Shri Swami Muktananda - Sidha Yoga

[Santim Vah]

About SANATANA DHARMA - HINDUISM - MAHAYOGA

and Shri Swami Muktananda - Sidha Yoga


See also
Baba Onkarnath - The Unknown Sudar Singh?
https://groups.google.com/group/alt.religion.eckankar/browse_frm/thread/a1465fdd512ff91a#

and
The Word and the Blue Light Options
https://groups.google.com/group/alt.religion.eckankar/browse_frm/thread/d7b7eb1c66c667e1#

====



The yogi who remains content, who has self-discipline and firm
determination and who surrenders his mind and intellect to Me,
that devotee is very dear to me, that devotee is very dear to Me
Bhagavad Gita

The 'Sidha Gurus' are the highest in the scale of the Masters,
and to attain this status, both the most meritorious 'Sanskaras'
of the past lives as well as severe austerities and 'Tapasya' in
this life are necessary. It is perhaps the most arduous journey
that a spiritual aspirant can undertake. The aim is spiritual
perfection and there are very few masters who attain these
heights through their own efforts.

The path is made much
easier, however, if one is fortunate enough to gain contact
with a SIDDHA GURU who is kind enough to give the disciple the
initiation to receiving cosmic energy, or Shaktipat Diksha,
which results in an effortless spiritual evolution and the
simultaneous mobilising in his body of all the aspects of Hatha
Yoga.

Then he will be able to observe how the Supreme Goddess
Kundalini makes her progress through the various psychic
centres, over which the disciple has absolutely no control,
as it tears away shields surrounding the soul and so sets
it free.

Shri Swami Muktananda was the only other person besides
Baba Onkarnath whom I had heard had attained the status of
Sidha Guru, and on these grounds, I was determined to meet
him. Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi was also known to be a Sidha
Guru.

Merely the blessing of these perfect Masters is said to
awaken the Kundalini in those deserving their grace.
To practise Sidha Yoga, or Shaktiyat, it is imperative to be
in the are and attention of a Sidha Guru, who alone can
transfer his power of awakening the Kundalini by means of a
WORD, a Mantra given to the initiate, or by touch, by a glance
or by thought transference, which occurs with SUCH POWER and
violence that the grace and guidance of the guru is
indispensable.

Sidha Diksha, the initiation by a Sidha Master, demands
total surrender, which on the part of the initiate can only
come out of intense love, devotion and absolute faith in the
Master. There can be no half measures. The Guru is the God
embodied. It is His grace which is working through the
awakened Kundalini, and all the elements of the physical body
are being taken in turn by this all knowing force and are
cleansed of the dross accumulated not only during this birth,
but in many previous births.

The body trembles, sways, adopts
the most difficult Yogi Asanas, and dances in superb ecstasy,
which under normal circumstances, it would be quite
incapable of doing. The body may get heated up and perspire
profusely, or experience electric shocks or pains at various
points.

There may be an involuntary suspension of breathing
or such forceful breathing that one may get frightened. The
body may get heavy and some part may appear to be dead and
cold.

There may be a feeling of ants crawling over the body or
a snake going up and down the spine. There may be the
cracking of bones or a forceful rotation of the body above the
waist.

There may be unbearable pressures in the heart region
and palpitation. One one occasion a companion of mine
complained of such heavy pressures within, that she thought
she would burst. Constant prayer to her Guru made it possible
for her to bear this unusual phenomenon.

Eye balls may revolve involuntarily and turn upwards.
There may be loss of sleep or appetite. The initiate may
start singing or laughing with an uncontrollable laughter.
He may experience laziness and death or such increase of
energy that he could break down the walls.

The body may also become so light that he has a
feeling of floating in the air. This physical purification takes
innumerable forms depending upon the types of impurities the
Goddess Kundalini has to deal with.

Some men and women roar like tigers or chirp like birds
showing that the sanskaras of their past lives are being cleansed.
Even Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa found himself consumed by some
inner fire, whose heat he could not reduce by keeping his body
immersed in the cold waters of the river Ganga for hours on
end. Fortunately that saintly Lady 'Bhairvi' was close at hand
to cure this mysterious malady. And yet there are people who
vehemently oppose the need of a Guru in the spiritual field.

A sensitive body, when it is cleansed can also experience
phenomena such as visions of Gods and Goddesses, of Saints,
of its own Guru in a radiant form, of beautiful scenes, rivers,
lakes, springs, flowers and fruits, some of which cannot be
described since there is nothing comparable to them in this
world.

Dazzling lights of indescribable intensity, beauty and
coolness are seen and the mind gets rivetted to some balls of
light which appear to roll in front of one's open eyes and
permeate all anim;lte and inanimate objects. Sounds of flutes,
bells, drums, the conch shell or some extraordinary musical
notes are heard which keep the mind completely absorbed.

