“When the adversity will hit, the communication will break.
Never break the communication, neither with an enemy nor
with a friend. Keep communicating. That’s what God does.
Just understand. Communication is vibration. Keep vibrating,
but positively. Never listen to negativity.” The Siri Singh Sahib
"Sikhs have always been highly identifiable and this is with good reason.
We stand out to be easily identified as spiritual warriors. We are the ones
to be relied upon to stand up and to defend the weak and innocent. Are we
living up to that legacy at this time or has our community become insular?
Practiced to the fullest in accordance with the teachings of Guru Nanak, Sikhism stands for pluralism and against tribalism." ACT For Diversity
Dialogue for the daring.
Pages, Photos, Points To Ponder
Mission
Communication and Cooperation Works
A robust transparency is necessary at this time in our history.
We pledge to advocate and participate in thoughtful
disagreement.
Therefore it is our intention to actively promote diversity and cultural competency, explore issues of color and gender, and inspire people
who have a history of being marginalized, using social media and other
means as platforms to inform various communities of the life experiences
and concerns of marginalized people with regard to the necessity for social
action, dialogue, inclusion, compassion, tolerance, and cultural literacy to
expand and improve human relations going forward, in order to better facilitate
the current worldwide shift in global consciousness from tribalism, instability,
and extremism, to harmony, cooperation and enduring peace. In addition, we
welcome and support other organizations that promote the transformation of
consciousness as taught by spiritual teachers like Guru Nanak Dev and others.
Our vision is to ultimately afford every person in our community
the opportunities to explore the sensitivities of the human spirit to
wit each person is inspired to (a) teach and interact with people while
maintaining an appreciation for their longing for inclusion, the innate longing
to belong within our human nature; (b) respond with compassionate consideration
and sensitivity to those gender equality, racial, cultural, religious, ethnic, economic,
social, psychological, and philosophical differences that exist within most communities.
Notice
Commentaries and graphics appearing
on this Web site are presented as an open and
free source for
the enlightenment of visitors. However,
our primary aim is to stimulate
critical thinking and support for the subsequent resolution of diversity issues.
Diversity is the quality or state of having people who are of different
races or who are of different culture within a group or organization.
Question is, are we mature enough to sit down and discuss
issues of tribalism, including religion, gender and race?
Without dialogue only one side of an issue is resolved.
Open dialogue with those with whom we differ is an
expression of inclusion, tolerance, and love.
"If you want to make enemies, try to change something." Woodrow T. Wilson
"By going to a church one does not become Christian, by going to a temple one
does not become spiritual, but by cleaning his own temple, his own self, one does
become what one wants to be. You have to work on yourself. Self shall be tested.
You have to stand for your own self in the Age of Truth. You have to understand how to
love; you have to understand how to tolerate the other man's point of view." Yogi Bhajan
"Do not criticize anybody. Everybody is good within his own atmosphere.
Try to show your best nature. There are three types of people: Fanatic,
Liberal, and Lazy. Lazy are lazy because they are lazy. Fanatics have
got hang-ups. They do not reach anywhere because they are stuck. They
don't know what to do next. So whatever little they have, they feel it is their
kingdom; they don't want to be disturbed and they don't want to enter into
anybody's life. The Liberals of the New Age -- the Age of Truth, these people
want to know who they are, what they are, and why they are." Yogi Bhajan
"When a totally complete, comfortable, happy man touches an unhappy man,
he brings happiness. Life is a sharing. We share our sorrows and we share
our happiness. And if somebody is in sorrow, and we pour our happiness
into that person, we make him happy. For that we need clarity of the mind.
We need the strength of the soul. We need enlargement of our point of
view. We need tolerance. We need courage." The Siri Singh Sahib
"Caliber will make you to deliver. Character will sustain you.
Consciousness will carry you. Courage will bring you honor.
Commitment will bring you trust." The Siri Singh Sahib
"In life one thing you cannot get rid of and that is called challenge.
Whether you challenge the challenge or you give into the
challenge,
that decides the spirituality." Yogi Bhajan
"We're all part of One, and One is part of all.
Be prosperous, be generous, be kind and
be compassionate." Yogi Bhajan
"It is time for a shift in our thinking.
It's time for Sikhs to get our shift together.
It's time for Sikhs to be genuine agents of change.
It's time to promote more chardi kala around the world.
It's time for those who know to teach those who do not know.
And it's time for those who do not know to surrender their ego."
"It
remains true today, in the ancient tradition of ignorance
that people of faith and otherwise good sense hasten to
ostracize and demonize any person or group whose
beliefs, lifestyle, and customs are unlike their own."
"3HO needs to reach out to people of color,
not expect people of color to find 3HO."
"Any organization that fails to maintain open communication and dialogue with
its constituency is at risk of dysfunction, loss of credibility, and irrelevancy."
"Sunshine is the best remedy for dirty laundry." Inder Jeet Singh
"Looking at the one and only Black Family native to SDI/3HO/KRI
after 50 years from my perspective as a person of color I have to
ask, why are there so few Black Families? How many White Families
vs. Black Families are there after 50 years? Oh sure, there are a few
African-Americans, but they are disproportionately represented.
Think about the optics from the perspective of most people of color.
Do people of color see this disparity as a positive or as a negative?
And how many Black Kundalini Yoga teachers-trainers are there?
Isn't it time for there to be some serious mixed-race, adult dialogue?
The key indicator that organizations have come of age is when steps
are taken to permit open dialogue on the issue with people of color.
BTW: When asked if one Black Family after 50 years is an issue
of concern, some Sikh Dharma ministers agreed. But when asked
why the issue is never discussed, they were unable to answer.
Discourse is not meant to stir up feelings of guilt. Discourse is
meant to drive people to action against injustice. Question is
are we mature enough to sit down and discuss issues
of tribalism, including race, religion, and gender?" Note: Nobody has yet responded to questions.
See The Core Issues For Sikhs.
See SikhTribes.com.
"We are all pioneers in the Age of Aquarius. No man can
give a man anything other than love. No man can give a
man anything other than hope. No man can give a man
anything but service. The only thing you can do is act
like a forklift and go into the dirt and lift the other person
and put him on track, so he can proceed." Yogi Bhajan
"I am concerned about justice. I am concerned about brotherhood.
I am concerned about truth. And when one is concerned about these,
one can never advocate violence. For through violence you may murder a
murderer but you cannot murder murder. Through violence you may murder
a liar but you cannot establish truth. Through violence you may murder a hater
but you cannot murder hate. Darkness cannot put out darkness. Only light can
do that... And I say to you, I have also decided to stick to love. For I know that
love is ultimately the only answer to mankind’s problems. And I’m going to talk
about it everywhere I go... [Because] I have seen too much hate…to want to
hate, myself... Hate is too great a burden to bear... I have decided to love." Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"I am White, and as such, my role in ending racial oppression
must be in engaging other White people to join accountable
work for racial justice. Plain and simple." Jamie Utt
"Forgiveness is not forgetting, forgiveness is freedom from hate." Valerie Kaur
"Any White person living in the United States will develop opinions about race
simply by swimming in the water of our culture. But mainstream sources -- schools,
textbooks, media -- don’t provide us with the multiple perspectives we need." More.
