I'm Losing More and More Faith in Sikhism/God Everyday... Please Help!!

Recently I have been stressing out over exams and other stuff and not taken a break from my life in the last few months to consider religion, up until the christmas holidays.

I've always considered myself a Sikh and over these holidays ive been thinking alot about religion, how i want to live life and how a Sikh should live their life. While ive been doing this i've just been getting the feeling that everytime something has come to challenge my faith, any controversies ive been convincing and fooling myself to beleive that there is a god and Sikhism is the right path. As a result im starting to feel like my whole life has just been a lie and dedicated to something which is a complete waste. I feel like ive never really been a sikh, just been deluding myself.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/questions-and-answers/33832-im-losing-more-more-faith-sikhism.html

The thing is I just havent seen sikhism work, I dont know that its true. In school in history and science lessons were told to look for evidence and look for proof of things working and i just can't find any examples of Sikhi being true.

How do we know that the Gurus performed miracles, how do we know that Guru Nanak Dev Ji's handprint is truly in the boulder at Panja sahib. How do we know Baba Ram Rai performed 72 miracles, How do we know that Baba Deep Singh Ji was able to carry on living after being beheaded, how do we know Gurbani can truly cure cancer and lead to "supernatural expereinces". All tese people who are referred to as "Bhai Ji's" are claimed to have seen god, how do we know it wasnt a hallucination?

My faith has always been suppored by the fact that there is a God, and that Sikhism was founded by the True Gurus who were dent BY God. Perhaps this was naive and the wrong approach, but if theres no evidence that Sikhism works then how are we expected to follow it? As a result im loosing faith, i think the only thing keeping my inside is fear of my family. It would be easy for me to start doing prayer, but im just scared im going to be tricking my own self into beleiving in God, and if im wrong, then I will have wasted even more of my life.

I can't call myself a sikh unless i take the first step and have faith. But i want to have faith can someone please show me the right step to take and how to start beleiveing?

 
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The way I see it: there's miracles happening all the time. The fact that we have people who love us is a miracle, the fact that most of us never go hungry is a miracle, the fact that we feel safe is a miracle.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=33832

You get to go to school to learn, to pursue what you want in life, thats a miracle too.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION & CONSIDERATION:

Religion vs Faith
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=33832

I think we all get caught up and get sooo emotional when people start talking "religion." Immediately people start to get in their corners and get their defenses up and come out fighting. People it's not religion that is the main point here, it's really FAITH!

Man has always from his very first breath has been searching for his "god" his creator. We have this need so deep within our spirit that it becomes a life long search for something. We may not have a name for "it" but we know that "it" is out there and waiting for us to come to "it" to come home so to speak.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=33832

Faith is believing in something that you know is there but you can't see it you just KNOW it without question and it really doesn't make any human sense. It makes sense to your inter being your soul so to speak. When you have faith in something that you know is bigger than yourself you start to seek alone time with yourself and your spirit "it". You do begin finding certain emotions and an awareness that you never had before in your world and your life and the meaning and purpose of your life here on this earth. There in comes faith. There is a God and He is our purpose and creator. We find peace within when we find and accept that he does have a path for us to follow. But it's just getting up every morning believing that this is going to be a great day because I am totally loved and accepted in such away that is so awesome and unbeieviably beautiful. Faith is not religion. Religion is man made not made by God. Faith is our own path that we each take to find our own God and fill our spirit with his love and his grace everyday. Anyway, that is a short version of what I am trying to confess to you what my heart is telling me in my journey on my personal path. Faith is very much a journey that we embark for a lifetime and has many ups and downs but also brings up much joy and peace

- Enigma Publiu



- Paracelsus - famous physician in the 16th century.

twtpgxhz ji your doubts are no different than my doubts.

In my opinion and belief, Chamatkars are no part of sikhi whether associated with Gurus or others. Our Gurus got people to think and challenge their ill founded or blind faith. The Gurus never encouraged blind faith and this is a cornerstone of sikhism.

