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Music is an interesting thing. It has an effect on us. It also has a tendency to stay in our minds. If you listen to something, it will stick in your mind. If you listen to Gurbani Shabads, you will notice they will go through your mind automatically. Same goes with manmukh songs. They too will stick in your head.

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Sikhism favour family life and monogamy.

ਏਕਾ ਨਾਰੀ ਜਤੀ ਹੋਇ ਪਰ ਨਾਰੀ ਧੀ ਭੈਣ ਵਖਾਣੈ ॥
"Be faithful to your 'one wife', see others as your daughters and sisters, (for women you must be faithful to one husband and see others as your sons and brothers)"
(Bhai Gurdaas Ji, Vaar 6: Pauri 8)

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In olden times, the problem of family-planning did not exist. Even today in areas where population is scanty and resources adequate, family-planning is not necessary. This does not mean that excessive indulgence in sex becomes desirable.

Gurbani advises to live in "Sehaj" - a balanced and intuitively poised lifestyle. Sehaj is advised with everything in life, whether it be food, sex, sleeping or work. Gurbani tells us to avoid over-indulgence in anything worldly or physical pleasures.

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Today there is a lot of pressure on politicians to legalize mercy-killing. In certain countries, mercy killing of patients suffering from incurable diseases or terminal illness has been regulated by law. It is left either to the discretion of the physician or the patient. Recently a new Society named "EXIT" has been started in Great Britain, which supports the right of the individual to die with dignity and its literature contains some instructions for those who desire a painless suicide.

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Sexuality in Sikhi relates to the marriage of a man and woman and the sacredness of their singular physical relationship. It is a means to creating a future of children that can live in elevation and mastery. When speaking of homosexuality and even bisexuality, the implication is that the relationship is based on sex. The Sikh way of life is a system of living for achieving harmony of the mind, body and spirit and living in God consciousness. If you are focusing heavily on the physical aspects of your relationships, then you are already out of balance.

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Lust or uncontrolled sexual desire is one of the five evils that Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji warns us about time and time again. Masturbation, also referred to as Self-Sex, involves lustful thoughts that inspires or encourages more sexual thoughts and acts, and is therefore not appropriate for a Sikh to engage in. This is mostly seen in adolescence period as they want to satisfy their sexual needs. It is for self pleasure (sexual pleasure using with own or others hands or objects).

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Friendship with the opposite gender is not prohibited. However, to go beyond the lines of innocent friendship would be contrary to Gurmat.

ਪਰ ਤ੍ਰਿਅ ਰੂਪੁ ਨ ਪੇਖੈ ਨੇਤ੍ਰ ॥
"With your eyes, do not even gaze (in a lustful manner) upon the beauty of another."
(Sukhmani Sahib, Ang 274)

ਦੇਖਿ ਪਰਾਈਆਂ ਚੰਗੀਆਂ ਮਾਵਾਂ ਭੈਣਾਂ ਧੀਆਂ ਜਾਣੈ ॥

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Sikh philosophy and belief place a great deal of importance on generosity and putting others before oneself. Sikhism also stresses noble deeds, and one would be hard-pressed to identify a more noble act than organ donation.

Sikhs generally accept brain death as an indication of the departure of life from a body. The body is the shell and home for the soul. When the soul departs from the body, the body is useless.

ਜੇ ਮਿਰਤਕ ਕਉ ਚੰਦਨੁ ਚੜਾਵੈ ॥ ਉਸ ਤੇ ਕਹਹੁ ਕਵਨ ਫਲ ਪਾਵੈ ॥

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Abortion is a taboo. Deliberate miscarriage and abortion is forbidden.

There is a misconception amongst some Sikhs that the soul enters the body on 120th day. This belief is not supported by Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. According to Gurbani the soul dwells in the mother's womb for 10 (Indian) months.

ਬਿੰਦੁ ਤੇ ਜਿਨਿ ਪਿੰਡੁ ਕੀਆ ਅਗਨਿ ਕੁੰਡ ਰਹਾਇਆ ॥
ਦਸ ਮਾਸ ਮਾਤਾ ਉਦਰਿ ਰਾਖਿਆ ਬਹੁਰਿ ਲਾਗੀ ਮਾਇਆ ॥੧॥

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Whether you follow SGPC published rehat, "Akhand Kirtani Jatha (AKJ) rehat", or "Damdami Taksaal (DDT) rehat", 95 percent of rehat is the same. It's just small differences here and there that Guru Sahib willing will wrinkle out in due time.

