Within the Khalsa, different people like to do different things. It is not about categorizing them into different groups. It is similar to how some people like academics and others like working with their hands. Different people have different duties, and they are good at the unique skills they have. We shouldn’t be worried about people being different. We need the mentality that unity is different from uniformity. As a Gursikh, our Hukam (order) is to look beyond the differences and embrace unity.

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Anger is irrelevant to listen to. Paying attention to the anger doesn't help anybody. Listen to the point that is being said behind the anger. We have emotions inside us. Emotions cloud our judgment. Maya (illusion) manifests itself through these emotions (Lust, Anger, Greed, Attachment, Pride). So, when the emotion comes up, do we have to react? No, hold on to the emotion and DON'T REACT. 

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The possibility of connecting with Vaheguru at Amrit Vela is a lot greater and higher than it is when the whole rat race of life starts. You get that experience and feel at that time in the morning. When you become enlightened, you'll feel it constantly. You won't have to only wait for that moment of the morning to have that feeling.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji is the Jagat Guru (Guru of the world) because their teachings are inclusive. One does not have to be a Sikh to get into the court of our Creator. You need to listen to the truth and the message given. Guru Ji was enlightened directly by Vaheguru (God) Ji. Guru Ji was given a divine mandate by Vaheguru Ji to emancipate the world and spread Dharam (righteousness). In this age of darkness, Guru Ji is here to make us free from the worldly ocean. Guru Ji is ever-present and is so powerful. Guru Ji has the power of Gurparsad (Guru’s grace) and can bless us with Naam (connection with the divine). Guru Ji can elevate us to an enlightened state as there are many examples of great Sikhs who got enlightened in Sikh history.

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Kes - uncut hair

Kanga - wooden comb 

Kirpan - iron dagger 

Kara - iron bangle

Kachera - long cotton shorts worn as underwear

One shouldn’t be too young like five or six years. It is better to have it before you start to figure out what life is about like before you get the age of thirteen or fourteen. However, there are rare cases of people getting blessed with Amrit really young. So, it really depends on what kind of a person you are. When you feel ready to give your head to your Guru, that is when you should take Amrit. Try to get it before university or college time because that is a very Dhilla (wavering/undisciplined) time for everybody. Everybody’s Rehit (Spiritual Discipline) suffers at that time because you have too many things to do and too many new people to meet. 

The word Gurdwara is pronounced as 'Gur-Dwa-raa'. The word Gurdwara literally means the 'Guru's Door' or 'through the Guru'. Sikhs come here to learn how to live a spiritual and moral life and earn Guru's blessings. Gurdwaras are commonly known as Sikh Places of Worship in the Western world.

The word Simran means to remember. Simran means to unite with Vaheguru from whom we have come. When we repeat Vaheguru but don’t feel anything, we are not getting Naam (connection to the Divine). We get some benefits from doing it but are still far from union with Vaheguru. If we’re repeating Vaheguru daily but not feeling anything then we need to look at our life, as Gurbani tells us to search our hearts every day. Find out what the problem is and fix it. Ask yourself, am I living a good life? Am I a good human being? Am I full of anger and hatred? Don’t spend the time just doing Paath (reading daily prayers) and not connecting to the words. Speak to someone to get advice and find out the problem. Work hard to make that connection. You remember Vaheguru by saying Their name. Say Their name and you’ll find Them.  

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