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Creating Bridges: |
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The Yoga of Saints:
Kashmir Shaivism |
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by Swami Devi Nostrum |
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Part1
“Yoga jnanam tatha sankhyam Vidyah shilpadi-karma cha, Vedah Shastrani vijnanam Etat sarvam janardanat.” Vishnu Sahasranama
(The system of yoga, knowledge of the divine, also the…sciences, arts…the Vedas…and the sacred works of reflection emanate from… an aspect of God, one who brings men to their ego death)
Yoga can be said to be the work, or the way of attaining God; the spiritual practices and disciplines leading to 'Perfect Yoga', or the 'Mystical Union' with God, in Christian terms, and 'Moksha', or 'Liberations' in Sanskrit. In fact, 'yoga' means 'union', in sanskrit, and is the ancestor of the english word, 'yoke'. God, here, is both the creator of mankind’s ignorance, (or maya, illusion) of his True Self and the destroyer of mankind’s ego (Mind) to reveal true knowledge, being Awareness, or God-Consciousness.
There are many types of yoga. One of the core sacred texts of Kashmir Shaivism, a revelation from the Supreme God, Shiva, is called the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra, (i.e. 'divine consciousness’ ). This secret teaching explains no less than 112 yogas as a means to realization of ultimate reality. In this 3-part introductory series of The Yoga of Saints: Kashmir Shaivism, an excerpt from an upcoming book, we shall explore the secrets of the ancient wisdom tradition, Kashmir Shaivism and its three levels of yoga practice which are based on the strength of awareness of the spiritual aspirant.
We will review the 'prerequisites' for beginning this 'journey of ascension' to Sainthood and the various 'Limbs of Yoga' or styles which roughly correspond to the Chakra system, (energy centers along the spine). All Yogas are included in Kashmir Shaivism. There are various systems or schools of Kashmir Shaiva Yoga, the most advanced systems are often called the Maha Yoga, the Great Yoga, or Raja Yoga, literally meaning the 'Yoga of Royalty'. We will be exploring the way of this Great Yoga, the Yoga of Saints.
So, it may be apparent to you that the Yoga we speak of here is not what you may think, a painful stretching exercise! In fact, the goal of yoga, Self, our Home and natural state of Being, is nothing like we can imagine, intuit, predict, think or speculate. Not only that, but we are ‘hardwired’ for this mysterious state, and in fact, are in this state already, but unaware of it! Such are the many paradoxes along the way.
Ah! Paradox, the language of God! The sacred text, Shri Guru Gita, verse 40, says, “Yasyamatam tasya matam, matam yasya na veda sah; Ananya-bhava-bhavaya tasmai shriguruve namah”, “One who (thinks he) knows not, knows; one who (thinks he) knows, knows not. Salutations to Shri Guru,(God) whose thinking has no thoughts (but those of the Absolute)."
It goes on to make a special example of the ‘Know-It-Alls’ and those gifted with special powers yet stuck in the illusion of false self in verse 85, “Mahahankaragarvena tapo-vidya-balanvitah, Samsara-kuharavarte ghata-yantre yatha ghatah.”, “due to inflated ego and pride (even) those equipped with the power of austerity (special knowledge and powers) and learning (continue to revolve) in the (suffering of the) vortex of worldy life, like pots on a water wheel”. So, for the beginner, a good rule of thumb from the very beginning for embarking on the true path (better described as unfolding or dissolving) into God, is to stay humble and not assume right knowledge of anything.
It is said that yoga starts where psychology ends. Learn non-attachment to any previous fixed ideas or ways; rest comfortably in mental uncertainty, until yoga begins to reveal true divine knowledge everywhere you look, and for the true aspirant, it will. You may ask,”How do I get that, where does it come from, and how much does it cost?!”. After learning more, you may also ask, “Oh, ok, and why are we doing this again?!”. Great questions worthy of our attention in a future article. In the meantime, let’s continue our ‘preliminaries’; inventory, checklists and packing our bags for the Journey of Ascension, the Great Expedition Adventure, (into stillness and silence), to meet God, (your Self). Paradox. Learn to love it.
Yoga is a means to an end. The Higher Self, True Self, Awareness, Enlightenment, God, God-Conscousness, Source, Absolute and the goal of Yoga are all the same thing; terms trying to clothe a state of being that is indescribable, and that which Siddhas, Saints,(both mean ‘holy, perfected beings’), true Guru’s and true Master Spiritual Teachers embody. There are probably thousands of enlightened beings walking this planet at this time, with many, many more individuals transcending to this ’place’ in the months and years to come as planetary shifts continue.
Since Samadhi, (firm establishment in the Absolute), or Enlightenment, has several stages and takes time to integrate and stabilize, there are thousands upon thousands on Earth at this time who are in these final stages. Each of these individuals have spent great self-effort in Yogas of various sorts which are well explained and used in Kashmir Shaivism. Only relatively few of these Beings are bestowed with the gift of the ability to energetically transmit Shaktipat, which is required for the journey to begin in earnest with our Yoga of Saints, the Maha Yoga.