The minimal rehat (code of conduct) that we should all adhere to and not negate is the Panthic Sikh Rehat Maryada, published by the SGPC. You can view the Panthic Sikh Rehat Maryada on the link provided:
http://www.sgpc.net/sikhism/sikh-dharma-manual.asp

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The Sikhs in glorious past have had long periods of persecution and suffering. Their faith in the Gurus and God, and an awareness of the need for voluntary community service made them face cheerfully, many ordeals. The 18th century witnessed the genocide of the Sikhs, particularly at the two holocausts of 1746 and 1762 called Chotta Ghallughara and Wadda Ghallughara respectively, from which the Sikhs rose like phoenix from the ashes. Their martyrdom has inspired successive generations of Sikhs to the cause of the Panth and their belief in Chardi Kala, Dynamic optimism.

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The Sikh Gurus did not condemn Yoga. But, Yoga cannot be counted as a required ingredient in what makes a Sikh. Anyone who disputes this should first examine the history of the Ten Masters, or study Gurbani, like:

ਪਾਠੁ ਪੜਿਓ ਅਰੁ ਬੇਦੁ ਬੀਚਾਰਿਓ ਨਿਵਲਿ ਭੁਅੰਗਮ ਸਾਧੇ ॥
ਪੰਚ ਜਨਾ ਸਿਉ ਸੰਗੁ ਨ ਛੁਟਕਿਓ ਅਧਿਕ ਅਹੰਬੁਧਿ ਬਾਧੇ ॥੧॥

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What is beauty and what is fashion? It is all subjective.

A Sikh does not submit to any power or fashion. A Sikh submits and pleases only Akaal Purakh.

A pig has many children and walks around cities and villages but finds no respect or dignity. However, a lion, although alone and might only have one child, wherever it roams it leaves his presence and shows that he is the king of the jungle.

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Tying the beard is not a Sikh tradition. The fact that a lot of Sikhs tie beard or that a lot of Sikhs in the past have been tying their beard does not make tying beard a Gurmat Asool (principle). Just because the majority does it does not mean that it is acceptable to Guru Sahib.

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According to the Sikh Rehat Maryada it is a cardinal prohibition to dishonour the hair (anywhere on the body, from the head to toe). Someone who has taken Amrit and commits the act of dishonouring the hair (cutting, waxing, plucking, bleaching, dyeing etc) is no longer considered a Sikh and becomes an apostate, and if he or she seek forgiveness then they must present themselves in front of the Panj Pyaaray and re-take Amrit.

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'Sanatanism' (pronounced "Sa-naa-tan") or 'Sanatan Sikhi' is a perspective on the Sikh faith and people which in recent years has been propagated in the UK by Nang (fake imposter 'Nihung Singh') Nidar Singh, a martial arts teacher who calls himself a 'Sanatan Sikh Shastar Vidiya Gurdev', and his young influenced followers. Sanatan, literally means 'traditional'.

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The Kirpan (IPA: [kɪrˈpɑn]) (Punjabi: ਕਿਰਪਾਨ kirpān) is a religious sword worn in a strap that enables a it to be suspended near one's waist or tucked inside one's belt. It must be worn by all initiated Sikhs (Khālsā), after a mandatory religious commandment given by Guru Gobind Singh Ji (the tenth Sikh Guru) in 1699 CE. The Kirpan is part of the Five Ks uniform that all initiated Sikhs must adhere to.

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All Sikhs get Tattoo imprinted at least once a lifetime. Once this Tattoo is imprinted or encarved, then it never leaves us. Yes, you read it right. All Sikhs must have the Tattoo of Naam imprinted on their Mann.

This Tattoo of Naam is not a dead Tattoo picture as ordinary Tattoos are. This Tattoo is very much alive and vibrates Naam vibes through our body and pure actions. Once this Tattoo is imprinted on our mind, only then we can japp Naam and have anand (bliss) of Naam.

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Anger is a normal reaction when we have been insulted, hurt or treated unfairly. By learning to control our anger we can use it to play a positive role in our lives.

KEEPING YOUR COOL!

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According to Sikh tradition, a boy and girl are introduced to one another or the idea of marriage is facilitated by a middle-person known as "bacholaa" or "match-maker". The match-maker could be a friend, family member, member of local Sangat, or an elder Gursikh. The main thing is that there should be a middle person involved as a mediator.

Why do you have to have a mediator or middle-person?

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The issue is about showing respect and not viewing others in a wrong manner. Guru's Rehatnama states:

ਪਰ ਬੇਟੀ ਕੋ ਬੇਟੀ ਜਾਨੈ ॥ ਪਰ ਇਸਤਰੀ ਕੋ ਮਾਤ ਬਖਾਨੈ ॥
ਅਪਨੀ ਇਸਤਰੀ ਸੋ ਰਤ ਹੋਈ ॥ ਰਹਿਤਵਾਨ ਗੁਰੁ ਕਾ ਸਿੰਘ ਸੋਈ ॥
"Consider another's daughter as your daughter. Consider another woman as your mother. Love only your own wife. Such a person is the Guru's disciplined Sikh."

