1.  Narayan Baba and his incidents with Yoga, Pranayam, Meditation & Bhakti

"Since early childhood Narayan Baba had interest on the devotional path so he had not given much attention especially to Yog-practice. Eventhough there were few incidents which could be considered as the instances of him possessing the qualities of meditation. His subconscious mind showed some signs of Yoga Siddhies. For example he had got some indicative signs before his father's death in 1980. Similarly once when he was in Kathmandu for his higher education in 1984; he had got pre-information about a buffalo in his village which was going to die soon after sometime he got the news that the buffalo had died in real. In recent days also he has got pre-information about different incidents through the dreams few of which are mentioned in the Glimpse section.

While talking about his dreams once a renowned devotee of Nepal, Prof. Mukundasaran, had mentioned that Narayan Baba must have been a great Yogi in his previous life.  Still Narayan Baba had not given much importance to the practice of Yoga-aashanas, but he was insidiously very much inspired by one incident. The incident was that, before starting Japa-sadhana (Mantra Japa/Counting Mala), Narayan Baba used to do Pranayama, on which he felt vibrations in the lower part of his body where lies the main energy state of human body (Muladhar). Meanwhile, in June 2007, one day when he was on the way to Lord Pashupatinath temple he saw one Yoga center organized by pupils of Swami Bishuddhadeva. He himself had been a student especially for the course of meditation and paranayam of Swami Bishuddhadeva in 1991, for one month; even then he did not give more attention especially about Aasanas. Later on he learned different aasanas of Ashtanga Yoga (Eight branches of Yoga). While learning and practicing each and every branches of Ashtanga Yoga he gradually felt that practice of Aasanas were also as important as other parts of Ashtanga Yoga like Pranayam, meditation and Samadhi. This time he was able to find the inner reality of Kundalini. By different examinations and inquaries through different institutions of Yog and Meditation; he realized that his Kundalini was in raised state. Still Narayan Baba considers his heart is more inclined towards the Bhakti –Yog as described in other links of this website. He is convinced that any incident can only happen by the mercy of God.

2.  Glory of Kundalini

Different types of divine current are produced in the body when the Kundalini is raised. This is said about many Sadhu-saints and great devotees. Due to this light one feels a different glow while seeing such saints. It is almost impossible to keep on looking at them. Such Siddha-person if sees somebody with anger then he/she will be ruined. In the ancient time the Rishis who used to give blessings or curse, were all Siddhas.

The sadhana of high quality has different miraculous results. Even in current age, the blessings of Sadhus are fruitful; they are full miracles of Kundalini Siddhi or Yoga Siddhi.

Every followers of Yoga believe unanimously that after the raise of Kundalini, Sadhak becomes Siddha and person becomes blessed. In fact, there are many centers of energy in the body; on awakening of those centers the being naturally spreads the glory of his energy.

In fact, after the successful rising of Kundalini, different divine capabilities start to develop; after this, the Sadhak rises to the special higher state from his normal state. In this way this practice is considered to be of unique importance.

Before the rising of the Kundalini, the storms of currents are raised. The storm comes and pacifies. Before the ultimate experience, Sadhaka continuously experiences other short feeling which guides him towards the ultimate. Don’t be terrified by the storm of energy. And don’t try to stop it. Be a helper in the storm of energy. Move with it, immerse in it. The energy rises up and speed increases. One feels like he/she may get hurt.  Hairs of body start trembling and cells and tissues start shivering, as the dry leaves make different ways in the storm, the energy also finds its own way and elaborates its path. One moment comes when every cells of the body start revolting and energy permeates in them all. This revolution doesn’t harm the body, neither the vibration frightens you, on the contrary your pain and sorrows start diminishing. The previous place of sorrow is permanently taken by the new peace and happiness which cannot be created by any of the materials available in the world.

When the energy starts going upwards then the collision starts in Mulaadhar, it creates ground for explosion. When the Magnetic energy of body reaches to brain (Sahasra Chaktra), it also feels the impact. Sadhak should not be anxious about this storm in any way. This storm is for good. After this storm, peace prevails in this land. The one who doesn’t understand the purpose of destruction done by the storm may think of it as evil power. But the enthusiastic Sadhak, who dares to stand in this storm, will see that it will subside by its own, and the divine light takes its place. Divine powers become enchanted by his bravery and shower different supernatural experience onto him. Every single experience of this divine shower will open the reserve of different Siddhis and power to the Sadhak, and he will be able to progress by creating different new paths.

