The Granthis—The 3 Psychic Knots
The Granthis The 3 Psychic Knots Granthis—Psychic “Knots” According to the yogic tradition, a granthi (“knot”) is an energetic and psychic contraction preventing the free flow of prana (energy) along sushumna nadi (the main energy channel in the subtle body). The granthis impede the awakening of the chakras and the rising of kundalini shakti (the…
Tantra Yoga The Yoga of Integrating Consciousness and Energy
Tantra Yoga The Yoga of IntegratingConsciousness and Energy Tantra Yoga—Seeing the Sacred in the Mundane The Sanskrit word tantra means “weaving” or “interconnection.” It comes from the root tan, meaning “to extend” or “to expand.” Although it only formally became relevant in the East after the fifth century A.D., Tantra Yoga (or Tantrism) is an…
Surrender Letting Go and Opening to the Self
Surrender Letting Go and Opening to the Self Surrender—Our Best Chance for Realization The human capacity to consciously let go of the ego and open to atman (the Supreme Self) is surrender, our main chance for Realization. If human beings were not endowed with the capacity to surrender, there would not be any chance to…
Somatization Infusing the Body with Spiritual Attitudes
Somatization Infusing the Body with Spiritual Attitudes Somatization—The Inner Cause of Disease This term “somatization” comes from the Greek “soma,” which means the physical body. Usually, when tensions, worries, internal conflicts, emotional turmoil, and stresses become chronic, they manifest as illnesses in the physical body that are labeled “psychosomatic.” Countless emotional tensions, conflicts, and mental…
Stillness Another Name for the Self
Stillness Another Name for the Self Stillness—The Background of Awareness Stillness refers to the background of awareness, a reality that is beyond duality, beyond positive and negative. It is another name for atman (the Supreme Self), the Spiritual Heart, the Witness Consciousness, our Real Nature. Therefore, it is not relative silence as opposed to noise…
Shatkarmas The Six Yogic Purification Practices
Shatkarmas The Six Yogic Purification Practices Shatkarmas—Practices for Purifying Body and Soul The first niyama, saucha, recommends performing cleanses for the internal organs and systems of the body. The shatkarmas or shatkriyas are the six traditional yogic practices (or groups of practices) that purify both the physical and subtle bodies. The Six Shatkarmas (Categories of…
Shaivism The Worship of Shiva
Shaivism The Worship of Shiva Shaivism—The Worship of Shiva as Transcendental Reality Shaivism is one of the main branches of Hinduism. It is the religious and philosophical tradition centered on the worship of Shiva as the transcendental Reality. Signs of the worship of Shiva dating from as far back as 2500 B.C. have been found…
Sat-Chit-Ananda Pure Existence-Pure Awareness-Pure Bliss
Sat-Chit-Ananda Pure Existence-Pure Awareness-Pure Bliss Sat-Chit-Ananda—The Essence of Brahman Sat-chit-ananda (also known as saccidananda and satchidananda) constitutes the very svarupa (essence) of Brahman (the Supreme Reality), not just Its attributes. This phrase suggests the unity of these three intrinsic expressions of the Absolute—they are not qualities, for Brahman is ultimately nirguna (unqualified) and akala (without…
Samskaras and Vasanas Subconscious Tendencies
Samskaras and Vasanas Subconscious Tendencies Samskaras—Psychological Imprints Samskara (or sanskara) means “activator” and refers to psychological imprints left in the subconscious by our daily experiences—whether conscious or unconscious, internal or external, desirable or undesirable. The term “activator” suggests that these imprints are not merely passive vestiges of our actions and intentions, but dynamic forces in…
Samadhi Ecstatic Union
Samadhi Ecstatic Union Samadhi—Merging into One Samadhi means “to place together.” The term refers to the state in which the subject (the meditator) and the object (of meditation) merge into one. It is the ecstatic condition in which the limited sense of individuality fades away. This is the last anga (limb) of the eightfold path…