Previous

Next

Ask a Question

Summary of Question:	I Feel Keeping Hair Obstructs Normal Way Of Living
Category:	Hair
Date Posted:	Wednesday, 7/17/2002 3:13 PM MDT

ssa all of you,

i am 27 years and as all young generation boys am also being troubled by the question of keeping hair.i dont do path but regularly say the first two pauris of japji sahib and try to be a good person and try to help others as much as i can. i am an outgoing person studying in ukrain (former ussr)inspite the fact that, i have a lot of friends throughout the city (ukranian)it is very difficult to explain these people about our religion, they say that religion is in the mind and not in the appearance or by keeping hair or beard.
i am proud of being a sikh an enjoy the very process of tying my beard and turban and leaving for my university. however i feel my hair and specially my beard, disturbs my day to day activities. i am compelled to take a lot of time to groom myself, i cant go for swimming as my long hair gets wet and beard opens up making me feel embaressed. (my hair is longer than my waist line and beard also till my waist). i feel our appearance will cause our religion to decline because of the strictness and associations with our hair and beard. IF I TRIM MY BEARD WILL I REMAIN A SIKH OR WHO/WHAT WILL I BE?
may god keep guiding me and keep me away from the wrong paths of life

______________________________________________________________________________

Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa, Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh.

So Guru gave us a great experiement with the commandment to keep Kesh. In one sense, it isn't about the hair at all, but about training our own psyche to obey God's command even in the face of difficulties and discomfort. Everyone knows the Truth, but what's required to live the Truth? The ability to not buckle under pressure. So - in the pressure of the time and place where you are, keep your hair as is and train yourself to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations. That habit will serve you well over the course of your life.

And don't worry about kesh causing our religion to decline. Actually, it insures that we will have a very robust and undying religion because it creates people who are fearless and strong.

God bless.

GPK