SiriSinghSahib.com The Siri Singh Sahib of Sikh Dharma
The Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib aka
Harbajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji, Ph.D.
aka Yogi Bhajan
"Basically,
you and God are nothing but the two sides of the same coin."
"God
is nothing but your own inner consciousness. Now I will agree with you
that you cannot always feel this God, but that is because you think that you
are separate from God. We call it Maya. Maya is the illusion of separateness:
it is the quicksand of this life. Sometimes we sink into this quicksand and then we
need a hook; we need some guidance to help us pull ourselves out so that we can
continue our journey. The hook that we use to do this is called the Guru." -- Yogi Bhajan
The Mahan Tantric of
White Tantra Yoga*
"If
you cannot see God in all, you cannot see God at all."
Who
is the Siri Singh Sahib aka Yogi Bhajan?
The
Siri Singh Sahib, Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji aka Yogi
Bhajan is the chief religious and administrative authority for
the Ministry of Sikh Dharma in the Western Hemisphere. Yogi Bhajan
was given the Ministerial title of "Siri
Singh Sahib" by the central governing body of the Sikh
religion, the Akal Takhat, in recognition
of his unceasing missionary work in the Western world.
He is an individual of remarkable insight, powerful energy and an
unwavering commitment to global healing and spiritual awareness.
Yogi Bhajan is a Master of Kundalini Yoga, the Yoga
of Awareness, and a dedicated and inspired teacher. Since arriving
in the United States in 1969, he has dedicated himself to bringing
meaning, dignity and a reconnection of Spirit into the lives of people
everywhere, especially those people who have become lost and confused
through the use of drugs.
As he has worked diligently to spread the science and practice of
Kundalini Yoga throughout the Western Hemisphere and beyond, Yogi
Bhajan has become widely recognized as a world leader and champion
of world peace and healing.
"Since ancient times, humans have found that they have zillions
of thoughts, billions of feelings, millions of emotions, thousands
of desires, hundreds of fantasies, and a multitude of realities and
personalities.
We do everything to get rid of this pressure, because it is eating
us up inside. We try every method available, but ultimately, our mind
and thoughts rule us and bog us down."
"We have the Birthright to be
Beautiful, Bountiful and Blissful."
Yogi
Bhajan, Ph.D., is also a gifted Doctor of Psychology, counselor and
yogic therapist. His counseling methodology called "The
Science of Humanology," helps people realize there inner
strength and well being by giving them practical tools to utilize
with an every day lifestyle.
"When you don't go within
you go without." Yogi
Bhajan
"I do not believe in miracles,
I rely on them." Yogi
Bhajan
"Every
disability is imagined.
Every achievement an experience.
Develop your courage to overcome
your imagined disability." Yogi
Bhajan
“Prayer
is talking to God. Meditation
is letting God talk to you." Yogi
Bhajan
“When the time is on you, START, and
the pressure will be off." Yogi
Bhajan
"Wisdom,
character and consciousness
conquer everything." Yogi
Bhajan
“It
is the job of a spiritual teacher to poke,
provoke, confront and elevate." Yogi
Bhajan
"Whatever
your known is, that is you. Whatever
your unknown is, that is God." Yogi
Bhajan
"If
you want to learn something, read about it.
If you want to understand something, write about it.
If you want to master something, teach it." Yogi
Bhajan
"We are not permanent here. Nothing around us is permanent.
Everything moves on. This is the Spirit of the Universe. As the
Aquarian Age has to come, the Piscean Age has to leave.
And so, the people who are Pisceans shall eliminate
themselves in many ways." Yogi Bhajan
"You will never be given time to prepare yourself to face a challenge.
You have to act spontaneously… you must develop
your intuition… to match the need." Yogi Bhajan
"Each day, live to elevate yourself, each day elevate one person.
Make elevation your religion and you shall reach Infinity." Yogi
Bhajan
"Prayer goes where it will. And when the heart gets into the prayer, every beat
of the heart creates a miracle. If you want to see and feel the power of man;
man's power is in his prayer. And where prayer goes, God follows. That is one
area where Almighty God follows man. That is the power of prayer." Yogi
Bhajan
"You think a teacher does nothing. Actually, nothing happens without a teacher.
