Jai Guru
GURU - UPDESH
By
Sat Guru
Sri Sri Mat Paramhans Nar Narayan Tirth Dev
Meditation (sadhna) actually is not a topic of discussion, but of involvement and exertion. There are and could be several mantras, namas, shabads and recitations (japas) which can be made for spiritual upliftment of an individual. Under such a condition, which one will be the most suitable for a person becomes questionable. It can be said without any doubt that the mantra (word) given to a disciple by his Guru is the best for him. Now the question arises as to who would be the best Guru? The answer is 'Sat Guru'. 'Sat' is actuality behind the universal existence. The individual who can enlighten a person about 'Sat is the 'Sat Guru'.
Search and identification of a 'Sat Guru' is not a simple task. Good Karmas of past lives makes an individual come under the shadow of his 'Sat Guru'. Do not be confused by the terminologies of Sant, Param Sant, Hans, Param Hans, Swami, Puran Dhani, Yogi, Osho, Tau, Sidha, Mosselman, Nath, Avadhut, etc. These are nothing but the jugglery of words. The state of realization and knowledge can be named in any way or it can even remain nameless. Do not be misled by Mats and Panths. Mats and Panths do not matter if an individual is aspiring sincerely for union with the Almighty. Still, as a social creature and to follow a social order, one should follow the Mat of his Guru and should not criticize or think that others' Mat is inferior. God has not ordained contact with one or the other Mat for the sake of union with Him. Imbibe all good things of any Mat or religion but practice the one with which your Guru is associated and involved within. Guru Baba has rightly said in Guru-Updesh, "Be as simple as a child". Moreover, remain true to your worldly duties. Do not vitiate your Karmas by just doing meditation or spiritual service by leaving or shirking your worldly or official duties. However, try to minimize your worldly desires and only in that case you may become free of some of the worldly affairs. Beware! You may cheat others by your tricks, but not your superself. Meditation is a self regulatory process. Even if you cheat yourself, the Parmatma Tatva within you takes note of it and you will have to face the consequences. Formal education and worldly positions are immaterial for spiritual upliftment.
As far as possible, try to live on your own earnings out of your hard work and also try to donate a portion of it to the needy and helpless poor in the name of Guru, but not with a desire of getting fame. If you consider other persons a replica of your self, you will never commit crimes on weak and helpless and will be naturally nearer to God. Nearer to God means nearer to a permanent bliss that all human beings desire for and this is also the ultimate aim of meditation.
Generally, we do not read our old scriptures properly. The mightiest among puranas is the Shiv Mahapurana. If we read it thoroughly and properly, we will find to our surprise that this purana also advocates the pooja of a Guru by a shishya that indicates the importance of a living Guru for meditational perfection as has also been expounded by Guru Baba in the Guru-Updesh and several other saints of medieval and modern India.
I suppose the efforts made by Dr. Utpal Roy, Assistant Professor of Biotechnology, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, in translating Guru-Updesh from Bengali/Assami will be of utmost benefit for all of us.
Jai Guru.
Yours,
Dr. S. R. Thakur 30.12.1997
(Ph. D. Genetics)
Dept. of Plant Breeding & Genetics HPKy
Palampur Distt.
Kangra (HP) - 176 062.
Strictly speaking, I had no intention to author a book. However, compelling request of my devotees inspired me to write this book. Each disciple has to follow certain norms and precautions for the rapid progress on the spiritual path after the event of initiation. It is very difficult to make individual disciples aware of these guidelines as it is painstaking and time consuming. To make this task comparatively simple and easy, this concise manual has been published as "Guru- Updesh”. This work is meant for those who are true devotees of the Guru but not for those who are ego-inflated high-brows. The devotees and the initiated ones will always be having a free access to this manual.
Time: Magha, Year 1371 (Bengali Era)
Yours,
Param Hansa Nara Narayan Tirth Dev
Sidha Yogashram
Village & P.O. Bahalpur
Kokrajhar (Assam)
Brief Life History of Guru Baba 7
Ways and Means of Meditational Perfection 19
The Place and Time of Meditation 27
YOGA OBSTACLES AND TROUBLE SHOOTING 38
Common Precautionary Practices 43
Cradled in the province Assam is the district Goalpara, where lies the village Shalbari, the soil of which was once hallowed by the birth of a great saint. It was 11th Magh, year 1295 sal, the lucky father was Devendra Narain Dev, who felt heavenly happiness with the birth of a son. The jewel son grew gradually under the affectionate love and care of the mother, respected Niraya Devi. In his boyhood days, the child appeared to be very keen and intelligent. He was christened as Narender by his father. Narender's interest became keen to attain the school hood and as a result, his father helped him admitted in the school. Within a few years, he completed his early schooling and wished to enter the high school nearby and the pecuniary conditions failed him to attain higher education. So, with compounded interest, he concentrated in looking after the family matters and facilitated the education of his two younger brothers. He was compelled to enter a wedlock by his father's will, but as ill luck would have it , he became the witness of his beloved father's demise followed by that of his mother's. Then there was so much to follow. He lost his wife also who was survived by a puny daughter. This made his life terribly unbearable.
He was at a loss with this abject misery. He came to realize one truth, that the mighty womb of time would gorge all the creatures under the sun. The attractions of family life, spouse, daughter and sons appeared to him. His mind became restless for attaining the self-knowledge. Placing all the responsibilities on his brother, he left the house in search of eternal truth.
