At this time, it seems that there is so much upset, confusion, chaos, turbulence, upheaval, and change all around us. It is frankly a little mind-boggling. Whether it is on a personal, community, national, environmental, or global level, there are many influences that can pull us off balance. 
The Siri Singh Sahib warned us of these times. He said that people would look to us for answers. They would stop us in the streets demanding help. They would hire us to meditate in the middle of a factory, in order for it to continue to be productive. We would be lighthouses in the darkness to help others find their way. Yes, he warned us of these times, but living them is a whole other reality!
With such potent negative influences prevalent on so many fronts, how do we stay centered, connected to our higher self, and able to find solace in the midst of these energies?
Of course, we have daily sadhana, Gurdwara, meditation, exercise, eating well, and living this Dharmic lifestyle to its fullest. At the core, though, what truly carries us? What is steady and wise? What is dependable and unchanging? It is the Guru. We are so blessed to have the Siri Guru Granth Sahib as our Guru.
Technology of Siri Guru
In a Gurdwara lecture given in Columbus, Ohio, on December 10, 1978, the Siri Singh Sahib explained about the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. He said:
“Now some people still call it scripture or holy book, which I don’t agree….Guru [is the] one who tells the Gur. Gur means formula and Guru means [one] who can tell you the applied formula of that technique.
“Technologically, if somebody tells you the formula of what makes you to be that intuitively great, that is called Guru. Sat Guru means one who tells you the positive, effective, experiential side of that truth. Then comes the state of Siri Guru—one who tells you the applied truth in a universal manner.”
He went on to say: “Siri Guru Granth contains only that ‘Pakki Bani,’ which is in the Naad (cosmic sound current), and [therefore] stands the test of being a Siri Guru. So when you correctly pronounce it, your tongue stimulates the meridian according to that cut and rhythm.
“Where the rhythm is established and stimulation is established, automatically a person will reach that stage [of consciousness]; which is why Guru says, if you just see and read the Siri Guru Granth, you will be stimulating yourself to that higher consciousness when you talk.”
The Siri Singh Sahib said: “Sometimes people think we need a personal effect. Well, it is a personal effect between you and your Guru. There is nothing in-between; it is a very direct communication, there is no middleman. That is why we not only recite it, we believe it, and we have practiced it.”
So the Siri Singh Sahib has told us that even just listening to the Shabd Guru will change you.
To have the Shabd Guru—a solid, incredible touchstone we can depend on, no matter what is happening around us or to us—is to me truly the ultimate gift of this Sikh path. May your relationship with the Guru deepen and strengthen and may Guru always guide you.
Humbly,
SS Dr. Sat-Kaur Khalsa
Secretary of Religion
Siri Singh Sahib lecture excerpts courtesy The Yogi Bhajan Library of Teachings
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 psychotherapy private practice in Santa Monica, California and Santa Fe, New Mexico, counseling individuals, couples, and families to support their personal and spiritual growth. She is a certified Kundalini Yoga teacher, a facilitator of White Tantric Yoga®, and a published author.
