Posted by Hari Jiwan Khalsa on May 13, 2013 0 Comments
Yogi Bhajan, Which Song: “Crying Time, or” “Party Time”
Sat Nam Dear Family,
The Master would be asked to meet all sorts of people. They
would come for appointments or we’d meet them for lunch; we’d visit their homes
and go to their parties. Such was the occasion in September of 1978. I picked
the Master up at 6:00 in the evening.
We were alone in the car leaving the driveway when one of
his secretaries came rushing up. “Do you know how to get to this address on
Stanley Avenue,” she inquired as she shoved the address in my hand. I assured
her I did and off we went.
A woman in her mid thirties who had been spending a lot of
time with us had invited us to a party at her house. She had our acquaintance
through being friendly with someone on the staff. She was a vivacious woman who
worked in the industry (that’s Hollywood jargon for the entertainment
industry). Her friends and associates were the young “yuppie” types of the late
1970’s. This was just too good of an invitation to pass up.
As we entered the party I quickly looked for a seat and view
of the environment for the Master to enjoy. The party was crowded and spilled
to the outside patio. As if arranged on key, the best seat in the house was
being vacated simultaneously as we arrived. He was to sit there and hold court.
I was to negotiate the room and bring him people to interact with and, at the
same time, always keep an eye on him to make sure he was taken care of. It was
entertainment; it was teaching; it was educational; it was another experience.
It was worthwhile. He enjoyed himself at times like these.
I came to know that our hostess had cancer and was having
great difficulty in understanding the apparent injustice of her circumstances.
On one occasion, he gently said to her, “your cancer is from your anger. Defeat
your anger and you’ll defeat cancer.” After at first being taken aback, she
said, “I’ll take a look at that.” “You
do that darling,” he said sweetly, “and the quicker the better.”
That was it. I didn’t see her for several months, maybe even
six months, but when I saw her again she looked terrible. She was dying. I was
then privy to an intimate conversation when one soul touches another.
As we were seated next to her bed, she turned directly to
the Master and said, “You know sir, when you told me to look at my anger, the
first thing I did was get angry. Then I started to look at it. I’ve spent the
past six months doing nothing else. You were so right,” she continued, “My
anger is my problem. I say that because I, now, must always be on guard.
Because of you, I now know why I’m here and what duty I must perform. When you
said to me, ‘defeat your anger and you’ll defeat your cancer,’ I literally had
no idea of what you were talking. I have worked to overcome my anger. While I
can’t judge how much is left, this much I know. I have conquered my anger to
such a degree that I no longer have any problem with death. I even, in an
exhilarating way, look forward to it.
I’ve done what you requested and what I needed to do. I am confident of where I’m going. I know I
was sent here to deal with my anger issue; God had to give me cancer to
recognize this; I was so stubborn that , thank God, He had to send me to you to
remind me and tell me directly what I must do. I cannot thank you enough. How
can I express the gratitude I hold for the wisdom you shared? I can’t, but you know
it. I love you so much. I have defeated
my cancer as you have set me free.”
“You did it darling, I was just the messenger,” the Master
replied. We all smiled and left in peace. Another mission accomplished.
Stay tuned,
M.S.S. Hari Jiwan Singh Khalsa
Chief of Protocol
Sikh Dharma
Read More
Posted by Hari Jiwan Khalsa on May 13, 2013 0 Comments
Yogi Bhajan, Flexibility Leads to Nobility
Sat Nam Dear Family,
In India, the Rotary Club is a big deal. The most respected
and prosperous businessmen are members. I drove and joined the Siri Singh Sahib
to my first Rotary Club lunch in 1976. It was at the Century Plaza Hotel in
Century City. Coincidently, several years later the Khalsa Council meetings
were held in the same room for many years. Then again, we know it’s no
coincidence.
As a sidebar, The Rotary Club was then an all men’s
gathering. The Siri Singh Sahib was usually driven by one of his secretaries.
