Yogi Bhajan's Mahasamadhi

[Guest guest]

Dear List:

 

On October 6 Yogi Bhajan left his physical body. He was my first teacher and

has been my "root lama" since 1973 when I began the practice of Kundalini

Yoga and Tantra under his teachings (after first being introduced into TM

mantra in 1972). It was under his guidance that I moved to New Mexico in

1976, living in his Mother ashram there for 6 years and remaining in New

Mexico until I moved to South Florida in 2001. Please join with me, his

thousands of followers and Sikhs worldwide to celebrate the life and

mahasamadhi of one of the world's great yogis to teach in the West.

 

I ishare one of the simple songs we always sang that I have carried in my

heart for 30 years:

 

"May the longtime Sun shine upon you

All love surround you

And the pure Light within you

Guide your way on."

 

Om shantih

Janna

 

seven_directions.tripod.com/

 

Sikh Leader Passes Away

Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji Leaves Behind

Spiritual Legacy

 

For photos and up to date information, visit: http://www.sikhnet.com/

yogibhajan

 

Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji, known as Yogi Bhajan to hundreds of

thousands of adherents worldwide, left his physical body at 9 pm MST on

October 6th. His passing took place at his home in Espanola, New Mexico

surrounded by family and friends. The cause of death was complications due

to heart failure. He was 75 years old.

 

An outstanding pioneer in many fields with a deep and compassionate insight

into the human condition, he established permanent institutions, created

spectacular events, and produced a prolific body of teachings.

 

The first to publicly teach Kundalini Yoga, when he arrived in the West in

1968, he announced he had come to the West "to create teachers, not to gain

students".

 

A deeply devoted Sikh, his inspiration and example motivated thousands to

embrace the Sikh way of life. Through his personal efforts, Sikh Dharma was

legally incorporated and officially recognized as a religion in the USA in 1971.

In 1971, in acknowledgement of his extraordinary impact of spreading the

universal message of Sikhism, the president of the SGPC (governing body of

Sikh Temples in India), Sant Charan Singh called him the Siri Singh Sahib,

Chief Religious and Administrative Authority for the Western Hemisphere, and

he was given the responsibility to create a Sikh Ministry in the West by the

Akal Takhat, the Sikh seat of religious authority in Amritsar, India. He was

honored with the title Bhai Sahib by the Akal Takhat in 1974.

 

Born Harbhajan Singh Puri, August 26, 1929, in the part of India that became

Pakistan in 1948, he was the son of a medical doctor. He spent his youth in

privileged environments in private schools and his summers in the exclusive

Dalhousie mountain region of Uttar Pradesh. As a young boy he attended a

Catholic convent school.

 

When he became a United States Citizen in 1976, Yogi Bhajan changed his

name legally to Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji

 

When he was just eight years old he began his yogic training with an

enlightened teacher, Sant Hazara Singh, who proclaimed him to be a Master

of Kundalini Yoga when he was sixteen and a half.

 

During the turmoil of partition in 1947, at the age of 18, he led his village of

7000 people, near what is Lahore Pakistan today, 325 miles on foot to safety

in New Delhi, India, where he arrived with only the clothes on his back.

Displaced Indians were given houses in India and soon he was able to

continue his education at Punjab University where he excelled in debate and

was a star athlete, playing both hockey and soccer and earning the name

"China wall" from his opponents.

 

After graduating with a degree in Economics, he began Indian government

service with India's Internal Revenue Department, and supervised the

creation of the IRS building in New Delhi. Shortly thereafter he moved to the

Customs Service and become head of Customs at Palam International Airport

(now known as New Delhi's Indira Gandhi Airport).

 

He married Inderjit Kaur in 1952. They had two sons, Ranbir Singh and Kulbir

Singh, and a daughter, Kamaljit Kaur.

 

Throughout his academic career and government service he continued to

teach yoga to people from all walks of life.

 

In September of 1968, he left India for Canada to teach yoga at Toronto

University, carrying a letter of recommendation from Sir James George,

Canadian High Commissioner in New Delhi, who had been his student. After

two months in Canada, he flew to Los Angeles for a weekend visit. Arriving in

Los Angeles virtually unknown, Yogi Bhajan met a number of young hippies,

the spiritual seekers of that era, and immediately recognized that the

experience of higher consciousness they were attempting to find through

drugs, could be achieved by practicing the Science of Kundalini Yoga, while

simultaneously rebuilding their nervous systems.

