Is it okay to watch pornography? Niagra Falls - Q&A #16

Summary

In the video, Qi-Rattan addresses the issue of pornography from a Sikh perspective, emphasizing that Sikhi values both actions and thoughts. They argue that pornography distorts reality and objectifies individuals, leading to harmful mental programming. The speaker advises against consuming any form of pornography, likening it to kryptonite that weakens one's moral strength. They encourage using Sikh teachings and prayers as a defense mechanism and stress the importance of continuous effort in purifying one's thoughts and actions, even when faced with failure.

Takeaways

• 🚫 Sikhi views pornography as harmful, not just in action but also in thought and visual consumption.
• 👀 Sikh teachings emphasize that even looking at someone with lustful intent can pollute one's eyes and mind.
• 🌐 Pornography is criticized for presenting a distorted view of reality and relationships, leading to objectification.
• 🧠 It is suggested that exposure to pornography can ingrain negative behaviors and attitudes towards intimacy.
• 💪 Overcoming the influence of pornography requires significant effort and a conscious decision to change one's environment.
• ❌ The speaker likens pornography to kryptonite, emphasizing its detrimental effects on one's spiritual and moral well-being.
• 🙏 The use of Sikh scriptures (Bani) is recommended as a tool to combat lustful thoughts and to seek spiritual protection.
• 🌱 The goal of Sikhi is to purify one's thoughts, dreams, and actions, promoting a respectful view of all individuals.
• 🤔 The speaker encourages continuous effort and determination in the face of failure, drawing a parallel to the path of a saint.
• 🙌 The importance of seeking Guru's guidance and support in the struggle against negative influences is highlighted.

Q & A

What is the speaker's stance on pornography according to Sikhi principles?

The speaker asserts that Sikhi principles consider not only actions but also thoughts and mental states. They argue that pornography is harmful because it promotes lustful thoughts and objectification, which are contrary to the teachings of Sikhi.

How does the speaker describe the impact of pornography on one's perception of reality?

The speaker states that pornography gives a warped view of reality, as it is essentially false and can lead to a distorted understanding of relationships and human interactions.

What advice does the speaker offer for those who wish to avoid the influence of pornography?

The speaker advises to remove oneself from environments that promote pornography, comparing it to kryptonite that weakens one's moral strength, and to seek the guidance of Sikhi principles to stay on the path of purity.

What does the speaker suggest as a method to reprogram the brain from the influence of pornography?

The speaker suggests that reprogramming the brain from the influence of pornography requires a lot of hard work and the use of Sikhi teachings, such as bani, as a form of medicine to help in moments of temptation.

How does the speaker relate the Sikhi concept of purity to the issue of pornography?

The speaker relates the Sikhi concept of purity to pornography by emphasizing that Sikhi aims to purify not just physical actions but also mental actions, including thoughts and desires, which are polluted by engaging with pornography.

What is the speaker's view on the role of Sikhi in purifying one's dreams and thoughts?

The speaker believes that Sikhi can help purify one's dreams and thoughts, as exemplified by the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who was advised to avoid even lustful dreams about another woman.

How does the speaker suggest using Sikhi teachings to combat the negative effects of pornography?

The speaker suggests using Sikhi teachings, specifically bani, as a protective shield and a means to seek salvation in moments of temptation or weakness.

What is the speaker's perspective on the importance of trying to overcome moral failings according to Sikhi?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of continuous effort and determination in overcoming moral failings, drawing a parallel between sinners and saints where the latter keep trying despite their shortcomings.

How does the speaker interpret the Sikhi concept of treating all women as one's sisters or daughters?

The speaker interprets this concept as a way to foster respect and to prevent objectification, which is a common issue with pornography where women are often reduced to mere objects of pleasure.

What does the speaker mean when they say 'Sikhi is hard' and what is the implication for followers?

The speaker implies that adhering to Sikhi principles requires discipline and effort, especially in resisting temptations like pornography. Followers are encouraged to strive for spiritual growth despite the challenges and to seek the grace of Maharaj for success.

Outlines

00:00

🚫 Confronting the Impact of Pornography

The speaker, Qi-Rattan, addresses the issue of pornography and its societal acceptance, contrasting it with Sikh teachings. Sikhism emphasizes the importance of mental purity, not just physical actions, and considers lustful thoughts and actions outside of marriage as harmful. Pornography is criticized for its deceptive nature, warping perceptions of reality and relationships, and objectifying individuals. The speaker advises against consuming pornographic content, likening it to kryptonite that weakens moral strength. They encourage seeking guidance from Sikh teachings and using 'Bani' (holy scripture) as a protective shield against negative influences, advocating for continuous effort towards purity despite the challenges.

