by SS Gurucharan Singh Khalsa, Claremont, California
2025 (First Quarter)

I have been taught that we are Spiritual Beings, having a Human Experience. This feels true to me. In this human form, we can serve, we can elevate; we are challenged and can grow in consciousness.

I was also taught that our development flows through Individual and Group Consciousness to Universal Consciousness. As a psychologist, a yogi, and a Sikh, I have found this to be true. There is great value and great risk in each level of consciousness. I am imperfect and we are imperfect. This much I know. In this brief article, I will focus on Individual Consciousness.  

I have no doubt that if you are reading this article, you know Shuniya. You have experienced various levels of Bliss and Joy; heart-opening Gratitude and Humility. You know the Neutral Mind and its invitation to the Infinite. You recognize the value of the Negative Mind and the Positive Mind in helping you steer your Life Journey. Bravo! Good for you! God has heard your cry and Blessed You! You breathe rarified air… You’ve come a long way baby!  Take a breath, it’s all true; let it in….

And there’s more….  In this human incarnation, there is always another side to the coin…

I am also quite confident that as a human being… If you are at all like me, you have also been visited by hurt, sadness and loss; irritation, frustration and anger; doubt and shame, insecurity and fear; blame and guilt; greed, pride and… need I go on? 

So now what?  We are living in The Predicted Times. Polarization and conflict are exaggerated. Institutions that have held and guided us are no longer trusted. 

Individual Consciousness is the first step to be mastered. At any point in your life, you are stepping out from the influences of your past. You are clarifying who you are, how you can contribute and setting the foundation for your life journey. Becoming increasing clear about who you are and what is important to you; the more confident, effective and joyous can be your journey toward Group Consciousness. 

You are becoming you; your character and your values are maturing. YOU are having Your experience of your human-ness, of your humanity. You believe what you believe, you know what you know. You don’t know what you don’t know. In this way, you are like everyone else.

You are in a relationship with your physical body, your mind, your soul, your environments, your life circumstances, your gifts and your challenges. Who you are includes who you have been, who you are now and who you are becoming. This is your Life. You and your life are dynamic, in constant motion, unfolding.  

Now, it is true that you are also in relationship with Others and with the Divine, but for now, let that go… What if it really was all about you? What if you prayed to yourself rather than something you felt was outside of you (I recommend you explore this.); for guidance, for blessings, for that good next door in your life to open? What if you decided what was nurturing to be embraced, what was difficult to master and what was toxic to be done with? What if you listened deeply to your body and attended to its needs; to your mind to find a way from where you are now to the longing of your heart, the fulfillment of your soul? 

When we are open with who we are, we can be vulnerable and hurt, rejected, taken advantage of. When we are closed, though safer, we become isolated from ourselves and others. It takes courage to be yourself; we close from fear.  The goal is to not get stuck, but to be able to open and close freely as the situation requires.

Finding the pathway from mature individual consciousness to the opening into group consciousness. You must be true to yourself and true to others. The truth will set you free! You don’t need to tear down those individuals or institutions whose truth is different. You can show up and respect the same courage and openness from others. In that open space, you are ready for group consciousness.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

In 1972, searching for a home for his values, his heart, and his soul, SS Gurucharan Singh was led to the practice of Kundalini Yoga.  A core message, “We are Spiritual Beings having a human experience,” became a guiding value for his life.  His Teacher was a Sikh; becoming a Sikh became a way to more deeply commit to a lifestyle that resonated deeply within.  

At his Teacher’s direction, Gurucharan went back to school to get his PhD in Clinical Psychology.  A practicing psychotherapist since the late 1970s, Gurucharan helped to establish Kundalini Yoga-based therapeutic programs at KRI. As a psychologist, his focus has been grounding – in the body, in relationships and in the Infinite.  As a teacher and trainer in Kundalini Yoga, his focus has been to embrace the Divine and this human experience.