The International Khalsa Council met at Hacienda de Guru Ram Das in Espanola, New Mexico on September 25 – 28, 2019. Comprised of approximately 100 Ministers and leaders from the global Sikh Dharma community, the International Khalsa Council serves as a leadership body for our Dharma. Meeting twice a year for the past 40 years, the IKC discusses issues of relevance and importance to our Dharmic mission of serving humanity, and is an advisory body to the Siri Singh Sahib Corporation and the legacy non-profit organizations founded by the Siri Singh Sahib, Yogi Bhajan.

As the Khalsa Council continues its 2 year theme of “Global Presence and Inclusion in our Khalsa Leadership”, we have been reaching out to teachers, leaders and community members throughout the world to strengthen our connections, build communication channels, and to foster inclusion and participation in our dharmic leadership.

In this session, we engaged members from Africa and Asia.  Some key issues of importance are community development and building Sangat throughout the world, leadership training and seva.

Report on Dialogue with Asian and African Representatives.

SS Gurusangat Kaur, the current Chairperson of the International Khalsa Council reported on the dialogue that was held with representatives from Asia and Africa.

The key outcomes of that dialogue were:

• • Request for Leadership training
  • How to build Sangat/community
  • Deepening knowledge of Dharmic teachings
  • Seva and serving together
  • Request for more information and an International newsletter

A Group Dialogue was held on the topic of “Building Sangat/Community Around the World.”

The membership discussed the following questions;

1. Propose ways that we can support leaders from around the world in building strong Dharmic communities and creating global models of Leadership and Seva.
2. How can we respond to their requests for resources, connection and support?

Highlights of the outcomes of the discussion were:

• We have strong leadership throughout the world.  Seva and spreading the teachings are happening. How can we work together in building strong dharmic communities.
• We need mentorship, resources and relationships. We need to use technology to connect and develop our leadership throughout the world.We need platforms for people to feel connected.
• As leaders, we need to not only know the content of the teachings, but to demonstrate the content and the values of the teachings.
• Understand the culture of each country and how they connect with the technology.
• The Siri Singh Sahib did not distinguish between Kundalini Yoga and Sikh Dharma.
• A sense of community and Sangat are very important for people’s basic needs.

Ram Krishan Singh, director of the Seva Sadhana Program in Espanola, NM, described it as a pilot program that gives people the experience of “Ashram Living”.

The program began in summer 2016 and in three years there have been more than 150 participants from 27 countries, with the last group being from Mexico, Belgium, Germany, China, Denmark, UK and Colombia. 10-15% of former participants have moved to Espanola to be part of the community. 20 former participants have become Kundalini Yoga teachers. 8 former participants have gone on to take Sikh vows or receive Amrit. The Seva Sadhana Program serves as an entryway and orientation to the community.

There are now 2 Nivases with capacity for 16 people. Participants pay $34 a night or $20 a night for the 40 day programs. The Khalsa Council was very inspired by his presentation, and $2000 was raised to support the program.

The following is the outline of their 40-Day Program: Framework for Success:

Weeks 1 & 2: Orientation to 3HO Lifestyle & Community Living .   

• Karma Yoga & Seva
• Technology of Sadhana
• Community Living
• Authentic Relationships
• Conscious Communication
• Conflict Resolution.

Weeks 3 & 4: Facing the Shadow

• Shadow Work- projection, judgement, and admiration
• Rebirthing Kriyas
• Shadow Integration

Weeks 5 & 6: Embodying Aquarian Consciousness

• Life Visioning Process & Practical steps
• Keeping up – Overcoming Obstacles
• Projection- Service & Embodying of Leadership.

Learn more about Seva Sadhana Here

Zoom Dialogue with African and Asian representatives -Sharing the Teachings of Sikh Dharma around the World

SS Guru Sangat Kaur shared that prior to our meetings, a group of Khalsa Council members met with leaders from Asia and Africa to hear about the issues relevant to their communities. Their input became the basis for the following discussion questions for the Zoom dialogue groups:

1. As an Aquarian leader, how can you serve the growth of building a worldwide Dharmic Community, deeply rooted in service and our yogic and Dharmic technology?
2. What are the core components and values that provide the foundation of a Dharmic Community? Are there some examples in your locale that you see as successful? What resources would be valuable for growing a stronger Dharmic connection among the members of the community? 
3. What does our Dharmic Global Community look like in 10-20 years? How are we addressing issues of cultural and global diversity and inclusion? How are we known for our service

The members formed into 6 discussion groups, after which the facilitators of each group reported back to the entire council. Some highlights from the discussion were:

Question 1

• The unification of our Yogic and Dharmic teachings
• Seva is the anchor between the yogic and dharmic technology.

• Seva is the container for all the community work that we do.