There are unexplained occurrences (parchariks and Bhais some times take liberty and call these Chamatkars and the sangat bows) but the object should be to find the truth as much as possible and avoid classification.

Find the good in Sikhism and don't stress over the things other believe in that you don't want to. Everyone finds their own balance and some do through learning and questioning while others do through blind faith or like to follow.

Sat Sri Akal.

It just seems to me like Sikhism doesnt deliver what it promises. I've always been told that a Sikh person can see god and all doubt can be dispelled by meditation on Naam. The problem is no-one in the last 75 years can claim to have seen God. Who is there? The Learders of sikhi? if they had seen God surely they would be so enlightened that they would not make mistakes in how they live their lives, yet Professor Darshan Singh Ji was excommunicated, and had a dispute with several other leaders of Sikhi, who by all rights have followed Sikhi, meditated long enough and with enough love on the naam and done enough prayer to have seen God. How can these people who by all rights should be so enlightened have an arguement about Sikhi?
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=33832

The stories of the times of the Guru's never showed such things to happen.

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=33832
Im not losing faith because i havent seen or experienced God, its becuase i'm beggining to beleive no-one else has. I knowit is wrong to look for a "person" Guru and i know my faith should lie in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, not in a person, of all 11 Guru's 10 seemed to have performed miracles, and Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji hasnt performed any.

I would also like to apologise for any offence I have caused, but this is just how I feel, I don't want to hide it or cover it up, these are the big issues which challenge my faith and in order to become a stronger sikh I must confront them and thats why i'm talking like this, I apologise for any disrespect I have caused.

It sounds as if you are approaching Sikhism in an incorrect manner. The reason you are losing faith is because it not well grounded. What it IS grounded in is some incomplete perception of Sikhism. It's hardly Sikhism.

You asked whether it works? Well, that depends. If you treat Sikhism as something you simply believe in and expect magic to happen then you couldn't be more wrong.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=33832
Truth is Sikhism is hard work. It's less about belief and more about DO! Gurus set the example for that better than any person you'll find. (Hint: stop looking at others and contemplate on the ultimate models AKA 10 Gurus)
Sikhism requires years of introspective efforts. It's not for everyone as most people shy away from hard work. and it's a long process, with results that are not immediate. It really has nothing to do with miracles or supernatural experiences or supermen.

Check this out before continuing:http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-s...editation.html

Now if you read that link above, it will explain why meditation came to be and how it can reduce suffering. if you read it, the below will make sense.
Sikhism involves lots meditation, in an attempt to train our attentions to be able to notice things that pass below our radars as we go with our days. When we train to do this, we can uproot our ego, which is ultimately the cause of our suffering. Notice your replies, it's all about "I..." "me..." "my...", that is your ego, and it's suffocating you. Meditation attempts to extinguish this fire that's in you.

This model of meditation is what Sikhism is ultimately based on. It involves the following among others, but this should get you started:
1. Listening - to recitations of gurbani during akhand paths or in Gurudwara. Listening to kirtan.
This is not going to magically enlighten you. When you listen, you'll have to put all your focus in listening to the sounds. Whether you understand it or not. You should not identify with any thoughts that arise, meaning let them be. If you start thinking about things, just let the thought pass and get back to focusing.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=33832

2. Praising - This is involves doing the kirtan yourself. When you do this, again focus on your voice and words as you sing.

3. Remembering - Similar to kirtan, focus on the "naam" ie. waheguru, ram, allah, as you repeat it. Take a deep breath in, and release by saying the naam. Focus on your breath as it goes in, down the chest into your stomach (it doesn't really go there but it feels as if it does), then let it out and focus on the sounds that come out.

4. Volunteering - When you go to gurudwara or even at home, wash dishes or something... Focus on the act of washing. Concentrate.

