kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

Upload: sayantanda

Post on 04-Jun-2018

228 views

Category:

Documents


1 download

TRANSCRIPT

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    1/64

    PART II: METHODOLOGY AND TECHNIQUES OF KRIYA YOGA

    CHAPTER6

    THEBASIC TECHNIQUES OF KRIYAYOGA

    Disclaimer of Responsibility

    The techniques described herein are exposed for study purposes only and should serve

    as a comparison with the wors of other researchers! The author hopes this wor will

    inspire intelli"ent feedbac! Any remars# criticism# corrections# and$or additions are

    welcome! %efore you be"in posin" all inds of questions to yourself# read throu"h Part

    && and Part &&& of this boo so you have a thorou"h understandin" of the matter! 'ou(ll

    find that as you "o throu"h it many questions will be answered!

    & wish to mae clear that this boo is not a )riya 'o"a manual* & may write oneand face the problem of dividin" it into different lessons and "ivin" all the necessary

    instructions for each level! However# certain delicate techniques e!"! +aha +udra#

    )riya Pranayama# Thoar# and 'oni +udra cannot be learned from a manual and

    require the help of an expert to chec their execution! Each person is different so it is

    not possible to predict what effects an intensive practice mi"ht have on a particular

    individual!

    The author disclaims any responsibility in case of ne"ative results# especially if

    the techniques are practiced without first havin" their execution checed by an expert!

    Those who intend to carry on this practice should do so with a due sense of sacredness

    and awareness of the wealth it can brin" to their life! Althou"h you should have the

    ri"ht and the duty to control your own destiny# securin" expert counsel or "uidance isindispensable!

    ,hen you "o to an expert# please advise them of physical problems# such as hi"h blood

    pressure# lun" problems# or si"ns of hyperventilation -! &f you have a particular

    physical problem or handicap# an expert can lead you throu"h a very mild form of

    )riya Pranayama and the correspondin" +udras . and if necessary# may recommend

    that you practice them only mentally!

    //

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    2/64

    Localization of the Chakras

    The Chakrasare subtle astral 0ethereal1 or"ans inside the spinal cord2 ideal steps

    on a mystic ladder "uidin" one safely to the deepest ecstatic experience! +any

    falsely believe they can apply what they find in Yoga boos to Kriya.3nfortunately# such boos are usually filled with useless# mis"uided

    representations! ,hile wastin" time in visuali4in" it all# a kriyabanruns the ris

    of losin" the real meanin" of theKriyatechniques or part of their richness!

    Kriyais a natural process leadin" to beneficial results and it should not be

    distorted by the power of 5creative5 visuali4ation# especially if it "oes a"ainst our

    body physiolo"y! ,hen certain particular conditions are established . mental

    silence# relaxation# an intense desire of the soul . the piritual Reality manifests

    in a captivatin" way and absorbs all one(s attention! Then# subtle movements of

    ener"y in the body . or a particular centerin" of the ener"y in some parts of the

    body . reveal the essence of the Chakras!

    Those who practiceKriya Yoga 0kriyabans1 be"in with the basic technique

    ofKriya Pranayamaand visuali4e the spine as a hollow tube extendin" from the

    base of the spine to the brain! ,ith further practice# they try to locate$feel the

    seven Chakras!

    7i"ure 8! The perception of the Charas

    First Five Chakras

    The first Chakra#Muladhara# is at the base of the spinal column 9ust above the

    coccy"eal 0tailbone1 re"ion! The second Chakra#Swadhisthana# is in the sacralre"ion# above and behind the "enitals or :;

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    3/64

    9ust below them! The fifth Chakra# Vishuddha# is at the cervical $collarbone

    $thyroid level where the nec 9oins the shoulders! &ts location can be detected by

    swayin" the head from side to side# eepin" the upper chest immobile# and

    concentratin" on the point where you perceive a 5cracin"5 sound!

    The physical locali4ation of the Chakras is improved throu"hvisuali4ation! The simplest visuali4ation that fosters the dynamics of Kriya

    Pranayama is havin" the awareness travel up the spine and perceivin" the

    Chakras as tiny 5twinlin" li"hts5 illuminatin" a 5hollow tube#5 which is

    visuali4ed in place of the spinal cord! ,hen the awareness is brou"ht down# the

    Chakras are internally perceived as or"ans distributin" ener"y 0comin" from

    infinity above1 into the body! >uminous rays depart from their locations#

    enlivenin"$ener"i4in" that part of the body which is in front of them! To tae the

    trouble to abide by such elementary visuali4ation# avoidin" those su""ested by

    "e# $geor tantricboos is the best "uarantee of havin" a beneficial practice!

    Chakrasare not a physical reality2 their true location is in the astral dimension#

    which is only visible to clairvoyants or whenKriya Pranayamataes# so to say#

    the 5inward route5 to the inner sounds emanatin" from each Chakra.&f the mind

    is sufficiently calm e!"! durin" a lon"# deep session of Kriya Pranayama# you

    will be able to listen to those astral sounds and locate each Chakra astrally!

    There are different levels of development of this ability? Kechari M!ra

    brin"s about a "reat internali4ation process which fosters the experience

    especially when the 5wind5 of the breath subsides!

    Astrally locatin" Chakras is connected to the ability of travelin" within

    the spinal tunnel# which in turn is the basis for reali4in" that the five Chakrasare

    five different states of consciousness!

    &nKriyatradition# the Chakrasare related to the five %att#as? earth# water#

    fire# air# and ether! @fferin" each %att#aindividually to the li"ht of the 5spiritual

    eye5 "atherin" and intensifyin" in the re"ion between the eyebrows is the hi"hest

    action ever conceived to dispel the last shell of illusion! However# & would

    discoura"e kriyabans from bein" maniacally precise about the location of the

    Chakras? the practice of the different levels of Kriya Yoga will refine their

    perception!

    $&na 'Me!lla oblongata( )hrma!hya( Ktastha*

    The sixth Chakra(Ajna,accordin" to tradition# is in the central part of the head!

    ome identify it with the hypophysis (pitit!"y# "land# others with the pi$%!&

    "land# and others with the thi"' %$t"i)&% o* th% +"!i$! &t is preferable to abide

    by the followin" two;step procedure!

    8! 7irst detect the seat of the Medulla oblongata 0on top of the spinal

    cord1! Raise your chin tensin" the muscles of the nec at the base of the occipital

    bone2 concentrate on the small hollow under the bac of the head and then

    ideally move inside a couple of centimeters2 while contractin" the nec muscles#

    swin" your head sideways 0a few centimeters left and ri"ht12 relax the muscles of

    the nec and concentrate on the Me!lla oblongata for one minute? you will

    /

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    4/64

    notice that any restlessness disappears! Tradition recommends visuali4in" the

    Me!lla oblongata as shaped lie the bac of a small turtle!

    :! Remainin" centered in the Me!lla oblongata# conver"e your inner

    "a4e onBhrumadhya# the point between the eyebrows# and observe the internal

    li"ht in that re"ion! 'our perception may be va"ue but if you continue looin"internally and remain satisfied with whatever luminous perception comes# the

    li"ht will intensify! trai"ht bac and about = centimeters from where the li"ht

    appears is the sixth Chakra# A,$!! +editatin" with your awareness focused on it

    will prepare you for the experience of Kutastha0aa thi"' %y% orspi"it!& %y%1?

    a luminous point in the middle of an infinite spherical radiance! &n this re"ion#

    one day# you will experience the radiance of a million suns havin" the coolness

    of a million moons!

    $&na Chakrais the royal entrance to the Bivine Consciousness# which is

    immanent in our physical universe! 'ou will experience the entire universe as

    your own body! This experience is also called Ktastha Chaitanya# Christ

    consciosness# orKrishna consciosness!

    +ahasrara ')in!( Fontanelle*

    Accordin" to tradition# the seventh Chakra(Sahasrara(is at the top of the head!

    &t is visuali4ed as a hori4ontal dis about 8: centimeters in diameter# lyin"

    immediately beneath the upper part of the cranium! &n part of Kriya

    Pranayama(when we raise our awareness from the sixth to the seventh Chakra#

    this visuali4ation is enou"h to "et ecstatic absorption!

    Binduis located in the occipital re"ion# where the hairline twists in a ind

    of vortex 0where Hindus with shaved heads wear a loc of hair1! Burin" the first

    part ofKriya Pranayama(the consciousness touches )in!briefly at the end of

    each inhalation! &n the hi"her phases of Kriya Pranayama# when our awareness

    finds tranquility in)in!# we become aware of the bregma0anterior fontanelle

    durin" infancy* located on the top of the sull at the 9unction of the coronal and

    sa"ittal sutures# where the frontal bone and parietal bones meet! &t is

    recommended not to override the previous sta"e of locali4ation of the sixth

    Chakra 0$&na1! Bo not practice concentration on the bregma on your own

    initiative except when explicitly required to by your teacher!

    There is always room for improvement inKriya Yoga! The most reliableKriya schools are careful about usin" methods whose effects are difficult to

    sustain and therefore teach a "radual approach to concentration on +ahasrara.

    They counsel placin" the awareness in)in!and from there becomin" aware of

    bregma!

    =D

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    5/64

    Position for Me!itation

    @ne should sit facin" east! Accordin" to Patan9ali# the yogi(s posture 0Asana1must be steady and pleasant!

    Half-lotus:+ost kriyabansare relaxed in this sittin" position# which has been

    used since time immemorial for meditation# because its comfortable and easily

    mana"ed! The ey is to maintain an erect spine by sittin" on the ed"e of a thic

    cushion so the buttocs are sli"htly raised! it cross;le""ed with the nees

    restin" on the floor! %rin" the left foot toward the body so its sole is restin"

    a"ainst the inside of the ri"ht thi"h! Braw the heel of the left foot in toward the

    "roin as much as possible! The ri"ht le" is bent at the nee and the ri"ht foot is

    comfortably placed over the left thi"h or calf or both! >et the ri"ht nee drop as

    far as possible toward the floor! The shoulders are in a natural position! The head#

    nec# chest# and spine are in a strai"ht line as if they were lined! ,hen the le"s

    "et tired# reverse them to prolon" the position!

