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Summary of Question:	Getting Closer To Guru
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Tuesday, 6/20/2000 4:46 PM MDT

Sat Sri Akal All,

I am a 24 year old sikh, living in the US. I have been brought up as a sikh all my life ( i maintain the 5 Ks) and I have very deep respect for sikhi and its practices. However, my knowledge about sikhi has been lacking. Although i frequent the gurudwara often, and pray every morning, i now want to get closer to the guru. How can i accomplish this ? One of the barriers in my path is that i do not know how to read punjabi. I want to be able to recite (and understand) Japji sahib every morning. How I can get on the right track? My ultimate goal is to become an Amritdari, but before i do that, i want to prep myself, so that i am not disrepectful if i am unable to show deligence. Can anybody please describe a routine day for an amrit dhari sikh ?

Eagerly awaiting your responses.

Fateh !

MrSingh
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Greetings dear beloved of the Guru. I am very blessed to hear from you.

One way to get on track is to learn to read Gurmukhi. It is really not so hard.

One way to get closer to the Guru is to take a daily hukam from the Guru. You can do this from a translated edition....one is by Manmohan Singh....it has the Gurmuhki, Punjabi & English side by side so you can understand your hukam. Do this every morning or every night and you will find a friend in the Guru.

There is also a very beautiful translation of Jap Ji Sahib at http.www.sikhnet.com/s/gurugranthsahib under English translation. Read it out loud every day for the next 40 days. Listen to yourself read and learn to understand it. This will give you understanding of life and mastery of your destiny.

An Amritdhari Sikh or any Sikh will rise before the sun rises....3:30 am. Take a cold shower. Then, sit in meditation of the Bani's. Do an Ardas and then take a Hukam. You can read about the Sikh Rehit Marayada & Rehit Nama in Capter 2 and Chapter 10 of the book "VICTORY & VIRTUE-CEREMONIES & CODE OF CONDUCT OF SIKH DHARMA. You can find this book online in SIKHNET. It is very enjoyable and inspiring to read. Start practicing now.

You sound like you are on the right track. The practice of the Rehit will develop you and take you to your goal. Go for it!

Keep up your good work and God bless you. Sorry to be so long in answering your question.