There is a passage in the Ardas that strikes me deeply: “…but never gave up their faith and determination to live according to Sikh Dharma, with all their hair, to the last breath. Meditate, O pure ones…” Our Sikh history is full of examples of extreme sacrifice to carry this faith forward. The Ardas speaks of this heritage. It is a daily reminder of our roots and what qualities help us overcome the obstacles and challenges in our lives. It can serve as a reminder to keep up. As a therapist, I must utilize the neutral mind. The Siri Singh
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Posts by Executive Assistant
Secretary of Religion Column (Spring 2015)
#55 Spring 2015 Newsletter
Sikh Dharma teachings and values are reaching the four corners of the globe. The year 2015 embodies the vibration of the Eighth Master, Guru Harkrishan. Join us in 2015 for our theme of “Service and Compassion” as we invite Sikh Dharma Ministers and others to write about the wonderful seva programs taking place in their global sangats. In this first issue of Global Ministry in Action, we received inspiring stories of service from our brothers and sisters in South America, Central America, and Mexico. Please enjoy these stories and may they inspire your service to humanity. Future issues in 2015 will
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A Gift from God
by SS Gurubachan Kaur and SS Gurubachan Singh Khalsa, Albuquerque NM Winter 2014 Our children are a gift from God. They choose us as their parents and we have the job to nurture, protect, guide and love them. They do not belong to us. As their first teachers, we have a very important work to accomplish. We are here to guide them to be great human and spiritual beings and to help them live and fulfill their destiny. The way we teach them is through our example. So much depends on how confident and strong we are, or how mentally
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Fearless Minds
by SS Siri Vias Singh and Siri Chand Kaur Khalsa, Espanola NM Winter 2014 “Give our children fearless minds so they may see the world through the Guru’s eyes.”—Song of the Khalsa This is our prayer for our children’s future, that they will be fearless in the face of martyrdom, in the face of impossible odds, the way the Gurus viewed the world. We must teach our children values and spirituality, give them security in God, and train them to overcome obstacles and achieve their greatest goals. Our best efforts must go to the creation of calm, safe, and secure
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The Heart of Parenting
by SS Manjit Kaur and SS Sat Want Singh Khalsa, Espanola NM Winter 2014 “Create dependable children, not dependent children. Give your children the basic values to face their own tomorrows, not be blinded by yours. Make them proper personalities, not helpless puppets. Position them for success; don’t paralyze them with the commotion of your emotions.”—The Siri Singh Sahib Spiritual Parenting: Knowing that many have spoken, written and lived eloquently on this topic—best of all the Siri Singh Sahib Ji, as well as each of the living Gurus and the Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji—in this article we are
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A Special Sadhana
by SS Sat Daya Singh, Los Angeles CA Winter 2014 In the months before and after conception, most soon-to-be parents read books and study teachings on how to raise children. They often think: “My parents did so-and-so negative thing to me. I would never do that to my child.” Fast forward: Several months/years of sleeplessness have burned off that perfect parenting ambition. Chances are that the little Aquarian being is a great deal smarter and more sophisticated than the parent and that child is experimenting with pushing the limits. When the child deliberately spills his dinner on the floor or
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Our Spiritual Trust
by Bhai Sahiba Dr. Bibi Inderjit Kaur Khalsa Winter 2014 “Immersed in family life, the Lord’s humble servant ever remains detached and reflects upon the essence of spiritual wisdom.”—Guru Amar Das Sahib Ji (Siri Guru Granth Sahib, page 599) Guru Har Rai Ji lived and served to create beautiful environments, sharing the peace of the spiritual realms, where his consciousness constantly dwelled. He built hospitals, gardens and places of peace to heal and uplift everyone. In this same way, as Sikh householders we are given a divine trust to guide our children, so they may attain their highest destiny. The Siri
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Secretary of Religion Column (Winter 2014)
Your voice counts. Yes, it really does. As your Secretary of Religion, I have said over and over again that I look to our Ministers to help create the future of our Ministry and our Dharma. I am not in favor of top-down administration—rather, a more distributive style of management with real empowerment. The question is, how do we create this? Yes, we have Minister gatherings at Winter and Summer Solstices and the European Yoga Festival. As yoga festivals grow globally, there will be a need for Minister gatherings at these events as well. The gatherings are purposely not intended
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#54 Winter 2014 Newsletter
The year 2014 embodies the vibration of the Seventh Master, Guru Har Rai. This year, our newsletter explores the topic of Guru Har Rai: Teacher of Compassion. The topic of the November issue is Nurturing our Children – Seeding the Future. Guru Har Rai lived and served as a “platform of elevation.” In our roles as parents, yogis, and Sikh Dharma Ministers, we have the unique opportunity to serve and uplift our youth, to create environments to enable these souls to live to their highest destiny. In this issue, Sikh Dharma Ministers share their journey of spiritual parenting. As Siri Singh Sahib
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The Perfumed Axe
by SS Siri Gian Kaur Khalsa, Espanola NM Fall 2014 “The axe cuts the sandal tree, yet the sandal perfumes the axe.”—Guru Har Rai Ji This is Guru Har Rai’s explanation of why he helped save the life of Shah Jihan’s son with the Guru’s special herbs when that emperor had been so cruel to his great grandfather, Guru Arjan and to his grandfather, Guru Hargobind. The Guru demonstrated that the negative actions of others shouldn’t dictate grudges, blocking or retaliation from a Sikh. So, just as a sandalwood tree perfumes the axe which cuts it, the Guru returns good
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