I've been thinking about studying in another country because I genuinely want a fresh start and better opportunities. Growing up, I've been extremely restricted in a lot of ways, and my home environment has been pretty toxic. There are a lot of personal reasons why I feel like moving out would be the best thing for my mental health and future.

The problem is that my parents are completely against the idea. They don't want me to study abroad or live away from home, no matter how much I try to explain my reasons.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? How did you eventually convince your parents, or what steps did you take to make studying abroad happen despite their hesitation? I'm looking for practical advice, not just "keep asking." I'd really appreciate hearing from people who've actually dealt with something like this.

Just wanted to hear everyone's thoughts on this.

It feels like all around the world, people are becoming less religious. Even in our own community, more Sikhs are cutting their kesh, and it seems like there are fewer people who are really practicing Sikhi compared to before.

One thing I've been thinking about is whether mass migration has played a role too. A lot of Sikhs have settled in the West and Europe over the last few generations, where societies are generally more secular.

I'm not trying to judge anyone or start arguments, I'm just genuinely curious to hear different opinions.

And even if you're not Sikh or you're not religious at all, feel free to share your perspective too. Just keep it respectful. 🙏

Hi! I want to have a glow up but I'm not sure where to start. I've never really used any skincare or body care products before. My face looks dull, I have some tanning, and I'm not very fit right now. I know I can improve with the right routine. I'd love some beginner-friendly advice on skincare, body care, fitness, and healthy habits to help me look and feel my best.

Hi! I want to have a glow up but I'm not sure where to start. I've never really used any skincare or body care products before. My face looks dull, I have some tanning, and I'm not very fit right now. I know I can improve with the right routine. I'd love some beginner-friendly advice on skincare, body care, fitness, and healthy habits to help me look and feel my best.

This is something I've been thinking about for a long time, and after reflecting on my own experiences, I finally decided to put my thoughts into words.

The more I learned about Sikhi, the more I realized that many things I had always assumed were part of the religion were actually products of the society I grew up in. That made me start questioning where Punjabi culture ends and Sikh teachings begin.

This post isn't meant to provide all the answers. It's simply an attempt to start a conversation about whether, in some cases, we've become so used to viewing Sikhi through a Punjabi cultural lens that we unintentionally blur the distinction between the two.

My concern is when Punjabi cultural identity becomes so intertwined with Sikhi that people begin treating them as the same thing. Sikhi is a universal faith. Punjabi is an ethnicity, a language, and a culture. Those are not the same thing, and confusing them can unintentionally push people away from the faith

My Story

I was born and raised in Punjab, so naturally almost everyone around me was Punjabi Sikh. Around 99% of my classmates and friends were Punjabi Sikhs.

I was a very quiet kid, and because of that I was bullied heavily throughout school. Whenever discussions about Sikhs facing discrimination come up, I often see stories from people who grew up as minorities in non-Sikh environments like US, Canada, other western countries and even outside punjab in India itself. Their experiences are real, and I don't want to take away from them.

But my experience was almost the opposite.

The people who hurt me the most weren't non-Sikhs; they were my own community. The bullying affected me so deeply that, for a period of my life, I distanced myself from Sikhi altogether. Even today, I mostly practice my faith individually and connect with other Sikhs online rather than in person because those experiences left lasting scars. I still feel anxious when trying to meet new Sikhs because school shaped my expectations in a very negative way.

I'm not saying Sikhs are inherently like this. Far from it. My point is that the behavior I experienced reflected values that seemed completely opposite to what Sikhi teaches --- humility, compassion, equality, and seeing the Divine in everyone. It often felt as though social status, appearance, and Punjabi cultural expectations mattered more than living by Sikh principles.

That experience made me start asking a question:

Have we, at times, allowed Punjabi cultural identity to overshadow Sikh teachings?

1. Sikhi Gets Reduced to "Punjabi"

Whenever I watch Punjabi TV, broadcasts, podcasts, or interviews related to 1984, fake encounters and other sikh issues in past, I often hear people saying things like, "Punjabis were killed at that times," or "Punjabis suffered a lot."

Many of the things being discussed are actually closely tied to Sikhi, yet the word "Sikh" is barely mentioned. Over time, this creates the impression that Sikh practices are simply Punjabi traditions rather than the teachings of a universal religion.

2. Many People Don't Know Sikhi Is Universal

One of the biggest examples of this confusion is online.

I've seen countless white people, Black people, East Asians, Latinos, and people from many other backgrounds ask questions like:

"Can a white person become Sikh?"

"Do I have to be Punjabi to follow Sikhi?"

"Is Sikhi only for Indians?"

