Bihar School Of Yoga Pdfs

Kundalini, chakras, and nadis
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Pajalunga graduated from the Bihar School in India, founded by Swami Satyananda Saraswati, where she was given the spiritual name of 'Pragya Chaksu Swami Saraswati.' She then specialized in teaching yoga to children at the Italian Federation of Yoga. The Bihar School, which is a yoga school in India founded in the 1960s, first published the sequence in Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha in 1969. (The Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health created a variation of Chandra Namaskar in the 1980s that differs from. SATYANANDA YOGA BIHAR YOGA. Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha is recognised internationally as one of the most systematic yoga manuals available today. Since its first publication by the Bihar School of Yoga in 1969, it has been reprinted thirteen times and translated into many languages.

Kundalini (Sanskrit: कुण्डलिनीkuṇḍalinī, pronunciation, 'coiled one'), in Hinduism is a form of divine energy (or shakti) believed to be located at the base of the spine (muladhara). It is an important concept in Śaiva Tantra, where it is believed to be a force or power associated with the divine feminine. This energy, when cultivated and awakened through tantric practice, is believed to lead to spiritual liberation. Kuṇḍalinī is associated with Paradevi or Adi Parashakti, the supreme being in Shaktism; and with the goddesses Bhairavi and Kubjika.[1][2] The term, along with practices associated with it, was adopted into Hatha yoga in the 11th century.[3] It has since then been adopted into other forms of Hinduism as well as modern spirituality and New age thought.

Kuṇḍalinī awakenings have been described as occurring by means of a variety of methods. Many systems of yoga focus on awakening Kuṇḍalinī through: meditation; pranayama breathing; the practice of asana and chanting of mantras.[4]Kundalini Yoga is influenced by Shaktism and Tantra schools of Hinduism. It derives its name through a focus on awakening kundalini energy through regular practice of Mantra, Tantra, Yantra, Asanas or Meditation.[4][5] The Kuṇḍalinī experience is frequently reported to be a distinct feeling of electric current running along the spine.[6][7][8]

  • 4Kundalini experiences
    • 4.1Invoking Kundalini experiences
  • 5Religious interpretations
  • 6Western significance

Etymology[edit]

The concept of Kuṇḍalinī is mentioned in the Upanishads (9th – 3rd centuries BCE).[9][verification needed] The Sanskrit adjective kuṇḍalin means 'circular, annular'. It is mentioned as a noun for 'snake' (in the sense of 'coiled') in the 12th-century Rajatarangini chronicle (I.2). Kuṇḍa (a noun meaning 'bowl, water-pot' is found as the name of a Nāga (serpent deity) in Mahabharata 1.4828). The 8th-century Tantrasadbhava Tantra uses the term kundalī ('ring, bracelet; coil (of a rope)').[10]:230[clarification needed]

The use of kuṇḍalī as a name for Goddess Durga (a form of Shakti) appears often in Tantrism and Shaktism from as early as the 11th century in the Śaradatilaka.[11] It was adopted as a technical term in Hatha yoga during the 15th century, and became widely used in the Yoga Upanishads by the 16th century. Eknath Easwaran has paraphrased the term as 'the coiled power', a force which ordinarily rests at the base of the spine, described as being 'coiled there like a serpent'.[12]

In Śaiva Tantra[edit]

Statues of Shiva and Shakti at Kamakhya temple, one of the oldest Shakti Peethas, important shrines in Shaktism, the goddess-focused Hindu tradition

Kuṇḍalinī arose as a central concept in Śaiva Tantra, especially among the Śākta cults like the Kaula. In these Tantric traditions, Kuṇḍalinī is 'the innate intelligence of embodied Consciousness'.[13] The first possible mention of the term is in the Tantrasadbhāva-tantra (8th century), though other earlier tantras mention the visualization of Śākti in the central channel and the upward movement of prana or vital force (which is often associated with Kuṇḍalinī in later works).[14] According to David Gordon White, this feminine spiritual force is also termed boghavati, which has a double meaning of 'enjoyment' and 'coiled' and signifies her strong connection to bliss and pleasure, both mundane physical pleasure and the bliss of spiritual liberation (moksha), which is the enjoyment of Shiva's creative activity and sexual union with the Goddess.[15]

In the influential Śākta tradition called Kaula, Kuṇḍalinī is seen as a 'latent innate spiritual power', associated with the Goddess Kubjika (lit. 'the crooked one'), who is the supreme Goddess (Paradevi). She is also pure bliss and power (Śākti), the source of all mantras, and resides in the six chakras along the central channel. In Śaiva Tantra, various practices like pranayama, bandhas, mantra recitation and tantric ritual were used in order to awaken this spiritual power and create a state of bliss and spiritual liberation.[2][15]

