A Publication of the Sikh Dharma Office of the Secretary of Religion, May 2006
A Quote from the Siri Singh Sahib
From Your Secretary of Religion
Being Present with our Presence - SS Guru Ganesha Singh Khalsa, VA
The Chancellors Office - SS Sarb Nam Kaur Khalsa, NM
Sikh Dharma Ministry in the News(letter) - SS Sikh Dharma Ministry Newsletter Team
Seva, The Birth of Miracles - Siri Kaur Khalsa-Harris
Khalsa Council: A Visionary Body of Ministers - MSS Guru Singh Khalsa, CA
Minister in the Spotlight: SS Dr. Sat Kaur Khalsa, Secretary of Religion
"Man cannot feel fulfilled without uplifting himself."
(Siri Singh Sahib Beads of Truth Winter, 1988, No. 21, vol., p. 24 (lecture, August 26, l988)
Guest Columnist SS Dr. Shanti Shanti Kaur Khalsa, Assistant Secretary of Religion
One of the ways God is described in the Siri Guru Granth Sahib is as the “Designer of Chance.” This delightful conception of the Divine intrigues me and in whimsical moments in these ever more demanding times, it is fun to notice the Designer of Chance at play in the events of life.
When the newsletter team was planning this issue of the newsletter, we were trying to decide who to nominate for the Minister in the Spotlight issue, and our team realized that it was time to shine a light on the ministry of Dr. Sat Kaur Khalsa, our Secretary of Religion. By Divine Chance I have the privilege to cover this column for her this issue.
You are aware that the Aquarian Age is the Sensory Age. It is a time where we are to serve in the known and in the unknown; a time where our sensitivity, intuition, neutrality and ability to respond to the uniqueness of each moment in totality and mutuality is called for. As Secretary of Religion, Dr. Sat Kaur weaves innovation, connection and integration into an approach that builds identity and community and fosters a “Sensory System” ministry of Sikh Dharma. She brings her talents and perspective as a counselor, and her comprehensive vision and long term thinking to provide avenues that help each of us grow and deepen as a Sikh Dharma Minister, both as individuals and as a global body of ministers.
She is a champion of “Ministry from the inside out”, bringing the definition of Sikh Dharma Minister as one that acknowledges that who you are, and what you do is ministering. Under her encouragement and guidance, ministers have held gatherings in their local communities and we now host minister gatherings and Sikh Dharma Ministry classes at each Summer and Winter Solstice. Dr. Sat Kaur initiated and developed a team to produce the quarterly Sikh Dharma Minister’s E-newsletter as a resource library and means for ministers to share our expertise, skills, perspectives and activities with Sikh Dharma ministers the world over.
How else can we expand the Radiant Body of Sikh Dharma Ministry? Where else can we extend our reach? Starting in October, 2007, Sikh Dharma Ministry is the next two-year global agenda for Khalsa Council. Dr. Sat Kaur and I welcome your vision, ideas, and practical application to meet the needs of you as a minister, the global body of ministers and the many, and diverse sangats and communities we serve. Please stay in touch with me at healthnow@grdcenter.org or with Dr. Sat Kaur at khalsask@aol.com.
Humbly,
Sardarni Sahiba Dr. Shanti Shanti Kaur Khalsa, Assistant Secretary of Religion
Question: Is there a protocol for the person attending the Guru and waving the Chauri Sahib?
Answer: If you walk the halls of the Imperial Hotel in Delhi, you see the walls covered with beautiful artwork—paintings, sketches—enchanting moments in time of India’s history captured giving us a glimpse into the past. One sketch particularly caught my eye. It was a sketch that looked just like an outside Gurdwara function. There you could see the sangat, musicians, a beautifully adorned palki with canopy. And an attendant with a chauri fanning. But when I looked closer, what was on the throne was a person. It was a Moghul King and this was his court. Majesty, authority, adornment, creating the court. I thought: wow, the Sikhs must have made quite the waves in those days. Imagine. Not only were the Gurus placed on the throne and adorned, but after Guru Gobind Singh ji, the Siri Guru Granth became the King of Kings and was treated with this worship and adornment. Imagine the statement that made.
