Yogi Bhajan Lecture Archive
Lecture by :
Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogi Ji
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Lecture on: 09/11/2001
Category: Gurdwara
Location: Espanola, NM
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Public

911

You must have watched the tragedy, right? So it came true, that it is only one thought which makes an enemy. It is the thought of animosity against the openness of the United States. We do not know how many people have died, but actually the heading on TV that “America Is Under Attack” was correct. This is first time in the world that civilians have been attacked. Every rule has been broken. They have attacked our symbol of trade; they have attacked our symbol of strength. Had that other plane not fallen apart, they would have attacked the White House too. So, there is no might, there is no superpower. A handful of people, when they put their lives at stake, they can do all this. It is not surprising what reaction there will be tomorrow. I personally feel that the world at large, does not understand America or Americans. With grit and a consolidated strength when we wake up, there will be a very severe tragedy which the people who have done this will face.

It is true that we have a collective responsibility. That is why Nanak gave credit to sangat. We are one, we will suffer as one, and we’ll also act as one. All these people who have died did not have even a thought. Their only crime was they were Americans. Do you understand? And it was a well-planned attack. Hijacking our own civilian planes, full of gasoline to fly long distances, got diverted into terrorist acts. Now you figure it out. When I’m crying that the Age of Aquarius is coming and this is a period of insanity in between, do you believe it? No, you don’t. And see what has happened. Many more things are expected. It’s a tragedy which we have to face. Tomorrow, when they will count everything, it will be a bigger tragedy than it is today. What we have, what we can offer, is one minute of prayer in our silence, with our heads bowed to the Almighty, seeking His protection with kindness and compassion, for those left behind. Seeking healing energy for those who are injured. Let us pray from our hearts unto God Almighty.

Thank you. We know America will react. Let there be no doubt about it. But our prayer is, let America react systematically. It is natural that the language which terrorists understand is not the language of a civilized person. Now you understand what happened in the Punjab? There was a paid terrorism. And when people used to ask me, why didn’t I say so? I didn’t declare anything because at that time it was a paid movement. There are a lot of things I know better than you. It has taken me many years to learn to play dumb, and I do it very well, “What do we know? What do I know?” But we know. Intelligence reports are very accurate. But there should be patience, though America was very patient so far. They knew all this, but they never knew that four planes would be hijacked. Our planes, our flights. Now do you understand security, how important security is?

They took all those flights which had maximum gasoline in them so they could do what they set out to do. Attacking the Pentagon is nothing, but it is the symbol of the strength of our army. Blowing up the World Trade Towers was nothing; it was just to let us know that we are open to danger. Now it is up to us, not to react, but to root it out. By filling a cavity of a tooth, temporary pain will go, but the danger shall still be there. Sometimes it is better to root out the tooth. That is the way America will go. In World War II, it was Japan who attacked Pearl Harbor, right? (Audience: Yes, sir.) We could have pocketed it, but we didn’t. That’s what I’m trying to tell you, it’s the faculty of every American to pocket a lot of things until it goes overboard. Then they pocket nothing. Pearl Harbor brought World War II, it made us participate. Our whole lifestyle changed. We were never the same again, and we are not going to be the same ever again. Similarly this attack has done it. This attack is going to change our lifestyle.

America will never be the same again. You will have to go two hours earlier to the airport, at least. Things will look rough. But where the policy in the domestic world will be changed, and everything within the domestic policy will be searched out, similarly in the foreign world, everything will be changed in that way. That is what religion is all about. Search your inside. Give yourself a chance; eliminate your fantasies, and your imaginations. Don’t live in a dream world. Things can happen, and that is what has happened. When the Trade Center was attacked a couple of years ago, there was not much damage, but then, the method was not very sophisticated. So they have been planning. Remember, enemies do plan all the time. You have to defend a thousand times because the enemy only wants one chance. Which they got today. Now, it is up to the nation to respond. If America does not respond, this kind of thing will be repeated again. It’s very fortunate that the whole country is not divided at all. It’s very unfortunate for those people who have done this because everything has been glued together. America will act with one voice, with one determination, and with one strength, which is humongous. This is called “wrong calculated act.” Those who have done it, they have been very successful, but the spirit of America does not lie in those towers, and that wing of the Pentagon. Those are symbols which have been disturbed. Now is the time for our reaction.

This is where the concept of saint and soldier comes in handy. Now do you understand? People used to say “What do we have to be soldiers for?” We have to be soldiers for this insanity. And we have to be saints for this kind of insanity. What was laid down by Guru Gobind Singh was not a joke. All he said is that there can be a possibility where you have to defend yourself and you must, do so in a very saintly, firm way. I am not criticizing anybody, but there are a lot of religions who say if somebody hits your left cheek, turn your right cheek, and get another hit on it. And I used to say, if somebody hits your left cheek, hit his right cheek so hard that there should be no cheek. Otherwise, some other poor fellow will get it.

