It was only a few weeks ago that someone close to me mentioned - in a completely different context - that good thoughts and memories should not just be relegated to the past as mere memories, but should rather be cherished, celebrated and renewed by remembering them at appropriate times. I have not thought much about this in the context the speaker was mentioning it, but I immediately saw in there a good reason to continue blogging. Apologies in advance to the speaker if a different outcome was expected of me, but also thanks for giving me an external impetus to continue with my monologues, even if unintentionally. Well, the mind is mischievous in its ways, but when did I deny that?
"Utthaan" (or, Ascent) by "Yogi Mahajan" is a book on the ascent of the Kundalini through Sahaja Yoga (the same famous Sahaja Yoga which has been brought to the world by Mata Shri Nirmala Deviji). It is of course a fantastic introduction to the six principal chakras in the body and their functions, but one reading brought me back into the "real world" of mankind where it is quite clear that these are mainly matters for practice and not so much for discussion. Then I decided that while the feeling might be true in its rightful place, information still has a role to play in its own right. Typically, any effort in this direction has to begin within the boundaries of "Maya" (cosmic illusion), and if we plan to make an effort of that kind, then what's the point crying about the fact that we are not yet illumined? Indeed, what's the point crying over the fact that we are perhaps not following that exact path either? Yogi Mahajan and Shri Mataji have given us this system knowing well that we live in Maya, and it seems quite fine to invoke another part of Maya - i.e., their blessings - and continue our efforts for the present.
The descriptions of the principal functions of the chakras are perhaps there in other books too, and at least the physical functions seem to be the creation and regulation of physical organs in the nearby area in the body. I do not want to go into those specifics today, but I would surely like to bring out some highlights of the book which I thought were particularly informative and helpful. If some explanations are "colored" by my own preconceived notions, then I beg the author's pardon.
1. The origin of the kundalini energy is also within the brain, which is the seat of creative intelligence in the human body, but as the body evolves (i.e., is created) under the direction of this intelligence, this kundalini energy travels far away to the bottom of the spine where it finally "rests" after the task of "creation" is complete. On the way, this intelligence creates various bodily organs and the other "chakras", which are different centers recommended for meditation, each serving some special functions. Other authors have also suggested that the chakras are centers where the "knots" between creative intelligence (the soul) and the body are very deep, and proper meditation on the chakras therefore helps "untie these knots", making the meditator aware of the intelligence (or the soul) which is the creator of the body and is distinct from it, even though tied to the body due to Maya. According to Yogi Mahajan, when the kundalini awakens and ascends all the way up to the sahasraar chakra in the head, it cleans (unties the knots of) the chakras and finally unites with the supreme intelligence in the brain, which is its "origin" or its "mother". This union, it is said, finally clarifies all the confusions regarding soul, matter and God, and is therefore the end towards which all Yoga is ultimately directed.
2. Blockages in these chakras prevent the kundalini from rising, and these blockages are typically the result of various physical and mental processes going on in the average human being, who is typically unaware of what activity might have what effect on these chakras. Excesses (whether physical, like eating wrongly, or mental, like too much ego-centric activity) typically deplete the chakras of their energy and cause blockages and resulting problems. There could be physical consequences too - from mild ones like minor digestive problems to much more serious physical illnesses - which could occur if these excesses are not controlled by good thinking and right living. Stress and even insanity can sometimes result from excessive indulgence, depending upon to what extreme one goes.
3. During creation, this intelligence (chaitanya) creates a complex network of nerves to help in its task of expressing itself through the body. The left side of the body contains nerves which manifest various desires and these are linked to the right hand side of the brain, called the "superego". The nerves on the right hand side are a network created in order to bring these desires to fruition, and these are controlled by the left side of the brain (called the ego). Imbalance between these two energy flows is typically undesirable. Excessive development of the ego puts pressure on the superego and makes a person uncaring, devious and perhaps even worse on the emotional front, while excessive emotionalism can lead to the development of an irrational personality, prone to emotional excesses and even insanity in extreme cases.
4. Sahaja Yoga, therefore, favors a balanced approach to the development of personality, in which energy - which typically swings between these two channels on the left and right side of the spine - starts flowing from the third, "middle" channel, also known as the "sushumnaa" in various texts. This is, of course, the main objective of yoga as per other texts too, but Sahaja Yoga is perhaps special because of its explicit recommendation to not go to extremes. No matter how "intuitive" it might seem to go to extremes in ones' spiritual disciplines, hear the Sahaja Yogis out for a second. As per the book, trying penances and very difficult practices are not needed - what is needed, rather, is an understanding of these blockages, what causes them and what can help eliminate them, and how to infer whether these blockages are indeed being removed via the practices recommended by the experts. This is the kind of training Sahaja Yoga provides, says this book, and what is needed here according to the book is a balanced approach to life, not an extreme one. As one develops along this path, one starts using the "parasympathetic" nervous system (insted of the usual sympathetic nervous system), and this leads to much greater creativity, because the work is then inspired more and more by the infinite creative intelligence of God.
"Utthaan" (or, Ascent) by "Yogi Mahajan" is a book on the ascent of the Kundalini through Sahaja Yoga (the same famous Sahaja Yoga which has been brought to the world by Mata Shri Nirmala Deviji). It is of course a fantastic introduction to the six principal chakras in the body and their functions, but one reading brought me back into the "real world" of mankind where it is quite clear that these are mainly matters for practice and not so much for discussion. Then I decided that while the feeling might be true in its rightful place, information still has a role to play in its own right. Typically, any effort in this direction has to begin within the boundaries of "Maya" (cosmic illusion), and if we plan to make an effort of that kind, then what's the point crying about the fact that we are not yet illumined? Indeed, what's the point crying over the fact that we are perhaps not following that exact path either? Yogi Mahajan and Shri Mataji have given us this system knowing well that we live in Maya, and it seems quite fine to invoke another part of Maya - i.e., their blessings - and continue our efforts for the present.
