Yoga Life March 2023

Om Ganapathaye ! FIFTY FOUR YEARS IN THE PROPAGATION OF CLASSICAL RISHICULTURE ASHTANGA YOGA Yoga Life this month pays a heartfelt INTERNATIONAL tribute to one of the most significant teachers of MONTHLY the Rishiculture Ashtanga (Gitananda) Yoga Parampara. Vol.54 No. 03, MARCH 2023 We offer our homage to Dr Jonn CONTENTS Mumford the illustrious disciple of Yogamaharishi Dr Swami Gitananda Giri, who TRIBUTE TO A DEAR MENTOR PAR EXCELLENCE - 02 lived and studied with Pujya Swamiji when they both lived in Canada. Dr Jonn was an amazing TASTING THE WISDOM - 04 teacher and had also taken Sanyasa Diksha from the founder of the Bihar School of Yoga Swami INTEGRATING YOGA THERAPY IN A HOSPITAL SETTING - 06 Satyananda Saraswati himself as Swami Anandakapila Saraswati. THE COOLING PRANAYAMAS: AN EXPLORATION OF SADHANA - 08 Dr Jonn shed his mortal coil during the TRIBUTES FROM AROUND THE WORLD YANTRA SHIROMANI SIDDHA - 19 auspicious moments that we were chanting the 1008 Panchakshara Japa at Sri Kambaliswamy FEEDBACK ON GITANANDA NADA YOGA COURSE - 25 Madam (Samadhi site) on Maha Shivaratri. This was also the period of Shani Mahapradosham A LIFE WORTH LIVING - 27 and hence signifies Divine Blessings for his ascendance to higher realms of spirit. Visits by illustrious national and local members of the Indian Yoga Association as well We offer our Shradhanjali to the Great as vignettes from Swami Kanakananda Athma, a true Tantric Siddha. Jayanthi, moments at ISCM of Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth and of course final certification of We also share highlights of special the team are shared with love and joy. moments at Ananda Ashram during the Pranayama Sadhana course held with Pujya May we always be worthy of the grace of Ammaji's blessings, directed by Dr Anandaji the Guru Parampara and may their benevolent and ably supervised by Yogathilakam Deepika blessings sustain our Yoga Sadhana each and and Yogashakti Cathy Davis. every day of our life. 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.

TRIBUTE TO A DEAR MENTOR PAR EXCELLENCE Yogacharya Dr ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI Ashram Acharya and Chairman ICYER at Ananda Ashram, Pondicherry. My dearest and most inspirational spiritual mentor, the one and only Dr Jonn Mumford (Swami Anandakapila Saraswati) chose the most auspicious moment to leave his mortal coil. He left the body in Sydney, Australia (5.30 am Sydney time) while we were chanting the 1008 Panchakshara Japa of Om Namah Shivaya at the Sri Kambaliswamy Madam (Samadhi site) from Midnight to 1.30 am in Pondicherry, India. It was the same time at which the Annual Guru Puja for Srila Sri Shanmuga Swamigal, the third Madathipathy was being done on the holy premises. This instantaneously revealed to me a very deep connection between him and the Sri Kambaliswamy Parampara and provided me newer perspectives of his role as a mentor par-excellence in my life. He has been one of the most significant influences in my life and I owe him a debt of gratitude too big to pay in a single life. He gave back to me the sacred Yantra teachings that he had received from his/our Param Guru Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj and thus enabled me to connect so many aspects of the teachings that may not have manifested otherwise. A major illuminatory influence in my personal growth has been Swamiji's Yantra teachings that have been further passed on to me through the loving guidance of Dr Jonn. As so manyhave noted in their tributes, he was an excellent teacher who brought out the best from each and every student through his teachings. I have personally benefited tremendously from these wonderful teachings over the past three decades since 1993 when I met him for the first time. He enabled me to understand the intrinsic link between Swamiji's Yantric and Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga teachings, and this has spurred me on to the creation of many literary and research works. I must thank him profusely for his Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 02

EDITORIAL wonderfully blessed foreword to my 'Yogachikitsa and Yoga: 1 to 10' books, that were “typically him” in all ways. To have his Ashirwadam in my life has been one of the greatest blessings I hold close to my heart. May he continue to guide us all with his magnificent teachings from the subtle Akashic planes of existence for many more years to come and may we always be worthy of such inspiration. Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 03

TASTING THE WISDOM Yoga Sadhaka MICHAEL MCCANN Spiritual Mentor and Member Editorial Board of Yoga Life, Ireland 'All the Upanishads are the Cows' (Gita Dyana Slokas) I enjoyed a Satsang recently in the company of the lovely students and tutors of Yoga Therapy Ireland. It was the weekend of Saint Brigid's holiday, and we gathered together in a beautiful room in Mount Saint Anne's Retreat Centre in County Laois with the Spring light shining through stained glass windows. In the pastoral expanse in front of the house, a herd of beautiful black cows were grazing, and the talk turned to how we are encouraged to ruminate, and digest spiritual wisdom, in the manner of those humble creatures. Yoga philosophy is 'heart wisdom'. It awakens in the heart centre and gushes forth as from a well. We have to remove the debris that conceals and chokes the well. This wisdom is very precious. It is known as 'Sanatana Dharma', which means 'perennial wisdom', ancient but ever fresh, like the grass that springs forth each year. We are indeed blessed if we receive news of the wisdom, if the wind brings it to our ears. 'The Spirit bloweth where it willeth'. The receiving of the message is known as 'Sravana'. We hear it but are we listening to what is being carried on the wind? 'Hast thou found honey? O, taste and see that the Lord is good' (Psalm 3:48) It may be a line from the Upanishads, a Zen Koan, the teachings of a sage, or an insight that we are called to nurture. The analytical mind is always hungry to consume knowledge and information, but the ingestion of wisdom is a slower, more mindful process. We allow the tongue to absorb its flavours, reflect upon it, muse and to ruminate. This is known as 'Manana'. It is a mental process, but one that does not seek a ready answer or conclusion, for the flavour of the question and the tantalising space it evokes is more creative: 'Fetch me a stone from the bottom of the ocean, without getting wet.' Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 04

TASTING THE WISDOM The yogis say that the prana in food is contained in its flavour, hence we must let it linger on the tongue and masticate slowly before swallowing. In the words of Dr. Ananda: 'Drink your food and eat your water.' We also absorb subtle medicinal distillations on or under the tongue, and so must it be when we ingest the spiritual teachings. Manana is truly the 'tasting' of wisdom. The Latin verb 'Sapere' – root of 'Homosapien' means 'to taste or be wise', and so we must ruminate upon wisdom like the patient, sagacious cows. Jnana Yoga is the Yoga of Wisdom. The sages say that the answer is already contained in the question. We ponder the question without allowing the ego to provide a ready answer and imprison it in a box. The pondering of manana is a mysterious process which removes dust from the Buddhi (mirror of the higher mind). In the Gita the time given to this process is highly extolled as Jnana Yajna (the sacrifice of wisdom). Eventually the wisdom is swallowed, and it enters the heart and flows through the spiritual arteries. This is the final stage, known as Nididyasana. The establishment of the wisdom in one's entire being is known by the Tibetan Buddhists as 'One Taste'. Once tasted, never forgotten. Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi, the great world sage, was once asked which was the most important Yoga posture: 'Nididyasana', was his reply. Makes one think… Hari Om Tat Sat We are just simply changing from energy to various body forms and back to energy again. When we are in bodies, we pass through all physiological stages of life from the lowest in nature to the Yogi, the crown on the wheel of evolution. - Yogacharya Dr. Anandaji Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 05

