MEDITATION FOR BEGIN- NERS... 1 Jan-Feb Vol.1 2013 PATANJALI AND GOD.. 2 Light of A D D R E S S I N G T H E N E E D S O F Y O G A S T U D E N T S A N D UPCOMING EVENTS... 2 I N D I V I D U A L S F O C U S E D O N S P I R I T U A L I T Y A N D G R O W T H. Yoga It is a joy to present the first issue of Light of Yoga. Welcome!! It is a joy to be back to working on newsletters for Universal Yoga. I have spent the last 8 or 9 years editing for AIVS and I am quite excited to have found the time to focus on our own newsletter. A lot has changed since we last produced the newsletter. Nowadays everyone is electronic and handled through the Internet, no more typesetting, printing and labeling to mail out newsletters. Our newsletter will be called Light of Yoga. I chose this name in part to numerous lectures I did in 2012 on the language of light. Light is also the language of yoga, as the meaning of yoga is union, our union occurs through the language of light and is with light in a sense. In the upcoming issues, we will expand on the size and include several articles to meet the needs of our global students who have a variety of needs and are at various levels of consciousness realization. We will include brief glimpses into important terms, as-well-as healthy recipes and much more. Yogi Baba Prem performing a yogic fire ceremony in Florida, if you would like to attend a program let us know. Wisdom from the tradition. Dipa is a Sanskrit term meaning lamp. The lamps are commonly made from brass and clay though occasionally one may find a dipa made from other materials. Often Ghee (clarified butter) is used as the oil and a cotton wick is inserted into the oil. The dipa serves numerous purposes including being used as part of an offering to divinity. On a practical level, it is a constant reminder of Divinity s language of light.
Meditation for Beginners By Yogi Baba Prem Yogi Baba Prem explores building an important foundation for success meditation. PATANJALI AND GOD By Yogi Baba Prem Meditation continues to grow in popularity throughout the western world. Meditation teaches us how to tap our unlimited potential. But in reality, most people begin meditation in order to relax. From a Hindu/Yogic perspective, you must be relaxed in order to meditate. This illustrates the differences in the western and eastern view of meditation. From the perspective of the original teachings, relaxation is a prerequisite for meditation. In fact, there are numerous requisites for meditation, let s examine a few: First is proper position. Ideally, one would sit straight with the legs crossed; this posture is called a half-lotus or lotus posture. There can be physical limitations that limit one s ability to sit in the traditional posture. Simple modifications can be made to address this issue. Sitting in a chair is acceptable. What is important is that the back is straight, and if one is sitting in a chair it is important that the feet are flat on the floor. The hands can rest atop the thighs with the palms turned up and possibly the index finger and thumb touching on each hand. Often students want to recline or lay down for meditation, while there can be situations where this is performed, the general view in India that dead people meditate lying down. It is not as beneficial and beginners need as many tools working for them as possible. Next is deep-full-breathing. Often called the complete breath, this technique is a powerful tool for creating relaxation and preparing the mind and body for meditation. To practice the complete breath, place a hand on the navel. Inhale filling the lungs from the bottom up. As one inhales the navel should move out and away from the spine. As one exhales, the navel should move inward toward the spine. This may feel strange initially, as most people breathe with a shallow and rapid breath. The breath needs to become a slow, deep and relaxed breath. The goal should be for the breath to naturally take 15 seconds or longer for 1 breath cycle. Once one has achieved proper posture and proper breath, the next step is concentration, called dharana. Concentration is process of training the mind to focus on an object, subject or concept. Dharana is an essential step in becoming a proficient meditator. There are two primary forms of objects or subjects for practice with dharana. Objects with form are called saguna dharana. And abstract visualization or absence of form is called nirguna dharana. Most people start with saguna dharana, as it is easier. The meditator will concentrate on an image; this image could be a religious symbol, flower or other object that has some type of elevating concept attached