Today over a hundred Mother Ashrams members gathered in a home for our first Unto Infinity Community Meeting.
It was a full day. Sadhana entailed writing up a new version of the Sikh Daily Prayers, getting to the core, and doing Sat Kriya--with an hour layout. I was able me to arrive at Gurdwara in time for the last two Shabads, a meditation to protect our sanctuary, and to lead the children in celestial communication. After langar I had photos taken for my ministership renewal before heading over to the Unto Infinity info-meeting.
Although I was a few minutes early, the parking lot of the meeting home was almost full and the family's living room overflowing with concerned attendees, all yearning to know the truth of what is going on, unto infinity! "Unto Infinity"--the mysterious board selected by the Siri Singh Sahib to be the guiding force for our nonprofit businesses, able to hire and fire at will, with no overview.
The organizers of the meeting tried to fill in the blanks with scrounged up facts, second hand hearsay and rumours. No one had spoken to anyone on the Unto Infinity board in person.
We were shown two charts that delineated as well as possible the organization of our Sangat businesses, 3HO and KRI non-profits and branches of Sikh Dharma administration as it all was in 2004 when Yogiji passed on, and how it looks now in 2009--missing limbs, missing overview and lacking Sikh leadership.
Next they opened the meeting up to sangat input and to answering each other's questions.
We all wondered--why is there no longer any oversight of the non-profits' doings? Why are the four members of the Unto Infinity Board not at our meeting? Why does Unto Infinity not respond to sangat emails? How could they sell off some of our businesses without our knowledge? How can they represent us if they have cut their hair short, are eating meat, no longer wear Guru's Bana and allow smoking at the Golden Temple factory in Oregon? What about yoga teachers in that community who do not wear turbans or chant Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo before teaching class?
Gradually, as we addressed the list of raised hands, truths came out.
The lawyer in our midst said that the chart laying out branches of governing was completely ascrew. With others help we patched it up, but there are still many unsures and unknowns.
Sikh and 3HO overview boards were eliminated two years ago when funding cuts required laying-off forty non-profit employees and the trimming and reshaping of our organization. Those positions were never restored.
The four members of Unto Infinity are not required by their bylaws to report to us.
They can sell off our remaining properties, but have no intentions to do so and would find it very difficult to circumvent restrictions preventing personal profit from the sales.
They are not required to be Sikhs to be on the board and, yes, it would be reassuring if even one of them were to be a Sikh.
Golden Temple in Oregon has hundreds of employees, which include only four Sikhs. Some employees smoke. If we restricted yoga teachers and employees to turban-wearing Sikhs, we would not be able to find enough people to teach yoga and run our businesses--even the Sikh lawyer at our meeting says he would not qualify, for he does not read Banis or wear a turban everywhere.
As it is, there are two thousand Sikh yoga teachers and six thousand non-Sikh yoga teachers who have completed teacher's training. Not all wear head coverings when they teach or openly chant "Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo" to tune-in first. And Unto Infinity has no jurisdiction over them.
The Sikh lawyer, after making extensive defenses on his own behalf, lamented that this was the beginning of the end for Sikh Dharma as we know it, "It cannot survive. We will be but a footnote in the flow of Sikh history."
Only one person at the meeting voiced support on Unto Infinity's behalf, a member of Unto Infinity's appointed Sikh Dharma Stewardship, who says he "lives to serve the Dharma", and "fully trusts" Unto Infinity's wise overview. He claims they were once strong members of Sikh Dharma and they are still the same competent business people, just not Sikh.
It is unclear whether or not Yogi Bhajan included Sikh qualifications for Unto Infinity members in the original plan for the Unto Infinity Board. There is proof that strict requirements were written up, but were they attached?
Many questions were left unanswered.
My turn came to speak.
"I have been reading all the letters sent out about the Unto Infinity issue and also have deep concerns about the direction Sikh Dharma is taking, yet I look only to the Supreme Authority for guidance. Here is a Hukam received regarding this issue." As I began to read, everyone laughed and clapped--astonished. I assured them, "Just wait!" and continued amongst wows and Wahs over Guru's words:
Sorath, Fifth Guru, Third House, Chau-Padas Siri Guru Granth Sahib p. 621
One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:
Meeting with the council, my doubts were not dispelled.
The chiefs did not give me satisfaction. I presented my dispute to the noblemen as well. But it was only settled by meeting with the King, my Lord.
Now, I do not go searching anywhere else, because I have met the Guru, the Lord of the Universe.