A person who does not have a teacher has no life. Period. Whatever is the
frequency, scope, and ultimately the standard of your teacher, shall be yours.
Otherwise, there is a permanent teacher called Mr. Time." Yogi
Bhajan
"The mere act of teaching implies that one wishes the world well." Roger Rosenblatt
“A teacher affects eternity: he can never tell where his influence stops.” Henry Adams
"It is incumbent on those who know to teach those who do not know." Hari
Singh Bird
Gurdwara Security and Safety
Act without fear. Act without anger. Act to defend the weak.
Act to protect the innocent.
"It is a Sikh's sacred duty, without fear or anger, to defend the
weak and protect the innocent." SantSipahiAdvisoryTeam.com
"Forgiveness doesn't mean you forget what happened...
If something is serious and it is necessary to take counter-
measures, you have to take counter-measures." Dalai Lama
Monitor all activities occurring in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib as well as any other activities in order to maintain a safe, hazard-free environment, and a peaceful, respectful Gurdwara decorum.
Assist Sangat members in the performance of their worship and other activities, especially to include the arrival and departure of families with young children, giving aid and comfort to the elderly and the infirm, and greeting visitors.
Take direct Protective and/or Defensive action in the event of emergency circumstances such as fire and emergency medical response, disruptive or disorderly activity, or any act of aggression occurring within or around the Gurdwara or amongst Sangat members, and ensure security of building perimeter (doors and windows) while maintaining appropriate access for Sangat members and guests.
Gather and disseminate intelligence data, and subsequently alert Sangat members, and appropriate local authorities to the existence of issues or circumstances involving imminent or potential risk to the security of the Guru, Sangat members, or Gurdwara property.
Interface with and assist Local Fire and Medical Emergency or Law Enforcement Response Team members in order to maintain appropriate and respectful decorum in any emergency conditions occurring in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib or upon the Gurdwara property, circumstances permitting.
NOTE: General Protocols For Gurdwara Sevadars are intended to be general in nature as opposed to specific since these apply to the commonalities of all Gurdwaras.
Special Operating Protocols or SOPs should be formulated and implemented by respective Sangat leaders after consultation with local First Responders, i.e., Fire, Medical Emergency, Law Enforcement or other agencies. These Special Operating Protocols then will reflect conditions peculiar to local circumstances, which may vary according to any unique layout, structural, or geographical, economic, or technical requirements.
In addition, each community should contact their local First Responders, especially Fire Prevention and Law Enforcement Agencies, for a comprehensive risk assessment survey of Gurdwara property, and management policies and procedures to include a comprehensive Safety and Security Audit. Audits may possibly be provided free of charge, and should include procedures related to the following issues:
For assistance, call 855-410-2700 Eastern, or click here. For security skills training, see RamDhanSingh.com.
Security does not happen by accident!
Security is those actions or systems, which prevent or minimize
the occurrence of adverse events within specific environments.
The most effective security is preventative as well as proactive,
and serves to minimize any risk to life, property or environments.
American Sikhs are free to pursue happiness, but there's no guarantee we will achieve it.
SPECIAL
NOTE: American Sikhs are free to pursue happiness, but there's no guarantee we will achieve it. We can view the subject of Security as an unpleasant, even terrifying concept, or as a fearless, even exhilarating exercise in courage. We can choose to be passive, wimpy victims,
or proactive, fearless survivors. To those members of the Sadh Sangat who choose
to remain in denial with regard to matters of Security
and Safety, who either claim that Gurdwara Security is unnecessary,
or who dismiss any thought of improving Gurdwara Security, I suggest
that you not only recall the tragic events of the August 5, 2012 Gurdwara
assault in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, the Sandy Hook Elementary School
killings in Newtown, Connecticut, December 14, 2012, and the U.S. Navy Yard massacre of September 16, 2013, but that you
recall the days of Operation
Blue Star, the tragic assault on the Guru in Amritsar, India, June 1-6, 1984, a week which will live in infamy...
the event that involved the desecration of the Golden
Temple, and the destruction of the Akal Takht.
