
Sikhs
9/22/2018 | 51m 44sVideo has Closed Captions
Huell learns about the “Sikh” community in Los Angeles.
Spend a day at the Los Angeles Convention Center where Huell learns about the “Sikh” community in Los Angeles. This Baisakhi celebration is filled with the food, culture and customs of this interesting religious group.
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Visiting with Huell Howser is a local public television program presented by PBS SoCal

Sikhs
9/22/2018 | 51m 44sVideo has Closed Captions
Spend a day at the Los Angeles Convention Center where Huell learns about the “Sikh” community in Los Angeles. This Baisakhi celebration is filled with the food, culture and customs of this interesting religious group.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>> VISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM THE RALPH M. PARSONS FOUNDATION.
>> NO.
>> WHO'S IN CHARGE?
OH, WAIT A MINUTE.
WELL, YOU SOUND LIKE YOU'RE IN CHARGE.
>> ME, NO.
I'M NOT IN CHARGE.
I'LL GET THE LADY IN CHARGE IF YOU WANT.
>> BUT I'M TAKING A TOUR TODAY.
TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT WE'RE SEEING.
>> OKAY.
WE HAVE CHILDREN'S PROGRAM HERE, AND EVERY SUNDAY WE HAVE A CHILDREN'S PROGRAM WHERE THEY'RE LEARNING TO PLAY THE HARMONIUM, WHICH IS A HAND ORGAN.
AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE THE KIDS DOING CELESTIAL COMMUNICATIONS.
SO THE LITTLE KIDS CAN JOIN IN.
AND IT'S BASICALLY THEIR WAY OF MEDITATING.
AND THEN THEY MOVE THEIR HANDS, AND THEY LEARN HOW TO BE MORE GRACEFUL AND LIKE TUNE INTO, LIKE, SUBTLE ENERGY.
YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
>> WELL, THAT'S A REAL ENERGY KIND OF A THING, AN EASTERN KIND OF A THING.
>> RIGHT.
>> THERE'S A MARSHAL TRADITION IN SIKH DARMA, BECAUSE AT THE TIME THAT IT DEVELOPED IF INDIA, THERE WAS A NEED FOR PEOPLE TO STAND UP FOR THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS.
SO THE SIKHS ASSUME THAT ROLE AND HAVE CONSISTENTLY BEEN IN THE FOREFRONT OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR ALL PEOPLE.
>> THAT'S WHY YOU'RE WEARING THE -- >> THAT'S WHY WE WEAR -- IT'S CALLED A "KIRPAN."
>> "KIRPAN"?
>> KIRPAN.
AND IT'S A DAGGER.
WE HAVE FIVE SYMBOLS, AND THEY ALL BEGIN IN -- IN THE PUNJABI LANGUAGE, THEY ALL BEGIN WITH THE LETTER "K." AND THE FIRST IS THE KESH, WHICH IS THE UNCUT HAIR.
THE SECOND WOULD BE THE KANGHA, WHICH IS A LITTLE COMB.
I HAVE A LITTLE COMB RIGHT IN -- >> OH, MY GOSH.
>> AS YOU CAN SEE.
>> OH, LOOK, LUIS.
HERE'S A COMB.
SO EVERYBODY HAS A COMB INSIDE THE TURBAN.
>> AND THE COMB IS SYMBOLIZES CLEANLINESS.
>> UH-HUH.
>> THEN, THERE IS THE KARA, WHICH IS THE STEEL BRACELET WHICH WE COVERED ALREADY.
>> RIGHT.
>> THEN THERE'S KACHERA, WHICH IS A KIND OF SHORTS THAT SOLDIERS WORE AT THE TIME, WHICH ENABLED ONE TO FIGHT EASILY WITHOUT HAVING TO HOLD ON TO YOUR ROBE OR WHATEVER AND ALSO SYMBOLIZING CHASTITY.
AND WE'RE VERY MUCH INTO MARRIAGE AND FAMILY AND HONORING THOSE VOWS ALSO.
AND THEN THE FIFTH IS THE KIRPAN, WHICH IS DAGGER, WHICH IS A SYMBOL OF OUR COMMITMENT TO STAND FOR THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS.
>> NOW, THAT'S NOT EVER TAKEN OUT AND USED IN ANGER, IS IT?
>> ONLY IN DEFENSE.
>> YEAH.
>> ONLY IN DEFENSE.
WE ALSO -- WE VENERATE WEAPONS.
WE USE SWORDS AS RELIGIOUS ITEMS OF WORSHIP.
AND YOU'LL SEE -- INSIDE OUR GURDWARA BY THE GURU IN FRONT, YOU'LL SEE A NUMBER OF SWORDS ARRAYED OUT THERE FOR PEOPLE TO SEE.
>> YOU KNOW, WHAT I'M SEEING -- AND WHEN I LOOK AROUND HERE IS WHAT I THINK MOST OF US SEE WHEN WE TRAVEL AROUND THE STREETS OF LOS ANGELES.
YOU CAN'T GET AWAY FROM THE IMPRESSION THAT THE OUTFIT MAKES.
IT RAISES SO MANY QUESTIONS IN ONE'S MIND, BECAUSE IT'S JUST NOT SOMETHING YOU'RE USED TO SEEING OUT ON THE STREET.
>> YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
BUT AS FAR AS I'M CONSIDERED, NOW, I'VE BEEN WEARING THIS FOR 20 YEARS NOW.
>> YEAH.
>> AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST SOMETHING I'M VERY COMFORTABLE WITH.
>> YEAH.
>> I SEE IT AS LIKE MY UNIFORM, AND IT'S LIKE A ROYAL UNIFORM.
>> YEAH.
>> IT'S LIKE IT GIVES ME THAT SENSE OF NOBILITY.
AND, ALSO, IT'S LIKE A BILLBOARD FOR PEOPLE, YOU KNOW.
IT DEFINITELY DOES ATTRACT PEOPLE.
>> YEAH.
OKAY.
NOW WE HAVE COME TO THE BAZAAR.
>> THIS IS OUR BAZAAR.
WE HAVE MANY PEOPLE INVOLVED IN MANY DIFFERENT BUSINESSES WITH THINGS FOR SALE.
