How important is Matha Tekking?

Ambarsaria · #19 (**permalink**) 21-May-2012, 23:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harry haller

Sis,

my personal feeling? it does not even have to be for anyone else's benefit, I think some people kid themselves that the more elaborate the Matha Tek, the more operatic the recitation, the more Path, the bigger the turban, the more parshad butter they can wipe on their beards all add up to being a better Sikh, when in my view, the best Sikh is the anonymous bloke, or lady, at the back who quietly comes in, does some seva, listens to the kirtan, learns something, validates his thinking maybe, and then leaves and carries on being a Sikh, on the way home, when he gets home, when he wakes up, when he goes to work,

I think people can fool themselves as well as trying to fool others

Harry Haller ji I told you to not share what I do when going to a Gurdwara and Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji being in presence

.

As part of an associated behavior, I would normally not put my back towards Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji at one time. Many people you perhaps see these days walking backwards after "Matha Tek". It came up as a point of note with one of my friends. He simply stated most elegantly,

Quote:

Once you have offered your head in "Matha Tek" to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, what else is needed.

Hence this habit of mine got abandoned.

In terms of bowing before Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. I treat the wisdom thereof and love of that wisdom as a person. Matha Tek is simply an expression of this and while on the ground prostate, I do talk to myself. No demands just reminders to self of being good, being better, being caring, wishing well, etc. So I find it functionally OK and unique time. But again to each their own.

Fundamentally if your heart has no respect, 100,000+ "Matha Teks" are not going to make it any better. Choice is for each one of us to show or not overtly show respect.

Sat Sri Akal.

Archived_member15 · #20 (**permalink**) 21-May-2012, 23:50 PM

BTW in the West, Catholics used to do the full ground bows - the "full whammie" so to speak - until 1502, when genuflection became standardized. Also in Eastern Catholic Churches there are no seats but just a floor where everyone stands and of course bows at the appropriate times, whereas in western Catholic Churches there are seats - called pews - which is why we stopped doing the full one and instead brought in genuflection when entering Church, just before you sit down on the seat, and when leaving, always facing the altar.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-sikhi-sikhism/38540-how-important-is-matha-tekking.html

We also still kneel down in our seats, putting our legs onto a kind of comfy cushion in front of us during the Eucharistic part of the mass, so we do bowing that way as well, and our head is of course bowed. I DO bow during this part - so I'm not a complete rebel

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38540

It kind of became difficult to do all that bowing in Churches along with seats which is why we had the change in 1502

But as I say in Eastern Catholic Churches they still do the full thing, much like Sikhs.

Eastern Catholics and Western Catholics share the exact same faith, we differ only in our cultural diversity, in customs etc. We are the same Church though.

Kanwaljit Singh · #21 (**permalink**) 22-May-2012, 06:45 AM

Matha tek to show love for Guru is just show off. Math tek which comes with love for Guru, without thinking is true respect.

Luckysingh · #22 (**permalink**) 22-May-2012, 07:57 AM

Quote from above
Once you have offered your head in "Matha Tek" to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, what else is needed

Ambarsariaji, I have to agree with your friends quote.
Although, many times I feel it disrespectful if I just matha tek and walk straight out without turning around, so if I haven't for some reason sat down after, then I will try to make the effort to turn around or it just makes me feel guilty for not sitting ! even if I have a valid reason for not sitting.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38540
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38540

Now, here in Vancouver I have noticed that there seems to be this tradition with a lot of the sangat to first matha tek, then get up and circle around the Guru Granth Sahib one time and then sit down. This often involves them going on to the so called stage and then back down. It is something that I don't remember encountering much in UK. I think there were very small numbers that did this back there, but here the numbers are huge.

In all honesty I have never done this, my personal reason I shall give-

When I was new here, I had my aunty with me and one time I offered a 'rumalla' to the gurdwara with my matha tek. Now, my aunty told me that I should matha tek, make the offering and then walk or circle around the Guru Granth Sahib. - I strongly refused to do this as deeply I felt this to be the offering of my head. As I am not amrithdhari, I felt that I haven't offered my head to the amrit baptism then it is wrong for me to falsely offer it here.
This is just my own understanding but I strongly felt this way inclined.

I do still feel sometimes that it should only be done by those willing to offer the head. Although, no one has ever stated this, but It's just my assumption.

When I'm sitiing there and I see others taking this circle route around the Guru Granth Sahib, I know I shouldn't say or feel this,- But, I can't help thinking that 'is this person really prepared to offer their head ?', especially if they are not amritdhari.
I know this is probably a biased and wrong thought, but in all honesty I can't help it.
I sometimes get a little annoyed if I feel an unsuitable person is taking the circle,or if I feel that they haven't washed and got up at amritvela -I know that's bad, but I'm being honest about a weakness here. Just because someone's amritdhari doesn't mean they are more prepared than the non-amritdhair to offer their head, I know and understand.

Perhaps someone may make this act after matha tek a little clearer.

Gyani Jarnail Singh · #23 (**permalink**) 22-May-2012, 13:48 PM

Lucky singh ji..From where did you get the idea that the GURU only wants "amritdharee heads" and NOT the non-s..." The GURU is for ALL..not exclusively for amrtidharees..or nons....Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji makes this clear...its UNIVERSAL GURBANI form the Creator..and we are Kudrat ke sabh bandeh...Ek noor te sabh jag upjiyah..

Scarlet Pimpernel · #24 (**permalink**) 22-May-2012, 17:40 PM

Quote:

GURU only wants "amritdharee heads"

Our Guru has no want.

Gyani Jarnail Singh · #25 (**permalink**) 22-May-2012, 20:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scarlet Pimpernel

Our Guru has no want.

well in a matter of speaking..maybe..BUT Guru Gobind Singh ji did stand up on stage and demanded a Head five times..and He got them. I am not sure he "wanted" the heads ???/ Guru nanak ji also wrote..je ko prem khelan ka chao..sir dhar gali meri ao.....again.."want" or "need"..or what ?? icecreammunda

Scarlet Pimpernel · #26 (**permalink**) 22-May-2012, 20:29 PM

Quote:

maybe..

Maybe he asked for what which he knew we needed.

Taranjeet singh · #27 (**permalink**) 23-May-2012, 05:16 AM

Responding to original Post, here are some of the thoughts:

Even if one is unable to extend onself to take Babaji in embrace, one should do it;

Even if one is not able to snap off ego boundaries , one should do it;

Even if one does not like it, one should do it,
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38540

His grace comes to us through Baba ji through our 'unconscious' wisdom-self or 'conscious' self. Submission of self ensures its receipt. Let one become a part that smoothens the flow of this Grace that one may always reject afterward but Let that one should become so that divine purpose be achieved.

So do it so that there is no Hindrance in the Divine flow of Grace. What and why others do be not thy concern.Let it be so if it is so.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38540

I am reminded of a line of Japu ji Sahib...

Lakh sianapa..hovey ta ek na chalay naal
Kiv sachiara hoveea kiv kurre Tute paal.

plus
While in Rome do as the Romans do..
And
Some keertanayes sing and recite the following before taking up the shabad.
Dandaut Vandan Anik Baar Sarab Kala Samrath;
Dolan te Rakhu Prabhu Nanak de kar hath....