YL July 2022

Om Ganapathaye ! FIFTY THREE YEARS IN THE PROPAGATION OF CLASSICAL RISHICULTURE ASHTANGA YOGA We are pleased to share with our readers INTERNATIONAL brilliant images for numerous events held at MONTHLY Pondicherry to celebrate the 8th International Day of Yoga. The front cover highlights the momentous Vol.53 No. 07, JULY 2022 return of Yoga sessions to Sri Kambaliswamy Madam after a hiatus of 35 years. Dr Anandaji, the CONTENTS Madathipathy and lineage holder of the Rishiculture Gitananda Yoga Tradition led the CELEBRATING YOGA DAY AND A SPECIAL BIRTHDAY - 02 historical session on the Mandala from the very spot where Pujya Swamiji and our beloved SAMADHI - AN IMPLODING STATE OF ENSTATIC - 04 Yogamahashakti Ammaji had taught thousands of CONSCIOUSNESS children from all sections of society. Hundreds of members of the Indian Yoga Association, SATSANGA SHARINGS ON STRESS AND YOGA - 18 Puducherry Yogasana Sports Association, Geetanjali Yogalayam, Yoganjali Natyalayam, THE JOURNEY OF THE JIVA - 22 CYTER and ICYER participated with enthusiasm and joy. MYSTICAL POWERS OF THE GANGA - 27 The inner cover depicts lovely images from the TRUE LOVE IS FREEDOM - 29 19th birthday celebrations of our \"Chinna Ammaji\" Selvi Dhivya Priya Bhavanani at various locations Cities, 100 Organisations Countdown to IDY2022\". with family and friends. She is indeed a role model, The International Yoga Therapy Convention on a shining light for the young ones who look up to the theme, \"Strengthening the Cultural Ethos of her, and we pray she receives loving blessings from Yoga Therapy\" saw participation of hundreds of all elders in her journey towards fulfilling her local, national and global Yoga enthusiasts blessed destiny. with inspiring, thought provoking presentations by 20 eminent speakers from a dozen prestigious The back covers share special moments from the institutions worldwide. SBV Yoga Mahotsav organized by the CYTER of Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth with the Lt Governor We place on record our gratitude to Director participating in the Mass Yoga Demonstration at MDNIY, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India the Pondicherry Promenade with the Gandhi for leading this most amazing IDY2022 celebrations. Statue and Old Lighthouse in the background. SBV The benevolent Management and Administration of was selected as one of the 100 institutions Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth deserves our heartfelt worldwide by MDNIY, Ministry of AYUSH, gratitude for supporting the historical events. We Government of India as part of \"100 Days, 100 also thank Tourism Department of Pondicherry Government for supporting the event at Sri Kambaliswamy Madam. The official publication of Yoga Jivana Satsangha (International); Vishwa Yoga Samaj (Worldwide Yoga Congress); Sri Kambaliswamy Madam (Samadhi Site); SPARC (The Society for the Preservation of Ancient Rishi Culture); ICYER (International Centre for Yoga Education and Research) at Ananda Ashram, Tamil Nadu. Published from Ananda Ashram City Centre at Yoganjali Natyalayam, 25, II Cross, lyyanar Nagar, Pondicherry-605 013, India. Editor and Publisher : Ammaji Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani, Editor: (I/C) Yogacharya Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani. Phone: +91-0413-2241561. E-mail: [email protected]; Website: www.rishiculture.in Printers : Sarguru Printographs, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, India. Subscription Rate: Indian Rs. 500/year; International 50 Euros/ year. Note: All subscribers will be sent e-copies of Yoga Life every month from January 2021 onwards and hence are requested to register their preferred e-mail at [email protected] to ensure uninterrupted receipt of the journal.

CELEBRATING YOGA DAY AND A SPECIAL BIRTHDAY Yogacharya Dr ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI Ashram Acharya and Chairman ICYER at Ananda Ashram, Pondicherry. On behalf of the Vishwa Yoga Parivaar (World Yoga family) we offer everyone special heartfelt greetings on the momentous success of the 8th International Day of Yoga that was celebrated all over the globe on 21st June 2022. It is estimated that more than 25 crore individuals participated in this year's event. The Government of India and all major Yoga organizations including the Indian Yoga Association were proactive in celebrating this IDY as it was the first opportunity for mass gatherings ever since the COVID pandemic came into existence. The unique “Guardian Ring of Yoga” honoured the movement of the rising sun from the East to the West, as people from all countries welcomed the sun in their region with a mass performance of the Common Yoga Protocol devised by the Ministry of AYUSH. This was in tune with this year's theme of 'Yoga for Humanity' bringing together people of different nationalities to celebrate Yoga at the crack of the dawn. This is very apt as Yoga, the cultural heritage of India, is one of the best gifts India has shared with the entire world in the spirit of \"Vasudaiva Kudumbhakam\", One World-One Family! Pondicherry witnessed a historical moment when Dr Ananda led the Yoga Day session at Sri Kambaliswamy Madam after nearly 35 years on the Sacred Mandala in the Ashram gardens. To be leading the session in the same spot as had been done decades ago by Pujya Swamiji and Pujya Ammaji was very special indeed and the hundreds who participated in the event experienced the blessings of the Guru Parampara on that day. Dhivya Priya Bhavanani celebrated her 19th birthday on the same day by offering Prasadam to all the devotees after a special Puja at the Gurus' Samadhis and then also lovingly shared food with elderly inmates of the Cluny Hospice and inmates of the Mother Care Foundation (a De-Addiction Centre). With the blessings of Ammaji we cut a special cake for her celebration that also saw her feed the temple elephant Lakshmi a hearty meal. Indian culture tells us that Annadhanam or sharing food with others is the best of gifts. Dhivya indeed lived that to a hilt on her birthday by manifesting the reality of “Sharing is Caring”. Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 02

EDITORIAL Dhivya over the past few years has grown tremendously in spirit and has truly become a torchbearer of this illustrious tradition. She has shone on the world stage and become a true leader of the “young pack”. She inspires so many young ones through her role modeling of what a life of beauty and grace can be when lived in tune with Yoga and the cultural Fine Arts. We hope that she will continue to shine bright and illuminate the lives of many through her own natural growth and manifest the inherent divinity through her life of Yoga. May we all be blessed by our Divine Mother Yoga and forever be her worthy and loving children. Yogacharya Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, Director CYTER and Institute of Complementary Medicine and Salutogenesis of Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth was honured with the \"Lifetime Achiever Award\" on 26 June 2022 by the Tamil Nadu Sports Yogasana Association in Chennai. The prestigious award by bestowed upon him for his four decades of service for the cause of Yoga by Gurumahan Maharishi Paranjothiar, Founder of Universal Peace Foundation, Thirumurthi Hills, Tamil Nadu in the presence of Dr R Elangovan, Professor & Head, Faculty of Yoga Sciences & Therapy, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, Chennai. The event was well organised by the President of the Association Lion M Babu, President and General Secretary Yogacharya Ravi Arumugam Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 03

