Star Trek: Posession

Star Trek: The Original Series was excellent for taking on fringe questions like race, greek gods and in the case of Episode "Operation Annhilate", posessions. The episode explores the parasitic mechanism, effect on hosts (physical & psychological-behavorial), complexity of curing and means of working around it. Must watch!

Star Trek: The Original Series / Operation Annihilate

I will let you watch the episode and conclude how close the writers come to the "cure" for posessions in this story. Its fun to watch how Spock shows his failing resistence to the parasite posession with twitches. Credits to writer

Self Realization better than "Happiness Surgery"?

Attending a talk on gaming in education, I heard the keynote speaker mention the well known link between the vagus nerve and emotions. Game-designers want to add features and events which will result in vagal stimulation - i.e., send "happy waves to the brain".

Here is a small animation to help you place the nerve within us:



Searching for more information, there seemed to be two main applications in the medical field (a) An FDA approved Treatment for depression when "all else has failed" and (b) Treatment for overeating. The common theme here is satisfaction and contentment, rather than happiness and sadness, IMHO.

For the depression application, long story short, this is an FDA approved treatment option, applied usually when most treatments have not worked (Mayo Clinic). The 'aha-moment' for me came when I saw the info-graphic showing how this is achieved - through a pace-maker. The location of the pace-maker in the graphic made it even simpler to understand:

Vagus nerve stimulation at Mayo Clinic

In Sahaja Yoga, the method to achieve balance, harmony and joy is based on awakening the spirit, "self-realization". Sahaja means born within. Born with us is the heart with the spirit within. In it's awakened state the spirit would keep us in joy, which is the characteristic. However there is a disconnect, caused by imbalance which stops the pulsations of the heart from acting on our central nervous system and transferring the joy of living. This blanket of darkness, called ego, when exceeds it's boundries, envelopes the heart and literally becomes the kill-joy.

Sahaja Yoga explicitly connects oneself with one's spirit, bringing the qualities and contributions of the human spirit onto the central nervous system. Before implaning a battery driven vagus-stimulating pacemaker, I would highly recommend trying the option of self-realization - awakening the spirit to reconnect and send those "happy pulses" from the heart to the vagus nerve and eventually the brain.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, and I do not play one on this blog!

ABC Tropical Queensland Interviews Vinola Bandi on Sahaja Yoga

The "Mornings with Kim Kleidon" show on ABC Tropical interviews Australian-Malaysian Sahaja practitioner, Vinola about her experience with Sahaja Yoga. Vinola explains the basics of Sahaja Yoga meditation, i.e. energy centers. Listen to the whole interview here:

Integrating with the Kundalini

Mar 31, 2009

alternate listening link (in case the original web-page is not available)

(alternate audio, if the one above does not work)

Welcome, My Dear Evolutis

(Listen to this blogpost as a podcast)

---

I saw a TED video of Enriquez, who is on track, the idea of "Homo Evolutis", however it stems from technological development and depends on bio-engineering.

The key phrase "a being that takes control of it's own evolution" is the next step for us. Agreed, however if it depends on expensive cyborg retrofits, it's restricted to a small number of people who can afford it. So the argument fails, since it is not universal.

Awakening of the opening of human chakras (energy centers) is the measure of evolution in eastern thought. With the awakening of the kundalini one is no longer dependent on forces of nature for evolution - rather one's own desire drives it through opening of new layers of their chakras. This change is universal, as witnessed by hundreds of thousands of people all over the world practicing Sahaja Yoga in every country. Cultures, countries and continents have been bridged and provided with a universal experience of accelerated self-improvement. Personality and human development can take ages, and the evolution of many births has happened in one swift action. through Sahaja.

Welcome to the new world, fellow Evolutes.

Mentoring Comes Full Circle

Seven long years since the awakening of Kundalini energy, and now it was finally time for a fruitful mentoring relationship to come full circle.

