harsharan000

Something for veechar:
ਬੇਦੁ ਪੁਕਾਰੇ ਪੁੰਨੁ ਪਾਪੁ ਸੁਰਗ ਨਰਕ ਕਾ ਬੀਉ ॥
Baedh Pukaarae Punn Paap Surag Narak Kaa Beeo ||
The Vedas proclaim that vice and virtue are the seeds of heaven and hell.
 
But it is Guru Jee who from His unbound grace and love for us jeevas that He tells us about something far beyond all this mayavee paraphernalia :
 
ਸਚੁ ਬੀਜੈ ਸਚੁ ਉਗਵੈ ਦਰਗਹ ਪਾਈਐ ਥਾਉ ॥
Sach Beejai Sach Ougavai Dharageh Paaeeai Thhaao ||
When Truth (Naam) is planted (by meditating upon it) , Truth grows. In the Court(Sach Khand) of the Lord, you shall find your place of honor.
Raag Sarang,  Sree Guru Angad Dev  Maharaj.

And there is a simple formula if you want to make a spiritual being your guide, or if you want to know that spiritual being can help you in your spiritual journey.

Before meeting that person, stand in front of Guru Granth Sahib Ji and do ardass that if that Sant is pooran or complete please let him solve a question or doubt in mind. You can present that doubt to Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj. Now if that Sant is really a brahmgyani or complete , Guru Granth Sahib Ji will call that Sant and tell him that this devotee is coming to you please solve his doubt. If that sant is not a brahmgyani or incomplete that doubt of the devotee will not be answered. This is a 100% guaranteed method given by Baba Nand Singh JI to test if someone is worth surrendering to or not.

I personally tried this method on 2-3 mahapurakhs, it didn't work. So, I have not met a complete saint yet in my life. Even though I do believe some of them are very spiritual, but not complete yet. And then I stopped doing this method.

Anyways, this will open the FLOOD GATES, and I am not interested in engaging in debates regarding the issue of Sants & Mahapurakhs .

Those who are wise or have had company of Sants will understand, and those who are still new might find this absurd.

Thank you very much!

Dhan Guru Nanak!

Firstly, I agree that we cannot know who is a Brahmgyani or not, but we can definitely know who is up there or not. Our subject is to get guidance & benefit from that spiritual person. Any saint or Baba who made a big difference in your Spiritual Life is definitely something.

We definitely need a guide who can take us to Guru. Only a guide who has met the Guru can take us to him. That is why sometimes murshads are needed.

Thus, the issue is not how do we define Brahmgyani, the issue is how do we find a complete being who can make a difference in our lives & take us to the Guru.

A journey of the Sikh ends in the feet of Guru, & brahmgyani is a guide who take us to Guru.

Dhan Guru Nanak!

