What is Kundalini Yoga? Mindfulness meditation | Peace of mind
Kundalini yoga is a form of physical and meditative yoga that includes various techniques that use the mind, body and our senses.
Kundalini energy is often characterized as a snake coiled at
the base of the spine. This yoga takes particular account of the role of the
spine and the endocrine system, both of which are essential parts for yogic
awakening.
Kundalini is untapped spiritual energy at the base of the spine that can be processed through the body by awakening each of the body's seven chakras. Full enlightenment occurs when this energy reaches the Crown Chakra (higher). Kundalini yoga is utmost spiritual and divine types of yoga.
Kundalini yoga goes far above the physical performance of asanas with its emphasis on breathing, meditation, mudras, and chanting. However, it can be very physically intense and appeals to those who are ready for both mental and physical challenges.
Here are some of the benefits that can be gained from Kundalini yoga for peace of mind.
- Kundalini yoga helps in the improved working of the digestive, glandular, cardiovascular, lymphatic and nervous systems.
- Kundalini Yoga has a direct relationship with the glandular system and therefore can improve the ability to look and feel good.
- Kundalini yoga Increase the senses. Thus, your ability to sensitively taste, smell, hear and see is increased.
- Kundalini yoga helps to eliminate and get rid of habits such as smoking and alcohol addiction.
For now, I will do my best to
clarify the basic principles of the yogic theory of mind for Mindfulness
meditation taught by Yogi Bhajan.
What is the mind?
First of all, the mind is a servant, or at least it should be. The mind is incorporated into the human experience to serve the Soul or the Atman.
The mind, it goes without saying, a vast mechanism that is stimulated and therefore produces thoughts which in turn shape our perception, conscious and unconscious.
The mind is very crowded with unconscious thoughts and
perceptions. What we mean by our "mind" is the tip of the iceberg; in
fact, Yogi Bhajan taught that there were 81 facets of the mind which, when
controlled through Kundalini yoga, lead to inner and outer harmony.
The vocabulary of the mind
Any study of Kundalini Yoga and the mind will lead to a large number of unusual Sanskrit words which until they are demystified with their meanings will complicate understanding.
Here are some yogic terms about
the mind:
- Ahangkar: The ego. This claims the perceptions of the mind as belonging to it and reacts to them.
- Atman: The essential Self. Pure consciousness, which the mind reflects.
- Buddhi: One of the components of the mind. Discriminates and classifies.
- Chitta: The Universal Mind sometimes called the One Mind.
- Gunas: Three "conditions" of matter; sattva, holiness; rajas, active; tamas, inactive.
- Manas: one of the components of the mind. Record the impressions of the senses.
- Prakirti: Matter, Primordial Nature.
- Purusha: unmanifest spirit.
- Samskaras: Tendencies or potentials that exist in the subconscious areas of the mind. They are built from thoughts and create other new thoughts. It defines our character.
Are there 3?!
Yes. There are actually 3 minds, not to mention 81 facets. The 3 functional minds are the positive, the negative and the neutral.
The positive mind sees the potentials, the negative mind sees the pitfalls, and the neutral mind evaluates the input of both and responds from a neutral place.
The
neutral mind is also termed the meditative mind. Each of these minds develops
in different relationships in individuals. It is very uncommon to see all three
minds entirely balanced. This is the enlightened mind of a master.
Basic things to know about the mind:
- It is quite automatic. There's a lot going on in your mind, a lot more than you think. But the fundamental thing is that you recognize that it is not YOU who think; your MIND is what it thinks. You are the one who observes a small part of the thoughts that the mind is having.
- It never stops. If the mind goes out, go kaput. The point of meditation is not to turn it off, it is to both clean it up and pause your identification with it.
- Love contrast. He likes polarities because they are useful for classification: good and bad, dark and light. Practical, clean and it's just how we learn. Think about early children's books and how they learn the world. “The water is hot, the water is cold. The dog is white, the cat is black.”
- The mind is matter, only in a more subtle form. We think of our bodies as materials and our minds as existing only in "thought". No. The mind is a real, material "thing", but it is subtler than the brain, its physical carrier. Think of water: ice, liquid, gas. It is still water, only in different states.
- So even with your body, your
mind is physicality in a more subtle form. Yogi Bhajan called it "a
structure, a process and an energy". You can influence it with things like
food, breathing, and energy. It will reply to you in kind.
"Why can't I calm my mind?"
Oh, but you can. The reason you feel like this is not possible is because you are trying to use your mind to calm your mind, which is like using a mirror to see the "real" object in a mirror instead of a reflection.
Not gonna happen. When using techniques such as breath control, mantras or simple meditation techniques, you remove the personal point of reference (I am not focusing on ME, but rather on my BREATH).
It takes some time to get used to, but the result is effective meditation, which brings peace and insight. But remember that meditation is only a tool for a greater surrender to the higher self. It is not meditation that calms the mind, it is the intention and action of meditation.
Yogi Bhajan said, “It is not meditation that stops the mind. It is the surrender of the mind to the soul, and the soul to the Truth. It is when you prefer the word of Truth to the word of your own intellect.”
Basically, you just have to get over yourself. (In the most loving,
caring, supportive and divine way possible, of course.)
Isn't Kundalini great?
This is why Kundalini Yoga is ridiculously cool: for each of the 81 facets of the mind, there is a corresponding technique to balance it.
