Considering Cutting My Hair?

dalbirk · #**118** (**permalink**) 19-May-2012, 14:38 PM

I wish to give my two cents :
1. In Sikhism IMHO hair were made compulsory to make us UNIQUE from Hindus & Muslims , also all other communities in the world .
2. Sikhs aim for overcoming five vices namely Lust , Anger , Greed , Attachment & Ego by practising five virtues namely Truth , Contentment , Mercy , Good Conduct & Contemplation . Sikhs should always remember God , try to remember & inculcate His qualities which are mentioned in MOOLMANTAR as There is One Universal God for whole humanity , His name is True ( He does exists ) , He is the Creator , Sustainer & Destroyer , Without Fear , Without Enmity , Beyond the realm of Time , Does not come in Cycles of births & deaths , His is Self Illuminated , He is achieved by the Grace of True Guru / Word Teacher / Sri Guru Granth Sahib . Sikhs should do Honest labour ( remember Honest labour comes before Naam ) , remember the qualities of God 24 hrs a day ( Naam Simran ) & share earnings with less fortunate .
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-youth/38179-considering-cutting-my-hair.html
3. The Sikhs were / are born to stand out , so they should not try to ASSIMILATE . If somebody is not confident from his heart & mind then even dressing like Barack Obama will not help him . Confidence always comes from inside . IMHO Sikhism is an unparralleled ideology / philosophy , if followed in full earnest will make a person popular among 7 billion inhabitants of the world with not having a single enemy in this Universe .

mr2guysingh · #**119** (**permalink**) 20-May-2012, 10:50 AM

I feel the opposite of OpenmindedSingh. My mom's family convinced her to get my hair cut when I was younger. They said that in school kid's will make fun of me, etc, etc. I feel like that is one of my biggest mistakes in life. When I was growing up, all the kids had their hair, and none of them wanted to play with me because their parent's didn't approve that my hair was cut. But now all those kids are older, and most have cut their hair because they want to.
Most of the time my hair is long, and I wear a hat to cover it, but then my beard gets long and my boss tells me I need to trim my beard. I want to became a full Sardar because my best friend is one, and I see how different he is treated in the Sikh community compared to someone who cut their hair. Everyone in my family has cut their hair; my cousin cut his hair a couple of years ago. He also wore a hat to cover his head, but he also trimmed his beard and did other things not allowed by Sikhs.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38179
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38179

It seems like more younger kid's are starting to cut their hair to blend in, and think that thing's will change for them. But in the end, it doesn't matter how you are on the outside, it is your personality. I've seen many Sardar's that have long hair, yet trim their beard and then go out clubbing and still get respected by the Sikh community, yet if the Singh that has his hair cut does none of that and has much more respect for his religion (except for the hair cutting pair) gets not as much.

It's it your choice, but I think you'll regret cutting your hair once you realize that thing's aren't going to change, and you'll see how different you'll be treated by the Sikh community.

Kanwaljit Singh · #**120** (**permalink**) 20-May-2012, 11:03 AM

The passed down history says that keeping uncut hair was the first and foremost thing asked from Sikhs, by even Guru Nanak. It is the first sign of you saying 'Yes Guru am ready to walk your Path!'. It is not like asking you to keep celibacy or fast. It is getting into your natural look. But it is ultimate test of dedication, specially for those who have been cutting or trimming hair. I can see why some brothers find it hard to keep hair uncut. Once you are into a habit, it is hard to get out. Still this a big external sign of acceptance that you have started walking on Guru's Path. I know many people with uncut hair go to do some un-sikh things. But people who say they can be good at heart while not keeping hair uncut are just getting carried away by ego. Don't do. Listen to yourself. Listen to your hair which will grow longer again and again. It is said there is a priest's mummy in Goa whose hair is turning black again. Remember our hair is gift of evolution. When I wrap and tie my hair on top of my head, I feel like my Guru is always holding my head in a blessing. It is a very special feeling. No other religion asks you to keep hair uncut and carry a comb (Kanga) on your person all the time. It is a really special and personal relationship. Don't lose it whether due to friends influence, trying to look good or even if you are simply in doubt!

kds1980 · #**121** (**permalink**) 20-May-2012, 12:51 PM

Quote:

I've seen many Sardar's that have long hair, yet trim their beard and then go out clubbing and still get respected by the Sikh community, yet if the Singh that has his hair cut does none of that and has much more respect for his religion (except for the hair cutting pair) gets not as much.

