Does God Want Me To Be Sikh?

SSA,

I have been looking into spirituality for the past 2 or so years. A friend of mine in England told me about Sikhism a while back. I was very fascinated to say the least.

Therefore, a few months back I went to the local gurdwara (if anyone's curious- it's the Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara in Rockville, MD). I was there only briefly (30 minutes) and I felt a bit awkward but I enjoyed it immensely. I wasn't able to go back b/c I didn't have a driver's license and my parent's didn't want me going back.

However, I finally got it, IDK how I feel about Sikhism though. I love Judaism a lot too but I think actually like Sikhi Dharma a bit more. Anyways, I feel like I have been seeing a lot signs lately. I was wondering if people could give me input. Do you all believe that G-d can communicate with us through signs or something (or I am just crazy )? Also, if anyone here is from the Rockville MD gurdwara (which seems unlikely), would the community be accepting of someone interested in Sikhism?

Anyways, that's my story.

WJKK WJKF!

Re: Does God Want Me to be Sikh

BTW is this thread in the right place?

Re: Does God Want Me to be Sikh

xkatz ji

Your short comments raise many issues. Some need to be tackled one at a time. I will get the conversation rolling.

The Rockville MD sangat. This is a very vital sangat on the east coast of the United States. It is also a very diverse sangat, including members who are followers of Western Sikh Dharma, and others who are what we term loosely, mainstream Sikhs. The gurdwara has for as long as I have been following it a strong educational program for every level. It has some noteworthy members who have contributed a lot to the panth.

http://www.ggsfusa.com/article.aspx?aid=7

Yes they would accept you. And more than most gurdwaras would probably also have the means and the motivation to teach and coach if that is what you are interested in.

Google that sangat and read all the links, news releases and other kinds of human interest stories. You will learn a lot and be able to decide whether you want to strike up a connection with them.

On a different note:
Your relationship with your parents. I implore you that you be very sensitive to your parents' feelings about the journey you think you may want to take. You are not yourself certain it seems.

I am not saying you should give up your search. I am saying, do not make this a power struggle between you and them. Especially because you are Jewish, what is challenged is more than 6000 years of history and suffering, an ethic as well as a set of religious beliefs, and an ethnic identity. They will not see this as switching from Baptist to Lutheran, but a change of historic and familial loyalty. There is no right and wrong in this contrast. Be kind, be compassionate, even when/if they seem stubborn and unreceptive. Do not judge them. In the end, Sikhi makes that demand on all of us....to be patient and reach out to those who do not understand, even when we feel so much pressure from them.

The life and death of Guru Arjan Dev sets the example. Protesting our way to Sikhi is not the path of the Guru.

Re: Does God Want Me to be Sikh

spnadmin said:

Your relationship with your parents. I implore you that you be very sensitive to your parents' feelings about the journey you think you may want to take. You are not yourself certain it seems.

I am not saying you should give up your search. I am saying, do not make this a power struggle between you and them. Especially because you are Jewish, what is challenged is more than 6000 years of history and suffering, an ethic as well as a set of religious beliefs, and an ethnic identity. They will not see this as switching from Baptist to Lutheran, but a change of historic and familial loyalty. There is no right and wrong in this contrast. Be kind, be compassionate, even when/if they seem stubborn and unreceptive. Do not judge them. In the end, Sikhi makes that demand on all of us....to be patient and reach out to those who do not understand, even when we feel so much pressure from them.

The life and death of Guru Arjan Dev sets the example. Protesting our way to Sikhi is not the path of the Guru.

Click to expand...

spnadmin ji,

You raise a very good point. When I used to talk to my parents I tried to be very civil. I told them how Sikhism is a lot like Judaism. But, they didn't seem to care and all they cared about was how they looked and how they were different. I think my parents just don't necessarily like Sikhs because they don't know much about them. I wish I could have a Sikh talk with them, but I don't think it would happen

Re: Does God Want Me to be Sikh

xkatz said:

spnadmin ji,

You raise a very good point. When I used to talk to my parents I tried to be very civil. I told them how Sikhism is a lot like Judaism. But, they didn't seem to care and all they cared about was how they looked and how they were different. I think my parents just don't necessarily like Sikhs because they don't know much about them. I wish I could have a Sikh talk with them, but I don't think it would happen

Click to expand...