INTEGRATING YOGA THERAPY IN A HOSPITAL SETTING Yogathilakam Dr MEENA RAMANATHAN & Yogacharya Dr ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI School of Yoga Therapy, ISCM, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Pondicherry. Emergence of terms like holistic medicine, caring, healing rather than curing, patient doctor communication, faith, spirituality, complementary therapies and medicine are testament to the role of mind body medicine in redefining strategies of health promotion, maintenance and management. Every human being has the basic right to the highest attainable level of health, and this is the fundamental role of any health care institution. The role and scope of Yoga has expanded of late as it has become a popular pathway to holistic wellness and is being adapted and accepted globally as a preventive and therapeutic modality. Beyond the misunderstanding that Yoga predominantly focuses on increasing flexibility, recent scientific studies have shown that it can positively impact the body-mind-emotion complex in that healthcare providers are responding appropriately to these positive findings. As treatment modalities, both medicine and Yoga aspire for a balanced, systematic and universal approach and could be strong associates who together with a larger purpose, offer a modus-operandi for the benefit of the patients/seekers. Though Yoga and Yoga Therapy facilitates restoration of total health, it may not be useful beyond maintaining calm, in emergency conditions, like accidents or myocardial infarction etc, where there is a strong need for a qualified medical practitioner. There is also a growing demand for an additional/alternative approach to wellness that is relatively inexpensive and safe and can be incorporated as an adjuvant modality along with modern medical management. Healthcare providers are increasingly confident of the efficacy and safety of Yoga as a therapeutic modality and are also referring patients for Yoga Therapy. Yoga as an integrative medicine sees the person as a whole being with mind, body, & spirit, and not as a patient with an isolated malfunction of a particular system or organ. Yoga understands the influence of the mind on the body, Adhi- Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 06

INTEGRATING YOGA THERAPY IN A HOSPITAL SETTING Vyadhi, as well as that of the body on the mind, Vyadhi-Adhi, as elucidated in the classical scripture Yoga Vasishta centuries ago and modern medicine is understanding this connection too. The traditionalism of Yoga combined with the novelty of modern medicine would result in enhanced quality of life throughout the world. Extensive research on Yoga has shown promise with regard to various disorders that seem to be amiable to Yoga Therapy as an adjuvant to modern medicine. Yoga and modern medicine are but complementary systems apart from being life changing and life saving sciences that understand the importance of holistic health. Their enlightened collaboration will have a significant impact on our health care system. Hence the need of the hour is to promote such an integrated approach and tap the potentials of both these grand sciences for the benefit of humanity. There is a wonderful adrenaline high in “collecting admirations” from all and sundry, in luring others to love, appreciate and sometimes even worship the image, the mask, the attractive covering one has created for oneself. The Persona when subjected to the limits of these Yama and Niyama, begins to refine itself. It becomes softer, less intent on its own needs and gratifications. The survival instinct is sublimated in a positive manner, as is Raga – Dwesha, attractions and repulsion - Pujya Sri Ammaji Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 07

THE COOLING PRANAYAMAS: AN EXPLORATION OF SADHANA Yogasevika DEEYA RAMRAKSHANI, Graduate of Team 52 YSS, USA Editor's note: In this detailed exploration, Deeya, a dedicated practitioner of Yoga, goes deep into Swami Gitananda Giriji's explanations on the cooling breaths, the Sheeta Pranayamas. This is a modified version of her submission for the Pranayama Teachers training course by Yogacharini Deepika and Dr Anandaji. With the grace of the Gurus, I am sharing six of the amazing Cooling Pranayamas of the Gitananda Yoga tradition that have been shared with us by Dr Anandaji and Yogacharini Deepika over the past year. These are the Sitkari, Sheetali, Kaki, Matangi, Bhujangi and Kavi Pranayamas. Sitkari Pranayama: The term Sitkari comes from the method of 'sipping' the breath with a sound like 'sit'. It is done from Vajra-asana/Siddha-asana/Padma-asana using the Jihva Mudra (Tongue rolled into a trough like 'V'). The tongue should be suspended in such a way that the tip touches the hard palate, and the breath is drawn in through the slightly opened lips with a sipping sound of 'sit-sit-sit'. After a short Kumbhaka, relax the tongue and push out the air rapidly through both the nostrils in modified Bhastrikas. Modified Uddiyana and/or Mula Bandha can be applied to provide better additional cooling to the whole central nervous system and affect chakras of the psychic body. Mouth and nasal passages are ventilated, airways resistance improved, blood stream cooled, and Nadis of the physical and vital body are brought under control are some of its benefits. Sheetali Pranayama: It is called an Icing breath or 'Ice-maker' breath. Done from the Vajra-asana/Padma-asana using Kaka Chandra (Crow's beak gesture, tongue folded like a tube). The breath is sipped through Kaka Chandra Mudra and the tongue should protrude 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch beyond the lips. A short gulp of air is sipped in along the rolled-up tongue. After a short hold (Aprakasha Mudra) air is expelled through the nose. Modified Uddiyana and/or Mula Bandha can be applied to provide better additional cooling to the whole central nervous system and affect chakras of the psychic body. There is an almost instantaneous cooling of the body, Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 08

THE COOLING PRANAYAMAS: AN EXPLORATION OF SADHANA having a very good effect on Vata and Pitta disorders, overcoming a constant craving for liquids and may be a value in the treatment of diabetes. Khaki Pranayama: It is an extended version of Sheetali that is done from Vajra- asana/Padma-asana using the Kaka Chandra (Crow's beak gesture, tongue folded like a tube). The breath is sipped through Kaka Chandra mudra and the tongue should protrude 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch beyond the lips. Short gulps of air are sipped in along the rolled-up tongue. After a short hold (Aprakasha Mudra), breath is expelled through the same tube / mouth slightly open and sent out with a \"Ha\" exhalation. Modified Uddiyana and/or Mula Bandha is recommended to provide better additional cooling to the whole central nervous system and affect chakras of the psychic body. Its benefits are the same as for Sheetali Pranayama. Matangi Pranayama: It is based on the shape of the mouth of the female elephant (this technique is also called Danta/Sitkari Pranayama or Sheeta Pranayama) and done from Vajra-asana/Padma-asana using the Matangi mudra, shifting the lower jaw far off to either left or right and making a grimace-like gesture. Sip the breath through Matangi mudra. Breath is released through the nostrils or with explosive Mukhabhastrika. This is a very excellent throat, eye, ear, and brain cooler, enjoyed by children. Bhujangi Pranayama: It is a female cobra, and the open mouth inhalation of the breath is reminiscent of the way in which the serpent hisses her breath. From Vajra- asana/Padma-asana, the breath is sipped in or drawn in slowly through the mouth like Bhujangi. Breath is hissed out through the mouth like a hissing cobra. It is cooling to the jaws and throat and excellent for exocrine glandular stimulation and cooling. Kavi Pranayama: It means poet's breath as it gives a pleasing voice, also called Sadanta/dantasheetala Pranayama. Taking up the Vajra-asana/Padma-asana, the teeth are placed edge to edge and lips curled back while the breath is sucked in through the space between the teeth. The breath is then exhaled through the nose. It gives a pleasing voice. Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 09

