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“Yoga is bodily gospel.”  ~Reaven Fields

In the 15th century a Hindu Sage by the name of Yogi Swatmaram propounded Hatha Yoga. He chronicled his treatise in the ‘Hatha Yoga Pradapika’. Hatha Yoga is a path to physical purification after which a person can undertake the higher pursuit of meditation. The form of Yoga practiced by most westerners is Hatha Yoga.

Hatha is the amalgamation of two Sanskrit words Ha and Tha meaning sun (solar channel or pingala) and moon (lunar channel or Ida) of the subtle body. Hatha represents the opposing forces of Hot and Cold, Male and Female, Yin and Yang and positive and negative. Hatha Yoga aims at balancing the conflicting mental and body forces, laying a harmonious groundwork for meditation to attain the higher self. This is done through physical exercises (Asanas), breathing exercises (pranayam) and Dhyana (Meditation). The word Hatha combined means forceful; meaning a whole lot of force is required for the purification of the body.

Although Hatha Yoga is based on Yogi Swatmaram personal yogic experience and ancient Sanskrit texts but there is also a mythological tale behind its origin. Lord Shiva is believed to have conceived Hatha Yoga. On a deserted island he shared his newfound insight with goddess Parvati, only to be overheard by a curious fish. Shiva forgave the fish (Matsya) for its folly and turned him into a Siddha, who came to be known as Matsyendranaath. Matsyendranaath spread the divine knowledge amongst the laymen and was one of the first Hath Yogis.

Hatha Yoga is one of the branches of Yoga, the other one being Raja Yoga, together they form the Ashtanga Yoga i.e. the eight limbs or segments of Yoga. Hatha Yoga mainly focuses on the physical aspect of Yoga hence most of the Asanas come under its domain unlike Raja Yoga where only the Asanas that aid lengthened meditation are employed.

As per some opinions Hatha Yoga belongs to a different school of Yoga according to which main purpose of the six stages is to awaken the Kundalini, hence Hatha Yoga is also sometimes referred to as Kundalini Yoga.

“God doesn’t seek for golden vessels, and does not ask for silver ones, but He must have clean ones.” ~ Dwight L. Moody

According to Hinduism the body is temple in which the great divine resides. For the divine being to live in comfort the body has to be unsoiled and fresh. When we are born our bodies are pristine and pure but as time goes by we get caught up in patterns that contaminate our beings. The body is the medium through which we live out our purpose; hence it has to be purged of all the impurities that get accumulated over the years.

The foundation of yoga is cleanliness. An unblemished body and mind devoid of all the toxins and residual waste are healthy and therefore ready for the next step that is meditation for self-actualization. Toxins that get formed in the body because of an unclean colon lead to various diseases and pains, which become obstacles in the path of spiritual redemption. So, first comes catharsis and then rejuvenation.

Yoga has various techniques for detoxifying various parts of the body, although one needs to know the process thoroughly to gain the apparent benefits. Jal Neti is a way of cleaning the nasal cavity. It is great for all the ear, Nose and throat diseases. Colon cleansing is done by way of an elaborate procedure called Enema. The waste that gets collected in the intestines become a breeding ground for germs, flushing them out is as important as getting rid of harmful emotions. Fortunately, if you wash out this physical waste the emotional waste goes with it because a healthy, energetic body leaves no room for a lethargic negative mind. The process involves loads of water intake accompanied by relevant yogic asanas, an austere diet and a whole lot of peace of mind. The results are not less than miraculous.

Once clean and fit, the body can graduate to meditation, with no bodily pains to break the magical spell.

“When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Time and again, let’s say when you are going through a rough patch or when you look at the sky on a beautiful starlit night or when you take an astoundingly refreshing morning walk or when a baby laughs uncontrollably at your crazy antics, you must wonder, who made all this possible, who created all this.  If you are lucky you get your answers from within, if you don’t, then fear not, because Hinduism throws a whole lot of light on the topic.

According to Hinduism, the holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh creates, sustains and destroys everything. Brahma (the universe) is the creator of the entire universe.  Everything that is, is Brahma’s Magnum Opus.

Brahma is an amalgamation of all the subtle bodies in the universe.  Just like the subtle body of a human being, i.e. is his mind and thoughts, creates the world around him and also his own physical body, the subtle body of the macrocosm (Brahma) creates his world and his physical body.  In other words the cosmic subtle body is the amalgamation of all the microcosmic subtle bodies.  Hence all the worlds everywhere, the entire cosmos, the whole creation is product of the cosmic subtle body.  This Body is called Hiranyagarbha, the creator or the Brahma.