• Seva and Sadhana are the foundation

• We have to be an example of leaders of service

Question 2

• Serve through example. Seva, Raj Yoga, meditation
• Kindness and humility. Be heart-centered. Human touch.
• Share the Seva Sadhana model.
• Growing and learning together. 

Question 3 

• Following the Siri Singh Sahib’s example of traveling and teaching. Sharing the essence of his teachings.
• Seva projects
• Evolution. Grass roots. Social action.
• Center of everything is Guru Ram Das. Guru Ram Das will come through in service.

• Focus more on the power of a warrior through Guru Gobind Singh because that is the energy of what we will need for what is coming.  

2019 marks the 550th Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and this momentous occasion will be commemorated around the world.  As part of our celebration, 3HO and Sikh Dharma are joining together to take a Yatra with about 100 sangat members to India. The Yatra is from November 5 – 17th, and will include a Japji Course in Anandpur Sahib, attending the huge historic celebration in Sultanpur Lodhi, and visiting the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Sardarni Guru Amrit Kaur shared about the gift that will be given from the Sikh Dharma and 3HO Sangat during the Yatra.

Whenever the Siri Singh Sahib attended these historic events, he would bring a gift that reflected the majesty and dignity of the Khalsa in the West. To continue that tradition, we created a volume of 19 translations of Japji Sahib from our communities around the globe and bound it with a spectacular cover of silver filigree and precious gem stones.  Each of the 400 pages is artistically designed and bordered. This will be presented to the Golden Temple Museum where it will reside.

For those who wish to be a part of this historic project, you make a donation to help fund the creation of this beautiful piece of legacy art. For donations of $550, a person will receive an appreciation gift of a limited Hardcover Edition of the volume.

Donate towards the Gift Now

Prior to the meetings the Siri Singh Sahib Corp posted a Video Report highlighting the work that was done over the past 6 months.

View Report here SSSC Video Report

SS Gurujodha Singh, President of the SSSC, and Satwant Singh, Executive Director of the SSSC gave an overview of some of the highlights.

• Issues regarding Akal and ICE – The SSSC issued a statement in September after considering this issue for many months.  There continue to be varying perspectives among our community members, and issuing the statement was a step in addressing this issue.
• Amrit Vela Kaur: SSSC Elections 2020. The SSSC elections will be held from March 9 to 22, 2020. November 1st is the lfinal day for applications to be part of the Electorate. Nominations opened on September 15 and ended on October 15, 2019.
• Talent Pool Project:  We are creating a database of contact information for potential board members and employees of our legacy organizations. The objective is to engage new, diverse, potential participants, design a relation building process within our global community, and to engage and connect our youth to our organizations.

Some of the group’s responses to these questions were;

• Honor diversity, Eliminate bias,
• Uplift people.
• Envision where humanity will be in 50 years and set your goals to meet that.
• Delivery of positive life-affirming products and technology. Earn in an environment where values are celebrated rather than diminished.
• Provide good will to the community and world.
• Lead with our values.
• This topic needs to be systematically embraced, not just a conversation.

A Practical Application of Global Presence & Inclusion in Khalsa Leadership.

SS DukhNiwaran Kaur & SS Awtar Kaur

SS Gurumukh Singh and SS Viriam Singh shared the rich history and vibrancy of the Eugene, Oregon Sangat which was started in 1970. Kundalini Yoga has been taught at the University of Oregon continuously since 1970 and many people in the Dharma got their start through these classes.

East-West Tea Company (aka Golden Temple Bakery) started in Eugene in 1971.  Under the early leadership of Nirvair Singh, the company manifested a retail bakery store and Shakti Shoe outlet in addition to the manufacturing facility. Wha Guru Chews were conceived by the Nirvairs and in the early 90’s, and Eugene became the corporate manufacturing center which included cereal, Sunshine/Soothing Touch oils, Herb technology, Yogi Teas, and Ancient Healing Ways.

After 9-11, Sangat members started the religious non-profit, Interfaith Prayer Service International.  Since September 2001, there has been an Interfaith Prayer Service held monthly in Eugene where all faith and religious traditions participate.  It is the longest running interfaith service in the United States.

The current building which houses the Guru Ram Das Gurdwara and Yoga West Yoga Center was acquired in 1979 and is now being upgraded to add two unisex bathrooms, a secondary large langar hall, kitchen, and a Nivas for visiting Sangat. The plan is to break ground on this new addition on September 1, 2020.

As Sikhs, we believe in the equality and dignity of all human beings. Sikhs stand for truth, social justice and freedom for all.

The International Khalsa Council, a body of Sikh Ministers and leaders, stands united with all people of love and consciousness to:

• Honor and protect the right of each human being to live a healthy, happy and fulfilled life.
• Respect the equality and dignity of all living beings.
• Welcome and embrace the diversity of all humankind.
• Honor the dignity, divinity and grace of women.
• Protect and care for the environment

Together we are working towards a more loving, just and peaceful world.