Unfortunately, (or fortunately for me) “she” couldn’t accompany him. I was the
new kid on the block and was available. Through good fortune, I was asked to
drive and accompany the Master. That’s how it all began.
I enjoyed the event. After lunch, a speaker stepped forward.
The speakers were always interesting. After all, this is the L.A. market where
“high powered” business is conducted. We sat at a table with other members and
the Master interacted in the most interesting way. He created relationships, he
learned a different perspective on Americans, and he made himself known in the
most positive manner. The monthly visits to the Rotary Club lunch were always
something to look forward to. There was,
however, one thing I didn’t immediately understand.
Before the invited speaker began, the current chairman
stepped forward and, for a few minutes, presented updates on upcoming luncheons
and spoke of other relevant issues. And, here was the crazy part. Occasionally,
people would yell out something to harass the chairman, all in good fun. But,
still, it was different. And, here’s the funniest part, the Master would chime
right in. And, I might add, even more than others. I didn’t know whether to be
embarrassed or shocked! Is this how a spiritual master is supposed to act?
Thank God I made the right decision. I decided not to judge
his actions (at least I knew this much), rather, I would try to figure out what
he was doing. What did it mean? Why did he act this way? I decided to “go with
the flow.” I remembered that from the old hippy days (even though I wasn’t
one). Well, the only difference was that now he was the flow – again, thank
God. After that first lunch I could see the respect he was given by others and
I knew that there was no need for embarrassment or shock. Well, one issue down,
but, what about the other, the meaning of his actions? That was easy. He acted
in reflection of his environment so others much different than he would also
have something in common and could, thus, relate to him. They did. He was “one
of the good old boys” at these luncheons. His flexibility in stretching to meet
this environment was the meaning and was a great lesson I still practice today.
He gave me an opportunity to make life fun, a game. Rather
than judge him, I had to figure out what he was thinking and doing. I found it
easier to get to the game level by just not judging him at all. It’s easier
than picking out parts to judge. So, I just didn’t judge at all. That put me
right into the game level of figuring out the puzzle. And, here’s the best
part, just when I knew that I’d figured out his actions in a given situation,
another deeper meaning would come my way which made me feel like a complete
idiot for believing what I thought I knew. What a lesson. I’ll just stick with
the instructions of my teacher and my Guru and keep away from following my own
way of thinking. Enjoy the game, but stick with the program!
And, here’s even a better part, he taught me this lesson
“right off the bat.” This is why we had lots of fun. We were actually the
perfect couple: I didn’t judge him and he showed me a grand time!
Stay tuned,
M.S.S. Hari Jiwan Singh Khalsa
Chief of Protocol
Sikh Dharma
Read More
Posted by Hari Jiwan Khalsa on May 13, 2013 0 Comments
Sat Nam Dear Family
It was February, 1993 when the plane touched down in Hong
Kong. We were the guests of a gentleman who was, and still is very wealthy and
well respected in the Hong Kong community. He and his brother own and operate a
5 star hotel chain throughout Asia. His home was a mansion: his bedroom walls
strung with millions of pearls; each family member had his/her own floor (yes,
floor, not just room or suite); there was a staff of servants and cooks
downstairs standing by for your call as to what you’d like to eat or any other
request; this was the real deal, this is how today’s aristocracy lives.
Needless to say, we were entertained as royalty. Just to
give you an example of how the Siri Singh Sahib was respected, a new wing to
the mansion was built only for him and his staff’s housing. They were still
completing it when we arrived.
Our host is from an area in northern India and Pakistan
called Sind. From my observation, this is what I know about Sindis. They
worship Guru Nanak. They don’t really follow the succession of Guru’s except
they do worship the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. There was a special room on top of
the mansion built as a Gurdwara with the Guru sitting reverently in the center.
It was always pleasant going to this room when we’d first arrive as it was kept
in a high vibration.
