Guru - Where are you?

Guru is one of the most significant, you can say the most significant existence in the Yoga practice. As go dwell into the deeper dimensions of Yoga practice, you find an immense amount of importance attached to Guru. Your Yoga teacher guides you to some subtle concepts and might say "only a Guru can guide you in this path".

Guru is someone who removes the darkness, brings me closer to my own light. Guru exposes me to the reality, pushing me out of my comfort zone and makes me aware of immense possibilities of my life. To put it precisely, he is the one who makes me aware of who am I!

There were questions about the concept of "Guru" during the Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training today and the wonderful discussion that we had with great group of Yogis is shared here -

Guru - Where are you? 
How to find the Guru? Where are these Gurus live? Do they live in the caves of the Himalayas? Do they love out of the society? Even if I find one, often I see many around me, no wonder, how to judge and conclude that this is the Guru I am looking for?

Guru can not be compared to the idea of a teacher. A teacher is someone who has some knowledge and knows how to teach. There is an action called "teaching" involved in it. An action always requires someone to perform, the doer. But Guru does not have to involve in action.

Guru is existence oriented. His mere existence can do the miracles. Sometimes it is his/her physical existence. But more often, you do not need their physical existence too. The place where Gowthama has transformed into "Buddha" can still have the aura, an intense energy form which still will be a Guru, has the ability to take you towards your Buddha inside!

The places wherein the Yogis lived can bring me closer to my Guru inside. An unpolluted, undisturbed (by human beings) existence of nature bring that stillness and lead you towards Guru. You can find the Guru in the Sun rise, in the wheel, in the innocence of a kid, in the life experience of a grand mother. All these and a lot more situations, lessons and inspirations lead to the Guru who is inside.

Guru manifests everywhere, if a Shishya (Disciple) in you is evolved. When you start seeking knowledge, you will find the Guru in earth, water, plants, animals, and even in non-living beings.

Guru is everywhere. You need to become a Shishya (Seeker) to find him in!!!

Do I need a religion? Is Yoga a religion?

Let us first understand what is religion? Religion you can name any one, is a set beliefs, principles and concepts created so that by following them, a society with people in it can live their life better. All religions have this basic underlying principle inside them. Religions are not meant to make you free. Religions can not afford to be individual as they are crafted for the masses. Religions will have rules and regulations to follow and there will be many questions unanswered or improperly answered as the driving force of religions isn't a quest of truth, but a constitution under which people can lead a better life. 

All religions, therefore, have the basic moral and ethical codes of conduct which are beautiful and precisely same compared to each other. The general framework of all the religions such as non-violence, honesty, cleanliness, absence of greed, controlling the anger etc. are narrated in all the religions and they do not differ. No religion tells you to be angry as it is good for you. But there will be other differences in the customs, rituals and traditions. As religions are crafted based on the society they lived at that time (or now), these constitutions are crafted for the people at that time of that society. Hence, there can be some rules which you won't necessarily accept even if it comes from your so-called religion. 

In classical Sanskrit texts, in the ancient Indian tradition, these are called "SMRITIS". Smritis are written, crafted by different Yogis, scholarly authors time to time. YAJNAVALKYA SMRITI, PARASHARA SMRITI, MANU SMRITI are just to note a few here. There will be many concepts or rituals you will see in these texts which you might completely disagree as they are not amended for the present society. 

This whole perspective is applicable for all the religions present now. There is no hell-heaven concept in the reality. This infinite cosmos couldn't be that simple. But the religions when put forth the idea of heaven-hell, they do not intend to present the truth but it was a concept to keep the masses on track. One needs a moral fear to to be a human being, to furnish the human characteristics. The purpose of the concept is different. 

Then, what is the truth? As you evolve, you will understand that you do not need a fear of God, a fear of Hell, an attraction of heaven, but your actions will be motivated by your conscience. You will not be a good human being due to the fear of God, but your kindness, honesty and love are due to the inner conscience. Your inner journey of being better human takes the first giant step and THIS IS YOGA. Yoga is not a religion, but beyond any religion. You are good, honest and light because you can't afford to be otherwise. It has become your personality to be kind. There is no fear, no police in the sky observing your actions to decide your future life after death. But you will select, prioritize the present by living it fully and decide your future. Now, you understand from the heart that the God is nowhere in the galaxies, on the heaven, but inside. Your God, the Light is inside and you do not need to take any journey, any prayers, any rituals, follow any one but to listen to your heart. You do not need any teaching as your heart knows it all. You just need to listen to it properly. 

