Yoga – Introduction – Part 2

Continued… Kindly first read Yoga–Introduction-Part 1

5. Gyaan Yog: 

• The Path of Wisdom. 

• Related Vishuddhi(Throat) Chakra.

• Enlightened Ones: Osho, Raman Maharishi.

In Today’s world there are lot of intellectuals including yourself, otherwise you wouldn't have been reading a blog. So this path may appeal to them. Although this path appears to be interesting and simple, it is the most complicated one. The only reason behind is mind needs to be dropped and we are using the mind for it. The biggest irony. E.g. A person being a part of an criminal organization telling the main boss that drop the criminal tendencies. The Boss will say nothing, but then depending upon the situation may try all tricks, force or also kill the person who gave the advice. Here the Boss is our Mind.

Anyways saying the above, let us see what this path is:

Being aware of self or being a witness to the following:

• Thoughts.

• Study scriptures or of our own book of life.

• Contemplation/Imagining on any single object or face of master.

• Mesmerism.

• Hypnotism.  

• From Love to Belongingness and finally to Friendship. Being friendly to the whole existence, then the existence starts revealing its secrets. We can feel compassion and friendship of the whole existence.    

6. Dhyan (Raj) Yog:

• The Path of Choice less Awareness.  

• Related with Adyna Chakra.

• Enlightened Ones: Sri Aurobindo  

It is broadly classified into 2 parts:

A) Meditation {Dhyan}:

Read What is Meditation. It is connecting with our real permanent self i.e. 5. Astral Body(“Atma”) State (refer 7 States of Human Being.)

B) Samadhi:

Samadhi means being grounded in the bottom of the inner space. Some people also call the burial spot of enlightened ones as Samadhi. That is the external Samadhi. All of us (human beings) can experience Samadhi in our inner space. It is not proprietary rights of few people (so called Saints or Sadhus). It is very simple and natural. Only remember, that we have forgotten it. It is connecting with our real permanent Cosmic body i.e. 6. Cosmic Body(“Brahma/Paramatma”) State  (refer 7 States of Human Being.)

7. Sankhya Yog: 

• The Path of Subjective Awareness.  

• Related with Sahasrara Chakra.

• Enlightened Ones: J.Krishnamurty, Asthavakra, Nisargdutta Maharaj  

We are pure awareness, just awareness, the essence. There is no path. We are already there. In the above paths there is a medium. In Sankhya Yog there is no medium. E.g. Suppose we take medicine with honey, milk etc.  Sankhya Yog says take the medicine directly. No Medium needed. This is subjective awareness.

It says all the identities with the body, mind and heart are false. We know our self as pure awareness.

The only problem is some people start imagining or hallucinating (via mind), that they are God or {Aham Brahmasmi} and get stuck in the mind. Kindly remember it’s a state of being which is being referred and nothing to do with Mind.

8. Kundalini(Laya) Yoga:

• The Path of Kundalini {Shaktipat}  

• Related with indwelling spiritual Energy activating all the Chakras

• Enlightened Ones: Gorakhnath, Paramhans Yoganand  

Kundalini Shakti is also called as arousing of our dormant serpentine power inside us. Serpentine or Snake is only symbolic for us to understand. As a serpent doesn’t have bones to stand erect, but still when the Kundalini energy is aroused it stands erect (From Muladhara to Sahasrara Chakra) 

There are 2 ways of activating it:

1. Certain Asanas and Breathing Techniques

2. Through a living person : Some people have the power to transmit existence energy into us through them. E..g When we drink water through a straw. Water is Existence and  the straw is the person who acts as an intermediate. Kindly note that the person transmitting this energy may not necessarily be an enlightened one. It works through the 4. Psychic Body State(Refer 7 States of Human Being). 

Also the person who takes it should be able to take that existence energy.

Certain practices are recommended for keeping this energy alive and active.

9. Sahaj Yog:

• The Natural Path  

• Related with Inner Spiritual Space

• Enlightened Ones: Lalaji Maharaj, Osho Shailendra, Guru Nanak  

This path is the natural path. 

There are broadly 2 types (may be, there would be more): 

A) Here the Masters grace play a major role. The disciples have to just perform some basic practices , rest everything related with the inner world growth is taken care by Masters Grace. 

B) {Naam Daan} or {Naam Diksha} or {Omkar Diksha}.

Existence has many dimension. 

• Outer as well as Inner Sound {Surati}

• Outer as well as Inner Light {Nirati} and many more dimensions. 

Here the Master gives the knack to reach self and connect to existence via the INNER Sound {Om} (not verbal OM), Light and other dimensions. The Masters grace plays a major role in guiding here.

Also for Master  refer Tips for finding a Master (Sadguru) and A to Z Guru (Master)

Wisdom Pointer:  Any path which helps us in growth of our inner peace should be followed by us. We can also switch paths, if needed, but not frequently. Best wishes to you in your inner journey.

Yoga–Introduction-Part 1

Yoga or Yog means Union or synchronization of body, mind, breath (includes subtle prana-vital force), soul and existence. Except for the soul and existence part to really know, the remaining are simple.

For convenience sake, I am dividing into different blog parts. This is Part 1.