"It's with curiosity, astonishment, and some degree of sadness
that I experience expressions of antipathy, even disdain for
my commentaries by family members, while unrelated people
respond with affinity, even affection." Hari Singh Bird Khalsa
"On the American racial level, we have to approach the Black man's
struggle against the White man's racism as a human problem. We
have to forget hypocritical politics and propaganda. Both races, as human
beings, have the obligation, the responsibility of helping to correct America's
human problem. The well-meaning White people have to combat, actively
and directly, the racism in other White people. And the Black people have to
build within themselves much greater awareness that along with equal rights
there has to be the bearing of equal responsibilities." Malcolm X, 1965
"There is nothing wrong in this world if you do not hate anyone or create a
superiority complex to make anyone else feel inferior." Yogi Bhajan
"Cognitive Dissonance: The psychological conflict resulting from simultaneously
held incongruous beliefs and attitudes, e.g., supporting the concepts of diversity
and pluralism while simultaneously marginalizing people." My Sikh Sense
"Are there even occasional conversations between White eyes and Colored eyes regarding the issues of diversity and racism and
their impact and complexities within the American community today?
Issues to do with diversity are not going away just because we deny
their existence, or because they cause us discomfort to discuss. We
must promote pluralism as did Guru Nanak Dev throughout his ministry. Sikh Dharma's tent needs to be as big as the Cosmos."
"The human mind was created to discriminate, e.g., make choices between up
and down, in and out, black and white, etc. We must always remain aware of our
tendency to use our discretionary abilities in order to marginalize and repress
people with whom we differ. We need to constantly see to it that we advocate for pluralism, against tribalism, in the interest of justice as taught by Guru Nanak Dev. Our choices are to live for each other, or to live at each other." Hari Singh Bird Khalsa
"Prison Yoga Project provides training for yoga teachers who want to work with inmates in
prisons. There are many people of color in the U.S. prison system who are in need of the
Healthy, Happy, Holy lifestyle as taught by Yogi Bhajan. 3HO's Kundalini Research Institute, KRI, would do well to provide and require formal training for its Certified Teachers whereby
these many marginalized members of our society can be served." Hari Singh Bird Khalsa
"Sikhs have always been highly identifiable and this is with good reason.
We stand out to be easily identified as spiritual warriors. We are the ones
to be relied upon to stand up and to defend the weak and innocent. Are we
living up to that legacy at this time or has our community become insular?
Practiced to the fullest in accordance with the teachings of Guru Nanak, Sikhism stands for pluralism and against tribalism." ACT For Diversity
Dear Hari Singh --- I have looked through your website content, and want to let you know how heartened I am that you are addressing issues of social justice and holding an open door to dialogue about topics that sorely need to be addressed in our society at large. As a former member of the 3HO community who left due to, among other reasons, a sense that the community was way too into itself, it's egoic [narcissistic] self image as saviors, and it's wealth, it is good to see that the topics of diversity and seeking solutions to ongoing racial and religious tensions finally have a dharma based forum online. I will be interested to see how your website, and the vital issues you are attempting to bring to consciousness evolve over the coming times. Kudos and blessings! --
*NOTE: The author of this commentary has requested anonymity for reasons of possible retaliation and/or recrimination by those persons who wish to maintain the status quo. "It's difficult to get a person to understand something when their paycheck depends on their not understanding."
To this end, it is important that 3HO/Sikh Dharma provide a platform from which to hear the concerns and suggestions, especially those of people of color, in order to encourage and enable transformational interactions between those cultures, religions, ideas, beliefs, lifestyles, races, orientations and customs, which differ from our own. Join the conversation here or call 855-410-2700. See Forum Rules of Conduct.
Purpose
You can't understand anything from a distance.
You have to get close." Bryan Stevenson
MySikhSense.com was created to afford members of the 3HO/Sikh Dharma community and friends the opportunity to explore the sensitivities of the human spirit to where each community is inspired to conduct a Sensitivity Summit for the purpose of (a) teaching and interacting with people while maintaining a keen appreciation for their longing for inclusion, the innate longing to belong of our human nature; (b) responding with compassionate consideration and sensitivity to those racial, cultural, religious, ethnic, economic, political, social, ethical, psychological, and philosophical differences that exist within our respective communities.See The Case For Dialogue.
"How can any organization monitor member attitudes toward diversity issues
including race, if it does not know the demographics of its organization? A
common requirement amongst governmental agencies is to regularly inquire
of ethnic and marginalized members as to their perceptions and grievances."
More Points to Ponder
"... blocks are keeping you from achieving your potential as
men. If we are not willing to talk about something, how can
we get rid of it?" Siri Singh Sahib of Sikh Dharma 1984
"Are there even occasional conversations between White eyes and Colored eyes regarding the issues of diversity and racism
and their impact and complexities within the American community today?
Issues to do with diversity are not going away just because we deny their
existence, or because they cause us discomfort to discuss." Hari Singh Bird
This mission is a perpetual exercise by which we intend to poke, provoke, confront and thereby elevate the consciousness of those with whom we interact. (See how this works.) Along the way we may encounter obstacles and challenges due to inadequate sensitivity. In order to make corrections moving forward we need a platform from which to hear from folks such as you, especially People of Color, as to where you see our flaws or failings. We need to know how others see us.
*Diversity is that social order wherein people of diverse races and colors or who are of different cultures and religions are included and nurtured. Due to the fact that People of Color who remain silent enable White people to remain culturally illiterate, it is incumbent on People of Color to stand up and speak out in order to promote cultural competency among White populations. See What's Wrong With These Pictures.
Sat Nam. The summary 3HO censure of Awtar Singh Khalsa during Summer Solstice 2013 (see details) is the case of a man and his family having undergone what they perceive as severe trauma. Any expectation 3HO might have for this family to be receptive to the persons and/or organization that injured them is like expecting a victim to welcome negotiating or even to contemplate associating with their perceived perpetrator. See SensitivitySummit.com.
(BTW: Awtar, Avtar, and Avatar mean the self-embodiment of the Supreme in the physical form. See Notes.)
To our knowledge, this is the one and only letter of censure
ever executed by 3HO/Sikh Dharma. See Selective Censure.
Questions: Was due process exercised? If not, why not?
"...the accused shall enjoy the right to be informed of the nature and cause
of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have
compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have...his defense." Due Process Clause, Sixth Amendment to U.S. Constitution
And a more compassionate approach must be exercised in dealing with any person's 'errant behavior' going forward. Sikhs are required, Sikhs are expected to look beyond a person's weaknesses and focus on their strengths in the spirit of the Guru, in the spirit of Chardhi kalaa, in the spirit of the Siri Singh Sahib, in the spirit of the Teachings.
In addition, 3HO and Sikh Dharma, including their respective boards and committees, need to be aware of their inevitable drift into tribalism (see example), which afflicts all organizations. It is practiced to the extreme in Iraq, today. Tribes tend to adopt an attitude of exceptionalism to the point where marginalization and exclusion of others reigns supreme. Case in point, Awtar Singh Khalsa. In this Age of Aquarius, inclusion vis-a-vis pluralism is in, exclusion vis-a-vis tribalism is out. Those that reject inclusion shall become irrelevant. (See Case of Classic Tribalism. Also see Dominionism.)