And that’s what we still do today. We create the Court of the True King, the True Authority, and we all take the time out of our multi-track lives to enter that Court together and acknowledge and proclaim to ourselves and to our family and community that the Shabd Guru is our True King and brings us to our Royal Authority and state of Raj Yog. It is a most exalted state.
The person waving the chauri sahib is serving the state of this Court and enters into that consciousness as the chauri sahib is held. It is a state of engagement with the Guru, a creation of the Royal Court, as the Guru is served and honored. The details and protocols of being such an attendant comes from entering that state. Whether you wave constantly or not, whether you make eye contact with the person bowing, eyes closed or open, singing or not cannot be dictated. You know what it takes to enter that state of consciousness of serving that Royaly. Enter the state and see what happens. The Kundalini rises in the sadh sangat. The state of Raj Yog is achieved.
Note: When the Granthi is preparing to read the hokum, it is very graceful for someone to stand and wave the chauri over the Siri Guru Granth Sahib and assist in serving this space of the Guru.
Siri Sardarni Dr. Bibiji Inderjit Kaur Khalsa is the Bhai Sahiba, or Chief Religious Minister of Sikh Dharma. Please feel free to submit your dharmic questions to: ministers_newsletter@yahoo.com. Mukhia Sardarni Sahiba Guru Raj Kaur Khalsa answers on behalf of Bibiji and the Office of the Bhai Sahiba.
The Summer Solstice minister
gathering will be on Sunday, June 18th from 7:00 to 8:30PM. Please look
for the location on the Solstice schedule and join us to connect with your
brothers and sisters in the Ministry. Humbly, SS Dr. Sat-Kaur Khalsa,
Secretary of Religion.
The
September issue of Aquarian Times/Prosperity Paths is on Service. The
editor, Guru Tera Kaur, is looking for people doing seva projects. To help
this along, we request you to consider people you know (including yourself) who
are doing community service. You can contact Guru Tera Kaur directly at gurutera@kiit.com
with names, description of the seva the person is doing, and contact
information. It is our hope that her list grows from your suggestions.
The revised procedure for becoming a Minister has been established. The
new procedure can be reviewed here. Please
become familiar with it so that you can support the members of your sangat who
are interested in becoming a Minister.
Would
you like to share
your thoughts with other ministers? You can answer the
reflection questions at the bottom of this newsletter and
send them to the editor at
ministers_newsletter@yahoo.com. Your answers will be posted on a new
page called Reflection Question
Responses, where your peers can read and respond to them.
by SS Guruganesha Singh Khalsa, VA
I spend approximately half my time these days on the road serving in two very different capacities. First, as a professional sales trainer delivering seminars to mainstream high-tech sales people all over the world, and second, as a musician/yoga teacher alongside Snatam Kaur and Krishan Prakash Singh, delivering concerts and workshops to spiritual seekers around the globe as part of the Celebrate Peace Tour. My daughter, Saraswati Kaur, editor of this publication, asked me to share some of my insights about responding to the many people who approach me about my appearance and the Dharma.
As Sikhs, our presence generates an instant reaction from the people who encounter us both at work and on the street. Some of these reactions are immediately friendly, and others challenging and adversarial. With grace, humor, and kindness, any of these situations can result in a positive outcome.
At Work
When I deliver sales training programs, I have to get up in front of hundreds of business people. Oftentimes during the breaks, people approach me to ask about my turban and beard. Some ask me if it makes it hard to be successful. I tell them that my appearance is a huge marketing advantage… “If I do a great job, people never forget me!” They always agree. A nicely tied white turban really stands out and makes an impression that lasts forever. I’m the one sales trainer on the planet that no one ever forgets!
One of the best ways to disarm people is to use humor. I point right at the ‘elephant sitting on the dining room table’ as soon as possible. At the beginning of a sales training day I always tell my students the following… “ Generally when I get in front of a room, the first thing people want to know is… ‘Ganesh, what’s with the turban and the beard…..you sound like you’re from Brooklyn.’ What you have to understand is that my father is of Russian Jewish ancestry and my mother is Irish Catholic. This is what happens when you mix a Jew and a Catholic.” I always get a big laugh and the rapport is established. The rest of the training is a piece of cake. Self-deprecating humor makes a person more approachable and accessible. After a story like this, I need say nothing else during the class, as everyone comes up to me during the breaks and they want to know more.