When I came to God's Darbaar, His Holy Court, All of my cries and complaints were settled.
Now that I have attained what I had sought, where should I come and where should I go?
There, true justice is administered. There, the Lord Master and His disciple are one and the same.
The Inner-knower, the Searcher of hearts, knows. Without our speaking, He understands.
He is the King of all places. There, the unstruck melody of the Shabad resounds.
Of what use is cleverness when dealing with Him? Meeting with Him, O Nanak, one loses his self-conceit.
After a hearty
group, "Wahe Guru ji ka Khalsa, Wahe Guru ji ki Fateh!" I suggested the
sangat take a Hukam before and after every meeting so the Guru can let
us know how we are doing.
Another
woman spoke of the need for only those ardently serving the Guru to be
in positions of authority, for only in service to Guru we are as one.
A
young Khalsa adult at the meeting spoke of our Sikh history--saying that
at the time Guru Arjan was prevented from entering the Golden Temple,
he compiled the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. Before his death, Guru Gobind
Singh left Khalsa leadership in the hands of a warrior who was to
vindicate the Sikhs. The youth repeated Guru Gobind Singh's call, "When
all else has failed, it is righteous to draw the sword!" He got a big
Fateh, too!
By
the time we departed, there was a great spirit of Cherdi Kala--a
spirited keep-up energy, in the sangat. It carried over into the
evening Narayan Shabad recitation about to begin at the Temple. Many of
us went over to sing along. Siri Singh Sahib once said that singing of
the Narayan Shabad would restore the Khalsa's sovereignty when it was
challenged and merge our destinies with God.
Following
the thirty-one minute joyous chanting of this shabad someone announced, "Now it's time to give the Guru his two minutes. Let’s take a Hukam!"
In that spontaneous Hukam, Guru assured us that we are on the right track, by singing God's praises. Wahe Guru!
March 1, 2009 We heard today that members of the Sikh community in Los Angeles California have also been meeting to wake each other up to the threat to our sovereignty, and to begin to shape our destiny in Guru's Image. A group of greatly respected, high-powered yogis in Los Angeles have proposed suing the Unto Infinity board.
Deeply concerned folks in Espanola, New Mexico, after much discussion today, concluded that we treat the errant board of Unto Infinity the way Yogi Bhajan would have--with prayers, kindness, and by making every effort to engage them in a graceful, meaningful dialogue.
For instance,
in dealing with the planned departure of a longtime secretary to
Yogiji, we gave her cookies, had cozy chats and eventfully blessed her
on her chosen path.
So far, people complained, our friendly approaches have been stonewalled over and over.
It was also announced that we have been including Unto Infinity board members in our daily Gurdwara Ardas Prayer, and that many people get together every evening to sing the "Narayan Shabad," with the purpose of restoring our Divine Destiny "on a silver plate."
The following is the Hukam for today from the Golden Temple of Amritsar. It leaves no question in my mind that the Khalsa will be victorious.
gUjrI kI vwr mhlw 3 iskMdr ibrwihm kI vwr kI DunI gwauxI (508-14)
Goojaree Ki Vaar, Third Mehl, Sung In The Tune Of The Vaar Of Sikandar & Biraahim:
<> siqgur pRswid ]
Shalok, Words of the Third Mehl, Guru Amar Das:
One who has not focused his consciousness on the True Guru, and into whose mind the Naam does not come - cursed is such a life. What has he gained by coming into the world?
Maya is false capital; in an instant, its false covering falls off. When it slips from his hand, his body turns black, and his face withers away.
Those who focus their consciousness on the True Guru - peace comes to abide in their minds. They meditate on the Name of the Lord with love; they are lovingly attuned to the Name of the Lord.
O Nanak, the True Guru has bestowed upon them the wealth, which remains contained within their hearts. They are imbued with supreme love; its color increases day by day.
March 3, 2009 Today's Hukam from Guru Arjan is clearly telling us not to collaborate with the Unto Infinity Board, whose members have been negating Yogi Bhajan and his teachings and taking Yogi Bhajan's picture off of Yogi Tea packages against his expressed will. Guru calls such people "faithless cynics".
Now I understand why that group of people in Los Angeles--all of whom I hold in great esteem, have drawn up a proposal to sue the present board to have them removed if they will not leave with grace.
Sat Nam
Raag Dayv Gandhaaree, Words of the Fifth Mehl, Guru Arjan: SGGS p. 535
Turn away, O my
mind, turn away. Turn away from the faithless cynic. False is the love
of the false one; break the ties, O my mind, and your ties shall be
broken. Break your ties with the faithless cynic. (Pause)
One
who enters a house filled with soot is blackened. Run far away from
such people! One who meets the Guru escapes from the bondage of the
three dispositions.