As college age kids, we had very weak foot holding in the realm of spirituality, easily outweighed by the skepticism of a seeking rational mind. But we were fortunate to find a mentor, not too elderly, but wise enough for us to springboard to real spirituality. He is an un-assuming personality, with his own struggles through life - but manages to maintain a cool head and a sensitive heart. We were drawn to him like younger brothers. He dispensed advice, he calmed our doubts, he answered pointed questions and offered the occasional unsolicited suggestion. He came up with simple ways to enjoy the divinity of meditation and when the night wore on, simply slept off in any given position.


Well, seven years past that wonderful mentor ship and we find ourselves at the other end of the world. He is still the wandering mystic, under the guise of an engineer and I am still the wide eyed co-journer looking up to the old soul behind his quiet persona. I was more than eager to invite him home, provide comfort and conversation. But it took months for him to convince himself to get a ride and make the 2 hour trip.

Finally, the day was here. We did the usual coaxing to lead a meditation here, a clearing session there and it was like old times. Living in the occident, we forget the depth of the orient. Young yogis in their 20s would easily surpass the depths of their counterparts when it comes to guiding the attention through the journey of charkas and into the bliss of meditation. That was it, the moment of togetherness in Sahasrara. After the meditation, he made remarks about the vibrational state of America - tremendous vibrations, easy to get into deep meditation - yet difficult to sustain that state. True dat.

Then we say our good-byes and hope that the paths intersect in the future, once more.

Photo: "The Path" (cc) by Steffe

Star Wars & Sahaja Yoga

It is a cheesy, yet endearing thing to compare pop culture with spirituality. But in the case of Star Wars it comes even closer because Goerge Lucas consulted with various eastern scholars in formulating the story and characters of the original Star Wars.

I was introduced to Star Wars quite late into my life, by my wife, of all the people. I was a trekkie, and the trekkie fire had been dwindling because it is actively atheist and Greeko-Roman in it's search for truth. Star Wars came as a breath of fresh air. It was a lot like Mahabharata, where evil burgeons into an empire and the good is sent into exile, but eventually good prevails. And there is no confusion between good and bad. The bad are ugly, black and distinct... well mostly. Here are the top 10 quotes from the Sahaja point of view, IMO. Share your favourite moments in the comments:

You underestimate the power of the Dark Side! -Darth Vader

You know, sometimes I amaze even myself. -Han Solo

Who is more foolish? The fool, or the fool who follows him? -Obi Wan Kenobi

Your eyes can deceive you; don't trust them. -Obi Wan Kenobi

The Force is strong with this one. -Darth Vader

Oh, great warrior, hmm? War does not make one great. -Yoda

My ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is. Its energy surrounds us. -Yoda

Your father was seduced by the Dark Side of the Force. He ceased to be Anakin Skywalker and became Darth Vader. When that happened, the good man who was your father was destroyed. So what I told you was true-from a certain point of view. -Obi Wan Kenobi

-- (Original compilation: Associated Content)

Incognito: New Book by Kalbermatten

"Love that can be lost isn’t the love I seek"


(Press Release) A new book by Gregoire de Kalbermatten , "Incognito", in Czech and English, published in Prague, Czech Republic, soon!



This eternally valid quotation from Gregoire de Kalbermatten’s Legend of Dagad Trikon is to be seen on the posters in the streets of Prague, introducing two auspicious events that take place there on 6th December – public presentation of the tiny collection of Gregoire se Kalbermatten’s Aphorisms, quotations and poems, both in Czech and English, under a symbolic title „Incognito“, and the public programme with his lecture, meditation and music by the bajan group „Vítr do dlaně“ (Wind in your Hands).

The booklet is illustrated by the photos taken by sahaj photographers in Cabella, India and New Zealand and its graphic design has the souvenirlike character. We hope the content will please both intellectually and poeticly-oriented readers. The very intention to collect these fragments of wisdom was motivated by the desire to share their message with other soul mates and spread dharmic sahaj culture throughout the world. The book will be available at our Borotin stand in Cabella at Sahasrara puja.

Everybody is warmly invited to join the launch in Prague (more info at martah AT sky.cz).

Thank you for supporting us with your enlightened attention and for spreading the news to other sisters and brothers!


Jai Shri Mataji!!!

