As shared by SS Siri Chand Singh Khalsa from Espanola, New Mexico in the 2024 (Second Quarter) SDI Ministry Newsletter.

When I was asked to share my experiences with the evening chanting and langar program that we hold at the Hacienda de Guru Ram Das ashram in Espanola, it got me thinking about what I could include that isn’t already obvious. As ministers, we all know how deep an impact meditating together and gathering as a sangat can have on us, on our community, and—as studies suggest—even on the world. In addition, we have all experienced the benefits of seva, or the benefits a seva program can have in uniting and uplifting a community. We have also experienced the simple joy of gathering and sharing a meal: sangat and pangat.

As I thought about it, I realized that one of the greatest added benefits of our program has been the opportunity to meet the visitors to the ashram.  In the past they would just come to an empty parking lot and a locked Gurdwara—and with luck they might find someone to unlock it for them to enter! During the almost four years of our evening gatherings, we have met people who traveled from afar specifically to see the ashram.  Some have come because the ashram is on the way to their destination.  These are mostly Punjabi truckers or Punjabi families on vacation in Santa Fe, in addition to some road trippers and wild spirit wanderers. Some have come who just ‘happened’ to find our ashram and walked in. Locals have come, who wanted to know more about us. We have had visitors on different spiritual paths, who are curious to learn about ours. We have had visits from some people who used to live in a 3HO ashram in the 70s or 80s, as well as members of our worldwide 3HO sangat.

Most of these visitors love the Rehiras and the kirtan, while a few don’t quite get into it. However, almost invariably, during our conversations either right after meditating or at langar, ‘outsiders’ quickly become ‘friends.’ One Hindu lady loved her experience here so much that she told us she wanted her daughter’s wedding to be in our Gurdwara. A few people have even changed their trips and decided to stay at the ashram for a few days. One of the most memorable of these was a short-haired Punjabi man who kept extending his stay here for several months. He had finally found his path, and did sadhana every day, both in the Amrit Vela and in the evenings, as well as a lot of seva in the kitchen. He is back home with his family again but is now an Amritdhari Sikh with a strong daily practice. He visits occasionally and keeps in contact with several sangat members.

The evening kirtan and langar program has certainly been very helpful for interacting with our visitors and allowing them to feel welcome and uplifted. However, its greatest value is in how it has helped us, both individually and as a sangat. It has been a very rewarding sadhana for me personally and has helped to create a very cozy atmosphere. It has helped us strengthen the friendship among sangat members—even transcending the polarization of political views. One of our visitors who is an active 3HO sangat member once told us that this is the most welcoming and cozy it has ever been at the Espanola ashram. I agree.

SS Siri Chand Singh Khalsa took his Sikh Dharma Minister vows on June 22, 2019. He began practicing and teaching Kundalini Yoga in 2005 in Mexico. His service includes teaching Kundalini Yoga, practicing Sat Nam Rasayan to improve clients’ well-being, playing meditative Kirtan with his wife, SS Hari Bhajan Kaur, and ministering to those in need. He has a deep interest in many healing arts and dharmic tools, as well as in creating bridges among different cultures and spiritual paths. He lives in Espanola, New Mexico, with his family.