Sindis, like many other paths, have the tradition of
giving. In fact, the brother of our host had recently given millions of dollars
to a well respected Swami in America to build a yoga/Hindu community in
Virginia. Our host was a billionaire, and he was also a giving man (dispelling
the rumor that all corporate men are only self serving). He was an Indian
gentleman in all sense of the word. The Siri Singh Sahib liked him (see picture
of our host and magnificent breakfast presentation).
Back home things were tight. The businesses were expanding,
but cash flow was always an issue. Things were good, but pressure was always
there. Those days I would have loved for that pressure to be eased, but the
challenges seemed never ending. Then something happened which could have
changed everything.
The day after arriving and still riddled with jetlag, the
Siri Singh Sahib asked me to escort him to our host’s private office. We walked
by the dining area into a private section with guards and all. The office was
beautiful with a grand desk and two couches facing one another. Our host was
waiting on one of the couches and, seeing us, stood in respect and requested
for us to join him on the facing couch. After a few pleasantries, our host pulled
from his pocket a folded piece of paper. The communication was in Punjabi or
some derivation which I didn’t understand. The Siri Singh Sahib looked at me
and said, “Son, please get that for me.” I got up and walked to the other
couch, retrieved the paper and handed it to the Master.
As I was handing it to him, I couldn’t help see what it
was. It was a cashier’s check for one million dollars. I thought we had met
John Beresford Tipton, the benefactor of the 1950’s T.V. show, the Millionaire.
And, this was when a million dollars was a MILLION dollars. He looked at the
check (I can still see him doing it), looked up at me and said, “Son, please
return this with my most sincere thanks.” I guess if anyone was looking at me
they would have seen my chin almost flop to the floor. I did as he requested
thinking to myself: Wow, just Wow! Who turns down a million dollar gift
especially when you can really use it? He did and I felt great about it!
Here he was again living the Guru’s teachings. He was
“keeping it real, man.” He didn’t let circumstances dictate or affect his
consciousness. He put his faith only in himself, his Guru, and his God. He
wanted his students to deliver the results, and he wouldn’t allow any influence
outside of his consciousness and the Guru’s instructions. He didn’t look to
eliminate pressure; he lived to overcome it through faith. He was going to
cover, carry, and contain all which fell under his duty. He was “The Man.”
Here I was a spectator- and student- to great virtue being displayed, the
kind you read about in books. I write these stories to let the world know what
I experienced as to who he truly was. That’s my duty.
Stay tuned,
M.S.S. Hari Jiwan Singh Khalsa,
Chief of Protocol
Sikh Dharma
Yogi Bhajan, Flexibility Leads to Nobility
Read More
Posted by Hari Jiwan Khalsa on May 13, 2013 0 Comments
Yogi Bhajan, Semen Differently
Sat Nam Dear Family,
I first started driving the Master in 1976. By the next year
I felt comfortable enough to be somewhat intimate. On one such occasion, I
asked a question which everyone would want to hear the answer to. Let me share
the communication.
It was a time so elementary in our history that I was the
only one in the car with the Master. It was a different era. We were driving to
a meeting with a gentleman who was the head of a spiritual community and was
now in trouble and asked the Siri Singh Sahib to help. Believe it or not, this
was a periodic duty and always interesting. For instance, the meetings usually
took place at the other teacher’s establishment so as to not create any
confusion as to who was visiting whom.
But, that’s another story. So, off we went to Santa Monica.
On the way and after
much thought, I finally turned to the Master and asked, “Sir, may I ask you a
personal question?” “Sure,” was his sing song response. “Well,” I continued
rather sheepishly, “How do you stay celibate? I mean. what thought process do
you use?” Please remember, this was
before I was married. He answered, “I have a responsibility to myself, my
family, my students, my Guru, and my God to do my duty and maintain the
integrity so no incrimination is valid.
In addition, I take great honor in that everyone wants me and I’m not
available.”
That was a satisfying answer, but it seemed that there was
more to the story. I found out a few years later there was, much more.
In 1983 I was attending his twice weekly class in L.A. on a
warm August evening when a whole new perspective came into focus. Again, just
one short phrase spun my reality into his. Somewhere in the middle of his
lecture he said, “Your semen is your creativity, use it as you may.”
