Are you Sikh enough?
For some time now I've been contemplating whether or not as Sikhs, we have the right to question each other's "Sikhness". Recently I was questioned by a fellow Sikh. At first I was instantly defensive, and the thought that someone deemed it appropriate to question me, left me baffled.
What gives one Sikh the right to question or judge another Sikh. Is it "Sikh" to even do that? Or is it necessary to keep each other in check, as the Gursiblings of the same Guru?
I’m not sure if I know the answer, or if I even want to know. But, I have explored within myself both scenarios.
My first thoughts were, what gives you the right? I thought, people like this think they are better than everyone else. It’s a ego trip, I am a better Sikh than you therefore let me show you how it is done. Nit picking the hell out of other people, making them feel insecure, judged, and cornered. Is that the Sikh thing to do?
And then, after a week or two when my over thinking nature and anger cooled down I allowed my mind to wander to a different path.
Could it really be that criticism like that is necessary? Out of love and compassion? I started thinking that maybe it is the right maybe even the duty of a Sikh to help another Sikh become better, help them realize what they are doing wrong.
What drives the thought? Ego or Love?
After I had gone through all the emotions of this cycle, I started to question myself.
Am I Sikh enough?
It’s something that I think we should all ask ourselves, we are the only ones that can answer it honestly. It’s a dangerously bright light that you will shine on yourself, if you chose to do so. I’ve been dissecting myself into pieces, why do I do the things I do? Sure, along with the 5 vices, I have another 5, 10 or more that I have created for myself. I have taken Amrit, I’ve been blessed to be born in the house of Nanaks. In every sense of the word, I believe that I belong to the greatest Kings this world has ever seen. But, I do not adorn that crown that was given to us all. I do get angry, I am judgmental I don’t always finish my paat.
Am I Sikh enough?
With all my flaws, do I have the right to judge you? Do I have the right to ask you why you don’t keep your hair, or why you haven’t made the commitment to the Guru yet? Is that right, my job, my obligation? Regardless of whether or not it is out of Ego or Love, when and where does the line get crossed?
I don’t know the answers to any of the questions I’ve posed. But I do have a belief, and that is that the life of a Sikh is his own. A Sikh is nothing without his Guru, and the latter to be climbed may at times be easy and at times be very steep. The Guru is the one to guide you up or down. Sometimes, the right action might be to step down so that you may step up again and again.
I joined this faith because of the equality, love and the ability to cut out the middle man. It’s between a Sikh and his Guru. No one else. And after a full decade of following this beautiful faith I find myself back at square one. If the Guru has defined this faith, then why are it’s followers so eager to redefine it? We all know what is wrong and what is right. It is up to us to find the strength within our relationship with the divine to see it clearly or to ignore it.
So, I triple dog dare you to shine that light on yourself….
Are you Sikh enough?
