CdnSikhGirl

Paapiman, agree to disagree, and let this go.
You've both presented your points of view, now let it rest (maybe? ).
;)

This is not intended to spark another debate that we will only disagree on forever anyway... 
1. I got married... to the best Singh on the planet, who fully supports equality of everyone.  
2. I took Amrit. 
3. Though Panj Pyaras were five males that day, the Gurdwara where I took it, has had a woman do this seva before.  Further to this, the five addressed the women who took Amrit that day.  They said there is absolutely NO limitations placed on women in Sikhi.  They directly stated "Women who attain this level can just as easily be in the same place we are"  Even better, they then made a direct challenge to the women present with this statement "We want to see at least some of you Singhnis who are here today, be in the same place we are and do seva as Panj Pyaras someday!"  As if my day was not already awesome, THAT WAS ICING ON THE CAKE THAT MADE IT SPECTACULAR!
4. They also clarified some things:  You do NOT have to be vegetarian. It's your choice if you are (I am) but if you choose to eat meat, it can not be killed the Muslim way.  They also stated that piercings are not allowed because of the association to slavery in the past, however all other jewelry is perfectly fine. Makeup is also not prohibited.  Understanding this, I still don't wear makeup vast majority of the time anyway as I think it looks fake... except once in awhile if I have a blemish I will cover it up with some makeup.    
5.  During our Anand Karaj, we did a few things that challenged the status quo... I only had one friend and her husband present as my family could not make it.  My friend (a female) handed the palla.. A few Singhs went to object and tried to get her husband to do it, but my husband stopped them and said he wanted my friend to do it.  So thats how it happend! This was my husbands idea btw.  Though I did follow in the lavans... I would not have known enough to guage anyway when to stop as there is no screen there with translations.  For me the lavans themselves are not one leading and one following... they are both moving as one unit around Guru Ji.  It's a circle... and a circle anyway has no beginning or end, so there is no front or back.  if he moved further around who would he find in front of him?? And besides, I had more control over his movements, than he did of mine, since I controlled the slack in the palla and could make him move slower or faster based on how much slack I let get in it.  So when Singhs spout that lavans having the male in front is to denote the male's authority that she is supposed to be subject to... I laugh.  I had control over his movements, he didn't have control over mine lol.  To me it's more like a horse and chariot rider... where the male is the horse, pulling the chariot rider to the destination, but the chariot rider is the one who was in control LOL.  (I know some of you will be upset at my analogy, and try to turn it back into male 'leading' female 'following' in order to prove some point of husbands having authority or higher status over their wives but I really don't care.) 
6. My husband suggested I should stop coming here... as certain mindsets will never change and it's so not worth it to stress over opinions of others.  
 
 
 
 
 

Colour wise I meant... since I am in blue and he is in cream / red.  But the orange palla really looks good with the blue :) 

And (some) men don't also engage in secret (Gupt) activities? What about warning for women about these men who do that so that women don't become victims of "wily men"??  Your post makes it sound like only women do these things and only men need to be warned about them. When men are just as prone to doing these things as women are!! 

We didn't have cake actually....
Reception was at Nageen Club right on the lake in Srinagar (Nageen Lake is attached to Dal Lake) and we had 9 varieties of veg dishes including a few local ones from kashmir like Nadru Yakhni (lotus stems) and Brinjol (they are small eggplants) and also about 6 non veg dishes for the meat eaters present on a separate table.  Also a salad table, and a staion set up for jalabies (not sure if I spelled it right) and icecream.  And dessert was actually pineapple pastry.  Also kashmiri khava (hot drink made with saffron and crushed almond).  There were over 250 people present and we had fireworks :) My hubby planned all this since I was in Canada... and he made it a memorable night! 
At the Anand Karaj, we only had about 50 people present as he didn't want it to be too much stress / pressure especially on me.  
Here is a pic... we didn't exactly match... But I wanted blue. I normally don't wear much jewelry but the necklace was from his Mother (I have never had so much real gold on me at one time, I was nervous wearing it as it's 22k solid gold. I guess it's a normal tradition for MIL to give the DIL bridal set gold jewelry - but new to me as I was not expecting it! She gave me also 4 gold bangles and the ring which covers half my finger that match the necklace but no earrings because they know I don't wear them and they are all amritdhari and piercing prohibited).  But I normally would not wear such a large necklace... now I will take it out only on very special occasions. 
By the way it's almost impossible to do anand karaj where we did :) Since it's a historical gurdwara there.. but he has connections!
 

This is not intended to spark another debate that we will only disagree on forever anyway... 
1. I got married... to the best Singh on the planet, who fully supports equality of everyone.  
2. I took Amrit. 
3. Though Panj Pyaras were five males that day, the Gurdwara where I took it, has had a woman do this seva before.  Further to this, the five addressed the women who took Amrit that day.  They said there is absolutely NO limitations placed on women in Sikhi.  They directly stated "Women who attain this level can just as easily be in the same place we are"  Even better, they then made a direct challenge to the women present with this statement "We want to see at least some of you Singhnis who are here today, be in the same place we are and do seva as Panj Pyaras someday!"  As if my day was not already awesome, THAT WAS ICING ON THE CAKE THAT MADE IT SPECTACULAR!
4. They also clarified some things:  You do NOT have to be vegetarian. It's your choice if you are (I am) but if you choose to eat meat, it can not be killed the Muslim way.  They also stated that piercings are not allowed because of the association to slavery in the past, however all other jewelry is perfectly fine. Makeup is also not prohibited.  Understanding this, I still don't wear makeup vast majority of the time anyway as I think it looks fake... except once in awhile if I have a blemish I will cover it up with some makeup.    
5.  During our Anand Karaj, we did a few things that challenged the status quo... I only had one friend and her husband present as my family could not make it.  My friend (a female) handed the palla.. A few Singhs went to object and tried to get her husband to do it, but my husband stopped them and said he wanted my friend to do it.  So thats how it happend! This was my husbands idea btw.  Though I did follow in the lavans... I would not have known enough to guage anyway when to stop as there is no screen there with translations.  For me the lavans themselves are not one leading and one following... they are both moving as one unit around Guru Ji.  It's a circle... and a circle anyway has no beginning or end, so there is no front or back.  if he moved further around who would he find in front of him?? And besides, I had more control over his movements, than he did of mine, since I controlled the slack in the palla and could make him move slower or faster based on how much slack I let get in it.  So when Singhs spout that lavans having the male in front is to denote the male's authority that she is supposed to be subject to... I laugh.  I had control over his movements, he didn't have control over mine lol.  To me it's more like a horse and chariot rider... where the male is the horse, pulling the chariot rider to the destination, but the chariot rider is the one who was in control LOL.  (I know some of you will be upset at my analogy, and try to turn it back into male 'leading' female 'following' in order to prove some point of husbands having authority or higher status over their wives but I really don't care.) 
6. My husband suggested I should stop coming here... as certain mindsets will never change and it's so not worth it to stress over opinions of others.  
 
 
 
 
 

This is not intended to spark another debate that we will only disagree on forever anyway... 
1. I got married... to the best Singh on the planet, who fully supports equality of everyone.  
2. I took Amrit. 
3. Though Panj Pyaras were five males that day, the Gurdwara where I took it, has had a woman do this seva before.  Further to this, the five addressed the women who took Amrit that day.  They said there is absolutely NO limitations placed on women in Sikhi.  They directly stated "Women who attain this level can just as easily be in the same place we are"  Even better, they then made a direct challenge to the women present with this statement "We want to see at least some of you Singhnis who are here today, be in the same place we are and do seva as Panj Pyaras someday!"  As if my day was not already awesome, THAT WAS ICING ON THE CAKE THAT MADE IT SPECTACULAR!
4. They also clarified some things:  You do NOT have to be vegetarian. It's your choice if you are (I am) but if you choose to eat meat, it can not be killed the Muslim way.  They also stated that piercings are not allowed because of the association to slavery in the past, however all other jewelry is perfectly fine. Makeup is also not prohibited.  Understanding this, I still don't wear makeup vast majority of the time anyway as I think it looks fake... except once in awhile if I have a blemish I will cover it up with some makeup.    
5.  During our Anand Karaj, we did a few things that challenged the status quo... I only had one friend and her husband present as my family could not make it.  My friend (a female) handed the palla.. A few Singhs went to object and tried to get her husband to do it, but my husband stopped them and said he wanted my friend to do it.  So thats how it happend! This was my husbands idea btw.  Though I did follow in the lavans... I would not have known enough to guage anyway when to stop as there is no screen there with translations.  For me the lavans themselves are not one leading and one following... they are both moving as one unit around Guru Ji.  It's a circle... and a circle anyway has no beginning or end, so there is no front or back.  if he moved further around who would he find in front of him?? And besides, I had more control over his movements, than he did of mine, since I controlled the slack in the palla and could make him move slower or faster based on how much slack I let get in it.  So when Singhs spout that lavans having the male in front is to denote the male's authority that she is supposed to be subject to... I laugh.  I had control over his movements, he didn't have control over mine lol.  To me it's more like a horse and chariot rider... where the male is the horse, pulling the chariot rider to the destination, but the chariot rider is the one who was in control LOL.  (I know some of you will be upset at my analogy, and try to turn it back into male 'leading' female 'following' in order to prove some point of husbands having authority or higher status over their wives but I really don't care.) 
6. My husband suggested I should stop coming here... as certain mindsets will never change and it's so not worth it to stress over opinions of others.  
 
 
 
 
 

Bye guess who is in both pics???

