Born Into Sikhi

[SadhSangat]

I, and as many Sikhs I know, was born into Sikhi. S o as a youngun I was forced to go to the gurudawara and go to religious events. And as any young kid I hated sitting still and listening. I went outside and played with the other kids and atributated the Darbar Sahib(main hall) as punishment.

When I grew up it was the same, now I had a choice and choose to spend my Sundays going out to hang with friends instead of going to the Gurudawara. It wasn't till my parents enrolled mew into a Sikh kids camp where I learned the values, the righteous teachings, the spirit, the out right vitality of Sikhi. I understood it was more than a religion it was Life. It was who I am and who we are. I learned that there is no me there is an us. God exists within us all and we are god. But at the same time I was afraid for the future of Sikhi. I was a mona (cut my hair) and I decided to keep my hair, at the same time alot of my friends where cutting their hair if they where turbaned sikhs. They where falling further and further away from it.

Al,ot of them got back in with Gatkha, the Sikh martial arts. And it is better with more youth movements but it is still not enough, until i saw gora sikhs. I didn't expect it, and to be frank alot of them are more devoted than i could ever be. I can never think of taking Amrit and being baptized. It's thing is the issue's with meat and cannabis are atm uncertain in Sikhi and I want everything to balance out before i indulge myself.

Sikhi is a great religion with alot to teach, I hope you find it fit to what you need. I hope you can, by your actions, convinve the Sikh youth to stand up and take action too.

Wahiguru Ji ka Khalsa, WAhiguhru ji ki Fateh (Hail the Khalsa who belongs to the Lord God! Hail the Lord God to whom belongs the victory)
Bole Sonihal, Satsriakal
Bhool Chook Maf Karni (Forgive me for any mistakes)

 

[Breathe]

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh bhai ji;

Thanks for sharing your story!

Have you begun to keep kesh once more, or are you still a mona Sikhi? If you are a keshdhari, would you please explain how you began to keep kesh?

It's true many gore are very devoted to the faith, in my opinion it is because they realize the gem of Sikhi that they are in, that some born into the faith take for granted. Most Sikhs in my city are mone and the number of gore Sikhi is small, if there are any; in my time of visiting a few gurdware, I've never seen any gore Sikhs--well, I may have, but I wasn't sure if they were seekers like I was, or if they were sehajdhari Sikhi - I never got a chance to speak to them, lol.

May I ask what you mean by you were afraid for the future of Sikhi?

 

[SadhSangat]

I am keshdari now, I read one line in the that the 10t Guru said that just echos in my mind over and over.

"My Sikh shall not use the razor. For him the use of razor or shaving the chin shall be as sinful as incest. For the Khalsa such a symbol is prescribed so that a Sikh cannot remain undistinguishable from among a hundred thousands of Hindus and Muslims; because how can he hide himself with hair and turban on his head and with a flowing beard?"

It is why I am pround of my status.

I am afraid because there will be no examples of Sikhi left. No more Turbans and Kirpans, the next generation will say why should I care if my parents don't and Sikhi will diminish.

 

[Breathe]

Oh yes, that's a very good quote of Guru Gobind Singh ji, it's a really cool quote and it makes a good point: how can you identify one another without the dastaar and the kirpan? Kare are certainly useful, and it's how the younger generation of Sikhi in my city identify one another. Problem is that it's become like a fashion accessory for many of them. I see gold kare everywhere nowadays, and I've even found non-Sikhs wearing kare - the wife and I have encountered Muslims who wear them, for reasons I'm not sure of...


Your concerns are legitimate; there may be a time, God forbid, where kirpaans and turbans become less common. The problem is, how do you encourage it, without making those who are mone Sikhs think "Well, perhaps I should find another faith"?

 

[SadhSangat]

I guess in a world like ours you are not born into a religions anymore, there are alot to choose from and they could any they want. It was easier when Sikhs where in Punjab for it is the only of the few religions that you would adhere.

We have to make sure that the youth gets involved in not only services but activities. For once they learn from activities such as camps, gatka, sports, etc... they will appreciate the services.

As for the Karda I agree. I see alot of people wearing them as accessories, growing up the police thought they represented a Khalsa gang and so did the Khanda. So htey banned it until the parents talked to the board. It is blight that will take time to fix.

All we might have left soon is Singh. It is the only way nowadays to tell.

 

[GURSIKH]

Sadhsangat

Great to know that you are keeping Kesh now

May Waheguru ji bless us with Naam .


Chardi kala

 

[SadhSangat]

Dhanwadh Gursikh ji

 

[GURSIKH]

Sadh sangat ,

as you mentioned Gatka , its great , i feel Kirtan is too is important especially in classical raag kirtan .

 

[Onkara]

Sikhi is a great religion with alot to teach, I hope you find it fit to what you need. I hope you can, by your actions, convinve the Sikh youth to stand up and take action too.

Wahiguru Ji ka Khalsa, WAhiguhru ji ki Fateh (Hail the Khalsa who belongs to the Lord God! Hail the Lord God to whom belongs the victory)
Bole Sonihal, Satsriakal
Bhool Chook Maf Karni (Forgive me for any mistakes)

Welcome to the Forum SadhSangat!! :yes:
As Odion's said, thanks for sharing your story too. Sikhi is a wondeful religion. I think the best action is love. Love those who don't understand and it will change the world.

Sadh sangat ,

i feel Kirtan too is important especially in classical raag kirtan .

Me too, I really enjoy it

 

[SadhSangat]

Doh! How could I forget Kirtan. It is a vital part of the Sikhi religion. I know someone who once said a Sikh's soul is like notes waiting to be played.

Guru Ram Das ji said:
[SIZE=+1]"The Unstruck Celestial Music vibrates for them at the Lord's Door, and they are honored at the True Door."[/SIZE]

Music is that oone item that reaches into our hearts before anyother.

WKWF