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Summary of Question:	Getting Back On The Right Track
Category:	Sikh Practices
Date Posted:	Wednesday, 9/25/2002 12:47 PM MDT

Dear khalsa,

Sat siri akaal ji!!
I have been reading some of the questions on this website..and its really great to know that we have some one to consult all the time i wish u all the best for future...u guyss there r really doing a great job..
my question to you is that i have a friend hes born as a sikh..his parents are sikhss too...but the problem is hes been following another religion i mean he does not believe in being a sikh anymore. hes been telling me that he is goin to cut his hair sooon hes been a true sikh before now hes inspired by some other religion he wants to cut his hair and beard too.. i want your help i want you to tel me what is the best way to convince him to come back and believe in sikhism and how to tell him the importance of sikhism. IT wil really hurt me because i cant see anyone betrayin their religion...i hope u can help me..
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Reply
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Greetings and blessings to you in the Name of God and Guru. You cannot control your friend. Do you understand why your friend is doing this? Is he tired of being distinct, or is he angry at his parents or does he have a Christian girlfriend? I would like to point out, that contrary to popular belief, you cannot really be 'born' a Sikh. You actually have to choose to follow this path at some point in your life. Most Sikhs are very passive in the practice of their faith.

A practicing Sikh usually has some reason why they continue to practice. Perhaps they are gifted with some EXPERIENCE of Guru's power that motivates them and gives then the desire to continue the experience. The experience of Guru gives them expansion, or joy or comfort or peace or gives them time alone with themself. The potential is that you develop your own very special relationship with your Guru. Perhaps your friend has become impatient.

The Siri Guru Granth Sahib is our very special channel to our own Infinite awareness. The Guru's power is available to any human who wishes to read and understand the Guru. Anyone can benefit from reading from the Guru. It describes the realm of unchanging truth.

Most Sikhs do not understand how to use the Guru in their everyday life. The sound current of Gurbani is a gift that transforms the human psyche to peace and understanding. There is a process or formula for us. We have to develop a relationship with the Guru regularly. Just as we work on our relationship with a friend. That is why the Guru says, "if you take one step toward me....I will take 100 steps toward you. What a good investment!

Human beings are the only creation of God that can realize their connection with the Creator. The way to activate your experience and relationship with your friend, the Guru, is to talk to and to consult the Guru every day. This means to make a study of how the Guru impacts your life. I am making some suggestions how to accomplish this for yourself.....and maybe invite your friend to join you:

1.Wake up 15 minutes earlier and wash and recite your jap ji daily in the morning. After that, read one pauri in English and study its meaning and see how the meaning applies to your life that day. Do this for 40 days.(38 pauris plus Mool Mantra and closing, "Pavan Guru panee pita....."= 40). You can find the English translation on Sikhnet.

2. Start your day by doing Ardas followed by taking a hukam from the Guru. Read the Hukam in Gurmukhi and then look up the translation in English. Study the meaning and how it may or may not apply to your life. Everytime you have a worry or concern, ask the Guru for help and direction. See how the Guru directs you. Do this for 40 days.

3. Do all 7 of your bani's in the morning before starting your day. Read one in English each day for your mind's understanding and apply it to your life.

You can pray for the Guru to bless your friend. The bottom line is that we can uplift and inspire our friends and family and others through our presence and through our shining face.

God bless you, SKKK