► We will follow a We will follow a sacred and magical sacred and magical trail that includes:trail that includes:

► Power yoga I & IIPower yoga I & II► PranayamaPranayama► Himalayan yogaHimalayan yoga► Mantric TantricMantric Tantric► Kundalini yogaKundalini yoga► & sacred foods& sacred foods

The healing power of stress:The healing power of stress:

► transforming stress into transforming stress into sadhanasadhana

We begin by We begin by embracing:embracing:

► STRESS STRESS ► FEARFEAR► EGOISMEGOISM

Can these three Can these three negatives be negatives be turned into turned into positives?positives?

During our time During our time together we will together we will explore how Atma explore how Atma Yoga can turn each Yoga can turn each of these around. of these around.

Making them not Making them not only positives but only positives but powerful tools for powerful tools for self transformation.self transformation.

The healing power of stressThe healing power of stress

►Attention is key to healingAttention is key to healing►Rebuild your baseRebuild your base

►Yoga, Weight, Breath, Bhastrika, 3-hold Yoga, Weight, Breath, Bhastrika, 3-hold breath, Internal dialogue, fear hunting, desire breath, Internal dialogue, fear hunting, desire churning, sound vibrating…churning, sound vibrating…

►Make the mind a friendMake the mind a friend►Feel sound vibrationFeel sound vibration►Pursue your enemiesPursue your enemies►The ROLE of confidenceThe ROLE of confidence►Head in to the battleHead in to the battle

Internal dialog is deconstructing Internal dialog is deconstructing the human experience – so we the human experience – so we can regain our spiritual nature.can regain our spiritual nature.

► ““It is not enough to understand that you are It is not enough to understand that you are not your body; you must also understand that not your body; you must also understand that you are not this mind.”you are not this mind.”

► One who restrains the senses of action but One who restrains the senses of action but whose mind dwells on sense objects certainly whose mind dwells on sense objects certainly deludes himself and is called a pretender.deludes himself and is called a pretender.

► If we are still governed by sense gratification If we are still governed by sense gratification and unable to regulate our behavior at will and unable to regulate our behavior at will then we have not understood that we are not then we have not understood that we are not this body or this mind.”this body or this mind.”

8 Steps to understand & heal the 8 Steps to understand & heal the mindmind

1.1. Establish the awareness of the mind as an “other”Establish the awareness of the mind as an “other”2.2. Initiate friendly relationsInitiate friendly relations3.3. Practice listening to the mind’s issues (daily basis)Practice listening to the mind’s issues (daily basis)4.4. Ask to meet the other members of the mindAsk to meet the other members of the mind5.5. Learn about the needs & concerns of all parts of the Learn about the needs & concerns of all parts of the

mind and develop a cooperative relationshipmind and develop a cooperative relationship6.6. Present the goals of your training program. Your Present the goals of your training program. Your

ideas for spiritual progress to your mind, listen to ideas for spiritual progress to your mind, listen to objections and concerns and try to gain mutual objections and concerns and try to gain mutual agreement. agreement.

7.7. Introduce the concept of a spiritual coach or guide(s) Introduce the concept of a spiritual coach or guide(s) (multiple forms are possible: teacher, acarya, deity, (multiple forms are possible: teacher, acarya, deity, mantra)mantra)

8.8. Practice techniques & activities to build a Practice techniques & activities to build a relationship with a spiritual guiderelationship with a spiritual guide

What is the hidden truth of What is the hidden truth of yoga?yoga?

Secretive by natureSecretive by nature

►Yoga in its truest, fullest form is, and Yoga in its truest, fullest form is, and always has been, a secret tradition…always has been, a secret tradition…

► The truth is that there are qualities The truth is that there are qualities about the effects of the practices about the effects of the practices themselves that will always keep them themselves that will always keep them hidden.hidden.

► KavindraKavindra

Yoga is of two stages: Yoga is of two stages: preparatory and preparatory and

spontaneousspontaneous

The preparatory stages of yoga The preparatory stages of yoga

► Mystic yogaMystic yoga (from Satya (from Satya yuga)yuga) You adhere to a regulated You adhere to a regulated

moral lifestylemoral lifestyle Train the senses by austerityTrain the senses by austerity Strengthen the nervous Strengthen the nervous

system by arduous system by arduous pranayamapranayama

You meditate on God (until You meditate on God (until Guru gives you shaktipada)Guru gives you shaktipada)

Status: this path is Status: this path is extremely difficult and extremely difficult and dangerous and there are no dangerous and there are no known gurus accessible in known gurus accessible in the present erathe present era

The preparatory stages of yoga The preparatory stages of yoga

► Bhakti yogaBhakti yoga (for Kali (for Kali yuga)yuga) You adhere to a You adhere to a

regulated moral lifestyleregulated moral lifestyle You learn about GodYou learn about God You call out God’s namesYou call out God’s names You meditate on God You meditate on God

(until Guru gives you (until Guru gives you prema)prema)

Status: this is a readily Status: this is a readily accessible process and accessible process and there are multiple known there are multiple known personalities accessible personalities accessible as guru’s at the present.as guru’s at the present.