Keywords

💡Sikhi

Sikhi refers to the teachings and practices of Sikhism, a monotheistic religion that originated in the Punjab region of India. In the context of the video, Sikhi emphasizes purity of thought and action, condemning pornography as it involves lustful thoughts and objectification of individuals. The speaker uses Sikhi to argue for a moral stance against pornography, highlighting the religion's teachings on treating all individuals with respect and dignity.

💡Amrit

Amrit in Sikhism is the nectar of immortality, symbolizing spiritual rebirth and commitment to the Sikh faith. It is also used to describe the sanctity of the Sikh code of conduct. The script mentions that engaging in sexual activities outside of marriage breaks one's Amrit, indicating a violation of the moral and spiritual purity expected of an initiated Sikh.

💡Lust

Lust is a strong sexual desire, often considered a base instinct that can lead to moral and ethical dilemmas. The video discusses the negative impact of lust, particularly when directed towards pornography, which can lead to objectification and a distorted view of relationships. The speaker equates lustful thoughts with actions, suggesting that both are harmful and go against the principles of Sikhi.

💡Objectification

Objectification is the act of treating a person as an object, often reducing their humanity to their physical attributes. In the video, the speaker criticizes pornography for promoting the objectification of women and men, arguing that it dehumanizes individuals and fosters a harmful mindset that is detrimental to healthy relationships.

💡Kryptonite

Kryptonite is a metaphor used in the video to describe the destructive power of pornography. In the context of the script, kryptonite refers to the fictional substance that weakens Superman, symbolizing how pornography can weaken one's moral strength and spiritual well-being. The speaker advises viewers to avoid pornography as one would avoid kryptonite.

💡Bani

Bani in Sikhism refers to the sacred writings or hymns found in the Guru Granth Sahib, the central religious scripture of Sikhs. The video suggests using Bani as a form of spiritual medicine to counteract the negative influences of pornography. By reciting or meditating on Bani, one can seek protection and guidance from the teachings of the Sikh Gurus.

💡Purity

Purity in the video is discussed in terms of both physical and mental actions. The speaker emphasizes the importance of maintaining purity in one's thoughts, dreams, and behavior, as advocated by Sikhi. Purity is seen as a state of being free from negative influences such as lust and objectification, which are considered impurities that can corrupt one's mind and soul.

💡Mental Actions

Mental actions refer to the thoughts and intentions that guide one's behavior. The video script highlights that Sikhi is concerned not only with physical actions but also with the purity of one's mind. The speaker argues that lustful thoughts and the consumption of pornography are forms of mental impurity that need to be addressed and purified.

💡Positivity

Positivity in the video is contrasted with the negative effects of pornography. It represents the desirable state of mind and action that Sikhi promotes, which includes treating others with respect, maintaining moral integrity, and engaging in behaviors that uplift oneself and others. The speaker encourages viewers to strive for positivity in all aspects of life, including their thoughts and interactions.

💡Sinner and Saint

The terms 'sinner' and 'saint' are used in the video to illustrate the distinction between those who give in to negative temptations and those who strive for spiritual growth. The speaker uses this dichotomy to encourage viewers to aspire to be like saints, who continually try to improve themselves despite the inevitability of occasional failures. The message is one of perseverance and the pursuit of a righteous path.

💡Punj Pyare

Punj Pyare, or the Five Beloved Ones, refers to a group of Sikh warriors who were close to Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru. The video mentions Mokham Singh, one of the Punj Pyare, whose name signifies determination. The speaker uses this example to inspire viewers to be brave and determined in their fight against negative influences like lust and to strive for spiritual progress.

Highlights

Society often condones looking at pornography as long as it doesn't lead to physical action.

Sikhi emphasizes that thoughts are as important as actions, and lustful thoughts are considered harmful.

Pornography is seen as a significant problem because it distorts the understanding of reality and relationships.

The act of watching pornography can ingrain harmful behaviors and objectify individuals.

It's crucial to view people as real individuals and not objects, which is difficult when immersed in pornography.

The speaker advises Sikhs to avoid pornography as it is akin to kryptonite, harmful even in small amounts.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji was advised to avoid even dreaming about another woman's bed, emphasizing purity in thoughts.

Sikhi aims to purify the mind to the extent that even dreams are free from lustful thoughts.

Pornography can lead to objectifying women and men, which is against the teachings of Sikhi.

Guru Maharaj's teachings extend to mental actions, advocating for purity in all aspects of life.

The speaker suggests using Sikhi's teachings and prayers as a defense against the temptations of pornography.

Sikhi is challenging, and failure is expected, but the path is to keep trying and improving.

The difference between a sinner and a saint is the saint's persistent effort to improve.

