Satkirin and Terrence-Opening Prayer Ceremony for the United Nations Summit on Climate Change Day of World Peace event September 21, 2009

Today I have been contemplating what it means to be unique. The Webster's dictionary said that "unique" means; single in kind, no like or equal, unusual, different.

All of us must have moments we feel different from those around us. When we frame that feeling or thought in a positive light we have a wonderful opportunity for creativity and a quiet moment of thankful reflection.

Breathe deep and go into your inner silence where the mind is quiet and the source of your being is gratitude for the gift of your life, to you. Frame it negatively and you become bigoted against your ownself. How often do you feel different from others around you yet play it as a gift rather than a fault? Reflect on this.

While at work at the Co-op, yesturday, I was working as cashier amongst 3 other cashiers. One was a violinist, another a poet, and the third a rap artist. I introduced myself as a vocalist. It was a quiet morning so we continued to talk about our areas. Firstly, being a singer of East India Chant music is unusual. Among chanters rather than well known Hindu chants, I sing Shabds which are from a spiritual path even more unique. Being different served that moment of connection to these individuals that I was working with and met for the first time and may never meet again. Yet in my uniqueness, I am also just like all of you are like me; human, longing for love. kindness and a life of peace and celebrating commonalities as well as differences. God bless you God bless our Mother earth with peace and care.

God Bless you all,
~ SatKirin Kaur Khalsa

In the Words of Yogi Bhajan

“Did you ever learn that your existence is your communication? Your projection is your relationship? You are the power? But life is often sour. There is no happiness, because your communication has no purpose of self. You communicate to impress someone. You don't communicate to relate you to someone. That's why you suffer now. You don't communicate consciously..”

AUDITIONS:

If you would like to audition to join our Kirtan Band and are a guitarist in the New York area please contact me through facebook or my website. Thankyou.

Most of you recieving this newsletter have participated in a Kirtan, a Gurdwara or a Yoga class with me. Or you may have listened to my Kirtan CD's. You may even know KIRTAN as meditative singing. Yet, many of you may not be aware of the origin of kirtan & where it can be sung.

The rise in popularity of Yoga in the USA has been followed by the practice of singing kirtan. Yet as early as 1923 Kirtan was sung in New York City's, CARNEGIE HALL, by PARAMHANSA YOGANANDA leading Guru Nanak's, HEY HARI SUNDARI (O GOD BEAUTIFUL) with 3,000 people.

Last month during Yogi Bhajans birthday, a group of us, very spontaneously formed a GURUDWARA in Manhattan for a night of singing KIRTAN. GURDWARA is the name for the place that SIKHS gather to sing GURBANI KIRTAN. DWARA means the DOOR (or gateway), and GURU means, literally, 'darkness to light', or that being, which by its presence 'enlightens' our minds.

The Kirtan of the Sikhs is from the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. It is a living guru or guide as it is engaged as a template to infinity. It contains the enlightened words of 39 saints and sages of 4 faiths. This Gurdwara, pictured above, was hosted by the alignment center and is a place for yoga teachers, students and sikhs and seekers to join for Kirtan once a month (for now) we are grateful for this new space to resonate together. We will join on world peace day this month and also for Kirtan class 9/20 and 9/12 respectively.

Another new beginning to share is the online biweekly newsletter "YOGAMINT". My dear friends Haribhajan Singh and Kaur have begun this seva for sharing elevation and life style tips. I invite you to take a moment and read one of the bi-weekly issues at http://www.yogamint.com. The one from 9/7/09 called SWEET RELIEF is a winner. Check it out AND CONTINUE SHARING YOUR GOODNESS AND GUIDENCE.