THE COOLING PRANAYAMAS: AN EXPLORATION OF SADHANA Dr Anandaji's further explanations on the practices Cooling Pranayama or Sheeta Pranayama or the 'hot weather Pranayama' is a unique set of Pranayama where people are taught to breathe through the mouth. Normally in all other Pranayamas we breathe into and out through the nose except in a few practices like Mukha Dhauti. I. Sitkari: In this practice, we are thinking of sipping the breath and normally there are different ways it can be done. We can do it with the Savitri Pranayama or with a Sukha Pranayama pattern or Sukha Purvaka pattern. Swamiji normally suggests Savitri Pranayama most of the time. Here we have a specific tongue position which is called the Jihva Mudra. II. Sheetali: This Pranayama is said to be very effective in liver disorders, the Pitta disorders, the acid disorders and here the concept is that when we are bringing the breath in, we could apply the bandhas and could use the Savitri Pranayama 8-4-8-4. III. Kaki Pranayama: This practice is like Sheetali, except we breathe out through the mouth (Kaka Chandra mudra) with an explosive 'Ha' sound. IV. Matangi Pranayama: The female elephant. If we look at the mouth of the elephant, it is to one side, so through that' twisted mouth' we breathe and then again, the breathing out through the nose, so here the mouth is twisted. People call this facial yoga these days and it is good for wrinkles. V. Bhujangi: It is a female cobra and can be practised using all the Bandhas. VI. Kavi Pranayama: This is a very beautiful cooling Pranayama which is very often used by Dr. Sir, therapeutically. For those who cannot do Sheetali Pranayama can attempt to do this Pranayama. Few Questions Addressed by Dr. Sir during the Pranayama course. Q. When we do the tongue rolling Pranayamas either Sheetali or Sitkari, do we relax the mudra when we're exhaling or do we keep holding them? A. Mudra is essential when breathing in and then can be relaxed. Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 10

THE COOLING PRANAYAMAS: AN EXPLORATION OF SADHANA Q. Are there any alternatives for people who cannot roll their tongue in Kaka Chandra Mudra? A. That is a genetic characteristic and there's a whole percentage of human beings who can roll the tongue and those who cannot. Even if you cannot do any of them you can always clench your teeth and perform Sadanta/Kavi Pranayama to get a similar effect. Q. Among the cooling Pranayamas is there any Pranayama that is better than the other in terms of cooling? A. There is no gradient that is provided to these Pranayamas, however Sitkari and Sheetali Pranayamas have found special place as classical Kumbhaka in Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Additionally, these practices are loved by kids because they love making faces and these would be good practices for kids who have hyperactivity, attention deficit. Q. Kumbhaka is normally of a heating nature. So, when we're doing Kumbhaka with cooling practice is it not contradicting between those two? A. Normally when we do Kumbhaka it is for an extended period. So, if you look at the traditional ratio, they suggest 1:4:2. so if you breathe in for say 4 counts, for 16 counts you are holding and for 8 counts you are breathing out. The held-in Kumbhaka in the Hatha tradition is a long Kumbhaka and here we are talking about short Kumbhaka. So, the amount of time you're holding the breath in is relatively shorter when compared to the usual classical Hatha tradition. When you hold it for that 4 count or that 8 count as part of this sequence it will not have that heating effect. Q. Are there any contra-indications for cooling Pranayama? A. If you are careful in doing these Pranayamas, you can manage most things. It is advisable not to do these cooling Pranayamas if suffering from rhinitis, sinusitis and having a cold or feeling cold. Q. Expelling CO2 and converting acidic blood stream to alkaline / basic and impacting the temperature regulator in the body is the principle of cooling Pranayama? Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 11

THE COOLING PRANAYAMAS: AN EXPLORATION OF SADHANA A. There are 2 understandings: 1 Definitely CO2 expulsion. Guruji Dr Nagendra, at SVYASA, called it a latent heat of evaporation. So, what he said is when you breathe in through the mouth, as the air passes over the tongue the air is making the moist tongue to evaporate. So, the tongue which is wet in the mouth has all the saliva and you know this liquid is getting evaporated and when evaporation occurs, the resultant effect is the feeling of coolness. 2 Hypothalamus being our centre of temperature regulator is impacted as well, like the sweat response that tends to cool one down or shivering during chills that tends to heat one up. Q. If we think about homeostasis and allostasis, physiologically, can we get to the point of practising cooling Pranayamas that will end up balancing, to compensate rising, like any endocrine or neurophysiological response, to go back to homeostasis? A.Yes! Whole goal of these practices is for us to obtain mindful control over autonomic function, and this is where the yogis first caught the imagination of scientists, because they said: how are these guys controlling their hearts? How are these guys doing what they're doing? How is this Yogi sitting up in the high Himalayas without sweaters and not freezing to death? These were questions that came up because science has always said you cannot control the autonomic nervous system. That has been like the baseline of science for years and years, and then suddenly you have people like Swami Rama who under controlled situations sure can stop his heart and they're like: how did you do that? Or Ramana Maharshi who went and had surgery without anaesthesia - how? How can you transcend the pain? How can you transcend all of these autonomic responses? And as per Dr.Sir, all of these practices are geared towards remodifying the hierarchy of our nervous system. In fact Swamiji's friend Dr. Ramamurthy is hailed as the father of neurosurgery in India. He was the first neurosurgeon and, in his autobiography, called 'Uphill All The Way' he made a beautiful statement that 'Yoga reorients the Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 12