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A Sikh journalist recently wrote an article which highlighted the rule written in the Panthic Rehat Maryada that no other book is allowed to be installed parallel to Guru Granth Sahib Ji. However, the author of that article justified Dasam Granth being Parkaash (installed) next to Guru Granth Sahib Ji at Takht Sri Hazoor Sahib and Takht Sri Patna Sahib by the fact that a 'Takht' is different to a Gurdwara.

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----- Kissing & Hugging someone intimately -----

If you wish to kiss your friend's shoes then fine, but nothing else.

Kissing (especially on the lips) creates a bond that is very similar to sex. The first man a woman kisses this way will be in her mind for the rest of her life. That's how the female psyche works. She should only be kissing her husband. If you really love her then you won't do that to her. Kiss her after you are married. If you aren't getting married, why are you messing with someone else's (future) wife?

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EATING PLAN & EXERCISE

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Open your mouth and recite the name of Waheguru. You are bored and need to give your soul more attention. Study the lives of the Guru's and see how they applied themselves. Study Gurbani, kirtan, and sing and enjoy your voice in devotion. Seriously! Then you will put your mouth to the best use and the girls (and everyone else) will be relieved.

Emotional and sexual love is a maya, a trap. Cool it. Reserve it for your spouse and keep your married life sacred and special.

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'ASSISTED MARRIAGE' INSTEAD OF 'LOVE MARRIAGE'
Marriage is a sacred event, it is meant to connect two souls as one and is the paramount relationship in anybodies life. There seems today to be a lack in that sacredness in marriage. The reason for this is that so many people today are getting married for emotional reasons. Any time that you make a momentous decision in life you should not make that decision based on the emotion of it but on the reasonable practical and logical one.

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Gurbani says:

ਪਰ ਤ੍ਰਿਅ ਰੂਪੁ ਨ ਪੇਖੈ ਨੇਤ੍ਰ ॥
"With your eyes, do not even gaze (in a lustful manner) upon the beauty of another."
(Sukhmani Sahib, Ang 274)

Creating such relationships is very immoral and immodest thing to do. Perhaps, we see no shame in these things, it is the age of Kal (darkness) we are standing on one leg.

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When many begin their journey into Sikhi, they have to trudge through all the various controversial issues, divisive interpretations, rehit maryadas etc. However, the learning point for some people is that they should have learnt Gurmukhi and connected with the Shabad Guru right at the very beginning and given their mind the only true support and stable foundation capable of steering this doubtful boat amongst the stormy sea of opinions.

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Dasvandh (lit. 'tenth part') is the practice of contributing one-tenth of one's earning to the Guru's cause. Taking out dasvandh is a religious injunction, and deciding upon its use requires seeking Guru's mandate and acting accordingly. Though not exclusive to Sikhs, but unlike charity, dasvandh is based on the spirit of sharing. The Guru channelized this practice for the holistic welfare of all, especially the downtrodden. Dasvandh is the Guru's share, who has a directive and responsibility of unbiased welfare of humanity.

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Sperm donation is the name of the provision (or 'donation') by a man, known as a sperm donor, of his semen with the intention that it be used to achieve a pregnancy and produce a baby in a woman who is not the man's sexual partner and with whom the man does not have sexual intercourse. Attempts are made to impregnate a woman with the donor's sperm using third party reproduction techniques notably artificial insemination.

A sperm donor may donate his sperm directly to the woman recipient, or he may donate it at a clinic known as a sperm bank.

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Dancing is a mode of entertainment in western countries. Sikhi applies the general test mentioned in Gurbani to any entertainment, namely:

"Avoid that which causes pain or harm to the body or produces evil thoughts in the mind."
(Ang 16)

Dancing with partners of the opposite sex is likely to cause sensuous thoughts, for intimate bodily movement rouse the lower passions. Places where there is liquor, meat, and men & women dancing together to lured songs is strictly against Gurmat.

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Fundamentally we must understand that blood is blood.

Guru Ji says:

ਬਿਸਟਾ ਅਸਤ ਰਕਤੁ ਪਰੇਟੇ ਚਾਮ ॥ ਇਸੁ ਊਪਰਿ ਲੇ ਰਾਖਿਓ ਗੁਮਾਨ ॥੩॥
ਏਕ ਵਸਤੁ ਬੂਝਹਿ ਤਾ ਹੋਵਹਿ ਪਾਕ ॥ ਬਿਨੁ ਬੂਝੇ ਤੂੰ ਸਦਾ ਨਾਪਾਕ ॥੪॥

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