Getting Started : Where To Start With My Sikhi Quest
Re: Getting started
Try and learn Japuji and understand its meaning.
Try and learn Japuji and understand its meaning.
- Jan 31, 2011
- 5,769
- 8,194
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Re: Getting started
Ask questions, lots of them, I would avoid talking to anyone, all you will get is that persons personal interpretation of Sikhism, and given most Sikhs follow a Vedicised version of Sikhism, and given most Gurudwaras observe Vedic customs such as full moon, half moon, no moon, your best bet if you wish to know about the Sikh values is to throw a question into the forum, read all the answers and then make your own mind up about what Sikhism means to you, and how it can help you on your life journey.
Some would say Sikhism is a religion, with religious customs and rituals, and they will suggest you follow these rituals and customs, but in my view, Sikhism is a code of conduct, a way of life, a manner of living that gives you best chance of being happy and content, and also dealing with the problems that come up in life, and how to avoid them in the first place.
so whatever it is about Sikhism that you wish to know more about, post it here and it will be good for all of us to interact, share and learn together
Ask questions, lots of them, I would avoid talking to anyone, all you will get is that persons personal interpretation of Sikhism, and given most Sikhs follow a Vedicised version of Sikhism, and given most Gurudwaras observe Vedic customs such as full moon, half moon, no moon, your best bet if you wish to know about the Sikh values is to throw a question into the forum, read all the answers and then make your own mind up about what Sikhism means to you, and how it can help you on your life journey.
Some would say Sikhism is a religion, with religious customs and rituals, and they will suggest you follow these rituals and customs, but in my view, Sikhism is a code of conduct, a way of life, a manner of living that gives you best chance of being happy and content, and also dealing with the problems that come up in life, and how to avoid them in the first place.
so whatever it is about Sikhism that you wish to know more about, post it here and it will be good for all of us to interact, share and learn together
- May 9, 2006
- 3,261
- 5,192
Re: Getting started
I'd suggest reading the Sikh Rehat Maryada (Code of Conduct) from the official Sikh governing body: http://sgpc.net/sikhism/sikh-dharma-manual.asp
It will give you a bit of an overview, and also a bit of knowledge to measure other things you read against.
Echoing what Kanwaljit veerji said, have a read of Japji Sahib (first bani in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji), from page 1 to 8. You can read Guru Granth Sahib Ji here: www.srigranth.org
It might not make too much sense at first, but familiarise yourself with it and things will start to fall into place eventually. You can also keep reading, the evening bani is next from pages 8 to 12 (starts from Rehras on page 8), and the bedtime bani is from page 12 to 13 (starts from Sohila on page 12).
There are other daily songs/"prayers" but they've taken from another book or from other places in the Guru Granth.
Read some history about Sikhi and Sikh Gurus... some other members can probably furnish some good links, I come up short here.
Be cautious reading websites, if it doesn't fit with the spirit of Guru Granth Sahib or the Rehat Maryada then question it carefully.
Yeah.
I'd suggest reading the Sikh Rehat Maryada (Code of Conduct) from the official Sikh governing body: http://sgpc.net/sikhism/sikh-dharma-manual.asp
It will give you a bit of an overview, and also a bit of knowledge to measure other things you read against.
Echoing what Kanwaljit veerji said, have a read of Japji Sahib (first bani in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji), from page 1 to 8. You can read Guru Granth Sahib Ji here: www.srigranth.org
It might not make too much sense at first, but familiarise yourself with it and things will start to fall into place eventually. You can also keep reading, the evening bani is next from pages 8 to 12 (starts from Rehras on page 8), and the bedtime bani is from page 12 to 13 (starts from Sohila on page 12).
There are other daily songs/"prayers" but they've taken from another book or from other places in the Guru Granth.
Read some history about Sikhi and Sikh Gurus... some other members can probably furnish some good links, I come up short here.
Be cautious reading websites, if it doesn't fit with the spirit of Guru Granth Sahib or the Rehat Maryada then question it carefully.
Yeah.
Re: Getting started
I feel I am always New to Sikhi. Every day I have to start all over again.
The longer I have been a student of the guru, the more I return to Japuji for answers. That is not where I began but where I have ended up.
I feel I am always New to Sikhi. Every day I have to start all over again.