THE COOLING PRANAYAMAS: AN EXPLORATION OF SADHANA functional hierarchy of the nervous system'. This is how we normally think and suddenly Yoga says you can switch over the control, the higher control to the cortex, especially the prefrontal cortex, and that is why the biggest effect of any Pranayama is prefrontal cortex awakening. The Yogis said: change the way that you breathe, and imagine - we are looking at up to 120 ways to change the way we breathe! Isn't it amazing that you can do this even today by cooling Pranayama (5 or 6 methods of doing it). Suddenly prefrontal cortex is taking away the control switch, which was with the brainstem, the changing of the functional hierarchy of the nervous system and suddenly cortical control is manifesting, suddenly the prefrontal cortex - the power of choice that higher space which is called 'Chidakasha', that space of consciousness, and that is why we say in front of prefrontal cortex there is this beautiful space called Chidakasha; it is coming alive. So yes! There is a complete change in the hierarchy, and it is like we are becoming a master of our destiny by choosing how we are going to breathe! The cooling Pranayamas in relation to the Pancha Kosha Weather in Texas during my regular practice of all cooling breaths was warm and sunny (average 76° F). Following are my observations: Ÿ Annamaya Kosha – physical body: Glowing skin and reduction in visible acne on my teenage daughter. Ÿ Pranamaya Kosha – Pranic/energy body: Enjoy the feeling of 'Cool Mint' breaths which is an important link between Annamaya and Manomaya Kosha. Ÿ Manomaya Kosha – mental / mind body: Sense of relaxation, Mind is relaxed with less Chitta Vritti, Control over hunger and thirst pangs and mood swings, especially during PMS. My Mom is visiting us, and she practised these cooling breaths for a few days, has not had the craving for tea which she used to consume regularly in India. Ÿ Vijnanamaya Kosha – Wisdom body (insight into Jnana): Able to focus better on the seat of consciousness (Chakra Pranayama) as now the mind is not agitated. Ÿ Anandamaya Kosha – Bliss Divine body – Feeling of health and happiness. Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 13

THE COOLING PRANAYAMAS: AN EXPLORATION OF SADHANA Personal reflections on the cooling Pranayamas On a sunny day in July 2022: 'I'll see you at 12:00 pm next Friday at the studio for final interview' said the sweet voice of the owner of a local Kids' Yoga studio near me. It all felt like a dream as we had moved recently to the States from India and getting an opportunity to practise yoga with kids was coming true! Finally on the day of the interview, I went in confidently and was asked to take a class right on the spot. I mentally kept exploring my options and wisely choosing the practices of Jattis, Surya Namaskara, along with Malla Kriya, which was enjoyed by all the kids, as they found the story of Indian wrestlers practising this kriya very fascinating. After some asanas when it was time for Pranayama, I just blurted out 'Texas Heat is flaring up! Let's switch on our Internal A.C with the cooling breaths which are useful in summer when the sun gets too hot!' This got the complete attention of the owner, who has been teaching Yoga for more than a decade, and her look was worth noticing. She had never ever practised or heard anything like this before. It gave me a chance to share the practices that were taught during YOGA: STEP- BY- STEP, and I think that would also be one of the turning points in my interview that lead to my selection for the post of kids' yoga teacher, one who can provide authentic yoga. Samatvam Simplified with Cool Mint Pranayamas Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj, one of the leading authorities of Ashtanga Yoga in the twentieth century and the lineage holder of the Bengali Tantric Yoga tradition passed to him by his Guru Yogamaharishi Swami Kanakananda Bhrigu, taught 120 Pranayama techniques. According to Swamiji, all Pranayama may be classified into three divisions: The Adhamas, Dhamas, Madhyamas and Uttanas. Cooling Pranayama are categorised under Adhamas. These hot weather Pranayamas are temperature coolers and are useful in countering the chemical heating of the body in respiratory acidosis as well as re-balancing a highly acidic blood stream. The cooling breaths are useful in summer when the sun gets too hot for comfort. Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 14

THE COOLING PRANAYAMAS: AN EXPLORATION OF SADHANA These Pranayamas are directly working on our hypothalamus (seat of thirst and hunger). They are resetting our hypothalamus so that the way our body perceives heat is being changed. This way we are resetting our own body's thermometer. Whether it is winter or summer, we take charge of our own temperature regulating centre, to obtain Samatvam, when we perform these Pranayamas. The idea of cooling the body through the breath may appear far-fetched until one realises the breath is already a part of the body's natural cooling mechanism. One may already realise that 'mouth breathing' or 'panting with the tongue extended' is the way many animals, including dogs, cool themselves on a hot day. The yogis observed nature carefully and nurtured themselves accordingly. Normally in Pranayama we emphasise the nose as the medium, the vehicle of breathing. Except we have the Bhastrikas, especially the Mukhabhastrika in the Gitananda tradition, where we blast out through the mouth. However, in these cooling Pranayamas, we breathe in through the mouth and out the nose. As the air comes across our tongue there is a differential evaporation. The evaporation of the fluid on the tongue, our saliva, as it evaporates because of the air passing over it. It sets off the experience of cooling. For example, in summer we pour water / buttermilk in an earthen pot/a clay pot. As the water evaporates through the clay pot, sometimes on the outside of the clay pot we can see the droplets of water like sweat. When the water evaporates, the inner contents start to cool and we have amazingly ice cool water/ buttermilk, in the middle of summer! We don't need a refrigerator nor any ice cubes! Psychological cooling down or just a physical physiological cooling down? When we see milk; do we see the butter in the milk, do we see the yoghurt in the milk? We do not; yet butter, yoghurt and other products are extracts of milk and are made from milk itself. Hearing or reading about butter is not enough to extract butter from milk. Without sadhana, without putting the milk through a process of churning, it is not possible to extract the products contained in the milk. Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 15

THE COOLING PRANAYAMAS: AN EXPLORATION OF SADHANA My sincere heartfelt gratitude to Acharya Ji and Deepika Ji for taking us along in this year-long churning Pranayama sadhana. During November 2022, we practised all variations of cooling breaths with DeepikaJi. Texas weather during that month was still high during the day (average 76° F), which made me continue with the Sadhana without chills! Maharishi Patanjali has said that Pranayama is regulated by place, time and number, meaning that at various times in our Yoga Sadhana, different Pranayamas are required to be practised in order to attain the ultimate spiritual goal of moksha (liberation). ||bahyaabhyantarastambhavrttihdesha kala samkhyabhihparidrshtahdirghasuksmah || PYS 2.50 Acharya Ji breaks it down for people like me to easily grasp that Pranayama should be practised according to location, time, and counts 'desha kala samkhya'. Pranayama should be applied based on: Ÿ Desha: Where are we? Physically and psychologically. Where are we mentally? Ÿ Kala: What is the time? What is the season? Ÿ Samkhya: How many times do we practice? During summer, I got an opportunity to conduct Yoga sessions for Foster Care Girls (tweens and teens). Sheetali, our 'internal AC', as kids here like to call it – taco breath! I believe this breath has so much power. It can transform our patterns in the mind and body and can empower us. It is great after a run, a workout, an argument or when we need something simple to connect to something big. Alert – I have never, ever done Sheetali!! I am the only blessed human in my entire family who cannot roll tongue like taco shells in Kaka Chandra Mudra due to genetic variation! So Swamiji is very gracious to share other Cool Mint Pranayamas, which I enjoy experiencing similar feelings! Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 16

