Winter Solstice Sadhana
December 18-25

The Winter Solstice Sadhana Celebration Experience offers the perfect opportunity to hit the reset button on your life. We come together as a Global Community of Living Yoga to recommit to our priorities: self-knowledge, service, spiritual development, and gratitude. We go beyond our habitual limitations to discover our true identities and to acknowledge that quality in others.

Travels in Russia and Ukraine
Tour: September 28 - October 29, 2010
By Mukta Kaur

In December 1990 Yogi Bhajan visited Moscow and I had the privilege of going with him on the trip. In fact, I remember a very tender story I'd like to share with you today. It depicts the hospitality, generosity and spirit of the people of the land.

One afternoon, our host had misplaced the house key where Yogiji was staying. So, there he was sitting on the steps outside in the cold. Waiting patiently and calmly, we couldn't forget that it was December!!! Not knowing any Russian, we knocked on a stranger's door and motioned if we could come in. Nyet!!! Oh dear, what to do???!! 

We then went to another stranger's door and asked if we could please come in. Not knowing a word of English, the woman swung open the door and motioned for all 12 of us to enter. Her husband looking very surprised rose from his seat and offered it to Yogi Bhajan.  continue here >

This Month's Unsung Hero is:

So have you ever thought who takes care of an emergency plumbing problem at the ashram, or who you call when the doorknob breaks on the Gurdwara door, or who you ask when you need someone to make an announcement at langar?  Yes, it's the same fellow who has been serving this sangat as Mukhia Jethadar, a title bestowed on him by the Siri Singh Sahib more than 20 years ago, Amrit Singh.

When Amrit arrived here from Massachusetts in 1980 he began working with Tyaga Singh and Ravi Har Singh of Khalsa Builders.  After many years of working with Khalsa Builders he set out on his own as a building contractor. Now for the last five years he's been working with Akal Security.

His real love is sculpting and painting and much of his work can be seen around the ashram and in the studio he shares with his wife, Nirbhe, adjacent to their home.  He is also a doting uncle to his three nieces; Uttam, Sat Kartar and Nam Sahai Kaur.

What we like most about Amrit is his unbelievable keep up nature, his booming voice that commands attention and his strength and humility in serving this sangat and the Siri Guru Granth without hesitation.  Thank you, Amrit, for showing us what "strong as steel, steady as stone" really means.  We appreciate you! 

Featured Community Member is: Japa Kaur

Japa Kaur is this month's featured community member.  She has a fun and playful spirit and is a very active and devoted member of our community.

Dr. Japa is a Board certified and licensed Doctor of Oriental Medicine. She started her family practice in Espanola in 2003 and practices out of Espanola Advanced Center for Healing (EACH).  She is one of the few Doctor's of Oriental Medicine in New Mexico licensed for Expanded Prescriptive Authority which allows her to do Trigger point injections with vitamins and homeopathics.  Her practice includes acupucture and Chinese herbs.

She is extremely active in teaching Kundalini yoga and as part of the Aquarian Academy just finished serving as a teacher's assistant in a Teacher's Training - Level One course.  Her enthusiasm for sharing her knowledge has also led her to teach at the Southwest Acupuncture School in Santa Fe and an online course at the Depaul University in Chicago.  She also teaches a weekly yoga class at EACH. Last week she returned from a teaching engagement in San Deigo with Herbalist Karta Purkh Singh.

So it is remarkable that she still finds the time to make prasad every Thursday, lead sadhana and continue to serve as a Rotary Club member participating in service projects for the Espanola community. I think it must just be her love of life and serving others.  So we say to Japa Kaur, don't ever lose your fun and loving spirit! 