The speaker encourages embracing the path of the saints by striving to stop sinning and continuously trying to do better.

Guru Maharaj will help those who keep walking the path of Sikhi without giving up.

The story of Mokham Singh, one of the Punj Pyare, illustrates the need for bravery and determination in the Sikh path.

Success in Sikhi comes through grace, but it requires the individual's effort and determination.

Transcripts

Vahiguru Simran by Qi-Rattan

So this is the question I was asked recently;

What about pornography?

Now one thing I would say is that society nowadays is more about actions.

Society will say it's alright if you look.

It's alright as long as you don't touch.

It's alright if you are lusting over someone on video

because that's not a real person

you can't see them, right?

But, Sikhi doesn't say the action is the only thing that is important.

Obviously, having sex outside of marriage is what breaks your Amrit.

But the mere thought of lusting over somebody else is bad as well.

So, Maharaj says even your eyes are polluted.

If you are looking at another women.

Therefore, Sikhi is much harder than just those four things.

So what I would say to people is

pornography is one of the biggest problems right now.

It is really bad for us for two reasons.

Firstly, it gives us a warped view of reality

at its very essence, it's all false.

That person is not enjoying that.

They are doing it for a job.

They are pretending to enjoy it.

We the ones watching it are putting the wrong thing into our head

because it gives a warped view of relationships.

The person gets ingrained in this kind of bad behavior

which isn't helpful.

Actually what we should realise is that's a real person

and if you are going to be in any relationship,

we need to treat the person as a real person

and not like an object to be used.

That's a very hard thing once you put your head into this world of pornography.

It's designed to make you think that women is an object to be used,

or a man is an object to be used.

It's objectification

How do we reprogram our brain?

Through a lot of hard work.

So what I will say to a lot of brothers and sisters who are in that environment is

you need to take yourself out of that environment

because what you are doing is kryptonite.

You want to be superman and fly,

but any amount of kryptonite is not good for you.

and this stuff any amount is not good for you.

Here I am not talking about Kaam but about pornography.

Any type of that.

Because Guru Sahib is saying

Guru Gobind Singh Ji gets told by Guru Tegh Bahadaur ji

"Don't even in your dreams, go near the bed of another woman."

That means if we bring Sikhi into our lives so much,

even our dreams become pure.

Even our dreams don't involve being lustful with other people

So that's the whole point of Sikhi is to purify that much.

On the other hand, the person isn't in their dreams.

The person is awake and they are daydreaming about this.

They are watching this.

Come on, Maharaj is saying

"look at other women as your sisters or daughters."

So any amount of porn is not good for you, basically.

It's going to mess up your relationships,

it's going to give you the wrong programming in your brain.

That's going to make you think of women as objects and men as objects

And secondly, at a very basic level, you're ignoring the fact that

Guru Maharaj is not just about physical actions,

He's about mental actions as well.

And he wants us to purify our eyes, our hands

and everything that we do should be towards positivity and not negativity,

and this thing is very definitely negative.

Women are not objects to be used for our pleasure.

They're actually real people.

When we go down this route,

we aren't going to understand that.

It's going to be harder for us to relate to that person's reality.

So my advice would is to try and avoid it.

Not just try, think of it as kryptonite and avoid it.

So Maharaj has given us a lot of bani which helps us.

The minute we see something we can say Maharaj save me.

'Quoted Shabad'

We should be asking our Guru to save us.

"I don't want to go down this route."

So use Bani as medicine.

When you need it, use Bani to save you.

In that moment of Lust or anger, try to use Bani.

I know it's hard, but Sikhi is hard.

It's not easy.

We will always fail.

We don't have to keep on going pesh.

We are always going to fail.

but that doesn't mean we don't keep on trying

I heard a great story once, somebody said

"The difference between a sinner and a saint is that a saint keeps on trying".

Now it's very easy to hear

me saying that we are all going to sin,

so forget it then, just carry on sinning.

Well actually, No

But actually what we need to do is to say "do you know what?

I want to walk the path of the saints."

and for that I need to stop sinning and every time I fall down,

get back up and keep on trying to get better.

Maharaj will help us if we do that.

'charan saran gur eaek paiddaa jaae chala sath gur kott paiddaa aagae hoe laeth hai ||

Maharaj will help us if we keep on walking and don't give up.

So just like one of the Punj Pyare "the 5 beloved ones"

name's were Mokham Singh.

Mokham means determination.

And Himmat means bravery

So we have to be brave to fight against

lust, anger, greed, attachment, and pride.

and we got to be determined.

Then Maharaj will bless us,

what He's interested in is the Sikh trying.

Success comes by his own grace.

So that's my little bit on it

Vaheguru ji ka Khalsa, Vaheguru ji ki Fateh.