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This child's parents don't speak to him or meet him in person, but he is dying to meet them, talk to them and be with them as a family.

Only form of communication is email messages his parents send to him via his elder brother. Emails provide him instructions on how he should lead his life, if he wants to be with them when he grows up.

What would you think of such parents? Can't they guide him better by speaking directly to him? Why do they want to keep themselves as a mystery? Or perhaps the child is an orphan and someone else is writing those emails to help him become a better human being.

This child is us mortals and parents are God. Email messages are gurbani, words from God. But the question remains the same, why does god not directly reveal himself to us and wants to remain a mysterious figure? Things would be so easy if he directly communicates instead of leaving us confused and directionless at times. Why can't we talk to the divine directly, the same way we talk to our worldly parents? May be we are orphans and there is not God? Why do I have to put this question on this Q&A forum, if we were able to talk to god, we could directly ask him all these questions ourselves and get answers from the most reliable source?

Not sure where you are located. But you can also join Hyderabad Sikhs group [email protected]

Thanks

I don't believe in miracles and visible auras like those showed in supposed to be portraits of the Gurus. Better to get your eyes checked :)

There are many version of ardaas. During guru maharaaj's sukhasan we often recite a minified version of ardaas. You can start off with a minified version involving reference to ten masters and get on with your own words to conclude. Try whatever works the best for you. Thanks!

Main difference is Bhagat Ravidas ji did not formally create the religion, while the first sikh master created sikh religion and coined the term sikh and tenth master formalized it with creation of Khalsa. Ravidass religion has been recently started by followers after being alienated even from Sikh faith by so called practicing sikhs.

As per Sikhi and Science it is not possible for dead to return. But we must respect (not follow) beliefs of others, if it helps them become better human beings.

Modesty and humbleness are best response. I think you are on right track.

Mazhabi Sikh is just a term coined by ant-Sikh elements to prevent caste culture from wearing away from Sikhism.

Mazhabi Sikhs were mostly people who followed and recited baani of Bhagat Ravidaas ji and converted to Sikhism when they saw concept of casteless society and equal respect given to bhagat ji and his bani in Sikhism. Unfortunately caste based divisions gaining prominence again in Punjabi society has caused unrest among them and they have started to move out of Sikhism and created their own Granth with baani of Bhagat Ravidaas ji and a separate religion.

What's the reason?

Ideally you should try to talk them out of this. If this is not possible, wear headphones and listen to gurbani when they are around. If this is also not possible, listen a shabad you like the most 3-4 times and keep humming it when they are around. It is actually possible totally ignore what others are saying when you are humming! If all else fails, leave they company at the earliest. Good luck!

Literal translations lose meaning of what was said and meant originally. This is what has happened here. "Breaker of idols" here implies "the breaker of the concept of idol worship", not meant to be taken literally. Hill chiefs warred with Guru maharj because of this as they were staunch believers in idol worship.

Gurus sahibans always preached that idol worship is not going to lead one spiritually anywhere. But at the same time we respect freedom of choice of others, who still want to stick to the same. Hope this clarifies.

Its same consequence for all whether you are Sikh or not. "Cheating" will increase your worries and thoughts/activities of mind and disturb your inner peace. Fear of getting caught will rule your thoughts. Meditation and gurbani recital will become harder, rendering service and help to others will become tough, in short life will become a living hell.

We are no one to judge others. Keep taking care of your mother in law, thinking about Bhai ghanayia ji's example, he looked after fallen enemies and friends alike by offering them water and medicine in battlefield without any discrimination or passing any judgement, something never heard of in history of mankind. Seeing you taking care of his mother as your own, your husband will be full of admiration for you and eventually realise your inner beauty and value.

Recite "Hukam rajai chalna, nanak likhya naal" and accept God's will positively as a blessing. Its a blessing that you came to know of this at an early stage and this might prevent your partner from falling deeper into clutches of kaam. So thank God and move on.

What does the distance of closest Gurudwara have to do with your mother not letting you to be a Sikh?

Are you kidding me! Sikhi is for life, not for 40 days !! Chalia is just a ritual and won't lead you anywhere. Listing and reciting Gurbani and practicing it on daily basis with each and every breath is what is a athsath ka ishna, or chalia or whatever you want to call it for a Sikh. If God some kid or a toy who will get impressed with 40 days of abstinence and a lifetime of indulgence?

