The Impact of Premka
The revelations of Premka: White Bird in a Golden Cage have rocked the Kundalini Yoga (as taught by Yogi Bhajan) world to its core, right along with the world-wide community of Western-born Sikhs.
The story of Premka covers the origins of the teacher, the teachings and the community - a dynamic time from 1968 to 1984. Through dialogue and events, Premka lets us in on the systematic mind-controlling behaviors of the Yogi. She shares her own internal dialogues as well - the conflict between her intuition, her rational perception, versus the claims and instructions of the man she believes she is in love with and has regarded as her spiritual teacher.
In response to the publication of Premka, many more women have courageously stepped forward to tell their stories of sexual abuse at the hands of Yogi Bhajan. Kundalini Yoga studios and teachers have begun to take his portraits off the walls of their studios, and they are grappling with how to move forward with the teachings he shared. His followers have been rocked by all these emerging allegations and are now engaged in open discussions with generations of those born in the community, as they are now speaking out about the many layers of abuse they endured over the decades.
Rave Reviews
“The story invited me to look into my own journey of seeking and self discovery.
I am not a Sikh or Bhajanist. I do believe I am here to learn to expand my spiritual self through honesty and introspection and love.
The book invites you to let the story lead you into deeper introspection where you might find terror, pain, hidden things, sadness, hope and joy. It invites you to do your own work.
I believe the author means it to be a book of self liberation, for all who seek to know the truth by knowing themselves.”
~Gwenda Eliason
“This timely memoir is an inspiring and courageous story, offering a unique perspective within the broad sweep of the #MeToo movement.
“It is a suspenseful and surprising read as we witness Pamela Dyson’s determined quest for the gold of her own conscience amidst her struggle to break free from the cage that was masterfully constructed around her.”
~Tej Steiner, author of Waking Up With Everyone Around Us
“Pamela Dyson's story of devotion to a charismatic leader will sweep you into an engrossing odyssey of the human heart. Her wound of "unloved" and pathway to healing is filled with betrayal and loss, and a wealth of insight, creativity, empowerment and ultimately, freedom. This is a beautifully written, rawly honest and wise book.”
~ Tara Brach, Author of Radical Acceptance and Radical Compassion
“Pamela created a page-turner. Feels like it really was written on Maui with a sweet, forgiving breeze wafting through her house. A woman with nothing to hide. But mysteriously kind at every turn no matter what occurs. She lets readers hear the facts and decide on their own. Actually, it occurs to me that passing judgment is not the goal here.
The book is something of a mental poker game . . . we want her to win every time the stakes are raised, chapter by chapter. And she does . . . except we all know it's a deal with the devil. But she has such impeccable manners, nobody is a bad bad guy. (I've been watching episodes of the "Lone Ranger and Tonto" lately.) Love is the answer, and this is a kinda warped, unbalanced love story from beginning to end. Miserable, hurtful, cruel sometimes, and others pure afflicted joy . . . (the meeting at the airport).
“Pamela ingeniously weaves her truth into a book anyone could read, religious or not. Quite an accomplishment. Mostly because she does get what she wants in the end. The good stuff: love, family, child, Hawai'i. So it could be a movie!!!!”
~Meredith Pond
“When you follow the crowd you lose yourself.
But when you follow your soul you will lose the crowd.
Eventually your soul tribe will appear.
But do not fear the process of solitude.”
