Golden Temple - The most sacred and revered temple of the Sikhs. The upper half is plated in gold, representing the sun, the lower half is in marble, representing the moon. The temple is surrounded with a pool of healing water and has four doors to represent that people of all beliefs are welcome.
Gurbani - Compositions in the Siri Guru Granth Sahib based on Naad, which impart their essence through the sound current to those who listen to or speak the words.
Guru Gaddi Day - A Sikh celebration to commoemorate the installment of Siri Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal living Guru of the Sikhs.
Guru - Literally Gu means darkness and Ru means light; that which takes you from darkness to the light of universal awareness. It can be a person, a teaching or, in its most subtle form, the word.
Gyan Mudra - The most commonly used mudra in Kundalini Yoga. There are two variations: Active Gyan Mudra - formed by curling the tip of the index finger under the tip of the thumb. This mudra is for wisdom and expansion. Receptive Gyan Mudra - formed by touching the tips of the index finger and thumb. This is for receptivity, balance and expansion.
H
I
J Japji Sahib - The first composition of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru. An understanding of this prayer gives a comprehensive understanding of the wisdom of God. It embodies the essence of the entire Siri Guru Granth Sahib.
K Karma - The cosmic law of cause and effect. It is the mechanism that allows the finite experience of existence to maintain and stabilize itself. Karma is not fatalistic; we can use free will to take action to re-direct karma to dharma.
Karma Yoga - The yoga of non-attachment.
Khalsa - Pure one. One who maintains purity through every test of time and space; a brotherhood of initiated Sikhs who are committed to living in their highest consciousness. It was established by the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, as a way for people to evolve from subjegation to the consciousness of warrior saints.
Kirtan - Devotional hymns.
Kirtan Kriya - One of the basic meditations in Kundalini Yoga. It utilizes the Punj Shabad (five sounds) Mantra "Saa, Taa, Naa, Maa." The Naad form of Sat Naam. Saa is infinity, Taa is life, Naa is death, Maa is rebirth or transformation. This describes the cycle of life. It is used to create mental balance, increase intuition and to clear negativity from one's energy field.
Kriya - Completed action. A Kundalini Yoga kriya is a combination of yoga posture, mantra and breath to produce a specific impact on the psyche.
Kundalini - Primordial cosmic energy residing at the base of the spine that can rise through the Shushmana to the crown of the head to give enlightenment.
Kundalini Yoga - The Mother of all Yogas, from which originated all other yoga systems, such as Hatha Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Laya Yoga, Raja Yoga, etc. Kundalini Yoga utilizes exercise, posture, breathing, sound and rhythm to create vitality in the body, balance the mind and openness to the spirit; used by householders engaged with the world to create immediate clarity and bring subtle awareness.
L Long Deep Breathing - A breath done through the nostrils that fully utilizes and expands the lung's capacity. It stimulates metabolsm, relaxes, heals and strengthens the nerves, gives control of the mind and augments awareness. The diaphragm is relaxed, allowing the chest to expand and lungs to fill. On the exhale the chest is deflated first, and then the belly is pulled in completely to expel the remaining air.