On the Street
When people are curious and friendly, I try to tell my personal story and then ask the other person about theirs. This allows me to demystify myself and open their hearts. Someone in a supermarket may ask me why I wear a turban. A typical response might be as follows…. “I’m really committed to being a good and kind person. Everywhere I go, I see my own reflection. Seeing the turban sitting right on top of my head reminds me of my daily commitment to be a good person.” However, not all interactions are so calm and respectful.
Many years ago, I embraced Guru Nanak’s teaching that the whole universe is a great Oneness. That really felt right in my heart. So I asked myself the big cosmic question… ‘If the whole world is One, do I trust the One or not?’ After some deep soul searching, I made the difficult decision to deeply trust the One. Since then, most of my fear of life has fallen away, so that when I’m in a challenging, perhaps even life threatening situation, I trust that God is still in charge of the Universe and everything will be okay. In my experience, when I look at somebody with trust and love instead of fear and anger, it totally disarms them.
On Halloween weekend several years back, Snatam Kaur and I were appearing at an International Yoga Conference in Palm Springs, CA. On Halloween night itself, I was taking a walk with several friends through the downtown area, when suddenly out of nowhere appeared a very large, young man covered from head to toe with tattoos and various steel artifacts. The man, reeking of liquor, got right in my face, breathing heavily and looking very angry. Clearly he wanted to start a fight.
By the Grace of Guru Ram Das ji, I managed to stay relaxed, looked him straight in the eyes and said in as kindly a tone as I could muster… “I’m a good guy. And you’re a GOOD guy too.” Right before my eyes this huge, angry man melted into a sweet young boy, and he said “I AM a good guy,” as if it was the first time anyone had told ever told him this. I said… ‘I KNOW that!’ He threw his arm around me and then asked, “Can I take you out for a beer?”
Another time, when I was leaving RFK Stadium in Northern Virginia after attending a Washington Redskins game, a young man approached me angrily and said, “Osama, I’m going to kick your ass.” By the Grace of Guru Ram Das, my response, once again, was not to fight fire with fire. Instead, I put my arm over his shoulder and asked, “Would you like to get a photo with me?” The young man at first seemed taken aback, but then he warmed to the idea and called his girlfriend over to take a photo of us. We kidded each other as she took the picture. As he was leaving, he gave me a high five and said admiringly… “Osama, nobody gets away with s—t like you!”
I’m sure that many of you have stories like this where you have disarmed and befriended people whose initial approach was belligerent. We want to bring out the best in people by opening their hearts. This is only possible if we are vibrating divine love instead of fear.
Interfaith Dialogue
In America, sometimes we run into fundamentalists from other religions who believe that their way is the only way, and want to save our souls. Here is the story of an encounter I had with one such individual at an airport…
A man approached me and asked, “Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the Lord?” I answered, “I absolutely believe that Jesus was a very enlightened son of God. I also believe that you and I are sons of God with just as much potential.” The man responded, “If you believe that, you’ll burn in hell for eternity.” I said, “That’s sounds like a long and painful way to go. If you can convince me there’s a better way, I have an open mind.” The man tried for a solid five minutes to win me over.
I finally said, “Those are some compelling arguments, but in my heart of hearts, I don’t believe them. Let’s pretend that after a long, happy, and successful life you die, go to heaven and find me there. How would you feel?” The guy responded, “I’d be very upset.” “Why?” I asked in return. The man said, “It would mean that everything I’ve believed in my whole life was wrong?” I replied, “Wouldn’t you at least be happy for me and the other 6.7 billion people who don’t share your beliefs that we didn’t have to burn in hell? You’d rather that we burn in hell for all eternity than find out that maybe you were wrong or that God was more merciful than you thought?” The man looked at me, his jaw dropped, and he stood speechless for what seemed like several minutes. Finally he uttered… “Bless you,” and walked away. I like to think that I might have informed his spiritual life in some meaningful way.
