Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training

Level Three – Realization

The KRI Level Three program is a personal journey to Self-Realization. It completes the Aquarian Teacher Training by cultivating our True Identity as teachers through meditative experience, spiritual maturity and serving others.

Level Three Program is a personal journey to Self-Realization. Realization is both an experience and a process; it is the fruit of devotion, discipline, commitment and surrender. Realization as a part of The Aquarian Teacher Training is the final stage in the path of the Teacher as outlined by Yogi Bhajan:

Foundations

Transformation

Realization

About Level Three

“In Level Three, one becomes a teacher – a teacher of truth and spirit. You develop the ability to penetrate and communicate through your presence alone and uplift the students through your subtle body. This is the teacher of the Aquarian Age, the Aquarian Teacher. Students experience the truth within them through your intention, projection and purity.” – Yogi Bhajan, 1996

In this third and final level that Yogi Bhajan gave, we refine our authentic identity as a Teacher and deepen our unique relationship with the Sacred.

Level Three is a largely self-directed journey that YOU will plan and walk; addressing what you feel you need to develop to become an even better Teacher.

The foundational elements of Level Three take place over at least 1,000 days. During this time, you commit to developing a deeply meditative practice through personal and group meditation, meeting regularly with a peer group to give and receive support and creating a Seva Legacy project comprised of your life’s passion and service.

Additionally, you commit to attending 3 Melas, gatherings for Level Three participants to be and share together in person. All of which contribute to your development as a Teacher.

Level Three Program:

The program focuses on the integration of three key qualities of a Spiritual Teacher:

One of the guiding principles of Level Three is that, unlike Level One and Two, there will be no Trainers, instead one Level Three generation will welcome the next.

Level Three journey is highly experiential, uniquely personal, self-initiated and self-directed. It is not a program directed by an individual Lead Trainer; instead, it is a diagonal, peer-supported process, where one’s Peer Group acts as a “mirror” and a “mentor”.

If you are interested in more information on how to apply, please go the Application tab.

A Journey of Self-Realization

Self-Initiation

The focus of the program is Self-Initiation, in order to refine your authentic identity and integrate the qualities of a Spiritual Teacher.

You are expected to meet the following requirements during this program:

- Attend at least 3 Melas: They do not need to be consecutive or in the same region, but it is highly recommended so you can continue to bond with your peers. You can continue to attend Melas after certifying and you can also facilitate Gateway Melas to welcome new Level Three participants.
- Attend monthly Peer Group meetings: At the Gateway Mela, you will be put into a peer group with whom you will meet monthly throughout the 3-year process; each group functions independently of others, setting up their own plan. It is a small family that will support, guide and reflect on how you are transiting Level Three.
- Create an Individual Development Plan (IDP): Plan how you will develop the 3 pillars (Spiritual Maturity, Meditative Mind and Seva) over 3 years. Peer Groups advise and sign off these plans and they should be submitted for certification.
- Complete 1,000 day personal meditation: At least 31 minutes daily for 1,000 consecutive days. Choose the one that will uplift you and challenge you to become a better human and a better teacher.
- Develop a Seva Legacy Project: Provides an opportunity to fulfill the Soul’s calling, your destiny and to serve something bigger than the individual self. This project or body of work is documented and shared with others to inspire and uplift. Click here to get inspired and upload your project when it is completed.
- 18 days of deep meditation experiences during the 3 years: You must complete 21 Stages of Mediation (6 days) during your Level Three journey. Other options to consider for completing the remaining 12 days are: White Tantra Yoga, Sat Nam Rasayan courses, meditation intensive during Melas, Japas, etc.

Melas are a small part of the complete program and are planned and delivered collectively through group effort and participation.

What is a Mela

Mela means “gathering” or “festival”, so is really a celebration! A Mela is an annual 3-day event currently held in North America, Europe, and Asia, and we hope to expand to other countries in the future. After the pandemic online Melas are also available. Melas are organized by KRI; facilitated by teams of Level Three graduates and cohort members.

“Gateway Mela”

After you apply you will join a Gateway Mela, to receive an orientation to Level Three facilitated by other Level Three participants. You will be introduced to the main concepts and be assigned to a Peer Group. Following initial orientation, Level Three participants are expected to attend 2 more KRI-sponsored Melas, to have face-to-face meetings with their Peer Group plus connect to other participants through interaction and activities.

Mela Objectives

What Goes On In Melas?