 

Breaking the centuries old tradition of secrecy surrounding the empowering

science of Kundalini Yoga, he began teaching it publicly. With the yogic

sciences of yoga, meditation, yogic philosophy, and loving acceptance, he

gave the soon to be called "Baby Boomers" an effective alternative to the

prevalent drug culture. He called it the "3HO" (healthy, happy, holy) way of

life.

 

>From humble beginnings, teaching first at the East West Cultural Center and

then in a student's furniture store in West Hollywood, "The Yogi" was like a

magnet. Students flocked to his classes. Soon he was teaching at colleges

and universities, including Claremont and UCLA, and accepting invitations to

teach in other cities.

 

In July of 1969 the non-profit 3HO Foundation (Healthy, Happy, Holy

Organization) was incorporated in California. 3HO's service to humanity is

through Kundalini Yoga, meditation and the Science of Humanology which

improves physical well being, as well as deepening spiritual awareness.

Under his guidance as Director of Spiritual Education, 3HO mushroomed

worldwide, to 300 centers in 35 countries. In 1994 3HO became a member of

the United Nations as an NGO (Non-Governmental-Organization) in

Consultative Status (Roster) with the Economic and Social Council,

representing women's issues, promoting human rights and providing

education in alternative systems of medicine.

 

Traveling extensively in the seventies and eighties, Yogi Bhajan crusaded

tirelessly to educate, uplift, and enlighten everyone he met. His basic

message was "It is your birthright to be healthy, happy, and holy."

 

Inspired and motivated by his words and adhering to the practices he taught,

students created music, art, and poetry reflecting the universal wisdom he

shared. Over 200 books have been written based on his teachings, as well as

a wealth of CD's, videos, paintings, and sculpture. He himself wrote over 30

books including The Teachings of Yogi Bhajan, Furmaan Khalsa, Masters

Touch, and Mind and Its 81 Facets.

 

Becoming the Mahan Tantric (only living Master of White Tantric Yoga) in

1971, he conducted workshops in cities around the world. In 1987 he

transferred these workshops to videotape, calling them "Renew to be New"

Courses, which will continue to be held worldwide.

 

In 1973, Yogi Bhajan founded 3HO SuperHealth, a remarkably successful

drugless, drug rehabilitation program, blending the proven ancient yogic

wisdom of the East with the modern technology of the West. SuperHealth was

accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare

Organization and received its highest commendation. In 1973 it distinguished

itself as being in the top 10% of all treatment programs throughout the U.S.

 

In 1989 Yogi Bhajan met with then President Mikhail Gorbachev and

established addiction treatment programs in Russia based on the 3HO

SuperHealth model. Currently a pilot project of Superhealth is being formed

by the Punjab State Government in India.

 

True to his earliest commitment, "I've not come to gather students, but to train

teachers," the International Kundalini Yoga Teachers Association and KRI

(Kundalini Research Institute) now holds teacher-training courses throughout

the world.

 

Embodying a rare combination of spiritual and down-to-earth practical

wisdom, Yogi Bhajan was equally at home in the pulpit, the podium, the board

room, the living room, or sitting on the grass in a park, teaching and educating

people in all walks of life. His expertise and influence extended into the

realms of communication, the healing arts, business, religion, and

government.

 

Loyal friend and mentor of Senators, Congressmen, and Governors

regardless of political affiliation, he promoted spiritual awareness in all

arenas. An ardent advocate of world peace and religious unity, the Siri Singh

Sahib met with world leaders of all faiths to encourage dialogue, including

Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, the Dalai Lama, and two Archbishops of

Canterbury. In 1995 he received the Courage of Conscience Award from the

Peace Abbey in Sherborn, Massachusetts

 

In 1971 at the Celebration of Life Music Festival in New Orleans he shared

the podium with Swami Satchidanda and Swami Vishnudevananda. He

participated in many interfaith forums and conferences, including the World

Parliament of Religions. In the early 70's he helped organize the first 'Meeting

of the Ways' in San Francisco and was co-founder of the Unity of Man

Conference. He became Co-President of the World Fellowship of Religions in

1974. He served on the Board of Directors of the American Council of

Executives in Religion and was a member of the Interreligous Council of

Southern California, the Rotary Club, and the Los Angeles World Affairs

Council.

 

In June of 1985 he established the first International Peace Prayer Day

Celebration in New Mexico. This annual day of musical celebration and

interfaith prayer draws several thousand participants, including prominent

national and international leaders in the realms of religion, politics, and

humanity. Those honored at this event and given grants for leading the way in

spreading the word of peace have included: Grandmothers for Peace and the

Gesundheit! Institute.

