Dear Friends,

On October 6th, 2004 the soul of our beloved teacher, Yogi Bhajan, left his physical body, escorted by angels. Over the 75 years he lived and taught, he had become a man of historic proportions whose words and deeds touched an enormous cross-section of humanity far beyond the scope of the religion and the lifestyle he represented. He spoke to, and awakened, the spirit in all he met.

And, ultimately, that is how we must view a person and judge their contributions: by his or her words and deeds.

His Words

"It's not the life you live (that matters); it's the courage that you bring to it."

"If you can't see God in all, you can't see God at all."

"Love is the ultimate state of human behavior where compassion prevails and kindness rules."

"Keep up and you'll be kept up!"

These are only a few of Yogi Bhajan's wisdoms that have touched us.

His Deeds

At age eight he began the study of the most ancient form of yoga and meditation, Kundalini yoga, and at sixteen was declared a master.

At age 18, starting in the dark of night and traveling across rugged terrain, he led his village of 7,000 people out of a war zone, with the youngest children strapped to their parents' backs, until they reached safety days later.

At age 40 he emigrated to the West, and in the next few years earned a Ph.D. at UCLA, founded a non-profit institution to spread yoga and meditation, and began a major transformation of consciousness among a whole generation of young people, many of whom had lost their way with drugs.

By age 50 he had founded several entrepreneurial ventures, and created a whole new leadership in a respected world religion, building a bridge between millions of Sikhs in the East and the West that is unique and lasting.

There are so many more deeds I could list here, but this is a good start.

How Can You Tell a True Hero?

I am sharing these thoughts with you for several reasons, not just because Yogi Bhajan was my beloved teacher and friend for more than 25 years. I am sharing these things because you should know that a true hero has lived and walked and taught among us, and inspired thousands of us to live such lives of service ourselves. We are all part of God, and it is God who sends teachers among us to help us wake up to the God within us.

Like all heroes, Yogi Bhajan had those who followed and adored him, as well as those who tried to take him down. Unfortunately for us, we live in an age that seems to take pleasure in debasing and destroying its heroes. That never bothered Yogiji, as we affectionately called him. His perspective was ageless. He came to deliver priceless teachings and to create teachers who would carry on those teachings for the benefit of all humanity.

How do you know a true hero? He or she inspires others to live with courage. He never quits. He sees the good in others and strives to help bring it out. He is humble yet never humbled - there's a majesty in that. Most significantly, Yogiji grew to become a world-class spiritual teacher, though he never claimed that title. He told us only that he came to create teachers, not to collect students or devotes.

Honor Your Heroes

His passing was marked by a proclamation by the President of the United States, by expressions of sorrow from the President of India and from other world political and spiritual leaders. Flags flew at half-mast across his adopted home state of New Mexico where the current and former governors attended commemorative services in his honor.

It is time for all of us to honor the heroes in our lives. I am asking you to start this process in a special way.

Many of you who read this newsletter regularly have seen Yogiji at Summer Solstice or at meditation classes here in Phoenix, Arizona (USA) and elsewhere over the long years he traveled and taught. Some of you have even met him personally.

I invite all of you to write me directly - click here - and tell us about your experiences. We'll share your stories and comments with others on our website.

Even if you did not know Yogiji, you have experienced the gifts of his teachings by learning from those of us he awakened as teachers and by taking our yoga classes or Retreats. Write in and give us your thoughts on how these tools have helped your life. If you're not an internet/web person, drop us a line by ordinary mail.

Then go on and celebrate the personal heroes you've known in your life by writing about them in your journal. You might even want to send them a letter of gratitude.

What do you get for it?

"Grace is an attitude of gratitude." Yes, he said that, and I've seen grace grow from gratitude often. So why not practice it every day? Start today!

Bless you in all ways always!

(For more information on the life of Yogi Bhajan, please visit http://www.sikhnet.com/YogiBhajan.)

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