May each of us, by Guru’s Grace, find our own way to respond gracefully in all situations, to smile, and to radiate love and acceptance to all!
by SS Sarb Nam Kaur Khalsa, NM
The word “minister” snuggles deeply in the heart of “administration.” So it is no surprise that our Chancellor’s Office, tasked with the legal and clerical administration of the Sikh Dharma ministry, serves and ministers in a most unique way.
The heart of Sikh Dharma Ministry administration, according to Chancellor MSS Guru Terath Singh Khalsa, is SS Ek Ong Kar Kaur Khalsa. She has long served the ministry (over 30 years) by organizing, cataloguing, and managing the critical clerical tasks of the ministry as instructed by the Siri Singh Sahib.
According to SS Ek Ong Kar Kaur, “the Chancellor’s Office has been handling the clerical administration of the Sikh Dharma ministry since the mid-70’s. Before that, it was handled through the Secretariat. We were informed that the Siri Singh Sahib wanted all the minister’s records moved to the law office. There were well over 100 ministers at that time.”
Minister I.D. Card and Exam
One of the main tasks of the Chancellor’s Office regarding the ministry is the issuing of minister I.D. cards and sending out the annual renewal notices and exams. According to Ek Ong Kar Kaur, the Siri Singh Sahib requested the I.D. card be renewed annually, with a photo of the minister, in order to have an active, functioning ministry where ministers would rededicate themselves each year at Baisakhi.
The I.D. card has the minister’s name, date ordained, date valid until, and address. The original cards were not laminated (“we used to paste the photo on with rubber cement,” noted Ek Ong Kar Kaur), and helped to legitimize the ministry in terms of its legal status in order to protect the legacy of Sikh Dharma as envisioned by the Siri Singh Sahib.
Keeping Up With the Paperwork
Ek Ong Kar Kaur noted that a big part of her job involves maintaining the database of ministry records. Originally built in a DOS program, the minister’s database was rebuilt several years ago to bring it up to date with modern programming. This allows her to fulfill the role of keeping the live records of the ministry.
“Originally, we got handed reams of paperwork,” Ek Ong Kar Kaur said. “So we had to create a filing system for everything. And then we reworked our filing system and record keeping system. Every year, the Siri Singh Sahib gave exam questions and we would send out a letter to each minister telling them what to send to issue the annual I.D. card; he wanted to create a separate office for the legal and clerical matters of the ministry.
Since 1991, the administration of the Ministry including minister development has been the responsibility of the Office of the Secretary of Religion in co-operation with the Chancellor’s Office.
SS Ek Ong Kar Kaur in the Chancellor’s Office handles the clerical matters of the Ministry. Her long and devoted support of Sikh Dharma ministers forms a vital cornerstone of our ministry and provides a shining example of Guru’s bani: “Those who serve the True Guru obtain the Treasure of the Naam. Those who serve the True Guru in this world are very rare. I am forever a sacrifice to those who serve God, day and night.—Guru Amar Dasji”
Compiled by SS Sarb Nam Kaur Khalsa, NM
The Sikh Dharma Minister’s newsletter debuted in July 2001 as a quarterly vehicle for enhancing inter-minister communication and to serve as a source of information about and for Sikh Dharma Ministers. Secretary of Religion SS Dr. Sat Kaur Khalsa noted in the first newsletter that “the success of this newsletter will depend on the contributions and participation of our Sikh Dharma ministers.” So far, it has been a great success as it builds a legacy of thought and spirit-provoking articles on a wide range of topics.
The first issue explored Sikh Dharma Minister training and enhancement, featuring an inspiring article by SS Mata Mandir Kaur on the newly developed minister’s training course, which still flourishes today as the 'Journey to the Heart of Sikh Dharma' course. The July issue also highlighted the chaplaincy work of SS Sat Kartar Kaur Khalsa-Ramey in her hospital ministry in Arizona. Since that first issue, the newsletter has explored many powerful and challenging topics to provoke and inspire, challenge and uplift. Many ministers have contributed their thoughts and words to reach out to fellow ministers.
The current year’s theme explores the topics of who we are as a Ministry – our history, our present day status, and a vision of where we want to go. We look forward to many exciting articles and encourage all ministers to contribute ideas for future issues.
The Sikh Dharma Ministry Newsletter Team
We now introduce you to the Sikh Dharma Minister’s Newsletter Team, which manages the editorial tasks of bringing this powerful vehicle to our ministry. We welcome any feedback from ministers on the presentation, articles, or delivery of our electronic newsletter.
