The
Siri Singh Sahib
of Sikh Dharma
IN MEMORIAM
"Teree
meher daa bolnaa, tudh aagai ardaas.
Guroo Guroo Whahay Guroo, Guroo Raam Daas.
Aad Guray Nameh, Jugaad Guray Nameh,
Sat Guray Nameh, Siree Guroo Dayvay Nameh." *
August 26, 1929 – October 6, 2004
"If you cannot see God in all, you cannot see God at all."
"The law of spirituality is, obey, serve, love and accept."
Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji, known as Yogi Bhajan to hundreds of thousands of adherents worldwide, left his physical body at 9 PM, MST, on October 6th, 2004. His passing took place at his home in Espanola, New Mexico surrounded by family and friends.
The cause of death was complications due to heart failure. He was 75 years old.
An outstanding pioneer in many fields with a deep and compassionate insight into the human condition, he established permanent institutions, created spectacular events, and produced a prolific body of teachings.
The first to publicly teach Kundalini Yoga, when he arrived in the West in 1968, he announced he had come to the West "to create teachers, not to gain students".
A deeply devoted Sikh, his inspiration and example motivated thousands to embrace the Sikh way of life. Through his personal efforts, Sikh Dharma was legally incorporated and officially recognized as a religion in the USA in 1971. In 1971, in acknowledgement of his extraordinary impact of spreading the universal message of Sikhism, the president of the SGPC (governing body of Sikh Temples in India), Sant Charan Singh called him the **Siri Singh Sahib, Chief Religious and Administrative Authority for the Western Hemisphere, and he was given the responsibility to create a Sikh Ministry in the West by the Akal Takhat, the Sikh seat of religious authority in Amritsar, India. He was honored with the title Bhai Sahib by the Akal Takhat in 1974.
The Akal Takhat Jethadhar
with the Siri Singh Sahib
Born Harbhajan Singh Puri, August 26, 1929, in the part of India that became Pakistan in 1948, he was the son of a medical doctor. He spent his youth in privileged environments in private schools and his summers in the exclusive Dalhousie mountain region of Uttar Pradesh. As a young boy he attended a Catholic convent school.
When he became a United States Citizen in 1976, Yogi Bhajan changed his name legally to Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji.
When he was just eight years old he began his yogic training with an enlightened teacher, Sant Hazara Singh, who proclaimed him to be a Master of Kundalini Yoga when he was sixteen and a half.
Yogi Bhajan as a young officer
in the Indian Army.
During the turmoil of partition in 1947, at the age of 18, he led his village of 7000 people, near what is Lahore Pakistan today, 325 miles on foot to safety in New Delhi, India, where he arrived with only the clothes on his back. Displaced Indians were given houses in India and soon he was able to continue his education at Punjab University where he excelled in debate and was a star athlete, playing both hockey and soccer and earning the name "China wall" from his opponents.
After graduating with a degree in Economics, he began Indian government service with India's Internal Revenue Department, and supervised the creation of the IRS building in New Delhi. Shortly thereafter he moved to the Customs Service and become head of Customs at Palam International Airport (now known as New Delhi's Indira Gandhi Airport).
He married Inderjit Kaur in 1952. They had two sons, Ranbir Singh and Kulbir Singh, and a daughter, Kamaljit Kaur. See Family Photos.
Throughout his academic career and government service he continued to teach yoga to people from all walks of life.
In September of 1968, he left India for Canada to teach yoga at Toronto University, carrying a letter of recommendation from Sir James George, Canadian High Commissioner in New Delhi, who had been his student. After two months in Canada, he flew to Los Angeles for a weekend visit. Arriving in Los Angeles virtually unknown, Yogi Bhajan met a number of young hippies, the spiritual seekers of that era, and immediately recognized that the experience of higher consciousness they were attempting to find through drugs, could be achieved by practicing the Science of Kundalini Yoga, while simultaneously rebuilding their nervous systems.
Yogi Bhajan
brought Kundanlini Yoga to the West.
