by Sat Mandir Singh Khalsa (Virginia), Grade 12 Miri Piri Academy, Amritsar, India, December 10, 2006
"A few weeks ago, during a so-far uneventful G.T. (Golden Temple) trip, I was walking along, minding my own business, when I suddenly felt a tug on the side of my chola. I looked down and saw a scrappy-looking beggar boy about seven or eight years old staring up at me, hand outstretched. He looked pitiful. He had long, greasy hair that was draped sloppily over his face and almost concealed his big, round eyes, which portrayed an emotion of deep sorrow. A tattered hemp shirt that was much too small for him was pulled as far as it would go over a cavity of a stomach, which indented his skeletal frame. Covering his twig-like legs was a pair of old, hand-me-down trousers that were torn and faded from generations of use. His feet were shoeless and calloused from many years of walking barefoot through the rough streets of Amritsar. From head to toe, he was covered in a thick coat of dirt and grime that darkened and splotched his skin.
"Miri Piri Academy, being the only school whose curriculum includes a step-by-step certification program of the Sikh martial art, Gatka, was invited to New Delhi to instruct kids of ages of 10-17. Hosted by the Siri Guru Harkrishan Public School, around 300 students from different schools attended the three-day course (April 24 - 26) organized and run by students of Miri Piri Acadmey. This was headed up by Jugat Guru Singh, Sadasat Simran Singh, and Harimandirjot Singh of Chardikala Jatha who expressed that they have not experienced such an enthusiastic and heartfelt response in all the camps they have taught.
Throughout the camp, our group taught various fundamental exercises and concepts that create the foundation of the art of Gatka as a whole. They began each day with an invocation Ardaas, followed by stretches and exercises, then 31 minutes of 4-step pantra to Jaap Sahib. Some of the techniques included in the camp curriculum were a variety of stretches, strengthening exercises (sarab dundes, squats, hand-to-hand partner exercises), Pantra, and stick work (both freestyle and shoulder-shoulder sparring). Each MPA student, heading a group of 15 to 20 kids, was given the opportunity to instruct and teach every person on a more personal level and was able to deliver the techniques more efficiently. To end each 5-hour-day, a meditation was lead by MPA where the school courtyard was filled with the booming voices of around 300 inspired kids chanting to Wahe Guru Wahe Guru Wahe Jio.
Our volunteer students from Miri Piri Academy were very successful in delivering a large curriculum to hundreds of eager-to-learn kids in such a short time. Not only did they teach wonderfully, they also built strong relationships and developed many friendships. Our kids were honored to teach Gatka and humbly offer what we learn here at MPA to other schools around India. We hope that these relationships continue to grow and prosper as we continue to teach and build new bridges from our culture to theirs."
In case you don’t already know about Miri Piri Academy (which is in Amritsar, India) check out the video at the end of this post. It gives you an overview about the school and it’s focus. This school is an EXTREMELY unique opportunity for a student to grow both academically and spiritually. Myself, my brother and most of my friends went to boarding school in India, and I give a lot of credit towards this experience, which helped shape me into the person that I am today. Chardikala Jatha is another good example of excellence in many ways. Yes… they were Graduates of MPA and the previous Indian School program (that I was also part of).
If you are a student (high school and younger) and want to have an experience that will change your life, then I suggest that you check out the school, which is now enrolling for the next school year (Fall 2007). I know that as a parent I want to give the best opportunities for my children. This includes both standard academics and spiritual education. You may ask where I will be sending my kids when they are older? Take a guess :) Narayan can’t wait till he can go to MPA.
These days the focus is normally given mostly to financial success and academics. There is little attention to the Mind…Body and Spirit. A person may have a lot of worldly wealth and success, but inside is empty and unhappy.
Miri Piri Academy is named after Guru Hargobind’s two swords, Miri and Piri. These swords represent the mastery of both temporal and spiritual worlds. The ideal of the warrior/saint is central to “Miri Piri” philosophy, and a cornerstone of spiritual awareness. The emphasis at MPA is on the values of kindness, courage, discipline and commitment, which form a strong base for the growth and development in the students.
“I want these children to be stronger than steel. They should walk taller than the stars, be brighter than the sun, and be as peaceful, bright and beautiful as the moon.”
“These children are the fruit of prayer and sacrifice. The steel of Guru Gobind Singh runs through their veins and the grace of Guru Ram Das flows from their hearts.”
“To be a parent in the essential sense is to make your child strong to face tommorow. This is what your child wants from you, nothing less…. nothing more.” - Siri Singh Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogi Ji
by Sat Mandir Singh Khalsa (Virginia), Grade 12 Miri Piri Academy, Amritsar, India, December 10, 2006 
Recent Comments