The Sikh Dharma Ministers’ Gathering at Summer Solstice 2013, with the theme Bij, Bindu and Shaping the Future of the Sikh Dharma Ministry, was pivotal for the future of our Ministry. Despite the dust, wind, and sounds from a nearby teaching tent, a profound planting of seeds for our future took place.
I started by explaining that we are now operating from a new paradigm. SS Dr. Shanti Shanti Kaur, the Assistant Secretary of Religion, and I are looking to the Ministers to help shape the future of our Sikh Dharma Ministry. Those souls who were destined to be present for this auspicious occasion were there.
Dr. Shanti Shanti Kaur took us through a guided meditation, back to the time of Guru Amar Das, to the beginnings of the Sikh Dharma Ministry. She invited us to be in touch with our soul’s unique essence. Kabir’s Song (sung by SS Snatam Kaur) was played towards the end of this visioning.
We were then asked to take paper and crayons and depict what we got from our process. Forming a large circle we shared our drawings. About half the group got a vision for the future of the Ministry and the other half got more of a personal reflection of their individual contribution. SS Sarb Nam Kaur, our new administrative assistant, captured many of the descriptions of the participants.
Each person was then asked to sign and date their drawings and put them on their individual altar at home to create a virtual prayer mala of our work together. Indeed we were planting seeds for the future. We finished the gathering by chanting Ardaas Bhaee to seal the work we had accomplished. It was a very moving experience.
We are attempting to create additional avenues of participation for the Ministry to continue in this process of helping to shape our future. We are talking about having a Ministers’ conference, advisory groups for Minister training and future development of the Ministry. I look forward to many more of you being able to contribute to this endeavor I am grateful for what took place in this time and space.
Blessings to all of you,
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.
