I am writing this for those who, like myself, reject the black and white view that we should keep our kesh because Guru Gobind Singh Ji said so. I simply cannot accept doing something I do not understand nor value. I am writing this to share my new found understanding of the role of kesh in our spiritual journey. I hope that it helps someone.
I am writing this because recently I have struggled deeply with my beard. I grew up having kept my hair and realised I really hated my beard. It’s difficult to maintain and make look presentable and has been frustrating to deal with.
I recently realised that I never actually made the conscious choice to keep my hair but rather grew up with this life style and kept it out of habit. Then the thought crossed my mind that if I don’t see the value in it then why shouldn’t I cut it?
After a few days of deliberation I realised the beauty of keeping it in-spite of not liking how it looks. The source of my discontent was that as it grows I need to find more creative ways to make it look presentable. The frustration was caused by needing to finding new products or techniques instead of creating a static look by simply trimming it.
I see everything as a skill in life. The skill gained by keeping my beard is that I am able to practice accepting my perceived flaws. In accepting my flaws I am able to genuinely see the beauty in others, regardless of their flaws, as they inevitably change.
Some instances this skill would be useful would be for when my loved ones undergo natural changes, and feel anxious themselves, I get to give them reassurance about how they look. My reassurance is given a greater weight because I have literally accepted myself.
I’m 24 and have not found a spouse. But I did imagine how much fun it would be to make my spouse feel good about herself regardless of her flaws.
The line of Japji Sahib I have linked describes how in accepting humanity we master our minds, or at least that’s my interpretation. My accepting my kesh I get to practice the skills necessary to accept others. In my new found acceptance of other’s flaws I hope I can be a step closer to mastering my mind.