I’d heard this yogic aphorism many times and had adopted it
as mine as well. But, now, his words tingled in my being. The awareness of the
implication was staggering. My perception of what he said starts with the
immediate awareness that his original answer was meant for me at that time and
space so that I could move on and that the real reason for remaining celibate
was far more challenging. Wow, what a teacher.
And, what is this “creativity” that takes the place of good
old fashion sex? It turns out that this elevated form of creativity is not
about being a better painter; rather, it’s about becoming the painter of your
life. It’s the ultimate experience of having the creativity to know what to do,
and how to do it, at all times. This intuitive knowledge backed up by deductive
reasoning makes a person “healthy, wealthy, and wise.” In other words, the more
you experience this consciousness, the more above the mundane world you stand.
I knew that’s what I wanted.
The further implication was that you can use your semen
inside or outside, that’s your choice. There’s no judgment attached. What is
attached is the awareness that, at some point, keeping your semen under control
allows you to keep your mind lubricated with the elixir of creativity. The more
you experience this creativity, the more you realize that the sacrifice of some
temporal pleasure is necessary in order to propagate your perpetual creativity.
Here’s the good part, this sacrifice is no longer painful as you just can’t
wait to understand and experience your creativity more and more.
And, here’s the big implication: This is what I will
eventually have to do. Well, I thought, take it slow and get yourself prepared.
And here’s the fantastic part, the Master taught it all
perfectly by only using his intuition. He didn’t have to go to the trouble of
planning teaching experiences; his life was a setup for this duty.
I watched his
intuition exercised with many over the years, so, now, when I’m the object of
his current focus, I had no trouble seeing and accepting what was expected. I
looked forward to it, only, not starting today! Well, the longer you wait, the
longer you wait.
Stay tuned,
M.S.S. Hari Jiwan Singh Khalsa,
Chief of Protocol
Sikh Dharma
Read More
Posted by Hari Jiwan Khalsa on May 13, 2013 0 Comments
Yogi Bhajan, Where did the gram go?
Sat Nam Dear Family,
It was August 1988. Twenty or so members of the L.A. Sangat piled
into many cars as we caravanned to Santa Barbara, CA. It was just a two hour
drive up the coast, and a magnificent drive at that. It was going to be a fun
outing; beautiful drive, sun, beach, golf, swimming, what’s not to look forward
to? A doctor in our community was attending a convention in Santa Barbara and
we came along. I’m not sure why but, the Siri Singh Sahib had some important
reason in mind, but I didn’t bother to care as it would just interfere with the
fun.
We all stayed at the Fess Parker Resort and Hotel which is
located right on the beach. Fess Parker, I remember thinking, wasn’t he Daniel
Boone in the T.V. series? He was. Well, that didn’t make me feel any better
about the hotel. After all, I’d prefer a professional hotelier, not an actor
from Texas with a degree in frontiersmen-ship. Anyway, it was what it was and I
wasn’t going to let anything interfere with my enjoyment. I apologize to Mr.
Parker. His hotel was very nice and much better than expected, a good start to
the merriment. Thank you Mr. Parker.
The days were free and most went to the beach. I chose the
adjoining golf course. I don’t remember with whom I played but there was
usually another golfer in the group. Courses like these which overlook the
Pacific Ocean are especially beautiful and extra fun to play. I was walking back to the hotel from the
clubhouse when I noticed another gentleman walking beside me. He said, “How are
you.” “Great,” I responded automatically, raising my eyes towards his in a
mannerful mode. Oh, I thought to myself, it’s Billy Graham, the world’s most
famous living Christian preacher, in fact, the spiritual advisor to the last
five Presidents!
We talked for several minutes as we walked back. I acted at
my best. He asked about who I was and was gracious in hearing my response. We
talked about golf and how he “used to be” a 2 handicapper (that’s a very good
golfer). We talked about why he was here and other nonsense. As we climbed the
stairs to the lobby, we said pleasant and graceful goodbyes with blessings
thrown in for good measure.
