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What Is Prayer? Should Sikhs Pray?
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<blockquote data-quote="Luckysingh" data-source="post: 163716" data-attributes="member: 16886"><p>Harryji, the above actions quoted do constitute as a form of praying. When I say 'form', I will explain more clearly further down. It actually reminds me of something I learnt back in school** -'We should pray all the time'-**</p><p>Although this was christian taught and something of value it makes us realise how we can all achieve this.</p><p>Many of us are too absorbed in our daily work lives that we don't have the chance to reflect on ourselves. Be it too busy trying to please employer, or too busy in business aspect whatever, work life and employment can be too demanding for some that they are not always able to do this. You are very lucky that you find it possible in this sense.</p><p>To be able to pray all the time no matter what else you are doing by asking the lord for wisdom and inspiration for your actions is only achievable by some and something we should all try more often.</p><p> </p><p>It's important to understand the difference between prayer and worship.</p><p>Although these two are often termed together, doesn't mean they are the same act. Act of worship is not always an act of prayer.</p><p> </p><p>Prayer is like I explained previously, talking to God or having a quiet conversation, requesting, asking for an action.....</p><p> </p><p>Worship can be thanking the lord for an action, expression of gratitude, praising, singing, Kirtan, hymns and katha are all acts of worship.</p><p> </p><p>However, Worship in terms of sadh sangat can be regarded as a prayer, like all standing and doing the ardaas. This act of joint congregation is one example when worship and prayer closely overlap. Quite recently we noticed many Gurdwaras having akhand paths for Balwant Rajoana, this is in essence a prayer for him by all the congregation, again it overlaps with acts of worship. I know some people do like to associate worship, when they reference a group of people contributing to prayer wether it be seva or kirtan. Therefore, some may find it easier to asscoiate worship with a holy gathering or sadh sangat and Not as a 'pooja' as per hindu terms.</p><p> </p><p>Getting to this we can further divide prayer into 3 subtypes</p><p>.</p><p>1st, The personal prayer that is done by one self and God, no interventions.This is often done quietly whenever or wherever one feels it appropriate.</p><p> </p><p>2nd, We could have praying the naam or jap. Everyone has personal differences in their concepts for Naam and Jap, I won't go into it too much here as I've mentioned it in another post. Here I'm referring to any prayer that relates the word of the shabad or bani to your prayer. Wether it be reading Japji, sukhmani, a single shabad being repeated ...etc... It's reading, reciting the word from the bani and reflecting it on yourself. </p><p>Most sikhs are very content with this sort of prayer and ardaas. Arising at amritvela and doing nitnem as per rehat is this form of prayer that goes well with spirituality.</p><p> </p><p>3rd, Is similar to what you described above. Living with the prayer or having the rememberance and word of God with you throughout your living day.. Carrying out daily actions by asking for wisdom and inspiration from Guru.This also includes acts of seva or selfless service. Having the naam or word with you 'aaght pairr'</p><p> </p><p>Now the above is not just my opinion, it's my explanation for myself in all honesty.</p><p>I don't expect any one to adapt or follow the prayer and it's subtypes theory. It is just a personal theory like many others I may have. </p><p>However, I do feel it important that we understand that prayer and worship are different, but in certain situations they may and can overlap very closely as explained above.</p><p> </p><p>Harryji, I hope this helps answer your question about wether your actions constitute to prayer or not. In my view, yes, but I gave subtypes for clarity. I may have learnt these in the past and adpated them into lines of sikhi.</p><p> </p><p>Now, the other point you mentioned was </p><p><span style="color: blue"><em>Sin by its very nature brings guilt, guilt is bad, I think that is why Sikhism does not recognise sin, sure, we are not all perfect, but better to try and be pure through wisdom and understanding, than beat yourself over the head with a big stick, which is what guilt is.</em></span></p><p> </p><p>I understand your point here with reference to guilt. As sikhs we must try to overcome all negativities of our own mind or 'mann'</p><p>This includes feelings of guilt, fear and regret. As manmukhs we have to try and eradicate these, we only experience them because we are manmukh.</p><p> </p><p>I explained what the term 'sin' meant to me in relation to 'paap' done intentionally and unintentionally.</p><p>Giving in to the power of any of the 5 thieves also comes across as acts of sin to me. Our minds do cause feelings of guilt to actions we clearly know are wrong or done with intention.</p><p> </p><p>The important point to note here is, that I am also referring to UNintentional actions, ie. any paap that is done without realising, or mistakes and hurting we may cause other folk (by ego usually) without even realising how they feel or how hurt they may be.</p><p>These actions WILL NOT cause us any guilt, as we don't realise. It is for these that we ask 'Bhull Chuk Maarf' or forgiveness. </p><p>In all honesty, I don't know how often I may even be doing this in all my interactions with different people throughout any given day.</p><p> </p><p>I'm sure you must be able to recall a situation where someone, wether family or friend got offended as they misinterpreted a comment you may have made. In your own view, you made an innocent remark or comment, but they were offended and hurt by such action.- I'm sure we have all experienced this at one time or the other. </p><p>So, what do we do when this happens or occurs??</p><p>Now, some will deal with it ignorantly as they couldn't care less. To them it will seem that it's the others fault for perceiving it in a crooked way. This attitude brings on NO GUILT or shame.</p><p>On the other hand, some will be shocked and sorry that they have caused such pain to others, even though it was totally unintended. This attitude would bring on GUILT and embarassment, although very undeserved in some opinions.</p><p> </p><p>Do you see what I'm getting at here, -Sin or paap does not always mean guilt, and guilt does not always mean such a sin.</p><p>So, to me personally, -I feel no shame, harm or guilt the majority of the times that I may mention forgiveness in my own personal prayer.</p><p> </p><p>I'm not encouraging this by any means, but if it helps with one's conscious, then there is no wrong or harm.</p><p>If it doesn't affect your conscious, then of course you have no need, it is different and personal to each and every one of us.