Guru Ram Das Ji’s Birthday Gurdwara
[photopress:IMG_0743.JPG,full,pp_image]
Tonight we had an evening Gurdwara to celebrate the birth of Guru Ram Das Ji. The Gurdwara was so beautifully decorated with lights, draping cloth, flower petals and candles. I was writing a blog article below this one right before the Gurdwara, and then as soon as I heard the Kirtan start I jumped up and went into the Gurdwara.
As I bowed before the Guru I felt an intense emotion and love for the Guru. I realized one thing which I didn’t write about earlier, but which is so important. Yes, we all have lots to do and can be busy all the time. We can try to find balance, however I think you also have to really look at what things are most important in your life. I’m not talking about how this or that report is due on friday or how you have to pay your telephone bill on time. I’m talking about much deeper stuff, like finding your purpose here on earth. A lifetime will waste away in everyday happenings. In Gurbani the Gurus talk about this quite often. They talk about how people get caught up in Maya and how these wordly things won’t come with you when you leave this earth; only when people are dying do they then wish they had spent more time doing other things.
If you want to refrain from something, refrain when you are young. Youth is the time of life when you can do anything. It is during the time of old age that the bloody wolf declares, ‘Now I have become vegetarian’ because after losting his teeth he can’t hunt anything." – SSS
So on this day of Guru Ram Das Ji’s Birthday try to sit down and think about your life. Think about what your heart is really telling you that you need to do. It could be telling you to meditate or do banis. It could be saying to work less and spend more time if your family; To be a teacher and example to your children; Or to serve more in your community. The key is taking the time to tune into your heart and let your intuition and the Guru guide you to what is missing from your life. THEN once you know what it is…..to actually DO IT!
When I start to get "off track" and feel that emptyness; wanting to avoid things in my life. A little voice starts to call out from inside me, yearning for me to make a change. Most of the time I know what I need to do and am just avoiding it. So, recognize what it is for you and try to overcome it!
Ok, time to get some rest. I hope you all had a blessed day. As buzz light year likes to say… "To Infinity…and Beyond!"
[photopress:IMG_0750.JPG,full,pp_image]
The Gurdwara tonight was another "Bring-a-dish-make-a-wish" langar so everyone from the sangat cooked something or brought something for the langar. A above picture is some of the food that the sangat placed before the Guru. It was yum…yum!
35 Responses to “Guru Ram Das Ji’s Birthday Gurdwara”
Do You Enjoy MrSikhNet.com?
Can you help support SikhNet so this blog and the many services of SikhNet can continue? Donations small & large are greatly appreciated. Make a Donation.
Recent Posts
- Quotes on the Power of Woman
- Share you love of Gurbani Kirtan
- Time Lapse Photography in Nature
- Sikh Superhero Agent Deep Singh
- Universal Sikhi – Across cultures, religions and continents
- Dignity of the Mother
- Prabhupati: Becoming the Master of the Divine
- Aaraadhana – Acting Divinely
- What my Amrit Veylaa Sadhana Gives Me
- Know the Lowest, Aim for the Highest
Breath taking!!! Its heaven!!!! Heaven on earth!
amazinggg it looks just beautifull
Wonderful message GMS jeeooo…. In a post some day can you also tell us what you think is of importance to you in your life….
Also, can’t help notice that someone placed a picture of Guru Ram Daas Sahib in front of Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee Maharaaj where people are doing “Matha Tek”… Pictures are OK as long as they are at home or office (I have too), are source of inspiration, are not being worshiped as idols, the way Hindus do… bow to the pictures and idols in their temples… which is one of the hollow rituals Sikhism does not go for…
Bhul Chuk Dee Khema…
Sifar, No one does “Matha Tek”/bows to the picture. No one is worshipping it. The picture is off to the side and is just there as a reminder of Guru Ram Das. Someone from the sangat placed it there…and I don’t think people should look deeply into this. There is definitely a cultural difference from Sikhs who are not from an Indian background, and some things might trigger a reaction (like this picture) because of issues that they are used to seeing…whereas it is a non-issue for us…because these it is not the same here as it might be in India.
No doubt there is a cultural difference between NA and India but, A Sikh is a Sikh is a Sikh, whether it is NA or India and Gurus teaching are the same universally. I have seen Sikhs who are Amritdharis, (I don’t want to specify their origin as I believe it has no relevance) eat meat and even drink alcohol and say that it is not the same over here as in India and to them it is not a big deal. But that does not make something right if it is not… For example : Steal a penny, or a million dollars, the crime is called theft…
I understand what you are saying Sifar… my point was more about how there is are sometimes a sensitivity to some issues because of problems in certain cultures.