    The best hand position is with fin"ers interloced as in the well;nown

    photo of >ahiri +ahasaya! This balances the ener"y from the ri"ht hand to the

    left and vice versa! The hand position for meditation and forPranayamais the

    same because you move from Pranayama to meditation without interruption!

    3sually you don(t even reali4e it!

    7or certain health or physical conditions# it may be beneficial to practice

    the half lotus on an armless chair provided it is lar"e enou"h! &n this way# one le"

    at a time can be lowered and the nee 9oint relaxed*

    Siddhasana:0Perfect Pose1 is of medium difficulty! The sole of the left foot is

    placed a"ainst the ri"ht thi"h while the heel presses on the perineum! The ri"ht

    heel is a"ainst the pubic bone! This le" position combined withKechari M!ra

    closes the pranic circuit and maes Kriya Pranayamaeasy and beneficial! &t is

    said the position helps one to become aware of the movement of Prana!

    Padmasana:0lotus position1 a difficult# uncomfortable position2 the ri"ht foot is

    placed on the left thi"h and the left foot on the ri"ht thi"h with the soles of the

    feet turned up! &t is explained that when this$sanais combined withKechariand+hambhavi M!ra# it results in an ener"etic condition that produces the

    experience of the internal li"ht comin" from each Chakra! &t helps eep the body

    from bendin" or fallin" over as it tends to do when deep Pratyahara is practiced!

    Pa!masana is uncomfortable for a be"inner because the nees and the anles

    become extremely painful! & would not advise anyone to perform this difficult

    posture2 some yogis have had to have nee cartila"e removed after years of

    forcin" themselves into thePa!masana!

    =8

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    6/64

    ,ight )asic %echni-es of Kriya Yoga

    The followin" techniques are usually "iven durin" the first initiation into Kriya

    Yoga? %alabya Kriya( m /apa 'in the Chakras*( Kriya Pranayama 0often

    denoted simply byPranayama* in three parts( "avi Kriya(Maha M!ra( Kriya

    Pranayama #ith short breath( mental Pranayama andYoni M!ra! 8

    -. T!&!+y! K"iy!

    tart with the ton"ue in a relaxed position with the tip li"htly touchin" the bac

    of the upper teeth! Press the body of the ton"ue a"ainst the upper palate to create

    a suction cup effect! +any practice %alabya Kriyaincorrectly by instinctively

    turnin" their ton"ue bacwards 0or eepin" it vertical1 but this cancels the whole

    effect! &t is important to have the ton"ue tip touchin" the bac of the upper teeth

    before pressin" its body a"ainst the upper palate!

    ,hile pressin" the ton"ue a"ainst the upper palate 0roof of the mouth1#

    drop$lower the bottom 9aw until you clearly feel the stretch in the lingal

    frenlm0the small fold of tissue under the ton"ue that attaches it to the base of

    the mouth1 07i"ure :1!

    7i"ure :! Talabya )riya? pressin" the body of the ton"ue a"ainst the upper palate tocreate a suction cup effect

    Release the ton"ue with a clicin" sound then stic it out of the mouth and point

    it toward the chin! At the be"innin"# do not exceed 8D repetitions a day to avoid

    strainin" the frenlm! Eventually# you want to do

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    7/64

    possible to insert the ton"ue into the nasal pharynx cavity 0Kechari M!ra*.

    Kechari M!ra07i"ure 1 is described in detail in the next chapter!

    Even after masterin"Kechari M!ra(%alabya Kriyashould continue to be

    practiced because it creates a perceivable relaxin" effect on the thinin" process!

    &t is not nown why stretchin" the frenulum reduces thou"ht production#however# anyone practicin" the technique can readily verify this!

    Remark

    &n 0atha Yoga boos there are different su""estions for len"thenin" the

    frenlm!@ne which is well nown one is wrappin" a piece of cloth around the

    ton"ue and# with the help of the hands# "ently pullin" 0relaxin" and repeatin"

    different times1 the cloth both hori4ontally and also up# toward the tip of the

    nose! >ahiri +ahasaya was absolutely a"ainst cuttin" the frenlm to obtain

    faster and easier results!

    /. O0 1!p! i$ th% Ch!2"!s

    tartin" with the first Chakra Mla!hara# chant the Mantra 5@m5 while

    concentratin" on it2 then do the same with the second Chakraand so on up to the

    fifth Chakra 01ish!!ha1 and then with)in!! Burin" the ascent# do your best to

    intuitively touch the inner core of each Chakra! The descent be"ins by chantin"

    5@m5 in theMe!lla oblongata# then in the cervical Chakraand so on# all the

    way down to the first Chakra! Burin" this descent of awareness# try to perceive

    the subtle radiation of each Chakra!

    @ne ascent 0Chakras 8# :# # F#

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    8/64

    introduce it! & will explain its ey details# however it is not easy to show how

    they are inte"rated into a harmonious whole!

    Fi"st P!"t o* K"iy! P"!$!y!0!: Mi5i$4 P"!$! !$' Ap!$!

    Kechari M!rais applied! 7or those who cant do it# touch with the tip of theton"ue the middle of the upper palate at the point where the hard palate becomes

    soft! )eep mouth and eyes closed! The eyes are relaxed and focused on the

    re"ion between the eyebrows but the awareness is in the Me!lla oblongata.

    @neKriyabreath entails?

    8! A deep inhalation throu"h the nose that produces an unvoiced sound 0lie

    2&&ayi Pranayama1 in the throat# which acts lie a hydraulic pump to raise the

    ener"y 0Prana1 from the base of the spinal column up to theMe!lla oblongata

    and then up to)in!0occipital re"ion1!

    :! A short pause of :; seconds where the movement of the air is suspended! This

    helps suspend the activity of the mind as well? a state of stability appears!

    ! An unhurried exhalation throu"h the nose of the same len"th as the inhalation

    that accompanies the movement of the ener"y bac to the base of the spinal

    column! Burin" the last part of the exhalation# there is a clear perception of the

    navel movin" in toward the spine! %y refinin" this experience and the awareness

    of the navel movin" inward# one feels the action of the diaphra"m muscles and

    becomes conscious of increasin" heat in the navel! This heat seems to rise from

    the lower part of the abdomen!

    F! Another :;;second pause! This pause is intimately lived as a moment of

    comfortable peace! The dynamic mind becomes static and is appeased!

    Reference literature says perfectKriya Pranayamais =D breaths per hour . about

    F< seconds per breath! Kriyabans can only reach this rhythm durin" lon"

    sessions! ,hereas an advanced kriyabanwould complete 8: breaths in around

    minutes# be"inners should set a rhythm of 8=;:D seconds per Kriya breath

    0includin" the pauses1 and complete 8: breaths in a natural and unhurried way in

    about F ;< minutes!

    Remarks

    The path taen by the ener"y "radually reveals itself durin" practice! Io difficult

    visuali4ation is required! 'ou are centered in the Me!lla oblongata and your

    inner "a4e is toward)hrma!hya(between the eyebrows! The awareness rises

    from the Mla!hara alon" the spinal column toward the second Chakra# the

    third# the fourth# the fifth Chakra(theMe!lla oblongata and# if possible# up to

    )in!! Burin" the pause# the radiance ofKtastha appears as a blurred li"ht or

    "low permeatin" the frontal part of the brain! 'ou can sometimes perceive a

    sli"ht sensation of crepuscular li"ht permeatin" the upper part of the head! &n this

    =F

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    9/64

    first part ofKriya Pranayama(the ener"y cannot reach either the re"ion between

    the eyebrowsnor+ahasrara3 this will happen in the third part!

    %reathin" durin"Kriya Pranayamais not free breathin" but restricted breathin"

    that creates a clearly heard sound in the throat! This sound while inhalin" is liea quiet schhhh $J$! The sound is similar to the amplified bac"round noise of a

    loudspeaer2 there is only a sli"ht hiss durin" exhalation!

    There are many poor &nternet video clips of 2&&ayi Pranayamawithyogiswho

    mae a horrible sound because they are usin" $vibratin" their vocal chords? this

    is not correct inKriya Pranayama! 7ortunately# there are also "ood explanations

    of 2&&ayi Pranayamathat & si"nal in my web site!

    To mae certain the sound is correct# concentrate only on increasin" the friction

    of the air flowin" throu"h your throat! A muffled sound will ori"inate! &ncrease

    its frequency! &f the surroundin"s are perfectly still# a person could hear it within

    a F;< meter radius . by no means outside it! However# do not expect sound

    perfection yet.,henKechari M!rais eventually done correctly# the exhalin"

    sound will be flute;lie? +heee +heee$JiK$! The meanin" and the implications of

    this sound are discussed in the next chapter!

    The inhalin" air is felt cool whereas the exhalin" air is felt moderately warm2 as

    a consequence the ener"y is felt cool when risin" and sli"htly warm when

    descendin"!

    Burin" inhalation# the abdomen expands and durin" exhalation the abdomen is

    drawn in! The breathin" is mainly abdominal2 durin" inhalation# the upper part of

    the lun"s is filled two thirds full! Bo I@T raise the rib ca"e or the shoulders!

    As for the value of the pauses# the more you became aware of these states of

    stability# the deeper your practice becomes!

    Burin" the first breaths of Kriya Pranayama( do not chant m or another

    Mantrain any Chakra? do not disturb the employment of a "reat mental intensity

    to obtain the perception of the movement of the ener"y!

    S%)o$' P!"t o* K"iy! P"!$!y!0!: 0%$t!& 1!p! o* O0 i$ %!)h Ch!2"!

    Burin" the first part# the awareness is inMe!lla oblongata! &n the second part#

    the awareness expands into the entire occipital re"ion up to )in!! The fixed

    purpose is to succeed in listenin" to the internal sounds 0variations of mkar

    sound1 without plu""in" our ears!

