CdnSikhGirl

A Sikh should not treat anyone badly, ever.  Ordinary ex-Sikhs, it was their choice. They are only hurting their own spiritual journey, not yours. So why treat them badly? Why badmouth and call people nindak etc? It only shows hatred. If an ex-Sikh (I don't care what background they are) were in need, I would help any of them. Why would I think badly of them? It was their choice and they did what they felt they needed to do for THEIR journey. It doesn't make them less human, and it doesn't make them any less a carrier of the divine light. 

WJKK WJKF since I can't contact everyone I built a friendship with on here I will just put here if you wish to get hold of me you can find me at SPN.  
Wish you all well. 

But you are speaking the above almost as an excuse to purposely kill animals when it is not required.  You can look for excuses to justify it all you want.  My personal choice is to go the way of least death (needless deaths anyway) which is working towards vegan.
And ask Paapiman (since we have have each other blocked and he cant see this) that if he is so keen on dairy industry even though the baby cows are killed in order to have milk production, then why is he so against eating that same meat which comes from those baby cows, when at least USING the meat for something means the baby cow didn't die for nothing. At least some humans would have some sustenance from the meat created by his production of his precious glass of milk.  But we all know he is dead set against meat eating... so its better to let the meat rot and the baby cow's death is needless and meant nothing??
That is what is called hypocrisy and is openly condemned in Gurbani.

How would the Singhs know if a woman is menstruating?  Do the Singhs have a special device that can tell them which female within the 4 walls of a Gurudvara is on her menstrual period? The Singhs must be very highly developed souls to know exactly which woman is on and which one isn't.
 

CdnSikhGirl hit it on the head for why I am becoming a Vegan, plus I like making my own nut milks.!!

BhagatSingh ji,
I know very little about other religions, and can't comment that when a Hindu says Brahma, Vishnu or Mahesh they really mean the same God which Guru Nanak Dev ji defined in Mool Mantar.  I can, however, say with some confidence that when Guru Nanak Dev ji speaks of Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh and other Devi Devte, he doesn't equate them to Waheguru.  Instead, the Guru is categorical in pointing out that these deities are temporary (mortal) creations of God, are under the sway of maya, are numerous in numbers, and they can't lead others to God because they themselves are yearning for the same  (please see quotes below from SGGS) .  The Guru instructs his Sikhs to not go after anything  which is temporary and instead connect with One who is permanent and absolute.
If a Hindu's version of Vishnu is the same as Waheguru, then he is on the right path and his worship of Vishnu will take him to Waheguru.  However, when somebody claims to be a Sikh of Guru Nanak, then that person needs to live by the terminology and instructions the Guru has provided.  One cannot claim to be the Sikh of Guru Nanak and then worship Brahma, Vishnu or Mahesh.  In order to achieve oneness, Sikhs have to embrace and respect everybody and everything and see Waheguru in Maya but not be fooled by Maya.  If a puratan or a current-day Sikh is worshiping  a devi/devta, then that person is not following the Guru.  If people associated with the sanatansikhi blog are pointing icons of devis on Sikh flags as a common cultural background to foster understanding and tolerance, then they are doing a worthwhile thing.  If these people are trying to confuse Sikhs to worship and run after devi devte against the wishes of the Guru then they are doing a terrible thing.
 
ਐਸੀ ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਇਕ ਰਾਮਿ ਉਪਾਈ ॥…ਪਾਇ ਠਗਉਲੀ ਸਭੁ ਜਗੁ ਜੋਹਿਆ ॥ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਬਿਸਨੁ ਮਹਾਦੇਉ ਮੋਹਿਆ ॥ Such is Maya, the woman, which the One Lord has created… Through her illusion, she has dominated the whole world.  Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are under her spell. (SGGS 394)
ਕੋਟਿ ਮਹੇਸ ਉਪਾਇ ਸਮਾਏ ॥ He created and destroyed millions of Shivas. (SGGS 1156)

ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਬਿਸਨੁ ਮਹਾਦੇਉ ਤ੍ਰੈ ਗੁਣ ਰੋਗੀ ਵਿਚਿ ਹਉਮੈ ਕਾਰ ਕਮਾਈ ॥ Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva suffer from the disease of the three gunas - the three qualities; they do their deeds in egotism. (SGGS 735)

ਰੋਗੀ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਬਿਸਨੁ ਸਰੁਦ੍ਰਾ ਰੋਗੀ ਸਗਲ ਸੰਸਾਰਾ ॥ Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are diseased; the whole world is diseased. (SGGS 1153)

ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਮਹੇਸ ਸਿਧ ਮੁਨਿ ਇੰਦ੍ਰਾ ਭਗਤਿ ਦਾਨੁ ਜਸੁ ਮੰਗੀ ॥ Brahma, Shiva, the Siddhas, the silent sages and Indra beg for the charity of His Praise and devotion to Him. (SGGS 1322)

ਜਿ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਕੈ ਘਰਿ ਵਥੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਸੁ ਨਫਰੈ ਹਥਿ ਆਵੈ ਅਣਹੋਦੀ ਕਿਥਹੁ ਪਾਏ ॥ If there is something in his master's house, he can get it; but how can he get what is not there? (SGGS 306)

ਏਕਸੁ ਕੀ ਸਿਰਿ ਕਾਰ ਏਕ ਜਿਨਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਬਿਸਨੁ ਰੁਦ੍ਰੁ ਉਪਾਇਆ ॥ Everyone must serve the One Lord, who created Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. (SGGS 1130)

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh

I am guessing the idea of causing any harm to animals is the reason...
Milk products causes death of cows anyway, regardless of whether you are eating them or not. And its the killing which is wrong. But its impossible to produce milk without killing the baby cows, there would be far too many to keep since the mother cow can only produce milk for a certain amount of time and when we are talking about mass production of milk... so dairy causes as much death as the meat industry (in fact many of the babies end up as veal anyway).  Vegan just means avoiding ALL animal products out of concern for the animals.
 
 

LOL. I can't disagree with you here!  But this is a different issue... I think we should ALL partake in some form of at the very least self-defence training.  I used to do Tae-Kwon Do but I stopped (waiting for surgery for an injury). I don't believe it has to be Gatka etc. or what was traditionally seen as Sikh specific combat training, but at least everyone should know what to do if someone attacks them. Anything is better than nothing. Karate, Judo, Jiu Jitsu, Gatka, etc any kind of martial arts. It not only teaches self defence, but discipline and is exercise too!  And I think both boys AND GIRLS should be put into these things at a young age. Start healthy habits early! 

Oh okay. 
But we should note that Sikhs seem to have deteriorated physically since annexation due to easy life. 
If you ask me, many of our lot could do with a lot more physical exertions. I mean the amount of 'sardars' with pot bellies back home is criminal. 

Omg that goat is so cute!!!! I'm getting one!

Why can't people just look at the soul instead of all these petty things like caste colour gender even financial or political status etc? Even on here why can't we all recognize that we are all in fact the same!? All humans should be treated the same regardless of any of the above. 
Anyway if caste is job then what is military?? Lol oh wait right I'm female therefore in caste system I'd be lower than an untouchable male. 

It is obviously being done for respect... however if it comes to a point of blankets for SGGSJ or blankets for a person in need who is suffering in the cold... then what do we do? What would Guru Nanak Dev Ji do? I'm not saying not to do these things. But what I am asking is, do we do these things at a higher importance than helping someone in need of those same things? 

Why can't people just look at the soul instead of all these petty things like caste colour gender even financial or political status etc? Even on here why can't we all recognize that we are all in fact the same!? All humans should be treated the same regardless of any of the above. 
Anyway if caste is job then what is military?? Lol oh wait right I'm female therefore in caste system I'd be lower than an untouchable male. 

Hmmm only if it's one of those cute Pygmy goats :) Like this one:

She's as cute as Alaskan Hawaii dogs. Mom is not letting us have a dog, maybe she will agree to a goat. This goat and your cat can be my BFF. 

http://www.collective-evolution.com/2014/03/08/10-scientific-studies-that-prove-consciousness-can-alter-our-physical-material-world/
 
Interesting read! 

Hmmm only if it's one of those cute Pygmy goats :) Like this one:

Actually due to the fact that many confuse us with Muslims it HAS come up. I did this event last year and was asked why I converted when women are treated inferior... They assumed Sikhi was a sect of Islam. But even outside of mistaken identity we have our own issues with gender equality and I know it will come up. Because they genuinely want to know how I could covert to a religion where I would have less rights and equality than *supposedly* Christianity (if only they knew what the bible says about women)... Anyway I can't avoid it. All I can do is answer that the religion does teach equality and equal rights but not everyone practices it (due to culture influence etc) 

As part of a military event, I have gotten the Gurdwara involved to do a table / display.  We will have posters (mostly Sikh in WW1-WW2 etc. And some pamphlets on what Sikhi is.  I also have an extra kirpan, gatra, simrana, kara, kanga etc.  I will bring for the table.  
My question is, would it be a bad idea to bring a nitnem gutka? Keeping in mind the public (DND military personell and their families) will be there.  On the one hand, I worry about people handling it  but on the other hand if they can see for themselves what is contained in the banis, it goes a LONG way to understanding and seeing that Sikhi is not in any way violent etc.  (since we all know that Sikhs are often wrongly misunderstood in this area).  The one I have extra here is the Sacred Nitnem one with transliteration and English along with the Gurmukhi.  
IDERD = International Day For Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Shouldn't that have been...
"You have the right to remain HUNGRY." Lol sorry could not resist!

