Sat Nam New Kundalini Yoga Teachers,
“I’m not a man, I’m not a woman, I’m not myself, I’m a teacher.” The Siri Singh Sahib, Yogi Bhajan proclaimed this one Solstice. I don’t even remember how long ago it was because I have heard him say it so many times over the years. At first, when I thought about it, I came to the conclusion that he meant that a teacher must first consciously and honestly put aside his/her ego when acting in the capacity of a teacher. I liked it. It’s was a good rule.
I now know that what truth a person accepts and practices actually determines their destiny or fate. It’s clear to me that in order for us to live to our destiny, we must never give up on practicing to be greater each day. We may stumble, we may fall, we may even give up temporarily, but we’ll never give up practicing being a true teacher and that’s what makes us real. We are extremely lucky; we have the teachings to lead us as to how to be that teacher who is not a man, not a woman, not ourselves.
This perfect quote of the Siri Singh Sahib, Yogi Bhajan, is what he would have delivered to you upon finishing your teacher training course. I saw him relating so many times with the new student teachers. He would welcome you, uplift you and let you know what he expected out of you. He also pushed and poked his students. We are all undeniably grateful to this man who never let up on a single student and also never left a student. He would let you see his grace, yet, challenge you at the same time. He was a man who tolerated almost everything while still expecting excellence.
I want to tell you that you’ve all been blessed to have chosen the right teacher. I tell you this because I witnessed his grace on a daily basis. He was tested in all manners. He was ridiculed beyond reason. He was opposed by all the negative energies that jealousy, intolerance, and ignorance could muster. He withstood it all, never reacted, and kept up with a royal grace. I saw what true faith through devotion can do. I watched his Guru provide for him. I saw it on a daily basis. In fact, I lived it because I benefited greatly by just being around him and serving him. He carried me to places I could have never reached by myself. He will do the same for you. If you are so blessed to live his teachings, his reality, you will experience that his way is way better than ours. So, you’ve chosen the right teacher. Now, what you do with it…
As his Chief of Protocol, I have the duty to speak for him so long as I remember that I’m not a man, I’m not a woman, I’m not myself, I’m a teacher. He would wish all of you the best and he would mean it. He would let you know that you’re always welcome in his home, our home. It’s your home too. He knew that those who were destined to come would do so. He would pray that all those who are here live to their destiny, not their fate. Let your teacher training course be the beginning process of living unto Infinity.
Privately, he was always curious as to who would make the next step. Who would take the challenge to always practice being a better teacher? For him, the next step was up to the student to commit to go further. Are you satisfied with who you are? This is a matter of karma and can’t be changed unless you have a true link to God.
He would finish by saying that he loved you all and truly hoped and prayed that your life would be a constant growth and fulfillment. It wasn’t his choice as to whom God brought, so whoever came as a devoted student, he served as God’s duty. Anyone and everyone is welcome. No exceptions. This is why we’ve chosen the right teacher.
I, too, wish you all the best. I pray for your happiness. It’s my prayer that Guru Ram Das blesses all who have sacrificed in taking this course. I pray that your life gets better and better and I see that reality in each of you. My challenge to you is: do you want to be just yoga teachers, or do you want to be teachers who are not a man, not a woman, not yourself?
I really look forward to meeting you again. ‘Til next time,
In the Humility of Service and Gratitude,
MSS Hari Jiwan Singh Khalsa
Chief of Protocol
