Khalsa Council - October 1994
Hari Mander Singh Khalsa
Espanola NM, U.S.A.
Secretary General’s Address
Each Khalsa Council Session is a phenomenon unto itself. The leadership body gathers from all over the world in order to develop and deliver the mission of Sikh Dharma. As Raj Yogis, we are all blessed with a lifestyle that exemplifies leadership and service. As Khalsa Council members, we are responsible for laying the foundation that carries the spirit of this lifestyle to others.
We are in the third segment of our process with the Agenda of Living and Spreading the Teachings. During the first session we formed Strategic Action Teams (S.A.T.’s), which developed mission statements. In the next session the S.A.T.’s created action plans with detailed objectives. This October’s session was about standardizing the delivery of the action plans and developing a tracking system. Each S.A.T. developed differently. As we made strides towards the delivery of the present agenda of Living and Spreading the Teachings, the universe actively amplified our steps. We experienced being asked to stand firm in the purity of our spirit and openly share that spirit and our teachings with the public. We view this window of opportunity as destiny calling us to assume the role we were born to fulfill - to share this technology with those seeking better ways to live in the Aquarian Age. In this spirit we conducted our October 1994 session of the Khalsa Council.
The Siri Singh Sahib
The Siri Singh Sahib assigned the Khalsa Council members the task of writing a booklet, "Purpose, Purity, Piety and Prosperity: A Blueprint For the Khalsa Life," about living the Life of Khalsa, as pure ones, so that the lifestyle can be embraced in any large or small way. It was not written as an authoritative work of intellectualism, but rather a guide of personal inspiration, from the lives of the Khalsa Council members to others. The membership worked in writing teams to complete the assignment. The booklet will be published soon.
Highlights from the Membership
The Bhai Sahiba reported that twelve representatives of Sikh Dharma/3HO set up a booth and participated in the United Nations Conference on World Population in Cairo with 22,000 people in attendance. 3HO is now an affiliated organization of the United Nations as a non-government organization. Sikh Dharma/3HO’s exposure and impact was tremendous. The booth was the most popular event of the conference. Yoga classes were taught twice a day. Daily interviews were given to TV, newspapers and magazines. The Sikh representatives were invited to teach the technology of Kundalini Yoga in many countries. Japji was the first Sikh prayer to be given at the United Nations. The next conference will be in October, 1995, in Beijing, China.
Another upcoming conference "Yoga for Peace" will be held in Israel in January, 1995. Anyone interested in participating in the China or Israel trip please contact the Bhai Sahiba.
Guru Roop Kaur from the Community Development Office reported on the Conference of Granthis and Gurdwara Management of the Western Hemisphere that was held in Washington, DC. A North American Granthi (Parcharik-spreader of the Teachings of the Guru) Association is being developed to provide training and support for all Granthis and North American sangats. An ad hoc committee is also being being developed and will consist of two representatives from each Gurdwara in North America. Its purpose is to create a networking, communication and support system for all Gurdwaras in North America. It was communicated through various means that the strengths the 3HO Sikhs have to offer - organizational structure, technology, methodology and the ability to reach the Sikh youth - are very much in demand. Our ability to effectively share these strengths is dependent upon our depth of purity of living and sharing the rehit of Sikh Dharma.
There was a request from the White House for all Sikhs to get involved in legislation that deals with religious rights acts. It was pointed out that if we don’t get involved, then our Sikh symbols may not be upheld in the United States.
Secretary of State Sat Simran Kaur reported that there has been steady growth of the White Tantric courses in the US, with even better results in Europe. The 1994 European Yoga Festival had 600 participants. We had our first Yoga Camp in Russia in August with 70 participants.
3HO Secretary Nam Kaur reported that the Teachers Association has grown to just under 300 members. The first Teachers Conference was a great success with over 70 in attendance. Significant progress has been made towards the association’s established goals: to develop the database of the teachings and a curriculum for teachers. The estimated cost to update all transcribing and verifying of the SSS teachings from the last 25 years is in the million dollar range, with an average annual cost for keeping the Siri Singh Sahib’s teachings current to just under $17,000 per year.
Chief of Staff Nirinjan Kaur reported on several Dharmic and business projects going on in India. The Siri Singh Sahib has been focusing on programs towards the rebuilding of the Punjab and reestablishing the advancement of the Sikh cause.
Camps Facilitator Hari Simran Kaur reported that KWTC has established a Savings Club. KRI and the camp commissions have been working to design accredited core curriculum based solidly on our teachings.
Daya Singh reported that the Business S.A.T. has decided to produce a series of promotional video tapes in order to increase our customer base for everything we have to offer: products, teachings, and services. (Free coupons for the promotional video could be inserted in some of our products.)
The videos would be topic-specific and would communicate about products (i.e., Ancient Healing Formulas) and healing technologies (i.e., a 3-4 minute yoga experience). An 800 or 900 number would also be given, linking the customer to other product sources, services, teachers and healers within and outside the Sikh community.
These promotional videos would allow us to position ourselves as the resource system for people who are changing their lifestyles.
Guru Chander Singh reminded everyone that the Siri Singh Sahib had asked us all to drop childhood neurosis and do it now. Guru Chander also asked us to do it now, to be ambassadors for the Dharma. It is the 90’s. His role is to be a challenge to our psyches. We can’t have neurotic behavior. Everyone knows that if you don’t do sadhana, you’re neurotic. Giving has got to be as important as sadhana. We have to carry the weight as the Siri Singh Sahib’s emissary, not just in the teachings but by giving to Dasvandh. And it’s our economic responsibility to do it. We’ve been playing with this about twenty five years. It’s time to deliver. Sign up for Dasvandh’s electronic funds transfer now, do your estate planning now, start teaching now, do sadhana now, minister to others now, deliver this Dharma now.
Highlights: Khalsa Council Guests
Through the association of our membership, three guests were invited to participate in the activities of our current agenda of Living and Spreading the Teachings.
Martin Rutte, who teaches Vision Workshops to Fortune 500 companies, led an interactive workshop which focused on delivering the group’s vision.
Bill McBrearty joined us from the ASCE, American Society of Charitable Endowments, to share information of the transference of wealth that is to take place in this country. Bill has been instrumental in expanding and realizing our funding and endowment programs and gifts.
Ray Cooper shared exciting trends and data of the current market and gave a wake up call towards both living and spreading the teachings.
These three guests of the Khalsa Council added new spirit to the agenda.
If you care for more details on the October, 1994, Khalsa Council or would like to get involved, please contact me, Hari Mander Singh, the Khalsa Council Assistant at (505) 753-3117.