Guru Ram Das Library 
By Guru Simran Kaur

In the later part of the 90's the Siri Singh Sahib requested us to create a Sikh Dharma library here in Espanola in conjunction with the Guru Ram Das Institute for Language and Culture. Dr. Balkar was given the directive by the Siri Singh Sahib, while he was on break in India, to purchase appropriate books for the library. After they were purchased, they were shipped to Siri Singh Sahib's house in Delhi where they remained waiting to be shipped to Espanola. However the basement got flooded and many books were lost.

 
The books that were salvaged were finally shipped to America. While the Siri Singh Sahib and his staff were in India, I received a phone call at the Ranch from the US customs. They had been leaving numerous messages for his staff regarding the delivery of the books and nobody had responded. I was told that if they did receive the money owed for import fees by the end of the week, they would destroy the books. So I called and arranged for payment and got the books delivered to Espanola.

Once the books arrived they were stored at the Gold House where Dr. Balkar would be living. However because he also needed to use the Gold House rooms as his classroom, we were asked to remove them before he returned to teach.

As the Guru was making it evident that this whole project was now my baby, I was told to find an other place for these books. The mobile buildings directly across from the Gold House that had formerly been used for 3HO business and now a storage facility for old desks, etc., would become a temporary home for these books.

 
When I started opening the boxes, I unfortunately found some books were in bad condition with mold growing on them and had to thrown them out. I started to get the old furniture removed, found old book shelves, had them painted, collected other second hand furniture and put the place together as a library.  I organized the books by language, English and Punjabi. Karamjeet Kaur helped greatly with the organization by writing the Punjabi titles in Roman letters in each book and putting them in the proper categories. Dr. Balkar felt the most important focus of the library should be the learning of Punjabi, so he bought all kinds of stuff, even books on engineering, law, physical training etc., in Punjabi.

 
The library officially opened with the blessings of Bibiji, Dr. Balkar and Guru Amrit Kaur. The Siri Singh Sahib was happy with our work and was told he wanted all the books that he authored should be be part of the library collection. Ancient Healing Ways got on it and sent all the books of his they had in stock. 

However, I felt the library wasn't easily accessible by the sangat so when Property Management told me the library had to move, it was a blessing in disguise.  The library was moved to a pefect location in a room above the Langar Hall just in time for the Masters Touch course in August 2010. Many students ended up making good use of our facility and came upstairs to borrow books for their study.

The library is now open for all ashram members, so please stop by and see what we have available for you to read and borrow. We have many 3HO, KRI, Sikh Dharma, and English/Punjabi resources. Currently the library is open during Thursday langar from 12:30-1:30 pm and by request.

Contact Guru Simran Kaur (custodian) for info and access 753-5809.  Since our library exists solely by the generous donations of the sangat, any monetary or book contribution is greatly appreciated. Many blessings to all who donate.

This Month's UnSung Heros

Sat Bachan Kaur and Hari Jiwan Singh
 

Hardly a day goes by in our community when this couple is not involved in some form of seva serving the sangat.  You will see Sat Bachan, in her very unassuming way, taking care of so many details for the Gurdwara, from waving the chorhi sahib over the Siri Guru Granth to overseeing the purchasing of the new automatic curtain that covers the Guru's cove.  For so many years she has overseen Ishnaan Seva and continues to be an active member of the Gurdwara COV. 

Hari Jiwan Singh can be seen at every langar and taking great pleasure in serving chapatis or hot sauce while greeting each sangat member with an enthusiastic smile and merry quip.  Loving to engage in debate he will challenge you on any topic you care to discuss as well as make you laugh at his quick wit. Having served the Siri Singh Sahib for many years, Hari Jiwan has many stories, which he has been sharing recently, that portray some of the incredible adventures he shared with our beloved teacher.

Generosity is an easy part of their life as a couple, always opening their home to the sangat for meditations, parties and activites serving the community.  Also, having run Nine Treasures for over 15 years, they have been a source of beautiful Sikh jewelry for many.

We thank you both, for your humble and generous service to our sangat and wish you many blessings in 2011.

Hearts and Hands
By Sat Darshan Kaur  

Hearts and Hands is one of the Corps of Volunteers groups (COVs) at Hacienda de Guru Ram Das. It was started in the tradition of service when a small group of people recognized a need in the community. Someone had fallen and was unable to get around, and this group of friends organized food, doctors visits, transportation, and other help that was needed. When others in the Sangat found themselves in similar situations, Hearts and Hands was there to help. Hearts and Hands motto is "You have to live with kindness, compassion and service. These are the three sources of all knowledge, happiness, prosperity and richness", which are the wise words of Siri Singh Sahib Ji.

