| The Legend of Sage Patanjali | |
It is said that Lord Vishnu was once seated on his couch, Lord Adisesa (the Lord of Serpents) watching the enchanting dance (tandava nrtya) of Lord Shiva. Lord Vishnu was so absorbed in the dance movements that His body began to vibrate to the rhythm of Lord Shiva. This vibration made him heavier and heavier causing a lot of discomfort to Lord Adisesa who was on the point of collapsing, gasping for breath. As soon as the dance came to end, Lord Vishnu's body became light again.
Lord Adisesa was amazed with this sudden transformation and asked his master about the cause of these stupendous changes. The Lord explained that grace, beauty, majesty and grandeur of Lord Shiva had created a corresponding graceful vibration in His own body. Amazed at this, Adisesa professed a desire to learn dancing to inspire his Lord. Lord Vishnu predicted that soon Lord Shiva would grace Lord Adisesa to write a commentary on grammar and at that time he would also be able to devote himself to perfection in the art of dance(nrtya). Lord Adisesa was overjoyed by these words and looked forward to the grace of Lord Shiva. He then began to meditate to find out who would be his intended mother. While meditating, he had the vision of a female Yoga adept and an ascetic (a yogini and tapasvini), Gonika who was praying for a worthy son to whom she could impart her knowledge and wisdom. He realized that she would be a worthy mother for him and waited for an auspicious moment to become her son. Gonika, thinking that her earthly life was approaching its end, had searched for a worthy son to whom she could transmit her knowledge. But she had found no one. When her penance (tapas) had come to an end, she looked to the Sun God and prayed to Him to fulfill her desire. She took a handful of water, as a final oblation to Him, closed her eyes and meditated on the Sun. She opened her eyes and looked at her palms as she was about to offer the water. To her surprise, she saw a tiny snake moving in her palms who soon took on a human form. This tiny male human prostrated to yogini Gonika and asked her to accept him as her son. Hence, she named him Patanjali. (Pata means fallen or falling and Anjali means palms folded in prayer, or falling into hands folded in prayer). This is how Sage Patanjali is said to have come into this mortal world. - BKS Iyengar | |
Meditation Spot
My Meditation Spot
Showing posts with label kundalini. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kundalini. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
The Legend of Sage Patanjali
Saturday, January 2, 2016
Opening to the Infinite
What I find most difficult to let go of is linearity. The theory of reality that says the universe is a logical, rational system of cause and effect. It's a nice theory. But it just doesn't work. We can walk a spiritual path taking one step after another in what we think is a reasonable method, our sadana, our path.
But then something happens and we find we are not on the path we thought we were on, we are not in the place we thought we were, we are further along or further behind, and we are heartened or disheartened...then it happens, we have a moment when we see it isn't about linear progress, it's about letting go...it's not understandable, it's not logical, our awakening just Is, that Isness may not follow the prescribed path, one foot after another...because at some point we stop walking and stat to fly, and when we fly all bets are off, we are flying! And the nice mechanical, linear, rational path we thought we were on gets blown apart. We find we are somewhere else than we thought we were, or thought we ever could be. I've realized it's not about reason, it's about grace.
Thank you my teachers for showing the way, for helping me see past the fear to letting go of my strength, the intellect...Now, have flown with my own wings...we are the seekers, we are the walkers and we are the path...it was there all the time...now I am at the right altitude to see it...and to see that the path never ends, just as we, ourselves never end.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Shushumna Breath: A Practice to Awaken the Central Channel
“Application of sushumna and awakening of kundalini are the two most important aspects of yogic practice” -Swami Rama 1
The breath method of awakening the shushumna nadi, or central channel, begins with balancing the flow of air through both nostrils at the same time. Maintaining the steady flow of air through both requires concentration and practice in both dharana and pranayama. Concentration is needed to maintain balance and experience with pranayama to have the sensitivity to differentiate the quality of the flow at the same time.
The breath is naturally stronger through one nostril or the other alternating in 90 minute cycles throughout the day and night. Shushumna breathing brings both sides into balance. In his book, Meditation in Action, Swami Rama taught that one should take a few months to practice this method regularly and that maintaining this breath for five minutes should be your goal. You will have “…attained the beginning of one-pointedness.” Shushumna breath practice is a gateway to higher states of meditation. It is a solid preparation for more advanced meditation methods, like the blue dot meditation.
In the past few months I have incorporated this into my daily practice. If you are having difficulties with getting both nostrils clear, then you may want to start with jala neti. Daily use of the neti pot has many benefits. According to ayurvedic medicine, yoga’s sister art, jala neti increases the efficiency of the nasal passages; clears the sinuses of impurities; helps overcome migraine problems, depression, tension, etc.; and makes breathing easier while improving the intake of oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide.
I know from my own experience that regular jalaneti it has improved my asthma and my sleep. I find that I’m not tossing and turning as much. Perhaps because it’s easier to breath.
It is a good practice to take up after you become familiar with nadi-shodanam. IF you aren’t familiar with alternate nostril breathing, you should take a few months to learn that first before trying this technique.
