I am American. For about 6 months I have been reading Gurbani, going to the Gurdwara Sahib, reading Paath, and it’s been beautiful and healing. I stopped cutting my hair about a year ago and now I’m not cutting any body hair, no more substances at all, nothing dishonest, and making many other changes to my behavior to be in alignment with the virtues I’m learning about. Before becoming Sikh I read and listened to thr Japji Sahib but that was it. I find a lot of comfort in being at the Gurdwara Sahib, and I wish that there wasn’t such a distinction between being there and everywhere else. Now I just feel like I’m a stranger to my own “culture” which seems so pointless to me, and that since I don’t speak Punjabi I’m also still somewhat of an outcast around people that I’d love to have more connections with. People who I would rather spend time around.
For the most part this is fine, it’s a personal journey and it’s God’s will that I am who I am, that I was born into this culture and am now finding my way back to God. It makes sense right now how wonderful the wisdom is and how it can apply to anyone’s life even someone like me who is an average American person.
I’m just really not clicking with my partner because of how he is not spiritual at all. I just wonder if it’s helpful for me to stay partnered and have a family with someone who doesn’t share this path, and that I feel like I can’t grow along this path with? His energy feels really counterproductive to my growth and almost like I can’t be myself or express myself fully with my love of God around him. He is generally supportive of me becoming religious he just doesn’t have anything of value to add in this way and I alienated at home sometimes now. I can’t quite put my finger on how to describe it.
I am praying for some wisdom and insight into this. I know I need to be grateful, thankful for all that God has given me, and continue to grow as a person despite any circumstance happening outside of myself but I would appreciate any and all wisdom anyone can offer in regards to this situation.
Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh.
Respected Sister,
Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh!
In response to your question, the undersigned wants to say that while continuing your efforts to become a righteous person, getting rid of vices so as to reach the stage of spiritual equipoise and spiritual bliss and achieving the goal of emancipation/salvation in this life itself, please pray to Akalpurakh for your family members so that they understand what you are trying to do.
Please have lot of patience when you discuss with your family members but don’t try to force anyone to accept your ideas.
May Akalpurakh give you lot of strength so that you remain in high spirits (Chardi Kala) to tread the path, which you have chosen! This will be our prayer to Him for you!
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
Respected Sister,
Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh!
Thanks for conveying that the undersigned has been able to answer, which will help you to chart your course further. One humble request to you. Please consider if you would like to learn Gurmukhi/Punjabi since that will help you to learn the Gurbani better.
Regards,
Your Brother
I think it is possible to walk on a different path than your family or partner. Just keep following the path in a correct way and there is a possibility that you may influence and impact your family members and they may start following you. Just focus on your path.