On awakening of Kundalini one experiences divine figure, divine odour, divine nectar, divine touch and divine sound. Divine vibration is felt in Mulaadhar center. Breathing stops and Kumbhak continues without any effort.

On awakening of Kundalini, the supreme Mantra is “Aum”. The successful sadhak of Kundalini yoga have clear evidence of life in every part of his being. Body appears as a cover. It appears like it is not a body but the self luminous source of energy.

3.  Narayan Baba’s Experience with Kundalini

Narayan Baba had been curiously trying to find his inner relation to all those incidents of his life. After going through different experiences and incidents, his Kundalini has been found risen up to Anahada Chakra, the 4th step upwards from Mulaadhar. Previously when he was not aware about the Kundalini, many times he was mesmerized by his own experience in dreams. Through his dreams he used to get pre-information about some of the global, regional and individual events as well as he experienced different divinely activities which can not be explained in words. He considered that particular condition has happened as a God gift because in this current life he had not done any specific Sadhanas for the aspect of rising of Kundalini. According to his experience this is not the matter of material way of explanation and advertisement. This leads you a comfortable inner journey…..or Radhe ! Radhe !!
 
4. Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga Yoga is a system of Yoga recorded by the sage Vamana Rishi in the Yoga Korunta, an ancient manuscript "said to contain lists of many different groupings of asanas, as well as highly original teachings on vinyasa, drishti, bandhas, mudras, and philosophy". Ashtanga Yoga literally means "eight-limbed yoga," as outlined by the sage Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. According to Patanjali, the path of internal purification for revealing the Universal Self consists of the following eight spiritual practices:
Yama [moral codes]
Niyama [self-purification and study]
Asana [posture]
Pranayama [breath control]
Pratyahara [sense control]
Dharana [concentration]
Dhyana [meditation]
Samadhi [contemplation]
The first four limbs—yama, niyama, asana, pranayama—are considered external cleansing practices. According to Pattabhi Jois, defects in the external practices are correctable. However, defects in the internal cleansing practices—pratyahara, dharana, dhyana—are not correctable and can be dangerous to the mind unless the correct Ashtanga Yoga method is followed. For this reason, Pattabhi Jois emphasizes that the "Ashtanga Yoga method is Patanjali Yoga".

The definition of Yoga is "the controlling of the mind". The first two steps toward controlling the mind are the perfection of yama and niyama. However, it is "not possible to practice the limbs and sub-limbs of yama and niyama when the body and sense organs are weak and haunted by obstacles". A person must first take up daily asana practice to make the body strong and healthy. With the body and sense organs thus stabilized, the mind can be steady and controlled. With mind control, one is able to pursue and grasp these first two limbs.
To perform asana correctly in Ashtanga Yoga, one must incorporate the use of vinyasa and tristhana. "Vinyasa means breathing and movement system. For each movement, there is one breath. For example, in Surya Namskar there are nine vinyasas. The first vinyasa is inhaling while raising your arms over your head, and putting your hands together; the second is exhaling while bending forward, placing your hands next to your feet, etc. In this way all asanas are assigned a certain number of vinyasas" ("Ashtanga Yoga").
"The purpose of vinyasa is for internal cleansing" ("Ashtanga Yoga"). Synchronizing breathing and movement in the asanas heats the blood, cleaning and thinning it so that it may circulate more freely. Improved blood circulation relieves joint pain and removes toxins and disease from the internal organs. The sweat generated from the heat of vinyasa then carries the impurities out of the body. Through the use of vinyasa, the body becomes healthy, light and strong ("Ashtanga Yoga").

Tristhana refers to the union of "three places of attention or action: posture, breathing system and looking place. These three are very important for yoga practice, and cover three levels of purification: the body, nervous system and mind. They are always performed in conjunction with each other" ("Ashtanga Yoga").