God Bless you all with joy and peace and the ability to elevate yourself above the times.
~ SatKirin Kaur Khalsa

In the Words of Yogi Bhajan

“I thought that if I ever got an opportunity, and Guru Blessed me, I would just build people. I would not build an empire, I would build a tomorrow. ... This is the only statement you have to understand. And that is me. I am the master of that tomorrow, I am the prophet of that tomorrow, I am the existence of that tomorrow, I am the creativity of that tomorrow, I am nothing but the total of that tomorrow. And whosoever shall follow that tomorrow shall be loved and live on this earth. Otherwise, there is going to be much confusion that life will not be possible..”

INSTRUMENTS
FOR SALE:

-Tamboura-flat back 49 inches high w/nylon case: $450.
- PAL HARMONIUM-scale changer, with nylon case: $725.
for more info: www.satkirin.com

What an amazing summer with friends and family and music and meditation. The Summer Solstice theme was "water" and so it was fulfilled. The first night of Solstice it rained so hard, half the camp was a river. This has never happened before in my experience of the high desert of Ram Das Puri. Beautiful double rainbow's were shown off by Mama Nature. I met & sang with so many amazing musicians at Sadhana, Yogi Tea Cafe and for the many classes I taught. I just am so grateful to all of you for your artistry and good will and beautiful music.

Many folks had come from Latin America, Europe, Africa, China, Austrailia for Solstice, Ladies Camp, Khalsa Youth Camp. Some Sikhs from Europe mentioned, they saw me on TV teaching Yoga. So, I found out that my New York Cable TV Yoga class at JUS PUNJABI is being broadcast worldwide on Premium channel Asia Television.

My grandson Narayan Singh who just turned 8, by his choice, is heading to Miri Piri Academy this summer for the school year. Well, he combs his own hair and can tie his turban...but India is a long commute.

My neice Sara, was Bat Miztvah in July and it was so joyous to have an extended family event which is a rare occurance. I thank my brother Lenny for making that happen.

I look forward to sharing some of the many classes, and events and travels that lie ahead this year. I am forever grateful to all of you for your loveliness and know that you all add grace & calibre to our planet!

God bless you,
~ SatKirin Kaur Khalsa

In the Words of Yogi Bhajan

“There is a possibility that the human race is going to be destroyed, because men and women have forgotten to communicate with the psyche, with the light they emit, with the projection and the power. Even though we know scientifically that we are nothing but a magnetic field, vibrating at a certain frequency..”

England was urban and fine. We sang in 4 Gurdwara's and taught at the Sikh Missionary Society in Southall. Germany was green and lush while our hosts spent countless hours feeding us and packing the van with sound equipment and gear for our 6 city tour. Starting in Frankfurt, then Shunia Center in Cologne, In Hamburg I visited the residences of my mother and her family before fleeing Nazi Germany for the USA in 1939. We performed at the Ardas Center and taught at the Deva Cnter. Then we drove on to quaint Heidelburg for a Mantra Jam accompanied by heavy rains.

Following came the sun at the Rainbow Festival in Baden Baden where we performed along with Jai Utal, Prem Joshua and Deva Premal. Ending our tour in Munich at Yogazentrum and a very warm loving farewell.

We all look forward to seeing you and singing together this weekend in New York at Integral Yoga Institute and then at Summer Solstice Sadhana and Womans' Camp in Espanola, new Mexico.

We performed on a live international broadcast at AMRIT BANI radio in Southall.

Many blessings to you all with love and gratitude,
~ SatKirin Kaur Khalsa

In the Words of Yogi Bhajan

“Every wise man will be aware when he teaches Kundalini Yoga or talks about it that there are very strong do's and don'ts about it. You cannot teach Kundalinin Yoga and tell everybody that they can just sleep in bed whichever way they like (sleeping in an East-West line will make you less susceptible to the gravity and magnetic field of the earth). You can't do that. You cannot play the fool with your psyche. You cannot teach Kundalini Yoga and tell a weird type of meditation to blow off the top of somebody's head. And you cannot teach Kundalini Yoga if you cannot come out of your psycho-electromagnetic field to protect your student in the universe. If a teacher cannot project perfect health, forget it. Kundalini Yoga is an awareness: it is a totality of the personality of the being. The total being is involved with no parts left out. You must understand what you are studying, what you are learning, what you are going to be. It is AWARENESS. Your awareness as a unit must correspond to the Universal Awareness..”

