By Sarb Nam Kaur Khalsa
Photos by Gurudarshan Kaur Khalsa
Our Espanola community had the blessing to celebrate the passing of our teacher and to host many guests and students who came to participate in this time of transition. We quickly organized ourselves to perform the various activities that would take place as part of the 17-day observation. People naturally gravitated towards those areas where they felt they could serve best. The atmosphere at the ashram was warm and loving. If you needed a hug, you only had to ask.
Daily langar (free kitchen) served lunch and dinner and brought everyone together in a cozy, warm environment. Healers offered free Sat Nam Rasayan, acupuncture, massage, homeopathic, and chiropractic treatments every day.
We knew we were also going to be hosting a lot of people coming to participate in the cremation and the memorial, so hearts and homes were opened to our brothers and sisters from far away. It was amazing how people just started showing up and began serving.
Bibiji (Siri Singh Sahib ji's wife) graciously invited the ashram community to celebrate in the evenings outside the Dome residence. We participated in a Gurmukhi Sahej Path (reading from the Siri Guru Granth Sahib), and evening yoga. Gurbani kirtan (devotional chanting) lent a beautiful, uplifting vibration to the gathering. Sikh prayers were recited to end the daily gatherings under the New Mexico stars.
The cremation fell on Guru Ram Das' birthday. After a beautiful morning sadhana, chanting Dhan Dhan Ram Das Guru, almost 1,000 people gathered at the funeral home to pay respects to the master. We were touched by speeches of love and respect from the Siri Singh Sahib's grandchildren and children, from longtime staff members, and spiritual leaders, and Indian Sikh leaders who joined us for the service. We sang songs in tribute to our beloved teacher who told us, "Don't Cry for Me Sikh Dharma," but for many it was hard not to let our feelings show during the moving ceremony.
The Siri Singh Sahib gave us the mantra, "Hari Nam Tat Sat Tat Sat Hari" to guide a person through the process of releasing the physical body. What a powerful experience that gave us a feeling of oneness and connection! This meditation can be continued. (Please see ww.Sikhnet.com/YogiBhajan for the complete details of the meditation.)
What followed were many days of the same, only now they were coupled with many, many students, friends, family, and VIP’s from around the world and intense preparation for the Memorial Service held on October 23, 2004, attended by 2000 people from all over the world. Many Indian Sikh Officials and religious leaders from all over the world came and spoke to honor our beloved teacher and it was a beautiful and loving tribute to a great man of the century. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson visited the community and declared "Yogi Bhajan Memorial Day," in an official state proclamation. Bibiji, with her children and grandchildren, spoke the final tribute to the communities the Siri Singh Sahib had served his whole life.