Kundalini

Sanskrit word ‘Kundal’ means coil or spiral.  Kundalini derived from the word ‘Kunda’ or ‘Kundal’. ‘Kunda’ means well or pit. Kundalini means Shakti or power in the form of a coil or spiral which is often compared with a serpent while resting or sleeping. "Kundalinî  is coiled serpent power.

There are many references in ancient and sacred scriptures of Indian Yoga.

“The Kundalini is ever The Master of Yoga."   "Mother of Yoga" and  “The Bestower of Yoga." - RY (Ch.2.26 / 21,22,41)

The invincible Kundalini Shakti pierces the six chakras and enters its abode slowly step by step.’  - SL

Kundalini Shakti is called the basic force of the body. - MM (Ch. 6),

Kundalini is called the supreme power.    - VU (5.51)

When Kundalini Shakti rises above its resting point (the kunda), the yogi attains liberation.   - YSP (6.55)

Kundalini is a virgin energy which moves like a ardent wife and destroys all evils, and, by its slight movement, through its fiery energy, penetrates all centres.  - YV.

Kundalini is the eternal supreme consciousness, which is both with and without attributes. - HYP

Kundalini is the primeval cosmic energy in every individual which eventually, through the practice of yoga, rises up the Sushumnâ nâdî. As it rises, the Kunalinî awakens each successive chakra.

Nirvikalpa samâdhi, enlightenment, comes as Kundalini penetrates through the door of Brahman at the core of the Sahasrâra and enters.

“The union of Shiva (Divine Father) and Shakti (Divine Mother) is complete creation. We also express that the union of the Father and Holy Spirit is the whole of God…. Therefore, both Eastern and Western religious traditions agree on." (Christopher. 2002)

Many scholars see a correlation with what the East calls Chi, Kundalini or Prana, and the Holy Spirit in the west. These are manifestations of Shakti, or the Goddess (or Divine Mother). The Holy Spirit is subtle force that connects us to the universe and gives us life.

In Saguna (with attributes) the supreme consciousness is often personified as Kundalini as an aspect of the Divine Mother. In Nirguna (without attribute less) aspect Kundalini is expressed as the power of cosmic consciousness and is pure consciousness.

Ancient scriptures describe Kundalini in three different manifestations:

1. Un-manifest cosmic energy - Para-kundalini.
2. Vital energy of the created universe - Prana-kundalini.
3. Consciousness: - Shakti-kundalini.

From Sahastrar (Crown chakra) Shakti-kundalini flows with higher awareness, revealed of all mantras, and the eternal source of bliss. Shristi Krama (Shristi=creation, Krma= process) leads her through all chakras. She sustains in the Mooladhar chakra. Through laya karma (process of absorption), she destroys and/or dissolves by ascending and returning to Sahastrar chakra.

Jagan Mohini (world bewilder) is the form of Shakti when it goes down to lower chakras. This causes Maya: delusion, limitation, ignorance, and ensnarement in material and worldly life.

“Having filled the pathway of the Nadis with the streaming shower of nectar flowing from the Lotus feet, having resumed own position from out of the Lunar regions and Thyself assuming the form of a serpent of three and a half coils, sleepiest thou, in the hollow of Kula Kunda (Kula Kunda means the hollow of Mooladhar Sacrum bone). Thou art residing in secrecy with Thy Lord (The spirit) in the thousand petal Lotus, having pierced through the Earth situated in ‘Mooladhar’, the Water in Manipur, the Fire in Svadhisthana, the Air in the Heart (Anahat), the Ether above (Visshuddhi) and ‘Manas’ between the eyebrows (Agya) and thus broken through the entire ‘Kula Path’.“ - SL

“The Kundalini is the base of absolute knowledge.”   –YV

‘‘Kundalini is one of the greatest Shakti and to awake this energy one has to awake each body progressively. First to balance all bodies, Yam and Niyams are to be followed. Then for balancing gross body, one need to perform Asana. Certain Asana like Siddhasana and others are recommended for preparations.   After a series of asana, one can start certain Pranyama techniques, like Anulom Vilom, Bhastrika or Kapalbhati and others, to purify the Prana Body.