According to Abhinavagupta, the great tantric scholar and master of the Kaula and Trika lineages, there are two main forms of Kuṇḍalinī, an upward moving Kuṇḍalinī (urdhva) associated with expansion, and a downward moving Kuṇḍalinī (adha) associated with contraction.[14] According to the scholar of comparative religion Gavin Flood, Abhinavagupta links Kuṇḍalinī with 'the power that brings into manifestation the body, breath, and experiences of pleasure and pain', with 'the power of sexuality as the source of reproduction' and with:

'the force of the syllable ha in the mantra and the concept of aham, the supreme subjectivity as the source of all, with a as the initial movement of consciousness and m its final withdrawal. Thus we have an elaborate series of associations, all conveying the central conception of the cosmos as a manifestation of consciousness, of pure subjectivity, with Kuṇḍalinī understood as the force inseparable from consciousness, who animates creation and who, in her particularised form in the body, causes liberation through her upward, illusion-shattering movement.'[14]

Bihar School Of Yoga Self Healing

Description[edit]

According to William F. Williams, Kundalini is a type of religious experience within the Hindu tradition, within which it is held to be a kind of 'cosmic energy' that accumulates at the base of the spine.[16]

When awakened, Kundalini is described as rising up from the muladharachakra, through the central nadi (called sushumna) inside or alongside the spine reaching the top of the head. The progress of Kundalini through the different chakras is believed to achieve different levels of awakening and a mystical experience, until Kundalini finally reaches the top of the head, Sahasrara or crown chakra, producing an extremely profound transformation of consciousness.[6]:5–6

Swami Sivananda Saraswati of the Divine Life Society stated in his book Kundalini Yoga that 'Supersensual visions appear before the mental eye of the aspirant, new worlds with indescribable wonders and charms unfold themselves before the Yogi, planes after planes reveal their existence and grandeur to the practitioner and the Yogi gets divine knowledge, power and bliss, in increasing degrees, when Kundalini passes through Chakra after Chakra, making them to bloom in all their glory...'[17]

Reports about the Sahaja Yoga technique of Kundalini awakening state that the practice can result in a cool breeze felt on the fingertips as well as the fontanel bone area.[18][19]

Kundalini experiences[edit]

Invoking Kundalini experiences[edit]

Yogis such as Muktananda consider that Kundalini can be awakened by shaktipat (spiritual transmission by a Guru or teacher), or by spiritual practices such as yoga or meditation.[20]

The passive approach is instead a path of surrender where one lets go of all the impediments to the awakening rather than trying to actively awaken Kundalini. A chief part of the passive approach is shaktipat where one individual's Kundalini is awakened by another who already has the experience. Shaktipat only raises Kundalini temporarily but gives the student an experience to use as a basis.[21]

He subsequently came to believe 'As the ancient writers have said, it is the vital force or prana which is spread over both the macrocosm, the entire Universe, and the microcosm, the human body... The atom is contained in both of these. Prana is life-energy responsible for the phenomena of terrestrial life and for life on other planets in the universe. Prana in its universal aspect is immaterial. But in the human body, Prana creates a fine biochemical substance which works in the whole organism and is the main agent of activity in the nervous system and in the brain. The brain is alive only because of Prana...[22]

...The most important psychological changes in the character of an enlightened person would be that he or she would be compassionate and more detached. There would be less ego, without any tendency toward violence or aggression or falsehood. The awakened life energy is the mother of morality, because all morality springs from this awakened energy. Since the very beginning, it has been this evolutionary energy that has created the concept of morals in human beings.

The American comparative religions scholar Joseph Campbell describes the concept of Kundalini as 'the figure of a coiled female serpent—a serpent goddess not of 'gross' but 'subtle' substance—which is to be thought of as residing in a torpid, slumbering state in a subtle center, the first of the seven, near the base of the spine: the aim of the yoga then being to rouse this serpent, lift her head, and bring her up a subtle nerve or channel of the spine to the so-called 'thousand-petaled lotus' (Sahasrara) at the crown of the head...She, rising from the lowest to the highest lotus center will pass through and wake the five between, and with each waking, the psychology and personality of the practitioner will be altogether and fundamentally transformed.'[23]

Hatha yoga[edit]

Mode of action of mudras, serving to trap energy-fluids (breath, prana, bindu, amrita) and thus help to unblock the central sushumna channel, allowing kundalini to rise[24]

According to the Goraksasataka, or 'Hundred Verses of Goraksa', hatha yoga practices such as mula bandha, uddiyana bandha, jalandhara bandha and kumbhaka can awaken Kundalini.[25] Another hathayoga text, the Khecarīvidyā, states that khechari mudra enables one to raise Kundalini and access various stores of amrita in the head, which subsequently flood the body.[26]

Bihar

Shaktipat[edit]

The spiritual teacher Meher Baba emphasized the need for a master when actively trying to awaken Kundalini:

