Category: Yoga

How stupid can you be?

So , in youth or even till you are about to die – we see someone handsome or beautiful and we start feeling good. Social obligations may prevent you from actively pursuing that person but nevertheless the thought is there So why crave the body of another ? Why do you even want to offer …

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Merely a minor beginning

This is just a minor being called Titiksha. Difficult to do. Part of Yama and niyama Let’s try it !

Fundamentals that are a must to know

Just a collection of one line thoughts! My last written blog of adhara was incomplete due to the computer crashing.  The whole article was written and the computer crashed!  1) Surrender occurs in three stages.  a) Surrender with effort.  Here there is surrender with the sense of I ness. As long as there is a …

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Shiv Mahimna Stotra

The story behind Shiv Mahimna stotra is as follows. Pushpa danta was a Gandharva (a musician for the Gods).  He would visit and enjoy the Garden of the King Chitraratha.  He enjoyed the gardens and the flowers immensely and subsequently started stealing flowers from the Garden.  King Chitraratha could not catch him because he had …

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General thoughts

It has been a while since I wrote on here. I have had several experiences but have not had time to write them and with time I forget them 1) Swami Vivekananda visited me a few days ago and blessed me. I do not remember the things he told me though. 2) In his books …

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Good Friday – The lost significance.

It is very difficult and rare to find a soul who is truly interested in God and God alone.  The 12 disciples (apostles if you insist), Mary and a few others were genuinely interested in God.  They devoted themselves and their life to God.   First the story of Good Friday. After the last meal, Jesus …

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Ramayana stories – Hanuman battles Ahiravana and Mahiravana (interpretation)

During the battle between Rama and Ravana, Ravana’s son Indrajit is killed.  At that point, Ravana calls his brother Ahiravana for help.  Now, Ahiravana is the king of Patala (the underworld).  (There are many variations to the story.  All of them can be interpreted spiritually).  Ahiravana promised to help.  Vibhishana somehow manages to hear about …

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An important corollary to Kriya Yoga

In case the obvious has escaped the attention of even an astute reader, when true kriya is done and the senses are inverted, all our motor and sensory system is shut off from the external world.  In that situation one hears the Panchjanya conch of Krisha (the comingling of all the lower 5 sounds) and …

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True Pranayama = Kriya Yoga = Mahayoga = Siddhayoga = Kevali = Keval kumbhaka

Patanjali Bhagwan has described the 8 angas or steps of Yoga.  One of the steps is pranayama.  I refer to the true pranayama and not the nonsense that we hear all the time on the news and from charlatans and from books on Yoga or from even well meaning but self deceving, self proclaimed Gurus …

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The curious case of the cart before the horse.

One of the biggest mistakes that people make is they put the cart before the horse.  It is a perpetual mistake in spirituality and thus no matter how much they desire to progress, they always remain stagnant or at best make a tiny step forward. What do I mean by putting the cart before the …

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General statements

Just a few general statements 1) Dont wish that you could do good things to those who need.  When you wish to do good, you are also subconsciously wishing that someone be in need.  Instead, God will send you people automatically if they need help but never wish that you could help.  Also help them when  …

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Navratri – Chaitri, Durga stories and meaning.

It has been a while since I am writing.  In the Indian calendar there are 2 navratri – the one we all know about and the other is chaitri.   The regular navratri is usually in October and this is usually in March.  In the regular Navatri which is more widely publicized  people are supposed to …

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Desires and Satisfying the Senses

As I have written in my previous logs, Vishnutirthji Maharaj told me a few months ago, that the Gita for a yogi is Devatma shakti.  I compare God talks with Arjuna, written by Paramhansa Yogananda like it is the Vedas and devatma shakti is the Gita or smaller excerpt of it. In Devatma Shakti, Maharaj …

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The Book of Job

My daughter asked me a question if the book of Job was accurate. Let me relate the story of Job briefly.  Job was an extremely pious and pure person.  He had a wife and 7 sons and 3 daughters.  Job constantly asked Gods forgiveness for the transgressions of his children.  Satan then goes to destroy …

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Fleas / Worries and Fear

Worries and thoughts are like fleas on a dog. They constantly bite the individual, suck the energy (blood) and torment. It is only when the number of fleas or worries become insurmountable do we see it as a problem. After a while the individual becomes comfortable being a worry wart. In fact they believe if …

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Be careful

I was glad to read Devatma Shakti again.  For the past few months, I had begun to realize different chakras and their distribution of the prana in the body.  I had mentioned earlier that manipur chakra ( the front petals) were associated with the right leg prana.  Later on, more things became clear.  Manipur chakra …

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Avidya or Agyan or Satan or Maya

What is Avidya or Ignorance? The truth is this world that seems so real to us is nothing but a dream in the eyes of god. We may understand this accept it but that does not help us. This is avidya. In the bible this goes by the name of Satan or lucifer. Everything that …

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Holi (continued)

