October 2008 Newsletter
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SDI Newsletter - October 2008 |
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Sikh Dharma International |
Upcoming Guru Purab Celebrations |
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In this Issue:
Gurpurb Celebrations:
Gurpurb Calendar:
October 9th – Birthday of Guru Ram Das Ji
About Guru Ram Das…. "Guru Amar Das said to him, ‘You are not an orphan. You shall be the savior of orphans. All spiritual orphans shall be saved at your home. Jetha, this world is burning in anger and the mesh of lust. People have left God. They have forgotten the Purkha (God) and the Praakirtee (Creation). They are all orphans. You shall be the savior of all these spiritual orphans. I will marry my daughter to you and you shall be my son-in-law. Therefore, as a custom, I have to respect you.' Guru Amar Das folded his hands, and requested the boy to go and ask his relatives if they could honor him by accepting this relationship. Can you believe from where destiny starts and to where it leads? A miracle happened which never happened before and has never has happened since. Jetha, that little orphan boy, became Guru Ram Das. When God smiles at you, you need not go to God; God comes to you." - Yogi Bhajan. Published in Sikh Dharma Magazine. Vol. III No. 4 Winter 1978 |
Celebrating the Birthday of Guru Ram Das
October 9, 2008
Global Meditation:
For the words to Dhan Dhan Ram Das Guru, click here:
Community: If you don’t have time to join a Sangat (community) you can tune into the LIVE broadcast of 2½ hours of kirtan starting at 4 am, Espanola time (US Mountain Daylight Time), for Guru Ram Das’ Birthday on October 9th. Dhan Dhan Ram Das Guru will resound through the Gurdwara with the Sangat deep in meditation and immersed in Gurbani kirtan and broadcast LIVE. Tune in at http://www.espanolaashram.com/. Look for the evening Gurdwara which will be broadcast LIVE as well. During this sacred time of year, starting 11 days in advance of Guru Ram Das’ birthday, many sangats gather every evening at someone’s home for 31 minutes of singing this beautiful shabd in praise of Guru Ram Das followed by stories of Guru Ram Das or sharing of personal experiences of Guru Ram Das Ji, and then langar. It is an extremely powerful prayer time and the cozy gatherings enrich each one! Wahe Guru! When we meditate on the Shabad, Dhan Dhan Ram Das Guru, we are placing ourselves in the position of witnessing this miracle - of how the hand of the Divine arranged the affairs of a humble, bright and beautiful soul. We are calling on the Subtle and Radiant body of Guru Ram Das to bless us so that we can be part of that miracle. As Guru Ram Das was carried across his karmas to this destiny, so his blessing can touch us and carry us across, as well. This is the power of chanting Dhan Dhan Ram Das Guru. For a brief biography of Guru Ram Das, go here >
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Yogi Bhajan Talks about |
An Inspirational Story from Guruka Singh | |
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To learn about the power and technology of the Shabad Guru, please visit SDI’s on-line Yogi Bhajan Video series: Light of the Shabad Guru. In honor of the 300th Anniversary celebrations, we will be adding one new video a week by Yogi Bhajan on this topic from now until the end of November! October 2008 marks the 300th anniversary of the Guruship bestowed by the 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, to the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Gobind Singh Ji, before he left his body in 1708, declared that Siri Guru Granth Sahib would be the eternal teacher and guide for Sikhs and that they were to listen and seek to understand its words of wisdom for any question, as a daily guidance, or upon any occasion.
The Siri Guru Granth Sahib is a collection of uplifting, inspiring words written by enlightened saints, and a vessel of the sound current – Shabd Guru – the living wisdom within all of us. By listening to or reciting the Shabd Guru, we can experience this sound current we understand that those who wrote these words transcended individual identity and ego. Their words came New Releases!
Here for the first time ever, are his video lectures in broadcast quality, about the power and technology of the Shabad Guru as embodied in the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. This two DVD set includes "Guru Mantra & the Sikh Concept," "Head of a Saint, Heart of a Soldier," and more. Purchase this and other products on Sikh Dharma to deepen the work and experience of your soul and immerse in the Guru's words at our Online Store.
From the ‘Foreword’ by Bhai Sahiba of Sikh Dharma International Bibiji Inderjit Kaur Khalsa: With the passing of the Siri Singh Sahib, we stood at the crossroads. With these Hukams, I have understood the strength with which Guru is blessing us. It is much more than we can even realize... From ‘Dedication to the Future Generations,’ by Siri Sikdar Sahiba of Sikh Dharma International Sardarni Guru Amrit Kaur Khalsa: This commemorative volume was put together in loving memory of our beloved spiritual teacher… and of the 40 Days of his entry into Akal Joti (Undying Light). It is here to give you, the future generations, a sense of the vastness, the glory and the divinity of your Royal Base. As you read it, my prayer is for you to hear the Guru’s guidance always present in our lives and God’s Love awakening your Destiny of Light…
What’s New at SDI
Upcoming focus on Education!
