The Path of Advaita Siddhanta

The Path of Advaita Siddhanta

In this period of time, my work is a lot of emailing, writing, organizing, arranging and taking care of a lot stuff concerned with teaching Sundara Kriya Yoga of Moolar and Babaji. It is a lot of work for one person, some times too much. Answering emails can take hours of my day, it keeps me very busy. Since the beginning of my conscious seeking, I've always thought that this path and spiritual work is for the benefit of all persons and all beings, in all aspects: spiritually, emotionally, mentally, creatively, materially... in all ways. Hence, naturally, I try to give my best to it.

It isn't always easy and it never will be for any teacher whose message is that of spiritual truth. That is because the mainstream culture and the mind of man is that of dualism (dvaita) and anyone who expounds on the contrary to that, shares the message of non-dualism (advaita) will meet with the doubts and negativity, even hate, of fellow men. That is just how it will always be. I remember Buddha as well as some other buddhist masters talking about this to his or theirs students. It was the same mind of man which nailed Jesus to the cross, too.

Anyway, today after writing pages of emails to Finnish and foreign friends, fellow seekers, I was exhausted. I still had many things to take care of but I was just tired... I sat down, not meaning to meditate, but just to take some rest, you know. Just yesterday, in the case of one Tibetan buddhist master, I'd been wondering why they need to take breaks of their public work and their doctors always insist them to take full rest from their work. I think I've got some taste of that.

So I sat down, allowed my breath to calm down for a few moments and just watched around our living room which is our meditation and training room. After some moments, I closed my eyes and sighed to master (Thirumoolar), that this work is heavy for me sometimes. At that he answered, with an understanding and knowing tone,

"Your work is to bring all yogas of wisdom together and put it out".

When he said "all yogas of wisdom" a flash of a map with India, China and Japan flew through my mind. After that, I opened my eys, started moving my body and noticed that 2 hours had passed since I sat down.

Master's words weren't news for me but a good reminder. Sometimes I feel it is a humongous task for a simple man like myself. You know, I'm not a great master, not an avatar or anything close that, wasn't born enlightened or anything like that. I'm just a guy from Finland who loved to meditate, or better had no other choice than to meditate(!), and sought for the Truth, nothing great or fancy but simply outting up a honest spiritual effort which doesn't come easy. And now, I'm just simple servant of my satgurudeva, Moolarji.

I'm very happy that in some years of pursuing this path and doing this work on courses, initiations and retreats, I've been fortunate to meet likeminded people, so far only in Finland, who resonate with this lineage of masters and teachings and are willing to pursue it, honestly and sincerely. When I see people joining courses and who write me emails afterwards, telling me their lives have changed for better, in nothing short of a miraculous way, I feel I am doing something right and that there is a concrete benefit to people. Then I feel this sweaty and backbreaking effort bears fruit. I've said to masters since day one, that if it didn't (bring benefit) I wouldn't continue to do this.

As a simple and somewhat tough-luck guy from Finland, I can say that Kriya Yoga of Moolar and Babaji, has some real potential in making our lives beautiful. But we need to practice, everyday, every moment, moment to moment... seek and find, seek and find, find and find again... I can say that with the help of Thirumoolar and Babaji one's life may turn into that of a song and dance, of calmness and understanding... Life can become truly humane... This is highly desired but we need to take the medicine of Kriya Yoga and practice it. Sundara Kriya Yoga of Moolar and Babaji is the path to nondual perfection (advaita siddhanta). A path and method to our true home, to liberation (moksha), nothing less than that. Please make every use of it.

Much Love and Blessings to All,
- Babananda, 19.10.2012

Blessings of Easter

Blessings of Easter

For some days, I had some physical aches in my body and I wasn't able to fix it on my own, though I tried. On the morning of the 2^nd Easter Day, the day when Jesus Christ (Isha Natha)had ascended after his crucifixion, I sat down for my morning sadhana (meditation).

I haven't written a lot about Isha Natha, though he has been very near and dear to me, who is a great yogi-master, an avatar, in our yogic master-lineage. Recently, during the last 2 years, I had only very rarely sought his company and blessings in meditation.

I sat down and again felt the aches in my body. I tried my best to resolve the problem on my own but wasn't able to. Then I thought of the whole lineage of our masters and made a sincere request of help to them. I felt a heavy reain of blessings shower on me as if a heavy blanket of 30 kgs was put on me. All of them came in one rush. Ah...

I stayed in their frequency of presence for some time, just absorbing it all, letting it sink into all cells of my body. After some minutes, not because of any specific reason, I asked further blessings and help from Isha Nath. In seconds I felt his presence light up my body, just like a halogen bulb, except in a very high frequency, that of a Satguru. I felt a halo above my head. The same halo, circle of light, which is painted above the heads of saints in paintings.

