by MSS Kirtan Singh Khalsa, Espanola, New Mexico
2024 (Third Quarter)

Sat Nam. In God I dwell, and in His Name I write these words.

In 1985 the Siri Singh Sahib Ji appointed me to serve as the Secretary of the Gurdwara at Guru Ram Das Ashram, Los Angeles. I had just become a Minister earlier that year and was also appointed by him as one of several Bhai Sahibs in Training under Bhai Sahiba Bibi Inderjit Kaur.

The responsibilities of the Secretary of the Gurdwara were broad and deep. They included: administering and overseeing the daily functions of the Gurdwara; coordinating the many sevadars, e.g. Guru’s prasad preparers, kirtan schedulers, langar sevadars, sheet sevadars, Gurdwara security sevadars, daily cleaners of the Gurdwara, cleaners for special Ishnaan Seva schedules, and monitors of the Akhand Paths. Also included was overseeing finances, special events and Gurpurb planning schedules. There were also many physical property maintenance issues that needed to be addressed, so that the Gurdwara was maintained in pristine condition and made beautiful. In the beginning there was a team of sevadars in place covering many of these duties.  Over time people would resign and move on and it would be necessary to call upon and inspire others to participate in those sevas.

In addition to the functioning of the Gurdwara itself, the duties often included attending various meetings, events, or gatherings that the Siri Singh Sahib would attend, e.g. visiting neighboring Gurdwaras and attending their programs day or night, and visiting families’ homes for special occasions and kirtans.  We participated on interfaith Councils and attended events sponsored by local, state or federal government officials.  The list goes on and on…  Over time, along with others I took on the lead role in attending to these affairs as the Siri Singh Sahib moved his  headquarters to New Mexico.

Further, the role included a certain amount of Ministerial counseling. This counseling mostly took the form of helping other Sikhs in the community through difficulties with either their marriages, their family, their jobs, their relationship with the Guru or other sadh sangat members, or general development on the spiritual path.

If I had to sum up the role in one line, it would be this: 

Through my own practice, I was to inspire others to the love, beauty, Grace and joy of the Guru. 

It’s not a religious thing. It’s not technical. It doesn’t require studying or training. All that is required is the constant nurturing of one’s own personal relationship with the Guru and using that as the wellspring of energy and spirit to share the same with others.

Most notable in the outcomes of doing this seva for more than 35 years is the Los Angeles Baisakhi Kirtan Darbar and Nagar Kirtan. The Siri Singh Sahib Ji called upon the membership of the Khalsa Council to reach out to the larger Punjabi Sikh community and build relationships with them. At one point in 2004 he said, ‘If you ever want to be with me, be with them.’  In that Khalsa Council meeting he called upon us to invite the larger Sikh community to attend our annual Baisakhi program. At that time I began to do just that.  And with his encouragement, I found that, along with some negativity and cool responses to our outreach, there were many more receptive individuals and organizations than there were detractors to our invitation and efforts!  One year, during a particularly high level of dissonance he encouraged me to reach out to the sangat directly and not be concerned with getting agreements from the leadership of the various Gurdwaras. ‘The sadh sangat will support you.’ And so they did.

Today, by Guru’s Grace the Los Angeles Baisakhi program has become the largest Baisakhi celebration in the western U.S. It’s a blessing.

Leadership pointers: Keep it simple. It’s about one-to-one relationships. Network. Build a team of like-minded sevadars and supporters and serve at the will of the Guru. Guru will guide you and give you all the support you ever need. Success is guaranteed, always by Guru’s Grace.

Remember:  If you take one step toward the Guru, the Guru will take a million steps toward you. Your strength is the Guru’s and the vision is the Guru’s Darshan. Ek Ong Kar Sat Kartar Sat Kartar Gurbar Akal.  Chant this mantra and it will give you everything you need to prevail in serving the Guru’s mission. Whatever you do in Guru’s Name will be evergreen and flourish.

Featured Photo: MSS Kirtan Singh Khalsa and 2009 Baisakhi dignitaries.

 

Video – Los Angeles Convention Center Baisakhi Nagar Keertan 2023

Watch a broadcast on the 2023 LA Baisakhi Nagar Kirtan from Chardikla Time TV in the clip below:

Video – Baisakhi Celebrations Los Angeles 2024

Live coverage of the Sikh Community of Southern California’s April 7, 2024 Vaisakhi Celebrations from Chardikla Time Tv North America:

Video – 2023 Vaisakhi Celebration

Live coverage of the Sikh Community of Southern California’s April 2, 2023 Vaisakhi Celebrations from Chardikla Time Tv North America:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MSS Kirtan-Singh Khalsa is a daily practitioner of Kundalini Yoga and Sikh of the Guru for 47 years, currently residing in New Mexico and serving as the Chief Operating Officer of Sikh Dharma International.

He lived in Los Angeles and served the Guru Ram Das Ashram Community and the larger Sikh Community there for 40 years.