Throughout 2018, our newsletter articles will reflect on the Shabd Guru. The Siri Singh Sahib said: “My personal identity bows to the Shabd Guru. It’s a very simple human thing. I bow so that my words bring light to me and to my surroundings.” (November 1, 1992). We will explore the concept of Shabd Guru in the framework of the four guidelines of Obey, Serve, Love, Excel taught by the Siri Singh Sahib. For the Spring issue, we asked Ministers to write on the concept of surrendering and obeying. How do we take up the command of obeying by surrendering our heads? What does
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Archives for Gurus
#67 Spring 2018 Newsletter
Revitalizing the Khalsa Spirit
by SS Dr. Kirpal Singh Khalsa, Espanola NM Winter 2017 Jaap Sahib is Guru Gobind Singh’s Bani (sacred hymn) that uplifts the soul, gives the experience of infinity and expands the radiance of the human psyche. It is Gurbani, the Guru’s hymn, and recited in Naad, the sacred sound current. The Siri Singh Sahib explains that Guru Gobind Singh composed Jaap Sahib to revitalize his people at a time when they were “crippled mentally and physically and downgraded to the extent that if a Moghul soldier spat at you and if you didn’t catch the spit, you could be beheaded.
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Simran is Everything
by SS Mata Mandir Singh Khalsa, San Francisco CA Fall 2017 Simran is often translated as “remembrance,” which, to me, doesn’t explain the word. Other people say simran is repeating a mantra. I understand repeating a mantra as japa, which means “to repeat a mantra.” Does repeating a mantra lead one in the direction of simran? Yes, scientifically so. Some people say that doing a meditation is simran. What we call “doing a meditation” to me is a practice called dhyaan or concentration. Does dhyaan lead to simran and a state of meditation? Yes, unless it is done out of
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Holding the Remembrance
by SS Prabhu Nam Kaur Khalsa, San Leandro CA Fall 2017 Simran is remembering of, or meditation on God’s Name. It is also prayer. “Simran” is the noun form of “simar,” which means to remember, to hold in remembrance, to meditate on. The Gurmukhi word sounds the same as the English word “simmer.” When liquid boils and is then turned down to “simmer,” those little popping bubbles are the sign that the heat is high enough and steady enough to maintain the constant pulsing. Doing Simran implies a seemingly effortless, almost automatic repetition of the Name. It is like “riding
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Serving the Infinite
by SS Arjan Singh Dhillon and SS Arjan Kaur Khalsa, Mexico City, Mexico Summer 2017 A common proverb in India is “The seva brings meva.” Meva means fruit or benefit. In Sikh Dharma, the concept of seva implies giving to the Infinite beyond personal identity. This may be the most effective means through which one can synchronize the mind and body, to allow the soul to merge with the Divine. To serve Infinity, a Sikh serves the Guru; and serving the Guru means serving the sangat—the congregation composed of common people. Our Gurus could never restrain their longing and willingness
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#64 Summer 2017 Newsletter
The theme of our Summer issue is seva. We invited Sikh Dharma Ministers to reflect on the concept of seva as taught by the Sikh Gurus and exemplified by the Tenth Master (Radiant Body). Please enjoy these wonderful articles by Sikh Dharma Ministers. “In any form, shape, or projection, if you can elevate a person’s consciousness, his spirit, his self, his environments, his life, then it is seva. You are here to serve, here to lift, here to grace, here to give hope and action, to give the very deep love of your soul to all those who are in
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2016 Winter Solstice Ministers’ Gathering
Exploring the Poetry of the Tenth Master by Solstice Gathering Facilitator SS Satwant Singh Khalsa, Herndon VA Though small in number, the Ministers’ Gathering at Winter Solstice 2016 was mighty in Spirit. This year’s theme was “Creativity through the Radiant Body.” For most of us, Guru Gobind Singh represents the Soldier-Saint and we aspire to fully develop those dual qualities. Perhaps lesser appreciated is Guru Gobind Singh’s love of poetry and his role as a patron of the arts. We began with a Meditation to Develop the Radiant Body utilizing the Ajai Alai mantra from Jaap Sahib. Poets in the
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Grit and Courage
by SS Sada Sat Simran Singh Khalsa, Santa Fe NM Spring 2017 It is now 2017. Things have evolved and continue to evolve minute by minute. We are so modern that we have to update every morning to keep up with the times. One news outlet isn’t enough. We need an array of companies to deliver our news to us in a thread on a device that we are convinced is as necessary as water. We are plugged in and switched on constantly. Amidst all of this we have ways to describe every experience in abbreviated terms. Everything must be
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Decorated With Bana
by SS Kulwant Singh Khalsa, Walsall UK Spring 2017 This year marks the 350th anniversary of the birth of our beloved Tenth Master, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. He was born in 1666 as Gobind Rai, and spent most of his childhood in the town of Patna (Bihar-India). As a child, Guru Ji shared his love and touched the hearts of many. In everything he did, whether playful or serious, he was always teaching, always blessing. There are many accounts of his service and inspiration to others. For instance, a Rani (queen) in Patna had no children of her own, and wished
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Radiance and Bana
by SS DukhNiwaran Kaur Khalsa, Chicago, IL Spring 2017 Celebrating the 350th Anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh’s birth, I reflect on the radiance he embodies. As the Father of the Khalsa, the warrior, Guru and poet, Guru Gobind Singh bowed to the everlasting light embodied in the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. This act forever changed the path of the Sikhs, enabling each of us to hold the Divine Light through our own Radiant Body. Guru Gobind Singh modeled it for us, led us directly to God, and showed us how to live through this radiance. He gave us bana as
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