The Life of an Extraordinary Woman...
The Passing of Sotanter Kaur – the Pioneer of Kundalini Yoga in Rio de Janeiro Brazil
My first and only experience meeting Sotanter was of the quality to fill a lifetime. I remember the day very clearly. It was a gorgeous sunny Saturday morning in Rio de Janeiro, clear skies, perfect weather the kind that creates no separation between the air and your skin. In an open air market where a weekly Kundalini Yoga class is held on the coble stone plaza, students sat upon straw mats chanting Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo evoking the blessing of their soul’s guidance in the middle of Rio de Janeiro. Upon the closing of the class up walks an enchanting woman with a twinkle in her eye, silver hair wrapped in a head scarf with Tibetan writing on it and a big straw bag to collect the exotic fruits of Brazil the market had to offer. She introduces herself to me and we sit and talk. Our conversation had the quality where we were each so present it felt like time stopped. My first sensation evoked what an honor it was to meet her silent, salient character that had the destiny to bring the teachings of Kundalini Yoga, the presence of Yogi Bhajan and the seed of Dharma to the city of Rio de Janeiro. She opened doors and paved ways for many more to come. The depth of her life experience was so clear, so near to the surface of her face. The story her life told was so rich, real, and full of adventure, passion, sacredness, pain, strength and ecstasy derived from a vision of what lies beyond this plane.
In moments she shared with me a lifetime, she opened the window to her cosmic, infinite, undying soul. She told me of her journey through life and I felt her free, dedicated and devoted spirit alive in each word. As I sat with her she shared stories of her wild and free days driving across the United States on a motorcycle in the 1960’s, of her miraculous healings, of her relationship with Yogi Bhajan, of her nurturing presence to the community in Rio and the sacred wisdom these and many more experiences gave her. She shared with me her extraordinary triumphs over death and as she spoke the light of God danced alive in her eyes, wild and free reflecting deep strength. In the moments of meeting Sotanter Kaur seven months before her passing, although I did not realize it would be not only my first time with her but also my last, our souls must have known because the quality and presence we shared with each other was worth more than a hundred days.
Sotanter fulfilled her job in bringing the teachings of Kundalini Yoga and the seed of Dharma to the soil of Rio de Janeiro and will be remembered for centuries to come. One of her prayers and last efforts that she shared with me was to have a Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training Program start in Rio de Janeiro. Just weeks after her passing the Level 1 program launched with 19 students to further build the community and join the 9 current teachers. It is interesting that it just so happens the majority of current teachers in Rio happen to be young men, she looked to them not only as new teachers to share the technology of Kundalini Yoga but as her sons, as her family, and expressed what a joy it was to watch them grow. The legacy of Yogi Bhajan, the healing light of Guru Ram Das that she carried to Rio will live on in these teachers and her son Guru Hari Singh. She also left a beautiful home with the wish for it to become the first ashram in Rio de Janeiro. Her light lives on, her job here complete and it is with great joy and unmistakable gratitude we usher her soul on to the One – Ek Ong Kaar.
Destiny can never be denied.
Written in loving memory of Sotanter Kaur – In gratitude for her courage and the glorious expression of life she breathed.
Submitted by:
Panch Nishan Kaur, 3HO International Community Relations and Assistant Secretary General of Sikh Dharma
Sotanter Kaur Left her Body on May 21, 2009 at the age of 65 after 6 years of living with and recovering from cancer numerous times. She traveled from Brazil to Espanola to meet Yogi Bhajan for Summer Solstice in 1996 and began teaching Kundalini Yoga in Rio de Janeiro for the next 14 years.
Friends around the World
by Devmurti Singh and Hari Amrit Kaur
Summer Solstice greetings from Denman Island, BC. We thought we would share a photo of the participants of a 6-day Kundalini Yoga and Meditation Retreat that we taught in early June, here on Denman Island. It was wonderful to share our beautiful Dharmic lifestyle with these bright and earnest folks who came from throughout Vancouver Island. Starting with Morning Sadhana, a full day of Kundalini Yoga and Meditation and then finishing the evening with a collective chanting of Kirtan Kriya; this group inspired us with their energy, heart-felt questions and keep-up spirit. It was an honor to share the teachings of Siri Singh Sahib ji and stories of our Sikh Gurus with this group. We told stories about our beloved 3H0 family in Espanola and have encouraged them to attend Summer Solstice next year. We love you, we miss you! All our love and prayers are with you.
Sat Nam, Devmurti Singh and Hari Amrit Kaur