I asked a long time ago and nobody told me. I thought someone actually typed out I was an admin cut something or other.  I was wondering what they meant by calling me an admin cut. I thought it was a phrase or something... but yes it's when someone swears and the forum software filter picks it up and replaces the word with 'admin cut' Forum settings can be managed by the admins, so they can add to the list of words that get filtered.  So if they wanted to add for example 'nindak' then every time someone called someone else a nindak it would say instead they are an admin cut LOL. 
 
As for the meat topic, it's not explicitly prohibited in Gurbani or Sikh Rehet Maryada. But I think for animal sake, and empathy for animals, we should not eat them when we have good alternatives. That also goes for eggs and milk (which I am trying to cut out both).  I have been vegetarian but eat eggs and milk.  But I try not to have too much eggs and milk anymore. Almond milk is a good alternative for milk, and you can get vegan scrambled eggs that are pretty good, but I have not found any good cheese alternatives yet :(  

 

Of course you don't want to become a sex crazed maniac but...
Celibacy means no sex at all. 
Most healthy way is to have intimate relations with your spouse but don't become addicted to it.  Do it for right reasons, intimacy and closeness with your spouse as an act of love. You are supposed to be two souls in one body. Merging with that other half of yourself is not wrong. Just don't take it for granted or start doing it purely for physical pleasure.
But Gurbani makes it clear that celibacy does not get you a fast pass ticket to God.
The only reason I can see these Ragi groups etc wanting people to be unmarried is so they can devote more time to practicing and traveling around without worrying about a family they have to get home to. So that's not a spiritual reason but a practical one. 

There is always a difference between the philosophy and what people practice. That's true of any faith.

