November, 2004

Yogi Bhajan Describes The Passing of a "Privileged Soul"

[Editor's note: The following is a letter sent to all teachers by Dr. Gurucharn Singh Khalsa, Director of Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training after the passing of Yogi Bhajan on October 6, 2004. It includes excerpts of a fascinating discourse from Yogi Bhajan, also known as the Siri Singh Sahib for Sikhs in the West, on the special process afforded a Privileged Soul at death. Yogi Bhajan gave this lecture several years ago following the death of an eminent gentleman. Dr. Gurucharn Khalsa felt it was equally applicable in this situation.]

Dear Teachers and Trainers,

It is our time to send prayers and gratitude during the Siri Singh Sahib's passing. Be together, meditate, share food, share stories and feelings. By his own words he has been honored in the court of God and his Guru to be called to return. We have been blessed beyond measure to be blessed by his compassion and awakened by his master's touch.

It is our time to be open to the intensified subtle connection and space of the teaching that he holds for us and for the Aquarian age. Someone said to me, he lives through his teachings. True. He said that many times. He told us that to know him do not try to know his personality but know his word.

Every student will be touched by those words and by the incredible power and grace of the golden link. It is also true that his words projected in consciousness are living. They are a gateway that exists without time. The energy of Guru Ram Das he has merged with and opened to all that is present in every atom of this universe and flows consciously through each of us when we tune into to serve or bow to our higher self and heart.

My love and support go to each of you at this time and my special prayers to each member of his family who have sacrificed so much.

I was very comforted to be here in New Mexico as he passed and to know that he went peacefully, without struggle, with the best care, surrounded by prayers and those who love him deeply.

This quote from him about the passage of a great soul reminded me of what he is going through now and how to set my projection. To be with him in our heart and consciousness is his blessing and he is teaching us even now:

"You must understand. The privileged soul has certain privileges. When the journey begins, the soul leaves in the subtle body. The first privilege of the soul is to say good-bye to all friends and foes equally. I'm talking of the privileged soul. Then the soul travels to all places of reverence, those places that were sacred to it. That's called "the last journey." You might have read about this but never understood it. I am making you understand it now. The soul visits every place of reverence.

The third privilege is to visit all the places of the altar, that means the gurus places. A privileged soul has very exalted manners and a responsibility to say a graceful good-bye before going home. That is why it became customary that when a person leaves, the relatives do kirtan, they do lofty bandagee, praising the Lord for these days. Some do it for seventeen days, some do it for three days, some do it for four days. You know, the modern world doesn't want to do anything. But the soul is ultra modern. It does its job.

After visiting all the altars, the soul has the privilege to travel in the company of the angelic world. The privileged soul does not go through the normal path of the human. It doesn't pass through the test and triumph and trials.

After finishing its duties on the Earth, it travels to the angelic world. In the angelic world it entertains itself into the brightness, lightness, humor and glow and practices forgiveness for the whole universe through which it traveled many lifetimes.

You must understand - the soul which is a privileged soul has to enter the Akal abode, the infinity. The angelic world is defined. It is all good and masterly wonderful and excellently wonderful but still it is defined.

After enjoying this privilege of the angelic world, the soul travels in to the third blue ether. That is its own great abode of prayer. In its purity, in its piety, it settles its own account. Thereafter it crosses into the fourth blue ether. Chauthe pad, the fourth step, is to find infinite salvation.

Therefore, if you join at this time in this journey, it will guarantee your journey in the future."

And indeed he always guaranteed the future, serving us all in the present beyond any limitation. Even in this passing he shows the way and puts light in our hearts.

My love is with you all at this time.

Blessings,

MSS Gurucharan Singh Khalsa, Ph.D.
Director of Training
Kundalini Research Institute