SAMADHI - AN IMPLODING STATE OF ENSTATIC CONSCIOUSNESS Yogamaharishi Dr. SWAMI GITANANDA GIRI, Founder Ananda Ashram, Pondicherry. The highest or deepest state of consciousness or mind development in Yoga exists in a state referred to as 'Samadhi', Cosmic Consciousness. It is as though mind has been transcended and mental states of the usual type no longer exist. That which is the cause of thought, of consciousness and the support of the human mind remains alone and at one with the Self, the 'Atman.' The Sanskrit term 'Samadhi' is self-explanatory; 'Sama', sameness, complete, at one, exact; while 'Adhi' is descriptive of the Higher Self, the Atman, the Unnamable Source of Being. The term 'Paramatman' is used by some to describe Ultimate Reality. India's Yoga Rishis state that this Source of Being, Reason of Being, is 'Anami', Unnamable, but it has always been the object of writers to try to name and describe this Source of Being and hence, the various religions of the world. Vedanta terms it 'Brahman'; other sects say 'Shiva, Vishnu, Rama', or whatever term is in use for God. Yogis prefer to leave the term to 'that Being experienced as the Self'. As there is consciousness attached to the experience, it has sometimes been termed 'Cosmic Consciousness' and described in various ways. Some of the terms used are: 'State of Superconsciousness; Highest State of Existence; Consciousness Operating with Mind References; Identification of Mind with Supreme Consciousness or the State of Union of Individual Consciousness with Cosmic Consciousness'. Whatever term is used, it is meant to convey that all lower mind experiences, whether produced by logical reasoning, or by perceptive or sensory error, are abolished by the state of Samadhi,2 an experience that can only be described as 'suprasensory, supramental and extra rational', carrying the experiencer beyond the painful states of lower consciousness produced by suffering and consummated in suffering, into an 'ecstacy' of Cosmic Union, the Samadhi. An immediate difficulty in terminology arises, not only in translating from archaic, supra-communicative Sanskrit into modern English, but the apparent conflict between real and supposed meaning of English words. The English term 'ecstasy' comes from the Greek 'extasis', which literally means 'a moving outwards from statis, the stagnation and unproductivity of consciousness'. This is the 'Tamasic- mindedness' described in Yoga and Vedanta. The proper term needed is: 'enstasis' literally meaning 'a moving into Higher Consciousness from the stagnancy of the lower mind and the Tamasic senses which have previously Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 04

SAMADHI - AN IMPLODING STATE OF ENSTATIC CONSCIOUSNESS dominated consciousness'. The popular concept of experiencing a mental or spiritual explosion, of 'blowing the mind', would have to be similarly described by the use of the term 'implosion' from 'implode', to burst inward. Whether it is possible to describe what happens in this Universal Unitive State is open to conjecture. Can a finite mind describe the infinite? Can a mortal mind contemplate immortality? Can a mind dominated by ego personality describe Universal Consciousness? Yet again, our ancient sages have tried to explain the transcendent state of Nirvana, Brahma Nirvana, Kaivalya and Samadhi. Nirvana is literally transcendence of all ego, sense and mind states, the extinction of 'me and mineness'. Brahma Nirvana is reabsorption into Brahma, the Ultimate Reality. Kaivalyam3 describes Absolute Unity, while Samadhi describes union or conjunction of the microcosmic human mind, with the macro-cosmic Universal Consciousness. All these terms describe a state of consciousness of mind - brain transcendence into a 'living in freedom state', described as Jivana Mukta and that one 'blissed' in the Unitive State is described as a Jivanan Mukti. THE CLASSIFICATION OF CHITTA Our Rishis also state that the higher experiences are Agadha or unfathomable, yet there is a vast amount of speculation as to what those higher states 'contain.'4 Certainly we can understand some of the hindrances to the attainment of the Samadhi-like states and know that these hindrances and obstacles must be removed. Patanjali, the codifier of the Yoga system, in his YOGA SUTRAS states that it is the Chitta or lower mind system that gets in the way of higher mind evolution. He boldly asserts 'Yoga Chittavrittinirodhah'. Only when the modifications of Chitta, the modalities of lower consciousness, are restricted and overcome, does Yoga or Union with the Supreme begin. The Rishi Vyasa classifies the mental planes, the Chitta Bhumi, which creates the Chittavritti as Mudha, Kshipta, Vikshipta, Ekagra and Niruddha. 1. MUDHA is a mind dull, confused, obscure and preoccupied. 2. KSHIPTA is a mind restless, unstable and distracted. 3. VIKSHIPTA is a mind mildly distracted and unstable, ambivalent but moving towards stability. 4. EKAGRA is a mind single in intent, one-pointed, with deep concentration. 5. NIRUDDHA is a mind completely restrained, a pure state of consciousness. Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 05

SAMADHI - AN IMPLODING STATE OF ENSTATIC CONSCIOUSNESS The first two modalities of Mudha and Kshipta are common to all mankind, the usual state of mind of man in the world. Through Yoga discipline, the third modification, the Vikshipta is gradually overcome, while the Ekagra and Niruddha which produce the liberation from the lower mind states is brought about by higher Yoga practices of the Samyama5, Abhyasa6, and Dhyana7, constant and productive meditation. All of the great, ancient Rishis were of the same opinion as to how the early practices of mental evolution were to begin. Some form of discipline, Tapas8, Sadhana9 or Abhyasa is necessary to produce the proper Vairagya, non- attachment or renunciation. FIVE MODIFICATIONS OF MIND According to Patanjali, the modifications of mind-stuff are five10 in number and are both painful and pleasurable, according to time, place and personality. The five are: 1. PRAMANA which represents the sources of valid knowledge, proof, authority and validity of cognition. 2. VIPARYAYA which is misinterpretation, also sense impressions and mental illusions. 3. VIKALPA which is suffering from delusions and hallucinations or from faulty sense impressions and lower ego analysis. 4. NIDRA which is sleep, when the conscious phase of the mind is inactive. 5. SMRITI which is memory with all of its burdens of false attitudes and conditioning. Patanjali further defines Pramana as having three aspects: direct perception, inductive and deductive inference, valid or verbal written testimony of a competent person or knowledge gained from a valid test, as all good, solid sources of valid knowledge. Viparyaya, illusion, is mistaking one thing for another, or mistaken perception. This includes illusions like the bending of the stick when it is thrust into water. Vikalpa is a psychological perception not arising from corresponding content, or a hallucination. Mistaking a coiled rope for a cobra is an example of a Vikalpa. Hallucinations may develop through any of the senses or arise from an imbalance of the chemicals and biochemical systems of the body. Glandular imbalance is often at fault. False sexual concepts and morbid Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 06

SAMADHI - AN IMPLODING STATE OF ENSTATIC CONSCIOUSNESS preoccupations of the mind can also lead to disorders of the thinking which produce illusions. Nidra or sleep with its two manifestations of dreaming and dreamless sleep suggest a state of reduced consciousness, relative inactivity and low response to external and internal stimuli. Smriti or recall of memory requires observation and attention to later recall into consciousness details of stored data memory is a whole process which includes observation, attention, learning, retention, recall and conscious recognition of the data stored in memory. The conscious mind has also been described as having three modalities or aspects. This Chetana, consciousness, is made up of Ichcha, the state of conation, volition and willing. This produces the conscious tendency towards positive action. The second is Jnana or Prajnana, the process of cognition, awareness and understanding. The third is Prema or Bhava, the sense of affection, feeling, emotion and especially, love. These higher states of consciousness automatically arise when the lower mind activities are restricted. VAIRAGYA ABHYASA All of the great Rishis agree in their teachings that the only way possible to control the lower mind in its earth-bound tendencies is by the constant practice of Vairagya Abhyasa, the constant discipline of non-attachment. This begins with Pratyahara, a restriction of the senses and their attachment through the mind to the object of the senses. Abhyasa is defined by Patanjali as a 'concentrated mental effort to core oneself in the light of Cosmic Consciousness'. When the senses and the mind dwell on external objects, the concentration and meditation fail. Only when the mind is centred in Cosmic Reality can the Yoganga or Samyama begin to work. But the senses and the lower mind are very strong. We are heavily conditioned by the world. Our minds are smothered in the memories produced by the senses from the time we are babes. Our habits begin early. The memory mind is filled with all of our enjoyable as well as distasteful experiences. It is crowded with both real and unreal memories. The unreal memories must include all of the radio, television, cinema and stage productions that we have ever seen as well as all the fictional books we have ever read. The unenlightened mind is a victim of its habits and is attracted to repeat these habits over and over again, so that it is weakened until it is not possible for spiritual progress to take place. Great physical and mental determination, Abhyasa, is necessary to begin the process of Vairagya, non- attachment, and an ultimate sense of ego renunciation. Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 07