On behalf of the author’s team
Marta Heinlová, the translator

Sahaj vs. Mental Solutions

Often we forget our nature as spirit and run around like headless chicken, looking for solutions in the old human way: legal, mental, financial, medical and material solutions to problems of life.

Then the moment of zen arrives when we would introspect and dispel the darkness under the lamp itself through introspections. I was happy to cure myself overnight of the flu by the elegant power of self-realization, introspection and dropping false emotional ideas clogging up the left side. 

Achieving Self Mastery

Being our own master sounds too good to be true, however when you consider it is based on the living work of the true masters (Lao Tse, Confucious etc.), it starts being plausible. Vedic commentary does mention that the work of powerful saints, yogis and siddhas permeates into society via the ether through ideas that travel in the sub-concious. The ten most important masters of knowledge of this world have achieved the distinction of not only doing living work during their lifetimes, but the work remains within all humanity as the ten petals of the "void" region within us. The void region is the region surrounding the third chakra of peace & generosity below:



Religions followed the true masters, but the essence of their teachings stays within us as it is born with us (sahaja).


Toni, a yogi, recently came up with a mnemonic to remember the 10 primordial gurus, which was the inspiration behind this blog post:

R espected
A nd
M ighty
Z eus
L eads
C ourageous
S ouls and
M any
G ood
S aints

R aja Janaka
A braham
M oses
Z oraster
L ao Tse
C onfusius
S ocrates
M uhammed
G uru Nanak
S ai Baba

Crossing Roads: Beautiful Reggae Song on Borotin

Self Realization in a New York School

A yogini from Yonkers had the opportunity to give realization to 25 graders, at her son's school in Yonkers. Here is her recollection:

I briefly talked about the mothering quality of mother earth and how it nourishes us and that we also have mother earth inside of us called mother kundalini and we can feel it in the form of cool breeze. These children became very attentive. They simply placed their hands on their hearts and closed their eyes. You could imagine a class room in silence. I asked them to say quietly, "Mother kundalini, please come in my heart”.

A few minutes, as they opened their eyes, they placed their hands over their heads and you could hear them, "wow, so cool!” They all felt the cool breeze and commented that they felt "peaceful", "calm" and "calmer" inside. So was Nishad's teacher who had previously invited me to do the meditation with her class. Then, at the end of the session, they asked many interested questions about Who is "Shri Mataji”, "Could I do it at home?" "What does the colors mean on the hands and feet?" and "what are the colorful flowers (chakra) for?". The teacher even suggested that I do it for the other classes also because of the beautiful results. Yesterday, I met with the school's principal who apparently knows about kundalini and are now planning a date to give realization to the entire staff.

(names hidden to protect identity)

Windsor Enlightened

Free Meditation Classes featuring Sahaja method of meditation are now being offered at the Windsor, ON College Ave. Community Center. Citizens of Windsor who attended the meetings have expressed great satisfaction at the content of the classes and enjoyed the collective learning, which features stress management, learning about the subtle being (chakras & channels) and balancing techniques.

For meeting directions, click here.

The Borotin Song

Aunties and Uncles from Borotin Jam Session, enjoy!

From Light Headed to Strong Hearted

Chronic fainting and me, went hand in hand. Sight or mention of blood would mysteriously induce blackouts which was a lost frontier. However, the unthinkable happened today as I went in for a blood test, anticipating the mandatory dizzy spell.

The last time it happened was about seven years ago, when I went in for a mandatory health check with my friend IP who introduced me to Sahaja Meditation. At the time we were just room-mates and landed jobs at the same company after graduation. After my test, I passed out in the waiting area. IP was back from his blood exam as I was coming around and put attention on my chakras and felt weakness and blockage in the heart chakra quite strongly.

So today, walking into the pathological clinic, the question was - how far has the heart healed? Without thinking much, I focussed on the experience: ready or not here I come.

I disclosed to the medical practitioner my fantastic ability to slide off, laid down and waited for the anxiety to set in. It triggers with the 'hosital smells' and increases to the point where the ears are ringing and I slip into blissful black. So I waited, and I waited.