These techniques are discussed (and experimented with) extensively in level 2 teacher training. In summary: the body is a temple, literally.
Different regions of the body correspond to different aspects of the universe.
From the heart line up, your body relates to the principle of infinite wholeness and the ethers. From the heart to the pelvic line, it corresponds to the elements of air, fire and water.
From the navel to the souls of your feet, your body relates to the earth and the finite.
When all the colors of the chakras are in
balance, we become White Light. The process of Kundalini Yoga activates something
very deep within us, something very infinite. It activates nothing less than
our awareness of our Soul.
"The ascent of the Kundalini integrates all these
regions and produces the pure white light that releases the will to control the
81 aspects [of the mind] by releasing the creativity of the intellect directed
by the intelligence of the soul." ~ Gurucharan Singh
Why meditate?
Meditation allows you to transcend the waves of the mind and use your self-sensing system. Through meditation you learn to transform emotion into devotion; your life becomes sweeter and more harmonious.
Meditating is a
way to break your habits to have more control over your life. Furthermore, in
its higher forms, it allows you to know the unknown and see the invisible, both
literally and figuratively.
Where do I start?
The simplest way to meditate is through simple, seated and silent meditation. The best time to do this is before sunrise.
You don't even need a mantra or a teacher. Sit comfortably and straight. Relax your body and slow your breathing. Keep your body still.
Your mind will download many
thoughts from the subconscious. All right. Continue to sit still. Eventually
your thoughts will calm down and you will feel surrounded by comfort. You are
meditating.
Incorporating the mantra into meditation works very quickly and is another form of meditation. Mantra meditation is like a "bolt of lightning".
Yogi Bhajan said that it matters (and it doesn't matter) what your mantra is. You could sing "one, one, one" and it would work very superficially. You need a word with reverence for you. So, if you were a Christian, Yogi Bhajan said that repeating Jesus Christ would work for you.
It
must be something on some vibrational level. Using Kundalini mantras allows you
to consciously select words that operate on specific vibratory levels and
access your consciousness at that level quickly and impactfully.
Yogi Bhajan on prayer vs. Meditation: “Prayer is when the
mind is concentrated and man speaks to the Infinite. Meditation is when the
mind becomes totally clean and receptive, and the Infinite speaks to man.
"
Other forms of meditation in Kundalini Yoga
Mala Meditation: Using a mala is an easy way to reduce stress and improve wisdom. Many civilization use "worry beads" or "rosaries" in an identical way.
It gives the mind something to focus
on that is positive and relaxing. Mala meditation has its science. Each finger
represents something and the pearls themselves carry different energies.
Gong Meditation: Gong creates deep relaxation on a cellular
level. Gongs have a vibratory resonance that releases energy blocks within the
body and mind. There is also a science for gong meditation, and it is important
to learn gong meditation techniques before conducting a gong meditation.
White Tantric Yoga: One of the fundamental practices of Kundalini yoga, it is unique in that it can never be practiced in any form alone and without the guidance of the Tantric Mahan. You can find White Tantric Courses all over the world.
The White Tantric is performed in pairs as a group meditation. It consists of between 6 and 8 kriyas and takes a whole day.
The Kriyas in White Tantric last from 11 to 62 minutes. White Tantra is not to be confused with either Red or Black Tantra.
All style of Tantric alter energy,
but Red Tantric directs energy sexually and Black Tantric directs energy to
control another. The White Tantric is an extremely powerful way to release
subconscious blocks.
Heavenly Communication: Heavenly communication is mudra in
motion. It is a mental and physical relaxation tool and involves the movement
of the upper body and arms.
Sat Nam Rasayan: is an ancient healing art form. It works on
a subtle level through the meditative mind. Sat Nam Rasayan was passed on by
Yogi Bhajan to Guru Dev Singh, who teaches Sat Nam Rasayan healing all over the
world.
Venus Kriya: For mindfulness meditation these are Kundalini
yoga kriyas done with a partner, usually a member of the opposite sex. They
balance energy through the male / female polarity and generally an advanced
practice.
Tratakum Meditation: This is a powerful form of meditation that
involves the gaze. It increases the ability to concentrate and concentrates the
pranic energy. In Kundalini yoga, tratakum is often performed while observing a
particular image of Yogi Bhajan, one in which he is in a neutral state.
Teachers' corner:
Here is a powerful meditation for the mind, simply put your
hands at heart level, right palm on the back of the left hand. Focus your eyes
on the tip of your nose or keep them 1/10 open. Chant the mantra "Hari Nam
Sat Nam Hari Nam Hari, Hari Nam Sat Nam Sat Nam Hari" 3 times with one
breath. Inhale deeply during the break. Continue for 31 minutes.
Farewell thought from Yogi Bhajan (Bajan):
"Mind is bound to pursue Infinity, unless you train it
to desire Earth."
Some more focus on Kundalini yoga benefits (the mindfulness meditation for peace of mind) :-
- Kundalini yoga helps to cultivate the sense of well-being and confidence that arrive from the process of self-discovery and from reaching a relaxed state of mind and body.
- Kundalini Yoga also helps in overcoming negative feelings and encourages positive attitudes and feelings.
- With Kundalini yoga you can experience a better sense of self-control and, overcome anger and resentment to find inner calm and peace of mind.
- It also strengthens the immune system and helps you fight various diseases and keep them at bay. A clear mind is a strong weapon against all of them.