Sikhs practice the way of life of a “householder,” as opposed to an ascetic (or renunciate) lifestyle historically practiced by some yogis.

Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru, taught the way of the householder for Sikhs. It is a practical spiritual strategy for living in the world. The Sikh strives to strike a natural balance found in the life of the householder, and on this path aims to shed all attachments. Guru Nanak himself was a farmer even after achieving enlightenment.

This instruction to live as a spiritually honest householder as opposed to an ascetic was a significant social reform at the time of Guru Nanak.

The Sikh Gurus believed and taught that one should lead the life of a householder. Guru Amar Das, the third Sikh Guru, speaks of the path of the householder versus the path of the ascetic in the Siri Guru Granth Sahib:

ਸਲੋਕੁ ਮਃ ੩ ॥

ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਮਿਲਿਐ ਭੁਖ ਗਈ ਭੇਖੀ ਭੁਖ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥

ਦੁਖਿ ਲਗੈ ਘਰਿ ਘਰਿ ਫਿਰੈ ਅਗੈ ਦੂਣੀ ਮਿਲੈ ਸਜਾਇ ॥

ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਹਜੁ ਨ ਆਇਓ ਸਹਜੇ ਹੀ ਲੈ ਖਾਇ ॥

ਮਨਹਠਿ ਜਿਸ ਤੇ ਮੰਗਣਾ ਲੈਣਾ ਦੁਖੁ ਮਨਾਇ ॥

ਇਸੁ ਭੇਖੈ ਥਾਵਹੁ ਗਿਰਹੋ ਭਲਾ ਜਿਥਹੁ ਕੋ ਵਰਸਾਇ ॥

ਸਬਦਿ ਰਤੇ ਤਿਨਾ ਸੋਝੀ ਪਈ ਦੂਜੈ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੁਲਾਇ ॥

ਪਇਐ ਕਿਰਤਿ ਕਮਾਵਣਾ ਕਹਣਾ ਕਛੂ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਜੋ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵਹਿ ਸੇ ਭਲੇ ਜਿਨ ਕੀ ਪਤਿ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਥਾਇ ॥੧॥

Shalok, Third Mehla:

Meeting with the True Guru, hunger departs; by wearing the robes of a beggar, hunger does not depart.

Afflicted with pain, he wanders from house to house, and in the world hereafter, he receives double punishment.

Peace does not come to his heart – he is not content to eat what comes his way.

With his stubborn mind, he begs, and grabs, and annoys those who give.

Instead of wearing these beggar’s robes, it is better to be a householder, and give to others.

Those who are attuned to the Word of the Shabad, acquire understanding; the others wander, deluded by doubt.

They act according to their past actions; it is useless to talk to them.

O Nanak, those who are pleasing unto the Lord are good; He upholds their honor. ||1||

~ Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 587

The Sikh Gurus teach Sikhs to avoid becoming overly attached to family and worldly possessions while living the life of a householder, to strive to keep their primary focus on the Divine at all times, and to always live according to the Guru’s teachings.