with it. Initially the meditator will concentrate on the object with the eyes open. Over time, one should then close the eyes and try to hold the image in the mind s eye. Hold the image as long as possible, once one can no longer hold the image, open the eyes and reaffirm the image. Continue this process during one s meditation period. Once proficiency has been achieved and one can hold the image for longer periods of time, the mind will naturally move into a natural state of meditation. Another useful technique for cultivating dharana is mantra. Mantra is probably the easiest way to cultivate dharana but is the most unfamiliar to most westerners. Performance of mantra for westerners requires a great deal of concentration. Most cultures of the world have some form of mantra or chanting of some type. We, westerners, are in the minority and should add this powerful tool to our meditative practice. Mantras should be learned from someone that is familiar and trained in Sanskrit, as the proper pronunciation is important. Yogi Baba Prem has just released a new book Patanjali and God. In this important book, he debunks numerous myths regarding Patanjali and the tradition he taught. He also reveals secret associations with Divinity that is hidden with the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. This book is over 50 pages and is available as an ebook only. The cost is only $4.95 Order your copy at: www.vedicpath.com
Patanjali and God. By Yogi Baba Prem Enjoy a selection from Yogi Baba Prem s latest ebook.. Often the Yoga Sutras are criticized by modern western teachers as not having the teaching of Bhakti (devotion) within them. It is believed that the sutras are somehow not rooted within the Vedic system based due to this lack of Bhakti. Often this is due to a lack of understanding on the part of the practitioner or reader. Additionally, this is common due to the practitioner not being exposed to the older commentaries pertaining to the Yoga Sutras such as the Vritti Bhoja or the commentaries by Vyasa. But even on a mundane level, a quick examination will reveal the existence and firm establishment of Bhakti within the Yoga Sutras Within the Niymas, the 5 th practice is Ishvara Pranidhanam or surrender to God. While terms such as Purusha are often used, this is to not be construed as different from God in a nondualistic system or even a qualified non-dualistic system. Some argue that Ishvara is not a reference to God, but they often do not consider that Sanskrit terms have different meanings during different periods of time. One cannot simplistically look a meaning up in a dictionary, such as we do now, rather they must consider the time period and even region of India to understand the meaning of Hindu and Vedic terms. During the period associated with Patanjali, certainly Ishvara would be a reference to God. This is evident again with such important teachers of ashtanga (8 limbed system) known as Yamunacaarya and Nathamuni, both of these teachers were clearly practitioners of Bhakti, and this is commonly known and recognized in India. Other examples of the practice of Bhakti within the Yoga Sutras would be: Or concentrating on the Samadhi is attained by surrender to God. II. 45. supreme blissful light. I.36. Or devotion dedicated to the Supreme God (Ishvara). I. 23. Ishvara is the Purusha I. 24. (Purusha is a complex term, but is not the atheistic concept propagated by western teachers, rather Purusha represents more than the individual self but the universal self, but it is important to understand within Hinduism, the universal self ultimately is God or Brahman.) Within him is the seed of omniscience and its complete manifestation. I. 25. Unconditioned by time, He is the teacher of the ancients. I.26 (referring the Ishvara.) Samadhi is attained by surrender to God. II. 45. Spiritual study brings communion with the personal deity. II.44. Order today at: http://vedicpath.com/ products/books.html YOGI BABA PREM recognized for his work. Yogi Baba Prem was recognized for his defense of Dharma and Hinduism in the book, A Tribute to Hinduism published in India. Many of Yogi Baba Prems student s do not realize that he spends considerable time writing about events that affect India and Hinduism in general. In India, he is much more know for these writings and his writings on the Vedas. Most notably was his writings against aggressive conversions in India and for the preservation of yoga within the traditions of Hinduism. In the book, A Tribute to Hinduism He was included with modern scholars, saints and scholars over the past hundred years that have worked for the preservation of the teachings.