Mantras like Guru Guru, Om, Soham, Jai Guru, Wahe Guru,
Satnam are heard in exquisite renderings and reverberate
through every part of one's body. This is ANHAD NADA, the
UNSTRUCK SOUND, which emanates from God and concentration
on it leads to its Source.

One sees past lives and future events and is able to understand
the whole purpose of life. Every EVENT assumes its proper
place in the scheme of things; tragedies lose their sting and
transitory pleasures their elation. This is how the initiate
regains equanimity which is his natural condition. He or she
rises above the duality and becomes 'Jivan Mukta' freed from
all earthly attachments.

A complete transformation of the physical, mental and
intellectual status of the aspirant takes place.

He now sees HIMSELF as a PART of HIS GURU AND GOD, and
from NOW ON RECIEVES DIRECT GUIDANCE FROM WITHIN.

There is nothing he or she can do wrong, being completely in
the hands of this super intelligence, which regulates all
activities of the disciple.

Ego and pride disapear as he sees himself as A CO-WORKER, an
instrument of the Divine (Plan) and nothing more. He is now in a
position to help others on the path.

---

The more I read about Swami Muktananda, the more I feel
convinced that he is a Sidha Yogi of the highest order.

Hari Giri Baba, a saint of great renown, predicted Swami
Muktamindi's future by openly declaring him a 'Maharaja'
and within two months of this prophesy he met his Master
Swami Nityananda again, who had embraced him when he
was fifteen.

This great Sidha must have been looking for a suitable
vehicle which could carry that potent force of Sidha
Yoga in its pristine majesty and pass it on to the future
generations of seekers of God. It must have been Bhagawan
Nityananda's wish to let his successor gain as much experience
and knowledge as possible so that he had to give only some
final touches to this gem to shine forth.

Bhagawan Nityananda (November/December, 1897 – August 8, 1961)
must have guided him to meet saint Bapumai, a saint who asked
only one penny from everyone and in the evening threw the
collections into the river Chandar Bhaga, saying, 'mother,
keep all this money safely for me'.

This great saint was to impress on his young mind that Lord
Vithai was everywhere.

At the age of twenty-two, Swami Muktananda went to another
avdhoot, Swami Lingananda at Kashi to learn PRACTICAL Yoga.
Swami Muktananda, we find that he enforced on himself
intense spiritual discipline for eight more years at
the feet of his Master and attained perfection in
SIDHA YOGA which he described to his devotees thus:

'There are many pathways to God, generally known as
"Yoga Margas". There is, however, a kind of yoga which is
above all these and which one achieves by the Guru's blessing
alone. The Shastras describe it as Sidha Yoga, because it does
not involve practices of Pranayama, Yama, Niyama, the
recitation of sacred books, the study of religious texts or even
the performance of yajnas. All that is required is the grace of a
Sidha Guru, a perfect Master.'

"The speciality of this form of yoga is that while all other
yogas involve a certain amount of effort on the part of the
aspirant, the process of Sidhi Yoga is automatic. It is therefore
also known as Mahayoga, the great path. This yoga cannot be
practiced, it begins to happen by the Guru's grace. On receiving
this grace, the disciple is immediately capable of practising all
other forms of yoga. The functioning of this yoga is
extraordinary, and many people find it hard to believe, and
this is the main reason why sadhakas and saints DO NOT REVEAL
IT TO OTHERS."

Talking about his sadhana, Muktanandji described some of
his experiences during the nine years of his tapasya before he
became a Sidha.

They are most informative and are best put in his own words::
'Once Nityanand Baba gave me a fruit and asked me to go
to Yeola and continue my sadhana there. I ate it on reaching
my destination and sat for meditation. Within moments
strange things were happening to me ... Generally I am a
man of great courage, but that day I was overcome by fear. I
felt possibly Bhagawan Nityananda was annoyed or displeased
with me ... My entire body started aching, but it automatically
assumed Padamasana, the lotus posture. The
tongue began to move down the throat and all my sttempts to
pull it out failed ...

'My fear grew; I tried to get up, but I could not, as my legs
were tightly locked in padamasana. I felt severe pain in the
knot, the manipur chakra, below the navel. I tried to shout
but could not even articulate. It seemed as if something had
stuck, in my throat. Next, I saw ugly and dreadful demon-like
figures which I thought were the evil spirits. Strangely, I was
fully aware all this time, of what was happening to me. I was
consciously witnessing everything.

