Who Is A Sikh

[gurvinder_janu]

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Guru Piari Saadh Sangat Jeeo

I would be thankful if true meaning of sikh is conveyed.

In my opinion, a person who is learning how to merge with supreme/God/Waheguru is a sikh.

Please forgive me.

Regards

Gurvinder

 

[Shaheediyan]

Aside from the recent SGPC definitions of a "Sikh", by reflecting on Gurbani, one must first of all establish the true meaning of Guru.

The words Sikh and Guru are intricatly linked.

 

[Simmi]

Guru Fateh to all the members.

 

[kds1980]

Guru Fateh to all the members.

Sat sri akal and welcome to spn

 

[gsang]

a sikh is a person that may have on a turben or a sari.

 

[Shaheediyan]

"a sikh is a person that may have on a turben or a sari".

Lol, wouldn't that make life a lot less complicated!!

 

[Lionchild]

"a sikh is a person that may have on a turben or a sari".

Lol, wouldn't that make life a lot less complicated!!

good thing it is not that way :rofl!!:

 

[ekmusafir_ajnabi]

Extract from thread "SEVA"

A Sikh is one who
Recites the Naam of the Lord, (Naam japna)
Shares his bounty with others (Wand Shakna)
Earns an honest Living (Dharam di Kirat)

Through Seva and Gur ki Seva, one makes consistant progress towards renunciation of the Five Senses and the Five Evils and takes Dasband (10%) of his earnings for the less advantaged and (10% of 24hours)personal time (i.e. approx 2.5 hrs per day) devoted to meditation/simran.

Sikhi is not a holiday camp.


Ekmusafir_ajnabi

 

[simpy]

GURU JI DA HUKAM:

AMg 305​

ang 305​

Page 305​

​

mÚ 4 ]​

mu 4 ​

Fourth Mehl:​

​

gur siqgur kw jo isKu AKwey su Blky auiT hir nwmu iDAwvY ]​

gur sathigur kaa jo sikh akhaaeae s bhulukae outh har naam dhiaavai​

One who calls himself a Sikh of the Guru, the True Guru, shall rise in the early morning hours and meditate on the Lord's Name.​

​

audmu kry Blky prBwqI iesnwnu kry AMimRq sir nwvY ]​

oudhum kurae bhulukae purubhaathee eisunaan kurae anmrith sar naavai​

Upon arising early in the morning, he is to bathe, and cleanse himself in the pool of nectar.​

​

aupdyis gurU hir hir jpu jwpY siB iklivK pwp doK lih jwvY ]​

oupudhaes guroo har har jup jaapai sabh kilavikh paap dhokh lehi jaavai​

Following the Instructions of the Guru, he is to chant the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. All sins, misdeeds and negativity shall be erased.​

​

iPir cVY idvsu gurbwxI gwvY bhidAw auTidAw hir nwmu iDAwvY ]​

fir churrai dhivus gurubaanee gaavai behadhiaa outhadhiaa har naam dhiaavai​

Then, at the rising of the sun, he is to sing Gurbani; whether sitting down or standing up, he is to meditate on the Lord's Name.​

​

jo swis igrwis iDAwey myrw hir hir so gurisKu gurU min BwvY ]​

jo saas giraas dhiaaeae maeraa har har so gurasikh guroo man bhaavai​

One who meditates on my Lord, Har, Har, with every breath and every morsel of food - that GurSikh becomes pleasing to the Guru's Mind.​

​

ijs no dieAwlu hovY myrw suAwmI iqsu gurisK gurU aupdysu suxwvY ]​

jis no dhaeiaal hovai maeraa suaamee this gurasikh guroo oupudhaes sunaavai​

That person, unto whom my Lord and Master is kind and compassionate - upon that GurSikh, the Guru's Teachings are bestowed.​

​

jnu nwnku DUiV mMgY iqsu gurisK kI jo Awip jpY Avrh nwmu jpwvY ]2]​

jun naanuk dhoorr mungai this gurasikh kee joaap jupai avureh naam jupaavai​

Servant Nanak begs for the dust of the feet of that GurSikh, who himself chants the Naam, and inspires others to chant it. ||2||​

​

humbly asking for everybody's forgiveness

 

[Shaheediyan]

Thank you Surinder Ji, all the New Age and Neo-Sikh definitons mean nothing against Guru Ji's universal definition.

