First KPS; thank you for the photos of Hemkunt Sahib, they brought back a wealth of memories, and for your gracious response to Steven’s comments. I love that we can have intelligent and gentle dialog.
Next to Steven; thank you for your courage and honesty in offering your opinion. Having been quite neurotic myself I appreciate the viewpoint. Just wanted to add that Kundalini Yoga and Sikh Dharma were always two separate disciplines traditionally from two separate “religions of India.” Sikh and Hindu. In those early days we took flack from the Indian Sikhs for practicing yoga, and from the yogi’s for being Sikhs. Basically, we were renegades from just about every one’s viewpoint, but then we were the renegade generation. From my understanding and experience it was YogiJi’s unique background as the son of a Hindu mother and a Sikh father that he had an inherent understanding of and devotion to both and shared that with us.

When YogiJi came to this country he taught Kundalini Yoga, and that experience is what drew us to him, expanded his classes and transformed our lives. As time evolved and we who practiced it wanted more of a container for the consciousness we experienced in his powerful classes to extend into our daily lives, he introduced the basic tenents of Sikh Dharma. Our unique culture evolved in a grass roots way from there, and once in the hands of our unique generation went where it went. Sikh Dharma itself is pretty universal and according to its founder Guru Nanak, it is not a religion at all but a way of life held by these simple tenents: rise before the rise of the sun and praise the One God, earn your living righteously and share with others; see the God in others and honor how God has revealed Himself to them (ie their religion). There is no prostelizing or missionary work in Sikh Dharma, although when people ask, we share. There were ten Sikh gurus and each made their contribution. It was the 10th, Guru Gobind Singh who gave the form of turban et al, and he lost multitudes when he did. But it was also he who said that there would be no gurus after him, just the word of God, as revealed. Wisely, historically and prophetically he recognized how man’s polarizing mind can mess with the loftiest concepts and experiences.

So Steven, thank you for teaching the purity and power of Kundalini Yoga for so long. I think it is imperative that this magnificent discipline exist somewhere on its own and be available to people who aren’t interested in joining what appears to be an organized religion. I have it on good authority that there are now many Kundalini Yoga teachers around the world that just teach Kundalini Yoga without the icing. So have at it and carry on. God bless & be well. Ganga

Although you haven’t been specific, it would probably be easy for a lot of people to come to some of the same conclusions as those you bring up. I agree there are people who are hung up on doing the “correct” thing and strictly following perceived rules. I think such a limited view on things just makes life more painful (even though the reason for being this way probably has its source in trying to avoid painful issues in the first place). You will find a sort of fanaticism like this just about everywhere, in religion, politics, social issues, and so on. This isn’t to qualify it, but to put in perspective that you will find all types of people, with all types of issues, strengths and weaknesses, everywhere, and 3HO/Sikh Dharma has certainly not been immune.

Without doubt I have been down the fanatic road, especially in the earlier years, and my stories probably reflect that. We are all learning and growing.

I struggle, even today, with the structure-created dogmas-leadership of Sikh Dharma as it has evolved over the last 530+ years. I don’t think any founding spiritual guide, including Buddha, Mohammed, Abraham, Christ, and Guru Nanak, came with the intent of creating a "religion ." They brought teachings of love, compassion, and oneness. Nanak emerged from three days in the river, proclaiming “There is no Muslim! There is no Hindu! We are all One! God is One!” The Siri Guru Granth Sahib contains writings of saints and sages from all walks of life… Hindus, Sufis, Bhagats, and Sikh Gurus alike… who, regardless of religion or caste, experienced the Oneness of all, and produced bani to exalt this Oneness in a stream of divine consciousness. That alone should be enough for us to get a clue, to unite in love and service, to recognize and fully realize the truth of Guru Nanak’s words. All the rest has been created by those who followed, who came to leadership roles and over time created protocols, rules, and administrative bodies. As world history has shown us, while such structures are necessary, they certainly do not always function in an enlightened, positive, or productive way. Even so, management of properties and temples, leadership, organizational administration, community outreach… are necessary, and overall much good is accomplished.

I don’t recall anyone claiming anywhere on the True Tales blog that God is more in one place than another. What an odd concept. Certainly there are places with a higher level of energy/vibration than others. For an example illustrating such contrast: a torture chamber; a place of pain, fear, agony and sadism… versus the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine; a meditative peaceful place where countless have come for contemplation and prayer.

I think whatever you decide to do is fine. Teach whatever you want. My unofficial opinion is that if you are teaching yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan, I would strongly encourage you to represent it as so. If you have your own mix and knowledge and are teaching that, then I would strongly encourage you to not represent it as Yogi Bhajan’s teachings.

Wishing you well,
Siri Ved Kaur

…..G