Is the goal of Sikhism to realize divinity or just to master its teachings? Should we focus more on inner realization than ritual and doctrine? Does Sikhism aim to purify the soul or has it become too focused on outward practices?
Is the goal of Sikhism to realize divinity or just to master its teachings? Should we focus more on inner realization than ritual and doctrine? Does Sikhism aim to purify the soul or has it become too focused on outward practices?
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Respected Jap ji,
Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh!
In response to your question, the undersigned wants to say that Guru Granth Sahib doesn’t teach religion but spirituality, as also a way of life to live in the Hukam of Akalpurakh (Divine Law) and become a righteous (ਸਚਿਆਰ)/ virtuous (ਗੁਣਵਾਨ) person.
This goal of becoming a righteous/virtuous person was laid down by the First Guru Person, Guru Nanak Sahib, when he said in the first Pauri, of the Jap Baani, itself:-
Kiv Sachiara hoiey, Kiv Kude Tute Pal, Hukam Rajai Chalna, Nanak likhya Naal.
ਕਿਵ ਸਚਿਆਰਾ ਹੋਈਐ ਕਿਵ ਕੂੜੈ ਤੁਟੈ ਪਾਲਿ ॥ ਹੁਕਮਿ ਰਜਾਈ ਚਲਣਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਨਾਲਿ ॥੧॥
According to Prof. Sahib Singh ji, who gave meanings of all the Shabads, included in Guru Granth Sahib, the entire Guru Granth Sahib is explanation of the above two Pangtis.
Further, in the 21st Pauri of Guru Granth Sahib, Guru Sahib makes it absolutely clear that without becoming a righteous/virtuous person, meditation/worship can’t be possible:-
ਸੁਣਿਆ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਮਨਿ ਕੀਤਾ ਭਾਉ ॥ ਅੰਤਰਗਤਿ ਤੀਰਥਿ ਮਲਿ ਨਾਉ ॥ ਸਭਿ ਗੁਣ ਤੇਰੇ ਮੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਵਿਣੁ ਗੁਣ ਕੀਤੇ ਭਗਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥
For a Sikh, becoming righteous/ virtuous, is not a one day affair but a continuous effort (day in and day out) encompassing the entire life. In doing this, there is no place for any kind of karamkands/show business and the life has to be actually lived, as per teachings of Guru Granth Sahib.
This, however, has actually not happened in case of many Sikhs because they have just read Guru Granth Sahib but have not applied the teachings in their life.
So, the Sikhs have to get rid of vices, become righteous/virtuous (Gurmukh), become one with Akalpurakh and Shabad Guru, who are embodiment of each other, reach the stage of spiritual equipoise (ਆਤਮਿਕ ਅਡੋਲਤਾ) & spiritual bliss (ਆਤਮਿਕ ਆਨੰਦ) and finally achieve spiritual emancipation/salvation in this life itself (ਇਸੇ ਜੀਵਨ ਵਿਚ ਆਤਮਿਕ ਤੌਰ ਤੇ ਮੁਕਤ ਹੋ ਜਾਣਾ).
Hope it helps. If you have any further questions, please do ask. If you find any deficiencies, please point out the same, for improvement in future.
Regards,
Your Brother
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY
A learned man was once asked to explain the difference between Religion and Spirituality. His response was profound:
1. Religion is not just one, there are many.
2. Spirituality is one.
3. Religion is for those who sleep.
4. Spirituality is for those who are awake.
5. Religion is for those who need someone to tell them what to do and want to be guided.
6. Spirituality is for those who pay attention to their inner voice.
7. Religion has a set of dogmatic rules.
8. Spirituality invites us to explore within and get attuned to the Universal Rules.
9. Religion threatens and frightens.
10. Spirituality gives inner peace.
11. Religion speaks of sin and guilt.
12. Spirituality leads us on the path of emancipation!
13. Religion represses everything which it considers false.
14. Spirituality transcends everything, it brings us closer to our Truth!
15. Religion invents.
16 Spirituality helps us to discover.
17. Religion does not tolerate any question.
18. Spirituality encourages searching questions.
19. Religion is human. It is an organization with rules made by men.
20. Spirituality is Divine, without human rules….leads us to the Causeless Cause!
21. Religion divides between us and them.
22. Spirituality unites.
23. Religion feeds on fear.
24. Spirituality feeds on trust and faith.
25. Religion makes us to live in External Reality.
26. Spirituality lives in Inner Consciousness.
27. Religion deals with performing rituals.
28 Spirituality has to do with the Inner Self.
29. Religion feeds on internal ego.
30. Spirituality drives to transcend beyond self.
31. Religion makes us renounce the world to follow a God.
32. Spirituality makes us live in God, without renouncing our existing lives.
33.Religion is a cult.
34. Spirituality is inner meditation.
35. Religion fills us with dreams of glory in paradise.
36. Spirituality makes us live the glory and paradise on earth.
37. Religion lives in the past and in the future.
38. Spirituality lives in the present.
39. Religion creates cloisters in our memory.
40. Spirituality liberates our Consciousness.
We are not human beings, who go through a spiritual experience.
We are spiritual beings, who go through a human experience.
very true 🙏
The goal of Sikhism is to abandon rituals and to live an eternal divine relationship while treading the journey of the materialistic world.