(See video.) Going back much farther, remember Aurangzeb?
Beadbi of Siri Guru Granth Sahib
Keep in mind also that the Siri
Singh Sahib of Sikh Dharma established a policy whereby a Security
and Safety Sevadar is posted at the door of the House
of Guru Ram Das Gurdwara in Los Angeles, California, even to this
day. His vision being that Gurdwara Security and Safety is not about acting out
of fear or anger, it is about selflessly serving the Guru and the Sangat while
fearlessly defending the weak and protecting the innocent for which
Sikhs have a sacred duty. See Our Youth Deserves Leadership Training.
SANT SIPAHI - SAINT SOLDIER
JAPJI SAHIB - 37TH PAURI
Karam khand ki bani jor. Tithai hor na koi hor. In the realm of Karam, the Word is Power.
No one else dwells there,
Tithai jodh maha-bal sur. Tin meh ram rahia bharpur. Except the Warriors of great power, the Spiritual Heroes.
They are totally fulfilled, imbued with the Lord's Essence.
Tithai sito sita mehma mahi. Ta ke rup na kathne jahi. Myriads of Sitas are there, cool and calm in their
majestic glory. Their beauty cannot be described.
Na ohi marahi na thage jahi. Jin kai Ram vasai man mahi. Neither death nor deception comes to those
within whose minds the Lord abides.
Tithai bhagat vasahi ke loa. Karahi anand sacha mani soe. The Devotees of many worlds dwell there.
They celebrate; their minds are imbued with the True Lord...
PSALM 82:3-4
"Human
is a blend of Saint and Soldier (Sant Sipahi); this is a complete person.
If you are not a soldier your sainthood will be kicked around. If you
are only
a soldier, not a saint, you will start kicking others around." -- Yogi
Bhajan
"I can think of a number of fanatical, over-zealous religious groups who
would do us all well to take Yogi Bhajan's advice." -- Hari Singh Khalsa
Sat Nam. The Siri Singh Sahib was asked to express his priorities for a community gathering in the early ‘70s. His reply, “Security, Security, Security.” I share his vision. I have the concern that with the passage of time, nay, even as we speak, the memory of the Oak Creek massacre will fade away just as the memory of the infamous 1984 Operation Blue Star attack on the Sikhs in India seems to have disappeared from our recollection. Many Sikhs simply tag these events as the will of God and Guru, which is true, but we cannot stop there. There is a deeper message, a challenge, that has apparently gone unnoticed, i.e., our sacred duty to fearlessly "defend the weak and protect the innocent," just as Guru Gobind Singh taught us. So, I am requesting that the Sikh ministers act to meet our present day challenges. Not out of a sense of fear or apprehension, but with the same courage and fearlessness as did Guru Gobind Singh and our beloved Siri Singh Sahib. I urge my fellow ministers to answer this call by purchasing the Active Shooter Survival Training DVD shown below, and sharing it with their respective sangats. See Jai Jagdeesh Kaur's Ad Guray Nameh.
Active Shooter Survival DVD is
a reality-based training production.
Training covers the following topics.
Planning for Survival Stopping the Shooter Escaping the Violence Hiding from the Shooter Preventing Violent Intrusions Collective Survival Strategies Disrupting the Shooter’s Intentions
Training includes a step-by-step how-to, such as:
Protecting you from extreme violence Responding to an active shooter Managing workplace violence Improving Gurdwara security Becoming better prepared Saving innocent lives Surviving terrorism
Who is responsible for your security?
YOU ARE!
Most people are reactive when it comes to their safety and well-being. Most people respond only after threats have materialized and the problem is acute. This approach brings little solace to the victims and is dangerous. The most effective security is preventative as well as proactive. The radicalization of fringe elements in society is increasing. The targeting of minorities is nothing new and will continue. Community preparedness is a must; its absence is a liability. --
Alon Stivi, CEO, Direct Measures International
"Your
value is not in how many experiences you have had.
