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Summary of Question:	How Can We Live By Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Teachings
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Monday, 4/08/2002 8:23 AM MDT

Dear fellow sikh, I am forever trying to make time every day to say paat and and do the things as a Sikh is supposed to be, but myjority of the time end up missing my paat as other things take over..etc and as technology and Global advancement continues faster that ever now and the demand of time from your employers is ever increasing, how can one live in this modern world and follow the teachings of Siri Guru Nanak Dev Ji?

{REPLY} Sat Nam. It is more important than ever in this modern world for us to follow the Guru's teachings! I didn't say it was necessarily easy! However, Guru Nanak's teachings were basically practical and definitely doable. He emphasized rising in the Amrit Vela (before sunrise), Chanting God's Name, then going to work and righeously earning a living so that one could have enough to share with others. If you are Amrit Dhari, then you have vowed to read the banis daily, so the solution to the time crunch is to get up earlier in the morning! Japji Sahib to start your day and connect you with your soul is something you don't want to miss! Evening prayers don't really take all that long to read, if you are determined to fit them in. Happily, Guru Ram Das really explained how to live by the Guru's teachings. He said: "Gur Satgur ka Jo Sikh Akaya, so Balaka Oth Har Nam Diaye..." One who considers himself to be a disciple of the True Guru Should rise before the coming of the light and contemplate the Name. During the early hours of the morning he should rise and bathe, Cleansing his soul in a tank of Nectar, while he repeats the Name the Guru has spoken to him. By this procedure he truly washes away the sins of his soul. Then with the arrival of the dawn he should sing the hymns of praise, taught him by the Guru. He should hold the Name in his heart all through the busy hours of the day. The one who repeats the Name with his every breath is a most dear disciple of the Guru. The disciple who has reeived the gift of the Lord's Name truly wins the favor of the Supreme Lord. I seek to kiss the very dust ounder the feet of such a one who recites the Name and inspires others to do so! May God and Guru bless you with success. SP