All I know Yogi Bhajan brought Sikhism to the west, might be a distorted version of sikhism, but he did what me and you could never have possibly done. Eventually his followers will and are realising difference between an empty ritual and meaningful karma leading towards self-realization. So worry not, just wait and watch. At least these kriyas are far better than baba culture being followed by back in Punjab currently.

You have complete freedom to choose your faith and length of hair. Go ahead and exercise your freedom. However before moving on, give Sikhism a last chance and see if you can attend a sikhi camp and talk to others who have been through same situation as you. Good luck!

Ishnaan or panj ishnaan are means to awaken your mind and make it attentive towards meditation and gurbani. If you cannot do these for some reason, it's fine as long as your are alert while meditating and reciting banis.

On the other hand if ishnaan/panj ishnaan don't make your alert and active, then these are nothing more than mere rituals and don't serve any purpose.

You are right, God does not exist as the conventional religions teach us. He is not sitting on some seventh sky or in heaven and watching us quietly and judging us. There is no Godly figure like that.

For Sikhs God is here with us, omnipresent. God is inside you and me, inside us all. But we don't realise this and look for external magical forces to help us out of our problems. "Self-realization" is what we all need to work towards in life. Looking inside for God and trying to see and feel his presence in everyone, including those whom you perceive as your tormentors, is a different way of looking at things.

Only those living a life of ignorance are the ones suffering in this world. Awakened beings are always in bliss and spirit of chardikala. Read about life of Guru Gobind Singh ji Maharaj, he suffered loss of his father at early age, loss of his 4 sons in battle field, do you think he was suffering, he was in pain and misery? Why did God not help him in battle of Chamkaur, showed some miracles and saved his sons in the battlefield? Guru Sahib lived a life of righteousness, he was an awakened being, hence lived a life of bliss and taught his Sikhs how to lead such a life style. But we have forgotten all this yet again and hence living in misery.

The perpetrators of 1984 were slaves of money, material wealth and power. Living a hollow life, a life of ignorance. What more wordily punishment can you give to such a person who is already in the grip of vices and living in hell. For some people a bed of roses is also a curse whereas for others a bed of thorns can also become a blessing.

I have never found beard and turban becoming an hindrance working in India or here in United States. Check this video on how Sikhs at 3HO are living a life of bliss and at the same time running a successful business in US, without worrying about beard/turban effecting their business prospects: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYOErodm2no

Meditation and understanding gurbani are essentials for self-realization and understanding life's purpose. The sooner you get back to taking your daily dose of mediation and gurbani recital, the better its. Thanks!

"I have all my life, from birth onwards, been suffering extreme misfortune". Dear friend misfortune has been a part of Sikhs from day one, since the inception of Sikhism. Tenth master of the Sikhs himself was so unfortunate, he suffered loss of his father in early childhood, his 40 beloved Sikhs revolted against him, he lost his 4 sons in battlefield, faced attacked on his life numerous times and ultimately left this world at such a young age (in his early forties). Did he suffered so much because of someone's curse or because of some bad deeds of the past? Could there have been anyone more unfortunate than him? Guru Maharaj stayed in Chardikala no matter what. In spite of facing so many hardships in life he was always thankful to God. He lived for righteousness and had to pay the prize.

Our life, sufferings and good deeds stand nowhere when compared to our Master's life. Living in God's will (Razaa) is the purpose of a Sikh's life. Accepting untimely death of a closed one, loss of wealth or health, a handicap, should all be taken as a blessing from Waheguru and a spirit of Chardikala should be maintained, no matter what. I know easier said than done, but we need to try and strife for such a lifestyle.

Couldn't have been answered better, thanks Guruka Singh ji.

Theoretically there is nothing stopping this, but think about the difference in overall experience it would result in. To better understand, imagine how would you feel if you only have a picture of your parents or get to interact with them only on Skype. Compare this with the experience you get when you meet them in person.

I think its a matter of comfort and enhanced experience that makes printed version of Guru Sahib preferred than a digital version. Also I can't imagine the scenarios where an ebook reader device may hang or force reboot for updates especially when hukamnama is being taken. Would cause lot of inconvenience and confusion.