The example of a picture…for someone from India…this might be a big taboo…or wrong because it is quite common in India for people to worship a picture. So naturally as a result many Sikhs automatically have a certain experience that might not be positive regarding pictures. Many of the Sikhs who are not from an Indian background don’t have this same background and are pretty educated so don’t do things like this. It’s a whole different thing. It’s really a matter of what viewpoint and which "glasses" you look through which determine the perspective.
Same issue with Bhangra comes up. Many of the youth in our sangat get together with friends and do Bhangra. Normally they practice for weeks on end to do a show for other friends wedding or some event. This is a great excercise and good fun. One could say Bhangra/Dancing is bad…and point out drunken parties… but this is not the case here. Bhangra is done in a totally different context and is kept very respectful. Just because something is abused in one situation doesn’t make all situations bad.
I know it is natural to see things from our own frame of reference…but we have to understand that we are all different and have different expriences, perspectives and ways of doing things. Who is right and who is wrong? Neither….
Satnam ji
Both of you are right in your own places.
I think we have to put our cultural and language differences behind, way behind and stand on one platform to become khalsa(pure ones) with the grace of God.
But I see no fault sifar ji. I think its the love and joy that brought everyone together there, but you do have valid point. Because Huge fire always starts from a tiny little spark and turns the entire forest in to ashes.
Sifar, don’t worry Guruji will take care of any faults if there are any!
Sifar ji, you mentioned that there are few men that you know who acclaim themselves as amrit dhari but eat meat and drink alcohol. Maybe thats true.
You know what! Wearing police clothes one does NOT becomes a police officer, Wearing a white coat one does NOT becomes a doctor, etc. So, wearing a kirpan, turban and hair does not make you a Khalsa. One has to pass difficult tests in their life to become one, just like in academics.
So, Sifar: Don’t worry to much about it. Lets think about ourselves how can we humbly serve all human beings, spread the true fragnace of khalsa, Lift up others who are less fortunate and meditate upon God.
I went back and looked at the picture in its enlarged form.
THe only thing I SEE is heaven, khalsa engorged in Love, Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji in the center, this is how it might look like at SACH-KAND!
Please see everything, don’t put too much strain on the brain to find something faulty…
I wish over there and be the part of the sangat and sit with others………….
I struggle to see the picture. And the picture is to the side, so a matha tech is ‘technically’ not to the picture.
However, I have to say that india is not that different. Last time I went, I went to Sach Khand, and as far as I can remember pictures were placed in a similar manner there too, along with the shastars.
I guess what is important is what is in your heart when you do the matha tech.
Think about it, when you matha tech, a spider could be walking past, it doesnt mean you are worshiping the spider.
I have been to Gurdwara in India and except for the Nanaksar (where they have a huge picture of Dhan Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Sahib jee Maharaaj on the wall or somehwere) I never came across any Gurdwara where they have displayed the pictures of Guru Sahiban in the Darbar Hall.
Dude, one may not notice the spider, but a picture cannot go unnoticed. I dont know what point you are trying to make here. I never said that keeping pictures of Guru Sahiban is wrong as long as they are not in the Darbar and they solve the purpose of inspiring you, without you getting into rituals. And in my first comment, I have said that the picture is there where people are doing Matha Tek. I never said that people are doing Matha Tek to the Picture.
Adn “g”, humbly serving all human beings, spreading the true fragnace of khalsa, Lifting up others who are less fortunate and meditating upon God should be the agenda of every Sikhs life. Thanks for reiterating it.
PS. GMS, is there no feature in word press where like in blogspot one can view the comment before finally submitting it. If there is then it is a good feature as it lets you read your comments finally before you click submit.
I read Gurumustuk’s postings on his blog with interest, and have written to him about it. I am a non-Sikh (Buddhist) and I have a query about the manner in which you refer to idol worship.
In comparision, I would say as a Buddhist that we worship (bow) to the Buddha (to respect that he was our teacher, in Indian tradition), the Dharma (the teachings of the Buddha) and the Sanghat (or Sangha, the congregration that spreads the word of the Dharma, as a way of showing respect)
I wonder at the reason that the picture is the cause of such controversy. If Guru Ram Das was a great Guru, is he also not worthy of respect?
What a lovely picture, it really does look like heaven. It is so heart warming that it doesn’t matter what ones background whether Indian or non, that the Guru Granth Sahib is still our guiding light.