Some leadership shifts in our team here in the office include Amrit Kaur newly managing the SDI Product area. She served previously in an outstanding capacity with sales for Aquarian Times magazine, and continues her very capable work in the Dasvandh area! Former Product manager Dharma Kaur is becoming “Mrs.” Dharma Kaur with upcoming nuptials in November ~ Congratulations! SS Guru Kirin Kaur joins us as SDI’s CFO freeing MSS Hari Dharam Kaur, our SDI Comptroller (SDI Board position) who has spent many seva hours helping with SDI’s Financial Department for which we are so grateful! Hari Dharam Kaur looks forward to reaching out and teaching in the Global Community and will continue on the SDI Board level. She also serves as the Granthi for the Espanola Sangat and is fluent in Spanish and a great resource and inspiration for us all. Guru Kirin Kaur, who will be taking her CPA examination in the spring, comes to us after many years working in the Financial Departments of all the Yogi Bhajan Legacy non-profits and serving with Siri Singh Sahib Ji’s direction all of her business career and continues to do seva with the Siri Sikdar Sahiba’s Office. She is a pioneer of the early India education programs and Miri Piri Academy. Welcome! SS Ravi Har Kaur, the International Khalsa Council Secretary, is moving on to new endeavors in life and we are so grateful for all that she has brought to the KC Office over the past two years. Her organizational skills, financial skills, care for the Khalsa Council membership and steady character are a wonderful asset. This position is open and Ravi Har Kaur will coach the new person coming in. The job posting is located here > SS Ravi Kaur, has been with SDI since the Spring and is now assisting SatSundri Kaur and serving as Assistant Director. She brings her abundant skills and great spirit, and lots of experience. Ravi has been serving in the Dharma under Siri Singh Sahib Ji’s direction, since her teen years in various capacities. She is also a pioneer of the early educational India programs and Miri Piri Academy. AND, Ravi and SatSundri have the same birthday! We think this is VERY interesting! SDI’s 2nd generation Leadership Team within the organization is planning the thrust and goals for the new educational outreach for 2009 – 2011. They are focusing on various organizational challenges and creative solutions to expand the work of SDI. Wahe Guru Community Building at a new Studio in Nevada City
Relics of the Bhudda and Buddhist masters are available for viewing at the newly opened Shuniaa Yoga Studio and Caf&. The rare relics are traveling around the world. Left to right are Dev Dharam Singh Khalsa, Sat Atma Kaur Khalsa and the Venerable Thubten Zugka, of Taiwan. Relics of the Buddha and 37 other Buddhist masters are on display at a new yoga studio, Shuniaa in Nevada City, over the weekend. At first sight, the relics resemble shimmering pearls inside their golden containers; devotees believe they were found in the cremation ashes of the Buddhist masters, produced by them at the time of their death. The relics are being taken around the world and eventually will be kept inside a 500-foot statue of the Maitreya Buddha in northern India. According to Buddhist scriptures, Maitreya will be the next Buddha to bring the teachings of loving kindness to the world. "Maitreya" comes from the Indian word "maitreyi," meaning "harmony." "It's hard to articulate in words (what it means) to have such an amazing blessing come, not only to my studio, but also to Nevada County," said Dev Dharam Singh Khalsa, president and co-founder of Shuniaa, which opened its doors Friday. "We have a lot of people interested in this display. There are representatives of local Buddhists and other communities who will come," Khalsa said. The display began Friday evening and was open to the public from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through the weekend. Carmen Straight is a representative of the Maitreya Project, which is building the Maitreya Buddha statue in India. She tours the world with the relics. "The purpose of the tour is to bring the blessing (of the relics) to communities around the world," Straight said. "Whenever you are in the presence of the relics, you receive blessings from them. People generally have a feeling of peace and well-being." Some of the relics on display come from the personal collection of the Dalai Lama. "Relics are usually housed inside statues," Straight said. "Knowing that a Maitreya Buddha statue will be built, many people have offered the relics of their masters." There is no entry fee to see the display. Shuniaa Yoga Studio and Cafe is at 212 Church St., Nevada City, California, USA. |
