by SS Guru Jivan Kaur, Melbourne Australia
2022 (Third Quarter)
Sat Nam, dear brothers and sisters,
We have all found the last two and a bit years—challenging, shall we say. The uncertainty, the fear; for some illness, for others the loss of income and so much more. Change is a certainty in life and how we meet those changes is what makes us who we are and how others see us.
For me personally it was not too bad—once I got used to the lack of income and purpose that I had become accustomed too. I had been flying constantly to teach in different cities and countries. Teaching and teaching and teaching for years. For a very long time that has been my life. It was exhausting but I had purpose and knew what I was doing. And I was growing from the experience.
Then all of a sudden that was gone. Almost overnight, things were closed down, cancelled. The income dried up. The travel stopped, as did the teaching. It would have been possible to keep teaching via the internet but that just did not suit me. It was not the way I liked to be teaching. Making that personal connection, watching the students learn and grow. Serving and guiding. So I waited. I delved deep into my own practice and found the wonderful space that I had been craving for so long.
There was no rush to do anything or get anywhere. I could just sit and be within. Meditate more, practice more and just BE. It has been marvelous and a deep growth experience for me.
Recently I read something by Bayo Akomolafe: “The times are urgent. Let us slow down.” That made sense to me. Let us slow down to intuitively know what to do next. To be of service and to heal as well.
It was a matter of surrendering to what is, right now. Not what was, or what we think should be—but what is. Deal with that with grace and prayer. Move forward and allow a “new normal” to unfold before you. We shall learn to move forward together with a new compassion and kindness for each other and our own selves.
It is with deep gratitude that I honour the kindness of Yogi Bhajan for bringing the wonderful technology of the lifestyle we live, the Kundalini Yoga, mantra, meditation and Sikh Dharma (faith) that he brought to us in the West. By using these teachings we have lived lives of courage, resilience, kindness and community together. Able to stand the tests of time and space with grace. I for one am deeply grateful. Using the technology has allowed me to grow and stand tall in a way that I may not have found possible otherwise.
May we all stand tall in grace and community. Sharing and loving in all that we do.
Peace and Joy,
~GuruJivan Kaur (Australia)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
SS Guru Jivan Kaur was born an American and is an Australian by choice. For many years she has lived in Melbourne, where she taught and shared with people from all walks of life. Guru Jivan Kaur has taught all over the world, but recently retired when the pandemic hit in 2020. She is a Lead Teacher Trainer and loves sharing the technology of Kundalini Yoga and Sikh Dharma with those who come to her without prejudice. Wahe Guru!!!