Yogi Bhajan, The Promotion of Devotion「奉獻的提升」

 

作者 Writer：Hari Jiwan Singh Khalsa
翻譯 Translators：Abhaijoti Kaur
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《奉獻的提升》

Sat Nam親愛的家人： "不管你做任何事，出於你真誠奉獻的心去做，這裡說的'不管任何事'別帶有任何評斷" 。1989年的早春，在佈道服務的旅程中，我們如往昔地停留在比佛利山莊用午餐，這次多了兩位客人，除了Siri Singh Sahib (Yogi Bhajan) 的三位貼身秘書,Yogi Bhajan和我這幾位原班人馬外，這對夫婦是另一個身心靈組織的負責人，而我們的保全則是坐在視線可及的另ㄧ桌。 Siri Singh Sahib總是非常的包容、尊重的去服務其他靈性領導者及追隨者，Yogi Bhajan對於他們看待現實的觀點，感到驚艷不已，我也是！所以在這個會面當中，Yogi Bhajan充分展現個人魅力，不管別人的信仰如何，他總是覺得很有趣。

我們，身為錫克教徒，被允許更宏觀的去理解那些發自內心的修持者，這樣的理解使我們深受祝福；有機會去看見更多事物的真理、信仰、哲理以及實踐之道。並從中看見自己錯誤的觀點及黑暗面。這時，即使我還沒蒙受這樣的虹光加持時，我能享受這次會面，是因為沾了Yogi Bhajan的光。

對於別人，Yogi Bhajan總能很精微地提問，就像這些客人，他能無預警及毫不察覺地帶到令他們困擾又能透露許多個人訊息的問題。非常高招；完美且無懈可擊。每個問題，不管挖得多深，最終都會因Yogi Bhajan的幫助，使他們生命受益。當然，不是每個人都能從Yogi Bhajan的慈悲中受惠，但是，那也是關鍵性的時刻！

在任何通往成功的關鍵，包括靈性目標，就是保持韌性！沒有人是完美的，為了成功達成目標，你必須願意且有能力改變。沒有改變，所有事物都會停滯不前，包括你自己。然而為什麼大家都那麼討厭改變呢？這是一個很好且值得省思的問題，這是來自對未知的恐懼；害怕因為改變而走錯方向的恐懼；害怕將會付出很多的恐懼，基本上這就是恐懼！

The Siri Singh Sahib從以前到現在都是個瑜珈士，白譚崔大師，導師，Bhai Sahib(智者），Siri Singh Sahib(錫克教裡最高級的神職人員）。此外，他本身遠遠超過這些頭銜，他是神的真男人！ 在享受完沙拉後，他的問題激起了一位男性訪客問了這問題～「你要如何教人們去避免這些無法避免卻又不必要的習慣呢？」

這是個互惠又非常好的問題！通常也很難被另一個心靈領袖問到這樣的問題了。事實上，除非我們的客人在和我們玩心理遊戲，但他們卻不是，這樣的問題顯現了他們的謙遜及韌性，去聽取其他人如何看待重要及待解決的議題。當然同時也表現了他們的限度，但是沒關係！記住！我要說的是Yogi Bhajan如何神不知鬼不覺的，讓他們介紹自己。這樣，他的訊息才能清楚被聽見-謙卑及韌性得到了祝福！只有真心受教、願意學習的人才能得到有益的教導！

瑜珈，在傳統觀念上來講，是老師傳授給學生.是的，是有這樣的學校在傳承這些教導，但ㄧ般來說，瑜珈是在專屬環境之內的個人追求-就像是有瑜珈士專屬的俱樂部。當然也有例外，總是會這樣的，但是本質就是印度教裡的婆羅門（祭司階層）排他性。

另一方面，錫克教包容每個人及種性階層。這不代表誰對誰錯，相當不一樣。但是兩者都可以和無限合ㄧ，意謂都會去到同ㄧ個地方。只是一個在個人靈性追求的過程中，對大眾比較敞開。謝天謝地！因為我不是生在印度,所以也沒辦法成為婆羅門階層的ㄧ份子，更不准加入他們專屬的瑜珈俱樂部，所以，Siri Singh Sahib教導大家Guru Ram Das的名字。他影響著這個世界。此外，當瑜珈和錫克教融合時，對於每個練習者的提升速度是很快的。我喜歡錫克之道，它不排除任何事，只是一個奉獻、真實、提升而有趣的生活型態。

所以Yogi Bhajan的回答很棒～"不管你做任何事，出於你真誠奉獻的心去做，這裡說的'不管任何事'別帶有任何評斷"足以說明ㄧ切。他教導這對夫婦在這些不必要的習性中，不應該有任何罪惡感牽連著,不要去抵抗這些不明智的行為。你還是要持續在上面下功夫，別放棄，別為這些事煩惱。煩惱只會徒增不安，他教他們做任何事，包括不理智的行為，奉獻於上帝，奉獻於上帝會照顧一切的愛中，只要奉獻和努力持續。你們不明智的行為也是上帝不明智的行為，所以，你的工作只是盡好本分和無私的奉獻。剩下就是等待上帝的來臨！唯一要注意的只是，你無法去評論這時間會花多久，你必須持續活在信念中，保持信心，奉獻以及養成自律的習慣。然後就是上帝的工作了，這也是精華所在，他的審判只有一個形式，就是以全然純淨的喜悅靜看這ㄧ切，保持觀照！

