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Archive for month: July, 2014
History of Nithya Yoga
Nithya Yoga is the system that was taught directly to Paramahamsa Nithyananda by a great yogi from his birth town, Tiruvannamalai in South India. Yogiraj Yogananda Puri (lovingly known as Raghupati Yogi), was the teacher responsible for preparing Nithyananda’s body and mind for enlightenment through the Nithya Yoga system. Nithyananda was under Raghupati Yogi’s care and guidance from the age of three to thirteen.
It was only after enlightenment that Nithyananda understood that he had received his training and initiation into the Science of Yoga and other spiritual matters from a yogi who had experienced the consciousness of Patanjali, the great sage who is considered the Father of Yoga, who compiled the Yoga Sutra.
In the introduction of his first Yoga Spurana Program in Vancouver, BC Canada during the YOGAM Tour 2009, Nithyananda shared:
‘I feel I have too much to talk about, too much to share, because I myself am a yogi. From a very young age, the first path I started travelling was the path of yoga. Now, everything I do, the shadow, smell and presence of yoga is always there’.
Paramahamsa Nithyananda was taught Nithya Yoga by Raghupati Yogi in the sacred prescints of Arunachaleshwara Temple itself. He was taught daily in a small stone pillared hall known as kritika mandapam.
The hall is filled with approximately 21 stone pillars. Nithyananda was taught one of the deepest truths of Patanjali by Raghupati Yogi in relation to these pillars. Apart from making him do very traditional yogic practices like asana, pranayama, dhyana, mudra , Raghupati Yogi used to ask the young Nithyananda to go into deep meditation, set an intention and climb the pillars. Nithyananda recalls, ‘He used to make me climb up and down using only one hand. He used to tie the other hand behind my back! I never understood why Raghupati Yogi made me do such a practice; I did not think it had anything to do with yoga. But it was here that Raghupati Yogi taught me the deepest truths of yoga’.
Raghupati Yogi delievered one of the core teachings of Patanjali to Nithyananda and that was, ‘The mind creates the body’. He would say, ‘With whatever intention you make your body active, that intention, that experience gets deeply recorded into your muscle memory’. Therefore by putting me in deep silence and then moving my body intensely to climb the pillars, the experience of that silence was inserted into my muscle memory and there after, that silence started radiating through my body.
AYURVEDA AND YOGA
Relationship of Yoga to Ayurveda
Yoga and Ayurveda are complementary as they are interrelated and interconnected; both springing from the same well of concern for human health and well-being.
Though, while Ayurveda is more restricted to the body – and, to a certain extent the mind – Yoga extends to the emotions and Spirit as well. The human constitution depends on a particular configuration of humors (doshas) that influence the body’s functioning and structures growth requirements.
They are also known to influence emotional and psychological reactions. A healthy body demands a balance of factors; for instance, as external conditions change, dietary changes may be necessary to maintain good health. Further, as Yoga affects the human constitution, balancing the entire system, physical, mental and emotional, you can use different Yoga techniques to benefit different doshas.
Introduction to Ayurveda
Ayurveda is translated as ‘ayur‘ (life) and ‘veda‘ (knowledge of or science). It is commonly known as the ‘Science of Life’. Ayurveda is the natural healing system which originated out of India over 5000 years ago. Ayurveda is a healing gift that has been given to us from the ancient enlightened Vedic culture. It is the system for maintaining optimal health through adherence to natural rhythms and cycles. Ayurveda employs a variety of natural means to bring harmony to the physiology including diet, herbs, spices, minerals, exercise, meditation, yoga, mental hygiene, sounds and smells.
The Rig Veda is the oldest of the four Vedic scriptures and contains the main concepts regarding Ayurveda. It speaks about three cosmic powers associated with Wind, Fire and Earth and how these primal forces relate to the three psycho-physiologic constitutions of man known as Vata,Pitta and Kapha.
From the five elements, the three doshas are derived—Vata,Pitta, and Kapha. Known as mind-body types, the doshas express particular patterns of energy—unique blends of physical, emotional, and mental characteristics.