In a bid to attain the eternal peace, he kept wandering from place to place and imbibing the philosophical counselings from monks and saints. But mental peace was alien to him. At length, he renewed his quest for a Sat Guru. He took the bouts of initiation from so many persons but nothing could satisfy a thirst by kindling his divine energy into the flash point of consciousness. Being utterly disgruntled, he desperately began praying to the Almighty God which melted Him and then he succeeded in meeting a real Sat Guru. Paramhansa Sri Mukund Goswami (Chaitanya Baba) rendered him a kind refuge. Now it was the turn of the honey bee to suck the nectar, because he could relish the divine ambrosia being glued to the heavenly petals.
So, now begun the day break with the rigorous form of meditation when the daily schedule of fooding and sleeping was lost into oblivion. He was ordered to take shelter in a rock cave called Sanyasi Shila. He disappeared into that desolate and dangerous cavern. Gradually, two more months elapsed. There really God appeared to give him company. But God did not provide him the edibles; as a result, he had nothing to eat, so yonder from the town yet so staminatic. He never returned to the town in search of food. He sustained life by eating leaves of wild plants, trees, etc. during meditational period. After this rigorous meditation, he was physically weak, yet his entity was infused with enlightenment of bliss and his cells were bliss permeated with heavenly delights. Then he came down to the plains from the mountain heights carrying the power of supreme self-knowledge of bliss-permeated Param Hansa. After coming down to the foot hills, he travelled to so many places and ultimately settled in dense forests infested with ferocious beasts. Param Hansa Dev again placed himself under the umbrella of a tree, where he meditated continuously for several days. There, a religious person from town met him and took the initiative to construct a cottage for his shelter. Later, he initiated thousands of people specifically from Assam and Bengal. Baba'a ashram became the spiritual hermitage for all sorts of persons. During the end of 1980, he left his physical body to be one with the abstract supreme being.
What becomes the duty of a disciple when he comes under the shadow of a Sat Guru's umbrella. In this regard, our age old scriptures hold the guidelines. It follows from them that one has to dedicate and surrender his body, mind, possessions and words at the Lotus Feet of the Guru. When a disciple completely renders himself at the feet of his Guru, it is known as tann-arpan. When one sees God in Guru, it is submission of the mind. The worship of the God and its fruits are indirect; however, worship of the Guru (the anointed of the God) brings both the direct and indirect benefits. If the Guru is a family person, then the dedication of wealth in the form of clothes, money and animals, etc. is known as dhan-arpan (submission of wealth). Don't be scared off! The Sat Guru who is established in complete Brahma Gyana will never render you bankrupt. Even if he makes you stranded, you have to withstand it with a smiling face.
One cannot attain the Akhanda Brahma Gnan (Absolute Self- Knowledge) without sufficient sacrifices. The path of self-realization is not cushioned with supple roses. The attainment that makes mortal (jeeva), the immortal (the supreme being), gives an unending ecstasy. The knowledge that breaks the shackles of life and death cannot be achieved by delivering and hearing the lectures only. The heart of the disciple (shishya) is intricately attached with the trifling and trinkets of the mundane world; that very heart must be surrendered unconditionally to the Lotus feet of the Sat Guru. The dedication of the wealth is only the first step in the process. If the Guru is a sannyasi, the disciple has to renounce everything in his possession to become a sannvasi himself too. Afterwards, if the Guru orders the disciple to get back to the worldly life, he should abide by the order. One has to sing the glory of one's Sat Guru; this is termed as surrendering of words or vaniarpan. These duties, if performed with pure heart by the disciple, get him berth to attain salvation. There starts the duty of a Guru. It may not be possible for a disciple to surrender everything to Guru in a day, but a little endeavour will enable that within a short time. It is not at all salutary to contemplate that the bliss-permeated Guru will deprive him of the taste of self-realization. The Guru bears a great responsibility on his broad shoulders. He cannot have respite. He cannot relax until and unless the soul of the dedicated shishya rests with the God.
What a Guru cannot give to his disciple? He gives his own lifeforce, which he is reluctant even to give to his son. That priceless life-force he doles away to his shishya. He baptizes his disciple into supreme Immutable Purusha (Brahma). His disciple in turn cannot really discover anything under the sun to return to Him for getting rid of the debt. What a Guru does give to his disciple is his own life-force that he is reluctant even to give to his dearest son; that loving heart he gives away unconditionally as an integral consciousness to the shishya. Being immersed in such a state of supreme bliss, where all the world vanishes, where remains no disciple, no initiation, no duality, no formality, no modality; that ineffable ecstasy, he transfers to his disciple because He is then one with Him, he has identified himself with the abiding existence which is Divine and only Divine. That is why He never hankers after the worldly pleasures, He is not selfish and this is why His heart bleeds for the eternal liberation of the disciple. In that process, He absorbs all the vices and impurities and scalds all the sins committed throughout the cycles of births and deaths by virtue of His own unblemished radiance like sun shine that torches the mists of the mornings and renders them clear. This is undeniably the noblest paradigm of sacrifice in the realm of man-kind.
Initial Formal Advice
In the beginning of your meditation, do not get disheartened if you are unable to concentrate on a particular object. The basic purpose of meditation is to arrest the restlessness of the mind. An already concentrated mind needs no meditation. Out of the holy objects, choose any one and try to post your vagabond mind on that particular object in the sense of divinity. Then only, but gradually, the mind will lose its nomadic traits, otherwise, if an extra effort is forced against the unprepared mind, it will grow more restless.