SAMADHI - AN IMPLODING STATE OF ENSTATIC CONSCIOUSNESS Vairagya is also of two types: one Apara, and the other, Param. Apara Vairagya is the lower form of detachment and renunciation and is also known as Bhaga Vitrishna. In this state one renounces sensual enjoyments, but the taste or desire is not destroyed. The habit pattern of the sense remains a threat to the non- attachment or the renunciation. With Param Vairagyam, a higher detachment or renunciation produces a Guna Vitrishna, where the power behind the senses is overcome in the light of the Cosmic Realisation. There are many terms used for this state, such as Kaivalya, Nirvana and Samadhi. STATES OF SAMADHI Fundamentally, Samadhi is of two types or of dual modality. Each mystic teacher seems to describe it by terms that are familiar to the writer. Savikalpa Samadhi is described as a state of consciousness which is bounded by time and space, an Amani State, where thinking can still produce indecision, uncertainty and doubt. The second state is termed Nirvikalpa Samadhi in which all modalities of the mind are termed Unmani, no longer manifested. Savikalpa and Nirvikalpa Samadhi are said to have six ascending stages by Ramana Maharishi, who states this on the authority of Sankara'sVivekacchudamani and Drigdrishyaviveka. In the YOGA SUTRA, Patanjali describes these two stages as Sabija, with seed, and Nirbija, or seedless. Others term the Cosmic Conscious State as SthitaPrajna, an 'at-ease-ness', the stable state of consciousness; Sthira Buddhi, as firm, steady fixed state of consciousness; Gunatita, a transcendence of the Triune Gunas, or human qualities; or Turiyatita, a transcendence of the Fourth State of Consciousness, described in Vedanta as Turiya. Samapatti is said to be the attainment of supernormal Siddhis12 as the result of some sort of conscious supranormal climax. Jadasamapatti is a body ecstacy, sometimes describing an emotional state experienced in religion, but having sexual overtones. The same term can be used to describe a sexual climax. Kaivalya is thought by some to describe Absolute Unity. Some writers use terms like Dharmamegha as 'established in the cloud of higher purpose'. Jnanis and Vedantists use terms like Jnananistam13. Yogis prefer terms like Samyama, Yoganga, and Yoganistam or Nistaram, a final emancipation or Moksha into the Jivana Mukta stage. Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 08

SAMADHI - AN IMPLODING STATE OF ENSTATIC CONSCIOUSNESS SAHAJA SAMADHI Sahaja Samadhi14 describes a state of natural Samadhi of the Jivana Mukti15 the Free Soul. Such a Mukti is said to have Vitaraga by the Jains. Buddhists describe this as the state of the Anagamin, Arhat and the Bodhisattva. The Sahaja state is also said to be dual in that it is made up of Samprajnata and Asamprajnata modality. In Samprajnata, the Sabijika 'seeds of Karma' still exist and a dual state, Dwaitam, persists in thought and form, and may once gain manifest in space and time through motions, mind or body environment. The Asamaprajnata state is Adwaita, or non- dual, there duality ceases in all forms and there is union or total identification with Life or God. Nirbija 'Karmic seeds' are destroyed by this state of Cosmic Consciousness. SAMPRAJNATA SAMADHI Samprajnata Samadhi suggests a state of 'supported' Cosmic Consciousness. It comprises several stages, each becoming more perfect as the absolute and irreducible state of Asamprajnata, the 'unsupported' stage of Cosmic Consciousness is revealed. In the differentiated, supported states of Cosmic Consciousness, the Samprajnata Samadhi, four stages are generally distinguished. They are: Savitarka, the doubting, challenging, argumentative state of the mind; Nirvitarka, when all of the doubts and arguments fall away, a non-argumentative state; Savichara, when a reflective and contemplative stage develops, and finally, Nirvichara, when a super- reflective stage develops where the mind flows into Ultimate Reality. Vijnana Bhikshu states that these four grades or stages are also known as Samapattis. Vyasa and Patanjali refer to four comparative states of Vitarka, Vichara, Ananda and Asmita16. Vitarka is logical reasoning; Vichara is philosophical discrimination; Ananda is experiencing Cosmic Bliss; while Asmitarupanugamat is the unity of Asmita, ego consciousness into Universal Consciousness. All of these four stages are dependent upon the first, the Vitarka, where the proper method of preparing the ground of knowledge through Yoga Abhyasa is considered to be imperative, although the Vitarka stage naturally has to deal with the lower and gross states and forms. It does, however, set the philosophical basis for the subtle, direct experience with Ultimate Reality in Cosmic Consciousness. Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 09

SAMADHI - AN IMPLODING STATE OF ENSTATIC CONSCIOUSNESS ASAMPRAJNATA SAMADHI Asamprajnata Samadhi is also of two types, Bhava Pratyaya and Upaya- Pratyaya. Those whose minds have been previously absorbed by an evaluation or analysis of the mind as part of the Phenomenal Reality, the Prakriti; enter into a state called Bhava Pratyaya. Although there is no consciousness of thoughts or objects in this state, one may fall again into the cycle of birth-and death and rebirth17 With Upayapratyaya, the round of death and rebirth is eliminated, as the cause of birth and death in a sensory, empirical world is removed. The Yogi who obtains Upayapratyaya may continue to be embodied but is distinguished by certain characteristics described by Patanjali as 'one with Self-Trust, Self-Confidence, Self- Security, Self-Knowledge and Self-Discipline with attentiveness, vigilance, super- energy and tremendous enthusiasm for all of life; contemplation, concentration, meditation and the resultant Cosmic Consciousness are ever present'. SAMADHI IN OTHER CULTURES Other philosophies and religions, both East and West, have also concerned themselves with higher states of consciousness. Today, both Eastern and Western psychologists are concerned with evaluating what they term 'altered states of consciousness'. The Buddhists speak of the Sunya-Sunya state, a voidness of the mind and Sunyata Sunya, presumed to be a higher consciousness state. The Zen Buddhists talk of Satori, a mystical state of super consciousness. The Christians describe 'mystic ecstacy', the soul state achieved by 'Soul Craft'. The Sufis speak of the Baqua, the Fan darFana or the Haquiquat state of the imploding 'Al Haq', or Oneness with God. Hindus describe a state of Soham Consciousness. The 'Eureka' experience of Archimedes describes a similar state of a conscious breakthrough. Vijana Bhikshu and Sri Aurobindo talk of Samapatti. Yogis talk of Yoga Nishtam, Vedantists of Jnana Nistam, Ashtangis of Kaivalya. Ancient Sanskrit writers talk of Anubhava, the Subtle State, of Apavarga and Swarupa-Vashthiti, attaining to the Self-Form alone, without a second. Some describe SamyakaSambuddham as being 'Yoked into Cosmic Intelligence'. Kabir, the weaver poet, describes the Unamuno Ruhani, a natural Super-Conscious Sahaja, or Sahaja Avastha state. In enstasis devotees have cried: Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 10

SAMADHI - AN IMPLODING STATE OF ENSTATIC CONSCIOUSNESS 'Al Haq – I am God!' 'Eureka - I've found it!' 'Soham - He I am!' 'Shivoham - Shiva I am' 'I and the Father are One!' Abraham H. Maslow speaks of Plateau State of Self-Actualization and the Peak Experience. T.M. people talk of Transcendental Consciousness or T.M. Ecstacy. Anthony J.Sutich writes of the Trans-Personal State. Modern researchers like Joe Kamiya and Elmer Green describe Holistic (whole-istic) phenomena of Steady Mind State in an altered state of consciousness. J. Krishnamurthi endlessly speaks of passive awareness and unconditioned mindedness, while the very expression Cosmic Consciousness was the title of an incredible book by the Canadian psychiatrist, the late Dr. R.M. Bucke. Modern cults extol the Don Juan experience of the writer C. Castaneda, and the chemically altered states of consciousness of the drug-crazed fadists. THE DIFFICULTY OF ATTAINING TO COSMIC CONSCIOUSNESS The whole structure of language and especially, the language and symbols of our thinking, lead us away from ULTIMATE REALITY, or rather language does not allow us to evolve Reality. There is a tendency to accept that words or our symbolic act of thinking is real. The delusion is so widespread that even serious spiritual aspirants of the path are led off the path into a 'cul de sac' of the mind, into a vacuum of consciousness. 'Arm-chair Yogis' (my term for those who approach spirituality through the mundane intellect alone) with typical superciliousness accept that human intelligence, human intellect, a process of mental gymnastics alone, is supra-consciousness. The Bhakta, religious devotee is enthralled, with his emotional ecstasy and the drug cult with their escapism into 'chemical highs'. It would appear that the Yogi only is in a kind of revolt against the lower states of altered states of consciousness, the plateau motivated by sensory arousal or conceptual ecstasies, even sincere emotion. This revolt has led to a rejection of religious beliefs, rites, rituals and doctrines and even further, a rejection of the mere trance state of hypnosis or the psychic escalation of drugs. The Yogi is not prepared to have only Videha Mukti, the promise of freedom after death or death itself. Only that Moksha while in the life-body, described as the 'Jivana Mukta Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 11