In Ayurveda, health is defined as the dynamic state of balance between mind, body, and environment. It is possible for each of us to achieve and maintain a vibrant and joyful state of health by identifying our mind-body type and then creating a lifestyle that sustains and nurtures our unique nature.
Yogic nutrition
Sattvic Way of Eating
What is the best time to eat
Ayurveda says that in our manipura region (navel region), we have what is known as digestive fire (jataraagni). This jataraagni is closely related to the sun. When the sun is out, it means your digestion is functioning at its optimum. Always aim to eat your meals between sunrise and sunset (not before or after).
Eat light, sattvic and pure foods for breakfast – fresh squeezed juice, fresh fruit etc.
Our jataraagni is at is strongest when the sun is at its highest in the sky (at approximately 1pm). It is best to eat our largest meal between 12pm and 2pm.
The evening meal should again be light and best eaten before the sun goes down for the day.
Presentation
Devote at least half an hour to eat and digest each meal (1.5 hours per day for eating is not much).
Remember that one fourth of your food is taken through the eye (sense of seeing) so serve your dish on a beautiful plate – you are worth your best cutlery! It is also a nice practice to set the table you are eating at decoratively.
Gratitude
Say a small prayer before eating your food. It doesn’t have to be too elaborate, simply just say a small thank you for the food that you have and that is about to become part of your body.
Fragrance of the food
Bring your face toward the food and inhale the fragrance of the food. Enjoy the different aromas of the food. Allow this sense to be filled.
Touch the food
Touch the food with both hands and all fingers, feel the textures.
All five fingers have minor chakras. Therefore, when we touch the food, we send a signal to our digestive system that you are about to ingest food.
Eating the food
Let the first morsel be a sacred act to yourself.
Chew the food 32 times – or until food is pulp in the mouth. We do this for two reasons. The first is, when you chew the food slowly, your system has time to understand that enough food has been eaten. You won’t overeat when you chew the food slowly. The second reason is, when you chew the food well, the digestive process begins in the mouth itself where the enzymes in the saliva can start to break down the food. When the food reaches your stomach, it does not have to work so hard to breakdown all the food. Breaking down food in the stomach takes more energy than running around your street block. That is why we feel very tired after eating food.
Have positivity when you are eating and digesting your food
Leave some room
You should only fill three quarters of your stomach.
Leave the final quarter for some water and air.
Small sips of warm water can be taken during meal. Never drink cold drinks during a meal as they can weaken your digestive fire.
Leave a complete half an hour after your meal, than you can drink a full glass of warm water if it is required.
One can sip water throughout the day. It greases the system and breaks down what is known as ama which is residue of your digestion.
Sit in vajrasana to help digestion
Sit in the vajrasana position (sitting on your heels, knees and feet together) for 3 – 5 minutes after a meal.
This position can help the food to digest as a lot of blood will be brought to that area.
It helps to remove gas and prevent bloating. If you get the urge to belch or pass wind, that is what the posture is designed to do, so try not to suppress these urges.
The posture will help you to feel light and energized after the meal.