It is in your stability -- in how much sacrifice you can do.
Your value is in how effectively and how consistently you can
live for others. Your value is in how you can take command of
yourself and others in any situation. Your value is in your capability
of firmly planting yourself in the neutrality of your higher consciousness
and standing as a pillar of strength, turning every negative to a
positive.
Your value is how quickly you are there when the call comes." -- Yogi Bhajan
"Security
consciousness is a state of being whereby we live in service
to humanity, inspiring and assisting others to do the same. And while
it is our sacred purpose to celebrate Naam and live as saints,
it is our
sacred duty to defend the weak and protect the innocent." -- Hari Singh
Q: DOES YOUR SANGAT OR GURDWARA NEED MORE SECURITY? CONTACT YOUR POLICE DEPARTMENT TO GET A SECURITY AUDIT.
Q: DOES YOUR SANGAT HAVE A GURDWARA SECURITY COMPONENT?
IF NO, YOU CAN GET HELP ORGANIZING A SECURITY MISSAL HERE.
IF YOUR SANGAT AND GURDWARA SECURITY IS ADEQUATE,
SHARE YOUR STORY HERE OR CALL 800-528-0413 EXT 354 EASTERN.
ALL
RESPONSES ARE CONFIDENTIAL
A POST 9-11 HISTORY OF DISCRIMINATION
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 and customs are unlike their own.
Vandalism
at the Sikh Gurdwara in Fresno, California
Photo courtesy of Christian Parley, The Fresno Bee.
Immediately
after September 11, 2001, an epidemic of hate crimes against minorities
swept the United States and other countries. The wave of hate crimes and hate violence affected Muslims especially, and anyone perceived to be a Muslim, e.g.,
Sikhs, Arabs, South Asians, Latinos, and other brown-skinned people.
Incidents occurred in every part of the public sphere: houses, roadways, workplaces,
airports, school grounds, and street corners, as well as churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and gurdwaras in nearly every major
city in the United States. In targeted communities, places of worship have been burned,
homes vandalized, families threatened, jobs denied, children bullied,
women harassed, men and women beaten and murdered.
RECENT VIOLENT ACTS AGAINST RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES
SIX SIKHS SLAIN
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Sikhs murdered at their Gurdwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.
Top left to right, Satwant Singh, Sita Singh, and Paramjit Kaur,
Bottom left to right, Ranjit Singh, Prakash Singh, and Suveg Singh.
Sikh community members in the wake of the Oak Creek murders.
ANOTHER SIKH SLAIN
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Dalbir Singh of Oak Creek, Wisconsin, murdered in his store.
TEENAGE
MUSLIM GIRL WOUNDED
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Before Assault
After Assault
Malala Yousuf Zai, a 14 year old girl, was seriously wounded by religious fanatics for speaking out for peace and human rights. More.
Security is those actions or systems, which prevent or minimize
the occurrence of adverse events within specific environments.
The most effective security is preventative as well as proactive,
and serves to minimize any risk to life, property or environments.
Sat Nam, Brothers and Sisters! I am a former U.S. Marine and someone who has been involved with Gurdwara and Solstice security for decades. I would like to address what I see as a general absence of security/soldier consciousness within Sikh communities by quoting the Siri Singh Sahib, who said: “Human is a blend of Saint and Soldier; this is a complete person. If you are not a Soldier your sainthood will be kicked around. If you are only a Soldier, not a Saint, you will start kicking others around.”
The Siri Singh Sahib was once asked to express his priorities at a 3HO Solstice Sadhana gathering in the early ‘70s. His reply was, “Security, Security, Security.” And since the establishment of the Guru Ram Das Ashram in Los Angeles, and until this very day, a sevadar is posted at the door of the gurdwara as ordered by the Siri Singh Sahib. Security has been a priority consideration since the earliest days of 3HO/Sikh Dharma.