THE COOLING PRANAYAMAS: AN EXPLORATION OF SADHANA My daughters accompanied me to the sessions to demonstrate how this tongue rolling is done. For those 25 girls, Sheetali seemed weird at first – but everyone caught on and loved the feeling of taking control of the thermostat to stay cool! The singers in the crowd were immediately attracted to Kavi Pranayama, when I mentioned the benefit 'if you regularly practice this, you get a very beautiful, melodious voice!' The Bhujangi breath can help us focus, relieve us from that angry feeling and is also great when we are physically heated in the body. Offering a nice, controlled breath to cool down. The Matangi Pranayama is a hit with kids of all ages! Elders like to practice as it feels like facial yoga to keep them looking young! The youngsters love it as it gives them a good belly laugh, teasing everyone around making faces! In India, my mom regularly consumed tea and often took pitta- pacifying pills. She is currently visiting us from India and practised these cooling Pranayamas for a few days. We feel that these breaths may have helped her in curbing her cravings for tea as she has stopped drinking tea. Maybe the tea consumption used to increase her Pitta and now she is not consuming pills for reducing inflammation too. We couldn't continue with the cooling breaths this month as the temperature is not appropriate anymore ! A heart full of immense gratitude! I hope to grow and go in, with these practices with a focus on that long smooth exhale, activating the body's relaxation response even in waking state...and feeling the difference! In the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Swami Swatmarama says, 'Disturbed breath leads to a disturbed mind, hence, cultivate a steady and quiet breath in order to control the mind and prolong the life.' He also says: The lord of the senses is the mind, the lord of the mind is the breath; the master of breath is the nervous system; quietness of the nerves and concentration depend solely on the steady, smooth and rhythmic sound of the inhalation and exhalation. Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 17

THE COOLING PRANAYAMAS: AN EXPLORATION OF SADHANA He warns us that, though Pranayama can cure all diseases, it may cause a multitude of problems if performed wrongly. Grateful to be learning these authentic techniques in contact with a living Guru who generously teaches Pranayamas, designed to cleanse, purify, strengthen, and sensitise the body, emotions, and mind, making the human being a fit vehicle of the Divine Spirit. References: ● https://integralyogamagazine.org/Pranayama-therapeutic-spiritual- potential/ ● http://www.icyer.com/documents/28.pdf ● http://www.yogamag.net/archives/2010s/2016/1602/1602chrn.html ● Pranayama: The fourth Limb of Ashtanga Yoga by Yogamirishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj, ● Yoga Step -by- Step lesson 46 by Yogamirishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj. Let love fill our hearts and service be our aim in life. May our actions become unselfish and fill us with joy so that love flows freely. Let union be determined by awareness and all become ONE. May we be united in an universal bond of love, light and understanding, so that the Divine spirit manifests freely. - Pujya Sri Swamiji Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 18

TRIBUTES FROM AROUND THE WORLD FOR YANTRA SHIROMANI SIDDHA DR. JONN MUMFORD (SWAMI ANANDAKAPILA SARASWATI) In Memoriam: 1937-2023 Mysticism is the direct experience of Ultimate Universal Unity - Dr. Jonn Mumford Dear Fellow Students and Friends, We first met Jonn almost a quarter century ago; he changed our lives, and we're sure he did the same for many of you. He was modest and lived that way. He invited us to call him by first name at our first meeting over coffee, in a New York City McDonald's. He loved his coffee. Modesty notwithstanding, his impact on his students and on the evolution of modern Yoga and Tantra was profound. It is with great sadness that we inform you of his transition yesterday. We understand that he retained his good humour until the very end. And we will remember that good humour and joie de vivre always, just as what we learned from him will be in us always. We trust that his teachings will live on in you as they live on in us. As of now, we have no details about funeral plans, etc. but will inform you as soon as we can. Our hearts go out to all of you in this time of loss. Much love, Mark and Patricia, USA Our beloved teacher, mentor and companion Dr Jonn Mumford passed from this world on Sunday morning in Sydney. He passed away peacefully in his sleep between 5 - 6 in the morning. Dr Jonn Mumford, or Maharaj as he was affectionately called, was both an inspirational innovative teacher and a loving mentor. There have been countless times throughout my life where his wisdom helped me gain clarity in times of distress and confusion. Dr Mumford was one of the greatest contemporary innovators in the science and teaching of Yoga. He published numerous original insights and produced entire bodies of original works based on the lineage of the ancient yogis, his profound knowledge of human anatomy and physiology and his research of western mystic traditions and philosophies. Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 19

TRIBUTES FROM AROUND THE WORLD YANTRA SHIROMANI SIDDHA His books and courses such as 'Keys to Karma, Death: Beginning or End?' and 'Mind Magic Kit' have shaped, and continue to shape my life, indescribably for the better. Dr Mumford through his teachings has given us all a pathway into self- realisation, unshakeable inner peace and moving our creative potential into manifestation. Let's all make time over the coming moments or weeks to meditate on our heart space and wish our beloved companion and mentor Dr Jonn Mumford a Bon Voyage! Hari Aum Tat Sat. Aum Namah Shivaya. - Rajesh Bhardwaj AUM. My prayers of light and wisdom for Swami Anandakapila Saraswathi, Dr Jonn Mumford, who indeed gave wise Yoga teachings and made a huge contribution to the spread and continuation of Swamiji's Yoga wisdoms. This was especially true of the Yantra teachings that he preserved well and gave back to you again in the right time. This has enabled the teachings to reach everyone and gave them the path to further progress. AUM. To enter the spaces beyond earthly life will certainly give his Divine soul- spirit fresh light and wisdom in harmony with the Divine. AUM - Yogarathna Sri Bharati Devi, Netherlands. February 1995 was Murali's first meeting with Jonn Mumford during the Yantra Nama Darshana Course. Jonn presented Number, Name and Form Concepts of Yantra in a very innovative and creative manner. As all these Yantra concepts were new to all the students attending the course, but we absorbed as much information as possible. When Jonn told the class he lived in Sydney, Australia, Murali asked if he could continue studying Yantra when we returned home. We shared many Saturday evenings discussing Yantra over dinner. Whilst Ananda was at medical college, as well as JIPMER hospital, Jonn was asked to teach Yantra courses at ICYER each February with Murali as assistant from 2004 through 2013. Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 20

TRIBUTES FROM AROUND THE WORLD YANTRA SHIROMANI SIDDHA Whenever Ananda came 'Down-under' for workshops, we would meet Jonn at least one evening and dine at Govinda's vegetarian restaurant in Sydney. Jonn Mumford's Dharma was to give Swamiji's Yantra back to the Source. Mission Accomplished! -Yogacharya Muralidharan Giri (Muralee), Sydney, Australia. I first met Jonn in 1973 in tropical North Queensland which was a popular holiday destination. He used to come up from Sydney annually and run short courses and give public talks and demonstrations of Yoga. His teaching methods were memorable. We learnt a system of memory recall by association with image creation. The image had to move and be huge, colourful, weird, and humorous. I have a memory of an enormous pink elephant, wearing a dress and riding on top of a huge, red, London bus, but I am now unable to remember the object that I was trying to remember! To demonstrate how a chakra worked he used a plastic bag twisted somehow around a wire coat hanger which was hung up on a line and then set alight. It spun noisily with a shower of sparks and was very graphic and exciting to watch. Like Swamiji Gitananda Giri, his mentor, Jonn had an engaging, larger than life personality and a wonderful sense of humour. He was a brilliant teacher and I feel privileged to have known him and to have had a unique relationship with him. Often late at night when we were both still working at the computer; I would send him quirky items, and he frequently included them 'From Margo' at the end of his newsletters. Jonn, you have gone to the Light where you will shine for all eternity and light the way for each of us when it is our time to take the same journey. God bless you. - Mathaji Margo, Brisbane, Australia. Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 21

