A few tips for nascent Sikhs?

I think one thing that would be good are some posts on what is considered proper Sikh religious conduct.

A few questions of mine to start out with:

-- I know we are to pray 5 times a day. The morning prayer, for instance, is the Japji. However, reciting it or even quietly reading it is an hour long-- is that usual? How can we properly make time for this and for the other prayers?
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/new-to-sikhism/5439-a-few-tips-for-nascent-sikhs.html

-- If I listen to prayers on an iPod, is that acceptable?

-- What is considered proper "ambrosial hours"? How do you wake yourself up for them? (I mainly ask this b/c I do not want to wake up my spouse, so the quieter the better
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=5439

-- What is the history and the religious logic around the Rehat Maryada?

-- Would it be within boundaries to consider a cybercommunity space (like SikhPhilosophy.net) as a proper Sangat?

-- Would seva include volunteer work that some would consider controversial, such as union organizing, civil rights work or anti-war work?

 
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-- I know we are to pray 5 times a day. The morning prayer, for instance, is the Japji. However, reciting it or even quietly reading it is an hour long-- is that usual? How can we properly make time for this and for the other prayers?

Perhaps break it up into several times a day to fit into your schedule. Or maybe get up earlier? There are several ways to work around this.

-- If I listen to prayers on an iPod, is that acceptable?

Many gurudwara's have recorded prayers on all day, this is just a mobile way to listen to prayers, this is actually very good idea.

-- Would it be within boundaries to consider a cybercommunity space (like SikhPhilosophy.net) as a proper Sangat?

If your sangat in your community is lacking and not adequate (like mine) you can resort to cyber sangats, be sure to keep a look out for wrong info-the net is full of it. This is also a good idea, especially for sikh youth who want more.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=5439

-- Would seva include volunteer work that some would consider controversial, such as union organizing, civil rights work or anti-war work

I don;t know, if it is under a sikhi organization it could be, other groups might not share sikhi values though.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=5439

that's my best answers

Thank you, Khalsaji! I hope other folks will chime in with their questions, too. I know that one of my frustrations as a nascent Sikh was trying to separate the chaff from the wheat when it came to Sikhi, web-wise. Those questions up there are still a few I still feel quite fuzzy on.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=5439

GurFateh!

Waheguru ji ka khalsa waheguru ji ki fateh!!!

i would just like to say that, praying 5 times a day was a muslim thing. Sikh's are to do paath three times a day{ In the morning, evening and before going to bed}

Waheguru ji ka khalsa waheguru ji ki fateh!!!

Gur Fateh. During the nineteenth century and also in the initial years of the twentieth century, the organising of the sikh institutions was considered by some prominent sikhs and it was thought there must be some discipline code for observation by the devoted sikhs.However there were many controversaries and a lot of discussions were held and the all basic details were analytically considered and approved in the form of Rehat Maryada.One can go through the full text at the site sgpc.net. However there was no process to sort out the controversaries arising at the latter stage nor there is any clear cut version about the supremacy of which of the organisation to finally decide about the authenticacy.As its result the different pleas put forward by some of the renowned Sikhs remain undecided, resulting in groupism and stage of uncertainity.I am not aware of the various details but the 'Ardaas' which we listen at Harmandar Sahib is not the same as prescribed in Rehat Maryada published by the SGPC. What I feel we must not limit the actual practising the Sikh beliefs with a strict code of diets, dresses, and schedules but encourage the practical living like a sikh, with humble-ness, Kirat and Naam-japna. You just visualize the life-styles of the members of the SGPC or the Prabandhaks of even smaller Gurdwaras, lacking humbleness, always authoritative, never helpful to ordinary sikhs, planning projects on commercial aspects etc. Coming to the the subject, we must decide the code we are to observe on understanding the Gurbani and its dictats.We are not Sikhs because we are born in a Sikh family, or we look like sikh by our dress or figure, we must be Sikhs by our behaviour , thoughts and actual living life-styles.

Reciting Japji Sahib should not taken more than 25 mins

Sri Guru Granth Sahib in itself is Rehit Maryada. Since there are very few people who understand the meaning behind the Shabads, they rely on Rehit Maryada for code of conduct. If you gain only a little knowledge of words behind Granth, you don't need rehit maryada.

There is absolutely no benift in simply reading the words, regardless of the time they are read. There are hugh benifits in understandig the meaning and applying it in your daily life.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=5439
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=5439

Sincerly,

Inder Pal Singh

Hi.

In my attempt to decrypt vedas -- the aryan scriptures ,
I can say a devta is nothing but a verb , a action which returns desired value;
When I experienced "the light" i heard ...
AUM y RAM ...
so i think its perfectly alright to do your jap on
ipod
love and best wishes.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=5439

pavan kumar

Jogindar ji, I was thinking about you when I had a conversation with a couple of friends this weekend...both listen to their prayers on an iPod.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=5439

One said that listening on the train was a great way to focus in on God, and that he could concentrate on his nitnayms for the entire trip without fear of being interrupted.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=5439

Another said that she prefers her ipod because she does not want to do anything that would disturb her housemates (who she has sometimes had a tenuous relationship with)

So...my own moorakh opinion...it's between the individual and Guru as to what they want to do...but if using an iPod brings about a positive change in rehat, that is probably a good thing!

Hi

Just a small thing to add.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=5439
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=5439
Though listening to recorded paath is good, and helps a person to focus, try not to get into his habit too much, especially if you do this in the context of your working life (i.e while you're doing other things).

It becomes very easy to "tune out" and never really listen. (lately, i've been guilty of this)

I always find it better to wake up just that little bit earlier, sit down with a gutka and concentrate in peace and quiet.

I think more what i'm trying to emphasise is making sure to do it with a singleness of mind, be it via recording or any other method.
For me, doing it this way, right in the morning, has always made my day more fulfilling with gurbani permeating my thoughts throughout the rest of the day. I just end up remembering HIM much more....