April was a wonderful month of expansion. Along with a blissful group of ladies we started a monthly KIRTAN class, and also our weekly class in Jap Ji Sahib began. Both have come about with the joyful enthusiasm of Anastasia and Dya Jot Kaur.

Now, May is here and the countdown has begun for the European BLESSINGS TOUR. Another week and I will be flying out to London, England. There, my kirtan Jatha awaits me. Harsimren Kaur and Jhujar Singh of Wolverhampton and Sat Siri Singh of Southall and I will all be musically merging to sing in 4 Gurdwara's. Saturday May 16th we also lead Sadhana, and teach 2 workshops at the Sikh Missionery Society. Then we float over to the famous Afghani Gurdwara in the PM. I see this as a dedication to God and Guru for all blessings.

In Germany, Dharm Singh of Chocolate Maven Santa Fe debuts to play keyboard & Guitar for our MANTRA JAM BAND. Beloved, Terrance Pompey will come from NY to continue to play fabulous percussion. Nadir Nihal Singh is flying in from India to be sound Tech and Shiuli Subaya of Bombay may be embellishing all with her delightful vocals. The highlight of the German Tour will be our performance at the famous Interfaith Rainbow Festival in Baden Baden on May 29th. Still you have a few chances in May to join us in New York for a few high moments. If I miss you in May then lets meet after June 2 either in New York or in New Mexico for Camp Miri Piri and Summer Solstice Sadhana and Ladies Camp.

Many blessings to you all with love and gratitude,
~ SatKirin Kaur Khalsa

GERMANY BLESSINGS TOUR:
for more information and ticket purchases: www.satnam.de

Workshop & Concert at Fotoatelier- Brigita Krause
Friday May 22nd
Frankfurt

Kirtan Concert at Shunia Zentrum
Saturday May 23rd
Koln
www.shunia-zentrum.de

Kirtan Concert at Ardas Yogazentrum
Sunday May 24th
Hamburg
www.ardas.de

Power of Mantra Workshop at Ardas Yogazentrump
Monday May 25th
Hamburg
www.ardas.de

Kundalini Yoga class w/ Live Kirtan at Shunia Zentrum
Wednesday May 27th
Koln
www.shunia-zentrum.de

Kirtan Concert
Thursday May 28th
Heidelberg

Workshop / Concert at Rainbow Spirit Festival
Friday May 29th
Baden Baden
www.rainbow_spirit-festival.de

Kirtan Concert at KY Zentrum Munchen
Saturday May 30th
Munchen
www.K-yoga.de

Shakti-Zentrum fur
Sunday May 31th
Offenburg
www.shanti-offenburg.de

In the Words of Yogi Bhajan

“Women as a group are most sharp individuals. God has given them a second faculty in the brain to protect the child. A woman can be super obnoxious or super sweet and she can change in a moment. Man doesn't have the faculty. By nature he either lives in his testicles or in his head. He does not have the natural tendency to live in the center of his being. But woman always lives in the center and works both up and down..”

Spring is in the air and we will be springing around the Northeast to Conneticut, this weekend and springing on our Blessings tour into Europe in May. We look forward to meeting you and your friends and families. I have started an Introduction to Kirtan Course in Brooklyn. This is proving to be an enjoyable experince for all.

With the arrival of Spring also comes changes in body chemistry which sometimes brings on colds and allergies.

Last Thursday while teaching a Yoga class at Golden Bridge Yoga in New York City, I met one very dynamic lady who gave me a ride home to Brooklyn that night as I had misplaced my car. (Perhaps you fellow urbanites are familiar with this inner city phenomena). Kulmeet Kaur, an Ayurvedic Nutritionist (Fearless Cooking tm) has written a piece for us on the use of TUMERIC for the immune support. She also has given us the classic GOLDEN MILK recipe from YOGI BHAJAN for you to try. If you have not tried it yet, make yourself some tonite. Getting up for early morning meditation with ease is one of the side benefits.