I beg this blessing of You, O Merciful
Lord, Ocean of Mercy, - Please, don't bring me face to face with the
faithless cyincs. Make servant Nanak the slave of Your slave; let his
head roll in the dust under the feet of the Holy.
March 21, 2009 Today I received this email from one of our local oraganizers. At our last sangat meeting on March 15th we came to what at first seemed to be impossible--a diverse-group consensus on how to approach the Unto Infinity crisis. By the end, we voted and settled on one of three petitions to send the Khalsa Council. I ended up signing the petition, yet feel it is not enough. Now that the Siri Singh Sahib is gone, there is a void in leadership. Khalsa Council is no longer needed in an intermediary advisory role. They must fill the vacuum.
The following describes our rudimentary process:
Sadh Sangat Ji,
There is an Online petition available. If you choose to sign
the petition there is room for comment as well short position papers to Khalsa
Council.
Views not expressed fullly in the wording of the Petition or views
contrary to the Petion are welcome. All comments will be part of the
Petition and will be forwarded to The Khalsa Council.
The petition can be accessed by clicking the
link.
While on the site there is a green title "Sikh Dharma
Leadership" if the upper left signature tab is clicked all previous signatures
and comments can be viewed.
As a point of clarity after signing the site asks for a
donation. Donaton is purely voluntary and goes to Website administrators and not
to the Petition.
If you would like to write an extensive position paper, the Panj of five people leading our meegings will be a collection depot for
gathering position papers from the Sangat at large to turn into Khalsa Council.
Introduction to the Petition
Sadh Sangat Ji,
There was an All Sangat Meeting on Sunday March 15th 2009 in the Lungar Hall of the Siri Singhasan e Khalsa in Espanola New Mexico. The purpose of the meeting was to draft and approve a petition to be circulated amongst the Sangat to address concerns of leadership and management in the Sikh Dharma Community.
The petition requests the Khalsa Council to deal with these concerns. The Khalsa Council is the designated "Advisory Board" to the Unto Infinity Board as commanded by the Unto Infinity Board. As such, the petition follows the established procedure in its expression.
The petition reflects the Espanola Sangat's collective expressed deep concern with the relationship between the Unto Infinity Board and various organizational functions. This petition has evolved from a process that has included input from every source available. The petition has evolved from many All Sangat meetings and subcommittee meetings. The utmost care has been taken to be fair and express the majority opinion of the Sangat.
This process is to defend the Rahit of Guru Gobind Singh and stand for the Mission of Guru Ram Das and Guru Nanak laid out so clearly for us by our Beloved Siri Singh Sahib Ji; not to single out or attack any individual. We sing of standing up for Rahit in our songs and in our stories and in our Ardas. Throughout Sikh history many have given their lives to defend the principle of Rahit. Now is our time to respond as Khalsa with courage and grace.
Petition
Whereas the Unto Infinity Board has broad authority over the following organizations, including but not limited to Sikh Dharma International, 3HO, KRI, KIIT, and that all the members of that Board currently consider living as Khalsa Sikh not appropriate for themselves; We the undersigned do not accept this and make a statement to the Khalsa Council of no confidence in these Unto Infinity Board Members and further request the Khalsa Council to interact with the Unto Infinity Board to address this issue.
Sign the petition
Fields marked * are required. * Name: * Email: mailing address: Phone: US State: Country: Comments: Do you have any further input to give to Khalsa Council? Submit your position here:
Display my name as anonymous on the signatures list Yes, I want iPetitions to contact me on similar campaigns or petitions.
Petition sponsor World Sikh Dharma Sangat
SHALOK from Raag Jaitsree, Fifth Guru, Vaar With Shaloks:
One who loves the Lord's lotus feet searches for Him in the ten directions. He renounces the deceptive illusion of Maya, and joins the blissful form of the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy.
The Lord is in my mind, and with my mouth I chant His Name; I seek Him in all the lands of the world. O Nanak, all ostentatious displays are false; hearing the Praises of the True Lord, I live.
PAUREE: He dwells in a broken-down shack, in tattered clothes, with no social status, no honor and no respect; he wanders in the wilderness, with no friend or lover, without wealth, beauty, relatives or relations. Even so, he is the king of the whole world, if his mind is imbued with the Lord's Name. With the dust of his feet, men are redeemed, because God is very pleased with him.
