Archives for 2022 - First Quarter

In Memoriam – SS Sat Purkha Singh Khalsa

October 28, 1950 – January 12, 2022 by SS Krishna Singh Khalsa, Espanola NM SS Sat Purkha Singh Khalsa (along with Guru Singh, the Siri Singh Sahib, myself, and several others) were the founders of Sunshine Brass Beds in Los Angeles in 1972. It was the first multi-million dollar 3HO business, where during our first year of operations everyone earned an average of 13 cents an hour! He and Baba Singh were outstanding punsters, providing humor while the 10-hour days wore on. Sunshine Brass Beds provided the seed capital for starting a waterbed manufacturing plant in Espanola in 1975. Sat
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In Memoriam – SS Siri Ram Kaur Khalsa (aka Noda Downer)

May 12, 1948 – December 1, 2021 Sardarni Sahiba Siri Ram Kaur Khalsa was a teacher, a mother, and a healer. She was a trained Montessori teacher and had her own school in Los Angeles, combining yogic teachings with her Montessori training. She also served for a time as a staff member at Miri Piri Academy and as Assistant Secretary of Religion under Dr. Sat Kaur. Numerous children were placed in her care by the Siri Singh Sahib for periods of time and she mentored new mothers in the 3HO/Sikh Dharma community and beyond. She also served as a member
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Support is the Key

by SS Rupinder Kaur Khalsa, Ottawa Canada 2022 (First Quarter) The question I hear the most from new Minister candidates who approach me is: “What is the difference between serving as a Sikh Dharma International Minister and just keeping on serving as I have been doing so far?” I feel that community support is the key. I remember years ago visiting a community center back in Chile, in which we were offering Kundalini Yoga classes and spiritual support to a group of women who had suffered years of domestic violence. I talked with them and heard their stories—but what stuck with me
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Communicating with Compassion

by SS Siri Hari Hari Singh Khalsa, Anchorage AK 2022 (First Quarter) Overall a core value, or what I would call a useful skillset, which I rely upon, is tolerance—the capacity for and the practice of recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of others. For me, achieving tolerance depends on several other core values. Those are: the ability to genuinely communicate; to be empathic; and to have compassion for each individual’s cumulative circumstances. Using these core values gives me tolerance to accept all individuals for what and who they are at the present time. Years ago, someone recommended the
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Covering the Distance

by SS Shabad Kaur Khalsa, Evanston IL 2022 (First Quarter) What Gorgeous Thing by Mary Oliver I do not know what gorgeous thing the bluebird keeps saying, his voice easing out of his throat, beak, body into the pink air of the early morning. I like it whatever it is. Sometimes it seems the only thing in the world that is without dark thoughts. Sometimes it seems the only thing in the world that is without questions that can’t and probably never will be answered, the only thing that is entirely content with the pink, then clear white morning and,
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Simran and Seva for Unity

by SS Dharma Kaur Khalsa, Millis MA 2022 (First Quarter) With the inspiration of the Sikh Gurus and my own family heritage, I am moved to serve the sangat in many ways—as a wife and mother, and in particular with the service of healthy food for the community near and far. In the summer of 2020, we started a food relief program called Guru Nanak’s Community Kitchen here in Millis, Massachusetts. Our core values of sharing and giving with love and kindness to all mean a great deal to me and to all those who have supported our food program.
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Sikh Dharma and Values

by SS Kulwant Singh Khalsa, West Midlands UK 2022 (First Quarter) “Come and join together, O my Siblings of Destiny; dispel your sense of duality and let yourselves be lovingly absorbed in the Lord. Let yourselves be joined to the Name of the Lord; become Gurmukh, spread out your mat, and sit down. ||1|| In this way, throw the dice, O brothers. As Gurmukh, chant the Naam, the Name of the Lord, day and night. At the very last moment, you shall not have to suffer in pain. ||1||Pause|| Let righteous actions be your gameboard, and let the truth be
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Minister News & Notes (2022 First Quarter)

Annual Sikh Dharma Minister credential renewal notices have been sent out in early February. This is an exam year. Be sure to complete your renewal early this year! Our electronic Minister Renewal System facilitates annual Minister credential renewals through a secure online portal. You can review and update your Minister record, submit your renewal letters and exams, and securely pay your annual Minister fees. If you did not receive your 2022 renewal notice (by email or letter), or if you have questions or need assistance in your renewal process, please email [email protected]. Sikh Dharma International announced the launch of a
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Secretary of Religion Column (2022 First Quarter)

Dear Ministers, What do we need to hold firm to? What needs to change? What unites us? What divides us? What are our shared values? These are questions that are critical for us, as Ministers, to explore, so that we may remain relevant and responsive to the demands of these times. What is keeping us from moving forward? Perhaps one factor is the growing polarization that is showing up in many of our communities around the world. When “holding a position” takes precedence over sharing one’s particular point of view, we end up in a power struggle—an “us and them” environment
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