Harbhajan Singh Yogi
Biography of Harbhajan Singh Yogi
Full Name and Common Aliases
Harbhajan Singh Khalsa, commonly known as Harbhajan Singh Yogi or Yogi Bhajan, was a spiritual leader and entrepreneur who played a pivotal role in introducing Kundalini Yoga to the Western world. His followers often referred to him simply as "Yogi Ji."
Birth and Death Dates
Harbhajan Singh Yogi was born on August 26, 1929, in Kot Harkarn, a village in the Punjab region of India, which is now part of Pakistan. He passed away on October 6, 2004, in Española, New Mexico, USA.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Originally from India, Harbhajan Singh Yogi became a naturalized American citizen. He was a multifaceted individual, known primarily as a spiritual teacher, yogi, and entrepreneur. He was also a religious leader, having founded the 3HO (Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization) Foundation, and served as the spiritual director of the Sikh Dharma in the Western Hemisphere.
Early Life and Background
Harbhajan Singh was born into a Sikh family and was raised in a region rich with spiritual and cultural diversity. His early life was marked by the upheaval of the Partition of India in 1947, which forced his family to relocate to New Delhi. Despite these challenges, he excelled academically and pursued higher education, earning a degree in Economics. His spiritual journey began at a young age, and by the age of 16, he had mastered Kundalini Yoga under the guidance of Sant Hazara Singh, who declared him a Master of Kundalini Yoga.
Major Accomplishments
Harbhajan Singh Yogi's most significant accomplishment was the introduction and popularization of Kundalini Yoga in the West. In 1968, he moved to North America, where he began teaching Kundalini Yoga in Los Angeles. His teachings quickly gained a following, leading to the establishment of the 3HO Foundation in 1969. This organization aimed to promote a lifestyle of health, happiness, and holiness, and it became a global movement with centers worldwide.
In addition to his spiritual teachings, Yogi Bhajan was a successful entrepreneur. He founded several businesses, including Yogi Tea, which became a popular brand known for its herbal teas. His business acumen and spiritual teachings were intertwined, as he encouraged his followers to live prosperous and ethical lives.
Notable Works or Actions
Yogi Bhajan authored numerous books on spirituality, health, and wellness, including "The Teachings of Yogi Bhajan" and "The Mind: Its Projections and Multiple Facets." These works encapsulate his philosophy and teachings, offering guidance on living a balanced and fulfilling life.
One of his notable actions was the establishment of the Khalsa Council, a governing body for the Sikh Dharma in the Western Hemisphere. This council helped to organize and unify the Sikh community, providing a platform for spiritual and cultural exchange.
Impact and Legacy
Harbhajan Singh Yogi's impact is profound and multifaceted. He is credited with bringing Kundalini Yoga to the West, transforming it from a relatively unknown practice into a widely recognized and respected form of yoga. His teachings emphasized the importance of a holistic lifestyle, integrating physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
His legacy extends beyond yoga; he played a crucial role in the growth of Sikhism in the West, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Sikh culture and spirituality. The businesses he founded continue to thrive, embodying his principles of ethical entrepreneurship.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Harbhajan Singh Yogi is widely quoted and remembered for his profound insights into human nature and spirituality. His teachings offer practical wisdom for navigating the complexities of modern life, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, discipline, and compassion. His quotes often reflect his belief in the potential for personal transformation and the power of community.
Yogi Bhajan's ability to articulate complex spiritual concepts in an accessible manner has made his teachings enduringly popular. His legacy lives on through the countless individuals and communities who continue to be inspired by his vision of a healthy, happy, and holy life.
Quotes by Harbhajan Singh Yogi
In the beginning was the Word. It doesn’t say in the beginning was God. In the beginning was the Word because in the very beginning of every moment of time and space your word counts. Your whole destiny is written in the Word.
Let somebody prove friendship which time and space cannot jolt, and then accept the love. Don’t accept the love first and then find the friendship; it will never come. You have lost the game.
There are three things you cannot hide: smell of the garlic, fragrance of the flower and the wisdom of the teacher.
The art of healing, the art of ecstasy, the art of God-consciousness has millions of names in mystic terms. It has to do with rhythm and reality. When the body is in rhythm, there is ease. When the body, or any part of the body goes out of rhythm, there is dis-ease.
Without meditation, and without a relationship to your mind, you fail to use the power of the mind. You fail to rely on your self. You complicate your approach. You do not use the beautiful designs given to you by birthright in this body, that link the effectiveness of body, mind, soul and you.
The three salient features of love are: Where there is love, there is no question. Where there is love, there is no pain. Where there is love, there is nothing impossible.
The Age of Aquarius is the age of excellence in which personal purity shall absolutely matter.
Sometimes you have tons of money, and still you are miserable, you are not satisfied. The bow of gratitude and arrow of mercy will give you everything. Gratitude will turn your attitude into mercy, mercy will bring you dharma, and dharma will give you solid prosperity.