We Are All Kindred

I want to say a word about community today. I've said before that our yoga community is kindred spirits coming together to practice and dwell in sacred space, to prioritize ourselves, inner and outer peace, and authenticity. But I'm feeling now that the word "kindred" may feel exclusionary.

When I started my Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training, I felt that I wasn't "kindred" enough to really be part of the group. Others were deeper. Others understood more. Others wore turbans and all-white. Others knew all the mantras by heart.   

As I've spent more time in yogic communities, as we've grown Montclair Kundalini Yoga's community, as I've spent more time in meditative space within and less time in the judgmental mind, I've realized that we are all one.

We are all one, whatever choices we make. Some of us eat meat; some of us don't; some of us wear glitter eye shadow; some of us don't; some of us drink coffee; some of us avoid caffeine; some of us are immersed in the teachings of Kundalini Yoga; some of us just like to chant sometimes and don't really understand what we're chanting about. It's all okay. It's all kindred. 

We all have that longing to go deep within ourselves, to understand the way forward and what's True. If Kundalini Yoga feels like your way in or that it may be your way in, that's what brings us together in community. Each of us is equal in this community and we each bring our own gifts to the table. Kindred. 

If you're thinking about coming to class for the first time but worried that you're not going to be an instant part of the community, let me put your mind at ease: You will be.

If you've been coming to class but you still feel somehow separate, let me tell you that you are not. 

Whatever you're wearing, believing, feeling, knowing and not knowing, you are kindred. 

May the Truth in you guide you, Kindred Spirit!

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