It’s the Mind that Needs to Become a Sikh

For centuries, the Brahmin Pujaaree (priest class) has been teaching people you are Brahmin only if you are born into a Brahmin family. Which is absolutely false. Similarly, preachers in Sikhi has been teaching us if you are born in the house of a Sikh, you become a Sikh by birth. Which is also absolutely false. Therefore, rejected in the Gurmat or Sikhi of Guru Nanak in no uncertain terms. People follow the crowd.

In short, a Sikh is not born, one has to become one. In other words, you cannot imprint ‘Sikh‘ on the newborn! It is the mind (Conscience or Surat-ਸੁਰਤ) that needs to become a Sikh. in other words, one has to become a ‘Sikh‘ by Internalizing the Message of the Shabad. Aptly, the Enlightening Message embedded in the entire SGGS addresses the human mind.

Sidhs (Yogis) asked Guru Nanak to discourse on:

• ਤੇਰਾ ਕਵਣੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਜਿਸ ਕਾ ਤੂ ਚੇਲਾ॥ : Who is your Guru (i.e. what’s the Source of your Enlightenment or Wisdom) that you adhere to? (sggs 942).

Guru Nanak responded as follows:

• ਸਬਦੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਧੁਨਿ ਚੇਲਾ ॥: The SHABAD is my GURU, and my consciousness (Surat) is the disciple (of this SHABAD GURU). (sggs 943).

As per Guru Nanak’s counsel, therefore, physical body is neither a Guru nor a Sikh! Simply put, according to Babaa Nanak, becoming Sikh of the physical body-frame does not make one a Sikh.

Being a Sikh from Conscience (Surat – ਸੁਰਤ) is the real Sikhi. With that said, Guru Nanak gave UNIQUE insight by declaring the COMBINATION OF SHABAD AND SURAT AS SIKHI.

• ਮਾਰਿਆ ਸਿਕਾ ਜਗਤ੍ਰਿ ਵਿਚਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਪੰਥ ਚਲਾਇਆ । : In the world of spirituality, the Way (of spirituality or Sikhi) of Nanak has its Trademark in its Uniqueness as being ‘Nirmal‘ (pure — free from contamination/impurities of the existing pre-1469 beliefs). (Bhai Gurdas Ji, Vaar1, Pauri 45).

In this way, the Shabad (Upadesh, Giyan-Wisdom) is considered as the Guru, and we are instructed to internalize the Enlightening Message embedded in the Guru Shabad and live accordingly.

Put plainly, the mind of a person that internalizes the Guru Shabad (Upadesh-Message); the mind that becomes a lifelong learner or student of the SGGS; the mind that sincerely and willingly takes its wisdom; the mind that is dedicated to Gurmat ‘Soch‘ (thinking-ਸੋਚ); and the mind that lives daily life accordingly; is a Sikh – a perpetual student/learner on a journey of self-discovery.

In short, a Sikh is one who lives by the teachings enshrined in the SGGS that embodies the philosophy of Guru Nanak. In short, Sikhi is a Way of life and has to be earned (Kamauni-ਕਮਾਉਣੀ) and perpetually lived in life (practice-ਅਮਲ). It can not be poured into somebody’s mind.

The bottom line is: it’s the mind that has to do the Simran (remembering…). Hence, Sikhs are ONLY those people whose minds follow the Upadesh (Giyan-Wisdom, teaching, instructions, counsel, guide, advice…) of the Guru Shabad.

• ਸਿਮਰਿ ਮਨਾ ਪੂਰੇ ਗੁਰ ਮੰਤਾ ॥੨॥ : O my MIND, remember the Creator through the Guidance (Instruction, Teachings) of the Perfect Guru. ||2|| (sggs 184).
• ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਬਚਨੁ ਬਸੈ ਜੀਅ ਨਾਲੇ ॥ ਜਲਿ ਨਹੀ ਡੂਬੈ ਤਸਕਰੁ ਨਹੀ ਲੇਵੈ ਭਾਹਿ ਨ ਸਾਕੈ ਜਾਲੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : Guru’s teaching (Shabad) is stored in Consciousness (Jio). Water can’t drown it, fire can’t burn it, nor can thieves steal it. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 679).