In 1992 I learned the true power of “A Dish and a Wish.” I remembered “Do you know why you are afraid? You are afraid when you act. But when you act in the faith of Guru Ram Das as the Sikh of the Guru, then there will be no fear, because Guru shall cover it. Life is no more than a dollar bill. It is the biggest scripture on the Earth... the only currency in the world which says, "In God we Trust." And every Sikh has a dollar bill within himself which says, "In Guru I Live." In all your actions don't think too much. Don't think about commercial things. Don't think about every corner of the psyche. Just think one thing: Whenever you act, act in the Name of the Guru in whom you believe. Don't act yourself. Therefore there shall be no reaction. It is a simple way to feel enlightened. It is a simple way to feel rich. It is a simple way to prosperity. It is a simple way of fulfillment and it is the best public relations for opportunities. Because when one is saintly, one is trustworthy, one is gracious, one is enlightened, one is wise and everybody seeks such a person. That's the life of a Sikh." 300th Anniversary (Saal) of Guru Gaddi This year there will be a massive celebration in Hazur Sahib, India where Guru Gobind Singh installed the Siri Guru Granth Sahib days before his death. Millions of people will descend on this little town in the spirit of honoring the sacred technology of the Shabd Guru. Since the Spring, SDI’s Public Relation’s Team (Ek Ong Kaar Kaur and myself, SatSundri Kaur) have been meeting with the SikhNet Team (Gurumustuk Singh, Gurujot Singh, and Guruka Singh) here in Espanola every week to bring the special jointly sponsored 300th Anniversary (Saal) web section co-hosted between SDI & Sikhnet to the cyber sangat, and to plan for the upcoming Yatra to Hazur Sahib in honor of and to share with you this once in a lifetime event. We hope you’ve gotten a chance to take a read on-line and see if there is something inspiring there for you at www.sikhnet.com/300saal. Stay tuned to the SDI Website and Sikhnet for the event news postings from Nanded, India during the week of October 25th through October 31st, and the celebrations there.
Global News
UK Kirtan Tour
Their dramatic talents solidified as they all joined the children of Terath Singh & Gurdeep Kaur in the filming of Chakeran Da Patisaahia for the Sikhnet Youth Film Festival. You can view this film online at Sikhnet as the Youth Film Festival and judging is all in full swing this month. Their meeting Bhai Mohinder Singh of the Nishkan Sikh Sewak Jatha was a real high moment. What has been done in service for the Sikh community and the world was evidenced in the innovative beauty of the Gurdwara, where an astonishing mosaic glass dome was created by a Muslim artist as seva, and their Civic Center which serves in job placement, community business management and even an onsite health club for the sangat. The Sikh Missionary Society of Southhall has dedicated space for Kundalini Yoga classes. So, once again we see how merged in service the Sangat of Great Britain is. Here they led a healing meditation for world peace and told stories of their experiences with Yogi Bhajan to a varied group of 80 Sikhs and Yogis alike at the Sikh Missionary Society. So many people opened in hospitality to them as they travelled. Balwinder Kaur and her family welcomed back SS Pritpal Singh to London as one of the founders of 3HO/Sikh Dharma in the 1970's in Great Britain. “God bless all the kind people that made this visit such a success. We are very grateful for all your service and driving and hosting and feeding! Wahe Guru is wonderful and shining brightly within you in England.” – SatKirin Kaur Khalsa For more photos, please view SatKirin's newletter here >
The Langar Project – London and more!
I am delighted with the interest in The Langar Project for an article in the Sikh Dharma international Newsletter. It is fantastic, especially if this inspires others to meet with their community through sharing the nurturing and nourishing gift of food.