I remember from 2009, when I was teaching a course in Northern Finland, in Rovaniemi, when one lady who was clairvoyant told me afterwards, that during Isha's darshan (we have Darshan of 3 Satgurus programs in Sundara Kriya Yoga when we chant nama mantras and receive direct blessings from Kriya Babaji, Isha Natha and Maha Siddha Thirumoolar), she saw such a halo above my head. Perhaps, Isha Nath borrows his own halo, when he blesses with his company. I could clearly feel it, shining bright as I welcomed, or rather surrendered, in Isha's presence.

I asked Isha to help me with the aches and in moments he did. I thought how nice it was to be in his company again. Last time had been, I think over 6 months ago, so I gladly, from my heart, surrendered and we simply enjoyed together. Not talking, not chatting, just being together, merging in Love.

I had been wondering and studying about the states of concciousness in the centers above the crown. As I was blessed to be in the company of a great avatar who knew all about it, I asked Isha to lift me up to Higher Brahma Loka, where I had been earlier with Satgurudeva, Moolarji, and off we went. I remembered, how it felt when Moolar lifted me there the first time some years ago. Now, it was familiar to me. Such states are frequent in earnest Kriya Yogis Paravastha. For some minutes we simply enjoyed this state.

Then, for further study, I asked him to take me to Siddha Loka (Moolarji took me to this state also some years back and I had visited it a few times since) and again we went in the ”elevator”. Siddha Loka is a special state. We stayed for a brief moment when I recalled that I never had visited Hiranya Loka which to Kriya Yogis is known as the higher astral plane where Swami Sri Yukteswarji incarnated, after he resurrected in 1936. There's a whole chater of this in Yoganandaji's autobiography.

As we arrived, in just a flash, I recognized immediately that Hiranyaloka is certainly a plane of high-developed spiritual beings. In Yogananda's book it is said that only beings who have attained nirguna samadhi state may incarnate to this plane. Made complete sense to me for it is such a subtle, subtler than subtle, plane that a gross being simply couldn't sustain it. As we arrived, Sri Yukteswarji was there to welcome us two.

Sri Yuktesrwar is very special to me. I remember him from an incarnation just before this one and his picture was the first contact to this master lineage in my present life. He welcomed us for a vist to Hiranyaloka and we simply enjoyed, us three being together. Still, we didn't talk or communicate telepathically but simply enjoyed. There was no forms of my face, Isha's face or Sri Yukteswar's face or bodies, in this astral plane we we're just balls of light.

In heart-melting company, we enjoyed for some time. How nice it is to meet yogis of such a caliber, true friends whom you know from previous lives, and just enjoy, simply be together. What a satsang... I let it all fill my being, also physical body and all its' body cells. My physical body was a blaze with pure light and the body breathed only occasionally, the breath was mostly stopped.

After we had been together for some minutes, I knew I had to end my morning sadhana because I had promised to Sunyani (my companion who was sitting next to me) to go to crocery store in time.

So I opened my astral mouth (that's a joke) and thanked both Isha and Yukteswarji for their satsang. Further, I asked for their help, assistance and guidance in my work as an yoga acharya and asked them to give their blessings to all Sundara Kriya Yogis, those who practice and for those who seek to practice it. This is such a hard plane (physical world) that we need all the blessings of the Satgurus we can get.

With Love I thanked and bowed to them and started feeling my physical body again.

What a nice satsang with two resurrected Satgurus on the day of Easter (Isha's resurrection).

Thank you Isha Natha,

Thank you Sri Yukteswar,

Om Aum,

- Babananda, 9.4.2012

English: March on!

March on!

The person looks around and sees the sheer madness of the mind. He/she becomes disillusioned of its beliefs and says, ”I want the Truth of Life”. And so, he sets his foot on the Path of knowing the Self beyond suffering.

He decides to take medicine which removes the poison of delusion, illusion and error of his life. This is very good. He enjoys the first steps on the Path with Joy, singing loudly and dancing around.

But then, one day, the medicine isn't sweet anymore... Now it tastes like s*hit... He feels a sting...

”Ouch! What happened?!”, he wonders, scrathing his head in awe. ”What hit me..?”

Those who still believe in the mind and its stories, begin to doubt the purpose of walking the Path. Some say, ”Oh, this is not what I want. This isn't what I really need... I want something easier... something warm and cozy... not awful problems like this...” and they rationalize why it is better to stop meditating, praying and ego-surrendering. They step aside of the Path and lose the Path... while those who have faith and courage, march on fearlessly.

The sting will pass and again there will be Joy and Bliss, greater than before. Little by little, the seeker gets to know the Self. The medicine tastes sweet again.

Slowly, they, the seeker and the Self, become acquainted and friends until ”Ouch!” the medicine becomes bitter and the legs start to shake again. And in this way it continues...

”Aahhh... What a Love and Joy...” and

”Ouch! It hurts!” and

”Ooohhh... What a silent and blissful being I am...” and

”Bloody hell! WTF!?”...