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Harryji, I hope this clarifies some discrepancies you may feel in my previous comments.</p><p> </p><p>Waheguru</p><p>Lucky Singh</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Luckysingh, post: 163716, member: 16886"] Harryji, the above actions quoted do constitute as a form of praying. When I say 'form', I will explain more clearly further down. It actually reminds me of something I learnt back in school** -'We should pray all the time'-** Although this was christian taught and something of value it makes us realise how we can all achieve this. Many of us are too absorbed in our daily work lives that we don't have the chance to reflect on ourselves. Be it too busy trying to please employer, or too busy in business aspect whatever, work life and employment can be too demanding for some that they are not always able to do this. You are very lucky that you find it possible in this sense. To be able to pray all the time no matter what else you are doing by asking the lord for wisdom and inspiration for your actions is only achievable by some and something we should all try more often. It's important to understand the difference between prayer and worship. Although these two are often termed together, doesn't mean they are the same act. Act of worship is not always an act of prayer. Prayer is like I explained previously, talking to God or having a quiet conversation, requesting, asking for an action..... Worship can be thanking the lord for an action, expression of gratitude, praising, singing, Kirtan, hymns and katha are all acts of worship. However, Worship in terms of sadh sangat can be regarded as a prayer, like all standing and doing the ardaas. This act of joint congregation is one example when worship and prayer closely overlap. Quite recently we noticed many Gurdwaras having akhand paths for Balwant Rajoana, this is in essence a prayer for him by all the congregation, again it overlaps with acts of worship. I know some people do like to associate worship, when they reference a group of people contributing to prayer wether it be seva or kirtan. Therefore, some may find it easier to asscoiate worship with a holy gathering or sadh sangat and Not as a 'pooja' as per hindu terms. Getting to this we can further divide prayer into 3 subtypes . 1st, The personal prayer that is done by one self and God, no interventions.This is often done quietly whenever or wherever one feels it appropriate. 2nd, We could have praying the naam or jap. Everyone has personal differences in their concepts for Naam and Jap, I won't go into it too much here as I've mentioned it in another post. Here I'm referring to any prayer that relates the word of the shabad or bani to your prayer. Wether it be reading Japji, sukhmani, a single shabad being repeated ...etc... It's reading, reciting the word from the bani and reflecting it on yourself. Most sikhs are very content with this sort of prayer and ardaas. Arising at amritvela and doing nitnem as per rehat is this form of prayer that goes well with spirituality. 3rd, Is similar to what you described above. Living with the prayer or having the rememberance and word of God with you throughout your living day.. Carrying out daily actions by asking for wisdom and inspiration from Guru.This also includes acts of seva or selfless service. Having the naam or word with you 'aaght pairr' Now the above is not just my opinion, it's my explanation for myself in all honesty. I don't expect any one to adapt or follow the prayer and it's subtypes theory. It is just a personal theory like many others I may have. However, I do feel it important that we understand that prayer and worship are different, but in certain situations they may and can overlap very closely as explained above. Harryji, I hope this helps answer your question about wether your actions constitute to prayer or not. In my view, yes, but I gave subtypes for clarity. I may have learnt these in the past and adpated them into lines of sikhi. Now, the other point you mentioned was [COLOR=blue][I]Sin by its very nature brings guilt, guilt is bad, I think that is why Sikhism does not recognise sin, sure, we are not all perfect, but better to try and be pure through wisdom and understanding, than beat yourself over the head with a big stick, which is what guilt is.[/I][/COLOR] I understand your point here with reference to guilt. As sikhs we must try to overcome all negativities of our own mind or 'mann' This includes feelings of guilt, fear and regret. As manmukhs we have to try and eradicate these, we only experience them because we are manmukh. I explained what the term 'sin' meant to me in relation to 'paap' done intentionally and unintentionally. Giving in to the power of any of the 5 thieves also comes across as acts of sin to me. Our minds do cause feelings of guilt to actions we clearly know are wrong or done with intention. The important point to note here is, that I am also referring to UNintentional actions, ie. any paap that is done without realising, or mistakes and hurting we may cause other folk (by ego usually) without even realising how they feel or how hurt they may be. These actions WILL NOT cause us any guilt, as we don't realise. It is for these that we ask 'Bhull Chuk Maarf' or forgiveness. In all honesty, I don't know how often I may even be doing this in all my interactions with different people throughout any given day. I'm sure you must be able to recall a situation where someone, wether family or friend got offended as they misinterpreted a comment you may have made. In your own view, you made an innocent remark or comment, but they were offended and hurt by such action.- I'm sure we have all experienced this at one time or the other. So, what do we do when this happens or occurs?? Now, some will deal with it ignorantly as they couldn't care less. To them it will seem that it's the others fault for perceiving it in a crooked way. This attitude brings on NO GUILT or shame. On the other hand, some will be shocked and sorry that they have caused such pain to others, even though it was totally unintended. This attitude would bring on GUILT and embarassment, although very undeserved in some opinions. Do you see what I'm getting at here, -Sin or paap does not always mean guilt, and guilt does not always mean such a sin. So, to me personally, -I feel no shame, harm or guilt the majority of the times that I may mention forgiveness in my own personal prayer. I'm not encouraging this by any means, but if it helps with one's conscious, then there is no wrong or harm. If it doesn't affect your conscious, then of course you have no need, it is different and personal to each and every one of us. Harryji, I hope this clarifies some discrepancies you may feel in my previous comments. Waheguru Lucky Singh [/QUOTE]
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What Is Prayer? Should Sikhs Pray?
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