Sikh Unit

[MisterrSingh]

15 hours ago, Premi5 said:

btw, where do those “fellers who end up walking away because the bakwaas is too strong” go…?! Did you mean they just retire into family life ‘defeated’ by the lack of support/supportive attitudes from the community and Gurdware ?

I'd also like to add that somehow, and strange as this may sound, there's always some form of a "plan" that can be enacted when dealing with outsiders hostile to our interests. There's always some form of action that can be taken to push back. This is all well and good, but when a large part of the reason you're not moving forward is not due to outside forces but from within your own group, that's when you realise the uphill struggle is practically a 90 degree vertical ascent that just isn't going to happen.

The ones who walk away are realists who understand human nature and the stubborn robustness of the system. The ones who peddle false hope aren't made of stronger stuff or are more loyal or resilient; they're usually bull5hitters in it for selfish reasons or for the giggles. Anyone with a moral core can't stand bakwaas, and when the majority of the bakwaas is coming from your own side -- the side that should be standing shoulder to shoulder with you - to preserve whatever frayed threads of sanity you have remaining, you have to create distance between yourself and the braying idiots.

Like I said, nobody is going to come and feed your kids or take care of your parents or your missus. It's all in that book the Singh wrote. I'm actually quite heartened to learn that there's others who feel this way. But equally it's disheartening to accept that it's not non-Sikhs that have drained good Sikh "soldiers" of the desire to make a difference but rather other Sikhs who've hammered the final nails in the coffin of someone's shardaa to do good.

[dallysingh101]

7 hours ago, MisterrSingh said:

I'd also like to add that somehow, and strange as this may sound, there's always some form of a "plan" that can be enacted when dealing with outsiders hostile to our interests. There's always some form of action that can be taken to push back. This is all well and good, but when a large part of the reason you're not moving forward is not due to outside forces but from within your own group, that's when you realise the uphill struggle is practically a 90 degree vertical ascent that just isn't going to happen.

I knew a few guys from this type of background. A lot don't really give up. They realised that one of the key factors at play is our own lots ostrich stance. If anything I'd say that a helluva lot has been achieved in terms of awareness in the panth, including getting through to some closeted families and organisations. If direct confrontation took a back seat, other awareness campaigns filled the void (through conscious decision). And they worked. There are thousands and thousands of Sikh females (globally too!) who are now aware of the reality of what goes on, whereas in the recent past it was considered to be some sort of myth or lie.  

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The ones who walk away are realists who understand human nature and the stubborn robustness of the system. The ones who peddle false hope aren't made of stronger stuff or are more loyal or resilient; they're usually bull5hitters in it for selfish reasons or for the giggles. Anyone with a moral core can't stand bakwaas, and when the majority of the bakwaas is coming from your own side -- the side that should be standing shoulder to shoulder with you - to preserve whatever frayed threads of sanity you have remaining, you have to create distance between yourself and the braying idiots.

A lot of street soldiers are characteristically obdurate and stubborn (from a young age). A lot don't throw in the towel easily. Sure, some might get demoralised and wash their hands - plenty don't. They just changed strategies. Plus in some areas a decision was made to focus on awareness, and give direct confrontation a temporary back foot, just to address what you're saying above. It can be a head-f**k though, and only people with certain characteristics endure. And yes, their actions have consequences, but don't step in if you can't handle that. 

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Like I said, nobody is going to come and feed your kids or take care of your parents or your missus. It's all in that book the Singh wrote. I'm actually quite heartened to learn that there's others who feel this way. But equally it's disheartening to accept that it's not non-Sikhs that have drained good Sikh "soldiers" of the desire to make a difference but rather other Sikhs who've hammered the final nails in the coffin of someone's shardaa to do good.

 

That's one soldier sharing his (valid) opinion/experiences. There are others who see things differently. A lot of old schoolers see a lot of progress despite the cowards in the panth you talk about. They're aware of the effects of their actions. Some see it as a matter of pride, and differentiation between themselves and genteel, excuse-makers. You are right, in the end you are on your own, some people can go that route and take the consequences though.

