Community Reflections
From American Sikh Communities
Community Reflections
Reflections from
American
Sikh Communities
Nirvair Singh, Alaska
I was called by the Governor of Alaska’s office at 10:30 AM this morning to participate in the Alaska Day of Prayer and Remembrance. It was my privilege to be on stage with an Archbishop, a Baptist Minister, Jewish Rabbi, Presbyterian Minister, Governor, Lt. General, Norad Commander of Elmendorf Airforce Base, Anchorage Mayor, Police and Fire Chiefs.
The noon event was held in Anchorage’s largest auditorium. Every seat was filled, and many more people stood in hallways unable to come in. The event was broadcast statewide on television and radio. Each representative of their faith had three minutes to speak before the national moment of silence. I read the press release quotations by the Siri Singh Sahib and made a few other comments about intolerance toward Sikhs and the general kindness of Alaskans that caused two spontaneous rounds of applause. It was a very inspiring event and it was the hand of the Guru that allowed us to be seen and remembered. It was truly arranged by Guru in that many people requested to speak at this event and were refused. The Governor even gave me a big hug at the end of the ceremony!
This event has been reported by all the local television and many local radio stations. We had many featured sound bites. Many people have called to offer support and solidarity. Our presence works! And now is the time to make ourselves known. Our prayers are with those in NY and DC and our uplifting work with our students and community friends continues. Wahe Guru ji ka Khalsa! Wahe Guru ji ki Fateh!
Hari Simran Kaur, New York City
On Monday night I was walking down the street near my office and I looked up to see the World Trade Towers. It was a beautiful night but a little muggy, and rain was promised. There were a few clouds swirling around the middle of the towers and there were a lot of lights inside twinkling through the clouds. I told my friend to look up too - it was so beautiful - and we were appreciating how beautiful it was and how amazing that man could build something like that which could reach up into the clouds.
The next morning it was all gone, and with it our whole way of life. Whatever happens now will be marked by this day. Perhaps it is a karma that has been coming a long time. Perhaps it is inevitable and the evil needs to be released so it can be balanced, I don’t know. But the pain of this day has just begun.
I do believe in God’s Will. It is what the Siri Singh Sahib has been telling us since he got here 30 years ago. And
we have the Guru to guide us.
Guru Mantra Singh, San Diego , CA
We are a small sangat, but since the terrorism of September 11, followed by the death of a Sikh man in Phoenix in a drive-by shooting, we wanted to make an impact and reach out to the larger San Diego community. Yesterday I contacted three local news stations, saying that I represented the American Sikhs locally, and we had some concerns that other members of our community might be mistakenly hurt. By 4pm the NBC affiliate called to say they would do an interview. The session went well, and the reporter stayed with us for 90 minutes. A Sikh brother from the Indian community joined us so we were represented in our solidarity. Last night on the 11 o’clock news, featured for about 10 seconds, in a very positive light, we were reported as peaceful people who teach yoga and stress reduction… The segment was with their international news.
Sat Pavan Kaur, Eugene, OR
The other night about ten of us went to a candlelight vigil held downtown at the Federal building. We were told by a member of the community who is also a police officer, to be safe, and he also sent police men from that area to check on us. When we first got there of course there were a lot of stares and feelings of uneasiness, but as we joined in singing with them, it started to feel better. I kept feeling like they would look to see if we knew the songs that they were going to sing. We pushed Snatam to the front and borrowed a guy’s guitar and Snatam Kaur played God Bless America and This Land is Your Land.
After the main organizer of the event spoke and they asked someone from our community to speak, Sarib spoke about being Americans and being Sikhs and how we are all here to unite as one. It was very nice. Sada Sat Simran who is here from Virginia also spoke about the importance of community and the importance of prayer and being compassionate to all. There were a lot of speakers after that. One was a 13-year-old boy who said that even though the events that have happened were a terrible tragedy, the positive side was that it brought us all together.
Sat Guru Kaur. Espanola, NM
September 11th is an anniversary for the United States to remember the value of freedom, and what it means for our freedom to be threatened as it has been at this time. As a community, in our collective, I believe that we have long recognized our destiny to lead the way into the Aquarian Age, and the new world order. We have spent many years preparing ourselves for this time by clearing our past karma and our egos through meditation, Kundalini Yoga and prayer. And now the time has come for us to get out there and deliver these teachings to the world.
God, Guru, t
he Universe, the Unknown, will unfold the events of the future, and we as a community through the power of our prayer and meditation will transform from Piscean beings into the “Self-Sensory” human beings of the Aquarian Age.
*”Every grain of sand is God. We have to have our subtle body and our sophisticated self to see it.” The events that have transpired in recent days are the learning tools that can sharpen our awareness and open our minds and consciousness to unite the people of the world, bridging the gaps of race and culture, and bringing human-kind to an unwavering commitment to Global Healing, through the teachings that we now hold by the grace of the Siri Singh Sahib. (*Siri Singh Sahib, the Self Sensory System)
Hari Bhajan Kaur Los Angeles, CA
Dear Family in Spirit,
This past week has brought to light much of what we mourn in our human family. As well, it has shone a powerful beacon on the courage and compassion that rises to the call when we experience the pain of losing so much. We are passing through a cycle of disbelief, grief, anger, and confusion about how this has changed our world at large, as well as our internal belief systems. There is no way of knowing how this will unfold in either the public framework or in our day-to-day lives in the coming days. One thing we do know is that, as sensitive, interconnected beings we will experience an effect. It may be emotional. It may be physical. It may be spiritual. Most likely all three, and more.
It is time for conversation. It is time to gather and touch each other. It is time to bring hearts together that will work in both subtle and concrete ways to raise the collective consciousness. As people of spirit and service, the Sikh Dharma Community, through the Community Development Office is offering a series of “Stay in Touch” bridge line talk sessions regarding the recent events. These calls will be facilitated by Life Coaches, Counselors and Ministers and are open to anyone in our 3HO and Sikh communities. The discussion will have two references. The first is simply to connect and express how we, as individuals, are feeling. Secondly, sharing the yogic/humanistic practices and technologies we can use that will benefit us in our own healing and facilitating the healing of others. If you would like to participate please call or email the community Development Office for more information. 505-753-5881 or [email protected]