intoxicants.

Human life is extremely rare we must not lose track of the final goal of this precious gift.

ਇਹੁ ਮਾਣਸ ਜਨਮੁ ਦੁਲੰਭੁ ਹੈ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨਾ ਬਿਰਥਾ ਸਭੁ ਜਾਏ ॥