2018 Minister Renewal
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]
2017 Winter Solstice Ministers’ Gathering Report
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 Kundalini Yoga kriya for “Glandular Balance and Gain in Energy” which the Siri Singh Sahib taught at Ladies’ Camp on July 23, 1977. With legs and arms spread wide and parallel to each other it alternates between sit-ups and forward bends while reciting the Mul Mantra.
From there we explored the Siri Singh Sahib’s encouragement to experience the Mul Mantra very personally and claim the qualities of the Infinite which it describes as part of us, since we are part of God. The Siri Singh Sahib expressed it this way:
“We relate all these words to God as if they do not belong to us. What do you mean they belong to God? They belong to YOU. You have to become these characteristics and become as these characteristics demand of you. When you reach all of that, your ego will not be ridiculous.”—The Siri Singh Sahib (April 6, 2003)
We looked at each phrase of the Mul Mantra using quotes from the Siri Singh Sahib’s lectures to help us take each phrase to heart. The gathering ended with “Mul Mantra for Vitality” in which each phrase of the Mul Mantra is recited on a single breath giving us time and space to reflect on each phrase.
The Ministers gathered all requested copies of the Siri Singh Sahib’s teachings on the Mul Mantra that SS Ek Ong Kaar Kaur Khalsa had made available at a class at Summer Solstice 2013 used by SS Siri Sevak Kaur Khalsa to facilitate this gathering.
Sikh Dharma in Argentina
Submitted by SS Ram Krishan Singh Khalsa, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Greetings from Argentina. Since 2008 there is a copy of Siri Guru Granth Sahib in our community. The Siri Guru Granth Sahib was moved to different houses and yoga centers at different times.
The procedures for the official recognition of Sikh Dharma of Argentina in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship began four years ago. By Guru’s Grace, we received our official recognition as Sikh Dharma of Argentina on February 15, 2018!
During 2015 and 2016, Gurmukhi classes were taught with a native speaker. There is also a Kirtan practice and learning space. Starting in 2016, we have included the main Sikh holidays in the Buenos Aires official religion’s calendar. We also deepened ties with the Embassy of India in Argentina, with whom we work on different projects for this year.
Since 2015, the traditional Nagar Kirtan is held once a year in celebration of the birthday of Guru Nanak Dev ji. In collaboration with and permission of the Government of the City and the public forces, we host a procession of nearly 200 people, concluding with a Gurdwara program in a nearby square.
In the interreligious aspect, we have attended multiple meetings, forums, and presentations with state authorities and different religious organizations.
Sikh Dharma International Courses in 2018
Sikh Dharma International has published the 2018 Calendar of Events, offering a variety of Sikh Dharma-related courses, educational workshops, and Sikh celebrations. For more information, visit the Sikh Dharma International website.