My First Teacher

My mother, Rose Mesich, was my first teacher.

My father, sister and I were with her when she passed peacefully on a rainy morning in Seattle on January 11, 2010. For the previous three days we spoke with her and prayed with her. She could not move or utter a sound, however, her tongue moved in silence as we were praying with her.

She shared with me, her first child, her experience of courage, endurance and adventure. I brought this grit with me when I moved to Amsterdam, six months pregnant with my daughter, Madhur Nain. We move to a foreign country as a newly married young woman, not speaking the language, not knowing anyone, not knowing the future, however wild with youthful exploration. My first teacher was with me.

Her love of family, food and organization gave me priceless tools to nurture the first Guru Ram Das Ashram in Hamburg, Germany. (Her grandmother was from Bavaria, Germany.) The grit to live the words of Yogi Bhajan - "KEEP UP!" - were ingrained first in my psyche in the womb of my mother.

To create delicious foods and serve them to friends was learnt in my mother's kitchen. I was the understudy how to create a cozy home with your own ingenuity, with your own innovative hands.

She was deeply dedicated to the Holy Maria throughout her life. She prayed using the Rosary nightly before bed. She taught me constantly in my spiritual practice and a deep gratitude for the Divine Feminine, which manifests in all women. This creative force which blesses all women uniquely when they are pregnant and give birth. With that love of the Adi Shakti, the cells of my being directed my life to share the yogic teachings for women and pregnancy around the globe.

She was also a great gardener, especially roses - her favorites! She taught me a love of nature, and abundant gardens of flowers, tomatoes, peaches and berries. I think of her as I plant the beets, care for the apple trees and dig the compost here in New Mexico.

I am grateful that she was my first teacher.

Bountiful blessing to her Soul forever. Sat Nam, Tarn Taran Kaur