What is a Head Worth?
A Happy Vaisakhi to all!
I read the following passage from Dr. I.J. Singh's book "Sikhs and Sikhism: A View With a Bias" several years back and it beautifully summarizes the importance of Vaisakhi in today's modern age.
As we enjoy this year's Vaisakhi, let us all reflect and continue to grow in life. Enjoy the passage below.
========
"Guru Gobind Singh created an egalitarian order but for the ordinary follower he did not make the job any easier. If there is no clergy with binding ecclesiastical authority, then each Sikh has to cultivate and heed his own conscience. Each Sikh must hone his own intellect and plumb the depths of his own faith. Guru Gobind Singh recognized that each one of us has a constant battle to fight and the enemies are not necessarily out there. In all the battles of life that must be fought, no battlefield is more important than that of the mind. On that Baisakhi day three hundred years ago, Guru Gobind Singh staged the lesson of life: In everything you do and in each moment of your life, live honestly and so that you can put your head on the line. In whatever you do, do it so that you can live and die with dignity.
"Now three hundred years after Guru Gobind Singh, is there anyone asking for a head?
"When a business associate suggests that a little greasing of the palm could smooth the way for your project or when a prospective employer hints that a job or a promotion could be yours if you appear without your Sikh uniform, why should you resist? If the road you take is less than straight and narrow, why does it matter? If social life could be easier without the long hair or the Sikh uniform, why not take the easy road? Why look to the road less traveled by? Haven’t times changed? Guru Gobind Singh is not asking for your heads now, or is he?
"Yes, three hundred years have passed. Guru Gobind Singh no longer appears in person at the job interview, flashing a naked sword and asking for your head. Mysterious are the ways of the Guru, and many are the people that he uses as his instruments. Now the question is framed differently, the flashing sword is replaced by the prospect of social isolation, economic disaster or harassment at the job or in the neighborhood. The instrument of the Guru is the affable man or woman behind the desk asking all these awkward questions. The instrument of the Guru may be the nice person having a cup of coffee or pleasant conversation with you. The intent of the questions is the same, only the form is different. The question is asked a hundred times a day and in a myriad ways. Three hundred years later, once again the Guru wants your head. Many will slip away, just as they did three hundred years ago. Many more will look away, just as they did then.
"The question is: How are you going to answer the call?"
========
What is a Head Worth?
Pages 48-49
"Sikhs and Sikhism: A View with a Bias," by Dr. I.J. Singh
I read the following passage from Dr. I.J. Singh's book "Sikhs and Sikhism: A View With a Bias" several years back and it beautifully summarizes the importance of Vaisakhi in today's modern age.
As we enjoy this year's Vaisakhi, let us all reflect and continue to grow in life. Enjoy the passage below.
========
"Guru Gobind Singh created an egalitarian order but for the ordinary follower he did not make the job any easier. If there is no clergy with binding ecclesiastical authority, then each Sikh has to cultivate and heed his own conscience. Each Sikh must hone his own intellect and plumb the depths of his own faith. Guru Gobind Singh recognized that each one of us has a constant battle to fight and the enemies are not necessarily out there. In all the battles of life that must be fought, no battlefield is more important than that of the mind. On that Baisakhi day three hundred years ago, Guru Gobind Singh staged the lesson of life: In everything you do and in each moment of your life, live honestly and so that you can put your head on the line. In whatever you do, do it so that you can live and die with dignity.
"Now three hundred years after Guru Gobind Singh, is there anyone asking for a head?"When a business associate suggests that a little greasing of the palm could smooth the way for your project or when a prospective employer hints that a job or a promotion could be yours if you appear without your Sikh uniform, why should you resist? If the road you take is less than straight and narrow, why does it matter? If social life could be easier without the long hair or the Sikh uniform, why not take the easy road? Why look to the road less traveled by? Haven’t times changed? Guru Gobind Singh is not asking for your heads now, or is he?
"Yes, three hundred years have passed. Guru Gobind Singh no longer appears in person at the job interview, flashing a naked sword and asking for your head. Mysterious are the ways of the Guru, and many are the people that he uses as his instruments. Now the question is framed differently, the flashing sword is replaced by the prospect of social isolation, economic disaster or harassment at the job or in the neighborhood. The instrument of the Guru is the affable man or woman behind the desk asking all these awkward questions. The instrument of the Guru may be the nice person having a cup of coffee or pleasant conversation with you. The intent of the questions is the same, only the form is different. The question is asked a hundred times a day and in a myriad ways. Three hundred years later, once again the Guru wants your head. Many will slip away, just as they did three hundred years ago. Many more will look away, just as they did then.
"The question is: How are you going to answer the call?"
========
What is a Head Worth?
Pages 48-49
"Sikhs and Sikhism: A View with a Bias," by Dr. I.J. Singh
Labels: accomplishments
posted by sartaj at 4:46 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home