 

[Tejwant Singh]

A Sikh is the one who is ready to learn at anytime...anywhere.

Tejwant

 

[ekmusafir_ajnabi]

Fourth Mehl:​

gur siqgur kw jo isKu AKwey su Blky auiT hir nwmu iDAwvY ]​

gur sathigur kaa jo sikh akhaaeae s bhulukae outh har naam dhiaavai​

​

One who calls himself (or wants to call himself ) a Sikh of the True Guru, he should rise in the early morning hours on the following day and meditate on God's Name.​

​

audmu kry Blky prBwqI iesnwnu kry AMimRq sir nwvY ]​

​

oudhum kurae bhulukae purubhaathee eisunaan kurae anmrith sar naavai​

He should make an effort to rise early in the morning and bathe (spiritual cleanse) himself in the pool of Naam.​

​

aupdyis gurU hir hir jpu jwpY siB iklivK pwp doK lih jwvY ]​

oupudhaes guroo har har jup jaapai sabh kilavikh paap dhokh lehi jaavai​

​

Guru's instruction is to recite Har Har jaap, all transgression, misdeeds and blemishes shall be erased.​

​

iPir cVY idvsu gurbwxI gwvY bhidAw auTidAw hir nwmu iDAwvY ]​

fir churrai dhivus gurubaanee gaavai behadhiaa outhadhiaa har naam dhiaavai​

​

Following sun rise he should sing Gurbani and whilst sitting or standing he meditates in God's Name.​

​

jo swis igrwis iDAwey myrw hir hir so gurisKu gurU min BwvY ]​

jo saas giraas dhiaaeae maeraa har har so gurasikh guroo man bhaavai​

He should (one who calls himself a Sikh) in every breath and morsel contemplates over my Lord Har, That Sikh becomes pleasing to the Guru's mind.

​

ijs no dieAwlu hovY myrw suAwmI iqsu gurisK gurU aupdysu suxwvY ]​

jis no dhaeiaal hovai maeraa suaamee this gurasikh guroo oupudhaes sunaavai​

​

Unto whom my Master becomes kind and compassionate –upon such a Gursikh the Guru bestows his teachings.​

​

​

jnu nwnku DUiV mMgY iqsu gurisK kI jo Awip jpY Avrh nwmu jpwvY ]2]​

jun naanuk dhoorr mungai this gurasikh kee joaap jupai avureh naam jupaavai​

Servant Nanak begs for the dust of the feet of that GurSikh, who himself recites the Naam, and inspires others to recite it. ||2||​

​

​

As can be seen from the above Shabad, You can call yourself a Sikh but do you fit the above Bill of a Sikh. There is no slack or compromise provided by the Gurus.

Respected aad ji,

Coming back to the Yoga topic. A few words:

Saas Giraas – Yogic Breathing technique. – Pranyama
Sitting with folded legs whilst sitting in Meditation – Yogic Sitting postures - Padamasana or Sidhasana

A direct contradiction to the Thread by

Surinder Kaur Cheema:

“Why not Yoga Practices”

Why Guru Ji says 'NO' to yoga practices: ?????????????
yoga saadhna and other practices are used to bring mind into a state of peace/calmness. but these effects are not permanent as mind is not 100% at peace. so need to use these methods again and again to bring your mind back into that state.

Has our Guru’s got it wrong?
Or
Has Surinder Kaur ji got it wrong?

Is there a lack of understanding by the thread Author?