>> NOW, WAIT A MINUTE.
I RECOGNIZE THIS GUY.
>> OH, YOU BET.
THIS IS HARMANDAR SINGH FROM -- >> -- FROM VENICE.
>> THIS GUY -- YOUR PICTURE IS IN MORE PLACES.
YOU'RE THE FAMOUS GUY DOWN ON VENICE BEACH.
>> I'LL BE THERE LATER THIS AFTERNOON.
>> SO YOU'VE REALLY GIVEN A FACE TO A LOT OF THIS.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> YOU KNOW?
>> WELL, I'VE DEFINITELY SUNG SONGS TO A LOT OF PEOPLE AND IT'S A SPIRITUAL VIBRATION.
>> WOW.
WELL, NICE TO MEET YOU.
I'VE NEVER SEEN YOU ANYWHERE BUT ON VENICE BEACH.
>> HAPPINESS, BLESSINGS, HAPPY BAISAKHI.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> OKAY, NOW WE'RE -- OH, BOY.
LOOK AT ALL OF THIS.
>> NO, THIS IS ACTUALLY HAVING TO DO WITH WEB TV.
>> WEB TV.
SIKHS ON WEB TV.
>> YES.
HI.
HOW ARE YOU?
THIS IS THE GENTLEMAN THAT IS THE CREATOR.
>> HOW DO YOU FIND OUT ABOUT IT ON THE INTERNET?
>> WELL, RIGHT NOW, IF YOU LOOK ON SIKHNET.COM, YOU CAN SEE THE URL IS RIGHT HERE.
>> OH, HERE IT IS RIGHT UP HERE: "SIKHNET.COM."
>> AND, BASICALLY, THERE'S ALL KINDS OF INFORMATION ON SIKHISM AND WHAT WE'RE ALL ABOUT, DISCUSSION POSTINGS, CHAT.
IT'S A WHOLE, LIKE -- IT'S A COMMUNITY.
>> YOU SEE, THIS IS INTERESTING.
YOU'VE GOT VERY OLD AND THE VERY NEW, AND IT'S JUST AN INTERESTING MIX -- >> YOU BET.
>> -- OF EVERYTHING.
LOOK AT THIS ROOM.
IT'S JUST FILLED WITH -- I SEE YOU HAVE TRADITIONAL -- >> YEAH, THESE ARE -- >> -- BEADS.
>> THESE ARE MALAS MADE FOR -- IT'S A MEDITATION AID.
>> LOOK AT THESE, LUIS.
THESE BEADS.
>> THIS LADY HERE, AS YOU INDICATED, IS THE MAKER OF THESE.
>> HI.
HOW ARE YOU DOING?
>> THANK YOU.
PLEASURE TO MEET YOU.
>> THESE ARE TRADITIONAL MEDITATION BEADS?
>> YES, THEY ARE.
THEY ARE A WAY OF MEDITATING TO ENHANCE YOUR WISDOM, YOUR KNOWLEDGE, YOUR PROSPERITY, YOUR HEALTH, AND ON YOUR HEART AND YOUR COMMUNICATION.
>> WOW.
THESE ARE VERY NICE.
>> THANK YOU.
>> WE'RE WALKING ALONG.
WE'RE GETTING THE WHOLE TOUR.
OH, HERE ARE THE BRACELETS THAT EVERYBODY HAS.
>> THESE ARE THE KARAS.
YES, AND YOU PICK YOUR SIZE.
WE'VE GOT FROM THE VERY SMALL FOR BABIES.
>> NOW, WOULD IT BE CONSIDERED SACRILEGIOUS FOR SOMEONE LIKE ME, WHO IS NOT A SIKH, TO WEAR ONE OF THESE BRACELETS?
>> NOT AT ALL.
>> NOT AT ALL.
>> NOT AT ALL.
>> REALLY?
>> NOT AT ALL.
>> MANY OF OUR YOGA STUDENTS BUY KARAS AND THEY LIKE TO WEAR THEM.
IT GIVES YOU A SENSE OF STRENGTH AND UNITY WITH THE INFINITE.
>> I THINK I'M GOING TO COME BACK AND GET ONE OF THOSE, BECAUSE THAT'S A VERY NICE -- MORE BEADS OVER HERE AND THESE TRADITIONAL-LOOKING -- WHAT ARE THESE?
>> WELL, THIS IS A SYMBOL CALLED THE ADI SHADI.
AND THIS IS OUR -- IT'S A SYMBOL OF INFINITE AND OF GOD.
AND WHAT WE HAVE IS A KHANDHA, WHICH IS A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD, WHICH IN SOME WAYS REPRESENTS LIGHT AND DARK, THE MALE AND THE FEMALE, SURROUNDED BY WHAT'S CALLED A "KHUKAURA," WHICH IS LIKE A WHEEL OR A ROUND DISK, WHICH IS LIKE THE TOTALITY OF ALL INFINITE WITH TWO SWORDS ON EITHER SIDE.
>> BOY, THERE IS A LOT OF SYMBOLISM, ISN'T THERE?
>>ABSOLUTELY.
>> HOW ARE WOMEN -- WHAT IS THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE SIKH RELIGION?
>> WOMEN ARE REVERED AS THE MOTHER OF ALL.
AND WOMEN ARE EQUALS TO MEN AND ALSO CONSIDERED THE STRENGTH AND LEADERS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND AS THE MOTHERS AND AS THE CREATORS, THE CREATIVE FORCE AND CREATIVE ENERGY THAT COMES FROM WOMAN.
>> CAN WOMEN SIT UP IT THE FRONT OF THE -- >>ABSOLUTELY.
THERE IS NO GENDER BIAS IN -- >> -- KHALSA.
>> IN THE KHALSA.
THERE IS NO GENDER BIAS IN TERMS OF SERVING OR READING FROM THE SCRIPTURES OR PLAYING THE KIRTAN.
>> YEAH.
>> IT'S OPEN TO ALL.
>> THIS SOUNDS GOOD TO ME.
IT SOUNDS GOOD.
I MEAN, DO YOU ALL DO MISSIONARY WORK?
IS THAT WHAT -- I GUESS THAT'S WHAT I'M HERE FOR TODAY, ISN'T IT?