The fact that these questions are so common shows that many people aren't even sure whether Sikhi is an ethnic religion or a universal faith. That misconception doesn't come out of nowhere. When Sikhi is constantly presented as something inseparable from Punjabi identity, it's understandable why outsiders become confused.

3. Punjabi Social Norms Are Sometimes Mistaken for Sikh Teachings

Punjab, like every society, has cultural traditions that aren't always consistent with Sikh ideals.

Things like patriarchy, misogyny, obsession with family honour, social status, or rigid gender expectations are cultural issues and not Sikh teachings. Gurbani consistently teaches the equality and dignity of every human being.

Yet many people grow up believing these attitudes are somehow part of Sikhi simply because they're common within Punjabi society.

4. Caste Still Has a Strong Presence

One of the clearest examples is caste.

The Sikh Gurus openly rejected caste hierarchy and repeatedly emphasized the equality of all human beings.

Yet caste identities, caste-based marriage preferences, and even separate gurdwaras based on caste even in the western countries still exist in some places today.

That's not a failure of Sikhi.

It's a failure to live according to Sikhi.

5. Many Punjabi Kids Learn the Identity, Not the Faith

I've seen many Punjabi teenagers say they want to cut their hair because they see their identity as mainly Punjabi rather than Sikh.

That made me reflect on my own upbringing.

Growing up, Sikhi often felt like a list of things I was expected to do:

• Go to the gurdwara.
• Eat langar.
• Tie a turban.
• Keep my hair.
• Keep a beard.
• Recite the five banis in the morning and the evening prayers.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with any of those practices.

The problem was that I was rarely taught why.

Nobody really explained the meanings behind Gurbani, the philosophy of Naam, the importance of humility, the rejection of ego, or even the idea that God is One and present in all creation.

I didn't truly understand concepts like oneness until much later in life.

When children only learn rituals without understanding their purpose, faith can begin to feel like culture instead of a conscious spiritual path.

6. Identity Without Practice

Sometimes people treat Sikhi as something they wear rather than something they live.

A turban and beard are deeply meaningful articles of faith, but they don't automatically reflect a person's character.

I've seen people who proudly wear visible Sikh identity while lying, abusing others, discriminating, or behaving in ways that directly contradict Sikh teachings.

When that happens, people outside the community don't just judge the individual, they often judge Sikhi itself.

7. Ego and Pride

One of the biggest teachings in Sikhi is overcoming haumai (ego).

Yet we sometimes celebrate pride in ways that can unintentionally feed the very thing Sikhi asks us to overcome.

This isn't true of everyone, but there are people who seem more invested in status, reputation, family prestige, or projecting strength than in practising humility and compassion.

Those attitudes are cultural habits, not Sikh ideals.

8. "I'm Punjabi" Before "I'm Sikh"

I've also noticed that many people wearing turbans and keeping uncut hair primarily describe themselves as Punjabi rather than Sikh.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with being proud of being Punjabi.

The issue arises when articles of faith like the Five Ks begin to be viewed mainly as symbols of Punjabi identity instead of commitments rooted in Sikh philosophy.

When that happens, Sikhi slowly becomes seen as just another part of Punjabi culture rather than a universal path open to all humanity.

9. When Anand Karaj Becomes Just Another Punjabi Wedding

Another example of culture overshadowing faith is how the Anand Karaj is sometimes treated. For many families, it has become the default wedding ceremony simply because they're Punjabi, regardless of whether the couple actually follows or even understands Sikhi. In some cases, people who're hindus, muslims, christians or with no religion at all still want an Anand Karaj because it's seen as the "Punjabi way" to get married rather than a Sikh religious ceremony. I've also seen people place more importance on whether someone is Punjabi than on whether they genuinely share Sikh beliefs and values. For some, marrying another Punjabi is treated as more important than marrying someone who is actually a Sikh. When cultural identity becomes the primary factor and faith becomes secondary, the next generation often inherits the external traditions without understanding the spiritual foundation behind them. Children may grow up identifying as Punjabi and participating in Sikh customs while never being taught what Sikhi actually teaches or why those practices exist. The Anand Karaj is much more than a cultural celebration. It represents a spiritual union rooted in Sikh philosophy. Treating it primarily as a cultural tradition risks reducing its religious significance and passing on an increasingly cultural, rather than spiritual, understanding of Sikhi.

Where Do We Go From Here?

If Sikhi is truly a universal path, then we should do everything we can to ensure that people experience it as one.

That starts with teaching the philosophy before the identity. People should understand the ideas of Ik Oankar, Naam, seva, equality, humility, and overcoming ego and not just the external practices. The articles of faith become far more meaningful when people understand the spiritual principles they represent.

