In the midst of that fullness, perhaps, on his second or third visit, the Siri Singh Sahib was sitting up on the front platform gazing at the ceiling.

“Look! This Gurdwara was really built properly. There are 11 Gurus and there are 11 vigas.”

That was when I realized, that although the community came together, and there some who had spent most of the year working, it was truly the Guru who had built his Gurdwara.

Gateway to the Soul gives you the powerful effects of the Banis in English translation, to open your heart, steady your mind, and connect you with your strength, courage, and Infinite Consciousness. Listening to or reciting the Banis gives you inner balance, grace, radiance, and energy; stopping the negative cycle of the mind and reversing its thought forms. Although the greatest benefit of the Banis is through recitation in the original Gurmukhi, Gateway to the Soul offers them in English, with musical accompaniment, so you can enjoy their subtle, joyful vibrations. The Banis are truly meant to be experienced by the heart. 

Yogi Bhajan once spoke about the relationship between the neutral mind and intuition, or inner guidance. He explained that the neutral mind has its own mantra: “Guide me to the Lord, my Lord.” Right now, take a moment to slow your breath. Repeat these words for three minutes. When you are done, notice the quality of your thoughts and how you feel. Let this practice become a habit.

From the onset, I always wondered who these beautiful people were. Gracefully dressed in white and so respectful of everyone in their presence and each other. I never inquired formally back then. I felt I didn’t want to disturb the blissful flow of service while dining. I simply served what they’d asked for and gently observed from a distance.

I see that time as the beginning of my waking up from the illusionary experience of my own habitual thoughts, and emotions—which are simply more deeply believed and embodied thoughts—that formed my identity of myself in the world as a male: contracted, scared, in fear and full of rage. Then came more pain. It wasn’t easier now that I had started to wake up. It was actually more difficult for quite a while, because I saw that the struggle was right inside me. Finally, I broke down and prayed. I asked the Tratakum picture, “What do I do? Just tell me, please!” The answer came quickly, “Do Nothing.”