And this keeps on going, back and forth, until the seeker has gone through the deepest and most dreadful of his inner hells, has become face-to-face with the worst of his fears and gone beyond them. His muscles, bones and marrow are completely grounded... Nothing is left...

But finally! At last!

As he hasn't settled for any fleeting experience or any half-truths, he shall, by the Grace of God, become unified with the Self and become Self-Awakened.

Never again, is he bothered by the taste of the medicine... whether bitter or sweet. Nothing is the same anymore... There is no suffering, nor attaching to the freedom attained... The True Nature, the Self has been truly found and realized.

All this begins with a firm resolve to know the Truth beyond the limits of the ”me, my, mine-mind” .

As you firmly make the resolve... Keep treading on! March on! Don't be moved by small or big setbacks. Know that any problem you face is created by your own mind and its reactions.

Settle for no less than the full Truth of Life...

Om,

- Babananda

www.sundarayoga.fi

Grace of Appa

Grace of Appa

A spiritual path is full of quick-turns and surprises. This experience was one such turn in my path...

Various sources such as Sri Subramuniyaswami, the founder of the Himalayan Academy, have given detailed explanations of how humanity came to this planet some millions of years ago. His explanation can be studied from a book called Lemurian Scrolls (free e-book). I had read some parts of it and heard of other such stories along the way. They are fascinating stories. Some of them are told in a grounded and clear-minded manner, some of them sound more like fantasies and fairy tales. True or not, such stories are so far off in the past that they hardly had any relevance in my life before.

One of Sivakami Amma's closest disciples is an Indian lady to whom I'll refer simply as ”Devi”. Devi is very dear and close friend to me, more than a friend, a spiritual sibling, though we have never met in physical.

Some time ago, she initiated me into a particular mantra. This is a well known mantra or chant in Tamil Nadu. This mantra was given by Lord Muruga, the other Son of Shiva, the Lord of Yogis, to a Siddha whose name was Arunagirinathar, hundreds of years ago. Siddha Arunagirinathar had in turn initiated one of Devi's teachers from whom she learned it. She gave me the mantra and passed a divine initiative charge with it. I chanted it a few times but waited for an audio file from Devi so that I could hear and learn the pronunciation correctly. She send it 2-3 weeks later. This is the mantra:

Uruvay Aruvay (as form and formless)

Ulladay Alladay (as present and absent)

Maruvay Malaray (as hidden and in blossom)

Maniyay Oliyay (as sound and light)

Karuvay Uyiray (as seed and life)

Gathiyay Vidhiyay (as direction and destiny)

Guruvay Varuvay (as guru you come)

Arulvay Guhane (shower the grace, the one who resides in the cave of heart)

You can hear me chanting it here.

For Western readers some background info is needed now.

Who or what is Lord Muruga?

Muruga has many names. He is also called Shanmukhan, Karttikeya and Sanat Kumara. Muruga is said to be the Lord of Yogis and especially important in the Siddha-lineage. It is said that Sanatkumara is the only one who can bestow a devotee with a perfect immortal body. I guess this is one of the main reasons why Muruga is so celebrated in our tradition as immortality and physical immortality specifically, are its central teachings.

Thirumularji, Babaji and Swami Ramalinga, they all attained this state, so that they could bring the Love of the Eternal to all living beings. So... Sanatkumara is a specific frequency of perfected (Siddha) consciousness. Sometimes Muruga is called Murugappa, that is Muruga Appa, Father Muruga, Father of Yogis. In India he is portrayed as a youthful and radiant yogi-ascetic much in the same way as his father Shiva is.

I had seen many of Sanatkumara's pictures but they meant nothing to me. Sometimes I had even been a bit puzzled because Muruga is so highly revered in the tradition of Siva Yoga into which I belong but yet I had not connection with him at all...

So... Devi sent me the audio clip of the mantra. In it, a friend of hers, a Tamil native, sang it. I listened to it and decided to meditate with it. I felt that it might take a while so I shut all windows and doors, and the mobile phone. Perfect :)

At first, I meditated Satgurudeva's, Thirumularji's presence in my own body. This is the most important method of meditation to me, has always been. After some time, I connected with Babaji as well. How I enjoyed Their company at Mount Kailash... and melted into a formless state. This took maybe 30 minutes or so...

Then I felt, it was good time to chant the mantra of Sanatkumara. I opened my eyes and chanted in aloud for a few rounds, reading it from a paper. Then I shut my eyes and meditated in stillness. I called upon Muruga, ”Muruga, come to me, come to me...” I felt some sensation. At first I witnessed this frequency for some time. Yes, it felt nice and Mularji's and Babaji's presence were clear also. I meditated more with Muruga.

Then I started remembering things what I had read about Sanatkumara and His Divine Mission for the benefit of all living beings. From the depths of my heart, a call came through: ”Muruga, come and live at my heart, come and live in my heart, take a seat in my heart...”