Blessings to you with love and gratitude,
~ SatKirin Kaur Khalsa

Turmeric: the golden spice

We are all susceptible to a low immune system which can be brought on by stress, anxiety, a hectic lifestyle, not eating the right foods or maybe just a change in weather that comes with the dampness of Spring.

Turmeric is known for its important healing properties. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities protect the liver from toxins. It lowers cholesterol, and treats aching and swollen joints. It also improves protein digestion. Turmeric dissolves gallstones, increases flexibility, and soothes the nervous system.

A wise spice to include in your daily meals!

Tip: It must be cooked or mixed with raw honey for its healing properties to be released into the system.

Recipe from Yogi Bhajan:
Golden Milk
In a saucepan place enough turmeric powder to cover the bottom and add 1/3 cup water. Bring to a boil and continue to simmer until a thick paste (about 10 minutes). This paste keeps in the fridge up to 40 days. Simply add some paste to taste as you warm up a cup of milk in a saucepan. Using cow milk, Goat milk, or Riec milk bring to just to the boiling point, then remove from heat immediately. Sweeten with honey, maple syrup or agave if desired. Add a tablespoon of sesame oil to each cup of this tumeric milk. This combo will ease your joints, your yoga practice and can bring the many healing benefits of tumeric into your body.

"Your calibre never changes. It is always there potentially in you. But, it will only work if you touch the consciousness of it. Ask your inner being to help you. There is no God outside, God is within you. Feel the touch of God in you. Fill yourself up with the diamonds, emeralds and jewels of wisdom which are in you and give it to people free. They will be grateful to you." (Yogi Bhajan-Khalsa Womens Training Camp July 23, 1990)

This month I am so grateful to all the people that have taught me Kirtan and its message. I am also grateful to all the people that have joined me to sing and share the love of singing Kirtan.

For my husband's birthday in February we had a 31 minute kirtan meditation at home, chanting to Guru Ram Das. Afterwards we shared our experiences and a beautiful meal. We call it langar...food made and offered to the attendees. It was a very simple and wonderful way to celebrate his birthday.

We also had a very harmonic "kirtan class" at the Kundalini Yoga Center of Park Slope (Brooklyn) that was absolutely divine with the radiant energy of all the ladies that attended. We look forward to many more kirtan classes together.

Brigita and Katherine joined us as we sang at the Ravi Das Sikh Gurdwara in Jackson Heights, elevating ourselves and everyone else.

At the end of the month I spent a week in Espanola, New Mexico and had a few days taking care of my 2 Grandchildren while their parents, Gurumustuk & Arjan had a well earned 4 day break. Charanjeet Kaur is 2 1/2 years old and has a smile that ignites the room. Narayan Singh my 7 year old grandson who is NOT pictured here played a wonderful rythmic shaker for our Gurdwara kirtan at the Gurdwara there.

Kirtan in now springing into the mainstream. Just last week there was an article published in the New York Times on KIRTAN. Here is the link for your to read the article.

There are many opporunities to join in learning and singing kirtan, with Prof. Paramjeet Singh 3/21 at IYI and with me on 4/11. Mantra Jam Band will be in Brookfield Conneticut on April 4th. And we will be touring England and Germany in May. I look forward to seeing you to touch your consciousness and the consciousness of others through Kirtan.

Blessings to you with love and gratitude,
~ SatKirin Kaur Khalsa
 

In the Words of Yogi Bhajan

“When a person talks to you, within the first three lines of communication, you must know what the person is up to. And then decide whether you want to waste time or not..”

"We are all with you meditating and facing the challenges as they come with intuitve clarity". Keep up and join us on the BLESSINGS TOUR 2009.