We also need to make Gurbani more accessible. More translations, discussions, educational resources, and conversations about its meanings can help people build a genuine connection with the faith instead of simply following rituals they don't understand.

Our gurdwaras and communities should be places where anyone regardless of their ethnicity, language, nationality, or background feels that they belong. No one should ever feel like an outsider because they weren't born into a particular culture.

I'vemet a white Sikh online somewhere who told me that he had experienced enough racism from members of the Sikh community that he eventually began practising the faith almost entirely on his own. I also spoke to another white seeker who was told by someone that he could never truly be Sikh simply because he was white.

Whether those experiences are common or rare, they should never happen at all.

If we believe that the Guru's message is for all humanity, then our communities should reflect that belief. No sincere seeker should ever be made to feel that their race, nationality, language, or ethnicity determines whether they belong.

The goal isn't to erase anyone's culture. The goal is to ensure that culture never becomes a barrier between someone and the Guru's teachings.

When someone walks into a gurdwara for the first time, they shouldn't leave thinking, "This religion isn't for people like me."

They should leave feeling, "I've found a spiritual home."

If we can create communities that reflect that spirit, we'll not only preserve Sikhi but also we'll help more people around the world discover it as the universal faith the Gurus intended it to be.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Below the notification bell, I can see an icon showing 3 DM requests. However, when I click on it, there are no DM requests displayed. What should I do ?

Just making this post as a reminder for myself that I started today. If any of you guys have something to share which could help me in my journey then please share. Thanks !

​

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.

I've been thinking a lot about the Sikh understanding of reincarnation, and I wanted to hear your thoughts.

The idea that we continue taking birth until we become one with Waheguru sometimes makes me feel trapped rather than comforted. I keep wondering, "What if I'm not able to achieve that in this life?" Then I think about how many births it could take before becoming human again, and what if I miss the opportunity again? That thought fills me with fear and anxiety.

I know we're taught not to live in fear, and I genuinely want to understand Gurbani better. How do you personally understand reincarnation in Sikhi without feeling overwhelmed by this thought? Are there any shabads, teachings, or perspectives that helped you find peace with it?

I'm asking with respect and a genuine desire to learn. Thank you in advance for sharing your understanding.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.

I was watching a video of Sant Kartar Singh Ji Bhindranwale, where they explained that after taking Amrit, if a Sikh sincerely recites the five Nitnem Banis in the morning, Rehras Sahib in the evening, and Kirtan Sohila at night every day, it washes away the sins of many previous lives.

I found this very inspiring, but I'm struggling to understand how this actually works. How does the recitation of Gurbani cleanse the karam (karma) or sins accumulated over multiple lifetimes? Is this meant to be understood literally, spiritually, or in some other way according to Gurbani and Sikh philosophy?

I'd really appreciate it if someone knowledgeable could help me understand this concept better.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.

I was watching a video of Sant Kartar Singh Ji Bhindranwale, where they explained that after taking Amrit, if a Sikh sincerely recites the five Nitnem Banis in the morning, Rehras Sahib in the evening, and Kirtan Sohila at night every day, it washes away the sins of many previous lives.

I found this very inspiring, but I'm struggling to understand how this actually works. How does the recitation of Gurbani cleanse the karam (karma) or sins accumulated over multiple lifetimes? Is this meant to be understood literally, spiritually, or in some other way according to Gurbani and Sikh philosophy?

I'd really appreciate it if someone knowledgeable could help me understand this concept better.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.

Got compt in chem and still have many things to revise. Anyone knows or thinks the compartment could be delayed?

As the title says, I'm not saying this just by watching a few posts or videos of that country but I've seen multiple ppl deliberately trying to portray sikhs as bad in multiple social media posts and the comments are horrendous. Although sikhs have been living in multiple European countries for so long but the most hate I've seen online against sikhs was from Portuguese accounts and comments. If any sikhs living in portugal are reading this post, is there any specific reason or just casual racism ?

For context, I see a lot of political posts on Reddit, but most of the time I don't fully understand them because I haven't really been into politics before. Now I'd like to change that.

What's the best way to start learning about politics without getting overwhelmed? I'm looking for a balanced approach so I can understand political discussions, current events, and the context behind what people are talking about.

How do you think the current backlash surrounding the Digwa incident will ultimately end? The right wingers are making videos after videos against sikhs showing them in the worst way possible. Will it create a lasting strain within the community, or gradually fade over time? What outcome do you think is most likely ?

So I was just trying to know more about the Novak case in UK and I got to know that the weapon used by digwa was an illegal weapon and not even a kirpan that sikhs carry then how come kirpan came into spotlight in whole UK, US and other countries ?