Posture: "The method for purifying and strengthening the body is called asana" In Ashtanga Yoga, asana is grouped into six series. "The Primary Series [Yoga Chikitsa] detoxifies and aligns the body. The Intermediate Series [Nadi Shodhana] purifies the nervous system by opening and clearing the energy channels. The Advanced Series [Sthira Bhaga] integrate the strength and grace of the practice, requiring higher levels of flexibility and humility. Each level is to be fully developed before proceeding to the next, and the sequential order of asanas is to be meticulously followed. Each posture is a preparation for the next, developing the strength and balance required to move further" (Pace). Without an earnest effort and reverence towards the practice of yama and niyama, however, the practice of asana is of little benefit.
Breathing: The breathing technique performed with vinyasa is called ujjayi [victorious breath] which consists of puraka [inhalation] and rechaka [exhalation] ("Ashtanga Yoga"). "Both the inhale and exhale should be steady and even, the length of the inhale should be the same length as the exhale" ("Ashtanga Yoga"). Over time, the length and intensity of the inhalation and exhalation should increase, such that the increased stretching of the breath initiates the increased stretching of the body. Long, even breathing also increases the internal fire and strengthens and purifies the nervous system ("Ashtanga Yoga").

Bandhas are essential components of the ujjayi breathing technique. Bandha means "lock" or "seal". The purpose of bandha is to unlock pranic energy and direct it into the 72,000 nadi [energy channels] of the subtle body. Mula bandha is the anal lock, and uddiyana bandha is the lower abdominal lock ("Ashtanga Yoga"). Both bandhas "seal in energy, give lightness, strength and health to the body, and help to build a strong internal fire" ("Ashtanga Yoga"). Mula bandha operates at the root of the body to seal in prana internally for uddiyana bandha to direct the prana upwards through the nadis. Jalandhara bandha is the "throat lock", which "occurs spontaneously in a subtle form in many asanas due to the dristi ("gaze point"), or head position" "This lock prevents pranic energy [from] escaping and stops any build-up of pressure in the head when holding the breath". Without bandha control, "breathing will not be correct, and the asanas will give no benefit" ("Ashtanga Yoga").

Looking Place: Dristhi is the gazing point on which one focuses while performing the asana ("Ashtanga Yoga"). "There are nine dristhis: the nose, between the eyebrows, navel, thumb, hands, feet, up, right side and left side. Dristhi purifies and stabilizes the functioning of the mind" ("Ashtanga Yoga"). In the practice of asana, when the mind focuses purely on inhalation, exhalation, and the drishti, the resulting deep state of concentration paves the way for the practices of dharana and dhyana, the six and seventh limbs of Ashtanga Yoga.
Instruction in pranayama can begin after one has learned the asanas well and can practice them with ease. "Pranayama means taking in the subtle power of the vital wind through rechaka [exhalation], puraka [inhalation], and kumbhaka [breath retention]. Only these kriyas, practiced in conjunction with the three bandhas [muscle contractions, or locks] and in accordance with the rules, can be called pranayama". The three bandhas are "mula bandha, uddiyana bandha, and jalandhara bandha, and they should be performed while practicing asana and the like". "When mula bandha is perfect, mind control is automatic" ("Ashtanga Yoga"). "In this way did Patanjali start Yoga. By using mulabandha and by controlling the mind, he gradually gained knowledge of Yoga".

Practicing asana for many years with correct vinyasa and tristhana gives the student the clarity of mind, steadiness of body, and purification of the nervous system to begin the prescribed pranayama practice. "Through the practice of pranayama, the mind becomes arrested in a single direction and follows the movement of the breath". Pranayama forms the foundation for the internal cleansing practices of Ashtanga Yoga.
The four internal cleansing practices—pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi—bring the mind under control. When purification is complete and mind control occurs, the Six Poisons surrounding the spiritual heart [kama (desire), krodha (anger), moha (delusion), lobha (greed), matsarya (sloth), and mada (envy)]—"will, one by one, go completely" revealing the Universal Self. In this way, the correct, diligent practice of Ashtanga Yoga under the direction of a Guru "with a subdued mind unshackled from the external and internal sense organs" eventually leads one to the full realization of Patanjali's Eight-Limbed Yoga.

5. Meditaion course in Switzerland.

A western Nimbarka Vaishnava devotee (Uddhavasharan) organized a different type of Retreat camp in Switzerland from Nov. 23 to end of December 2007.  In that that retreat camp Narayan Baba had selected following different varieties of Yoga-asanas, Pranayam, meditation and the discourse on Bhakti for the western devotees.