This is extremely common and IS associated with an OBE. There are several types of OBEs... Etheric projection is the typical floating over your body and seeing the physical surroundings and astral projection is more dreamlike and mystical.. the surroundings in astral projection may not be exactly like physical surroundings and more dreamlike. Either way, the heavy feeling, unable to move like you are stuck in glue etc is very very common. It's like you are not totally disconnected from the physical so you are trying to control your subtle body and the message gets mixed between your physical body which is in a paralysis state and your subtle body... so it doesn't quite work. When you think of it all of reality is really vibration in a medium and the different levels are just different frequencies... I think of like a radio dial as I mentioned before... we are always receiving ALL transmissions, but we only tune into one 'station' at a time. In this case you are stuck somewhere on the dial between two stations, where you can hear a bit from both stations at once. That's the best way I can explain it if it makes sense... it does to me. In reality I believe nothing actually 'leaves' the body... you are just shifting awareness away from the physical to your subtle body which always exists anyway, its just that you are always tuned into the physical.

Singh123456777 I did reply to you... I told you he keeps telling me that there in Kashmir they don't think like this, and they have had females as Panj Pyaras and that he sees all humans as equal male and female alike.  He keeps telling me to not fall into this trap that has got so many Sikh girls stuck because of culture overriding what is actually in Gurbani.  But for me, it's the fact that so many Singhs think like this.  In my heart I don't feel it's males above females.  I don't feel inferior inside.  It's not that I won't take Amrit from 5 males.  Because I see them all as just same souls as me, same clay as me.  It's that THEY see me as less than them, as incapable, inferior and by giving into that, I am making a statement that I agree that as a female I am inferior to them because of something I had no control over... my gender.  In my mind, this is no different than casteism and Brahmins thinking they are higher over dalits simply because they were born into a Brahmin body and that the dalit is incapable, low spiritually, etc.  While some of you just can't seem to see past the physical, I can't stop seeing the same light in everyone.  So it's not the idea of taking amrit from males, but the idea those males are perpetuating that I am somehow inferior to them for being in a female body, that they possess some divine light that I don't, that Guru Ji cares more about his Singhs than his Kaurs - to the point that Gurus Light would actually avoid females.  That thought, it just makes me feel dirty inside - I mean if Guru Ji would avoid this body then why should I embrace it and like it?  I hate my body, hate being female, and hate being seen as only incapable, inferior, disgusting and I don't want to feel like this anymore.  I actually want to feel what it's like to have respect from Singhs... to be seen as capable, strong, superior, courageous, spiritual.  I don't want to be seen anymore as incapable, inferior, emotional, dirty, impure, such that Guru Ji's light would even avoid this body.  How can it not be a punishment???  As for the marriage, I'm not sure where that stands now.  He is trying to convince me that only a small percentage think like you guys and that he will show me when I get there next week and that this is not the thought of majority of the panth, only those certain sects. But you guys keep saying the opposite... that most of the panth think of women this way. I am so mixed up right now and upset.  

This is exactly why I have decided not to take Amrit.  (And fearing what this might mean for my upcoming marriage) I can't justify doing something which sees me as inferior simply for being in a body which I had no control over.  I do not want to have to feel like I am incapable of progressing spiritually without being dragged along by males like I am some spiritually inferior tag along who has to be dragged to liberation by males because females are too inferior.  Because obviously Amrit Sanchar is not what I thought it was, that is why I have decided not to take it.  I truly do not believe women are completely reliant on men to progress spiritually, and I do not believe Guru's light only comes to males.  Because then that begs the question, why was I born in this inferior disgusting body to begin with?  Was 'Seeker' right? Is this a punishment? To always be seen as lowly, inferior, disgusting, incapable, that even Guru Ji's light avoids?  I almost don't even want to continue.  I will just hope and pray I am born a male next time because I have given up on this body if it is seen so disgustingly by Singhs. 
If majority of Singhs think like this then maybe I am even questioning Sikhi alltogether now.  
By the way Granthi also does not need to be a Singh Paapiman.  A female can be Granthi too. 
Ibrute I did do Hukam and this is the shabad that came up and it seems to disagree with the above katha saying the Light only comes to males.  
ਆਵਹੁ ਭੈਣੇ ਤੁਸੀ ਮਿਲਹੁ ਪਿਆਰੀਆ ॥
Āvhu bẖaiṇe ṯusī milhu pi▫ārī▫ā.
Come, dear sisters-let us join together.

ਜੋ ਮੇਰਾ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮੁ ਦਸੇ ਤਿਸ ਕੈ ਹਉ ਵਾਰੀਆ ॥
Jo merā parīṯam ḏase ṯis kai ha▫o vārī▫ā.
I am a sacrifice to the one who tells me of my Beloved.

ਮਿਲਿ ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਲਧਾ ਹਰਿ ਸਜਣੁ ਹਉ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਵਿਟਹੁ ਘੁਮਾਈਆ ਜੀਉ ॥੧॥
Mil saṯsangaṯ laḏẖā har sajaṇ ha▫o saṯgur vitahu gẖumā▫ī▫ā jī▫o. ||1||
Joining the Sat Sangat, the True Congregation, I have found the Lord, my Best Friend. I am a sacrifice to the True Guru. ||1||

ਜਹ ਜਹ ਦੇਖਾ ਤਹ ਤਹ ਸੁਆਮੀ ॥
Jah jah ḏekẖā ṯah ṯah su▫āmī.
Wherever I look, there I see my Lord and Master.

ਤੂ ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਰਵਿਆ ਅੰਤਰਜਾਮੀ ॥
Ŧū gẖat gẖat ravi▫ā anṯarjāmī.
You are permeating each and every heart, O Lord, Inner-knower, Searcher of Hearts.

ਗੁਰਿ ਪੂਰੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਲਿ ਦਿਖਾਲਿਆ ਹਉ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਵਿਟਹੁ ਸਦ ਵਾਰਿਆ ਜੀਉ ॥੨॥
Gur pūrai har nāl ḏikẖāli▫ā ha▫o saṯgur vitahu saḏ vāri▫ā jī▫o. ||2||
The Perfect Guru has shown me that the Lord is always with me. I am forever a sacrifice to the True Guru. ||2||

ਏਕੋ ਪਵਣੁ ਮਾਟੀ ਸਭ ਏਕਾ ਸਭ ਏਕਾ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਬਾਈਆ ॥
Ėko pavaṇ mātī sabẖ ekā sabẖ ekā joṯ sabā▫ī▫ā.
There is only one breath; all are made of the same clay; the light within all is the same.

ਸਭ ਇਕਾ ਜੋਤਿ ਵਰਤੈ ਭਿਨਿ ਭਿਨਿ ਨ ਰਲਈ ਕਿਸੈ ਦੀ ਰਲਾਈਆ ॥
Sabẖ ikā joṯ varṯai bẖin bẖin na ral▫ī kisai ḏī ralā▫ī▫ā.
The One Light pervades all the many and various beings. This Light intermingles with them, but it is not diluted or obscured.

ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਇਕੁ ਨਦਰੀ ਆਇਆ ਹਉ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਵਿਟਹੁ ਵਤਾਇਆ ਜੀਉ ॥੩॥
Gur parsādī ik naḏrī ā▫i▫ā ha▫o saṯgur vitahu vaṯā▫i▫ā jī▫o. ||3||
By Guru's Grace, I have come to see the One. I am a sacrifice to the True Guru. ||3||

ਜਨੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਬੋਲੈ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਬਾਣੀ ॥
Jan Nānak bolai amriṯ baṇī.
Servant Nanak speaks the Ambrosial Bani of the Word.

ਗੁਰਸਿਖਾਂ ਕੈ ਮਨਿ ਪਿਆਰੀ ਭਾਣੀ ॥
Gursikẖāʼn kai man pi▫ārī bẖāṇī.
It is dear and pleasing to the minds of the GurSikhs.

ਉਪਦੇਸੁ ਕਰੇ ਗੁਰੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਗੁਰੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਪਰਉਪਕਾਰੀਆ ਜੀਉ ॥੪॥੭॥
Upḏes kare gur saṯgur pūrā gur saṯgur par▫upkārī▫ā jī▫o. ||4||7||
The Guru, the Perfect True Guru, shares the Teachings. The Guru, the True Guru, is Generous to all. ||4||7||
 

This is exactly why I have decided not to take Amrit.  (And fearing what this might mean for my upcoming marriage) I can't justify doing something which sees me as inferior simply for being in a body which I had no control over.  I do not want to have to feel like I am incapable of progressing spiritually without being dragged along by males like I am some spiritually inferior tag along who has to be dragged to liberation by males because females are too inferior.  Because obviously Amrit Sanchar is not what I thought it was, that is why I have decided not to take it.  I truly do not believe women are completely reliant on men to progress spiritually, and I do not believe Guru's light only comes to males.  Because then that begs the question, why was I born in this inferior disgusting body to begin with?  Was 'Seeker' right? Is this a punishment? To always be seen as lowly, inferior, disgusting, incapable, that even Guru Ji's light avoids?  I almost don't even want to continue.  I will just hope and pray I am born a male next time because I have given up on this body if it is seen so disgustingly by Singhs. 
If majority of Singhs think like this then maybe I am even questioning Sikhi alltogether now.  
By the way Granthi also does not need to be a Singh Paapiman.  A female can be Granthi too. 
Ibrute I did do Hukam and this is the shabad that came up and it seems to disagree with the above katha saying the Light only comes to males.  
ਆਵਹੁ ਭੈਣੇ ਤੁਸੀ ਮਿਲਹੁ ਪਿਆਰੀਆ ॥
Āvhu bẖaiṇe ṯusī milhu pi▫ārī▫ā.
Come, dear sisters-let us join together.

