Sikhism is very exacting in its teachings on how to become a ‘morally and spiritually healthy person. It gives a very definite path to follow in discovering the true self. An individual following these teachings would have a personality that is quite different from those that are normally encountered. In analyzing some of the concepts of Sikhism, I have described below a sample of the type of personality ‘an individual would possess.
‘One of the concepts calls not for the unification of all humanity to form under one single authority, but to accept others and learn from their differences. And in accepting others for their differences the individual could easily accept hi self/herself, as he/she is, with no feelings of inferiority or superiority, Nor with a desire to conform to a society’s idea of behavior that may be contrary to his/her own. It leaves open the wealth of knowledge and diversity of other cultures to experience, thus giving a person a well-rounded, healthy view of humanity, rather than teaching him to dislike and distrust others different from his/her own.
Another condition for the individual is to concentrate on rather than accumulating. This would release the person from the syndrome commonly called “keeping up with the Jones’s”. All too often people feel driven to own the fastest car, dress the Way current fashion dictates, or buy the best material objects, the “rat race” so many people are devoting their lives to can be left behind, allowing the individual to be content and at peace with what life has provided for him/her.
The individual would participate and function fully in society. Isolating, himself/herself from others of different social grounds, religious beliefs and nationality is discouraged. He/She would have social relationships with all types ‘of people leading to a well-rounded personality and acceptance. The individual would also have total acceptance of himself/herself, contentment with his/her status in life, knowledge and understanding of different lifestyles and commitment to help others in need.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 24, 1986