Secretary of Religion, SS Dr. Sat Kaur Khalsa
“We
have a diverse, rich resource of people that make up our Sikh Dharma Ministry.
It's time that we learn more
about each other, about what other ministers are doing, and about how they are
doing it. Hopefully the information in our newsletter will help to inspire all
of us.
“As Secretary of Religion, I spearhead this planning team. I facilitate our meetings, write the Secretary of Religion column and do my best to stay on top of our deadlines and publishing dates. Yes, it is a tremendous amount of work to publish the newsletter quarterly, and I believe it is worth it.
“It is my hope that you enjoy the newsletter and benefit from it. May God ever bless you.”
Humbly,
SS Dr. Sat Kaur Khalsa
Assistant Secretary of Religion, SS Dr. Shanti
Shanti Kaur Khalsa 
“Our Sikh Dharma ministry is unique in that it is not in itself a profession as it is in other religions. We become Sikh Dharma ministers not as a job, but as a response to our emerging identity, destiny and joy of service. The Sikh Dharma Minister e-newsletter provides an engaging way for us to learn about--and from-- each other in ways that time and distance do not often allow.
“My contribution to the newsletter is as part of a team which develops ideas for the themes and content of each issue and to suggest possible writers for articles that may best cover the themes and content. I travel a lot in my work and have the opportunity to spend time with ministers up close who are serving their sangats and communities in unique and often unheralded ways. I enjoy having a venue to bring attention to their efforts and give them an opportunity to share with other ministers, most of whom they have never met.
“We are a global ministry and how we serve is both unique and many times applicable to another minister half a world away. For me, to be a part of the Sikh Dharma Minister e-newsletter team is a service of love and appreciation for all of us, as we bring our service into the Aquarian Age.”
Humbly and in gratitude,
SS Dr. Shanti Shanti Kaur Khalsa
Newsletter Editor, Saraswati Kaur Khalsa
“ Basically, my
personal feeling about the title of Sikh Dharma Minister is that it does not
have meaning unless the identity of Minister carries some extra responsibility
that is not carried by others in the Dharma. In my experience that is not
currently the case.
“I hope that the ministry newsletter may be able, in some small way, to give meaning to the identity of Sikh Dharma Minister through defining what it means to be a minister and helping those with the title to be inspired to take on an extra level of responsibility to serve. Although I am not a minister of Sikh Dharma, I hope I can somehow contribute to the development and continuity of something that the Siri Singh Sahib created for a practical purpose.
“I have been serving as the Editor since the inception of the Sikh Dharma Ministry newsletter. As the editor, I work with the newsletter team to develop content, and then I take responsibility for proofreading and editing all the articles, putting the final product together, and getting it approved by Dr. Sat Kaur. The people who work on this team are all very creative and intelligent people, and it is truly a pleasure to work on such an efficient team. By Guru's grace, we are able to communicate and to publish the newsletter with a minimum of strife and struggle.”
God Bless,
Saraswati Kaur Khalsa, MSW
Editorial Assistant, SS Sangeet Kaur Khalsa
“I
have been on the newsletter team since September of 2002. Why? Dr. Sat Kaur
asked me and, frankly, I have a difficult time saying 'no.' Through the years of
learning about my Self, I've come to appreciate that quality more than criticize
it. Stepping out beyond my comfort zone always has its rewards-- in this case
most definitely. My duties as part of the team are: attending the bridgeline
meetings, where we plan the yearly theme and the topics for the quarterly
newsletters; giving suggestions regarding prospective authors; typing up the
bridgeline minutes; corresponding with the authors; keeping them on track with
deadlines; proofreading and editing Dr. Sat Kaur's column. (I acquired a
'healthy' obsession with correct grammar and spelling from years of good
Canadian schooling!)
“Invariably, when I invite people to contribute an article to our newsletter they are humbly happy to be asked -- and the articles are as varied as we are as individuals. So many times my perspective has broadened and my heart has opened when I have talked to or read articles from our worldwide family. We are an infinite variety of limbs from the one majestic Khalsa tree.