Never lay down or sleep after a meal. If you want to gain weight, than this is a 100% guaranteed way to put on weight; sleeping after food
Ayurvedic Constitutional Test
Body Structure and Appearance
Vata Pitta Kapha
| Frame | Tall or short, thin; poorly developed physique | Medium; moderately developed physique | Stout, stocky, short, big; well developed physique |
| Weight | Low, hard to hold weight, prominent veins and bones | Moderate, good muscles | Heavy, tends towards obesity |
| Complexion | Dull, brown, darkish | Red, ruddy, flushed, glowing | White, pale |
| Skin texture
& Temperature |
Thin, dry, cold, rough, cracked, prominent veins | Warm, moist, pink, with moles, freckles, acne | Thick, white, moist, cold, soft, smooth |
| Hair | Scanty, course, dry, brown, slightly wavy | Moderate, fine, soft, early gray or bald | Abundant, oily, thick, very wavy, lustrous |
| Head | Small, thin, long, unsteady | Moderate | Large, stocky, steady |
| Forehead | Small, wrinkled | Moderate, with folds | Large, broad |
| Face | Thin, small, long, wrinkled, dusky, dull | Moderate, ruddy, sharp contours | Large, round, fat, white or pale, soft contours |
| Neck | Thin, long | Medium | Large, thick |
| Eyebrows | Small, thin, unsteady | Moderate, fine | Thick, bushy, many hairs |
| Eyelashes | Small, dry, firm | Small, thin, fine | Large, thick, oily, firm |
| Eyes | Small, dry, thin, brown, dull, unsteady | Medium, thin, red (inflamed easily)
green, piercing |
Wide, prominent, thick, oily, white, attractive |
| Nose | Thin, small, long, dry, crooked | Medium | Thick, big, firm, oily |
| Lips | Thin, small, darkish, dry, unsteady | Medium, soft, red | Thick, large, oily, smooth, firm |
| Teeth & Gums | Thin, dry, scaly, rough, crooked, receding gums | Medium, soft, pink, gums bleed easily | Large, thick, soft, pink, oily |
| Shoulders | Thin, small, flat, hunched | Medium | Broad, thick, firm, |
| Chest | Thin, small, narrow, poorly developed | Medium | Broad, large, well or overly developed |
| Arms | Thin, overly small or long, poorly developed | Medium | Large, thick, round, well developed |
| Hands | Small, thin, dry, cold, rough, fissured, unsteady | Medium, warm, pink | Large, thick, oily, cool, firm |
| Thighs | Thin, narrow | Medium | Well-developed, round, fat |
| Legs | Thin, excessively long or short, prominent knees | Medium | Large, stocky |
| Calves | Small, hard, tight | Loose, soft | Shapely, firm |
| Feet | Small, thin, long, dry, rough, fissured, unsteady | Medium, soft, pink | Large, thick, hard, firm |
| Joints | Small, thin, dry, unsteady, cracking | Medium, soft, loose | Large, thick, well built |
| Nails | Small, thin, dry, rough, fissured, cracked, darkish | Medium, soft, pink | Large, thick, smooth, white, firm, oily |
Waste Materials / Metabolism
| Urine | Scanty, difficult, colourless | Profuse, yellow, red, burning | Moderate, whitish, milky |
| Feces | Scanty, dry, hard, difficult or painful, gas, constipation | Abundant, loose, yellowish, diarrhea, with burning sensation | Moderate, solid, sometimes pale in color, mucus in stool |
| Sweat/Body Odor | Scanty, no smell | Profuse, hot, strong smell | Moderate, cold, pleasant smell |
| Appetite | Variable, erratic | Strong, sharp | Constant, low |
| Taste preferences | Prefers sweet, sour or salty food, cooked with oil and spiced | Prefers sweet, bitter or astringent food, raw, lightly cooked,without spice | Prefers pungent, bitter, astringent food, cooked with spices but not oil |
| Circulation | Poor, variable, erratic | Good, warm | Good, warm, slow, steady |
General Characteristics
| Activity | Quick, fast, unsteady, erratic, hyperactivity | Medium, motivated, purposeful, goal seeking | Slow, steady, stately, strong, good |
| Strength/
endurance |
Low, poor endurance, starts and stops quickly | Medium, intolerant of heat | Endurance, but slow in starting |
| Sexual nature | Variable, erratic, deviant, strong desire but slow energy, few children | Moderate, passionate, quarrelsome, dominating | Low but constant sexual desire, good sexual energy, devoted, many children |
| Sensitivity | Fear of cold, wind, sensitive to dryness | Fear of heat, dislike of sun, fire | Fear of cold, damp, likes wind and sun |
| Resistance to disease | Poor, variable, weak immune system | Medium, prone to infection | Good, prone to congestive disorders |