ਜੋ ਮੇਰਾ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮੁ ਦਸੇ ਤਿਸ ਕੈ ਹਉ ਵਾਰੀਆ ॥
Jo merā parīṯam ḏase ṯis kai ha▫o vārī▫ā.
I am a sacrifice to the one who tells me of my Beloved.

ਮਿਲਿ ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਲਧਾ ਹਰਿ ਸਜਣੁ ਹਉ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਵਿਟਹੁ ਘੁਮਾਈਆ ਜੀਉ ॥੧॥
Mil saṯsangaṯ laḏẖā har sajaṇ ha▫o saṯgur vitahu gẖumā▫ī▫ā jī▫o. ||1||
Joining the Sat Sangat, the True Congregation, I have found the Lord, my Best Friend. I am a sacrifice to the True Guru. ||1||

ਜਹ ਜਹ ਦੇਖਾ ਤਹ ਤਹ ਸੁਆਮੀ ॥
Jah jah ḏekẖā ṯah ṯah su▫āmī.
Wherever I look, there I see my Lord and Master.

ਤੂ ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਰਵਿਆ ਅੰਤਰਜਾਮੀ ॥
Ŧū gẖat gẖat ravi▫ā anṯarjāmī.
You are permeating each and every heart, O Lord, Inner-knower, Searcher of Hearts.

ਗੁਰਿ ਪੂਰੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਲਿ ਦਿਖਾਲਿਆ ਹਉ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਵਿਟਹੁ ਸਦ ਵਾਰਿਆ ਜੀਉ ॥੨॥
Gur pūrai har nāl ḏikẖāli▫ā ha▫o saṯgur vitahu saḏ vāri▫ā jī▫o. ||2||
The Perfect Guru has shown me that the Lord is always with me. I am forever a sacrifice to the True Guru. ||2||

ਏਕੋ ਪਵਣੁ ਮਾਟੀ ਸਭ ਏਕਾ ਸਭ ਏਕਾ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਬਾਈਆ ॥
Ėko pavaṇ mātī sabẖ ekā sabẖ ekā joṯ sabā▫ī▫ā.
There is only one breath; all are made of the same clay; the light within all is the same.

ਸਭ ਇਕਾ ਜੋਤਿ ਵਰਤੈ ਭਿਨਿ ਭਿਨਿ ਨ ਰਲਈ ਕਿਸੈ ਦੀ ਰਲਾਈਆ ॥
Sabẖ ikā joṯ varṯai bẖin bẖin na ral▫ī kisai ḏī ralā▫ī▫ā.
The One Light pervades all the many and various beings. This Light intermingles with them, but it is not diluted or obscured.

ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਇਕੁ ਨਦਰੀ ਆਇਆ ਹਉ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਵਿਟਹੁ ਵਤਾਇਆ ਜੀਉ ॥੩॥
Gur parsādī ik naḏrī ā▫i▫ā ha▫o saṯgur vitahu vaṯā▫i▫ā jī▫o. ||3||
By Guru's Grace, I have come to see the One. I am a sacrifice to the True Guru. ||3||

ਜਨੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਬੋਲੈ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਬਾਣੀ ॥
Jan Nānak bolai amriṯ baṇī.
Servant Nanak speaks the Ambrosial Bani of the Word.

ਗੁਰਸਿਖਾਂ ਕੈ ਮਨਿ ਪਿਆਰੀ ਭਾਣੀ ॥
Gursikẖāʼn kai man pi▫ārī bẖāṇī.
It is dear and pleasing to the minds of the GurSikhs.

ਉਪਦੇਸੁ ਕਰੇ ਗੁਰੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਗੁਰੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਪਰਉਪਕਾਰੀਆ ਜੀਉ ॥੪॥੭॥
Upḏes kare gur saṯgur pūrā gur saṯgur par▫upkārī▫ā jī▫o. ||4||7||
The Guru, the Perfect True Guru, shares the Teachings. The Guru, the True Guru, is Generous to all. ||4||7||
 

You are certainly allowed to have your own opinion... and we have to just agree to disagree. Because where you see duality, I look beyond that to the base level of the physical.  Where over 99.9999% of every atom is empty space, and all that is left are electrons and quarks (once you break down protons and neutrons).  Every single electron is identical in the Universe and every single Quark is identical.  There are no male or female electrons or quarks.  We only see the difference of male or female because we can't see at that subatomic level with our eyes. If we could, we would understand that once we remove all the empty space on the Earth, there would be enough matter left to fill one grain of rice. That's it. The illusion of gender is because we experience tuned into this macroscopic level.  Even our bodies are 99.9999% empty space. Rest is literally electromagnetic fields holding everything together.  The consciousness behind every single life form is one and the same. Keep in mind this is real.... not a theory.  Gender (and everything else physical) is really a true illusion.  
 I understand how so many can't seem to let go of the macroscopic, but at the same time, I can't go back to seeing the world like that anymore. I only see and understand at that base level now.  How I can't explain without some people assuming or accusing, so I won't.  In reality, there is no duality.  Duality itself IS the illusion.  We think we are separate from God and trying to merge back.  But the truth is, we never left.  We just forgot we were here.  This entire existence in the physical reality is quite literally... a dream.  Those electrons and quarks - they pop into and out of existence, seemingly at random.  But it's been proven one thing collapses the wave function and causes an electron to literally become a particle vs a wave: conscious observation.  Since our brains are even made of identical electrons, and every single electron behaves exactly the same, this means consciousness and not matter is the base of the universe.  (look up double slit experiment if you'd like more information and there was a second experiment recently which is similar and gives even more clues).  
Because of all the talk of women can't do this, women can't do that... I have decided to not take Amrit.  How this will affect my marriage I don't know since he is Amritdhari.  However, I can't justify doing something which sees me as inferior or incapable compared to him.  If it's all about duality, then this Amrit produced by only men, should only be taken by men.  Or else women would produce amrit for women.  Or going by duality, women should produce amrit for men and men should produce it for women as THAT would resolve duality.  It makes no sense to keep women from the process all together.  And If only men can make it, then it makes no sense for women to even take it.  Because it makes no sense that someone can take amrit but not be able to make it and initiate others.   
All of this has made me seriously question Sikhi which I thought was for men and women both.  But after coming on this forum, it seems like it's only for men.  
By the way I thought kirpan was considered the female sword and khanda was male?  Therefore if your idea of duality is the reason, men should use kirpan to prepare it as that would be male/female and not a khanda (if you are speaking of shiva / shakti).  And in that case, why couldn't 5 women produce it with a kirpan as the opposite of 5 men with khanda so to keep with the opposites? 

If anyone claims something to be perfect on the face-value, then he/she is bound to prove it and giving one's our account is perfect way. So, in other words, it's not the personal details. See bro, I'm not pulling your leg or trying to prove you wrong, but I just want to show you the reality. Don't go for right-wing thinking or left-wing thinking. You're bound to get failures. Follow the middle-path as suggested in Guru Ji.
Sikhism as religion would NOT take you anywhere. Come out of your dream world. But the teachings of Sikhism (as written down in Guru Granth Sahib Ji) does have potential to lead you on the path of salvation quickly. But there are 2 conditions that must be fulfilled by anyone who want to ride fastest to salvation:
1. Understand the real meaning and core concepts of Gurbani. e.g Karma, Upsana, Gyan, importance of Guru etc.
2. And then Practice those teachings.
These days, people have forgot the conditions but just claim that Sikhism is the fastest or some say the only. Real Sikhism is not what you see these days. Sikhism is NOT about the Amrit Sanchar, or Panj Payare, or equality vs inequality, or this vs that. It's sad to see that day by day, common people are converting the Sikhism into some package/box and then marketing it. Wake up.
You might remember the conversation with Suleman with sangat during Sant Baba Isher Singh Ji's (Rara Sahib wale) time. Suleman was asked which religion is best: Listen to it and then understand the core he is talking about. He specifically mentioned that everything is same but in Sikhism it is easier to follow a Saint whereas in other religions (referring to Muslims) going to a Saint is NOT allowed.
Bottom-line is:
Sikhism was supposed to be fastest lane ONLY when: One understands the real meanings of Guru Granth Sahib Ji and does understand that there is a need for REAL Saints and practice the teachings.
One Saint has given the following flow-chart to achieve Salvation:
1. Do the company of Sant/Mahapurash/Saint.
2. If you cannot do that, then do Naam (Meditation); Dan/Charity of 10% of your income to needy; Isnan (Bath).
3. If you cannot do Naam, Dan, and Isnan, then do not overburden yourself with sins. In other words, avoid doing sins.
4. If you cannot refain from sins, then it is better to die because without doing steps 1, 2, 3 you are bound to fall to lower planes.
Are not the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib Ji teach exactly what is mentioned in the above 4 steps? Think about it.

Ragmaala
1. In that shabad, the basic principle is that who you meditate on, you gain the qualities of.
What you focus on, you become.
If you focus on people's ignorance, you too will become ignorant.
 
2.  Bhagat Namdev ji is also preaching his own religion. He worships Hari, Ram, Krishna.
Bhagat Namdev ji says in the end "With guru's teachings, meditate on Ram, and that the Bhagwad Geeta also says to do this".
He says not to meditate on Gods of other religions.
 