Yet, we need the concept of religions as there will be no change significant in the mass-conscience. As a society, a set of people, we need to have these moral rules and codes of conduct to create a social structure. All these religions are true at a layer, but start to appear weak and superficial as you explore the light inside. 

As it is becoming a lengthy article, I sum up with points.

1. Religions ask you to follow, But Yoga or its Masters do not.

2. The idea of Following anything/anyone is against the practice of Yoga.

3. Religions will have rules, Yoga does not. 

4. Practice any technique, continue to practice if it works, leave it if it doesn't. 

5. Religions claim to take you towards the God, Yoga does not.

6. Yoga does not ask you to take any journey as the God is inside, in fact, you are THAT. 

7. There will be teacher, preacher, texts, rituals in religions, not in Yoga. 

8. Your experience is the only thing matters in Yoga practice. 

9. Follow religions if you don't know how to listen to conscience. 

10. Follow your heart, be present, live every second fully as your present moment is eternal and momentary. This is Yoga. 

Follow Your Heart

P.S. Your comments inspire me the most. Do not hesitate to put forth your thoughts and let me know if I have to expand, illustrate anything in these articles. -Namaste-

Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training in Bali - Reflections

I have always believed that the reflections on the past be it actions or incidents give you a briefing on lessons of self improvements. We at Samyak Yoga after every teacher training sit for REFLECTIONS so that we can find ways to improve the quality in everything that we do. Here are my reflections about the course we completed in Bali. Perhaps, Bali training and the group took a long time to allow me for objective reflections. Finally I am ready and here are my thoughts.

Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training in Bali

We have completed Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training Course in Bali in October 2014. The whole month was an amazing experience in many aspects. 

It was a first time experience for us in Bali. The entire crew led by Marlinda and Steve was just amazing. Often, you will be in uncomfortable if your food and accommodation are not up to the mark. From the very first day, we just had to focus on teaching and everything else was in place every single day without a miss. 

Yoga Teachers from India

We, the Yoga Teachers from India are guided in a Gurukula system of education (Indian system, which influenced the Buddhist Monasteries) which does not just teach you, but gives you an insight, asks you to analyze, allows you to practice and find the need of it and finally, you will practice what you preach. Hence, this Yoga Philosophy bears a lot of weight, put forth out of passion and supported by perosnal practice of the teacher. In Bali, the entire team of students and teachers had a beautiful time with philosophical discussions. 

Traditional Ashtanga Vinyasa Primary Series Practice

We practiced Asanas twice a day which was intensive. Besides, there was group classes, preparation for the classes every day. The morning ashtanga practice with its Mysore style, every one was fascinated by their own potentialities which weren't explored. Mysore style brings the meditation within and tell you "you can do more than what you think you can do"

Meditation leading to Light within

The entire training was transformational. I give credits to every one who played roles in different ways. The major credit goes to the students who were always supportive to each other. It is one thing that fascinates me that we always get the best students.. :) They were always there to care, to love, to help, to assist, to listen as if they knew each other for a very long time. The group never took the discussions or the practice just as they are. They tried to practice, explore and implemented them in their hearts. That's where a teacher feels fulfilled!

Teach not only Asanas but Pranayama too!

Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training also gives an opportunity to teach EVERY DAY. Students unlike in most of the schools, here get the opportunity to teach Pranayama too. By the end of the course, the Prana was back in the mainstream of their every day practice of Yoga. It was no more just a breathing technique.

Meditation on Universal Consciousness

Throughout the course, we all consciously and unconsciously worked on universal energy, the cosmic web which connects every one, the divine light within. The students were able to get the sparks of their divinity, their own light and their own master inside. This is the goal of Yoga, the union within. And we were happy, connected and rejuvenated. Once again, I fell in love with what I do and thanked God for giving this opportunity to be a part of many spiritual energies.