TRIBUTES FROM AROUND THE WORLD YANTRA SHIROMANI SIDDHA Namaste Dr. Ananda Ji and Ananda Ashram Sadhakas, Paying our tribute and gratitude and thanking heart to Dr. Jonn Mumford Ji the great master of living and experiencing yoga consciousness throughout his life and also sharing and bringing with others remarkable people of the yoga field under the lineage of Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj Ji. Many times in classes you have mentioned about him and also, from you we came to know about him and his life and yoga path and his lifetime at Ananda Ashram in Pondicherry with Swamiji. Paying him tribute of respect and gratitude full of thankfulness for those teachings by which he honoured with dedication Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri Ji, and then restored to you the science of number Yantra. We also completed these teachings online with you as our Yoga Guru, Yoga Light, Yoga Acharya so we stand with you and Ashrama in these difficult times. Paying our heartfelt gratitude to the great science of Yantra and yoga path. Om Shanti! - Yogasadhaki Gurleen Sarai, Canada. It was in 2000 that I first studied with Dr. Jonn, or Swami Anandakapila Saraswati as he was known then. I called him my 'Cyberguru' as we were geographically half a world apart and communicated via the internet. He sent me lessons and I sent him questions which he always answered very quickly, no matter what time of day or night. I began to wonder if he ever slept! He was so very dedicated to helping his students. After a couple of years I had the opportunity to meet him. He was teaching Yantra at Ananda Ashram, so I could finally obey Swami Gitananda's injunction to go there. What fun we had learning! He played little tricks on us, he clowned quite a bit, had us do daft things, all the while giving us deep knowledge to digest which changed our lives. Yes, he taught in such a unique way that the knowledge he imparted sank in deep and was absorbed easily. I had a blockage with numbers that Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 22

TRIBUTES FROM AROUND THE WORLD YANTRA SHIROMANI SIDDHA he destroyed by playing. We were asked to do strange things such as placing a chewing gum wrapper on our foreheads, or pushing one arm against the wall, or lifting a person with one finger. Of course you won't see the connection just by reading that! You had to be there. During one of the courses I studied with him he said: put your hand on the back of your neck to see where you are psychically. Once he asked me to put a light bulb in a microwave oven; I don't have one but luckily my neighbour was willing to see what happened. These are examples of his extraordinary method of imparting his deep knowledge so that it sank in. He clowned, he joked, he invited us to see things in a completely different way so that we could understand better. He was unique, and I am profoundly grateful to have studied with him and deeply honoured that he asked me to illustrate his articles. Dr. Jonn chose to 'wake from the dream' in his sleep during Brahma Muhurta on Shivaraatri – such an auspicious moment! May his soul be treated with respect and love. He will not be forgotten! Aum Namah Shivaya! - Yogacharini Jnanasundari, France Dr Jonn Mumford is, and I mean 'is' in the living sense, a constant presence in the lives of many loved ones and has been since my youth. His very close relationship to my own teachers meant his teachings were often infused with theirs to become my own sadhana. Dr Jonn Mumford, his disciples, friends, and colleagues are as if spiritual kin who travel through incarnations destined to reconnect until we each attain liberation. When my sangha integrated with Dr Mumford's international disciples, some fifteen years ago in Serpentine, WA, it was as if we were simply reviving lost bonds. Dr Mumford's Yantra and numerology course, however wonderful and mind expanding, was not the highlight of the program. It was Dr Mumford himself, his persona, his wit, his incredible sense of humour and compassion. He can say one small thing that forces the revaluation of everything you thought you knew. In this Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 23

TRIBUTES FROM AROUND THE WORLD YANTRA SHIROMANI SIDDHA case, meeting Dr Mumford was a profound turning point, a moment of contrast between Satyam and Asatyam that catalysed a radical shift of worldview. It is certain that due to our Karma we will again teach, learn, love and support one another in our future lives, toward our goal. It may be, however, that the great Doctor will guide us from within the omniscient heart of Lord Shiva, as we all know what it means to give up one life for eternity on Mahashivaratri. He is therefore remembered as living. And, for this sadhaki, as a Siddha, henceforth, Siddha Dr John Mumford. With deep respect and love, - Malini Sara Nath, Australia. Namaste dear Divine Dr. Sir, beloved AMMAJI and Guru family, In the name of the Yoga society Berlin I send you our deepest condolences and prayers to the loss of Dr. Jonn Mumford. We are with you and send our gratitude and love to the soul that now continues the journey towards moksha. In love with deepest respect, - Arpana, Prema and the whole Yoga Gesellschaft Berlin I remember the last day of the Yantra course when he had us all lined up like bogies in a train on the floor with our eyes closed. He built up the tension taking his time with a never ending story…. And like a rolling train, laughter and yelling started to come from the back of the line. It took a long time, and I was sitting blindfolded in the front, not knowing what was coming! And then, the metal spider tingling down the spine took me completely by surprise! The Yantra course was a gift that I'm ever thankful for. May be in peace! - Lia de Jong, Netherlands. Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 24

FEEDBACK ON GITANANDA NADA YOGA COURSE Yogacharini Yoga Shakti LATHAJI Gitananda Yoga Kutira, Berlin, Germany. First, my heartiest thanks to Dr. Sir Ananda Ji and Dr. Sangeeta Ji for each of your lessons and the practices you shared in the Zoom Womb. The teachings gave a surprising, refreshing, and deeper insight into the ancient science of Nada Yoga, Samkhya, and Tantra. The modern European world is getting senseless and noisier than ever. I was raised without tv, telephone, internet, and without these fifty small noisy electrical machines which, statistically, each householder owns in Germany nowadays. In the 1950s, in Finland, we heard, listened, and acted according to different sounds and voices in the home and in nature. As children, if we wanted to listen to music, we had to sing, and we did! In those times, young children in school learnt by heart the Epic Poem of Finland: Kalevala. The main character is Väinämöinen, the grand epic singer and therapist. He sang: Mastered by impulsive desire, by a mighty inward urging, I am ready now for singing, Ready to begin the chanting. In my mouth the words are melting, from my lips the tones are gliding, From my tongue they wish to hasten; When my willing teeth are parted, when my ready mouth is opened, Songs of ancient wit and wisdom hasten from me not unwillingly. Come and sing with me the stories, come and chant with me the legends. Since we are now here together, come together from our roamings. Seldom do we come for singing, Seldom to the one, the other… At Ananda Ashram, for the first time since my childhood, I heard this 'ancient type' of therapeutic singing; Dr. Sir in Kambaliswamy Madam during Pujas or the concerts in the City Centre. Unlike Western 'emotional' music, this music is structured rhythmically, balancing 'waves' deeply inwards. It took several occasions in the Ashram before I re-learnt to hear and listen, to tolerate these vibrations, and to use my own voice more freely. The Nada Yoga lessons allowed me to experience listening to inner voices, to seek inside of my body the vibrational space for Bijas, Nadis, for Akara-Ukara- Makara and Pranava Aum from bottom of spine upwards to brain, to Trikuthi, and Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 25