"We must be aware of our biases as the first step towards minimizing the inevitable drift
into tribalism, which runs counter to 3HO goals and the teachings of Guru Nanak."
Bottom line is, the Sikh Dharma community must hear from People of Color, i.e., people of African, Asian, Native American, etc., descent, as to their perception of the organization, as it is today. Given the history of human nature, Sikh Dharma can avoid creeping into exclusivity by monitoring the perceptions of People of Color. Sikh Dharma is an inclusive as opposed to an exclusive path. As Sikhs we need to practice what we teach.
No matter what the circumstances, "It is a Sikh's sacred duty, without fear or anger to defend the weak and protect the innocent." GurdwaraSecurity.com
*Notes
Avtar, Awtar, Avatar... "The scriptures of many religions speak of a coming leader who will consummate the fulfillment of the Divine will on earth. He will manifest in His person the righteousness and compassion of God*, and He will bring about the final defeat of evil, and establish the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. An unconscious and emotionally subconscious impression of the word 'Avtar' is made by the mind upon reading the word. Everything a person has ever read about the meaning is in the conscious and subconscious mind. Therefore, your perception is uniquely yours.
The Hebrew title Messiah, 'Christ' in Greek, means, "anointed one," that person who will be specially chosen by God for this mission and empowered to accomplish it. But while the term Messiah is specific to only a few religions, prophecies that a leader will come and accomplish such a mission are nearly universal.
Religions call Him by various names: Jews long for the promised Messiah; for Christians the Messiah is Jesus of Nazareth, who has already come and ascended to heaven but will reappear (perhaps in a new guise) at His Second Coming.
Muslims also expect the second advent of Jesus, who will come as a Muslim Imam, and among Shiite Muslims there are various expectations of a future Imam Mahdi.
Buddhist sutras prophesy the coming of the Maitreya Buddha; Vaishnavite Hindu scriptures prophesy the future descent of an Avatar named Kalki;
Zoroastrian scriptures prophesy the coming of the Saoshyant; and some Confucian texts speak of a future True Man who will finally bring peace to the world by perfectly instituting the Way of Confucius."
UNIVERSAL DIVERSITY All Separately Connected
"We're all part of One, and One is part of all." Yogi
Bhajan
In the eyes of the enlightened student of religion,
there is only one Creator-God, which is worshipped by various religions
and known by various names and descriptions. For example, in Islam, it's Allah; Christianity and Judaism, it's God; Hinduism, it's Brahmin; Sikhism, it's Sat Nam. It's the same
God masquerading as the diversity of creation and wearing the mask of what Sikhs,
Hindus and others call Maya.
"It doesn't really matter how you call His Name.
Allah, Jehovah, Sat Nam, it's all the same." Krishna Kaur
"Think about it. You grew your magnificent brain, perhaps the most complicated thing in the world. And you grew it without even thinking about it. A supremely intelligent, all-inclusive Life Force of unknown origin created and sustains this wondrous miracle of life. It's what we Sikhs refer to
as God." -- See YouAreTheEssence.com
Sat Nam! As a follow up to my previous posting of May 31, 2014 below,* I urge the respective Board of Directors of 3HO and Sikh Dharma International to consider engaging Mr. Ben Alexander of the firm Alexander Consulting and Training or other appropriate consultant for the purpose of conducting a Light on Diversity conference at the next Siblings of Destiny gathering.
Mr. Alexander comes recommended by members of the Sadh Sangat (community) and has expressed a possible interest in facilitating such a session. Please consider this proposal at your earliest convenience.
"The Board of Directors of 3HO and Sikh Dharma International need to convene a 'Sensitivity Summit' to include the Sadh Sangat at the next Siblings of Destiny gathering with an agenda to include conversations about diversity sensitivity, i.e., multicultural competency, and how both organizations can take a higher path to becoming more inclusive and inspirational to People of Color (non-Whites see note) going forward. Any call for such Sensitivity Summit should extend a special invitation to persons of color, especially any aggrieved persons of color to speak FIRST regarding their perception of the issues. Likewise, People of Color need to speak out here about their sense of where 3HO/Sikh Dharma is with regard to Inclusion, Transparency, Compassion, Diversity, and Tolerance." See An African American Critiques 3HO History.
"There is a way through every block. Understand through compassion or
you will misunderstand the times. When the time is on you, start, and
the pressure will be off. Recognize the other person is you. Vibrate
the Cosmos and the Cosmos shall clear the path." Yogi Bhajan
Sat Nam! I recently sent a request to a small, select group of 3HO/Sikh Dharma acquaintances asking them to take a look at these videos (below) and other images. I asked them to share their impressions. (Hopefully the videos will remain available for the purpose of future conversations.) I got mixed reviews, as expected. Some think the music and images are well done and the videos well represent 3HO. Some think there are too many photos of Yogi Bhajan, while others think the frequency of photos gives the false impression that Yogi Bhajan is physically present at Solstice events. Others think there needs to be more diversity, and more dharmic emphasis, e.g., images of the Sikh gurus, the Gurdwara ceremony, etc. Read on.
Questions: Is 3HO/Sikh Dharma becoming tribal-like?
Is 3HO/Sikh Dharma a monochromatic organization?
Where's the
Proportional Diversity? That quality or state of having people who are of different races or who have different cultures within a group or organization.
Where's the
Proportional Diversity? That quality or state of having people who are of different races
or who have different cultures within a group or organization.
Where is the diversity? Where are the colored eyes?
Do these photos depict Tribes or Tribalism.
Do you know the difference? Click here.
Can People of Color ever see 3HO as an organization that promotes Diversity
when after nearly 50 years the organization remains disproportionately White?
Where's Diversity in these pics, that quality or state of having people who are of
different races or who have different cultures within a group or organization?
"In 2013, the population of African-Americans, including those of more than one race,
was estimated at 45 million, making up 15.2% of the total U.S. population." Source.
NOTE: U.S. organizations should reflect about 15 African-Americans out of every 100.
"It
remains true today, in the ancient tradition of ignorance
that people of faith and otherwise good sense hasten to
ostracize and demonize any person or group whose
beliefs, lifestyle, and customs are unlike their own."
"3HO and Sikh Dharma need to be aware of their inevitable
drift into 'tribalism' that afflicts all organizations. This is practiced to the
extreme in Iraq, today. Tribes tend to adopt exceptionalism to the point
where marginalization and exclusion of others reigns supreme. An example is Awtar Singh Khalsa. In this Age of Aquarius, inclusion vis-a-vis pluralism is in,
exclusion vis-a-vis tribalism is out. Those that reject inclusion shall become irrelevant."
"Issues to do with diversity are not going away just because we
deny their existence, or because they cause us discomfort to discuss."
"The human mind was created to make choices, e.g., to discriminate between
up and down, in and out, black and white, etc. We must remain aware of our
tendency to use our discretionary abilities in order to marginalize and repress
people with whom we differ. We need to constantly see to it that we advocate
for pluralism and against tribalism in the interest of justice and fairness."
"People of color who remain silent enable White people to remain culturally
illiterate. It is incumbent on those who know to teach those who do not know."
