Previous

Next

Ask a Question

Summary of Question:	Doing Paat Only When One Is Sad??
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Wednesday, 1/23/2002 6:37 PM MST

Waheguruuu Ji Ka Khalsaaaa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

Hello Jee! My question is regarding how a lot of people do paat only when they are upset or feeling pain. I am obviously no where near a gurmukh and that is why I am writing this question. :) For some reason, I tend to mostly remember God and do paat or feel more love and gratefulness for God & Guru when I am happy. I've heard people say that during their "happy times" they don't remember God because they are so caught up in worldly pleasures. But for me, I remember God more when I am happy, and less when I am upset - I know it is quite strange. Whenever I am in happiness it's like I feel like the only reason I am feeling that is BECAUSE the Guru loved me enough to bless me with happiness. I guess it's harder to explain how I feel, I just feel it.

The weird thing is that usually when I am angry, upset, or stressed out, I bring myself even lower because I think of the 5 evils MORE, even though I know it will make me feel worse. Whenever I am sad I find it HARDER to think of Guru because I see Guru's love and Guru as something SOOO joyous and loving and.. happy... and beautiful. But when I feel guilty or upset about something, I feel like I can't think of the Guru, like I can't put myself back into the chardi kalaa to appreciate Guru again.

I know that a while ago I used to do paat or remember God mostly when I was sad, but now it seems like it has switched around. I still do not do paat all the time, although I wish I could. It seems like I am much happier now, but I still have days when I am majourly "burnt out" from school and all. Usually during these times I tend to bring myself lower and sulk around in my pointless sorrow. THAT IS TOTALLY NOT GURMAT! I really want to know if there is any way to fix myself jee!! Is it unusual that I think more of God when I am happy and less when I am sad?? Unusual or not, it is still manmat. And I am confused about this all.

My apologies if this question confused you :) but I would deeply appreciate any advice I could get! Thank you Jee!!!

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsaaaa, Waheguru Ji Ki FATEH!


*******
REPLY
*******

Sat Sri Akal,

The answer is always the same: do paath regularly. It is good that you remember Waheguru when you are happy. One should always remember Waheguru all the time. It doesn't matter if you are happy, sad, normal, stressed out or whatever, always keep Waheguru in your mind.

When you feel yourself thinking of the 5 evils, just close your eyes and start saying "Waheguru, Waheguru" either in your head or softly aloud. Remember that Guruji never forgets about you, if you take one step towards the Guru, the Guru will take 1000 steps towards you.

If you feel sad or depressed, try to do some paath. Or, do something for someone else. Help your family out, do something nice for them, help some of your friends out.

I hope this helps.

Gur Fateh,
HSD