by SS Dr. Harjot Kaur Singh, Calgary, Canada Summer 2009 In the concept of Miri Piri, there is a subtle co-existence of the two bases of authority—spiritual and temporal. The Sikhs were acknowledged spiritually in India but not politically and this lack of recognition eventually resulted in the attack on the Akal Takhat. The Sikhs fought valiantly for India in the World wars and also during the partition of India and Pakistan. More than 80% of the freedom fight for India came from the Sikhs who only represented less than 2% of the Indian population. So respected were the Sikhs
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Posts by Executive Assistant
The Martyrdom of the Akal Takhat
The Akal Takhat
Summer 2009 How did the Akal Takhat come into existence in the Golden Temple complex? In 1608, Guru Hargobind Ji built the shrine Akal Bunga opposite the Golden Temple. This is now known as the Akal Takhat (which was the first Takhat built in Sikh history). Akal means deathless and Takhat means throne. This is the highest Sikh temporal seat, the supreme authority. What was the purpose behind the building of the Akal Takhat? The Harimandir Sahib is a spiritual temple, reserved for sacred activities, such as seva, kirtan, meditation and prayer. Guru Hargobind Ji built the Akal Bunga, later named the Akal Takhat,
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Secretary of Religion Column (Summer 2009)
Many years ago, when I first got into the Dharma, I thought that people on a spiritual path would not be plagued by the same issues I found in my counseling practice with the general public. How naïve was I? Over time I found that the Dharma was really a cross-section of humanity, dealing with all the same issues people had in the general public. However, there iss one big difference—we have the Guru as a touchstone and a lifestyle to uplift us. How blessed we have been all these years with a living teacher who was intent on giving
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#32 Summer 2009 Newsletter
The theme for our Summer 2009 newsletter is Remembering the Akal Takhat. On June 6, 2009, we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the attack on the Akal Takhat. The Siri Singh Sahib ji referred to the Akal Takhat as “the longitude and latitude of the nerve center of the universe, which keeps the central movement of magnetic rotation of the shield of the planet earth.” The Akal Takhat represents the frequency of the majesty of the undying throne. How relevant it is to hold to that touchstone in our Dharma’s own test of fire. We requested Ministers to write from a personal perspective about the Akal Takhat. We
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Minister in the Spotlight
SS HarDarshan Kaur Khalsa Chapel Hill NC Spring 2009 When and how did you become a Minister? I became a Minister in 1993 after studying the Dharma for 10 years. I did some mentoring with MSS Livtar Singh of Atlanta, Georgia, and then spent some time with the Siri Singh Sahib at summer Solstice in 1993, where he recommended that I take Minister’s vows, which I did. Briefly describe what the words “Sikh Dharma Ministry” mean to you. Sikh Dharma Ministry means so many things to me, and takes so many forms. It means being able to hold the sacred
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The Samadhi of Guru Nanak
by SS HarDarshan Kaur Khalsa, Chapel Hill NC Spring 2009 In 1539, after living for 70 years and spreading the light and truth of the One far and wide, Guru Nanak knew that his time on the earth was complete. He had found his successor, Lehna, whom he renamed Angad. As he passed the Guruship to Angad, the people realized that Guru Nanak was preparing to leave his body. Guru Nanak went and sat under a withered acacia tree, and it became green and produced leaves and blossoms. The Guru’s family, relations, and disciples began to weep. Guru Nanak then
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Guru Nanak’s Journey
by MSS Nirvair Singh Khalsa, Anchorage AK and Espanola NM Spring 2009 There is a story of Guru Nanak told by Guru Meher Kaur (Divine Mataji of Espanola, NM) on SikhNet.com: When the time came for Guru Nanak to go out and do his mission, he went to go meditate near the river Bein. As he was meditating all kinds of demons came to him and tried to scare him. When they couldn’t scare him they offered him lots of riches. They showed him gold, rubies and gems of all kinds. They were very convincing and said, “There’s nothing wrong,
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Guru Nanak’s Marriage
by MSS Livtar Singh Khalsa, Atlanta GA Spring 2009 And then they fell deeply in love, got married, and lived happily ever after. Well, that could happen. But usually, life and marriage are a constant challenge. Guru Nanak’s story is our story, or at least it can be. He had an arranged marriage to Sulakhani at a very young age. She was from a distant village and it was a hard journey to make twice. Her whole family came with her. The bridal negotiations and the wedding happened all at one time. They didn’t fall in love first, didn’t even
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Guru Nanak in the World: “All is Thine”
by SS Deva Singh Khalsa, Pompano Beach FL Spring 2009 Guru Nanak was born to middle-class parents in India in 1469. Early on, Nanak’s father was very upset that his son had little interest in worldly ways. He was always impatient with Nanak because he was worried that his son would not be able to support himself or his future family. Training Nanak to work seemed impossible, as each time his father got him a job, Nanak would become immersed in a deep meditative state, while trying to do the work. He saw God in all, was fair to all,
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Guru Nanak: Childhood Truths
by MSS Guruka Singh Khalsa, Espanola, NM Spring 2009 Editor’s note: This article is partly based on excerpts from the new book from MSS Shakti Parwha Kaur Khalsa and MSS Guruka Singh Khalsa: entitled “Sikh Dharma: Heroes, Saints, Yogis and People Like You and Me,” due for release at Summer Solstice 2009. Every one of us has come under criticism or judgment by others at some time in our life. Often the other person does not fully understand what they are seeing or its implications, and their judgment comes from their own assumptions, not from the truth of the situation.
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