That being said — regardless of one’s religion, family of birth, nationality etc. — anybody can choose to take the Giyan-Wisdom of the SGGS and become a Sikh by living it! It is so the spirituality of Gurbani is meant for the entirety of mankind – ‘ਸਾਝੀ ਸਗਲ ਜਹਾਨੈ’ (sggs 647). Consider the following Shabad which further defines a ‘Sikh‘:

• ਜੇ ਕੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਸੇਤੀ ਸਨਮੁਖੁ ਹੋਵੈ ॥ ਹੋਵੈ ਤ ਸਨਮੁਖੁ ਸਿਖੁ ਕੋਈ ਜੀਅਹੁ ਰਹੈ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਲੇ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਕੇ ਚਰਨ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਧਿਆਏ ਅੰਤਰ ਆਤਮੈ ਸਮਾਲੇ ॥ ਆਪੁ ਛਡਿ ਸਦਾ ਰਹੈ ਪਰਣੈ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਜਾਣੈ ਕੋਏ ॥ ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਸੁਣਹੁ ਸੰਤਹੁ ਸੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਸਨਮੁਖੁ ਹੋਏ ॥੨੧॥ : If any ‘Sikh’ (learner-ਸਿਖਿਆਰਥੀ of the SGGS) wants to become truly faithful turn to the Guru (Shabad); then that Sikh must follow the Gur (i.e. Giyan-Wisdom. That Sikh should contemplate on the Guru’s spiritual Giyan-Wisdom and enshrine it in the mind. Renouncing self-conceit, he/she always contemplate on the Guru (Shabad), and does not consider anyone else except the Guru as spiritual Guide. Nanak says, listen, O seekers: such a ‘Sikh‘ has his/her mind always connected to the Guru (Shabad – Giyan-Wisdom). ||21|| (sggs 919).

Hence, the Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS asserts one’s Surat (ਸੁਰਤ-consciousness, mind, Soch-ਸੋਚ) has to become a Sikh (lifelong learner – ਸਿਖਿਆਰਥੀ) for it’s the mind (not the physical body-frame) that needs to Awaken from delusions or sleep paralysis — slumbering mind attached to Maya.

• ਜਨੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਬੋਲੈ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਬਾਣੀ ॥ ਗੁਰਸਿਖਾਂ ਕੈ ਮਨਿ ਪਿਆਰੀ ਭਾਣੀ ॥ : Daas Nanak speaks the Amrit Bani. (Giyan-Wisdom of this Bani) is dear and pleasing to the minds of the GurSikhs (sggs 96).
• ਸੇਵਕ ਸਿਖ ਪੂਜਣ ਸਭਿ ਆਵਹਿ ਸਭਿ ਗਾਵਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਊਤਮ ਬਾਨੀ ॥ ਗਾਵਿਆ ਸੁਣਿਆ ਤਿਨ ਕਾ ਹਰਿ ਥਾਇ ਪਾਵੈ ਜਿਨ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਆਗਿਆ ਸਤਿ ਸਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਮਾਨੀ ॥੧॥ : (Those who call themselves Guru’s) Sevak and Sikhs come and perform Poojaa and sing the Bani. But God accepts the singing and listening of those people who who have acted upon the (Giyan-Wisdom) of the Satguru knowing it true. ||1|| (sggs 669).

In other words, the Advice or Wisdom of the Guru’s Shabad must reflect in the Sikh’s daily life. 

• ਗੁਰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਜੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਅਖਾਏ ਸੁ ਭਲਕੇ ਉਠਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥ ਉਦਮੁ ਕਰੇ ਭਲਕੇ ਪਰਭਾਤੀ ਇਸਨਾਨੁ ਕਰੇ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸਰਿ ਨਾਵੈ ॥ ਉਪਦੇਸਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਪੁ ਜਾਪੈ ਸਭਿ ਕਿਲਵਿਖ ਪਾਪ ਦੋਖ ਲਹਿ ਜਾਵੈ ॥ ਫਿਰਿ ਚੜੈ ਦਿਵਸੁ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਗਾਵੈ ਬਹਦਿਆ ਉਠਦਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥ ਜੋ ਸਾਸਿ ਗਿਰਾਸਿ ਧਿਆਏ ਮੇਰਾ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਸੋ ਗੁਰਸਿਖੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਵੈ ॥ ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਦਇਆਲੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਮੇਰਾ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਤਿਸੁ ਗੁਰਸਿਖ ਗੁਰੂ ਉਪਦੇਸੁ ਸੁਣਾਵੈ ॥ ਜਨੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਧੂੜਿ ਮੰਗੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਗੁਰਸਿਖ ਕੀ ਜੋ ਆਪਿ ਜਪੈ ਅਵਰਹ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਾਵੈ ॥੨॥ : A Sikh of the Satgur (Spiritual Wisdom of the Shabad: SGGS), starts early in life (i.e. here and now) to enduringly Awakens towards internalizing the divine Naam (Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues). (A Sikh of the spiritual Messages of the Shabad) puts forth self-efforts early on in life and cleanse the mind of vices in the pool of Amrit (-Naam). The Shabad Guides in eliminating the anguish of my vices towards becoming realized of the Omnipresent Creator within. Spiritual Life then dawns with the internalization of Gurbani (SGGS) and the inculcation of Divine Naam Permanently. The Sikh who considers the inculcation of the Omnipresent Creator as the Source and Sustenance of Spiritual Life accepts the Messages of the Shabad Guru Within the Mind. The one who is graced by my Creator Master is the Sikh of the Shabad’s spiritual Message; and who brings one’s Self to internalize the Guidance of the Shabad. Nanak, my devotion is humbled by the Sikh of the Shabad’s spiritual Message who realizes the Self and brings about realization of the Creator within the Self.  ||2|| (sggs 305).

Aptly, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) reminds us that a person born of a Brahmin mother is not to be called a Brahmin. One has to BECOME a Brahmin:

• ਜੌ ਤੂੰ ਬ੍ਰਾਹਮਣੁ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਣੀ ਜਾਇਆ ॥ ਤਉ ਆਨ ਬਾਟ ਕਾਹੇ ਨਹੀ ਆਇਆ ॥੨॥ : If you are indeed a Brahmin, born of a Brahmin mother, then why didn’t you come by some other way? ||2|| (sggs 324).
• ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਜੋ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੈ ॥ ਸੋ ਬ੍ਰਾਹਮਣੁ ਕਹੀਅਤੁ ਹੈ ਹਮਾਰੈ ॥੪॥੭॥ : In Kabeer’s spirituality, a Brahmin is someone who contemplates on and realizes the Creator (Within). ||4||7|| (sggs 324).

Similarly – applying this logic of Gurmat – a person born just from the womb of a Sikh mother is not a Sikh. One has to BECOME A SIKH!

However, those whose minds are ridden with falsehood, craftiness, fraud, corruption, hypocrisy etc. are afraid of making their mind the ‘Sikh‘ of the Enlightening Message of the SGGS. Because, they find it easy to make the physical body-frame ‘Sikh‘ and extremely difficult to make the mind a ‘Sikh‘! Bhagat Freed Ji explains why:

• ਸਰਵਰ ਪੰਖੀ ਹੇਕੜੋ ਫਾਹੀਵਾਲ ਪਚਾਸ ॥ ਇਹੁ ਤਨੁ ਲਹਰੀ ਗਡੁ ਥਿਆ ਸਚੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਆਸ ॥੧੨੫॥ : This (world) is like a pond, the bird (Jeeva / living being) in this pond is all alone; (however) the trappers (i.e. vices/Bikaar) in this pond are fifty (i.e. numerous). My mind is caught in the waves (of vices/Bikaar in this world-pond). O Creator! (To avoid these vices/Bikaar) my only hope is You (i.e. Naam: divine Wisdom / Virtues). ||125|| (sggs 1384).

Also, Gurbani talks about the PRESENT – Here and Now, not after death. As medicine is for the alive people not for dead, similarly the Wisdom of Gurbani is for the minds of the living people, not for animals, stones, or dead people.