Breaking the centuries old tradition of secrecy surrounding the empowering science of Kundalini Yoga, he began teaching it publicly. With the yogic sciences of yoga, meditation, yogic philosophy, and loving acceptance, he gave the soon to be called "Baby Boomers" an effective alternative to the prevalent drug culture. He called it the "3HO" (Healthy, Happy, Holy) way of life.
From humble beginnings, teaching first at the East West Cultural Center and then in a student's furniture store in West Hollywood, "The Yogi" was like a magnet. Students flocked to his classes. Soon he was teaching at colleges and universities, including Claremont and UCLA, and accepting invitations to teach in other cities.
In July of 1969 the non-profit 3HO Foundation (Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization) was incorporated in California. 3HO's service to humanity is through Kundalini Yoga, meditation and the Science of Humanology which improves physical well being, as well as deepening spiritual awareness.
"Life
is the only gift of God within you ...
be grateful."
Under
his guidance as Director of Spiritual Education, 3HO mushroomed worldwide,
to 300 centers in 35 countries. In 1994 3HO became a member of the United
Nations as an NGO (Non-Governmental-Organization) in Consultative Status
(Roster) with the Economic and Social Council, representing women's
issues, promoting human rights and providing education in alternative
systems of medicine.
Traveling extensively in the seventies and eighties, Yogi Bhajan crusaded
tirelessly to educate, uplift, and enlighten everyone he met. His basic
message was "It is your birthright to be healthy, happy, and holy."
Inspired and motivated by his words and adhering to the practices he
taught, students created music, art, and poetry reflecting the universal
wisdom he shared. Over 200 books have been written based on his teachings,
as well as a wealth of CD's, videos, paintings, and sculpture. He himself
wrote over 30 books including The Teachings of Yogi Bhajan, Furmaan
Khalsa, Masters Touch, and Mind and Its 81 Facets.
Becoming the Mahan Tantric (only living Master of White Tantric Yoga)
in 1971, he conducted workshops in cities around the world. In 1987
he transferred these workshops to videotape, calling them "Renew
to be New" Courses, which will continue to be held worldwide.
In 1973, Yogi Bhajan founded 3HO SuperHealth, a remarkably successful
drugless, drug rehabilitation program, blending the proven ancient yogic
wisdom of the East with the modern technology of the West. SuperHealth
was accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare
Organization and received its highest commendation. In 1973 it distinguished
itself as being in the top 10% of all treatment programs throughout
the U.S.
In 1982 Yogi Bhajan oversaw the placement of the first Sikh cadets to attend NMMI, the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, New Mexico.
Yogi Bhajan visits a Sikh cadet's room
at NMMI.
Yogi Bhajan with first Sikh cadets and Superintendant
Childress at NMMI.
Yogi Bhajan and his secretary greet parents
of Sikh cadets at NMMI.
Under
his guidance these cadets excelled in all academic and athletic programs
in which they participated at the Institute. They achieved scholastic
excellence and graduated with honors. He is shown above with NMMI Superintendent,
Major General Childress, attending the NMMI Homecoming ceremonies in
1983.
In 1989 Yogi Bhajan met with then President Mikhail Gorbachev and established
addiction treatment programs in Russia based on the 3HO SuperHealth
model. Currently a pilot project of SuperHealth is being formed by the
Punjab State Government in India.
True to his earliest commitment, "I've not come to gather students,
but to train teachers," the International Kundalini Yoga Teachers
Association and KRI (Kundalini Research Institute) now holds teacher-training
courses throughout the world.
Embodying a rare combination of spiritual and down-to-earth practical
wisdom, Yogi Bhajan was equally at home in the pulpit, the podium, the
board room, the living room, or sitting on the grass in a park, teaching
and educating people in all walks of life. His expertise and influence
extended into the realms of communication, the healing arts, business,
religion and government.
Loyal friend and mentor of Senators, Congressmen, and Governors regardless
of political affiliation, he promoted spiritual awareness in all arenas.