SAMADHI - AN IMPLODING STATE OF ENSTATIC CONSCIOUSNESS State', is acceptable. Perhaps in the beginning, there will be only an identification with life/God which can range from a preliminary experience or stage up to the Penultimate State, Self-Actualisation, or Self-Realisation, the final state. If life continues in the world for such a 'Blessed One', it is only until the culmination of Mahasamadhi18', the perfect transfiguration which dissolves away even the material body. PRACTICAL METHODS OF ATTAINING SAMADHI 1. KRIYA YOGA: Patanjali states in the YOGA SUTRA that Kriya Yoga is a practical means of attaining Samadhi. By Kriya Yoga, Rishi means the observance of Tapas, austerity, purification and self-discipline; Swadhyaya, self-viewing, self-awareness, self-analysis: Ishvara Pranidhana'', surrender of self to the Higher Self. 2. DHYANA: Meditation is said by Patanjali to take one into identification with the Cosmic Self, the Supreme Consciousness. Meditation does not mean mere blanking out the mind, or 'sitting for sittings sake'. 3. JNANA YOGA KRIYAS20: The deep relaxation produced by Jnana Yoga practices loosens the hold of the sub-consciousness on the active mind. The acceptance of a Nirguna Brahman, an Ultimate Reality without quality, an Advaitic state, is the penultimate intellectual state of the Jnani. 4. MANTRA LAYA: The use of specially created absorptive Mantras of Mantra Laya removes attachment and allows for higher identification with the Self. 5. LAYA YOGA: The Kriyas and Prakriyas of Laya Yoga, the Kundalini experience. 6. ASHTANGA YOGA: The eight-fold aspects of the Raja Yoga of Patanjali, and especially the Samyama Yoga, which is the last three stages of Dharana, concentration; Dhyana, intense meditation; and Samadhi, Cosmic Identification or Cosmic Consciousness. 7. GRACE OF THE GURU: An evolved Guru may teach his student special techniques like the Hang-Sah Kriya and other jealously guarded evolutionary Kriyas and Prakriyas, or if merited, the Guru may 'open' the student to Cosmic Consciousness by a touch or a glance. Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 12

SAMADHI - AN IMPLODING STATE OF ENSTATIC CONSCIOUSNESS THE YOGA PATH TO THE COSMOS It is patently true that no growth or conscious evolution22 can take place unless merited and by the grace of the Guru, or through the reception of instructions from some competent level. The removal of ego delusions by the Guru and his instructions are the key to attaining to Cosmic Consciousness. The Guru assures us by his Universal experience that we are at 'At-One' at all times with the Supreme Self, but are deluded by the body, senses and lower mind into thinking that we are separated from the Self. Indeed, we create a separate entity, the ego, to satisfy our needs of Oneness, but how far short this ego falls in revealing our true nature! Yoga Abhyasa and the Yoga attitude towards self-confidence and self- discipline are needed to help grow in vigilance, attentiveness and mindfulness towards our natural spiritual strength. Lacking this we will fail in our Yogic goal. The Yogi begins his long journey from ego-self back into the Universe from which he was born from the state of waking consciousness termed Jagat. Pratyahara, sense withdrawal, is begun, then Dharana, concentration. When concentration 'free flows', Dhyana, meditation ensues. The first fruit of the meditation is Chitta- Prashanta-Vahita, the calm flow of the mind, where Vritti-Nirodha is achieved. With the restriction of all of the gross psycho-mental activity, the Savitarka Samadhi emerges accompanied by some sort of supramental deliberation, but this soon flows into the Nirvitarka Samadhi stage devoid of any Vitarka. Supramental reflection appears in Savichara Samadhi, but soon gives way to the Nirvichara Samadhi devoid of any supramental reflection. Cosmic Joy, Ananda, flows and there is constant awareness of oneself as Asmitam, but soon the VivekaKhyati gives uninterrupted discriminative awareness between the 'Self and the non-self'. All of these are a part of the Samprajnata Samadhi. Then the Asamprajnata ensues with Para Vairagya, supreme abandonment of all lower planes of object attachment and devoid of Pratyayas, or lower forms of awareness. In the highest stage, the Samskaras causing birth-death rebirth are burned up and Cosmic Mastery, Sarva Nirodha is rewarded with Dharma Megha Samadhi, instant liberation, Kaivalya or Moksha. Yoga has been described as both the path and the goal. To achieve Yoga, Union or Oneness, Yoga methods and techniques are advocated. Some believe that a-Yogic methods will achieve this Yogic goal, but they are deluded in thinking so. 'By the Self and the Self alone, is the self raised' is the maxim of SRIMAD BHAGAVAD GITA. Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 13

SAMADHI - AN IMPLODING STATE OF ENSTATIC CONSCIOUSNESS A GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN 'SAMADHI' AN IMPLODING STATE OF ENSTATIC CONSCIOUSNESS' 1. ATMAN: The Self, the essence of Being, Being. If personalised, it is termed as the Soul, the Individual Self. Paramatman is the higher Self, the Over - Self, the Over -Soul, beyond the duality of 'soul and God', the Non-Dual Self. It is the 'Esse' or 'Dynamis' of the Greek. 2. SAMADHI: Perfect absorption of the individual, dualistic mind from the process of thinking into the Atman, the Self, the object of meditation. Adhi Adhya, as in Adhyatma, is identical with Atman. Also: Sam, Sama, Samat: together same, identical, equal. Samdha, Samdhama: in aggregate, in total, together. Samamta: Universal, complete, entire, one. Sannidhanam: in combination, combined yoked, in Oneness. Samayoga: integrated, oneness, enjoined in Oneness, Yoga. Semayukta: joined in Oneness, united, yoked together. 3. KAIVALYAM: Absolute unity, from Newalam: alone, isolated. The term is used by Patanjali in the YOGA SUTRA and is a term more suited to the mere logician and not necessarily used by one or experiencing Samadhi. Loneliness and isolation are more the experience of abnormal mental states than of the integrated universality, one who has transcended personality. 4. ATMAGATA: A term used by some to justify revealed knowledge about higher states of consciousness. 5. SAMYAMA: According to Patanjali, an instantaneous happening or a consecutive occurrence when the last three phases of Ashtanga Yoga, the Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi are experienced like a flash 'in the twinkling of an eye'. Samyama is synonymous with Yoganga, joined in Yoga, and Yoga Nistam, emancipated in Union. 6. ABHYASA: Disciplines of Higher Yoga, which amplify Tapas, austerities and Sadhana, committed studies of the Higher life. 7. DHYANA: Deep meditative absorption in the Self out of which Samadhi, Cosmic Conscious, Emancipation ensues. Anudhyai, Sandhyai are forms of Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 14