Kundalini is a latent power in the higher body. When awakened, it pierces through six chakras or functional centers and activates them. Without a master, the awakening of the kundalini cannot take anyone very far on the Path; and such indiscriminate or premature awakening is fraught with dangers of self-deception as well as the misuse of powers. The kundalini enables man to consciously cross the lower planes and it ultimately merges into the universal cosmic power of which it is a part, and which also is at times described as kundalini ... The important point is that the awakened kundalini is helpful only up to a certain degree, after which it cannot ensure further progress. It cannot dispense with the need for the grace of a Perfect Master.[27]

Kundalini awakening while prepared or unprepared[edit]

The experience of Kundalini awakening can happen when one is either prepared or unprepared.[21]

According to Hindu tradition, in order to be able to integrate this spiritual energy, a period of careful purification and strengthening of the body and nervous system is usually required beforehand.[28] Yoga and Tantra propose that Kundalini can be awakened by a guru (teacher), but body and spirit must be prepared by yogic austerities, such as pranayama, or breath control, physical exercises, visualization, and chanting. The student is advised to follow the path in an open-hearted manner.[21]

Traditionally, people visited ashrams in India to awaken their dormant kundalini energy with regular meditation, mantra chanting, spiritual studies and physical asana practice such as kundalini yoga.

Religious interpretations[edit]

Indian interpretations[edit]

Kundalini is considered to occur in the chakra and nadis of the subtle body. Each chakra is said to contain special characteristics[29] and with proper training, moving Kundalini through these chakras can help express or open these characteristics.

Kundalini is described as a sleeping, dormant potential force in the human organism.[30] It is one of the components of an esoteric description of the 'subtle body', which consists of nadis (energy channels), chakras (psychic centres), prana (subtle energy), and bindu (drops of essence).

Kundalini is described as being coiled up at the base of the spine. The description of the location can vary slightly, from the rectum to the navel.[10]:229–231 Kundalini is said to reside in the triangular shaped sacrum bone in three and a half coils.[18]

Swami Vivekananda describes Kundalini briefly in his book Raja Yoga as follows:[31]

Bihar School Of Yoga Pdfs

According to the Yogis, there are two nerve currents in the spinal column, called Pingalâ and Idâ, and a hollow canal called Sushumnâ running through the spinal cord. At the lower end of the hollow canal is what the Yogis call the 'Lotus of the Kundalini'. They describe it as triangular in a form in which, in the symbolical language of the Yogis, there is a power called the Kundalini, coiled up. When that Kundalini awakens, it tries to force a passage through this hollow canal, and as it rises step by step, as it were, layer after layer of the mind becomes open and all the different visions and wonderful powers come to the Yogi. When it reaches the brain, the Yogi is perfectly detached from the body and mind; the soul finds itself free. We know that the spinal cord is composed in a peculiar manner. If we take the figure eight horizontally (∞), there are two parts which are connected in the middle. Suppose you add eight after eight, piled one on top of the other, that will represent the spinal cord. The left is the Ida, the right Pingala, and that hollow canal which runs through the center of the spinal cord is the Sushumna. Where the spinal cord ends in some of the lumbar vertebrae, a fine fiber issues downwards, and the canal runs up even within that fiber, only much finer. The canal is closed at the lower end, which is situated near what is called the sacral plexus, which, according to modern physiology, is triangular in form. The different plexuses that have their centers in the spinal canal can very well stand for the different 'lotuses' of the Yogi.

When Kundalini Shakti is conceived as a goddess, then, when it rises to the head, it unites itself with the Supreme Being of (Lord Shiva). The aspirant then becomes engrossed in deep meditation and infinite bliss. Paramahansa Yogananda in his book God Talks with Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita states:[32]

At the command of the yogi in deep meditation, this creative force turns inward and flows back to its source in the thousand-petaled lotus, revealing the resplendent inner world of the divine forces and consciousness of the soul and spirit. Yoga refers to this power flowing from the coccyx to spirit as the awakened kundalini.

Paramahansa Yogananda also states:

The yogi reverses the searchlights of intelligence, mind and life force inward through a secret astral passage, the coiled way of the kundalini in the coccygeal plexus, and upward through the sacral, the lumbar, and the higher dorsal, cervical, and medullary plexuses, and the spiritual eye at the point between the eyebrows, to reveal finally the soul's presence in the highest center (Sahasrara) in the brain.[32]

Osho, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, gave detailed talks on the journey of the kundalini through the seven chakras and the relation of the seven chakras to the esoteric map of the `seven bodies`, or planes of human existence. Rajneesh defined the seven bodies as 1.The physical 2. The Etheric 3. The Astral 4. The Mental, or physic 5. The Spiritual. 6. The Cosmic(or Brahman). 7. The Nirvanic (or Void). The fifth, sixth and seventh bodies were, according to Rajneesh, related to the three stages of enlightenment.[33][34][35]