It is too soon to have that talk. It looks like rejection. They are not ready to hear and you are not ready to explain.

When you have reached the place where you are yourself centered and confident and at peace with your decision, the words will come out right. When you know that you are a Sikh, the words will come out right. Now you are at the intellectual stage of learning and describing.

Once you have reached that place of quiet confidence, no matter what their reaction, you will be OK and so will they.

Re: Does God Want Me to be Sikh

spnadmin said:

It is too soon to have that talk. It looks like rejection. They are not ready to hear and you are not ready to explain.

When you have reached the place where you are yourself centered and confident and at peace with your decision, the words will come out right. When you know that you are a Sikh, the words will come out right. Now you are at the intellectual stage of learning and describing.

Once you have reached that place of quiet confidence, no matter what their reaction, you will be OK and so will they.

Click to expand...

I was going to give you a "thanks" but I have given you too many! Thanks for the advice

Re: Does God Want Me to be Sikh

xkatz Ji,
You are very young and it seems interested in exploring ideas. Sikhi is not an easy religion to practice although principles are incredibly simple. I know it is very difficult to advise people (we are not in their shoes) but I would compare the teachings and see which seems to be TRUE - the religion is based on Truth and anything that you may find is not or is dubious we should all consider and hopefully resolve.
I would take it as a research subject - there are a lot of things that we are still trying to unravel but your questions and responses will shed light on them.
As in anything if you close your eyes to some avenue you may miss things and the resulting impact may not be evident till too late.
May be you can discuss what you have already discovered how it is leading you along?

Re: Does God Want Me to be Sikh

xkatz said:

SSA,

I have been looking into spirituality for the past 2 or so years. A friend of mine in England told me about Sikhism a while back. I was very fascinated to say the least.

Therefore, a few months back I went to the local gurdwara (if anyone's curious- it's the Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara in Rockville, MD). I was there only briefly (30 minutes) and I felt a bit awkward but I enjoyed it immensely. I wasn't able to go back b/c I didn't have a driver's license and my parent's didn't want me going back.

However, I finally got it, IDK how I feel about Sikhism though. I love Judaism a lot too but I think actually like Sikhi Dharma a bit more. Anyways, I feel like I have been seeing a lot signs lately. I was wondering if people could give me input. Do you all believe that G-d can communicate with us through signs or something (or I am just crazy )? Also, if anyone here is from the Rockville MD gurdwara (which seems unlikely), would the community be accepting of someone interested in Sikhism?

Anyways, that's my story.

WJKK WJKF!

Click to expand...

If you believe that Onkar dwellls in each and ever one of us (notice I did not use the word God) and it is Truth.

If you believe "higher than truth is truthful living" - don't just talk the talk walk the walk.

If you believe "when all other means have been exhausted it maybe necesssary to draw the sword" - the path of the Warrior Saint.

If you believe that we should "recognise the human race as one".

Then Sikhism is for you! mundahug

Thanks for the input so far everyone. More would be appreciated!

God cannot "want" anything as God is not a person as per Sikh philosophy. God is not separate from us or the world around us and much more. The concept of God in Sikhi is quite unique and well described by the Mool Mantar. There are several excellent threads going into more detail......

findingmyway said:

God cannot "want" anything as God is not a person as per Sikh philosophy. God is not separate from us or the world around us and much more. The concept of God in Sikhi is quite unique and well described by the Mool Mantar. There are several excellent threads going into more detail......

Click to expand...

You are right that Sikhism definitely does not believe in an anthropomorphic deity. However, I can't really think of another good way to describe what I have been observing... :/ It's almost as if G-d is trying to "tell" me something.