My brief excerpt on Holi was incomplete.  I did not have a complete explanation of what was signified by the burning of Holika.  I could not fathom the answer.   Finally, yesterday, both Gurudev and Yogananda communicated the answer to me in the wee AM hours.  They had to repeat the divine vibrations for a long …

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Holi

Prahlad was born to a demon named Hiranyakashipu.  Hiranyakashipu had prayed to Vishnu and had obtained a boon. He wanted immortality but Vishnu said, that cannot be given but ask for anything else.  Hiranyakashipu then got the boon that he could not be destroyed indoors or outdoors, in daytime or nighttime, by anything living or …

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Swarodaya or knowledge of the breath

Swar : means flow of breath through the nostril.  Odaya means arise.  Swarodaya is the knowledge of the breath. This knowledge of the breath is absolutely necessary for everyone – whether one is walking on the path of Yoga or not.  If you are a Yogi, you must have a detailed knowledge of the breath. …

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The path of Yoga (union wih God)

When I use the word Yoga, many people have the vision of someone chanting Om om or sitting in various Yogic postures or doing breathing exercise.  Those things are a small part of Yoga.  The true meaning of Yoga means to be united with God.  Choose whatever path that suits your fancy but the fastest …

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Anahata Chakra, Ramal Vidya, The book – the secret

There is some truth to the book “the secret”  However, it is extremely rare for anyone to go to the depth that is needed to practice it.   In order to even BEGIN to get to the secret, one has to be able to take his prana to the Anahata Chakra and MAINTAIN it there.  Just …

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Death

A few tips to help deal with it. In the end run nothing helps except being one with God. Painful situations in life are ONLY yours. NO ONE can help you. The sooner you come to terms with this, that no one can help you, you will stop seeking help from anyone except your Guru …

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Self Realization Fellowship (SRF), Relaxation exercises and Kriya Yoga

I am a little reluctant to mention this aspect of relaxation. YOU MUST HAVE A LIVING GURU WITH CONTROL OVER PRANA BEFORE YOU DO PRANAYAMA OR THE BREATHING EXERCISES INVOLVING KUMBHAKA OR HOLDING THE BREATH. Let me give you an example of control over prana. Remember prana is not breathing. Gurudev had a very advanced …

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Sankalpa (WILL)

Todays blog will be brief. A few more points on Sankalpa.  An exercise in liberation and getting your sankalpa perfected. Remember : Sankalpa is done without any desire. The higher the person the more immediate the results of Sankalpa. This entire world is the Sankalpa of God. All interactions between people and the eventual results …

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Hanuman Chalisa, Tulsidasji

A few days ago, Hanumanji and the Hanuman chalisa appeared and it has become “jagrat” or alive.  Then very shortly, Tulsidaji appeared and blessed me with his living presence. This morning, once again I was blessed by Ganesh Bhagvan. I believe, that since I am Gurudev and Kashinathdada’s child, God has is partial and blesses …

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A brief followup on Tapa and Sankalpa

Tapa is like repeated chanting of a mantra It is the best way to get Gods attention and desires fulfilled A simple prayer would be Jesus I bow and surrender to thee If you say that all day and night it is doing tapa If said with intense devotion and surrender Jesus has to appear or …

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Sankalpa, Determination, Wish, Desire and Tapa

It is sad that even the more “advanced” disciples do not know what Sankalpa is.  I would like to clarify these terms one after the other. Wish – I generally equate wish as something that is fleeting. For eg. your walking, it is a hot sunny afternooon and you see your favorite ice cream, you suddenly …

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Several points

This is mostly a reminder for me to write on the following points 1) Murcha pranayama 2) Location of gunas – explain the difference as described by Yogananda and Gurudev 3) The chakras and the nadis and how the petals of the chakras which are actually rays of light relate with the sahastrar 4) The …

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Purity and Love, Aurobindo, techniques to fight faults

My blogs have been written, solely for my children. I do not wish anyone lead them ashtray in the matters of spirituality. All my accounts, if read and understood, should be signs of the true way to God. Until one has experienced all these things, one still has not fully caught on to the strong …

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A few more thoughts – nectar, Gurudev, Love

I have forgotten to mention that of late, tasting the nectar has been more frequent.  I am still ashamed of it – coming from a tradtion where drinking the nectar regularly was a significant characterestic, I have perhaps tasted it only seldom. Gurudev tasted and drank the nectar regularly.  One Gurupurnima in 1982, when all …

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SRF – Yogananda’s favorite story and Three Gunas, Difference in Surrender and yielding

One of the favorite stories Yogananda used to relate was the story of 2 frogs stuck in a pot full of milk.  They both tried to get out of the pot but could not.  After a while one frog gave up (yielded) and drowned.  The other frog kept persisting and in his or her effort …

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Introspection and Nidhidhyasana.

