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Summary of Question:	Re: Sikh Sangat
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Sunday, 10/24/2004 1:32 AM MDT

WJJK WJKF

Hi there. I am 18 and started living a Gursikhi jeevan in February. I was very happy with my decision and had the blessing of being in awesome sangat in my hometown.

Last month i moved away to university and I have lately become very self-consious of myself. In particular, my beard is getting really long and i am having a hard time living without the support of my hometown sangat. There is a gurdwara right by my basement but I still really miss my hometown gurdwara.

Could you please give me some tips on how to adjust to this new life i am living. Thanks.

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reply
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Sat Siri Akaal. Go home as much as is practically possible. You always have sangat support wherever you are! And, we are everywhere!

And nothing ventured, nothing gained. Connect to the gurdwara near your home. Of course it won't be the same, but think of how you could serve each other in the connection! Find time to chant the naam daily, but do it to a cd or tape so it sounds like more people! (I find this helpful personally.) Play kirtan or gurmantra CDs when you study or relax at home. Are there other gursikhs in your university? Post a flyer on a message board to find out and get to know each other over lunch. OR, join an interfaith group at uni--if there is one. It's a great way to find sangat across religious lines. I'm in one and it's been wonderful sharing love of akaal purakh without judging other's religious practices. You could also go to SIkh chat rooms, but this could be addicting and take too much time from your studies, so if you do this, set a personal time limit.

As for the beard, if you must, there are creative ways to roll it up or gel it up without breaking Sikh rehit or practice. A lot of older Sikh men do this, and I think one reason is that it keeps the beard neater (no food), and doesn't get caught in buttons and zippers. Remember that it takes courage to live as a gursikh. Ignore people's stares and carry yourself with dignity. Think of it this way. Classmates would wonder 'what happened' if suddenly you didn't look like a GurSikh! Guru ang sang,
-DKK