Please continue your efforts on Kriya yoga, initiated by your Guru and getting the power, as instructed. This will gradually bring mental tranquillity under your will power leading to the realization of the real grace. The pursuance of this perfect methodology is by far the best device to attain yogic excellence.
This 'Yoga' has been referred to in the Geeta as Rajayoga. In some Puranas, it was also mentioned as Sambhavi Vidya. The Sambhavi Diksha is the most beneficial mode of initiation that makes one feel that a sort of power has entered the system by the action of touch, vision or speech(words) of the Guru. The person who generates the feeling of Sambhavi Diksha by a mere touch, vision or words (by mantra) in the body system of a disciple is the real Guru.
"Yatra Shakti Na Patati Tatra Siddirna Jayate"
from Kularnava Tantra
The disciple attains Guru's blessings by generation of Shakti by Guru, otherwise, perfection in meditation remains an uphill task. By dint of this Vedha Diksha, the evolution of all the six divine centers (Shata chakra) becomes easier. In Kularnava Tantra, in some places it is also written as Vishaka'. The Yoga-shiksha Upnishad also termed this path as 'Siddha Path’ or Mahavoga'. The Upanishad christened this mode of initiation as 'Yoga Diksha'.
After the initiation, there are six stages to follow a) joyfulness, b) vibration, c) levitation, d) rotation or gyration in the upper half of the body, e) a sort of yoga-nidra or yoga- drowsiness and, f) a feeling of trance (after doing vigorous Kriya, there ensues a certain feeling of numbness of the bodo and the mind, linking to happiness). Liberation or salvation is granted to the Kriya-initiated Sadhaka wherever and in whatever form he may exist. These above mentioned experiences are not necessarily to manifest at all the times in every sitting during preliminary meditation, but these are to manifest certainly in the after state of sadhna. The Kriya initiated Sadhaka will feel these phenomena scripted in the literature. Keep on doing the Kriya-yoga depending on the Guru-Shakti. Then only you can become a successful Kriya Yogi. You have to be very patient and enthusiastic as well. Otherwise, it is very difficult to attain perfection. First, you may feel the various tremors, followed by laughter, weeping and different peculiar sounds. Gradually, asana, mudra, pranayama, pratyahar, etc. will come under your control to give you the mental peace. These are the mere foundations on which self-realization would be feasible.
Do not be crest-fallen if your expectation is not fulfilled. 'I will do this asana or mudra and then I will make an exhibition of this or I will challenge others and then I will attain the Brahma Gyana in a day'- these types of desires should not occupy your mind. Your Kriya should not besotted with any type of human greed. Do all the duties including the Kriya while keeping our mind absorbed in Guru Shakti which is but synonymous with the Almighty. Everything will gradually blossom, being blessed with the skelter. It may cause you harms. One may question whe where in experiencing vibration, rotation or lightness etc.?
I could not experience the Lotus posture or spontaneous pranayama, nor could I experience any light (Jyoti) or could see
demi-God or any extra mundane things. Then where is the speciality of the Guru Shakti? But no, if you do Kriya with patience for a long time with pure devotion all these will come true according to your need. This Kriya Yoga is bound to take you to the path of knowledge (Gyana Marga) and the ultimate address of Kriya is Liberation. And for that it will prepare your body and mind. If there is an urgency for the visualization of Jyoti and the demi-Gods then these will come automatically as a result of your intense Kriya. But, if it is not required, you would not see those. The genre of visualization takes place according to the mental and physical status of a Sadhaka. Also, the Karmas of the previous birth plays a significant role in deciding the forms and norms of visualizations and perceptions during meditation or otherwise.
What you are thinking as beneficial may not truly be helping to you. The ever-auspicious Kundalini Shakti which has become awakened in you only understands better than you, the merits of visualization. She is always your well-wisher. I have simply helped you open the channel of the infinite energy; my duty is finished. Now, it strictly depends on that ever-conscious Chaitanya Guru - He will ultimately escort you to the kingdom of Heaven. I have just become the cause of your spiritual excellence by dint of arousing the dosing Kundalini - the voltage gate of the illimitable energy. Now that divine power will guide you towards the supreme goal.
The third shloka in the Patanjali Yoga Sutra stated that the Guru Shakti is not the direct cause of final, but it merely removes the obstacles and hindrances in the path of realization. A simile had been conceived in the shloka - just as a tiller spades away the blockades of the incoming water to the irrigation arena, the Guru helps out of compassion to brush away the barriers.
Thus, everybody has got the inbuilt power hidden in him. That gate of freedom has to be opened. This is a possible by a Siddha Guru (perfect Guru). Then only a person can come to know his real nature. Even the great sinners are transformed into enlightened Sadhakas by this.
Whatever time you devote for the Kriya, its effect is undecaying. I tell you, those who claim worldly pleasures only through this sadhna will be in problems because this is not a materialistic meditation. By means of Kriya, you can achieve the state of liberation and for this whatever minimum your requirement is, you will receive that. Those who want worldly happiness through materialistic gains should not come to me. It will be a futile exercise for them.
This Kriya yoga is a matter of experience only; you cannot convince or make anybody understand the feelings of Kriya by describing it. It baffles the description; that is why pin the absolute faith on the Almighty Guru Shakti and pray to God benevolent and ultimate". - "Do whatever you like, good or bad; Oh God, you are ever benevolent and the Ultimate”.