My favourite Shabad/Bani to be read for the passing away ,or the ones alive  yet, and one day  have  to pass away, is Dukh Bhanjan  Sahib.
This Bani in particular, reminds us of the only One Supreme and eternal  Truth, Wahiguru Akal Purukh and His Nao, the one remedy for all maladies created by the mind, which make us incurr in karmas, thus keep us prisoners in the mayavee creation.
Following are just a few lines  from the begining of this Bani of Dukh Bhanja Sahib, where,  if paid proper attention, we can see  that it contains the summary of  true plain spirituality,  that also in simple words.
ਗਉੜੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ਮਾਂਝ ॥
Gourree Mehalaa 5 Maanjh ||
गउड़ी महला ५ मांझ ॥
Gauree, Fifth Mehl, Maajh:
ਦੁਖ ਭੰਜਨੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਜੀ ਦੁਖ ਭੰਜਨੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਨਾਮੁ ॥
Dhukh Bhanjan Thaeraa Naam Jee Dhukh Bhanjan Thaeraa Naam ||
दुख भंजनु तेरा नामु जी दुख भंजनु तेरा नामु ॥
The Destroyer of sorrow is Your Name, Lord; the Destroyer of sorrow is Your Name.
ਆਠ ਪਹਰ ਆਰਾਧੀਐ ਪੂਰਨ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Aath Pehar Aaraadhheeai Pooran Sathigur Giaan ||1|| Rehaao ||
आठ पहर आराधीऐ पूरन सतिगुर गिआनु ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥
Twenty-four hours a day, dwell upon the wisdom of the Perfect True Guru. ||1||Pause||
ਜਿਤੁ ਘਟਿ ਵਸੈ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਸੋਈ ਸੁਹਾਵਾ ਥਾਉ ॥
Jith Ghatt Vasai Paarabreham Soee Suhaavaa Thhaao ||
जितु घटि वसै पारब्रहमु सोई सुहावा थाउ ॥
That heart, in which the Supreme Lord God abides, is the most beautiful place.
ਜਮ ਕੰਕਰੁ ਨੇੜਿ ਨ ਆਵਈ ਰਸਨਾ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਉ ॥੧॥
Jam Kankar Naerr N Aavee Rasanaa Har Gun Gaao ||1||
जम कंकरु नेड़ि न आवई रसना हरि गुण गाउ ॥१॥
The Messenger of Death does not even approach those who chant the Glorious Praises of the Lord with the tongue. ||
 
Sat Sree Akal.

Practically there is no way to become celibate.
it is only by His kirpa, that one can overcome not only kaam, but also conquer the rest of the 5 chor.
As the Bani beautiifully tells us in few words: Sarab rog ka aukhad Naam.
Meditate on His Name, and you shall get rid of all your maladies.
At some other place, Bani also tells us : Prabh ka Simran, man kee mael jaae.
Kaam is dirt on the mind, which can only be removed with the water of meditation and the soap  of His Name.
Sat Sree Akal.

Guest Em Kaur Jee,
You don't have anything to apologize for, cause your advice is right and sincere.
Other thing is trying to impose one's point by force on others, which is clearly not your case.
So your advice is valuable and  most welcome, as it is understanding per sikhee.
SSA.

a) This is sign of His grace, we can not have maya and parmarath at the same time. If your attention is more towards spirituality, one is likely to become more spiritual minded and with less worldy bonds, and the higher and inner we enter, more and more purer spiritual beings.
b) No 2 people are at same spiritual level, thus, each one has individual realization.
c) Of course it is a good sign, if our aim is spirituality and we head towards it, let us be fully aware of all that it implies so that our mind does not play tricks and make us confused.
SSA.

ਮਾਰੂ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ॥
Maaroo Mehalaa 1 ||
Maaroo, First Mehl:
 
ਮਾਰੂ ਸੋਲਹੇ (ਮਃ ੧) ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਅੰਗ ੧੦੩੫
ਅਰਬਦ ਨਰਬਦ ਧੁੰਧੂਕਾਰਾ ॥
Arabadh Narabadh Dhhundhhookaaraa ||
For endless eons, there was only utter darkness.

ਧਰਣਿ ਨ ਗਗਨਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਅਪਾਰਾ ॥
Dhharan N Gaganaa Hukam Apaaraa ||
There was no earth or sky; there was only the infinite Command of His Hukam.
 
ਨਾ ਦਿਨੁ ਰੈਨਿ ਨ ਚੰਦੁ ਨ ਸੂਰਜੁ ਸੁੰਨ ਸਮਾਧਿ ਲਗਾਇਦਾ ॥੧॥
Naa Dhin Rain N Chandh N Sooraj Sunn Samaadhh Lagaaeidhaa ||1||
There was no day or night, no moon or sun; God sat in primal, profound Samaadhi. ||1||
 
ਖਾਣੀ ਨ ਬਾਣੀ ਪਉਣ ਨ ਪਾਣੀ ॥
Khaanee N Baanee Poun N Paanee ||
There were no sources of creation or powers of speech, no air or water.
 
