User talk:Ten8Lion
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Thanks for asking this very interesting question. Change in ones life is always very difficult and certain things like appearance, dress, etc are probably the most challenging. This has been recognised in Sikhi by allocating the term "Sahajdhari" - this refers to a person who is slowing changing to become a "full" Sikh.
It is common for a Sahajdhari Sikh to begin the "internal" changes before tackling the outward appearance. In my opinion, the "internal" changes are more crucial, important and most difficult. When you say "it is very much what I have always truly believed" it reflects something that most Sikhs say when they learn new things in Sikhi - A clear pointer of "many fundamental truths" that exists in the world! One has a "gut" feeling about these things and reading Bani or articles on Sikhi confirms these hunches.
The internal evolution is important: To accept one God; have Him in your mind at all times; have the discipline to read his bani daily in the morning - "to connect to Him" - to believe that He exists! These are huge hurdles. To accept the whole world as His creation and live in His Hukam (command, order); to accept His Will even when faced with untold difficulty; to treat all as equals; etc, etc.
To jump over a 10 foot wall in one go is impossible but if you lift yourself 6 foot by making these internal changes, God will do the rest. Sikhi accepts the importance of Kirat (honest work) so do not let the hurdle of appearance and the 5Ks worry you now. The 5 Ks were introduced at the tenth stage of Sikhi by the tenth Guru; so just work on the other aspects of Sikhi for now; wear as many of the 5Ks that you can; the Guru will open the other doors for you. As you evolve spiritually, you will find increasing love for these 5 gifts given by Guru Gobind Singh and the difficulties that you see now will be overcome easily.
As you read Gurbani, study the history of the Gurus and understand the deeper aspects of Sikhi, you will gain much mental and spiritual energy and the hurdles that you see now will be no more. So carry on studying Sikhi, living a Sikhi life even if the appearance is not there and eventually there will come a time when you will be able to wear the 5Ks and be an Amritdhari Sikh.
What is the point of having an outward appearance of a Sikh but internally you do not understand elementary values of Sikhi? There has to be a balance; the external appearance will and should follow the internal status of a person. As one progresses in their internal "evolution" and "cleansing" then the outer appearance will naturally follow.
I hope this helps. Please feel free to write again if you have any further queries. Hari Singhtalk 19:57, 10 February 2011 (EST)