Bhakti Yoga ​

Bhakti Yoga is the path of devotion, the method of attaining God through love and the loving recollection of God. Most religions emphasize this spiritual path because it is the most natural. As with other yoga's, the goal of the Bhakta, the devotee of God, is to attain oneness with the Divine. The Bhakta attains this through the force of love, that most powerful and irresistible of emotions. It is nothing else than following the First Commandment which says: "to love God with all your heart, mind and soul."
This is the Yoga of selfless love, compassion, humility, purity and the desire and serious intention to merge with God. It is in our day to day life that Bhakti Yoga is truly practiced. Are we loving, compassionate and fair in our dealings with others? Jesus stated the ideal of Bhakti Yoga when he taught, "As you have loved me, love one another." When true love reigns, there can be no barriers; then harmony and fulfillment rule.
Hatha Yoga

Hatha Yoga generally includes a series of "Asanas" or "postures" combined with breathing exercises. Its original purpose was to create the physical strength, stamina and concentration necessary for effective meditation, i.e.: provide a path to a spiritual life. Today most Americans practice Hatha Yoga for the unique sense of health and well being it provides, without reference to its spiritual content. Even so, Hatha Yoga is not an ordinary stretching and toning exercise. The focus and discipline provide a sense of inner as well as outer balance. Hatha Yoga itself can be a path to enlightenment. Meanwhile modern medicine is busy researching the extraordinary health benefits produced by these 5,000 year old practice.
You can take a horse to water but cannot make him drink it.

I am not advocating any asanas here. You make-up your own minds.

Waheguru Waheguru Waheguru, Hey sachey patshah ji Apne Sikhan ton Bacchayee

Ekmusafir_Ajnabi

 

[spnadmin]

Speaking about yoga personally, I would be more comfortable discussing the question of yoga, asanas, and altenrative pathways to God in the ...No to Yoga thread.

On the topic of meditation in the Gurmat context,Guru Argan Dev ji had this to say.
Ang 641.

soriT mhlw 5 ]
sorath mehlaa 5.
ihrdY nwmu vswiehu ]
hirdai naam vasaa-iho.
Gir bYTy gurU iDAwiehu ]
ghar baithay guroo Dhi-aa-iho.
guir pUrY scu kihAw ]
gur poorai sach kahi-aa.
so suKu swcw lihAw ]1]
so sukh saachaa lahi-aa. ||1||
Apunw hoieE guru imhrvwnw ]
apunaa ho-i-o gur miharvaanaa.
And sUK kilAwx mMgl isau Gir Awey kir iesnwnw ] rhwau ]
anad sookh kali-aan mangal si-o ghar aa-ay kar isnaanaa. rahaa-o.
swcI gur vifAweI ]
saachee gur vadi-aa-ee.
qw kI kImiq khxu n jweI ]
taa kee keemat kahan na jaa-ee.
isir swhw pwiqswhw ]
sir saahaa paatisaahaa.
gur Bytq min Emwhw ]2]
gur bhaytat man omaahaa. ||2||
sgl prwCq lwQy ]
sagal paraachhat laathay.
imil swDsMgiq kY swQy ]
mil saaDhsangat kai saathay.
gux inDwn hir nwmw ]
gun niDhaan har naamaa.
jip pUrn hoey kwmw ]3]
jap pooran ho-ay kaamaa. ||3||
guir kIno mukiq duAwrw ]
gur keeno mukat du-aaraa.
sB isRsit krY jYkwrw ]
sabh sarisat karai jaikaaraa.
nwnk pRBu myrY swQy ]
naanak parabh mayrai saathay.
jnm mrx BY lwQy ]4]2]52]
janam maran bhai laathay. ||4||2||52||

If you are new to sikhism you can find the translation at Sri Granth Click on the page-by-page icon and you are in. Never too soon to learn how to read Bani by sticking your nose in between the pages.

 

[simpy]

SAAS GIRAAS

SAAS- breath

GIRAAS- morsel of food

i dont know what our dear Righteous ekmusafir Ji is mad about- there is no mension of yoga pranyama ji in the above Shabad Ji.

and about pranyama as well all the other paakhands- Guru Ji says-

AMg 912​

ang 912​

Page 912​

​

rwmklI mhlw 5 AstpdIAw​

raamukulee mehulaa 5 asuttupudheeaa​

Raamkalee, Fifth Mehl, Ashtapadees:​

​

<> siqgur pRswid ]​

ik ounkaar sathigur prusaadh ​

One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:​

​

iknhI kIAw privriq pswrw ]​

kinehee keeaa puravirath pusaaraa​

Some make a big show of their worldly influence.​

​

iknhI kIAw pUjw ibsQwrw ]​

kinehee keeaa poojaa bisuthaaraa​

Some make a big show of devotional worship.​

​

iknhI invl BuieAMgm swDy ]​

kinehee nivul bhueiangum saadhae​

Some practice inner cleansing teahniques, and control the breath through Kundalini Yoga.​