[proudkaur21]

18 hours ago, MisterrSingh said:

Valid points. I guess there's a cultural / location aspect to it as well. I've certainly noticed that behaviour you've highlighted about guys growing out their hair and it being a fun novelty at first... until it starts to be viewed as something loaded with religious connotations. Yes, it's the missus that puts the brakes on, always.

Damn that's sad . Sikh women preventing Sikh men from following rehat? 

[Premi5]

Lots of e-books which look interesting

https://realsikhissues.co/wp-content/uploads/mybooks/

 

[Kaurr]

19 hours ago, proudkaur21 said:

Damn that's sad . Sikh women preventing Sikh men from following rehat? 

Yup

But it also goes both ways, we have so called Sikh men making sure their women are shaved.

[californiasardar1]

On 3/25/2022 at 1:47 AM, MisterrSingh said:

Valid points. I guess there's a cultural / location aspect to it as well. I've certainly noticed that behaviour you've highlighted about guys growing out their hair and it being a fun novelty at first... until it starts to be viewed as something loaded with religious connotations. Yes, it's the missus that puts the brakes on, always.

 

The "religious connotations" are just too much for most people.

When thicker beards started to become popular a few years ago, I thought we'd see the "proper singh look" become more popular. Instead we just saw a bunch of monay grow out their beards.

It's similar to how the pagh made a (very) mild resurgence in Punjabi popular culture. Some people began to view the pagh/trimmed beard ("beard" is generous, I should really say "stubble") look favorably. But no real resurgence of the "proper singh look."

Apparently, there is no problem with thick beards and no problem with paghs. The problem is when you put them together and become a "baba."

 

haircut + long/thick beard = okay

pagh + stubble/very short trimmed beard = okay

pagh + long/thick beard = NOT okay

[MisterrSingh]

2 hours ago, californiasardar1 said:

 

The "religious connotations" are just too much for most people.

When thicker beards started to become popular a few years ago, I thought we'd see the "proper singh look" become more popular. Instead we just saw a bunch of monay grow out their beards.

It's similar to how the pagh made a (very) mild resurgence in Punjabi popular culture. Some people began to view the pagh/trimmed beard ("beard" is generous, I should really say "stubble") look favorably. But no real resurgence of the "proper singh look."

Apparently, there is no problem with thick beards and no problem with paghs. The problem is when you put them together and become a "baba."

 

haircut + long/thick beard = okay

pagh + stubble/very short trimmed beard = okay

pagh + long/thick beard = NOT okay

There's also the global culture that's impacted adherence to religious rules.  We're in a period of history where grooming and removal of hair is the default mode of presentation. Beards and long hair may have made a minor comeback in recent years, but as you know it's casual and entirely a matter of choice. As I said, when the beard and hair assume a religious vibe, that's when it becomes something completely different for most people; the permanence of it is probably off-putting for most folks because it then symbolises a commitment to something greater than just fashion.

 

[GurjantGnostic]

4 hours ago, californiasardar1 said:

 

The "religious connotations" are just too much for most people.

When thicker beards started to become popular a few years ago, I thought we'd see the "proper singh look" become more popular. Instead we just saw a bunch of monay grow out their beards.

It's similar to how the pagh made a (very) mild resurgence in Punjabi popular culture. Some people began to view the pagh/trimmed beard ("beard" is generous, I should really say "stubble") look favorably. But no real resurgence of the "proper singh look."

Apparently, there is no problem with thick beards and no problem with paghs. The problem is when you put them together and become a "baba."

 

haircut + long/thick beard = okay

pagh + stubble/very short trimmed beard = okay

pagh + long/thick beard = NOT okay

No need for Paagh if you don't keep Kesh. That's the most tacky. The most poser, in my opinion. That's a crown. Don't wear it unless you're royal in behavior and commitment. Wear a keski. Or wear your cut hair. 

[GurjantGnostic]

Kesh is not only a visible commitment, and a visible statement, that we follow as per our Gurus Hukam, but it's the body part, that interacts with the Akash. You can take orders if you can't talk to hq directly, but you cannot give them. 

Which is why Mona get full Shaheed respect, but leadership is for the Khalsa.