Discipline And Spirituality : My Perspective as a Sikh

Let me use school as a model to explicate the message in this post. As the expression goes, ‘In my days…’- I wore the right uniform to the expected school standards. The opening commenced with an assembly where all the students congregated as one group and before dispersing to our classrooms we prayed and were reminded of the school hallmarks – usually based on moral standards. This was followed by a basic physical workout to get ready for mental absorption.
Now, let’s challenge this process in the light of its relevancy in spirituality.
Learning is a mental activity, but why is certain uniform or physical training important? Why couldn’t I attend school in any T-shirt and flip-flops, yet learn the same lesson? Waste of time, commercialism or is there a valid connection? I would say there is a valid connection, even though side motives might also be true as the byproduct of capitalist society. Not that long ago, and may still be prevalent in some places, the parents expected children to iron their uniform, take responsibility for packing their school bags, be ready and get to school punctually by themselves (after safe age, of course). This was my upbringing which might be surprising for the younger generation- Perhaps.
All these preparatory steps got me in the right mental mode for the school environment and for receiving knowledge. The uniform was not just a piece of clothing but a sense of belonging to a common framework and I perceived it as a personal responsibility to present myself in the best possible way. The physical exercise awakened the body and the mind to absorb knowledge. From the moment of planning for school an evening before, like completing the homework to waking up on time the next morning, my mindset was getting organised ahead for the day.  
Now let’s analyse how this model fits into an individual spiritual growth. I see most religions have a certain dress code to establish an outside identity, even though it might not be as strict in one religion as the other. But when visiting a Gurdwara, church, mosque or temple, everyone dresses up appropriately, including wearing religious symbols like a cross by a Christian or a dastaar (turban) by a Sikh, out of respect for their belief. Also, it gives people of the same faith a sense of belonging to a common organisation. This is a common factor amongst all believers, regardless of their religious affiliation. So, outer clothing itself might not be directly linked to spirituality, but its psychological effect helps to ignite a spiritual spark. Why is congregation (also called Sangat in Sikhism) important? It creates a collective ambience or aura emitting high vibration, bouncing off one another. When the halo effect of a similar group binds it sparks high frequency. So long it creates a positive vibe spiritually rather than division from others. The whole group together creates a corroborative spirituality.
Once an individual has absorbed the celestial light, it will enlighten even when we step outside the ‘in-group’ into a ‘cross-group’. We shall begin to experience the warmth of the common celestial glow. After all, Ek Omkar or God or Allah means ‘One and the same’. If we think of it in terms of ‘many’, ‘multi’ or ‘different; then we are in the wrong school and learning the incorrect curriculum, because despite different uniforms or school buildings, the course is the same.
Reading hymns or listening to a sermon in the place of worship is similar to studying in a classroom. Of course, not every student would be equally attentive or receptive to the lesson taught, but attending the school in a sincere attempt to learn surely scores a star too 😊
From personal experience, I believe whether in a school model or in spirituality, discipline and organisational traits are vital traits to develop. For example, mental focus and physical grounding help to meditate productively.
Once graduated, you can connect with spiritual energy, anywhere and anytime; whether in or out of uniform because the lesson learnt would palpitate in your heart all the time. However, before reaching such an awakened stage, iron your uniform of thoughts, pack your bag with moral deeds, and exercise to develop a positive mindset. The course might be hard work, but worth it. Happy learning.