True Tales

True Tales is an informal memoir writing group (not necessarily a group of "writers") that meets somewhat regularly to share stories from our lives on the spiritual path, from our childhood, through the earliest days with Yogi Bhajan and onward to the present day. Begun in the Spring of 2002 with the intent to give the history of the Dharma in the West a more personal and intimate face, True Tales has proven to be a vehicle for our reflection on lessons learned, for gaining new insights into ourselves and each other, and for us all to develop deeper and more heart-centered connections with one another.

True Tales was born out of several realizations: Much of the existing published history of 3HO and the birth and growth of Sikh Dharma in the West has been PR-oriented: focused on major events, leaders within our communities, significant activities, accomplishments, and, of course, the Siri Singh Sahib, Yogiji. For the most part, this history is missing countless little pieces: the peeks into lives, personal transformations and lessons learned that provide a fuller picture of who we really are, where we have come from, and the road we have traveled thus far.

Also, as many of us are growing older the treasure of our memories is beginning to blur, blend and slip away. So often when we are together socially the conversation turns to stories from the past. We sometimes find the room filled with heartfelt laughter or our eyes filled with tears. Almost always someone says, "Someday we have to write all these stories down, before we forget!" One day I realized that "someday" never comes. The time is now! Thus, the idea of starting a memoir-writing group was born.

While True Tales began as a group for 3HO "old-timers" in Los Angeles, it has evolved over the years to be much more, and to include really anyone who has a story to tell. While not everyone may be a great writer, everyone has a great story! Ours are really about the journey of life itself, the hand of Guru ever present in our lives, the transformation that can occur from a small event, a life-changing moment, a lesson learned, or simply the opening of one heart to another.

These small stories make the big story. The process of writing is itself a personally transformational experience. Some of our stories are flat out hysterical, and others have been difficult to tell. Releasing them to the written word is cathartic and healing and allows us to inject into the story the wisdom and lessons learned from whatever the incident was. Sharing our stories with each other has proven to be just as potent. This process creates a sacred, intimate space in which our connections to each other are more fully realized and appreciated. So, even though sometimes the subject matter is from a painful experience, the stories themselves are uplifting, provoke enlightening dialog and give insight into the nature of the spirit.

These are some of our stories.

Welcome to the True Tales blog!

Siri Ved Kaur