Melas activities include but are not limited to:

Exploration of the
Level Three qualities

Engagement in
face-to-face peer
dialogue process

Seva Legacy
Project Presentations

Graduation
Ceremony

Melas activities include but are not limited to:

Exploration of the Level Three Qualities
Engagement in face-to-face Peer Dialogue Process
Seva Legacy Project presentations
Graduation ceremony for those who have completed all Level Three requirements

Level Three Certification

“The first faculty of a Teacher is to identify to one’s self that one is a Teacher, and to identify to the whole world that one is a Teacher, and third, one should know there is nothing else but a Teacher.” – Yogi Bhajan

KRI is not here to say whether an individual is a Teacher. Everyone must initiate themselves by recognizing and bowing to the Teacher within. Level Three provides a container for practice and self-reflection within which each person designs their own journey to cultivate the Teacher’s qualities within.

We continue to grow and awaken our souls to the realization that we are ONE.

Therefore, no one really ever “graduates” from Level Three. You may certify once all the requirements are successfully completed. But the growth into a Teacher is a never-ending process.

In Level Three the responsibility for ensuring you have completed your requirements lies with you and with your Peer Group, who signs off on the fulfillment of each of the certification requirements and, once you have completed all the requirements, you are nominated by your peers to KRI for final qualification and graduation.

Post-Graduation Commitment

Part of building the Level Three culture and community of teachers and peers who represent a communal link in the Golden Chain, each Level Three generation of graduates will welcome, support and hand off to the next generation.

A beautiful way of giving back after certifying is by collaborating in Orientation Teams for Gateway Mela, inspiring and guiding the new participants to develop the Teacher within.

Realization is an ongoing process of unfolding awareness on deeper levels of subtlety within yourself. This is a deepening journey that never ends. If you feel the call, start your application process today!

Mela	Date	Location	Orientation Mela Application Deadline & Link	Mela Registration Deadline & Link
China Mela	November 1-3	Hybrid	Upcoming	Upcoming
English Mela	November 22-24	Online	2024 English Mela Application	2024 English Mela Registration

“Realization is not something to be acquired but rather attained through dedication, surrender and that touch of grace.” – Yogi Bhajan

Level Three is an opportunity to reflect deeply on what it means to be a Teacher.
One of the keys of this program is Self-Initiation:
We recognize that only the self can qualify the self.

As a Teacher, you dedicate yourself to life-long learning, continual self-reflection and devotion to service.

How this program works and how to apply

Level Three is more a container and a system for you, with the support and reflection of your peer group, to self-reflect, plan for yourself and then hold yourself accountable while doing it.

This program is a 1000-day commitment to the process of Realization through engagement with a spiritual community, deep meditation and service.

Level Three challenges you to live the life you were meant to live.

There are minimum standards to be met for everyone who goes through Level Three, but we encourage you to make this a transformative experience to dive deep into yourself as a Teacher, rather than merely completing a set of requirements you need to check off.

If you are a Level One and Level Two Certified teacher, have taught 500 hours of Kundalini Yoga (since your Level One graduation) and are in compliance with the current Code of Ethics & Professional Standards of a Kundalini Yoga Teacher and conduct yourself in accordance with the highest professional standards, you are ready to join Level Three journey!

You will get out of Level Three what you put into it!

Prerequisites

To be eligible for Level Three you must meet the following criteria. Be sure to complete the prerequisites before starting your Application Process:

Teaching and certifications – all are required

Level One Certified
Level Two Certified (completion of all five Level Two modules)
Taught 500 hours of Kundalini Yoga (since the Level One graduation)
In compliance with the current KRI Code of Ethics and Teacher Policies conduct yourself in accordance with the highest professional standards.

Personal Practice – a minimum of two practices are required

Option 1: Completion of TWO items from Meditation & Personal Practice category OR
Option 2: Completion of ONE item from Meditation & Personal Practice and ONE item from Community Service

Meditation & Personal Practice Items

a) Long Ek Ong Kars – 40 Days 2.5 hours before sunrise

b) Kirtan Kriya – 40 Days 2.5 hours while wearing white

c) Master’s Touch – 40 Days 2.5 hours

d) Full Aquarian Sadhana – 40 Days

e) Physical exercise Kriya in Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan – 40 Days 60 min+

f) Other 40 Day 2.5 hours meditation

g) Personally attended 40 of Yogi Bhajan’s classes or watched 40 Yogi Bhajan videos with the consciousness of a student

Community Service Items

Engagement in and service to the 3HO community for at least 2 consecutive years in any of the following ways:

a) Seva Team Leader at Solstice or Yoga Festival

b) Organized or hosted local events like White Tantric Yoga

c) Organized community potlucks, Full Moon Meditations, etc.

d) Organized an Akandh Paath

e) Participated in communal Seva Projects like Free Kitchens

f) Publishing newsletters, translating KY/3HO materials

g) Held a role of responsibility in a national or local 3HO-related organization

h) Other comparable Community Service activity

Application Process

If you meet the above requirements and you are ready to join the Level Three program please read the following application steps. Apply online directly to KRI for those upcoming regions that have Gateway Mela’s coming up.

