3HO / Healthy Happy Holy Organization (Yogi Bhajan)

Yogi Bhajan (1929–2004), a Sikh from India, founded the Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization (3HO) in 1969 in the United States, also known as Sikh Dharma of the Western Hemisphere or Sikh Dharma International [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. He introduced his version of Kundalini yoga to the US and was the spiritual director of the 3HO foundation and related business ventures [4, 5]. Bhajan authored over 30 books and was noted as a friend and mentor to politicians, including Senators, Congressmen, and Governors [6]. 3HO's stated mission is to inspire everyone to realize their full potential through Kundalini Yoga [8]. Bhajan encouraged students to become Kundalini Yoga teachers and establish ashrams [10]. He was also known as Siri Singh Sahib to his followers [4]. 3HO's mission today, as stated on their site, reads: “to inspire everyone everywhere to realize their full potential through the uplifting experience of Kundalini Yoga” [7].

The 3HO was established with the aim of teaching meditation, yoga, and natural lifestyles to both Sikhs and non-Sikhs, with ashrams serving as centers for these practices [2, 10]. It is described as a Sikh-derived movement focused on cleansing the subconscious mind and the entire person of impurities, primarily through Kundalini and Tantric yoga [4, 11]. Yogi Bhajan founded 3HO in 1969, integrating elements of yogic and Hindu traditions with Sikh beliefs and practices [4, 9, 11]. The organization became formally recognized as Sikh Dharma International, a California nonprofit religious corporation, to advance the religion of Sikh Dharma [5]. 3HO's teachings emphasize that "The secret of happiness is in your power to sacrifice and uplift others" and that happiness comes from giving rather than taking [8]. Yogi Bhajan told his followers from the start, “Happiness is your birthright.” [13] He shared an immense scope of yogic science on how to be healthy in body, mind and spirit. [13] Some have likened the methods used within 3HO to "spiritual abuse" due to the perceived abuse of power [10].

Yogi Bhajan founded 3HO with the vision to create a nonprofit organization that would support individuals in living a healthy, happy, and holy life [6, 7]. The organization's mission is to inspire people globally to realize their full potential through the teachings of Kundalini Yoga and the adoption of a healthy, happy, holy lifestyle [7, 8]. Bhajan emphasized the importance of spiritual and yogic practices for strengthening individuals to navigate difficult transitions, such as those occurring in the Age of Aquarius [4, 11]. The practices aim at cleansing the subconscious mind and the whole person of impurities [9]. The organization seeks to assist the public in developing a lifestyle that can meet life's challenges [10]. Bhajan also stated that "You have to understand the process of healing in the Age of Aquarius. What will give the healing is the flow of your soul energy." [7] 3HO's mission is to inspire everyone, everywhere to live a Healthy, Happy, Holy life [12]. The mission of 3HO International is to serve humanity by being the face, identity, and unifying force of the organization and community, representing the teachings of Sikh Dharma and Yogi Bhajan. [13]

3HO's ideology aims at cleansing the subconscious mind and the whole person of impurities through practices like Kundalini and Tantric yoga, which can be seen as a way to replace individual spirituality with dependence on the organization and its leader [4, 12]. The organization's mission is to serve humanity by embodying the teachings of Sikh Dharma [13]. In its early days, 3HO members adopted distinct white attire and underwent unique initiations, which set them apart from mainstream Sikh practices and contributed to a unique group identity [12]. Yogi Bhajan encouraged students to strengthen themselves through spiritual and yogic practice to survive difficult transitions, implying a need for adherence to the group's methods [11]. The belief that an individual birthright is found within the 3HO lifestyle and Yogi Bhajan is described as a way of replacing individuality and personal spirituality with dependence on the organization and its leader. [18]

Early students of Yogi Bhajan joined with him to establish ashrams, which served as centers for 3HO practices [10]. Bhajan taught Kundalini yoga publicly, breaking tradition, and offered loving acceptance to seekers [12]. The organization's website describes its lifestyle as a blueprint for building a healthy, happy, and holy life [13]. Information about 3HO can be found in archived sources related to the Happy, Holy Health Organization, founded by Yogi Bhajan [6]. 3HO International was founded as a nonprofit in 1969, when Yogi Bhajan introduced the yogic teachings for a healthy, happy, holy lifestyle to the West. Many young seekers who had become students of his teachings joined with him to establish ashrams which became centers for his practices. [13]

