In order to ensure conducive circumstances for easy spiritual advancement, the principle of “birds of a feather flock together” must be followed. There is a Holy Hymn in support of this as follows:
ਸੰਤਨ ਸਿਉ ਮੇਰੀ ਲੇਵਾ ਦੇਵੀ ਸੰਤਨ ਸਿਉ ਬਿਉਹਾਰਾ ॥
ਸੰਤਨ ਸਿਉ ਹਮ ਲਾਹਾ ਖਾਟਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਭਗਤਿ ਭਰੇ ਭੰਡਾਰਾ ॥੨॥ {੬੧੪}
I confine my dealings of life to saintly persons (ਗੁਰਸਿਖ) because it is only in their blessed congregation that spiritual profit has been earned and treasures of Bhagti (meditation) have been gained. And there are many more similar Holy Hymns urging us to keep away from those who are atheists or otherwise have their own ways; but to cultivate association with the devotees of God.
A few general instructions of the Guru for general guidance of his disciples are enumerated hereunder:
(1) ਦੂਖੁ ਨ ਦੇਈ ਕਿਸੈ ਜੀਅ ਪਤਿ ਸਿਉ ਘਰਿ ਜਾਵਉ ॥ {੩੨੨}
Do not trouble any creature; animal or bird, etc., so that you can reach your heavenly abode (permanent and immortal place) with honour and dignity.
(2) ਸੂਰਬੀਰ ਬਚਨ ਕੇ ਬਲੀ ॥ {੩੯੨}
It behoves Godly men to be brave and men of words.
(3) ਬੋਲੀਐ ਸਚੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਝੂਠੁ ਨ ਬੋਲੀਐ ॥ ਜੋ ਗੁਰੁ ਦਸੈ ਵਾਟ ਮੁਰੀਦਾ ਜੋਲੀਐ ॥੩॥ {੪੮੮}
One should Speak the Truth and should not tell lies. Disciples should tread the way shown by the Guru.
(4) ਜਿਥੈ ਜਾਇ ਬਹੀਐ ਭਲਾ ਕਹੀਐ … ॥ {੫੬੬}
Wherever you go speak well of others and give good advice.
(5) ਨਾਨਕ ਸੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਸਿਮਰੀਐ ਤਿਸੁ ਦੇਹੀ ਕਉ ਪਾਲਿ ॥੨॥ {੫੫੪}
Health must be properly looked after in order to remain physically fit for saying God’s Name. (nwm jpx leI)
(6) ਹਕੁ ਪਰਾਇਆ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਉਸੁ ਸੂਅਰ ਉਸੁ ਗਾਇ ॥
ਗੁਰੁ ਪੀਰੁ ਹਾਮਾ ਤਾ ਭਰੇ ਜਾ ਮੁਰਦਾਰੁ ਨ ਖਾਇ ॥ {੧੪੧}
Mis-appropriation of others’ belongings is prohibited like the use of beef for Hindus and prok for Muslims. Use of others’ property and money is likened to eating a dead body. Those who do it will lose confidence of the Guru.
(7) ਘਾਲਿ ਖਾਇ ਕਿਛੁ ਹਥਹੁ ਦੇਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਰਾਹੁ ਪਛਾਣਹਿ ਸੇਇ ॥੧॥ {੧੨੪੫}
Guru advises us to earn honest money and then give away a part of it in charity. Those who do it, are considered to have really understood the path shown by the Guru.
(8) …ਪੰਚ ਦੂਤਨ ਸਿਉ ਸੰਗੁ ਤੋਰੋ ॥੧॥ {੧੩੦੬}
The five enemies of man – lust, anger, greed, attachment and ego must be shed off for clearing up ones mind.
(9) ਕੀਰਤਨ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਿਮਰਤ ਰਹਉ ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਘਟਿ ਸਾਸੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ {੮੧੮}
As long as man lives, he should keep on singing Holy Hymns and the Holy Name (ਨਾਮੁ).
ਸਾਸਿ ਸਾਸਿ ਸਿਮਰਹੁ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ॥ ਮਨ ਅੰਤਰ ਕੀ ਉਤਰੈ ਚਿੰਦ ॥ {੨੯੫}
Repeat the Name of God with respiratory frequency. Through this all your inner worries will flee away.
(10) ਜੋ ਹੋਆ ਹੋਵਤ ਸੋ ਜਾਨੈ ॥ {੨੮੬}
Whatever happens should be taken as God’s will.
(11) ਬਿਨੁ ਸੇਵਾ ਧ੍ਰਿਗ ਹਥ ਪੈਰ ਹੋਰ ਨਿਹਫਲ ਕਰਣੀ ॥ {Bhai Gurdas Ji}
Having imbibed the spirit of holy Hymns, Bhai Gurdas Ji (a top ranking Sikh Scholar) puts it in his own words understandingly, that our hands and feet are cursed and all that they do is of no use if they do not render any service for the benefit of others.