SAMADHI - AN IMPLODING STATE OF ENSTATIC CONSCIOUSNESS subtle Cosmic meditation. The popular modern idea that meditation is merely 'throwing the mind blank' into a Sunya, is refuted by Yoga meditation where the meditation is an active, conscious state, which flows into a superconscious state through intense meditation. 8. TAPAS: Austere disciplines of body, emotions and mind; penance, the third Niyama or ethical observance of Ashtanga Yoga. It includes simple living, rational fasting, Mauna or taking to silence and the other Abhyasan of Yoga. 9. SADHANA: A performance, discipline, an inquiry or search, committed studies of the Higher Life, accomplishing, fulfilment, complete attainment. 10. FIVE MODIFICATIONS: Some may insist that there are six modifications of mind stuff, including Shruti, a source of revelation by the Divine, but may also include the revelation of a Rishi or seer. 11. YOGANGA: Deep abstract meditation, also called Samayut, united together, or Sama Yoga, Union. 12. SIDDHI: A psychic accomplishment that is a by-product of Yoga practice. Eight Siddhis are mentioned in popular Yoga literature, but some 108 Siddhis and Riddhis may be gleaned by a study of ancient Hindu literature. Riddhi is psychic prosperity. Yoga Balam is a Siddhi of accomplishing abstract meditation. 13. JNANANISTAM: Emancipation through Jnana, the Higher Intellect. The lower intellect only leads to confusion, as 'who is it that is contemplating what as the Source'. Yoga Nistam is the emancipation from the ego through super-conscious by a loss of any ego consciousness. 14. SAHAJA: Natural, the Sahajata state. Sahaja is a word connoting Union. One who attains this natyral state is called a Sahajikin. 15. JIVANA MUKTA: Liberated while in the living state, the state of the 'Free Soul', Videha Mukta means released into death or liberation out of the body by dying. This is much more a Bhaku's concept of going to Deva Loka, Paradise or Heaven than one of Yoga. 16. ASMITA ASMI: The first-person pronoun “I” Asmitam is Egoism, Ahankara is sometimes used to express the first person singular but refers to both the differentiated 'i' and the undifferentiated, 'I' the self and the Self. Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 15

SAMADHI - AN IMPLODING STATE OF ENSTATIC CONSCIOUSNESS 17 SAMSARA: The wheel of birth and rebirth to which we are attached by evolutionary Karma. We can transcend the Samsaric world by liberation into the self. 18. MAHA SAMADHI: The final liberation or great liberation. It is believed that a Jivan Mukti at death merges into the Supreme Consciousness, and the body dissolves into its original atomic structure. There are many cases on record to attest to this state, and especially, that one of the poet Kabir. 19. PRANIDHANA: Described as abstract meditation without object. If the term 'Iswara' or 'God' is introduced, then a conceptual God is the object of meditation. It does not seem logically possible that Yogis did meditation upon a conceptual God. Further on in Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga, Jnanam or meditation, is introduced as the penultimate stage of the Eight-Fold Yoga. The reference 'Ishvara Pranidhana' is no doubt an interpolation into the YOGA SUTRA at a later date. The possible term used by the Rishis is 'Atman Prasadam', the willingness to accept the gift of life and what it offers. Or, simply accepting one's Karma, and working it out to higher Dharma. 20. JNANA YOGA KRIYAS: Relatively unknown even amongst Jnana Yogis, where Jnana Yoga is the highest spiritual psychology. A process of psychological analysis and psychotherapy is to be found in the Kriyas and Prakriyas of Jnana Yoga based upon tension and relaxation cycles. These cycles are often coincidental with human bio-rhythms that go through a stage of Spanda (Spundha) bursting forth as in activity, strain and tension, and the release-response of Nishphanda and the resultant free flow of energy. Inana Yoga Kriyas offer a viable alternative to Western psychotherapy and are even more valuable from the standpoint that they prepare the ground for spiritual evolution. 21. HIGHER YOGA TECHNIQUES: Reserved only for those who are fully dedicated to Yoga as a way of life. These Kriyas and Prakriyas YOGA are described by the term 'Mukti Sopana', the ladder of liberation, and include some fourteen Pratyaharas, sixteen Jnana Yoga Kriyas, six Laya Yoga Kriyas and many profound Mantras, especially those used in Mantra Laya and the jealously guarded techniques of Kundalini arousal, control and direction. 22. CONSCIOUS EVOLUTION: The author's own term for Yoga. Cosmic evolution is described by the term Pratiprasavam and may take multiple Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 16

SAMADHI - AN IMPLODING STATE OF ENSTATIC CONSCIOUSNESS millions of births and rebirths to achieve Union with Life or God. This slower process is referred to as Samsara, the Wheel of Life, from which Samadhi frees the sincere aspirant. 23. SAMSKARA: Literally a habit mould, a rut where one repeats the same activity, even mistakes, over and over again. Not learning, one is bound to the Wheel of Life, until finally one 'learns to understand the nature and process of life and merges with it'. Author's Note: In writing any article on Yoga or Vedanta, I need to use the Sanskrit terms which have a specific meaning, or body of ideas, which is not represented within my English vocabulary. Indeed, I believe that some Sanskrit words cannot be translated directly into other languages as the word describes an idea rather than a simple definition. I plan a Yoga Vedanta Sanskrit Dictionary for use by students and scholars alike in the near future. In the meanwhile, my regular articles will attempt to clarify the Sanskrit terms used with Yogic meanings and values and scientific or medical references where needed for clarity. Yogacharya S Sridharan Honured with LifeTime Achievement Award Life Prof SC Parija, the Hon'ble Vice Chancellor of Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth Time honured Yogacharya S Sridharan with the Life Time Achievement Award on behalf of the Pondicherry Yoga Community on the occasion Achievement of the International Day of Yoga 2022. The prestigious award was presented to him during the inaugural ceremony of the International Award Yoga Therapy Convention hosted by SBV with support of MDNIY, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India from 13 to 21 June 2022. Madam Sridharan, Prof AR Srinivasan, the Registrar of SBV and Yogacharya Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, Director of the Institute of Complementary Medicine and Salutogenesis (ICMS) of SBV were present on the occasion. Yogacharya S Sridharan is the Former Managing Trustee of the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, Chennai. He continues to be an active member of the community as a Senior Mentor. He is Vice President of the Indian Yoga Association and has served with distinction on numerous committees of the Ministry of AYUSH including its MDNIY and Yoga Certification Board. A senior banker by profession, he held senior executive positions in a public sector bank before opting for voluntary retirement in 1997. He has been a student of Yogacharya TKV Desikachar since 1981 and has over forty years of experience in teaching Yoga in this tradition both as a Yoga teacher trainer and a Yoga therapy consultant. He offered the award to the lotus feet of his illustrious Guru in loving gratitude. The Gitananda Yoga Family Worldwide congratulates Sridharan Sir on this momentous occasion of recognition Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 17

SATSANGA SHARINGS ON STRESS AND YOGA Editor's note: These are some beautiful answers submitted by members of the Gitananda Nada Yoga Sadhana course currently being taught by Yogacharini Sangeeta and Dr Anandaji. What is stress? What are some of your current stressors that you feel comfortable sharing with others? How is yoga helping you cope? Jan Hallé, UK Pwy sau is the Welsh word for stress, the root of which comes from the word 'pwys', meaning weight. Stress to me is when you are burdened with an overwhelming 'weight' that does not shift and is nigh impossible to off-load. It is like a length of wire tensioned so tightly at both ends that it is close to breaking point. That tension is almost palpable. Stress can be perceived to have been brought on by external circumstances, something that pushes you towards that breaking point, and invariably something we feel we cannot control or resolve but we forget that we too, can be the architect of our own misfortunes, by taking on too much, expecting too much and not being able to cope with the overload. It can be the last straw that breaks the camel's back – no matter who put that straw there. Stress is something that has hit each and every one of us, most likely on a daily basis since the start of the pandemic. Covid represented a stressor that took no prisoners. I guess I was luckier than most. It was easy, in a way, to forget what was happening out in the 'real' world, being lucky enough to live on 8 acres in the middle of nowhere. Shopping was delivered, I conducted my Welsh classes online. Yoga practice was possible along with the courses that were suddenly available to me – courses that I could never have hoped to attend in person. I could spend more time on the land that I love, elbows deep in compost, sowing and growing. The sky was a beautiful, untainted blue, unscathed by vapour trails and it was almost like the world was being pulled up by its bootstraps and told, 'Here is your chance to sit back, reflect and review how you have been living your lives.' And things did change to a degree. A lot of people did change the way they looked at this precious planet that we call home. The lungs of Mother Earth were starting to breathe properly, into all lobes, front, back and sides. But mankind can be a fickle bunch, and a widespread impatience to resume the old 'normal' soon got the better of all the good intentions and the renaissance that Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 18

