by SS Guru Simran Kaur Khalsa, Espanola NM Fall 2014 For the last several years I have been organizing the “Food 4 Kids” program here in Espanola. This program provides food to local children who do not get sufficient, or even any, food to eat on the weekend. The school system provides qualifying children with free breakfasts and lunches during school days. However on the weekends and during school breaks these kids, 6-12 years of age, are on their own. As Sikhs of the Guru we feed people with langar. However these kids do not have the means to come
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Posts by Executive Assistant
Example of True Love
Embraced by God’s Love
by SS SatSangeet Kaur Khalsa, Espanola, NM Fall 2014 In late July 2013, I heard the news that Rajinder Kaur from Taos had been diagnosed and had surgery for ovarian cancer. This came as a surprise, as I had seen her in June and she looked fine. Her husband, SS Harbhajan Singh, updated us on her condition. The situation was discussed in our Hearts and Hands group and we agreed that we would organize Sangat members to help her during this difficult time, as well as give Harbhajan Singh some much needed respite. Our Hearts and Hands group is made
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A Sacred Trust
by SS Sarb Sarang Kaur Khalsa, Espanola, NM Fall 2014 When Nav Jiwan Kaur moved into our apartment, my inner voice said “You’re supposed to help her die.” “How?” I asked. “I don’t even know her.” As we became close friends, she shared her thoughts and feelings about her difficult journey. When I thanked her for baring her soul to me, she said, “That’s because I trust you with my soul.” This sacred trust had to be honored and is what set me on this path of becoming a Minister of Sikh Dharma, in preparation to apply for and be
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Beyond Earthly Distinction
by Bhai Sahiba Dr. Bibi Inderjit Kaur Khalsa Fall 2014 The God-conscious being is always unstained, like the sun, which gives its comfort and warmth to all. The God-conscious being looks upon all alike, like the wind, which blows equally upon the king and the poor beggar. Siri Guru Granth Sahib, Guru Arjan Dev Ji Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji lived and breathed a sensitivity to all living things. Throughout his life he exemplified a compassion that ran so deep, his love and protection extended to all beings in God’s creation. Many times we are blinded by the exterior covering, so
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Secretary of Religion Column (Fall 2014)
What a special Minister’s Gathering we had at Summer Solstice 2014! These gatherings were created to help build a sense of community among the Ministers, to offer tools for our Ministers and to support each other with our unique contributions. As Secretary of Religion, I am dedicated to supporting Ministers to help shape the future of our Ministry. It is my belief that Sikh Dharma Ministers, through their leadership, will manifest the future of our Sikh Dharma Ministry and thereby, Guru will manifest the future of the Dharma. Towards that vision and purpose, this gathering was the fifth in a series
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#53 Fall 2014 Newsletter
The year 2014 embodies the vibration of the Seventh Master, Guru Har Rai. The seventh body, the Auric body, carries the qualities of compassion, kindness, elevation of the self and others, as exemplified by Guru Har Rai. For the Fall 2014 issue, we asked our Ministers to write on the theme of Delivery–Nurturing Others Through Compassion. We asked each author to write from personal experience, whether it be nurturing in a professional capacity, or in their ministerial seva. What is the process of nurturing through compassion, as embodied by Guru Har Rai Ji? Please enjoy these wonderful essays from our global ministry. “Your
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Science, Meditation and Compassion
by SS Dr. Sat Bir Singh Khalsa, Medway MA Summer 2014 Scientific research on compassion and the role of meditation practices in enhancing it is now becoming a rigorous and acceptable field of inquiry within neuroscience. Feature articles on compassion research are beginning to appear in the premier research journal Science, in which a leading meditation/compassion researcher is quoted as saying “We are researching a system that is the opposite of fear, that allows us to go in peace, to trust ourselves and others more, that breeds tolerance.” Although this field of research is in its infancy, preliminary findings suggest
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Self-Compassion and Change
by SS Hari Har Singh Burmeister, Hamburg, Germany Summer 2014 Compassion starts with ourselves. As simple as this may sound, I have often found myself engaged in old inner beliefs of “I have to”, “I should not”, mixed with subtle nuances of shame and blame towards myself and others. Our Master’s teachings—in all their high spirit and sacred intention—sometimes led me to more self-accusation. Sometimes we need to step out (at least in our mind) of old (inner) settings to be able to evolve. Sometimes a different approach helps. I have found this new approach in the practice of Nonviolent
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The Power of Ahimsa
by Bhai Sahiba Dr. Bibi Inderjit Kaur Khalsa Summer 2014 Guru Har Rai Ji gave us the great gift of showing us how to understand through compassion (ahimsa). It is easy to react emotionally to life’s challenges, rather than with self-mastery and compassion for peace and the greater good. Guru Har Rai Ji was unwavering in his commitment to bestowing peace. He embodied an aura of profound tranquility. He became our seventh Guru at the age of only 14, representing the seventh body or the auric shield. Guru Har Rai held his sangats in that great protective umbrella of unlimited
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The Tools of Compassion
by SS Dr. Kartar Singh Khalsa, Santa Fe NM Summer 2014 In these difficult and challenging times it is important to remind ourselves of the tools we have been blessed to receive from the Siri Singh Sahib, our spiritual leader and teacher. One of the Aquarian sutras he gave us to survive and thrive in the midst of our challenges was: “Understand through compassion or you will misunderstand the times.” It’s the human condition: when we’re busy and stressed, we can forget to have compassion both for ourselves and for others who are struggling with life’s challenges. “Recognize the other person as yourself” is
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