►The beginning phase of Yoga can be The beginning phase of Yoga can be broken down into three distinct stages:broken down into three distinct stages:

►The first two are:The first two are:

1) Prana prabalaya (strengthening of 1) Prana prabalaya (strengthening of prana)prana)

2) Nadi shodhana (purification of the 2) Nadi shodhana (purification of the nadis: restoring the nervous system )nadis: restoring the nervous system )

Yoga Systems, cont’dYoga Systems, cont’d► PreparationPreparation

training the senses = disciplined life training the senses = disciplined life style:style:

► No animal killing, no intoxication, no sex No animal killing, no intoxication, no sex ► No lying, cheating, stealing…No lying, cheating, stealing…► Lots of selfless serviceLots of selfless service

Strengthing (purifying) the nervous Strengthing (purifying) the nervous system:system:

► PranayamaPranayama► Controlled dietControlled diet► Imitating certain asanas & mudrasImitating certain asanas & mudras

Serving the guruServing the guru► Menial service with loveMenial service with love► Studying at the guru’s feetStudying at the guru’s feet

Yoga Systems, cont’dYoga Systems, cont’d► Spontaneity:Spontaneity:

Prana is the keyPrana is the key When it is released from the When it is released from the

yogi’s willfull control by the yogi’s willfull control by the Guru (Guru (prannothanaprannothana))

Shastra describes the Shastra describes the consequences of consequences of spontaneous yoga spontaneous yoga (extremely dangerous)(extremely dangerous)

The goal of all yoga is freeing The goal of all yoga is freeing your kundalini your kundalini

Kundalini = consciousnessKundalini = consciousness Ultimate consciousness = the Ultimate consciousness = the

mood of Radharanimood of Radharani

Prana in mystic yoga

Bhagavan in bhakti yoga

Prana = Bhagavan

Yoga: one with many formsYoga: one with many forms► ““The process of linking oneself with the Supreme The process of linking oneself with the Supreme

is called yoga. It may be compared to a ladder for is called yoga. It may be compared to a ladder for attaining the topmost spiritual realization. attaining the topmost spiritual realization.

► This ladder begins from the lowest material This ladder begins from the lowest material condition of the living entity and rises up to condition of the living entity and rises up to perfect self-realization in pure spiritual life. perfect self-realization in pure spiritual life.

► According to various elevations, different parts of According to various elevations, different parts of the ladder are known by different names. the ladder are known by different names.

► But all in all, the complete ladder is called yoga But all in all, the complete ladder is called yoga and may be divided into three parts, namely and may be divided into three parts, namely jïäna-yoga, dhyäna-yoga and bhakti-yoga. jïäna-yoga, dhyäna-yoga and bhakti-yoga.

► The beginning of the ladder is called the The beginning of the ladder is called the yogärurukñu stage, and the highest rung is called yogärurukñu stage, and the highest rung is called yogärüòha.” yogärüòha.”

-acbsp-acbsp

Misinformed Misinformed (consensus (consensus gentium)gentium)

►Contemporary yoga is approximately Contemporary yoga is approximately 2000 years old 2000 years old Hatha yoga pradipika (500 years)Hatha yoga pradipika (500 years) Yoga Rahasya (1000 years)Yoga Rahasya (1000 years) Gherad samhita (1000 – 1500 years)Gherad samhita (1000 – 1500 years) Yoga Sutra of Patanjal (1700 – 1800 Yoga Sutra of Patanjal (1700 – 1800

years)years)

WhyWhy

►Misunderstanding about human antiquityMisunderstanding about human antiquity► Influence of selfishness in this ageInfluence of selfishness in this age

Tendency to use religion or spirituality to Tendency to use religion or spirituality to exploitexploit

Tendency to seek out shortcutsTendency to seek out shortcuts Loss of authentic oral traditions leads to Loss of authentic oral traditions leads to

dependency on the sensesdependency on the senses Short lived and fearful modern humans are Short lived and fearful modern humans are

easily mislead about the nature of realityeasily mislead about the nature of reality

Actual references…Actual references…

► Yoga and Samkhya in Yoga and Samkhya in the Bhagavad Gita the Bhagavad Gita 5000 – 2 million years 5000 – 2 million years agoago

► Samkhya’s first telling Samkhya’s first telling Kapiladeva of Satya Kapiladeva of Satya yuga 4 million years yuga 4 million years ago (Bhagavat Purana)ago (Bhagavat Purana)

► Dhruva maharaja and Dhruva maharaja and many other example of many other example of mystic yoga – also mystic yoga – also Satya yuga (ibid)Satya yuga (ibid)

Astanga YogaAstanga Yoga

►"yama-niyama-präëäyäma-pratyähära-"yama-niyama-präëäyäma-pratyähära-dhäraëä-dhyäna-samadhayo dhäraëä-dhyäna-samadhayo 'ñöävaìgäni" (Pd. 2.29)'ñöävaìgäni" (Pd. 2.29)