In the wildest stories it is told, that there is a city called Shambala which exists in the etheric space above the Gobi desert(!) and that Murugappa lives there. Well... this is one of the wildest versions :D Anyway, this came to my mind. I felt and meditated Muruga's presence. It became clearer and clearer and I felt that I came into contact with this Shambala. I was not interested in seeing this palace which exists in the astral realm. I was more interested in feeling whether these frequencies of vibrations are pure or not. This means whether they are spiritually true or not. It became obvious to me, through experiencing it on my own body, that Shambala indeed does exist and Muruga is very much the driving force behind it.

With my spiritual eye, I saw soft shimmering golden light all along. I didn't even want to see any visions or pictures but instead, understand that which is formless.

Muruga's presence swallowed me, I became totally merged in it. Then, something significant moved inside me. At instant, I remembered. I remembered that indeed there is truth in the ancient legend which tells that Sanatkumara and a large group of evolved beings and spiritual masters, came to Earth a few millions of years ago. I remembered it is true. This memory ignited so strong an emotional and energetic burst in me that in just a few seconds I burst into full tears...

In my mind, I asked Murugappa, ”How did I ever forget? How did I ever forget Appa!?” while tears rolled down my face in streams and my body gasped for air. I was in full tears...

How did I ever forget!? How did I ever forget!? I was fully merged in Appa's presence. His presence had taken seat at my heart.

The word ”Appa” never meant anything to me before this, nor did Muruga or Sanatkumara, Shambala or any of this though I had memories from previous lives with Baba and Mular... And yet, in split second my viewpoint had shifted completely. I remembered... Meaning of my life had become diamond clear... And it was all through the Grace of Appa, my Father, My Beloved Father...

As this first impact absorbed in me, I talked with Appa but after a few questions I just wanted to hold Him... We held each other like a father and son, perfectly... How can a formless being hold another formless being..? After this I asked Him more questions for clarification.

By this, I had come to understand that Appa is the core of me and He is the core of the whole lineage of Siva Yoga. Sanatkumara is the power of enlightenment behind the whole spiritual mission of this planet, Universe and of all Universes! This Appa is not just any Father but The Father!

He said Himself that Muruga Shakti is the power of enlightenment, the shakti of moksha, the power which brings on the liberation of all karmic bonds. When He told me this, I laughed out loud for a full minute, my home reverberated with laughter. It sounded both so silly, relieving and true all at once.

Liberation or enlightenment means rooting oneself into a state of clear consciousness where there is absolutely no identification with any movement of either the conscious or subconscious minds. This is also the foundation of the immortal light body which is taught in Siva Yoga of Thirumular. The perfection of this state is beyond mukti or liberation. Hence, it is taught that for Siddhas there is no mukti. This means that mukti is not the final goal on the path of the Siddhas.

I learned several things which are meaningful to me in my life as a yoga teacher. Now it seems so silly that I had forgotten Appa... How could I? How could I forget my Appa!? It all makes sense to me now... How wonderful... how well thought... What a perfection!

Worshipping, invoking and being devoted to this form of shakti, or spiritual energy-consciousness, is recommended to all. This can be done by chanting the above mantra or simply by calling it forth to oneself, such as:

Come Muruga's Light,

Come Muruga's Love,

Fill me up the brim, O' Sanatkumara,

Make me One with You

But mere words won't do it. Love, surrender and desire for Truth is needed. Then become merged in the Pure Love of Appa which blows its shakti of moksha into your bone and marrow!

I am dancing at the feet of my Lord!

What a marvel! What a marvel!

Appa! Appa! Appa!

- Babananda, 1.11.2011.

Suomeksi: Suurenmoinen TAO ja Mestareiden Siddha Jooga

Suurenmoinen TAO

ja

Mestareiden Siddha Jooga

Monta vuotta sitten kun harjoitin Zeniä, opin erityisen meditatiivisen hengitystavan. Japanilaiset Zen-mestarini korostivat tällaista hengittämistä. Taolainen ja Zen Buddhalainen perinne kuten myös Zen-taiteet pohjautuvat voimakkaasti tähän.

Vuodesta 2006 lähtien, kun sain vihkimyksen Kriya Joogaan ja hieman myöhemmin edelleen Siva Joogaan, jätin melko lailla ne harjoitukset joita olin Zen-vuosinani oppinut. Suurin syy tähän oli se, että olin kohdannut vaikean hermostollisen tai henkisen loppuunpalamisen koska olin harjoitellut niin kovaa, oppimatta rentoutumaan. Kun opin kriyoja niin minulle avautui aivan uusi maailma ja uppouduin korkeisiin energia-tietoisuus tiloihin (Paravastha) joita ei voi sanoin kuvailla. Koin etten tarvinnut Zen-juttuja enää. Moneen vuoteen en ymmärtänyt Zen-meininkiä.