There are 25 of us doing the bowing Jaap Sahib kriya for Mastery. I invite you to join us in this 1,000 day meditation to take us to the end of 2,011.

Meditation for an Invincible Spirit in the Aquarian Age:

A 1,000-Day Sadhana

We are quickly approaching the long awaited transition to the Aquarian Age. Much has been written about this. In essence it is humanity’s transition from adolescence to maturity. We leave behind the Piscean Era and enter into an age of global awareness, radiance, intuition and cooperation, an era that will usher in an age of equanimity and prosperity, accompanied by an evolution in our capacity to perceive, think, feel and sense. Such growth would mean that much would need to be left behind—old structures and ways of thinking, communicating and living will pass. Confusion, depression, and conflicts will increase as the old ways of holding power—politically, religiously, socially and personally—all fight their last fight. This period of testing and growth will last until 2038, when a new stewardship of this planet and our selves will be realized and peace will have an opportunity to prevail on Earth. read more »

Blessings to you with love and gratitude,
~ SatKirin Kaur Khalsa
 

In the Words of Yogi Bhajan

“The moment you recognize yourself, you know you are the Supreme Being and the whole universe will get up to recognize you. Potentially you are Infinity. It is only the working self which is finite.”

New Years blessings to all.

As we get closer to 2012 and the material challenges become more real the power of our chanting Naad becomes stronger and more impactful to our lives. Last night I had a dream/vision of Guru Gobind Singh appearing to me and telling me to do this kriya daily for 40 days and to get 5 other people to do it. So I offer this to you. Five of you or better more of you opt to join me we shall have great days and light to share.

With all your new year opportunities to do things better, (virtually) for the next 40 days. You keep count and you do it on your time.

I will be doing this every morning sometime between 4 to 7 am, Amrit Vela. Today was day #1 for me. Join me and become healthy and bright. Help yourself and polish up your aura and be a lighthouse for others.

Start: sitting in easy cross legged position, or on your heels. Arms can be in venus lock behind the back (fingers interlaced) or simply at your sides. You will lean forward and bow your forehead to the floor on the first beat and 3rd beat of the Jaap Sahib music (by Ragi Sat Nam Singh or by Sangeet Kaur, Sat Nirmal Kaur). Then when the words are not recited there is a short break where you just sit up straight. The eyes are closed and focused at third eye center throughout.

I will post the link to this music on my website Tuesday. So, you can download it and start your own 40 day continuous practice. When you complete the 31 minutes you must lie flat on your back and deeply relax. The music is called JAAP SAHIB. It was written by Guru Gobind Singh. Maybe you have one CD.

Another more challenging version is attached here for you to try if you are feeling very "macho".
Also, click here to download the music for your meditation. In order to download the file, you have to right click on the link and save link or save target as, and then a window will pop up asking where you want to download it to.

Blessings to you with love and gratitude,
~ SatKirin Kaur Khalsa
 

Upcoming Events:
Kirtan with SatKirin
& The Mantra Jam Band

Friday January 16th at 8pm
$20 advance $25 at the door
Golden Bridge Yoga NYC
253 Centre St ( between Grande & Broom in Noho)
New York, NY 10013
212-343-8191
www.goldenbridgeyoganyc.com

Friday January 23rd at 8pm
Integral Yoga Institute
227 W. 13th St
New York, NY 10011
212-929-0586
$15 suggested donation
www.iyiny.org

CD New Release

SatKirin and Thomas Barquee have been working on the new release BLESSINGS OF A WOMAN. An entirely new sound with abundant female vocals. Seven new shabds and mantras adding some Latin sounds to boost your spirits in these trembling times. A powerful collection with song of the Noble Woman, prayer of the Mother and more for you to discover. For more information contact majestym@gmail.com. You can order it at www.spiritvoyage.com.

In the Words of Yogi Bhajan

“Where there's no time and space, woman can relate so much faster than even you can think. Where there's a time and space she's very curious, she's very reserved, she's very questioning, and she's very intelligent to know what is going on..”