| Disease tendency | Nervous system diseases, pain, arthritis, mental disorder | Fevers, infections, inflammatory diseases | Respiratory system diseases, mucus, edema |
| Reaction to medications | Quick, low dosage needed, unexpected side effects or nervous reactions | Medium, average dosage | Slow, high dosage required, effects slow to manifest |
| Pulse | Thready, rapid, superficial, irregular, weak/like a snake | Wiry, bounding, moderate/like a frog | Deep, slow, steady, deep, rolling, slippery/ like a swan |
Mental Factors and Expression
|
Voice |
Low, weak, hoarse | High pitch, sharp, moderate, good | Pleasant, deep, good tone |
| Speech | Quick, inconsistent, erratic, talkative | Intelligent, penetrating, critical | Slow, steady, dull |
| Mental Nature | Quick, adaptable, indecisive | Intelligent, penetrating, critical | Slow, steady, dull |
| Memory | Poor, notices things easily but easily forgets | Sharp, clear | Slow to take notice but will not forget |
| Finances | Earns and spend easily | Spends on specific goals, causes or projects | Holds on to what one earns, particularly property |
| Emotional tendencies | Fearful, anxious, nervous | Angry, irritable, contentious | Calm, content, attached, sentimental |
| Neurotic tendencies | Hysteria, trembling, anxiety attacks | Extreme temper, rages, tantrums | Depression, unresponsiveness, sorrow |
| Faith | Erratic, changeable, rebel | Determined, fanatic, leader | Constant, loyal, conservative |
| Sleep | Light, tends towards insomnia | Moderate, may wake up but will fall asleep again | Heavy, difficulty in waking up |
| Dreams | Flying, moving, restlessness, nightmares | Colorful, passionate, conflict | Romantic, sentimental, watery, few dreams |
| Habits | Likes speed, traveling, parks, plays, jokes, stories, trivia, artistic activities, dancing | Likes competitive sports, debates, politics, hunting, research | Likes water, sailing, flowers, cosmetics, business ventures, cooking |
TOTAL Vata ……………… Pitta …………….… Kapha …………
Putting Ayurveda into Practice
Waking up
Rise Early (before 4:30am)
Declare completion
PanchaKriyas
Eye wash, JalaNeti (Sutra Neti for advanced yogis), natural evacuation & enema,
Drink neem juice or lemon juice on empty stomach
ThailaKriya – Oil Pulling
Cleaning Tongue and Brushing Teeth
Oil Massage
Bathing – Be inside your boundary when you bathe. Let your mind be where your
body is, full awareness of the sensations
Moving – Any practice of Hatha Yoga
Being mindful with every movement throughout your day
Mindful Eating – Practice ‘Mindful Eating’ at every meal
Sit in vajrasana after meal
| Vata
(require oils that are heating and lubricative) |
Pitta
(require oils that are cooling) |
Kapha
(require oils that are heating and invigorating) |
| Sesame
Almond Jojoba Wheatgerm |
Coconut
Sandalwood Almond Sunflower |
Sunflower
Sesame Safflower Mustard Corn |
What is eN-Fitness?
FitnessSM is a unique approach to integral fitness, combining modern bodybuilding science with traditional Hatha Yoga techniques and brand new insights in the truths of yoga and kundalini awakening.
This fitness program is designed to sculpt your body consciously, awakening the tremendous potential energy in every human being, what yoga refers to as kundalini shakti.
The effects of kundalini awakening are measurable, including the massive increase in mitochondria energy production, the powerhouse in every cell of the body. The increase in mitochondria energy leads to amazing health recoveries, and is a key to anti-aging.
The new yogic body is capable of sustaining, expressing and radiating higher energy levels and higher frequencies of consciousness, which has a direct practical application in one’s life, improving health, attracting wealth, the right relationships, and providing a clear enlightened understanding of the body-mind and spirit.
eN-Fitness has been carefully designed with minute detailed research down to the cell level. So every motion, every action of the different parts of the body has been researched thoroughly. Which actions, gym exercises directly contribute to the kundalini awakening, cellular energy increase, has been individually studied by Paramahamsa Nithyananda personally on himself as well as the hundreds of program participants who hail from various countries worldwide. eN-Fitness thus clearly outlines which gym exercises, which of the thousands of asanas give the maximum and quick benefit to the practitioner.