SATSANGA SHARINGS ON STRESS AND YOGA so many went through during those dark days, of seeing what was really important and what was not, along with looking out for others as well as ourselves. And now here we are, heading back down a slippery slope. The crisis, as many see it, is over – which of course it isn't. I think most of the stress in my life right now is born of frustration knowing that things are reverting back to the ME, ME, ME….the reflection that Covid mirrored for us was the WE, WE, WE and how good that felt. A lot of that community spirit is now disappearing along with face masks and PCR testing, like it all been a bad dream. To me, the current situation presents with more stress than any lockdown. Yoga is my lifeboat that keeps me afloat through the good and the downright dreadful. On a good day I get to see the beautiful, blue ocean as I bob across its surface. My lungs are filled with prana as I take in the clean, ozone filled air. I am lifted. But when I can see the storm clouds gathering on the horizon I know that my Yoga, my life boat, will help me hold fast, in body, mind and spirit. Just me, my boat, my Yoga and no tigers. Gurleen Sarai, Canada Stress is a compression cum oppression. Stress is reactionary and volatile in nature. Stress reduces our ability to choose and to be more responsible. Stress decreases our efficient growth of easiness and leads us to dis-ease. It is like a traffic jam where one is bound to pollute in all ways. But the power of choice to turn off the engine for some time gives us a clarity of finding peace within despite the external or internal pressure of thoughts, irritability, dislike, hatred, tiredness and modern-day frustrations. Some of my current stressors are around womanhood experiences. Since I have gained consciousness being a girl, a teen, a woman, a daughter, a wife, a mother, I have seen that we have to always do more to be able to survive in this so- called gender equal society. It's always very disappointing to hear the stories of amazing women who have done so much to this world and society, but their strong images and credits just diminish under the title of a secondary class. I have seen how the minorities face challenges just to get an average paid job to be a counterpart in the dominant world society of survival of the fittest. When we teach our new young generation the equality of rights and freedom to make choices, it often becomes more like a statement than a deed or action in society. Life itself is very challenging in these times. So, it is more important to be emotionally constructive and well nourished at physical and mental levels. In this way, we need hand in hand to be Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 19

SATSANGA SHARINGS ON STRESS AND YOGA safe and be in a rest and digest state to perform our responsibilities for a better tomorrow. Yoga helps me to cope with these man-made differences through various powerful statements taught by Yoga Acharya Dr. Anandaji. 'Do your best and leave the rest! Everyone has their own Swadharma and the approach of Swadhyaya.' So, when I listen to such amazing statements, I am constantly thankful to this lineage for accepting us as we are! And, giving us courage to be the best version of one's own self. Saraswathi Sashi, Australia Stress is the body's reaction to a challenge or an expectation. It is an emotional feeling or can be physical tension. It can occur from any event or thought that makes one feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. We assume that stress is brought in by external situations and start blaming others and reach a boiling point which perpetually harms the health. When we are stressed, we lose clarity of the mind and forget that we are the one who manifests the situation we are in. Stress can be positive, and helps to complete our tasks, meet deadlines or even we can avoid danger. Some of my stressors in the past week are the unexpected health issues that my husband brought to a standstill of my regular activities. On one side my subjects were seeking help and another side my husband's situation, wherein I had to make a decision. Within two days I had to book the tickets, arrange for the treatment in Bharat, communicate with the medics for the paperwork to travel, nursing him at home, handing over the responsibility of the social work, and the list goes on…Umpteen number of serving hands expressing their willingness to help in this situation was refused by my better half. This made me shoulder all the responsibility. My daily sadhana helped me to cope with with this situation. I was very much calm and composed. Did not tell anyone what I was going through. Instructions from my children did not let anyone know about their dad's health condition. I arranged for the tickets, organised assistance in the flight, dealt with emergency meetings and made clear about my situation that I cannot participate for next two months or until my return to base. I communicated to all my subjects that I am happy to transfer the case to another counsellor. They told me that they can wait and will continue practising the tools given to them. I packed the suitcases and flew to Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 20

SATSANGA SHARINGS ON STRESS AND YOGA Bharat. Nothing was planned but was organised by the Supreme Divine. When we reached the destination, the doctors and staff took over the task from me. They provided all the facilities for me to continue my social work online. Another miracle the Supreme Divine has given me an opportunity to expose my husband to the outer world, who was sitting in a cocoon all these days. My sadhana continues along with him in the morning at 3a.m. Practising Pranava Pranayama to bring his voice out. Nada Brahma Yoga is benefitting my family. Thank you, Dr Anandaji and Dr Sangeetaji, for giving me an exposure to this course and you taught us 'Swadhyayapravachanabhyamnapramadidavyam', do not neglect study and teach the gained knowledge to others. Spread the knowledge passed on by the Guru Parampara to serve humanity: 'Paropakarathamidamshareeram.' I am truly blessed to have been born on this amazing Planet Earth on 21st of June - International Yoga Day, World Music Day and Summer Solstice (longest day of the year) into such a Divine Guru Parampara, an amazing Rishiculture Ashtanga (Gitananda) Yoga and Bhavanani family, to amazing grand- parents and super-duper parents. Also, I am fortunate to have such loving and inspiring brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, teachers, friends and well-wishers. Thanking each and every one of you for your best wishes, love and blessings in the form of gifts, videos, audios, edits, messages, comments, story mentions, posts, letters, mails and in-person meetups (presence). May I always be worthy of this love and support and hope I can keep going on this wonderful (good) journey of life! Special thanks to Ammaji, Dr. Sir, Devasena Miss, Balaji Sir, Reena Miss, Dayanidy Sir, Tejaswi and Shamili Akka for the timely arrangements (meals, fruits, cakes and special pooja) at Sri Kambaliswamy Madam, Cluny Hospice , Mother Care Foundation, ICYER, Elephant Lakshmi's house and Barbeque Nation. -Dhivya Priya Bhavanani Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 21

THE JOURNEY OF THE JIVA Yogasadhaka MICHAEL MCCANN, Spiritual Mentor and Member Editorial Board of Yoga Life, Ireland. I would like to offer some reflections on how the practice of Yoga, with emphasis on asana and mudra, reflects the theme of the Journey. We are all on a pilgrimage in this life. After all, our sojourn lasts between birth and death and we must discover who we are, our path, and our purpose, our Dharma. There are many forms and places of pilgrimage. Indeed, there is something in us all that is drawn to the pilgrimage, the spiritual journey, whether it is the Camino de Santiago, Lourdes, Mecca, or Mount Kailash. To quote Wordsworth, we come into this world 'trailing clouds of glory', and we all have a nostalgia, in the depths of our souls, for a lost paradise, or for the Eternal Source, to which we yearn to return. In an ancient Hindu myth of creation, the Cosmic Purusha, or Ultimate Reality in the form of God, offers itself in a great sacrifice, and all the scattered pieces become each particle of manifestation, including ourselves. And each of us has an innate memory, and a magnetic attraction, like a salmon travelling upstream, to return to that source, where everything will once more participate in its primordial wholeness (Purnam). In the words of Sufi poet, Attar of Nishapur: 'Come you lost atoms to your Centre draw, And be the Eternal Mirror that you saw: Rays that have wandered into Darkness wide Return, and back into your Sun subside'. In Yoga, the process of the Ultimate Reality descending to the world of manifestation is known as involution. The ineluctable vertical return is evolution. And Yoga is the supreme method of conscious evolution and quickens the process of return to the source. Yoga subscribes to the principle of transmigration i.e., that the soul, jiva, inhabits many life-forms on its journey. This is indeed a pilgrimage. It is said that Lord Shiva taught 8,400,000 asanas to his consort Parvati. Some have wondered where these asanas may be learned, or were they lost to memory Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 22