>> IN SOME SENSE, YEAH, WE DON'T DO ANY PROSELYTIZING.
THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT ATTRACTED ME TO IT 20 YEARS AGO, IS THAT THERE'S NOT SOMEONE SAYING THIS IS THE ONLY WAY THAT THERE IS FOR ANYBODY.
>> YEAH.
>> BUT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A WAY.
THIS WORKS FOR ME.
IT'S JUST THAT I'VE HAD AN EXPERIENCE OF KIND OF AN ELEVATION OF MY OWN SPIRIT.
I'VE HAD THAT EXPERIENCE BY PRACTICING THIS WAY OF LIFE.
SO I SHARE THAT WITH OTHERS.
IT'S UP TO THEM TO MAKE THE DECISION WHETHER IT'S APPROPRIATE FOR THEM OR NOT.
>> WELL, THAT SOUNDS GOOD.
LET'S CONTINUE OUR TOUR.
OH, HERE ARE THE ACTUAL ROBES HERE.
>> THESE ARE SOME BEAUTIFUL COTTON CLOTHES THAT ARE MADE BY OUR DEAR FRIEND PAMELA MOCHEEL.
>> HELLO.
HOW ARE YOU?
YOU MAKE ALL OF THESE?
>> YES, I DO.
I DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE HERE IN LOS ANGELES.
>> SO THERE'S A GOOD MARKET FOR THAT.
>> AND WE LIKE TO WEAR NATURAL FIBERS BECAUSE THEY BREATHE AND THEY ALLOW US TO BE VERY FREE AND FLOWING.
>> HUELL -- SADU >> HOWDY.
>> -- ALSO HERE -- >> HOW DO YOU DO?
>> -- THIS IS SADHU.
>> I'M A BIG FAN OF YOURS.
>> NICE TO MEET YOU.
>> WE LOVE YOUR SHOW.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR COMING.
>> WE BROUGHT YOU A SAMPLE OF SOME OF THE PRODUCTS THAT OUR COMMUNITY MAKES.
OUR BUSINESS IS CALLED GOLDEN TEMPLE NATURAL PRODUCTS.
>> UH-HUH.
>> AND WE MAKE CEREALS, THE RAIN FOREST CEREAL AND RAIN FOREST CRISP CEREAL.
WE HAVE OUR YOGI TEA, ANCHION FORMULA TEAS FOR YOUR HEALTH AND EXUBERANCE AND SOME NATURAL BEAUTY-CARE PRODUCTS TO KEEP YOU YOUNG AND VIGOROUS.
>> BOY, YOU GOT IT ALL, RIGHT?
WHAT A LIFE THERE.
>> THERE YOU GO.
>> OH, THIS IS FOR US?
>> FOR YOU GUYS, YEAH.
>> ALL RIGHT.
>> I'LL PUT IT ASIDE FOR YOU.
>> THANK YOU, GUYS, FOR COMING TO THE EVENT TODAY, AND APPRECIATE YOU SPENDING TIME WITH US.
>> NOW, DO YOU HAVE CERTAIN FOOD THAT SIKHS EAT OR DON'T EAT?
>> WELL, WE PRETTY MUCH WILL EAT -- WE'RE VEGETARIANS, SO ANYTHING THAT FALLS WITHIN THE VEGETARIAN UMBRELLA, WE'LL ENJOY.
>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW.
THAT MAY DISQUALIFY ME.
I LIKE A BIG OLD POUND OF RED MEAT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE?
>> BEEF IS ALWAYS GOOD TOO, YOU KNOW, SO -- BUT I'M SURE THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE YOU DOWNSTAIRS TO THE LANGAR HALL.
>> YES.
>> AND YOU'LL GET TO TRY SOME TRADITIONAL SIKH DISHES.
>> GREAT.
>> BEAN DISHES AND DAULS AND SUBSEEDS WHICH ARE CURRIES.
YOU'LL ENJOY THAT A LOT.
>> YEAH, GOSH.
>> VERY GOOD.
>> WELL, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.
NICE TO MEET YOU.
>> VERY NICE TO MEET WITH YOU, HUELL.
>> NICE TO MEET YOU ALL.
>> WE LOVE YOUR SHOW.
>> THANK YOU.
I FEEL SO MUCH AT HOME HERE.
IT'S SO VERY WARM AND FRIENDLY.
>> YOU'RE IN OUR HOMES ALL THE TIME, SO, YOU KNOW.
>> WELL, NO.
BUT I MEAN THERE'S A GOOD FEELING HERE.
>> GOOD.
GOOD.
WELL, THIS IS FAMILY, YOU KNOW.
ANYBODY THAT COMES HERE IS WELCOME AND JUST EXTENDS OUR FAMILY EVEN LARGER.
SO EVERYONE IS WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
BOY, IT'S GETTING CROWDED.
>> YES, IT IS.
THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE JOINING US NOW, AND WE HAVE LOTS OF -- YOU CAN SEE COLORFUL PEOPLE AND PEOPLE COMING IN THE TRADITIONAL KHALSA COLORS OF BLUE AND ORANGE.
>> NOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY FROM INDIA.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> AND THEN THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE OBVIOUSLY NEW MEMBERS HERE IN LOS ANGELES.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
MANY OF US ARE AMERICANS WHO ADOPTED THE SIKH RELIGION AND THEN MANY OF US ARE INDIAN SIKHS WHO HAVE MOVED FROM INDIA TO AMERICA, AND WE ALL COME HERE TOGETHER TODAY TO CELEBRATE BAISAKHI.
HUELL HOWSER >> HELLO.
YOUR NAME?
>> IKROONJAI.
>> AND YOU HAVE BEEN IN LOS ANGELES HOW LONG?
>> EIGHT YEARS.
>> EIGHT YEARS.
>> YES.
>> AND YOU PRACTICE YOUR RELIGION WHERE?
WHAT PART OF THE CITY DO YOU -- >> BUENA PARK, HACIENDA HEIGHTS.
>> BUENA PARK?
>> YES, HACIENDA HEIGHTS.
>> HACIENDA HEIGHTS?
>> HACIENDA HEIGHTS, YES.
YES.
>> WELL, NICE TO MEET YOU.
