Dear Ministers,
There are three ways that our global Sikh Dharma International Ministry seeks to create a sense of community for our Ministers. One is through the quarterly e-newsletters for Ministers by Ministers. Another is through the Minister Gatherings offered once again at winter and summer solstices and the European Yoga Festival—and perhaps at other festivals as our Ministry grows. A third is through Regional Minister Coordinators in-person or virtual meetings with Ministers in their geographic areas.
In this issue, I am pleased to share some moments from the recent Minister’s Gathering at summer solstice, New Mexico, 2024. It was a special time for the twenty-some Ministers who were able to attend. Utilizing the Shabd from Ravi Daas Jee (that Ministers were asked to recite daily for the 40 days prior to Baisakhi 2024), I started the gathering by tuning in and reading the English translation of that Shabd:
Raag Sorat’h, The Word Of Devotee Ravi Das Jee: One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru: When I am in my ego, then You are not with me. Now that You are with me, there is no egotism within me. The wind may raise up huge waves in the vast ocean, but they are just water in water. ||1||
O Lord, what can I say about such an illusion? Things are not as they seem. |11||Pause|| It is like the king, who falls, asleep upon his throne, and dreams that he is a beggar. His kingdom is intact, but separated from it, he suffers in sorrow. Such is my own condition. ||2|| Like the story of the rope mistaken for a snake, the mystery has now been explained to me. Like the many bracelets, which I mistakenly thought were gold; now, I do not say what I said then. I|3|The One Lord is pervading the many forms; He enjoys Himself in all hearts. Says Ravi Daas, the Lord is nearer than our own hands and feet. Whatever will be, will be. |14||1|1
We then had the blessing of SS Hari Bhajan Kaur and SS Siri Chand Singh from Espanola, NM, leading us in a Gurmukhi musical recitation of the Shabd for 31 minutes. It was uplifting, transformative, and blissful.
After the meditation, we slowly formed a large circle. I introduced a heart-shaped rose quartz talking piece and posed the question: What do you see as your contribution in your capacity as a Minister at this time? We went around the circle and each person had an opportunity to share. By Guru’s Grace, the offerings were informative, inspirational and, again, heart-centered.
Blessings to each and every one of you for the seva you deliver as a Sikh Dharma International Minister. Wahe Guru!
Humbly,
SS Dr. Sat-Kaur Khalsa
Secretary of Religion
Humbly,
SS Dr. Sat-Kaur Khalsa
Secretary of Religion
THE SECRETARY OF RELIGION
SS Dr. Sat Kaur Khalsa has served as Secretary of Religion since 1991 and was ordained as a Sikh Dharma Minister in 1975. As Secretary of Religion, Dr. Sat Kaur oversees and is ultimately responsible for the delivery of the functions of this Office. Dr. Sat Kaur is a long-time member of the International Khalsa Council and the Khalsa Council Executive Committee. She maintains a full-time Telehealth Psychotherapy and counseling private practice, specializing in relationships. She predominately works with adults (individuals and couples) to support their personal and spiritual growth. She is a certified Kundalini Yoga teacher, a facilitator of White Tantric Yoga®, and a published author.
