Previous
Next
Ask a Question| Previous | Next | Ask a Question |
| Summary of Question: | Amritvela Reply |
| Category: | General Sikhism |
| Date Posted: | Tuesday, 9/24/2002 9:56 AM MDT |
The actual Amrtivela is three hours before sunrise. This is the time when devotees meditate/conduct religious duties. But those who are on shift works must decide for themselves the quiettest time they can assign to pursue
their spiritual/religious duties. For a shift worker coming home at midnight after full shift is hard to get up at amritvela to concentrate body and mind for God. Guru's teachings are against such torchering tapasya that hurts you and on the top of it is less rewarding.
Covering head has nothing to do with God. No holy book asks for it. The Punjab's farming community that needed to cover head to protect from heat and dust has carried this practice into gurudawaras or even meditation. God is not a fundamentalist. From all the peoples on the earth He gladly accepts whichever way somebody remembers Him. Imposing one's habit on large society is impolite. Guru Nanak even changed his dress code according to time and place.
Do you think it is good idea to let your readers read my responses as well so an individual person can make decision for himself?
Please do respond. I am only trying to assist you and your readers.
Wah Guru Ji Ka Khalsa Wah Guruji ki Fateh.
*********
REPLY
*********
Thank you for your reply. While you are correct that God loves his devotees no matter how they dress, covering one's head for simran/meditation serves to protect the crown centers of the head. It is a subtle thing. Practice a week without anything on your head and then practice a week the exact same way WITH a head cover and see how you feel. A head cover is even more important when one is practicing simran in a sangat and a group energy of simran is created. The head cover (ideally cotton or silk) creates a filter that keeps incoming light energy from overwhelming the delicate centers of the head. The gurus knew this and always meditated with their heads covered.
Guru ang sang,
-DKK
Amritvela Reply (09/24/2002)