►"(1) Yama, (2) niyama, (3) äsana, (4) "(1) Yama, (2) niyama, (3) äsana, (4) präëäyäma, (5) pratyähära, (6) präëäyäma, (5) pratyähära, (6) dhäraëä, (7) dhyäna, and (8) samädhi dhäraëä, (7) dhyäna, and (8) samädhi - these are the eight processes of räja-- these are the eight processes of räja-yoga yoga

Hidden Truth of YogaHidden Truth of Yoga

►(1)(1) Yama, Yama, ►(2) niyama,(2) niyama,

►(3) äsana, (3) äsana, ►(4) präëäyäma, (4) präëäyäma, ►(5) pratyähära, (5) pratyähära, ►(6) dhäraëä, (6) dhäraëä, ►(7) dhyäna, (7) dhyäna, ►(8) samädhi (8) samädhi

prepatory

spontaneous

Yama [things you control or Yama [things you control or destroy]destroy]

►ahiàsä-satyästeya-ahiàsä-satyästeya-brahmacaryäparigrahä yamäù (Pd. 2.30)brahmacaryäparigrahä yamäù (Pd. 2.30) ahiàsä, nonviolence; ahiàsä, nonviolence; satya, truthfulness; satya, truthfulness; asteya, refraining from theft; asteya, refraining from theft; brahmacarya, celibacy & channeling desires brahmacarya, celibacy & channeling desires aparigraha, freedom from possessiveness -aparigraha, freedom from possessiveness -

Niyama [things you do NOT Niyama [things you do NOT prevent or cultivate] prevent or cultivate]

►çauca-santoña-tapaù-svädhyäyeçvara-çauca-santoña-tapaù-svädhyäyeçvara-praëidhänäni niyamäù (Pd. 2.32)praëidhänäni niyamäù (Pd. 2.32) çauca, cleanliness; çauca, cleanliness; santoña, satisfaction; santoña, satisfaction; tapa, austerity; tapa, austerity; svädhyäya, Vedic study; and svädhyäya, Vedic study; and içvara-praëidhäna, surrender to the içvara-praëidhäna, surrender to the

influence of the Supremeinfluence of the Supreme

Preparatory stage: another Preparatory stage: another looklook

► PreparationPreparation training the sensestraining the senses – healing the ecology – healing the ecology

(strengthening prana)(strengthening prana)► No violence to humans or animals No violence to humans or animals ► No artificial highs (drink & drugs)No artificial highs (drink & drugs)► Stay clean, organized and faithfulStay clean, organized and faithful► Be just: no lying, cheating, or exploiting othersBe just: no lying, cheating, or exploiting others► Exercise and dietExercise and diet

strengthening the nervous systemstrengthening the nervous system: : (purifying the (purifying the nadis)nadis)

► Weight (awareness through asana)Weight (awareness through asana)► Breathing practices (pranayama)Breathing practices (pranayama)► Mantra (japa)Mantra (japa)

eventually: service to a gurueventually: service to a guru► Menial service with loveMenial service with love► Studying at the guru’s feetStudying at the guru’s feet

Fear…

Rules of the gameRules of the game

► ““the only way to the only way to get smarter is by get smarter is by playing a playing a smarter smarter opponent…”opponent…”

Rules of the gameRules of the game

► Your worst enemy Your worst enemy will always hide in will always hide in the last place you the last place you will ever look…”will ever look…”

Rules of the gameRules of the game

► ““if you change the if you change the rules on what rules on what controls you, you controls you, you will change the will change the rules on what you rules on what you can control” -can control” -

The long conThe long con

False ego:False ego: The principle The principle

benefactor of hiding benefactor of hiding the truth of yoga is the truth of yoga is the false egothe false ego

misidentification with misidentification with the body & mind is the body & mind is the principal the principal impediment to good impediment to good preparatory practice)preparatory practice)

Yoga of confrontationYoga of confrontation

►The yoga of confidence is also the The yoga of confidence is also the yoga of confrontation.yoga of confrontation.

►The key to this yoga is ones The key to this yoga is ones relationship to pain.relationship to pain.

►Of pain imagined pain is more Of pain imagined pain is more powerful than experienced pain.powerful than experienced pain.

Feel everything…Feel everything…

► Welcoming painWelcoming pain► Even embracing it…Even embracing it…

Face your fears forciblyFace your fears forcibly

Sat-chit-anandaSat-chit-ananda

As the ego As the ego recedes, your true recedes, your true qualities begin to qualities begin to emerge:emerge: ConfidenceConfidence WisdomWisdom Intoxicating Intoxicating

happinesshappiness

The rewardThe reward

Teaching yoga Teaching yoga as a preparatory as a preparatory process for process for devotional yoga devotional yoga reestablishes its reestablishes its efficacy (by efficacy (by eliminating the eliminating the false ego false ego strengthening strengthening components)components)