AND YOUR DAUGHTER'S NAME IS?
>> KHUKHAMOON.
>> SHE'S SHY.
NICE TO MEET YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> NICE TO MEET YOU.
>> IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE MANY OF THE INDIANS WHO HAVE COME HERE, AND SOME OF THEM WANT TO BLEND IN WITH THE AMERICAN SOCIETY.
SO SOME OF THEM HAVE STOPPED WEARING THE TURBAN OR CUT THEIR HAIR.
BUT WHEN THEY COME TO GURDWARA, THEY WILL ALWAYS COVER THEIR HEAD IN RESPECT.
>> ISN'T THAT INTERESTING.
>> YES, BUT WE'RE ALL SIKHS.
WHETHER WE WEAR THE BANA ALL THE TIME OR NOT, WE'RE ALL SIKHS IN OUR HEARTS.
>> SO SOME PEOPLE WOULD WEAR THIS ALL THE TIME.
OTHERS WOULD JUST WEAR IT FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS.
IT REALLY DOESN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
IT'S REALLY HOW YOU CHOOSE TO LIVE YOUR PROJECTION AS A SIKH.
>> I GOT YOU.
I GOT YOU.
>> AND SOME OF US CHOOSE TO LIVE THAT PROJECTION EVERYDAY, AND THOSE OF US WHO HAVE ADOPTED THE RELIGION, WE'VE TEND TO ADOPTED IT IN THE MORE TRADITIONAL WAY.
>> THAT'S PROBABLY WHAT APPEALED TO YOU ABOUT IT.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> OR THE TRADITIONAL THINGS ABOUT IT.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
EXACTLY.
>> NOW, WE HAVE COME TO THE FOOD SECTION, AND I'M STANDING HERE WITH?
>> GURSHARAN SINGH.
>> AND TELL US WHAT IT IS THAT WE'RE GETTING.
>> WELL, WE HAVE RICE HERE, WHICH IS AN INDIAN RICE MADE WITH CUMIN SEEDS AND GHEE.
HERE HE HAVE DAHL, WHICH IS LENTILS.
>> OKAY.
SO THIS IS LENTIL WE'RE GETTING PUT ON HERE.
>> AND THEN WE HAVE MIXED VEGETABLES HERE, CUT UP PEAS, CARROTS, POTATOES IN A CURRY BASE.
A VERY TYPICAL INDIAN DISH.
>> OKAY.
SO THIS IS PEAS, CARROTS, AND POTATOES WITH SOME CURRY.
>> IT'S A TYPICAL INDIAN DISH THAT IS PREPARED WITH CURRY.
>> OH, LOOK.
>> NOW, THIS FOOD IS CUT-UP BREAD, WHICH IS FRIED AND GHEE, WHICH IS A VERY TYPICAL MID-INDIAN FEAST.
>> OH, AND LOOK AT THIS LUIS.
THIS IS KIND OF A -- >>RICE PUDDING WITH MILK.
>>-- RICE PUDDING.
>> RICE PUDDING WITH MILK.
AND WE HAVE ALMONDS, WHICH ARE SAUTEED, AND YOU PUT THEM RIGHT ON TOP.
>> WOW.
SO THIS IS A -- IS THIS A TRADITIONAL INDIAN MEAL HERE THAT WE'RE HAVING?
>> THIS WILL BE A TYPICAL INDIAN TRADITIONAL MEAL WITH THE CHIPOTLES, WITH THE BEANS, THE VEGETABLES AND THE RICE IS LIKE A COMPLETE THING.
YOU HAVE THE PROTEINS YOU HAVE THE CARBOHYDRATES.
YOU ALSO HAVE BREAD, WHICH IS VERY STAPLE OF NORTHERN INDIA.
>> AND WHAT YOU DON'T HAVE IS MEAT.
>> WELL, WE -- BY RIGHT, SIKHS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE MEAT, THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE VEGETARIANS.
BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE THESE DAYS WILL COME INTO AMERICA, THEY WANT TO EAT THE WEST.
THEY DO EAT MEAT.
BUT, UNFORTUNATELY, TODAY THERE'S NO MEAT HERE.
>> THAT'S OKAY.
>> I'M SORRY TO DISAPPOINT YOU.
>> NO.
NO.
NO, THAT'S OKAY.
I'LL JUST -- YOU KNOW, I'LL -- OH, WAIT A MINUTE, WHAT'S THIS?
>> WE HAVE SALAD HERE.
THIS IS FRIED FRITTERS, MADE FROM GARBANZO FLOWER.
>> "FRIED FRITTERS."
>> YEP.
IT'S CALLED PAKORA.
>>"PAKORA."
>> YEAH.
>> THEY'RE A TRADITIONAL INDIAN APPETIZER.
>> THEY'RE WHAT?
>> TRADITIONAL INDIAN APPETIZERS.
>> I GOT YOU.
>> WELL, DO YOU NOTICE I GRABBED THE SPOON FROM YOU WHEN YOU STARTED TO SERVE YOURSELF?
>> YEAH.
>> WE CONSIDER IT AN HONOR TO SERVE YOU YOUR FOOD, SO WE WOULDN'T WANT YOU TO HAVE TO SERVE YOURSELF.
>> DID I DO ANYTHING WRONG?
>> NO.
NO, I JUST WANTED TO NOT LOSE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.THANK YOU.
BOY, THIS IS -- YOU COULD BE CAREFUL OR YOU COULD DO THE WRONG THING HERE, COULDN'T YOU?
>> NOT AT ALL.
NOT THE WRONG THING.
BUT WE DO WANT YOU TO FEEL HONORED AND BE OUR WELCOMED GUEST HERE.
>> IF I MAY ADD ONE MORE LAST THING, ONE OF THE REASONS WHY HE TOOK THE SPOON AWAY FROM YOU WAS AS SIKHS, WE ALWAYS LOVE TO SERVE.
AND THE OTHER THING THAT WE LIKE TO KEEP THIS FOOD -- THE SANCTITY OF THE FOOD, THAT WE HAVE THE HONOR OF SERVING YOU, BECAUSE MOST OF THE SIKHS THEY HAVE TAKEN AMRIT, WHICH IS BAPTISM.
