The lineage that I predominantly teach from – Kundalini Yoga & Meditation as taught by Yogi Bhajan (YB), is currently facing difficult times. A book has come out with sexual allegations against Yogi Bhajan; and there might be other types of allegations as well; I can’t speak more about it because I only started the book.
It is bringing out all sorts of responses and reactions that range from book burning, to denial, and some accusing others of spreading rumors slanderously. Some are triggered by this, some are heart-broken and are sitting with this to find how to separate the man from the teachings, and others are totally indifferent; for the latter, YB was irrelevant to the practice they’ve found.
Someone asked me several times, but you believe in the teachings in response to me saying in a private conversation that for me it was never about YB. And my response back was, it would be more accurate for me to say that I believe in my experience of these teachings and in what I’ve witnessed over the last 15 years sharing others these tools.
That said, right now it feels secondary. Right now, no matter the lessons we are supposed to get from this, I believe first and foremost that we are in need of safe space. Women need to know that they are safe to speak. That they are believed. That it’s less about the lesson right now and more about understanding that people are injured, in pain, doubtful, angry, and in crisis. And for some, it’s about finding compassion and forgiveness. Finding the gray space, the humanity.
My mind is on this right now. I am evolving in this, going through my own stages. I am also in the process of figuring out how to share what I am working through both personally and as a co-director of a kundalini yoga studio.
Savitree Kaur 