The Sangat

The word Sangat is the Punjabi form of the Sanskrit term “sangti”. It means company, fellowship, association. Sangat is also an idea of a group offering good community and spiritual support to its members.

I first came across this term when I was studying Buddhism in Sydney with the Sangha of the FWBO (Friends of the Western Buddhist Order). The Sangha (community) at the Newtown centre are wonderful. I had the support and friendship of people who had been studying Buddhism for years and they helped my spiritual journey by teaching me to meditate and concentrate. I undertook the studies of a Mitra (friend) with the intention of becoming an ordained member one day. The friendships I built in this small community were quite unique as I had never been involved with others on a spiritual path before, at least not to this extent.

The studies led me to finally becoming a Mitra and take on some of the Buddhist precepts which I still live by today. I moved away from my Sangha and back to Adelaide where I continued to study Buddhism but also now I was studying Kundalini Yoga. My search for my own spirituality had really begun.

Kundalini Yoga took me in a different direction. I still practice living a Buddhist livestyle but I now also include my yoga path... my Sat Nam (I am truth).

Over the last few years I have been desperately wanting to build a community of like-minded people. I have felt very alone on my spiritual journey since leaving my FWBO community until recently. I feel that now we are building a Sangat at the Gem. More and more people are becoming attracted to the teachings of Yogi Bhajan and Kundalini Yoga. Some are undergoing teacher training and some are going to start teacher training mid next year.

The word Sangat is specific to the Sikh religion. I am not a Sikh and my spiritual path is based in Buddhism. Kundalini Yoga was bought to the west by Yogi Bhajan, who was a Sikh, as is my teacher GuruJivan. So to honour them these pages are to be called The Sangat.

I do hope you enjoy some of the entries from our ever growing community and if you wish to add anything please send us some words and a picture of yourself and we would be delighted to include your article.

Sat Nam

Balwant Kaur / Kathy McLean
Kundalini Yoga Teacher