While
recently speaking with a sangat member regarding the subject of Gurdwara
Security and Safety, she mentioned how she thought she would engage an active-shooter incident
within her community. She said her first instinct would be to physically
cover any potential victims with her body as a shield. I advised her
that this would be exactly the wrong action to take. I suggested that
she think about the instructions given by airline attendants concerning
an in-flight emergency. Passengers are advised to take self-saving
actions first by utilizing their oxygen mask on themselves before
attempting to assist anybody else.
It
may seem counter-intuitive, but self-preservation must be the first
response in order for other potential victims to be protected and
defended. Contrary to the unfortunate outcomes of numerous recent
horrific events, an active-shooter event is not a situation where potential victims
are without recourse. This is addressed in numerous, simple, and surprising
ways in a survival training video called Survival
Edge: Active Shooter Survival, available at ACTCert.com (ACT stands
for Attack Countermeasures Training), which I urge all communities
to acquire and view. This DVD provides a reality-based, step-by-step
training program that covers how to protect you and others from
extreme violence, including responding to an active shooter, managing
workplace violence, improving Gurdwara
security and safety, becoming better prepared, saving innocent
lives and surviving terrorism.
Though the outcome of the shooting event in Oak Creek, Wisconsin in 2012 was horrific, those murders might have been preventable to a significant extent. There are specific actions (some even at the time of the attack) that could have possibly mitigated the outcome.
Since the incident, many Sikhs have opined that as unfortunate as it was, it was the will of God and Guru. This is true. But I opine that the event did not just happen in order to happen. It happened with a clear and challenging message to the Sadh Sangat: as Sikhs of Guru Gobind Singh, it is our sacred duty to defend the weak and protect the innocent.
My question is, what are we collectively doing to meet this challenge? What are we doing in the way of securing our communities, whereby we honor our sacred duty?
My concern is that with the passage of time, the memory of the Oak Creek massacre and other tragedies will fade away. I strongly encourage all members of the Sikh community – and especially Sikh Dharma Ministers – to act now to meet this ever-present challenge – not out of a sense of reactionary fear, but with the same attention and fearless dedication as our beloved Siri Singh Sahib.
As a member of the 3HO Solstice Security and Safety advisory team, I am working to help develop programs and awareness, and I am happy to receive communication from sangat members.
My
web site at www.GurdwaraSecurity.com provides resources, tips, and thoughts about this important topic.
Sat
Nam! In the wake of the attention that's been given for and against gun ownership, and the use of firearms, I find myself recalling with a wince and shudder on one hand, and a smile and headshake on the other, an experience from many years ago.
I was conducting a survival and gun safety course in a mixed group of women and men. While discussing gun safety I observed a young woman reluctantly pick up a handgun between her thumb and forefinger as if picking up a dead mouse. The vision has stuck with me ever since. The frequent media attention and talk about guns and gun violence causes me to recall that silly albeit sad scenario to this day. Silly because it looked so comical; sad because it is so indicative of where I see the mind set of too many women, today.
*Wimp: Anyone who fails to do or complete something as a result of fear or lack of confidence. Warrior: Anyone who fights the good fight, whether in war, politics, or on the job.
Wimps
Warriors
If
a woman is attacked by a gun-toting assailant, her
chance of survival diminishes greatly if she has no training
in survival skills, including martial arts and
firearms training.
Regardless
of where you stand on gun control, knowledge of firearms and martial arts equates with strength; ignorance
of firearms and martial arts equates with weakness.Hari Singh Bird
Woman Warrior's Code of Honor
Courage
By God's grace I acknowledge my fears, and I stand tall in the face of danger.
Concentration
By God's grace I invoke the strength of my body, mind, and spirit.
Honesty
By God's grace I am true to myself, and I stand for virtue.
Humility
By God's grace I acknowledge my weaknesses, and I never flaunt my strengths.
Self-Mastery
By God's grace I do not abuse that which I have learned, and I remain alert.
Endurance
By God's grace I pledge to keep up.
Loyalty
By God's grace I pledge allegiance to God and country, and I leave no one behind. --
Read on.
OUR YOUTH DESERVE LEADERSHIP TRAINING
New Mexico Military Institute can provide this.
A two-year leadership program is available.