Every cell of the body has a powerhouse of energy called mitochondria. It is directly related to the body’s health and aging process. If the mitochondria energy production is increased, it leads to significant physiological and psychological transformation, including anti-aging, healing, permanent cure for depression, expand creative power, increased productivity, awakening the non-mechanical parts of the brain, and ultimate Inner Awakening.
eN-FitnessSM- updates the age-old tradition of Yoga with a modern approach. Developed by Paramahamsa Nithyananda, a Supreme Yogi with a deep understanding about the reality of our lifestyles today, eN-FitnessSM is the ideal physical practice for enlightened living.
Whether you are young or senior, eN-FitnessSM can rejuvenate your whole body, mind and being and allow y
ou to experience health, higher energy levels, and the deep fulfillment of inner peace and joy.
eN-Fitness : http://www.nithyananda.org/program/en-fitness
Sculpting Enlightened Bodies
You are about to experience the most astonishing and holistic fitness program in the world! eN-FitnessSM is a unique approach to integral fitness, combining modern weight-training with traditional Hatha Yoga techniques and the eternal truths of yoga. This fitness program is designed to prepare you for the Inner Awakening, to prepare your body to experience and radiate your innermost potential energy, your inner bliss, Nithyananda. In today’s world, our minds are extremely agitated, and strongly impacted by the stressful environment. Our sedentary bodies are used to diets containing unnecessary fats, sugars, chemical substances and hormones. Modern human beings have evolved into a completely new species, with obesity, diabetes, heart diseases becoming prevalent in the general population. Rishis, Masters, and enlightened beings throughout the ages have all tapped into an unlimited reservoir of energy through time-tested techniques of meditation, yoga, kriyas, mantras, worship, prayers and so on. These enlightened beings have designed thousands of ways to connect consciously with the higher energies of the Cosmos. Again and again, enlightened souls happen on the planet to revive and update the science of enlightenment. eN-FitnessSM is a body-based spiritual practice specially designed by Paramahamsa Nithyananda to meet the needs of today’s society. With eN-FitnessSM, you will reclaim your yogic body, focus the mind on higher achievements, and establish your inner space in a deep fulfillment and bliss!
The Science of eN-Fitness
Prana, which is the life force behind movement, can also be described as the binding force of the universe. It is said that all birth and death in the universe are a result of prana. Our very life is the expression of this energy. Our bodies not only consist of flesh, blood and bones, but also subtle energy centers and channels, chakras and nadis. These make up our energy bodies. Science has shown the presence of energy bodies, which form auras that can be detected by Kirlean photography. When the chakras and nadis are open and flowing, we feel good, joyful, fulfilled, blissful! This is what you can learn in our LBP level 11. But to further expand this blissful feeling, the body needs to be prepared. This is where eN-FitnessSM comes in.
What is NithyaKriya?
NithyaKriyas are a series of yogic healing processes revealed by Paramahamsa Nithyananda (www.nithyananda.org/nithya-kriyas). They are unique in that, while the knowledge and techniques are drawn from the most authentic, and sacred yogic scriptures of India, the specific combinations are expressed from the personal experiences of Paramahamsa Nithyananda, from his personal research and development, with the aim of curing and providing preventive care for various physical and mental ailments. He had trained under powerful yogis and mystics right from childhood, and has been a practitioner of the mystical yogic sciences that have practically disappeared from modern yoga texts.
These NithyaKriyas preserve and deliver the original yogic practices which are born out of millennia of research and development, the contribution of innumerable enlightened yogis who have dedicated their lives to enriching the world with this science. According to the teaching methods laid out by legendary yogis like Gorakhnatha and Matsyendranatha, the individual asanas and pranayama techniques are sacred and must not be tampered with, and the combinations of techniques required to produce the desired effect are to be received by the learner from his own personal guru (Hatha Yoga Pradipika). True to Vedic culture, these fathers of modern yoga have left the door wide open for the continuous updating of this ancient science.
Most popular NithyaKriyas
– Cure for obesity
– Cure for addictions
– Cure for anxiety
– Cure for aging
– Cure for depression
– Cure for diabetes
– Cure for anger
– Cure for migraines
– Cure for skin problems
– Cure for rapid recovery from illness
List of all Kriyas : http://www.nithyananda.org/nithya-kriyas
What is Yoga?
