Give Space.  Allow Grace.

It is not easy being a real teacher of Kundalini Yoga.  As teachers, Yogi Bhajan always held us to a very high standard.  Then we also had to earn our living and pay our bills.  Pressure.  Endless pressure.

In the old days, Yogiji would often add to that pressure by sending qualified teachers, people in whom he saw a certain potential, far away to a place where people knew nothing about yoga, to start a center there and teach.  We lost quite a few people that way.  Some came out of that test shining and better than ever.

There can be pressure in a vacuum.  Then as now, there can also be pressure when you are someplace with dozens of Kundalini Yoga teachers all wanting to spread their wings, all inspired to teach - per chance to make a living - all wanting to be their best.

This can be a recipe for disaster.  Many times it has been and many times it still is.  In a case like that, the apparent competition can lead to ungraceful situations: competition for venues and students and reputation.  
What is a good Kundalini Yogi to do?  Give space.  Allow grace.

Here is what I mean:  Assuming you really want to be a great teacher, let us also assume that spiritually hungry students will find a great teacher regardless of the external circumstances.  Great students will gravitate to a truly great teacher and there is nothing that can keep them apart.  Great students, remember, are a teacher's legacy. 

So relax.  If somebody is pushing ahead of you, let them push.  Some people are going to go for the push and pizzazz.  Ordinary students might.  Mediocre students might.  Some rich students might.  But these are not your destiny if you are a great teacher or a destined to be one.

Where do you focus your energies?  There are two fruitful places for a truly great teacher to direct their energies.  One is their inner development, their sadhana. 

Sadhana makes a great teacher great.  Not money.  Not lots of students.  Remember that.  A great teacher focuses within, not without.  Then when their great students arrive, they are ready.

Do we have many great Kundalini Yoga teachers among us today?  Who can say?  By what standard are you measuring?  It doesn't really matter anyway.  The important thing is that each teacher focuses on being their very best. 

You may find a friend or two along the way.  You may not.  Call on Guru Ram Das and don't worry.  What will be, will be.  Deserve, then desire.  And always do your sadhana.  

Leave the yoga clubs and spas.  Leave the rat race and the race to bottom.  Elevate and strengthen your body, mind, and spirit.  The heart of Guru Ram Das will care for you and the spirit of Yogi Bhajan will guide you. 

Just keep up!  

May God and Guru give you light, excellence, and inspiration each day.  May you succeed in life and in teaching the sacred science of Kundalini Yoga with humility, effectiveness, and grace.  Sat Nam.

In the Name of the Cosmos which prevails through everyBody and the Holy Nam that holds the world.

Humbly yours,
Guru Fatha Singh Khalsa