Surely we cannot be so naive as to assume that just because AMRIT gives you guidelines, that AMRIT does not have something to offer. If we say this, we would be the most ignorant fools on the earth. There is a reality we must embrace - that AMRIT is a wonderful gift, a wonderful change of lifestyle, and a very drastic and valuable opportunity.
Let us look at this example, which is very minor compared to being blessed with AMRIT: Somebody offers you the position of Captain on the Detroit Red Wings hockey team. You would be simply astounded. But uh oh, wait a second - what a big responsibility that is! You will have to get training, become professional, be a good role model, and be leadership material. You will have to accept accountability, big expectations from people. you will have to follow certain guidelines - you will need to wear a certain uniform and act in a certain way.
Pretty limiting? Ask the captain of Detroit Red Wings, Steve Yzerman, if he loves his job. Of course he does! Would he trade it for anything? Definitely not! Does it have restrictions? For sure! Do the advantages of the job beat the restrictions? No competition - there are tons of advantages and the disadvantages just seem like reasonable parts of the game.
What game are we playing here?
This is the game of love.
What is the first restriction?
"...Sikhism, AMRIT and Salvation: Consider if you will that Sachkhand is a foreign country. You will need a passport to get in and a visa stamp. AMRIT is that passport and the visa stamp is the Almighty's Kirpa (blessing). In which case Dharam Raaj is immigration. By taking AMRIT, you are going to your Guru and saying that: Your teachings are the best, so I promise to lead the life in the way that you have set for me, with your and Waheguroo's blessings..."
How many teachers does a person have throughout their education? I have had over 25 to earn a degree. this was just to get a degree in worldy knowledge about one field of study.
It took ten Guru Sahibs to mould a cowardly people into Sant Sipahis. The first nine Gurus armed our minds with Gurbani or God's word. Guru Gobind Singh Ji armed us physically. Why didn't the first nine Gurus take AMRIT?
"What is AMRIT? Is it a time to get a sword? AMRIT is a Sikh’s wedding to Guru Sahib. A commitment to keep the Khalsa Rehit. Guru Gobind Singh Ji says that for him Rehit is more dear than a Sikh. You can't give people without Rehit or discipline swords or weapons. One becomes a Saint Soldier or Sant Sipahi after committing to the Rehit so one is truly a Sant Sipahi and not some fanatic with a weapon..."
Guru Gobind Singh Ji did not take AMRIT to become a Sikh, Guru Sahib took AMRIT to show that the Khalsa was Guru' s Sroop or the Guru's image. Basically like the student is now the master. This is why we say Guru’s Panth Khalsa..."
It took ten Gurus to make an Army of God. It takes over 25 teachers to earn a degree in some useless major. You do the math …"
AMRIT is a physical concept to show one's commitment to the Khalsa Rehit or discipline. The real AMRIT in Sikhi one strives for is the AMRIT of Naam. This AMRIT was in all the Gurus and also the Bhagats such as Bhagat Ravidas Ji, Bhagat Naam Dev Ji, Skeih Farid Sahib, Bhagat Kabir Ji, and many more. Naam is above all. To say why didn't ourGurus take AMRIT is like saying that the Gurus lacked a spiritual Rehit..."
Be part of the ARMY OF GOD
– Take AMRIT –
You will be glad you did!
What team are we on? Akaal Purakh Kee Fauj.
This is our team...
Defence: YOU
Who are our captains?
Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Mata Sahib Kaur Ji.
Who is our coach?
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Who is our goalie? Our own REHIT.
Who are our opponents?
Kaam, krodh, lobh, moh, ahankaar, jhoot, nindaa, vair, virodAnd their coach is Maayaa. If we want to play we know the rules. We know the risks. But our skates are like ice, and our ice is like the sharp blades of skates. This path is sharper than a sword's edge and thinner than a hair.
This skating arena is the world. There is no overtime in this game. Our Sangat is on our team. Our Rehit Maryada are the referees.
All the devis, devtas, sur, nar, mun, jan - THEY WANT TO PLAY THE GAME - but they are our fans. They cheer us on, we can win, and the rewards are endless: theh anek roop nau nav nidh this daa anth naa jaaee paaeiaa, man jeetay jug jeet, jis no bakshay sifat salaahu naanak paatshaahee paathsaahu...
The rewards are endless. All the worldly bliss, but more importantly the true love of the Guru Ji’s feet... and the internal bliss of immortal nectar of the Guru Ji's bani. We can obtain this if we win the game. BUT there is a lot at stake. We must remain dedicated. We should not have duality. We should not lose faith in our team. And we should never waver from the high standards of our team. Or else we will lose in the end.
Article: SaadhRayn Kaur
Comments:
Your article brought tears to my eyes. I may say more later, but I needed to say that now.
Waheguru ji ka khalsa! Waheguru ji ki fateh!
, at
7:22 PM
I agree, I love this article. I've probably post it so many times. But, every word in this article is well said. Also, it should be noted, some of the quotes in there are from the Sangat from Sikhsangat.com and DiscoverSikhi.com.
Check out the original post: http://dedicatedkaurs.blogspot.com/2006/03/hmm.html