Brahma is portrayed with four arms carrying a water pot (Kamandal), a sacrificial instrument (Sruva), a text (the Vedas) and a rosary.  Brahma’s seat is the lotus, which symbolizes magnificent reality.  Brahma is wedded to Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, as he requires true knowledge to accomplish the task of creation.

The four things Brahma carries in his hands dictate a path that leads to nirvana.   The first step is the Vedas. A person must become familiar with the profound truths mentioned in Holy Scriptures called the Vedas.  The sacrificial instrument is the next stage, which signifies sacrificing the self in the service of others.  This way the mind is purged of all impurities and one reaches a state of renunciation.  He then must carry a Kanmandal, an accessory sported by hermits.  Thereafter, one is ready to go into deep meditation and chanting of Mantras, that’s where the rosary comes into the picture. Meditation is a gateway to salvation.  It is now that a man attains nirvana and is able to separate illusions from the truth.

Brahma, the ultimate creator, is worshiped by artists and scientists for blessing them with creative ideas.  So, next time you find yourself wondering as to who created the beautiful blue lagoons, just know that according to Hindu mythology, you did, with a little help from the over soul, the Brahma.

“Life goes on within you and without you” ~ The Beatles

They were the rich and famous rockers in search of truth; he was an Indian Rishi who could have known the truth.  East met west and a bridge was built practically in no time.  The builders parted ways but the bridge still stands because the groundwork was Fabulous.

On that fateful day of August 24 in 1967, the Brits who almost dethroned Elvis attended their very first discourse by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.  They say when you are ready, you can see the light.  The boys were ready; they saw the Maharishi’s light.  Although, the light would fade as abruptly as it appeared and the Beatles as the world knew them would be over.  But while the light remained, the Beatles wrote some of their best work. The Beatles attained music nirvana.

The Maharishi had such a profound effect on the boys that two days after their first meeting, they relinquished drugs publicly.  Maharishi’s influence only grew after the sudden death of the Brian Epstein on August 27th (the Beatles manager).  The Beatles needed HELP, the Maharishi was all compassion.

From then on for a year, the boys dabbled in the wonderful world of mysticism under the guidance of the great Yogi.  They went to the Ashram in Rishikesh, practiced transcendental meditation in the quietude of the country.  The entire mire of illusory fame disappeared and yet again their ultra-creative genius got manifested in song (Most of them found a place on the White album).

Sadly, the glorious journey towards enlightenment was interrupted due to a sudden falling out between the Maharishi and The Beatles.  The story goes that Maharishi couldn’t live up to his chaste celibate image, bringing to the fore the fact that he was only human and no savior. The Beatles went back to their world to save themselves.

They did save millions from musical boredom and they found love and that was the truth.

“God doesn’t seek for golden vessels, and does not ask for silver ones, but He must have clean ones.” ~ Dwight L. Moody

According to Hinduism the body is temple in which the great divine resides. For the divine being to live in comfort the body has to be unsoiled and fresh. When we are born our bodies are pristine and pure but as time goes by we get caught up in patterns that contaminate our beings. The body is the medium through which we live out our purpose; hence it has to be purged of all the impurities that get accumulated over the years.

The foundation of yoga is cleanliness. An unblemished body and mind devoid of all the toxins and residual waste are healthy and therefore ready for the next step that is meditation for self-actualization. Toxins that get formed in the body because of an unclean colon lead to various diseases and pains, which become obstacles in the path of spiritual redemption. So, first comes catharsis and then rejuvenation.

Yoga has various techniques for detoxifying various parts of the body, although one needs to know the process thoroughly to gain the apparent benefits. Jal Neti is a way of cleaning the nasal cavity. It is great for all the ear, Nose and throat diseases. Colon cleansing is done by way of an elaborate procedure called Enema. The faucal waste that gets collected in the intestines become a breeding ground for germs, flushing them out is as important as getting rid of harmful emotions. Fortunately, if you wash out this physical waste the emotional waste goes with it because a healthy, energetic body leaves no room for a lethargic negative mind. The process involves loads of water intake accompanied by relevant yogic asanas, an austere diet and a whole lot of peace of mind. The results are not less than miraculous.

Once clean and fit, the body can graduate to meditation, with no bodily pains to break the magical spell.