An ardent advocate of world peace and religious unity, the Siri Singh
Sahib met with world leaders of all faiths to encourage dialogue, including
Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, the Dalai Lama, and two Archbishops
of Canterbury. In 1995 he received the Courage of Conscience Award from
the Peace Abbey in Sherborn, Massachusetts.
In 1971 at the Celebration of Life Music Festival in New Orleans he shared the podium with Swami Satchitananda and Swami Vishnudevananda. He participated in many interfaith forums and conferences, including the World Parliament of Religions. In the early 70's he helped organize the first 'Meeting of the Ways' in San Francisco and was co-founder of the Unity of Man Conference. He became Co-President of the World Fellowship of Religions in 1974. He served on the Board of Directors of the American Council of Executives in Religion and was a member of the Interreligious Council of Southern California, the Rotary Club, and the Los Angeles World Affairs Council.
In June of 1985 he established the first International Peace Prayer
Day Celebration in New Mexico. This annual day of musical celebration
and interfaith prayer draws several thousand participants, including
prominent national and international leaders in the realms of religion,
politics, and humanity. Those honored at this event and given grants
for leading the way in spreading the word of peace have included: Grandmothers
for Peace and the Gesundheit Institute.
A graduate in Economics from Punjab University (1952) and a savvy entrepreneur
he encouraged his students to start their own businesses. One of the
first, Yogi Tea, brought his famous recipe into the mainstream, and
it is now one of the leading tea companies in the health food market
in the USA and Europe.
He became a trusted management consultant for 14 corporations worldwide,
representing industries as diverse as health food manufacturing (KIIT-Golden
Temple Foods), computer systems (Sun and Son), and security services
(Akal Security ). He conducted business seminars and authored several
books to guide the aspiring entrepreneur as well as the seasoned executive.
Akal Security reps with President Bush
He was a champion of women's rights, and believed that it is women who
are the backbone of society, and since 1972 when he inaugurated the
first of annual women's camps, he taught technology to turn 'chicks
into eagles.'
Yogi Bhajan fathered the science of Humanology and in 1980 he earned
his Ph.D. with his dissertation titled "Communication: Liberation
or Condemnation."
Standing six feet three, his powerful and dynamic presence dominated
any gathering. Fearless, outspoken yet humble, he could be both charming
and daunting as the occasion required. His openhearted acceptance of
everyone along with an uncompromising insistence upon excellence made
him a formidable teacher.
His motto: "If you can't see God in all, you can't see God at all."
His credo: "It's not the life that matters, it's the courage that
you bring to it." His challenge to students, "Don't love me,
love my teachings. Become ten times greater than me."
Although Yogi Bhajan has left his physical form, he asked that his students
and those who knew him celebrate his Homecoming. The light of his spiritual
essence continues to bless all those whom he loved, and that is the
entire human race.
He is survived by his wife, children, five grandchildren and all those
in his 3HO and Sikh Dharma families.
The family requests that any donations be made to:
"Kundalini Research Institute" for the Library of the Teachings
of Yogi Bhajan,
P.O. Box 249,
Santa Cruz, NM 87567
USA
* "Oh Guru Ram Das, my only prayer is that all
my words be thine.
And that all blessings come to me as I act as a servant of The Infinite.
Oh I bow to The Primal Wisdom, I bow to The Wisdom of The Ages,
I bow to The Wisdom That Is, I bow to The Eternal Wisdom."
Yogi Bhajan
The New York Times About Sikhs
A Letter of Celebration Meditation Photo Gallery Videos Pix From Past
All About Sikhs From the U.S. Dept. of Justice
Yogi Bhajan
Naad Yoga
Kundalini Yoga
Beginner's Notes
Easy Meditations
Yogi Bhajan's Family
Yoga Class Schedule
All About Sikh Dharma
Kundalini Yoga Teachers
Find
Yoga Classes In Your Area
3HO Healthy Happy Holy Organization
All
About Sikhs From the U.S. Dept. of Justice
