By Rajinder Singh ‘Arshi’
What is Sikhi?
Before answering the question , I would ask myself: “Who am I first, a Sikh or a human being?”
The answer to that, I believe, lies in ‘What is Sikhi?’
For me it is to follow and contemplate on the teachings of SGGS.
Is that enough?
Of course not.
I must organise my life to practise the Teachings of SGGS, via, tolerance, love and compassion for ALL living beings. Only then can I call myself a human being, otherwise there’s no distinction between me and the other species of the world.
Regulating our lives to accommodate great values like, love, humanity, compassion, I believe, is what we understand by the term ‘Sikhi’, ie, a way of life, practicing noble values and exercising control of the five negative traits.
ਕਾਮ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਅਰੁ ਲੋਭ ਮੋਹ ਬਿਨਸਿ ਜਾਇ ਅਹੰਮੇਵ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਰਣਾਗਤੀ ਕਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦੁ ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ॥ (269)
Kaam krodh ar lobh moh Binas jae ahamvev.
Nanak Prabh sarnhaagatee Kar parsaad Gurdev.
Sikhi is a course, a process towards an end, a project of evolvement to reach spiritual heights, bereft of all negative traits.
However, once one thinks he/she knows more than others, the learning process stops, or is severely hindered.
This is why a devotee is, in essence, a Sikh, ie, a perpetual learner, until the point where the Lord bestows upon him/her the gift of liberation (Jeevan Mukti).
Distractions in life are plenty. There must be a 24/7 awareness that one doesn’t stray off the path. This doesn’t happen automatically. One must nurture the mind and soul with good values and ethics. The threshold of our soul must be fertile for the seed of devotion to flower, as we pour the nectar of Shabad.
Discipline of Nitnem is a must, first thing in the morning and then at the end of the day, although the essence of Naam must be cherished 24/7. These constitute the two lines which keep the train of our thoughts in congruence with the Sikh Sidhants. Without this it’s only too easy to err and stray off the path. Humility is the hallmark of Sikhi.
ਆਪਸ ਕਉ ਜੋ ਭਲਾ ਕਹਾਵੈ ॥ ਤਿਸਹਿ ਭਲਾਈ ਨਿਕਟਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ॥ (278)
Aapas kau jo bhalaa kahaavei. Tiseh bhalaaee nikat(i) na aavei.
(He who calls himself good is actually far removed from goodness.)
A devoted Sikh who does Nitnem, understands, contemplates and imbibes Gurbani can do little wrong in peace time or in battle if the cause is righteous.