May I ask who designs the Darbar Sahib and where you get these wondeful rumallas made from? You guys always seem to have a new style and look for every occasion.
I just wanted to give my experience in the Gurdwara the other day. I bowed without noticing anything but the Guru (as is usual). Before I got to the Guru I did notice that the Gurdwara was full of a beautiful sangat. After I sat down, I saw the picture of Guru Ram Das (meaning I did not notice the picture as I approached or bowed). I thought to myself “Oh, that’s cool that somebody put that picture there so that we can all remember that it is Guru Ram Das’ Gurpurb. Somebody should put a picture there for every Gurpurb so that people who don’t know can be educated.” Then the very next thought that came to my head was “Oh, I bet this would be controversial to some. Good thing nobody like that is here.” I’m not trying to call anyone here fanatic, but it has been a result of my contact with fanatics that causes me to even think this way. I would have preferred to have only the initial thoughts and not the latter.
When the Gurus accepted all with open arms and even praised others of different religions, why are we even concerning ourselves with strict protocols? Fanatical people try to impose their will and version of what Gurdwara should be on to others, in this way they ritualize it. Someone has to know why they do something for it to have meaning otherwise it is a ritual. With strict do’s and don’ts set up by fanatical people it won’t be long before people will simply find it easier to follow a script than to delve into the meaning of their actions. By following the script they will ritualize their actions. This will make Gurdwara one big show. People will go thinking that as long as they follow the script without error then they will be doing their duty as a Sikh. Others will learn to take advantage of those mindlessly following ritual and insist that they donate genreously. Oh wait, this is seriously starting to sound like many Gurdwaras I’ve seen.
It’s better to be very liberal in Gurdwaras and accept others actions that are done with positive intention than to insist that people follow a script. The oldest Sikh Society in Canada just turned 100 and they beleive that chairs should be allowed in the langar hall. I can see how this could make sense in American society. Whereas originally all sat on the floor to signify equality, in America, there is no notion that those who sit lower are not equal to those who sit higher. Personally, I would never want to see chairs in my langar hall, but if the majority of the sangat decided they wanted chairs, I’d accept this decision before stabbing one of them and defiling my kirpan with the blood of a saint.
I didn’t intend for this post to be so long, and I’m certainly not trying to call Sifar or anyone else a fanatic. I think we must allow for healthy debate amongst a sangat because then it allows the opportunity for education. A debate becomes unhealthy when people make assertions that cannot be proven or state their opinion as if it’s fact. For example: “Not even a spider can go unnoticed when bowing and bowing to it makes you a manmukh”. Statements like this alienate people and when people feel like they can’t debate something then they become fanatic in the belief that their way is “the only way”. For example: “All the others are wrong. A spider must always go unnoticed otherwise you’re not concentrating on the Guru the way you should be and the FACT that they can’t understand this makes them manmukhs.”
I don’t mean to offend anybody these are just my observations and experiences.
We need realize that chairs were available at the time of Guruji. If chairs were important in the langar hall they would have allowed it. With chairs comes our shoes and so on……….
then we might think what is wrong bring chairs in the main hall and so on…….
People have lot of misconceptions about the Langar. Langar is a treated as Parasad ( with the blessing of God). Langar is eaten after 2-3hrs of mediatating, or listening to gurbani whereas as other meals are not.
I think that Sri Harbajan singh ji might have provided insight to the sangat on this issue.
G…
I just wanted to tell you THANK YOU…
your blog means so much to me
when I feel exhausted by life, confused by humans, confused by the whole experience..I jump on your site
and I am once again..put on check…about what is really
important to me…
so many thanks and blessings to you
for helping my life along and sharing your experience
of sikh and Guru……..
I feel truly blessed to have ur blog at hand
thanks G…….
thank u…d
With all due respect Hari Singh jee, I also had the same feeling when I went to the darbar of Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee Maharaaj on the Parkash Diwas of Dhan Dhan Grur Ram Daas Sahib jee Maharaaj, where I live. And I do not believe that those who do not keep pictures of Guru Sahiban in the Darbar are the Gurdwaras run by and visited by fanatic Sikhs. Yet most of these Sikhs will have pictures of Guru Sahiban at their house as it solves the purpose of inspiring them and give them the feeling that somebody is watching (thought God is omni present and watches our every move).
