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This is the method of 'Sadhana' taught to me by Mhatapasvi Sri Kumarswamiji of Tapovan, Dharwad in the year 1994, which I am practising daily. I have given this method in detail for the benefit of the aspirants. -- Shri.Sadashiv Golsangi.
"AUM" is the original sound which has created this universe -- the Milky Way, the Sun, the Moon, the Stars and the Earth and also the animate creation on this Earth. It is also not time bounded. It is made up of "A" -- the past ; "U" -- the present ;"M" -- the future. Past , present and future are compacted. The past is merged in present and the future is also merged in the present. Only present is present. A U M when compacted together form "AUM".
For practicing the achievement of "AUM" in your life you have to --
1. Sit in Siddhasana or Padmasana or Sukhasana which ever is convenient to you Take a deep breadth from the nose and while leaving the breath, make a goblet of lips and utter " A"- "U" combined.
"O" oooooooo reach the pitch, then close the lips and utter "M"mmmmmm until the whole breath has gone out through the nostrils. Concentrate on the "Anahat Chakra" -- the heart. Feel that the sound is coming from the heart. Slowly inhale and normalise the breathing and observe silence.
Repeat for the second time.This time concentrate on " Vishuddhi Chakra"- the throat . Feel that the sound is coming from the throat. Slowly inhale and normalise the breathing and observe silence.
Repeat for the third time.This time concentrate on "Ajna Chakra" -- the center of eyebrows. Feel that the sound is coming from the center of eyebrows. Slowly inhale and normalise the breathing and observe silence.
2. Take a deep breath from the nose and while leaving the breath, close the lips and utter loudly "M"mmmmmm. Concentrating on "Ajna Chakra". When the whole breath has gone out slowly inhale and normalise the breathing. Observe silence.
Repeat the process two more times
"M"mmmmmm
"M"mmmmmm
Every time observe silence in the end. Bring no thoughts in the mind.
3. Fold the hands -- the tips of fingers of the left hand touching the tips of fingers of the right hand. Utter slowly and loudly;
"AUM"sssssssssss while pressing the tips of little fingers.
"AUM"sssssssssss while pressing the tips of ring fingers.
"AUM"sssssssssss while pressing the tips of middle fingers.
"AUM"sssssssssss while pressing the tips of index fingers.
"AUM"sssssssssss while pressing the tips of thumb fingers.
Thus you have counted five times. Repeat this process once again. You have counted ten times. Add one more, totaling 11 times. Count in the mind only five times "AUM"sssssss.Observe silence for five seconds.
Count in the mind again five times "AUM"ssssss. Repeat counting 11 times as previously done "AUM"ssssssss. Observe silence for some time
Rub both the hands thoroughly and tightly until heat is produced in the hands, place both the hands on your face and then downwards on the whole body.
4. PRANAYAM
Pranayam means the regulated breathing. Normally we breath with one nostril only- either left or right. Breathing is continued with right nostril for one hour, while the left nostril is closed and then it is shifted to the next nostril for one hour, while the right nostril is closed. Breathing with left nostril is useful to the right hand portion of the head and breathing with right nostril is useful to the left hand portion of the head. If the breathing is done through both the nostrils at the same time, the whole portion of the head is more active and the brain gets more oxygen. That is why it is necessary that we shall breath with both the nostrils at the same time. Activating both the nostrils at the same time is REGULATING THE BREATHING.
You can regulate the breathing thus-
I. Anulom Vilom Pranayam
Place the tips of the thumb and the ring finger of the left hand on both the nostrils of the nose. Find out which nostril is active -- say the left nostril is active;
Take a deep breath from the left nostril;
Close the left nostril with the tip of the thumb.
Leave the breath fully with right nostril.
Close the right nostril with the tip of the ring finger.
Take the breath fully with left nostril.
Close the left nostril with the tip of the thumb.
Leave the breath fully with the right nostril.
Repeat this process for ten times counting ( 1,2,3,...10) from the fingers of the right hand then shift to the other side of the nostril;
Take a deep breath from the right nostril;
Close the right nostril with the tip of the ring finger.
Leave the breath with the left nostril.
Close the left nostril with the tip of the thumb.
Take the breath with the right nostril.
Close the right nostril with the tip of the ring finger.
Leave the breath with the left nostril.
Repeat this process for ten times counting (1,2,3....10) from the fingers of the right hand. This helps in activating both the nostrils.
II. Bhamari Pranayam Use the fingers of both the hands;
Close the ears by placing tips of thumbs in the ears.
Close the eyes by placing tips of index finger and middle finger on the eyes.
Close the nose by placing tips of ring fingers on both the nostrils.
Close the mouth and place the tips of little fingers on the edge of lips.