3. Bhagat Namdev ji is advocating certain types of qualities. When he says to meditate on Ram, he says you should become Ram.

(Kabir also says this "Hari jan aisa chahiye jaisa Hari hi hoe)
In the world, be Ram, be purushotam, be a superior man, a high quality spiritual man, who upholds the dharmic values and traditional sanksar of Indian society. In the mind, be formless with expanded awareness. Recognize that atma is everywhere, as parmatma.

Sukrit Kaur Bhenji .... Crystal is the same person who called me a transvestite and man in drag because I tie a dastaar... All he knows how to do is insult others while boosting his own ego.  Notice how he bad mouths AKJ ? Even Jarnail Singh Bindranwale had high views of AKJ.  And that attitude he has towards AKJ is the same way he sees us Singhnis. In fact the last few days posts saying we are female because we are being punished only shows how they see us.  And by they I don't mean all men or all Singhs before anyone jumps on me... I mean they as in certain Singhs on this forum and they know who they are. No not you Singh12345677$

Good time 4u to insult the truth of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee Majaraj now that u knew N30 wasn't here to ban you.
 
How dare u insult Maharaj to score points

Agreed Neo, and its entirely possible that given the depth and beauty of said discourse, would draw that non-Sikh towards following Sikhi anyway. But by protesting, those guys did nothing except push that person forever away from Sikhi. Though I mentioned the edict, and posted it for everyone to see, I don't fully condone it for the reason I just stated.  There are those who even say anand karaj can only be for Amritdhari Sikhs too.  I think we need to stop all these divisions. What's the worst that would ever happen if a non-Sikh was married by Anand Karaj? Even if they never adopted Sikhi, they would likely know the beauty and deep spirituality of it, and they would still likely contemplate the lavans, and that would help them on their spiritual journey no matter what. What is accomplished by ruining someone's marriage other than forever driving people away from Sikhi?

Agreed Neo, and its entirely possible that given the depth and beauty of said discourse, would draw that non-Sikh towards following Sikhi anyway. But by protesting, those guys did nothing except push that person forever away from Sikhi. Though I mentioned the edict, and posted it for everyone to see, I don't fully condone it for the reason I just stated.  There are those who even say anand karaj can only be for Amritdhari Sikhs too.  I think we need to stop all these divisions. What's the worst that would ever happen if a non-Sikh was married by Anand Karaj? Even if they never adopted Sikhi, they would likely know the beauty and deep spirituality of it, and they would still likely contemplate the lavans, and that would help them on their spiritual journey no matter what. What is accomplished by ruining someone's marriage other than forever driving people away from Sikhi?

I am being married in a few weeks in India via Anand Karaj at a historical gurdwara even... I had to change my name prior to getting a new passport and visa issued in the new name.  Having Kaur was essential.  I could have waited until I took Amrit in the same trip to take a first name... however, that would have meant a second full legal name change including all ID and passport etc again!  So I actually had Sikhs here help me... and yes it was chosen based on the hukam from SGGSJ.  The letter was H and with help from sangat Harkiran was chosen.  (My name is actually Harkiran Kaur).  But having Kaur was necessary so I could undergo Anand Karaj, and yes there is an Akal Takht edict it was from 2007.   

Such a sad, sensitive issue for which there is clearly not a single answer without an ego. Gurbani (SGGS ji scriptures) have un-denying elegance & poetic beauty that words cannot do any justice for. Mixed marriages are happening across religions including sikhi. I believe if your partner does not support you on your beliefs – it’s highly questionable whether they will support you in a marriage. None of us can Judge, who is good or bad as every atma (soul) has pramathama (god). I personally could not live with the fact if I knew I had broken two souls from joining to pramathama– breaking an atma in which pramathama lives.
"hum neyhi change, bura neyhi koi "
 
Running around insisting they alone can decide who is or isn't a Sikh (or a Muslim, or a Christian, or a human being), or who can and cannot get married in one place or another eventually lead us to sectarian strife. They may be popes, politicians, SGPC committees or young 2nd and 3rd generation immigrants who feel a desperate need to carve out a distinct identity to stave off alienation.

The message of the gurus was far, far more open, welcoming and courageous than that. It recognized our common humanity and placed that first, above narrow theological concerns. In that light, that light that gave birth to all, if two people wish to be married in a gurudwara in a ceremony that has meaning to them, we should welcome them.

Every religion has conservative and liberal elements. Sikhism is no different and at various times different elements may control the apparatus of the faith. So let's not kid ourselves that the interpretation someone places on a ritual today is the way it has always been and always will be understood. There have always been and always will be both liberal and conservative gurudwaras that attract sangats
most recent history on 1947 partition of India and Pakistan and get out and meet families across Pakistan and India who were displaced. You will realize till today, many muslim/hindu ladies married sikh men and many muslim/hindu men married sikh women - the influences of one apparatus. Prior to this in villages approx 18th /17th century muslim, hindu and sikhs living in one village inter-married. when faith had no ego's in villages. now its a matter of ensuring "force"is not applied to reduce a community or sect that can possibly be diminished of identity. Which happens across muslim, hindu and sikhs.
Rightly so you are born a specific way for a reason & should never be forced to convert or take pro-creation as a solution. Rather deal with recognizing yourself (apna mol pechan) within an evolving world – fighting back only when you’re forced rather than discouraging others from Sach (the truth).
The fine balance exits within how to maintain Sikhi progressively whilst staying in Hukam of SGGS ji ( of all 10 gurus jis joth ) - having first hand experience of Talibanstains coercing me subconsciously/forcibly to Islam - for which I respected the beauty of islam  - but never converted.  The actions of some Sikh Youths and Sikh Council ideas are exactly the same as the Islamic ones - Do we really want to dilute Sikhi to parallels with Islam (im already challenged with Sufi (which I love) and baba fareed ji and baba kabeer ji;s poetic beauty comparative parallels with Islam). I feel deeply sad as though Sikhi is being made into Islam from new guidelines that are being surfaced.
With approx. only 10 % of world Sikhs being part of the Khalsa Panth - that Guru Gobind Singh ji created - I feel Amrit is given too easily. For I have met I can say 4 Khalsa Panth individuals out of the 10 % whom I'm in complete awe of and inspired by - their humility, love of Gurbani, knowledge & strength - being applied in their daily life with chardi khala. If we had more true Khalsa Panth individuals like this - we would not go off on tangents. These 4 respected gurmukhs have one core characteristic in common - they recognise themselves (meaning their soul & have conquered their mind to a high degree)....."Apna Mol Pechn".
If as Sikhs - we all recognised ourselves truly, deeply - the love being emitted would never allow us to have inter-faith marriages to the degree we do now.
Maybe its Utopia - I'm wishing for. 4 things need shaking up & transparency :
1.  Guru ghars & Taqts need to stop running like corporate businesses - after all 90 % of their income is generated from non-khalsa panth individuals. Is this their drive ?
2. True knowledge transfer with individual responsibility to learn/veechar Gurbani (including 22 languages). How many in our Panth know 22 languages ?
3. More history research - not enough Sikh Historians (as much as I respect Dhadi's in guru ghar, half the time they get history wrong)
4. Applying equality for women granthis - where is the equality ? Start treating Sikh women equally  would be revolutionary  as this is a sure guarantee they wont find equality in any other form of society.

I hope it was ok to post this, they stated as long as all copyright was intact so I think it's ok. Credit is all gurbani.org  (Reflections on Gurbani). 
So much Ego on here lately - I am this I am that, white people this, Punjabi people that, Men can do this and that while women can't, impure this, cleanliness that, brahamgyani this, sant that etc. etc etc.  But the true reality of who we are, has nothing to do with these physical bodies.  It's the jot within... and there is only one jot.  
 
