Gurmukh (God-centred)

Gurmukh is a central concept in Sikhism, representing a way of life where one is oriented towards God or the Guru.
The term is made up of two parts: ‘guru’ meaning ‘teacher’ or ‘wisdom’ and ‘mukh’ meaning ‘face’ or ‘direction’. Therefore, ‘Gurmukh’ can be understood as someone who has turned their face or direction towards the guru or God.
Gurmukh represents a journey towards self-realisation and understanding of God. Those leading a Gurmukh lifestyle strive to align their thoughts and behaviours with the teachings of the Guru and God.
Those following the path of Gurmukh endeavour to eliminate the ego, helping them to cultivate qualities like humility, truthfulness, and selflessness.
A Gurmukh seeks to see God’s presence in all creation and interactions. They engage in positive actions for the welfare of humanity, understanding that serving others is, in fact, serving God.
Also, Gurmukhs practise Naam Simran, which involves meditating on God’s name, as a way to remember God throughout their daily activities.
They also adhere to the three pillars of Sikhism: Naam Japna (remembering God), Kirat Karni (earning an honest living), and Vand Chakna (sharing with others).
The Guru Granth Sahib Ji emphasises the importance of becoming Gurmukh rather than Manmukh (self-centred). It is considered the ultimate aim for Sikhs.
The path to becoming Gurmukh involves embracing the Five Virtues - Sat (Truth), Santokh (Contentment), Daya (Compassion), Nimrata (Humility) and Pyar (Love).
A Gurmukh sees everyone as equal, irrespective of their caste, creed or gender, reflecting the core Sikh belief of equality.