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| Kundalini Maha Yoga
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 For the past several decades, yoga, which is a spiritual discipline
from India, has been a subject of interest to the people of America. I
would like to introduce a form of yoga known as Kundalini Maha
Yoga. Kundalini Maha Yoga is an ancient universal science, perfected
over thousands of years. It is not a religion, but a spiritual practice
that brings the experience of lasting inner peace and happiness to
individuals of any belief or religious affiliation.
Kundalini Maha Yoga is based on a very simple principle: in every human being there is a source of divine energy. The Sanskrit word for this source of energy is Kundalini. Kundalini is in two states: the dormant state, and the active, aroused, or awakened state. When this source is dormant, a person leads an incomplete, unfulfilled life. One's understanding of the universe is restricted, and everything is perceived and interpreted according to a limited capacity. On the other hand, when the source is active, progress is rapid on the path of spiritual evolution. One realizes the full potential of body and mind, attains inner peace, harmony and integration, and ultimately experiences the sublime truth of unity in diversity -- the fact that all life is one and is bound by that divine power called love. The purpose of Kundalini Maha Yoga is to awaken this source of energy if it is dormant, or to intensify the activity if it is already awakened. Thus, Kundalini Maha Yoga is a direct method for spiritual evolution. A powerful yogi awakens the aspirant's Kundalini by a transfer of his or her energy to the aspirant. This process, known as Shaktipat, activates the dormant Kundalini and is like lighting a candle with one that is already lit and glowing. Shakti means power or energy in Sanskrit, and pat means transfer. Thus Shaktipat is transfer of energy. Some people may have fears about working with the Kundalini, but it is absolutely safe to practice Kundalini Maha Yoga under the guidance of a realized teacher. By the grace and advice of my Guru, I have given Shaktipat to thousands of people who have derived immense benefits. | Page Index | Home Page |
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"Some people may have fears about working with the Kundalini, but it is absolutely safe to practice Kundalini Maha Yoga under the guidance of a realized teacher." |
| Kundalini Maha Yoga and World Peace |  During the past decades, scientific
developments have taken place at a staggering rate. It is both a joy and
surprise to watch the progress of science. However, the storehouse of
nature is limitless, and the more we know, the more remains to be known.
It is obvious that no one can understand nature fully. We clearly feel the
need to increase the power of the intellect, the capacity to comprehend,
and generally to develop the potential of the mind to such an extent that
capabilities previously unknown become active.
It is also clear that much remains to be accomplished in the area of physical health and the necessity for sound mental health must not be overlooked. Many serious diseases threaten mankind today, and a strong body and mind by themselves do not provide adequate protection. In spite of our developments, scientific and otherwise, there is much fear, hatred, disharmony, distrust and discrimination among individuals, communities and nations. This has led to the build-up of destructive weapons and the grave possibility of war. The peace we all desire so much has not yet been attained. The basic cause of these problems is that the general level of conscience, consciousness and other spiritual qualities has not evolved to the extent that science has. We are in a state of unbalanced development, lacking on the spiritual side. Therefore, to attain what is missing -- peace, harmony and brotherhood -- it is necessary to realize that the entire universe is the creation of God, that all life is one, and that all are children of love. This realization is spiritual; it is not intellectual comprehension of an ideal. Spiritual realization and evolution are the only solution to all the problems facing us. Kundalini Maha Yoga is a path for spiritual evolution and a significant tool to help mankind develop on the spiritual plane. It is a way to peace, prosperity, brotherhood and love. | Page Index | Home Page |
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"To attain what is missing -- peace, harmony and brotherhood -- it is necessary to realize that the entire universe is the creation of God, that all life is one, and that all are children of love." |
| Kundalini, Creation and Spiritual Evolution | Kundalini is
the divine energy. She manifests both in the cosmic form, encompassing all
of creation, and in the personal form. God creates the universe by
producing subtle energies in an act of divine will. This can be compared
to the process wherein sparks are generated from a single source of fire.
The individual manifestation of Kundalini is like a spark of cosmic
Kundalini.
