3HOHistory.com
Presents
A
firsthand account of the early days of
3HO, the Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization
According to Sardarni Sahiba Gurumeet Kaur Khalsa
S.S. Gurumeet Kaur Khalsa
3HO
Healthy-Happy-Holy Organization
The
not-for-profit corporation dedicated to sharing the
technology of Kundalini Yoga as taught
by Yogi Bhajan
in order to help people live Healthy, Happy, Holy lives.
A Matter of Faith
By S.S. Guru Fatha Singh Khalsa
Guru Fatha Singh Khalsa
Sat
Nam. Trinidad, as a former British colony, carries with it a proud and tormented history of colonial rule. Many of the original Trinidadians's ancestors came as slaves from Africa to work the sugar plantations. Others were indentured servants from British India. Generations later, Indian and African traditions are still practiced and celebrated.
When Yogi Bhajan first came to Trinidad, he stayed at the Hilton Hotel, but his food – traditional Caribbean rotee and curries – was provided by devoted Hindu families. Meaning to preserve Yogiji's health, Sat Simran Kaur told him, “Sir, you're not supposed to eat this. It's too spicy." (See more of Yogi Bhajan's favorite dishes.)
Yogiji replied, “When in Trinidad, I am not on a diet. I will eat whatever they bring.” The Master was also mindful of the Indian tradition that those are served food by their disciples should leave some on their plate to then be eaten by their devotees as blessed food. He always left some of the delicious food on his plate.
In Trinidad, the yoga students and other guests brought all kinds of tasty local food, tropical fruits, curries, beverages and sweetbreads. A can of grapefruit juice caught Sat Simran`s attention. Canned juices were not supposed to be good for his health. Yogi Bhajan ate and drank everything with gusto.
Aftab Singh was Yogi Bhajan`s main teacher and contact in the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. Yogiji insisted that his student should also serve as his driver whenever he visited. In 1984, Aftab Singh was able, through a government connection, to arrange a red carpet reception at the airport when the Master arrived. With all formalities dispensed with, Yogi Bhajan sat as was his habit, in the front seat with Aftab across from him at the wheel, his secretary behind them. It was late. It was eleven o'clock.
Aftab Singh
Yogi Bhajan said to his student, “Do you remember that grapefruit juice somebody brought me last time I came, the one in the can? I would like another one like that.”
Aftab Singh thought. Most of the grocery stores in the city were already closed, the rest would soon be closing. He drove quickly to nearest food store and went in. They did not have it. He went to another. That store did not have it either. A couple of stores later, Aftab entered a large supermarket and asked the grocery manager about the drink. The manager told him that the company did not make that juice any more. Aftab went back to the car and told his teacher. Yogi Bhajan was unfazed, “Don't come back till you have it.”
Aftab kept up his effort. He went to another store and another, just as they were closing. It was past midnight by now. The shopkeepers were eager to go home. At one little shop, the owner was dumping the water and remaining ice from his simple refrigeration system into the street. When Aftab Singh asked if he had the canned grapefruit juice, the man said, “I might,” and went inside to check. A couple of minutes later, he returned with a rusty can of the juice which he gave to Aftab, graciously refusing payment.
With the rusty old can of juice, Aftab Singh felt like he was in heaven, some Trinidadian juice heaven anyway. At last, he had the satisfaction of delivering the can of grapefruit juice to the Master, who received it with a wink. Aftab Singh also felt the satisfaction of having not questioned his teacher, the one who had told him to never doubt the power of his own mind. -- See 3HOLegacyLinks.com.
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