I am Responsible of My Universe Inside Out

Our generation has been tremendously successful in understanding some of the most subtle secrets of nature and have benefited out of them. In the journey, often we might have thought that we are so independent, capable of achieving so many things that our ancestors have never thought off. 

But often, the chaos in life, helplessness at different situations have led us to feel more dependent and weak. Often in the race of achieving and being independent, we have achieved less and become more dependent. Hence, what is the secret of nature? who and how are we? are we independent and can make our own choices in the life or is it just an illusion of freedom? Does fate decide everything?

In the context of Karma, a beautiful metaphor of cow is often used to explain the subject we are discussing now. A cow is tied to a tree with a long rope and allowed to eat the beautiful grass that is grown near by the tree. The Cow can make all the choices on how and what to eat and the way to enjoy. But it has to be within the specified boundary of tied rope. It can roam everywhere within the radius and can't go out of the radius. 

AREN'T WE INDEPENDENT THEN?

No! Absolutely not. The idea of complete independence in the way we most often understand is an illusion. We are not independent at all. A simple example shows it clear. I bought a new phone and it's beautiful and I own it. But the bitter reality is "It is not mine". The payment I made is to use the phone forever. I own the phone I bought can be explained that I have the right to use it forever. 

The idea of using the waves to talk to each other was an imagination of a mind which was the foundation of the phones. Then comes the transformation in mettlurgy science which has contributed in the creation of different metals. Then, the network towers, so on and so forth. My few bucks can't really pay for all these ideas, efforts and dreams. Hence, I do not own my phone in a literal way, but I own it to use it, of course forever. 

ARE WE DEPENDENT ON OTHERS 

This too is a an illusion. Nobody is dependent on others. We are born to be free and absolute freedom finds it hard to be dependent on anything. 

I am Responsible of My Universe

SO, WHAT'S THE TRUTH?

My search for Spiritual Guru in India

The human mind is in quest of finding the real purpose of being here on the planet earth. It has always been our endeavor, be it in any civilization to know the root, the source of happiness, the reason behind all the miseries and to make the lives better every day. In this journey, India being one of the oldest civilizations has been pioneer in finding answers which seem to be more closer to the reality. With its different perspectives, popularly known as "schools of Philosophies" India has been trying to explore the reality behind the fabric of the world in deeper ways. 

All the explorations, the religious or spiritual texts when they are trying to put forth the fabric of the universe, the understanding does not seem to be easier. Hence, the journey of finding "the Guru" begins. A guru, the master who might have known, experienced better than the us would explain, show and guide us in the path. The position of a "Guru" in the path of spirituality plays a larger role than anything else. 

Hence, the path of spirituality or otherwise can be termed as "path of inner journey" needs a Guru. 

Follow your heart to find your Light - Samyak Yoga

But, here comes the thin line and the danger of losing the whole essence of the practice. 

To feel what you have missed, step out from what you have

I arrived yesterday in Bali for Yoga Teacher Training with Arvind, another Yoga teacher from Samyak Yoga. The training starts tomorrow and these two days are for us to settle down.. A new place, a different society, different set of people with their own culture and lifestyles is something that amuses me all the time. Bali did the same too. We were comparing our villages and cities of India, the other cities that we have been to that of Bali, trying to figure out the differences and similarities. It led me to a deep introspection and that led me to the following thoughts... 

Desa Mungu Village Entrance

Pregnancy Yoga: Pregnant with Enlightenment

When there is a new poetry striving to be born, to take form a poet experiences a feeling of richness, a fullness, an expansion and an extension about to take shape. He feels feminine. It happens with all the creative arts. It is exactly like a pregnancy of a woman. 

Pregnancy is more than just carrying a baby

Pregnancy is an expansion, a richness that takes its space with the new life taking shape in you. There is a fullness where there was an emptiness. Where there was a poverty now it is filled with richness. It is an extension of your own existence that you can nurture, nourish and awaken your own love and affection. Women feel completeness which can not be compared to anything with the pregnancy. It is carrying a baby. It is a process of transformation that slowly develops a new being in you. The existence of a new life in you has the ability to build awareness in you, to transform you and infuse positivity in you. It brings the life in your life. 

