"Whatever it is you truly desire in the universe, the universe will meet you in your effort..." With this logic and philosophy, my friend and teacher Sujan Singh insists that he contributed in no particular manner to the concert that was held on December 23, 2009, at Yoga Jap Center. Yet it was a unique and special event.

We all know that when it comes to organizing an event, what really counts is one's intentions. Those intensions are a small seed that eventually grows and takes on dimensions that were hard to imagine a handful of months earlier - especially when it is treated favourably in all the right karmic conditions. And since the Yoga Jap Center's group has a big heart, the universe met us in our efforts! The very Italian Siri Kartar Kaur Khalsa came to Italy from Los Angeles; where she lives, and she bestowed her gracious presence, her talent, and her energy on us in an evening dedicated to Mantra and Kirtan.

Thus said, the concert's theme was the Heart, which students of Yoga identify with the fourth chakra, Anahata. When our needs are met - and this occurs in the lower triangle of the first three chakra - and we are at peace with those around us and in harmony with our daily life, we rise towards a sate of higher consciousness. We evolve with a desire to create harmony and balance in our surroundings...a heart to heart with reality!

Guru Fateh Singh accompanied his mother, Siri Kartar Khalsa, on a mandolin and an electric guitar together with Saribjit Singh, who played on the drums and the guitars in grand style. She decided to kick off the evening and the "voyage" on which were about to embark on with the mantra "Ra Ma Da Sa Sa Se Se So Hong." It is an earth mantra (Ra Ma Da Sa) linked with the ether mantra (Sa Se So Hong) whose two halves are linked by the "Sa" that joins them. Thanks to this mantra we are able to enlarge our pranic body and become channels of healing energy both for ourselves and others.

Our journey then continued with the vibrations of "Wah Yanti," which comes to us through Rishi Patañjali's wisdom of and is recognized as the non plus ultra of hundreds of years of Prayer.

Even the Mantras' sequence, which is never a matter of chance, was a veritable journey. And it unfolded thanks to Siri Kartar Kaur Khalsa's warm, robust voice, which awoke our vital energy. Yet energy cannot flow if there are obstacles which block its path. Thus she came to our aid by singing "Aad Sach Jugaad Sach He Bhe Sach Nanak Hosi Bhe Sach" through which we were able to loosen those tensions that kept our energy from flowing freely. That way we would be ready to chant the Guru Mantra, "the miracle mantra," together. It is a mantra which most Kundalini Yoga students recognize and use, in accordance with Yogi Bhajan's teachings; Guru Ram Das (the fourth Guru of the Sikh tradition) bestowed it directly on him. Siri Kartar Kaur Khalsa explained that the mantra is the most simple, as well as the most potent, means to ask for Guru Ram Das' Spiritual guidance and protection.

The ambiance in the room changed. It was if we all felt a tangible presence; the force of the Master's teaching became a current that bound us to one another.

...and then a quicker rhythm broke in. Its speed and insistence sounded like horses in full gallop. We had begun chanting "Chattr Chakkr Varti,"the mantra which is associated with the energy of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru in the Sikh tradition. It incarnates the will to live and the life force. Strength and well-being fill our bodies - two qualities that are necessary in creating paths towards success and prosperity.

So ...here is "Bahuta Karam," the twenty-fifth pauri of the Japji Sahib bestows prosperity on those who repeat it eleven times a day. It's a guaranteed success and it's simple, too!

It may be hard to imagine judging from what I've written that over two hours had gone by and we were only now coming to the end of our journey. It concluded with "Say Sanjog," a Kirtan in which a singer celebrates a surrendering to God and the Guru. To tell the truth, despite our sincerest efforts, we chimed in off-key, while we took turns with Siri Kartar Kaur Khalsa whose deep resonant voice led us with patience and passion.

Our journey ended and there were smiles all around. And they continued throughout the evening meal to which everyone had contributed, in respect for the tradition and teachings of Yogi Bhajan.

With this in mind, I extend my warmest thanks to Siri Kartar Kaur Khalsa, Sujan Singh, and Jot Prakash Kaur, and to all our friends at the Yoga Jap Center who Participated to make this event Happen.

Balbir Kaur
English translation by Jap Inder Kaur