I went directly to the Master’s suite. “I’ve been waiting
for you. Where have you been,” he queried. “I’ve been playing golf,” I
answered. “Oh, that’s O.K., he said. He always encouraged good, clean fun,
thank God. “The course was crowded and I teed off later than expected. Guess
who I ran into on the way back from the course,” I said, “Billy Graham,” I
concluded so as not to appear to be asking such a stupid question. “Oh, why
didn’t you bring him here?” the Master requested. Another one liner from the
Master which stopped me in my tracks. I was painfully embarrassed at my
self-centeredness and ill manners. I must have looked stunned, yes, why didn’t
I bring him over. I didn’t even think of it. I know how much he likes to meet
with people of this stature. And here’s the worst part, all I could think about
was myself, and, stupidly, I actually feel good about me.
I rushed out to retrieve Reverend Graham. It was too late. I
had missed this opportunity to serve and please my Teacher and my
consciousness.
I remember thinking, “Boy, I’ve got a long way to go, but
I’ll keep up.” How lucky was I to have a teacher who would put up with such
senselessness, especially from one on whom he depended. I promised myself to
never do it again. And, I didn’t, of course, until the next blunder which I
didn’t see coming. At least I didn’t repeat the same mistake.
That’s the process of teaching and learning. It’s both
painful and joyful at the same time. Rather than be devastated by each painful
wrong turn, I became joyful and grateful for the experience and awareness that
life gets better with these positive changes. I learned to skip the painful
part and go right to the joy as the process was going to continue whether or
not I liked it. Why not! Nothing was going to change the past. If I’m going to
do this, I may as find a way to enjoy it. Thankfully, I did and I do.
Stay tuned,
M.S.S. Hari Jiwan Singh Khalsa
Chief of Protocol
Sikh Dharma
Read More
Posted by Guru Darbar Khalsa on May 13, 2013 0 Comments
Yogi Bhajan, When Weddings
are more than Marriages
Sat Nam Dear Family,
My parents had a winter home
in Palm Springs, CA, an hour and a half drive from L.A. I spent many glorious winters on the golf
course there before becoming a Sikh. On March 16, 1978 the Siri Singh Sahib
married my wife and me at the Ashram in L.A. My parents came in from Palm
Springs to attend the wedding. I had sort of forced the Siri Singh Sahib to
perform our wedding as by this time he had more or less retired from this job.
Although he was typically not critical of me, he took this opportunity to get
even with me and let me have it… all of it I might add. A transcript of our
wedding can be found in the book, “Marriage on the Spiritual Path,” by Shakti
Parwha Kaur Khalsa.
After the ceremony, I
escorted my parents to the rear of the ashram where the Siri Singh Sahib was
waiting in his living room. As we entered, my father rushed toward the chair
where the Master was seated, extended his hand, and exclaimed, “I want to meet
the best salesman in the world. Anyone who can get my son to look and act like
he does has to be the best salesman in the world.” They both laughed, albeit
somewhat forced by the Master as both knew the joke was, “kidding on the
square.” My parents and I settled in on the couch opposite him. There were a
few minutes of introductory talk when my father asked a question which all
parents with kids in 3HO wanted to ask, “How come my son listens to you now and
not to me anymore?”
The answer is still a marvel
to me; it shocked me, it shocked my father, and it foretold of things to come.
The Master paused for just a moment, then raised his eyes to meet my father’s
and said with his glaring stare, “Because I don’t tell him what to do and I
have great patience.” My father was speechless for one of the few times in his
life. As time went on, The Siri Singh Sahib and my father became friends and
visited one another occasionally. This question was never asked again.
The Master’s answer has
always amazed me. How did he know how to deal with me so adroitly? How did he
have the patience to deal with me through all the times I didn’t listen to him?
