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Summary of Question:	Difficulty With Kirpaan
Category:	Other
Date Posted:	Friday, 4/02/2004 10:29 AM MDT

In the past 20 yrs (after my Amrit baptism in 1984)I have had to take off my Kirpaan 3 times mainly because I was becoming too 'energetic' in my mind.I was ready to draw it out at what seemed to me to be deliberate provocation from 'offensive' people. That caused me 3 nervous breakdowns, each time ending up in hospital. Now I only wear 4 K's but practise Gurbani Nitnem regulary. Perhaps Gurujee doesn't want me to wear it yet but will let me one day. Has anyone else had similar difficulties with wearing the Kirpaan? I am quite distressed about it, and will welcome your response.

REPLY

Inability to control anger or other emotions arises when we have an imbalance in our system. Some suggestions you might try include reviewing your diet, practicing breathing exercises and yoga, learning the art of peaceful negotiation and conflict resolution skills, and learning martial arts.

Diet is important because improperly digested or undigested food leads to toxins in your body that don't get eliminated, and this leads to an agitated state of mind that is not conducive to meditation or the ability to maintain a calm perspective under pressure. Lots of green vegetables and simple rice in your diet are calming and cleansing.

Throughout your day practice long, deep breathing. A person who breathes four breaths per minute is always calm and has great inner peace and calm strength. Most people breathe 16 to 20 times per minute. Whenever someone is in a hyper or anxious state of mind the breath becomes even faster and shallower. The more you practice breathing concsiously, deeply filling your lungs, breathing with awareness and gratitude for your breath, the more you will always experience perfect calm, inner strength and control under stress and pressure. If you practice yoga, the best time is in the early morning before the rising of the sun. Rise and take a cold shower to completely stimulate your nervous system and strengthen your nerves, so they will not be so easily shattered. Then sit before your alter to recite your banis.

If you can find a class in the art of negotiation and conflict management, taking such a class will give you practical skills, experience, and understanding in effective ways to respond if you find yourself being provoked. In addition, you may be able to assist others when there is a need to help diffuse a situation in which peoples' emotions are escalating.

Finally, if you take a class in martial arts, such as tai chi for example, it helps bring physical healing and inner balance to your body. In addition, the practitioner learns effective techniques of self defense without the use of a weapon. Studying techniques of martial arts helps develop a sense of inner strength and self confidence, so you are not likely to be affected by an offensive person trying to provoke you. This would not bother you at all!

Guru Gobind Singh told his Sikhs that only after every peaceful means of resolution has failed is it pious and just to raise the sword. Therefore, become a skilled diplomat, fully versed in the art of peaceful negotiation in the resolution of conflict. Strengthen your physical body through the practice of martial arts so you feel confident you can defend and protect yourself without the use of any weapon. In this way you will prepare yourself to maintain proper reverence for the supreme power of the sword, the adi shakti. After you have tried some of these suggestions, and with the agreement of a professional therapist, the time may come in the future when you will know you are ready to wear the full bana and the beautiful form of Guru Gobind Singh once again. Sat Nam. God bless you. -GMK