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Summary of Question:	Bowing to Guru Granth Sahib
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Thursday, 6/08/2000 10:11 PM MDT

Hey,I have a question...When studying the history of our gurus, I read one passage where people were bowing to Guru Nanak. Guru Nanak told them not to ever bow to him because he isn't God. So, with that lesson learned, why do we bow to the Guru Granth Sahib? Didn't Guru Nanak prohibit us from doing that in the first place? Why do we still keep doing this ritual? Guru Granth Sahib is not God, but a teacher....

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We are not bowing to a person, we are bowing to the infinite shabd, which is God. So it doesn't conflict with Guru Nanak's teachings. Where you bow, you will be blessed.
Now the technical side. When you bow the blood goes to your head, your higher brain functions start working. You should keep your head down about 15 seconds at least. This will make you naturally more meditative. It also stimulates your digestion which is the basis of all health. (The muslims were told to bow 5 times because Muhammed knew they wouldn't exercise otherwise, and that would keep them healthy.)