States and India in 1969, with the declaration
“Happiness is your birthright.” The mission of
3HO is to assist the interested public in develop-
ing a happy, healthy, and holy lifestyle to meet the
challenges of the modern world. Based on ancient
yogic techniques taught by Yogi Bhajan, 3HO
offers KUNDALINI YOGA, MEDITATION, information
on a healthy diet, tantric practices, and a compas-
sionate philosophy.
3HO is an affiliate of the larger religion of the
Sikh Dharma. There are over 300 3HO centers in
39 countries including the United States, Canada,
Mexico, Russia, Australia, South Africa, and coun-
tries in Europe. 3HO centers offer holistic health
treatments including books, tapes, videos, and
health supplements. 3HO publishes a quarterly
journal called the Aquarian Times, featuring tips and
tools for health and happiness. The organization’s
headquarters are located in Espanola, New Mexico.
Yogi Bhajan established the 3HO after travel-
ing to the United States and seeing a need for
yoga in the West. He reached out to the youth of
the 1960s, recognizing that their experimentation
with drugs expressed a need for liberation and
wholeness. Yogi Bhajan introduced many young
people to kundalini yoga as a natural and healthy
alternative. As word of his teachings spread, the
organization grew and centers were established
throughout the United States. Since then the 3HO
has become a popular and dynamic community
dedicated to personal growth and sharing of the
ancient techniques upon which the organization
is founded. The organization has fulfilled one of
Yogi Bhajan’s stated intentions, “I did not come to
collect students, but to train teachers.”
The practice of kundalini as taught by Yogi
Bhajan is based on kriyas (ritual action). It is an
integrative and authentic system that combines
physical exercise, breath control, and medita-
tion. These yoga techniques constitute a spiritual
technology that expands awareness, opens the
potential of mind, and draws forth one’s inner
being. The benefits of kundalini, as cited by 3HO,
include the strengthening of the nervous system,
the reduction of stress, self-awareness, concentra-
tion, and peace of mind.Further reading: Yogi Bhajan, Guide to Aquarian Preg-
nancy: Birth and Child Care through Yoga (San Diego:
3HO Foundation, 1977); Yogiji Harbhajan Singh Khalsa,
The Inner Workout Manual: Kundalini Yoga (San Ber-
nardino, Calif.: Borgo Press, 1990); ———, Kundalini
Yoga for Youth and Joy (San Bernardino, Calif.: Borgo
Press, 1990); Yogiji Harbhajan Singh Khalsa and Hari-
jot Kaur Khalsa, Owners Manual for the Human Body:
Kundalini Yoga (Eugene, Oreg.: KIT Catalog 1993).heaven
Heaven and hell (NARAKA) have been known to
Hinduism since ancient times. VEDIC Hinduism
conceived of a realm beyond the sky called svar
or svarga, a realm of immortality and happiness
beyond this world. One reached it through proper
performance of the Vedic duties, especially the
rituals (YAJNA).
In later mythology, beginning in the epics
RAMAYANA and MAHABHARATA, svarga began to be
understood as the realm of INDRA, king of the
gods. His paradise contained the sacred wish-giv-
ing tree and the cow who grants all wishes. The
beautiful courtesans of the gods (APSARASES) reside
there, along with the divine musicians (GANDHAR-
VA S). There all desires for pleasure are instantly
satisfied.
Later Hindu traditions, starting around 400
B.C.E., considered svarga or heaven to be only a
waystation in the transmigrating life. One could
enjoy one’s accumulated KARMIC merit there but
would still be reborn into the physical world. In
Shaivite tradition, SHIVA resides in Kailash, a para-
dise of sorts located at an actual mountain in the
HIMALAYAS, but one was only meant to visit this
site once in a lifetime. It generally was not seen as
a place for souls to go after death.
Among Vaishnavites (VISHNU devotees), the
ancient realm that once belonged to INDRA remains
as a goal, to be reached after liberation from birthK 182 heaven