在下的服務與永遠的感恩  
錫克首席參議 
MSS Hari Jiwan Singh Khalsa

Yogi Bhajan, The Promotion of Devotion

Sat Nam Dear Family,

“Whatever you do, do it in devotion. And, I mean whatever with no judgment attached.” We were having lunch at our usual spot on Canon Drive in Beverly Hills. On this early spring day in 1989, two guests joined us. In attendance was the usual crowd of three secretaries, the Siri Singh Sahib, Yogi Bhajan, myself and our guests, a couple who were the head of another spiritual organization. Our security was seated at another table in full sight.

The Siri Singh Sahib was always accommodating, respectful, and serviceful to other spiritual leaders and followers. He was also fascinated by their perception of reality, or not. I was as well, so his meetings with other spiritual heads was always captivating. How others believe was and is always intriguing.

We, as Sikhs, have been blessed with a teaching that allows a comprehensive understanding for those who practice it sincerely It affords the opportunity to see the truth in many things, religions, philosophies, ideas and practices. Therefore, we can also see the falsehoods, and all the shades in-between. At this time, even though I hadn’t been blessed with a full spectrum view, I was able to enjoy these meetings because I could ride on the coattails of the Siri Singh Sahib.

His subtle questioning of others, like these guests, unexpectedly and imperceptibly tweaked questions in them which revealed a lot about themselves. It was masterful; it was fascinating; it was beautiful. Every question, no matter how digging it may have appeared, ultimately led to a place where he could be of help in their lives. Of course, not all guests took advantage of his compassion, but, that too, was a defining moment.

The key to success in anything, including spirituality, is flexibility. No one’s perfect, so in order to succeed at anything, you must be willing and able to change. Without change, everything stays the same including you. Well then, why are people so abhorrent to change? That’s a good and fair question. It’s the fear of the unknown; the fear that change may lead in the wrong direction; the fear that it will take too much work. Basically, it’s fear.

The Siri Singh Sahib was and is a Yogi, The Mahan White Tantric, a teacher, a Bhai Sahib (man of wisdom), and the Siri Singh Sahib (a priest of the highest order). In addition, he was beyond these titles. He was a true man of God. After enjoying a California chopped salad, he asked a question which provoked the gentleman guest to ask this question, “What do you teach so one can avoid unwanted habits which can’t be avoided.?”

Now that’s a fair question as well. It’s a great question. Not one usually asked by another spiritual leader. In fact, unless our guests were trying to play a mind game with us - which they weren’t - this question displayed humility on the part of our guests. It showed the flexibility and humility to listen to the way another deals with important and unresolved issues. It also showed a limitation in their way, but that’s O.K. Remember, I said that this is how he got others to introduce themselves without them even knowing it. In this case, his message had a chance to be heard - humility and flexibility affords this blessing. He’d have stated it even if it didn’t, but it was always more fun to teach those who could benefit.

Yoga, in the traditional sense, is taught teacher to student. Yes, there are schools which teach in a certain vein, but, typically, yoga is an individual pursuit within an exclusive environment - it’s like a country club for yogis. Sure, there are exceptions. That’s always the case, but the essence is Brahman (priestly caste) exclusivity in the Hindu religion.

On the other hand, Sikhism is inclusive to everyone and every caste. That doesn’t mean that one’s right and the other’s wrong, quite the opposite. Both, if karma allows, can lead to merger with Infinity. It means that both lead to the same place. It’s just that one is open to more people to join in the pursuit. Thank God because I wasn’t born in India and, thus, cannot be a part of the Brahman caste. I would have not been allowed to join their exclusive yogic country club. Therefore, the Siri Singh Sahib taught everyone in the name of Guru Ram Das. He interacted with the world. In addition, when yoga is blended with Sikhism, it’s exponentially elevating to everyone and anyone who practices. I love the Sikh way. It eliminates nothing. It’s a devotional, real, elevating, and a fun lifestyle.

His answer was perfect, “Whatever you do, do it in devotion, And, I mean ‘whatever’ with no judgment attached,” said it all. He taught this couple that there should be no guilt associated with unwanted habits. He taught them not to fight these indiscretions. Yes, keep working on them and don’t ever give up, but don’t fret about them; fretting only creates insecurity. He taught them to do everything, including indiscretion, in devotion to God, devotion in the love that God will take care of everything so long as devotion and work continues. He taught them that their indiscretions are God’s also, so, you’re doing your work by being devotional and dutiful, now it’s God’s time to come through. The only caveat is that you’re not allowed to judge the time it takes. You must just continue in faith, belief, devotion, and discipline. Then, it’s God’s turn. And, here’s the best part, he did it with only one sentence. He was pure joy to watch in action. Stay tuned

In the Humility of Service and Gratitude,
MSS Hari Jiwan Singh Khalsa
Chief of Protocol