(A) Pranayama

Pranayama is loosely translated as prana or breaths control. The ancient Yogis developed many breathing techniques to maximize the benefits of prana. Pranayama is used in yoga as a separate practice to help clear and cleanse the body and mind. It is also used in preparation for meditation, and in asana, the practice of postures, to help maximize the benefits of the practice, and focus the mind.
Below are some of the most commonly used forms of pranayama.

(i) Udgit
Chanting AUM (eternal sound) Pranayam: In the first stage produce A sound from lower part of stomach for 20 Second. In the second stage convert that A sound into U sound by making your lips round position for 10 second. Finally convert that U sound into M by closing your lips for 10 second. After having more experience one can do this pranayam for upto 30+15+15 seconds.  

Sit down in pranayam posture. Concentrate at a point below the forehead between the eyebrows and try to imagine a strong beam of light at that point. Your mind may fail to do that but you have to try repeatedly to concentrate and get control over your mind because that time your mind will play like an inattentive child. The ultimate benifit of this pranayam is to become a yogi.

(ii) Vastrika
It is the warming up of pranayam. Sit down in pranayam posture on soft clothes. Inhale and exhale with full chest expansion/contraction. Try to exhale 2 times as slowly as inhalation. If any difficulty arises you can do only up to your limit and gradually you increase the process. This pranayam fortifies circulatory system with enriched supply of oxygen to the every corner of our body as well as helps to collect excreting materials properly.

(iii) Kapalbhati
Sit down in the pranayam posture. Inhale air through nose and exhale by nose all the air at a time like a bullet from the gun. Your belly will be automatically contracted and pulled inwards. Just concentrate over the respiration process and the contraction of belly is natural, so just forget this.
 
It is the most effective Pranayam to rectify any malfunction of our body, corrects endocrine system secretion process, and brings glow over the face, corrects digestive system. A person can feel the miracle by this yoga after seven days. Though the result may vary person to person

 (iv) Bahaya
Sit down in pranayam posture. Inhale air with maximum chest expansion. Immediately after inhalation, exhale all air with bending neck and contracting throat, after full exhale gradually pull your belly inside with rectum. Hold such contraction 5-10 seconds. This is a complete cycle. Person feels younger, corrects disorder in rectum.

(v) Ujjayi
Ujjayi is often called the "sounding" breath or "ocean sounding" breath, and somewhat irreverently as the "Darth Vader" breath. It involves constricting the back of the throat while breathing to create an "ah" sound -- thus the various "sounding" names.

To help create the proper "ah" sound, hold your hand up to your mouth and exhale as if trying to fog a mirror. Inhale the same way. Notice how you constrict the back of the throat to create the fog effect. Now close your mouth and do the same thing while breathing through the nose. Benefits of this are focuses the mind, increases mindfulness and Generates internal heat.

(vi) Anulom Vilom
Sit down in pranayam posture. Hold right nose with right thumb, full inhale through left nose then hold left nose by right middle fingure full exhale through right nose and thus again full inhale through right nose hold. Easy pranayam every person can perform it. Increase life span.

With left hand resting on left knee, use the thumb and third finger of your right hand to close alternate nostrils. Empty out your lungs before beginning inhaling through the right nostril and exhaling through the left one. Then inhale through Left nostril and exhale through the right one.

Continue this exercise for 1-10 minutes. This Pranayama is :
An indispensable prelude to meditation, A means to clear the body of toxins, Nourishment for the body with its extra supply of oxygen. Carbon dioxide is also efficiently expelled, A method to balance metabolism and hormonal secretions,
A tool to fight psychosomatic disorders like anxiety, asthma, pain, constipation, depression, fatigue, hypertension, insomnia and obesity,
A way to induce calmness and serenity.

(vii) Vramari Pranayam
Close both the ear hole by both thumbs and extend other fingers over your forehead and close both the eyes by other three (middle to little) fingers. Full inhale and slowly take prolonged exhale process by internal sound (ohm) through nose. Set time 15 to more seconds. It improves brain activities and enhances mental power. Just like the body is kept clean, the mind too can be purified through Pranayama.