It’s the mind that has been shut up and confined as a chick in an eggshell by the self serving Pujaaree (clergy: the freeloading Deraa-Vaad Baabaas (ਵੇਹਲੜ) and their trained Granthis, Ragis, Dhadees, Parcharaks, scholars etc.

Therefore, it’s the mind that must get pierced through by the Wisdom of the Guru Shabad (‘ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਮਨੁ ਬੇਧਿਆ’) — the mind needs to thoroughly understand it, digest it, and then infallibly live it in daily life (Gurmukh mindset). Thus, clearly:

• Sikhi => The Way of life based on the Divine Wisdom of the SGGS.
• A Sikh => A perpetual learner.
• ‘Sikh’ or ‘Seekh’ of the ‘Gur‘ also mean Gur-Counsel, Gur-Wisdom., Gur-Giyan, etc.

The SGGS further clarifies as follows:

• ਸੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਸਖਾ ਬੰਧਪੁ ਹੈ ਭਾਈ ਜਿ ਗੁਰ ਕੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਵਿਚਿ ਆਵੈ ॥ : O Mind! He alone is a Sikh, a friend, and a relative, who walks in the Way of the Guru’s Bhaanaa (Gurmat, Shabad, Upadesh, Giyan-Wisdom…). (sggs 601).
• ਗੁਰ ਉਪਦੇਸਿ ਜਵਾਹਰ ਮਾਣਕ ਸੇਵੇ ਸਿਖੁ ਸੋੁ ਖੋਜਿ ਲਹੈ ॥੧॥ : The Gur-Upadesh (i.e., Gur-Giyan or Wisdom) are the Gems and Jewels; a Sikh who serves (through the Shabad-Vichaar) searches and finds them. ||1|| (sggs 1328).
• ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸਿਖ ਸੁਣੀਜੈ ॥ : O MY MIND! Listen to the Gur-Counsel (Wisdom, Giyan…). (sggs 1334).
• ਸਿਖੀ ਸਿਖਿਆ ਗੁਰ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥ ਨਦਰੀ ਕਰਮਿ ਲਘਾਏ ਪਾਰਿ ॥ : Sikhi is contemplation on Guru’s teaching (Instructions, Wisdom, Counsel, Guide, Upadesh, Giyan, Bibek) and acting on it. Being blessed by the Grace of the Guru’s teaching one then crosses the ocean of worldly temptations and their corrupting influences (Bhav Saagar). (sggs 465).
• ਜੋ ਤੁਧੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਸਾਈ ਭਲੀ ਕਾਰ ॥ ਤੂ ਸਦਾ ਸਲਾਮਤਿ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ ॥੧੬॥ : I accept all that You Command (me from within my Conscience). (Because) Your Eternal Formless Self is the Sustainer of my Conscience. ॥16॥ (sggs 3).

Since it’s the mind that must become a Sikh, it’s the mind that needs to become Pure and Truthful. A gross body can only be washed clean of dirt, BUT cannot become Pure or Truthful!

• ਮਨਿ ਮੈਲੈ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਮੈਲਾ ਤਨਿ ਧੋਤੈ ਮਨੁ ਹਛਾ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥ : When the mind is filthy, everything is filthy; by washing the body, the mind is not cleaned (sggs 558).

However, Gurbani says such Sikh is very RARE. In a nutshell, a ‘Sikh‘ being a ‘learner (ਸਿਖਿਆਰਥੀ’) is not bound by ideology — dogmas, complex and antagonistic adherents, religious paraphernalia or robes, useless Karamkaand or rituals, concocted stories (ਮੰਨ-ਘੜਤ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ) by the Pujaare groups or the Pujaaree system that have been rejected by Guru Nanak.

That said, unless the the mind becomes a Sikh, rest is mere business (ਧੰਧਾ) in the name of Gurus, Gurbani and Sikhi (‘ਬਿਉਹਾਰੀ-Biouhaaree‘. Guru Nanak confirms it as follows:

• ਕੋਟਿ ਮਧੇ ਕੋ ਵਿਰਲਾ ਸੇਵਕੁ ਹੋਰਿ ਸਗਲੇ ਬਿਉਹਾਰੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : Out of millions, hardly anyone is (Your attendant) ‘Sewak’. All others are mere traders (selfish, i.e., their religiosity is only for show off or business). ||1||Pause|| (sggs 495).

