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Summary of Question:	Comment On Sikh Peoples Problems
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Friday, 3/28/2003 8:05 PM MDT

Sat Sri Akal,

Just like to comment on what the moderator said "you are in command of your animal nature. You have an animal m[n]ature, fine, but you are in command of it".

This very true, and in many respects true to many other things in life. Sikhism is all about control over ones mind, and making a spiritual connection with God through ones life on this earth. The Guru's have written, and preached about the necessities of controlling ones mind, whether it be angers, greeds, lusts, dreams, wants, and whatnot. The same thing that the Guru tells us is the same thing that modern cognitive theorists are coming to realize, yet sadly, most people have not. Psychoanalyst Albert Ellis for example, understands that emotions, anger especially, come from the way one thinks of the situation that has happened to them. I remember a beautiful story, when people had come to hear Guru Amar Das' words soon after his becoming Guru, where one of the sons of Guru Angad Dev went over to Guru Amar Das expressing his disappointment that he himself "SHOULD" have been Guru, and in anger kicked the Guru off his seat. The Guru with utter humility, comes back and says "I am sorry, perhaps my brittle bones have hurt your foot." I thought that I would express my views on anger, because I have feel most people are out of touch with understanding Sikhi. The modern world is finally realizing through scientific studies, what the Guru has been telling us (if we take the time to understand, and love, and learn) all along, and that is that the mind (ones cognitions) is the source of problems in this world. Anger has 4 components, 1) the "awful" feeling, of why something happens to YOU 2)low frustration tollerance,(road rage) 3)Should, aught, has to be (the way that you expect it to be) 4)Denigration (that someone is less human than you are). These are all associated with persons thoughts about a situation, not the actual event itself. This all has to do with peoples problems... How people think that things "should" or "aught" to be a certain way. These are sources of anger, as well as denigration, in fact: no one is good or bad, we are all faliable human beings, that sometimes to good, sometimes do bad things. The point I am trying to make is that problems do not come from what others do, but from how you interpret them. The Guru says, its beautiul that although one is attached to this world (physically), the individual can remain detached (mentally/spiritually). In this world, it would be great if everything was perfect, but why should it be any different than it is? You can not change people, there is only the Truth, and those who listen to it, and having listened become blessed to understand. Guru gives us understanding. The fact is that problems are apart of life, not anger, sadness, or anything of the like. We are all faliable human beings, doing good and bad things, but ultimately there is the Guru, the Truth, and the effort to live as the Guru's child.
It has taken me a long time to figure out questions such as the point to life, and what to do there are so many problems in this world, but I have worked hard to understand Sikhi, and its values, and it is worth it. If anyone is interested in modern psychological analysis of the mind search for texts, or internet information on Cognitive Rationality, or Cognitive Theory, and make an attempt to understand the Guru. . My final point here is, that the Guru is the answer. Nanak Dukhia Sabh Sansar, take time to understand and perhaps you will understand and detach yourself from problems with the world. The world should, could, aught to be. But remember God is all love, and Everyone is equal, low or high, rich or poor, female or male, humble and ignorant, helpful and murderous. All that happens is of God's will, be strong, and don't give up your faith. Be logical in your thoughts, and ethical in your actions, enshrine God's Name within your heart, and all your problems will fade away.

Sorry about the length of this, I just needed to put some of my thoughts into words. I feel that I have come to a deep understanding about life, and beautiful Sikhi. You do not need to respond to this, I thought it would just be helpful. Thank You.

Dhan Dhan Guru Granth Sahib
(REPLY) Sat Nam. Thank you. I hope readers will benefit from your presentation. Blessings,