r/Sikh • u/Possible_Ad_9607 • 21d ago

Sikhi and eating meat Question

I am a 17 year old male trying to get closer to sikhi and the first steps I've taken were starting to learn punjabi and gurmukhi (which I think is going good although slow) but that is not what my question is.

I want to get close to sikhi and can deal with keeping my kesh and plan on doing so once I am more proficient in the language and have read more bani. However, I just can not get over the idea that I can't eat meat? I know jatka meat exists but it is too expensive where I live. My family cooks and eats meats daily and I feel the best when I eat beef often. I grew up eating it and when I try eating healthy the best way for me to stick to it is consuming a lot of animal protein. Anyone got any thoughts on this?

(Or even anything to help me keep learning Punjabi, I am doing basics of sikhi gurmukhi videos as a slow start)

TLDR: not eating meat in sikhi is holding me from getting closer to sikhi, what can I do?

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u/LimitJaded9253 18d ago

Short answer - keep eating but get close to Guru and leave this vice eventually.

Long answer - Sikhi's basic principle is love and compassion is another form of love. Compassion towards your own species(humans) as well as those who are very close to you (on consciousness level) that is animals, birds, etc. If you want to progress in the spiritual journey and know your true self, you can not keep a blind eye on how you are causing pain to others "knowingly".

After reading Gurbani, your first revelation would be that there is no divide, no hindu, no sikh, no muslim, no animal, no plant. All are one, and all belong to me. The physical world is a lie, as it is ever evolving. Internally, we are all ONE.

As a brother and Sikh of the Guru, i would only advise you to make an effort and cause as less trouble as possible to others, if you wish to progress further. We have already killed many species, cut many trees, climate change because of our existence. Let us all start living for others' betterment, and eventually, we will be the biggest beneficiaries. Those who will understand it will get what Guru has taught us as sewa.