>> UH-HUH.
>> SO THESE PEOPLE, WILL YOU NOTICE, THEY HAD TO GO WASH THEIR HANDS BEFORE THEY WERE EVEN ALLOWED TO SERVE.
>> I SEE.
>> AS WE LIKE TO MAINTAIN THAT.
SO THIS IS VERY PURE FOOD.
IT IS THE PUREST FOOD THAT YOU CAN GET TODAY.
>> WOW.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SO WE'RE GOING TO GO EAT.
OH, YOU'RE NOT EVEN WEARING ANY SHOES AT ALL.
I JUST NOTICED.
>> WELL, I LEFT MINE UPSTAIRS WITH YOURS.
>> NOW, WHEN WE GREET ONE ANOTHER, HOW DO WE GREET?
WHAT IS THE -- >> IN THE SIKHS THE GREETING IS [ SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE ] THAT'S THE GREETING.
LIKE, IF I MEET ANOTHER SIKH PERSON, I WILL SAY [ SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE ] THE PERSON WILL SAY [ SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE ] IT MEANS "HARSAJJA," THOSE WHO LOVE GOD AND IN WHOSE HEART ALL THE TIME GOD'S LOVE IS GOING ON, HE OR SHE BELONGS TO GOD.
AND ALL HIS OR HER SUCCESSES IN LIFE ARE HIS SUCCESSES.
NOT YOURS.
YOU CAN'T SAY IT'S MY VICTORY, IT'S ALL HIS VICTORY.
IN OTHER WORDS, ALL, WE BELIEVE, OUR VICTORIES COME FROM HIM.
ALL OUR SUCCESSES COME FROM HIM.
THAT'S A NORMAL GREETING.
>> AND YOU HAVE YOUR HANDS TOGETHER?
>> WE FOLD OUR HANDS LIKE THIS.
THAT'S A TRADITION, ASIAN TRADITION -- INDIAN TRADITION.
THAT'S WHERE IT CAME FROM.
>> BUT PEOPLE STILL DO THAT TODAY.
>> YES.
AS A FORM OF PRAYER.
>> WELL NOW, SO I WOULD GO -- >> SAY [ SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE ] >> OH, BOY.
>> OR WE'LL SAY "SATNAM," WHICH MEANS TRUTH IS GOD'S NAME.
TRUTH IS THE IDENTITY OF GOD.
>> THAT'S A SMALLER VERSION OF SAYING THAT, BUT THE TRADITIONAL PRESCRIBED GREETING IS -- HARSAJJA GREETING IS WHAT HE SAID AND WAHEGURU.
TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR YOU IS "WOW GOD."
>> AH.
>> DOES IT MAKE SENSE?
>> MAKES SENSE.
>> SO WHEREVER OUR GURU WENT AND HE SAW GOD'S DESIGN, HE ENDED UP -- ONLY THING, "WOW GOD.
WOW.
WOW.
WOW."
AND THAT'S FROM THERE IT CAME, "WAHEGURU."
>> "WAHEGURU."
>> GURU IS FOR GOD.
>> OH, OKAY.
>> DOES IT MAKE SENSE?
>> I SAY WOW A LOT ANYWAY.
>> YEAH.
>> THAT'S WHY WHENEVER YOU WANT TO APPRECIATE SOMETHING, THAT'S HOW YOU DO IT.
>> YEAH.
>> YOU CAN SAY NICE, NICE, NICE, VERY NICE, VERY NICE, NO.
YOU SAY WOW.
>> YEAH.
>> AND SO HE CHOSE THIS WORD, AND THAT HAS BECOME OUR, YOU KNOW, MAIN WORD FOR, YOU KNOW, COMMUNICATION BETWEEN OUR COMMUNITY, TO REMIND US WHERE WE BELONG, WHO WE ARE.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> NOW, WE'VE COME BACK IN HERE AND THE PLACE IS FULL NOW.
>> YES, EVERYONE IS COMING AND GATHERING.
PEOPLE ARE COMING FROM ALL PARTS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND REALLY ALL OVER THE WORLD, AND IT'S VERY EXCITING.
AND SOME OF OUR CHILDREN ARE PERFORMING FOR US RIGHT NOW.
>> WELL, THAT'S THE GROUP WE HEARD EARLIER FROM RIVERSIDE.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
THESE ARE THE CHILDREN FROM THE RIVERSIDE GURDWARA.
>> AND EVERYONE IS SEATED, AND THIS GETS US INTO THIS WHOLE AREA.
BOTH OF YOU TOLD ME THAT YOGA IS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF HOW YOU GOT INTERESTED IN THIS RELIGION.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
I STARTED PRACTICING KUNDALINI YOGA, AND IT WAS AN AWAKING OF THE SOUL AND CONSCIOUSNESS.
AND I WAS LED AND DRAWN TO ACCEPT THE SIKH RELIGION AND SIKH WAY OF LIFE OR SIKH DARMA AS MY PATH AND MY WAY OF LIFE, MY WAY OF CONNECTING WITH THE INFINITE AND WITH GOD.
>> THROUGH YOGA?
>> THAT'S CORRECT.BY PRACTICING YOGA.
I HAD MUCH THE SAME EXPERIENCE 20 YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS STARTING TO PRACTICE YOGA.
ACTUALLY I WAS TAKING IT AS A P.E.
CLASS UP AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OREGON.
AND I ENJOYED DOING THE YOGA SO MUCH THAT I KEPT DOING MORE AND MORE OF IT AND FELT SO GREAT.
THE YOGA DISCIPLINE WAS VERY SIMILAR TO THE DISCIPLINE OF SIKH DARMA.
THEY GO HAND-AND-GLOVE.
AND AS I EXPERIENCED THAT, I LEARNED MORE ABOUT AND RESEARCHED MORE ABOUT THE SIKH WAY OF LIFE AND DECIDED THAT IT REALLY WORKED FOR ME, PERSONALLY.
>> THERE IS -- I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THE CAMERA CAN PICK IT UP, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF ENERGY IN THIS ROOM.
>> YES, THERE'S A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF ENERGY THROUGH THE KIRTAN, THROUGH THE MUSIC, THROUGH THE GURU, WHICH IS THE CENTER OF OUR DEVOTION.
