Additional information
by Gursant Singh (Author)
Arriving in India to get his teeth fixed, Gursant Singh decides he needs a Punjabi wife and becomes embroiled with Dadaji, Amritsar's notorious marriage broker. When their search for the perfect bride gets them both thrown into Amritsar's Central Jail, Gursant has to look deep within himself and question everything he has been taught about the Sikh path - Sikhi. Gursant's encounters with crooked lawyers, corrupt cops and the enigmatic Indian legal system lead him from the radiant spirituality of Amritsar's Golden Temple, through labyrinthine back streets, chaotic lawyers' offices and the Amritsar Police station to the tranquility of an isolated yoga ashram in the foothills of the Himalayas. On the way, we meet an exotic cast of characters. Some venal and manipulating, others compassionate and generous; all of whom bring to life the contradictions, idiosyncrasies and excitement of 21st Century India. Gursant chronicles his adventures in a fast-moving, warts-and-all style to give the reader a searingly honest picture of his own spiritual loss of innocence. It was during my time in the Amritsar Central Jail that I thought of writing this book. As soon as I had Internet access, I began to research what it might take to create a written record of my experiences. In effect, this book was created as it happened and certainly before I knew how it would finish. My hope was that I could help others to learn from my experiences; not only those in India, but also those within the 3HO spiritual organization to which I devoted thirty years of my life. India can be fun, entertaining and spiritually inspiring; at the same time it can be harsh and unforgiving, especially if you fall foul of the law, as I did. The spiritual path of the seeker can provide endless inspiration and satisfaction. But, like India, it can bring you face to face with your deepest fears and weaknesses. It is my fervent hope that others will learn from my mistakes and perhaps deepen their own spiritual experience by reading about what I had to go through. Thus this book is the story of my spiritual coming of age; my loss of innocence, if you will. I wish to offer my deepest gratitude to Akal Purkh, Waheguru, the Creator and Sustainer of the incredible universe in which we live. Let me also give thanks to Guru Nanak Sahib and his nine illustrious human successors. It is the grace of Guru Nanak that brought me to his teachings and it was his kindness that enabled me to find the true path of Sikhi. Finally I humbly offer obeisance to Siri Guru Granth Sahib, the word of God and living Guru for all Sikhs. Gursant Singh
Author Biography
I was given the name Guru Sant Singh Khalsa by Yogi Bhajan. The experiences you will read about in "Confessions of an American Sikh" led me to understand that this name inflated my ego and was detrimental to my spiritual progress. I now use the name Gursant Singh and that is the name I have used as the author of this book. Since my name was Guru Sant Singh Khalsa when all the events in the book took place I have kept that name in the text of the book "Confessions of an American Sikh" outlines my reasons for joining Yogi Bhajan's sect of Sikhism, wearing a turban and all white clothes. As of 2009 I left Yogi Bhajan's group I now only follow Siri Guru Granth Sahib. First I'll share some background before you read "Confessions of an American Sikh" which should help you understand my thinking and life. I grew up with strong Christian values of living an honest life and a strong belief in one God. You can see me in photographs on my website at age 12 participating in a Christian church camp. My mother is a devoted Christian and always has been since her childhood days growing up on a mid-west farm, being baptized at and attending the country church every Sunday. My brother and I attended Sunday school, summer bible school for kids, church camps and even Wednesday evening church services sometimes. I do have to say that my father had some tendencies towards being an aggressive salesman but he rarely, if ever crossed the line into fraud or manipulation of others to make money. My dad's motto was to try and make all buyers happy and provided extensive service and warranties after they purchased their mobile home from him. He was also a committed Christian and served as a Deacon in the Church of Christ on Town Avenue in Pomona California. Thinking that I would like to be a counselor, I drove to Los Angeles where I was determined to ask Yogi Bhajan who I now considered to be my "spiritual teacher" what I should do as a career. Much to my dismay when I shared with Yogi Bhajan my desire to be a counselor, Yogi Bhajan said, "How are you going to make any money, go over to GRD (3HO telemarketing boiler phone room) and work under Hari Jiwan, he'll teach you how to make money." So with all the greatest faith and enthusiasm, I worked and studiously observed all the practices of my mentors Hari Jiwan and Baba Singh who lead the infamous 3HO toner bandits. All the stories that followed and more are recorded in "Confessions of an American Sikh"