Introduction:

In Today’s world yoga has become a fad. New yoga types have come.  But the roots are from the original ones . I will discuss only the original and important ones. First understand it, and then decide which one suits you to follow:

1. Karm Yog:

•  The Path of Action.
• Related with Muladhara Chakra 

Doing all type of daily activities (action oriented) and also being aware of self or just witnessing is called Karm Yog.

2. Tantra Yog:

• The Path of Sensual Awareness.
• Related with Swadhisthana Chakra. 
• Enlightened Ones: Shiva 

Participating actively in all types of enjoyments from any of our 6 senses, but being aware of self or just witnessing is called Tantra Yog. Tantra is synthesis of sensuality and spirituality.

Witnessing/remembering our inner self and enjoying any of the following simultaneously:

• Eyes – Sights
• Ears – Sound / Music
• Nose – Fragrance
• Tongue – Taste
• Touch – Including Sex  
• Intoxication – Hard Drinks, Drugs etc.
• Aghori – Living in unsuitable environments, like cremation place, eating food surrounded by human excreta etc.
• Mantra – Practices of Mantras 
  

3. Hatha Yog:

• The Path of Breathing.
• Related with Manipura(Nabhi) Chakra.
• Enlightened Ones: Patanjali

Being aware of self or being a witness to the breath is called as Hatha Yog. It includes the following:

• Pranayamas – Breathing Patterns
• Asanas – Body Postures
• Mudras – Hand Postures
• Kshatkarma – Techniques for purification of body
• Bandh - Locking certain parts of body or breath [Kumbhak]

4. Bhakti Yog:.

• The Path of Devotion (Feeling)
• Related with Anahata(Heart) Chakra.
• Enlightened Ones: Meera Bai.

Being aware of self or being a witness to Love, Trust and Devotion is called as Bhakti Yog.

It includes the following stages:

• Initially being in love with someone, and then gradually Being in love with our inner real self  all the time

• Initially trusting someone as a Master, and then gradually Trusting and feeling Master grace flowing towards us all the time.

• Initially seeing the presence of divinity in the Master and/or whole existence,   and then gradually Realizing and feeling grace of divinity (devotion) flowing towards us all the time.

Also refer:

Chakras, Yoga and Healing 

4 Pillars of Yoga / Pranayama

3 Important Yoga Mudras

Yoga – Light Exercises 

Yoga – Basic Pranayama

Wisdom Pointer: Identify your type and after reading the next part of the blog (which will come soon) decide which path suits you and follow it.

Continued on Yoga – Introduction – Part 2

Surrounding Environment Cleansing Music

There are 2 aspects that are covered:

1. Surrounding Environment (External):

As we are aware that this nature is made up of 5 elements viz. Fire, Air, Space, Earth and Water. We are going to talk about the Space element. There is space in everything, including in our body. There is space between your eye and the screen where you are viewing this blog. This space seems to be empty, but it is not. It is live vibrating energy and conscious. Therefore our mobile phones, wireless networks etc. works. Sometimes our surrounding environment vibrations are not clean. Just as we clean our body, houses and offices , we need to also clean our surrounding space.

2. Music (Specific Sound):

Certain sounds/music can clean our space surrounding us. I will later on discuss soundless sound which is the source of existence.

I have attached 1 playlist with 7 Sound tracks. Kindly play it online or download the same as per your convenience. Go through the instructions given below:

• Play any 1 track at a time or you can also repeat the same track.
• Preferred to play all the 7 tracks in a day for best results.
• Remember these sounds are for your surrounding environment only.
• This music can be played anytime, even 24 hours a day. 
• This music is not necessary for ears to hear but to clean your surrounding space. You can play it so softly, that it is fine if your ears cannot hear it. The music will do its job.  
• It is OK if you put it loudly, although not necessary. 
• The music has no meaning for human to understand.
• You can play it in your house or office, no one will be disturbed as you can play it softly.
• You can also play it when your child is studying.   

Key Benefits:

• Surrounding Environment Vibrations gets positive or neutral
• It is easy to  meditate at this place.
• Any work will be smoothly completed.
• Children study better.
• Relationship with spouse and other people becomes good and beneficial  in this environment.
• Kindly identify the problem and if it relates with the surrounding environment, play this music for a few times for a few days.
• Play this music everyday (at least 2 tracks). 

OR

In case you are not able to view this embedded player, Click on this link Surrounding Environment Music to play or download (click the small down arrow mark after you open this link).

Wisdom Pointer: Certain Music can transform our life. Play this music for at least a fortnight and then observe the difference. 

Yoga – Basic Pranayama

There are lot of articles on the internet relating to this topic. However, I would sincerely request you to understand and do the following ones. Also some key pointers are attached to it.

Do read 4 Pillars of Yoga / Pranayama

Prana is the subtle vital force which is the extension of our gross breath. Human beings can live without food or water for a few days. Also some yogis can survive for couple of hours without breath. It is because of this subtle Prana. E.g. Duryodhana during mahabharat war, sat inside a river for couple of hours to hide himself without taking a single breath.

Therefore we need to start with the breath to make our subtle vital force very strong and healthy. There are 6 Basic Pranayam(Hatha Yog) and Shavasan.

