 Baisakhi in Los Angeles  |
Baisakhi in Los Angeles
Dr. SS Hari Bhajan Singh Khalsa
Executive Secretary
Guru Ram Das Ashram Community
Los Angeles, California
Last year as I drove on the Interstate 10 freeway from home early Baisakhi morning, the sun was rising, creating a colorful tapestry of gold and red across the awakening sky. I hoped that all of the hours spent the day before decorating the massive Convention Center room for Baisakhi Gurdwara would be enough to represent the glory of the Guru and the spirit of Baisakhi. Driving over miles of concrete, asphalt, and through the intense sleeping giant that is Los Angeles, I hoped that the glowing spark of energy of so many who had served would radiate warmth and love on those brothers and sisters gathered here from all over the world to wash the clutter of business, travel and the city from their tired souls.
Exiting the freeway onto the damaged city streets, passing closed businesses, and sleeping homeless people, I prayed that after the past months of sweat, toil and intensity of living in the nineties, my brothers and sisters could experience a moment of joy, peace, and freedom as they entered this Baisakhi Gurdwara. I prayed that just for a moment the Golden Light would fill their eyes, and their hearts would feel the real presence of our loving Guru. I prayed that the flowers and decorations in that giant room would fill them with wonder and transform them to a timeless, eternal, healing space.
I parked in the cavernous underbelly of the Convention Center and walked through the darkness. The immensity of the place and the cool, quiet of the spring morning gave me a flash of expansive amazement. It was a flash of realization and wonder about my minuscule speck of life, moving through the vast, endless galaxies and space, up the escalator and down the huge hallway to the Gurdwara room. This tiny speck of life lost in maya and illusion, was walking on in hope and expectancy of finding fulfillment, peace, and answers.
I arrived at Room 403, the Gurdwara at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Was the magic I had felt after leaving late the night before still present? I unlocked the door and stepped into the darkness. The light switches of the giant room were on the left of the door. As I pushed the main light switch, the room exploded in light. Up on the stage, in the middle of the back wall, a Golden Light radiated from the Palki Sahib, enveloping me and sweeping away the fatigue, fear, and doubt. The Golden Light welcomed me, warmed me, restoring purpose and meaning to the speck that I am, blending and merging it with the eternal glow that is We - that is All. Wahe Guru!
You are cordially invited to Baisakhi 1997 on April 6 & 7 in Los Angeles, California.
For information please call (310) 201-0954. We look forward to sharing this joyous event with you. This year will be even better! Love to You All!