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Summary of Question:	What If.....?
Category:	Other
Date Posted:	Thursday, 7/18/2002 9:33 AM MDT

sat sri akal,

i am a 16 yr old girl and as today many youths have doubts i do too. what if i truly respect the sikh practices and believe in them but do not wnat to follow the physical aspects of the religion.
cant i simply meditate satnam waheguru and feel at one with guruji without being a pakka khalsa?
i feel i could still b 1 with God but my parents dont agree nor does society am i right in following my own beliefs coz i like studying bible aand other religions too (not that i wish too convert but 4 interest)
lastly i really appreciate ur work. solving our doubts and finally some place to express probs.
thank you--urs truly.

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Sat Siri Akal.

If you truly respect the Sikh path and want to do Naam Simran, but aren't ready to follow the physical aspects of the path - then ask yourself- why not? What frightens you about the physical aspects of the path? It makes us feel good inside to connect with our Spirit. But Sikhs are also called on to be servants of all humanity, and that is why we have a form that makes us easily identifiable, easily known. Sometimes, it's difficult and scary to be known, to be different.

As a teenager, it's easy to turn this into a generational fight with your parents and elders. They want me to do this. I want to live my own life. OK. That's fine. Rebellion, frankly, is perfectly natural. But rather than turning away from the physical form, demand that you understand it in your own terms. Don't adopt the form until you know WHY you're adopting it. Don't keep the look unless you're commited to the position of being a Sikh. But also- don't just turn away from it because it's a fight with your parents. There's a very precious gift in the form of a Sikh. Your parents may not be able to explain that to you very well. But if you persist with your own research and examination, you may stumble across that gift on your own - and then you'll know why, and no one can ever take it away from you.

As for other religions - study everything. Enjoy it. It will help you immensely.

All love.

GPK