One Man, One Light A Lifetime of Giving

“It is my prayer that each day may be bright and beautiful. As it comes, may it uplift your soul and consciousness towards God.”

On October 6, 2004 the Siri Singh Sahib (Yogi Bhajan) left his earthly body, leaving behind his legacy -- a lifetime spent traveling, teaching, and uplifting the human spirit that resides in each of us.

From a yogic perspective we rejoice a soul’s reunion with the Infinite. On the pragmatic day to day level we are bereft of one of the most incredible living examples of human compassion, along with the wit, wisdom and humor that sparkled through his extraordinary personality. Joyfully, again, we are left behind with his words and lectures of over 30 years and his challenge to each and every one of us, “Don’t love me; love the teachings. Then become 10 times greater than me.”

We humbly dedicate this issue of Prosperity Paths to the loving memory of Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji, also known as Yogi Bhajan.

Inside this issue:

One Man, One Light 1 The Legacy of Yogi Bhajan 5

Yogi Bhajan’s Life of Service 2 Grief, A Yogic Model 6

Issue 60 Letter from the Editor 3 2005 Events 7 November 2004 Kundalini Yoga and Meditation Honoring Our Teacher 4 Permission for the use of all photos in this edition generously given by Gurumustuk “The Postman” In Espanola Singh Khalsa, Sikhphotos.com, Guru Darshan Kaur Khalsa, and many others.

Prosperity Paths is a free newsletter. Your contributions to Dasvandh allow us to provide this vehicle - and others - for sharing and spreading the teachings of the Siri Singh Sahib (Yogi Bhajan). Please give generously to Dasvandh. Yogi Bhajan’s Life of Service

Pictures © 2004 Gurumustuk Singh Khalsa, Sikhphotos.com, Shakti Parwha Kaur Khalsa, Sikh Dharma, and others.

Page 2 Prosperity Paths Issue 60 November 2004 “A Tribute to Yogi Bhajan” A Letter from the Editor

Sat Nam. The Siri Singh Sahib (Yogi Bhajan) always taught us to serve the mission, reach for our highest destiny, and to serve mankind. He said that a legacy is more important than anything else because it lives on after we die. A friend wrote me after an honoring ceremony, "The whole event was simple, dignified, and powerfully moving. We couldn't do better than to live our lives so that our deaths justified such a ceremony." Yes!

Yogi Bhajan lives on in our hearts and our lives. His words and the universal teachings he endeared us with, taught us conscious awareness, and now we, in turn, step up to the plate and continue the responsibility of passing on these teachings. Someone else wrote to me that his way of honoring Yogi Bhajan was by reflecting him in all parts of his life. He asks himself, "What would Yogiji Do?"

I asked myself what would he do? My personal reflections: He would tell us to keep up, keep smiling, to do our sadhana, to see God in all and to honor him by upholding the legacy and the mission of serving humankind. He would tell us to keep on being the lighthouses for the Aquarian Age - to continue to love and uplift humanity.

The Siri Singh Sahib (Yogi Bhajan) touched our hearts and enriched our lives. His words were as profound as they were simple and always directed us towards living our highest destiny. As the gift of his teachings has touched your life, you can touch the lives of many others by giving generously to Dasvandh. Please send your Year End gift to Dasvandh, now in loving memory of the man who has given you so much, and please begin a regular tithing program, EFT, or credit card debit to continue the work of spreading the teachings of Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji, also known as Yogi Bhajan. Thank you.

Humbly yours in service, Heart Lotus Meditation At all times in life, whether it be an unexpected occurrence, the death of a loved one, or just a busy Darshan Kaur Khalsa day, meditation helps us to find ourselves again, to Dasvandh Director be centered and present within ourselves. Particularly the heart center benefits from Bowing Jaap Sahib this practice as we can conquer fear, In Espanola, the Bowing Jaap Sahib Kundalini Yoga kriya grow in love and was done every day during the 17 days after compassion, and be Yogi Bhajan left his body, in honor of his much better equipped incredible legacy of teachings. to deal with all of life in a positive manner. Sit on your heels. Bring your arms behind you in Venus Lock: interlace the fingers, Form your hands into men with the left pinky in the lowest a lotus: all the fingers position, women shift all their fingers so are spread with the that left thumb is on top and right pinky hands cupped, about on bottom. Keeping the back straight, four inches in front of the heart center, with the little bring your forehead to the floor, while fingers and the thumbs gently touching. The eyes are bringing the arms straight up behind focused down on the thumb tips. you; then return to the starting Meditate deeply. Breathe deeply. Feel position. This kriya is done best to the your breath on the thumbs as you rhythm of a musical version of “Jaap exhale. Continue for 11 or 31 Sahib,” available from Ancient Healing Ways. www..a-healing.com minutes.

