It seems to me that no matter where we are living in the world at this time, we are being bombarded with psychological scare tactics, trauma, chaos, and upheaval. Information on a global level is at our fingertips.
Social media demands instant responses and the pace of life is ever and ever faster. While we are reacting to this sensory overload, we are distracted from what is happening right under our noses—our rights are being stripped away; our environment is being polluted; the use of excessive money is manipulating political outcomes.
People are spinning, off-center and disillusioned. Yes, these times have been predicted, but it is another story to be living in them!
Yet the Siri Singh Sahib told us that we would be lighthouses during these times, that people would look to us for hope and answers. So how do we deliver his vision of us now and in the future? We must excel with the Guru!
We are so fortunate to have this path, this lifestyle and these values to carry us personally and to help uplift humanity. Time is of the essence to use the technology of Sikh Dharma that Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogi Ji bestowed on us. There are so many aspects of this technology that can uplift our spirit: Sadhana, Banis, Seva, Gurbani Kirtan, Shabd Guru, service, teaching and so much more.
In thinking about this column, I took a Hukam and our Guru said it all:
ਸੋਰਠਿ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥ p. 611/2008
Sorat’h, Fifth Mehl
ਕਰਿ ਇਸਨਾਨੁ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਅਪਨਾ ਮਨ ਤਨ ਭਏ ਅਰੋਗਾ ॥
After taking your cleansing bath, remember your God in meditation, and your mind and body shall be free of disease.
ਕੋਟਿ ਬਿਘਨ ਲਾਥੇ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਰਣਾ ਪ੍ਰਗਟੇ ਭਲੇ ਸੰਜੋਗਾ ॥੧॥
Millions of obstacles are removed, in the Sanctuary of God, and good fortune dawns. ||1||
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਬਾਣੀ ਸਬਦੁ ਸੁਭਾਖਿਆ ॥
The Word of God’s Bani, and His Shabd are the best utterances.
ਗਾਵਹੁ ਸੁਣਹੁ ਪੜਹੁ ਨਿਤ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰ ਪੂਰੈ ਤੂ ਰਾਖਿਆ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
So constantly sing them, listen to them, and read them, O Siblings of Destiny, and the Perfect Guru shall save you. ||Pause||
ਸਾਚਾ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਅਮਿਤਿ ਵਡਾਈ ਭਗਤਿ ਵਛਲ ਦਇਆਲਾ ॥
The glorious greatness of the True Lord is immeasurable; the Merciful Lord is the Lover of His devotees.
ਸੰਤਾ ਕੀ ਪੈਜ ਰਖਦਾ ਆਇਆ ਆਦਿ ਬਿਰਦੁ ਪ੍ਰਤਿਪਾਲਾ ॥੨॥
He has preserved the honor of His Saints; from the very beginning of time, His Nature is to cherish them. ||2||
ਹਰਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਭੋਜਨੁ ਨਿਤ ਭੁੰਚਹੁ ਸਰਬ ਵੇਲਾ ਮੁਖਿ ਪਾਵਹੁ ॥
So eat the Ambrosial Name of the Lord as your food; put it into your mouth at all times.
ਜਰਾ ਮਰਾ ਤਾਪੁ ਸਭੁ ਨਾਠਾ ਗੁਣ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਨਿਤ ਗਾਵਹੁ ॥੩॥
The pains of old age and death shall all depart when you constantly sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord of the Universe. ||3||
ਸੁਣੀ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਮੇਰੈ ਸਰਬ ਕਲਾ ਬਣਿ ਆਈ ॥
My Lord and Master has heard my prayer, and all my affairs have been resolved.
ਪ੍ਰਗਟ ਭਈ ਸਗਲੇ ਜੁਗ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਕੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥੪॥੧੧॥
The glorious greatness of Guru Nanak is manifest, throughout all the ages. ||4||11||
May we look to our Guru as our touchstone and excel with chanting God’s Name.
Wahe Guru Ji ka Khalsa, Wahe Guru Ji ki Fateh!
Humbly,
SS Dr. Sat-Kaur Khalsa
Secretary of Religion
THE SECRETARY OF RELIGION
SS Dr. Sat Kaur Khalsa has served as Secretary of Religion since 1991 and was ordained as a Sikh Dharma Minister in 1975. As Secretary of Religion, Dr. Sat Kaur oversees and is ultimately responsible for the delivery of the functions of this Office. Dr. Sat Kaur is a long-time member of the International Khalsa Council and the Khalsa Council Executive Committee. She maintains a full-time psychotherapy private practice in Santa Monica, California and Santa Fe, New Mexico, counseling individuals, couples, and families to support their personal and spiritual growth. She is a certified Kundalini Yoga teacher, a facilitator of White Tantric Yoga®, and a published author.