TRUE IDENTITY 
 
O my mind, you are the embodiment or the True Image of the Divine Light (i.e., God) - recognize
your Origin (Roots, Reality, etc.). (sggs 490).
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Cosmic Reality is not only Eternal and Bliss Absolute, but also Light. That Cosmic Light is the true structure of all beings. We are That — the embodiment, emanation or the manifestation of the same, One Omnipresent Light. To put it in simple language, in its Essential Nature, our mind (Soul - Aatmaan) is the Mind of the Light — Ageless, Unborn, Eternal, Immortal, Imperishable, Ancient, Changeless, and Homogenous Oneness. This is our True and Eternal Identity. This Truth is alsoindicated by the term Joti-Saroop or Joti-Svaroop. We are time and again reminded in the Gurbani to recognize This Truth, "hear" and "now"!
ਇਉ ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਮਨ ਤੂੰ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੁ ਹੈ ਅਪਣਾ ਮੂਲੁ ਪਛਾਣੁ ॥੫॥: Iou kahai Nanaku man toon joti saroopu hai apanaa moolu pashaanu ||5||: Thus says Nanak - O mind! Your "Saroop" (your own, True State) is "Joti" (Divine Light)! Recognize your Mool (Source, Origin, Reality...) ||5|| (sggs 441). ਸੋਹੰ ਆਪੁ ਪਛਾਣੀਐ ਸਬਦਿ ਭੇਦਿ ਪਤੀਆਇ ॥: Soham aapu pchhaaneeai sabadi bhedi pteeaai: (When one's mind) is pierced through by the Shabad and is confided (in the Shabad, then one) recognizes within himself that, "He is me" (i.e, then he knows that his Real Nature and God's Nature is one and the same - ਤਦੋਂ ਇਹ ਪਛਾਣ ਆਉਂਦੀ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਮੇਰਾ ਤੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦਾ ਸੁਭਾਉ ਰਲਿਆ ਹੈ). (sggs 60). ਤਤੁ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੁ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਬਾਈ ਸੋਹੰ ਭੇਦੁ ਨ ਕੋਈ ਜੀਉ ॥: Tat niranjan joti sabaaee soham bhed na koee jeeo: The essence, the immaculate Lord, the Light of all — I am He and He is me — there is no difference (sggs 599). ਤੋਹੀ ਮੋਹੀ ਮੋਹੀ ਤੋਹੀ ਅੰਤਰੁ ਕੈਸਾ ॥ ਕਨਕ ਕਟਿਕ ਜਲ ਤਰੰਗ ਜੈਸਾ ॥੧॥: Tohee mohee mohee tohee antar kaisaa. Kanak katik jal trang jaisaa ||1||: You are me, and I am You—what is the difference between us? We are like gold and the bracelet, or water and the waves ||1|| (sggs 93). ਆਤਮ ਮਹਿ ਰਾਮੁ ਰਾਮ ਮਹਿ ਆਤਮੁ ਚੀਨਸਿ ਗੁਰ ਬੀਚਾਰਾ ॥: Aatam mahi Raam Raam mahi aatam cheenas Gur beechaaraa: God is in the Soul, and the Soul is in God. This is realized through Reflecting (on the Teachings) of the Guru (1153). ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਹਿ ਮਨੂਆ ਪੰਚ ਮਿਲੇ ਗੁਰ ਭਾਈ ॥: Mann mahi joti joti mahi manooaa panch mile gur bhaaee: The Light is in the mind, and the mind is in the Light. The Divine brings the five senses together, in harmony (sggs 879). God created the man in His Image" (Bible, Genesis 1:27). Tat tvam asi: Thou art That (Veda). Aham Brahma Asmi: I am God (Veda). Man is the goal of creation. He has come into this world to display those Attributes of God that are reflected within himselft (Sufi Giyani Jallaludin Rumi). Analhaq: I am He (Sufi Giyani Shams Tabreiz). The term Light conferred in the Gurbani is not used in the sense of grosser light of candles, electric bulbs, and so on. It denotes the Cosmic Consciousness, Cosmic Energy, Infinite Wisdom, Cosmic Knowledge — the Word, the Naam, the Hukam, the Shabad or the Transcendental Vibratory Sound that vibrates, creates, guides, controls, directs, sustains and animates every particle of the Cosmos.
ਆਪੇ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੀ ਬਾਲਾ ॥: Aape joti saroopee baalaa: (the Lord) Himself is the embodiment of Light, and the Great (ਸਭ ਦਾ ਵੱਡਾ-Exalted, Eminent, etc.) (sggs 1021). ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪ ਸਦਾ ਸੁਖਦਾਤਾ ਸਚੇ ਸੋਭਾ ਪਾਇਦਾ ॥: Joti saroop sadaa sukhadaataa sache sobhaa paaidaa: The Giver of Peace is forever the Embodiment of Light; from the True Being, glory is obtained (sggs 1036). ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੀ ਸਭੁ ਜਗੁ ਮਉਲੋ ॥: Joti saroopee sabh jagg moulo: He is the Embodiment of Light; through Him, the whole world blossoms forth (sggs 1083). ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪ ਜਾ ਕੀ ਸਭ ਵਥੁ ॥: Joti saroop jaa kee sabh vath: All beings belong to Him, the Embodiment of Light (sggs 1150). ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੀ ਤਤ ਅਨੂਪ ॥: Joti saroopee tatt anoop: He is the Embodiment of Light, the incomparable essence (sggs 344). ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪ ਅਨਾਹਦੁ ਵਾਜਿਆ ॥: Joti saroop anaahad vaajiaa: The Embodiment of Light plays the unstruck melody of bliss (sggs 370). On account of ignorance, man forgets about his Essential Nature as "Joti-Svaroopa", resulting in ego, illusion, body-consciousness or "I-am-the-body" idea. In this mistaken identity ("I-ness"), he then confounds the Eternal Self with the finite body-mind-intellect apparatus. Seen in such ego or illusion is the birth of the body made of the five elements and its death. Also, seen in it is the phenomenal world of names, shapes, movements and miseries. This body-consciousness, in turn, gives rise to the sense of doership and enjoyership (ego-identity).
ਪੰਚਮੀ ਪੰਚ ਭੂਤ ਬੇਤਾਲਾ ॥: Panchamee panch bhoot betaalaa: Panchamee: those who identify with this body of five elements are crazy (sggs 839). ਪੰਚ ਧਾਤੁ ਵਿਚਿ ਪਾਈਅਨੁ ਮੋਹੁ ਝੂਠੁ ਗੁਮਾਨੁ ॥: Panch dhaat vich paaeean mohu jhooth gumaan: Into the body of the five elements are infused attachment, falsehood and self-conceit (sggs 786). ਆਪਣੈ ਅਹੰਕਾਰਿ ਜਗਤੁ ਜਲਿਆ ਮਤ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਵਹੇ ॥: Aapanai ahankaar jagat jaliaa matt toon aapanaa aap gavaavahe: The world is consumed by ego-identity; see this, lest you lose your own self as well (sggs 441). In body-consciousness, man's all worldly relationships become bondage. He then exclusively thinks about his body, spouse, children and power. Overtaken by lust, greed, anger, sense-attachment, self-conceit, enviousness and stubborn mindedness, he loses Divine Virtues. He becomes materialist or Mayadhaaree (the Manmukh), and comes down to the level of animals. In selfishness, he thus does havoc and corruption. He gives up the path of compassion and truth or righteousness, and adopts the path of obstinate error and violent destruction. Every act performed (Mayaic efforts) in such obscured consciousness becomes suffering (Dukha) in disguise for him.
ਜਬ ਇਹ ਜਾਨੈ ਮੈ ਕਿਛੁ ਕਰਤਾ ॥ ਤਬ ਲਗੁ ਗਰਭ ਜੋਨਿ ਮਹਿ ਫਿਰਤਾ ॥ ਜਬ ਧਾਰੈ ਕੋਊ ਬੈਰੀ ਮੀਤੁ ॥ ਤਬ ਲਗੁ ਨਿਹਚਲੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਚੀਤੁ ॥ ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਮੋਹ ਮਗਨ ਸੰਗਿ ਮਾਇ ॥ ਤਬ ਲਗੁ ਧਰਮ ਰਾਇ ਦੇਇ ਸਜਾਇ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਤੇ ਬੰਧਨ ਤੂਟੈ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਉ ਛੂਟੈ ॥੪॥: Jab lag jaanai mujh te kashoo hoi ...: As long as someone thinks in ego that he is the doer, he will have no Peace. As long as this mortal thinks that he is the one who does things, he will wander in reincarnation through the womb. As long as he considers (in duality) one an enemy, and another a friend, his mind will not come to rest. As long as he is intoxicated with attachment to Maya, the Righteous Judge (The Divine Law of Karma) will punish him. By the Divine Grace, his material bonds are shattered; by the Divine Grace, O Nanak, his ego is eliminated ||4|| (sggs 278). ਮ੍ਰਿਗ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਜਿਉ ਝੂਠੋ ਇਹੁ ਜਗ ਦੇਖਿ ਤਾਸਿ ਉਠਿ ਧਾਵੈ ॥੧॥: Mrig trisnaa jiyu jhootho ihu jag dekhi taasi uthi dhavai ||1||: This world is false like the deer's delusion (ਮ੍ਰਿਗ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ: ਠਗ-ਨੀਰ, mirage). (As a deer chases after mirage - ਮ੍ਰਿਗ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ, ਠਗ-ਨੀਰ - and dies chasing it), similarly, (the Maya stricken person) on beholding this world runs after it (and suffers - ਆਤਮਕ ਮੌਤ) ||1|| (sggs 219). ਇਹੁ ਧਨੁ ਸੰਪੈ ਮਾਇਆ ਝੂਠੀ ਅੰਤਿ ਛੋਡਿ ਚਲਿਆ ਪਛੁਤਾਈ ॥: Ih dhan sanpai Maya jhoothee anti chhod chaliaa pachhutaaee: This wealth, property and Maya are false; (know that the mortal) in the end, departs in sorrow leaving these behind (sggs 77). ਇਹੁ ਮੋਹੁ ਮਾਇਆ ਤੇਰੈ ਸੰਗਿ ਨ ਚਾਲੈ ਝੂਠੀ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਲਗਾਈ ॥: Ih moh Maya terai sang na chhallai jhoothee pareet lagaayee: This emotional attachment to Maya will not go with you; falls is to fall in love with it (sggs 78). ਕਾਇਆ ਰਤਿ ਬਹੁ ਰੂਪ ਰਚਾਹੀ ॥ ਤਿਨ ਕਉ ਦਇਆ ਸੁਪਨੈ ਭੀ ਨਾਹੀ ॥: Kaaiaa ratti bahu roop rachaahee. Tin kau daiaa supanai bhee naahee: Body-conscious people try different ways to beatify their bodies; such people do not feel compassion, even in dreams (sggs 324). The Gurbani urges each and every person of the world to unlearn or deprogram this incorrect identification of who we have become. We are asked to come out of this unenlightened existence by recognizing our True and Eternal Identity as "Joti-Svaroopa", which is Truth-Knowledge-Bliss. We are urged to engage in Shabad-Vichaar and correct our faulty vision. This will begin the quest for Spiritual Wisdom (Aatam Giaan). The Gurbani asks us to live the life of love, true compassion, truth, understanding, contentment, kindness, inner purity, harmony, oneness, selflessness, peace, Wisdom, spiritual fraternity, universal goodwill, tolerance, loving Bhagati, and so on. As the mind gets purified through the Shabad-Vichaar, it moves toward the Mool within (Source, Origin, Jot...), causing the body-consciousness ("I-ness") to disappear.
