Advice On Being Sangatless.

[Guest Kaur]

I live in a very, very gora area. That's not the problem. I have no sangat and there are barely any kirtan programmes. I've just moved home after living in a Sikh populated area.

There are a few Gursikhs around, but they're young, exclusive and selfish. They take what they need from others or from sangat, but as long as they have what they want feel no need to include or help others. They keep certain people out of their "naam abhyaas circle" based on how they feel about them. They're involved in petty conflicts with each other and now with me.

There's nobody else that constitutes good sangat. I travel a little further and there are plently of typical "Gursikh" young mothers who just want to gossip and pry into your business. I could get better sangat from a shovel.

I go to the Gurdwara regularly even though there's nothing on. But I miss kirtan. It just gives you the boost you need to keep going upwards. Without kirtan and sangat, I feel myself going down.

I'm sure I'm not the only one in this position. How to deal with being sangatless? What substitutes can you make? How can I keep myself going upwards? I don't just want to remain steady on the path, which is hard enough. Obviously I want to excel.. which is why it sucks knowing I don't have Gurmukh sangat.

Note: I've tried making cyber sangat, getting others to Skype with me for naam bani time, people really cba and it doesn't work.

[Balkaar]

My situation is exactly the same as yours, but I don't find it to be an issue at all.

Then again I am a cold, reptilian loner, whereas you probably aren't.

I'd suggest looking through this thread. The sentiment expressed therein is almost identical to your own -

http://www.sikhsangat.com/index.php?/topic/77145-intimidation-in-sangat/

Why not try talking to some goray? Good Sangat doesn't necessarily mean rehitvaan Gursikhs. I've more relationships with non-Sikhs than Sikhs, and it hasn't been bad at all. Some of them have really helped in my development and spiritual progression. I don't think there can be a substitute for live Kirtan however. Nothing quite like it.

Ultimately, your relationship with your Guru should be very personal and very intimate. I don't believe it should be predicated on being around other Sikhs. Keep this in mind in your darker moments. I did, and it did me immeasurable good.

Best of luck, Sister

[Guest Sikh]

Where do u live?

[jugojugoatal]

I once hard in katha that you can get sangat by listening to katha/kirtan. Although physical sangat is best sometimes it is not possible and by listening to katha/kirtan we can get sangat, since they end up shaping our minds! Hope i helped

[singhbj singh]

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