by SS Satwant Singh Khalsa, Leesburg, Virginia
2023 (First Quarter)

Sat Nam,

Though not a Sat Nam Rasayan expert, I have taken many classes in it and read up some as well. As best as I can explain it, you open a healing space—a sensitive space where you experience all your sensations simultaneously rather than focus at a particular place. Once you have stabilized that space you introduce the subject/client/patient.  

The introduction of that subject creates resistances or conflict within the healer. The healer then works to resolve the resistance WITHIN HIM OR HERSELF. As those resistances are resolved within the healer, the healing happens within the individual. 

On a less esoteric level, hearing of someone’s pain hopefully causes my heart to open and feel some compassion, which I can express through a smile, a prayer, or a simple acknowledgement of the person’s  struggle. I believe these simple things are felt consciously or unconsciously by the individual you are interacting with and provide some measure of relief. 

In my reality, anything less than a total commitment to a mastery of the Sadhana is being a ‘slacker.’ Missing a day, or not giving it my all while there, is unacceptable to me. It took me many years to understand that that is not everyone’s—or anyone’s—reality, nor their job, but it is most definitely mine!

I am very grateful to my colleagues for reminding me once again that people are complex and that one size or solution does not fit all. People are working out the karma of this lifetime and past lives, and they carry pain and trauma.  

The best definition of a Sikh is one I heard probably over 40 years ago, when someone stood up at a course and asked the Siri Singh Sahib the question: “What is a Sikh?” and he responded, “Someone who doesn’t judge.” I found that helpful and try to apply it. 

As I have mentioned previously, a definition of compassion that resonated with me was meeting people “where the hurt is.” In my reality now is the awareness that, if I can’t bring myself to that place where the hurt is and provide assistance, then perhaps, despite nearly 50 years of diligent effort, I have not really progressed very much.    

In Chardi Kala,

Satwant Singh Khalsa 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

S.S. Satwant Singh Khalsa is a longtime member of the Herndon, Virginia community. He is an enthusiastic Kundalini Yogi and Sadhana goer and has been so for the nearly 50 years he has lived in Ashram communities.   

He has served as the Executive Director of the Siri Singh Sahib Corporation since 2013. The Siri Singh Sahib Corporation is a nonprofit corporation with responsibility for overseeing the Sikh Dharma-3HO family of businesses and nonprofit organizations. The organizations work to spread the universal teachings of the Sikh Religion and Kundalini Yoga. 

Prior to joining the Siri Singh Sahib Corporation, Satwant Singh had a successful career in Sales and Client Relationship Management in Healthcare, Telecom and Financial Services, servicing largely Global 500 companies located in the USA, India, Philippines, Northern Ireland, and Argentina. 

Satwant Singh also serves as Board Member and Treasurer of Sikh Dharma of Virginia, a local religious nonprofit that provides religious services and education to the Sikh Community of Northern Virginia. Members of Sikh Dharma of Virginia are active in the local community and provide meals and other food assistance to a number of organizations that serve the homeless and others in need. He also serves as the Treasurer of the 3HO Foundation of Washington, DC and Virginia, a local nonprofit that teaches Kundalini Yoga and meditation.