“Now, from the lofty to the mundane... I do have one 'issue.' I really hate nagging people to get their articles in on time. This probably has to do with having had a nagging Jewish mother. (She's much less nagging now at the age of 90). So, if you are invited to write an article in the future, please don't make me nag you!”
All love in the Divine,
SS Sangeet Kaur
Editorial Assistant, SS Sarb Nam Kaur Khalsa
“One of my first
roles in Sikh Dharma involved editing and transcribing the Siri Singh Sahib’s
teachings for KRI. I have always been blessed to use my writing, proofreading,
and editing skills for the communication of the Dharma. So it wasn’t a surprise
to find myself part of the editorial team of the Sikh Dharma Minister’s
newsletter in 2005.
“I took the minister training course in 2003-2004 and was deeply inspired to pursue my destiny as a minister. I was blessed to have been one of the last people to be personally appointed as a Sikh Dharma minister by the Siri Singh Sahib while he was still alive. It means a great deal to me that he saw me as a member of the ministry. I feel in my heart a deep longing to serve the ministry by using my writing skills and through connecting with ministers as we do our work in this life.
“We all have something to say about this life and this spiritual path…even if we don’t know it. I encourage everyone to write about the projects, activities, or experiences you have encountered while on this path. Share your life with others. Our newsletter team will help you with the writing if you need or we can interview you about your life. We are all inspiring each other as we travel together as Siblings of Destiny. I look forward to meeting and talking with all the ministers as I humbly serve you on this newsletter.”
In Divine,
SS Sarb Nam Kaur Khalsa
by Siri Kaur Khalsa-Harris, Eugene OR
Introduction by SS Sat Mandir Kaur Khalsa, OR
Siri Kaur Khalsa-Harris has been a member of the Eugene Sikh sangat for over twenty years. She comes originally from a Native American background, and in the mid-seventies, she had a vision of the Siri Singh Sahib without knowing at that time who he was. He told her of the importance of bringing all people together to serve in an attitude of joy and happiness. Years later, after the death of her son, she received an intuitive message to contact “The Yogi.”
Not having any idea who the Yogi was, she finally contacted us through our advertisement in the phone book, and was given a copy of Peace Lagoon. The teachings of Guru Nanak resonated with her Native American spiritual awareness of the oneness of all things in the universe. Shortly afterwards, she came to the Gurdwara and read in an Akhand Paath, and she knew she was “Home.”
Siri Kaur has worked tirelessly and with deep commitment of her time, energy and resources to nurture the inter-faith community of Eugene. The 11th of the month interfaith services, which our community was able to initiate after the attacks on the World Trade Center are a direct outcome of her devotion and belief in the value of reaching out to people of all backgrounds and faiths.
Seva, The Birth of Miracles
We live in a world where people work and pray for miracles every day… and sometimes they happened. In response to the horrendous events of September 11th 2001, the Eugene Sikh Sangat has had the privilege of taking part in and being a witness to a real miracle.
On an evening in
August 1996, in humble awe of the beauty around me, I began my usual meditation.
It didn’t take long to understand this “beauty” was not what is, but
instead, what could be.
Then,
as I’ve experienced several times throughout my life, I felt a silence approach,
signaling that a great presence was near. When I was young, raised in a Native
American family, I didn’t consider these experiences remarkable. They were
tender and natural. I believed everyone had this ability to communicate with
Great Grandfather, the creator of all.
In the midst of that loving presence, I was made aware that I should initiate a regular coming together from all faiths. Although I cannot tell you all that I was guided to understand, it was a vision given from a global perspective. When we (humanity) experience the unbearable, it is natural to come together, putting aside differences, to pray for relief and guidance in the spirit of peace and harmony. Telepathically, I was assured of divine assistance. Then I was honored with a “Divine Vision”, the base on which these Interfaith Services were founded. By providing a consistent time and place for all sacred paths to come together, the purpose continues to be to nurture appreciation and confidence in one another and the universal power that transcends all earthly limitations.
The Divine Vision
1: “Start and keep
consistent monthly interfaith services to:
a) uplift and heal,
b) build a sacred space of deep respect and appreciation of one another,
c) raise the level of God’s Power through unity while celebrating diversity,
d) encourage the demonstration of compassion which can lessen the stranglehold of fear and intolerance on the world,
e) build a God-conscious platform of cooperation, trust and goodwill others will want to emulate,
f) provide a venue for the common good of all, leaving aside personal agendas, proselytizing and politics.”