After Sunday Gurdwara yesterday,while sitting in langar line, a regular at our Unto Infinity sangat meetings sat beside me. We spoke a bit about what comes next, Khalsa Council Meetings in April, and agreed that it is time for the Khalsa Council, which has devoted representatives from every sangat world-wide, to change its reason for being--to fearlessly come into a full leadership role and gracefully fill the vacancy left by Siri Singh Sahib ji's passing.
Today's Hukam from the Golden Temple is so long, I almost did not bother to look at the translation. Upon reading it, it was clear what a beautiful gift of spirit the Hukam is, invoking the love and will to go through any test, trial and negation with total love of God and Guru. By imbibing this Spirit, united as one, the Khalsa will be able to lovingly fulfill its preordained Destiny.
Today's Hukam from the Golden Temple of Amritsar:
RAAG SOOHEE, ASHTAPADEES, FOURTH GURU, SECOND HOUSE: ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU:
If only someone would come, and lead me to meet my Darling Beloved; I would sell myself to him. || 1 ||
I long for the Blessed Vision of the Lord's Darshan. When the Lord shows Mercy unto me, then I meet the True Guru; I meditate on the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. || 1 || Pause ||
If You will bless me with happiness, then I will worship and adore You. Even in pain, I will meditate on You. || 2 ||
Even if You give me hunger, I will still feel satisfied; I am joyful, even in the midst of sorrow. || 3 ||
I would cut my mind and body apart into pieces, and offer them all to You; I would burn myself in fire. || 4 ||
I wave the fan over You, and carry water for You; whatever You give me, I take. || 5 ||
Poor Nanak has fallen at the Lord's Door; please, O Lord, unite me with Yourself, by Your Glorious Greatness. || 6 ||
Taking out my eyes, I place them at Your Feet; after travelling over the entire earth, I have come to understand this. || 7 ||
If You seat me near You, then I worship and adore You. Even if You beat me and drive me out, I will still meditate on You.|| 8 ||
If people praise me, the praise is Yours. Even if they slander me, I will not leave You.|| 9 ||
If You are on my side, then anyone can say anything. But if I were to forget You, then I would die. || 10 ||
I am a sacrifice, a sacrifice to my Guru; falling at His Feet, I surrender to the Saintly Guru. || 11 ||
Poor Nanak has gone insane, longing for the Blessed Vision of the Lord's Darshan. || 12 ||
Even in violent storms and torrential rain, I go out to catch a glimpse of my Guru. || 13 ||
Even though the oceans and the salty seas are very vast, the GurSikh will cross over it to get to his Guru. || 14 ||
Just as the mortal dies without water, so does the Sikh die without the Guru. || 15 ||
Just as the earth looks beautiful when the rain falls, so does the Sikh blossom forth meeting the Guru. || 16 ||
I long to be the servant of Your servants; I call upon You reverently in prayer. || 17 ||
Nanak offers this prayer to the Lord, that he may meet the Guru, and find peace. || 18 ||
You Yourself are the Guru, and You Yourself are the chaylaa, the disciple; through the Guru, I meditate on You. || 19 ||
Those who serve You, become You. You preserve the honor of Your servants. || 20 ||
O Lord, Your devotional worship is a treasure over-flowing. One who loves You, is blessed with it. || 21 ||
That humble being alone receives it, unto whom You bestow it. All other clever tricks are fruitless. || 22 ||
Remembering, remembering, remembering my Guru in meditation, my sleeping mind is awakened. || 23 ||
Poor Nanak begs for this one blessing, that he may become the slave of the slaves of the Lord. || 24 ||
Even if the Guru rebukes me, He still seems very sweet to me. And if He actually forgives me, that is the Guru’s greatness. || 25 ||
That which Gurmukh speaks is certified and approved. Whatever the self-willed manmukh says is not accepted. || 26 ||
Even in the cold, the frost and the snow, the GurSikh still goes out to see his Guru. || 27 ||
All day and night, I gaze upon my Guru; I install the Guru's Feet in my eyes. || 28 ||
I make so many efforts for the sake of the Guru; only that which pleases the Guru is accepted and approved. || 29 ||
Night and day, I worship the Guru's Feet in adoration; have Mercy upon me, O my Lord and Master. || 30 ||
The Guru is Nanak's body and soul; meeting the Guru, he is satisfied and satiated. || 31 ||
Nanak's God is perfectly permeating and all-pervading. Here and there and everywhere, the Lord of the Universe. || 32 || 1 ||
