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12/13/2007

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Peru was our final destination on our Tour. The capitol, Lima, sits on the ocean. It is a location that reminds you a lot of the Santa Monica/Malibu area – high bluffs overlooking the ocean with fog in the morning but without ever getting rain. In fact, it never rains in Lima. Anything green in Lima is from city water trucks that go around the city watering the parks from huge truck hoses. In ancient times, Lima was a huge northern city of the Incas and pre-Incas so all throughout the city you see the remains of many Incan ruins. The Peruvians are a very beautiful mixture of indigenous peoples with some Spanish influence. They are very beautiful, graceful and hospitable. Their cuisine is one of the most exotic in the world where they utilize a lot of the local desert and high altitude plants such as yucca and choclo [corn]. In fact, corn and potatoes originally come from South America. Their food is highly respected, delicious and special. Peruvian music is Andean – flute and string instruments from the high mountains. It is sweet, soft and elevating – like the altitude. It is very beautiful to witness how the Sikh way of life is permeating every level of Peruvian society. In fact, when you look at the pictures you will see that there is no segment of Peru that has been left out of this process.

One of the most exciting seva programs in South America is the refuge house for abused woman that we participate in and support. Every week Kundalini Yoga Classes filled with simran, bhangara and music are taught. From the beginning of our participation in the House of Guru Ram Das - Women of Light as it is known, the amount of residential time for the average woman has been reduced from 11 months to 7 months. This house provides refuge for battered women and their children. They eat a healthy diet 3 times per day, learn to sew clothes in their T-Shirt industry, and chant to Guru Ram Das everyday. Every one of their stories is an unmentionable and unthinkable human tragedy yet a miracle of survival that is heart wrenching. In the midst of all of that, you have their practice – Kundalini Yoga. The practice of Kundalini Yoga has given them self esteem, inner strength to match the external stress and a very strong intuitive sense to redirect their lives without the violence that they have been accustomed too. And at the end of their class they chant to Guru Ram Das and dance bhangara for the exercise because they are at risk leaving the refuge. I cannot think of a more beautiful seva or special honor for us in Lima Peru than to protect the sanctity, security and grace of woman and children. You will notice the bright faces and smiles of the children when you see the pictures.

For all of us the 5th Lord of Miracles Tour in Honor of Guru Ram Das has been a great and historical tour and our participation has been a wonderful blessing. We hope that you have enjoyed reading about the tour. One last note, everyone who has participated on any of the Lord of Miracles Tour has done so at their own expense. Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa YogiJi has been the inspiration and visionary who has inspired all of us to take on this great seva. Please enjoy the pictures. They will speak a lot to your heart.

My Blessings to all of you,

S.S. Gurubachan Singh Khalsa





S.S. Gurubachan gives an interview for a national radio station in Peru's capital, Lima.




A most beautiful lunch and meeting was held to welcome us all to Lima, Peru in the house of Livtar Singh




The light and love of Peru personified, after being served Langar by the gracious people of Peru.




We were also served a special Spanish dish "paella" in the museum home of Guru Tera Singh and Guru Tera Kaur.




Bhai Sahiba Bibi Ji Kaur, S.S. Gurubachan Singh Khasa and Ram Das Singh Khalsa share a moment of joy with beautiful company at the house of Guru Tera Singh and Guru Tera Kaur.




At a refuge for women and children the mothers find a place of security and grace in the house of Guru Ram Das for their families.




Two young Yogis praying to Guru Ram Das.




The Lord of Miracles lecture in Lima, Peru.




Beloved Peru in meditation.




A devoted disciple of the Guru who gains both the knowledge of Kundalini Yoga and Siri Guru Granth Sahib, meditates. Can you believe the Guru has reached the hearts of so many Peruvian Nationals?




Guru Tera Kaur (our gracious hostess) with her two young daughters.




A group picture with the women and children of a refuge in Lima where Kundalini Yoga is offered to relieve anxiety and stress from their daily lives.




S.S. Gurubachan Singh Khalsa and Bhai Sahiba Bibi Ji Kaur give a loving embrace to the children of the refuge.

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