There is no Script that anyone wrote for Sikhs to follow. Only what are the teaching in Dhan Dhan Guru Granth Sahib jee Maharaaj, should be followed by every Sikh, no matter where they come from. And now to answer the question that where is it written in Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee Maharaaj that pictures are not allowed, there is a lot that is not explicitly written in Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee Maharaaj but Sikhs are to follow the basics of why Sikhism was created by Dhan Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Sahib jee Maharaaj. He just did not want to have a religion of his own. He saw many flaws in the religions of that time and he intended to take out those flaws so that people could be brought closer to WaheGuru.
And nobody is forcing any will on anybody on how to run the Gurdwara. And there is no ritual if the Sikhs who believe that having pictures in the darbar of Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee Maharaaj is not right as per the teaching of Sikhism as what Sikhs should be following is Shabad Guru not any Deh or body. There were so many talented artists who could have drawn pictures of predecessor Gurus to be kept in the Darbar hall of the successor Guru, but it did not happen historically speaking. I wonder why. I guess the Gurus got into rituals of not allowing pictures of the predecessor Gurus in the Gurdwaras. More over all the pictures sold in the market is only a big commercialization of the religion. Who knows how did Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Ram Daas, or any other Guru look like. Tomorrow someone will draw a sketch of WaheGuru and we will start saying oh look, WaheGuru looked like this and so forth and so on.
One more thing, there is no such thing as liberal or orthodox Sikhs. I have said before, A Sikh is a Sikh is a Sikh. That oldest Sikh Society in Canada you are talking about does not comes under the SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee) any more under which all the Gurdwaras of the world fall, the same SGPC that gave the title “Sri Singh Sahib†to Yogi Bhajan, and “Sri Singh Sahiba†to Bibi Inderjeet Kaur. As far as the topic of Langar on floor vs. tables and chairs, it is a different topic, but just to let you know, sitting on floor does not just signify’s equality, it also bring much more to one, humility being one of it… But, I am not against making exceptions in case of physically challenged Sangat members.
I never got offended by what you wrote, but it just the due to the difference in the Geographic’s that we both and many others come from, we all have different opinions and something that might not be of significance to one may be a great deal to others. That’s why we instead of speaking from our heart and emotions, should consult according to “Gurmat†so that we can differentiate between our thoughts (Manmat) and what was intended by Guru (Gurmat) when he started Sikhism.
I could have remained silent on this whole issue and let it go by, but what little I know of Sikhism having born as a Sikh in India, I chose to speak up.
Bhul Chuk Dee Khema….
Ps. BTW, Nice Sewa you guys are doing. Just saw the recent pictures posted on the SEWA blog.
The term Birthday should not be used for the celebration of Guru Sahibs Parkash Ustav. The term birthday says that there is a beginning to which there will be an end. Guroo Mahraaj was beyond birth and death we should stick with Parkash Ustav or Gurpurb.
Parkash Ustav means “birth date” in Sanskrit. What’s the difference in using the english translation? Gurpurb comes from two words “Guru” and “Celebration”. I’m not sure why people have to nitpick in the name of religion.
Medhavini jee…
I checked the online Sanskrit to English Dictionary and it says “Janam†= Birth and “Prakash†= Illumination. But even if what you say is correct, Sikhs do not celebrate Prakash Utsav of family members or friends. Prakash Utsav may literally translate to Birth Date/Day according to you or any other language, but in context with Sikhism, Prakash Utsav hold special meaning and the term is not used commonly but is used or you can say is reserved for Guru Sahiban. Similarly, Sikhs do not celebrate death anniversary of Guru Sahiban. Instead we call that occasion as “Jyoti Jyot Samana”.
I do not know much about Budhism, so I do not think that it will be wise for me to make any remarks / comments on it or any other topic that I have limited knowledge of.
We appreciate your interest in this blog and in Sikhism and welcome your visit.
Bhul Chuk Dee Khema….
I totally agree on sifar…..
This is a great site to learn about everything as long as we keep our emotions at the side.
I have learned lot about Depths of sikhism and about myself and where do I stand on this path.
Ravjeet Singh Ji, birthday is the English word that people in the west understand. Guru Ram Das was born on a day right? It’s great to understand the lexicon of the Sikh Dharma and as much Gurbani as you can, but it has to start somewhere. If people don’t know the terms ‘Parkash Ustav,’ we have to explain in a way they can understand. Not all those who visit this blog are Sikh and Gurumustuk is sharing his experience of the Gurdwara we held to honor the day of Guru Ram Das’ birth.
Langgar during Guruji time was taken before they could enter the Darbar Sahib not after meditating.. I forgot which Guru it was who did not let the sangat meet him untill they had their langgar..