After powerful Pranayam, higher purity happens, then one can jump into Pratyahara. This will be withdrawal from the senses, to become introvert. Pratyahara will help in purification of the mind body.

Thereafter one can start Dharana(focus). This will help in concentration of energy for higher awakening. Here a state of Dhyan comes, in which Shakti starts travelling through the Sushumna and the chakras.

With deep purification of 72000 nadis and entire body, all Chakras get activated and open. Thereafter Kundalini is able to rise up from Mooladhar to Shastrar.  During this process, may siddhis or yogic powers can be experienced by the yogi as mentioned by Mahrishi Patanjali in Vibhuti Pada of Yoga Sutras. But if one is not purified completely or these powers are misused or mishandled, then these powers can ruin the aspirant.

Scriptures recommend that to follow this path a knowledgeable yogi should be approached and submit the request for this knowledge with humility to become his disciple. Then one can learn these techniques deeper and in a more detailed manner.

“Siddha Asana is the main asana for awakening the Kundalini among all asana.”             - HYP (1/39)

“There are two types of purification practices: samanu(mental) and nirmanu(non-mental).” - GS (5/36)

Following cleaning processes (dhauti) techniques:

1. antar-dhauti (inner cleansing) consisting of the following four techniques:

(a) vata-sara (air process), which is done by inhaling through the mouth and expelling the air through the lower passage.

(b) vari-sara (water process), which is done by sipping water until the stomach is completely filled and expelling it through the lower passage.

(c) vahni-sara (fire process), which is done by pushing the navel one hundred times back toward the spine, which increased the gastric fire.

(d) bahish-kriya (external action), which is done by sucking in air through the mouth until the stomach is filled, retaining it for ninety minutes, and then expelling it through the lower passage; this is followed by one's standing in navel-deep water and pushing out the lower intestinal tract for cleansing;

2.    danta-dhauti (dental cleansing), which includes cleaning the teeth, the tongue, as well as the ears and frontal sinuses,

3. hrid-dhauti (heart cleansing), which consists of (a) introducing the stalk of a plantain, turmeric, or cane into the throat to clean it out; (b) filling the stomach with water and then expelling it through the mouth; (c) swallowing a long strip of thin cloth and then pulling it out again (a process called vastra dhauti, cloth cleansing).
4. mula-shodhana (rectal cleansing), which is done by means of turmeric, water, or the middle finger.

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Chakras

If we dissect the human body we will not find the chakras. These are energy wheels. The word chakra is derived from the Sanskrit word meaning wheel. If we were able to see the chakras (as many psychics, in fact, do) we would observe a wheel of energy continuously revolving or rotating. Clairvoyants perceive chakras as colourful wheels or flowers with a hub in the centre. The chakras begin at the base of the spine and finish at the top of the head. Though fixed in the central spinal column they are located on both the front and back of the body, and work through it. Chakras’ energy centres interpenetrate the physical body.

Each chakra vibrates or rotates at a different speed. The root or first chakra rotates at the slowest speed, the crown or seventh chakra at the highest speed. Each chakra is stimulated by its own and complimentary colour. The chakra colours are of the rainbow; red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. The size and brightness of the wheels vary with individual development, physical condition, energy levels, disease, or stress.

If the chakras are not balanced, or if the energies are blocked, the basic life force will be slowed down. The individual may feel listless, tired, out of sorts, or depressed. Not only will physical bodily functions be affected so diseases may manifest, but the thought processes and the mind may also be affected. A negative attitude, fear, doubt, etc. may preoccupy the individual.

A constant balance between the chakras promotes health and a sense of well-being. If the chakras are opened too much, a person could literally short circuit themselves with too much universal energy going through the body. If the chakras are closed, this does not allow for the universal energy to flow through them properly which may also lead to dis-ease.

