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Summary of Question:	Y Am I Judged By Sikhs? - Coz I Believe I Am One!
Category:	Hair
Date Posted:	Friday, 2/14/2003 4:12 PM MST

Waheguru ji ka khaalsa waheguru ji ki fatheh,

I am a 20 year old "sikh girl" (but i am not amritdaari) from the east midlands area of england. I have been raised as a sikh and believe it is the right way of life for me as it has helped answer many of my questions, helped me become a better person and helps me keep piece of mind.

I have found that a lot of amritdaari sikhs look down on me because i have not taken amrit. I dont drink, smoke, take drugs (i never have) and i dont eat me. I listen and recite jap ji sahib and raheraas sahib. I try my best to be a good person and not judge people.

I read books and surf the internet to find information about sikhi. I believe that sikhi is interpreted by every individual in a different way but no way is wrong as long as you try to do what is right. The knowledge i have gained and the way i have interpreted it, tells me that i should achieve the sprittual side of sikhi and then commit my self to dressing the way i should and not cutting my hair. I dont believe i am ready yet as i am not disaplined enough and have not achieved the spritual level yet.However it is something i want to do and by gods grace i hope will stay on the right path and achieve my spritual level so i can.

1) What i need to know is why do the amritdaari people look down on me?

2)I really need to know why cutting hair is forbidden (if thats the right word), i have read all the answers to the questions on sikhnet and in the books. - It is a part of your body which is given by the guru, it is a sign of our commitment, it is part of becomming a sikh one book even said it is our strength as the lions strength is in its mane. Now i may sound silly and you may think that i just dont get it but i feel as though there is a deeper meaning - is there?

3)this last question is something that really gets to me and just wanted to know your opinion, if you dont get time to resond its cool because the first two questions are far more important to me.
- I know so many sikhs to have turbans but trim thier beards, eat meat and drink, and turbaned girls who pluck their eyebrows and shave their legs, and there are so many punjabi music videos with sikh guys dancing and groping girls. I believe that unless u r commited to sikhi u should not wear a turban, am i right. I also believe that this kind of image is giving a wrong message to sikh youth and encourage them to act in a similar manner, do you agree?

Im sorry this message is so wrong but i have wanted these answers for so long but have never had anyone to ask.

Many thanks and kind regards
Sunny
:o)

(REPLY)

Dear Sunny, I think you're great! First of all, let's talk about Amritdhari's "looking down" on anyone who has not taken Amrit. That is so wrong! Taking Amrit is a sacred commitment between the person and the Guru, and it is nobody else's business! Unfortunately, taking Amrit does not guarantee a transformation of character, and people who are egotistical and self-righteous about it are way off the truth. I hope you will take Amrit soon, so that you can receive the blessing that it gives. The attitude of the person taking Amrit definitely will determine the impact that it will have, and I am sure with your sincerity and devotion you will find it gives you the power to live up to the commmitment, which is your intention to begin with. It is certainly pathetic that some people do not live up to the code of living that our Gurus gave us, but apparently they are not blessed with the wisdom and courage to do so. It is sad that they do not set a positive example but unfortunately, that is the way it is. Meanwhile, you, by Guru's grace, as a young person have been given the wisdom to make choices that exalt you as a woman, and can set a positive example for others. I usually discourage people from taking Amrit until they are firmly committed to living that way for the rest of their lives. I think you already have that desire and intention, so I don't think you need to wait until you're "perfect" to experience the reality of Guru's blessing through this marvelous ceremony. It's not just a ritual. May God bless you and Guru continue to guide you, to be a radiant, shining example of a Khalsas woman. SP