by SS Dr. JivanJoti Kaur Khalsa, Santa Cruz, New Mexico 2023 (Second Quarter) Dear Ministers, I wish to thank the Sikh Dharma Ministry for devoting this newsletter to the Progressive Arc of the Resolution of Trauma. I was grateful to be asked to write an article on this timely and important topic. Even though I am a psychotherapist, Kundalini Yoga teacher and Sat Nam Rasayan healer, I am not writing this article from the perspective of a professional. Rather, my focus here is the vulnerable, intimate and personal journey of healing trauma in my own life. Realizations There are
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Archives for Practices & Technology
The Dharma of Releasing My Trauma
A Safe Harbor in Challenging Times
by SS Mata Mandir Singh Khalsa, MT 2023 (Second Quarter) This is a time when there are some 80 million refugees in the world, uprooted from their homes, families, villages, temples, culture, and way of life. The causes are many, including oppression, lack of resources, racism, religious persecution, and climate change. In the end they were forced to leave behind all that had brought them solace and comfort. At the same time, I would posit that there is another type of refugee. They haven’t been forced out of their town, city, or country, but feel as if their support systems have
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The Beauty and Grace of Charan Jap
by MSS Nirvair Singh Khalsa, Tesuque NM Winter 2020 On a daily basis, I walk in our neighborhood. I walk on dirt roads for 45 minutes to an hour. There is virtually no traffic and just an occasional neighbor with whom to smile, wave, or exchange a few words. I walk with Mantra. My mantra of choice is the Guru Gaitri Mantra: Har Har Har Har Gobinday, Har Har Har Har Mukanday, Har Har Har Har Udaaray, Har Har Har Har Apaaray, Har Har Har Har Haree-ang, Har Har Har Har Karee-ang, Har Har Har Har Nirnaamay, Har Har Har
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The Practice of Naam Simran
by SS Guru Prem Singh Khalsa, Los Angeles, CA Fall 2017 I experienced a unique relationship in my practice of Naam Simran under the guidance of the Siri Singh Sahib. It began in 1981, when he asked a favor of me that would take the next seven years to accomplish. I was placed in a challenging situation, during which I fought doubt and despair. Blessedly, I suspended my doubt, didn’t despair and started pouring my time, energy and money into building a music studio and learning how to create, arrange and produce music. Utilizing this creative outlet, I managed to grow through
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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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Looking Like Royalty
by SS Japa Kaur Khalsa, Espanola NM Spring 2017 [Bana] was the foundation stone laid for the beginning of the most beautiful consciousness, the Khalsa. Dress has a very unique power in it. It gives you confirmation in relation to the world around you. It gives you spirit and power to relate in your grace and your values to the values around you.”—The Siri Singh Sahib (February 19, 1979) When my husband and I were newly married and living in Chicago, we used to head over to the Sri Chinmoy Restaurant on Sunday mornings after a cozy community sadhana. We
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Best Khalsa War Dress
by SS Sangeet Kaur Khalsa, Espanola NM Spring 2017 There have been two events, among many, that confirmed without question that it has been my destiny for lifetimes to live as Khalsa. One came the very first day I wore bana in public. I had always been rather shy, wanting to be a “fly on the wall,” especially in public situations. The last thing my conscious mind wanted was to dress in a way that would call attention to me. At my first 3HO Summer Solstice in 1977, I practiced wearing a turban in a “safe” environment where hundreds of
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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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Me and Hari Simran Singh—Attuned to the Infinite
by SS GuruSurya Kaur Khalsa, Brooklyn NY When our son Hari Simran Singh was 10 years old, a few weeks before he was to leave for his first year at school in India, I told him that I intended to pray for him every day he was away. We were walking together along the park. I hadn’t settled on the form the prayer would take—perhaps one of the banis or a shabd, a mantra. He answered right away, “Har Har Har Har Gobinday, Har Har Har Har Mukanday.” Of course! The Guru Gaitri Mantra with Four Hars* was a perfect choice.
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