Upcoming Online Events. TECHNIQUES Healing Heart For the latest information on workshops visit www.vedicpath.com New Moon Program Friday, January 11th Yogi Baba Prem will lead a series of meditations and mantra to tap the energies of the Full Moon to enhance our spiritual mind, deepen our meditation, and to move towards spiritual realization. Techniques to stregthen the mind will be included. Vedic Studies IV Wednesdays for 5 weeks. January 23rd- February 20th Yogi Baba Prem continues his exploration of the Vedas with students. As the Vedas is the mother of all modern yoga, it is important to understand the Vedas and its teachings. In this exciting series, we will explore little known facts about these teachings, explore the origins of the teachings, and how to begin to apply these within ones life. This program will introduce new elements of Vedic yoga and continue to help teachers and students to establish a Vedic practice. Additionally, Yogi Baba Prem will introduce a rare and relatively unknown yoga from the Vedic system. It is quite rare that Yogi Baba Prem teaches Vedic Yoga in a workshop format, usually he only teaches Vedic Yoga in a private format. This is a rare opportunity to study these sacred teachings. You must have attended Vedic Studies I. If you wish to take this program first, contact us to make arrangements. It is also recommended to have read "Yogic Secrets of the Vedas by Yogi Baba Prem Investment: $225.00 Marma II January 31st Yogi Baba Prem will teach the second installment on Marmas, energy zones in the body. In this lecture, he will focus on important marmas for spirituality and spiritual growth. He will discuss the marmas and their role in transiting from this life as well. As well as important marmas for spiritual realization. Registration will open on January 2nd for this program. Secrets of the Stars II February 15th, We continue with our exploration of the heavens and their relationships to our mind and body. In this lecture, Yogiji will examine each of the planets, qualities associated with each planet and mantras for each planet. Following the program, student's will receive audio files for the mantras. To Register for programs, please visit www.vedicpath.com and click on workshops. Sitting crossed-legged, take the left hand and make the fingers even. Place the four fingers in a straight line at the Hr Marma. Located in the center of the chest between the breasts. Chant: Hriim Practice time 3 minutes.
During the winter months, it is During the winter months, it is easy for ones Vata (ether/air) to become unbalanced. This is often indicated by increased flatulence and even dryness of the skin. Traditionally, it recommended to use a little sesame oil on the skin to reduce Vata. For others, the winter season can increase Kapha (Earth and Water) may increase during Ayurveda for the Season. Ayurveda is an important part of living a yogic lifestyle. the winter months, and warming oils are recommend or at least stimulating activity. Many student s of yoga do not realize that some type of Ayurveda lifestyle was part of all traditional systems of yoga. It was not uncommon for renunciantes to spend 12 years learning the basics of health and wellness so they could spend greater periods of time focused on meditation It is easy for ones Vata (ether/air) to become unbalanced. and working towards higher levels of spiritual realization. It is important that we remember that Ayurveda is not a fad, a diet or even a cool book to read, rather it is an important aspect of living a yogic lifestyle and very much a part of the Vedic Yoga tradition. AYURVEDA: Fundamentals are important to yoga. Often Yogi Baba Prem recommends to students to learn their Ayurvedic body type, and then to gently intergrate this lifestyle into their daily routine. If you are having difficulty determining your Ayurvedic dosha contact us for a consultation. Likewise, it is important know you Vedic karmas, contact us for a consultation in Vedic Astrology. Light of Yoga is a bimonthly publication provided by The Universal Yoga Inc. www.vedicpath.com Yogi Baba Prem, Founder and Director. All articles are the opinions of the author and not necessarily those of the Universal Yoga or its editors. This publication is to share the teachings of Yogi Baba Prem and the greater tradition of Vedic Yoga. No information in this newsletter is intended to diagnose or suggest treatment for any illness. Consult with your doctor before beginning anything discussed in this newsletter. This newsletter is for educational purposes only pertaining to Vedic tradition. Copyright 2013. All Rights reserved.