Part of the misleading origin myth that Bhajan constructed is the story that the practice of Kundalini Yoga is traditionally tied to Sikhism. The way Bhajan set up and manipulated a clan of followers - keeping a circle of exclusively women closest to him, for example - cannot be viewed in isolation from the sort of divine authority he claimed over the practice as a “Guru.”ĭeconstructing The Origin Myth Of Kundalini Yoga As Taught By Yogi Bhajan And this system pervaded all areas of his personality, including his teachings. Reading the book made me understand how Bhajan’s sexual and emotional abuse does not stand alone, but is linked to a much larger system of abuse of power. When I read Premka, I was shaken by the extent and the subtle, systematic nature of abuse of power. As a queer person with an intersectional politic doing a teacher training at an ashram, I mostly struggled with and spoke up against the ignorant heteronormativity and transphobia, zero awareness for cultural appropriation, and unchecked white privilege in a predominantly white group of trainers and students. I studied the tantric concept of kuṇḍalinī and the Sikh Mantras used in the meditations and exercises. I had always focused on trying to get a deeper understanding of the lineage, philosophy, and culture of the teachings. However, until I read Premka, it felt legitimate to me to separate the teachings from the teacher, given that I had been taught that Kundalini Yoga was an ancient Indian tradition that had been passed down orally for more than 8000 years, which Bhajan simply brought to the West. The cult around his persona disturbed me during my month-long teacher training in his former ashram in New Mexico in 2017, and I would not have done the training if he were still alive. History has taught us not to trust (older) men in power, let alone a “Guru” who emerged in the ’60s. When I heard of the book and the allegations back in 2020, I was not surprised. Difficult topics like this are exactly where we put Yogic philosophy to practice, both personally and collectively. No one should have to sit with this alone. To me, this kind of politic is a severe form of spiritual bypassing. These teachers see no reason to speak to or inform their students about this. What seems to be most common, though, is to “separate the teachings from the teacher,” or simply to remain silent. I have also heard of Yoga studios and individual teachers who made public statements in solidarity with the survivors. I have seen high-ranking Kundalini Yoga teachers lead slander campaigns against the alleged victims. Since then, none of the teachers I personally have studied with during my teacher training at KRI have reached out privately or positioned themselves publicly, as far as I know. For a brief and less detailed sum up, see this article on Yoga Journal.
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#YOGI BHAJAN IN PUNJABI FULL#
The full report was concluded and published in mid August 2020 (CW: The report contains graphic description of sexual abuse and child abuse). In response to the allegations, the Kundalini Yoga organisations of Bhajan – 3hO and Kundalini Research Institute (KRI) – ordered an investigation by an independent party, which in March 2020 started conducting interviews with survivors and witnesses.
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Understanding the ‘lineage’ of white people’s obsession with Eastern practices is, in my opinion, important for any white Westerner who practices yoga. Premka, aside from the specifics about Kundalini Yoga, gives an important insight into the psychology of a white woman during the North American New Age movement in the ’60s and ’70s. The LA Mag published a great overall synopsis that I recommend for further reading. Most of these women are former members of his organisations, have lived in his community, studied with him, and worked for him between the ’70s and the 2000s. A facebook group was founded and, in the spirit of the #MeToo movement, over 100 other women (and counting) came forward and shared their stories.
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She describes the sexual abuse and emotional manipulation she suffered at his hands.Īlthough Dyson Smith wasn’t the first one to come forward with allegations of sexual abuse against Bhajan, this was the first time they were publicly heard and widely received. In her memoir, Dyson Smith shares insight to her private relationship with Bhajan and the clan-like power structure of the community surrounding him in the ’70s and ’80s. In the beginning of 2020, a former personal attendant and long-time chief secretary of Yogi Bhajan – Pamela Dyson Smith – published a book entitled Premka – White Bird in a Golden Cage in which she writes in detail about her 16 years living with and working for the founder of Kundalini Yoga. CW: Without going into details, please note that the text addresses themes of sexual, emotional, and spiritual abuse.