by SS Amar Atma Singh Khalsa, Phoenix AZ
Summer 2013
In January of 2009 I made my second trip to Amritsar. The sights, sounds, and senses of the Harimander Sahib called my heart and the blessings of its darshan was offered. My heart pounded with excitement as I arrived. The gold, the sarovar, the shimmery reflection, the kirtan, the coolness of the marble, and my head at the Parkarma formed an absolutely priceless experience.
As I let myself be washed by the energy, my eyes drifted over the panorama of the Darbar. Hands folded, my eyes drifted and arrived at the Akal Takht Sahib. In a surprisingly inquisitive moment, I scanned the great building, internally vibrating with innocence: “I know of you, yet know nothing of you.” There was an acknowledgement, and then a blessing came. My eyes found the gold throne on the second story just above the main platform. It twinkled and an understanding of its frequency came to me.
The darshan of the Throne of the Great Akal shared a blessing and my intuition blossomed with the depth and power of its presence, of Guru Hargobind Sahib, of Miri Piri, of Khalsa consciousness, of the Ministry. I placed my head on the Parkarma, bowed deeply before it and expressed, “I do not understand you, but I surrender to your command.”
This powerful experience arose spontaneously, without desire or need. The extraordinary capacity of the Akal Takht shared a glimpse of its being and set in motion waves of transformation in me. Just a few months after this experience, I read a lecture on Sikh Dharma International’s website about the 25th anniversary of the tragedy of 1984. I welcomed Yogi Ji’s perspective—that of honoring Akal Takht Sahib—because for many years I had been trying to makes sense of all that happened. When I heard the lecture on the Narayan Shabd it brought me back to the experience and the great seed that was planted.
My soul is nourished by the dedication our sangat offers on the 6th of each month. It has become a regular event that I celebrate and host with the Phoenix sangat.
Because the tragedy occurred on the 6th of June, and it is the 6th Guru who has offered this teaching, and the 6th of October was the date of Yogi Ji’s passing, the frequency of this date each month provides a necessary support with a powerful impact in my being in honoring the Akal Takht’s sacrifice.
A similar frequency resonates in the sacrifice of Guru Arjan and Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Just as they offered their life for the growth of our consciousness, so the Akal Takht Sahib also offered its body in sacrifice. Miri Piri was birthed from it, as was the concept of saint-soldier and similarly the Khalsa at Anandpur.
The Akal Takht Sahib is my beacon of light, guiding me to blossom fully as a minister. It is the master of our ministry and the command center of our Dharma. It is the pure consciousness holding the excellence of the householder tradition. It arms us with kindness, grace, and dignity to handle the times. It is a source of power, brilliant beyond imagination, available to share its majesty. Be open to its frequency. Honor its sacrifice. Awaken to its glory.
God bless the throne of the Great Akal. May we forever be protected by its honor!
About the Author
SS Amar Atma Singh Khalsa is an ordained Sikh Dharma Minister. He is a KRI-certified Lead Trainer for Teacher Training courses. He’s an Acupuncturist, Reiki Master, and Numerologist, and works as a chaplain serving the spiritual needs of those in the hospital settings.