Guest guest Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 Sat Nam Dear Guru Beant Kaur, I wanted to speak to one of your excellent questions in regards to Das Vandh. The definition of spiritual tithing is giving 10% of your earnings to the Source of your Spiritual Teachings. So, donations to charity and to meaningful causes are a different energy flow. Hope that assists with more clarity. Blessed Giving! With Gratitude, Love & Prayers, Holy Kaur Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 Sat nam, I believe there is a difference between donating to Dasvandh, which supports Sikh-related programs and activities, and Gurudakshina, which is a financial contribution towards the teacher and teachings. There is a distinction in terms of intention, but I have no idea if the funds all goes to the same place. Perhaps someone from IKYTA and/or Dasvandh can comment. IKYTA clarifies it this way: " Giving Gurudakshina is an expression of gratitude for our Teacher, for the technology we have been blessed with, and for the privilege we share of being teachers of Kundalini Yoga. We prosper by giving back a portion of our income from all classes based on the teachings of Yogi Bhajan (i.e.Kundalini Yoga, Pre-Natal Yoga, Numerology, Rebirthing.) " Many Sikh Kundalini Yoga teachers have asked if they are expected to tithe to both Gurudakshina and Dasvandh on their teaching income. When asked for clarification, Yogi Bhajan said, 'We will leave it to the individuals.' " Dasvandh seeds the mission of Sikh Dharma, the path of the seeker. Gurudakshina contributions are used to spread the 3HO teachings and Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan. " (Source: http://www.kundaliniyoga.com/clients/ikyta/webshell.nsf/SiteMap/BFB086C44F5A4F87\ 87256E2A00755289?OpenDocument) - Nimrita Kundalini-Yoga , Holy Kaur <holykaur wrote: > > Sat Nam Dear Guru Beant Kaur, > > I wanted to speak to one of your excellent questions in regards to Das > Vandh. > > The definition of spiritual tithing is giving 10% of your earnings to > the Source of your Spiritual Teachings. > So, donations to charity and to meaningful causes are a different > energy flow. > > Hope that assists with more clarity. > > Blessed Giving! > > > With Gratitude, Love & Prayers, > Holy Kaur > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 14, 2009 Report Share Posted November 14, 2009 A person on the street can be a " source of your Spiritual Teachings. " To think otherwise is a very narrow interpretation of spiritual life. In appearance it may look like you are giving to someone in need...but in reality it may be you who are the needy one...and they are giving a gift to you. K Kundalini-Yoga , Holy Kaur <holykaur wrote: > > Sat Nam Dear Guru Beant Kaur, > > I wanted to speak to one of your excellent questions in regards to Das > Vandh. > > The definition of spiritual tithing is giving 10% of your earnings to > the Source of your Spiritual Teachings. > So, donations to charity and to meaningful causes are a different > energy flow. > > Hope that assists with more clarity. > > Blessed Giving! > > > With Gratitude, Love & Prayers, > Holy Kaur > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 14, 2009 Report Share Posted November 14, 2009 Sat Nam everyone, Dasvandh began with the Sikhs during the time of Guru Arjan. One tenth of people's income or harvest was given to support the community kitchen and upkeep of Guru's court. For a long while incoming funds were diverted to his brother, who professed to be Guru, causing Guru Arjan and his wife to live in great poverty, barely able to sustain a free Langar. When some of his loyal Sikhs learned of this, they posted themselves at entrances to the village and collected all incoming donations to give directly to the Guru. Right now, some Dasvandh funds are being diverted to the Sikh Dharma Legal Defense Fund for a good cause, to support the lawsuit versus the UI board, whose members, like Guru Arjan's brother, profess to be the administrators for our businesses and non-profits, causing loses in many areas. For instance, their administration of Peace Cereal caused profits to drop to half of what they once were. Giving to Dasvandh supports the purity of the teachings and our organizations' continued service to humanity. Loving Blessings, SS Guru Prem Kaur Khalsa yogagems.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 14, 2009 Report Share Posted November 14, 2009 Waheguru, Kirtana's words are pure and true. Giving to someone on the street who asks for a dollar when you only have a dollar to give, is a huge gift to yourself, for the heavens come in to fill the void. May we all shine like the sun and give through our love and lives like God. Loving Blessings, SS Guru Prem Kaur Khalsa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 15, 2009 Report Share Posted November 15, 2009 More on Tithing For someone who acknowledges themselves as a student on a specific spiritual path, financial tithing is a way to offer gratitude to, and to honor those who have gone before us and have delivered these powerful teachings and tools to our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls in such a way that our lives have been deeply enriched. Much energy was given, so that we could each have the transformative spiritual experiences that we have had. And while it is beautiful and powerful to receive the fruits of that giving; it is also another level of commitment to the path and to oneself, to choose to become one of the people who is, in whatever small or large ways we can, supporting it. In addition to teaching these tools and practicing them ourselves, tithing is a way that we can ensure the continuation of that spiritual path, into the future. It is an energetic " giving back " to our path, from a place of overflowing, authentic, and deep gratitude. This is not to say that our chosen practice is the only way that we can learn and grow spiritually. That certainly would be a narrow view. SImply put, tithing is an honoring of the enormous gift that one's spiritual path is in one's life. About 6 years ago, in a Khalsa Council session, we were asked to reflect on what specific effects the Siri SIngh Sahib and these teachings has had on us. That was a profound experience for me, because as I began to list what has entered my life as a direct result of this path, I was completely overwhelmed with gratitude. Tithing is one way to practically and powerfully express that deep gratitude. FInally, the secret that regular tithers will tell you is, that once you begin to contribute to the financial flow of your dharma, you are showered with treasures, both material and ethereal, beyond your wildest dreams. Kirantana, Marcy, and Guru Prem, thank-you for your deeply felt sharing; I appreciate