Viisi vuotta kului... kunnes syyskuussa 2011, rakkaiden Satgurujeni, Thirumularin ja Babajin vinkistä, kohtasin jälleen samat periaatteet joita olin harjoitellut vuosia sitten Zenissä, joka perustuu Taolaiseen ja Buddhalaiseen Joogaan Kiinasta ja vielä kauempaa Intiasta. Nämä samat harjoitukset ja niiden periaatteet alkoivat tulla vastaan meditaatioissani kun istuin Baban ja Mularin kanssa käsikkäin Kailash-vuorella, sekä myös DVD:stä, videoista ja kirjoista eri muodoissaan. Jotkut näistä olivat hyvin esitettyjä ja toiset miten sattuu. Lisäksi, Babaji antoi minulle pranayama-sarjan – Babajin Pranayama Setin Terveyden ja Henkisen kasvun eduksi – jota voisin tarjota online-jooga opetuksena nettisivujeni kautta, www.sundarayoga.fi . Tämä kurssi, parin muun Mularjin antaman opetuksen lisäksi, tulee pian saataville englannin ja suomen kielellä.

Ensi alkuun olin hieman ymmälläni tästä kaikesta. Tiesin kuinka Siddha-mestareiden perhe ulottuu Intiasta Kiinaan, Euroopasta Arabiaan ja edelleen Etelä-Amerikkaan... joten on turvallista olettaa tämän linjan Mestareiden toimivan globaalisti. Sitä Satguru tarkoittaakin, globaalia tai universaalia Mestaria. Kuitenkin omasta pienen ötökän – ihmisen – näkökulmasta, minun piti katsoa asiaa tarkemmin. Kuinka nämä periaatteet ja harjoitukset, Siva/Siddha Joogan ja Zenin ja Shintolaisuuden parissa oppimani harjoitukset jotka intialaisperäisestä joogasta tuntuvat puuttuvan, sopivat yhteen?

Siddhojen harjoitukset ovat tuhtia tavaraa. En haluasi kuulostaa hölmöltä mutta suurin osa kriyoista jotka olen näiltä kahdelta Satgurulta sekä oman Korkeimman Itseni muistoista oppinut, ovat sellaisia jotka kääntävät tietoisuuden täydelliseen moodiin noin vain. ”PAM!” Tuosta vain. Tämä on se erityinen syy miksi kaikki harjoitukset ja tantrat on pidetty ja pidetään edelleen salassa.

Suurimmassa osassa Kundaliini ja Kriya Joogan nimellä kulkevista opetuksista tarjotaan yksinkertaistettuja ja helppoja menetelmiä. Jos alkuperäiset opetukset olisivat avoimesti kaikkien opittavissa kurssimuotoisesti niin arvelen, että yhteiskunta ja yksilöllisten ihmisten elämät vain pysähtyisivät paikoilleen sillä fyysinen maailma, maailma ympärillämme, näyttäisi pelkältä unelta. Kaikki asiat joita teemme ja joista otamme vastuuta päivittäisessä elämässämme näyttäisi enemmän tai vähemmän merkityksettömältä. Aikamme ihmisten kuuluu olla juurtuneita ja aktiivisia maailmassa. En tarkoita tällä järjetöntä aineellista tavoittelua ja itsensä kadottamista maailman ja politiikan leikkeihin. Tarkoitan elämistä tässä ja nyt, juuri näissä kehoissamme, tässä ajassa ja yhteiskunnassa.

Joten tasapainon tuominen henkiseen ja ulkoiseen elämään on tärkeää. Se on olennaista... Ja juuri tässä kohtaa Siddha-metodi joka tunnetaan Zenissä ja Taolaisuudessa, astuu kuvioon.

Elämme suuren muutoksen aikaa. Tämä kulttuurin muutos ei tapahdu munkkien tai erakkojen vaan tavallisten perheelisten ihmisten toimesta, jotka asuvat kaupungeissa ja ovat aktiivisia yhteiskunnassa. Tämä on se syy jonka vuoksi tuhdit metodit kuten Kriya Jooga ja Thirumularin Siva Jooga on alun perin saatettu tarjolle: Jotta saadaan aikaan muutos materialistisesta egoistisesta tietoisuustilasta tasapainoiseen ja luonnolliseen, valaistuneeseen tietoisuuteen. Jotta tämä olisi mahdollista niin me tarvitsemme tuhtia lääkitystä (Siva Jooga) ja tämän Siddha-mestarimme ovat saattaneet eteemme. Lisäharjoitukset kuten Khanda Pranayama, joka on se harjoitus johon olen edellä viitannut, tuo täydellisen balanssin ulkoisen maailman ja sisäisen henkisen tilan välille.

Meditaatiossa, pyysin Babajia selittämään minulle Siva Joogan ja Taolaisen dan tien/tanden-harjoitusten yhteyttä.

