Archives for All Articles

Food 4 Kids NM: The Guru’s Way

by SS Guru Simran Kaur Khalsa, Espanola, New Mexico 2024 (Second Quarter) New Mexico is #2 in child hunger in the nation. Food4KidsNM began as a volunteer program to serve the elementary school children of Northern New Mexico who do not get enough (or any) food to eat at home on the weekends. In 2009 it became a part of our Children’s program here at Hacienda de Guru Ram Das in Espanola. The Guru is definitely running the show, so to speak. During COVID many changes happened with our program. People from the various offices used to gather once a
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Good Friday Pilgrims Walk

by SS Jivan Joti Kaur Khalsa, PhD, Santa Cruz, New Mexico 2024 (Second Quarter) Sikhs have a long tradition of serving food. One of the earliest accounts of this practice dates from 1481, when the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak, was 12 years old. He took money that his father gave him to invest in business and instead bought food to serve the saints and the poor. Ever since, Sikhs have been serving food in countless situations and to any population that is in need. Whether there is a natural disaster, refugees displaced from war, or food shortages from a
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SANGAT and PANGAT. . . Simple Joys

by SS Siri Chand Singh Khalsa, Santa Cruz, New Mexico 2024 (Second Quarter) When I was asked to share my experiences with the evening chanting and langar program that we hold at the Hacienda de Guru Ram Das ashram in Espanola, it got me thinking about what I could include that isn’t already obvious. As ministers, we all know how deep an impact meditating together and gathering as a sangat can have on us, on our community, and—as studies suggest—even on the world. In addition, we have all experienced the benefits of seva, or the benefits a seva program can
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Sweetness on Sundays

by SS Hari Kirn Kaur Khalsa, Los Angeles, California 2024 (Second Quarter) As a young girl, I was dropped off at our church each Sunday to sit with my grandmother, who waited for me in the same place in the same pew. I sat quietly, wearing my white cotton gloves, waiting for the hymns so I could show my reading skills and sing loudly with the choir and congregation. I had no idea what the minister was talking about when he gave his sermon, but I left each week feeling somehow fulfilled. As I grew, I participated in additional programs
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Minister in the Spotlight: MSS Krishna Kaur Khalsa

by MSS Krishna Kaur Khalsa & Keval Kaur Khalsa, Los Angeles, California 2024 (Second Quarter) Everything is a Gift Wahe Guru JI Ka Khalsa, Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh! It was about 50 years ago that around 9-10 of us Kundalini Yoga Teachers vowed to become Ministers and leaders of the growing 3HO organizations around the country and parts of the world. Look how we have grown … A couple years later, we were back in Amritsar, India at the Golden Temple, making it official for all of us. The ceremony of taking Amrit sealed it for me. I bowed
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Minister in the Spotlight: SS Prem Kaur Khalsa

by SS Prem Kaur Khalsa, Guadalajara, Spain 2024 (Second Quarter) The Inner Core of Service When I started working and training at the Secretariat as a young newcomer to the USA and the Dharma, Ram Das Kaur, the then-Secretary of Religion, told me a story of what it means to be a Sikh Dharma Minister—this story stuck with me. She told me how one of her first duties as a Minister was to perform the last rites for a three-month-old baby. What no one knew was that she herself was three months pregnant with her first child at the time. She
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Minister News & Notes (2024 Second Quarter)

All Ministers are invited to attend an in-person Minister Gathering at Summer Solstice at Ram Das Puri, New Mexico, USA! The gathering will be facilitated by SS Dr. Sat Kaur Khalsa, Secretary of Religion, and will be taking place on Sunday, June 16, from 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. in the SDI tent. Group chanting will be led by SS Hari Bhajan Kaur Khalsa (NM), followed by time for connection among Ministers present. If you have questions about the gathering please email Guruamrit Kaur at [email protected]. We welcome you to sign up for Sikh Dharma 201, an online self-study
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Secretary of Religion Column (2024 Second Quarter)

Dear Ministers, During the 40 days prior to Baisakhi 2024, what were your experiences as you chanted, listened to, or recited the beautiful shabd by Bhagat Ravi Das Ji? I found it deeply comforting, in the midst of major changes and a difficult Mercury in retrograde. There can be a wide variety of interpretations for any given shabd or hukam. Personal history, life events, knowledge, circumstances, experience, etc. etc. may contribute to how an individual receives the messages from the Universe. I certainly know that my experience is unique to me. Nevertheless, I felt guided to share it with you.
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