Now open one nostril - say left nostril - by lifting the left ring finger. Take a deep breath from the left nostril;
Close the left nostril by left ring finger.
Open the right nostril by lifting the tip of the right ring finger.
Leave the breath with the right nostril with the humming sound "M"mmmmmm.
When the whole air is gone out completely, take the breath from the same nostril.
Close the right nostril from the tip of the right ring finger.
Leave the breath with left nostril with the humming sound "M"mmmmmm.
Take the breath with the same left nostril;
Close the left nostril with the tip of the left ring finger.
Leave the breath with right nostril with the humming sound "M"mmmmm.
Repeat ten times. With this type of breathing, both the nostrils are activated at the same time.
III. Bhastrika Pranayam
Breath in and breath out very fast from both the nostrils, the abdomen moving up and down just like a bellows of a blacksmith. Continue for sometime according to one’s capacity and stop. This creates much heat in the body.
IV. Sheetaly Pranayam
Close the teeth and open the lips. Take air inside the mouth, by sucking air through the cranny of the teeth with the hissing sound. Close the mouth. Leave the hot air through the nostrils. Repeat three time or till the air coming out through the nostrils is cold. This will balance the heat in the body.
V. Mudra Pranayam
Sit in Siddhasana or Padmasana or Sukrhasana which ever is convenient to you and take CHIN -- MUDRA holding the tips of thumb and index finger together (as shown in the photo).
Take a deep breath from both the nostrils slowly and fill in the lungs (your abdomen is in a convex shape) this is called Poorak.
Hold the breath INTERNAL KOMBHAK. Bend down your head and make your chin rest on the neck, this is called Jalandhar Bandha. Contract your anus and draw upwards. This is called Mula Bandha. Bring air in the mouth and extend your cheeks. As you draw your anus upwards you experience the leaping of pulse at the anus. Synchronising this pulse say "AUM" in your mind, concentrating first on (1) Muladhara then "AUM" on (2) Swadhistana, (3) Manipuraka (4) Anahata (5) Vishudddhi (6) Ajna (7) Shasasrara.
Then reverse the cycle "AUM" (7) , "AUM" (6), "AUM" (5), "AUM" (4), "AUM" (3), "AUM" (2), "AUM" (1).
Repeat for the second time "AUM" (1) , "AUM" (2), "AUM" (3), "AUM" (4), "AUM" (5), "AUM" (6), "AUM" (7) . Reverse the cycle (7) , "AUM" (6), "AUM" (5), "AUM" (4), "AUM" (3), "AUM" (2), "AUM" (1).
Release JALANDAR BANDHA and MULA BANDHA and leave the breath slowly from the nostrils. Leave also the air in the mouth from nostrils only. Lastly let the air be forced to come out from the nostrils fully and stop. This is called Rechak. Your abdomen is contracted. The naval is drawn upwards with expansion of the lower part of the thorax, till the abdomen is completely flattened. This is called Uddiyana Bandha.
At this stage again hold the breath outside, this is called EXTERNAL KUMBHAK. Say "AUM" in your mind concentrating on (1) Muladhara then "AUM" on (2) Swadhistana, (3) Manipuraka (4) Anahata (5) Vishudddhi (6) Ajna (7) Shasasrara .Then reverse the cycle "AUM" (7) , "AUM" (6), "AUM" (5), "AUM" (4), "AUM" (3), "AUM" (2), "AUM" (1) .