Accordingly, attaining liberation from the error of body-identity (Mayaic Budhi or intellect) is the teaching of the Gurbani. Because the true Divine Life begins where the body-consciousness ends. Where there is no attachment to the body-mind-intellect there is no time or past and future. Thus, after the cessation of the body-identity or duality, only the Pure Consciousness or "Joti-Svaroopa" remains, and the mind goes back to its Divine Source (Mool). Verily the Purity of the mind is the Supreme Bliss.
ਆਪੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੇ ਸੁ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਹੋਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ Aapu beechaare su giaanee hoee ||1||Rahaaou||: Who reflects ownself (ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ, ਆਪਣੇ ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਨੂੰ, ਆਪਣੇ ਅਸਲੇ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਚਾਰਦਾ ਹੈ - ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਦੀ ਪੜਤਾਲ) is truely Giaanee (Wise - ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਦੀ ਸੂਝ ਬੂਝ ਵਾਲਾ) ||1||Pause|| (sggs 152). ਆਪ ਸੇਤੀ ਆਪੁ ਖਾਇਆ ਤਾ ਮਨੁ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਹੋਆ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਮਈ ॥: Aap setee aap khaaiaa taa mann niramal hoaa jotee joti samaee: When my (True) Identity consumed my (mistaken) body-identity, then my mind became immaculately Pure, and my light was blended with the Divine Light (sggs 490). ਨਾਨਕ ਆਪੇ ਆਪਿ ਆਪਿ ਖੁਆਈਐ ॥: Nanak aape aapi aapi khuaaeeai: Says Nanak: Let your (True) Identity consume your (mistaken) body-identity (sggs 369). ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲੀ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਦਰਿ ਸੋਭਾ ਪਾਵਣਿਆ ॥: Jotee joti milee manu maaniaa har dari sobhaa paavaniaa: My mind has surrendered (its ego illusion); now my light has merged into the Cossmic Light; and I am blessed with the Glory of the Divine Realm (sggs 124). ਅਪੁਨੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਉ ਸਦਾ ਬਲਿ ਜਾਈ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲਾਈ ॥: Apune satgur kaou bali jaaee. Gumukh jotee joti milaaee: I am forever a sacrifice to my Satguru. Who becomes the Gurmukh, (the Satguru) blends his light (consciousness, ਸੁਰਤਿ, etc.) with the Divine Light (sggs 362). ਘਰ ਹੀ ਪਰਚਾ ਪਾਇਆ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲਾਇ ॥: Ghar hee parachaa paaiaa jotee joti milaai: Within the Home of his own Being, one finds the Divine Self, and his light blends with the Light (sggs 587). ਗੁਣ ਰਵਹਿ ਗੁਣ ਸੰਗ੍ਰਹਹਿ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲਾਇ ॥: Gun ravahi gun sangrahahi jotee joti milaae: One chants the Divine Praises, gathers Virtue, and his light merges into the Light (sggs 850). ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲਾਈਐ ਸੁਰਤੀ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਸੰਜੋਗੁ ॥ ਹਿੰਸਾ ਹਉਮੈ ਗਤੁ ਗਏ ਨਾਹੀ ਸਹਸਾ ਸੋਗੁ ॥: Jotee joti milaaeeai surtee surti sanjog. Hinsaa hauami gatu gae naaee sahsaa sogu: When one joins his light into the Light, and one joins his consciousness with the Pure Consciousness, then one's cruel and violent instincts, egotism, skepticism and sorrow depart (sggs 21). ਪ੍ਰਗਟੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਹਿ ਜਾਤਾ ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੁਲਾਣੀ ॥: Pragattee joti joti mahi jaataa manmukh bharam bhulaanee: By awakening the Divine Light within, Realization achieved in It. But the material beings wander in doubt and confusion (sggs 1111). ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲੀ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਇਕੁ ਪਸਾਰਿਆ ਜੀਉ ॥: Jotee joti milee sukh paaiaa jan Nanak ik pasaariaa jeeu: One's light merges into the Light, and he finds Peace. O servant Nanak, this is all the Extension of the One (sggs 97). ਸਚਿ ਰਤੇ ਸੇ ਨਿਰਮਲੇ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲਾਇ ॥: Sach rate se niramale jotee joti milaai: Those who are imbued with Truth are immaculate; their light merges in the Light (sggs 645). ਨਿਰਮਲ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਸੈ ਘਟ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲਾਵਣਿਆ ॥: Nirmal naam vasai ghatt bheetar jotee joti milaavaniaa: The Immaculate Divine Name abides deep within their Hearts; their light merges into the Light (sggs 128). ਚੀਨੈ ਆਪੁ ਪਛਾਣੈ ਸੋਈ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲਾਈ ਹੇ ॥: Cheenai aap pashaanai soee jotee joti milaaee he: One who understands his own Self, realizes the Divine. His light merges into the Light (sggs 1024). ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲਾਇ ਕਾਇਆ ਗੜੁ ਸੋਹਿਆ ਰਾਮ ॥: Jotee joti milaae kaaiaa garr sohiaa raam: My light has merges into the Light, and my body-fortress has become Beautiful (sggs 1114). ਹਉਮੈ ਰੋਗੁ ਗਇਆ ਦੁਖੁ ਲਾਥਾ ਆਪੁ ਆਪੈ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਖਾਧਾ ॥: Houmai rog gaiaa dukh laathaa aap aapai gurmati khaadhaa: Through the Gurmat (Guru's Teaching), the sickness of my ego has been dispelled, and my pain (of ਹਉਮੈ or egotism) is over and done; the knowledge (Giaan) of my (True) Identity has consumed my identical identity (false identity, ਆਪਾ-ਭਾਵ) (sggs 78). ਆਪੈ ਨੋ ਆਪੁ ਖਾਇ ਮਨੁ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥: Aapai no aap khaai mannu niramal hovai gur sabadee veechaar: Your (True) Identity consumes your (Mistaken) body-identity, and your mind becomes Pure by contemplating the Word of the Gur-Shabad (sggs 86). ਕਿਵ ਸਚਿਆਰਾ ਹੋਈਐ ਕਿਵ ਕੂੜੈ ਤੁਟੈ ਪਾਲਿ ॥ ਹੁਕਮਿ ਰਜਾਈ ਚਲਣਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਨਾਲਿ ॥: Kiv sachiyaaraa hooyeeai kiv koorhai totai paali. Hukam rajaaee chalnaa Nanak likhiyaa naali (sggs 1). ਸੁਮਤਿ ਪਾਏ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਏ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹੋਏ ਮੇਲਾ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਜਲ ਤਰੰਗੁ ਜਿਉ ਜਲਹਿ ਸਮਾਇਆ ॥ ਤਿਉ ਜੋਤੀ ਸੰਗਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲਾਇਆ ॥ ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਭ੍ਰਮ ਕਟੇ ਕਿਵਾੜਾ ਬਹੁੜਿ ਨ ਹੋਈਐ ਜਉਲਾ ਜੀਉ ॥: Sumati paaye naam dhiyaae gurmukhi hoye melaa jeeu ...: I have obtained this sublime understanding, and I meditate on the Divine Name; becoming a Gurmukh, I have met God. As waves of water merge again with the water, so does my light merge again into the Light. Says Nanak, the veil of illusion has been cut away, and I will not go out wandering any more (sggs 102). Thus, man's True Identity is in his inner Divine Qualities, not in outer details as to what language he speaks, what religion or philosophy he follows, what clothes he wears, what external looks or distinctive features he maintains, how he prays or worships, what color is his skin, and so on. Therefore, according to the Gurbani and other genuine scriptures, it will be a blunder to think that man's True Identity is determined by the outer details or his exclusiveness; for they do not constitute the real man. His true sense of identity is in Oneness or Sameness — that Light, Infinite Consciousness or "Joti-Svaroopa" which pervades all, equally.
— T. Singh
www.gurbani.org
 