FEEDBACK ON GITANANDA NADA YOGA COURSE trying to sense the spiralling around the body, to sense movements from left to right side of brain while using Devanagari vowels and consonants loudly and inside my mind, to activate brain structures using lips, teeth, palate and tongue for it. These teachings nourish our mostly hidden Inner Self, waking up forgotten abilities, entities like Swami Ji Gitananda pointed out: 'Wellbeing and Happiness are your birthrights, gain these.' Nada Yoga is Tantra! These practices give us the possibility to find the correct distance to our own busy bodies, give us back the sense of a forgotten gift of humour in rush hour years, and deep relaxation. My best thanks to Divine Amma Ji, who 'hit me deeply' with her incredible sense of humour… but this is another topic. In gratitude to all Gurus. I don't know what Moksha is, but from what the sages tell us... it is just pure joy... I have loved human life... I have loved planet Earth, the sun, the stars, the skies, the waters... but, I feel my real home is in another place. I have done my best with whatever talents, skills, intelligence I was born with. Now I want only release from the wheel. Can we will Moksha to come? Can we pray for it? I think we can only deserve it. Someone, something, somewhere must gift it to us. Have I earned that great prize by the life I have lived or must I come again! I frankly do not know. I do know that there is nothing more I can do. Like the great mystic poet William Blake, I can only stand... and wait! - Pujya Sri Ammaji Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 26

A LIFE WORTH LIVING Yogasadhaka OVIDIU CIPRIAN PONORAN, Romania Another beautiful childhood day was about to end. It was already dark outside when I headed back home. I was pleasantly tired, hungry, but felt pumped with life and happiness. The crickets' symphony and the calming sound of the river passing near my apartment building were delighting my ears. The cool evening air felt like a blessing to my skin and lungs after such a hot summer day. The sun gave its best today as I did on the football court. As I entered the apartment, the delicious smell coming from the kitchen brought me to heaven, I began to salivate. I sat down at the dinner table to catch my breath and rest my body, in the delicious anticipation of the tasty food that would make my hunger a thing of the past. 'Hey, mom! It is so pleasant to sit when tired, I've played football all day long. It was so much fun! You should have seen me play, I was so good!' While devouring my dinner, I was replaying my dribbles, sprints, assists, and goals in my mind. I felt like Pele, Maradona, Zico, Socrates, or Júnior came alive through me as I was playing with my buddies. Such a great day, such a great day! What made my childhood days memorable was playing football, playing outside with my buddies, lifting weights, solving maths problems, watching sports on TV, watching a nice movie at the cinema, helping my friends with maths, helping my grandparents with the field work, praying to Jesus Christ, reading books like the Bible, origin stories, transformation stories, bildungsroman, adventure and mystery. We would go on vacations with my parents at the Black Sea, eat chocolate and bananas which were very hard to find during the Ceau escu dictatorship. My life was simple and enjoyable at that time, I had everything that I've ever wanted. Years passed by. I fell in love, moved to a big city, graduated from computer science faculty, found well-paid jobs working as a project manager, got married, and had two children that blessed my life. In my free time I practised bodybuilding and martial arts and I travelled with my family. Life was nice. Fulfilled? Not entirely. Less than two months after my boy was born, my father suddenly died of cancer - totally unexpectedly. Internal journey began. I started practising Hatha Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 27

A LIFE WORTH LIVING Yoga and attended various long-term courses, workshops and retreats (Integral Coaching, Embodiment and Somatic Coaching, Shadow Yoga, Synergy Yoga, Zen, Natural Mind Meditation - Dzogchen Mahamudra) - Unplanned and Unexpected. Volunteered in NGOs. Who am I? Why am I here? What's my work? What does it mean to live a joyful and meaningful life? I got divorced - totally Unexpected! A very painful and overwhelming period in my life. Courses and books about Purpose, Masculinity, and Authentic Relating. COVID-19 pandemic - captive in my apartment together with my ex-wife and children; worked from home. Unexpected! Youtube…searches and clicks…look, a doctor! An Indian medical doctor on YouTube talking about…Yoga. He sounds very knowledgeable, authentic, strong, generous, and kind. He is the lineage holder of the living Gitananda Yoga tradition and current Madathipathy of Sri Kambaliswamy Madam. A prolific writer and researcher. Oh, and he also sings and plays mridangam, he is so alive and joyful while performing. He is also fun, 'Just BE!' says Gangsta Yogi. He lives by his name, Ananda! Can he help me live by my name Ovidiu (shepherd) so I can guide myself and others toward wholeness, freedom, bliss, and a fulfilling life? Started to study Gitananda Yoga online (Nada Yoga, Yoga Step by Step, Pranayama). Resigned my job, I wanted a career break. Unplanned. Finally, I went to Ananda Ashram. Being in that space reminded me about my Self, reminded me about my childhood intense love for God, reminded me about my capacity to love. I fell in love with the Bhavanani family, I fell in love with the love-energy of that place. My second home, see you soon! Life is so unpredictable, isn't it? We never know what is coming next. Given that, how can we live a life that is joyful and meaningful? What mindset can we adopt to skilfully dance with the unknown and the unexpected? What do we need to let go of? How can we remove the obstacles to internal freedom, bliss, and peace? How can we live more from our essence? How can we discover our souls' unique purpose in this lifetime? How can we marry our purpose with enough health, strength, vitality, intelligence and social skills so it has a high chance for manifestation? How can we create more fulfilling relationships in our lives? Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 28