Bottom line is that the 3HO/Sikh Dharma community must hear from people of
color, i.e., people of African, Asian, Native American, etc., descent, as to their
perception of the organization, as it is, today. Given the history of human nature,
Sikh Dharma can avoid creeping into exclusivity by monitoring the perceptions of People of Color. Sikh Dharma is an inclusive as opposed to an exclusive path.
As Sikhs we need to practice what we teach." MSS Hari Singh Bird Khalsa
And then there are those who see in the above images what might be considered a contrived presentation of images of People of Color (non-Whites see note). Some see a simply regional representation of populations. Others see an undue absence of non-Whites, especially African Blacks.
Looking at the videos, how many Black faces does one actually see? And of the Blacks that one sees, how many People of Color can be counted amidst groups of Caucasians? People of Color appear in small isolated, tribal-like groups, off to themselves... images of all Blacks, no Whites... images of all Whites, no Blacks nor Browns... no serious proportional mixing, and appearing tribal. And how many People of Color (non-Whites) do you see in this European video? See Commentary Europe.
As a person of mixed race heritage, my father, Native American, my mother, Caucasian, I see 3HO/Sikh Dharma as representing a microcosm of American culture. Some observers see the latest video as a "well-intentioned effort" at showing 3HO's diversity as opposed to the previous video. I agree that it is a step forward, but when I reflect back on my life experience as a person of color, a "half breed" looking through colored eyes, I have a somewhat different and cosmopolitan perspective that leads me to ask the following questions. See An African American Critiques 3HO History.
2) Does the message include genuine outreach to People of Color (non-Whites)?
3) Is the message sensitive to the life experience of People of Color?
4) How many Black families, including native-to-the-Dharma offspring, are there within the 3HO/Sikh Dharma Sangat (community) after almost 50 years?
5) How do People of Color perceive the optics? Is it seen as simply inadequate or is it seen as only a politically correct token gesture?
6) Is there an active and vigorous outreach to incarcerated populations including People of Color?
7) Are there any even occasional conversations between White eyes and Colored eyes regarding the issues of diversity and racism and their impact and complexities within Sikh American communities today?
9) Is there any procedure in place whereby those who have a grievance with regard to race relations can acquire resolution through Due Process, i.e., especially Due Process sans any subsequent intimidation or retribution? See SensitivitySummit.com. See More.
"If you accept things uncritically and blindly, then it's clear you don't have a
love for truth. You have a love for what people tell you." Dr. Cornel West
"Any system of human organization that does not (or cannot) respect and
value counter-opinions or dissenting voices can never be truly unified and
it will never evolve intelligently. Why is this so? Because the dominant, prevailing viewpoint will always be required to meet and to deal with
its polarity. Polarity is a law of reality." Krishna Singh Khalsa
"...the accused shall enjoy the right to be informed of the nature and cause
of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have
compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have...his
defense." Due Process Clause, Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
The job of a teacher is to poke, provoke, confront and elevate." Yogi Bhajan
'Eyes' have it!
Whether White Eyes or Colored Eyes,
all Eyes
can benefit from watching this video.
Think about it.
From 1789 to 2009
the only elected POTUS
out of forty-four presidents,
and even fewer First Americans,
had to prove his birthplace, and is
still considered by many to be foreign born,
even after providing his documentation of birth.
See Native Americans offer Whites amnesty.
What do you see?
"It
remains true today, in the ancient tradition of ignorance
that people of faith and otherwise good sense hasten to
ostracize and demonize any person or group whose
beliefs, lifestyle, and customs are unlike their own."
"3HO and Sikh Dharma need to be aware of their inevitable drift
into 'tribalism', which afflicts all organizations. This is practiced to the
extreme in Iraq, today. Tribes tend to adopt exceptionalism to the point
where marginalization and exclusion of others reigns supreme. An example is Awtar Singh Khalsa. In this Age of Aquarius, inclusion vis-a-vis pluralism is in,
exclusion vis-a-vis tribalism is out. Those that reject inclusion shall become irrelevant."
"People of Color who remain silent enable White people to remain culturally
illiterate. It is incumbent on those who know to teach those who do not know.
Bottom line is that the 3HO/Sikh Dharma community must hear from people of
color, i.e., people of African, Asian, Native American, etc., descent, as to their
perception of the organization, as it is, today. Given the history of human nature,
Sikh Dharma can avoid creeping into exclusivity by monitoring the perceptions of People of Color. Sikh Dharma is an inclusive as opposed to an exclusive path.
As Sikhs we need to practice what we teach." MSS Hari Singh Bird Khalsa
President Obama visited the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Nation
in Cannon Ball, N.D. on June 13, 2014, marking only the fourth
time in history that a sitting president has visited Indian country.
What do you see?
And still I Rise
MySense
Jenny Depper
Chris Rock Talks Racism
Comedian Chris Rock is trading in his silly quips in favor of a serious stance on politics and racism.
The 49-year-old actor sat down for an interview with New York Magazine recently and addressed racism in America today, dismantling the idea of Black progress and instead calling it White progress.
"When we talk about race relations in America or racial progress, it's all nonsense. There are no race relations. White people were crazy. Now they're not as crazy. To say that Black people have made progress would be to say they deserve what happened to them before," Rock explained.
"To say Obama is progress is saying that he's the first Black person that is qualified to be President. That's not Black progress. That's White progress," Rock mused.
And while he seemed to be supportive of the president, he didn't shy away from pointing the finger at the president's efforts in office.
"I'm trying to figure out the right analogy," Rock said. "Everybody wanted Michael Jordan, right? We got Shaq. That's not a disappointment. You know what I mean? We got Charles Barkley. It's still a Hall of Fame career. The president should be graded on jobs and peace, and the other stuff is debatable. Do more people have jobs, and is there more peace? I guess there's a little more peace. Not as much peace as we'd like, but I mean, that's kind of the gig."
Rock pointed out that President Obama has tried to please the majority of the masses, which could have lead to recent ill sentiments.
Rock said that President George W. Bush "operated like a cable network" and "only served the people who voted for him," while Obama was "a network guy" and tried to "get everybody."
"I think he's figured out, and maybe a little late, that there's some people he's never going to get," Rock said. --
Sat Nam, brother! Thanks for sharing the videos. There is so much that can be said here, though I'm sure much of it would fall short of the mark as empty words.
You have felt the crushing impact of racism and I have not. What could I possibly have to say? The only people of colour I met until I left home were the Chinese people at the restaurant we would visit only rarely on special occasions. My parents, for their part, were brought up with the dogma that Jews and Gypsies are bad, which they still believed - though my dad in his role as an intrepid and successful insurance salesman did reach out to the Mohawk and Chinese communities in the course of his business. Actually, that expressed racism was one reason I decided at sixteen to leave them and strike out on my own. I instinctively felt something wasn't right with my parents.
Here in Toronto where I partake in occasional multi-faith events it is customary to have a smudging first or to give the First Nations representative the first turn at speaking in recognition of their historic role as the first-comers to this land. I don't see that kind of representation however in the video and I don't think anyone in 3HO has made an effort to acknowledge the First Nations since Siri Singh Sahibji's passing.
