This course hasn’t been one of those supernatural spiritual experiences that sometimes occur, with rare blessings. It hasn’t been totally new or foreign feeling. I guess it has been like growing into some shoes that I bought a few years too early. From the very first moment of seeing my turbaned image reflected in the mirror four years ago, I knew who I was. I am the Khalsa, but oddly enough I didn’t actually know what that meant. I remember clearly wondering how I got in front of the Guru and the Panj Piare to take Amrit, I just knew it was natural for me.

So thanks for creating this course! It’s very important as a compliment to the 3HO teachings of Kundalini yoga. We all hear little bits about the Sikh path from some yoga teachers and we see the Gurdwara at solstices but it’s certainly a little faint, especially if you are coming to this path after Yogi Bhajan’s passing. I think there is a gap in the Sikh teachings as a part of this path. 3HO is definitely focused on keeping the yoga separated from any religious path so that people of all faiths can feel free to participate, and yet there is a strong reason as to why many of the students of Yogi Bhajan practicing Kundalini yoga became Sikh. The yoga is only one facet of a full spiritual path and the Dharma contains all of it. This course has given me a substantial experience of many of the key facets of the path of Sikh Dharma. The writing assignments stirred thoughtful insight for me and spurred deep conversation in every class. Of course,  I know that the wonderful group of people, which I shared this experience with, gave it a great deal of depth and meaning. Thank you all. I enjoyed the progression through all the material. I could feel myself digesting the many pieces of new info, and forming my relationship with my Sikh identity. I had many “Ah ha” moments. Hearing the perspectives of all the people in this course always made my experience of the material more expansive and brought me insights into deeper understanding of this path, the path of finding ourselves. It doesn’t really have a name, or a religion; Sikh means a seeker of Truth and that is a journey for us all leading to the one and infinite Lord.

I am much more comfortable with the Siri Guru Granth as my teacher now, and my love and appreciation for the ten Gurus has really expanded. I feel the Banis in my soul and have a wider and richer connection to the life of a Sikh. I did have one reflection of the effect of this course recently after teaching a yoga class. A friend who I see occasionally, but whom I took the level one teacher training with was in the class.  She told me before the class that she would have to leave early, “don’t think it’s about you,” she said. I taught the class as I do, trying to allow the Guru to be the teacher and just being there to hold the space. That night she emailed me and told me that the class had opened a very authentic space and she cried and cried, “it was just what I needed”, she said. I know that as I am more comfortable with who I am and my connection to my Guru, that allows everyone around me to feel the same. As I can feel relaxed and stay true to who I am this allows others to do the same.  Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa, Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh!

– Nav Saroop Singh

Journey to the Heart of Sikh Dharma is starting its seventeenth year of providing Sikhs, seekers and students of consciousness, the opportunity to deeply explore your relationship to Sikh Dharma through a beautiful small group tele-course. This course covers 13 specific topics that promote deep understanding and introspection so that you can explore your connection to these ideas and how to apply them in your daily life.  Connecting with others through these small groups is so important.

Among others, the course covers topics such as these: The Four Pillars of Sikh Dharma (Bana, Bani, Simran and Seva), Kundalini Yoga and Sikh Dharma, Siri Guru Granth Sahib, and much more. The presenters include some of the best teachers within the Sikh Dharma community: Snatam Kaur, Shiv Charan Singh, Guruka Singh, Dr. Harjot Kaur and Sada Sat Simran Singh just to name a few. The complete list can be found on the website JHSD.org.

The course starts in late September and meets every 2 weeks over seven months ending in April. Three sections are available to meet the many different schedules of our students. Currently the sections meet on Monday and Thursday evenings and Thursday international class,  early afternoon. We have found that this format fits most schedules and allows our international attendees an opportunity to participate at a reasonable hour for them.

Space is Limited!! We recommend that you register early to save your space and to take advantage of the early discount. Payment plans are available. For more information, please visit our website, www. Jhsd.org and our Facebook page, Journey into the Heart of Sikh Dharma.