”Babaji, kerro minulle Siva Joogan ja Taolaisuuden yhteydestä”

”Kyseessä on yksi ja sama jooga. Ei ole sitä tai tätä joogaa. On vain se, joka on linjassa suuren jooga-perinteen kanssa ja se, joka on sen ulkopuolella. Tällä hetkellä suuri osa joogista tietoa on hajallaan ympäri maailmaa. Baban tehtävä on tuoda se kaikki yhteen.”

Tunsin Babajin hymyilevän kuin iloinen pikku poika... niin vilpittömästi ja leikkisän ylpeästi.

”Kuinka nämä oppimani metodit pitäisi opettaa?”

”Sinä tunnet jo tämän kaiken. Baba on opastanut sinua pitkän aikaa... siitä saakka kun olit pieni poika, näin pitkä (Hän asetti kätensä alas vyötärön korkeudelle näyttäen pienen lapsen pituutta ja hymyili vielä leveämmin). Babananda, tee tämä kaikkien saataville.”

Jo jonkin aikaa, olin intuitiivisesti tiennyt, että Babaji oli näkymättömällä kädellään opastanut minua Zenin pariin ja Japaniin mutta siitä huolimatta olin yllättynyt kuullessani Babajin itsensä kertovan tämän. Olen monesti miettinyt miten paljon opin resitoimisesta/laulamisesta, retriiteistä ja muista asioista Zenin parissa, jota voin nyt soveltaa työssäni Siva Joogan acharyana – valtuutettuna opettajana - ja joogakeskukseni opetustyössä.

Mielessäni välähti muistoja lapsuudestani. Monet kerrat Babaji tuli hiljaa luokseni lohduttamaan ja auttamaan minua kun rukoilin onnellisuutta ja rauhaa kaikille. Minulla oli tapana tehdä tätä ollessani muutaman vuoden ikäinen poika.

Aloin tuntea olevani niin täyteen ladattu Babajin autuudellista Rakkautta (prema), että sulin sisäisesti kuin pehmeä hunaja. Sanoin spontaanisti:

”Rakastan Sinua Babaji, Rakastan Sinua.”, samalla kun sulin Babajin premaan.

”Babananda, vie Baban Rakkaus monille ihmisille. Tämä prema kuuluu kaikille. Tee tämä saataville.

Sisäisesti, olin niin täynnä Babajin huikeaa autuudellista Rakkautta, että mieleni hiljeni samalla kun sydämeni ja Sieluni tulivat yhdeksi Babajin Puhtaan Rakkauden virrassa.

Babajin Rakkautta ja siunauksia kaikille,

• Babananda,

Joogakeskus Sundara,

www.sundarayoga.fi

30.9.2011

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***

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English: The Way of the TAO and The Yoga of the Siddhas

The Way of the TAO

and

The Yoga of the Siddhas

I learned a special meditative breathing method many years ago, when I was still practicing Zen. My Zen Masters in Japan emphasized this kind of breathing a lot, the whole tradition of Taoism and Zen Buddhism as well as the Zen arts, rely heavily on this method.

Since 2006, when I was initiated into Kriya Yoga and further into Siva Yoga a bit later, I pretty much left the practices I had learned in my Zen years. The biggest reason for this was that I had faced a very difficult nervous or spiritual breakdown after training so hard without learning to relax. When I learned kriyas, a whole new world opened up for me and I was swept by it, enjoying and merging in high energy-consciousness states (Paravastha) that are beyond description. So I felt I didn't need the Zen stuff anymore. For several years, I couldn't understand it.

So 5 years passed... until September 2011 when with the initiative of my beloved Satgurus, Thirumular and Babaji, I came across again the same principles I had practiced years ago in Zen which has its roots in Taoist and Buddhist Yoga from China and further back from India. These same practices and their principles started popping up to me in my meditations, while holding hands with Baba and Mular at Mt. Kailash, an also from DVD:s, videos and books in various forms, some of them watered down and some of them all right. Further, Babaji gave me a set of pranayama – Babaji's Pranayama Set for Health and Spiritual Evolution – to be shared as online yoga teachings through my website, www.sundarayoga.fi, which includes these same principles. The course, among with few other courses Mularji has given, will be available soon in English and Finnish.

At first, I was a bit puzzled of all this. I knew how the family of the Siddhas reaches from India to China to Europe to Arabia and all the way to South America... so it is safe to assume that the Masters of this lineage pretty much work on a global scale. That is what a Satguru means, a Master on a global or universal scale. Yet, from my perspective as a simple bug – a human being – I needed to take a good look at the whole thing. How do these practice principles and methods fit together: Siva/Siddha Yoga and practices I had learned in Zen and Shintoism which seem to be missing in Indian Yoga?

The practices of the Siddhas are heavy stuff. I don't want to sound a fool but most of the kriyas I've learned from these two Satgurus as well as from the memories of my own Higher Self, are practices which just switch ones consciousness into the mode of completeness. *BANG!* Just like that. And this is the precise reason why all these secret practices and tantras have been and are still being kept secret.