Sikh Dharma Dasvandh PO Box 249 Santa Cruz, NM 87567 (505) 747-0388 [email protected] ~ www.dasvandh.org Page 3 Honoring our Teacher in Espanola By Sarb Nam Kaur Khalsa began serving. continued. (Please see Photos by Gurudarshan Kaur Khalsa ww.Sikhnet.com/YogiBhajan for the Bibiji (Siri Singh Sahib ji's wife) complete details of the meditation.) Our Espanola community had the graciously invited the ashram blessing to celebrate the passing of our community to celebrate in the evenings teacher and to host many guests and 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. What followed were many days of the same, only now they were coupled The cremation fell on Guru Ram Das' with many, many students, friends, students who came to participate in birthday. After a beautiful morning family, and VIP’s from around the this time of transition. We quickly sadhana, chanting Dhan Dhan Ram world and intense preparation for the organized ourselves to perform the Das Guru, almost 1,000 people Memorial Service held on October 23, various activities that would take place gathered at the funeral home to pay 2004, attended by 2000 people from all as part of the 17-day observation. respects to the master. We were over the world. Many Indian Sikh People naturally gravitated towards touched by speeches of love and Officials and religious leaders from all those areas where they felt they could respect from the Siri Singh Sahib's over the world came and spoke to serve best. The atmosphere at the honor our beloved teacher and it was a ashram was warm and loving. If you beautiful and loving tribute to a great needed a hug, you only had to ask. man of the century. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson visited the Daily langar (free kitchen) served community and declared "Yogi Bhajan lunch and dinner and brought Memorial Day," in an official state everyone together in a cozy, warm proclamation. Bibiji, with her children environment. Healers offered free Sat and grandchildren, spoke the final Nam Rasayan, acupuncture, massage, tribute to the communities the Siri homeopathic, and chiropractic Singh Sahib had served his whole life. treatments every day. grandchildren and children, from longtime staff members, and spiritual We knew we were also going to be leaders, and Indian Sikh leaders who hosting a lot of people coming to joined us for the service. We sang participate in the cremation and the songs in tribute to our beloved teacher memorial, so hearts and homes were who told us, "Don't Cry for Me Sikh opened to our brothers and sisters Dharma," but for many it was hard not from far away. It was amazing how to let our feelings show during the people just started showing up and moving ceremony.

The Siri Singh Sahib gave us the mantra, "Hari Nam Tat Sat Tat Sat Bibiji and her family Hari" to guide a person through the send their warmest thanks process of releasing the physical body. for your love, prayers and What a powerful experience that gave us a feeling of oneness and support through this time. connection! This meditation can be Bibiji wants you to know she is here to serve you.

Page 4 Prosperity Paths Issue 60 November 2004 “A Tribute to Yogi Bhajan” The Legacy of Yogi Bhajan By Satya Kaur Khalsa Yogi Bhajan was a beloved "If God could have created friend and counselor to anything better than you, "Between birth and death, thousands because he spoke He would have… You you have time to emit directly to the soul, the spirit of don't have to realize God light so you leave a each of us that links us all. and you don't have to legacy." realize Infinity; all you "First, see where God is in have to do is realize Yogi Bhajan spoke these words you. Second, see where yourself." as a reminder that each of us God is in the has a sacred responsibility to other person. Then As we remember, with every bless the planet during our connect the God" breath, to see God in all and to lifetime, and to leave it a better live for each other, our light home for the generations to His wisdom will stand the test will shine brightly, and we will come. of time and space, because he create legacies to enrich and lived the truths that he spoke, bless our world. and because those truths are universal and nonjudgmental, beyond race or religion. He expressed his love for every aspect of God's creation.

He leaves to each of us “a priceless way of life, a destiny, a distance that can be traveled by everybody and experienced within a lifetime." We can experience his gifts in our daily lives as we practice the healthy, The legacy that he leaves is a happy, and holy lifestyle he testimony to the power that a taught. His spirit is within us human being can manifest in when we choose to live, moment one life. Over a period of more by moment, in the excellence he than 35 years, he taught over always reminded us was our 10,000 times. His mission never birthright. changed - to bring peace, The Kundalini Research Institute prosperity, and unity to is a nonprofit organization everyone. His words have always dedicated to safeguarding the been simple and straightforward. Teachings of Yogi Bhajan through Archival preservation, "My job is to share Transcription, Kundalini Yoga knowledge with you. Your products, and KRI review for all job is to practice, to products using Yogi Bhajan's experience the knowledge copyrighted teachings. so that it may become your knowledge." KRI 01A Ram Das Guru Pl Espanola, NM 87532