The word yoga, as commonly understood in the West, refers to the practice of asanas or postures. This asana practice known as Hatha Yoga, is the basis from which other schools of yoga developed. More on Hatha Yoga is described in the section below.
Yoga means different things to different people. Perhaps, you are overweight and practice yoga as a form of exercise to have a beautiful physique, or you have an ailment, and look to yoga practice for healing, or you suffer from stress and anxiety, and yoga is your tool to induce mental calmness and peace of mind. You may have unsatisfactory relationships at home and work and look to yoga to improve the quality and depth of your relationships. Or, you may look to yoga to help you find the meaning of your existence. Yoga can help in all these areas as yoga benefits the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual components in us.
However, the ultimate goal of yoga is to prepare the body and mind for experiencing the higher states of awareness and consciousness, to open our eyes to new possibilities and new ways of thinking and living. Good health, wealth, peace of mind, contentment and clarity of mind are all the side effects of the regular practice of yoga. It help man find maximal happiness and fulfillment in life, no matter what their religious or belief system may be. The emphasis will be on your personal effort and practice as that will develop your sensitivity and awareness to both your internal and external surroundings.
Yoga is an ancient science, a most valuable inheritance, and essential in today’s society. It is a science to prepare and train the body and mind to experience the awakening of the inner potential bioenergy – the Kundalini Shakti. This Kundalini energy when awakened, will activate the non-mechanical parts of the brain and the deeper strands of DNA, allowing one to experience extraordinary energy, clarity, calmness, creativity, and ultimately, the experience of Completion, Enlightenment, Samadhi, or Nithyananda, eternal bliss. In the process, this energy awakens our dormant powers which will support and guide us to manifest our reality, living creative and fulfilling lives.
The word yoga is also commonly defined as “union”, a union with the divine. It has also been defined as “uniting”. It is the uniting of the Shiva the conscioiusness at the sahasrara, with Shakti, the kundalini energy which ascends up the sushumna to the sahasrara. When this ultimate union occurs, yoga happens.
Balance Your Energies
The ancient sages and rishis of India understood that all of creation is essentially energy. Furthermore, they understood that this energy can take on different forms. One being the intellect. As a driving force in this world, the intellect can be a powerful tool. In the same manner, sex, also an energy, can be used for creation. However, many times it may feel that these two energies are at war with each other. We desire something, yet our intellect, or mind, tells us we should not have it. The ancient yogis understood that essentially, these conflicts arise out of a simple imbalance in energies. If too much of our energy is centered around sex, then our intellect suffers, and likewise, if we are too intellectual, then we become almost stale, lifeless beings.
The rishis not only understood this, but provided a solution as well, which was rooted in ancient sciences. According to yoga, a human being’s spine is like three hollow tubes, within which life energy flows. In Sanskrit, these tubes, or channels, are known as nadis. The nadis are not visible to the naked eye because they exist not in the physical body, but in the more esoteric, subtle body which may be influenced through meditation or yoga. The ancient science dictates that the energy flow within the nadis will directly affect a person’s mental, emotional, and higher spiritual states. Depending on which way the energy may be flowing at any one time, a person may be centered in the intellect or in the sexual center at the root of the spine, or even a combination of the two. An intellect-centered person will naturally be dry and rooted completely in logic. This energy, ultimately culminating in the head, flows through the ida nadi, located on the left of the center nadi (middle tube). In contrast, a sex-centered person might be materialistic, centered around desires and fantasies. This sex energy travels through the pingala nadi, located on the right of the center nadi, downwards towards the base of the spine.
With the right guidance, however, the energy flow may be “redirected” to the center, or sushumna nadi. When this happens, a person will no longer be affected by these two energy states, as they have transcended them.
If this redirection in energy happens, the energy will reach the crown center at the top of the head. Not only is this essential for balancing out the energy from the ida and pingala nadis, but, more importantly, activation of the sushumna nadi is associated with higher cognitive functions and spiritual awakening.