 

A graduate in Economics from Punjab University (1952) and a savvy

entrepreneur he encouraged his students to start their own businesses. One

of the first, Yogi Tea, brought his famous recipe into the mainstream, and it is

now one of the leading tea companies in the health food market in the USA

and Europe.

 

He became a trusted management consultant for 14 corporations worldwide,

representing industries as diverse as health food manufacturing (KIIT-Golden

Temple Foods), computer systems (Sun and Son), and security services (Akal

Security). He conducted business seminars and authored several books to

guide the aspiring entrepreneur as well as the seasoned executive.

 

He was a champion of women's rights, and believed that it is women who are

the backbone of society, and since 1972 when he inaugurated the first of

annual women's camps, he taught technology to turn 'chicks into eagles.'

 

Yogi Bhajan fathered the science of Humanology and in 1980 he earned his

Ph.D. with his dissertation titled "Communication: Liberation or

Condemnation."

 

Standing six feet three, his powerful and dynamic presence dominated any

gathering. Fearless, outspoken yet humble, he could be both charming and

daunting as the occasion required. His openhearted acceptance of everyone

along with an uncompromising insistence upon excellence made him a

formidable teacher.

 

His motto: "If you can't see God in all, you can't see God at all."

 

His credo: "It's not the life that matters, it's the courage that you bring to

it." His

challenge to students, "Don't love me, love my teachings. Become ten times

greater than me."

Although Yogi Bhajan has left his physical form, he asked that his students

and those who knew him celebrate his Homecoming. The light of his spiritual

essence continues to bless all those whom he loved, and that is the entire

human race.

 

He is survived by his wife, children, five grandchildren and all those in his

3HO and Sikh Dharma families.

 

In accordance with Sikh tradition, and his wishes, cremation will take place at

Berardinelli's Family Funeral Services at 1:00 PM Saturday October 9th, at

1399 Luisa Street Santa Fe, NM 87505. During the weekend of October 23rd

we will be holding a memorial service for Yogi Bhajan in Espanola, New

Mexico. Everyone is invited to join us. Other memorial services will be held

throughout the world in his honor. Visit: http://www.sikhnet.com/YogiBhajan

for up to date information, or call (505) 367-1688.

 

If you would like to leave a message for Yogi Bhajan's family or staff please

call 505-367-1661, or send email to ybmemorial.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to:

 

"Kundalini Research Institute" for the Library of the Teachings of Yogi Bhajan,

P.O. Box 249,

Santa Cruz, NM 87567

USA

 

2004 SikhNet.

[Guest guest]

Sparks Fly Up, Yogi Bhajan is gone, a cry goes out, tears are falling, we go

home to quiet, wondering why we are here. One more big jolly leader has left

us. We are older now, the quiet increases, the uselessness of folly more

clear, the meaning of oneness more clear. I will walk in the store, seeing

a whole section filled with "Yogi Tea" and "Peace Cereal". He was here. He

is here in these things. I will talk to the people in turbans, condolences,

I understand. I miss my own father. Life is hard. Sparks fly up. Yogi Bhajan

is gone.

 

I'm wondering what killed him? I talked to him not that long ago about his

kidney operation which wasn't healing well. He asked me to look at his

chart. It didn't look good at all during this time, though I tried to tell

him nice things, the fact was it looked not so good by transits and dashas.

 

I felt something come to me today, some inspiration to act on my Jupiter

impulses, and be a teacher. I'm confused as I've been, but it was a moment

of clarity. Now I wonder, what does it actually do that one stands up and

leads, or teaches. I've been around a person who for so long has told me

it's useless to do it, but I was born thinking I wanted to be a teacher, now

word comes of this, and the lagna is in my ninth, on my tenth lord, as I've

said, the lagna is always key. I realize few will understand this paragraph.

 

So, I spoke to him, he asked he repeatedly to visit him. I never did. I feel

a bit quieted by this news. I am not a fan of dogma or religions anymore,

but you can't help but love someone who tried to lead others to goodness. I

live in a town inundated with his followers, as they have a big factory

here.

 

Sparks fly up, as we go home. Yogi Bhajan is gone, and we are quiet in

seriousness, seeing our faults, in every inch of everywhere we look.

 

 

Das Goravani, Pres.

 

 

 

 

Service

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.dancingmooninc.com

 

 

[Guest guest]

> Born Harbhajan Singh Puri, August 26, 1929, in the part of India

> that became Pakistan in 1948, he was the son of a medical doctor.

 

 

Can anyone tell me the birth time & place of Yogi Bhajan?