    Burin" inhalation# mis mentally chanted 0or more accurately 5mentally

    placed51 in each of the first five Chakras! Burin" the pause# mis chanted in the

    Me!lla oblongata# in the point between the eyebrows# and a"ain in the Me!lla

    oblongata! Burin" exhalation# returnin" toMla!hara# mis mentally chanted

    in each Chakraas "ently 5touchin"5 it from the bac! ,hile comin" down# the

    =

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    10/64

    ener"y is thus visuali4ed flowin" down alon" the bac of the spinal column!

    ,hat is essential is a continuous will to listen internally! 7ocus all your attention

    on subtle sounds that come from within rather than the audible ones from

    outside! Awareness of inner sounds must happen# sooner or later! 'our listenin"sills will improve and you will become more sensitive! Each chantin" of the

    syllable mshould be accompanied by an unswervin" will to trac down the

    echo of that vibration you are internally producin"! Repeat the procedure at least

    :F times!

    The internal sounds reveal the activity of the Chakras.They capture a kriyaban(s

    awareness and lead it to "reater depths without any dan"er of it "ettin" lost! They

    are not physical sounds2 they have nothin" to do with the typical Kriya

    Pranayamasound produced by the air that passes down the bac of the throat

    into the trachea and vice versa! These sounds appear in different forms?

    bumblebee# flute# harp# drum# hum lie an electrical transformer# bell!!!!

    The event of perceivin" them is not produced by the intensity of a unique

    moment of deep concentration but by the accumulation of effort manifested

    durin" daily sessions ofKriya 0effort is the meticulous attention to any internal

    sound# no matter how faint1! Those who are not able to hear any internal sounds

    should not conclude somethin" is wron"! +aybe they have done an enormous

    effort whose fruits will be en9oyed durin" the next day(s practice or some day in

    the future! A si"n one is headin" in the ri"ht direction is a sense of mild pressure#

    lie a sensation of liquid peace above or around the head often accompanied by a

    certain hummin"! &t serves no purpose wonderin" if this is the real mbecause it

    is probably 9ust a si"nal that the real experience is approachin"! Patience and

    constancy are of prime importance! @ne day# one will awaen to the reali4ation

    that one is actually hearin" a sound of 5runnin" water5!

    mis similar to the sound of runnin" water or to waves breain" over

    cliffs! >ahiri +ahasaya described it as a sound 5produced by a lot of people

    continually striin" the dis of a bell and as continuous as oil flowin" out of a

    container5!

    Thi"' P!"t o* K"iy! P"!$!y!0!: 0o% th% !6!"%$%ss i$to th% pp%" p!"t o*

    th% h%!'This third part of Kriya Pranayama can be approached only when you have

    reached a daily number of F=Kriyabreaths and possibly whenKechari M!rais

    achieved! Always be"in your practice with the first part ofKriya Pranayamafor

    at least 8: breaths# and then sip to the second part ofKriya Pranayama until

    you have completed F=Kriyabreaths alto"ether! ,e are "oin" to learn a hi"her

    form of +hambhavi M!ra.

    +hambhavi M!rais usually defined as the act of concentratin" on)hrma!hya(

    the space between the eyebrows# brin"in" the two eyebrows toward the center

    with a sli"ht wrinlin" of the forehead! @ur hi"her form of +hambhavi M!ra

    =6

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    11/64

    involves closed or half;closed eyelids# the eyes looin" upward as much as

    possible as if looin" at the ceilin" but without any head movement! The li"ht

    tension perceived in the muscles of the eyeballs "radually disappears and the

    position can be maintained rather easily! A bystander would observe the sclera

    0white of the eye1 under the iris because very often the inferior eyelids relax!0>ahiri +ahasaya in his well;nown portrait is showin" this M!ra!1 Throu"h

    thisM!ra# all one(sPranacollects at the top of the head!

    Burin" this M!rayou practice the instructions for the second part of

    Kriya Pranayama0chantin" of min the prescribed places1 save the center of

    awareness which is now in the upper part of the head! Continue until you have

    completed the prearran"ed number of repetitions 06D# /: or more!1

    This practice is a real 9ewel and represents the quintessence of beauty2 while

    experiencin" it# time "oes by without much notice and what could seem to be an

    exhaustin" tas e!"! 8D= or 8FF repetitions . turns out to be as easy as a moment

    of rest! 'ou will notice the breath is rather slow! 'ou will en9oy the beautiful

    feelin" of fresh air that seems to come up throu"h the spine and pierce each

    Chakra(and of the warm exhaled air permeatin" each 4one of the body from top

    to bottom! 'ou will actually perceive this and it is not a fi"ment of your

    ima"ination* 'our attitude is apparently passive# in actual fact fully sensitive# and

    therefore active in an intelli"ent way! The sound of the breath is smooth and

    unbroen lie the continuous pourin" of oil from a bottle! The practice reaches

    its maximum power and seems to have a life of its own! 'ou will eventually have

    the impression of crossin" a mental state# which is lie fallin" asleep# then

    suddenly returnin" to full awareness and reali4in" you are basin" in a spiritual

    li"ht! &t(s lie a plane emer"in" from clouds into a clear transparent sy!

    7. N!i K"iy!

    3sin" the same method described in m /apaand without attemptin" to control

    the breath# one(s awareness slowly moves up alon" the spinal column! The

    Mantra m is placed in the first five Chakras# in the)in!(and in the point

    between the eyebrows! The chin is then tilted down toward the throat cavity! The

    hands are 9oined with the fin"ers interloced# palms face downward# and the pads

    of both thumbs are touchin"! mis chanted /< times 0 some schools counsel

    8DD2 let us say that a rou"h estimate between /< and 8DD is fine1 in the navel

    0umbilicus1 either aloud or mentally! The thumbs li"htly press the navel for eachm! ,hile doin" this technique# a calm ener"y is perceived "atherin" in the

    lower;middle part of the abdomen 0thePranacurrent there is called +amana.1

    The chin is then raised . the muscles at the bac of the nec are sli"htly

    contracted! The concentration shifts first to the )in! and then to the third

    Chakra 0movin" downward in a strai"ht line# outside the body1! The hands are

    ept behind the bac and 9oined by interlocin" the fin"ers and the palms face

    upward with the pads of both thumbs touchin"! m is chanted . aloud or

    mentally . approximately :< times in the third Chakra! 7or every m# the

    thumbs apply a li"ht pressure to the lumbar vertebrae! %y no means should the

    breath be synchroni4ed with the chantin" of m.

    =/

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    12/64

    The chin(s normal position is then resumed and mis mentally chanted in

    reverse order from the point between the eyebrows to Mla!hara! This is one

    "avi Kriya0it lasts between 8FD;86D seconds1! A kriyabandoes F repetitions of

    "avi Kriya.

    8. M!h! M'"!

    @ne starts by bendin" the left le" under the body so the left heel is as near as

    possible to the perineum 0between the scrotum and anus for males and between

    the anus and cervical openin" for females1 with the ri"ht le" fully extended in

    front! &deally# but not necessarily# you want the left heel exertin" pressure on the

    perineum! This pressure is the best means of stimulatin" one(s awareness of the

    Mla!hara Chakrain the coccy"eal re"ion at the root of the spine!

    Throu"h a deep inhalation# the ener"y is brou"ht up the cerebrospinal tube

    to the center of the head 0$&na Chakra1! This is a very simple and easily acquired

    sensation so there is no need to complicate it!

    Holdin" the breath# stretch forward 0in a relaxed way1 and interloc hands

    so you can "rasp your bi" toe! &n this outstretched position# the chin is pressed

    naturally a"ainst the chest! Continue holdin" the breath and mentally chant m

    in the re"ion between the eyebrows 6;8: times! ,hile holdin" the breath# return

    to the startin" position and with a lon" exhalation# visuali4e sendin" the warm

    ener"y down to the base of the spinal column!

    Repeat the procedure with the le" positions reversed2 ri"ht heel near the

    perineum and the left le" outstretched!

    Repeat with both le"s outstretched!

    This is oneMaha M!ra2 it requires about 6D;=D seconds! Practice threeMaha

    M!rafor a total of movements!

    Remark

    ome schools su""est drawin" the nee 0or both nees# before the third

    movement1 a"ainst the body so the thi"h is as close to the chest as possible

    durin" inhalation! The interloced fin"ers are placed around the nee to exert

    pressure on it! This helps to eep the bac strai"ht and mae the inner sound of

    the$nahata Chakraaudible!

    Maha M!ramust be comfortable and it must not hurt* &nitially# most

    kriyabanswill not be able to do the forward stretch without risin" bac or neein9ury! To avoid pain or in9ury# eep the outstretched le" bent at the nee until the

    position feels comfortable! ,hile holdin" the breath in the outstretched position#

    contract the anal and the abdominal muscles and draw the abdominal muscles in

    sli"htly so the navel moves inward toward the lumbar center!

    As we have seen# the bi" toe is "rasped while one is in the outstretched

    position! ome schools insist on this detail and explain that by repeatin" this

    action on each le"# the balance between the two channels 4!a andPingala is

    improved! A variation is to squee4e the toenail of the bi" toe with the thumb of

    the ri"ht hand2 the index and middle fin"ers are behind it and the left hand cups

    the sole of the foot! ,hen the procedure is repeated with both le"s outstretched#

    ==

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    13/64

    both toes are "rasped with the interloced hands! 0A variation is that the thumbs

    of each hand press the respective toenails and the index and middle fin"ers hold

    the toe from behind1!

    Maha M!raincorporates all the three)an!has! :,hen applied simultaneouslywith the body bent forward and without excessive contraction# it helps one to be

    aware of both ends of +shmnaand produces the feelin" of an ener"etic current

    movin" up the spine! &n due course# one will be able to perceive the whole

    +shmna "a!ias a radiant channel!

    9. K"iy! P"!$!y!0! 6ith Sho"t B"%!th

    Pranayama #ith short breath is based upon lettin" the breath move freely#

    observin" it# bein" conscious of each movement . pauses included . and

    coordinatin" it with the movement of ener"y from the Mla!hara0first Chakra1

    to every Chakra and vice versa! This fact invites the ener"y to move freely

    upwards throu"h +shmna and downwards into each part of the body! This

    action completes that ofMaha M!raand prepares you for Yoni M!ra!

