My favorite aunt, my cousins, and my cousins kids are American Sikhs. I grew up with this cult as a very positive force. I believe that my aunt joining the Sikh’s in 1969, is why she is still alive. Her children and grandchildren grew up in Amritsar. She got the best of the Siri Singh Saab. But I believe everything Sat Pavan Kaur has said. This has been very intense for everyone who was in this religion but not part of the abuse. It’s hard to reconcile all of the aspects of Yogi Bhajan. I myself, and my mom, got certified as 3HO level 1 kundalini yoga instructors. And we both thrived in that, and helped others too. I imagine that it’s easier to hold this dichotomy for me, than for my aunt and cousins. But I want to express that there really is this grey zone out there. American Sikhs, and their loved ones, who understand that trauma, and manipulation happened, but really benefited by the teachings. And shared the beauty of those teachings. It is so complicated.