He was golden and prepared on both accounts. He had, and has great patience. He
knew that my nature was to be creative in getting out of requests, not
following them. In addition, he also knew that I’m the toughest judge of me and
if he just left me alone and just focused me in the right direction, I would judge
myself rather than avoid myself. The Master kept up in focusing and waiting.
What a great teacher I had.
This taught me one aspect of being a teacher which I’ve carried forward: You
can make someone discipline themselves, but that’s only training (and that’s
good). The process of elevation is truly a self-initiated process, and one must
be motivated by him/herself only. As a teacher, it’s always better to let
things be, rather than to force an issue.
Everyone advances at their own level, so it’s best not to
judge, including ourselves. Just keep up.
Stay tuned,
M.S.S. Hari Jiwan Singh Khalsa
Chief of Protocol
Sikh Dharma of the West
Read More
Posted by Hari Jiwan Khalsa on May 13, 2013 0 Comments
Yogi Bhajan, Hole in the Head
Jerry’s shop was much bigger
than it appeared. Behind the showroom was a private negotiation room with a
couch, table and a chair or two. Behind this room was a large fully equipped
kitchen where we enjoyed many delicious Armenian meals.
On a gorgeous spring
afternoon in 1989 the Siri Singh Sahib was viewing a special Cartier broach and
chain when he received a call from one of his secretaries. “Bring him right
over,” I could hear him say as he handed the phone back to me. This was
somewhat unusual as he kept his counseling private.
An old time student arrived
twenty minutes later. He was from out of town and had a flight to catch so
meeting with the Master was now or never. I had known this gentleman for over a
decade. He was a respected member of our Dharma was known for his sincerity,
discipline, and devotion. As he entered the shop, the Siri Singh Sahib motioned
for me and him to go to the private room.
He led the way and settled down on the couch. We joined him. Jerry made sure that we were not disturbed.
After a few pleasantries,
this gentleman began to describe his condition, “Sir,” he began, “I don’t know
what to do. I do sadhana every morning, extra meditations every evening, seva
(selfless service) is my life, I read my banis (prayers) daily, and practice
carrying myself properly. Still, I’m
frustrated. Nothing seems to be working; I don’t seem to be advancing
spiritually. I feel the same as I have
for the last eight years.”
The Master began, “First, I
don’t care about your feelings, why should you? Feelings are for the neophyte,
not the advanced student. You’ve been here too long to relate to your feelings.
Second, I want you to be ‘first rated, not frustrated.’ Your frustration comes
from being raised in the west. Guilt, judgment, doubt, comes with westerners.”
The Master continued by
giving a great example. “Hold your hand
out and close your eyes,” he instructed as the student obeyed. “Now, imagine
that you’re holding a cup and I’m pouring delicious honey milk into it. Can you
imagine that the cup is being filled, can you hear the sound, can you feel the
cup being weighted down, and is your mouth starting to salivate as this is
happening?” “Yes I can,” the student replied.” Open your eyes,” the Master
commanded, “see that there is nothing in the cup because there’s a hole or two
in the bottom.”
“What’s that mean,” I blurted
out. Rather than recriminate me for my indiscretion, he gracefully answered,
“Well, the cup is us. The honey milk is our blessings. We put in so much effort, so much time, and
so much devotion into our duty and, still, our efforts go to waste, or at least
they don’t correspond to our deeds, our aspirations, or desire to be elevated.
This is because we have a hole in our head through which God’s blessings, God’s
grace, our fruits fall. We don’t hold on to our benefits. Our insecurities, or
worthiness factor (or lack thereof), or our attitude doesn’t allow us to hold
on to what we’ve already earned. So, just plug the whole.”
“Well,” the student asked,
“how do I do that?” “Easy,” the Siri Singh Sahib explained, “Every morning as
you bow before your alter, say and embrace the following prayer, ‘Good or bad I
belong to you Guru Ram Das.’ If you truly represent Him, it’s His duty to plug
the holes. Don’t believe me, just do it and see what surrender and obedience
will do.”