THE JOURNEY OF THE JIVA over vast passages of time, or indeed were the Rishis indulging in fanciful hyperbole? According to the Gheranda Samhita, the figure represents the number of states through which each jiva must transmigrate in its unfoldment. These are through plant/tree, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals, onwards and upwards to the human state and beyond. In the Garuda Purana the Rishis classified living beings into four evolutionary categories: 1. Swedjas: beings that issue from 'sweat' such as microorganisms 2. Udbijas: beings that issue from seed 3. Andajas: beings that issue from eggs 4. Jarayujas: beings born from the womb Each creature has its own asana, and at one time or other each of us, on our life's journey, have practised its asana by inhabiting its form. Even if one does not accept the theory of transmigration, we should consider how, according to Jennifer Viegas: 'The human embryo resembles those of many other species because all animals carry very ancient genes, which explains why our embryos have a tail when they are a few weeks old; and why human embryos retain other characteristics, such as fur-like hair and fish similarities, even in the development stages of other species'. In the words of Rumi: I died as a mineral to become a plant I died as a plant to become an animal I died as an animal to become a man I died as a man to become an angel I died as an angel to become a God When was I ever the less by dying? Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 23

THE JOURNEY OF THE JIVA If we reflect on Dr.Anandaji's assertion that the word asana has its source in the Sanskrit 'asi' to be' then an asana is much more than a form of exercise or the making of a shape or posture. Rather, it is an organic state of being. Thus, each species has its own asana, its own place or Swadharma in the Divine Plan. And when we become an asana, this is akin to an organic dance form awaiting the merging of the dancer. Each asana has its own symbolism and meaning, and this is known as its mudra, if we bear in mind that mudra is both a pranic seal and a sign. As such, an asana is an archetypal form, or Mudra, a bio-plasmic mould of Prakriti, into which each jiva, at some time or other, is cast in its transformative journey to the precious human state and onwards to the Divine Source. Now, modern neuroscience has discovered what the Rishis have long intuited: that we retain in the tripartite human psyche the vestigial impressions, samskaras, of earlier life-forms. Indeed, they are engraved in the ancient reptilian and mammalian chambers of the brain, behind the Cerebral Cortex. And these continue to exert an influence on the human psyche in the form of our most primitive instincts of survival, fear, hatred, suspicion, competition, territoriality, greed, aggression etc: all the lingering factors that continue to breed the evils that beset humanity, and which 'civilisation' and religion have striven to banish. Maharishi Patanjali describes these negative influences as the five kleshas, or psychological afflictions, two being primordial ignorance, or avidya, and the existential survival instinct of Abhinivesha. They are also rooted in the gravitational pull of Tamas Guna and at a Chakra level, manifest as the Brahma Granthi, a psychic knot at the Mooladhara Chakra which ties us to lower instincts. Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri asserts that the aim of Hatha Yoga is to release these ancient energies from the psyche, 'conditioned responses from mammalian reptilian experiences' and to liberate consciousness to re-create new conscious responses. In so doing, to use his remarkable phrase, 'we exercise to exorcise' (Yoga Life. Vol. 43). Therefore, when we adopt the mudras of other species, we make a cognitive connection with the ancient segments of the brain and sublimate their energies. Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 24

THE JOURNEY OF THE JIVA Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati describes the process of sublimation To understand what lifts a simple posture, movement or gesture into the realm of mudra, where you are unifying the internal levels, requires an awareness of the psycho-physiological interaction. The best way to understand this is to look at the brain. In the process of human evolution, we are trying to link up the cortex with the deep primitive structures of the brain. We need to lift the focus of the primitive, sensory life out of the base of the brain back into consciousness, back into the cortex. When the cortex links to the base of the brain, this process is called 'telencephalization', which means 'bringing what is normally instinctive into conscious control'. When Prana falls from Manipura into Mooladhara, we fall back into instinctual living. The aim of mudra is to create fixed, repetitive postures, gestures and attitudes, which can snap us out of these old, instinctive habit patterns and bring us back into a more refined state of consciousness. (Yoga Darshan pg. 44) Now, while the practice of asana may help to expunge aspects of our animal nature, we must not forget that it is also a celebration of the beauty of the wonderful variety of species with which we share our lives, in more ways that we can ever imagine. The great sage Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi, who had many animal devotees, once tellingly remarked: 'who knows what great souls inhabit the bodies of animals.' And the great scriptures of India abound with all types of animals in the role of Guru, protectors, and heavenly messengers. We only have to think of Lord Ganesha, the Elephant God, remover of obstacles and scribe of the scriptures. And Hanuman, the Monkey King symbol of valour and selfless devotion. And several of the avatars adopted animal forms to protect and sustain the world order: the fish, the tortoise, the boar and the lion. It is such a gesture of gratitude, empathy and humility to adopt the sacred forms of our fellow creatures. It is a recognition that we all share the same path, the journey of the jiva. Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 25

THE JOURNEY OF THE JIVA And, to conclude, let us visualise a Yogi, in Padmasana, in perfect balance between earth and heaven, in the perfect form of a lotus flower, fulfilling the promise of all the sacred species forms that have brought him to this Supreme State. 'In the end is the beginning'. 'So, man looks out in tree, herb, fish, beast, Collecting up the scatter'd portions of his immortal body; Wherever a grass grows Or a leaf buds, the Eternal Man is seen, is heard, is felt, And all his sorrows, till he re-assumes his ancient bliss'. (William Blake) In writing this article, I wish to acknowledge the invaluable teachings of Dr. Anandaji, in particular 'The Psycho-Somatics and Somato-psychics of Asana', Scintillating Saturdays Satsang. IDY - 2022 SRI KAMBALISWAMY MADAM, PONDICHERRY, INDIA. Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 26

MYSTICAL POWERS OF THE GANGA Courtesy of Speaking Tree, Times of India What makes a place sacred? A place where meditation is practised over many years automatically acquires certain powers. The place gets charged with the energy and vibrations from peaceful thoughts. Depending on the intensity of meditators, the sanctity and power of a particular place can thus remain charged, exuding powerful vibrations, for thousands of years. The Parshvanath Hills is one such place. Twenty-two of the 24 Jain Tirthankaras attained Nirvana on this hill, and these enlightened persons were separated by thousands of years. When a Tirthankara leaves his body, the equivalent of an atomic explosion takes place. The energy that unites the body and soul is released. This power is dispersed on the hill. The whole atmosphere and surroundings get surcharged. What the Parshvanath Hills are to the Jains, the Ganga is to the Hindus. Lord Krishna said, ''Among the armed, I am like Ram; I am like a crocodile among fish and the Ganga among rivers. Dear Arjuna, I am the beginning, the end and even the middle of existence''. The symbolism of the Ganga is worth understanding. Take away the Ganga from India and all the literature of India will become incomplete. Take away the Ganga and the names of many sages will perish; the spirit of pilgrimage will be lost. The Ganga has become the symbol of our collective spirit. What is so special about the Ganga? There are rivers that are much longer, wider, larger, than the Ganga on this planet — the Brahmaputra, the Amazon, the Nile and the Hwang Ho...There is something unique about the Ganga that is not found in any of these great rivers: despite all the pollutants being pumped into the Ganga, it has somehow managed to maintain its relative purity. Chemically, it contains extraordinary properties — its water does not putrefy or deteriorate even if kept bottled for long, unlike the water from other rivers. It is interesting to know that the water of the Ganga has properties different from those of other rivers but which seem to undergo a mystical change once they flow into the Ganga's waters. This is a mystery that even science has not been able to understand, as yet. Water is held to be sacred: Christians use it for baptism, for instance. The man who baptised Jesus Christ, John de Baptist, came to be known as John the Baptist. He would immerse himself and the candidate neck deep in the waters of the Jordan — Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 27