Western significance[edit]

Sir John Woodroffe (1865–1936) – also known by his pseudonym Arthur Avalon – was a British Orientalist whose published works stimulated a far-reaching interest in Hindu philosophy and Yogic practices. While serving as a High Court Judge in Calcutta, he studied Sanskrit and Hindu Philosophy, particularly as it related to Hindu Tantra. He translated numerous original Sanskrit texts and lectured on Indian philosophy, Yoga and Tantra. His book, The Serpent Power: The Secrets of Tantric and Shaktic Yoga became a major source for many modern Western adaptations of Kundalini yoga practice. It presents an academically and philosophically sophisticated translation of, and commentary on, two key Eastern texts: Shatchakranirūpana (Description and Investigation into the Six Bodily Centers) written by Tantrik Pūrnānanda Svāmī (1526) and the Paduka-Pancakā from the Sanskrit of a commentary by Kālīcharana (Five-fold Footstool of the Guru). The Sanskrit term 'Kundali Shakti' translates as 'Serpent Power'. Kundalini is thought to be an energy released within an individual using specific meditation techniques. It is represented symbolically as a serpent coiled at the base of the spine. [36]

In his book Artistic Form and Yoga in the Sacred Images of India, Heinrich Zimmer wrote in praise of the writings of Sir John Woodroffe:[37]

The values of the Hindu tradition were disclosed to me through the enormous life-work of Sir John Woodroffe, alias Arthur Avalon, a pioneer and a classic author in Indie studies, second to none, who, for the first time, by many publications and books made available the extensive and complex treasure of late Hindu tradition: the Tantras, a period as grand and rich as the Vedas, the Epic, Puranas, etc.; the latest crystallization of Indian wisdom, the indispensable closing link of a chain, affording keys to countless problems in the history of Buddhism and Hinduism, in mythology and symbolism.

When Woodroffe later commented upon the reception of his work he clarified his objective, 'All the world (I speak of course of those interested in such subjects) is beginning to speak of Kundalinî Shakti.' He described his intention as follows: 'We, who are foreigners, must place ourselves in the skin of the Hindu, and must look at their doctrine and ritual through their eyes and not our own.'[38]

Western awareness of kundalini was strengthened by the interest of Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Dr. Carl Jung (1875–1961). Jung's seminar on Kundalini yoga presented to the Psychological Club in Zurich in 1932 was widely regarded as a milestone in the psychological understanding of Eastern thought and of the symbolic transformations of inner experience. Kundalini yoga presented Jung with a model for the developmental phases of higher consciousness, and he interpreted its symbols in terms of the process of individuation, with sensitivity towards a new generation's interest in alternative religions and psychological exploration.[39]

In the introduction to Jung's book The Psychology of Kundalini Yoga, Sonu Shamdasani puts forth 'The emergence of depth psychology was historically paralleled by the translation and widespread dissemination of the texts of yoga... for the depth psychologies sought to liberate themselves from the stultifying limitations of Western thought to develop maps of inner experience grounded in the transformative potential of therapeutic practices. A similar alignment of 'theory' and 'practice' seemed to be embodied in the yogic texts that moreover had developed independently of the bindings of Western thought. Further, the initiatory structure adopted by institutions of psychotherapy brought its social organization into proximity with that of yoga. Hence, an opportunity for a new form of comparative psychology opened up.'[38]:xviii-xix

The American writer William Buhlman, began to conduct an international survey of out-of-body experiences in 1969 in order to gather information about symptoms: sounds, vibrations and other phenomena, that commonly occur at the time of the OBE event. His primary interest was to compare the findings with reports made by yogis, such as Gopi Krishna (yogi) who have made reference to similar phenomenon, such as the 'vibrational state' as components of their kundalini-related spiritual experience. He explains:

There are numerous reports of full Kundalini experiences culminating with a transcendental out-of-body state of consciousness. In fact, many people consider this experience to be the ultimate path to enlightenment. The basic premise is to encourage the flow of Kundalini energy up the spine and toward the top of the head—the crown chakra—thus projecting your awareness into the higher heavenly dimensions of the universe. The result is an indescribable expansion of consciousness into spiritual realms beyond form and thought.[40]

Sri Aurobindo was the other great authority scholar on Kundalini parallel to Woodroffe with a somewhat different viewpoint, according to Mary Scott (who is herself a latter-day scholar on Kundalini and its physical basis) and was a member of the Theosophical Society.[41]

New Age[edit]

Kundalini references may be found in a number of New Age presentations, and is a word that has been adopted by many new religious movements.[42]

Psychology[edit]