AND THAT ENERGY IS VERY MUCH EMBODIED IN THE SACRED SCRIPTURES THERE.
>> NOW, WHAT ARE PEOPLE IN LINE FOR HERE?
>> THE PEOPLE ARE -- AS WE COME IN, WE WASH OUR FEET AND THEN WE COME FORWARD AND WE BOW IN FRONT OF THE SRI GURU GRANTHI.
>> HER SCRIPTURE IS RIGHT UP THERE ON THAT THRONE.
AND IT STANDS -- IT'S A THRONE.
AND SO EACH PERSON GOES UP AND THEY BOW BEFORE THE THRONE, PUTTING THEIR FOREHEAD DOWN TO THE GROUND AS A SIGN OF HUMILITY AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE SERENITY OF THE GURU.
IT'S KEPT ON THE THRONE.
THERE'S A PERSON WITH A FLY WISP.
YOU CAN SEE IT'S A HORSE-TAIL FLY WISP OVER IT.
>> YEAH.
>> WHICH IS A FORM OF ROYALTY TO KEEP THE FLIES OFF, BUT NOT THAT THERE'S ANY FLIES IN HERE RIGHT NOW.
BUT IT'S A FORM OF CLEANING THE VIBRATIONS AND KEEPING IT A PURIFIED AREA.
>> WOW.
>> YOU SEE WE HAVE IT, LIKE, IN ITS OWN TEMPLE, ITS OWN STRUCTURE, WHICH IS LIKE A GOLDEN TEMPLE A GOLDEN DOME.
OUR MAIN SHRINE IN INDIA IS THE GOLDEN TEMPLE.
>> NOW, DO ALL THE TEMPLES HERE IN L.A. HAVE THE SAME SETUP?
>> YES.
>> SAME SIMILAR -- VERY SIMILAR SETUP.
>> YEAH.
>> IT'S DEVELOPED OVER TRADITION.
IT'S EXPRESSED IN DIFFERENT WAYS, BUT THEY HAVE A SIMILAR SETUP.
>> YES, THE GURU IS OUR SACRED SCRIPTURES, AND IT'S THE EMBODIMENT AS THE WORD.
BUT IT'S REVERED ALMOST AS IF IT'S A PERSON.
>> YEAH.
>> AND AS A LIVING -- >> SO IT'S THE LIVING WORD.
>> IT'S THE LIVING WORD, AND -- >> IT'S LIKE AN ALTER WOULD BE MY CHRISTIAN RELIGION.
>> EXACTLY.
IT IS AN ALTER, AND IT'S AN ALTER TO OURSELVES, TO OUR HIGHEST CONSCIOUSNESS AND TO LIVE WITH GOD.
[ MUSIC AND SINGING ] >> NOW, YOUR NAME IS?
>> GIAAN SINGH KHALSA.
>> AND I UNDERSTAND YOU ACTUALLY TRAVEL TO INDIA TO STUDY WHAT YOU'RE GETTING READY SHOW US.
>> YES.
WELL, I SPENT TIME IN INDIA.
I ACTUALLY WENT TO SCHOOL THERE.
I GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL THERE.
AND DURING THE TIME THAT I WAS THERE, I LEARNED THIS SPECIFIC TYPE OF MARTIAL ART WHILE I WAS THERE.
>> AND WHAT IS THIS CALLED?
BECAUSE THIS LOOKS LIKE A SERIOUS PIECE OF EQUIPMENT RIGHT HERE.
>> THIS IS CALLED A BODI DAL SWORD.
AND IT'S MADE BY A SPECIFIC GROUP OF SIKHS IN INDIA CALLED "BODI DALS," AND THEY'RE SWORD MAKERS.
AND THE ART OF GATKA IS IN THE DISCIPLINE THAT WAS BROUGHT OUT BY THE SIXTH GURU, GURU HARGOBIND.
IT WAS TO EMPOWER THE COMMON MAN TO BE ABLE TO BATTLE TEN SOLDIERS AT ONE TIME.
>> SO YOU CAN TAKE ON TEN PEOPLE, TEN SOLDIERS, WITH THAT AND THE TECHNIQUE THAT YOU'VE LEARNED?
>> I CAN DO MY BEST.
>> NOW, SHOULD WE BACK BACK A LOT?
I MEAN -- >> YEAH, I TAKE UP LITTLE BIT.
>> HOW MUCH ROOM DO YOU HAVE TO HAVE HERE?
>> IT TAKES A LITTLE BIT OF ROOM BUT, BUT IT'S A BEAUTIFUL MARTIAL ART.
IT'S AS MUCH A DANCE AS IT IS AN ACTUAL FIGHTING SKILL, BECAUSE THE SIKH BELIEVES THAT YOU'RE AS MUCH A WARRIOR AS YOU ARE A SAINT.
AND IT'S A COMBINATION OF BEING A WARRIOR AND A SAINT.
NOT JUST A WARRIOR, BUT A PERSON OF PROTECTION AND A PERSON OF DEEP RELIGIOUS BELIEF.
>> YOU'RE GOING TO GET INVOLVED IN THIS A WELL?
>> YEAH.
ABOUT, MAYBE, 15 YEARS AGO, I STARTED IN ITALY, AND FROM OUR TEACHERS THAT WAS GOING IN INDIA, LEARNING AND TEACHING OVER THERE IS AN AMERICAN.
>> NOW, ARE YOU ALL GOING TO BE AGAINST EACH OTHER OR JUST KIND OF IN -- >> WELL, WE CAN -- WE'LL DO WHAT WE CALL FREE PLAY, AND THEN WE CAN SHOW YOU SOME DIFFERENT MOVES THAT YOU'D USE AGAINST EACH OTHER.
>> OKAY.
WE'RE WATCHING, AND WE'RE ALSO STEPPING BACK.
BE CAREFUL.
OH, BOY.
>> NOW, THERE'S A FEW DIFFERENT MOVES.
ONE OF THE FIRST MOVES THAT YOU LEARN IS TO FEND OFF PEOPLE FROM THE FRONT AND FEND OFF PEOPLE FROM THE BACK AT THE SAME TIME .
>> ALL RIGHT.
WE'RE BACK.