Nothing happened, the heart was beating steady. The mind was still functioning. Apparently the heart chakra had healed a long time ago. Enough water had flowed under the bridge and enough love of the divine had marinated the heart chakra over the years. Many devotional divine moments, years of affirmations over the heart in meditation and brought about a transformation which was evident in the small victory today. Thank you Sahaja Yoga.

Photo: dizzy heights (CC) by by stuant63 on flickr

Fun Frolick Footsoaking Video

Do you feel the need to clear out, but just dont know if getting a footsoak is too challenging? Two brave women in Canada risk everything to perform this amazing miracle of getting a little tub and enjoying a refreshing footsoak.

Kingdom Come & Gone?

by flickr user: WTL Photos (CC)

(What If) The Kingdom of Heaven
Might have come and gone
What if you didn't see it come,
blinded by the siren song.

Ages and centuries,
It took to finally come
it wasn't a moment or a flash
but it stuck around quite long

When angels from heaven
made earth their second home
When the merciful God
Sent His power all alone

(What If) The Kingdom of Heavan
Might have come and gone
What if you didn't see it come,
blinded by the siren song.

There was distinct laughter,
of children and grown-ups,
There was a new smile, everlasting
Like a sun beyond the dust

There was much rejoicement,
And celebration of Truth
There was no written word,
There was no silly book

(What If) The Kingdom of Heaven
Might have come and gone
What if you didn't see it come,
blinded by the siren song.

There was an open door, And everyone came in
Tasted the bread, giving up on their sins
The door remained open, free to come and go
But now there's a shining light, beyond the closing door

Be careful of the company, you may choose to keep
Be careful of the leading voice, that tends to weep
Be aware of the boat, your feet are standing in
Don't drift too far, as you wanna be on the inside, yes within

(What If) The Kingdom of Heaven
Might have come and gone
What if you didn't see it come,
blinded by the siren song.

Now the play is almost over, the curtain callers rise
The doors of the theaters will close at some time tonight
In your happiness you want to see, that you don't exit
That lie as trap for fools and tools, on the left and right

The lights turn off,
the blind scamper, To find a solid shore
The drifters who drifted too far,
They find themselves in heaven no more.

(What If) The Kingdom of Heavan
Might have come and gone
What if you didn't see it come,
blinded by the siren song.

Knowing Your Inner Being

Before getting to inner peace and balance, it is important to know the inner being. This animation introduces you to the system of chakras and channels within us. To know more about chakras and channels you can read on Sahaja Yoga Intro Book website.

How Does Sahaja Work?

Welcome to the Learn Sahaja Yoga blog! This is the place to get some info on Sahaja Yoga form of meditation through videos, text and informative links to other educational websites. To start off, lets answer the question: What is Sahaja? Amongst other things, Sahaja means simple, spontaneous and easy. It is a way of doing things the smooth and easy way. Sahaja Yoga means getting union or awakening in a spontaneous way. The following video demonstrates the method aptly:

Kuchipudi Dancer's Website & Blog from Brazil

Stumbled across a blog of Ana Paiva, showcasing an upcoming dance presentation in Brasilia. Check it out, and turn on your portuguese-to-english translator. Ana is a talented kuchipudi dancer trained in India at the PK Salve Academy of Arts, where many practioners of Sahaja Yoga go to learn music and dance, with a spiritual focus. Meditation and ascent play a far greater role in the development of students as compared to other schools of indian performing arts.

Ana's Website & Blog

Do you feel sleepy while meditating?

We are at a fair and I just worked on a person who has tried meditation but would always fall asleep.

She was describing a problem which I experienced in my first months of sahaja yoga meditation.

The problem comes from the right side being overworked. Right side, or pingala nadi, is the sun channel. It gets exhausted when we are overworked and under rested.

When the kindalini rises and finds over stressed chakras, she does not force herself. But out of concern for the meditating subject, she induces action of the left side to balance out the right. Sleep is a blessing of the left side, and a cure for many right side issues like hypertension.

At the end, our dear subject, flora, revealed she indeed suffer from high blood pressure. This confirmed the relationship between meditation, hypertension and sleeping off.

It took me about four months before I was able to meditate without dozing off... But that was seven years ago and well into the past.