Today it seems we are more lost than ever from the teachings of our Guru, we are forgetting Guru Gobind Singh's words; Rehit Binaa Neh Sikh Kehavai, Rehit Binaa Dar Chotaa Khhaavai. This means that: Without the Rehat (the code of conduct) he should not be called a Sikh. Without the Rehat, the doors are closed in his face.
Guru has told us than when we follow his words, he will bless us, but when we slacken in our faith and discipline, Guru Ji does not shower us with his blessings. We forget Guru Ji's own words "Rehat is more important to me than a Sikh". Why is this? Guru Ji has 25 million Sikhs worldwide. He does not need any more. What Guru Ji loves is the Singh or Singhnee who follows Guru Nanak Sahib Ji's words; "If you desire to play this game of love with me, then step onto My Path with your head in your hand. When you place your feet on this Path, give me your head, and do not pay any attention to public opinion."
One who is steadfast in his faith in the Guru and all of the Gurus teachings is a Gursikh, not one who decides which parts of Sikhi he or she wants to follow, deciding which parts of the divinely inspired Sikhi are appropriate and which parts aren't.
Guru says "What useless activities are you attached to? Your life-night is coming to its end. The animals and the birds frolic and play - they do not see death. Mankind is also with them, trapped in the net of Maya (worldly illusion)... that dwelling (one's own body) which you will have to abandon and vacate - you are attached to it in your mind." If one wastes day after day in shallow worldly pursuits, their precious chance of liberation will be over. To begin to follow the true Gursikh path is much more fruitful than any worldly pursuits. Drinking, clubbing and other such activities provide only short term, shallow enjoyment and destruction to the inner body.
Whilst it is easy to say "I will take Amrit later" or "only the very religious take Amrit, it is not necessary", or "I go to the Gurdwara once a week and pray, what more is needed", until one has experienced life the way our infinitely wise Guru have told us to live, how can we comment? The Gurus were not stupid. They were not mere men; every word they said came through them from God; Guru Ji tells us "Dhur Ki Bani Aaee" – what they spoke came from God. For a change in lifestyle for only a few months of our lives, our entire path on this world may very possibly be changed.
For those who have attempted to practice Khalsa Rehat, done Paath and Amritvela consistently with Pyaar for even a short period of time, they have seen for themselves the hidden gem in Sikhism which today's modern youth have forgotten, rejecting the nectar instead for the mud and dirt.
To begin walking on the Sikh path a person can start with making small amounts of Paath part of one's daily lifestyle, and over time the Rehat can be integrated into one's life to accelerate spiritual progress. More Paath will make Rehat easier, and a stronger Rehat makes more Paath easier. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji tells us "O servant Nanak, among millions, there is scarcely anyone who attains the Lord's meditation." To be gifted with the good karma from past lifetimes to realize the Truth, or even to attempt to practice the Truth, is truly a gift that many of us squander away. The path of Gursikhi is difficult in the beginning, but if we take one step towards the Guru the Guru will in turn come one hundred steps closer to us. To harbor false delusions of what Sikhi is and how release from this world is obtained, will not help one in the end, as Gurbani clearly tells us, the majority of us are consigned back to the wheel of reincarnation, and only those truly devoted to God reach a resting place.
It is often commented that outside Punjabi culture Sikhism is thriving, whilst within Punjabi culture Sikhism is dying out. This is true in a way, there are many thousands of white Sikhs in America/ UK and eslewhere according to surveys. However it is also true that many Monna Manmukh (cut haired) Punjabis are tasting the blissful flavor of the Naam, growing their hair, following the Guru's Path and are becoming much better Sikhs than many of those who have kept their hair from birth.
In Guru Granth Sahib it says "For him who is without the Guru, there is no liberation." Do not forget that Guru Gobind Singh's 47th Hukam from Nanded was; "Live and die a Kesadhari Sikh". Do not dishonor the Gurus' sacrifices by squandering the opportunity you have been given. They have died for your freedom to practice religion which we all are guilty of squandering.
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