I always thought Gurbani says that THIS is our chance. THIS lifetime. It's not concerned about some future lifetime... what we have here and now is our chance. Otherwise, you start over again. When you can finally attain a human body again, will you even remember? Will you feel the same drive toward spirituality? Will you waste away that life? As when you enter that life you will start again with amnesia... So don't waste this one in hopes of some future life.  
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ਆਸਾ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ਦੁਪਦੇ ॥
Āsā mėhlā 5 ḏupḏe.
Aasaa, Fifth Mehl, Du-Padas:
ਭਈ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਮਾਨੁਖ ਦੇਹੁਰੀਆ ॥
Bẖa▫ī parāpaṯ mānukẖ ḏehurī▫ā.
You have been blessed with this human body.
ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਮਿਲਣ ਕੀ ਇਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਰੀਆ ॥
Gobinḏ milaṇ kī ih ṯerī barī▫ā.
This is your chance to meet the Lord of the Universe.
ਅਵਰਿ ਕਾਜ ਤੇਰੈ ਕਿਤੈ ਨ ਕਾਮ ॥
Avar kāj ṯerai kiṯai na kām.
Other efforts are of no use to you.
ਮਿਲੁ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਭਜੁ ਕੇਵਲ ਨਾਮ ॥੧॥
Mil sāḏẖsangaṯ bẖaj keval nām. ||1||
Joining the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, vibrate and meditate on the Naam, the Name of the Lord. ||1||
ਸਰੰਜਾਮਿ ਲਾਗੁ ਭਵਜਲ ਤਰਨ ਕੈ ॥
Saraʼnjām lāg bẖavjal ṯaran kai.
Make the effort, and cross over the terrifying world ocean.
ਜਨਮੁ ਬ੍ਰਿਥਾ ਜਾਤ ਰੰਗਿ ਮਾਇਆ ਕੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Janam baritha jāṯ rang mā▫i▫ā kai. ||1|| rahā▫o.
This human life is passing away in vain, in the love of Maya. ||1||Pause||
ਜਪੁ ਤਪੁ ਸੰਜਮੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਨ ਕਮਾਇਆ ॥
Jap ṯap sanjam ḏẖaram na kamā▫i▫ā.
I have not practiced meditation, penance, self-restraint or righteous living;
ਸੇਵਾ ਸਾਧ ਨ ਜਾਨਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਇਆ ॥
Sevā sāḏẖ na jāni▫ā har rā▫i▫ā.
I have not served the Holy Saints, and I do not know the Lord, my King.
ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਮ ਨੀਚ ਕਰੰਮਾ ॥
Kaho Nānak ham nīcẖ karammā.
Says Nanak, my actions are vile and despicable;
ਸਰਣਿ ਪਰੇ ਕੀ ਰਾਖਹੁ ਸਰਮਾ ॥੨॥੨੯॥
Saraṇ pare kī rākẖo sarmā. ||2||29||
O Lord, I seek Your Sanctuary - please, preserve my honor. ||2||29||
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ਗੁਰ ਸੇਵਾ ਤੇ ਭਗਤਿ ਕਮਾਈ ॥
Gur sevā ṯe bẖagaṯ kamā▫ī.
Serving the Guru, devotional worship is practiced.
ਤਬ ਇਹ ਮਾਨਸ ਦੇਹੀ ਪਾਈ ॥
Ŧab ih mānas ḏehī pā▫ī.
Then, this human body is obtained.
ਇਸ ਦੇਹੀ ਕਉ ਸਿਮਰਹਿ ਦੇਵ ॥
Is ḏehī ka▫o simrahi ḏev.
Even the gods long for this human body.
ਸੋ ਦੇਹੀ ਭਜੁ ਹਰਿ ਕੀ ਸੇਵ ॥੧॥
So ḏehī bẖaj har kī sev. ||1||
So vibrate that human body, and think of serving the Lord. ||1||
ਭਜਹੁ ਗੋੁਬਿੰਦ ਭੂਲਿ ਮਤ ਜਾਹੁ ॥
Bẖajahu gobinḏ bẖūl maṯ jāhu.
Vibrate, and meditate on the Lord of the Universe, and never forget Him.
ਮਾਨਸ ਜਨਮ ਕਾ ਏਹੀ ਲਾਹੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Mānas janam kā ehī lāhu. ||1|| rahā▫o.
This is the blessed opportunity of this human incarnation. ||1||Pause||
ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਜਰਾ ਰੋਗੁ ਨਹੀ ਆਇਆ ॥
Jab lag jarā rog nahī ā▫i▫ā.
As long as the disease of old age has not come to the body,
ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਕਾਲਿ ਗ੍ਰਸੀ ਨਹੀ ਕਾਇਆ ॥
Jab lag kāl garsī nahī kā▫i▫ā.
and as long as death has not come and seized the body,
ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਬਿਕਲ ਭਈ ਨਹੀ ਬਾਨੀ ॥
Jab lag bikal bẖa▫ī nahī bānī.
and as long as your voice has not lost its power,
ਭਜਿ ਲੇਹਿ ਰੇ ਮਨ ਸਾਰਿਗਪਾਨੀ ॥੨॥
Bẖaj lehi re man sārigpānī. ||2||
O mortal being, vibrate and meditate on the Lord of the World. ||2||
ਅਬ ਨ ਭਜਸਿ ਭਜਸਿ ਕਬ ਭਾਈ ॥
Ab na bẖajas bẖajas kab bẖā▫ī.
If you do not vibrate and meditate on Him now, when will you?
ਆਵੈ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਭਜਿਆ ਜਾਈ ॥
Āvai anṯ na bẖaji▫ā jā▫ī.
When the end comes, you will not be able to vibrate and meditate on Him.
ਜੋ ਕਿਛੁ ਕਰਹਿ ਸੋਈ ਅਬ ਸਾਰੁ ॥
Jo kicẖẖ karahi so▫ī ab sār.
Whatever you have to do - now is the best time to do it.
ਫਿਰਿ ਪਛੁਤਾਹੁ ਨ ਪਾਵਹੁ ਪਾਰੁ ॥੩॥
Fir pathuṯāhu na pāvhu pār. ||3||
Otherwise, you shall regret and repent afterwards, and you shall not be carried across to the other side. ||3||
 

That is really great seva!  I remember when I was younger my great grandmother was in a nursing home. (It was necessity as she was not only requiring heavy physical specialized care but was also combative with alzheimers) but we still visited often, decorated her room as if were home etc. But I remember some of the residents their families didn't even visit. They were always alone. Even worse some places just medicate combative residents to make them better to deal with.  It's sad.  I won't pretend to know how to deal with advanced alzheimers but there has to be a better way than medicating them to the point of drooling and staring off into space :( We must never forget our elders and what they have done earlier in our lives.