How did you find your spiritual path?
I was recently asked that question by the group of women who meet here every Friday to study, to listen and to learn more about practicing the spiritual life. I had to think back to my elementary parochial school days. Try as I might, I could not believe that there was “no salvation outside the Catholic church”. How could a loving God bar any sincere person from meeting Him? I realized that this core belief, that in all human beings live the One Creator, began a process of opening me to God’s grace, drawing me into the wider embrace of Sikhism, a religion I did not know existed until I met the man who would become my husband.
When my mother-in law, Jagdish Kaur joined our family, I saw her rise every morning at 4 AM, take a shower and read from her Nitnem, daily prayers. There were no translations available to me then in the late 60’s. When I found the translation of Japji Sahib, the wondrous morning prayer by Guru Nanak Devji, I was completely astounded at the universality of the message. The realm of divine love found in Gurbani has no color, no country of origin, no dogma. From that time on, I have never stopped “becoming” a Sikh.
The principles of the Sikh way of life are clear.–Naam Japna – Remember God, Kirt Karni – earn an honest living by your own hands and Wand Chakna, sharing with the less fortunate. Any sincere person, anywhere, in any time or place may fulfill them. The process of turning toward God and away from the five enemies— kam – lust/desire. krodh – anger, loeb – greed, moh, attachment and ahankar – ego is a daily, ongoing process, the process of transformation. Joining the Saad Sangat, a community of like-minded souls, can help us toward the goal of becoming one with our One Creator God.
Veronica “Rani” Sidhu is the author of Menus and Memories From Punjab: Meals that Nourish the Body and Soul.