Camp Miri Piri was conceived with
the aim to give the Sikh youth of today the true experience of the spiritual
Khalsa lifestyle. The founding body of Camp Miri Piri is a Singapore based
national non-profit youth organization named, Sikh Sewaks Singapore (SSS). With
the grace from the divine, SSS has been serving the South-East Asian youth
Sangat since 1979. Camp
Miri Piri is a powerful, inspiring and joyful Camp, dedicated to Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, that brings together the best
of the Western and Eastern Hemisphere Sikhs and is an institution of camps held and started in
Singapore which has spread to other parts of the world.In 2009 Camp Miri Piri was held in Espanola, New Mexico, USA, in 2010 in Singapore and this year it will be held in Calgary, Canada
Sikh Sewaks Singapore gave birth to Camp Miri Piri in the June of 2004 in Singapore with a four (4) days & three (3) night’s camp which was held in a public school in Queenstown, Singapore. With the inspiration from Siri Singh Sahib, Bhai Sahib Bhai Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogi Ji, Rajveer Singh Khalsa, a devoted Sewadar of the Guru who was the President of SSS during that time, championed this project from the beginning. He and his dedicated team organized the first Camp Miri Piri with pride and inspiration which ended in success. The camp had participants from Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.
This was the first time the Sikh Sangat in Singapore & neighboring country, Malaysia were introduced to the pioneer teachers of the camp. Jugat Guru Singh Khalsa, Sada Sat Simran Singh Khalsa, Harimander Jot Singh Khalsa (together known as the ‘Chardi Kala Jetha’) and Shanti Kaur Khalsa from Amritsar, Punjab - India and Espanola, New Mexico – USA respectively.
Why Camp Miri Piri?
The organizers of SSS felt that the conventional type of Sikhi camp which involved mostly lectures was not what the youth of today are looking for. They are in the quest of real answers to questions which challenge them in their everyday lives. They want to know how to deal with such challenges without any guilt attached. Rather than just telling them what should be done, this camp gives them a mental & physical experience which can carry them through their challenges.
This camp is a celebration in Honour
of Siri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. Guru Har Gobind Sahib Ji (Saturday,5
July 1595 -Tuesday,19 March 1644) is the sixth of the Ten
Gurus in Sikhism. He became Guru on 11 June 1606 following in
the footsteps of his father Guru Arjan Dev Ji. On the 11th June
Guru Hargobind Ji was bestowed the throne of Guruship of Sikhism. While the
ceremonial rites were being performed by Baba Buddha ji, Guru
Hargobind ji asked Baba Buddha to adorn him with two swords known as Miri &
Piri.
The 6th Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji started the warrior tradition in Sikhism. He wore 2 swords calling them 'Miri' and 'Piri' representing the balance between spiritual and worldly powers. It was through this 6th light of Nanak that the oppressors became scared, the saints rejoiced, and common man felt comfort. The concept of warrior-saint spirit has permeated the Sikh philosophy and lifestyle since that time.
As mentioned, Camp Miri Piri is designed to inspire these warrior-saint values in the participants through theory, but mostly practice and experience.
What happens in Camp Miri Piri
The success of Camp Miri Piri has derived from its unique structured curriculum.
All days at Camp Miri Piri begins with the early rise in ambrosial hours for recitation of the 5’Banies before the Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji followed by an hour of Kundalini Yoga and meditation (As taught by Yogi Bhajan). After yoga and meditation everyone heads out to the field for an hour of warrior’s workout. After the workout, all participants gather in front of the Nishan Sahib to sing the praises of the Khalsa before heading for a wholesome breakfast. After breakfast, everyone get’s their space to relax and get ready for the classes & discussions installed for the rest of the day.
Following are brief write-ups of the programs which CMP participants go through in a standard day of Camp Miri Piri.
Gurbani Recitation – In the ambrosial hours of the
day, Japji Sahib, Jaap Sahib, Tav-Prasad Sevaiya, Chaupaee Sahib & Anand
Sahib will be recited by the whole camp before the Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
In the evening before dinner, Reahraas Sahib will be recited. Just being within
the sound current of this recitation will bring you to a level of bliss which
must not be missed.
Kundalini Yoga (As thought by Siri Singh Sahib, Bhai Sahib, Bhai Harbhajan Singh Khalsa, Yogi Ji - To strengthen our nervous and glandular systems and develop a meditative mind and the ability to maintain grace under pressure. This will deeply enhance your spiritual experience which helps you bring out your creative potential and deepens your Sikhi lifestyle.
