Universal Spirituality In A Sikh Spirit: Part 2

Universal Morality In Sikhi

…Continued…from Part-1… ‘The changed Title…’ 

I felt, as a writer, that my aspirations for pure spirituality were struggling lately to respire only on the oxygen of the Laws of the Universe. I had realised that spirituality is much vaster than just the study of the science of Nature. This began to gradually reflect in most of my posts, where I had to step outside the trajectory of these laws, including the Law of attraction to inhale the scent of freedom. Hence, I decided to carry on my spiritual voyage without limiting my spirit; after all, if Spirituality is the emancipation of the spirit, then a soul must pursue it freely, though by moral standards.
I suppose many would like to ask now- ‘Then how come I’ve chosen to work within the religious limitations I clearly disagree with to express the magnanimity of spirituality?’
In addition to what has already been stated in the first part on this subject, let me start the second segment by endorsing that Sikh-ism is NOT a religion but a spiritual ideology and a way of life. However, in Sikh holy scriptures, there is a reference to the term ‘Sikh Dharma’ and the linguistic translation of the word dharma can be interpreted to mean religion, on the surface of it. But dharma in Sikh scriptures refers to ‘morality’ and  NOT the dogmatic institution of religion. Its morality of character, righteousness of the mind and virtuousness of ‘karma’/deeds.
But in the socio-political habit of defining everything within a worldly framework, I think it’s just simple to categorise Sikhism as the fifth largest religion in the world, for understanding of the non-sikh masses. The word, ‘Sikh’ which means ‘a learner’ of the truth in Punjabi. Thereby, Sikhism means ‘to learn the truth and grow with it ’. This is the predominant philosophy of Sikhism, and its spiritual message transcends the limitations of dogmatic institutionalisation and cosmetic ritualisation. The core sikh morality exists predominantly in the spiritual realm, within which its ideology also promotes seeking unequivocal truth about life and its purpose. This gives Sikhi its universality, which reflects in the sikh daily prayer. I’ll only highlight the relevant terms which give impetus to the scope of my blog posts thenceforth. It goes as follows:
1. ‘Ek Aun kar’:
 Ek= The One, Aun The first sound of life (like the big bang), Kar= Created. Hence, we all are created by ONE Omni-power through one sound/ one source.
2. ‘Sat Naam’: Sat= Truth; Naam= His name. Hence, His name/word is the only truth. (Name doesn’t mean a name of a God in a religion.)  
3. ‘Karta Purakh’ = The ONE ‘All’ doer.
4. ‘Nirbhau’= He who fears nothing and no one.
5. ‘Nir Vair’= He who has no bias.
6. ‘Akal Moorth’= His is the Timeless Entity.
7. ‘Ajooni’= The self-existent power, which is outside the cycle of life and death.
8. ‘Seh Bhang’= He who is outside the temporal limits; and has no beginning or end.  
*(The pronoun, ‘He’ above is not gender-based but only a literal formality.)

Summarily, a Sikh worships no deity but follows the teachings of Sikh Gurus ( spiritual teachers) who composed and compiled the spiritual hymns into the holy Granth Sahib (The spiritual volume). Guru Granth also includes text written by diverse saints, who despite being born in varied religious families were seeking pure spiritual liberation.
This makes Guru Granth a unique holy text of ‘inclusion of all into one’. Hence, it forms a natural base for my writing on the subject of ‘universality’ of spiritualism, inclusive of all humanity.
I respect all religions, but only so far the concept of united spirit-ness, inclusion, morality, and unbiased oneness form part of its core philosophy.
_{**A special note:
If anyone were to visit a Sikh Gurdwara (Home of Guru – a place of worship in simplistic terms), even if only out of curiosity, should know that in all the historic gurdwaras there are four entrances- Welcoming all from all four directions. Pure vegetarian food is also served at all times to all, regardless of their colour, class, nationality, ethnicity, or any other meaningless exclusion created by mankind. Probably most must have heard of ‘Golden Temple’, and there are many more.**}
^{A peep: The last part in this series of elucidating my new base for writing, would define how the corporeal and spiritual lives are intertwined and complete only when understood as a synchronised unit, according to Sikh values and principles.}