This personal form of Kundalini is responsible for the creation of the individual. In the physiological process of development of the fetus in the mother's womb, the head and brain are formed first. Next, the spinal cord is formed from the nerves that branch from the brain, and at the same time, the trunk is formed. Then the extremities, the hands, and the feet are formed. The totality of the nerve centers in the brain is referred to as the sahasrar chakra. This is the root of the process of creation. There are six different chakras, nerve centers, in the spinal column. The first center, located at the base of the brain, is the ajna chakra or the spiritual eye. This center is formed immediately after the sahasrara. Then five different centers which represent five different elements, or tatvas, are formed. The last center formed, the mooladhara chakra, is the furthest from the brain, located near the lower end of the spinal column. The Kundalini thus starts creation at the brain center, progresses downward along the spinal column, and completes Her work near the lower end of the spine. After the completion of Her work, She lies dormant there. Spiritual evolution is the result of the awakening of the Kundalini and Her upward travel from the bottom of the spinal column to the brain center. As She travels upward, the individual develops deeper and deeper spiritual insight and life becomes more fulfilling. When the Kundalini completes Her travel to the brain, the individual attains liberation, understands his or her true identity, and is established in eternal happiness. Thus, an individual's spiritual knowledge is directly dependent on the upward progress of the Kundalini. Many religions accept the concept of a cycle of the universe. Each cycle consists of the creation, preservation and destruction of the universe. When one cycle of the universe is completed, the individual attains liberation. However, with the awakening of the Kundalini, the individual does not have to wait until the end of the cycle to attain liberation. This fact alone underscores the importance of Kundalini Maha Yoga. Spiritual evolution cannot take place unless the Kundalini is awakened. There are many spiritual disciplines and techniques which do not directly aim at awakening the Kundalini. However, the Kundalini must be aroused if there is to be any degree of spiritual progress. Therefore, if a spiritual discipline is successful, it means the Kundalini has been awakened in at least an indirect way. The practitioner may not be aware that the progress and experiences are the result of the active Kundalini unless, of course, the discipline aims directly at awakening the Kundalini. However, the Kundalini does keep working and is the source of enlightenment. Once the Kundalini is awakened through Shaktipat initiation, She does not become dormant except in some very special circumstances. The Kundalini will always try to make Her upward passage. She will try to keep the aspirant on the spiritual path by providing the necessary encouragement and protection. | Page Index | Home Page |
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"Spiritual evolution is the result of the awakening of the Kundalini and Her upward travel from the bottom of the spinal column to the brain center." |
| Shaktipat Initiation, Awakening the Kundalini | Kundalini can
be awakened by attaining perfection of certain hatha yoga postures called
asanas, by certain breathing exercises aimed at controlling the
breath called pranayama, by God's grace, by meditation or by
intense devotion. Another technique of great importance is Shaktipat, the
transmission of energy. A powerful yogi can transmit energy to an aspirant
and awaken the Kundalini. This is accomplished in one of four ways: by
touch, gaze, sound or thought. The yogi may touch the disciple and
transmit energy through physical contact, or gaze at the disciple and
energy flows from the yogi's eyes. The yogi may utter words which carry
energy or, more subtly, energy can be transferred directly by the yogi's
thought or will. The process of Shaktipat can be performed only by those
yogis who have gained complete control over the life force, which in
Sanskrit is called prana.
Once the Kundalini is awakened, the student may have a variety of experiences: seeing flashes of light or colors, hearing internal sounds of bells ringing or bees humming, spontaneous vibrations or movements of the body, and greater mental peace, to name a few. Different individuals will have different experiences -- there is no definite pattern applicable to everyone. Once the Kundalini is awakened, this fact becomes known through the student's own experiences. If at this stage the student persists in spiritual practices like meditation, then the Kundalini will travel upward from the base of the spinal column where She lay dormant before. During Her upward journey through the spinal column, She pierces all the chakras in succession and ultimately reaches the sahasrara. When this happens, the student attains a state of transcendental consciousness called samadhi, understands one's true identity, and is thereby liberated. During the student's spiritual efforts, the Guru's help is of immense value. Shaktipat initiation creates a subtle bond between the teacher and student that allows the teacher to give fresh impetus to his or her student's Kundalini and eliminate obstructions that may arise. By the grace of God and according to the power and instructions given by my Guru, I have given Shaktipat to a large number of people in India, the United States and around the world. Their Kundalini has been awakened. They have attained peace of mind and good health. They have been led on the spiritual path. | Page Index | Home Page |
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"Once the Kundalini is awakened, the student may have a variety of experiences: seeing flashes of light or colors, hearing internal sounds of bells ringing or bees humming, spontaneous vibrations or movements of the body, and greater mental peace, to name a few." |
| Meditation and Breath | Meditation is
the practice of turning the attention from outer awareness to inner
concentration. In the practice of Kundalini Maha Yoga, meditation is much
more than a relaxation technique. It is a way of easing resistance to the
ascent of the Kundalini energy by quieting the fluctuations of the mind.
Of all the forms of meditation, meditation through attention on the breath
is the simplest and most direct way to Self-realization.
The aspirant can coordinate and integrate various energies of the nervous system by performing breathing exercises called pranayama in conjunction with meditation. Once this is accomplished, the student easily gains control over the life supporting vital air, the prana, which in turn leads to control over the mind. When the student gains complete control of the mind there is an experience of unique peace and joy. The student realizes the entire world is the creation of one God. When this happens on a large scale, the miseries of the world will end and there will be peace and happiness everywhere. | Page Index | Home Page |
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"When the student gains complete control of the mind there is an experience of unique peace and joy. The student realizes the entire world is the creation of one God." |
| Physical and Mental Benefits | Self-realization is the ultimate and the most desirable state to be
attained, and the awakened Kundalini leads to this state. However, even
when the Kundalini is aroused and spiritual evolution is substantially
hastened, there is no guarantee that Self-realization will be attained in
the current lifetime. Therefore, it is encouraging to know many tangible
benefits are gained even during the early states of the awakening and
upward travel of the Kundalini.
Awakening the Kundalini has a general purifying effect on the body and mind. For example, the aspirant's health often improves; the student often feels light and energetic; the mind becomes restful. Diseases of the body and mind are caused by irregularities in the functioning of the prana, which can be gradually eliminated once the Kundalini is awakened. At more advanced levels of the Kundalini's progress the benefits are intensified and encompass more subtle realms. The student can achieve peace and mental control, can become more creative, can develop a profound understanding of nature and experience inner joy. The aspirant becomes a stronger individual, a more complete person who can function in adverse circumstances with great poise, and is able to consciously absorb prana from the universe and direct it for physical and mental well-being. Ultimately, the student encounters total reality, the absolute truth, knowledge of the Self. | Page Index |
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"At more advanced levels of the Kundalini's progress... the student achieves peace and mental control, becomes more creative, develops profound understanding of nature and experiences inner joy." |