    After havin" drawn three deep breaths# each of them endin" with a fast and

    complete an exhalation lie a si"h# your breath will be very calm! &f you place

    your fin"er under both nostrils# the in"oin" or out"oin" breath will barely touch

    your fin"er! This is the indication that the breath is internali4ed as it should be in

    Kriya Yoga.Practice the followin" exercise and repeat the test at the end! 'ou

    will feel a striin" difference!

    7ocus your attention on theMla!hara Chakra! ,hen it feels natural to

    inhale# inhale only what is necessary# as quicly as per instinct 0about one

    second1# then pause an instant in the second Chakra.,hen it feels natural to

    exhale# exhale# and pause inMla!hara. ,hen it feels natural to inhale# inhale#

    and pause in the third Chakra. ,hen it feels natural to exhale# exhale# and pause

    inMla!hara.

    Continue lie that# repeatin" the procedure between Mla!hara and the

    fourth Chakra# Mla!hara and the fifth Chakra 0then Mla!hara )in!#

    Mla!hara Me!lla oblongata#Mla!harafifth#Mla!hara fourth#Mla!harathird and Mla!hara second Chakra.1 @ne cycle comprises 8D short breaths!

    Repeat the cycle until you perceive your breath is very calm . almost

    imperceptible!

    . M%$t!& P"!$!y!0!

    7or"et about your breath! +ove your awareness up and down the spine pausin"

    in each spinal center! tart with the first# move to the second# third# and so on!

    After ascendin" to the)in!# be"in the descent# pausin" inMe!lla oblongata#

    fifth Chakra# fourth Chakra(and so on! mmay be mentally chanted in each

    Chakra! &t is convenient to center your attention for 8D;:D seconds on each

    Chakra!

    :

    The definition of)an!has is "iven in Chapter 8

    =

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    14/64

    The Chakras are lie nots that can be untied if 5touched5 by one(s

    concentration2 the secret lies in maintainin" the awareness in each of them until a

    sensation of sweetness is felt . as if the Chakra were 5meltin"5! %esides a

    meltin" sensation# one may also perceive the subtle radiation of each Chakra in

    the body! This is a matter of pure awareness2 a natural feelin" leadin" to thereali4ation that the Chakras are sustainin" each part of the body(s vitality!

    ometimes# a li"ht is perceived in the upper part of the head and a kriyaban is

    able to eep the awareness there a lon" time without feelin" any fati"ue!

    The process of risin" and descendin" throu"h the Chakrasis carried on as

    lon" as it is comfortable! 0@ne complete round lasts about :;F minutes!1 This is

    the most pleasin" part of the routine!Kriyabansdo not feel they are practicin" a

    technique but en9oyin" a few moments of soothin" relaxation! This is the

    moment when a deep mental silencesettles in the consciousness and in the body!

    Tranquility( 5+thir %att#a5 0calm# static Prana1 is experienced in the seventh

    Chakra! >ahiri +ahasaya called this state Paravastha or KriyarParavastha 5

    5the state that comes after the action ofKriya5.&f# throu"h sheer willpower# such

    a state were brou"ht to awareness as often as possible amid one(s daily activities#

    the results would be extraordinary!

    Remarks

    There is a subtle difference between m /apaand mental Pranayama! m /apa

    beforeKriya Pranayamais desi"ned to stimulate each Chakra! @ne pauses only

    a short time in each one to vibrate the mMantra!

    Burin" mental Pranayama# one is more passive# more willin" to perceive

    than to stimulate and the pauses are much lon"er! ,hen the awareness stays for

    :D seconds upon each Chakra# and the kriyaban is relaxed there comes the

    perception of a pleasurable sweet sensation and the breath slows down

    noticeably! ome inner sounds as well as hues of li"ht in the screen of Ktastha

    deepen the contact with the mkardimension!

    ome Yoga schools advise visuali4in" the Chakra(s specific color 0red#

    oran"e# yellow- lie the sequence of the rainbow colors1! A kriyaban does not

    need this in order to reali4e the location and the vibration of each Chakra! &n

    time# a kriyaban"ains the ability to sin"le out the different rates of vibration of

    each Chakra# which is crucial in reachin" the final "oal of Kriya Yoga!

    ;. Yo$i M'"!At ni"ht# before "oin" to bed# be"in your practice by calmin" the whole

    psychophysical system with a shortKriyaroutine 0how to or"ani4e a shortKriya

    routine is explained in the next para"raph1!

    To practice Yoni M!ra# raise the ener"y with a deep inhalation into the

    central part of the head! &f you are able to do Kechari M!ra# press the ton"ue

    firmly on the hi"hest point inside the nasal pharynx . otherwise leave the ton"ue

    in its normal relaxed position! Close every 5openin"5 in the head . the ears with

    the thumbs# the eyelids with the index fin"ers# the nostrils with the middle

    fin"ers# the lips with the rin" and the little fin"ers . so all the ener"y 5li"hts up5

    the re"ion between the eyebrows!

    D

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    15/64

    Throu"hout the practice# both elbows are parallel to the floor and pointin"

    out to the side! Bo not let them drop# prop them up somehow# if necessary!

    Burin" this special li"ht;witnessin" act# the index fin"ers must not put any

    pressure on the eyes . this would be harmful and serve no purpose* &f a kriyaban

    is distracted by the pressure of the index fin"ers on the eyelids# he draws theeyelids down with the index fin"ers and applies pressure on the corners of the

    eyes . on the upper cheebones!

    %y holdin" the breath and mentally repeatin" mseveral times# observe

    the li"ht of the 5spiritual eye5 that is "atherin" and intensifyin"! The li"ht

    condenses into a "olden rin"! Hold the breath as lon" as is comfortable and until

    the necessity to breathe out distracts your attention! Exhale and brin" the

    awareness down alon" the spine! Yoni M!rais usually performed only once!

    &nhalin" deeply and holdin" the breath usually causes discomfort after a few

    seconds! To reduce the discomfort and mae it possible to deepen the practice#

    practice the followin"?

    At the end of a moderate inhalation 0not a typical Kriya Pranayamaone

    but a shorter one1# a kriyaban fully plu"s all the head openin"s except the

    nostrils# exhales a very small quantity of air# then immediately closes the nostrils!

    The thoracic muscles are to be relaxed as if one intended to be"in a new

    inhalation? this will "ive the sensation that the breath has become quiet in the

    area between the throat and the point between the eyebrows! &n this situation#

    concentration on the point between the eyebrows and the repetition of m

    several times can be en9oyed to its fullest!

    Traditional instruction advises increasin" mrepetitions by one per day up to a

    maximum of :DD! @f course# forcin" is always to be avoided!

    First sggestions abot the rotine

    Th% i'%!& ti0% *o" p"!)ti)i$4 th% 0!i$ K"iy! "oti$%

    En9oy the main routine either before breafast or before lunch at noon or late

    afternoon before dinner# or at ni"ht at least :; hours after eatin"!

    The complete routine# which we have already implicitly "iven bynumberin" the techniques from 8 to =# does not wor for everyone! +any utili4e

    Maha M!ra and"avi Kriya as preliminary techniques and avoid techniques

    requirin" movement after Kriya Pranayama! They find also that Kriya

    Pranayama#ith short breathis not necessary! Their routine is very simple and

    extremely en9oyable? Talabya )riya +aha +udra Iavi )riya )riya

    Pranayama +ental Pranayama! A "ood choice is to len"then the practice of

    mental Pranayamato occupy 8$ of the whole time!

    8

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    16/64

    A+ot ! sho"t "oti$% !t $i4ht %$'i$4 6ith Yo$i M'"!

    &f the main routine is practiced at ni"ht# you can simply add Yoni M!raat the

    end! @therwise# durin" the main routine avoid Yoni M!ra( while at ni"ht create

    special conditions for en9oyin" its full power! At ni"ht# you can start yourpractice withMaha M!ra(thenPranayama #ith short breath# then Yoni M!ra!

    Then remain concentrated as lon" as possible at the point between the eyebrows

    tryin" to perceive the li"ht in Ktastha! Yoni M!ra "enerates such a

    concentration of ener"y at the point between the eyebrows that the quality of the

    ensuin" sleep chan"es for the better! &n other words# after crossin" the

    subconscious layers# your awareness may succeed in reachin" the so;called

    5super conscious5 state!

    Remark

    There are some schools that state that Yoni M!racan(t be practiced durin" the

    day! 'ou can actually practice it* However the technique is best done in the deep

    calmness of the ni"ht# when silence is all around and one is totally and perfectly

    relaxed!

    A+ot K"iy! P"!$!y!0! i$ th"%% p!"ts

    &n the be"innin"# only the first and the second part of Kriya Pranayama are

    practiced? usually 8:;:F times each! @ccasionally e!"! durin" a lon"er meditation

    once in a wee# you can add more repetitions2 in that case# it is fine to experience

    the third part ofKriya Pranayamaalso!

    ,arnin"

    Bo not practice only the third part ofKriya Pranayama? a routine totally based

    on a stron" concentration on the +ahasrarais not appropriate for be"innin" or

    medium level students! Bevelopin" a stron" ma"net in +ahasrara throu"h the

    third part of Kriya Pranayama is the most powerful way of stimulatin" the

    Kn!aliniawaenin"! This implies brin"in" up a lot of information from the

    subconscious mind to the surface! 0ee also the discussion in Chapter !1 'ou can

    experience an entire ran"e of ne"ative moods# from mared alienation from

    reality to panic attacks.

    Final remark abot mental Pranayama

    'ou must never for"et to "ive the hi"hest importance to the soothin" phase of

    mental Pranayama! AKriyaroutine that does not end with mental Pranayamais

    lie an orchestra "oin" on sta"e# unpacin" the instruments# tunin" them and

    then leavin" at once* &t is this phase that brin"s everythin" to"ether2 the ripples

    in the mind(s lae are stilled# the awareness becomes transparent# and the Last

    Realityis revealed! &t is a diffuse calmness2 the mind is at rest and silent and

    "ains the ener"y necessary to be more acutely alert! &t is lie a spiral which

    :

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    17/64

    "radually and systematically taes care of all the levels of one(s bein"? it is a

    healin" process!