In going through the video once, I was looking more for cultural than racial Diversity. Maybe that is a reflection of where we live. Toronto is one of the most multi-ethnic cities in the world, multiracial too. A lot of brown and yellow and a fair bit of red skin can be seen on the streets here too. So when I saw some Chinese and Middle Eastern representation (very rare for 3HO), I rejoiced. But reflecting on your email, I realize your dynamic is so Black and White and Red, a stark, crueler narrative of oppression than our own. Yes, absolutely there is and has been racism here,* but we did not have Indian wars here (the palefaces signed and broke treaties instead) and slavery was abolished rather earlier.
As for the 3HO story, I think you are closer to the centre and more connected with individuals than I am. You would be more sensitive I am sure and more knowledgeable also about the bigotry in our ranks - and I naturally defer to your expertise.
I have couple of excellent students who happen to be of colour whose stories are relevant here. One comes from South Africa. They both intimately know prejudice on a personal basis and carry its wounds with them. Both are very uncomfortable with the idea of wearing a turban, which would draw attention to them. They would rather not be noticed for a change. Of course, they are aware of the predominantly Caucasian milieu that we are, in 3HO and, no, they don't feel all that comfortable with us. Would rather be with their own people, which I didn't get at first, but makes sense to me now. See Commentary Europe.
I feel that many people of colour in the West may have the same reservations about joining this "White group." Why, we even dress all in white (like the Ku Klux Klan)! Not that inviting. They have their own narratives, their own pride of place and I'm sure most are very sensitive to prejudice within our ranks.
For what it's worth, that is my feedback. Yes, indeed it did occur to me that there were a lot of pictures of Yogiji in that video. Too many, but what do we do with the folks that are running the PR machine? They don't want to present anything deep, just to have a happy, smiley video. It seems it was the best way they could figure out to tie everything together - our spirituality, our dharmic roots, etc.
Thanks for being thoughtful and not a little brave. We need you. Guru Ram Das loves you. -- More.
Sat Nam! As a person of Native American heritage, I think what you are about to see looks very familiar. It looks like redundancy double over twice of what took place here, in America, i.e., we've seen it all before. Watch the video and see what you think. Wait for video to load.
We all have our perceptions. To me, yours is a fair evaluation of where 3HO is right now, and has been in the past. These are people that have always been 3HO, Healthy, Happy, Holy, Organization; yoga; meditation based on the sound current language Gurmukhi; and values based on the old Sikh values, which doesn’t exist in the Punjabi world, just a few actually live the life according to the teachings.
Is it racist? Sure, but not by design or choice. The world is racist. Black and Brown people are not comfortable hanging with White. I am a Rotarian and each issue of the magazine I look for brown and black shades of people. What I have seen is people who are being served and helped by few that are actual Rotarians. Yet, at the same time some of the world leaders of Rotary are African, from Africa. These are quite upper level Rotarians. But the magazine is designed and printed in the U.S. and not so many of these leaders are profiled. The magazine people are not used to including Black and Brown people to do the work. As one person said, "Rotary is a bunch of rich White people who want to help brown people so they can feel better about being rich and exclusive." An interesting take, and not at all what the Rotary rules say, or the founders of said.
I am one of the only Sikhs in Rotary on the West coast. I walk into a room and people wonder who and what I am. I don’t have any friends or cohorts. I see them when we all do something. Is that my problem, feeling excluded. And remember, I am White, Austrian decent, but I'm wearing a turban with a beard. I don’t fit in, and I feel uncomfortable most of the time.
My insurance agent is Black. He has lots of stories about racism in Oregon. We know how racist the past was. But does racism still exist? Yes, absolutely. We are simply not used to brown. And when I took this man to Rotary to see if he wanted to join, he felt really uncomfortable. No other Black faces. People stared at him. Did they stare because he was Black or because he was a tall good looking Black man impeccably dressed? I think the latter. I have asked Rotary leaders about this. And they replied that efforts are made constantly to bring in “Diversity.” It’s part of their creed. But People of Color don’t feel comfortable. It’s the way it’s been for so long, that change is hard for both sides of the color issue. In my club we just had an African man return from Kenya. He was a member for a time and then had to return to Kenya to manage his family orphanage. Yesterday he was back, and everyone was quite happy to see him.
I see a similarity in this 3HO video. Krishna Kaur is taking yoga to Africa and African-Germans, African-Americans, etc. People of Color (non-Whites) tend to cluster. It feels safer and more comfortable. And some of the “all Blacks” are from areas of the world where that is the norm. But here, they are doing Kundalini Yoga...Muslim women doing yoga, Africa herd tenders doing yoga. And there is a sprinkling of Black and Brown faces throughout. More than I have seen in the past. Yeah, it's still mostly White. But better than it was. What I see is a reflection of how the world is changing, but still very much White oriented. White people have been told for so many centuries they are superior, it’s in their DNA. And brown people have been told they are inferior for so many centuries, it’s the same. But little by little it’s changing. One can see change in the videos.
It's About Color
Where's the Diversity?
The state of having people who are of different races
or who have different cultures in a group or organization.
Unfortunately for brown people, the responsibility for integration lies with them, as I advised my insurance agent. He and his family have to put themselves in uncomfortable places. Put their Black faces in front of people. The U.S. is still racist, of course. But now we see generals, presidents, Secretaries of State, more rich and more respected Black woman. Everyone loves Oprah, except a few racists who make it messy for everyone else. Black is becoming more acceptable.
Punjabis can be some of the most racist. They don’t relate to 'White Sikhs', or Black people, or Hispanics. Amazing. Almost as bad as the Japanese. But this is changing, as well. Many Punjabis see us as the saviors of the faith. Inclusion will come to them, or they won’t survive.
I don’t see any deliberate exclusion in the 3HO video. I see the way things are. A refection of a norm we need to change. But how does one change something that has become part of the culture everywhere, not just 3HO? What would the Siri Singh Sahib say in reply to any racism in the videos? I think he would tell us to blend more, and stand out.
Two years ago I saw the Guru Gaddi day celebration in Espanola. There was one Black woman with her kids in a room full of Whites that included former Christians and Jews. She was alone with her kids, participating, but not a part of the culture. It was a little sad. I don’t think anyone was trying to exclude her. But there it was.
Siri Chand Singh Khalsa
Then, we have Awtar Singh's twin boys. I saw one of the them being interviewed about being a Sikh by a Punjabi. It was very well done and Siri Chand, or his brother, Lakhmi Chand, can't remember which one did it. It was brilliant. The comments written below the video were so telling. Young Punjabis were writing that they want to be as courageous, capable and handsome as this Gursikh, nothing about being Black, just about being a righteous Sikh, living with confidence and standing tall.
Now, as far as the 3HO 'old guard' goes, I feel excluded. I have always been an “outsider." In 1978, after taking Amrit, a community leader told me there was a party coming up, but even as an “outsider” I could attend. This really stuck with me. After 40 years of serving the Dharma, KRI, 3HO – mostly behind the scenes – I remain an outsider. So it’s not just brown or Black that feel excluded. I know many feel the same way. I'm not sure why they stay, now that the Siri Singh Sahib has passed. So if there were Black and Brown people that were not part of it then, do you think the old guard can change enough, now? Not really. It’s the next generation, and the next generation, that will see the change.