The longer I have been a student of the guru, the more I return to Japuji for answers. That is not where I began but where I have ended up.
arshdeep88
SPNer
- Mar 13, 2013
- 312
- 642
- 36
Re: Getting started
you got to learn bhagnra so that you can do it at every difficult situation of your life hahaha
kidding
i guess harry paaji ,ishna ji and spnadmin all replied your query perfectly
you got to learn bhagnra so that you can do it at every difficult situation of your life hahaha
kidding
i guess harry paaji ,ishna ji and spnadmin all replied your query perfectly
Re: Getting started
Damo ji, Japji Sahib would be the best place to start. However, and this is based on my own experiences, even reading the English translation can be overwhelming at times. The entire Guru Granth Sahib Ji is poetry, it is not a text of rules and commandments. As such, it can sometimes be difficult to understand what the underlying message in each line really is.
Here's something that I found last week: http://forum.spiritualindia.org/japuji-sahibwith-meaning-t22915.0.html
It goes through the entire Japji Sahib, and the author explains every pauri (section) and what it means.
I apologize if there is something wrong with that link by the way, I have not checked to make sure it is reputable/truthful. If there's something wrong, please delete it.
Damo ji, Japji Sahib would be the best place to start. However, and this is based on my own experiences, even reading the English translation can be overwhelming at times. The entire Guru Granth Sahib Ji is poetry, it is not a text of rules and commandments. As such, it can sometimes be difficult to understand what the underlying message in each line really is.
Here's something that I found last week: http://forum.spiritualindia.org/japuji-sahibwith-meaning-t22915.0.html
It goes through the entire Japji Sahib, and the author explains every pauri (section) and what it means.
I apologize if there is something wrong with that link by the way, I have not checked to make sure it is reputable/truthful. If there's something wrong, please delete it.
Re: Getting started
Damo ji
Wlecome!
Learning a little of the the history of Sikhi will help put in context just how revolutionary the message of the Gurus was and still is.
A site that I like that has a good info on history and philosophy is http://www.globalsikhstudies.net/
You should also listen to Shabad Kirtan, also called Gurmat Sangeet. It's passages from the SGGS and other Sikh writings. It's what we play during Gurdwara.
Here's a link with explainations http://www.gurmatsangeetproject.com/Pages/BostonChapter.asp
aslo this one has translations of lot of Shabads http://www.sikhnet.com/gurbani
two of the gentlemen in the following video came to the Gurdwara in Mexico this week and we had the pleasure of listening to them.
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OONFqhSNn4Q
Damo ji
Wlecome!
Learning a little of the the history of Sikhi will help put in context just how revolutionary the message of the Gurus was and still is.
A site that I like that has a good info on history and philosophy is http://www.globalsikhstudies.net/
You should also listen to Shabad Kirtan, also called Gurmat Sangeet. It's passages from the SGGS and other Sikh writings. It's what we play during Gurdwara.
Here's a link with explainations http://www.gurmatsangeetproject.com/Pages/BostonChapter.asp
aslo this one has translations of lot of Shabads http://www.sikhnet.com/gurbani
two of the gentlemen in the following video came to the Gurdwara in Mexico this week and we had the pleasure of listening to them.
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OONFqhSNn4Q
- May 9, 2006
- 3,261
- 5,192
Re: Getting started
Aisha bhenji, thanks so much for sharing that link! I haven't read it all (1 hr on public transport just isn't enough) but I'm really enjoying it so far. Some new insights with a bit more reference to Hindu perspective. This perspective needs to be kept in the back of the mind or else it's a bit like reading an explanation of the Koran by a Sikh.
Aisha bhenji, thanks so much for sharing that link! I haven't read it all (1 hr on public transport just isn't enough) but I'm really enjoying it so far. Some new insights with a bit more reference to Hindu perspective. This perspective needs to be kept in the back of the mind or else it's a bit like reading an explanation of the Koran by a Sikh.
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Re: Getting started
Thanks everyone for your input. I've been reading and listening to all those links. It does feel overwhelming but one bit at a time I suppose. I had been google searching everything and I even got an app for my phone. I'm looking forward to the meditation aspect.
Thanks everyone for your input. I've been reading and listening to all those links. It does feel overwhelming but one bit at a time I suppose. I had been google searching everything and I even got an app for my phone. I'm looking forward to the meditation aspect.
- May 9, 2006
- 3,261
- 5,192
Re: Getting started
Damoji
Chazji has an interactive blog for that here if you're interested: http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/blogs/chazsingh/8301-daily-amrit-vela-blog-difficulties-joys.html
It's got some interesting articles in it and you can ask questions there (or here in the main forum).
:icecreamkaur:
Damoji
Chazji has an interactive blog for that here if you're interested: http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/blogs/chazsingh/8301-daily-amrit-vela-blog-difficulties-joys.html
It's got some interesting articles in it and you can ask questions there (or here in the main forum).
:icecreamkaur:
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