Alternatively, instead of saying "AUM", in the beginning, you may count the numbers in the mind ( 1,2,3.........20 ) during the Internal Kumbhaka and count the numbers (1,2,3......10) during the External Kumbhaka. By regular practice the period of Kumbhaka can be slowly increased with count (1,2,3.......30) during Internal Kumbhaka and (1,2,3.....15) during the External Kumbhaka and again after some days the count can be increased to (1,2,3..........60) and (1,2,3.......30) please note that the proportion of time is 1:4:2:2
1. Pooraka 5 Seconds 5 Seconds 5 Seconds
2. Internal Kumbhak 20 Seconds 40 Seconds 60 Seconds
3. Rechaka 10 Seconds 20 Seconds 30 Seconds
4. External Kumbhak 10 Seconds 20 Seconds 30 Seconds
This completes one cycle of Pranayama. Repeat second cycle with inhaling ( Pooraka)
Mahatapsvi Sri Kumarswamiji explains in his book " Dimensions Of Yoga" " The effect of these Bandhas - Mula Bandha, Jalandar Bandha Uddian Bandha -- on the nervous mechanism of the autonomic system is interesting to note. The Mula Bandha blocks the efferent impulse i.e. the downward and outgoing tendency of Apan, but the afferent impulse i.e. the upward going tendency of Prana being unchecked, ascents through the connecting fibers of the pelvic plexus to the solar plexus via hypogastric plexus. These plexuses being thus stimulated, there occurs an inhibition of functions of the organs supplied by the sympathetic fibers from these plexuses. Jalandar Bandha by its particular bent in the neck, prevents the afferent impulse, generated from the solar plexuses, from reaching the vagal center and at the same time, it directs downwards that impulse along the sympathetic fibers in the vagal nerves. This afferent impulse meets the efferent impulse in the region of navel. When these "Prana" and "Apana" impulses meet together, the meeting is manifested by the internal vibrations known as " Anahat Nada" or the unstruck sound. Thus by constant practice of Pranayama with these three bandhas a yogi establishes a constant control over the vagus which enables Kundalini to awaken and to uncoil itself"
The meeting of "Prana" and "Apana" charged with the positive and negative charges when struck together produces a spark, which eminates a beautiful fragrance which fills the whole space. It produces vibrations which bring the songs like ringing of a bell. All such things can be experienced by the constant practice of Pranayam. Another experience of the fragrance is like this -- The fragrance emitting from the spark is similar to the fragrance of " Brahma Kamal" which is known as Bramha"s Lotus. This flower blooms once in a tear in the month of August or January. It blooms in the night at 12 ‘o clock and again closes in the morning, it has a peculiar type of fragrance. This fragrance can be experienced by the aspirant during his practice of Pranayam. The ringing sound is heard as if a bell is ringing at a very long distance with a specific rhythm which is very melodious to hear and slowly it comes closer and closer and you will forget other songs. You will hear only the ringing sound of the bell. Sometimes the sound of a Mrudanga (a kind of tabor) or a music of Veena is heard. The heart is brimmed with joy.
These Pranayama cycles are to be repeated with; 1 Chin Mudra 5 times
2 Chinmaya Mudra 5 times
3 Tse Mudra 5 times
4 Merudand Mudra 5 times
5. Beeja Mantra Pranayam
After doing Pranayam in all Mudras release the Mudra and keep the palms facing upwards on the thighs. Let loose all the fingers and keep attention on breathing. Observer how the air is entering the body (Inhale) and how it is coming out (Exhale) till it turns into normal breathing. When it reaches the stage of normal breathing keep both the palms near the navel, take a deep breath inside (Inhale) through both the nostrils and while exhaling utter loudly and repeat slowly.
1. "LAM".... Lam...... Lam...... Lam...... Lam..... Lam.......Close the lips say in the mind only: Lam...... Lam...... Lam...... Lam..... Lam.......Inhale and Exhale, but say in the mind. Lam...... Lam...... Lam...... Lam..... Lam...... And stop. The mind starts saying Lam...... Lam...... Lam...... Lam.....You simply observe how the mind reiterates. Bring no thoughts in the mind. Concentrate on "Muladhara chakra" and see that the Power is moving upwards and it stops at "Ajna Chakra". Now concentrate on "Ajana Chakra".
After sometime repeat the same process with;
2 "WAM" ....Wam....Wam....Wam....Wam....Wam....Wam. concentrating on "Swadhistana Chakra" the Power now rises slowly from Swadhistana upwards and stops at Ajna Chakra.Simply observe. Bring no thoughts in the mind.
After sometime repeat the same process with;
3."RAM" ....Ram....Ram....Ram....Ram....Ram....Ram. concentrating on "Manipura Chakra" the Power now rises slowly from Manipura chakra upwards and stops at Ajna Chakra .Simply observe. Bring no thoughts in the mind.
After sometime repeat the same process with
4."YAM" ....Yam....Yam....Yam....Yam....Yam....Yam. concentrating on "Anahat Chakra" the Power now rises slowly from Anahat upwards and stops at Ajna Chakra.Simply observe. Bring no thoughts in the mind
After sometime repeat the same process with;
5. "HAM" ....Ham....Ham....Ham....Ham....Ham....Ham.concentrating on "Vishuddhi Chakra" the Power now rises slowly from Vishuddhi upwards and stops at Ajna Chakra. Simply observe. Bring no thoughts in the mind.
After sometime repeat the same process with;
6. "AUM" ....Aum....Aum....Aum....Aum....Aum....Aum. concentrating on "Ajna Chakra". Simply observe. Bring no thoughts in the mind.
Release the palms from the navel and keep the palms facing upwards on the thighs. Release the fingers , let them loose observe that the mind is saying "AUM".... AUM.... AUM.... AUM... AUM... AUM... .After sometime the mind also stops saying "AUM".
