by SS Ram Krishan Singh Khalsa, Buenos Aires, Argentina Spring 2018 It is a great honor for me to announce that on February 15, 2018, Sikh Dharma of Argentina was formally recognized as an official religion in our country for the first time in history. In 2012, I began to develop a relationship with the Guru through the teachings received from Kundalini Yoga and its instructors and also in my relationships with the Punjabi residents in Argentina who held occasional Gurdwaras at Casa de Luz, the home of Pritam Baghauti Kaur. In this way, I observed, not the distances and differences,
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Archives for 2018 - Spring
Sikh Dharma Recognized in Argentina
Bowing to the Guru
We asked Sikh Dharma Ministers to reflect on the question: “What does it mean to bow to the Siri Guru Granth Sahib?” Here are a few thoughtful replies: An Act of Devotion SS Sada Sat Simran Singh Khalsa, Santa Fe NM Bowing one’s head isn’t just symbolic. It is an act of devotion. It is a reminder. It is a practice of maintaining a relationship to one’s teacher and the source of our path. We give our head so that all intellect can be guided by the Guru. We live through our heart because compassion is the foundation of all Dharma. We give our head to
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Reflections of Purity
by SS Siri Pritam Kaur Khalsa, Yuba City CA Spring 2018 In each of our lives, we are told, challenges must come. It’s a universal law. Otherwise, no forward movement is generated. It is said that we all have “squares” in life that have to be conquered, have to be processed. On the spiritual path, we are further implored to accept good and bad alike. Ideally with grace. To live an exemplary life. One can make a comparison to the weather: When the rains come, when hail and thunder hammer us, we stay safe by putting on protective gear and
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Transformed by Gurbani
by SS Satkirin Kaur Khalsa, Espanola NM Spring 2018 The Shabd Guru—I love this topic! It is so dear to my heart and so relevant in my personal and teaching life. It’s amazing to reflect on Guru Nanak, who never actually had a human Guru. In his day, you had to have a human guide and teacher, but his guide came to him through the Jal Samadhi—his awakening in the river—when the Infinite came to him directly delivering the words of Japji Sahib. The first non-human guide of the Shabd Guru came through this channel, and it continued through 10
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My Personal Identity Bows to the Guru
by SS Siri Atma Singh Khalsa, Santa Fe NM Spring 2018 In Sikh Dharma, we surrender ourselves to the Guru. Our Guru is Siri Guru Granth Sahib, the physical embodiment of the Light of Guru Nanak and the collected writings of several Sikh Gurus and various Hindu and Muslim saints. Guru Arjan collected the writings of his predecessors, compiled them into a single volume, the Adi Granth, and enshrined that volume at the Harimandir Sahib in Amritsar. Guru Tegh Bahadur later added his own writings to the Adi Granth. After his personal copy of the Adi Granth was lost or destroyed in
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Minister News and Notes (Spring 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] by SS Siri Sevak Kaur Khalsa, Winter Solstice Gathering Facilitator We gathered as Ministers of Sikh Dharma at Winter Solstice 2017 to share and connect with one another and to have an experience of our root, the Mul Mantra. After checking in with each other, we did a
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Secretary of Religion Column (Spring 2018)
At this time, it seems that there is so much upset, confusion, chaos, turbulence, upheaval, and change all around us. It is frankly a little mind-boggling. Whether it is on a personal, community, national, environmental, or global level, there are many influences that can pull us off balance. The Siri Singh Sahib warned us of these times. He said that people would look to us for answers. They would stop us in the streets demanding help. They would hire us to meditate in the middle of a factory, in order for it to continue to be productive. We would be
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#67 Spring 2018 Newsletter
Throughout 2018, our newsletter articles will reflect on the Shabd Guru. The Siri Singh Sahib said: “My personal identity bows to the Shabd Guru. It’s a very simple human thing. I bow so that my words bring light to me and to my surroundings.” (November 1, 1992). We will explore the concept of Shabd Guru in the framework of the four guidelines of Obey, Serve, Love, Excel taught by the Siri Singh Sahib. For the Spring issue, we asked Ministers to write on the concept of surrendering and obeying. How do we take up the command of obeying by surrendering our heads? What does
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