​

moih dIn hir hir AwrwDy ]1]​

mohi dheen har har aaraadhae​

I am meek; I worship and adore the Lord, Har, Har. ||1||​

​

qyrw Brosw ipAwry ]​

thaeraa bhurosaa piaarae​

I place my faith in You alone, O Beloved Lord.​

​

Awn n jwnw vysw ]1] rhwau ]​

aan n jaanaa vaesaa​

I do not know any other way. ||1||Pause||​

​

iknhI igRhu qij vx KMif pwieAw ]​

kinehee grihu thaj vun khundd paaeiaa​

Some abandon their homes, and live in the forests.​

​

iknhI moin AauDUqu sdwieAw ]​

kinehee mon aoudhooth sudhaaeiaa​

Some put themselves on silence, and call themselves hermits.​

​

koeI khqau Anµin BgauqI ]​

koee kehutho anunn bhugouthee​

Some claim that they are devotees of the One Lord alone.​

​

moih dIn hir hir Et lIqI ]2]​

mohi dheen har har outt leethee​

I am meek; I seek the shelter and support of the Lord, Har, Har. ||2||​

​

iknhI kihAw hau qIrQ vwsI ]​

kinehee kehiaa ho theeruth vaasee​

Some say that they live at sacred shrines of pilgrimage.​

​

koeI AMnu qij BieAw audwsI ]​

koee ann thaj bhaeiaa oudhaasee​

Some refuse food and become Udaasis, shaven-headed renunciates.​

​

iknhI Bvnu sB DrqI kirAw ]​

kinehee bhuvun subh dhuruthee kariaa​

Some have wandered all across the earth.​

​

moih dIn hir hir dir pirAw ]3]​

mohi dheen har har dhar pariaa​

I am meek; I have fallen at the door of the Lord, Har, Har. ||3||​

​

iknhI kihAw mY kulih vifAweI ]​

kinehee kehiaa mai kulehi vaddiaaee​

Some say that they belong to great and noble families.​

​

iknhI kihAw bwh bhu BweI ]​

kinehee kehiaa baah buhu bhaaee​

Some say that they have the arms of their many brothers to protect them.​

​

koeI khY mY Dnih pswrw ]​

koee kehai mai dhunehi pusaaraa​

Some say that they have great expanses of wealth.​

​

moih dIn hir hir AwDwrw ]4]​

mohi dheen har har aadhaaraa​

I am meek; I have the support of the Lord, Har, Har. ||4||​

​

iknhI GUGr inriq krweI ]​

kinehee ghooghur nirath kuraaee​

Some dance, wearing ankle bells.​

​

iknhU vrq nym mwlw pweI ]​

kinehoo vuruth naem maalaa paaee​

Some fast and take vows, and wear malas.​

​

iknhI iqlku gopI cMdn lwieAw ]​

kinehee thiluk gopee chundhun laaeiaa​

Some apply ceremonial tilak marks to their foreheads.​

​

moih dIn hir hir hir iDAwieAw ]5]​

mohi dheen har har har dhiaaeiaa​

I am meek; I meditate on the Lord, Har, Har, Har. ||5||​

​

iknhI isD bhu cytk lwey ]​

kinehee sidh buhu chaettuk laaeae​

Some work spells using the miraculous spiritual powers of the Siddhas.​

​

iknhI ByK bhu Qwt bnwey ]​

kinehee bhaekh buhu thaatt bunaaeae​

Some wear various religious robes and establish their authority.​

​

iknhI qMq mMq bhu Kyvw ]​

kinehee thunth munth buhu khaevaa​

Some perform Tantric spells, and chant various mantras.​

​

moih dIn hir hir hir syvw ]6]​

mohi dheen har har har saevaa​

I am meek; I serve the Lord, Har, Har, Har. ||6||​

​

koeI cquru khwvY pMifq ]​

koee chuthur kehaavai punddith ​

One calls himself a wise Pandit, a religious scholar.​

​

ko Ktu krm sihq isau mMifq ]​

ko khutt kurum sehith sio munddith ​

One performs the six rituals to appease Shiva.​