However what’s happening is to the contrary — we use Gurbani in the SGGS as a business! Implication is this: If the mind (Soch-ਸੋਚ, thinking) remains Un-Sikh, then everything else is of no avail. Because — according to Gurbani — without the Divine Giyan-Wisdom one’s mind stands plundered.

Gurbani holds that one who has truly become a Sikh, that ‘rare‘ Sikh constantly bathes the mind in the immaculate pool of the Spiritual Giyan-Wisdom.

Put plainly, the SGGS teaches the the genuine Sikhs are those who have understood to live Sikhi by learning it through the Shabad-Vichaar (through reflecting on the Giyan–Wisdom of the Gurbani…).

• ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਸਿਖ ਕਉ ਨਾਮ ਧਨੁ ਦੇਇ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਿਖੁ ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ਹੇ ॥ : Satgur Gives the Sikh the Treasure of Naam (Divine Wisdom / Virtues). The Sikh of the Guru is thus Blessed. (sggs 286).

Only such GurSikhs can solve the Riddle of life!

Sikhi is Giayn-Maarag (Way of Wisdom – Enlightenment)

SGGS is the Giayn-Guru or the Bibek-Guru – ਗਿਆਨ, ਬਿਬੇਕ or Wisdom).

• ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਮੈ ਸੋ ਗੁਰੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾ ਕਾ ਨਾਉ ਬਿਬੇਕੋੁ ॥੪॥੫॥ : Says Kabeer, I have found that Guru, whose Name is ‘Bibek(u)’ (Wisdom, Discerning Intelligence…). ||4||5|| (sggs 793).
• ਗੁਰੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਰਿਦੈ ਧਿਆਨੁ ॥ : The Guru (Shabad of the SGGS) is the source of my Giyan–Wisdom and the object of my mind’s focus. (sggs 864).

Therefore the SGGS is the Source or Means of Giyan-Wisdom, NOT the source of business or ‘Golak‘ (ਧੰਧਾ) in the name of Dharma and the SGGS.

That being said, for a real Sikh, Gurmat is the Giyan-Teerath (ਗਿਆਨ ਤੀਰਥ)! In other words, Shabad-Vichaar is the pilgrimage in Sikhi (Enlightenment, Gurmukh mindset).

• ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਸਾਚਾ ਥਾਨੁ ਤੀਰਥੁ ਦਸ ਪੁਰਬ ਸਦਾ ਦਸਾਹਰਾ ॥ : The Gur-Wisdom is Eternal sacred shrine of pilgrimage (for me, which is equal to) the congregation of ten (Holy days or festivals for me). (sggs 687).

However, the Giyan-Wisdom Gurbani talks about differs from the ordinary knowledge of subject-object relationship. It’s the absolute Knowledge. Hence, IT does not consists in knowing objects — knowing objects is relative knowledge. Gurbani asks its Sikhs to bathe in the water or pond (Sarover) of the Shabad’s divine Wisdom-Teerath.

• ਤੀਰਥਿ ਨਾਵਣ ਜਾਉ ਤੀਰਥੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਹੈ ॥ ਤੀਰਥੁ ਸਬਦ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਹੈ ॥ : I (too) go to bathe at the Teerath (place of pilgrimage); but for me Naam (Giyan, Wisdom, Virtues…) is the Teerath. To Reflect on the Shabad (Shabad Vichaar…) is the Teerath, (because of this) Wisdom Awakens within (sggs 687).

One is not a Sikh if mind is stuck in ignorance…

Absence of Giyan-Wisdom is the darkness of ignorance talked about in Gurbani. The Gur-Wisdom is the antidote for the evil of ignorance.

• ਗਿਆਨ ਹੀਣੰ ਅਗਿਆਨ ਪੂਜਾ ॥ ਅੰਧ ਵਰਤਾਵਾ ਭਾਉ ਦੂਜਾ ॥ : Bereft of Spiritual Wisdom, (people) worship or adore ignorance. In the love of duality (in love of Maya, their) conduct or behavior (keeps them mentally blind or ignorant. (sggs 1412).

