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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: Accrued Fortitude

You want to talk about courage? Do you know how much courage it takes to give up, surrender, your way of thinking? I mean give up to the point where your mind becomes mindless as your thinking floats by in a continuous stream of nothingness. Surrendering to nothingness takes courage - a lot of it. Or, stupidity. That’ll work too. The difference is what the ‘nothingness’ is attached too. Please, let me explain.

Yogi Bhajan: Marry the Scary Carry

“Hari Jiwan, I’m sitting here with a young lady who’s perfect for your office. Can you take care of it? She’ll be a great help?” The Siri Singh Sahib’s voice and command were unmistakable. “Sure,” I responded, “I’ll send someone over to pick her up now if it’s your will.” This wasn’t the first time he sent someone over to work for me, it was a rather usual routine.  I accommodated. If at times his request would create too much pressure, I let him know and he understood. He had other outlets, but that was rare.

Yogi Bhajan: Our Lonely Way Back Home

Someone asked me recently, “How do you judge where this Dharma is going and if leadership is doing a good job?” Innocence is great. This question was from a new student who was spending forty days in our Sadhana Seva Program. She asked a question that most would consider terribly provocative. I didn’t; I loved it!

“First of all, let me say that it’s not my business to judge anything. Analysis maybe (no emotion involved), but even analysis doesn’t always get the desired results. It’s my job to serve and teach.

Yogi Bhajan: The Sizzle Chisel Fizzle

Our beloved teacher liked to quiz us. One of his favorite questions was, “Why is the student/teacher relationship like a hammer and chisel to a stone?” That was easy to answer. However, through the years, I’ve become aware of why this question begs another. How does the student become a stone? Let’s begin.

At first blush, this is easy to answer: The student must do what the teacher says, take the hammers blows, and experience the pain of the chisel’s edge. 

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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.

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