The Kundalini Yoga Festival in Asia, held in Thailand, focused on the theme "The Invincible Human - Celebrating the Emergence of Innate Human Excellence." This event attracted more than 70 participants from various Asian countries, including Thailand, Cambodia, Japan, Vietnam, Australia, Malaysia, and China. Leading this event was senior teacher Sunder Singh Khalsa, who has been visiting this region for the past decade to share the teachings of Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji.
Among the other participating teachers were Nirvair Singh Khalsa, the CEO of KRI, and his wife, Nirvair Kaur, as well as Kartar Singh Khalsa from Herndon, Virginia, Dr Kartar Singh Khalsa from Espanola, New Mexico, Suraj Kaur from Australia, who also served as the event's general manager. The lineup also featured renowned kirtan artist Prof. Surinder Singh, KRI Teacher Trainer Angad Kaur from China, Tonie Nooyens, who played a pivotal role in founding the Wat Opat Project in Cambodia, and Ek Ong Kaar Kaur Khalsa, the Creative Director for Sikh Dharma International.
Festivities
The festival unfolded at the serene Baan Phu Waan pastoral retreat centre, located just 45 minutes outside of Bangkok. In the words of Sunder Singh, the festival aimed to foster a sense of community and unity among kundalini yoga practitioners in Asia. Observing the unwavering commitment of the students was truly captivating. This experience presented a remarkable opportunity to share the teachings of Guru Nanak with people from diverse countries, emphasizing the universality of Guru Nanak's Japji Sahib, which resonates with the shared humanity in all, transcending nationalities and backgrounds.
The festival also provided a platform to learn about the various activities undertaken by different communities in their respective countries. One program that stood out was the heartfelt dedication of young Cambodian yogis in their late teens and 20s. They embraced the spirit of seva, selfless service, by creating a project to travel to underprivileged areas in Cambodia, teaching Kundalini Yoga and meditation to children affected by HIV/AIDS. Initially designed to help these children cope with stress and trauma, the project has expanded to teach youngsters how to guide their peers in simple yoga and meditation techniques. Known as the Wat Opot Project, they actively seek donations to sustain this and other outreach endeavours.
Joyous experience
After a wonderful week at the Yoga Festival in Thailand, the narrator had the privilege of travelling to Kuala Lumpur, where they spent time with the local Sikh community. In Kuala Lumpur, Rajveer Singh and Guru Jaswant Kaur Khalsa had established a delightful vegetarian cafe and tea house named Chayo, located above which was a warm and inviting yoga centre. From November 3rd to 5th, approximately 40 members of the Sikh community in Kuala Lumpur gathered at the Chayo Yoga Center. During this time, they engaged in chanting, meditation, and discussions on the significance of Guru Nanak's Japji Sahib. The experience was profound and deeply moving for everyone present, as the students displayed a profound love for meditating on the Guru's teachings. Notably, it was heartening to witness families participating together, with spouses and parents meditating alongside their children, fostering a deeper connection and opening their hearts to one another.
In addition to the 3-night course on Japji Sahib, there were various other activities during the visit. On Guru Nanak's birthday, November 2, Rajveer Singh and the narrator had the honour of addressing the congregation at Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya, where they spoke about the Mool Mantra and its practical application in one's life. Another morning, Dharamjot Kaur, the manager of the Chayo Yoga Center, accompanied the narrator to visit the children of the Gurpuri Foundation. Situated in Kuala Lumpur, the Gurpuri Foundation serves as a home for underprivileged, orphaned, and neglected children in Malaysia, marking the first Sikh-run welfare children's home outside of India.
A group of approximately 55 children resides in the home, spanning various age groups. They were guided in yoga by Dharamjot Kaur and Ek Ong Kar Kaur Khalsa. Following the yoga session, they engaged in Celestial Communication, an art that involves incorporating simple gestures into sacred chants and songs. The class was a delightful experience, culminating in the children bestowing blessings upon themselves.
Each day, the world confronts us with distressing narratives of hardship, suffering, and conflict. Yet, a two-week sojourn to Southeast Asia served as a poignant reminder of the countless individuals across the globe with benevolent hearts. These unsung heroes, tirelessly extending their hands to heal the planet through simple acts of kindness, are the beacon of hope in our times. They work ceaselessly, often behind the scenes, in every corner of the world. It is in their name that Sikh Dharma International thrives and continues to serve, with the aspiration that one day, the inherent positivity and divine light within every heart will have the opportunity to shine eternally.
*Based on an article written by Ek Ong Kaar Kaur Khalsa, published in Sikh Dharma on 24th November 2009