Hearts and Hands has been involved in a variety of different projects and seva such as cooking and delivering soup when someone is ill, arranging transportation after surgery, cooking and arranging meals for post surgery healing, cleaning and remodeling projects at the Trio Montessori School and sangat members homes, hosting a sangat picnic, daily support for those with chronic health conditions, making home cooked meals for new parents during their 40 days, and so on.

Hearts and Hands is excited to announce that we are organizing a benefit workshop in honor of our beautiful sister Nav Jiwan Kaur! All proceeds will assist Nav Jiwan Kaur in maintaining her health and healing program. The benefit workshop is called Family Constellations as taught by Bert Hellinger: A highly effective way of healing with long-term and often life-changing results.

The Family Constellations workshop will take place on Saturday March 19, 9:00am to 4:00 pm in the Guru Amar Das Langar Hall. Hargopal Kaur of Los Angeles, is kindly facilitating the workshop and will also offer private sessions as a part of the benefit. Private sessions will be available on Friday, March 18th and Sunday, March 20th in Family Constellations, Sat Nam Rasayan, Energy Clearing for your home, and Spatial Arrangement for Prosperity. The Family Constellations workshop is $125 if pre-registered by March 4th; $140 after March 4th. Please contact us at HeartsandHandsNM@gmail.com for more information about the workshop or private sessions.

Hearts and Hands is also hosting a cozy informational get-together so that you can learn more about Family Constellations! Please join us on Sunday, February 13th at 2:00pm at the home of Kulwant Kaur. Tea and cookies will be served by the fireplace while we listen to inspiring and transformational experiences with Family Constellations. Ask questions or just listen to stories!

Hearts and Hands is privileged to serve the sangat and we look forward to hearing from you! Please contact us if you would like to participate in seva and lend a hand, request help or make a tax-deductible donation. Thank you!

In Love & Gratitude,
Hearts & Hands ~ Kulwant Kaur, Sangeet Kaur, Sat Kartar Kaur, Hari Charn Kaur, Sat Sangeet Kaur, Upma Kaur, Darshan Kaur & Sat Darshan Kaur
www.heartsandhandsnm.com    HeartsandHandsNM@gmail.com  

Computer Corner

Tweet Tweet!
12 Reasons to Start Using Twitter
By Guruka Singh
  

If you are wondering why in the world you should consider it, well here are twelve reasons to get started:

1. It will enable you to experience social networking first-hand. One of my pet peeves is people who pontificate on new technologies but have never actually used them. This is particularly annoying-but common-among CEOs. Real users can always tell the difference. There is no substitute for personal experience.
2. It will make you a better writer. Twitter only allows you to post 140 characters at a time. As a result, you are forced to be concise. In my opinion, this is one of the hallmarks of good writing. Short messages. Short paragraphs. Short sentences.
3. It will help you stay connected to people you care about. This is one of the few technologies I've found that actually contributes to community-building. In today's busy world, it's difficult to keep up with others. Twitter makes it easy-and fun. read more >

Now Is the Time

The Siri Singh Sahib could take more on than any man I have ever known. He could pocket treachery, deny slander, rebuke idleness, sustain delivery, and I've just begun to scratch the surface of his virtues. Yes, he was a man, but a man with an instant transmission. If calamity befell him, he was always at his calmest. He dealt with people equally; he taught openly; he gave freely; he demanded sincerity. He was more than I thought. He was the real deal beyond my thought.

As time passes, sometimes our minds forget the incredible gift he left in our care. This Dharma was him, and he was this Dharma. If you remember and love him, it follows, you must love this Dharma, care for this Dharma, protect this Dharma as he did. It's not a matter of politics; it's a matter of reality. It was the Siri Singh Sahib's duty and now it's ours. Our prayer should be that we take it on selflessly as he did and give ourselves the opportunity to perform as he would want.

Sometimes people ask me if I regret anything. My answer is always the same. Siri Singh Sahib Ji would say, "if you like where you're at, there is no reason to regret or apologize for anything. For, everything you've done, good or bad, has brought you here." 

I must admit, I still harbor one regret. And, when I think about it, I used to do it a lot, but I wish I would have done it even more. I miss telling the Siri Singh Sahib how grateful I was and how great he was. He was a humble man and really didn't take compliments well as he always felt there was more to be grateful for. Nevertheless, when done properly, respectfully, reverently, honestly, and humbly he really appreciated the acknowledgement of who he was. It's the highest gift you can give your teacher because it reflects his good duty and that is most satisfying. I miss this shared experience.

Yogi Tea Recipe
 The best version I know of!
By Dev Suroop Kaur