It may surprise you that you are in fact undertaking the road to Sainthood. However, realize that all Saints were spiritual seeker ‘newbies’ like you and me at one time too, and not ‘out to become a Saint’. Various Great Teachers, including Deepak Chopra in his recent book, ‘How to Know God’, writes that the natural evolution of man is towards Sainthood, so it’s actually natural and unavoidable! Also, it has very little to do with ‘religion’ .
In this ‘Roadmap to Enlightenment’ with Kashmir Shaivism, it starts off stating that this is, in fact, not a ‘religion’ per se, but a tradition and philosophy open to those who have a desire to understand it; hence there are no restrictions of caste, creed, sex, age or color; anyone can become a Saint. So, in re-examining the word, ‘Saint’, what does that really look and feel like in this modern day and age? You may be greatly surprised. A great topic for future discussion!
Kashmir Shaivism is vast. Perhaps the best place to start is with the two ‘prerequisites’ to practicing Maha Yoga. One is the awakening of ‘Infinite Human Potential’ also known as ‘Holy Spirit’ in Christian terms and ‘Shakti Kundalini’ in Kashmir Shaivism ( and Hinduism in general). The other is self-effort, and this is where yoga comes in. ‘Shaktipat’, the awakening of the Kundalini,(or ‘True Baptism’ into the Holy Spirit), can only be done through the energetic transmission of ‘Grace’ by a true Shaktipat Guru or true Shaktipat Spiritual Teacher.
The Guru Gita, verse 56, says “Yasmad anugrahum labdhva mahadajnanamutshrjet“, “ (upon) receiving His grace, one gives up great ignorance”, meaning the veil of illusion is lifted and the natural, easeful and automatic ascent away from the ‘evils’ and suffering of mankind to the eternal peace and bliss of the Absolute begins. Although it sounds religious and unreal, the entire event and process is very tangible, well documented and widely corroborated in real time amongst the many groups undergoing this transendence in the here and now.
Sincere seekers of God must search for true agents of God outside the old established churchs. Examples of such are Saints,(irrespective of culture), Jesus, Buddha, AmmaChi and various Swami’s and even newly emergent Masters like America’s Jonothan Cousins, Solomae Sananda and (yours truly), Devi Nostrumananda. In fact there are dozens of such Masters, living and in spirit, who are available to us as 'spiritual catalysts'.
Also, one can, depending on spiritual merit and strength of awareness, follow the 'Direct Path', without bonding to a 'middle man', pe se. Shaktipat Spiritual Masters are fairly inconspicuous, found within spiritual ministries, the healthcare system, spiritual schools and society at large. Recognizing a true versus fraudulent Shaktipat Guru or Master Shaktipat Spiritual Teacher, and ‘approaching’ such a Being, rare as they are, is actually very easy once you know what to look for, and this is an excellent topic for future discussion.
Once Shaktipat, or 'True Baptism' takes place, the second prerequisite is sincere, committed self-effort, otherwise generally known as Yoga. Yoga is spiritual pathwork or spiritual discipline practiced under the guidance and support of either the Guru/Master Spiritual Teacher, (being the embodiments of God through Grace), or through direct experience of the divine, or both.
Copyright 2002. IBASI. All Rights Reserved.
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Swami
Devi Nostrum
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Doctor of Pharmacy,
Master Energy Healer,
Ordained Minister &
Siddha Monk (Sadhu)
Devi Nostrum is also Founder and President of IBASI (International Bioenergetic Arts & Sciences Institute), and Spiritual Head of IBASI Healing Ministries.
Swami Nostrumananda is a true Shaktipat Spiritual Teacher of the Kashmir Shaivism Tradition, Master Energy Practitioner, Clairvoyant and licensed Holistic Clinical Pharmacist.
The committed journey of enlightenment, abundance, peace and bliss in this lifetime is not an impossible dream. Sadhu Devi ‘made it’ in an incredible 2 years and 10 months! She is a wealth of inner knowledge, drawing on examples as diverse as Oriental and Western medical science, Quantum Physics and Chemistry to Sacred Scriptures, Nature, Poetry and your Favorite Movies.
IBASI offers Shaktipat Intensives, Nature Retreats and Certification Workshops in Sedona, AZ and Pacific Grove, CA; On-Line Satsang, Mentoring programs and Courses; Reiki, Medical Qigong and Teacher Certification Programs, Ministerial Training as well as free-to-the-public weekly devotional Arati Pujas with Chanting, Meditation and Satsang.
"All Healing is Self Healing"
Satsang with Swami Nostrumananda
International Bioenergetic
Arts & Sciences Institute, (IBASI)
Healing Ministries
POBox 52091
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
Ph/Fx:(831) 646-5233
www.IBASI.org
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