the opportunity to participate and explore in these discussions together. With Love, Gratitude, and Blessings, Holy Kaur Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 16, 2009 Report Share Posted November 16, 2009 This is long but really does pertain to tithing and the issues your bring up... The greatest aspect of the teachings of Yogi Bhajan is that he brought back together the body, mind and spirit of the " originality of yoga/meditation/religion " . He had the challenge of being universal yet defining the boundaries. I am suggesting that we are having a hard time (are in process) of it as individuals and as a group(s)…depending on your personal circumstances, myself included; getting to w-holy action (not in-action or re-action) with where we are at and what to do for the future as we continue to bring back together body, mind and spirit. Siri Singh Sahib Harabhajan Singh Khalsa Yogi Ji (Yogi Bhajan): was a Khalsa Sikh, he was a Mahan Tantric, he was a Master of Kundalini Yoga, he was a Master of Sat Nam Rasayan as well as his personal, government, business and political life. In addition, the history of Kundalini/Yoga and history of Sikh Dharma is very tightly interwoven as far back as Guru Nanak (before it was a religion) and continues to this very day (when it is an organized religion). I am not implying that everyone who does Kundalini Yoga will become a Sikh nor that everyone who is a Sikh will do Kundalini Yoga. I am pointing out that, " it seems like the best course of action " is to some way practice the integration of all three in the Aquarian Age. Since Yogi Bhajan was who he was and the teachings came to him that way, he simple shared the connection of Kundalini Yoga and Sikh Dharma during this period of the evolution of humans…as they both bring something essential…and he wasn't just being philosophical about the bringing. I also suggest that other great teachers of the past, whose teachings have now become " just religions " or " only yoga " are cheering him on as their teachings have become diluted and divided and lost the combination of body, mind, and spirit. Actual the great teachers of the past are cheering us all on, as the division and dilution happens after the Master has died; so it looks to me that we are all responsible and accountable in some way to both the process and the outcome. We are at the space in time as to what comes next…Yogi Bhajan has left his body and we as Students-Teachers-Masters are left with continuing the teachings. Continue the teaching means both the personal, individual practice/teaching in the many varieties that we are and the core-caretaking organization of the teachings. Tithing is one example of many. As it pertains specifically to our discussion,: yes, in one sense it is tithing to anyone who needs (and I am guessing Yogi Bhajan would agree and so do I)…and…yet; no, that is not going to work for the system that I believe Yogi Bhajan intended and wanted to be to set up after his death. I firmly believe and suggest you consider that although Yogi Bhajan wanted us to practice the " best " we could as individuals/teachers/teaching that he was not so " universal " with the core care-taking/organization of the teachings. He didn't act like the Piscean Masters of the past and make us prove that we would " follow exactly, no questions asked " before he gave the teachings. But he did leave it to us to continue the teachings in their w-holiness. The lesson for me and my hope for those who read this is that you make certain that you don't confuse what you can do with and for your life with the teachings…with how and by whom the teachings need to be organized, preserved and presented for future generations. This pertains to both Kundalini Yoga and Sikh Dharma…with the complete interwoven/integration of the body, mind and spirit. Sat Ganesha Singh " participate, share, contribute " Kundalini-Yoga , " Bridget GuruBeant Kamke " <infinipede wrote: > > I like the idea of tithing, but the more I hear on this about 3ho's various sub-companies having inner coups and stuff like that, the less faith I have that a tithe to Dasvandh would really be going where I want it to. Feel free to assure me otherwise if you like. > In the mean time, considering that everyone and everything are God, could giving money and food to veterans and homeless people by the side of the street count as tithing? This feels very natural to me. What do you all think? > Guru Beant Kaur > > Bridget Kamke, LMT > Kundalini Yoga Teacher > Licensed Massage Therapist > Children's Book Author > www.infinipede.com > > __________ > Lights, Camera, Career? > Enter the fast-paced film industry with a degree from top film schools > http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2131/c?cp=UYQqzs6AR5i2g-_XeSOlKAAAJz2u7S5oUx\ F0T6rVIwp71qWlAAQAAAAFAAAAAIwbAT8AAAMlAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYAGAAAAAA= > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2009 Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 Sat Nam. Just to clarify for everyone, ALL Dasvandh donations are used solely for the programs and services of Sikh Dharma International. To learn more about the work of Dasvandh and Sikh Dharma, visit us online at www.dasvandh.org and www.sikhdharma.org. Your Dasvandh contributions are not used to pay legal fees. If anyone has questions about this, please feel free to e-mail me at guruprakashk Thank you and blessings, Guruprakash Kaur Khalsa, Dasvandh Director Kundalini-Yoga , Guruprem Kaur <guruprem wrote: > > Sat Nam everyone, > Dasvandh began with the Sikhs during the time of Guru Arjan. One tenth > of people's income or harvest was given to support the community kitchen > and upkeep of Guru's court. For a long while incoming funds were > diverted to his brother, who professed to be Guru, causing Guru Arjan > and his wife to live in great poverty, barely able to sustain a free > Langar. When some of his loyal Sikhs learned of this, they posted > themselves at entrances to the village and collected all incoming > donations to give directly to the Guru. > > Right now, some Dasvandh funds are being diverted to the Sikh Dharma > Legal Defense Fund for a good cause, to support the lawsuit versus the > UI board, whose members, like Guru Arjan's brother, profess to be the > administrators for our businesses and non-profits, causing loses in many > areas. For instance, their administration of Peace Cereal caused profits > to drop to half of what they once were. > > Giving to Dasvandh supports the purity of the teachings and our > organizations' continued service to humanity. > > Loving Blessings, > SS Guru Prem Kaur Khalsa > yogagems.com > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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