I hope it was ok to post this, they stated as long as all copyright was intact so I think it's ok. Credit is all gurbani.org  (Reflections on Gurbani). 
So much Ego on here lately - I am this I am that, white people this, Punjabi people that, Men can do this and that while women can't, impure this, cleanliness that, brahamgyani this, sant that etc. etc etc.  But the true reality of who we are, has nothing to do with these physical bodies.  It's the jot within... and there is only one jot.  
 
TRUE IDENTITY 
 
O my mind, you are the embodiment or the True Image of the Divine Light (i.e., God) - recognize
your Origin (Roots, Reality, etc.). (sggs 490).
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Cosmic Reality is not only Eternal and Bliss Absolute, but also Light. That Cosmic Light is the true structure of all beings. We are That — the embodiment, emanation or the manifestation of the same, One Omnipresent Light. To put it in simple language, in its Essential Nature, our mind (Soul - Aatmaan) is the Mind of the Light — Ageless, Unborn, Eternal, Immortal, Imperishable, Ancient, Changeless, and Homogenous Oneness. This is our True and Eternal Identity. This Truth is alsoindicated by the term Joti-Saroop or Joti-Svaroop. We are time and again reminded in the Gurbani to recognize This Truth, "hear" and "now"!
ਇਉ ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਮਨ ਤੂੰ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੁ ਹੈ ਅਪਣਾ ਮੂਲੁ ਪਛਾਣੁ ॥੫॥: Iou kahai Nanaku man toon joti saroopu hai apanaa moolu pashaanu ||5||: Thus says Nanak - O mind! Your "Saroop" (your own, True State) is "Joti" (Divine Light)! Recognize your Mool (Source, Origin, Reality...) ||5|| (sggs 441). ਸੋਹੰ ਆਪੁ ਪਛਾਣੀਐ ਸਬਦਿ ਭੇਦਿ ਪਤੀਆਇ ॥: Soham aapu pchhaaneeai sabadi bhedi pteeaai: (When one's mind) is pierced through by the Shabad and is confided (in the Shabad, then one) recognizes within himself that, "He is me" (i.e, then he knows that his Real Nature and God's Nature is one and the same - ਤਦੋਂ ਇਹ ਪਛਾਣ ਆਉਂਦੀ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਮੇਰਾ ਤੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦਾ ਸੁਭਾਉ ਰਲਿਆ ਹੈ). (sggs 60). ਤਤੁ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੁ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਬਾਈ ਸੋਹੰ ਭੇਦੁ ਨ ਕੋਈ ਜੀਉ ॥: Tat niranjan joti sabaaee soham bhed na koee jeeo: The essence, the immaculate Lord, the Light of all — I am He and He is me — there is no difference (sggs 599). ਤੋਹੀ ਮੋਹੀ ਮੋਹੀ ਤੋਹੀ ਅੰਤਰੁ ਕੈਸਾ ॥ ਕਨਕ ਕਟਿਕ ਜਲ ਤਰੰਗ ਜੈਸਾ ॥੧॥: Tohee mohee mohee tohee antar kaisaa. Kanak katik jal trang jaisaa ||1||: You are me, and I am You—what is the difference between us? We are like gold and the bracelet, or water and the waves ||1|| (sggs 93). ਆਤਮ ਮਹਿ ਰਾਮੁ ਰਾਮ ਮਹਿ ਆਤਮੁ ਚੀਨਸਿ ਗੁਰ ਬੀਚਾਰਾ ॥: Aatam mahi Raam Raam mahi aatam cheenas Gur beechaaraa: God is in the Soul, and the Soul is in God. This is realized through Reflecting (on the Teachings) of the Guru (1153). ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਹਿ ਮਨੂਆ ਪੰਚ ਮਿਲੇ ਗੁਰ ਭਾਈ ॥: Mann mahi joti joti mahi manooaa panch mile gur bhaaee: The Light is in the mind, and the mind is in the Light. The Divine brings the five senses together, in harmony (sggs 879). God created the man in His Image" (Bible, Genesis 1:27). Tat tvam asi: Thou art That (Veda). Aham Brahma Asmi: I am God (Veda). Man is the goal of creation. He has come into this world to display those Attributes of God that are reflected within himselft (Sufi Giyani Jallaludin Rumi). Analhaq: I am He (Sufi Giyani Shams Tabreiz). The term Light conferred in the Gurbani is not used in the sense of grosser light of candles, electric bulbs, and so on. It denotes the Cosmic Consciousness, Cosmic Energy, Infinite Wisdom, Cosmic Knowledge — the Word, the Naam, the Hukam, the Shabad or the Transcendental Vibratory Sound that vibrates, creates, guides, controls, directs, sustains and animates every particle of the Cosmos.
ਆਪੇ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੀ ਬਾਲਾ ॥: Aape joti saroopee baalaa: (the Lord) Himself is the embodiment of Light, and the Great (ਸਭ ਦਾ ਵੱਡਾ-Exalted, Eminent, etc.) (sggs 1021). ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪ ਸਦਾ ਸੁਖਦਾਤਾ ਸਚੇ ਸੋਭਾ ਪਾਇਦਾ ॥: Joti saroop sadaa sukhadaataa sache sobhaa paaidaa: The Giver of Peace is forever the Embodiment of Light; from the True Being, glory is obtained (sggs 1036). ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੀ ਸਭੁ ਜਗੁ ਮਉਲੋ ॥: Joti saroopee sabh jagg moulo: He is the Embodiment of Light; through Him, the whole world blossoms forth (sggs 1083). ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪ ਜਾ ਕੀ ਸਭ ਵਥੁ ॥: Joti saroop jaa kee sabh vath: All beings belong to Him, the Embodiment of Light (sggs 1150). ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੀ ਤਤ ਅਨੂਪ ॥: Joti saroopee tatt anoop: He is the Embodiment of Light, the incomparable essence (sggs 344). ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪ ਅਨਾਹਦੁ ਵਾਜਿਆ ॥: Joti saroop anaahad vaajiaa: The Embodiment of Light plays the unstruck melody of bliss (sggs 370). On account of ignorance, man forgets about his Essential Nature as "Joti-Svaroopa", resulting in ego, illusion, body-consciousness or "I-am-the-body" idea. In this mistaken identity ("I-ness"), he then confounds the Eternal Self with the finite body-mind-intellect apparatus. Seen in such ego or illusion is the birth of the body made of the five elements and its death. Also, seen in it is the phenomenal world of names, shapes, movements and miseries. This body-consciousness, in turn, gives rise to the sense of doership and enjoyership (ego-identity).
ਪੰਚਮੀ ਪੰਚ ਭੂਤ ਬੇਤਾਲਾ ॥: Panchamee panch bhoot betaalaa: Panchamee: those who identify with this body of five elements are crazy (sggs 839). ਪੰਚ ਧਾਤੁ ਵਿਚਿ ਪਾਈਅਨੁ ਮੋਹੁ ਝੂਠੁ ਗੁਮਾਨੁ ॥: Panch dhaat vich paaeean mohu jhooth gumaan: Into the body of the five elements are infused attachment, falsehood and self-conceit (sggs 786). ਆਪਣੈ ਅਹੰਕਾਰਿ ਜਗਤੁ ਜਲਿਆ ਮਤ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਵਹੇ ॥: Aapanai ahankaar jagat jaliaa matt toon aapanaa aap gavaavahe: The world is consumed by ego-identity; see this, lest you lose your own self as well (sggs 441). In body-consciousness, man's all worldly relationships become bondage. He then exclusively thinks about his body, spouse, children and power. Overtaken by lust, greed, anger, sense-attachment, self-conceit, enviousness and stubborn mindedness, he loses Divine Virtues. He becomes materialist or Mayadhaaree (the Manmukh), and comes down to the level of animals. In selfishness, he thus does havoc and corruption. He gives up the path of compassion and truth or righteousness, and adopts the path of obstinate error and violent destruction. Every act performed (Mayaic efforts) in such obscured consciousness becomes suffering (Dukha) in disguise for him.
ਜਬ ਇਹ ਜਾਨੈ ਮੈ ਕਿਛੁ ਕਰਤਾ ॥ ਤਬ ਲਗੁ ਗਰਭ ਜੋਨਿ ਮਹਿ ਫਿਰਤਾ ॥ ਜਬ ਧਾਰੈ ਕੋਊ ਬੈਰੀ ਮੀਤੁ ॥ ਤਬ ਲਗੁ ਨਿਹਚਲੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਚੀਤੁ ॥ ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਮੋਹ ਮਗਨ ਸੰਗਿ ਮਾਇ ॥ ਤਬ ਲਗੁ ਧਰਮ ਰਾਇ ਦੇਇ ਸਜਾਇ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਤੇ ਬੰਧਨ ਤੂਟੈ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਉ ਛੂਟੈ ॥੪॥: Jab lag jaanai mujh te kashoo hoi ...: As long as someone thinks in ego that he is the doer, he will have no Peace. As long as this mortal thinks that he is the one who does things, he will wander in reincarnation through the womb. As long as he considers (in duality) one an enemy, and another a friend, his mind will not come to rest. As long as he is intoxicated with attachment to Maya, the Righteous Judge (The Divine Law of Karma) will punish him. By the Divine Grace, his material bonds are shattered; by the Divine Grace, O Nanak, his ego is eliminated ||4|| (sggs 278). ਮ੍ਰਿਗ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਜਿਉ ਝੂਠੋ ਇਹੁ ਜਗ ਦੇਖਿ ਤਾਸਿ ਉਠਿ ਧਾਵੈ ॥੧॥: Mrig trisnaa jiyu jhootho ihu jag dekhi taasi uthi dhavai ||1||: This world is false like the deer's delusion (ਮ੍ਰਿਗ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ: ਠਗ-ਨੀਰ, mirage). (As a deer chases after mirage - ਮ੍ਰਿਗ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ, ਠਗ-ਨੀਰ - and dies chasing it), similarly, (the Maya stricken person) on beholding this world runs after it (and suffers - ਆਤਮਕ ਮੌਤ) ||1|| (sggs 219). ਇਹੁ ਧਨੁ ਸੰਪੈ ਮਾਇਆ ਝੂਠੀ ਅੰਤਿ ਛੋਡਿ ਚਲਿਆ ਪਛੁਤਾਈ ॥