According to Carl Jung '... the concept of Kundalini has for us only one use, that is, to describe our own experiences with the unconscious ...'[43] Jung used the Kundalini system symbolically as a means of understanding the dynamic movement between conscious and unconscious processes. He cautioned that all forms of yoga, when used by Westerners, can be attempts at domination of the body and unconscious through the ideal of ascending into higher chakras.[44][page needed]

According to Shamdasani, Jung claimed that the symbolism of Kundalini yoga suggested that the bizarre symptomatology that patients at times presented, actually resulted from the awakening of the Kundalini. He argued that knowledge of such symbolism enabled much that would otherwise be seen as the meaningless by-products of a disease process to be understood as meaningful symbolic processes, and explicated the often peculiar physical localizations of symptoms.[44]:xxvi

The popularization of eastern spiritual practices has been associated with psychological problems in the west. Psychiatric literature notes that 'since the influx of eastern spiritual practices and the rising popularity of meditation starting in the 1960s, many people have experienced a variety of psychological difficulties, either while engaged in intensive spiritual practice or spontaneously'.[45] Among the psychological difficulties associated with intensive spiritual practice we find 'Kundalini awakening', 'a complex physio-psychospiritual transformative process described in the yogic tradition'.[45] Researchers in the fields of Transpersonal psychology,[29] and Near-death studies[46] have described a complex pattern of sensory, motor, mental and affective symptoms associated with the concept of Kundalini, sometimes called the Kundalini syndrome.[47]

The differentiation between spiritual emergency associated with Kundalini awakening may be viewed as an acute psychotic episode by psychiatrists who are not conversant with the culture. The biological changes of increased P300 amplitudes that occurs with certain yogic practices may lead to acute psychosis. Biological alterations by Yogic techniques may be used to warn people against such reactions.[48]

