This year our Summer Solstice Ministers’ gathering was very special. If this was a trailer for the upcoming feature film of our Dharma, I for one am ready for the feature! I had the privilege of framing the gathering.

After forming a circle, I asked the question: “What do you do in your capacity as a Minister that brings you joy and fulfills your natural desire to serve?” The truth is, what each of us does as a Minister creates the evolution of our Ministry in this time and space. Consequently, we wanted to hear from each person present.

Evolution of the Ministry

The following encapsulates the areas of service that have inspired and fulfilled those gathered: Answering yoga students’ questions about Sikh Dharma; participating in the Hearts & Hands group to reach out to people in time of need; organizing and participating in interfaith activities; spearheading the annual Peace Picnic in L.A.; healing through the Shabd Guru; teaching Gurbani Kirtan to our children; leading the Sadhana meditation chants and singing Gurbani Kirtan in daily Gurdwara; teaching others about Gurdwara; hosting group Sadhana for students; working with MPA graduates; mentoring Spanish-speaking Sikhs who want to learn abut the Guru; teaching Asa di Var; teaching about Sikhism in high school.

Other areas of service that inspire: Teaching about the four pillars of Bana, Bani, Simran and Seva; working in the NM State Legislature as a representative of the Siri Singh Sahib and Sikh Dharma; building our sense of community as Ministers; loving that Sikhi is universal and gives a voice to the voiceless; ministering in a “non-denominational” way by serving whatever the consciousness dictates at that moment; being a “full-service” Minister serving everyone regardless of religion or creed; experiencing the healing that comes with remembering that God is the Doer of all. One Minister cracked us all up when he shared that a student told him he was “Sikhilicious!”

After everyone had a chance to speak, SS Dr. Shanti Shanti Kaur led us in a meditation for the Radiant Body. The element of focus for this Summer Solstice was the Ether tattva. The Radiant Body meditation is for presence, the Ether tattva, unity and harmony. SS Harbhajan Kaur from Millis, MA provided live music and SS Guru Prem Singh from Los Angeles and SS Sangeet Kaur from Espanola, NM joined her for this beautiful meditation.

Then we sang the song, “From One Vibration” by Raghu Rai Kaur. The words are: “From one vibration the world came to be. From this mantra into eternity. We all dance to this song of love. Let’s join hands and carry it on. Ek Ong Kaar Sat Naam Siri Wahe Guru.”

We spontaneously joined hands and sang from our hearts. As we continued to hold hands and sing this song, I had tears rolling down my cheeks. The beauty of this vision touched me. We ended with Long Time Sun and an appreciation of each person’s contribution to our Dharmic collective whole.

SS Dr. Sat-Kaur Khalsa, Secretary of Religion

ABOUT 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. Dr. Sat Kaur maintains a full-time psychotherapy private practice in Santa Monica, California and Santa Fe, New Mexico. She counsels individuals, couples, and families to support their personal and spiritual growth. She is a certified Kundalini Yoga teacher, facilitates White Tantric Yoga®, and is a published author.