Whatever panels of restrictions and guidelines have been mentioned, the meticulous practicing of these will help you in reaping quicker benefits. The irregularities in Kriya cause so many physical problems and regularization of the Kriya helps regaining the health. So, ultimately irregularity is the deadliest form of denial of self-realization. Be restricted in fasting, smoking and sexual enjoyment, otherwise, there will be cropping up of several incurable malaise and severe mental waywardness in you. You are the best judge to decide what actually you want, the eternal peace or the inferno of immorality. If at all you are to smoke or fast, you may halt you! yogic practice or you may reduce the intensity of the Kriya.
Again when all the conditions of doing perfect meditation are restored you can accelerate the process. But in this manner, you are sure to lose the priceless time which is irretrievable.
When the very mission of your life is to attain the complete self-realization and the kingdom of heaven, you must devote totally to those commitments which will only ameliorate your divinity. You may change your Guru for better knowledge if you feel, just as a student in the school taking his courses from different teachers. It is just like a honey bee, flying from one blossom to another in search of nectar. So, an avid disciple can lunge from one Guru to another for the sake of knowledge. However, you should never think of criticizing your previous Guru. Those who have received meditational techniques and mantras from me can quit me if they do not get wisdom, divinity and peace of mind.
Self confidence and unflinching devotion are the comer stones of achieving spiritual perfection (siddhis). These are the first group of signs towards perfection. The second group of signs are reverence and respect towards the words of Guru and the Vedas; the third sign is the devotion to the Guru (means unwavering fidelity, serving Him and obeying His orders); the fourth sign is the feeling of equanimity (not to hate anybody or any feeling of vengeance or jealousy); the fifth is the conquering of the senses (means full control over the sexual organs, eyes, etc.) and; the sixth being the moderate dieting. There is no seventh sign except the above mentioned ones.
Yam (non-violence), niyam (regulations), asana (yogic postures), pranayama (controlling of breath), pratyahara (controlling of senses), dharna (concentration), meditation and samadhi (trance) - these are the eight components of Astanga Yoga. Out of these you will have to strive hard for practicing yama and niyama. The other components will be ensued gradually with the deepening of your Kriya yoga. The word Yama denotes non-violence, truth, celibacy, non-stealing and nonchalance or indifference towards mundane objects. Nonviolence enjoins restrictions of unprovoked killing of creatures The development of the tendency towards non-killing is proportional to the mental elevation. Truth must be adhered to by all means. However, if sometimes by telling the truth, harm is inflicted onto an honest person, one can hide that truth by remaining silent, but under any circumstances lie should not be told as mendacity is strictly strictly prohibited in the spiritual field. One should not even think lifting anybody's material without one's permission. Pilferage is also a deadly crime in the divine field. Celibacy is the conservation of seminal energy through self-control. For the maintenance of perfect celibacy, one should not gloat lustfully over the opposite sex. Even conversing about the girls or boys with respect to sex, caressing individuals and indulging in sexual intercourse are absolutely prohibited. However, the family fellows can have sex only once in two months as prescribed in the scriptures. As Yogi Yagnavalkya said, "one can lie with one's own spouse during the monthly period”. In this way, one may maintain celibacy. In this regard one may consult the scriptures.
Aparigraha (not to accept any gift or donation from anybody) is another virtue. However, accepting money, that too without greed for meeting the essential needs and for maintaining life or for philanthropic purposes is alright. In general, if one does not have the capability of returning others help, one should not take help from them.
Niyama . denotes disciplined cleansing, self contentment, worshipping, study of scriptures, perseverance and concentration on God with a sense of full surrender. Regular cleansing is a must for the thorough physical cleanliness and mental freshness. Contentment is the quality that one achieves by one's own endeavour. You should inculcate high respect for your Guru, demi-Gods, Brahmins (devotee of Brahma or super soul) and the wise. Never allow your mind to contemplate on the irritatingly despicable matters. It would be better if you devote yourself to doing intense meditation. Always try to cleanse your hands and legs with clean water after the excretion. This will help you in maintaining good health and mind.
Go on meditating as per instructions. The Kriya yoga is a practicable and extremely useful for the family fellows aspiring for the spiritual elevation. It is easier to practice Kriya yoga while staying in home and arrange mentioned food and other items rather than begging for alms for sustaining life, living and thriving beneath a tree, relinquishing everything and thriving on raw fruits as a sannyasi does. It is difficult to arrange paraphernalia required for practicing of yoga while staying under the tree. Above all, home is the seat of learning which ultimately gives perfection to the knowledge. Hence preferable to do sadhana while remaining in the family a performing worldly duties. Beware! One who commits hin to Kriva yoga should live indifferently and unattached like a drop of water on a lotus leaf or like an oily eel in the muddy water. This is the vital principle to maintain a balance between the spiritual and the worldly life.
According to Shiva-Samhita - 'Only a Kriya oriented yogi deserves the right to all the spiritual perfection and nothing awaits for a non-performer”. So, it is a bounded duty of an aspirant to become a stream-lined Kriya yogi. The aspirant who stays at home, accomplishing all the worldly duties selflessly and desirelessly and making Himalayan efforts to attain the liberation through Kriya yoga is the perfect one in this world. He attains spiritual perfection in no time. In his exterior, he will be affectionate, loving and caring for his relatives but, internally detached to them and attached only to the Supreme being.