The human body can be compared to an instrument, and like any instrument, it works best when used properly. The vedic rishis created manuals on how to use this instrument to its full potential through yoga and meditation. By this meditation, one can transcend the first two nadis and awaken the center nadi, ultimately leading to a flowering of a higher spiritual consciousness.
The steps are as follows:
Before doing anything, first mentally scan the spine in order to visualize it easily during the meditation.
Sit straight and close your eyes.
With spine erect, visualize it (the spine) as a lotus thread; a small, thin, thread of light that travels from the base of the spinal cord all the way to the top of the head.
Keep your attention on this thread of light. Visualize the energy flowing from the root center all the way to the crown. What you are visualizing is the sushumna nadi, or center nadi. Let your whole awareness be on this nadi.
Do this for 21 minutes a day for at least 10 days. After 10 or 11 days the center nadi will be activated and the energy flow within all three nadis will be balanced.
This leads to awakening of intelligence, energy, and makes experiencing the ultimate possible.
Taken From Nithyananda’s Shiva Sutra Talks
Nithya Dhyaan
Nithya Dhyaan is a 35-minute meditation designed by Nithyananda to unclutch from the mind and move beyond it. It cleanses and energises the vital energy centers or chakras in the body, which are responsible for the swaying emotions and stored negative memories. It brings intense awareness into the system to awaken the inner intelligence. The meditation causes an experience of a growing explosion in consciousness that can steer a person towards a life of totality and completion.
Nithya Dhyaan is a technique that gives a seeker what he needs to balance himself and be in complete harmony with his body, mind and spirit. It enables him to harness the inner intelligence and to excel in the inner and outer worlds.
STEP 1
vajrasana
Please be seated in a yogic posture called Vajrasana. Sit on your mat on the floor with both your legs stretched out. Next fold both the legs, one after the other at the knees and rest your posterior on your heels with your toes turned outward. This is Vajrasana. With open palms, place your hands on the thigh joint where it meets the hips, with your thumb pointing backwards and the remaining four fingers pointing forwards as if you are holding your hips. You can use a cushion or a rolled towel under your ankles. Sit comfortably with your head, neck and spine in a straight line.
Now close your eyes and breathe chaotically for 7 minutes. Breathe intensely and non rhythmically. Your entire upper body should move as you breathe. However, do not over-strain yourself. If you have had a recent surgery or have a medical problem or if you are pregnant, please do this step carefully, with the level of intensity that feels comfortable.
STEP 2
Continue to sit in Vajrasana. You now need to form the ‘chin mudra’. A mudra is a symbolic gesture of the hands and fingers. Place your hands on your knees. Your hands with open palms should be facing upward. Let the tip of the index finger touch the tip of the thumb, as if forming a circle. The three other fingers, arms and the hands remain relaxed.
Now, hum intensely for 7 minutes. Breathe in deeply and as you exhale create a humming sound from your navel. Your mouth should be closed. You will feel a vibration starting from your lips and mouth. Be relaxed. Do not strain yourself. If you have had a recent surgery or have a medical problem or you are pregnant, please do this step carefully, with the level of intensity that feels comfortable.
STEP 3
You may now sit cross-legged on the floor if you wish to or continue to sit in Vajrasana. Now, for 7 minutes, take your awareness through each of the body’s seven energy centers, called chakras, starting from the Mooladhara Chakra or Root Center which is the base of the spine to the Sahasrara Chakra, which is the Crown Center. (See figure)
When you meditate on each chakra, feel intensely that:
> the chakra is pure
> the chakra is filled with energy
> the chakra is overflowing with bliss
> the chakra is radiating Nithyananda, or eternal bliss
STEP 4
For 7 minutes just be unclutched in silence. Be a witness to whatever is happening inside you and around you. Do not suppress your thoughts. Do not follow your thoughts. Just watch your thoughts as an observer.
STEP 5
For the last 7 minutes remain in a deep mood of gratitude. When your whole being overflows with gratitude, you commune with the existential energy. You may chant the Guru Pooja Mantra or just listen to the mantra and offer your gratitude to Existence and to your Guru. Offer your gratitude with your whole being.