Uruguay and the 8th Lord of Miracles Tour in Honor of Guru Ram Das
December 1, 2010 by Ram Das Singh Khalsa ~ rds@khalsatrading.com

Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, is a jewel that sits on the confluence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Rio de La Plata. It is a city the shines bright against the deep blue waters as it meanders through the coast line creating a series of bays and harbors. It is the only country in South America that has neither indigenous population nor remnants of its indigenous roots. Montevideo is an eclectic city that could pass for any European city. It has broad avenues, unique boutiques and restaurants and lots of wonderful monuments depicting its history. The Uruguayans themselves are bright, mannerful and full of life.  Continued here >

Computer Corner

Your Favorite Computer Program Just Sold You Out For $1.00
By Guruka Singh

When I work on Sangat members computers, I almost always see several spurious programs installed that are of no use. When I say, "Do you actually use this program?" they almost invariably say, "What is that? I didn't install that." These sneaky programs are used to upsell you into buying some vendor's software or else to track your Web browsing habits and cull information to sell to marketers.

They usually take the form of browser "toolbars" such as the Ask toolbar, the Bing toolbar, the Google toolbar or the Yahoo toolbar, but there are lots of other programs that are not toolbars that serve the same purpose.

This is a relatively new business model being used by some software developers. I feel that it is, at best, anti-consumer and, at worse, unethical. Essentially, you download a program you want and then during the installation, it tricks you into installing additional and unwanted software along with the program you intended to install. You have all seen it. The often pre-checked box that will automatically install any number of unwanted programs such as the ubiquitous Ask.com toolbar along with the program you are installing. This is called "bundling."

read entire article >

Notes from the Editor

November was a month of a personal challenge for myself, having to go through another surgery, but was also a time to be ever so grateful for the blessings of a wonderful sangat and family that came forward to help me in so many ways. A hugh thank you for all your prayers and service to me while I have been recovering.

Although I missed being present at the sangat Thanksgiving dinner I had the good luck of a special delivery of some of the delicious food which I thoroughly enjoyed.  I heard the langar hall was beautifully decorated, and there was lots of delicious food and pies, and that so many attended that everyone barely fit.  Sounds like this might be our annual fare for Thanksgiving. Guru Tera Kaur graciously sent me pictures of the occassion to share with you.  A big "thank you" goes out to the Gurubachans, Matamander Singh, Kartika Kaur, Guruprakash Kaur and all the unnamed sevadars who made this event a success.

So even though it may seem that recovering from surgery might be a hugh let down, I have had some very pleasant discoveries during my recovery period.  I discovered the Black Mesa Hair Salon next door to the Red Door Coffee Shop.  It is run by a very sweet young woman, Nina.  I would recommend her for anyone wanting a little pampering because not only does she do hair but she is fully equipped to do manicures and pedicures as well.  She can be reached at 505-367-0843 or 505-440-0383. 

Another day I was gifted with a facial treatment by Jot Kaur.  She is now giving treatments out of a lovely studio on Dr. Siri Atma's property.  Her facial was so refreshing and relaxing.  She uses the best smelling products and steaming hot towels which sooth and cleanse the skin.  She is well versed in the use of ayurvedic essestial oils and picks products best suited for your dosha type. My facial included two cleanses with a gentle aloe based cleanser, followed by the application of chamomile oil around the eyes.  Then she applied an exfoliation cream that purifies and detoxifies and a gotu kola indian asparugus mask that steams for several minutes under hot towels. The facial finished with a moisturizer and a full face neck and shoulder massage with gota kola lotus oil and a subtle massage of marma points on the face. Heavenly! To make an appt. call 505-901-1927 or email: onceuponajot@yahoo.com 

Beet Millet Pancakes  

A Yogi Bhajan recipe modified by Guru Meher Kaur, Jr.

1 cup millet

3 cups water 

3 red beets, cooked and peeled

1/2 cup besan (garbanzo) flour
ghee or vegetable oil, as needed
garlic powder

onion powder

chili powder

salt

Directions
Bring water to a boil and add the millet. Lower heat, cover and cook for 25-35 minutes until completely soft. Using the grating attachment in a food processor, grate the beets. Mix the grated beets with the millet in a mixing bowl.  Depending on the size of the beets, you may not want to add all of the millet. You want about equal parts beets to millet. Add enough besan flour to the mixture until it is stiff enough to form into patties.  Add spices to taste.  Coat a small saute pan with a little oil and put it over medium heat. Place the patties in the pan and cook until browned on each side. Continue with the remaining mixture. Arrange the patties on a serving platter and serve immediately with sour cream or yogurt.