I got it. We’re allowed to
feel good about or self, in fact, we’re able to even feel so good about
ourselves were able to be worthy and confident in being the Guru’s servant. I
got it again. I liked that way of thinking. Bye, bye, guilt; bye, bye,
judgment; bye, bye doubt; bye, bye insecurities. Then, I got it more. He was
counseling me as well as this gentleman.
Well, I’m happy to say, we’re
both still here and really enjoying life. Everyone should have a teacher like
ours.
Stay tuned,
M.S.S. Hari Jiwan Singh Khalsa
Chief of
Protocol
Sikh
Dharma
Read More
Posted by Hari Jiwan Khalsa on May 13, 2013 0 Comments
Yogi Bhajan, Dehradun not Brigadoon
Sat N am Dear Family,
It was January, 1994 and we were on our way to India. Our
primary reason for going was so that the Siri Singh Sahib could visit a school
in Dehradun where many of our children were in attendance. This was before our
school in Amritsar was completed. Dehradun is in the Doon Valley surrounded by
the Himalayas not far from the Ganges River about 200 miles north of Delhi.
It’s a beautiful area.
I was accompanied by my two daughters as they were scheduled
to attend the next year. I wanted to give them a “heads up” on what to expect.
It’s an eight hour taxi ride from Delhi to the school. We hired four or so
taxis to take us on our journey. My kids and I were in one taxi as we
caravanned off. It wasn’t long before we were on our own as caravanning in
India for this distance is almost impossible. We all met up with the Siri Singh
Sahib at an American style rest stop called Deer Park (with real deer) a few
hours later. It was great; clean, comfortable, French-fries cooked correctly,
tikis (Indian potato cutlets, yum, it was a potato feast). This was an American
oasis in the middle of nowhere, what a treat.
India is full of colors, smells, and people of all kind. If
you venture outside of the large cites to the “old style life,” you can see
that almost anything goes – there’s no dress code, traffic code, or lifestyle
code. You can see yogis in loincloths, woman working the fields in beautifully
colored dresses, trucks so over loaded with mustard greens your sure they’ll
tip over, dentists with a chair on the side of the road, you name it, if it’s
to be found, it’s probably there.
At this time, the girls were in school in L.A. at Berkeley
Hall, a Christian Science school located on Mulholland Drive at the high point
of the city. Berkeley Hall is a very good, if not conservative, school which
had just recently been opened to non Christian Science students. The girls
loved it. It was the quintessential L.A. private school.
Upon our return, my youngest daughter, Sarab Shakti Kaur who
was eight years old, was asked to give a report to her class on her experience
in India. She did. Everything was going along fine when she blurted out that as
we were traveling through a village on the way to Dehradun, she saw a naked
Sadhu (spiritual man), casually walking down the main street. At this point her
teacher interrupted in astonishment, “My, my,” she exclaimed, “did you tell
your father.” “Oh”, Sarab Shakti confirmed, “he’s the one who pointed him out
to me.”
Stay tuned,
M.S.S. Hari Jiwan Singh Khalas
Chief of
Protocol
Sikh
Dharma
Read More
Posted by Hari Jiwan Khalsa on May 13, 2013 0 Comments
Yogi Bhajan, Chief of What?
Sat Nam Dear Family,
It was warm late afternoon in December of 1976. The Siri
Singh Sahib called me over to the Ashram in L.A. “Hari Jiwan,” he said, “You’re now the Chief
of Protocol. “ “Thank you, Sir,” I said, “what does that mean?” “You’ll figure it
out” he continued.
I wasn’t much into titles, but he was and this was the first
one he gave me. India is a country of titles. Back then, India was pretty much
a closed society. Very few had a lot of money and there was a relatively small
middle class. So, if you didn’t have much money, a title would provide the
necessary status. This custom translated well to our community as, back then,
we didn’t have much money and the titles provided recognized status to Indians
and gave us something to grow into.