Sikh Dharma Dasvandh PO Box 249 Santa Cruz, NM 87567 (505) 747-0388 [email protected] ~ www.dasvandh.org Page 5 Excerpts from “Transformational Grief, A Yogic Model” by SS Dr. Sat Kaur Khalsa and SS Dr. body because it has fulfilled its * Instability; "falling apart" Shanti Shanti Kaur Khalsa soul's purpose. However, we * Loss of automatic pilot are still human and part of * Loss of sense of control Yogic Techniques to us grieves our loss. Here is * Challenge of deeply held Integrate Change and some information that may beliefs Transform Grief into Joy be helpful for you at this * Believe/feeling that loss time or any time of grieving. didn't happen * Physical heaviness, The Siri Singh Sahib once said the only Grief recovery integration of tightness of chest, throat time we grieve is when we forget God. The change is a whole brain, full * Empty feeling in stomach Siri Guru Granth Sahib teaches the way to body experience. It is not * Loss of appetite and sleep remember: Keep the company of the Holy linear or analytical. The * Difficulty concentrating, and Chant the Name of God. This following are normal feel restless and unsatisfied guidance is the base for conscious grief reactions and processes and * Wander aimlessly, forgetful. recovery. Nothing is more effective in may occur in any order over * Feel the presence of what was transforming emotional pain, integrating time: lost. If what was lost is a change, and experiencing our Divinity than * Shock/Denial person - through death, recitation of the Shabad Guru. Coming * Numbness divorce or other separation - together around the sound current of the * Destabilization/Falling apart: this this presence is very real to Nam in creative and spirited ways, through is where there are wide swings of the grieving person. mantra, kirtan, akhand paths, singing and emotion that can include anger, * Loss of aliveness telling stories, is powerfully effective for fear, depression, sadness, * Guilt, anger, irritability personal and community healing. Read and a sense of loss. * Crying unexpectedly and for from the Peace Lagoon or take a hukam from * Observation/Re-Evaluation no apparent reason the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. A suggested * Recalibration of who I am * Isolation Shabad is Dhan Dhan Raam Daas Gur, * Vision for the future * Frequent mood changes suggested mantras are Guru Guru Wahe * Decisions and actions to manifest * Need to take care of others to Guru Guru Ram Das Guru or Aap Sahaee that vision deflect own pain Hoa, which are helpful for grief release. * Integration of these changes into * Crisis in faith, questioning of Miter Piare Noon from Guru Gobind Singh the identity one's own fundamental beliefs and is excellent for the resolution of loss. Any assumptions Shabad or mantra will consolidate and * Dismiss, minimize effect of loss elevate the community. Please refer to ~ Be with your community * Need to tell and re-tell the story of loss. Psyche of the Golden Shield or Psyche of the Soul ~ Chant mantras, sing * Act out uncharacteristic behavior for further information on the effects of shabads, recite prayers * Belief that if I were a more the Banis and various Shabads. ~ Talk together spiritual person, I wouldn't be After chanting talk together, eat together, ~ Eat together going through this. sit and make plans for your community to ~ Talk about what will * Act like they are recovered so they, their be together regularly. Talk about what will comfort and uplift each family, and their friends feel comfortable comfort and uplift each other during this other during this time - "It's OK, I'm over it." time. If you notice any of these reactions, you * Moving forward with life might consider seeking support from Don't expect or make things the way they friends, family, community or professionals. used to be. Allow the change, explore it, For more information: www.grdcenter.org and guide it. This model applies to individuals, families, communities, and organizational structures. Please note that this process can take more then a year, even up to three years or more.

Here is a list of normal reactions to loss that may be helpful to you in recognizing grief in your communities or in yourself: Grieving is a natural and normal reaction to loss. We can celebrate a soul leaving its

Page 6 Prosperity Paths Issue 60 November 2004 “A Tribute to Yogi Bhajan” 3HO and Sikh Dharma Events 2005 Calendar For Body Mind and Soul World Wide

Siri Singh Sahib Memorial Yatra - India January Amar Infinity Golf Classic-AZ January 14 Khalsa Women’s Training Camp - India March Concious Pregnancy - Stockholm, Sweden Mar 8-13 and May 4-10 Conscious Pregnancy - Rome, Italy Mar 26 -31 and Oct 31 - Nov 6 Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training Level 1 April 24 - May 15, Rhinebeck, NY

Naad of JapjiTM The Sound Current of the Soul June 12-15 IKYTA Teacher’s Conference June 16 Summer Solstice Sadhana June 17-25 Peace Prayer Day June 18 Women's Camp - Espanola June 26 - July 2 Young Women's Camp - Espanola June 26 - July 2 Khalsa Youth Camp June 27 - July 17 Conscious Pregnancy - Espanola July 3 - 16 The European Yoga Festival July 26- August 3 Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training Level 1 Aug 15 - Sept 5, Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, NM Amar Infinity Yogi Ji Golf Classic-NM August 26 Yogi Bhajan Birthday Celebration August 27th Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training Level 1 Oct 14 - Nov 5, Anandpursahib, India India Yatra Nov 9 - 23

Sat Nam Rasayan - Assisi December Winter Solstice Sadhana December 19-25 White Tantric Yoga www.whitetantricyoga.com

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The Greatest Gift

The gift Yogi Bhajan has given each one of us - how to raise our consciousness, how to live to our highest destiny, how to serve and uplift humankind - lives on through the legacy of his teachings and the organizations he created as vehicles to spread these teachings, such as Sikh Dharma. Please give generously to Dasvandh in loving memory of Yogi Bhajan, as we continue the mission of spreading his teachings around the world.

©2004 Yogi Bhajan. All text, meditation, graphics, visual images and the selection and arrangement thereof © 1969-2004, Yogi Bhajan, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This material is for personal and private use as an information resource only. Any other use of these materials including reproduction, modification, distribution, re-publication, transmission, re-transmission, broadcast, public performance, public showing or display - without prior permission from the Yogi Bhajan Teachings, LLC is strictly prohibited.