The Mode of Action (Karma Vidhi)
Do not remain inactive after receiving the Guru Shakti. You are destined to do worshipping through Kriya yoga and as activities without addiction. The worshipping and regular meditation especially in the evenings are the prime importance while other worldly activities are of secondary importance.Try to do all the duties dispassionately, remembering the Guru Shakti ever working through you. Only one who does not crave for the fruits of toiling and simply goes imparting self-less duty is termed as Saint or Sannyasi and yogi as well. He is no yogi who is averse to hard work for the welfare of the world. It is against the will of the God to escape from the worldly duties. There should not be any complacency from the yogi's side to strike a balance between spirituality and worldly duties.
The great yogi, Yagnyavalka once advised his mistress, Gargi, that even the self-realized supremo should perform some duty towards the world. The one who leaves all the works during his ascent in meditation, thinking that sorrow is rife on earth goes to hell. No body can absolutely shed the duty and so one should perform his duty till death. "Oh Gargi, you too leaving all the triflings of the world, rededicate yourself into that holy work and leave this world in Nirvikalpa Samadhi".
Earlier, I had mentioned regarding the regulations of diet and also of making yourself disciplined in evening worship, religious rites and other formalities. An aspirant should not bother too much about what the other near and dear relatives of fellow beings think of his disciplined life. Proper thinking from the depth will reveal surely that neither the relatives are important than time nor they are any hindrances to his elevation. Then only he receives the joy of the supreme enlightenment.
If a student receives the blessings of a Guru at a very young age, he should be attentive towards his studies and only apply yoga for the proper development of the body and mind rather than going for the intensive spiritual practice.
Be as simple as a child, for that people may call you 'mad', but never bother for the rebuke as this cultivates self confidence. Remember, that your purpose of life is different from that of other worldly minded people. In that case, if you are insulted and offended time and again, do not get ashamed or dejected. Just carry out your duties. Try to destroy your ego. Direct your work for the welfare of the society and attain the Brahma Gyan.
A number of miraculous powers, called siddhis, will develop within you as a result of intense meditation. Ignore these developments disdainfully. Many siddhis like clairvoyance, clairaudience and power to astral travel will develop within a Siddhi-prapta Purusha and Vak-Siddhi (perfection in speech) also comes to him. He can not only assume different forms and shapes but can also vanish himself in a jiffy while being in the midst of several persons. By practicing yoga intensely, he can physically travel in the air. Remember! Intelligent yogis, instead of indulging in such silly things prefer to concentrate on the Parmatma or the Absolute Supreme Being. He knows that the above mentioned siddhis are but the impediments or the stumbling blocks in the ultimate realization. So, the real Sadhak will never give mind to those powers even though they lie at his feet. That is the real Vairagya (recluse), the attribute which burns completely all the seeds of greed. The Sadhak should consider the developments of miraculous powers as the green signal for the attainment of God-realization.
Never try to cure the diseases of anybody until and unless you acquire immense power by minimum three years of rigorous and profound meditation nor try to awaken the Kundalini Shakti of a willing person. Because in that process, you will not only dissipate your own spiritual energy or power accumulated by the years of meditation, but also harm that man's belief as he won't be benefited much with your vaunted efforts. You have to take the permission of your Guru first before doing these.
If you are overwhelmed with grief and despondency, concentrate on your Guru-mantra and do vigorous Kriya yoga to see all your trauma disappear in the air. At leisure time, you must imbibe the eternal rasa (elixir), of the scripture like Guru Gita, Gyaneshvary Gita, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Shree Mad Bhagvat Gita, Yoga Vashisht, Patanjali Darshan, Upanishads and Yogashastra, etc. for broadening the mental horizon for spiritual elevation.
Also read the Shiva-Samhita and Gherand-Samhita. When you will find that the experiences derived from the Kriya yoga are coinciding with that described in these scriptures, you will be exulted. All these will facilitate your progress, but you have to do the Kriya which develops in you spontaneously. Never follow the books to practice artificial Kriya and Yogasanas.
The Place and Time of Meditation
One should practice meditation in solitude, but initially one can do the Kriya yoga in the presence of the Guru bhais. This is beneficial also. If Kriya is not possible initially, one may do kirtanas, can sing bhajans or one may read the hola hymns or one may iterate the mantras mentally. This definitely help in concentrating and directing the flow of mind towards the Divine. This mental condition facilitates better Kriya. If you do Kriya in the presence of unwanted or uninitiated persons, you may develop a variety of distractions in mind which may harm you by wasting the subtle currents of your body and transferring of some diseases from their system to yours. You can excogitate or contemplate on God and can do light pranayama by wrapping yourself with a blanket or a shawl. But if the urge in your biological system compels you to do Kriya yoga, and without which you cannot get peace; in that case you can commit to Kriya very surreptitiously without coming into the knowledge of others.
Always try to protect yourself from all vices and bad company till liberation and also try your best to avoid Kriya in presence of others. A separate meditation room is highly desirable and one must have a spacious and comfortable sitting arrangement for doing Kriya in that room.
Fire, water, rocks, weapons or any material that can cause harms and physical damage to the body should not be present near the place of meditation. Generally, one can do Kriya on the floor, but it should be comfortable and better cushioned. But if one does Kriva while on the bed, precaution should be taken so that one may not fall from the bed dun Kriya. Be absolutely fearless during meditation. Do not worry at all while during Kriya, if any of your limbs falls or becomes numbed. If you feel pain in your biological system, Kriya will subsequently follow such form that will alleviate your pain. The pain born from one form of Kriya is generally destroyed by another form.
