by SS Sat Inder Kaur Khalsa, Kansas City MO
2022 (Second Quarter)

These times have been challenging in many ways, but Yogi Bhajan said it would be like this—so I am not surprised. I met Yogi Bhajan in 1976, at the age of 33, and moved into Hacienda de Guru Ram Das a few months later. I participated in ashram life and solstices, and attended as many lectures as I could. Karta Purkh Singh and I married in 1977 and became Sikh Ministers in 1979. As co-directors of Sat Tirath Ashram since 1980, we have had a wealth of opportunities and experiences in working with residents and students.

For several years, I worked closely with Yogi Bhajan when he visited the Midwest—cooking for him in Kansas City, St. Louis, and Chicago. As my teacher, he was exceptionally demanding, confrontational, and critical. But I realized that he was working on my ego to help me connect more strongly with my soul, and I appreciated it. Those experiences elevated me. The grit that developed has helped me to keep up, regardless of conditions around me. I realize that young people might not have had the strong self-concept to be able to tolerate that experience. To successfully provide guidance during these times, I have found compassionate communication to be necessary.

Through Karta Purkh Singh’s inspiration and leadership, we have continued with the basics, in order to maintain neutrality, insight and stamina—daily Aquarian Sadhana, daily Hukam from the Siri Guru Granth Sahib, Sunday Gurdwara, Karma Yoga and Kar Seva. We continue to conduct both Level 1 and Level 2 KRI Aquarian Teacher Training courses. The opportunities to serve are many at the ashram and in Kansas City. During this time, it has not been “business as usual” for us.  As Ministers, we have provided compassionate guidance to many students and friends who have experienced pain and loss. We have taken care of the responsibilities required by the deaths of three Sangat members in the past year. We have maintained the Peace Garden as a beautiful sacred space where ashes may be scattered.

We plan to keep up with these activities and responsibilities and, in addition, will conduct weekend workshops in Supporting People with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other relevant topics. What an honor!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SS Sat Inder Kaur Khalsa has a BA in Sociology/Psychology, a Masters Degree in Social Work, and Certification in Excellence in Public Health. She retired in 2006 from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services – Bureau of Special Health Care Needs, where she was Northwest Regional Coordinator and Director of the Missouri Perinatal Substance Abuse Program. She and her husband, SS Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa, direct Sat Tirath Ashram in Kansas City, MO. She is certified through KRI and IKYTA.