These are some of the major practices in Sikhism, and none of them involve knowing whether Guru Nanak Dev ji' handprint was really on the stone. For the spiritual person, those things you mentioned are irrelevant. What matters is the practice of meditation. I have given you 4 forms in which meditation is practiced in. Allow yourself to experience meditation the next time you are sitting around doing nothing. It requires nothing but your mind.

last thing - avoid looking for results in other people. The focus is you. See if you can find results in yourself after practicing.

twtpgxhz sikhism does not promise you anything. It provides you the tool kit to achieve spirituality including searching for God within and without.

I've always been told that a Sikh person can see god and all doubt can be dispelled by meditation on Naam.

.... of all 11 Guru's 10 seemed to have performed miracles, and Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji hasnt performed any.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=33832

I am very sorry to say that something got mixed up in your guidance about sikhism. Literal meditation on Naam has possibly achieved some results but I believe in my mind, that it kind of closes your mind on discovery and leads you to wait for a flash of light to appear and one says, eureka I have seen God.

I do believe you are very honest person and I don't find any offence in your comments.

I will suggest study bani. Try to see the light within. Be good to yourself and see others how you want them to see you.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=33832

Sat Sri Akal.

twtpgxhz ji,
I agree with Bhagat ji in that you are approaching Sikhi from completely the wrong direction and I will do my best to explain why.
1) God is not a person that you "see". God is within each and every part of creation including ourselves as described by Mool Mantar. We have to try very hard to break down the barriers we build in ourselves to stop us connecting us from Ik Oankar. These barriers are kam, krodh, lobh, moh and hankar.
2) Sikhi is about living according to Gurbani. The miracles you mention are nothing to do with Sikhi. It is all about understanding and following Gurbani to make yourself a better person.
3) Waheguru looks after all creation no matter whether you believe or not. By believing and connecting with Waheguru we develop the ability to deal with the downs in our life so that is the reward-inner peace. Gurbani can't cure cancer but it can make it a hige amount easier to deal with.
4) The true miracles of Sikhi are how sleeping sheep were converted to warriors and able to rise up against tyranny during the Guru's time. The miracles of nature are also proof of God for me as Navdeep ji says above. The wonder you feel seeing a rainbow or waterfall. The wonder of a child's smile can't be explained just by science. The wonder about how this planet has such a rich array of life. These are the miracles we should be looking at.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=33832

Here's a post I wrote a while ago which may help http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-s...-possible.html
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=33832
I also recommend you start reading the Guru Granth Sahib ji so you actually understand Sikhi and what its all about. Here's something to get you started http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/gurmat...ikhi-marg.html
Jasleen

Thank you for your responses, I see that i's not looking at Sikhi correctly. I think alot of the older people like to bring thir kids over to Sikhi by wowing them with the story of miracles. I can now see how gurbani and meditation can be used to help overcome the 5 sins.

I'm now willing to follow adice and try meditation and have a closer more meaningful look at Gurbani, but i still have the doubt in my mind, I can't fool myself or deceive myself, im not going to go into it with full faith and beleif that it will help, and with a doubtful skeptical mind, can I truly benefit from these practices?

Also I still dont see how removing our sins and becoming better people relate to God. While it is true that possesing the 5 sins can damage our minds and bodies, I feel as though i can control them and partake in them in such a way i wont hurt myself or others around me, afterall I do have a conscious. For me the ultimate deterrant from the 5 sins was fear that they would distance me from God, now that im losing my faith I loom to them and see that they can perhaps bring joy, and there is no punishment.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=33832

I can't see how i can go into Sikhi without KNOWING there is a God and knowing that mediation and gurbani are the path to God.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=33832

Im going to try taking your advice but im really worried i'm just deluding myself into beleiving and don't posses true faith...

Does the way young Sikh's are being raised today worry you? the most inspirational stories for me hae always been how the Guru's and Bhagats and Sants were able to overcome obstacles through divine intervention. It was maintained by stories of living Sants. I feel like the basis of my faith was founded on a lie and as a result it no longer exists. If right now im a faithless person where do i find that spark to set it off in the right direction...?