I liked the video. I liked the fact that there were Black faces and Black groups doing yoga. It is a huge step in the right direction. I think complaining about not enough integrated brown is not the answer. I think the Siri Singh Sahib would say the video is “Greeeaaatt,” and he would say something like, "it's nice to see so many brown faces," and then, “are they allowed to mix more?” Innocent questions that wake people up, praise with a question. It's always the way. So I see the video as great and it shows us how much more we can do to make inclusiveness a reality, and love all the Black faces, and love all the brown faces.
3HO 50th birthday photo collage...
...but still only ONE (1) ALL BLACK FAMILY after 50 years.
How many White Families are there after 50 years? It's time for serious mixed-race adult dialogue.
I also think the videos could have been done better. Just from a technical standpoint. But then I have a television background and do videos myself and I understand skill levels and working with poor quality photos. If it were done just a little better, it would be more effective. But there it is, at least they're trying. And that, I applaud, and I say Grrreeeeeaaaat!
The video is a genuine reflection of what 3HO was and is. And it shows a glimpse of what it could be. Lets look at what could be, and bring that into our daily lives. Then, check the next video to see if anything has changed, eh? -- More.
Stand By Me
My Sikh Sense
Hari Singh Bird Khalsa
"The process of self-discovery is not pretty or comfortable. This is
why White people resist conversing on the subject. But think of the
discomfort People of Color have endured for centuries while awaiting the
evolution of White people to experience the epiphany of their self-discovery."
The Optics of Color...
Where's the Diversity?
The state of having people who are of different races
or who have different cultures in a group or organization.
First reason Families of Color may not relate to 3HO/Sikh Dharma's message.
Second reason Families of Color may not relate to 3HO/Sikh Dharma's message.
Third reason Families of Color may not relate to 3HO/Sikh Dharma's message.
Fourth reason Families of Color may not relate to 3HO/Sikh Dharma's message.
Sat Nam. Here are my thoughts regarding where I see today's 3HO/Sikh Dharma as an organization.
Guru Nanak's teachings regarding caste, class, women, inclusion and tolerance were considered extremely radical in his day and it appears his ideas remain just as radical today for many White people especially. 3HO/Sikh Dharma must engage itself in a meaningful introspective process of self-examination, i.e., Sensitivity Summit, when it comes to understanding diversity sensitivity. It's an important conversation for White people and People of Color alike to have in our progression of consciousness. That is, it is an opportunity for both 3HO/Sikh Dharma and Persons of Color to learn and practice tolerance, compassion, pluralism and service, towards each other. Guru Nanak's message to all people of the Earth is, "Recognize the Divine light within all. Do not consider social class or status; there are no classes or castes, hereafter." -- See Is This What Tribalism Looks Like?
Sat Nam. The video shows that 3HO is a happy place and it is a fine piece for promoting that image. Beyond that, the underlying message is that its outreach is mostly targeted at the 'haves' and less so at the 'have-nots'. What I see from it is that it is more profitable and easier to market our services and products to the 'haves' - those people who do not need them as much - compared to the 'have-nots', who desperately need them. Unfortunately, in our society, Africans and other people of 'color' fall into the category of the 'have-nots' more so than do others.
There is one Black senior female teacher who is trying to change that, and I am sure that if she succeeds in any way our "spiritual outreach" will then be focused there too, but for now the potential return from minorities is somewhat low. This is, however, improving in the Latin and Asian countries, so we can expect more of those faces in the next video. -- Back to Beginning. More.
One morning, when a new teacher of "Introduction to The Rights" class entered the Law School classroom, the first thing he did was to ask the name of a student seated on the front bench.
“What is your name?”
“My name is Juan, Sir.”
“Leave the classroom immediately and I don't want to ever see you in my class!” screamed the teacher.
Juan was bewildered but, when he got hold of his senses, he got up quickly, collected his belongings and left the classroom.
All were scared and angry but none did or said anything.
“Well…,” said the new teacher, “whom do our enacted Laws serve?”
All were afraid to reply but slowly gained confidence and began to answer his question.
“So that there is order in society.”
“No!” the teacher responded.
“To accomplish them."
“No!”
“So that the people who wrong others pay for their actions?”
“No! Does nobody here know the answer to this question?"
“So that there is justice,” a girl said timidly.
“At last! That’s it... so that there is justice! And now, what is the use of justice?”
All began to feel uneasy with such a rude attitude, but followed on, answering, “To safeguard human rights...”
“Well, what more?” asked the teacher.
“To differentiate right from wrong... to reward the good...!”
“Ok... not bad, however... answer this. Did I act rightly when expelling Juan from the classroom earlier…?”
Nobody answered.
“I want a decisive and unanimous answer!”
“No!" Everybody replied in unison.
“Would you say I committed an injustice?”
“Yes!”
“And why did nobody do or say anything about that? Why do we have or need Laws and Rules if we don't have the will needed to practice them? Each and every one of you has the obligation to complain when you witness injustice. Remember, each and every one of you! Do not stay quiet… never again! Now, go and call Juan back,” he told a student.
That day, all received the most practical lesson ever in the entire Law course.
When you don't defend your Rights, you lose your dignity. Your dignity is never negotiable! -- More.
My Sikh Sense
Hari Singh Bird Khalsa
"I came to create teachers,
not to gain followers." Yogi Bhajan
"Teacher is not a great popular person. They teach
what they know and
make people better than them.
Teacher must create a student better
than him or her.
Otherwise that person is not a teacher, but a preacher.
Teacher doesn't take help. Teacher is the help." Yogi Bhajan
Question for 3HO Students/Sikh Dharma Ministers.
Are you preachers or teachers?
Preachers create followers.
Teachers create teachers.
"The job of a teacher is to poke, provoke, confront and elevate."
"It’s not the life that matters... It’s the courage you bring to it."
“I have come to create teachers, not to gain students.”
“You must be ten times greater than me!”
How many challenges do you think the Siri Singh Sahib faced when he attempted to teach those who do not know? I can’t recall him ever giving up on anybody. He never put anybody down, or out. He always carried them up and over.
It is incumbent on those who know to teach those who do not know. Our obligation as teachers is to keep up, not to give up. It doesn’t matter what choices people have made, what color they are, what weaknesses they have, what little remuneration we receive as a teacher, or if anybody likes us, or whether anybody respects us. Our duty is to serve. --
My Sikh Sense
Ravitej Singh Khalsa
Speaking of Racism
Follow the Money Trail
Sat Nam. We hear about ideology driving much of what is wrong with the world. This video points out that the true reason for conflict and slavery (of any kind including minimum wages) simply can be found by following the money trail. -- More.
I agree and I wish to emphasize caution regarding any inclination to thinking that there is any emergency that cannot happen even at Ram Das Puri.
I suggest that we give some serious reflection and thought to the Oak Creek incident of 2012 and Operation Blue Star of 1984, both revisited at GurdwaraSecurity.com. The worse thing that can happen is that anybody adopt or even consider the mind-set that Guru, or Guru Ram Das or other will mitigate any emergency or disaster. This kind of thinking prevents us from being prepared to step up and make Security a matter of personal responsibility. All security is local!
Let's remember Guru Gobind Singh's admonition that Guru is Sangat, Sangat is Guru.
God takes care of those who take care of themselves.