Step 1: Choose the location

Choose the location where you would like to participate – if there are enough applications to begin a new group, KRI will organize Gateway Melas in the United States, Europe, and South America, China and Asia/Oceania region. You will continue and complete your level 3 process with the group from the region that you started in.

Step 2: Submit the online application and corresponding application fee

You will need to upload your L1 and L2 certificate or L2 completion letters, make sure to have them handy.

Step 3: Sign Compliance Forms

Once we have reviewed and accepted your online application you will receive the following forms to sign through Docusign:Self Responsibility Agreement; Code of Ethics; Health Questionnaire; Liability Release Form.

Step 4: Personal Reflection & Three Letters of Reflection

After signing the Compliance Forms, you will receive the Welcome Letter to Level 3!

You will also receive instructions to complete a Self Reflection and to request 3 Letters of Reflection from others who know you well. This is an important aspect of your Level 3 Journey and all of these will be a part of the Gateway Mela. The purpose is for you to deepen your understanding of yourself and have a starting point in your path for Level Three.

Step 5: Register and pay for the corresponding Mela

At any point after receiving your Welcome Letter you can register and pay for the Mela on the website.

Calendar of Up-Coming Level 3 Applications and Melas:

Mela	Date	Location	Orientation Mela Application Deadline & Link	Mela Registration Deadline & Link
China Mela	November 1-3	Hybrid	Upcoming	Upcoming
English Mela	November 22-24	Online	2024 English Mela Application	2024 English Mela Registration

What is Level Three?

A personal journey toward Self-Realization
A way to refine your authentic identity as a Teacher and deepen your unique relationship with the Sacred
A 1,000 consecutive day commitment dedicated to further developing your Meditative Mind, Spiritual Maturity and your commitment to Seva
A program that is based mostly on self-initiation, with the support of peers and the commitment to participate in the annual gatherings
The third and final step of the KRI Teacher Training program as outlined by Yogi Bhajan

What is a Level Three Teacher?

Someone who:

- Maintains his/her identity as a Teacher
- Has a presence that works
- Acts as a lighthouse for others; uplifts the students
- Embodies the Code of Excellence, exemplifying the 16 Facets of Perfection of Kundalini Yoga Teacher

How is Level Three different from Level One and Level Two?

Level Three is a self-initiated and self-directed process, there is no defined curriculum and no lead trainers. It is about being a Teacher, as described by Yogi Bhajan in “Master Touch”. The journey is highly experiential and uniquely personal. Is a peer-supported process, where one’s Peer Group acts as a “mentor” and “mirror”. Fulfillment of Certification Requirements is determined by one’s Peer Group (not KRI). Level three is administered centrally by KRI; it is not an entrepreneurial course handed off to lead trainers to teach. Level Three Melas are planned and delivered collectively through group effort and participation.

Can I start the Level Three journey?

Yes, if you are ready for a deep personal commitment to Self-Realization, have completed Level 1 and Level 2 and meet the Personal Practice and Community Service requirements as outlined in the “Application Process”.

I’m interested in starting Level 3. Where do I begin?

– Read the About section and the Completing Level Three sections

– Go to Application Process and check if you meet all the requirements

– Look at the open up-coming Melas and fill out your Application online

Do I have to be a member of the Aquarian Trainer Academy (ATA) to qualify for Level Three?

No, it is not required that you are a member of ATA.

I’ve paid my application fee, why do I need to pay again?

There is a one time application fee for Level Three. Registration to each Mela is separate and cost may vary depending on location.

What is an IDP?

The Individual Development Plan is a tool used to guide your experience through your Level Three journey.

What is a Peer Group?

Peer Groups are assigned at the Gateway mela and serve to support their teammates through their individual processes during the Level Three program. Peers arrange to “meet” regularly once a month throughout the year. The Peer Group signs off on the fulfillment of certification requirements.

Does Level Three have exams in order to certify?

No. In order to certify your peers must validate that you have completed all of the requirements by signing off your IDP.

The requirements include:

1,000 day personal meditation of at least 31 minutes
Attendance to 3 Melas
Attendance to at least 10 peer group meetings each year, while you are still in the process
Completion of 18 days of an intensive meditation experience, 6 of which must be 21 Stages of Meditation.
Presentation, evaluation and submission of your Seva Legacy project.

I have completed all my Level Thee requirements. How do I get my certificate?

In order to certify your peers must validate that you have completed all of the requirements by signing off your IDP.