ਓਪਤਿ ਖਪਤਿ ਨ ਆਵਣ ਜਾਣੀ ॥
Oupath Khapath N Aavan Jaanee ||
There was no creation or destruction, no coming or going.
 
ਖੰਡ ਪਤਾਲ ਸਪਤ ਨਹੀ ਸਾਗਰ ਨਦੀ ਨ ਨੀਰੁ ਵਹਾਇਦਾ ॥੨॥
Khandd Pathaal Sapath Nehee Saagar Nadhee N Neer Vehaaeidhaa ||2||
There were no continents, nether regions, seven seas, rivers or flowing water. ||2||
 
ਨਾ ਤਦਿ ਸੁਰਗੁ ਮਛੁ ਪਇਆਲਾ ॥
Naa Thadh Surag Mashh Paeiaalaa ||
There were no heavenly realms, earth or nether regions of the underworld.
 
ਦੋਜਕੁ ਭਿਸਤੁ ਨਹੀ ਖੈ ਕਾਲਾ ॥
Dhojak Bhisath Nehee Khai Kaalaa ||
There was no heaven or hell, no death or time.
 
ਨਰਕੁ ਸੁਰਗੁ ਨਹੀ ਜੰਮਣੁ ਮਰਣਾ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਆਇ ਨ ਜਾਇਦਾ ॥੩॥
Narak Surag Nehee Janman Maranaa Naa Ko Aae N Jaaeidhaa ||3||
There was no hell or heaven, no birth or death, no coming or going in reincarnation. ||3||
 
ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਬਿਸਨੁ ਮਹੇਸੁ ਨ ਕੋਈ ॥
Brehamaa Bisan Mehaes N Koee ||
There was no Brahma, Vishnu or Shiva.
 
ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੀਸੈ ਏਕੋ ਸੋਈ ॥
Avar N Dheesai Eaeko Soee ||
No one was seen, except the One Lord.
 
ਨਾਰਿ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਨ ਜਨਮਾ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਦੁਖੁ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਦਾ ॥੪॥
Naar Purakh Nehee Jaath N Janamaa Naa Ko Dhukh Sukh Paaeidhaa ||4||
There was no female or male, no social class or caste of birth; no one experienced pain or pleasure. ||4||
 
ਨਾ ਤਦਿ ਜਤੀ ਸਤੀ ਬਨਵਾਸੀ ॥
Naa Thadh Jathee Sathee Banavaasee ||
There were no people of celibacy or charity; no one lived in the forests.
 
ਨਾ ਤਦਿ ਸਿਧ ਸਾਧਿਕ ਸੁਖਵਾਸੀ ॥
Naa Thadh Sidhh Saadhhik Sukhavaasee ||
There were no Siddhas or seekers, no one living in peace.
 
ਜੋਗੀ ਜੰਗਮ ਭੇਖੁ ਨ ਕੋਈ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਨਾਥੁ ਕਹਾਇਦਾ ॥੫॥
Jogee Jangam Bhaekh N Koee Naa Ko Naathh Kehaaeidhaa ||5||
There were no Yogis, no wandering pilgrims, no religious robes; no one called himself the master. ||5||
 
ਜਪ ਤਪ ਸੰਜਮ ਨਾ ਬ੍ਰਤ ਪੂਜਾ ॥
Jap Thap Sanjam Naa Brath Poojaa ||
There was no chanting or meditation, no self-discipline, fasting or worship.
 
ਨਾ ਕੋ ਆਖਿ ਵਖਾਣੈ ਦੂਜਾ ॥
Naa Ko Aakh Vakhaanai Dhoojaa ||
No one spoke or talked in duality.
 
ਆਪੇ ਆਪਿ ਉਪਾਇ ਵਿਗਸੈ ਆਪੇ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਪਾਇਦਾ ॥੬॥
Aapae Aap Oupaae Vigasai Aapae Keemath Paaeidhaa ||6||
He created Himself, and rejoiced; He evaluates Himself. ||6||
 
ਨਾ ਸੁਚਿ ਸੰਜਮੁ ਤੁਲਸੀ ਮਾਲਾ ॥
Naa Such Sanjam Thulasee Maalaa ||
There was no purification, no self-restraint, no malas of basil seeds.
 