The organization's name, 3HO, stands for Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization [6, 7, 13]. This acronym is based on the idea of a healthy, happy, and holy lifestyle which Yogi Bhajan taught [7, 13]. The 3HO lifestyle is presented as a blueprint for achieving this way of life [8]. 3HO is also known as Sikh Dharma of the Western Hemisphere or Sikh Dharma International [5]. One former student recalled being initially put off by the name 3HO, concerned that "Holy" sounded sanctimonious, but Yogi Bhajan explained "Holy" meant something different [14]. As explained by Yogi Bhajan, "Holy" meant consecrated, dedicated, and set apart. [13]

3HO is described as a controversial American organization [1, 5]. Some former members have characterized Yogi Bhajan's statements as cynical, grating, abrasive, and intolerant [15]. The organization is described as having a lifestyle that provides a blueprint for building a healthy, happy, and holy life, implying a distinction from other lifestyles [9]. The organization's founding in 1969 in the United States is noted [5, 10]. Yogi Bhajan reigned as an authoritarian and all-knowing spiritual leader over his fast-growing, worldwide empire for nearly 40 years. [19] The Olive Branch report, the loss of income from Akal Inc., the after-effects of Covid, potential costs of reparations and potential legal suits are factors that have impacted the organization. [20]

Allegations of sexual, financial, and emotional abuse against Yogi Bhajan and individuals close to him emerged following the release of a memoir, culminating in a civil lawsuit [8]. An investigative report found that it was "more likely than not" that Yogi Bhajan engaged in a range of abuses over several decades, including rape, sexual harassment, and grooming of underage individuals [16, 17]. These allegations encompass financial exploitation, fraud, criminal activity, and widespread abuse of children in 3HO-run boarding schools in India [17]. An insurance company has filed a lawsuit against organizations established by Yogi Bhajan, seeking a federal judge's ruling [18]. S. Premka Kaur Khalsa sued Yogi Bhajan, individually and in his capacity as a director of the organization [14]. A lawsuit also states that workers from marginalized communities in India were lured to New Jersey and forced to work more than 12 hours per day at ultra-low wages to help build a Hindu temple. [21]

In 1985, 22 individuals left 3HO because they could no longer tolerate the attitudes and methods employed by Yogi Bhajan and his associates [17]. Some former members have expressed a desire to cancel their registrations and feel a sense of freedom upon doing so [19]. The organization, founded by Yogi Bhajan, has archived information available concerning the Happy, Holy Health Organization [15]. Following revelations about Yogi Bhajan in 2020, former members have discussed their experiences and how they navigated unlearning his teachings and dissociating from the institutional apparatus he left behind [18]. The Olive Branch report, potential costs of reparations, and possible legal suits are factors that have impacted the organization [20]. Yogi Bhajan made comments about those who left 3HO, stating, "Look what happened to those who left 3HO. One is living with his male boyfriend, and his ex wife doesn't know where he is." [22]

An investigative report concluded that it is "more likely than not" that Yogi Bhajan engaged in a wide range of abuses for decades, including rape, sexual harassment, and grooming, which supports the notion that the ends justified the means [16, 17, 20]. Allegations uncovered also include financial exploitation, fraud, criminal activity, and the abuse of children in 3HO-run boarding schools in India [17]. Yogi Bhajan was accused of sexual misconduct in a suit filed in 1986, although that suit was later dropped [21]. The release of a memoir prompted these allegations of sexual, financial, and emotional abuse against him and those close to him [15, 20]. The scope of these reports includes allegations of sexual and spiritual abuse, encompassing cult-like control over the spiritual community by Bhajan [20]. An investigative report found that it was "more likely than not" that Yogi Bhajan repeatedly carried out a wide range of abuses for decades including rape, sexual harassment, and grooming of underage individuals. [24]