2: “Pray, meditate, sing and chant in all faith traditions and all languages to improve our personal and collective relationship with God because there are:
a) too many wars in the name of God,
b) too many blaming God for the ills of the world,
c) too many feeling it is their duty to impress their idea of God on others,
d) too many separated from the earth God provided for us,
e) too many separated from God, the creator of all, and the Divinity we all are.”
A local organization of leaders from
diverse spiritual paths were willing to assist the manifestation of these
services, the first of which was held on October 11th, 2001.
They have been taking place each
month ever since that day. Apprised of our service, Siri Singh Sahib Ji
responded saying “watch how the Hand of God works." So, although these services
were not expected to last more than a few months, by God’s grace, they continue
to be a profound experience for 250 to 500 people of all faiths, ages and walks
of life, each month. With improved opportunities for seva, Sikh’s participate
with religious, civic and educational organizations to the benefit of all (Sarbat
da Bala).
As a result of everyone’s selfless seva and because these services celebrate diversity with the grace of unity, we have become a model of respect other communities want to emulate… a unique center of light and hope. By this simple, prayerful demonstration of unity these messages go forth: “we are all One in God” and “we are Greatly Loved”. Told by the great, loving presence “these services would not only help our community, but with enough heart, the world”. Snatam Kaur Khalsa on her “Celebrate Peace” tour takes this message of peace and hope to interfaith communities throughout the world.
Long ago, I heard Siri Singh Sahib Ji tell us “you are not your talk or even what you do. You are the attitude you bring to what you do. This is where the real miracles are born”.
My heartfelt gratitude to the Eugene Sangat for the honor and support you’ve given to this task God so lovingly placed in our hands. The warmest appreciation to our beloved teacher for the gift of love, life and trust that has made all this possible.
by MSS Guru Singh Khalsa, CA
We live in the world Sir Isaac Newton described, “Bound between levity and gravity.” The Siri Singh Sahib loved to quote Newton's law of physics, “action creates reaction”. Levity and gravity also apply to our lives as ministers. The levity is our vision, supported by our sadhana and delivered in our teaching of the teachings -- the gravity is in all the minutia of our daily routines that can divert us from our faith and our vision. The only truly consistent way to combat this natural phenomenon is with the support that Guru Nanak voiced in, “Let me be in the company of the Holy so that I may remember Your Name in their presence.” This is who we are as a body of the Khalsa Council; we are that supportive company of the Holy that allows each of us to live in our levity while dwelling in the nature of gravity. That is why we, as a body, were invented by our teacher, (I remember the moment) and that is why we meet to grow from individual consciousness to group consciousness to universal consciousness.
I was blessed to witness and participate in January 1969 seeing Yogi Bhajan start with only $38 in his hand and go on to build his vision worldwide. There was a moment we were sitting with him all struggling to meet the monthly mortgage on the first yoga center -- that was the gravity of that time and space -- and listening to his faith speak to the few of us who were there -- that was the moment's levity. Always thinking beyond gravity he said, “Don't worry, I will lecture to millions some day; I see myself on top of a mountain with crowds in front of me.” At that time we had never had a summer solstice, he had never been to the mountains of New Mexico and of course there was no land owned in the Jemez. We were just trying to get the $235 to pay the monthly mortgage on the first center -- obviously we did and his vision came true.
In that beginning time we were a “prairie of dry grass” and Yogi Bhajan was a “master with a match”. He lit it and we erupted in the light of the teachings. The time was right and the match was lit and his vision worked its magic. By the Grace of God and Guru Ram Das we, as ministers and members of the Khalsa Council, are now the custodians of those sacred and timeless teachings. God knows, this world is full of the “dried grass” -- people longing for many lifetimes for the master's touch and we have that touch now within our grasp -- our own hands.