: Ih dhan sanpai Maya jhoothee anti chhod chaliaa pachhutaaee: This wealth, property and Maya are false; (know that the mortal) in the end, departs in sorrow leaving these behind (sggs 77). ਇਹੁ ਮੋਹੁ ਮਾਇਆ ਤੇਰੈ ਸੰਗਿ ਨ ਚਾਲੈ ਝੂਠੀ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਲਗਾਈ ॥: Ih moh Maya terai sang na chhallai jhoothee pareet lagaayee: This emotional attachment to Maya will not go with you; falls is to fall in love with it (sggs 78). ਕਾਇਆ ਰਤਿ ਬਹੁ ਰੂਪ ਰਚਾਹੀ ॥ ਤਿਨ ਕਉ ਦਇਆ ਸੁਪਨੈ ਭੀ ਨਾਹੀ ॥: Kaaiaa ratti bahu roop rachaahee. Tin kau daiaa supanai bhee naahee: Body-conscious people try different ways to beatify their bodies; such people do not feel compassion, even in dreams (sggs 324). The Gurbani urges each and every person of the world to unlearn or deprogram this incorrect identification of who we have become. We are asked to come out of this unenlightened existence by recognizing our True and Eternal Identity as "Joti-Svaroopa", which is Truth-Knowledge-Bliss. We are urged to engage in Shabad-Vichaar and correct our faulty vision. This will begin the quest for Spiritual Wisdom (Aatam Giaan). The Gurbani asks us to live the life of love, true compassion, truth, understanding, contentment, kindness, inner purity, harmony, oneness, selflessness, peace, Wisdom, spiritual fraternity, universal goodwill, tolerance, loving Bhagati, and so on. As the mind gets purified through the Shabad-Vichaar, it moves toward the Mool within (Source, Origin, Jot...), causing the body-consciousness ("I-ness") to disappear.
Accordingly, attaining liberation from the error of body-identity (Mayaic Budhi or intellect) is the teaching of the Gurbani. Because the true Divine Life begins where the body-consciousness ends. Where there is no attachment to the body-mind-intellect there is no time or past and future. Thus, after the cessation of the body-identity or duality, only the Pure Consciousness or "Joti-Svaroopa" remains, and the mind goes back to its Divine Source (Mool). Verily the Purity of the mind is the Supreme Bliss.
ਆਪੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੇ ਸੁ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਹੋਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ Aapu beechaare su giaanee hoee ||1||Rahaaou||: Who reflects ownself (ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ, ਆਪਣੇ ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਨੂੰ, ਆਪਣੇ ਅਸਲੇ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਚਾਰਦਾ ਹੈ - ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਦੀ ਪੜਤਾਲ) is truely Giaanee (Wise - ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਦੀ ਸੂਝ ਬੂਝ ਵਾਲਾ) ||1||Pause|| (sggs 152). ਆਪ ਸੇਤੀ ਆਪੁ ਖਾਇਆ ਤਾ ਮਨੁ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਹੋਆ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਮਈ ॥: Aap setee aap khaaiaa taa mann niramal hoaa jotee joti samaee: When my (True) Identity consumed my (mistaken) body-identity, then my mind became immaculately Pure, and my light was blended with the Divine Light (sggs 490). ਨਾਨਕ ਆਪੇ ਆਪਿ ਆਪਿ ਖੁਆਈਐ ॥: Nanak aape aapi aapi khuaaeeai: Says Nanak: Let your (True) Identity consume your (mistaken) body-identity (sggs 369). ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲੀ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਦਰਿ ਸੋਭਾ ਪਾਵਣਿਆ ॥: Jotee joti milee manu maaniaa har dari sobhaa paavaniaa: My mind has surrendered (its ego illusion); now my light has merged into the Cossmic Light; and I am blessed with the Glory of the Divine Realm (sggs 124). ਅਪੁਨੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਉ ਸਦਾ ਬਲਿ ਜਾਈ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲਾਈ ॥: Apune satgur kaou bali jaaee. Gumukh jotee joti milaaee: I am forever a sacrifice to my Satguru. Who becomes the Gurmukh, (the Satguru) blends his light (consciousness, ਸੁਰਤਿ, etc.) with the Divine Light (sggs 362). ਘਰ ਹੀ ਪਰਚਾ ਪਾਇਆ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲਾਇ ॥: Ghar hee parachaa paaiaa jotee joti milaai: Within the Home of his own Being, one finds the Divine Self, and his light blends with the Light (sggs 587). ਗੁਣ ਰਵਹਿ ਗੁਣ ਸੰਗ੍ਰਹਹਿ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲਾਇ ॥: Gun ravahi gun sangrahahi jotee joti milaae: One chants the Divine Praises, gathers Virtue, and his light merges into the Light (sggs 850). ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲਾਈਐ ਸੁਰਤੀ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਸੰਜੋਗੁ ॥ ਹਿੰਸਾ ਹਉਮੈ ਗਤੁ ਗਏ ਨਾਹੀ ਸਹਸਾ ਸੋਗੁ ॥: Jotee joti milaaeeai surtee surti sanjog. Hinsaa hauami gatu gae naaee sahsaa sogu: When one joins his light into the Light, and one joins his consciousness with the Pure Consciousness, then one's cruel and violent instincts, egotism, skepticism and sorrow depart (sggs 21). ਪ੍ਰਗਟੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਹਿ ਜਾਤਾ ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੁਲਾਣੀ ॥: Pragattee joti joti mahi jaataa manmukh bharam bhulaanee: By awakening the Divine Light within, Realization achieved in It. But the material beings wander in doubt and confusion (sggs 1111). ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲੀ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਇਕੁ ਪਸਾਰਿਆ ਜੀਉ ॥: Jotee joti milee sukh paaiaa jan Nanak ik pasaariaa jeeu: One's light merges into the Light, and he finds Peace. O servant Nanak, this is all the Extension of the One (sggs 97). ਸਚਿ ਰਤੇ ਸੇ ਨਿਰਮਲੇ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲਾਇ ॥: Sach rate se niramale jotee joti milaai: Those who are imbued with Truth are immaculate; their light merges in the Light (sggs 645). ਨਿਰਮਲ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਸੈ ਘਟ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲਾਵਣਿਆ ॥: Nirmal naam vasai ghatt bheetar jotee joti milaavaniaa: The Immaculate Divine Name abides deep within their Hearts; their light merges into the Light (sggs 128). ਚੀਨੈ ਆਪੁ ਪਛਾਣੈ ਸੋਈ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲਾਈ ਹੇ ॥: Cheenai aap pashaanai soee jotee joti milaaee he: One who understands his own Self, realizes the Divine. His light merges into the Light (sggs 1024). ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲਾਇ ਕਾਇਆ ਗੜੁ ਸੋਹਿਆ ਰਾਮ ॥: Jotee joti milaae kaaiaa garr sohiaa raam: My light has merges into the Light, and my body-fortress has become Beautiful (sggs 1114). ਹਉਮੈ ਰੋਗੁ ਗਇਆ ਦੁਖੁ ਲਾਥਾ ਆਪੁ ਆਪੈ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਖਾਧਾ ॥: Houmai rog gaiaa dukh laathaa aap aapai gurmati khaadhaa: Through the Gurmat (Guru's Teaching), the sickness of my ego has been dispelled, and my pain (of ਹਉਮੈ or egotism) is over and done; the knowledge (Giaan) of my (True) Identity has consumed my identical identity (false identity, ਆਪਾ-ਭਾਵ) (sggs 78). ਆਪੈ ਨੋ ਆਪੁ ਖਾਇ ਮਨੁ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥: Aapai no aap khaai mannu niramal hovai gur sabadee veechaar: Your (True) Identity consumes your (Mistaken) body-identity, and your mind becomes Pure by contemplating the Word of the Gur-Shabad (sggs 86). ਕਿਵ ਸਚਿਆਰਾ ਹੋਈਐ ਕਿਵ ਕੂੜੈ ਤੁਟੈ ਪਾਲਿ ॥ ਹੁਕਮਿ ਰਜਾਈ ਚਲਣਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਨਾਲਿ ॥: Kiv sachiyaaraa hooyeeai kiv koorhai totai paali. Hukam rajaaee chalnaa Nanak likhiyaa naali (sggs 1). ਸੁਮਤਿ ਪਾਏ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਏ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹੋਏ ਮੇਲਾ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਜਲ ਤਰੰਗੁ ਜਿਉ ਜਲਹਿ ਸਮਾਇਆ ॥ ਤਿਉ ਜੋਤੀ ਸੰਗਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲਾਇਆ ॥ ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਭ੍ਰਮ ਕਟੇ ਕਿਵਾੜਾ ਬਹੁੜਿ ਨ ਹੋਈਐ ਜਉਲਾ ਜੀਉ ॥: Sumati paaye naam dhiyaae gurmukhi hoye melaa jeeu ...: I have obtained this sublime understanding, and I meditate on the Divine Name; becoming a Gurmukh, I have met God. As waves of water merge again with the water, so does my light merge again into the Light. Says Nanak, the veil of illusion has been cut away, and I will not go out wandering any more (sggs 102). Thus, man's True Identity is in his inner Divine Qualities, not in outer details as to what language he speaks, what religion or philosophy he follows, what clothes he wears, what external looks or distinctive features he maintains, how he prays or worships, what color is his skin, and so on. Therefore, according to the Gurbani and other genuine scriptures, it will be a blunder to think that man's True Identity is determined by the outer details or his exclusiveness; for they do not constitute the real man. His true sense of identity is in Oneness or Sameness — that Light, Infinite Consciousness or "Joti-Svaroopa" which pervades all, equally.
— T. Singh
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