March 25, 1952 – October 1, 2020 by SS Pritpal Singh Khalsa, Espanola NM Winter 2020 I first met Sada Simran Singh as we both tried to enjoy our bowls of un-spiced boiled wheatberries (a weekly routine in the Pomona ashram) for breakfast on my first day in Pomona, California. His outgoing charm was on full display, even though we both were struggling to find an understanding of how we ended up in Pomona, eating wheatberries together that day—but we did find friendship. Born and raised in Renton, Washington, Sada Simran Singh began his journey on the path as a Kundalini
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Posts by Executive Assistant
In Memoriam – SS Sada Simran Singh Khalsa
The Beauty and Grace of Charan Jap
by MSS Nirvair Singh Khalsa, Tesuque NM Winter 2020 On a daily basis, I walk in our neighborhood. I walk on dirt roads for 45 minutes to an hour. There is virtually no traffic and just an occasional neighbor with whom to smile, wave, or exchange a few words. I walk with Mantra. My mantra of choice is the Guru Gaitri Mantra: Har Har Har Har Gobinday, Har Har Har Har Mukanday, Har Har Har Har Udaaray, Har Har Har Har Apaaray, Har Har Har Har Haree-ang, Har Har Har Har Karee-ang, Har Har Har Har Nirnaamay, Har Har Har
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Understanding Through Compassion
by SS Dr. Shanti Shanti Kaur Khalsa, Espanola NM Winter 2020 Sometime in the mid-1970s, the Siri Singh Sahib defined “understanding” as “standing under.” Now, perhaps more than ever, we are called to go within, to become still, to resonate and to calibrate with what this means. How does “standing under those we serve” affect our words, actions, and relationships in daily life? Like many of you, since the beginning of 2020 I have been hearing from individuals looking for an assurance that I think as they do. It can be about whether to wear a mask or not, or
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I Am With You
by SS Hari Charn Kaur Khalsa, Espanola NM Winter 2020 I am with you. I hear you. I am here for you. These very simple words—I am with you. I hear you. I am here for you—are words from the heart for these times. As Ministers it is a critical time to open our hearts and, for many of us, to open our phones and our zoom rooms. Showing up for each other has never been more important and today, for the safety of all, we do this from our own homes. Reaching out is a touchstone of seva and
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A Ministry of The One
by SS Siri Akal Singh Khalsa, Espanola NM Winter 2020 “What’s so funny?” my wife Hari asked, looking up from her book. “I just got an e-mail inviting me to contribute to the next Sikh Dharma Ministry Newsletter,” I replied. “And that’s funny because…?” “…Because the editors are obviously thinking of someone else.” “What do you mean? They invited you, didn’t they?” “Yes, but we’ve been quarantined since March. I hardly go out, except to shop, and when I do, I’m all masked up and social-distancing from everybody. And even before the Coronavirus isolated us, ever since you were diagnosed
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Ministry News and Notes (Winter 2020)
In this time of quarantine, the Secretary of Religion wanted to ensure that individuals seeking to become ordained Sikh Dharma Ministers would have the ability to take their Ministerial vows in a timely fashion. Traditionally, Sikh Dharma Ministers took vows at our Winter and Summer Solstices, as well as at the European and Chilean Yoga Festivals and—in some rare cases with permission—within their local sangats. This Ministerial ordination tradition began in 1971 and has continued for nearly 50 years, following the first “group” ordination ceremonies at the Summer Solstice celebrations in the early 1970s. That all changed in 2020. Fortunately,
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Secretary of Religion Column (Winter 2020)
In the previous three issues of this column, I have written about qualities of Guru Ram Das (true listening, neutrality, and the ability to hold polarities), the six stages of change, and the grieving process, along with an assessment tool for understanding where one might be in this journey. Drawing on the ideas and information shared in our authors’ articles as well as in this column, we are compiling a kind of “blueprint” for Ministers, offering an in-depth look at the meaning of Standing Under Those We Serve–the cornerstone of Aquarian leadership. For this last issue of 2020, I would
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#78 Winter 2020 Newsletter
Throughout this year we have been exploring the qualities of Guru Ram Das and the Neutral/Meditative Mind and how these qualities are fundamental to our ability to serve one and all as Ministers and leaders in the Aquarian Age. The theme for the Winter issue is Standing Under Those We Serve: Vision or Division? At the memorial service of John Lewis, the legendary Civil Rights leader who passed away this summer, a minister said: “It is a matter of vision or division.” This speaks to where we are in our world right now. How can we deliver this vision of standing under all whom
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Standing for Righteousness and Humanity
by SS Gurujodha Singh Khalsa, Bakersfield CA Fall 2020 What does it mean to be a Sikh Dharma Minister in the age of Covid-19 and Black Lives Matter? In examining the physical pandemic of COVID-19 and the consciousness affliction known as racism and prejudice in the world, what is the role of the Sikh Dharma Minister? Are we here only to perform weddings and officiate at funerals? Are we strictly consigned to taking hukams and passing out prasad? Yes and no. We must perform each of the aforementioned ministerial functions with grace and dignity. Additionally, it is my view that
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Carried by the Chant
by SS Sangeet Kaur Khalsa, Phoenix AZ Fall 2020 Of all the mantras and chants I have discovered, practiced, and loved over many decades, undoubtedly my number one choice is the Guru Ram Das Chant. Second only to the Mul Mantra, it is my go-to in times of trouble or discomfort, as well as in times of joy. I remember in the late 1980s in New Mexico, at one of our summer yoga camps, sitting with a group of women in a very hot sweat lodge. In this detoxing, challenging environment it was difficult to breathe. A couple of people
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