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Summary of Question:	When To Take Amrit?
Category:	Sikh Practices
Date Posted:	Monday, 4/03/2006 10:13 PM MDT

Since taking amrit means giving ones body, mind and spirit to the Guru and completely abiding to the Guru's will; should one take amrit only after conquering the five vices, lust anger greed attachment pride, along with following the correct rehit or should one follow the basic rehit first, take amrit second and then proceed to conquering the five vices?

I realise that there isn't really a set path to follow when proceeding to take amrit, but what if you take amrit and still fall into the traps of maya? It's very easy in today's world to fall off the Guru's path and to live according to every last word in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. What I am basically asking is taking Amrit the first step to becoming a devote Sikh and how do you when the time is right? I have seen numerous individuals who have taken amrit, practiced Sikhi for a few years, and have now taken off the 5 K's and become like the rest of normal society. I am considering taking amrit but one of my greatest doubts to taking amrit is falling off and becoming like those individuals who've turned their backs to the Guru. I don't want to be one of those people, but what if it happens?

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reply
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Sat nam. A good friend of mine (Amritdhari) once told me that the reason to take Amrit is to encourage in yourself your ability to keep it. In other words, some folks work to act like Amritdharis first and then confirm it with the actual taking of amrit. Others (especially those who have given thought to it) take amrit as a kind of personal order to acquire the discipline, to make the effort to become fully amritdhari.
Taking Amrit is more than a ceremony. It is an experience that changes one. For some, taking amrit is the first step to becoming wholly Sikh and from there the daily discipline is mastered. However, the work on the daily discipline should begin immediately. If you are not ready to even attempt it, then wait on taking amrit. No amritdhari Sikh is perfect and it is not against amrit to miss your paath or naam simran at times. I am NOT saying be lazy, just that Life happens.

I think there are a lot of (young) Sikhs who take amrit due to peer or family pressure who are not really ready for what it means. So by all means take your time with this decision.

The answer as to when to take amrit is up to you. I hope this helps.
Guru ang sang,
-DKK