There is no strict rule regarding the timing of Meditation. However, the most suitable time for a Sadhak is the time when he gets minimum interference from other family members, friends, fellow colleagues and neighbours and gets maximum solitude and loneliness. Such period coincides most suitably with Brahma Muhurata ((3.00 AM to 6.00 AM or so). Other suitable periods are the timings of sun rise, sun set and noon of the day and night. Since, human body has been said to represent the whole universe in miniature form (pind mein brahmand), these timings seem to suit well for meditation in tune with the physical laws for the existence and dynamism of heavenly bodies in the universe. Any time that suits an individual as per his living conditions will be the most suitable. However, one is advised to meditate each morning (dawn) and each evening for at least 1 hour with deep devotion.
It would be better if somebody manages to do Kriya yoga during night or at 4 AM. Never do Kriya yoga just after taking food or when you are too hungry. If empty bellied, take light amounts of foods and do the Kriya. Do Kriya yoga according to your stamina, health and your prevailing situations and conditions, but try to do it every day. Do not be discouraged if you are unable to do Kriya for a day or two. When you will attain the advanced state, Kriya yoga may start automatically during sleeping, walking or sitting.
The sitting posture which gives you maximum comfort is the best one for the meditation. Sit in such a manner that give you perfect calmness of the body and mind. There is really no hard and fast rule regarding the sitting posture, but the spinal cord has to be perfectly straight irrespective of any sitting posture.
Do not put extra effort to meditate in posture of perfection (siddhasana) or lotus posture (Padmasana). These types of asanas will be assumed automatically during Kriya if needed by one's body. Do not be over anxious to get that. First of all, when you desire to sit in meditation, prostrate yourself in utmost devotion presuming the physical presence of you Guru and then follow the suit for your Isht Deva, if you have any, otherwise start doing Kriya as instructed by your Guru Deva in full swing. Concentrate on Kriya yoga forgetting that this body is yours. Then only Kriya in you will appear accordingly as per the requirement of your body and intellect.
It is not must that everybody should have the same sort of experiences because the status of the body and the mind and their nature play the role in arousing varied experiences. And if anybody has a disease, the same will be removed first by following different Kriyas during day to day meditation.
Never allow your mind to indulge in the dirty thoughts or unwanted jealousy. Every Kriya practitioner should try to improve himself and should not think in a negative way that the other one should not progress. Do the meditation with higher impetus to get the desired result. Be desireless and see that meditational progress is nearer to you as you are extremely enthusiastic in Kriya. At the initial stages, many doubts and disappointments may creep in the mind, but one has to be unflinching and unwavering, ignoring them all. Do not care if people make a laugh at you. Let them do so. When you will have the glimpses of a couple of extraordinary experiences or have extramundane feelings, faith will automatically deepen in you.
If you are slightly out of sorts or ailing for a while, do not refrain yourself from doing Kriya. In such conditions, it may take some time to start Kriya and the physical Kriya may not be visible, but special attention will make you observe that Kriya is continuing inspite of your physical trauma. So in that situation, never relax or be refractory to perform the Kriya yoga out of laziness. Do it regularly. If your faith is not firm regarding the disease alleviating potential of Kriya or you become highly malaise with disease, consult the doctor and take the medicines. However, the Guru gifted sadhna has to be enkindled in the heart by that time. You must do regular meditation after recovery from illness.
Grasp one absolute truth - Gurudeva, the might of Guru, the Guru gifted mantra and the God Absolute are the one and the same thing. There is no distinction amongst them. They are the manifestations of the same wisdom or power in different names and one must cultivate profound faith and devotion towards these divine manifestations. Do not forget to remember the presence of the Almighty Guru in your system whenever you are at some work, as if He is the sole driving force behind the running of this world.
If you absolutely depend on Him, you will never face any problems and if the problems arise, you will realize soon that you were in pains because you forgot Him. Initiation into Kriya yoga leads to some sort of change in the body and mind. So, do not be discouraged even if you fall prey to illness. The lack of inspiration from your part is the root cause of all the odd problems. Initially, one may suffer from headache or heaviness of head, gastro-intestinal troubles, cough and cold involuntary semen ejaculations during sleep, so on and so forth. These things should not disappoint you since these will actually eliminate the impurities from your biological system. After a few years of disciplined meditation, you may be having a lean and thin body and less inclination towards the food and sleep. Never mind, this will only enhance your mental and physical power. These are all good signs of meditational progress.
One should not bewilder at the sight of various atrocious specters in the preliminary phase of meditation because they really do not exist and come as mere obstacles. In a sense, it is also auspicious as it is the beneficial activity of an uprising Kundalini. She helps frothing up the embedded sanskaras (desires of previous life) in the body and mind of the Sadhaka and helps in removing gradually all these hindrances in the paths of enlightenment.
The Diet
All persons cannot choose one kind of dietary measures. Different types of diets are required as per the body's mineral and vitamin demands. One person may be more prone to cough and cold, whereas, other may be more susceptible to gastronomic disorders. So the food prescribed for them varies obviously. The food items that prove good for one may be harmful to another. Again status of the health determines the type of food intake. An ailing person should select easily digestible but nutritious food. During cold and cough problems, the body should accept hot type of foods, including fried items. In the gastrointestinal disorders, one should have acid food like curd, lassi, etc. In hyper-acidity, one should take non-acid foods.