>> AND THIS MOVE IS COVERING YOUR FRONT, FRONT PORTION.
>> OH, BOY.
>> AND AT THE SAME TIME, COVER THE BACK PORTION.
AS YOU MOVE, YOU CAN SPIN AROUND TO MANY DIFFERENT POSITIONS.
AND YOU'RE COVERING YOURSELF FROM ALL DIFFERENT SIDES.
SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
>> WOW.
NOW, LET'S GET HER INVOLVED IN THIS THING.
>> OKAY.
FUDJINAMA IS ONE STRIKE UP, ONE STRIKE DOWN, AND ONE STRIKE UP, AND THAT IS TO PREPARE THE PERSON THAT YOU ARE FIGHTING THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE BATTLING THEM.
>> OKAY.
>> AND THEN YOU HIT THE INSIDE OF YOUR LEG, WHICH IS A MERIDIAN POINT A PRESSURE POINT WHICH GIVES YOU COURAGE IN BATTLE.
>> ALL RIGHT.
>>NOW HOW PRACTICAL IS THIS?
>> WELL, IN THE AGE OF AUTOMATIC WEAPONS, IT'S PROBABLY NOT VERY PRACTICAL.
BUT AT THE TIME THAT THE SIKHS DEVELOPED, IT WAS A TIME OF MUSKETRY, ARROWS, AND SWORDS.
AND IT WAS VERY PRACTICAL AT THE TIME.
>> THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL THING TO WATCH.
>> OH, THANK YOU.
>> DO MANY PEOPLE KNOW HOW TO DO THIS?
>> A LOT OF PEOPLE PRACTICE, BECAUSE IT'S A MENTAL DISCIPLINE.
IT'S JUST LIKE ANY KIND OF MARTIAL ART.
>> UH-HUH.
>> IT ALLOWS YOU PHYSICAL STRENGTH.
>> WELL, YOU DREW A CROWD.
>> WELL, PEOPLE ENJOY WATCHING IT, BECAUSE IT'S A LOT OF FUN.
>> IT'S LIKE A DANCE, ACTUALLY.
>> YEAH.
>> IT'S A POWERFUL MARTIAL DANCE.
>> VERY NICE.
HOW SHARP IS THAT?
>> THIS PARTICULAR ONE ISN'T VERY SHARP.
IT'S MORE OF A PRACTICE SWORD.
>> YEAH.
>> BUT IT DOES -- THIS ONE IS SOMEWHAT SHARP, BUT IT'S A PRACTICE SWORD.
>> NOW, DO YOU HAVE TO HAVE A LICENSE TO CARRY THAT THING?
>> WELL, YOU CAN'T CARRY THEM IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, BUT -- NO, IT'S REALLY LIKE -- IT'S A DISCIPLINE.
IT'S NOT -- IT'S FOR PROTECTION.
AND IT'S AN ART OF SELF-DISCIPLINE AND PROTECTION, NOT AGGRESSION.
>> YEAH.
>> AND THAT'S WHAT IT'S FOR.
IT'S TO PROTECT, NOT TO BE AGGRESSIVE WITH.
>> YEAH.
WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
>> AND THESE ARE CALLED?
>> THE DRESS?
>> THE SWORD.
>> THE SWORD.
THE SWORD IS -- IT'S CALLED A SRI SIEVE, WHICH IS "THE GREAT SWORD."
BUT THIS IS A BODI DAL SWORD IN PARTICULAR BECAUSE OF THE HANDLE THAT ALLOWS A BETTER GRIP.
>> NOW, WE HAVE COME ACROSS A FELLOW.
YOUR NAME IS?
SEVA SIMRAN SRI SINGH >> SEVA SIMRAN SRI SINGH.
>> NICE TO MEET YOU SIR.
AND YOU ARE REALLY A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF A SIKH WHO IS DEALING WITH THE WORLD AND THE INTERACTION BETWEEN THE TRADITIONAL, AND YOU HAVE A JOB.
YOUR JOB IS?
>> I'M A POSTMAN.
I WORK OUT OF THE VENICE POST OFFICE.
>> NOW, DO YOU WEAR THIS AS A POSTMAN?
>> NO, I DON'T WHERE THIS.
I WEAR MY TURBAN AND I WEAR MY POSTAL UNIFORM.
>> UH-HUH.
>> RIGHT.
>> AND WHAT DO YOUR CUSTOMERS -- WHAT DO THEY THINK?
>> WELL, THEY'RE USED TO IT.
THEY'RE USED TO IT.
THE DOGS LOVE ME.
EVERYTHING SEEMS TO GO ALONG WELL.
>> WELL, WAS THERE A PROBLEM AT FIRST, OR IS IT -- >> AH >> I MEAN, I GUESS THAT IS THE QUESTION WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
HOW EASY IS IT TO INTEGRATE INTO THE LIFE WHERE YOU WEAR TRADITIONAL CLOTHING?
>> I THINK IT DEPENDS A LOT ON THE INDIVIDUAL.
IF THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH IT, THEN THEY COME ACROSS THAT WAY AND IT'S MORE EASILY ACCEPTABLE.
IT WAS A LITTLE DIFFICULT FOR ME AT THE BEGINNING.
THAT WAS ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO OR SO.
AND IT WAS A LITTLE DIFFICULT BECAUSE THE POST OFFICE IS VERY TRADITIONAL AND I WAS COMING IN WITH SOMETHING ON MY HEAD, AND IT WAS A LITTLE STRANGE.
>> WELL, NO.
THE POST OFFICE IS TRADITIONAL, YOU ARE "TRADITIONAL."
>> WE'RE TRADITIONAL SIKHS.
>> YEAH.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> BUT IT'S A NICE MIX, AND IT REALLY DOES ACCOMPLISH - - I MEAN IT'S OKAY FOR HIM TO WEAR A UNIFORM FOR HIS WORK, RIGHT?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
IT'S FINE.
MANY FOLKS WEAR UNIFORMS IN THEIR WORKS.
FOR SOME OF US, THIS IS OUR UNIFORM.
>> YEAH.
>> BUT, IN CASES LIKE THAT, THEN THE PERSON WILL WEAR THEIR TURBAN AND THEIR UNIFORM.