Pranayama literally translates to “breath control”. The vital force of life energy is controlled as the energy channels (surya nadi located in the right nostril, chandra nadi located in the left nostril) are balanced helping us re-centre ourselves and practice meditation well.

(Before you try these, wait at least five hours after meals and ensure the room is well ventilated) Sit in comfortable asana (position). The spinal cord should be erect and head straight. Close your eyes and relax the whole body for a short time. Place both your palms on your ears or gently insert your index finger into your ears to shut the sound out. Keeping your mouth closed, inhale through both the nostrils, slowly exhaling by producing the sound “OM” in one continuous breath. The exhalation should be slow and steady. You should feel the reverberation through your head, stomach and from the tail end of the spinal cord. Repeat five times, gradually increasing the number of repetitions.
The benefits are:-Relieves tension, anger, anxiety and frustration,
Fights throat ailments, strengthens and improves the voice, Creates awareness of psychic sounds, Harmonizes the mind , body and spirit.

(B) Sakriya Dhyan (Active Meditation) (with music)

The body has changed so much. It is so drugged that no traditional method can be helpful. The whole atmosphere is artificial now: the air, the water, society, living conditions. Nothing is natural. You are born in artificiality; you develop in it. So the traditional methods will prove harmful today. They will have to be changed according to the modern situation. Then catharsis is needed to unburden the heart, to throw off suppressions, to make the heart open. If the heart becomes light and unburdened, then the center of consciousness is pushed still lower; it comes to the navel. The navel is the source of vitality, the seed source from which everything else comes: the body and the mind and everything.

Sakriya Dhayan begins with the body. Through vigorous breathing the mind expands, the consciousness expands; the whole body becomes a vibrating, living existence. Now the jump will be easier. Now you can jump; thinking will be less of a barrier. You have become a child again: jumping, vibrating, alive. The conditioning, the mental conditioning, is not there.

There are five steps in this meditation. The first step is Catharsis by standing position. The second step will be the steps of expression. Third step is jumping with “Hoo” Mantra rising both hands up. Forth step would be Stop whole activities and convert you as a statue. Fifth steps would be expression your gratitude in dancing. In this meditation your body is not so conditioned as your mind. Remember this: your mind is conditioned, but your body is still a part of nature. All religions and religious thinkers -- who have been basically cerebral -- are against the body because with the body, with the senses, the mind and its conditioning are lost.

(C) The Meditation for Kundalini (With music)

This meditation lasts for one hour and has four stages, three with music, and the last without. Kundalini acts like an energetic shower, softly shaking you free of your day and leaving you refreshed and mellow.
First Stage: 15 minutes
Be loose and let your whole body shake, feeling the energies moving up from your feet. Let go everywhere and become the shaking. Your eyes may be open or closed.
“Allow the shaking; don’t do it. Stand silently, feel it coming and when your body starts trembling, help it but don’t do it. Enjoy it, feel blissful about it, allow it, receive it, welcome it, but don’t will it. If you force, it will become an exercise, a bodily, physical exercise. Then the shaking will be there but just on the surface; it will not penetrate you. You will remain solid, stone-like, rock-like within. You will remain the manipulator, the doer, and the body will just be following. The body is not the question – you are the question.
“When I say shake, I mean your solidity, your rock-like being should shake to the very foundations so that it becomes liquid, fluid, melts, flows. And when the rock-like being becomes liquid, your body will follow. Then there is no shake, only shaking. Then nobody is doing it; it is simply happening. Then the doer is not.”
Second Stage: 15 minutes
Dance, any way you feel, letting the whole body move as it wishes. Again, your eyes can be open or closed.
Third Stage: 15 minutes
Close your eyes and be still, sitting or standing, observing, witnessing, whatever is happening inside and out.
Fourth Stage: 15 minutes
Keeping your eyes closed, lie down and be still.

(D) Some Yogasanas - Postures

1. Uttanapadasana
2. Setubandhasana
3. Bhujangaasana
4. Salavasana
5. Bajrasana
6. Mandukoasana
7. Markataasana
8. Chakrasana
9. Tadasana
10. Surya Namaskara

 (E) Discourse

SPECIALLLY ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF BHAKTI - YOG

 
DISCOURSE: ON THE TOPIC OF 10TH CANTO OF SHRIMAD BHAGAVATAM.