In most teachings of Kundalini or Kriya Yoga, simple and easy methods are offered. If the original methods were openly shared in yoga courses and seminars, the society and the lives of the individuals would, I assume, pretty much seize because the physical realm, the world around us, would seem like a mere dream. All the things we do and take care of in our daily lives would seem more or less pointless. As modern people, we need to be grounded and active in the world. I don't mean pursuing material goals or loosing oneself in the game and politics of the world but living here and now, right in these bodies made of flesh and bones, in our time and society.

So, bringing a balance between spiritual and wordly lives is important. It's crucial... And this is where the Siddha-method well-known in Zen and Tao comes in.

We live in a time of great transformation of the human culture. This culture is not brought by monks or recluses in the mountain caves but by normal family men and women who live in the cities and are active in the society. This is the reason why heavy methods of Kriya Yoga and Mularji's Siva Yoga are brought back in the first place: To make a shift from material egoistic consciousness into balanced and natural, enlightened consciousness. For this to happen, we need heavy medicine (Siva Yoga) and that is what these Siddha Masters have made available to us all. Additional practices such as the Khanda Pranayama, which is the practice referred to here, strike a perfect balance between the outer world and the inner spiritual state.

In meditation I asked Babaji to explain me the connection of Siva Yoga and Taoist dan tien/tanden-practices.

”Babaji, please tell me of the connection between Siva Yoga and Taoism?”

”This is one and the same yoga. There is no this or that yoga. There is only that which is according to the great tradition of yoga and that which is outside of it. At the moment much yogic knowledge is scattered in the world. It is Baba's work to bring it all together.”

I felt Babaji smiling like a happy young boy... so sincere and playfully proud.

”How these methods I've learned should be taught?”

”You know all this already. Baba has guided you a long time... since you were a small boy, this tall (putting His hand low on the waist level to signify small child's height and smiling even wider). Babananda, make it available.”

For a while I had intuitively known that it had been Babaji's invisible guiding hand that had guided me to Zen and Japan but still I was a bit amazed to hear Him say that to me. Many times I had thought how much I had learned in Zen about chanting, retreats and of many things which I can now use in my work as an acharya – authorized teacher - of Siva Yoga and as a teacher of my yoga center.

Memories from my childhood flashed quickly in my mind when Babaji came silently to solicitate and help me when I prayed for happiness and peace to all, sitting by myself on the bedside when I was a boy of just a few years old.

I started to feel so full of Babaji's blissful Love (prema) that inside I melted like soft honey. Spontaneously, I said:

”I Love You Babaji, I Love You Babaji.”, while melting in Babaji's prema.

”Babananda, bring Baba's Love to many people. This prema belongs to all. Make this available.”

Within me, I got so full of Babaji's incredible blissful Love that my mind quieted down while my heart and Soul became one in Babaji's stream of Pure Love.

Babaji's Prema and blessings to all,

• Babananda,

  Yogacenter Sundara,

  www.sundarayoga.fi

  30.9.2011

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***

Jos pidit artikkelista niin Tue Siva Joogan pioneerityötä

Suomessa ja koko maailmassa lahjoituksella. Kiitos ja kumarrus.

Krishna, Buddha, Krishna, Buddha...

Krishna, Buddha, Krishna, Buddha...

Sometimes Master's name, Thirumular, doesn't feel fitting to Him. Sometimes I just feel that His real name, or the name that I'd like to call Him, is not Thirumular.

I had attuned to Master's presence and was tasting His name, Thirumular, which didn't feel right. Sometimes this happens.

”What should I call you, Master?”, I asked instinctively.

”How about Krishna or Buddha or ...” He started counting.

At that I glanced at Him for a brief moment until we both broke into laughter.

After a few moments I began to chant ”Om Thirumular Namaya” and felt greatly elevated, peaceful and full of bliss.

Then several hours later, as I sat out in the garden, I asked master to give a Siddha Healing to me. This is an ancient way of healing in our Siva Yoga lineage. For the last several days my body had been more or less shaky as I had come across very deep subconscious fears near the root of my spine. Encountering such issues which hit right at the root of the human body, the earth element, and organizes the ”pieces of puzzle” in a new order might take a good while to recover from.

As I felt Siva's healing energy flush throughout my body, Master seemed to be particularly concentrated at fixing my root of the spine like doing some little repairing deed. As He was doing that, He was humming to Himself,

”Krishna, Buddha, Krishna, Buddha...”.

I couldn't be but amused and charmed of Him. Again.

Such a Satguru is Mularji.

Om Nama Shivaya,

- Babananda, 29.6.2011

Krishna, Buddha, Krishna, Buddha...

Krishna, Buddha, Krishna, Buddha...

Joskus Mestarin nimi, Thirumular, ei tunnu sopivan Hänelle. Joskus minusta vain tuntuu että Hänen oikea nimensä tai nimi jolla haluaisin kutsua Häntä, ei ole Thirumular.

