 I Am One of You  |
I Am One Of You
Guru Sangat Kaur Khalsa
Brazil, South America
We spent almost two years studying Kundalini Yoga at the 3HO ashram in Berlin, Germany, and after a long, gloomy, cold winter we were about to take the last step in order to become what we had been dreaming of; we were about to take our final exam for Kundalini Yoga Teachers Training.
I was at peace. I had that neutral feeling inside and a kind of power propelling and guiding me onward. There had been so many obstacles along my way, but even in the most turbulent days, I always felt protected as if guided by assertive and loving hands. I knew I would become a Yoga Teacher. Why? Certainly not out of my arrogance, but because I recognized God’s Will when He threw me in that 3HO ashram, and so it was happening.
In that June, I had two exams following one another, Kundalini Yoga and my university exams. It was a tough period, but a very fruitful one too. On an unforgettable Saturday, the atmosphere in the ashram was tense, adding to the heat of Berlin. After a whole day of tests, I finally began my interview, which was the last step towards the Kundalini Yoga Teachers Certificate. The only one on the interview panel to talk was Satya Singh, and his words are echoing in me even today. He said: "Guru Sangat Kaur, among the group taking the test today, you are the only one who is one of us. You have been qualified for the level of instructor, but we had expected more from you in the test." I left the interview committee and felt my body literally floating. All my tiredness did not bother me at that moment. I just wanted to enjoy the evening’s breeze as I wandered on the streets of Kreutsberg. Silently, I talked to Satya Singh saying "Yes, you are right. I do have more to do, and I have no time to waste!"
A few days before returning to my country, after having been awarded my Ph.D. in Dentistry from the University of Berlin, a friend of mine took me along with her to pay a visit to a famous Lama who was on a missionary trip in Berlin. I sat quietly in the living room observing their casual talk. Suddenly, she asked him to say something to me concerning my future, which he gladly did. I kept waiting with excitement. After telling me a few things of lesser importance, he said I would not be successful at all with yoga in Brazil (he was told about my Kundalini Yoga exam). My friend kept quiet. I smiled to him calmly and confidently. I knew God’s will. At the bottom of my heart I was committed to perform my best to become a channel of Waheguru.
I returned to Brazil in August 1995, and in November that year, I began my first yoga class. Since then I have been working continuously. Guided by God and His Gurus, I have developed a course structure which is quite interesting. We have four courses, each consisting of 11 classes, linked together with seminars. These courses allow beginners to become acquainted with Kundalini Yoga, improve their skills, as well as root their interest more deeply. Through these courses, the students are challenged to learn gradually and steadily, and they become committed to the task of overcoming their body’s limits and expanding their consciousness.
Babaji has not only given me the means to teach Kundalini Yoga, but also the strength to work and deal with very delicate problems. My second class of beginners was four intelligent young people addicted to different drugs such as alcohol and marijuana. During the time I was teaching their class, I became fully aware of the grandeur of our Master Yogi Bhajan ji and the power of his teachings. My expectations were that Kundalini Yoga would help them to minimize their usage of drugs. How surprised I was when, during the second month, they came to talk to me almost in a state of shock, saying that their bodies were reacting against the garbage they were used to. They were both happy and confused by such a reaction. I entered my Babaji’s room that evening and prayed ardently to Yogi Bhajan and Guru Nanakji, giving them my thanks and imploring for strength to keep up my duties in the path of Kundalini Yoga. Presently this group of students is attending the third course. They are so beautiful and struggli
ng so hard to clean up their bodies from the drug damage.
I have been the only one teaching in my state in Brazil. The work is immense and the responsibility is no less. I thank the sangat in the USA, especially Nam Kaur, and the sangat in Germany, for keeping in touch with me. Also through the Prosperity Paths newsletter, I have come to know that SS Gian Kaur Khalsa is teaching in different places in Brazil. I will be honored to cooperate in any form with her in order to spread the teachings of Sikh Dharma and Kundalini Yoga here in Brazil.
I hope to always be alert to understand God’s advice in order to perform my duties humbly, with competence and grace. To my living Master Yogi Bhajan ji, my devotion and gratitude. I pray for the day when I will be thrown in your presence and get your live guidance and inspiration.
Sat Nam!