Most of us react to unpleasant experiences by blocking our feeling and stopping a great deal of our natural energy flow. This affects the maturation and development of the chakras. Whenever a person blocks whatever experience he is having, he in turn blocks his chakras, which eventually become disfigured. When the chakras are functioning normally, each will be open, spinning clockwise to metabolize the particular energies needed from the universal energy field.

Chakras are not visible through physical eyes or senses. That is why they were falling under the category of mysticism. Due to nature of this science, it remains a long held secret and Yogis knew this secret. But they were imparting this secret knowledge with others very carefully, so that one could not misuse it. Sometimes there were misconceptions about Chakras, so they remain out from the reach of common people. But yoga found these energy wheels very useful for human health and balanced life. Most of the Sickness can be related to any of few of the Chakras’ imbalance.  Balanced Chakras result in balanced body, mind, senses, spirits, emotions and life.

As per Kirlian photography, an energy body permeates from our body known as Aura. There are whirlpools of energy surrounding the body. This energy flows like spinning wheels; hence these are called as Chakras. Major Chakras regulate major bodily functions.

Blocked Chakras brings imbalance in thoughts and attitudes. This further brings physical diseases, negative thoughts, and faulty beliefs.  Activating and balancing the chakras takes us up to the higher level.

Smooth and free chakras result in loving relationships, creativity, personal power, inner understanding, and internal harmony. 

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Nadi

Nadis

(Energy Channels)

In Sanskrit, word ‘Nadi’ means current or flow. The plural of the word ‘Nadi’ in Sanskrit is ‘Nadiyan’ and some books started referring to them as ‘Nadis’.  The ancient Yogic and Ayurveda Scriptures say that there are 72000 Nadis present in the subtle body. Once a yogi attains success, he gets access to his own subtle body. Through the subtle body one can see these Nadis light lines through inner vision.

In the modern age, these Nadis are called as nerves but these are made of subtle elements. Most important Nadis among all are three:  Ida, Pingala and Sushumna. Among these three, Sushumna is the most important.

Sushumna Nadi is located in the center of the spinal cord. Though physically, we cannot see the same. It starts from the base of spine, i-e Mooladhar Chakra. From Mooladhar Chakra it passes through spine and completes its journey in Sahastrar Chakra (Crown Chakra) in upper head.

Ida Nadi starts from Mooladhar Chakra. This Nadi is on the left hand side of the body. This is invisible but very powerful. This Nadi travels through left of Sushumna Nadi, crossing each chakra through left and right consecutively in a serpentine manner. This Nadi completes its journey into the Agya Chakra (Third eye chakra) from the left side.

Pingala Nadi originates from the right side of Mooladhar Chakra. This Nadi travels through right hand side of the body and cross each chakra in a serpentine manner. This Nadi terminates at Agya Chakra (Third eye chakra).

Two opposite energies are there in our body systems, like negative and positive. These are being represented by Ida Nadi and Pingala Nadi.  Ida Nadi represents and possesses passive, introvert and feminine characteristics, which is also known as "Chandra Nadi (Moon Channel)". Pingala Nadi represents and possesses active, extrovert and manly characteristics, and is also known as "Surya Nadi (Sun Channel) ".

Nadis and changes in the breath flow patterns

Everyone does many tasks every day. Human activities are affected by the change in the flow in Nadis. These flow changes from one Nadi to another in about every 60 to 90 minutes. But through some yogic practices  and techniques, one can alter these Nadis flow, as per their wish.

For example, if your Pingla Nadi  is more active and you need to perform some mental work, you can deliberately change the flow to Ida Nadi so as to have more suitable energy available for mental work. Similarly one can alter other way round according to your wish and requirements.

Reviews of paramanand yoga

Reviews of Paramanand Yoga: http://youtu.be/QpYypwr24Dg

Best time to time to do meditation -Spring

Ashram in spring.

Ashram band

Yoga near the holy river narmada

Teal yoga classes on the banks of the river Narmada