Guru Rakha! --
My Sikh Sense
Ravitej Singh Khalsa
"Sat Nam! Many years ago, we had put together a marketing campaign for WahGuru Chews as a survival food. And included a packet of George Washington’s future visions in it. As we progress further into this new Gurdwara in Eugene, OR, the concept of making WahGuru Chews is also returning. Interesting, eh? We had a large crowd this last Saturday looking at the facility. And everyone agrees it would be perfect for the resurrection of the Eugene Gurdwara and Yoga School.
Also saw in the newspaper today about other countries and even Muslims up in arms about the captured young women and girls in Africa. And the article went on the further mention that “experts” thought that intervention by the global community might fire up the radicals even more. That’s a daunting thought. And brought up to me the old story of George Washington’s vision of the future.
George Washington had several visions of war. He saw every major conflict the U.S. was involved with. Every one of them. And the last was the worst and ended up on U.S. soil. And much more so than even the civil war. His last vision started in Africa and spread worldwide including onto U.S. soil. It is the most horrible of all the conflicts. But America is saved by an Army in white. At the time we all thought maybe that was us and it was over consciousness. With today’s news, I think there may still be the possibility of some kind of world conflict. And if it seems to involve these radical Muslims, might be some form of holy war. The worst kind.
So it’s hard for the international community to watch what is happening in Africa right now. Even Muslims are not liking it. Something is going to happen over this one. Intervention of some kind. And it’s going to stir up the radicals who are most probably going to retaliate. And if they do have dirty bombs or even nuclear, it might be very messy. Imagine a few of those ending up in the U.S. That would change everything. Martial law first. Then persecution of anyone who looks “wrong,” turban, brown skin.
Remember that Hispanics suffered after 911 because they were brown. And anyone looking anything but WASP-like, might be suspect and even seen as the enemy. This is starting to feel like George Washington’s vision. Africa catches on fire. Smoke pours out of Africa. Then this “angel” pours water on America and the fire and smoke is here. And all is conflict and fighting. Flashes in the smoke. And then the warriors in white descend and quell it all. And that’s where the story ends. Like, it’s an age of peace after that.
So if you believe George Washington’s vision, start to follow this current world crises over the captured women and girls. The world is not going to take this sitting down this time. But the consequences might be cataclysmic.
Interesting thoughts for Mother’s Day, eh?" -- More.
My Sikh Sense
Hari Singh Bird Khalsa
Happiness is the Truth
Happiness is the Truth in ASL
"Happiness is your birthright. It cannot be taken away from you. But you act as if it is not your birthright. You begin to wish for happiness rather than accept it and express it. When you wish for happiness, you also wish indirectly for unhappiness, just as night and day follow each other. When you wish, every happiness is followed by sadness and every sadness by a happiness. You are not happy because you make comparisons and compete with something over which you have no control. You have no control over Infinity—the vast, creative essence of life and consciousness. If you have no control over Infinity, don’t try and control it. Flow with it and you can reach anywhere! Fight with it and you’ll be unhappy. There’s nothing to it. The only problem is you have not consciously developed your mental caliber, meditative mind, and the attitude of gratitude and contentment." Yogi Bhajan
My Sikh Sense
Guru Fatha Singh Khalsa
Sat Nam! Have you been to Europe? The colour divide there is much more alive than we have here. It is no wonder there are few People of Colour (non-Whites) depicted. There are less people of colour to begin with and they are generally more ghettoized than in North America with very, very few elected representatives. There are a handful in Britain I believe, and Germany just got an ethnic Turk in its Cabinet. The Italians got a Black federal minister a few months back with a lot of controversy. To my knowledge, that is about it. Racial integration - with tens of thousands of Africans illegally crossing the Mediterranean each year and languishing in refugee housing - is a long haul for the Europeans.
I deeply appreciate your intention, your fighting spirit, your everything on this, but I don't think you appreciate the dynamic of racism in Europe...
On reflection, I graded the success at racial integration in Canada and the U.S. and I give Canada a grade ranging from 3 to 6 on a scale of 10. In Europe, I would give them a grade of 1 to 3, so there is a problem there, a big problem, but I think you are missing some of the fundamentals which I will briefly outline for you.
1) North and South America have a horrific history of conquest, subjugation of native peoples and subsequent slavery. The native peoples still exist in the Americas usually in degraded conditions, as do the descendents of the original slaves in large and significant numbers. While Europe was instrumental in all this, outside of Lapland, there are virtually no Aboriginals or descendents of slaves.
2) The dynamic with Africa and Africans is very different. Many immigrants are Muslim and have no desire to assimilate. Moreover illegal immigration of Blacks from Africa is both a perceived and a real threat to the island of prosperity which Europeans have created for themselves. This is not racism in itself, but economic self-interest.
3) There are so few people of colour in 3HO Europe. I am not sure I saw any when I was at the yoga festival a couple of years ago. The Blacks I met were from Africa. What do you want the folks in 3HO Europe to do then with their advertising? Import a few Blacks from the U.S. to do a photo shoot? Hire Black models and fake it?
4) Every country in Europe has a different dynamic. Britain is perhaps the most integrated, but they have a terrible class system still based on their aristocracy. They also have ethnic and racial ghettos.
That being said, have a look at this initiative from the Sikh community in the U.K. By their seva, they are winning the respect of pink-skinned people wherever they go. See KhalsaAid.org.
Racial integration in Europe will come with a more equitable global economy and less travel restrictions than exist at present. Perhaps in a generation or two they will have it. -- More.
Can I assume that you at least thought about putting information up on these other groups (and there is more, of course)?
I just don't quite resonate with not having some sort of comment, something on these other groups. Because I don't think you have any Mexican Sikhs or Mexican Kundalini Yoga teachers, students.
Now that a conversation has been opened and is public, I think there needs to be something else said on other groups.
Just thinking, really nice page, reading it was interesting. I really liked the one on Europe. It’s something else to think about. I also enjoyed Awtar Singh Khalsa's photos and music. Very nicely done. --
*NOTE: The author of this commentary has requested anonymity for reasons of possible retaliation and/or recrimination by those persons who wish to maintain the status quo within the 3HO/Sikh Dharma organization.
"It's difficult to get a person to understand something when their paycheck depends on their not understanding."
My Sikh Sense
Hari Singh Bird Khalsa
Sat Nam. The colors of faces does not matter. It's People of Color, which includes all... Colorless, Red, Yellow, Coffee, Black. I think you are referring to ethnic groups as well, which of course is covered in my challenge. I do not think it's necessary to go into any more detail for the purpose of initiating conversation. If folks can't figure out racism and bigotry as it's defined in the commentary, we won't move forward.
The point being that we have entered the Age of Inclusion whereby Compassion, Tolerance, Diversity and Service are in. Racism, bigotry, sexism, and the denigration of not only women but any persons are out. It is incumbent on 3HO/Sikh Dharma to now be fully engaged and emerge from denial just like all other organizations of this Age. -- More.