​

koeI krY Awcwr sukrxI ]​

koee kuraiaachaar sukurunee​

One maintains the rituals of pure lifestyle, and does good deeds.​

​

moih dIn hir hir hir srxI ]7]​

mohi dheen har har har surunee​

I am meek; I seek the Sanctuary of the Lord, Har, Har, Har. ||7||​

​

sgly krm Drm jug soDy ]​

sugulae kurum dhurum jug sodhae​

I have studied the religions and rituals of all the ages.​

​

ibnu nwvY iehu mnu n pRboDy ]​

bin naavai eihu mun n prubodhae​

Without the Name, this mind is not awakened.​

​

khu nwnk jau swDsMgu pwieAw ]​

kuhu naanuk jo saadhusung paaeiaa​

Says Nanak, when I found the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy,​

​

bUJI iqRsnw mhw sIqlwieAw ]8]1]​

boojhee thrisunaa mehaa seethulaaeiaa​

my thirsty desires were satisfied, and I was totally cooled and soothed. ||8||1||​

​

​

GURU JI ONLY TELL US TO DO NAAM SIMRAN NAAM SIMRAN AND NAAM SIMRAN.....................​

​

​

​

​

​

Please forgive me if i am hurting anybody's feelings about their self proclaimed beliefs​

 

[simpy]

even our Respected Bhai Gurdas Ji says:

AMg 5​

ang 5​

Page 5​

​

jq sq sMjm hom jg jp qp dwn pun bhuqyry]​

juth suth sunjum hom jug jup thup dhaan pun buhuthaerae​

Hypocrisy by and large enters into the praxis of continence, burnt offerings, feasts, penances and gifts.​

​

irD isD inD pwKMf bhu qMqR mMqR nwtk Aglyry]​

ridh sidh nidh paakhundd buhu thunthr munthr naattuk agulaerae​

Incantations and spells ultimately turn out to be hypocritical plays.​

​

bIrwrwDx jogxI mVHI mswx ivfwx Gnyry]​

beeraaraadhun jogunee murruee musaan viddaan ghunaerae​

The worship of the fifty-two heroes, of the eight yoginis of cemeteries and of places of cremation leads to whopping dissimulation.​

​

pUrk kuMBk ryckw invlI krm BuieAMgm Gyry]​

pooruk kunbhuk raechukaa nivulee kurum bhueiangum ghaerae​

People are obsessed with the pranayam exercises of the inhalation, suspension of breath, the exhalation, the niolr feat and straightening of kundalini the serpent power.​

​

isDwsn prcy Gxy hT ingRhY koqk lK hyry]​

sidhaasun puruchae ghunae huth nigrehai kothuk lukh haerae​

Many employ themselves in sitting in the siddhasanas and thus we have seen them seeking myriad miracles.​

​

pwrs mxI rswiexw krwmwq kwlk AwnHyry]​

paarus munee rusaaeinaa kuraamaath kaaluk aanuaerae​

The belief in the philospher's stone, the jewel in the serpent's head and the miracle of life immortalising elixir are nothing but the darkness of ignorance.​

​

pUjw vrq aupwrxy vr srwp iSv Skiq lvyry]​

poojaa vuruth oupaarunae vur suraap shiv shukath luvaerae​

People are engaged in the worship of idols of gods and goddesses, in fasting, uttering and giving blessings and curses.​

​

swD sMgq gur Sbd ivx QwauN n pwiex Bly Blyry]​

saadh sunguth gur shubudh vin thaao n paaein bhulae bhulaerae​

But without the holy congregation of the saints and the recitation of the Guru- sabad even the very good person cannot find acceptance.​

​

kUV iek gMFI sO Pyry ]÷]​

koorr eik guntee su faerae​

The superstitions bind themselves with a hundred knots of falsehood.

