Hacienda de Guru Ram Das

hgrd-gurdwara-building

Hacienda de Guru Ram Das (HGRD) is a vibrant spiritual community of about 350 people living in Northern New Mexico just outside the city of Española. While many of the members of the community practice Sikh and 3HO lifestyles, the ashram welcomes all faiths with the philosophy that it is is a place where spiritual seekers join together to study, grow and excel.

The ashram was founded by Yogi Bhajan in 1970, and he said from the earliest days that people are called to live there because they have a mission to serve humanity. He named it the Mother Ashram with the vision of it being a place where people could come to experience spiritual growth and individual, community, and planetary healing.

hgrd-people-enteringhgrd-langarThe name Hacienda de Guru Ram Das means home of the wisdom of service to all.  It merges the local Hispanic culture with the name of the 16th century saint from India, known as Guru Ram Das, the Lord of Miracles, whose teachings of service with humility emanate throughout the community. Seva (selfless service) is a high priority in the lifestyle and every aspect of the community revolves around the selfless service of its sangat (congregation) members.

The mission and vision of the community resounds in the words of Yogi Bhajan:

“This place is the fountain place of 5,000 years of humanity to follow. You are the few – those fortunate souls who have been persuaded to receive the gift to serve this house. Life alone is not important – the value in life lies in what it can give. In times to come, whosoever will touch the dust of this place, it will cure people; it will heal people; it will give people prosperity. Joy and happiness will come to them in abundance, who will just do a little seva – a little service – and fortunately you are fortunate enough that your destiny has brought you to live here, and we are in a position that our entire family around the world feels that they belong to you. Do you understand that privilege? It is the fountain of spirit from which the saints and the soldiers who are the future of this earth shall live.” ~ Yogi Bhajan

MURALThe mural pictured to the left was painted by the late Edward O’Brien and it graces the back wall of our Gurdwara. Click here to read more about this mural and artist.

Some of the spiritual practices in this community include a morning Sadhana (daily early morning yoga and meditation practice), a weekly Siri Akhand Path (reading of the entire Sikh sacred scriptures by the sangat members in turn), a Sunday Gurdwara (worship service singing hymns) and Langar (free community meal served each Thursday and Sunday that is open to all).

To learn more about the lifestyle at HGRD, please visit Hacienda de Guru Ram Das3HO Foundation or Sikh Dharma International.

Everyone is invited to visit the HGRD community for Gurdwara and Langar, or at other times by calling the community office at (505) 753-6341.


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  1. Deanna Lasater says:

    Hello. Can you please tell me more about the ashram? Does one have to baptized in order to live in the Sikh community? I discovered that I am a Sikh last year and would greatly enjoy learning more from the Guru. Thank you.

    • OngKar Kaur Khalsa says:

      Wahe Guru! Thanks for checking in, Deanna. People from all walks of life are welcome at the ashram. In fact, there are programs throughout the year which are set up for anyone to join in. (There have been challenges with this during the past year during COVID, but people have still been participating). Feel free to contact me at ongkar@sikhdharma.org and I can put you in touch with someone at the ashram who can answer your questions if you are interested. Many Blessings.

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