Category: yoga
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Hatha Yoga Pradipika: Chapter IV – On Samadhi
1. Salutation to the Guru, the dispenser of happiness to all, appearing as Nada, Vindu and Kali. One who is devoted to him, obtains the highest bliss. 2. Now I will describe a regular method of attaining to Samadhi, which destroys death, is the means for obtaining happiness, and gives the Brahmananda. 3-4. Raja Yoga,…
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Hatha Yoga Pradipika: Chapter III – On Mudras
1. As the chief of the snakes is the support of the earth with all the mountains and forests on it, so all the Tantras (Yoga practices) rest on the Kundalini. (The Vertebral column.) 2. When the sleeping Kundalini awakens by favor of a guru, then all the lotuses (in the six chakras or centers) and…
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Hatha Yoga Pradipika: Chapter II – On Pranayama
1. Posture becoming established, a Yogi, master of himself, eating salutary and moderate food, should practice pranayama, as instructed by his guru. 2. Respiration being disturbed, the mind becomes disturbed. By restraining respiration, the Yogi gets steadiness of mind. 3. So long as the (breathing) air stays in the body, it is called life. Death…
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Hatha Yoga Pradipika: Chapter I – On Asanas
By Swatmarama, 15th Century C.E., translate by various scholars 1. Salutation to adinatha (Siva) who expounded the knowledge of Hatha Yoga, which like a staircase leads the aspirant to the high pinnacled Raja Yoga. 2. Yogin Swatmarama, after saluting his Guru Srinatha explains Hatha Yoga for the attainment of Raja Yoga. 3. Owing to the…
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Shiva’s 112 Ways to Attain Enlightenment
Vijñāna Bhairava Tantra (sometimes spelt Vigyan Bhairav Tantra) is a 5000 year old Sanskrit text of the Shaivism. The text is a chapter from the Rudrayamala Tantra, a Bhairava Agama. Cast as a discourse between the god Shiva and his consort Devi or Shakti. Devi, asks Shiva to reveal the essence of the way to realisation of the highest reality.…
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The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali – The Threads of Union
on Contemplations on Spiritual Disciplines 3. on Divine Powers 4. on Realizations Before beginning any spiritual text it is customary to clear the mind of all distracting thoughts, to calm the breath and to purify the heart. Part One on Contemplations 1.1 Now, instruction in Union. 1.2. Union is restraining the thought-streams natural to the mind.…
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The Eight Limbs of Yoga
Non-Violence – to others and to myself Truthfulness – honesty, don’t lie Non-Stealing – refrain from taking anything that is not freely offered Energy Moderation – preventing the dissipation of one’s energy through the misuse of the senses. preventing the dissipation of one’s energy through the misuse of the senses. e.g overstimulating foods, loud music,…