One of the most important experiences in Yogi Bhajan’s life was the recognition of his personal Guru, Guru Ram Das. This was the turning point which was to mark out his future and his destiny.

As a government officer, he had been posted to various districts throughout India, and in 1960 he was assigned to the district surrounding the city of Amritsar. As a Sikh, he recognized the special significance of the Harimander Sahib, the Golden Temple and the holy city of Amritsar. Throughout the duration of this assignment, he was determined to take the opportunity to wash the marble floors of the Golden Temple. But above and beyond that, his personal spiritual pursuit had convinced him that only through humility and the performance of humble selfless service could he find the fulfillment which he was seeking.

He had spent many years as a student of spiritual and religious teachers. He had also spent many years functioning in his capacity as a teacher, and he had attained the siddhis (powers) of a perfected yogi. Yet he knew that there was a need in his life for a teacher, for a guide and Guru to whom he could belong beyond the personal, individual ties with any earthly being. He longed for the final touch of infinite love and understanding which would make all of the pieces of the puzzle of life fit together. So, every day for four and a half years, the government officer, Harbhajan Singh, washed the floors of the Golden Temple.

By cleaning the floors of his beloved Guru’s House, he came to realize that he was indeed a blessed son of the House of Guru Ram Das. He has always said that he is who he is because he washed the floors of the Golden Temple, not because of any of his titles or degrees.

[From The Aquarian Teacher KRI Teacher Training Manual, p. 61]