ਗੋਪੀ ਕਾਨੁ ਨ ਗਊ ਗਦ਼ਆਲਾ ॥
Gopee Kaan N Goo Guoaalaa ||
There were no Gopis, no Krishna, no cows or cowherds.
 
ਤੰਤੁ ਮੰਤੁ ਪਾਖੰਡੁ ਨ ਕੋਈ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਵੰਸੁ ਵਜਾਇਦਾ ॥੭॥
Thanth Manth Paakhandd N Koee Naa Ko Vans Vajaaeidhaa ||7||
There were no tantras, no mantras and no hypocrisy; no one played the flute. ||7||
 
ਕਰਮ ਧਰਮ ਨਹੀ ਮਾਇਆ ਮਾਖੀ ॥
Karam Dhharam Nehee Maaeiaa Maakhee ||
There was no karma, no Dharma, no buzzing fly of Maya.
 
ਜਾਤਿ ਜਨਮੁ ਨਹੀ ਦੀਸੈ ਆਖੀ ॥
Jaath Janam Nehee Dheesai Aakhee ||
Social class and birth were not seen with any eyes.
 
ਮਮਤਾ ਜਾਲੁ ਕਾਲੁ ਨਹੀ ਮਾਥੈ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਕਿਸੈ ਧਿਆਇਦਾ ॥੮॥
Mamathaa Jaal Kaal Nehee Maathhai Naa Ko Kisai Dhhiaaeidhaa ||8||
There was no noose of attachment, no death inscribed upon the forehead; no one meditated on anything. ||8||
 
ਨਿੰਦੁ ਬਿੰਦੁ ਨਹੀ ਜੀਉ ਨ ਜਿੰਦੋ ॥
Nindh Bindh Nehee Jeeo N Jindho ||
There was no slander, no seed, no soul and no life.
 
ਨਾ ਤਦਿ ਗੋਰਖੁ ਨਾ ਮਾਛਿੰਦੋ ॥
Naa Thadh Gorakh Naa Maashhindho ||
There was no Gorakh and no Maachhindra.
 
ਨਾ ਤਦਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਕੁਲ ਓਪਤਿ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਗਣਤ ਗਣਾਇਦਾ ॥੯॥
Naa Thadh Giaan Dhhiaan Kul Oupath Naa Ko Ganath Ganaaeidhaa ||9||
There was no spiritual wisdom or meditation, no ancestry or creation, no reckoning of accounts. ||9||
ਵਰਨ ਭੇਖ ਨਹੀ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਣ ਖਤ੍ਰੀ ॥
Varan Bhaekh Nehee Brehaman Khathree ||
There were no castes or social classes, no religious robes, no Brahmin or Kh'shaatriya.
 
ਦੇਉ ਨ ਦੇਹੁਰਾ ਗਊ ਗਾਇਤ੍ਰੀ ॥
Dhaeo N Dhaehuraa Goo Gaaeithree ||
There were no demi-gods or temples, no cows or Gaayatri prayer.
 
ਹੋਮ ਜਗ ਨਹੀ ਤੀਰਥਿ ਨਾਵਣੁ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਪੂਜਾ ਲਾਇਦਾ ॥੧੦॥
Hom Jag Nehee Theerathh Naavan Naa Ko Poojaa Laaeidhaa ||10||
There were no burnt offerings, no ceremonial feasts, no cleansing rituals at sacred shrines of pilgrimage; no one worshipped in adoration. ||10||
 
ਨਾ ਕੋ ਮੁਲਾ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਕਾਜੀ ॥
Naa Ko Mulaa Naa Ko Kaajee ||
There was no Mullah, there was no Qazi.
 
