Guru Jagat, founder of the RA MA Institute and a well-known Kundalini yoga teacher, captivated many with her teachings. Her journey into spirituality began after a period of intense trauma and substance abuse, following an assault in college. Turning to Kundalini yoga for healing, she developed a deep connection with her teacher, Harijiwan, even viewing him as a father figure—perhaps unconsciously filling the void left by her own father’s absence (explore her story in Breath of Fire on HBO). Yet, some aspects of her leadership appeared to echo these unresolved personal wounds, as she allegedly exhibited controlling behaviors that mirrored her past (source: Time).
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Jagat’s story illustrates how spiritual devotion, when shaped by unhealed family wounds, can sometimes repeat old patterns rather than transform them. This article explores how devotion to spiritual practices and teachers may unconsciously reflect unmet needs from family systems, suggesting that true healing often requires confronting these deeper roots. For those seeking lasting growth, systemic work may provide essential insights to break free from inherited cycles.
When Devotion Mirrors Family Wounds
When individuals become deeply devoted to a spiritual practice or teacher, the experience can be profound and transformative. However, this kind of devotion can also unknowingly echo unresolved family dynamics. Often, attachment to a guru or a spiritual practice can mirror family bonds, creating dynamics that resemble parent-child relationships. In these cases, a teacher may take on a parental role, while the individual seeks guidance, love, or approval, unknowingly replicating patterns from their family of origin.
For example, Guru Jagat’s intense connection to her teacher, Harijiwan, may have stemmed from her childhood need for a father figure. This type of attachment can sometimes lead individuals to disconnect from their authentic selves, as they immerse themselves in the teacher’s ideology or the practice, losing personal boundaries and autonomy. In such instances, what feels like spiritual devotion may actually be an attempt to resolve deep-seated family traumas or longings.
Systemic approaches, such as family constellations, shed light on these hidden motivations. By bringing past patterns to the surface, individuals can discern whether their devotion is truly fostering growth or subtly keeping them bound to old, unhealed cycles. Recognizing these dynamics allows for a transformation of devotion—from a place of unconscious need to a balanced and integrated path of growth.
Considering Systemic Work Before Deep Spiritual Practice
For those drawn to spiritual practices, such as yoga, tantra, meditation, transformational breath work or plant medicine ceremonies, considering systemic work, like family constellations, can provide a valuable foundation. By addressing unresolved family dynamics and inherited patterns, individuals often gain a more grounded, autonomous approach to spirituality. This work helps break the cycle of repeating past patterns, allowing people to engage in spiritual practices from a place of clarity and personal agency.
Ultimately, systemic work enhances self-awareness, helping individuals move beyond generational patterns and approach spirituality with authenticity and openness. Confronting and integrating these family roots creates a pathway for transformation that feels both authentic and liberating.