If we all sit on tables, issit that equality? We are all equal sitting on tables together, issit than equality?? We are not meditating in the langgar hall right, so why is there a need to sit down and eat?? In the darbar sahib we medidate on the Guru’s name so sitting anywhere besides on the floor will not allow you to do so..
Just my humble opinion
Jagjit jee…
You say that We are not meditating in the langgar hall right, so why is there a need to sit down and eat??
Please ask this question to Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sahib jee Maharaaj who started this tradition. I cannot dare ask him. He and only He will be able to give you an answer to your satisfaction. I guess you didnot read the earlier comments (not just mine, other contributors as well)that described logic of having the langar the traditional way.
Let us all know what answer you got from Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sahib jee Maharaaj of your question.
Bhul Chuk Dee Khema….
Jagjit,
The instance where Guruji directed to have langar before mediatating was for those sikhs who have travelled long distances to be the part of congregation. So, Guruji knew that they are straving and they will not be able to focus in prayers.
For Local sikhs it was never directed to have langar before Ardass. During Ardass the langar and parshad is blessed.
If you read Suraj Parkash, Damesh chamatkar, or other books, you will find out that langar was given after the ardass, but if you are straving sure you can have it before it.
Now, We need to understand the differences in regular meal and langar. Langar is eaten with great humility and respect and thats the way to show it. Just like parshaad is taken with respect. One event leads to another and so on……….
guru ji started langer so that people of any caste sit together and eat without any racial prejudice. we must understand this. and this is sikh duty to give food to hungry people before he eat. what can i say more…. we have a very good religion. our religion teach us to do things rather than mere talking. so try to be good and learn good things. time is passing quickly. remember wahgeuru and work hard and love all people.
Satnam waheguru
It hit me so hard today. That quote about refraining while you are young. Well, that’s only half of it.
You also have to experience life, learn, experiment and achieve while you are young, because you get to a point where it’s all over, and you didn’t do it.
You keep talking about perspective, balance, and priorities. And you do speak of family, career etc. But more than anything, all I see is Sikh, Sikh, Sikh.
Why am I thinking of this? I am about to inherit a large amount of money, and have to decide how much to give to my children. If I had had this money when younger, I would have invested it, maybe started a business, etc. But at 50, I don’t have the energy or the desire to start life from scratch.
A different relative of mine just made “more money than he knows what to do with”, but is very tired. My first thought was ” do it while your hair is still black.”
I can’t help but think that this new crop of “2nd generation” Sikhs, will get to be 50 and think that the most they ever did was to wear kacheras, have children, work a lot and have a really nice community. Will that be enough for you all? I guess you do get to travel, meet people, and think and perceive. I just wonder if your lives are really balanced though, or you are too focused on what you DON’T want to do instead of what it is you can achieve in your youth and strong years.
Most Gurudwaras in Malaysia have tables and chairs in the langgar hall. Does that mean we have no humility? I don’t think so because we still share, care and have love for the Guru. We are still humble and have respect for the other..
You can sit on the moon or north pole while having langgar but if your own heart is not clean or pure or even humble, there is no humility in you. My point?
My sitting just on the floor you don’t have humility. You have humility by being humble. I am going to have 6 replies telling how wrong I am. But Gurmukhji I know where I stand.
Thanks
I don’t think the quote about refraining when you are young means refraining from doing everything else except that what your religion/community asks of you. Refraining, to me would mean adopting some measure of control of yourself at a younger age. As an example, I would say look at many college students everywhere on a Friday night. Many of them go out and get drunk and party. As a college educator I know that most students who go for these go, not because they like the alcohol but because of heavy peer pressure, and wanting to be ‘like’ those around them. It takes a strong person to say ‘no’ at some times like that when you are young. When you are older, it is easy to say ‘I’m not going to drink because I don’t like it’ (if that truly is the case) as you have more maturity and probably keep better company! Having relationships with a member of the opposite sex: How many youth get pressured into physical relationships because of their inability to refrain? I think this is what Yogi Bhajan meant by refraining. It’s not not experiencing, it’s drawing correct limits for oneself.
jagjit said..
“Most Gurudwaras in Malaysia have tables and chairs in the langgar hall. Does that mean we have no humility?”
First of all, Any tradition that has begun by Guru nanak ji or other lights of Guru Naank I would strife hard enough to maintain them… If Guruji said this thing should be done this way and I would follow that. Yes, there might be other ways to get there. Does that make you bad or good? I have no clue because I have no authority to judge anyone else except see my deep inner self…
I would just do in the love of Guru ji… And it does not mean that you love less…… I will scarifice my comfort to show that respect, At least I am able to make some sacrifice but sacrificing ourselves (surrendering ourselves) is another level of spirituality, otherwise our ego comes in between everything…….