Olin virittynyt Mestarin läsnäoloon ja maistelin mielessäni Hänen nimeään, joka ei nyt tuntuvan osuvan kohdalleen. Joskus näin tapahtuu.

”Millä nimellä minun pitäisi kutsua sinua, Mestari?”, kysyin vaistomaisesti.

”Miten olisi Krishna tai Buddha tai ...” Hän alkoi luetella.

Tämä kuullessani vilkaisin Häneen ja repesimme molemmat nauramaan.

Hetken kuluttua aloin laulaa ”Om Thirumular Namaya” - mantraa mielessäni jolloin tunsin kohottuvani sekä oloni muuttui rauhan ja autuudentäyteiseksi.

Useita tunteja myöhemmin kun istuin ulkona puutarhassa, pyysin Mestaria antamaan minulle Siddha Healing-hoidon. Tämä on muinainen hoitomenetelmä Siva Jooga-perinteessämme. Useiden päivien ajan kehoni oli ollut enemmän tai vähemmän huterantuntuinen sillä olin kohdannut joitain hyvin syviä alitajuisia pelkoja itsessäni jotka löytyivät häntäluun tyvestä. Tällaisten asioiden kohtaaminen jotka osuvat suoraan ihmiskehon juureen, Maa-elementtiin ja ”palapelin palojen” uudelleenjärjestyminen voi viedä hyvin tovin toipua.

Kun tunsin Sivan parantavan energian huuhtelevan kehoani, Mestari tuntui olevan keskittynyt erityisesti häntäluun kärjen kohdalle kuin Hän olisi korjannut jotain erityistä vikaa. Kun Hän teki niin niin Hän hyräili itsekseen,

”Krishna, Buddha, Krishna, Buddha...”

En voinut olla huvittumatta ja hurmaantumatta Hänestä. Jälleen kerran.

Sellainen Satguru Mularji on.

Om Nama Shivaya,

- Babananda, 29.6.2011

Kaksi Sielua yhdessä

Kaksi Sielua yhdessä

Aina, aloittaessani meditaatio-harjoituksen, yhdistän oman Ylisieluni Thirumularin Ylisielun kanssa muinaisen Hawaiilaisen Huna-riitin avulla jonka olen oppinut Ammalta. Ammalla tarkoitan guruani Sivakami Om Anandia. Ylisielu on Olemuksemme korkein tai syvin, miten sen haluaa sanoa, ydin ja se voidaan löytää korkealta pään yläpuolelta. Kahunat eli Hunaan perehtyneet kutsuvat sitä nimellä Aumakua – Korkein Itse.

Pyysin Mestaria vahvistamaan minulle tuntemuksen omasta Korkeimmasta Itsestäni sekä Hänen Ylisielustaan yhdessä jonka Hän tekikin. Kahden yhtyneen säteen massiivinen virta hyvin hienovaraista ja voimakasta energiaa satoi ylleni kuin raskas monsuunisade.

Halusin edelleen kysyä Häneltä kuinka minun tulisi meditoida sillä mantrat ja muut tekniikat ovat viime aikoina tuntuneet ylimääräisiltä.

”Vain muista Minut”, Hän vastasi.

Tunnustelin tätä hetken ja havaitsin että juuri tämä, itse asiassa, oli 'ongelmani ydin' sillä Hänen muistamisensa edellyttää tahdonponnistusta tai mentaalisen voiman käyttöä.

”Mutta tämä myös on ponnistelua vaativaa... Miten minun sitten pitäisi tehdä?”

”Vain antaudu...”, Hän sanoi ja niin Hänen sanoessaan sulin niin hellään ja valtaisaan autuudelliseen hiljaisuuteen että mitkään sanat eivät yllä sinne koskaan.

Om,

- Babananda, 26.5.2011

Two Oversouls united

Two Oversouls united

Always in the beginning of my meditation practice, I unite my Oversoul with that of Thirumular by using an ancient Hawaiian Huna-rite that I learned from Amma. Oversoul is the highest or deepest, however you want to put it, core of our Being and it can be found from high above the head. The kahunas, practitioners of Huna called this Aumakua – the Higher Self.

I asked the Master to fortify the sense of meditating my own Higher Self and His Oversoul together and He did. A massive flow of two united beams of very subtle and strong spiritual energy showered down upon me like a heavy monsoon rain.

Further I wanted to ask Him how should I meditate as mantras and other techniques had lately felt somehow superficial.

”Just remember Me”, was His answer.

I reflected on this for a moment and felt that this, in fact was the 'problem issue' I had had because remembering Him requires an act of will or a momentum of mental power.

”But this also is strenuous... What should I do then?”

”Just surrender...”, He said and by saying so I melted in such a tender and vast blissful silence that no describing words will ever reach there.

Om,

- Babananda, 26.5.2011