What does it mean to live a Gursikh jivan ?
A Gursikh is a sikh of the Guru. A sikh is a learner and the Guru of the Gurus, the Prophets is God. God gave his light to the ten living Sikh Gurus and that light is also present in the Guru Granth. This proves the point that the Guru of the Gurus is the Almighty, All Pervading One.
Any sikh, any spiritual learner, regardless of their faith, can be a Gursikh. The Gursikh jivan of a Christian, Buddhist, Jain, Muslim, Jew and Zoroastrian (just to mention a few) should be based on the same principles as that of a Sikh.
What is the difference between a sikh and a Sikh ? A sikh is any learner studying the teachings of God, the Wonderful Teacher. A Sikh studies with the same Teacher, but also stands in the tradition of the ten Sikh Gurus and should believe in Guru Gobind Singh’s amrit (initiation in the Khalsa).
Who can live a Gursikh jivan ?
Bhai Mardana and Sheik Farid were Sufi Muslims. According to the stories Mardana honestly tried to keep on the guru’s path and if Sheik Farid lived according to his own teachings he was also travelling in the right direction. The same applies to people of (Bhakti) Hindu background like Bhai Nand Lal and Bhagat Kabir.
The Guru Granth Sahib addresses both Muslims and Hindus telling them to be good Muslims and good Hindus. I think it is safe to assume that Guru means to tell them to live a Gursikh jivan.
What is the Gursikh to do ?
I have an image that depicts what a Sikh (and a sikh) is to do. Core values are shown as Truth, Compassion, Love, Humility and Contentment. Outside the circle are the five ‘thieves’ : Ego, Lust, Anger, Attachment and Greed, which are to be overcome or given a positive direction.
Underneath the picture are Honest Work, Think always about God, Share with others and underneath that : Simran & Seva, which means meditate and help others. Guru’s Sant-Sipahis (saint-soldiers) are part of Seva, of helping others.
This image does not offer a detailed instruction on how to live your life, it is not a spiritual GPS. Reading the Guru Granth Sahib (something many Sikhs don’t do) will enhance your understanding, but our Guru also does not supply you with detailed instructions on where to turn right or left.
The Sikh way of life leaves the Gursikhs with the responsibility to apply the Guru’s principles to their day to day life. We have to listen and apply or a the Guru says : sunnia and mannai. Taking this responsibility is an important part of living the life of a Gursikh.