There was no internet in those days, so I had to go to the
library to read up on what a Chief of Protocol’s duties were. Great, I thought
after reading up on the position, this was a duty of high importance. Little
did I know, that’s not how it was going to be. It turned out that my duty was to
pick up, house, and care for whomever and whatever came to town. That wasn’t
the duty I read about, but that’s how it was. I would get calls at all hours of
the day (many at midnight as these were the less expensive flights) to pick up
someone at the airport. I don’t mean to complain about having to crawl out of
bed to do my duty as many who served the Siri Singh Sahib had more difficult
duties to perform. It just wasn’t what I thought it would be: Plan and execute
a program for visiting leaders, accompany the Siri Singh Sahib on all official
visits, act as the Siri Singh Sahib’s personal representative and liaison, etc.
The Siri Singh Sahib would meet with guests, other teachers
and students daily. I was usually sitting at his side. As students would arrive,
they would usually bring gifts for him which is the requisite custom. As the
sessions began, eventually, most students would speak and act inappropriately
in his presence. I felt it was my duty as Chief of Protocol to speak up and let
them know how to address and respect a spiritual master. What a mistake that
was. Invariably, he would tell me to “Shut up!”
As the Master, he wanted to know the problem and not be limited by
protocol.
For the last 35 years I’ve never fully understood exactly
what my duties entailed.
Recently, I was having lunch with a beloved and devoted
sister in divine. As usually, we talked of many things. And, also, as usual,
the conversation came around to the Siri Singh Sahib. We discussed the
necessity of keeping the image, personality, and intimacy of the Master alive.
She casually mentioned, “That’s the job of the Chief of Protocol.” Wow, she was
right on. That was and is my duty. It’s not how one starts or progresses, it’s
how one finishes that matters. Thank God I now know my duty, better late than
never.
Thank you, Siri Hari Kaur.
Stay tuned,
M.S.S. Hari Jiwan Singh Khalsa
Chief of Protocol
Read More
Posted by Hari Jiwan Khalsa on May 13, 2013 0 Comments
Yogi Bhajan, God’s Mark or Man’s Shark
Sat Nam Dear Family,
There were many holy men, teachers, supposed teachers, and
outright charlatans who came to America a generation or so ago, some were even
homegrown. Most were known to us as we were very open and welcomed all. It was
most entertaining. I saw swamis in saffron robes and yogis in loincloths;
saints in all kinds of dress and sinners with no dress; Lamas of high repute
and priests in all forms of morality. I saw a myriad of the world’s offerings of
the many kinds of teachers, preachers, and holy men.
Some were humble and some were obnoxious. Some were reverent
and some were critical. Some were guests to experience and some were guests to
be housed and feed for free until their next journey.
I always wondered, is there a way to know who’s real, who’s
not, and where in the middle do most of them lie, what’s their spiritual
status? How does one know which one to listen to more? So, guess what, I asked
the Master. His answer rings as true today as it did thirty five years ago. His
answer was right to the point if not what I expected.
“Hari Jiwan,” he said, “none of that matters. If you have
God’s mark on your forehead, you’ll make it, if not, you may still make it but
the journey gets much harder and with fewer results.” Well, that was all great
and good, but what if I were in the “no mark” category. How do I cover this
possibility? I said, “Yea, but we all pick our teacher, after all, I picked you
after reading your lectures.” “Calm down,” he said, “you’re O.K.” Well, that
made me feel better, but I still wanted to know how to avoid being fooled.
Thankfully, he continued, “There’s no such thing as blind
faith. If you’re blind, you’re blind and there cannot be the necessary faith.
If some people aren’t blind, they should follow a two step process in selecting
a spiritual teacher: investigation and intuition. Investigation should lead to
a deep rooted time honored tradition that reveres the source of creation from
which many great people have come and taught. When this is established, then,
use your intuition to determine if the teacher or teaching is leading you
toward merger with this source. There’s no need in discussing techniques, we
know of plenty.”
“Wow,” I thought to myself, “It really is that easy.”
Stay tuned,
M.S.S. Hari Jiwan Singh Khalsa
Chief of Protocol
Read More