Warrior Workout - We will be practicing yoga, gatka
(shastar vidiya) and/or exercise workouts every morning. Be ready to be
challenged and to ride the waves of energy!
Shastar Vidya - The Sikhs have a long history of martial traditions, ultimately rooted in pre-modern schools of martial arts or Shaster Vidya. Guru Hargobind propagated the theory of the warrior saint, and emphasized the need for his followers to practice fighting for self-defence. Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th guru of Sikhism, trained in martial arts in the Punjab. In regards to training the Khalsa, he pledged that he would "teach the sparrow to fight the hawk". In these sessions, participants will be thought lethal techniques to defend when necessary.
Body Mind Spirit - Well-being encompasses all our parts, not just the physical body. When our emotions are in turmoil or our mind is bombarded with obsessive thoughts our health is compromised. It is important to create balance in your life by nurturing your whole person, which includes spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical needs. This session equips all participants with daily practices such as Kundalini Yoga exercises and meditations of writings of the Gurus from the Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Meditation workshops - Giving us direct experience of the realms of Miri and Piri.
Man to Man - Understand and experience the science of the power and strength of the male role, energy and presence in relation to the Sikh lifestyle. We will get practical tools to harness our energy as men and be powerful and effective in our lives.
Woman to Woman - The women will simultaneously
gather to acknowledge the grace and dignity they bring to humanity. We will get
practical tools to eliminate insecurity and grow in our power as women.
Kirtan – Beautiful Kirtan throughout the course will enrapture your soul.
Sadh Sangat - One of the best parts of a camp is being fully present with each other! Join dozens of others who, like you, want to make a connection with our soul as we do it together in this powerful way.
Teachers of Camp Miri Piri
Chardi Kala Jetha - Loved by people around the world,
Jugat Guru Singh Khalsa, Sada Sat Simran Singh Khalsa, and Harimandir Jot Singh
Khalsa will host the camp with high energy and soaring spirits. Beautiful
kirtan, challenging exercises, deep meditations, and honestly spoken wisdom are
the gifts of the Chardi Kala Jatha to Camp Miri Piri.
Shanti Kaur Khalsa - A wife, mother, and security
professional. She is the Vice President at Akal Security. She is an
active Sikh patriarch in the United States and abroad. Her involvement with
Sikh teenagers has led to mentoring young people around the world in the Sikh
rehet, both in their personal and professional lives. She is an active kirtani,
and has traveled widely giving inspirational kirtan and lecture programs. She
is a published historian, and regularly contributes articles on both current
events and Sikh history to Sikh publications.
Guru Tej Singh Khalsa - A poet, a warrior, and a
businessman, Gurutej Singh walks many paths while walking the one. He is the
founder and Senior Vice President of Akal Security, one of the largest security
companies in America. For thirty years he traveled extensively with the Siri
Singh Sahib as his sevadar and student. Gurutej Singh has published two books
and regularly travels and teaches on Sikhism and meditation. The wisdom of his
words, both written and spoken, have brought inspiration to thousands of
people.
Gurujodha Singh Khalsa - Is an attorney and serves as
corporate counsel for Metagenics, Inc., a medical foods and dietary supplement
manufacturer. He is also a practitioner and teacher of Kundalini Yoga as taught
by Yogi Bhajan. He teaches yoga as a dynamic training method for martial arts
and personal excellence. Both meditation and physical yoga exercise are
emphasized in his weekly Sunday evening classes at Bryan Hawkins Kenpo Karate
and at Camp Miller a Los Angeles County Juvenile Detention Facility in Malibu,
California.
Sri Akal Jetha – Siri Akal Jetha compromised of Kawal Pal Singh Khalsa, Rajveer Singh Khalsa, Palwinder Singh Khalsa, Rajeshpal Singh Khalsa, Prabhjeewan Singh Khalsa & Manprit Kaur Khalsa are a Jetha that sing Gurbani Kirtan, lead inspiring Simran and Sharing Sessions for the Youth mainly in South-East Asia and Camp Miri Piri’s held around the globe. They were deeply inspired by the Grace and Glory of Guru Hargobind Ji and Camp Miri Piri by Sikh Sewaks Singapore. They are dedicated to inspire themselves and the youths of this region to live a life of a Gursikh and of spirituality. They love hanging out with youths and have made it a commitment to sing Kirtan and share at Camps all over the world. Inspired deeply by Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji and Hazoori Jetha Chardi Kala Jetha, they are committed to serve you.