    The value of Mental Pranayamabecomes apparent when important decisions

    have to be taen! @ne has the impression that nothin" can "et in the way and thateven the "reatest difficulties will dissipate! &nside the perfect transparency of an

    inner order# all problems are solved! @ne is born to Kriyathrou"h the en"a"in"

    practice of mental Pranayama? it pro9ects us into sheer heaven and its beauty

    overflows our lives!

    5!!!! it(s hard to stay an"ry when there(s so much beauty in the world! ometimes

    & feel &(m seein" it all at once and &(m overwhelmed! +y heart feels it(s about to

    burst!!!until & remember to relax and stop tryin" to hold on to it! And then the

    beauty flows throu"h me lie rain! And & can(t feel anythin" but "ratitude for

    every sin"le moment of my stupid little life! 0sli"htly modified from the movie

    $merican )eaty2 81 5

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    18/64

    CHAPTER /

    TECHNIQUES OF THE HIGHER KRIYAS

    This Chapter is devoted to those students who have shown a passionate

    commitment to the practice ofKriya! The ri"ht moment to study this Chapter is6;8: months after practicin"Kriya Yogadaily# when there is a "enuine lon"in" to

    deepen the meditation experience!

    ,e warn the reader that the followin" techniques are not tau"ht in the

    same order by other schools! The order of exposition adopted here reflects the

    order of their utili4ation in a complete routine!

    %heoretical vision

    >et(s mae some preliminary remars concernin" >ahiri +ahasaya(s theoreticalvision of any authentic spiritual path! He essentially explains that a spiritual path

    foresees four footsteps in which four internal nots are to be unfastened . the

    nots bein"? ton"ue# heart# coccyx# coccyx;utastha!

    The not of the ton"ue is connected with theMe!lla oblongataand with

    the fifth Chakra2 the not of the heart is connected to the fourth Chakra2 the not

    of the coccyx is connected with Chakra Mla!haraand# finally# the last not is

    lined both with the first Chakraand with the openin" of the so;called thir! eye

    between the eyebrows!

    >et us attempt to put ourselves in the place of those who are about to familiari4ethemselves with the procedures called 0igher Kriyas! tudents should not be

    obsessed with "ainin" tan"ible results at once# but at least understand if they are

    proceedin" in the ri"ht direction! %ecomin" familiar with this simple and

    effective theoretical vision is therefore necessary# for without this they ris

    perceivin" Kriya Yogaas too chaotic a set of techniques amon" which they are

    not able to differentiate those upon which they should concentrate# practicin"

    them re"ularly for months at the exclusion of all others! ,ithout this attitude#

    students relinquish Kriya practice after some unhappy attempts to devise a

    satisfyin" routine! 7urthermore# a "ood theory helps a student to avoid wron"

    attitudes and unfortunate choices that could hinder the process of conquerin" thedoubts and fears# settlin" in the solid territory of meditation;born intuition!

    For knots

    The ton"ue not is related to the physiolo"ical fact that our ton"ue is normally

    unable to touch the uvula and# consequently# enter the nasal pharynx! %ecause of

    this# we are not ept connected with the "reat reservoir of ener"y existin" in the

    +ahasrara re"ion! 3nfastenin" such not 0/ihah 6 or /ihva 6 7ranthi 1e!1

    means the freedom to access this inexhaustible internal source throu"h Kechari

    F

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    19/64

    M!ra!

    The obtainment of such M!ra and its use in the techniques of Kriya

    implies that a subtle process of transformation is "oin" to happen in our psycho;

    physical system! ,e are about to notice a quietin" of all useless# unwanted

    thou"hts and intrusive mental processes# and a reindlin" of the vital force in thebody! A subtle substance 0$mrit1 be"ins to tricle down throu"h the ton"ue into

    the spine and then in the whole body!

    The afore;quoted "ood results are partially accomplished by turnin" bac the

    ton"ue tip so it touches the middle of the upper palate at the point where the hard

    palate becomes soft! This position is easy and can be accomplished ri"ht away!

    As for the practice of %alabya Kriya# actually it should not be considered a

    simple lin"ual frenulum stretchin" process! %alabya Kriya also closes an

    important circuit! ,hen the ton"ue stics to the palate and the mouth is opened#

    in that instant the ener"etic split between our body and the reserve of static

    Pranalocated in the upper part of our head is momentarily healed!

    ,hen Kechari M!ra proper is attained# all becomes easier on our

    spiritual path. &t becomes easier to perceive the exact location of Me!lla

    oblongata# to listen to astral sounds# and to mer"e with the mkaraspect of the

    Bivine!

    This not should not be confused with the obstacle that is located in the

    center between the eyebrows . this obstacle is lined with the fourth not!

    The heart not obstructs the downward 9ourney of static Pranafrom +ahasrara

    towardMla!hara. 3nfastenin" this not 00ri!aya 7ranti 1e!1 means brin"in"

    spiritual reali4ation into the daily life! The mind is restored to health and the

    superficial emotions calm down! &f# after havin" carried out your duties

    conscientiously# you avoid distractions and useless chatters# a conscious

    absorption in the spiritual reality spontaneously manifests# without any effort on

    your part! The mind rests in stillness and the heart is full of inexpressible 9oy!

    &t has been explained that the consciousness tunes with the element 5air5

    0the fourth of five %att#as.1 7or a kriyaban# the theory of the %att#asGthe five

    subtle elements? earth# water# fire# air and ether 0space1 is not a theme of useless

    speculation! Everythin" that exists in the universe is a combination of these five

    forms of ener"y! %att#asare a concrete series of states of consciousness# whose

    intimate essence is experienced in the last part of the devotee(s 9ourney towardthe$bsolte Consciosness!

    Tunin" with the air %att#aallows a person enter a sublime state! This

    %att#a checs the cardiac plexus which controls the automatic phenomenon of

    breath! A kriyabanworin" upon unfastenin" the heart not soon notices how thebreathin" process tends to calm down!

    The not of the coccyxprevents a kriyabanfrom enterin" +shmnaand movin"

    towardKtastha! This fact eeps the veil of illusion real! 3nfastenin" such not

    0Mla!hara 7ranti 1e!1 means openin" the door to inexhaustible spiritual

    reali4ation! The consciousness of the division between sexual ener"y# love

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    20/64

    ener"y and spiritual ener"y is overcome forever! That division is the cause of

    countless conflicts! %irth to the spiritual life means their end!

    This not be"ins to be loosened by the practice of"avi Kriya!Pranaand

    $panaunite in the re"ion of the navel by the action of the +amanacurrent! They

    are "uided in the channel of+shmnathrou"h the action ofMaha M!ra!

    The last phase of Kriya path happens when the awareness starts to climb the

    +shmnachannel and moves towardKtastha!Pranais now perfectly tranquil

    in all the body2 the more resistant forces that prevent the vision of the piritual

    >i"ht ofKtastha are "oin" to be dissolved! A perpetual stay ofKn!alini in the

    $&na Chakrais "radually achieved!

    %efore reachin" this hi"hly advanced state# two important reali4ations

    should happen at the level of the third and of the fourth Chakra.

    >et us first consider the reality that in &nternal Alchemy 0Taoism1 is

    nown asDantian! This center is not 9ust a theoretical hypothesis but a tan"ible

    reality! &t is located about two and one;half inches below the belly button and

    about one and one;half inches inside? it can be visuali4ed as a ball about one and

    one;half inches in diameter! This is the place where a kriyabanreco"ni4es the5note5 which embodies our will to live in the physical body! 0&n Kriya Yoga

    boos you don(t find expressions lie? 5Comin" bac to the center5# 5Cultivation

    of the spiritual embryo5 or 5The birth of the "olden flower!5 'ou find

    expressions lie? 5The process of elf reali4ation be"ins in the navel center5 but

    this describes the same event!1

    The reali4ation created in theDantianascends then into the heart re"ion!

    A kriyaban attains a devotion that nows no human limitation! Burin" the

    ecstatic rapture the body may appear as a corpse while the soul burns in a perfect

    9oy! ,hen these two initial steps become solid throu"h further effort# a

    kriyaban(s awareness mer"es with the piritual >i"ht 0inKtastha1 and reaches

    the thresholds of Cosmic Consciousness!

    6

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    21/64

    List of Kriya Yoga techniques and their relationship to the work

    upon the four knots

    0The underlined techniques are described in the previous Chapter1

    [I] Tongue Knot

    Talabya )riya

    @m Lapa in the Charas

    )riya Pranayama

    G&!8Kechari M!ra as a techni-e complete in itself

    G&!:Kechari M!ra cople! #ith Kriya Pranayama

    [II] Heart Knot

    G&&!8)asic form of%hokar

    G&&!:$!vance! form of %hokar

    [III] Muladhara Knot

    G&&&!8 Complete form of %hokar

    Iavi )riya

    +aha +udra

    [IV] MuladharaKustastha Knot

    )riya Pranayama with short breath

    +ental Pranayama

    G&M!8 mkar Kriya 6 mkar Pranayama

    G&M!: mkar Kriya 6 4nternalization of the practice of %hokarG&M! mkar Kriya 6 7ayatri Kriya

    'oni +udra

    [V] !lternati"e procedures cooperating with the second and

    third part

    GM!8Macro movement %ribhangamrari '$mantrak*

    GM!:Macro movement %ribhangamrari '+amantrak*

    GM!Macro movement %ribhangamrari '%hokar*

    [VI] !lternati"e procedures cooperating with the fourth partGM&!8Micro movement %ribhangamrari '$mantrak*

    GM&!:Micro movement %ribhangamrari '+amantrak*

    NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

    /

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    22/64

    [I] Tongue Knot

    Those who want to succeed in this practice must have their %alabya Kriya

    checed.+any do not do it correctly# not havin" understood how to mae their

    ton"ue adhere to the upper palate before openin" the mouth and stretchin" thefrenulum! ometimes# even when they are shown in person# they are still not able

    to do it correctly! Here & can only emphasi4e that the main mistae is

    concentratin" too much on where to place the tip of the ton"ue! &n a correct

    %alabya Kriya( the tip of the ton"ue has no role* The suction effect is obtained

    with the whole body of the ton"ue*

    After several months of re"ular practice of %alabya Kriya# a kriyabanmay try to

    attemptKechari M!ra! The test is whether the tip of the ton"ue can touch the

    uvula! &f so# then for a few minutes a day use the fin"ers to push the base of the

    ton"ue inward until the tip "oes beyond the uvula and touches the pharynxbehind it! @ne day# the tip of the ton"ue will enter a centimeter or so into the

    nasal pharynx but slip out when the fin"ers are removed! After some more days#

    on removin" the fin"ers# the tip of the ton"ue will remain 5trapped5 in that

    position! This happens because the soft palate 0the part from which the uvula

    han"s1 is soft# movable and acts lie an elastic band and creates a hoo! This

    prevents the ton"ue from slippin" out and returnin" to its usual flat position! This

    is the turnin" point!

