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Summary of Question:	Questions abot Amritshak
Category:	Sikh Practices
Date Posted:	Tuesday, 4/11/2000 4:14 PM MDT

Sat Sri Akal,

I've been thinking about becoming Amritshak, but I have a few questions that I need to be answered to help make my decision. If you can answer any of them at all, I'll be sooo grateful.

1. When you're Amritshak, can you...

a) Go to parties
b) Dance at parties
c) Eat meat
d) Wear dresses
e) Wear tanktops/spaghetti straps (like a tanktop only straps are thinner)
f) Shave (under arms, arms, legs etc.)

2. Do you have to cover your head ALL the time?

3. What if your school doesn't let you wear a kirpan and considers it a weapon?

4. When you're Amritshak and find out you're not ready, can you unamritshak?

Please if you can, answer any of these questions for me.

Thank You

Reply:

Taking Amrit is your intention for your life. You take Guru as your guide and strength and protector for your entire life. The Guru then gives you all the technology and guidelines to enable you to keep your commitment. You get the gift of higher consciousness that come with this daily practice.1.

1.You can go to parties.....but discriminate as to what is happening at the party.
Drugs, alcohol, sex, are not the kind of parties you want to attend.
2.You can dance at parties, but again, is the party free from drugs, alcohol and sex? Someones' wedding party where alcohol is served is hard to avoid, but you can go briefly to avoid a big scene.
3.Animal's are not considered to be food, they are fellow creatures of God.
4. Dresses are O.K.
5. Your not trying to be a sex queen. You can be super cool by being modest and well dressed.
6. Forget about shaving,,,,hair on your body was put there for your benefit. If you want to shave, then you are not ready to take Amrit.
7. Covering your head in public is a good idea. It keeps you conscious of your vows and lets others know that you have a committment.
8. You cannot unshak Amrit. But you can change your circle of friends and choose those that have the same values.

You can be an inspiration and good example to those around you. Most kids today have few guidelines or values taught to them. In the West, kids are so free to do anything they please, that often, the knowledge of the negative effects of of taking drugs, smoking, drinking and premarital sex comes after the damage has been done. You cannot undo these ill effects.

Go ask the Guru to guide you. Learn to read the Siri Guru Granth Sahib and take a hukam. Get a Guru with the translation/Manmohan Singh edition has Gurmukhi, Punjabi and English/ so you can understand what the Gurus' guidence is.