Some modern experimental research seeks to establish links between Kundalini practice and the ideas of Wilhelm Reich and his followers.[49]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^David Frawley, Inner Tantric Yoga, Lotus Press, 2008, page 163-164
  2. ^ abDyczkowski, Mark S. G. The Canon of the Saivagama and the Kubjika Tantras of the Western Kaula Tradition, Motilal Banarsidass Publ., 1989, pp. 60, 89.
  3. ^Mallinson, James. 'Śāktism and Haṭhayoga.' In: Goddess Traditions in Tantric Hinduism: History, Practice and Doctrine, edited by Bjarne Wernicke-Olesen London: Routledge, 2016. pp. 109-140.
  4. ^ ab'Spotlight on Kundalini Yoga'. Yoga Journal. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  5. ^Swami Sivananda Radha, 2004, pp. 13, 15
  6. ^ abSaraswati, Swami Satyananda (1984). Kundalini Tantra (2nd ed.). Munger, Bihar, India: Bihar School of Yoga. pp. 34–36. ISBN978-8185787152.
  7. ^Judith, Anodea (2004). Eastern Body, Western Mind: Psychology and the Chakra System as a Path to the Self (Revised ed.). Berkeley, California: Celestial Arts. pp. 451–454. ISBN978-1-58761-225-1.
  8. ^Paulson, Genevieve Lewis (1998). Kundalini and the Chakras: A Practical Manual--evolution in this Lifetime (1st ed.). St. Paul, Minnesota: Llewellyn Publications. pp. 7–10, 194. ISBN978-0-87542-592-4.
  9. ^Dale, Cyndi (2011). Kundalini: Divine Energy, Divine Life (1st ed.). Woodbury, Minnesota: Llewellyn Publications. ISBN978-0-7387-2863-6.
  10. ^ abWhite, David Gordon (2004). Kiss of the Yogini: 'Tantric Sex' in its South Asian Contexts (Paperback ed.). The University of Chicago Press. ISBN978-0-226-89483-6.
  11. ^Saivism, Kashmir Saivism (1990). Vac: The Concept of the Word in Selected Hindu Tantras. Sri Satguru Publications. pp. 124–136. ISBN978-1-4384-1532-1.
  12. ^Morrison, Diana (1977). A Glossary of Sanskrit from the Spiritual Tradition of India. Nilgiri Press. p. 5. ISBN978-0-915132-11-9.
  13. ^Wallis, Christopher, Recognition Sutras: Illuminating a 1,000-Year-Old Spiritual Masterpiece, Mattamayura Press, Oct 6, 2017, Introduction.
  14. ^ abcFlood, Gavin, The Tantric Body: The Secret Tradition of Hindu Religion, I.B.Tauris, Jan 5, 2006, pp. 160-161.
  15. ^ abWhite, David Gordon, The Alchemical Body: Siddha Traditions in Medieval India, University of Chicago Press, 1998, pp. 219-220.
  16. ^Williams, W. F. (2000). 'Kundalini'. Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience: From Alien Abductions to Zone Therapy. Routledge. p. 211. ISBN978-1-135-95522-9.
  17. ^Saraswati, Sri Swami Sivananda (2010). Kundalini Yoga (14th ed.). Himalayas, India: The Divine Life Trust Society. p. 27. ISBN81-7052-052-5.
  18. ^ abShri Mataji Nirmala Devi Srivastava (1997). Meta Modern Era (3rd ed.). Vishwa Nirmala Dharma. pp. 233–248. ISBN9788186650059.
  19. ^Coney, Judith (1999). Sahaja Yoga: Socializing Processes in a South Asian New Religious Movement. Richmond, Surrey: Curzon. pp. 55–56. ISBN978-0-7007-1061-4.
  20. ^Muktananda, Swami (1978). Play of Consciousness. Siddha Yoga Publications. ISBN0-911307-81-8.
  21. ^ abcEastman, David T. (September 1985). 'Kundalini Demystified'. Yoga Journal: 37–43.
  22. ^Krishna, Gopti (1995). Kundalini Questions and Answers (Smashwords ed.). The Institute for Consciousness Studies. pp. 6–8. ISBN978-0-9938316-6-9.
  23. ^Campbell, Joseph (2011). A Joseph Campbell Companion: Reflections on the Art of Living. San Anselmo, California: Joseph Campbell Foundation. p. 117. ISBN978-1-61178-006-2.
  24. ^Mallinson, James; Singleton, Mark (2017). Roots of Yoga. Penguin Books. pp. Chapter 6, especially pages 228–229, 231. ISBN978-0-241-25304-5. OCLC928480104.
  25. ^White, David Gordon (2012). Yoga in Practice. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press. pp. 2, 268–270. ISBN978-0-691-14085-8.
  26. ^Mallinson, James (2007). The Khecarividya of Adinatha: A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation of an Early Text of Hathayoga. London: Routledge. p. 29. ISBN978-0-415-39115-3.
  27. ^Baba, Meher (1958). Beams from Meher Baba on the Spiritual Panorama(PDF). San Francisco: Sufism Reoriented. pp. 13–14. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  28. ^Maheshwarananda, Paramhans Swami (2004). The Hidden Power in Humans: Chakras and Kundalini. Ibera Verlag. pp. 47–48. ISBN978-3-85052-197-0.
  29. ^ abScotton, Bruce W. (1999). Textbook of Transpersonal Psychiatry and Psychology. New York: Basic Books. p. 261. ISBN978-0-465-09530-8.
  30. ^Swami Satyananda Saraswati. Kundalini Tantra. Bihar School of Yoga, 2006. ISBN978-8185787152
  31. ^Vivekananda, Swami (1995). Raja Yoga: Conquering the Internal Nature. Calcutta: Advaita Ashrama. pp. 48–49. ISBN978-8185301167.
  32. ^ abYogananda, Paramahansa (1995). The Bhagavad Gita: God Talks with Arjuna: Royal Science of God Realization: the Immortal Dialogue Between Soul and Spirit: a New Translation and Commentary (1st ed.). Los Angeles: Self Realization Fellowship. p. 18. ISBN978-0-87612-030-9.
  33. ^Rajneesh, Bhagwan Shree. 'In Search of the Miracolous'.
  34. ^Rajneesh, Bhagwan Shree. 'In Search of the Miraculous Chapter 20'.
  35. ^Rajneesh, Bhagwan Shree. 'The Psychology of the Esoteric chapter 6'.
  36. ^Taylor, Kathleen (2001). Sir John Woodroffe, Tantra and Bengal: 'An Indian Soul in a European Body?'. Routledge. ISBN978-0700713455.
  37. ^Zimmer, Heinrich (1984). Artistic Form and Yoga in the Sacred Images of India. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press. p. 254. ISBN978-0-691-02060-0.
  38. ^ abJung, Carl Gustav (1996). The Psychology of Kundalini Yoga: Notes of the Seminar Given in 1932 by C.G. Jung. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press. p. xvi. ISBN978-0-691-02127-0.
  39. ^Nichol, Davi (1999). 'Psychoanalytic Books'. A Quarterly Journal of Reviews.
  40. ^Buhlman, William (2011). The Secret of the Soul: Using Out-of-Body Experiences to Understand Our True Nature (1st ed.). San Francisco: HarperCollins. p. 191. ISBN978-0-06-196808-2.
  41. ^Scott, Mary (1983). Kundalini in the Physical World. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. pp. 259–263. ISBN978-0-7100-9417-9.
  42. ^'Yoga Journal' (63). Active Interest Media, Inc. July – August 1985: 42. ISSN0191-0965. Retrieved 5 January 2017. I just wanted to talk to someone who would understand about kundalini and wouldn't think I was crazy ...
  43. ^Hayman, Ronald (2001). A Life of Jung. New York: W. W. Norton. p. 304. ISBN978-0-393-32322-1. Retrieved 5 January 2017. the concept of Kundalini has for us only one use ...
  44. ^ abShamdasani, Sonu (2012). The Psychology of Kundalini Yoga: Notes of the Seminar Given in 1932 by C.G. Jung (New ed.). Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. ISBN978-1-4008-2191-4.
  45. ^ abTurner, R. P.; Lukoff, D.; Barnhouse, R. T.; Lu, F. G. (July 1995). 'Religious or spiritual problem. A culturally sensitive diagnostic category in the DSM-IV'. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. 183 (7): 435–444. doi:10.1097/00005053-199507000-00003. ISSN0022-3018. PMID7623015.
  46. ^Kason, Yvonne (2008). Farther Shores: Exploring How Near-Death, Kundalini and Mystical Experiences Can Transform Ordinary Lives (Revised ed.). Bloomington, New York: Author's Choice Press. ISBN978-0-595-53396-1.
  47. ^Greyson, Bruce (1993). 'Near-death experiences and the physio-kundalini syndrome'. Journal of Religion & Health. 32 (4): 277–290. doi:10.1007/BF00990954. PMID24271550.
  48. ^Bharadwaj, Balaji (2012). 'Proof-of-concept studies in Yoga and mental health'. International Journal of Yoga. 5 (1): 74. doi:10.4103/0973-6131.91719. PMC3276938. PMID22346071.
  49. ^Rudra. Kundalini, die Energie der Natur, die Natur der Energie im Menschen körperliche und psychische Begleiterscheinungen bei Erweckung der Energie im Körper (Worpswede, Germany: Wild Dragon Connections, 1993) ISBN978-3980256018 (in German)

