by SS Chioneso Kulwant Kaur Khalsa, Birmingham, United Kingdom
2022 (Second Quarter)

Sat Naam, all Keepers of the Flame:

“When things are down and darkest, that’s when we stand tallest.” ~  Yogi Bhajan

These are the times when the opportunities to live those words present themselves on so many fronts:

• COVID with all its attendant dire challenges, somewhat ameliorated now, by Guru’s Grace, due to the fastest discovery of an effective vaccine in the history of vaccines
• Now another of the ‘Dogs of War,’ released this time in Europe where one least expected it—too accustomed as we are to wars ‘elsewhere’ to which we have unfortunately  become inured
• The dire state of our home planet, which we must work diligently to reverse, to restore, to save

Humankind is capable of the worst and best, the lowest and highest of actions and behaviors.

What a megalomaniac in Russia is doing and how the people in Ukraine, in Europe and around the world have responded, with such generosity, compassion, care and sacrifice—is a very pertinent example of this.

We are a complex race. Our beloved Siri Singh Sahib used to say, “The problem may be complex. The solution is always simple.”

Challenging times often provide opportunities for necessary change, which would not occur were it not for the challenge. When we are blocked and release seems impossible, the Guru may present us with an occurrence or event which is completely unexpected and has the effect of shifting the block and making us take action for the better— though perhaps painful and difficult.

Only when we are released and have some time and distance from the situation may we become aware of the ‘why’ of it, see the larger picture and have a little understanding and more gratitude for the great gift of the Guru in our lives—especially if we have truly surrendered fully to His Will.

We have the great gift and privilege of a celestial path, Sikh Dharma—so open and generous; light-filled, loving and noble; filled with joy and grace. How blessed we are!

We have an ancient and great practice, Kundalini Yoga—miraculous in its efficacy; wondrous in its ability to transform lives for the better, the higher, on every level of our beings. How blessed we are!

To serve others selflessly; to live in an attitude of gratitude, without judgement of others: to work on ourselves and endeavor to be ‘The Lighthouse’ –these are the greatest gifts of all.

Let us live them, for they will balance and illuminate the darkness so prevalent at this time.

Together, with the Guru’s divine guidance, let us live in love, compassion, nobility and grace in this bountiful, beautiful world. Let us strive to heal our unique planet and each other, so that we can truly rejoice as we do this work.

Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa!  Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SS Chioneso Kulwant Kaur Khalsa is a musician, poet and writer. She was born in Trinidad in the Caribbean and now lives in the United Kingdom, where she formally studied Music and English. She encountered Kundalini Yoga in 1973, took initial Sikh vows in 1974 and the Guru’s Amrit at Ram Das Puri in 1984. She has been sharing the principles and lifestyle of these great paths and practices for some time, endeavoring in gratitude to serve.

She had the great honor of hosting the Siri Singh Sahib in Trinidad on three separate occasions.