ਨਾ ਕੋ ਸੇਖੁ ਮਸਾਇਕੁ ਹਾਜੀ ॥
Naa Ko Saekh Masaaeik Haajee ||
There was no Shaykh, or pilgrims to Mecca.
 
ਰਈਅਤਿ ਰਾਉ ਨ ਹਉਮੈ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਕਹਣੁ ਕਹਾਇਦਾ ॥੧੧॥
Reeath Raao N Houmai Dhuneeaa Naa Ko Kehan Kehaaeidhaa ||11||
There was no king or subjects, and no worldly egotism; no one spoke of himself. ||11||
 
ਭਾਉ ਨ ਭਗਤੀ ਨਾ ਸਿਵ ਸਕਤੀ ॥
Bhaao N Bhagathee Naa Siv Sakathee ||
There was no love or devotion, no Shiva or Shakti - no energy or matter.
 
ਸਾਜਨੁ ਮੀਤੁ ਬਿੰਦੁ ਨਹੀ ਰਕਤੀ ॥
Saajan Meeth Bindh Nehee Rakathee ||
There were no friends or companions, no semen or blood.
 
ਆਪੇ ਸਾਹੁ ਆਪੇ ਵਣਜਾਰਾ ਸਾਚੇ ਏਹੋ ਭਾਇਦਾ ॥੧੨॥
Aapae Saahu Aapae Vanajaaraa Saachae Eaeho Bhaaeidhaa ||12||
He Himself is the banker, and He Himself is the merchant. Such is the Pleasure of the Will of the True Lord. ||12||
 
ਬੇਦ ਕਤੇਬ ਨ ਸਿੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਸਾਸਤ ॥
Baedh Kathaeb N Sinmrith Saasath ||
There were no Vedas, Korans or Bibles, no Simritees or Shaastras.
 
ਪਾਠ ਪੁਰਾਣ ਉਦੈ ਨਹੀ ਆਸਤ ॥
Paath Puraan Oudhai Nehee Aasath ||
There was no recitation of the Puraanas, no sunrise or sunset.
 
ਕਹਤਾ ਬਕਤਾ ਆਪਿ ਅਗੋਚਰੁ ਆਪੇ ਅਲਖੁ ਲਖਾਇਦਾ ॥੧੩॥
Kehathaa Bakathaa Aap Agochar Aapae Alakh Lakhaaeidhaa ||13||
The Unfathomable Lord Himself was the speaker and the preacher; the unseen Lord Himself saw everything. ||13||
 
ਜਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਣਾ ਤਾ ਜਗਤੁ ਉਪਾਇਆ ॥
Jaa This Bhaanaa Thaa Jagath Oupaaeiaa ||
When He so willed, He created the world.
 
ਬਾਝੁ ਕਲਾ ਆਡਾਣੁ ਰਹਾਇਆ ॥
Baajh Kalaa Aaddaan Rehaaeiaa ||
Without any supporting power, He sustained the universe.
 
ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਬਿਸਨੁ ਮਹੇਸੁ ਉਪਾਏ ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹੁ ਵਧਾਇਦਾ ॥੧੪॥
Brehamaa Bisan Mehaes Oupaaeae Maaeiaa Mohu Vadhhaaeidhaa ||14||
He created Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva; He fostered enticement and attachment to Maya. ||14||
 
ਵਿਰਲੇ ਕਉ ਗੁਰਿ ਸਬਦੁ ਸੁਣਾਇਆ ॥
Viralae Ko Gur Sabadh Sunaaeiaa ||
How rare is that person who listens to the Word of the Guru's Shabad.
 
ਕਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਦੇਖੈ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਸਬਾਇਆ ॥
Kar Kar Dhaekhai Hukam Sabaaeiaa ||
He created the creation, and watches over it; the Hukam of His Command is over all.
 
