N.M. Flags Fly At Half-Staff To Honor
Spiritual Leader
The first to publicly teach Kundalini Yoga, he announced
he had come to "to create teachers, not to gain
students", when he arrived in the West in 1968.
With the yogic sciences of yoga, meditation, yogic
philosophy, and loving acceptance, he gave the soon
to be called "Baby Boomers" an alternative
to the prevalent drug culture. He called it the "3HO"
(healthy, happy, holy) way of life. Through his efforts,
Sikh Dharma was legally incorporated and officially
recognized as a religion in the USA in 1971.
In 1971, 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 of creating a Sikh Ministry in
the West by the Akal Takht, the Sikh seat of religious
authority in Amritsar, India. He was honoured with
the title Bhai Sahib by the Akal Takhat in 1974.
Born Harbhajan Singh Puri on August 26, 1929, in
the part of India that became Pakistan in 1948, he
was the son of a doctor. He spent his youth in private
schools and his summers in the exclusive Dalhousie
mountain region of Uttar Pradesh.
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, 399 Luisa Street Santa Fe, NM 87505.
Memorial services will be held throughout the world
in his honor.
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.