Jagjit jee…
I dont think that you will be asked by 6 people that what you think about langar is wrong or right. It depends how you interpret the cause due to which Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Sahib jee started it. But I will just ask you this, that I asked you in my earlier question to which you posted an indirect reply. Did you get a reply from the “Head of the Institution”, Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sahib jee Maharaaj. I’m just not interested in what other Sikh Self declared leaders are doing or want to do.
Bhul Chuk Maaf….
PS. I couldnot reply earlier as I was away at a Samagam in US where everyone had langaar sitting on the floor.
To Medhavini
Actually, I totally agree with you.
What I am saying though, is that what seems so important when you are young- usually gets worked out when you are older. Those self imposed limits that you must do in college because otherwise you will damage your self- that happens to most everyone.
By the time you get to be middle aged, either people became alcoholics, maybe ruined their lives with promiscuity or they got married and settled down. Looking around my block for instance, many people don’t even drink or drink rarely on special occasions. Yes, there are divorces and terrible stories, but there are just as many happy ones.
It can look like Western Civilization is going to Hell or at least trying, but I think many people are learning the same lessons in varied walks of life.
WAHEGURU JI KAA KHAALSAA WAHEGURU JI KI FATEH
now why should (must) langar be taken sitting on floor?
if while eating we aren’t meditating?and why if not?
why GURU sahib made people have langar before having DARSHAN?
humbleness and feeling of brotherhood is the reason(besides many others that i might not
be knowing )for sitting on floor while having LANGAR
SIKH is always in meditation,always remembring WAHEGURU
also meditation mustn’t be strictly bounded to sitting in aasans that veds prescribe,or set times for meditation.
SIKH’s life is humble,simple,beautiful,charming as that of a flower.
always in meditation? seems difficult?
that is how it is
read ANAND SAHIB
‘way of walking(through life) of BHAGATs is unique and beautiful
way of walking of BHAGATs,walking difficult paths’
‘sharper than KHANDA,thinner than VAAL(KES,hair);travels through this path’
and it was (as i think) because there were people who didn’t believe or want to sit among poor and those from “”””lower castes””” that GURU sahib told them to have LANGAR sitting in PANGAT before having DARSHAN
WAHEGURU JI KAA KHAALSA WAHEGURU JI KI FATEH
Teachers make rules for their students so that they could excel in acadamics or in spiritual life. Yes, always there will be couple of students that will resent the teachings or the rules of that teacher, because at times we do assume that we know more than our teacher.
However, my point is that if our teacher(eternal guru) has given us a simple instruction to follow and we cannot even accept that then giving our heads to the Guru is a far far fetched thing.
That’s Great to hear that sikh is always in a meditated state of mind, humble etc… Well, honestly I have not reached that state yet where my mind is in constant meditative state.
I think we have to be honest with ourselves and find out that “are we really there where we describe ourselves?”. If yes! then you have attained that state or level of spirituality. May you also shower your humbleness on others.
If all sikhs were in a constant meditative state and be humble all the times then we would not see problems (such as fighting among themselves in temples.
At the end, people you can have langar while standing or sitting, anytime, or anyplace whereever you wish…
I think I am far far behind from others, so I think I have to follow the rules that were made by our teacher so that I don’t get lost in my way to obtain monumental heights in spirituality,so that I am worthy of Guruji’s blessings……..
end of discussion on my part…..
What “g” siad in his/her last comment is beautifully summarized in this tuk of Bani. “Gurbani Kahe Sevak Jan Mane, Prathak Guru Nistare”.
WAHEGURU JI KAA KHAALSAA WAHEGURU JI KI FATEH
Sikh never go beyond his GURU
Sikh’s GURU is supreme , infinite
and a Sikh should always remain in RJAA(within the command) of WAHEGURU
Sikh Saints have lived in the RJAA of WAHEGURU even when they had attained high spiritual states.
how to live a life of a Sikh is well defined in SIRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB and Rehatnamas also
Sikh has to take MAT(T) -wisdom- of his GURU and not to go for ‘manmat’ -his own mind’s beliefs-
and that is what it means being a Sikh
i haven’t reached that state yet
but we should be trying to reach there
WAHEGURU JI KAA KHAALSAA WAHEGUR JI KI FATEH