Steps:

1. Bhastrika:

Mudra: Pran. Refer 3 Important Yoga Mudras

Method: 

• Deep breathe In and Out from the lungs (Not your Stomach). 
• Let your chest expand and contract.

• Observe/Feel incoming & outgoing breath. 
• Each Incoming breath – 2 to 10 seconds.
• Each Outgoing breath – 2 to 10 seconds, depending on our lung capacity. 
• Do not hold {Kumbhak}  breath.    
• Do it in a natural way. 
• No Sound will come while breathing
  

Period: 2 to 3 minutes or In/Out Breath- 18 to 20 times

Benefits: For ears, lungs, brain, depression, migraine, paralysis, neural system, glow on our face/body, Cold, flu, sinus, asthma, Thyroid, tonsils and all throat problems

Precautions: High BP, chronic heart disease, Operation do it very slowly i.e. do not force yourself.

2. Kapal Bhatti:

Mudra: Apaan. Refer 3 Important Yoga Mudras

Method: 

• Push air forcefully out, stomach will contract .  
• Incoming breath will come in automatically. 
• 1 sec - 1 exhale/stroke.
• Observe/Feel the stomach/naval while contracting.

Period: 5 – 15 mins. 300 to 900 times (exhalation)

Benefits:

• For Glow on our face/body,  obesity, constipation, gastric, acidity, hepatitis B, uterus, diabetes, stomach problems, Kidney problems, heart blockages, lungs & brain, cholesterol, allergic problems, sinus, depression, asthma, snoring, concentration. Swami Ramdev calls it as {dharti ki sanjivini}. 
• To remove physical or mind pain/fear,  bring that thought to your mind. While exhaling just visualize as if that negativity is going out of your system. 

Precautions:

• For heart, high BP, abdominal wounds, surgical operations, hernia, appendicitis,  recently delivered women don’t do.
• Weak people & Women during MC period do it slowly ( Exhale but do not contract your stomach with a jerk). 

3. Ujjai:

Mudra: Vyaan. Tips of Thumb, Index and Middle Finger. Also Refer 3 Important Yoga Mudras

Method:

• Inhale, slowly drawing air by both the nostrils producing croaking (frog)/snoring sound via throat. 
• Exhale via left nostril.  

Period: 2-5 times

Benefits: For Thyroid, Tonsils, Mental Tension, TB, Throat and Vocal chords

Notes: Beginners will cough initially when they do Ujjai. It is normal, good and it’s a parameter that it is done correctly.  Person who are expert or who are not doing correctly, they do not cough.

4. Anulom Vilom (Alternate Nostril Breathing)

Mudra: Praan. Refer 3 Important Yoga Mudras

Method: We have one nose and 2 nostrils. It has 4 steps which is as follows:

Round One Starts ……

• [Close Right Nostril with Index and Middle Finger] -Left Nostril breathe In. 
• [Close Left Nostril with Index and Middle Finger] -Right Nostril breathe Out.
• [Close Left Nostril with Index and Middle Finger] -Right Nostril breathe In.
• [Close Right Nostril with Index and Middle Finger] -Left Nostril breath Out.    

Round One Ends …… 

• Be aware of incoming & outgoing breath.  
• Each Incoming breath – 2 to 10 seconds 
• Each Outgoing breath – 2 to 10 seconds, depending on our lung capacity.
• Do not hold {Kumbhak}  breath. 
• Do it in a natural way.    
• No Sound will come while breathing.
  

Period: 5 – 15 mins. 15 to 45 times(Rounds).

Benefits: 

• For heart, high BP, heart blockage, arthritis, cartilage, bent ligaments, Cholestrol, Cataract, Parkinson, paralysis, neural related, depression, migraine pain, asthma, sinus, allergy, eyes, ears & throat.
• Visualize while Inhaling Positive Energy is coming into your system. While Exhaling negativity is going out of your system. 

5. Brahmari

Mudra: Gyaan/Dhyaan. Refer 3 Important Yoga Mudras  

Method:

• Sit in Gyaan/Dhyaan OR Close ears with thumb, index finger on forehead, and rest three on base of nose touching eyes. 
• Breathe in. 
• While Exhaling through nose produce sound like a humming bee.    

Period: 3-5 times

Benefits: For hypertension, high BP, heart, paralysis, migraine pain, confidence, concentration

6. Udgeeth

Mudra: Gyaan/Dhyaan. Refer 3 Important Yoga Mudras

Method: 

• Breathe in deeply, 
• While Exhaling and chant 'Om'kar. 
• 15 sec "Oo..." and 
• 5 sec "mmmm…"

Period: 3-15 times

Benefits: For insomnia, sound sleep, Meditation

7. Meditation/Shavasan:

Mudra: Do not apply any mudra

Method: I will take it in detail later on. Just lie down like a dead body, close your eyes and relax.

Period: 5 to 15 minutes

Wisdom Pointer:

• Being healthy is one of the surest outcome of these above pranayama.
• Breath is the bridge between the body-mind and soul. If we do these pranayama’s and shavasana with awareness, you can connect with your real permanent self.