WHAT HAPPENS IF WE FALL?
Guru Gobind Singh ji says that the first Rehat (discipline) of a Sikh is to take Khanda Amrit from the panj;
Pratham Rahit Yeh Jaan Khande ki Pahul Chakkey
Soee Singh Pardhaan Avar Naa Pahul Jo Lai.
The Primary Rehat for a Sikh is to take Khande-ki Pahul,
Those beings are great who renounce all other nectars.
This is our first and essential step into Sikhi, as we have given our sees (head) to our Guru. You’ve come under the total allegiance of the Guru and the Guru is your father from then onwards. Most people make their aim to take Amrit and that’s just it.
It’s like an admission into a school. Your journey never stops there. You face many hurdles along the way, in order to achieve what one must to prosper in the world. Similarly, a Sikh of the Guru faces many challenges in their daily lives. You’re constantly fighting a battle within, within the mind; constantly battling with the five thieves (lust, anger, greed, attachment, ego), aalas (laziness), nindiya (slander/judgement of others). Each one of these can bring us down at anytime. We each have a jyot (light) within us, which is lighted by Akaal Purkh (God) themselves. Each time we give in to these bad habits, the light dims. We don’t want that light to disappear. It’s the connection between us and Akaal Purkh. Without that connection you suffer in pain, confusion and duality.
The battle isn’t easy. Nobody said it would be easy. Yes, through meditation on God’s name, you are able to control them but we’re all humans and are always vulnerable to each and every one of them.
So what do you do? You fall and you rise. Again and again! It’s an ongoing circle. You are only in danger if you stop trying in your Sikhi to rectify your actions. For example, I know if I was to miss amritvela by chance, I would constantly dwell on it for days and days thinking how could I let that happen, and it would seriously bring me down.
But, one thing I’ve learnt along the way is, that dwelling on what you’ve done, gets you absolutely nowhere. It just robs you of your peace. It’s very important to have fear of Guru Sahib Ji. Fear and love go together, because you fear to lose or hurt the person that you love right? But, if that’s the case, move on and start again. Fresh day, fresh start. I’m not saying if mistakes happen it’s okay. Yes, you have to acknowledge them and rectify them. But, don’t put yourself down so much, that you just give up and your mind just constantly ticks around that event.
Go to your Guru. You accepted Guru as your father. Speak to your Guru. He’s ang Sang (with us) at all times. Ask for his forgiveness.
Bhulan Andhar Sab Ko Abhul Guru Kartaar.
Everyone makes mistakes, only the Guru and the Creator are infallible.
The Chaali Mukte (40 Liberated Ones) wrote a letter to Guru Sahib saying we are not your Sikhs and you are not our Guru. Imagine how much pain that must have caused Guru Sahib. But, when they came back to Guru Sahib, fought in the Battle of Muktsar and gave shaheedi (martyrdom), Guru Sahib tore up that document. That’s the love that Guru Sahib has for his Sikhs.
Never leave your Guru, always come back to him and he’ll accept you with arms wide open, because if you love Guru, he gives you that love back ten fold more. It’s very important to uphold Guru’s discipline. Do not take it lightly! We’ve been given this discipline in order for us to fight this battle everyday. But if one is to fall in the process, always always come back to Guru’s sanctuary; do your ardaas and speak to Guru Sahib in person.
Guru Ramdaas Ji says,
Satgur Ki Sarnaee Bhaj Pao Mere Mana Gur Satgur Peechai Shhutiai
Quickly, run to the Sanctuary of the True Guru, Oh my mind, following the True Guru, you shall be saved.
Vaheguroo!
