Sikhs have had a long and friendly relationship with the politicians in the state of New Mexico. Every spectrum from representative, senators, house speakers and governors call Sikhs their allies and friends. This year the New Mexico state legislature met for two solid months beginning on January 19th, going till March 20th. Not only did the Sikh community host an lunch for members for delicious vegetarian Indian food (see more below), but were honored to offer a prayer on the final day of meetings this last Friday.
Guru Amrit Kaur Khalsa holds the title of Siri Sikdar Sahiba and holds a unique position of spiritual leadership. Her graceful and spiritual presence has brought counseling and peace to many. She was asked to give the closing prayer for this years session. Below is her address to the state legislature. The Sikh community in New Mexico hopes to continue to have good relations with leadership in the state.
Prayer from video:
I would like to first thank our honorable speaker Don Tripp and the house of representatives for inviting the Sikh community to join you today for the invocation.
Many of you remember and know Yogi Bhajan who loved this state so much and who deeply appreciated all of you as public servants of the state for all that you give. I talked this morning with Bibi ji (the wife of Yogi Bhajan), she sends her love to everyone. So I feel honored to continue in his legacy with this invocation.
So let us join our hearts and minds together in prayer as we close the 2015 session of legislation.
May the Divine with all present here today dwell in grace with each other as we serve the highest good of all citizens of this land of enchantment.
We ask for blessings, resolution and completion upon all that has been achieved during this session of legislation.
By Thy grace we continue to ask for blessing upon the children of this state, in the development of their health and education.
By Thy grace we ask for blessings upon the protection, the health and the well being of our elderly and those who are serving in the military.
By Thy grace we ask for blessings upon the purity of our land, water and air.
By Thy grace we ask for blessings upon the vitality of all our New Mexico businesses and all of our workers, that together we may all prosper.
By Thy grace we ask for blessings upon all our New Mexico educational institutions for the knowledge they impart to bring a greater wisdom and understanding that will serve to future generations.
May there be blessings upon all our governmental services that support our citizens to meet their needs with respect and understanding.
And blessings upon all the elected representative here for their leadership, vision, integrity and dedication to the state of New Mexico and its citizens.
May peace and prosperity expand goodwill among all of our neighbors
and may freedom, equality and justice prevail.
Sat Nam.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Related article:
by: Sardarni Sahiba SatSundri Kaur Khalsa
New
Mexico Sikh Community hosts
21st
Annual New Mexico Legislative Luncheon
Every January, the New Mexico Sikh community looks forward to honoring our public officials - local, state and national. It’s a tradition started by Yogi Bhajan in 1995. The 3rd Tuesday of January the NM Legislature opens for their 30 or 60 day Session (alternating years) to conduct statewide legislation. Sardarni Sahiba Sarb Nam Kaur Khalsa continued in her fifth year to serve the Legislature during its annual session. A representative of the New Mexico Sikh Community has served as House reader or in some capacity there since 1995.
Following the beginning of the Session
with the Governor’s State of the State address at the Round
House to a joint session of the House and Senate, the Sikh Community
hosts its Annual Luncheon at India Palace Restaurant, just walking
distance from the State Capitol. The Luncheon honors the dedication
of public servants bringing them together, regardless of party
affiliation, as well as honoring and remembering Siri Singh Sahib
Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji, affectionately known as
Siri Singh Sahib Ji, or Yogi Bhajan.
This year, all of the Congressional Delegation were in Washington DC in session with the State of the Union address being delivered by President Obama the same day, but many of their offices were represented Opening and many attended the luncheon.
In addition, State Representative Carl
Trujillo, and members of the Supreme Court and Appellate Court
Judiciary, former officials Attorney General Gary King, Land
Commissioner Dr. Ray Powell joined the many dignitaries of New
Mexico. At one time, there were 3 former Secretaries of State
together who joined for lunch and visiting at the downtown Santa Fe’s
restaurant. Over 115 people attended the luncheon and came and went
in waves over the afternoon all enjoying the delicious vegetarian
buffet.
Following in the evening, the Sikh Community was
represented with full table of attendees and guests at leadership
dinners for both the Democratic and Republican parties of in New
Mexico. 
On Thursday, February 12th, the
Governor’s Annual Prayer Breakfast took place at the Santa Fe
Convention Center, here pictured with First Gentleman Check Franco is
Sat Bachan Kaur Khalsa and Hari Jiwan Singh Khalsa. It is always a
very inspiring morning. This year the Keynote speaker was Pulitzer
Prize winning journalist and author of Life Animated, Ron
Suskind sharing his family journey with his autistic son’s
challenges.
Also on February 12th, in the Senate Chambers at the NM Roundhouse Lt. Governor John Sanchez introduced Sardarni Sahiba Shanti Kaur Khalsa who gave the daily Opening Invocation for the inspiration of the Legislators and staff.
Yogi Bhajan traveled to the West in the
late 1960’s, sharing the teachings of Kundalini Yoga and helping to
establish the practice of Sikh Dharma. He eventually settled in
northern New Mexico’s Espanola, which became the world-wide
headquarters for the 3HO Foundation and Sikh Dharma International.
He befriended Governors and public officials of the state over his 35
years there, as well as many public officials in the national capitol
of Washington, DC. Local Highway 106 in front of his home in
Espanola was renamed in his honor Yogi Bhajan Highway. He was
honored by a Joint Resolution of the US Congress, for his life
and work, in 2005, following his passing in 2004.
SatSundri
Kaur Khalsa
March 24, 2015
Espanola, New Mexico, USA