ਖੰਡ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰਡ ਪਾਤਾਲ ਅਰੰਭੇ ਗੁਪਤਹੁ ਪਰਗਟੀ ਆਇਦਾ ॥੧੫॥
Khandd Brehamandd Paathaal Aranbhae Gupathahu Paragattee Aaeidhaa ||15||
He formed the planets, solar systems and nether regions, and brought what was hidden to manifestation. ||15||
 
ਤਾ ਕਾ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਜਾਣੈ ਕੋਈ ॥
Thaa Kaa Anth N Jaanai Koee ||
No one knows His limits.
 
ਪੂਰੇ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਸੋਝੀ ਹੋਈ ॥
Poorae Gur Thae Sojhee Hoee ||
This understanding comes from the Perfect Guru.
 
ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾਚਿ ਰਤੇ ਬਿਸਮਾਦੀ ਬਿਸਮ ਭਏ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਇਦਾ ॥੧੬॥੩॥੧੫॥
Naanak Saach Rathae Bisamaadhee Bisam Bheae Gun Gaaeidhaa ||16||3||15||
O Nanak, those who are attuned to the Truth are wonderstruck; singing His Glorious Praises, they are filled with wonder. ||16||3||15||

Agree totally. Your advice is quite sound and justified, because the simran jaap as per sikhee mentioned by you above, is what will safely and surely take us to His abode.
For if Waheguru alone is our goal, then of course the wisdom of Guru Jee which is complete, is what is required to reach that goal.
Otherwise there are so many khands, so many realms, so many subtle planes...countless, to which we may reach mistakenly.
The teachings of Guru Jee are the purest and highest  which deal only with Sach Khand and Waheguru, so there is no chance of manmukhta nor mistakes.
It is Gurbani which tells us :
JIN HAR JAPEEYA SE HAR HOEEYA.
Let us ask ourselves, is there any other path which can reveal us such Truth in such a simple verse of 6 words only?
Wah Waheguru, wah Gurbani.
SSA.

Congrats bro.
Well done from your side by staying away from the bad sangat.
The next step is to stay alone or be in sadh-sangat, read Gurbani, listen katha keertan or just distract yourself with healthy hobbies, or go for jogging, or join a gym, the thing is to keep an eye on the devlish mind.
And last pray sincerely to Waheguru to help you go smoothly away from the bad company. 
Good luck.
SSA.

In my humble opinion, I do not think thirst for knowledge is any hindrance in the sound current path.
Rather, if there is any hindrrance it is the desire of possesing or aquiring to dominate or boast about it, this in reality is hankar or ego, and ego is the last vikaar/thief  to leave .
The example I usually give for the above situation is that one of Ravan. 
What jap or tap did he not perform? Then too, he was yet very much wicked even after aquiring so many powers, that he had overpowered the devtays and all the 5 chor were very much active in him, that too being such a devotee of the god Shiva.
Though bhakti is performed by almost everybody in all the religions, but there is definetely difference of whom the bhakti is done of.
Like the one of worshipping the numerous deities, trinties, or gods on one side, or, worshipping the Highest Truth, which is infinite, eternal and changeless, namely Waheguru Akal Purukh/Satnam/Nam or Shabad.
We are extremely lucky that we are born in sikh dharam, that due to His grace, that we by devoting ourselves to Him Waheguru Akal Purukh, we for sure reach His abode safely and totally pure, for engaging in His bhakti, we graduallly become pure/paviter, desireless, humble, full in faith and love for His Lotus Feet....
Even our chains from the never ending cycle of births and deaths are cut off, we have no more accounts to be settled with Dharam Raj .
To get the most(Him), by giving just a little bit of ourselves(manmukhta) regularly.
Isn´t it incredible? Isn´t it amazing? So much grace, so much mercy, on us sinners.
What else can one want ?
To love Him, we do not have to go anywhere, nor do any penances, or leave home or family, neither endure hardships on the physical body, but simply sit at one place, close the eyes and concentrate to meditate on Him.
That´s it, as simple as that.
In this respect, the Bani beautifully and in simple words tells us: 
Prabh ka simran mun kee mael jaae.  ( By His simran, all vikars, sins, pollution on the mind,  are washed away)
Prabh ka simran garb na baseh. ( By His simran,  one is not born again in any joonee)
Jin Har japeeya, se Har hoeeya. ( He whosoever meditates on Him by His jaap, becomes Him)
His simran, as seen, is the only means to reach Him, not only that, but something still more wonderful, which is merging in Him  and becoming Him.
Stay blessed.
SSA.