The Central Gurdwara in Shepherd's Bush, west London, generously provides food from their kitchen, which we either personally serve to residents so we are able to create a Langar experience - or otherwise we package the food into individual containers and drop them into the shelter. Which way depends on what the venue requests and is appropriate. Where we have personally served the food, the organizers have reported back how wonderful the experience was for everyone to eat together, which the residents usually wouldn't have the opportunity to do. Charan Kaur is one of our food delivering food sevadars. Vineet Kaur, who is the person who liaises with the venues, is also training in nutrition, so this is close to her heart. You can view testimonials from community centers, along with photographs, at the weblink here > Two more important things to share are: Every center we speak to wants to participate and receive the gift of langar. There is so much demand but we can't meet it because we don't have enough volunteers, so any opportunity to create awareness of the project is really valuable. People don't have to commit to any length of time, they can just offer to come and help once - or whenever they have time. We are expanding the project so that it happens across the UK, not just in London. Currently we have volunteers in Birmingham and are locating a food supplier. Thank you for supporting the Langar Project! With love and service, Angad Kaur
The first Gurdwara in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
We decorated it nicely; ramaalaas (beautiful fabric pieces to cover the Guru) were brought from far off; and in February 2008 we installed our beloved Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and held our first ceremony. We were supported by SS Pritpal Kaur and her husband, SS Pritpal Singh, both from Espanola, as visiting teachers and SD Ministers. We did not really know if our ceremony would be properly understood by everyone. Our region was invaded by Portuguese at the same time Guru Teg Bahadur initiated his ministry, and since then the Catholic Church marked very strong the culture over here. Our neighborhood is called Saint Benedict, and we are just close enough to hear the beautiful bells of the Monastery. But we knew everyone partaking in the activities of all our 23 Kundalini Yoga Centers in the city had a loud inner call to experience the sacred words of the Guru, independently of any stories their mind would tell them. We also knew that once we experience the Shabd Guru, then the mind calms down and wisdom of the soul egresses. It was just amazing the way the Sangat received and benefited from the Gurdwara. In our monthly ceremony we have a growing number of participants. The smallest sangat we ever had was 58 people. Our room has become already small for our function, so we had to install the Siri Guru Granth Sahib in the other yoga hall. Not only adults come to Gurdwara, but youngsters and children. Our future is been nurtured in the laps of our dedication and efforts. Wahe Guru!
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Guru Ram Das began his life as a humble orphan named Jetha. He used to sell wheat berries in the street near the home of the third Sikh Master, Guru Amar Das. One day, Guru Amar Das called the boy into see him. He saw the spirit of Jetha, his Light, his humility, service and love. 
CD - Healing the Wounds of Love" with Meraa Man Lochai as a meditation 
Akal Dayal – A Book of Hukams (readings from the Siri Guru Granth Sahib) 
Photo for the Nevada City Union by John Hart; Article by Soumitro Sen.
that the Siri Singh Sahib had said to cook a dish “with your own hands” from scratch and I spent several hours doing just that and brought it to the Gurdwara and presented it with my $11 and my prayer to Guru Ram Das. The Siri Singh Sahib had just told us to move to New Mexico immediately, and my prayer was very simple: “Guru Ram Das Ji, let our house in California sell quickly so we can get a place in Española. “ That’s it. As usual with a dish-and-a-wish Gurdwara, it was after 10 PM when we got back to the house. There was one message on the answering machine and it was our friend in California. The message said, “You just had a full-price offer on your house. They don’t want to negotiate, they just want the house.” There has never been a single wish-and-a-dish when my prayer was not answered. Never... Not once. I understood very clearly: do it correctly with full devotion and piety and let it go. It will be taken care of perfectly.
Ek Ong Kaar Kaur and myself will be blessed to be amongst the millions attending this auspicious event. For a comprehensive look at this auspicious anniversary, please visit 
Directly after Spain it was onward to Great Britain for the remaining 10 days of August. SatKirin Kaur was joined by her husband, Siri Vishnu Singh, as well as Pritpal Singh of Espanola and Jai Satya Kaur of Toronto Canada who merged into the AMRIT BANI KIRTAN JATHA for their first Gurdwara Kirtan tour of Great Britain. Besides doing kirtan with the enthusiastic Sangats of Leeds, Derby and Blackwell, Birmingham, London, Southall, they brought Gurbani and Kundalini Yoga to Off The Tracks Festival, reminiscent of Woodstock of 1969.
The program is coordinated through 
That moment was very special for our sangat. All of sudden, it seemed that the time was right, and the space for the Gurdwara would be a consequence of that frequency. The time is now, we said. One of our teachers came forward and built, in a finger snap(!), a small room for the Gurdwara. It opened to the yoga hall where the sangat would sit and listen to divine songs and be inspired to be real, to experience freedom and God in the most unique form - a wave, a sacred sound, vast and infinite. 
Our sevadars are so committed and the langar team is an inspiration for everyone. They created the Golden Circle of Culinary and prepare langar and serve it in all other functions we have around the city. They are infusing the spirit of free kitchen and sattvic food in the culture of the city. The musicians are also so dedicated to learn and perform Kirtan. We sent one of them to Amritsar to study and since his return we have strongly promoted the study of Gurmukhi and Gurbani as shown in the picture in our first Gurmukhi class. We are so blessed. With folded hands we thank God, Guru and the prayers of those who paved the road to this unique journey towards Divinity. Wahe Guru Ji ka Khalsa, Wahe Guru Ji ki Fateh!