It is a difficult task for a common person, to decide what type of food he should choose in different health conditions. Therefore, it is always obligatory to avoid apparently tasty foods which may not be as beneficial for health as one may think. So, do not be enchanted for such type of eatables. However, if the item is too enticing, it could be simply tasted to get the experience, whether the ingredients in the food are really wholesome or not. Sometimes, we are compelled to consume unhealthy and impure foods. In such cases, we have to neutralize the ill-effects of these foods by means of Kriya and medicines. Otherwise these may cause havoc in the biological system. In this regards, scriptures help us by their prescription of ideal foods for the maintenance of perfect health for the yoga purposes.
Excess of everything is bad. High intake of salt, acid or semi-acid foods, over-heating of sweet-meats, heavily indigestible food-items, over-stuffing the stomach with ill-balanced foods and roughages and addiction to food that enhances the major carnal desires by causing endocrinal imbalance are always to be avoided and all these are the major points to be remembered. The sugar candy, molasses or jaggery (Gur), ripe banana, coconuts, etc. are hard to digest, but these are nutritious and tasty. So, these could be taken according to one's digestive capacity. Simple vegetables like different sags, papaya, parval (patal), lady finger, wheat, barley, mung, gram, dals, green banana (kaccha kela), brinjal, spinach, almonds, nuts, etc. As a mouth freshner, clove, big cardamom (elaichi), limeless pan, haritaki and myrobalan (amlaki) may be taken. Vegetarian dish is always preferred to the non-veg. If the body is deficient in proteins, one may take non-vegetarian but without being enticed. Otherwise, one should never devour the flesh. Keep in mind, that the pure (sattwik) diet will take you towards the goal rapidly.
In general, have moderate diets. Take food in such a manner that after food-intake, you may feel a little hungry, means you are not yet full-bellied. Over-eating is not advisable. You must feel active after taking food. For the proper alimentation of the biological system, you can have food from time to time. Be careful, that even after taking water during or after meals, some portion of the stomach remains empty. One should take sufficient amount of water to prevent constipation. One full glass of water is adequate after every sitting for food. Becoming a glut is harmful for a person practicing Kriya yoga. Over eating creates troubles in yoga and may be fatal for health. Remember, one should eat to live, but not live to eat.
Try to avoid invitations and dinner parties. If at all you are to complete a formality, help yourself by taking light diet. One thing which you must know is that, the food taken alone is Sattwik, eating with umpteen numbers of people is Rajsik and eating in front of those, who are not participating in the process of eating is highly tamsik.
Unnecessary fasting (upwas) is prohibited as this inflicts upon your health. The real fasting is concentrating the mind steadfastly on Parmatma (Super Soul) and feeling of long lasting union of jeevatma (individual soul) with the Parmatma. If the body demands fasting for curing some disorders, one can go ahead with it. During the fasting, one can take some light food. For finding proper time for taking food, you have to be all aware of the flow of air through the nostrils. In general, food should be taken only when inhalation persists through the right nostril. If prior to food intake, inhalation persists through the left nostril then be recumbent on the left side and have your upper left arm be pressed hard against the pillow. You will notice that inhalation will shift to the right nostril or just before sitting for food, you can press your left armpit against the left knee to get the same effect. You can make it a rule to run your right nostril during taking food. After the food intake, you lie in sukhasana (free and relaxing posture of lying on your back on the bed) and keep on moving your hand on the belly thinking that the fire inside the stomach is active to digest all the food particles.
Always observe right means and follow the right and truthful path. As far as the diet is concerned follow the scriptural principles.
If a yogi becomes omniscient for all the times and even if he attains such a power to conquer the three worlds and can cross the oceans at ease, still he cannot imagine to violate and transgress the general principles of social life. Specially if somebody sheds all the formalities and duties before attaining self-knowledge, his fate becomes comparable to a pre mature tree shorn of its leaves.
For the purpose of understanding obstacles and trouble Troubleshooting in yoga, the fifth chapter of the Shiva-Samhita hal been reproduced here under for the benefit of the readers.
Once, Godess Devi Mata asked the Lord, “Oh Shankar if you give me any weightage as your integral part, kindly enlighten me and caution me about the different impediments and hurdles that an spiritual aspirant may face during his or her spiritual endeavour".
"Oh Goddess”, replied the Lord, "please be attentive while listening to me. Attachment to the attraction to the physical pleasures in various forms are the arch enemies. Extremely pleasant sleeping and sitting paraphernalia, desire to amass huge amount of wealth and desire to have sex are amongst the major obstructions. Apart from that the possession of vehicles, kingdoms and states, miraculous powers, silver and gold, jewels, perfumes or essence, animals, money or wealth, scholasticity, too much investment in Vedic-rituals (Karm kand), dance and revelry in party, immense addiction to music and musical instruments, excessive sexual love towards wife or husband and affinity for off-springs and illogical doting towards anybody are the stumbling blocks in the path of liberation. Now you listen from me the obstacles one can invite due to the over-practicing of religious rituals (Karm kand)".
"Excessive exterior worshipping of the Lord through icons, taking bath quite early in the morning, extra austerity, yagna, show off in the form of munificence (doting on wealth), fasting, over-reticence, destroying the organs, wide-spread fame, crude meditation, construction of temples and development of gardens here and there, too much pilgrimage and consulting the ephemeris are the major religious or ritualistic impediments. Barring all these, let me relate other forms of barriers that may come in the way of salvation.
