Satkirin Kaur Khalsa
The land famous for it coffee beans, shimmering Emeralds the color of the rich green mountainsides, Gold, and poppies, as well as pre-Columbian Artifacts, we reached our last stop.
All the hours of waiting for flights, arguing about overweight baggage, waiting lines, airport taxes, new currency, spilled juice cups, searches for bottled water,
more security searches, and explanations about who we are, we finally arrive in Bogata, Columbia, soon to be completed in our last city of South America.
Stories of the instability of the Government had us wondering what kind of reception we would find. After stepping off the airplane from Brazil we are waiting in a very long and slow moving immigration check line. To our surprise, a lovely young woman dressed all in white, with a turban and flowing chuni and Adi Shakti escorted by the immigration police greets us with folded hands and a warm "SatNam"! Her name is Ana Lucia and she magically leads us through the long waiting line through the airport check and out to the group of Yoga Students and Teachers waiting with warm hugs and greetings. As in many of the countries we have visited, the faces of our hosts are new but very loving and ready to help in every way.
This being our 8th country in one month and our 13th City we are weary but ready for this short visit to our most mysterious stop. Counting our baggage and exchanging our Brazilian and Argentinean currency for Columbian Pesos, we pile into the waiting vans and drive through this rural looking city to our hotel. A few of the greeters, we find, are actually armed security guards who accompany us at all times.
Bogata is a city very scenically placed in a valley and nestled into the foothills of a beautiful green mountain range. It was reminiscent of La Paz, and similar elevation to New Mexico which is 7,000 feet above sea level. The center city area is looking like India or Mexico but with Military Police in 'Camo Fatuges' and rifles positioned at every corner. We wish not to speak of Politics but of the glory and love of our Guru. We wish only to see the miracles of Guru Ram Das manifesting here.
Next Day we have little time for sightseeing before our classes. Here is a country where Kundalini Yoga is new by only 2 years. Yet a group of 6+Yoga Teachers
host us at a lunch a few even wearing turbans.
Being Friday, I am expecting a small class for "Experiencing the Power of Mantra and Shabd". However, the classes are held at the Convention Center.
Entering the Hall of our class I see a huge mural of the Golden Temple (Darbar Sahib) and Guru Ram Das covering the wall of the stage. It was massive, brilliantly lit and ever so beautiful a greeting to all of us. The next surprise is the 35 policemen present along with the similar number of regularly dressed attendees. The Police a here not to give security but to attend the class. I instruct the group of young uniformed police fully attired with "arms" to at least remove their shoes so we could begin our class. Midway through the class ALL the students are chanting "Wahe Guru" being led through a guided meditation of the "Nectar Tank" and experiencing the cleansing power of "Ram Das Sarovar Naatay Sahb utaaray Paap kamaatay....." "By bathing in the tank of Ram Das all sins and errors are washed off..." By the end of class the elevation of the room was palpable as the questions came pouring in about the powerful and new experience had by so many. What a fitting mural to be broadcasted as the backdrop of the stage.
After a short break, Singh Sahib Guru Bachan Singh walks in his tall manner and elegant robes, a shining radiance of Guru Ram Das. In his very pleasant and relaxed manner he teaches a very entertaining class. Taking us through ease in the meditation of Guru Ram Das. Speaking of his very loving realizations and contrasts of the external life and the internal truths of a life of Spiritual consciousness through challenging and expansive tunes of Ra Ma Da Sa......., "Guru Guru Wahe Guru....." and "Chattara Chakkara Varatee....." The class ending joyously expressing the love of the Naam while dancing Bangra. My favorite remembrance is the sight of the Policemen dancing in line as all the class danced to the strains of the Dhol in joy and gratitude for this life of guidance and devotion to God and Guru.
Until after midnight Guru Bachan Singh and Kaur and the rest of us are greeting and counseling the students and teachers at the hotel. A late night before an early departure. The next morning at 6 am once again we are juggling our luggage and instruments and camera's and baby carriage (for 2 1/2 year old Amar Singh), posing for our last " group snap" before we go our separate ways. Flying back home from South America on the wings of an airplane with the loving vision of Guru Ram Das JI escorting us 9 sevaks home from South America. All was done in the memory and inspiration of Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Yogi Ji. Our beloved Guru Nanak through Guru Gobind Singh Ji guide us to the spirit and service established by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who's travels were never financed by anyone but himself. We continue the mission in gratitude for this gift.
Add SikhNet news to your website
Recent News