Those who shall not learn to obey shall never be
in a position to command. -- Siri Singh Sahib
A woman who is not a leader is a miserable person… A leader has three things.
First thing, leader has to sacrifice; second thing, leader has to stand alone; and
third, leader has to lead. And leader has to lead by example, by action and by word.
A leader is one who can stand on the top of the ladder and can stay balanced and
alone. So basically, if you do not want to be the leaders, and you do not want to
lead the home, lead the family, lead your environments, with grace, with courage
and with intelligence, you will have nothing in your life... -- Siri Singh Sahib
Create dependable
children, not dependent children. Give your children
the basic values to face their own tomorrows, not be blinded by yours. Make
them proper personalities, not helpless puppets. Position them for success; do
not paralyze them with the commotion of your emotions. -- Siri Singh Sahib
The basic aspect of you as woman is not in your sensuality and in your dramas.
You are not only the givers of life, you are the manufacturers of character. Whatever
character you will give to your children, that shall be their future. -- Siri Singh Sahib
Your reliability will give people the courage to trust you.
Their trust will give you the power to carry a situation. A leader
carries and serves people. Learn to lead as a ‘seva’ (to sacrifice your
time and resources for the benefit of others without wanting anything in
return); people will love you, and you will continue to expand. -- Siri Singh Sahib
Children are born with intrinsic leadership traits, which prepare them for life.
These must translate positively into the lives they lead as citizens of the world.
These are: Service, Justice, Courage, Compassion, Decisiveness, Reliability,
Integrity, Initiative, Knowledge, Loyalty, Enthusiasm, Endurance. -- Hari Singh Khalsa
Sat
Nam, Khalsa ji! I am a passionate proponent of more balance
between our claims to accept and understand the concept of Saint-Soldier, and actually living our lives as authentic Sant-Sipahi. To this end I strongly urge Khalsa parents, especially
our women, the first teachers of our children, to consider the following points.
WOMEN are
The First Teachers
.) I urge you to consider enrolling our children at the New
Mexico Military Institute, located in Roswell, New Mexico. My
kids graduated high school with honors at NMMI in the early '80s,
the first children of Sikh
Dharma to attend a military school in America. The Siri
Singh Sahib expressed pleasure upon observing
cadet training when he visited NMMI in 1983. He advised us then that he
would have enrolled his own children at NMMI if he had known of its existence. Another group of children
who attended school in India later attended NMMI in the early '90s.
Sikh minister, MSS Hari Singh Bird, addresses Sikh cadets in front of the NMMI chapel, 1992.
New Mexico Military Institute offers an outstanding two year college option for your sons and daughters after they complete their
time at Miri Piri Academy. For those families for which MPA is not an option, NMMI has an excellent four year high school college prep programin addition to theirtwo year
college program. New Mexico Military Institute has been ranked No. 5 on a list of the nation’s top 50 community colleges by an independent organization, i.e., TheBestSchools.org, which has described the Roswell, New Mexico school as the “only state-supported, coeducational, military boarding school in the United States.” The school offers college prep, a four-year high school and a two-year junior college. See NMMI
Strategic Measures Statistics.
Each of the former Sikhi students/graduates
of NMMI provide a testament to the advantages of attending NMMI, which
include a rigorous and challenging lifestyle, camaraderie and fellowship,
and outstanding leadership
training especially, along with NMMI's excellent scholastic program.
This experience prepared them for additional university training, and exciting
careers all over the world. NMMI is the only American prep school I know
that has a history of accommodating the Sikhi lifestyle, i.e., sadhana, kesh, turban, sipahi training, and vegetarian diet. And it is an excellent environment for Sikhi youth to learn leadership
and soldiering skills for which the Siri Singh Sahib was a passionate
proponent.
The NMMI program offers MPA students and other Sikh youth
a unique and reasonably cost-effective opportunity to transition
from the Indian program into the American experience as a unit, and the obvious advantage of continued
bonding with their peers. See NMMI
Admissions, or click admissions@nmmi.edu, or call 800-421-5376.