    7i"ure ! )echari +udra

    Iotice how %alabya Kriya and Kechari M!ra are completely different*

    0Compare 7i"ure with 7i"ure : in Chapter 61! @pen your mouth in front of a

    mirror durin" the first part of %alabya Kriyato see the hollow parts on each side

    of the fraenum which appear isolated from the body of the ton"ue2 durin"

    Kechari M!ra( it is the uvula that comes forward and only the root of the

    ton"ue is visible!

    =

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    23/64

    Hence# by strivin" each day to practice at least 6;8: Kriya Pranayamawith the

    ton"ue in this position . despite some discomfort such as an increase in

    salivation# swallowin"# and occasional interruptions to reestablish the position .

    its practice becomes easy and comfortable! The sense of irritation and the

    increase in salivation are soon left behind! After about three wees of practicin"in this way# you should be able to reach the same position without usin" the

    fin"ers! The ton"ue will be able to insert itself into the nasal;pharynx cavity!

    There will still be enou"h space left in the cavity to inhale and exhale throu"h

    the nose!

    The only problem mi"ht be that durin" the first three wees of Kechari

    M!ra# you experience 5di44iness5 and fo""ed up mental faculties! %e prepared

    for this eventuality and consider abstainin" from drivin" and any wor involvin"

    a si"nificant proportion of ris durin" this time!

    G&!8Kechari M!ra as a techni-e complete in itself

    There are two main sta"es ofKechari M!ra! After several months of tireless

    practice of the afore;described sta"e 8# one achieves sta"e :# where the ton"ue

    reaches the 9unction of the nasal passa"e inside the hole in the palate! The soft

    tissue above the holes in the internal part of the nostrils is alluded to in Kriya

    literature as the 5uvula above the uvula5! The tip of the ton"ue reaches this small

    area and remains 5stuc5 there comfortably!

    Accordin" toKriyaliterature# the ton"ue can be pushed even farther up!

    Any "ood anatomy boo will reveal that the ton"ue cannot extend any farther

    when it fills up the nasal pharynx! That assertion should therefore be understood

    as a hint to what a normal person thins is happenin"! Actually# by extendin" the

    ton"ue to its limit# it is possible to experience a "reat attraction toward the re"ion

    between the eyebrows alon" with the sensation of havin" reached# with the tip of

    the ton"ue# a hi"her position!

    The same literature also affirms that throu"h Kecharione is able to perceive

    5Amrita5# 5Iectar5# the elixir of life . a sweet tastin" fluid triclin" down from

    the brain onto the ton"ue and then into the body! To have this experience# the tip

    of the ton"ue should touch three points in sequence? the uvula# a small asperity

    on the roof of the nasal pharynx under the pituitary "land# and the soft tissue

    above the nasal septum! The tip of the ton"ue should rotate on each of these

    spots for at least :D;D seconds2 then# in the manner of sippin" a liquid or testin"

    a food# an essence will be savored on the ton"ue(s surface! The exercise should

    be repeated several times durin" the day!

    Kechari M!racauses the life force to be withdrawn from thou"ht processes!

    %ypassin" the mind(s ener"y system and chan"in" both the path and the direction

    &m unable to comment on the importance of sippin" the nectar since & haven(t had the experience nor#

    & admit# have & even tried to have it! &m sharin" this information for the sae of accuracy and

    completeness! &t may fascinate a kriyaban but after an initial period of intense excitement# it isfor"otten!

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    24/64

    of Prana flow# Kechari connects our awareness with the piritual dimension

    whose seat is in the upper part of the brain! The internal chatter ceases2 silence

    and transparency be"in to characteri4e one(s consciousness! The mind wors in a

    more restrained way and en9oys an essential rest2 each thou"ht becomes more

    concrete and precise! ,hen# durin" the daily activities Kechari M!ra ispracticed# moments of pure calmness and mental silence fill ones entire bein"*

    ometimes# mental silence turns into an explosion of inner 9oy!

    G&!:Kechari M!ra cople! #ith Kriya Pranayama

    Kechari M!raenables a kriyabanto tae a "iant step toward perfectin" Kriya

    Pranayama! Burin" Kriya Pranayama with Kechari M!ra# the exhalation

    arisin" in the nasal pharynx has a fine flute;lie sound lie a faint whistle! ome

    schools call it the +hakti Mantra! &t has been liened to the 5flute of )rishna5!

    %lowin" "ently on the ed"e of a sheet of paper approximates the sound! >ahiri

    +ahasaya described it as 5similar to blowin" air throu"h a eyhole5! He

    described it as 5a ra4or which cuts off everythin" related to the mind5! &t has the

    power to cut out any external distractin" factors includin" thou"hts# and comes at

    the maximal point of relaxation! ,hen distraction and anxiety arise# the sound

    vanishes!

    Practicin"Kriya Pranayamain this way and en9oyin" its aftereffects is an

    enchantin" and astonishin" experience and one of the best moments in a

    kriyabans life! Cultivatin" the perfection of this sound and concentratin" firmly

    on it# means creatin" the best basis to arouse the msound in a way stron"er

    than can be achieved throu"h the practice of the second part of Kriya

    Pranayama! >iterature onKriya Yogaexplains that when this event happens# the

    mkarexperience acquires the dynamism ofKn!alini3the soul travels throu"h

    the spinal cord and burns in the 9oy of +ama!hi!

    +odesty is always welcome but when this result is achieved# the positive

    euphoria is so overwhelmin" that it cannot be contained 0lie findin" Aladdins

    ma"ic lamp!1 &n Kriya literature# it is said that those who reali4e a perfect

    Pranayama(can achieve everythin" throu"h it! ,ell# if we dream of a faultless

    Kriya Pranayama# then what we have described matches the ideal of perfection!

    Personal reflection?

    However "reat the effect of Kechari M!ra( & firmly believe it is important but not

    indispensable! P!'!(s decision to allow initiation into the0igher Kriyas to those unable

    to practiceKechari M!ra has my full approval! ,hen the ton"ue tip is turned bac and

    up toward the roof of the mouth# you perceive 9ust the same striin" effect of

    internali4ation that "ives you the chance of fully en9oyin" the0igher Kriyas!

    & believe >ahiri +ahasaya also "ranted0igher 4nitiationto those who could not

    achieveKechari M!ra.+y belief is based on his attitude and his partain" in human

    sufferin"! & cannot conceive that the achievement ofKechariwas intended to create a

    sharp division amon" people! @n one hand# we have the very proud kriyabans# deceived

    into believin" they are more evolved than others and on the other hand# there are those

    8DD

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    25/64

    who are hopelessly depressed for failin" in somethin" that depends not on effort

    but only on physical constitution!

    [II] Heart Knot

    G&&!8)asic form of %hokar

    0Thoar with one rotation . this procedure is called econd )riya by many

    schools# Third )riya by P!'!(s disciples1

    Throu"h %hokar( the ener"y and the intense awareness that has settled in$&na

    Chakra# is directed into the$nahata Chakra! This event causes the ((death(( of the

    mind? a particular state of ecstatic 5absorption5 be"ins to manifest! A kriyaban

    perceives a feelin" of devotion 0)hakti1 emanatin" from the heart Chakra!

    %hokaris practiced afterKriya Pranayamaand after"avi Kriya# if possible with

    the ton"ue inKechari M!ra!

    7i"ure F! Rotation of the head in the basic form of Thoar

    Practical instructions

    The syllables of the 1as!eva+antra 05m "amo )hagavate 1as!evaya51 are

    mentally placed in each Chakra location!

    ,ith the chin restin" on your chest# inhale while simultaneously raisin"

    your awareness alon" the spinal column# touchin" each Chakrawith the first sixsyllable of theMantra0mis placed in the first Chakra#"ain the second#Moin

    the third#)hain the fourth# 7ain the fifth and)ain)in!.1 F Raise the chin as

    if followin" the inner movement! The hands 0with interloced fin"ers1 are placed

    on the navel area to create a mental pressure on the first three Chakras! Contract

    moderately the muscles at the base of the spine! The breath produces only a

    sli"ht# wea sound in the throat or it comes out soundless! ,hen the chin is up

    F & am sure the reader nows the correct pronunciation of the Mantra2 phonetic symbols are not

    included! Iotice that in the )in!( we don(t mentally verbali4e 1a but )a? this convention has

    established itself over the years!

    8D8

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    26/64

    and hori4ontal# the inhalation ends# and the awareness is in the )in!.

    Hold your breath! Hold the muscle contraction at the base of the spine! The head

    be"ins its rotation by movin" to the left shoulder 0left ear moves sli"htly toward

    the left shoulder# the face does not turn left or ri"ht and the movement is free of

    all bouncin"12 %eis thou"ht in theMe!lla oblongata! The head tilts bac a littleand in a sweepin" arc reaches the ri"ht shoulder# 0the ri"ht ear comin" near the

    ri"ht shoulder1# the syllable 1ais thou"ht in the cervical Chakra! The rotation

    proceeds# the head bends forward 9ust a little and moves left until the left ear is

    near the left shoulder 0the face is not turned to the left1!