Adapted from Paramahamsa Nithyananda’s teachings
Awareness on Third Eye to be Non- Judgemental
To truly capture the essence of liberation, it helps to understand the third eye at a deeper level. At present, an individual’s view of the world is only 120 degrees wide. This implies that concentrating on a specific object will require all other objects to be excluded, resulting in a narrower degree of vision. However, turning all awareness to the third eye and focusing on the subject rather than on the object will ultimately expand the degree of vision. Everything will be absorbed with newly found detail and clarity, from an enhanced perspective.
In addition to turning all awareness towards the third eye, Shiva also says that awareness must prevail even before a thought arises. Typically, when a thought rises, it is either suppressed or pursued. In either case, there is no awareness of the thought before it rises. Just as the divine trinity creates, maintains and destroys, the human mind is continuously involved in either creating a thought, keeping it alive or killing it.
It is when an individual moves beyond these three actions that he attains the state of enlightenment, of Para Brahma. Going beyond the actions of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva (Hindu trinity of Gods) in creation, maintenance and destruction of a thought will awaken one to the ultimate reality that he IS existence. In essence, being aware of a thought even before it rises is eternal liberation in its greatest form.
Usually, an individual is tied down by his thoughts; he forms an opinion without even looking at the situation with clarity. There are two ways of forming an opinion – either by collecting enough arguments to arrive at the judgement or by passing the verdict and then collecting enough arguments to support it. The average human is bound by the latter, and being aware of a thought even before it rises sets him free from this judgemental attitude. However, it is important to know the difference between being aware of a thought and suppressing the thought as it rises. For example, neither suppressing nor expressing anger will help. However, being in a state of awareness even before the anger arises is the only way to truly break free from the pattern of thought.
Taken from Nithyananda’s Shiva Sutra Talks, November 2007, Los Angeles, USA
Watch Your Breath
In his first Sutra, Shiva gives this most simple meditation. Buddha used this technique and called it ‘Vipassana’ which means sitting with the Self, or sitting with God. Indeed, this method is the essence of Buddhism. No other technique has brought so many millions to enlightenment. When asked if he had to pick one of the millions of meditation techniques, Nithyananda says that this is the one he would choose because if all spiritual knowledge on the planet were lost, this is the one that could keep enlightenment alive.
The secret lies in the simple observance and bringing awareness and presence to the breath. The process of breathing in and out is not a parallel movement as one might think, but rather a circular movement. Between the in breath (down) and the out breath (up) and again between the out and in breaths there are gaps.
When reaching the gap the mind stops. Fear of losing identity causes a jump over the gap because identity doesn’t exist there. There is avoidance of maintaining awareness in this gap because the fear of losing identity is stronger than the fear of death. What may happen to “me” after “I” dies is a less terrifying thought than “I” won’t exist. This creates the impulse to protect the unreal or comparative reality (identity) from the real existential reality (pure consciousness).
Here Shiva is creating the subtlest possible technique. A human being as such cannot work directly on the ether or mind. It can only be touched through the breath and this is the bridge between the individual and the Universe. It is the bridge between the body and the mind. Humans are composed of 5 elements, but it is only when the breath happens that mind happens. The body is matter. The mind is ether. The breath is the bridge.
The breath and the mind are very closely related. The length, breadth, and depth of the breath correspond directly to the number of thoughts experienced. With long slow deep breaths, the number of thoughts is reduced. Being aware of the unconscious fear and slowing the thoughts enhances the ability to drop into the neutral zone, just as when driving a car it is necessary to go into neutral before changing gears.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Quiet the mind with long, slow, deep breaths
2. Bring awareness to the gap just at the end of the in (down) breath, and just before it turns up into the out breath, and again between the out (up) and in (down) breaths.
3. Relax. Allow the breath to carry you into your inner space, the zone where neither breath nor mind exist.
4. Surrender. Allow yourself to become more and more comfortable with this neutral zone. If you are able to relax into this zone with awareness, an explosion of consciousness can happen.
5. Be patient. You cannot bully yourself into a sense of security.
In every breath God is knocking at your door.