Clearly, target in Sikhi is to dispel the darkness of ignorance with the Light of the divine Giyan-Wisdom of the Guru Shabad. In other words, after reading or listening to Gurbani, the divine Giyan-Wisdom must spring up within. Otherwise, Gurbani asserts there is no difference between man and animals.

• ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਸੁਨਿ ਕਛੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨ ਉਪਜਿਓ ਪਸੁ ਜਿਉ ਉਦਰੁ ਭਰਉ ॥ : Listening to the Gurmat (Shabad-Giyan, Teaching of Gurbani, etc.), (if) no Spiritual Wisdom (understanding of the Spiritual Life…) wells up within; (then it would be) like a beast (routinely) filling its belly (sggs 685).

Gurbani leads us to the Light – Wisdom. The way to avoid the foolish mind falling into the dark pit of ignorance is to Awaken Wisdom through churning Gurbani.

• ਅੰਤਰਿ ਸਬਦੁ ਮਿਟਿਆ ਅਗਿਆਨੁ ਅੰਧੇਰਾ ॥ : When the Shabad abides within, the darkness of ignorance is dispelled (sggs 798).
• ਅਗਿਆਨੁ ਅੰਧੇਰਾ ਮਿਟਿ ਗਇਆ ਗੁਰ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਚਰਾਗੁ ॥ : The Gur-Wisdom is (akin to) the kindled lamp that dispels darkness of ignorance (from within) (sggs 849).

Ignorance gives rise to duality (Doojaa-Bhaav — the sense of tow-ness, relativist consciousness or separateness from ONENESS. In turn, duality gives rise to vices/Bikaar, animosity, hatred, madness of Jaat-Paat selfishness, craftiness, and so on. As soon as our mind brings in the second (Doojaa), it creates subject-object relationship. The SGGS is the duality breaker! Therefore, if one calls himself/herself a Sikh, then his/her duality (not seeing ONENESS) must break. Just maintaining Bhekh (robes, religious appearance) will not do the trick.

Implication is that one can call oneself whatever you like, but one cannot be a real Sikh if duality (separateness from ONENESS) is still alive and active in the mind. Hence. unless duality of the conditioned mind is roasted through the Wisdom of the Gur-Shabad (SGGS), the deluded mind cannot realize the non-dual Truth! This is Gurbani’s edict (ਫੈਸਲਾ).

• ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਭਾਉ ਦੂਜਾ ਜਾਏ ॥ : Through the Gur-Shabad, the love of duality departs (sggs 126).
• ਕਬੀਰ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਇਕ ਸਿਉ ਕੀਏ ਆਨ ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਭਾਵੈ ਲਾਂਬੇ ਕੇਸ ਕਰੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਘਰਰਿ ਮੁਡਾਇ ॥੨੫॥ : Kabeer, when you love single-mindedly to the ONE Creator then all your doubts flee, irrespective of whatever pleases the world: unshorn hair or shaven head (i.e. it makes no difference to the Creator. ||25|| (sggs 1365).

According to Gurbani, duality gets destroyed ONLY when our Conscience becomes ONE with the Creator Within.

Hence, Sikhi is not a part-time job — taking the physical body to Gurdwara one-hour a week or so! Instead, it’s a perpetual, lifelong, ‘Nirantar Bhagti‘ (ਨਿਰੰਤਰਿ ਭਗਤਿ) or ‘Nij Bhagati‘ at the level of the mind, which has nothing to do with worthless rituals, religious paraphernalia or symbols, religious garbs, and so on….

• ਦੁਖੀ ਦੁਹਾਗਨਿ ਦੁਇ ਪਖ ਹੀਨੀ ॥ ਜਿਨਿ ਨਾਹ ਨਿਰੰਤਰਿ ਭਗਤਿ ਨ ਕੀਨੀ ॥ : That Jeev remains miserable like a discarded bribe, who is NOT engaged in persistent or ‘Nirantar Bhagti‘). (sggs 793).

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