    7rom this position# the chin is tilted down dia"onally as if to strie the center of

    the chest# while simultaneously + is intensely vibrated in the heart Chakra!

    Throu"h this last movement# a ind of hittin" is felt in the heart Chakra. A short

    pause follows? 9ust what is needed to be enraptured in the radiation of ener"y

    emanatin" from that Chakra! The contraction at the base of the spinal column is

    eased off2 via a very subtle exhalation the remainin" syllables of the Mantraare

    5placed5 in the first three Chakras 55Deinto the third one# 1ainto the second

    one# and Yainto the first one! ,hile doin" this# the head is usually ept down!

    The duration of this process is about :F seconds! Repeat the procedure 8: times!

    At the end of this practice# retrieve psycholo"ical and physical immobility

    by practicin" at least 8:Kriya Pranayama! Then practicePranayama #ith short

    breathfollowed by mental Pranayama!

    7or several wees# a kriyaban is "uided to perform this technique 8:

    times a day# then to "radually increase the number of repetitions of one a day up

    to :DD repetitions! After reachin" :DD repetitions# or after six months of 6

    repetitions per day# a kriyabancan start the practice of the hi"her level of %hokar!

    Remark

    Bo not allow the wei"ht of the head to be the sole force pushin" the chin toward

    the chest? lettin" your head simply drop would definitely be harmful! A mindful

    physical effort is needed to lower the chin!

    ,hen you practice over

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    27/64

    %hokar an! the breathless state

    Completin" the required numbers for the base form of %hokaris a deed of "reat

    importance! As for the possibility of obtainin" the breathless state throu"h it# thatcan be compared only to the intensive practice of /apa!

    >et us clarify that the breathless state does not simply mean that the

    breath becomes "radually quieter or that after a lon" hyperventilation# the breath

    is held lie free $ breath;hold divers do!

    )reathless state means that the breath is entirely non;existent! This

    wonderful event happens in the life of a kriyaban as a very common fact! &t can

    happen durin" the practice of any Kriya technique 0in particular durin" the

    practice of mentalPranayama.&t can also happen durin" the day# far from the

    moment of meditation# for example when contemplatin" somethin" so beautiful

    that ones own aesthetic sense vibrates!

    &t must be emphasi4ed that in order to reach the breathless state# one needs

    on the avera"e two to three years of re"ularKriyapractice! @ne needs not only

    the overall effect of theFirst Kriyatechniques but also the action of the mkar

    Kriyaand of %hokar# important for its direct effect on the heart "an"lia in the

    spine which directly control the breathin" automatic reflex!

    %efore considerin" the advanced form of %hokarwe counsel you to read

    the third part of the boo and start the practice of /apaand see in any way to

    achieve the breathless state!

    G&&!:$!vance! form of %hokar

    0Thoar with many rotations holdin" one(s breath . this procedure is commonly

    called Third )riya or 3ccha )riya# meanin" hi"her )riya! P!'!(s disciples call it

    7ourth )riya!1

    This technique is a remarable acceleration of the basic form of %hokar. The

    action of %hokar is repeated over and over while extendin" the len"th of the state

    in which the breath is held 0Kmbhaka!1 &nKriyaliterature# the explanation is

    that the heart not is st")2by the %hokar basic proce!reand then )tby the

    a!vance! form of %hokar!

    Practical instructions

    The advanced form of %hokaris practiced afterKriya Pranayamaand after"avi

    Kriya# if possible with the ton"ue inKechari M!ra!

    After inhalin" 0with m( "a( Mo!!!1 and raisin" thePranato the upper

    part of the lun"s# partially relax the muscles of the thoracic ca"e as if you were

    "oin" to be"in a new inhalation! 0The act of sealin" the lun"s 0trachea1 as when

    divin"# should be avoided!1 &n this relaxed mood# repeat numerous cycles of the

    head movements unhurriedly! Consequently the mental chantin" of %e in

    Me!lla oblongata# 1ain the cervical and +in the heart Chakrais done several

    times 0%e( 1a( +( %e( 1a( +( %e( 1a( + ...1 while holdin" the breath! top the

    8D

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    28/64

    procedure and exhale when feelin" discomfort*

    Then slowly exhale and place the syllables De( 1a( Ya in Chakras three#

    two# one respectively! ,hile doin" this# eep your head down! This practice is

    done ri"orously once a day! To "ive an idea of the speed of the movements# the

    entire process from inhalation to exhalation with 8: repetitions of the rotation ofthe head 0each rotation concludin" with the movement of the chin toward the

    chest1 lasts around /D;=D seconds!

    At the end of the procedure restore the physical and mental immobility by

    practicin" at least 8: Kriya Pranayama! Then practice Kriya Pranayama with

    short breath followed by mental Pranayama! Then pause with the awareness

    centered in the li"ht ofKtastha!

    Accordin" to tradition# a kriyaban is "uided to perform this technique

    with 8: rotations# then to "radually increase the number of repetitions by one a

    day up to :DD repetitions! This Kriyais considered mastered when one reaches

    :DD rotations without interruptin" theKmbhakastate!

    Remarks

    Avoid at all costs any attempts to thwart physiolo"ical processes? tryin" to

    accomplish a hi"h number of rotations# doin" them quicly# and bein" obsessed

    with holdin" the breath amounts to violence a"ainst one(s body! tart with 8:

    rotations and increase by one a day! 7ill the upper part of the thorax to its utmost

    possible extent with Prana 6 lie a container filled to the brim with water!

    implify the dynamic and the physical intensity of the movements! +ove the

    chin toward the chest before completin" the head rotation! Iamely# after rotatin"

    your head from left to ri"ht# let your chin 5fall5 toward the chest from the ri"ht

    side# then lift it to left side and continue with the rotations! %y increasin" the

    rotations# the movements of the head should be only hinted at and the chin

    should not come close to the chest!

    The +antra m "amo )hagavate 1as!evayacontains another +antra? %e 1a +

    0Tat tvam asi O Thou are That!1 The outer is a dualistic +antra 0IamoO& bow to

    od which is different from me12 the inner +antra is non dualistic! Burin" the

    practice of the advanced form of %hokaryou "o on repeatin"? ((Thou are That#

    thou are That!!!!((

    Reflect on this*

    0o# to perfect the a!vance! form of %hokar

    >et us first "ain proficiency with a particular way of practicin" the advanced

    form of %hokar! ,hen you feel you have neared your limit holdin" your breath#

    while eepin" the chest expanded and the abdominal muscles and diaphra"m

    perfectly immobile# release a minimal 0almost imperceptible1 sip of air whenever

    the chin is lowered toward the chest and let an imperceptible sip of air enter

    whenever the chin is brou"ht up! Bo not do any specific act of inhalin" or

    exhalin"? relax and allow the phenomenon we have described happen of its own

    8DF

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    29/64

    accord! The sensation will always be that of not breathin" at all! Thans to the

    effect of this practice upon the "an"lion that re"ulate the cardiac frequency# this

    frequency diminishes and the practice happens in the best conditions# bestowin"

    "reat satisfactions!

    At this point we are still far from the ideal practice of this form of Thoar! ,hat

    we have described is only a preliminary exercise! 'ou may thin it(s invalid0because you cheat1 but if you repeat it a sufficient number of times 0usually it(s a

    matter of a couple of months1# you will discover that it has the power of main"

    you taste the state of $ntar Kevala Kmbhaka 0absence of breath# when the

    diaphra"m is tensed and the air is inside the lun"s1 durin" the dynamic procedure

    of %hokar! ahiri +ahasaya(s

    recommendation was 5Bon(t be in a hurry*5 @bserve the difference between

    "oin" slowly and with speed! &f you "o slowly# you will perceive a tremendous

    power!

    Repeat the 1as!eva Mantra three times! Prana remains totally in the

    head! After three perceptions of the micro;movement# repeat the same procedure

    in Chakras:# # F#

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    48/64

    CHAPTER =

    INTRODUCTION TO SOME INTERESTING istenin" of internal sounds bothdurin" and after the practice of

    )riya Pranayama

    S %asic and advanced form of

    Thoar

    PHASE 3 U$*!st%$i$4 th% 2$ot o*

    M&!'h!"!

    S )riya Pranayama

    S Iavi )riya# +aha +udraS Particular procedures# typical of

    )undalini 'o"a

    S Complete form of ThoarS Tribhan"amurari macro

    PHASE 7 Gi'i$4 )o$s)ios$%ss

    to "is% *"o0 M&!'h!"! to

    Kt!sth!

    S )riya Pranayama with shortbreath# mental Pranayama

    S 'oni +udra

    =@mar )riyaS Tribhan"amurari micro

    8:F

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    49/64

    FIRST PART:

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    50/64

    pleasurable shiver in the spine! The day after this practice# a diffuse 9oy durin" all

    the day is perceived! Even the most simpleKriyaroutine fills one with 9oy!

    G!Kriya Pranayama #ith Mla )an!ha

    This practice is not beautiful as the previous one# the only purpose for which &describe it here is completeness!Mla )an!hameans contractin" the perineum

    muscles# while a mental pressure is exerted on the lower part of the spine 0we

    have only one lon" contraction and not a series of contraction and release as we

    have in in$s#ini M!ra!1 ,e practice thisMla )an!ha durin" the pause after

    inhalation! The "oal is to create the perception ofKtastha!

    Burin" the last instants of inhalation of a Kriya breath# visuali4e the current

    reachin" )in!# then 5rotatin"5 left# comin" down a little bit and enterin" the

    Me!lla oblongata.&t is in this moment thatMla )an!ha is practiced intensely#

    the breath is held and the eyebrows are raised! The sensation is that the ener"y is

    pushed from Me!lla oblongata into Ktastha! A sensation of internal li"ht

    spreads fromKtasthato the upper part of the brain!