A LIFE WORTH LIVING As I will detail below, the vast and deep teachings of Rishiculture Ashtanga Gitananda Yoga. Tradition can help us shed light on such questions, empower us to live healthy, fulfilling, and joyful lives, and support us to be the best we can be in this lifetime. Just looking at the core concepts of Gitananda Yoga one immediately gets a very good idea about the great potential these teaching have when studied and practised with profound interest: Yoga is a way of life, create gurus not followers, breath is life, no option Yoga, step by step approach, love for Indian culture, bountiful practices to enhance our mindfulness and help us deal with life effectively and efficiently, Yantra – in tune with nature, and mudras for intrapersonal, interpersonal, and transpersonal communication. Strong Foundations Swamiji placed a great importance on a deep understanding of Yamas and Niyamas to develop a strong foundation for our life. Yamas and Niyamas combined represent Adhikara Yoga which makes us fit for the Yoga journey. Yamas– Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, Aparigraha– are the moral restraints that we need to follow to be a human being, to transcend our sub-human tendencies like violence, stealing, lying, greed, selfishness, etc. Niyamas– Saucha, Santosha, Tapas, Swadhyaya, IshvaraPranidhana– are the ethical observances that enable us to enhance our humanness and create the space within so the Divine can manifest. I took this to heart by looking inside to discover what I value the most, which are the energetic principles of living that are closest to my heart and are in tune with Yamas and Niyamas. These self-generated values are Love, Compassion, Kindness, Humility, Connectedness, Contribution, Wholeness, Inner Peace, Inner Strength, Clarity, Simplicity, Curiosity, Depth, Focus, Authenticity, Honesty, Courage, Aliveness, Joy, Creativity, Gratitude, Freedom, Faith. By making the effort to live them, I'm consciously creating myself, I'm consciously creating my future. The quality of energy that I put out into the world, is the quality of energy that will come back to me. This is the Law of Karma. The outside is the manifestation of what I believe within. These values are informing my decisions, because honouring them will increase my soul's power. Even if it is uncomfortable at times, the feeling of Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 29

A LIFE WORTH LIVING lightness and peace tells me it was a good decision. If I don't use values when making decisions, I will default to choices that only feed the self-interest and the fears of my ego. How do I live these values? I consciously choose to live my day by feeling and expressing them in my thoughts, speech, and actions. Step by step, one by one. In the morning I set an intention 'Today I choose to be Love! Today I am Love! I am Love!' and feel how the energy of Love spreads through my entire body. Who I am and how I show up is a choice! I invoke the energy of Ganesha to remove the obstacles to being Love today. During the day, I think, speak, and act in ways that honour Love. What would Love do? When I make a decision, I ask myself How would Love respond to this situation? What would Love choose? Before meeting a person, I create her/him in my mind with the energy of Love, what I value / appreciate about this person? I look around me to see gestures of Love being created. In the evening, I appreciate myself for those Being-Love moments and let the 'I could have done it better' go. Dharma - Our Responsibility and Purpose in Life What is my soul's purpose in this lifetime, my Swadharma, my calling? What is important, suitable and, natural to my unique nature with its innate disposition and inclinations? How to uncover it? How can I live courageously in tune with it? These were questions that I kept in the back of my mind during my sabbatical, with the desire to find out what is the unique gift of my soul and in what ways I can put it out into the world. I don't want to leave this life without fully manifesting the unique qualities of my soul! Martha Graham, an American modern dancer and choreographer, beautifully expressed what I feel right now: There's a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you, in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost. The world will not have it. According to the science of Yantra taught in Gitananda Yoga tradition, my Dharma number is 7, philosopher / priest / poet / wisdom. The essence of 7 is about understanding the inner aspects of life by being all-one, happiest enjoying nature, and should explore themselves through writing. That's very accurate because Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 30

A LIFE WORTH LIVING when I was a child I wanted to become a priest but I didn't have a singing voice to pursue that direction. I enjoy being in nature, I enjoy writing poetry, I'm constantly looking to enhance my wisdom and inspire others to be their best. We are taught that Yoga is all about living in the moment and fulfilling our Dharma by being ourselves. Dharma means doing the appropriate thing for the appropriate person in the appropriate way at the appropriate time. When we live our Dharma, we are not creating any Karma. We are doing what is to be done to the best of our capabilities, not because somebody told us, not because somebody else is doing it. It is an inspired spontaneous right action that is natural to us, in accordance with our nature, our talents, and skills. If we do it, we feel light, at ease, and whole. If we don't do it, we feel restless, there is some kind of suffering left in ourselves. When we deviate from our calling, we create Karma. 'It is better to do one's own dharma, even though imperfectly, than to do another's dharma, even though perfectly. By doing one's innate duties, a person does not incur sin.' Bhagavad Gita 18.47. In Yoga Step by Step, Lesson 50, Dr Ananda said that the advanced practices of Gitanada Yoga like Yoga Nidra enables us to connect with something higher that will give us the vision of our Swadharma. Dharmika asana is another very good posture for introspection and self-inquiry in which our Dharma starts to open up for us. In this devotional asana, we bow down with humility and centre the mind and concentrate the energy in Manipura Chakra, our psychic umbilical cord to the Universe. What is life's purpose? 'Life is for living' and 'Health and happiness are your birthrights, Moksha is your goal. Reclaim your birth rights and attain your goal through Yoga' says Yogamaharishi Dr Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj. Nisargadatta Maharaj says 'Living is life's only purpose.' Ikigai teaches that we can find our reason for being at the intersection of what we love, what we are good at, what we can be paid for, and what the world needs. Richard Barrett tells us the soul came here to give its gift, and this gift is our soul purpose and it represents 'what you are passionate about in your life - what you want to develop in yourself that makes a positive difference to the world around you.' He also says that many people don't find it because 'They get so wrapped up in attempting to satisfy their subconscious fear-based needs for survival and safety, love and belonging, and respect and recognition, that they never get to the point where they are able to focus on satisfying Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 31

A LIFE WORTH LIVING their souls' needs.' His current relation with life purpose is 'I no longer have a vision for my life. I have surrendered to my soul, because that is who I am. I trust my soul implicitly. My job is to keep the lines of communication with my soul open, and not to get sidetracked into thinking that I have needs. Of course, I do have needs, but as I increasingly become the servant of my soul, I find that my needs are met before I know I have them. My soul operates through the fourth dimension of consciousness, making all the connections that are necessary for me (it) to do my (its) work. They show up in my life as chance events, serendipitous moments and full-blown synchronicity.' Kurt Wright says '...if we think of our purpose only in terms of what we can get out of life, we have surely missed it and are unlikely to experience fulfilment. Only when we think of our purpose in terms of what we have to give do we connect with something that can truly be fulfilled. [...] Maximum personal growth, maximum personal accomplishment and maximum personal fulfilment may all be reached only through maximum giving of ourselves' The author also states that Abraham Maslow missed to notice how the ego deficiency needs - survival and safety, social (love, belonging), and self-esteem (respect, recognition) - can be substantially fulfilled. For example, the social need of feeling loved is most truly fulfilled when we allow an abundance of love to pour through us out into the hearts of others. The self-esteem need is truly fulfilled when we pour importance all over others, i.e. empower others. We fulfil our basic needs by giving, by serving others. In the living tradition of Gitananda Yoga we are taught the same thing: you nurture your growth by nurturing other people's growth. I explored the wisdom of East and West to figure out where and how to look for life purpose. I practised the advanced techniques of Gitananda Yoga like Yoga Nidra. I got into a state of balance and contentment and withdrew my mind from the senses to hear my inner voice, the guru within. I paid attention to what animates me during the day. I kept asking myself What's the most important to me? What do I desire /want to create the most? What comes naturally to me? I did my best to avoid fabricating answers from a place of unfulfillment, scarcity, and lack. In the end, I came up with: (to be concluded in the next issue...) Vol.54 No. 03, March 2023 www.rishiculture.in 32