by SS Satsimran Kaur, Los Angeles CA Summer 2010 The good thing about practicing meditation for a long time is that we can see that it works. In the beginning, it feels good. We notice small things like having more energy and, although we might have added time for spiritual practice, the time we have for the rest of the day’s activities actually seems longer instead of shorter. As time goes on our practice of meditation becomes a pleasant habit, which takes us out of our routines and mundane thoughts and connects us to the essence of our being. Then,
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Posts by Executive Assistant
The Habit of Simran
Living in Simran
SS Simran Kaur Khalsa, Los Angeles CA Summer 2010 Simra-o simar simar sukh paava-o|| Meditate, meditate, meditate in remembrance of Him, and find peace. Prabh kai simaran ridhh sidhh no nidhh || In the remembrance of God are wealth, miraculous spiritual powers and the nine treasures. prabh kai simaran giaan dhhiaan thath budhh || In the remembrance of God are knowledge, meditation and the essence of wisdom.— from Sukhmani Sahib by Guru Arjun Devji Several years ago, while I was assisting Hari Kaur at the Master’s Touch, students asked Gurucharan Singh questions about the meaning of the Sikh spiritual names. I was in
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The Guru’s Langar (Free Kitchen)
The tradition of Langar expresses the ideals of equality, sharing, and the oneness of all humankind; an essential part of any Gurdwara is the Langar or free kitchen. Here the food is cooked by sevadars and is served without discrimination to all. After the Sadh Sangat has participated in any ceremony, they are served the Guru’s Langar. The tradition of Langar expresses the ideals of equality, sharing, and the oneness of all humankind. It was inspired by Guru Nanak’s act of serving food to wandering holy men when given money by his father to strike a good bargain. The practice
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Minister News and Notes (Summer 2010)
The theme for our 2010 Summer Solstice Minister’s Gathering is: “The Spirit and Pulse of the Sikh Dharma Ministry.” Join with other Sikh Dharma Ministers as SS Dev Suroop Kaur leads us in a joyful experience of Naad, rhythm, and movement. Together we raise our vitality, energy, and spirit to support our identity, service and connection. Sunday, June 20th from 3:45 to 5:15 p.m. at Ram Das Puri. Congratulations to new Sikh Dharma ministers SS Dr. Harjot Kaur Singh and SS Gurumustuk Singh who took their Sikh Dharma Minister vows before the Siri Guru Granth Sahib this spring. Wahe Guru!
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Secretary of Religion Column (Summer 2010)
The other day I was talking with a friend who is facing some immense challenges in his life. These are due to circumstances outside of his control and are partially a result of political upheaval in his local area. He said, “I thought it was going to get better as we got closer to the Age of Aquarius.” We reflected on the polarization that seems to be showing up in the world — in the political arena, in people’s personal lives, and certainly in the life of Sikh Dharma. I reminded my friend that there have been countless predictions that
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#36 Summer 2010 Newsletter
The topic for the May issue is Simran: Constant Remembrance of the One. Simran is the state of constant meditation where the mind flows in remembrance of Oneness through the sound current. Simran brings one to the state of Anand, where all things come blissfully with ease. Please enjoy the following articles written by Sikh Dharma Ministers on this topic. We welcome comments and feedback on this newsletter and our website. Please contact [email protected]. The views expressed in the articles on this website are those of the various authors and not necessarily those of the Office of the Secretary of Religion
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A Mother’s Touch
by SS Gurubachan Kaur Khalsa, Albuquerque NM Spring 2010 As a Minister how do I recognize and deliver my natural gifts? My daughter always tells me, “Mata Ji, you were born to be a mother. It just comes so naturally for you and you have no insecurity about it.” The first time she told me this, it took me by surprise because I never really gave any thought to being a mother and assumed that every woman had an inborn maternal instinct. My daughter is right, God gave me this beautiful gift to be able to be a mother to
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My Natural Gifts
by SS Siri Bhrosa Kaur Khalsa, Los Angeles CA Spring 2010 “As a Minister, how do you recognize, accept and deliver your natural gifts? How do you overcome your fears and insecurities?” My natural gifts are leadership, counseling, and healing. I am 67 years old. I was trained as a Registered Nurse and throughout my career, I have worked in hospitals and health clinics in the capacity of nurse, administrator, and counselor and have also been in private practice doing counseling. I was blessed to serve as the Siri Singh Sahib Ji’s private nurse and he gave me the unique
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The Gift of Sahej
by SS Dr. Siri Atma Singh Khalsa, Espanola NM Spring 2010 In every situation, I ask myself: What is God’s responsibility? What is the other person’s responsibility? What is my responsibility? If I have defined these boundaries then I am clear about what I must deliver. To escape the trap of the mind’s fears and insecurities, I do yoga. I strengthen my Aura and Arc-line until I am not bothered with nonconstructive thoughts. I do not stop doing yoga until I reach this state. What is Sahej and how do you get there? Sahej is that state of mind when
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Harimandir of the Heart
by SS Sangeet Kaur Khalsa, Phoenix AZ Spring 2010 Sitting in Guru’s beautiful golden-domed sanctuary atop the Harimandir Sahib (Golden Temple in Amritsar India) this past October, listening to the beautiful chanting of the Akhand Path (scriptural reading) while watching peace spread over the faces of those who had come here with me from the States, it was natural to feel life so full of ease, so perfect. Transfixed by the tones, elevated by the spirit, who could even remember the hectic lives we had all left barely a couple of days before? In a place such as this, ease
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