The descriptions of the principal functions of the chakras are perhaps there in other books too, and at least the physical functions seem to be the creation and regulation of physical organs in the nearby area in the body. I do not want to go into those specifics today, but I would surely like to bring out some highlights of the book which I thought were particularly informative and helpful. If some explanations are "colored" by my own preconceived notions, then I beg the author's pardon.
1. The origin of the kundalini energy is also within the brain, which is the seat of creative intelligence in the human body, but as the body evolves (i.e., is created) under the direction of this intelligence, this kundalini energy travels far away to the bottom of the spine where it finally "rests" after the task of "creation" is complete. On the way, this intelligence creates various bodily organs and the other "chakras", which are different centers recommended for meditation, each serving some special functions. Other authors have also suggested that the chakras are centers where the "knots" between creative intelligence (the soul) and the body are very deep, and proper meditation on the chakras therefore helps "untie these knots", making the meditator aware of the intelligence (or the soul) which is the creator of the body and is distinct from it, even though tied to the body due to Maya. According to Yogi Mahajan, when the kundalini awakens and ascends all the way up to the sahasraar chakra in the head, it cleans (unties the knots of) the chakras and finally unites with the supreme intelligence in the brain, which is its "origin" or its "mother". This union, it is said, finally clarifies all the confusions regarding soul, matter and God, and is therefore the end towards which all Yoga is ultimately directed.
2. Blockages in these chakras prevent the kundalini from rising, and these blockages are typically the result of various physical and mental processes going on in the average human being, who is typically unaware of what activity might have what effect on these chakras. Excesses (whether physical, like eating wrongly, or mental, like too much ego-centric activity) typically deplete the chakras of their energy and cause blockages and resulting problems. There could be physical consequences too - from mild ones like minor digestive problems to much more serious physical illnesses - which could occur if these excesses are not controlled by good thinking and right living. Stress and even insanity can sometimes result from excessive indulgence, depending upon to what extreme one goes.
3. During creation, this intelligence (chaitanya) creates a complex network of nerves to help in its task of expressing itself through the body. The left side of the body contains nerves which manifest various desires and these are linked to the right hand side of the brain, called the "superego". The nerves on the right hand side are a network created in order to bring these desires to fruition, and these are controlled by the left side of the brain (called the ego). Imbalance between these two energy flows is typically undesirable. Excessive development of the ego puts pressure on the superego and makes a person uncaring, devious and perhaps even worse on the emotional front, while excessive emotionalism can lead to the development of an irrational personality, prone to emotional excesses and even insanity in extreme cases.
4. Sahaja Yoga, therefore, favors a balanced approach to the development of personality, in which energy - which typically swings between these two channels on the left and right side of the spine - starts flowing from the third, "middle" channel, also known as the "sushumnaa" in various texts. This is, of course, the main objective of yoga as per other texts too, but Sahaja Yoga is perhaps special because of its explicit recommendation to not go to extremes. No matter how "intuitive" it might seem to go to extremes in ones' spiritual disciplines, hear the Sahaja Yogis out for a second. As per the book, trying penances and very difficult practices are not needed - what is needed, rather, is an understanding of these blockages, what causes them and what can help eliminate them, and how to infer whether these blockages are indeed being removed via the practices recommended by the experts. This is the kind of training Sahaja Yoga provides, says this book, and what is needed here according to the book is a balanced approach to life, not an extreme one. As one develops along this path, one starts using the "parasympathetic" nervous system (insted of the usual sympathetic nervous system), and this leads to much greater creativity, because the work is then inspired more and more by the infinite creative intelligence of God.
5. Interestingly, the area surrounding the third chakra behind the navel (Manipura chakra) is called "bhava-saagar" (the world-ocean). Quite literal, in a sense, given that so much of our worldly activity surrounds the idea of feeding ourselves!
6. Sleeping with the mind and heart absorbed in the Sahasraar chakra is very relaxing, according to the author. Even relatively shorter durations of such sleep turn out to be very refreshing (recharges our batteries like nothing else could), he says, and this kind of absorption also helps prevent tiredness when working during the day time. Working after being situated in the sahasraar, according to the Yogi, takes the body's attention off thoughts of doer-ship (the feeling that I am doing this or that), and work then seems to flow naturally, almost as if one was enjoying some music directed by a good musician. As a result, the sympathetic nervous system does not get depleted of energy, even while working during the day. This is also, by the way, right meditation, according to the book. It is, therefore, not necessary to run off to the jungles to meditate, according to the Sahaja Yogis.
7. In closing, the book does not forget to mention that all such training is given to practitioners free of cost in Sahaja Yoga, because it is advisable for practitioners to think of Shri Mataji first and foremost as a mother (Divine Mother is a Mother too!), and then, it's only logical that the Mother does not ask her child to pay for her teachings.
Sadanand Tutakne
Did you ever know that the seed of spirituality, calmness, intellect was always in your life right from your childhood?
ReplyDeleteI knew that and the way you still understand or perceive things have given you a base, a concrete one
Great keep writing ....
I am sure you have many things to share
http://bsriya.blogspot.in/
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