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August 2010
Conquering Death
Words of Wisdom from the Siri Singh Sahib
Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji
Excerpt from a lecture on April 24, 1991

Siri Singh SahibVirtues are virtues and wishes are wishes. Every human being wants more virtues, and wishes for much more than virtues. The question is: how to have it. You can go to a restaurant and have a thirty-six course meal and enjoy your evening. That is possible. The question is - can your stomach take it or not? The question is not how you live - you have the right to live as you want. The question is: are you living within your understanding of who you are? The question is not whether you are virtuous or wishful. The question is: have you understood your commitment and the depth of your commitment?

A full life is when a person has his commitment and an understanding of his commitment, and even death cannot change it. Guru Nanak had a commitment - death couldn't change it. Jesus Christ had a commitment - death couldn't change it. Moses had a commitment. For forty years he carried the Commandments through the desert. No change. When someone has spiritual ecstasy and elevation -forget about temptation- even death can't change him. Then such a man creates a legacy. Then man dies and legacy lives. This is the only beauty granted to a human being.

Between a person and God there are two paths. The path of fate and the path of destiny. Those who create a distance from their destiny shall fall into the path of fate. When you walk on the path of fate, you may feel very happy and egomaniac, but when death comes, you will be lost again. When you walk on the path of destiny, it doesn't matter what distance you cover, when the fatal blow of death comes, you shall be liberated. The is the difference.

All the chanting, the religious rituals and the religious ceremonies we do are for that last moment: "Was I true to my dharma, or was I not?" because right before death, there are moments when the trinity of you, your destiny and your fate are judged. It is your decision. Nobody else can do it.

It is the distinct nature of the soul that it comes on the earth to deliver you forever by merging in the Creator. We call it God. There is a price. That price to pay is the science of Dharma: the teachings, dictate and art of living given in whichever Dharma it is that you follow. You can change to any religion, to any form and shape. But what matters is whether you have understood reality or not. You are a human. Have you understood what "human" means? That matters. Whether you are a good person, a bad person, a rich person, poor person, religious person or a fake - doesn't mean a thing.
Anand Sahib Weekend Intensive in Toronto
Anand Sahib course participants
Anand Sahib weekend in Toronto

During the weekend of July 16-18, the community in Toronto, Ontario, Canada hosted a special intensive course on Guru Amar Das's Anand Sahib.

The weekend focused on how to use the Anand Sahib to re-parent and mature your own mind using the life lessons contained within it. Combining Guru Amar Das's wisdom with the humanology teachings of the Siri Singh Sahib, the course provided a powerful, healing experience for the participants.

Ek Ong Kaar Kaur Khalsa (third from left) facilitated the class. Special thanks to Nirmal Singh (bottom right) for all his hard work in organizing the course.

If you or someone in your community has hosted a Sikh Dharma-related course or event, tell us about it! Send a photo and a description to [email protected], and we will include it in our next e-news.
3 Great Courses on the Technology of Sikh Dharma
A few ministers have taken the initiative to organize classes for you to experience more about Sikh Dharma. We are grateful to share this information with you. We hope you will take advantage of the wonderful teachers and opportunities out there.
 
Learn to Read Gurmukhi and Recite Japji Sahib
 
Learn to read Gurmukhi from the comfort of your own home! One hour per week teleclass for six weeks plus a 40-day, 11 minute commitment to study, and VOILA! You'll be able to read and write your favorite mantras, and will be on your way to learning Japji Sahib.

Class times and dates: 8 pm EST: Every Tuesday, Aug. 3 - Sept. 7.


Cost: $92 if paid by July 15th; $108 thereafter.

Contact Siri Sevak Kaur to register and for any questions: [email protected].


Journey Into the Heart of Sikh Dharma
Sat Nam,
Guru Nanak
We'd like to recommend an exciting telecourse coming up in the fall called  "Journey into the Heart of Sikh Dharma."

In this small group telecourse, now in its tenth year, you will be guided by a facilitator, Mata Mandir Kaur, and joined by expert teachers in many areas of the Dharma. The focus will be to discover, deepen, and nurture your own experience of Sikh lifestyle and Sikh consciousness. This course serves those with all levels of interest and experience in the Sikh lifestyle. Together we bring our questions, our experiences and our open journeys to form a virtual sangat.  The course runs from mid-September to mid-April.

For more information, visit www.journeyintotheheartofsikhdharma.org or email [email protected].

Bhai Kultar Singh in Espanola, NM
Classes in Gurbani Kirtan and Raag Sangeet with Bhai Kultar Singh ji

BHai Kultar Singh

The Sikh community in Espanola is honored to host Bhai Kultar Singh, son of the late
world-renowned Bhai Avtar Singh. Gurbani Kirtan as played and taught by Bhai Kultar Singh comes from the melodies, style and structure of ancient times. His family Sikh
heritage dates back to the 15th century with Guru Amar Das ji in Goindwal, and these compositions have been preserved since that time.

August 31-September 4, 2010
Haceidna de Guru Ram Das Ashram in Espanola, NM

All Sessions: $400
Evening Sessions Only: $250

For more information and to register contact Dev Suroop Kaur at [email protected].



 
Many blessings to you.

Sikh Dharma International
1-A Ram Das Guru Place
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 629-4718
[email protected]

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