 International Khalsa Council  |
International Khalsa Council:
Sikh Panth - Developing the Ministry, Spreading the Mission and Teachings of Sikh Dharma,
and Sharing the 3HO Lifestyle
S.S. Dr. Sat Kirpal Kaur Khalsa
Assistant Secretary General
Everyone who attended the October meetings of the International Khalsa Council in Espanola, New Mexico was grateful to have had such outstanding, engaging, and successful meetings. There was a balance of heart, educating, sharing, and planning. This was the third of four sessions on "Sikh Panth - Developing the Ministry, Spreading the Mission and Teachings of Sikh Dharma, and Sharing the 3HO Lifestyle."
We were blessed to have the Siri Singh Sahib address the Council each day. He said, "We must all learn, understand, and be able to represent our identity. It is important that we understand who we are collectively." Recently the Siri Singh Sahib was saying, "All of us live too much in our personal orbit. Each person is doing wonderfully, but we're too much in our own orbit - which prevents us from being able to take the next step, which is to be able to deal with what is in front of us, to deal with an emergency. We need to establish a harmony so that we can understand ourselves and answer a call collectively."
Celebrating the Birth of the Khalsa Around the World
We also discussed planning for "Celebrating the Birth of the Khalsa Around the World" in April, 1999, in Anandpur Sahib, India. In a meeting a few days before the Khalsa Council convened, the Siri Singh Sahib spoke about Anandpur Sahib. He shared that he can so clearly project himself to be there 300 years ago and know the events. As the Siri Singh Sahib recently said, "Come and see for yourself. You have been called three hundred years ago. Voice is still ringing; it is for you to answer and be there."
Second International Community Development Day
The Khalsa Council hosted the Second International Community Development Day, which incorporated presentations from our international Sikh Dharma/3HO communities that work together with our larger Sikh sangats. It was an outstanding presentation on building community. The presentations included the communities of Vancouver, Canada and Phoenix, Arizona. These presentations were very effective in communicating each community's history, work, challenges, and growth. Both communities have worked closely with the larger Sikh sangat, participated actively in inter-religious councils, and have developed strong yoga programs and centers.
Mediation Training
Led by M.S.S. Gurucharan Singh Khalsa, this training was open also to sangat members as an extension of the Community Development Day. His excellent presentation provided an overview of mediation, a summary of the Steps of Mediation which Council members and communities can use, helpful meditations, and practical examples of mediation.
Our Role with the Sikh Nation
This session, led by S.S. Guru Roop Kaur Khalsa, was very exciting, inspiring, and informative. An amazing packet of information accompanied this presentation, and is available for all sangats. Guru Roop explained that Community Development Day is an idea that came out of strategic planning to strengthen the ties between leadership and the communities. She reminded us that we had asked what would ignite the spirit within the communities during these pressure-filled times.
The thrust within the next three years is to define and build our non-profit entities so that they serve community support needs. We need to look at our centers as missionary training centers, developing in-the-field trainers who can support the centers, providing programs, materials, and training. We face such a turning point in our community development because of the demand. When people call for help, they need it now, and the call is expanding. Millions of people have a destiny to experience and be healed by the Guru's teachings and sound current. There's a need for all of us to mobilize ourselves, answer the call, heal and elevate.
Answering the Call
This presentation was about the four sons, the Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh, and how each of them "answered the call" through their strength, vision, and sacrifices. S.S. Shanti Kaur Khalsa created this presentation, and youths from Espanola read the parts. For many it was an inspiring and moving experience to listen meditatively to the young voices and relive the values and courage it takes to step forward in duty.
This presentation is available for the children in your community. To receive a copy of the script, please contact S.S. Sat Sangeet Kaur Khalsa at [email protected] or call her at 310-552-3416.
We were all there then. The call is still being given. Khalsa Council and communities around the world work each day to answer that call. Through Guru's Grace, and with the Siri Singh Sahib's guidance, our spirit will continue to rise to answer the call with increasing expansion.
"Wherever you are, you are a Khalsa, a pure one.
Have the courage to reach out and change,
to break boundaries.
It is time.
Let’s go, glow.
and save and serve others."
Siri Singh Sahib
Yogi Bhajan