Putting concentration on the cleansing of the nadis (blood vessels, veins and artries), finding the location of the seventy two thousand nerves, forceful suppression or smothering of the sense organs like eyes, ears, etc., practice of drawing milk or mercury from male genital organ (vajroli), arresting the movement of the penis by heavy iron chains, etc. are the obstacles born from the knowledge”.
"Oh Kalyani, now listen to the meditational deviations that arise from the addiction to food. The enticement to everyday new culinary delicacies give rise to new excitement and subtle drift in the biological system. As a result, body may become feeble, sick and depression may ensue. So, moderate and simple diet is a must”.
Now I am describing the way that leads to trance or Samadhi. Always do the good things that are followed by the saints and shun bad company. Concentrate your mind on the Guru gifted mantra and the inhalation and exhalation as well. 'He who assumes this body-this biological encasement and who has taken rent in this physical form is abstract and is none else but the Brahma (the Supreme soul). Resting in Him is the state of Samadhi or transcendental state". This state is synonymous with the mental stability. This is the aim of GuruUpdesh.
The Patanjali Sutras have also identified the scores of problems like diseases, mental stillness, feeble-mindedness, doubts, devoid of concentration in meditation, indolence, thinking of so many things during meditation, illusion in meditation and too many changes in residences. These are the main obstacles encountered by a spiritual aspirant during meditational practice. Never lose faith if these obstacles come to you. You have to be over-enthusiastic in doing Krivas because all these obstacles vanish gradually and then you will realise that those impediments were but blessings in disguise in the path of spiritual perfection. You must remember that some Kriyas may come first and others later. If you do not experience some Kriyas do not worry and think that you are lagging behind.
Do not be complacent after getting energy from Guru, because this sort of thinking is also an obstacle. Absolute satisfaction or sense of fulfillment is not achieved until and unless you attain the eternal bliss.
Do not take part in the orgy of dance in a revelry. Even, it is not advisable to sing and dance at the request of others in the party for attracting the attention of others. You should never vulgarise your gestures and postures in the name of dance. You are not supposed to toil behind different postures (asanas) and mudras too as these are also the stumbling blocks.
The sexual consummation can be perpetrated as per scriptures, but mind it, the less you indulge in it, the better it is. Shiva-Samhita says, "the loss of seminal energy spells doom and death. So, conserve your semen and save the life".
The principle essence of seminal energy is the semen (bindu) and the act of sex is the cause of wastage of semen, which leads to depression and fatigue of the body and mind. By means of meditation, when you will attain the supreme union of Atma and Parmatma or soul and the super-soul, you will realize that these are basically useless and unwanted activities and unless you attain that state of self-realization you may not be in a position to totally abstain from the sex and in that case one may go for it once in a blue moon. Always remember that excessive sex and sexual thinking are destructive and jeopardising in the long run.
Excessive physical stress, meaningless wandering, playing cards, too much smoking and garrulosity are prohibited in the spirituality. However, one may sit near the fire-place in order to receive the warmth of the heat. Those who cook themselves should take care to save themselves from overheating of the body due to closer proximity to the oven.
Always maintain small finger nails. Do not arrest forcefully the pressure of motion because it may lead to piles.
If you are not well, commit to Kriya with that pure will that this sitting of Kriya will definitely relieve me from the ailment. This sort of feeling will help you getting rid of the disease.
Whenever you are faced with the odds, remember instantly the Guru-Shakti and start enchanting the Pranava
mantra for a length of time. However, as long as the Pranava in the body is not attained, you should keep on murmuring the Guru gifted mantra silently.
Common Precautionary Practices
It is better to put on a loose attire so that it does not stiffen the body to strangulate the freeness of the meditation. The family person whose semen emission voluntary or involuntary (night fall) has not stopped should not wear the ochre robe in any case. The Kriya Sadhak should not use the bed or garments which others have used. Try to do Kriya yoga alone and also try to sleep alone but one may sleep with a very close person of one's family or with persons of similar trait or thinking. You should neither use the towel of others nor should you allow others to use yours.
Be a truthful person from the core of your heart. While speaking truth continuously, you will develop such a power of Vak siddhi that whenever you will predict something to somebody, it will come true and your mission will be successful according to your wishes. It is said that when one is invariably established in the temple of truth, the desired fructification of Kriya starts taking place.
Mendacity and brazen conduct only help deteriorating your will power developed through the Kriya. As a result of your being a derailed yogi, you will indulge in blasphemy against your much revered Guru Dev. If you are committed to veracity, some losses may come to you initially, but the benefits derived from those are as mealy as sweet honey. You will thus come to realize the amazing reality etched in the heart of age old spiritual scriptures through uninterrupted adherence to truthfulness. As the God is the Supreme embodiment of the Absolute truth, constant musing on him can never harm you.
The power and Kriya you have obtained from your Guru should only be judged by you people. Do not try to guage
the merits and demerits in Guru because you do not know the status and mandate of Guru. It is difficult for you to draw any conclusion for Guru's actions.
If your mind is tossed up in a variegated field of restlessness, you may read this book to wipe out the worries. If you are faced with doubts, troubles or questions in your mind, you may get some answers from this book. Otherwise, you may consult your gurubhais or you may ask your Guru for the solution.
Om Shanti, Om Shanti..
Jai Guru.