The breathing becomes slow .......slow.....slow.....Sit silent.No thoughts in the mind. No "AUM".The power concentrated on Ajna chakra rising upwards from all the Chakras, now proceeds towards Sahasrar Chakra. The fingers become heavy. The body is not moving. It is perfectly straight. There is no ache in any part of the body. The mind has lost its significance. The state of " No mindedness" is achieved. There is only silence, silence and silence.
You enjoy the silence. Profound meditation takes place. This can also be achieved through concentration, which can be practiced by constantly gazing at the candle light or the reflection of light on the Linga etc. but concentration itself is not meditation. Meditation is achieved after the concentration. It is the silence and only the silence.
The profound meditation takes a pictorial dramatic form. Apt symbols which suggest themselves to his imagination become objectivised. The message he longed for is heard within his mind. Those interior visions and voices are indistinguishable from the accompaniment of the intents awakening of Kundalini.
Enjoyment of this silence is very important. All the operations -- cleaning the body, regulating the breathing, clearing the mind are done only to achieve this stage of silence.
Just as mind and body are synonymous, the mind and intellect are also synonymous. When the mind and body achieve the state of steadiness, devoid of any ache in the part of the body and devoid of any thought in the mind, then intellect sprouts. This intellect has not come from any external things, by reading books or by hearing discourses etc. but it has sprouted from within -- from your heart. This internal intellect will make you to know THY SELF .
In front of your closed eyes you will visualise the picture of your Guru or your Exhaulted Soul. This may be God Shiva or Ganesh or MahaDevi or Jesus Christ or Gautam Buddha or Mohemmad Paigamber or Mahavir or anybody whome you like as the most ideal and who starts talking with you in any language which you can understand. You are stunned. You are not able to talk. Your joy has no bounds. You will simply shed tears -- tears of joy! It is a wonderful experience which cannot be expressed in words. It can only be experienced.
Now you have seen the exhaulted soul and not the God. The sight of God can never be described in words. To make the point clear let us take a hypothetical example. A person belonging to earth went in the world , which is below the earth, where there is complete darkness. There are no sun, no moon, no stars. People carry on their business with the help of light given by fire and electricity. There are no days or nights in that region. He asked the people " Is there no daybreak at all in this region?" people wondered and asked " What is day?" the person replied " When the day breaks the sun rises and it is called daytime. When the sun goes down it is night." They were again surprised and asked
"What is the Sun?"
" It is a huge ball of light, extraordinarily brilliant. When it rises it totally drives away the darkness and lights up every corner of the region".
They showed a thousand candle power bulb and asked.
"Is the sun looks like this?"
"No, it is nothing before the sun".
They showed ten thousand candle power bulb and asked.
" Is your sun like this?’
"No, it is nothing before the sun".
Then they made a light using all the electric power in their possession and asked.
"Is it like this?"
He still replied in negative then people said " this person is a mad man, how can there be light more than we have possessed?
He said,"I am sorry. I cannot explain. You cannot know unless you yourself have actually seen the sun".
Then they sent their representative with this person to earth to actually see what this sun is. Both of them came to earth. When it was midnight of a new moon day, there was complete darkness but there were stars which gave some light, the man asked.
"Is this what you call a day?"
"No, it is dense darkness of night"
"What are these lights?"
"These are stars. They are also balls of light".
Slowly the stars began to fade and the sun appeared in the morning. It was so bright that the man could not gaze at it. In the noon it was impossible for him to see the sun. The man of the earth gave him a dark glass, through which he could gaze the sun. Now he knew what is day and what is sun. He went back to his own world where the public was eagerly waiting for him.
"Have you seen the day? How is it? How bright is the sun?"
They put hundreds of such questions. He simply replied.
"It is impossible to describe the sun. There is nothing in our world with which it can be compared. I can only say that you can appreciate it after direct perception".
When it is so difficult to explain the sun and day, how can you explain the sight of God? It can be known only when you personally experience and directly perceive
Now you have seen only the exhaulted soul and not the God. These exhaulted souls will guide you and lead you to God. The sight of god can never be explained in words. One must enjoy himself and get experience himself. Only one thing I can say -- if you put all the contentment and satisfaction you have got from earning a lot of money, your splendid bungalow, your marvelous car, your beautiful wife, your intelligent children and all the materialistic happiness and pleasure in one pan of the balance, and the momentary enjoyment of SILENCE in the other pan of the balance, you will see that the latter pan is heavy. It is simply wonderful.
Please experience yourself and don’t believe in what others say. You are the master of your own enjoyment.
This stage cannot be achieved in one day. You have to strive hard for that. To someone the whole lifetime may be required and someone may get it instantaneously and to someone, this lifetime may not be sufficient. It depends on many factors but it you can try sincerely the result is doubtlessly sure and certain.