>> I GOT YOU.
WELL, NICE TO MEET YOU SIR.
>> IT WAS GOOD MEETING YOU AND I WANT TO TELL YOU HOW MUCH I LOVE YOUR SHOWS TOO.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
NOW WE GOT INTO THIS THING ABOUT NAMES TOO.
YOUR NAME IS?
>> MY NAME IS SAT CHARAN SIMRAN KAUR KHALSA AND IT MEANS THE PRINCESS WHO SITS AT THE LOTUS FEET OF TRUTH MEDITATING ON THE NAME OF GOD.
SO EACH OF OUR NAMES HAS A VIBRATION AND A MEANING.
AND IT INSPIRES US TO LIVE TO OUR HIGHEST DESTINY.
>> AND YOUR NAME?
>>IS SEVA SIMRAN SIRI SINGH KHALSA.
"SEVA" MEANS SELFLESS SERVICE; " GOD;RAN" MEANS MEDITATION ON "SIRI" MEANS GREATNESS, AND "SINGH" ARE THE ATTRIBUTES OF A LION, COURAGE, WHICH ALL THE MEN TAKE.
ALL THE WOMEN TAKE THE NAME OF "KAUR," MEANING LIKE A PRINCESS, GRACEFULNESS.
>> AND YOUR NAME?
>> MY NAME IS SIRI ATMA SINGH KHALSA.
HIGHEST PROJECTION.EANS GOD'S SO I'M THAT PURE LION, WHICH IS THE MANIFESTATION AS GOD'S HIGHEST PROJECTION.
>> NOW, DID YOU KEEP YOUR ORIGINAL NAMES FROM YEARS AGO BEFORE YOU BECAME SIKHS?
>> NO, I'VE CHANGED MY NAME LEGALLY.
>> BUT, MOST OF US CHANGE OUR NAMES.
>> AND WHAT ABOUT THE SIKHS WHO WERE BORN SIKHS, HOW DO THEY GET THEIR NAMES?
>> IN TRADITIONAL SIKH FAMILIES, THE WAY A CHILD IS NAMED IS --.
>> OH, LOOK AT THIS.
SEE THIS IS WHAT CAPTURES THE IMAGINATION OF PEOPLE HERE IN L.A., WHEN THEY SEE SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
WE'RE SO CURIOUS, BECAUSE IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL AND WONDERFUL TO SEE SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
>> WELL, A LOT OF PEOPLE IN L.A., THE FIRST THING IS -- AS FIRST THEY'RE VERY SHY TOWARDS US.
THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK.
MOST PEOPLE ACTUALLY ARE AFRAID OR THEY HAVE HEARD DIFFERENT THINGS OR THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK, SO A LOT OF PEOPLE STEER CLEAR OF US.
THEN, THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE CURIOUS AND THEY COME UP AND ASK US, AND THEY SEE WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE WE REALLY ARE.
>> YEAH.
>> AND HOW ALL THAT WE CARE ABOUT, REALLY, IN OUR LIVES IS SERVING AND BEING ONE WITH GOD.
>> YEAH.
>> AND THAT'S -- WE DON'T CARE WHAT RELIGION YOU ARE, AS LONG AS EVERYBODY IS LIVING A PURE LIFE AND BEING HAPPY.
>> IS THIS YOUR DAUGHTER BACK HERE?
>> YEAH, THIS IS MY DAUGHTER.
>> SHE'S A LITTLE SHY, HUH?
>> SHE'S A LITTLE BIT SHY, BUT SHE WASN'T SHY WHEN SHE WAS UP ON STAGE A FEW MINUTES AGO.
SHE LIKES THE LIMELIGHT WHEN IT'S ON HER TERMS.
[ MUSIC AND SINGING ] >> SOMETIMES WE'VE BEEN MISTAKEN FOR IRANIANS OR ARABS.
I LOVE TELLING PEOPLE WHENEVER THEY ASK ME WHERE I'M FROM, IS I TELL THEM I'M FROM LOS ANGELES.
BECAUSE I AM.
I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN LOS ANGELES.
>> YEAH.
>> AND I TRULY AM SOMEONE THAT'S FROM LOS ANGELES.
>> BECAUSE, SEE, I'VE LIVED IN L.A. NOW ALMOST 20 YEARS, AND I'VE NEVER KNOWN UNTIL TODAY WHAT THE REAL STORY WAS HERE.
I'VE JUST ALWAYS SEEN THESE PEOPLE WALKING AROUND WITH THE WHITE TURBANS AND THE WHITE DRESSES, BUT I'VE NEVER REALLY KNOWN.
>> WELL, WE'RE BECOMING MORE WELL-KNOWN, AND WE'RE WORKING AND THROUGH OUR PRACTICES OF YOGA AND MEDICATION.
>> WELL, I'M LEARNING.
IT'S BEEN VERY, VERY INTERESTING, BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE HOW COMFORTABLE PEOPLE WOULD FEEL, YOU KNOW.
IF I HADN'T BEEN INVITED HERE TODAY, I MIGHT HAVE FELT A LITTLE MORE TENTATIVE ABOUT COMING IN HERE.
I WOULDN'T HAVE KNOWN WHETHER I WOULD HAVE BEEN WELCOME OR NOT.
>> NO, EVERYBODY IS WELCOME AT EVERYTHING WE DO.
>> BUT YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHY MAYBE -- >> OH, CERTAINLY, I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT.
>> JUST FROM THE WAY WE DRESS.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
I HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE.
I HAD A CURIOSITY, AND THAT WAS GREATER THAN MY FEAR.
>> YEAH.
>> SO I GOT INVOLVED.
AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WORKS FOR ME.
IT'S CERTAINLY NOT FOR EVERYBODY.
BUT IT'S -- THERE'S A LOT THAT WE HAVE TO OFFER TO ALL PEOPLE.
AND WE'RE PART OF THIS CITY AND, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO SHARE THAT WITH EVERYBODY.
[ MUSIC AND SINGING ] CAPTIONING EQUIPMENT DONATED BY LLOYD RIGLER AND PERFORMED BY RAPIDTEXT, NEWPORT BEACH, CA.
>> VISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM THE RALPH M. PARSONS FOUNDATION.

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