 

[simpy]

Dhan Dhan Siri Guru Arjan Dev Ji:

AMg 253​

ang 253​

Page 253​

​

pauVI ]​

pourree​

Pauree:​

​

|M|w Ktu swsqR hoie i|Awqw ]​

ngunngaa khutt saasuthr hoe ngiaathaa​

NGANGA: He may be a scholar of the six Shaastras.​

​

pUrku kuMBk ryck krmwqw ]​

pooruk kunbhuk raechuk kurumaathaa​

He may practice inhaling, exhaling and holding the breath.​

​

i|Awn iDAwn qIrQ iesnwnI ]​

ngiaan dhiaan theeruth eisunaanee​

He may practice spiritual wisdom, meditation, pilgrimages to sacred shrines and ritual cleansing baths.​

​

sompwk Aprs auidAwnI ]​

somupaak apurus oudhiaanee​

He may cook his own food, and never touch anyone else's; he may live in the wilderness like a hermit.​

​

rwm nwm sMig min nhI hyqw ]​

raam naam sung man nehee haethaa​

But if he does not enshrine love for the Lord's Name within his heart,​

​

jo kCu kIno soaU Anyqw ]​

jo kush keeno sooo anaethaa​

then everything he does is transitory.​

​

auAw qy aUqmu gnau cMfwlw ]​

ouaa thaeoothum guno chunddaalaa​

Even an untouchable pariah is superior to him,​

​

nwnk ijh min bsih gupwlw ]16]​

naanuk jih man busehi gupaalaa​

O Nanak, if the Lord of the World abides in his mind. ||16||



Dhan Dhan Siri Guru Nanak Dev Ji:

inaulI krm BuieAMgm BwTI ]​

nioulee kurum bhueiangum bhaathee​

Inner cleansing techniques, channeling the energy to raise the Kundalini to the Tenth Gate,​

​

ryck kuMBk pUrk mn hwTI ]​

raechuk kunbhuk pooruk mun haathee​

inhaling, exhaling and holding the breath by the force of the mind -​

​

pwKMf Drmu pRIiq nhI hir sau gur sbd mhw rsu pwieAw ]14]​

paakhundd dhurum preeth nehee har so gur subudh mehaa rus paaeiaa​

by empty hypocritical practices, Dharmic love for the Lord is not produced. Only through the Word of the Guru's Shabad is the sublime, supreme essence obtained.


HUMBLY ASKING FOR EVERYBODY'S FORGIVENESS- ME NEECH SIMPLY SHARING GURU JI'S WORD

 

[Randip Singh]

Thank you Surinder Ji, all the New Age and Neo-Sikh definitons mean nothing against Guru Ji's universal definition.

What do you mean by "Neo-Sikh" definitions?

Neo- \Ne"o-\ [Gr. ? youthful, new. See New.]

A prefix meaning new, recent, late; and in chemistry designating specifically that variety of metameric hydrocarbons which, when the name was applied, had been recently classified, and in which at least one carbon atom in connected directly with four other carbon atoms; -- contrasted with normal and iso-; as, neopentane; the neoparaffins. Also used adjectively.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

If by Neo you mean "New" then I would argue that all Sikh thought is new and fresh and constantly evolving. Sikh means to learn, so if you are saying New Learning, then again I would argue that it is every Sikhs ideal to learn aquire new knowledge rather than stagnate.

 

[simpy]

Respected Randip ji,

about the term NEO-SIKH, everybody gives their own definition.

read my definition of Neo-Sikh

these are those, who keep one or more aspect of Sikh Dharam BUT ADD THEIR OWN PHILOSOPHY TO IT, they misinterpret Gurbani to make it fit their own agenda, they make their own version of Sikh History...................

Examples- Radha Soami, Nirankari, NaamDhari, 3HO of yogi Bhajan, and many many more ...................

humbly asking for everybody's forgiveness

 

[spnadmin]

Randip ji

Absolutely, yes. Sikhism is THE modern religion. It would be wonderful to see a sustained dialog on this observation you have made.

God is always cheerful.

 

[Tejwant Singh]

Randip ji,

Guru Fateh.

Well said.

Some of us who have been trained to see Sikhi through the Abrahamic and/or Vedantic lens, still want to cling to our beliefs rather then embracing the Gurmat pragmatism. Knowledge is as fluid as gushing water down the mountains. As they say, Still waters breed mosquitoes whereas gushing waters mold boulders. Mindset is tough to mindoffset.

Tejwant

Related thread:

http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/inspirational-stories/16391-mindset.html