Women, Yoga, Equality and Cosmic Shakti

This is one of the most controversial and misunderstood by the majority of the society. We, as a society have been fighting a long battle for the equal rights for every one and avoiding extra favors, suppression only because some people have different color, caste or gender. And now the world has reached to a state wherein a civilized society people are treated equally. 

Is there any gender equality? I really think NO! Before all the feminists get angry on me, I would like to make it clear. Do not claim equal rights based on genders. When you ask for equal rights, that itself is unconsciously explaining that you do not have it. Mother nature treats all living beings equal, not just males and females. Then what is the concept of male and female genders... 

1. Male and Female are not genders, but energies. 

Everything in the cosmic structure has three different layers. One is its real state i.e. Consciousness. The second one is its existence in energy-form and the last one is the manifestation with physical framework. Apart from the consciousness state, we all are energy species. Male and females are different energies. Based on the domination of male/female energies, we are formed male or female physically. Often, energy domination may not be same as physical one. Do not get confused with the energy-state and the physical frame. Try to perceive human beings as the manifestation of energies in the physical form. 

Who can be a Yoga Teacher?

Can I be a Yoga Teacher? Should I perform handstand to become a Yoga Teacher? Should I be super-flexible? I do not know Sanskrit names of the postures... I don't even know the philosophy of it... But I love practicing Yoga... I am passionate to teach and spread Yoga. I practice what I teach. I am introduced to Yoga recently. Do I need to wait for a few years to be a proper yoga teacher? 

These are a few questions that arise in the minds of people when they start practicing yoga.

Moon days and Ashtanga Yoga Practice

What is the significance of Full moon days and New moon days and why the Ashtanga Yoga is not practiced during those days?

It is the tradition of ancient wisdom of India that they are not taught during the moon days. They are termed as “Anadhyapana” (days with absence of lessons from the Master). As these moon days will have their influence on human system, it will not be a balanced perspective as it will be otherwise. It does not mean, negative / positive. The students will not be able to digest the new lessons during these days. Hence, new lessons are not taught and besides, there are a special rituals (mainly fire ceremonies) performed by the teachers and students during these days. You need to have a balanced inner system for any knowledge intake. 

What should my students carry after attending my Yoga Class?

Yes... ! You read it write. What should my students be carrying after attending your yoga class? Should it be "feeling happy", "Feeling Flexible" "Feeling not flexible, like my teacher", "I respect my body", "Wow, Yoga is too good" or anything else...

What would you like your students to feel at the end of the class? The outcome of your teaching. You have invested your time, money, energy to build this career for those a few hours wherein you are passionate to teach and spread Yoga. And you love the process of teaching where in you get opportunities to share the wisdom of yoga life. It feels great. But Have you ever thought how should they feel? 

Practical ways to recharge your Yoga Life...

We had  a series of Yoga Teacher Training Courses until the end of July 2014 for four months. And now it is a break time. This is the time to recharge our spiritual batteries and rejuvenate ourselves. Hence I would love to share the way we use this quality time. 

You give more when you have more!

That's right. You can give more only when you take more. If you remember your first few months of being yoga teacher, you were so enthusiastic about your career and were into everything that was related to teaching and practicing yoga.

All about Patanjali

The second article in the series of Exploration of Patanjali discusses about the meaning of the name " Patanjali" on the basis of Sanskrit grammar and also tries to shed light on the scholarly references about the contribution of Patanjali to the humanity.

Meaning of “Patanjali”

The compound name Patañjali has been explained by Sanskrit commentators in two ways. 

The first explanation of the word is añjalau patan iti patañjali (Patañjali is one falling into folded hands).

The untold stories about Patanjali

Most of Patanjali’s personal history is engulfed with mystery and myth; (much like any of the world’s spiritual super heroes) the tale of Patanjali’s birth has taken on legendary dimensions.

The only thing I need for Yoga Life

There are only a few fields wherein this beautiful word "Practice" is used. For example, Doctors do not say that they work, but they practice. It is a profession which requires every day practice. The same is applied for the law experts too. 

The beauty is here. This is the same word used for yoga too. It's Yoga practice (abhyaasa in Sanskrit)! Even if you teach, in the reality, you practice the teaching of Yoga.