January 5, 1940 – October 11, 2019 SS Sat Nam Kaur was a long-time student of the Siri Singh Sahib. She was ordained as a Sikh Dharma Minister in 1981 and served the sangat in Mexico for many decades. This loving tribute was written by Sat Tara Singh Khalsa, founder of IKYTA in Mexico. The memoriam was sent by SS Gian Kaur Khalsa of Guadalajara who, along with Sat Tara Singh, served as part of a panj of friends and students who cared for Sat Nam Kaur in the six months prior to her passing in Mexico City. Sat Nam
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Archives for 2019 - Winter
In Memoriam – SS Sat Nam Kaur Khalsa
Religious Freedom for All
by SS Simran Singh Khalsa, Santa Fe NM Winter 2019 Our Gurus were at the forefront of combating religious repression, and it was indeed Guru Tegh Bahadur’s sacrifice that guaranteed India’s religious freedom. I’ve spent some time looking at the issue of religious freedom from a 21st century Sikh Minister’s perspective and found that nearly 70% of the world’s population lives in countries with high restrictions on the freedom of religion. Over 50 governments impose high levels of restrictions on the way its people may practice their faiths, and around the globe, social hostilities towards faith minorities are significant. It
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Reflecting on Death and Dying
by SS Amar Atma Singh Khalsa, Phoenix AZ Winter 2019 Recently, I embarked on a practice exploring how often death and its associated message came up in the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. As I read through our beloved Guru Ji, I found there were often too many references to count and noticed not a page unfolded without this reflection. I’ve always found it interesting that in the Punjabi community we greet each other with Sat Siri Akal (Great Undying Truth). I also love that part of our morning sadhana where this mantra is a focus. However, how often do we
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Duwara Consciousness
by SS Satya Kaur Corfield, Espanola NM (with Davinder Singh and Harisimran Kaur) Winter 2019 Editor’s Note: The values of a Sikh Dharma Minister are beautifully reflected in the next generation as illustrated in the following article. This is the story of SS Satya Kaur’s youngest, Harisimran Kaur and her husband Davinder Singh, who are making a difference by serving the homeless of San Diego.” David, a young gay man, arrived at Aero Drive Safe Parking Lot in San Diego quite destitute. He had just escaped sex trafficking a month prior, and had since been living on a diet of
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Seeing No Strangers
by SS Shiva Singh Khalsa, Chicago IL Winter 2019 Being a history buff, I was interested to watch the new documentary, Woodstock: Three Days that Defined a Generation, about the 1969 festival of peace, cooperation, and friendship. What was missing from the event was leadership and a consistent mission. Seeing this reminded me of Yogiji’s lecture, “From Woodstock to Steel-stock.” Post-Woodstock, many of us came to the feet of the Guru, to Sikh Dharma, and to the lifestyle teachings of Yogi Bhajan. Every lesson of our Gurus has given me the tools and spiritual infrastructure to step up. Guru Amar
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The Ecology of Leadership
by SS Sham Kaur Khalsa, La Paz, Bolivia Winter 2019 The world we live in is a world of high polarization, of constant changes that require a high level of resilience. Humanity faces great challenges and the risk of extinction. The scientific community is telling us that humanity needs to change its ways dramatically in order to maintain the increase of global temperature to 1.5 Degrees Celsius and we only have eight years to do it. It is a period where consciousness is awakening from a deep unconsciousness, it is the age of Aquarius. Today’s economic reality is embedded in
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Minister News and Notes (Winter 2019)
As part of the Sikh Dharma International yatra to India celebrating the 550th anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak, a multi-language volume of Japji Sahib was presented at the Golden Temple. The volume represents the devoted efforts of people in communities around the globe who contributed to the translation of Japji Sahib into their local language, so that the beauty of Japji Sahib can be shared with more people worldwide. Read more…
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Secretary of Religion Column (Winter 2019)
Someone recently asked me the following question: “Where does the Ministry fit in the Dharma?” I replied, “It is the leadership body the Siri Singh Sahib established for the Dharma.” Not everyone is destined to be a Sikh Dharma Minister. However, for those who were appointed by the Siri Singh Sahib (while he was alive) and for those who have felt a calling to serve in this capacity both in their heart and soul, there is a responsibility to step forward in a leadership capacity. What does that look like? It comes in many forms. There are Ministers helping in
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#74 Winter 2019 Newsletter
Our 2019 theme explores the aspects of the Third Body/Positive Mind (as embodied by Guru Amar Das) in service to elevating the Soul. In this Winter issue, we explore the idea of Making a Difference Through Service and Leadership. Specifically, we asked our authors to share how Ministers can prepare to be Aquarian Leaders and make a positive impact in the world. “Your reliability will give people the courage to trust you. Their trust will give you the power to carry a situation. A leader carries and serves people. Learn to lead as a ‘seva’ (to sacrifice your time and
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