We must have a planned spiritual strength. It is called “applied spiritual strength.” And now you have to give up your “etcetera, etcetera, etcetera” activities. Time is on us, and we are walking into that time where we have to relate to both our inner and outer strength. I understand you’ll be hearing in the next few days a lot of talk about it, but I can assure you, from the information we have, they are planning quite a big number. Don’t get into your hippie mode. They’ll put you behind bars and you will never be heard from again. Some of us have long tongues and big egos and I don’t know where they come from. Everything is on a candid camera. Every word said will be heard. TV cameras were at the Albuquerque ashram. They were questioning us. So I’d like you to be very cautious.

Learn in sympathy that life is a commanded sense of coordination, cooperation, and projection. You have to survive as an individual, and you have to survive as a collective individual. So when you do not find the cohesiveness, exclusiveness, and strength within yourself, you can’t survive. These circumstances which we are going to face will show us that the world really has changed. You can learn it the hard way, or you can learn it the collective way. It is all up to us, whether we can have peace of mind and live collectively to face the tragedy, or if we will be shattered individuals. My feeling is that, it’s a very condemnable act—this act is no good. When you leave tomorrow for your offices, sit down and talk with your colleagues, keep your spirit high, and be effective. At this time, with the sorrow, there is a great anger. Throughout the world, there is a frustration. This act has triggered that frustration. And sometimes, in our naiveté, we start saying things which are not responsible. Please avoid such discussion. That will be of no benefit to you and may put you in jeopardy.

This whole thing has hurt every American. Whether we like it or not, there shall be a reaction. Don’t become a victim to that reaction. It has to happen. The world shall act insane. There’s no sanity in what has happened. No one among you could have believed that this would happen. Still it has happened. You understand what I am saying? Achinte baaj pae.* We have been attacked personally, collectively, and nationally, for no known reason. We should send healing energy to those who are still in pain like a fish being fried. We should show our oneness of heart. Let us fold our hands and close our eyes.

Put on that tape “Ra Ma Da Sa Sa Se So Hung.”

One act I want - very sincere, very devout, and solid.

<Meditation begins in full voice, singing along with tape. After sometime, Yogi Bhajan instructs, “Whisper!” After a while longer, he instructs, “In silence.”

Inhale deeply. Give this breath to those who need it. Exhale. Let us sing “God Bless America” together. (Audience: Sings “God Bless America.”) We owe our thoughts to the land we live in. Many times we may have conceptual differences, but when the time comes, we must stay together. This is not a small tragedy that a bunch of terrorists can attack a superpower in such a way and plan it to the extent that there is no second to it. If the state we live in has been attacked, it could cause world annihilation. Sometimes you don’t have any understanding of who you are. I feel the time has come when you must trust that the insanity is just around the corner and we have to act right: fearlessly, while staying alert. We have to face the terrorist enemy. All this talk of peace (and Islam is a peaceful thing) all this is just to put salt in your eyes. It is not true. Whenever they get a chance, they will make a hole in your most powerful ship in Yemen. They’ll blow up your barracks. They believe today in violence. And this propaganda which you hear, “There is One God and we are one in the Name of One God” and all that, is just to keep you pacified and give you a lollypop.

Please write letters to your Senators. Ask them to act to root out how this cowardly act was possible, and prove it to us as voters. The pressure from your side will make them answerable. And nobody should be a coward and not write a letter. Send a letter stating your feelings. We are District 3 in Congress. You know who is our congressman?

Audience: Tom Udall.

The one who used to play with us, right? He is no foreigner to us so therefore you should write a letter to him. And who is our Senator, do you know?

Audience: Jeff Bingaman.

And do not forget to send a copy to Pete Domenici. Alright? And do me a favor. Each one of you should write a letter to the President. This time they need help. It is a test of the will of the people. Don’t hesitate.

May the Long Time Sun … Guru Meher’s birthday is today. Happy Birthday to you. We’ll not forget this birthday. This is a birthday which has created a history. I was talking to Ranbir, my oldest son, and I said, “What you have done today on your birthday?” he said, “Well, I am watching the same TV you are watching.” There’s no surprise that events can take place beyond human imagination.

So some volunteers will serve you cookies, and Guru Meher Kaur is going to be blessed anyway. Get some volunteers. Thank you. Bless you. We have missals, and we have jethadars of the missals, so every individual has to write an individual letter, not collectively, but if somebody does need guidance people will be available for that.

<END>

*Siri Guru Granth Sahib, Baba Farid:

Kel Krende haryh no Achinte baaj pae

To the playing swan, Hawk attacked suddenly.


© 2001 The Teachings of Yogi Bhajan

Above Article Copyright © Yogi Bhajan 2002. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.



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