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Siri Singh Sahib stories

Hari Jiwan Singh shares a monthly story about his personal experiences with the Siri Singh Sahib Ji.

Yogi Bhajan: Obedience Refocused

By Hari Jiwan Singh

What’s the difference between obedience, blind faith, and stupidity? Do you know? It’s a difficult question. One that obedience has allowed me to answer. Please, let me explain.

Let’s start with obedience. Now, that’s a very charged word. These days, "do your own thing" is much more acceptable. It used to be that you had no choice - obedience to the king, or the consequences would follow for lack thereof. Of course, that led to massive abuse. Those in charge could pretty much do what they wanted. Many still do. Much of what they wanted wasn’t good for us so we rebelled. Many still are.

Yogi Bhajan: The Adored Double Edge Sword

Ahhh, the Double Edged Sword...let me tell you what this concept feels like from my angle. The ultimate question becomes, "What can we focus on to guarantee that we understand Guru ji’s instruction to chant the sacred name of God, the Nam, all the while continuing to live in this world?" This conundrum becomes the litmus test for a deeper level of spiritual understanding. It turns out that the answer to this question is as sharp, as narrow, as disciplined, as is the edge of the sharpest double edged sword.

Repeating the Nam is pure discipline. At least it has been for me. There are many chances to not see results quickly enough, so many quit. 

Yogi Bhajan: Cleanse the Lens

I look around and I see people with history. It’s my history of them. Automatically, I view them through an ancient lens. Some I like, others not so much. The question is: Do I see them as I was, or as I am? If I see people differently, then, isn’t this a verification that my world has changed? The answer to these questions is the beginning of increased self-awareness. If acted on, it’s also the beginning of an elevated consciousness.

Yogi Bhajan: The Family That Forgive, Lives!

The Siri Singh Sahib Ji taught that God lives in cozy homes. He set out to create a cozy life-style for us all to live and share. Being a parent means “pay the rent”. Always be there for your child but teach them that their ultimate security lies only with God and Guru and the Sadh Sangat. That’s a very rewarding experience. When we know that we are always a part of a greater family and that this is always there for us , we can relax. The family intent is unified, and verified, and introspection can continue safely. This progression in life is unified in its focus. The experience verifies love; love honed through humility and compassion.

Yogi Bhajan: Cascade of Prayed for Aid

Sat Nam Dear Family,

Someone asked me recently, “What makes a student great? I mean how do we find God?” Questions like this are very far reaching and require a specific context when answering, so I had to intuit which way I could answer so she could best hear it. Everyone hears differently.

Yogi Bhajan: Hey Dude, Don't Be a Prude, Seek Gratitude

The teachings are working when you start to appreciate the creativity, the service, the trust and the love it took for your true teacher to even begin to teach you. Gratitude is the result. The awareness of just how unaware students are of there teacher’s teaching is what makes them students. This unawareness is defined through a lack of, or a display of gratitude.

The Apocalypse of Relationships

“Once upon a time long, long ago, relationships developed. I mean lifetimes ago, thousands of lifetimes ago this dance began. You think you’re free? you’re never free. For good or not, your relationships will follow you through time. There’s only one way to rid yourself of this karma.” I couldn’t wait to hear his next sentence. How do we let go? How do we surrender? How do we get off this wheel? How do we overcome deep attachments?

A Kinder Reminder

“Yes, sir. I want to do what you want me to. Thank you so much for the reminder again. Thank God, you put up with me.” The Siri Singh Sahib, Yogi Bhajan, and I were seated in the New Mexico Estates on a crisp Tuesday afternoon. I remember that it was Tuesday because communication on Tuesday, Mars day, war day, should be done consciously, and this was a Tuesday, the worst day to need his help as, inevitably, it would take longer and more doubt had to be overcome.

Yogi Bhajan: The Strange Range of Change

“Oh sir, I’ve seen you change so much,” I blurted out one afternoon in the May of 1993. Thank God we were alone. I immediately realized that it probably wasn’t my place to speak to my teacher this way. I was shocked. He just gracefully turned his head, gave an ever so slight nod, and that was that. Well, not quite! Please let me explain.

Yogi Bhajan: Move Over Rover

“Can you please get out of your own way.” We were walking around the ranch on a rather crisp late morning in April in 1991. It was our beloved teacher’s habit and pleasure to walk and view his estate. It felt as if I were walking with a king and he was inspecting the grounds of his castle. It felt like that because that’s what he experienced. I loved living in his world.

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