With regard to the emergency guidelines for the upcoming children's program Summer Solstice it is very good to have a document that makes clear to all the kids and volunteers our plan of action in case of any emergency situation. I have a hard time believing that anything like that could happen on the sacred land of Ram Das Puri but I can see that if I didn't have this document I might not make the best choice of action in a moment of panic. I really agree with the wildfire action plan. The open space idea really would cover us. In fact it should be considered for the whole camp if that space is large enough. Thank you to those of you putting together this plan of action. --
*NOTE: The author of this commentary has requested anonymity for reasons of possible retaliation and/or recrimination by those persons who wish to maintain the status quo within the 3HO/Sikh Dharma organization.
"It's difficult to get a person to understand something when their paycheck depends on their not understanding."
A good question to ask also is how many of us include People of Color in our yoga classes? How many of us target People of Color with any literature on these teachings? How many of us have friends that are People of Color? Personally, I am color blind? I never look at color and decide if I am going to include this or that person as a friend, student, client, colleague, etc. What may be more important for some is how to reach out to a more diverse group of people. In other words we need to understand different cultures (see example) in order to reach out to them. Just some thoughts on this very important issue. I did notice that there are not very many People of Color (non-Whites) in the pics, etc. --
*NOTE: The author of this commentary has requested anonymity for reasons of possible retaliation and/or recrimination by those persons who wish to maintain the status quo within the 3HO/Sikh Dharma organization.
"It's difficult to get a person to understand something when their paycheck depends on their not understanding."
Sat Nam, Hari Singh! I was just thinking about my past conversation with a Kundalini Yoga Sikh teacher a few years ago, in which it was stated that Yogi Bhajan had said "no classes could ever be taught on the Internet." My memory may not be precise on what was said, but all discussion ended with, "Yogi Bhajan said."
I asked if it was possible that the Internet would change to such an extent that classes could be held as webinars? I asked if being in a webinar in which I can hear everything in the class, and you all can hear me counted. Or did it not count because it was coming through a computer on the Internet? No answer.
It seems to me, that there is this 'mind set' that unless Yogi Bhajan left directions on how to do stuff, or how to react, or what steps to take, that it all just stops there. No one seems to be taking into account that Yogi Bhajan gave his understanding at that time, his understanding of the Self-Sensory Human and the times that we are in -- that this is the information he was able to pull through 'at that time' and if he had lived longer, he would have brought more information out and given it, as it became available to him, but he transitioned.
So others such as the 'Kryon channeling' are now bringing through similar information, and more of it. And this 'flow' will increase with time. This information dovetails with what Yogi Bhajan said, and eventually it will all go beyond him to an extent. We have to go with it. We have to go with the Reality of the latest, newer information, still keeping Yogi Bhajan's teachings in mind. Yes, some of it will always be way ahead of us, or so it is said. (500 years into the future?) I can't comment on that.
But as far as I know, no one is thinking about this. No one is addressing it. No one is saying, wait a minute, you have to be open minded, you have to open up to what is happening and what is coming. People need to be reminded over and over, all the time. So many of the teachers and students of Yogi Bhajan and Kundalini Yoga are stuck in their mind set, probably the same mind set that teaches soon-to-be teachers at KRI, 3HO, Sikh Dharma. Think about it. --
*NOTE: The author of this commentary has requested anonymity for reasons of possible retaliation and/or recrimination by those persons who wish to maintain the status quo within the 3HO/Sikh Dharma organization.
"It's difficult to get a person to understand something when their paycheck depends on their not understanding."
*Important Notice: "With grateful appreciation for the above contributor's observations and with no offense to the contributor intended, Yogi Bhajan never issued any statement declaring classes could not be taught on the Internet, nor any other media platform of which Super Health is aware. This, according to Super Health staff members. Fact check: White Tantric Yoga was taught for several years by Yogi Bhajan using video technology during his tenure as Mahan Tantric, and is currently being taught using electronic media." MSS Hari Singh Bird Khalsa
My Sikh Sense
Hari Singh Bird Khalsa
Sat Nam, my dear friends! I think your views have merit. But again, they are your views based on your life experience, and my views are based upon my life experience. My views are also inclusive views, inclusive of yours and every person in our organization. See Gurdwara Watchdogs.
I expect the majority of folks within the 3HO/Sikh Dharma organization to favor your views more than mine and to perhaps even reject my views for reasons that I indicate in My Sikh Sense piece. Looking in the mirror is never easy. I don't know anyone who sees themselves as racially insensitive. Too painful and requires more humility than most have.
To be honest, I think the big difference, at least in how I see things, is that my life experience is similar to that of our brothers and sisters of color, which of course cannot be truly or completely shared with 'colorless' folks. "You had to be there!"
However, this is the issue ACT is addressing. The closest the elderly White people in our organization can come to being there is to permit a platform to be created for People of Color to share their experience. (See Sensitivity Summit.) This is for them apparently too heavy a load and too long a carry for all kinds of reasons, a sense of guilt, ignorance, fear, intimidation, etc., etc.
This is mostly the reason there is the push back and continued denial at all levels of our social structure. We see it throughout the media. It hurts. And I think it's the reason the Siri Singh Sahib never really got into it. His life was too short. But again, I ask, how much pain have People of Color experienced given the status quo of the last few hundred years? Think about it.
There's no way White people can avoid the pain of transition into this Age of Inclusion. "They can run, but they can't hide!" Just as Yogi Bhajan stepped up to meet the challenges of his teacher Sant Hazara Singh and became victorious, we must suck it up and meet the challenge of our teacher Guru Nanak and become victorious. See Americans Still Lie About Slavery.
"Recognize the Divine light within all. Do not consider social class or status; there are no classes or castes, hereafter." Guru Nanak Dev
I think you need to continue expressing your views, but understand that the tone of your views are more in line with the majority of White folks who are living in their comfortable bubble of denial. Makes me wonder what poke, provoke, confront, elevate means to our organization.
Again, at some point, hopefully sooner than later, our organization must come to grips with this reality, the issue of the one and only all Black Couple with progeny after 50 years. The starkness of this reality is going to require some real guts to deal with. "If not us, who? If not now, when?" --
Sat Nam, my dear friend! You are a competent and capable marketing professional. But consciousness is not marketable. Figures do not work. You can't use figures to figure it, i.e., consciousness. Consciousness, the state of being, cannot be measured. Figures won't work and if you can't measure it, how can you market it? How do you measure quality or quantity of being? These can only be perceived by each person from within looking in, no figures, no quotas, no estimates, no charts, no graphs, no costs, no polls. How do we measure a person's consciousness, a person's perception or not of Guru's teachings, a person or organization being the teachings?
A Supreme Court justice once remarked when asked how he could know what pornography is, and what pornography is not. He said, "I know pornography when I see it." Likewise, we know expressions of consciousness, character, caliber, courage, compassion, tolerance, service, etc., or unconsciousness expressions, when we see it, when we experience it.
My answer to your question is that we must continue our efforts for equality, tolerance, inclusion by living it ourselves, within 3HO/Sikh Dharma, knowing it's Guru's mission with the knowledge that it's Guru's set up and we are here to serve Guru's mission, whatever it is. And we will know Guru's work when we see it, when we experience equality, tolerance, inclusion within ourselves, within 3HO/Sikh Dharma. Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa! Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh! -- See More Details. See Sensitivity Summit.
Sahib Jathedar Singh Sahib Giani Gurubachan Singh,
Jathedar of Akal Takhat, addresses Sangat at evening
program at Khalsa Council Meetings, October 6, 2014.