I connected with Dev Inder Kaur aka Tay over our shared experience of how 40 days of the Meditation To Break The Mask can totally change our perspective and, consequently, our life. It’s a meditation that shows us – pretty harshly sometimes – how we squeeze ourselves into a pot of hopes/ dreams/ belief systems cooked up in an earlier stage of our life, but that doesn’t fit us so comfortably anymore – and it’s so tough to break free of it! Florida-born Dev Inder teaches hatha and kundalini yoga in southern California, where she lives with her boyfriend and their li’l orange tabby Leo. And thanks to her practice of the Meditation To Break The Mask she’s undergoing some almighty life changes! Here she is…
When did you get into kundalini yoga, Dev Inder?
I found a Bikram studio in college that I felt instantly connected to in the midst of a weird time. Shortly after I attended a workshop that opened my eyes to a different perspective of my mind and how I viewed myself in general. Once I graduated, I moved out to California with a friend, and immediately joined a kundalini yoga teacher training. I had absolutely no reason but that it felt right, and the first time I tuned in was my first day of teacher training!
It’s hard to put into words what my practice is. It is a world in itself, that always links up to my life in magical ways. It’s constantly changing and building on itself. One thing I try to keep consistent is my sadhana to give me open eyes on what my practice is, day by day.
What’s been the most powerful kundalini yoga practice you’ve ever done?
I would have to say my last sadhana was the most powerful one yet: 40 days of Meditation for Breaking The Mask. For one, I transitioned out of the studio that not only taught me my kundalini practice and fostered its growth, but also gave me my first gig and grew me as a teacher. I experienced anxiety and saw things I was holding onto, and almost every day found a doubt or fear to surrender or look into. After that sadhana, I’ve found it easier to drop into the essence of who I am and what I need rather than being so dominated by the world around me.
Has adopting the spiritual name changed you?
Dev Inder Kaur: The angelic one that dwells in the consciousness of God. I love the idea of finding the divine within and dwelling in it. 🙂 It’s all I want to do.
Fave quote? ‘Tell everyone you know: “My happiness depends on me, so you’re off the hook.” And then demonstrate it. Be happy, no matter what they’re doing. Practice feeling good, no matter what. And before you know it you will not give anyone else responsibility for the way you feel – and then you’ll love them all. Because the only reason you don’t love them is because you’re using them as an excuse to not feel good.’ Abraham Hicks Too good!
Book? A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson
Place? Big Sur
Teacher? Yogi Amandeep
Music? Nirinjan Kaur
Breakfast? Cucumber, apple, blueberry & kale juice with some raspberry yogurt and blueberry granola! Yum!
On your altar? Malas (and lessons) that have broken after time in a bowl, a mini Tibetan singing bowl, Selenite and my Tarot decks!