Further reading[edit]

  • Aun Weor, Samael (2009). Kundalini Yoga. EDISAW. ISBN978-85-62455-03-2.
  • Avalon, A. (1974). The Serpent Power: The Secrets of Tantric and Shaktic Yoga. Dover Publications. ISBN978-0-486-23058-0.
  • Karmokar, G. (2006). Kundalini – From Hell to Heaven. Zen Way Center. ISBN978-0-9777456-0-9.
  • Kripananda, S. (1995). The Sacred Power: A Seeker's Guide to Kundalini. Siddha Yoga Publications. ISBN978-0-911307-39-9.
  • Krishna, G. (1989). The Awakening of Kundalini. Institute for Consciousness Research. ISBN978-0-917776-06-9.
  • Krishna, G. (1993). Higher Consciousness and Kundalini. Institute for Consciousness Research. ISBN978-0-917776-05-2.
  • Krishna, G. (1993). Living with Kundalini. Shambhala. ISBN978-0-87773-947-0.
  • Krishna, G. (1997). Kundalini: The Evolutionary Energy in Man. Shambhala. ISBN978-1-57062-280-9.
  • Mookerjee, A. (1981). Kundalini: The Arousal of the Inner Energy (2nd ed.). Destiny Books. ISBN978-0-89281-020-8.
  • Muktananda, S. (1995). Kundalini: The Secret of Life (erd ed.). U B S Publishers' Distributors Ltd. ISBN978-81-7476-038-8.
  • Petty, A. (2007). Kundalini Rising: Exploring the Chakra/Asanas Connection. Kitsune Books. ISBN978-0-9792700-0-0.
  • Scott, Mary (2006). The Kundalini Concept: Its Origin and Value. Jain Pub Co. ISBN978-0-89581-857-7.
  • Sannella, L. (1987). The Kundalini Experience: Psychosis or Transcendence. Integral Publications. ISBN978-0-941255-29-5.
  • Springett, Tara (2014). Enlightenment Through the Path of Kundalini: A Tibetan-Buddhist Guide to Safe Awakening and Overcoming Difficult Symptoms. Higher Consciousness Publishing. ISBN978-1-5060-6761-2.
  • White, J. (1998). Kundalini, Evolution and Enlightenment. Paragon House. ISBN978-1-55778-303-5.
  • Yogananda, Paramahansa (1995). God Talks With Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita. Self-Realization Fellowship. ISBN978-0-87612-030-9.

External links[edit]

  • Kundalini at Curlie
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kundalini&oldid=911849046'