MYSTICAL POWERS OF THE GANGA considered holy like our Ganga — and, placing his hands on the initiate's shoulders, would complete the formalities for his investiture. Thousands of people attaining the highest stage of life have lived near the Ganga. Pilgrim centres, temples, ashrams and meditation centres have been built on her banks. Many a seeker has attained spiritual insights seated by the Ganga. And the water soaks up these vibrations and absorbs them, getting spiritually charged in a special way. For millions of years, sages sought out God on the banks of the Ganga. And whenever someone attained God, the Ganga was not left untouched — when this happened, the Ganga was also blessed. The Ganga is not just a river; it also symbolises a spiritual journey. That is why people have been travelling to the Ganga. Our sins do not get washed away due to the flow of the Ganga, but because of the milieu, the environment, the ambience near the Ganga, all these people who have undertaken a spiritual journey to this great river and sat on her banks, meditating, have left their life-energy on the banks of the Ganga. Members of the Yoga Community of Pondicherry honored Thiru ST Chidambaram, Senior Manager, Tourism Department, Govt. of Puducherry with \"Yoga Sevaka Award\" in recognition of his yeomen services for the cause of Yoga over the past three decades. His significant contributions in the International Yoga Festival held annually since 1993 by the Government of Puducherry were applauded by all. He was honored during the SBV Yoga Fest 2022 event organised by the Centre for Yoga Therapy Education and Research (CYTER) of Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth on 31st May 2022. Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 28

TRUE LOVE IS FREEDOM Yoga Sadhaka NILACHAL PADMASHANTI Graduate Team 52 and Assistant Professor of Yoga at Sarala Birla University, Ranchi That entity is called love which is free from Vikara or attachment and does not ask for anything from anyone. पर् ेमासत् तु दय् नन् हिकिञच् िदवे , कसम् ाच्चनप्रार्थयतऽे विकार There are many entities in this world that could be purchased. But unlike others, love is among those which can't be bought. Unaffected by human design, it is by grace that it arrives or does not come to us with its own volition and in its own time. Let's understand how. Love and affinity are normal human inclinations. If they are not expressed, a person feels deprived in life. Love is a necessary part of existence. When a person does not get someone's affection, he suffers from a sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction in his life. Today, the actual meaning of love is misunderstood, and its essential essence is disappearing in the present world. We need to go back in time to the ancient teachings of our rishis to re-establish the true meaning of love. There is a beautiful conversation between Rishi Yajnyavalkya and Brahmavadini Gargi Vachaknavi about Love. The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad gives a detailed account of this dialogue. Gargi asks Yajnyavalkya various questions. One of which asks about 'marriage' and 'love'. Gargi perceives marriage and love as bondage but Rishi Yajnyavalkya clarifies her doubt beautifully in the conversation which is as follows: Yajnavalkya: Tell me, Gargi, who is a Brahmachari? Gargi: One who is immersed in the quest of the Absolute Truth. Yajnavalkya: Why do you think a householder cannot seek the Absolute Truth? Gargi: Only a person, who is free, can seek the Truth. Marriage is bondage. Yajnavalkya: Marriage is bondage? Gargi: Without any doubt. Yajnavalkya: How? Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 29

TRUE LOVE IS FREEDOM Gargi: Maharshi! A married person has to take care of others. He is involved in many things. If he has children, the responsibilities increase. In this situation, where is the freedom to seek the Truth? Yajnavalkya: Does one take care of others because of love or bondage? Gargi: Love is also a bondage, Maharshi! Yajnavalkya: No, Gargi! True love emancipates. When love is selfish, it becomes bondage. The problem is not with love; it is with selfishness. Gargi: Love is always selfish, Maharshi! Yajnyavalkya: When desire is blended with love, love turns selfish. Such a love is certainly bondage. But that love, which knows only to give and does not expect anything, can never be bondage. It emancipates. Love is one of the vital emotions and one must know how to express it. To convey the emotion of giving love, one must follow the practical road of care, sympathy, and sacrifice for others, which results in a wonderful sense of serenity, happiness, and fulfilment. For instance, in spite of his/her own problem, when one tries to help with the problems of others, one's personal challenges are automatically reduced, and the mind and all the senses become focused and active. In this sense, love-friendship is a natural and necessary instinct that allows humans to grow, flourish, and achieve self-satisfaction. The nature of love is decided by renunciation. But there is no love where there is a desire for rewards. Love is only capable of giving up. There is no love but selfishness if there is a sense of taking in return. This is insufficient to fulfil the human soul. Unrest, tribulation, and unhappiness will always exist in man's inner and outside lives. When selfish love is practised between man and woman, mother and kid, friend and friend, devotee and God, the effects are invariably the polar opposite. Disturbance of family life, dissension, hatred, deception between people, indiscipline towards parents, brutality, disbelief in God, selfishness masquerading as artificial love of one's greed, attachment, and so on is witnessed. One perceives the world as per 'his attitude and thinking'. When a man loves others, he is loved in return. The world will respond to an individual in the same way in which one behaves toward 'it'. Not only that, but love brings people together. It is observed that when two people fall in love, their differences vanish. Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 30

TRUE LOVE IS FREEDOM That love, which knows only to give and does not expect anything, can never be bondage. It emancipates. Love is not just the hormone side of the equation One must understand the true meaning of love because love is freedom. It is more than the effect of hormones. We must recognize the difference between limerence and love. The psychological state of profound attraction is known as 'limerence'. It feels great at first, but it rarely lasts. Limerence is the first stage of intense attraction when all the hormones are running high and everything seems just right. As per research,limerence lasts about six months on average. It has the potential to develop into love. Limerence is a common precursor to love, but it does not necessarily lead to love. When desire is blended with love, love turns selfish. Such a love is certainly bondage. Love is an act of will Erich Fromm describes love as \"an act of will.\" He explains that love is a taught talent, not something that is triggered by hormones or emotion. If you don't learn how to love, you're almost certain to be depressed, not only because you won't be connected enough, but also because you'll have a lot of failure experiences. Love is bigger than one thinks it is. You can invite love, but you can't control how, when, or where it manifests. You can choose whether or not to yield to love, but love is like lightning: unpredictable and irrefutable. You may even find yourself falling in love with individuals you despise. There are no limitations, stipulations, addenda, or codes in love. Love is a rule for itself Love is, by definition, unrestricted. It cannot be purchased, sold, or traded in any way. You can't make someone love you, and you can't stop them from loving you (no matter how much money you have). Love can't be imprisoned, and it can't be controlled. Love isn't a material, a commodity, or even a tradable source of energy. Love has no boundaries, no frontiers, and no mass or energy production that can be measured. Love is a psychological condition. Similar outcomes will be reached wherever its flow goes. Natural works allow for a seamless and simple flow of love. Water Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 31

TRUE LOVE IS FREEDOM flows from top to bottom at all times. When absorbed by the roots of a tree, however, it produces tasty fruits, lovely flowers, and cool shade. The life of humans is encircled by animalistic peripheries when the loving force is involved in the worldly flow. When one develops the ability to control the flow of love with Vivekaor Wisdom, it leads to the manifestation and achievement of Satyam-Shivam- Sundaram in life. Life becomes a process of growth. न हिवाञछ् तियःप्रियःकदानिजसरव् सव् समरप् ितेऽप्यहो। पर् तिदानफलंप्रियापं ्रतिजगतिपर् मे तदवे कथय् ते।। In this universe, love is defined as someone who gives his all without expecting anything in return. Selfless love is described as pure love in which the lover expects nothing in return from the person he loves. Love is concerned about what happens to you because it understands that we are all interconnected. Love is empathetic and sensitive by nature. Love recognizes that the \"other\" is also a reflection of oneself. This is the fundamental nature of love, and it can't be controlled or twisted. Each soul's sovereignty is respected by love. Love is a rule for itself. When one completely self-sacrifices oneself, then the existence of only love remains and nothing else. Therefore, to love somebody is not just a strong feeling. It's actually a decision, it is a judgement, it is a promise. It's a promise of trust and understanding. If love were only a feeling, there would be no basis for the promise to love each other forever. Thus, true love is not a bondage, it's freedom. GITANANDA YOGA TEAMS AT SRI KAMBALISWAMY MADAM 1985 - 2022 Vol.53 No. 07, July 2022 www.rishiculture.in 32