I typically begin my pranayama practice after completing asana. Beginning with diaphragmatic breathing and continue for a few cycles will help you feel relaxed and centered before moving on to more intricate breath techniques. Next we go to alternate-nostril breathing for three rounds, in through the right, out through the right, then in through the left out through the left x 3. Follow with three cleansing breaths using both nostrils. Do this for three cycles before beginning shushmna breathing, breathing through both nostrils evenly.
I find that after a few cycles of nadi-shodanam my breath is lighter and my nasal passages clearer, this is evidence that the two nadis, Ida and Pingala, are cleansed. It is important to cleanse these two nadis before moving energy through the central channel.
Now that the breath is open and free flowing begin to breath slowly and deeply through both sides of the nose. Focus your mental attention at the junction of the two nostrils at the upper lip and feel the air moving evenly through both sides. If one side seems more open than the other you can go back to nadi-shodanam to clear the channels further if you wish, then start again.
“When you regularly focus the mind on the center between the two nostrils, morning and evening, you will find that the mind easily attains a state of joy.” 1
This is a special practice, a kriya, after a few months you will be able to bring yourself to a state of joy at will and look forward to your meditation practice each day. I started with one minute and slowly added additional time until I could maintain steady attention to the flow of the breath in both nostrils for five minutes.
Concentrate on the flow of the air and not on the spot between the nostrils.
Paying close attention to the evenness of the air flow is the key.
I have been doing this practice for a little over four months. In that time I have noticed myself spontaneously smiling more and more often. Maybe it’s the ease I now feel in my breath. It could be I have begun to feel one-pointedness, or, perhaps I’m just drunk on oxygen!
No matter the answer, I know I feel better having practiced this as part of my daily meditation. Having really connected with this ancient himalayan breath technique I recommend it anyone wanting to improve their breathing, their meditation, or who just wants to smile more!
The quotes and source material for this article were found in the book: Meditation and It's Practice, by Swami Rama, 9th Printing, 2012, Himalyan International Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy of the USA.
The breath method of awakening the shushumna nadi, or central channel, begins with balancing the flow of air through both nostrils at the same time. Maintaining the steady flow of air through both requires concentration and practice in both dharana and pranayama. Concentration is needed to maintain balance and experience with pranayama to have the sensitivity to differentiate the quality of the flow at the same time.
The breath is naturally stronger through one nostril or the other alternating in 90 minute cycles throughout the day and night. Shushumna breathing brings both sides into balance. In his book, Meditation in Action, Swami Rama taught that one should take a few months to practice this method regularly and that maintaining this breath for five minutes should be your goal. You will have “…attained the beginning of one-pointedness.” Shushumna breath practice is a gateway to higher states of meditation. It is a solid preparation for more advanced meditation methods, like the blue dot meditation.
In the past few months I have incorporated this into my daily practice. If you are having difficulties with getting both nostrils clear, then you may want to start with jala neti. Daily use of the neti pot has many benefits. According to ayurvedic medicine, yoga’s sister art, jala neti increases the efficiency of the nasal passages; clears the sinuses of impurities; helps overcome migraine problems, depression, tension, etc.; and makes breathing easier while improving the intake of oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide.
I know from my own experience that regular jalaneti it has improved my asthma and my sleep. I find that I’m not tossing and turning as much. Perhaps because it’s easier to breath.
It is a good practice to take up after you become familiar with nadi-shodanam. IF you aren’t familiar with alternate nostril breathing, you should take a few months to learn that first before trying this technique.
I typically begin my pranayama practice after completing asana. Beginning with diaphragmatic breathing and continue for a few cycles will help you feel relaxed and centered before moving on to more intricate breath techniques. Next we go to alternate-nostril breathing for three rounds, in through the right, out through the right, then in through the left out through the left x 3. Follow with three cleansing breaths using both nostrils. Do this for three cycles before beginning shushmna breathing, breathing through both nostrils evenly.
I find that after a few cycles of nadi-shodanam my breath is lighter and my nasal passages clearer, this is evidence that the two nadis, Ida and Pingala, are cleansed. It is important to cleanse these two nadis before moving energy through the central channel.
Now that the breath is open and free flowing begin to breath slowly and deeply through both sides of the nose. Focus your mental attention at the junction of the two nostrils at the upper lip and feel the air moving evenly through both sides. If one side seems more open than the other you can go back to nadi-shodanam to clear the channels further if you wish, then start again.
“When you regularly focus the mind on the center between the two nostrils, morning and evening, you will find that the mind easily attains a state of joy.” 1
This is a special practice, a kriya, after a few months you will be able to bring yourself to a state of joy at will and look forward to your meditation practice each day. I started with one minute and slowly added additional time until I could maintain steady attention to the flow of the breath in both nostrils for five minutes.
Concentrate on the flow of the air and not on the spot between the nostrils.
Paying close attention to the evenness of the air flow is the key.
I have been doing this practice for a little over four months. In that time I have noticed myself spontaneously smiling more and more often. Maybe it’s the ease I now feel in my breath. It could be I have begun to feel one-pointedness, or, perhaps I’m just drunk on oxygen!
No matter the answer, I know I feel better having practiced this as part of my daily meditation. Having really connected with this ancient himalayan breath technique I recommend it anyone wanting to improve their breathing, their meditation, or who just wants to smile more!
The quotes and source material for this article were found in the book: Meditation and It's Practice, by Swami Rama, 9th Printing, 2012, Himalyan International Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy of the USA.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)