Dear Ministers,

It’s a new year, and a new theme for our Minister e-newsletter: Shuniya or the “zero point.” Ministers had a little preview of this with our year-end “gift” to Ministers—the 2024 Winter Solstice Gift, on “Neutrality in Times of Chaos.” In case you missed seeing our gift, here is a link.

Unfortunately, there is so much upheaval on our planet at this time: multiple wars, political maneuvering, natural disasters, environmental changes, massive destruction, power struggles, to name a few. Our newsletter team attempts to think about what might be supportive to Ministers given this particular time and space, and the elements that comprise our evolving history.

Our Ministry is predicated on seva. In order to meet the needs of our sangat and communities, a key component to being effective in times of chaos and uncertainty is one’s ability to serve from a “personally, impersonal” consciousness. To achieve this state, you must be able to cultivate and sustain neutrality within yourself, your mind, and your being. By making Shuniya this year’s overarching theme for the four issues of our newsletter, it is our prayer that we will assist Ministers in cultivating a deeper sense and understanding of how to do this, and what it looks and feels like in manifestation.

In the first issue, we are focused on Ministers sharing their experience or approach toward achieving this state. In the second, we are seeking examples of individual Ministers embracing this state while delivering one-on-one services to others. In the third, the focus will be on delivery to the community, and the fourth, service to the Guru.

To further support this theme, Ministers, and our service, a powerful tool we can use as a global Ministry is to gather around a particular sound current that fosters a state of stillness, zero, or Shuniya. To achieve this outcome, I am again inviting Ministers to join in a 40-day recitation (prior to Baisakhi 2025), of chanting, reading, or listening to a Shabad that supports manifesting this precious state. As it gets closer to the time to start this endeavor, we will send out the Shabad with Gurmukhi, transliteration, and English translation, and a recording for Ministers to utilize in whatever way each Minister chooses to participate. Let’s create a global vibration that has a positive impact in our world.

As always, thank you for your service as a Sikh Dharma International Minister.

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.