.) I urge you to reflect on the Siri Singh Sahib's words, "Human
is a blend of Saint and Soldier (Sant
Sipahi); this is a complete person. If you
are not a Soldier your sainthood will be kicked around. If you are
only a Soldier, not a Saint, you will start kicking others around."
Again, our youth deserve leadership training going forward. I know of no readily available source of formal leadership
training available to our Sikh youth other than the New Mexico Military
Institute.
To: MSS Hari Singh Bird Khalsa
Sent: Thu, Aug 1, 2013 12:24 pm
Sat Nam Hari Singh,
Hope you and your family are keeping well.
As you must have heard, another Gurdwara in California got vandalized recently. Please let me know your comments on security measures we can suggest to various Gurdwaras that they can take to prevent these incidents. Also, what do you think the local, state and federal government can do to protect our Gurdwaras.
Blessings.
Bhai Sahib ____________________ --
Sat Nam, Bhai Sahib ji!
Thank you for your inquiry!
I am truly saddened to hear of the recent Gurdwara vandalism.
Regarding your request for my thoughts about local Gurdwara actions, I suggest that immediate consideration be given to adopting and distributing the General Protocols listed at GurdwaraSecurity.com.
These should be supplemented with any appropriate Special Operating Protocols unique to a respective Gurdwara.
In addition, I suggest that Sangat leaders make contact with local law enforcement, medical emergency and other first responders, ASAP, for the purpose of initiating a security and safety assessment audit in order to determine the actual security status of the Gurdwara environment plus the adjacent property and neighborhood, followed by the implementation of any appropriate recommendations. Communications with key people within these same agencies should remain well established and maintained, as well. (Note: It may be helpful to direct local agencies to this site, WhoAreTheSikhs.com, for historical reference, especially regarding the Oak Creek tragedy.)
Further, I suggest that Sangat leaders immediately execute actions that secure Gurdwara environments, e.g., employ an on-site uniformed, and armed law enforcement officer along with an on-site marked vehicle presence during high visibility Sunday activities, especially. This action will provide the Sangat with a) an on-site, professionally trained agent with arrest powers, and b) legal cover in the event of potential liability issues.
With respect to vandalism concerns, I suggest that security video cameras be deployed at key points around the Gurdwara perimeters as well as inside the Gurdwara. This will also provide a means by which safety issues such as fire and-or hazardous and emergency medical events can be monitored. The security audit will more than likely cover this issue.
A final thought, although this may not be practical for obvious reasons, remember that the Siri Singh Sahib directed that a Sevadar be stationed full-time at the entrance of House of Guru Ram Das Gurdwara, Los Angeles. To my knowledge, this remains the case to this day. See Interior-Guard.com.
Be well.
Humbly,
MSS Hari Singh Bird Khalsa --
"Forgiveness doesn't mean you forget what happened...
If something is serious and it is necessary to take counter-
measures, you have to take counter-measures." Dalai Lama
If you cannot walk together, you
cannot work together. Yogi Bhajan
Those who shall not learn to obey shall never
be in a position to command. Yogi Bhajan
The synergistic equation is 1 plus 1 equals 11.
When
this synergistic equation is applied, the 'me' perspective
morphs into the universal 'we' perspective. The result is each action is
accomplished exponentially for the common good. 1Plus1Equals11.com
FACTOID
"All
security is local.
Homeland security begins with hometown security."