Congrats bro.
Well done from your side by staying away from the bad sangat.
The next step is to stay alone or be in sadh-sangat, read Gurbani, listen katha keertan or just distract yourself with healthy hobbies, or go for jogging, or join a gym, the thing is to keep an eye on the devlish mind.
And last pray sincerely to Waheguru to help you go smoothly away from the bad company. 
Good luck.
SSA.

I haven't drank or smoked in almost 2 years.A huge factor in quitting alcohol is the ability to distance yourself from other drinker friends as alcohol is a social drug and the further you are from drinkers the lower chance you have of being tempted to drink.This is the toughest part.Your so called friends will mock,belittle and straightforward get hostile with you as you move further away from them because they feel insecure and inferior that you are able to quit and they are still dependent on drinks.They will do their best to drag you in with all sorts of tricks and if that doesn't work they start calling you a bad friend,ungrateful,unmanly,holier than thou etc.Just ignore and realize they are not your true friends.
Next is to establish friendship with non drinkers and get involved in activities where drinking is not present or taboo.

In my humble opinion, I do not think thirst for knowledge is any hindrance in the sound current path.
Rather, if there is any hindrrance it is the desire of possesing or aquiring to dominate or boast about it, this in reality is hankar or ego, and ego is the last vikaar/thief  to leave .
The example I usually give for the above situation is that one of Ravan. 
What jap or tap did he not perform? Then too, he was yet very much wicked even after aquiring so many powers, that he had overpowered the devtays and all the 5 chor were very much active in him, that too being such a devotee of the god Shiva.
Though bhakti is performed by almost everybody in all the religions, but there is definetely difference of whom the bhakti is done of.
Like the one of worshipping the numerous deities, trinties, or gods on one side, or, worshipping the Highest Truth, which is infinite, eternal and changeless, namely Waheguru Akal Purukh/Satnam/Nam or Shabad.
We are extremely lucky that we are born in sikh dharam, that due to His grace, that we by devoting ourselves to Him Waheguru Akal Purukh, we for sure reach His abode safely and totally pure, for engaging in His bhakti, we graduallly become pure/paviter, desireless, humble, full in faith and love for His Lotus Feet....
Even our chains from the never ending cycle of births and deaths are cut off, we have no more accounts to be settled with Dharam Raj .
To get the most(Him), by giving just a little bit of ourselves(manmukhta) regularly.
Isn´t it incredible? Isn´t it amazing? So much grace, so much mercy, on us sinners.
What else can one want ?
To love Him, we do not have to go anywhere, nor do any penances, or leave home or family, neither endure hardships on the physical body, but simply sit at one place, close the eyes and concentrate to meditate on Him.
That´s it, as simple as that.
In this respect, the Bani beautifully and in simple words tells us: 
Prabh ka simran mun kee mael jaae.  ( By His simran, all vikars, sins, pollution on the mind,  are washed away)
Prabh ka simran garb na baseh. ( By His simran,  one is not born again in any joonee)
Jin Har japeeya, se Har hoeeya. ( He whosoever meditates on Him by His jaap, becomes Him)
His simran, as seen, is the only means to reach Him, not only that, but something still more wonderful, which is merging in Him  and becoming Him.
Stay blessed.
SSA.

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Brother,
the science offers goodness, it is we the people who use it for bad purposes.  
For example like a knife, one can use it to cut vegeatbles to prepare food, while in a bad way some use it to harm others.
Science by itself can never be bad, it is the misuse of it, that is bad, and makes the world worse.
SSA.