by SS Siri Bandhu Kaur Khalsa, Ottowa, Ontario, Canada Summer 2018 The day was overcast and overly cold, when the phone rang. “Auntiji, can you do me a favour?” Hmmm, now who was this fine young voice I didn’t recognize, and how could Auntiji possibly say “no” to this? “What can I do for you?” “Would you be able to do seva as a member of an all-women Panj Piaray to raise the Nishan Sahib at the Ottawa City Hall on Sunday, April 1st at 9:30 am?” “Of course,” I said. “That’s wonderful,” said the voice. “What do we wear?”
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Monthly Archives May 2018
Raising the Nishan Sahib
Returning to the Guru’s Feet
by SS EkOngKar Singh Khalsa, Albany CA Summer 2018 Although I have and am very grateful to have a relationship with Shabd Guru, I have no words to express how that has developed or how it is sustained—except to say that, after a very long journey, by some grace, I entered the sacred space of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. I can only say that when I am in the presence of the Guru, when I hear the vibration of the Guru’s Shabd, I feel I have come home and that the place in which I sit is filled with
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Trusting in the Guru’s Plan
by SS Sat Avtar Kaur, Los Angeles CA Summer 2018 Having the blessing of serving the Guru at Summer Solstice gives me the gift of remembering to trust in God and Guru’s plan. Doing this blessed seva has allowed me to know that everything will be taken care of with grace and majesty. Whenever I worry about something, the Guru shows it is already covered. In my years of experience, the Guru’s seva is always covered. Everyone is full of enthusiasm for everyday tasks like cleaning and vacuuming—although at first some people feel disappointed to realize that a lot of
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As Above, So Below
by SS Gurukirn Kaur Khalsa, Phoenix AZ Summer 2018 Many years ago, when the Siri Singh Sahib was attending Gurdwara during a visit to Phoenix, he looked straight at me and said, “The clock has stopped.” I admit that I had noticed that it had stopped when I walked into the Gurdwara, but as I wasn’t “in charge’”of the Gurdwara, I didn’t feel that it was my responsibility. But then he said, “It is your responsibility.” The piercing impression of his words changed my attitude from that moment on. In the years that followed, I had the privilege to serve
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Devotion to the Guru
by SS Suraj Kaur Khalsa, Pasadena CA Summer 2018 I learned how to be devoted by observing the Siri Singh Sahib’s unwavering devotion to the Guru. While I was serving my spiritual teacher, I was actually serving the Guru! At age 17, I had found my way to the Houston ashram with its wonderful yoga classes that comforted my soul. I decided to wait for July 4th, 1976 to move into the ashram, claiming my own independence on the day of our country’s Bicentennial celebration. Not long afterward, one of the regular yoga teachers became ill and I was asked
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A Sparkling Presence
by MSS Hari Dharam Kaur Khalsa, Espanola NM Summer 2018 Many years ago, the Siri Singh Sahib looked into my eyes, and my heart was pierced with love for a master. I found my path and became a Sikh at that moment. During my first few years on the Sikh path, I experienced many challenges that can be expected when leaving behind the baggage of the past. At that time, I mostly relied on the Siri Singh Sahib for assistance, writing letters to him and attending his classes. This was my biggest link to being a Sikh in those days.
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Minister News and Notes (Summer 2018)
The Office of the Secretary of Religion has sent out annual Sikh Dharma Minister renewal notices for the Baisakhi 2018 renewal. This is an Exam year. If you are an ordained Sikh Dharma Minister and you have not received your renewal reminder, or have questions about your Minister renewal, please email [email protected]
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Secretary of Religion Column (Summer 2018)
A Minister recently said to me: “The Ministry is our sovereignty.” This comment went deeply into my being. What does sovereignty really mean? The dictionary defines it as “the state or quality of being sovereign.” Okay, so what does sovereign mean? In the list of definitions, three seem to be applicable to our Ministry: “independent of all others; excellent; outstanding.” These reflect qualities that are necessary for Ministers and that Ministers aspire to live by. For those of us who were blessed this lifetime to know the Siri Singh Sahib on the physical plane, we also know that he stretched
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#68 Summer 2018 Newsletter
Throughout 2018 we are exploring the topic of Shabd Guru through the concepts shared by the Siri Singh Sahib of Obey, Serve, Love, Excel. For our Summer issue, we are exploring Devotion to the Guru. We asked Sikh Dharma Ministers to share their thoughts about how to develop a personal relationship with the Guru. How does such a relationship create the longing to serve the Guru as an expression of our devotion? Please enjoy these inspiring articles by Sikh Dharma Ministers. “The Guru is a guide that can take you from the darkness into the light. The Guru is an ocean where you can totally
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