This is the unfortunate truth of sikh community.Large majority of them just want to see a turban and some beard and then you are automatically accepted as Sikh.There was hue and cry when when Cricketer Harbhajan singh walked ramp with his hair down,even SGPC objected that While the reality is Harbhajan shave/trims his beard,So when he was already not keeping his full hair why Sikh community objected when none of them raise objection When cut haired sikhs do something.

Ishna · #**122** (**permalink**) 20-May-2012, 13:28 PM

The grass is always greener on the other side. We always want what we can't have. No one wants to be told what to do.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38179

These are really difficult aspects of human nature to get over.

Inderjeet Kaur · #**123** (**permalink**) 20-May-2012, 15:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ishna

The grass is always greener on the other side. We always want what we can't have. No one wants to be told what to do.

These are really difficult aspects of human nature to get over.

Maybe it comes with age (maturity?). Sometime shortly after I turned 50, I realised all those dopey little things about my appearance that I had always disliked and wanted changed were just fine with me, in fact, I liked them. Even that receeding chinline that gives me a rather unintelligent-looking profile became sort of endearing to me, just because it was me.

I still don't like being told what to do except by Guru ji, then it's OK.

(Completely OT - or maybe not: Have you realised that Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji maharaj is the handbook for how to win the game of life?)

OpenmindedSingh · #**124** (**permalink**) 28-May-2012, 11:05 AM

thank you, Inderjeet ji!

Tell Ravi ji I said thank you and I really appreciate the offer, but due to scholastic and work commitments, I won't be able to accept it.

(haha, I never thought I'd get a trip to Haiti out of this conversation)
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38179

I'm still confused, but I received more lecturing from parents, none of which has made me any less confused. I was told Sakhis and stories from Sikh History, and although they are inspiring, they didn't really have an impact on me. I love Sikhi and I love Sikh History, but idk lecturing on Sikhi isn't really changing my mind at all.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38179

As of now, I've decided that this summer, I'm either going to go one way or the other. I'm not living the rest of my life as a sardar who cuts/trims his dhari (whether noticeable or not) and I'm not going to live as Sardar who maintains his dhari out of fear.

TigerStyleZ · #**125** (**permalink**) 28-May-2012, 21:59 PM

But isn´t it the fear - that makes you cut your hair?? In my eyes you are still confused.

Ishna ji , hit the nail on the top.
"The grass is always greener on the other side. We always want what we can't have. No one wants to be told what to do.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38179
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38179

These are really difficult aspects of human nature to get over."

I don´t understand you ! You love something and can have it, but you don´t take it!!
Many people love things but they can´t have it - they are willing to cut their arm to have it - but you??!?! Seriously what wrong with you?!?!

We are just trying to beware you from this mistake - but in end it is you - however.

I guess you need to have this mistake - I can´t /will not stop you , bro. We are all Children in our minds and we all have to learn. Maybe you can report back in 5-10 years . what happend to you after cutting.

Good luck (Sin)gh?

harry haller · #**126** (**permalink**) 28-May-2012, 22:18 PM

Tigerji,

I think you are mistaken, openmindedji does not love his hair, he just wishes to live life as he wants, and choose how he looks to the outside world, I still do not think Sikhi has anything to do with this thread, it is about social problems.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38179

We are all different, and we all have different thoughts on hair, we may not agree with him, but we should not damn him for being as honest as he has.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38179

Openmindedji, the cat is out of the bag now, the hard bit is over, I hope you find some compromise with your family, sometimes family is all we have, be careful, don't bet the ranch, Good Luck