Hi,
I'm new to Sikhism and I have many questions. I'm in the hope that I can find some answers here
I'll start introducing briefly myself a bit to put questions in context. I'm from Barcelona (Spain), I've considered myself "spiritual" for a long time, I usually do zazen meditation and sometimes attend religious events of different kinds (for ex pujas at a tibetan Buddhist place) but I never considered taking a religious path myself since now.
I got in touch with Sikhi a few months ago and different aspects of it attracted me enough to take me to the local gurudwara to where I have been a few times now. One of the things that attracted me a lot was the idea of a self-existant God-Universe. It is very similar to the "feelings" I have had meditating. Also the strong emphasis in generosity and care of others and the equality among everyone. Some lines of the kirtan Sohila according to which (as I understand them) nature is the most perfect temple, resonated with me a lot too.
I'm reading about Sikhi, learned the mool mantra and I'm reading the kirtan sohila most nights (usually a translation into English although my mother tongue is Spanish, and sometimes I read it transliterated) and I'm happy to wear a kara which is a present from the people at the local gurudwara.
I have lots of questions and I cannot easily find the answers, so, I hope some of you can help me with some of my questions
First I want to apologize in advance for my possible mistakes and misunderstandings. Correct me anywhere I'm wrong, please.
1) why are Sikhs not completely vegan? I learned that Sikhs eat diary products but don't eat eggs. Is it maybe because in the times of Guru Nanak cows were well treated and not killed? I'm a vegan myself, btw, but I'm not meaning to.judge, just to understand.
2) I'm reading the kirtan sohila in the nights. And at times meditating on the word Satnam.What should be my next reading/mantra to add to my rutine?
3) what's the ultimate goal? Is it anything similar to the Buddhist enlightenment in.Sikhi?
4) I keep on doing zazen. Is there anything similar to it in Sikhi?
5) I'm still shy to ask for the first letter of the Hukamnama to the members of the gurudwara. I'm considering having a Sikh name as a symbolic way to mark the beginning of this new path. I think I might be ready for the name before I overcome my shyness. How do you think they might react if I ask for.it? Some of them already know me but still...I fear they might deem it strange.
6) I sing traditional music from different countries with two bands. I want to start a new project and I want to sing mantras and lines from the Guru Granth Sahib. But I want to.make sure I'm very respectful with the tradition. We want to compose our own music or to.use music which has been alredy used for particular mantras. I aim to help to bring some light and peace to the world if it makes sense.This is maybe a very complex issue technically speaking and I wonder if someone can give me some pieces of advice. Or maybe it is as simple as "just sing any line with any music you like" I don't know...But it seems that banis are linked to particular ragas, right?
7) what is this community opinion about the 3ho foundation? They seem to be very popular in the UE but it seems to be a lot of controversy. I'm somewhat curious about it.
I might have more questions soon, provably I will :") but for now this is all.
Thanks in advance for anyone taking the time to answer any question or correcting any mistakes. I'll be grateful for any other thought anyone wants to share with me too.
Ester
I'm new to Sikhism and I have many questions. I'm in the hope that I can find some answers here
I'll start introducing briefly myself a bit to put questions in context. I'm from Barcelona (Spain), I've considered myself "spiritual" for a long time, I usually do zazen meditation and sometimes attend religious events of different kinds (for ex pujas at a tibetan Buddhist place) but I never considered taking a religious path myself since now.
I got in touch with Sikhi a few months ago and different aspects of it attracted me enough to take me to the local gurudwara to where I have been a few times now. One of the things that attracted me a lot was the idea of a self-existant God-Universe. It is very similar to the "feelings" I have had meditating. Also the strong emphasis in generosity and care of others and the equality among everyone. Some lines of the kirtan Sohila according to which (as I understand them) nature is the most perfect temple, resonated with me a lot too.
I'm reading about Sikhi, learned the mool mantra and I'm reading the kirtan sohila most nights (usually a translation into English although my mother tongue is Spanish, and sometimes I read it transliterated) and I'm happy to wear a kara which is a present from the people at the local gurudwara.
I have lots of questions and I cannot easily find the answers, so, I hope some of you can help me with some of my questions
First I want to apologize in advance for my possible mistakes and misunderstandings. Correct me anywhere I'm wrong, please.
1) why are Sikhs not completely vegan? I learned that Sikhs eat diary products but don't eat eggs. Is it maybe because in the times of Guru Nanak cows were well treated and not killed? I'm a vegan myself, btw, but I'm not meaning to.judge, just to understand.
2) I'm reading the kirtan sohila in the nights. And at times meditating on the word Satnam.What should be my next reading/mantra to add to my rutine?
3) what's the ultimate goal? Is it anything similar to the Buddhist enlightenment in.Sikhi?
4) I keep on doing zazen. Is there anything similar to it in Sikhi?
5) I'm still shy to ask for the first letter of the Hukamnama to the members of the gurudwara. I'm considering having a Sikh name as a symbolic way to mark the beginning of this new path. I think I might be ready for the name before I overcome my shyness. How do you think they might react if I ask for.it? Some of them already know me but still...I fear they might deem it strange.
6) I sing traditional music from different countries with two bands. I want to start a new project and I want to sing mantras and lines from the Guru Granth Sahib. But I want to.make sure I'm very respectful with the tradition. We want to compose our own music or to.use music which has been alredy used for particular mantras. I aim to help to bring some light and peace to the world if it makes sense.This is maybe a very complex issue technically speaking and I wonder if someone can give me some pieces of advice. Or maybe it is as simple as "just sing any line with any music you like" I don't know...But it seems that banis are linked to particular ragas, right?
7) what is this community opinion about the 3ho foundation? They seem to be very popular in the UE but it seems to be a lot of controversy. I'm somewhat curious about it.
I might have more questions soon, provably I will :") but for now this is all.
Thanks in advance for anyone taking the time to answer any question or correcting any mistakes. I'll be grateful for any other thought anyone wants to share with me too.
Ester