    Then exhalation be"ins# the tension ofMla )an!hais released and the

    ener"y "oes down toMla!hara! Kechari M!ra cooperates with the process?

    durin"Mla )an!ha# the ton"ue 0inside the nasal pharynx1 is pushed upward and

    forward!

    G!FKriya Pranayama #ith tight heli:

    ,hat & am "oin" to describe# comes out very easily to those who have practiced

    Kriya Pranayamawith$s#ini M!ra!

    &n this variation we for"et the existence of the Chakras and concentrate

    upon the spine chord only! The spinal path of the ener"y is perceived as an helix!

    &n a nutshell# startin" from the base of the spine# the ener"y comes up rotatin"

    counterclocwise alon" the spinal channel! Then the ener"y comes down alon"

    the same path# hence rotatin" clocwise!Kriyabansexperience a stron" sensation

    of physical immobility and perceive their spine as a steel bar!

    G!

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    51/64

    oblongataand the physical breath disappears entirely! 4nternalize! exhalation is

    not accompanied by the exit of the air throu"h the nose! This is one of the

    mysterious facts ofKriya# difficult to understand with the sheer lo"ic!

    G!6Kriya Pranayama #ith a particlar circit insi!e an! otsi!e the spine&nhale! Misuali4e the breath lie a threadlie current comin" up inside the spine#

    piercin" each Chakra fromMla!hara to Me!lla oblongata( reachin"# at the

    end of the inhalation# the point between the eyebrows! Pause there for a couple

    of seconds!

    The path lined with exhalation is lon"er than the one lined with

    inhalation! &n detail? durin" exhalation the current moves up vertically inside the

    space between the frontal part of the brain and the frontal bone2 then bends

    bacwards movin" over the brain 0and under the cranial bones1# then bends

    downwards# pierces )in! and reaches Me!lla oblongata.Then the current

    comes down alon" the bac of the spinal column? while descendin" externally to

    the spine# it touches each Chakra li"htly from the bac! ,hen it reaches

    Mla!hara(exhalation is completed!

    &n time you will add to the practice the mental chant of min each one of

    the centers involved 0 Chakra8# :# # F#

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    52/64

    to the navel# reachin" throu"h it the Dantian re"ion! G>et us remind that the

    Dantiancan be visuali4ed as a ball about one and one;half inches in diameter! &ts

    center is located about two and one;half inches below the belly button and about

    one and one;half inches inside!

    Burin" this lon" exhalation# mis chanted mentally# rapidly# 8D;8< times#accompanyin" the descent of ener"y throu"hout the path! After a short pause in

    theDantian# the head resumes its normal position!

    Iow each detail is repeated but the descent of the ener"y happens throu"h

    a different path! A short inhalation draws the ener"y into the head a"ain . The

    head bends but not in the front? it bends toward the leftshoulder# without turnin"

    the face! A lon" exhalation 0with the same chantin" of m( m( m;1

    accompanies the downward movement of ener"y which starts from the brain(s

    left side and moves alon" a path outside the body at its left side 0as if shoulder or

    arm would not exist1! The ener"y comes down to the waist# cross it and moves

    toward theDantian!

    The head moves bac into its normal position! After a short inhalation( the

    head bends bacwards! A lon" expiration 0with the same chantin" ofm( m(

    m;1 accompanies the downward movement of ener"y which starts from the

    occipital re"ion and moves 0outside the body1 down to the waist where it bends#

    pierces the third Chakra Manipra and moves toward the inside of the

    abdominal re"ion 0Dantian1! The procedure is repeated liewise on the right

    side!

    This last exhalation concludes a mini cycle of four exhalations accompanied by

    four descents of ener"y towards the waist and# crossin" it# towards the re"ion of

    low abdomen! This mini cycle is repeated times! &n conclusion we have had

    Fx O 6 descents of ener"y! After these exhalations# the procedure ends with a

    mental chantin" of min each Chakrafrom$&na ChakratoMla!hara!

    ,hat we have described lasts =;8D minutes and is equivalent to F

    repetitions of the basic form of"avi Kriya!

    Remark

    As the practitioner proceeds with the rotations and the effects of the technique

    become more and more perceptible# the movements of the head become less

    mared . the process internali4es! @ne phenomenon is remarable? at the very

    moment the order to exhale has been imparted by the mind# it feels as if the lun"scannot move! ome instants later comes the awareness of somethin" subtle

    descendin" into the body! A new ind of exhalation is en9oyed# lie an internal

    all;pervadin" pressure! &t brin"s about a peculiar feelin" of well;bein"# harmony#

    and freedom! @ne has the impression one could remain lie that forever! >o"ic

    implies that breath is comin" out of the nose# yet you would swear it doesn(t!

    This may be considered the first experience ofPranayama #ith internal breath

    0also calledKriya of the cells1 that we are "oin" to introduce in Chapter 8:!

    8:=

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    53/64

    GF! Chanting m alternatively bet#een Ktastha an! navel

    All details of the basic explanation of"avi Kriya"iven in Chapter 6 up to the

    forward bendin" of the head remain unchan"ed!

    &n this variation 0really very sweet and comfortable1 the m Mantra is

    mentally chanted in alternation between the point between the eyebrows and thenavel 0min the point between the eyebrows# min the navel# min the point

    between the eyebrows# min the navel- and so on1!

    The most useful way of doin" it is to synchroni4e the breath with the m

    chantin"! Misuali4e a tiny silver cord that comes out from the point between the

    eyebrows bends sli"htly and "oes down to the navel! ,hen it comes natural to

    have a very short inhalation# inhale 0only what is necessary1# visuali4e the

    movement of air risin"# throu"h the visuali4ed duct# from the navel to the point

    between the eyebrows# pause an instant there 9ust chant mmentally! ,hen it

    comes natural to exhale# exhale# visuali4in" the movement of air "oin" down

    into the navel# pause and chant mmentally in the navel! %y repeatin" this# you

    will maredly feel that your breath be"ins to subside and disappear! ,hen this

    happens# "o on mentally chantin" them Mantra in alternation between the

    point between the eyebrows and the navel and movin" the focus of your

    awareness between these two points# without ceasin" bein" aware of the 5silver

    cord5! Carry on!

    ,hen m is chanted about /< times# bend your head bacwards and

    repeat a similar procedure by chantin" min alternation between the )in!and

    the third Chakra. Misuali4e another tiny silver cord that connects 0outside your

    body1 the )in!to the third Chakra! >et your breath . if there is still a trace of

    breath . flow freely throu"h that cord. ,hen m is chanted about :< times#

    resume the chin(s normal position and chant mentally min the point between

    the eyebrows( Me!lla oblongata( Chakras

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    54/64

    resume the startin" position with the spine erect! Throu"h a lon" exhalation the

    ener"y comes down from$&na ChakratoMla!hara!

    Then concentrate on the second Chakraand repeat the procedure 0ideally

    raise that Chakra# bend the body forward# and so on1! 'ou can have five bows#

    one for each Chakra# but since you can also ideally raise $&na Chakra into

    Fontanelle# you can have six bows!

    &n some schools# this technique is called 7r Pranayamabecause durin"

    the first bend you can mentally bow to your 7r3durin" the second bend you

    can mentally bow to yourParam;7r ... and so on Chakraafter Chakrawith

    all your linea"e of 7rs.

    7i"ure 8D! 7orward bendin" startin" from sittin" on the heels or startin" from the half;

    lotus pose

    %y repeatin" this 5Chakra a#akening proce!re5 on various days# when you

    focus on a Chakra# you will perceive a feelin" of movement# a swin"in"

    sensation# in it . this is a very important experience!

    G

    Iow practiceMaha M!ra! ,hen the ri"ht le" is extended# the ri"ht hand "rabs

    the toes of the ri"ht foot while the left hand "rabs the inner side of the ri"ht foot

    0the arch of the foot12 the face is turned left while the breath is retained! A

    sensation lie an inner pressure is felt on the ri"ht side of the head! &t contrasts

    with the free space sensation in the left side of the brain! Practicin" the opposite

    position# the sensations are reversed! ,hen both le"s are extended# the pressure

    must be felt on the front part of the head! A sensation of space is perceived inside

    the occipital re"ion! As usual# this exercise is repeated three times! ,hilestretchin" forward holdin" your breath in the position envisa"ed for Maha

    M!ra( chant mas you come up in each Chakra(and try to perceive the afore

    hinted oscillation in each one!

    G

    eyebrows# m where the ton"ue touches the palate and m in Mla!hara!

    Repeat three times in sequence! Return to the upri"ht position! Exhale down the

    8D

  • 8/14/2019 kriya yoga synthesis of a personal experience part 2

    55/64

    spinal channel# pushin" the navel towards the lumbar centerManipra! Repeat

    a"ain this particular way of mentally chantin" min the symmetrical position

    and with both le"s outstretched!

    Iow practice Maha M!ra in the followin" way? before stretchin" forward#practice one full Kriya Pranayama 0inhalation and exhalation1 and hold the

    breath out! %end forward reachin" for the foot! ,ith breath out# apply the three

    )an!has 0Mla )an!ha( 2!!iyana )an!ha and/alan!hara )an!ha1and raise

    the eyes to "a4e at the eyebrow center! Place mthere# min the navel and m

    in Mla!hara! Repeat three times! Return to the upri"ht position# releasin" the

    )an!hasand inhale raisin" the ener"y fromMla!hara! Exhale down the spinal

    channel# squee4in" the navel towards the lumbar center Manipra! Repeat a"ain

    in the symmetrical position and with both le"s outstretched!

    9. K"iy! P"!$!y!0! 6ith sho"t +"%!th

    G6!8Pranayama #ith short breath centere! in $&na

    >et us reconsider the technique of Kriya Pranayama #ith short breath. This

    wonderful technique is important for two reasons? it fosters listenin" to the

    internal sounds and msound and helps achieve the breathless state! Iow# we

    are "oin" to learn how this procedure can be practiced by main" $&na Chakra

    the pivot of the situation!

    7ocus your attention on$&na Chakrain the center of your h