Before I forget, I should jot down a few experiences. Gurudev told me about my association with Dinesh uncle.  He told me to do a sankalpa for Moksha for both me and Dinesh uncle.  This occured a few days ago.  I hope this is not in anyway a hint from Gurudev that Dineshuncle is about …

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Yoga Basics and Shiv Swarodaya and the Science of Breathing / Breath

I will only touch the basics about Shiv Swarodaya here.  However, there are a few fundamentals about Yoga that everyone should know. 1) For all individuals, the flow of air / breathing occurs in either left or right nostril.  (Medically, this is due to changes in the sinuses).  When the flow is through the left …

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Sunderkand and Ramayana

prabhu bhala kinha mohi sikha dinhi, marajadi puni tumhari kinhi. dhola, nagaar, sudra, pasu, nari, sakala tadna ke adhikari    This is from Sundarkand, verse 58.  This particular paragraph caught my attention because of Arvind Pathak when he stated in his lecture that he was making a change in what Tulsidasa had to say.  He …

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Mantra, The Word, Aum

I am glad my daughter is taking immense interest in spirituality.  This beautiful and royal road to God has become complicated by everyone claiming to know the way, giving their own versions of concocted ideas and floating in the world of thoughts and ideas but not walking the royal road to God.  This blog will …

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Polarity of Chakras

I have alluded this to a few times in my past blogs.  Every chakra except Sahastrar has a negative downward pole, a consciousness that is directed towards the world.  This is referred to in the Bhagvad Gita as the “Dakshinayana” or lower six months of the calendar.  If a person leaves the body while the chakras …

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Pranayama – Breathing Exercises, SRF, Kriya Yoga

Pranayama – prana is the vital force, the force or energy used by Om or the Holy Ghost to run all 3 universes – the gross, subtle and causal.  The word ayama means control. The most gross manifestations of the working of prana is breathing.  It also includes all other bodily functions.  Similarly it has …

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Meditation on Chakras

I did not get a chance to write yesterdays blogs.  I was orginally planning to write about sex, meditation and yoga.  Is it wrong? Is it right? Is it a hindrance? Is it somewhere in between? There are some unwritten secrets about shakti and sex which Gurudev talked about and was also written by Shankaracharya (one …

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Joy!

Last night, I was at the movies.  I was curious if I could go into meditation without pranayama.  I would close my eyes, do the Jyoti mudra (without using my hands) and immediately the prana would flow back from my hands and start moving within to the Brahmanadi.  My hanands and feet would become numb.  …

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Third Eye, Ritambara Pragna

Todays meditation was more at the Manipura chakra.  It was more clear.  Last year, I had written about the experience of being one with the light.  This experience, the portal to enter the Brahmanadi, starts near the Manipur chakra. When I entered there, I had the similar experience as I had being in the tunnel.  …

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General thoughts

Spiritual Books can be writte in 4 ways 1) Pure fantasy or fiction 2) Books which are a compilation of information (I hate to use the word knowledge because true knowledge of God is only when one has experiened him) from a variety of books.  Often times authors dont give credit to their source except …

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Meditation – some more pearls

Todays meditation was not as deep as yesterday.  However, it was more satisfying.  This may come as a surprise but allow me to explain Say you are climbing a 100 steps.  If you climb all the way to the top stay there for a few second and come right back versus you climb 85 steps …

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Atma or Christ Consciousness

Yesterdays, blog had my experience of the consciousness.  Tonight, I had the same experience but a little deeper Although, the bodily consciousness was not there, at times there was the consciousness of the samadhi, but behind it all, like a silent witness, there was the consciousness of the self. A silent witness, without any reaction!  …

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Guru Mandali

Last night, as I “slept” my true consciousness was with Kashinath Dada and a group of divine souls.  I dont have a name so for the time being I will call it the Guru Mandali.   They are constantly helping, guiding and creating spiritual aspirations in all those who have surrendered to the divine path and …

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Miscellaneous thoughts

In order to stay in meditation for longer durations, one has to learn the technique of turning the heart off.  Somewhere, I have described this technique in previous blogs as Yogananda Maharaja explained it to me about 4 years ago.  It takes a long time to reach that stage.  However, right before this stage is …

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Ganesh

Lord Ganesh was extremely kind and compassionate towards me.  Last night, like I normally do, every so often when I wake up from my sleep samadhi, I immediately go back to a chant or mantra.  I kept on chanting Hanumanji and for the last 2 hours before I woke up, all I could see was …

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Guidelines for Yoga / Rules of Yoga

I changed the name from rules to guidelines. The reason for calling it rules, is because in my opinion, doing yoga is like going into battle where one is constantly battling ones sanskaras.  In other words, in order to win this battle, certain rules must be followed. If one reads any scriptures regarding Yoga and …

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Paramhansa Yogananda, Out of body experiences, Subtle worlds

My vision from this morning was a very clear perception of Yogananda maharaja before his samadhi.  I saw him being brought in, in a wheel chair in a banquet hall.  He did not want to go to the stage / center seat in a wheel chair and he made the supreme effort and made it …

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Meditations

Last 3 days the meditations have been deeper. No matter how deep you go, you can always go deeper! 2 days ago, my meditation was so deep that all that was left was an awareness of a mass of energy. I suspect that this is the “siddhapitha” one of the places between Agna chakra and …

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