For many of us we've been walking this path well over thirty years. If we'd applied this much time and effort into a traditional educational path we would all be holders of at least two PhD's. We've been teaching all over this planet, running multi-million dollar companies; the only thing that could hold us from our destiny now would be the lack of self-confidence and mutual recognition. This is where the “supportive company of the Holy” comes into play. A true council of the 'Pure Ones' not only allows each other to excel beyond gravity but supports that excellence whole heartedly; it recognizes each other as an incredible instrument of the Guru's Grace and in doing so inspires an inherent belief in the intuitive visions. This is the supportive process that enables manifestation to take place.
We are that body of visionaries who have been living this vision consistently for all these years. When given the sovereignty and trust of shared support we will truly command and fulfill the words that the Siri Singh Sahib spoke to the Khalsa Council on December 28th 1986, “You will be my replacement after I leave this body.” That replacement is the courage to bring vision to the millions who long for levity in the face of this world's gravity, knowing we have each other standing behind us.
SS Dr. Sat-Kaur Khalsa
By the Siri Singh Sahib’s appointment, I was ordained a Sikh Dharma Minister on June 1st, 1975. I had been in the Dharma since 1973, and was at that time director of the Berkeley ashram, as well as the educational consultant for KRI. I was also Assistant Dean of Students at the University of California, Berkeley and serving on an Interfaith council as a representative of the University. It was a very busy time--little did I know that it was going to get busier!
In December 1991, during Khalsa Council meetings at the Bonaventure Hotel in Florida, my life changed in a moment. I was peacefully meditating in Gurdwara. The Siri Singh Sahib was sitting in the front of the Gurdwara on the opposite side of the room. Suddenly, I felt his penetrating stare. I opened my eyes and he beckoned me to his side. He whispered in my ear, “Are you willing to serve as the Secretary of Religion?” I blinked, paused for a split second, swallowed hard, and from some place deep inside of me said “Yes, sir”. I was in shock. The words were out of my mouth before my mind could interfere. As he made the proclamation, I felt my cells changing. There was a moment of sadness as I realized that my life as I had known it was slipping away. I knew that the Siri Singh Sahib had just changed my destiny. It was overwhelming and humbling. He said to me, “Either live as Secretary of Religion or die as Secretary of Religion”. If there was any doubt in my mind, that statement dispelled it.
Keep in mind that during that time, as now, I was working full-time supporting myself. The Secretary of Religion was a position of seva. I set out to learn what was expected and needed for this enormous job. I met with the Secretary-General, the Bhai Sahiba, and many others including the Siri Singh Sahib, attempting to get a handle on what the job entailed. The Siri Singh Sahib told me that I could define it any way that I chose.
Beginning on that life-changing day in Gurdwara, I held a place in my psyche for the Office of the Secretary of Religion. Three distinct focus areas became clear: 1) to minister to the Ministry so the Ministry could in turn, minister to the Sadh Sangat; 2) to be a liaison between the Office of the Secretary-General and the Office of the Bhai Sahiba; and 3) to help with relationships, marriages, and children within Sikh Dharma. As I worked with the Ministry, it became clear that there was an ever-increasing need for communication among the Ministers globally. The Ministers’ quarterly electronic newsletter was one of the vehicles created to address this need. It was a means to enhance inter-minister communication and a source of information about Sikh Dharma Ministers. We also began a tradition of holding Ministers’ meetings at the solstices. Little by little, these venues are serving to further support and unite the Ministry.
The Siri Singh Sahib once said that I had an Oriental mind. He said that I knew how to serve a position, not a personality. I was blessed with a rare moment years ago. It was during Gurdwara in Espanola, New Mexico, when the Siri Singh Sahib was still coming in person to speak. At the end of the service he came down off the little stage with a big smile on his face. He marched right up to me and said, “I did a good thing the day I made you Secretary of Religion”. I will treasure that moment forever. It is my prayer that I may continue to serve all of you to the best of my ability in the future. Wahe Guru!
Your Secretary of Religion, SS Dr. Sat-Kaur Khalsa
1. How does the Minister's newsletter inform or support your identity as a Minister?
2. Do you have a story of your own about encounters with your radiant presence?
Would you like to share your thoughts with other ministers? You can answer the reflection questions above and send them to the editor at ministers_newsletter@yahoo.com. Your answers will be posted on a new page called Reflection Question Responses, where your peers can read and respond to them.