IN MEMORIAM THE SIRI SINGH SAHIB OF SIKH DHARMA Celebrating his 82nd birthday, August 26, 2011
By Vaninder (Lovey) Kaur
Siri Singh Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji, Ph.D. (L)
Singh Sahib Gurubachan Singh Khalsa (R)
A
TEACHER PAR EXCELLENCE
A PHILOSOPHER WHO STRIVED
TO BRING THE SOULS THAT WERE SUFFERING
INTO THE GURU’S SHRINE…
HARBHAJAN SINGH YOGI JI
AN INSPIRATATION OF OUR TIME
A SHINING STAR
THAT LED MILLIONS OF PEOPLE
TO CONNECT WITH THE SUBLIME…
HE LED US TO GURU NANAK
AND REVIVED THE TEACHINGS
OF THE GURBANI, THAT HOLDS US
SUPPORTS US
ON THIS EARTH
AND IN HEAVENS BEYOND US GURU RAM DAS JI HE REVERED
THE ADI SHAKTI OF THE UNIVERSE…
HARBHAJAN SINGH YOGI JI
AS I ENVISION HIM SPEAKING…
HIS LIGHT WAS SO CLEAR
HIS AURA SO SHEER
AS HE GUIDED US HUMANS
INTO A PEACE BEYOND COMPARE…
HE SET AN EXAMPLE
OF ‘SIMRAN’ AND ‘SEWA’
AND BELIEVED IN THE ESSENCE
OF THE KUNDALINI YOGA…
HIS MESSAGE SO SIMPLE
SO SOOTHING TO THE MIND
YET, SO DEEPLY ENTWINED
INTO OUR HEARTS AND MINDS
AS HE SAID: “BE HUMBLE, BE KIND,
AND MAY THE DIVINE
LIFT YOU ABOVE THE TORMENTS OF TIME”…
I THANK WAHEGURU FOR THIS TEACHER
HIS PRESENCE HIS TEACHINGS
MAY HE BE IN OUR HEARTS
AS WE GO THROUGH THIS LIFE
WITH A SPECIAL THOUGHT…
“WE NEED A TEACHER
TO CONNECT US TO THE DIVINE”
AND YOGI JI WAS JUST THAT
TO MILLIONS, IN THIS TIME…
MAY WAHEGURU BLESS HIS SOUL
HIS SELFLESS SERVICE TO MANKIND
HIS LIFE AS A WHOLE
WAS DEDICATED TO WAHEGURU
HE CAME TO THIS EARTH
TO STEER US TO THE GURU…
MAY WE BE BLESSED
WITH THE STRENGTH, HEART AND MIND
TO FOLLOW THE FOOTSTEPS
HE HAS MADE
IN THE SANDS OF TIME. --
MORE POETRY.
How
to Succeed in Business As Taught to Us by the
Animals By Siri Singh Sahib Haribhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji
"To be effective and excel through current pressures
and challenges, we must learn from and adopt:
The grip of a bear.
The skin of a rhino.
The loyalty of a dog.
The clarity of an owl.
The hunt of a wild dog.
The neutrality of a dove.
The attack of a cheetah.
The friendship of a wolf.
The intelligence of a rat.
The beauty of a peacock.
The diplomacy of a rabbit.
The endurance of a horse.
The responsibility of a cat.
The planning of a lion's pride.
The personality of a butterfly.
The communication of a crow.
The adjustment of a rattlesnake.
The executiveness of a king cobra.
The courage and strategy of a lion.
The brain and intuition of an elephant.
The vision and watch of the eagle's eye. The penetration and impact of stampeding buffalo."
Monitor all activities occurring in the presence of 
Assist Sangat members in the performance of their worship and other activities, especially to include the arrival and departure of families with young children, giving aid and comfort to the elderly and the infirm, and greeting visitors.
Take direct Protective and/or Defensive action in the event of emergency circumstances such as fire and emergency medical response, disruptive or disorderly activity, or any act of aggression occurring within or around the Gurdwara or amongst Sangat members, and ensure security of building perimeter (doors and windows) while maintaining appropriate access for Sangat members and guests.
Gather and disseminate intelligence data, and subsequently alert Sangat members, and appropriate local authorities to the existence of issues or circumstances involving imminent or potential risk to the security of the Guru, Sangat members, or Gurdwara property.
Interface with and assist Local Fire and Medical Emergency or Law Enforcement Response Team members in order to maintain appropriate and respectful decorum in any emergency conditions occurring in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib or upon the Gurdwara property, circumstances permitting.
Planning for Survival
Woman Warrior's Code of Honor 
.) I urge you to consider enrolling our children at the 
.) I urge you to support a resurgence of the 
.) I urge you to reflect on the Siri Singh Sahib's words, "Human
is a blend of Saint and Soldier (
FACTOID