Bihar School Of Yoga Books Pdf In Hindi

Bihar School of Yoga
Hi, I am Shantanu Misra, 3rd year Under-graduate student, Civil Engg., IIT Kanpur. I applied for the SPIC MACAY Scholarship to Bihar School of Yoga. I had applied for this scholarship because I was: 1. Interested in Yoga, wanted to make it a part of my life. 2. Wanted to experience ashram-life. 3. Wanted to de-stress. While I was preparing to go to Rikhia where the ashram was located, I was expecting to see yogis sitting in deep meditation and practicing yoga all day long. Of course, I was proved wrong and moreover, I discoverd how little I knew about yoga. Our schedule in the ashram was: • • • • • • • • • • •
5:30-6:30: Asana Class 6:30: Breakfast 7:00-9:30: Clinic duty/Yajnashala cleaning/Bhet packing 9:30-10:30: Chanting & Pranayama Class 10:30: Lunch 11:30-2:30: Rest/Library duty 2:30: Tea 3:00-4:00: Yoga Nidra Class 4:00-5:30: Gardening 5:30: Dinner 6:30: Evening Programme- Kirtan
Well, I know it looks very simple this way, but in the beginning it was difficult to get adjusted to this new timing. We had to get up at around 4:30. At times, I used to get up thanks to my alarm and on other occasions Deepak Choudhary, my friend who had also applied for the same scholarship used to wake me up. The morning class was taken by Swami Nitya Chaitanya, who we later discovered was an earstwhile Oriya movie superstar!!! He was a very passionate
teacher who was very keen to share his experiences and knowledge with us. During the beginning of our stay, his words really helped us to adjust to the changed atmosphere. We used to do all kinds of asanas, and after the class, I used to feel very comfortable with my body and I discovered that one hour of asana in the morning really sets me up for the day. The class was followed by breakfast. For breakfast, we had black tea, poha/upma etc. It was light and good. After breakfast, for the major portion of our stay in the ashram, we used to go help in the clinic. It was a good experience interacting with the villagers and explaining medicines to them. On other days, we used to help in the cleaning of the yajnashala, and towards the end of our stay we were also involved in bhet packing for Guru Poornima, which was probably the best out of the 3 sewas (karma yoga) due to the extremely funny Swami Jyoti (who was an Australian). I would like to digress here. When I had gone to Rikhia, I had expected to learn yoga. I had not expected that most of my time would be spent in doing various jobs (sewa) in the ashram. In the beginning, it felt a little taxing but I gradually discovered and learnt from the sannyasins there that this sewa is also yoga and it is probably this karma yoga which will have the most profound effect on our personality and our self. I, on coming back from the ashram, realised that this is absolutely true. Actually, the Bihar School of Yoga propagates what they like to call “Integral Yoga”, that is a combination of Raja Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga. Coming back to my daily schedule, at 9:30 we used to have chanting and pranayama class. This class was also very good and it was a great experience to listen to the kannyas singing in their clear and loud voices. Actually, during my stay, my chanting abilities really improved. After 2 weeks, as we started approaching Guru Poornima, this class was cancelled since the yajnashala was being prepared for Guru Poornima. The time which we got was utilised in sewa. At 10:30, we used to take lunch which was generally rice, along with daal and some vegetable and salad. After lunch, on days when it was very hot (as it generally was with maximum temperature reaching up to 51 degree celsius) we were sent back to Shivananda Ashram, where we were staying, to rest. We had rest up to 2:30 during which we were supposed to clean the Shivananda Ashram. On days when it was not that hot, we used to work in the library. The work was interesting as it was fun being around the extremely expressive (almost theatrical) Swami Chetan Shakti. She was an Irish sannyasin. I mainly used to do some typing work there.
At 2:30 we had our evening tea. After that we had our Yoga Nidra Class at 3:00. Yoga Nidra is a very powerful practice. While on some days I did experience it fully but on other occasions, I had no idea when yoga nidra progressed into a really sound sleep!!! After the yoga nidra class, we used to go for watering of plants in the ashram. At 5:30, we had dinner. Dinner was generally fabulous. We had pizza, pav bhaji, chow mien, white sauce , sandwich etc. After dinner, we had the evening programme which included kirtans, prayers and also some dance and musical performances by the kanyas and batuks and sometimes by the guests of the ashrams as well. I and Deepak had a chance to present a mime in one of the evening programme. The stay in the ashram was very enriching. We had a lot of discussions with the various sannyasins there. We had a one hour chat with Swami Satyasangananda Saraswati ji, who was the peethadheeshwari of the ashram. It was very stimulating. Apart from that, we had a lot of discussions with other sannyasins as well on yogic philosophy, India’s past and the various facets and benefits of yoga. We also received a lot of gifts from the ashram (probably a little too many!!!). But the greatest gift was probably the knowledge of yoga and of the importance of its daily practice and the positive effects it can have on us. I also developed a greater respect for our cultural heritage. Another important thing that I realised during the course of my stay was the importance of discipline in any pursuit, spiritual or material. I realised the importance of sewa or karma yoga. Some of the sannyasins, especially foreigners, used to work from dusk until dawn in the sapping heat of Jharkhand. The stay in the ashram was probably an eye-opener for me in many ways. I would recommend anyone interested in yoga in particular, or spirituality and Indian culture in general to go for this scholarship. I would like to thank SPIC MACAY for providing me with this priceless opportunity. I really look forward to spending more time in the ashram whenever I get an opportunity.
Shantanu Misra.