'I then saw fire blazing up all around me, and felt that I too
was burning. After a while I felt a little better. Suddenly I saw
a large ball of light approaching me from the front, and as it
approached, its light grew brighter and brighter. It then
entered unobstructed through the closed doors of my kutir and
merged into my head. My eyes were forcibly closed and I felt
as though I was fainting. I was terrified by the enormously
dazzling light and it put me out of gear.' ...

'Finally, I saw a BLUE FLAME which first grew larger and then
diminished to the size of a SMALL PEARL. Remaining steady in
front of me, it began to sparkle. It was so very beautiful, so
enchanting, that I was relieved of all my fear. Now it again
grew larger and started going round and round about me.
'All of a sudden my tongue got fixed to the palate hanging
in the yoga posture of khechari mudra and my head fell on my
chest. I loudly uttered the words "SRI GURUDEV" almost
unconsciously, and Lo! everything became normal from that
very moment. All yoga kriyas came to a stop. My hands and
feet, which had stiffened, regained mobility.' ...

'Somehow the morning dawned. I had my bath and a cup of
tea, and in keeping with my daily practice, I sat for
meditation. Soon I was in deep meditation when funny sounds
resembling those of barking dogs or roaring lions, tigers and
camels, emanated from my throat. Hearing them, the herds of
cattle grazing nearby began to run away in fright. I was sad
and dejected, for I had neither heard nor read about this sort
of thing happening during sadhana. I thought I had fallen
from my path as a result of some curse.' ...

'I was very conscious of my own self-respect. I disliked
begging or pleading helplessly. In the belief that I had strayed
from the path of sannyasa, I removed my ochre robes and
hung them on a tree, and wearing only a loin-cloth and taking
my kamandalu and a shawl in my hand, I walked away
towards the East, leaving the doors of my kutir open, and
telling no-one I was going. I thought I might go mad and no
one would recognize me.' ...

'I thus continued walking a long distance and reached
Nagad on the third day. There, on the mountain, was an
orchard of oranges, sweet lime and sugarcane. I entered it and
saw some huts. In a little while, someone from the orchard
came running to me and told me that he was Dagdu Singh, the
owner. He welcomed me and inquired where I came from and
what service I would like to have from him. He owned a big
estate and said he was a student of yoga and a lover of sadhus
and holy men. He arranged for me to rest in a hut, and
ordered khichadi for my meals.

'There was a cupboard in the hut, and as I was sitting there,
I heard a voice within me asking me to open the cupboard and
read the book lying inside. First I did not pay much attention
to it but I heard the same words repeated two or three times. I
could not ignore them any longer, so I opened the cupboard
and picked up a book. The very page I opened described the
yogi experiences I was having. It also explained how a person,
who had received shaktipat by the grace of a sidha guru and
whose kundalini was thereby awakened, got different kinds of
wonderful experiences. After reading a few pages of the book,
my mind freed of all troubles and became peaceful.' ...

VISION OF LIGHT

'As I progressed in my sadhana, the frightful visions almost
disappeared. Yet as soon as I sat for meditation, I would feel I
was burning, and at other times, I might see a burning pyre. I
used to see a RED LIGHT and sometimes even different forms and
shapes in it. Visions of coming events, of visitors who were to
come and of the things they were to bring also appeared, as if
in a film. The redness of the light resembled the colour of the
horizon at sunrise. '

'Sometimes I used to hear very sweet and melodious divine
music. At other times, I would be suddenly inspired to write a
poem or sing classical music. I also tasted nectar, a few drops
of it dripping in my mouth from the palate. It was a very
pleasant experience ....

'After some days the RED LIGHT turned WHITE. It was about the
size of a thumb, and would alternately appear and disappear.
'Sometimes I also used to see a GOLDEN LIGHT which was not
always steady. While it flickered, I was at times able to see
other worlds in it. I once saw Heaven, Swarga-Loka. The men
and women there resembled us but they were much taller,
healthier and more handsome, and they welcomed me.

Different types of phenomena or incidents were now visible in
the white light, which were previously seen in the red light.
'After the experiences of red and white lights, I saw a BLACK
LIGHT, about a quarter of an inch in size. It used to appear and
disappear, and whenever it appeared, the vision lasted two to
three hours during which my mind and consciousness became
completely engrossed and calm. A variety of visions, such as
those of far-off countries, of movements under sea water, and
of great sages and rishis were seen in this light. The vision of
each new light added to my happiness. If I saw someone in the
black light then that person also was able to see me in a vision
or dream, whenever he might be. If anyone came near me,
when I was having the vision of black light, that person also
would be induced into a meditative mood. The SHAKTI was
acting independently in all these phenomena.

'After the visions of black light came a BLUE LIGHT, about the
size of a small PEARL. It used to come and stand before me but
disappeared whenever I tried to look or gaze at it ...
'Gradually the consciousness of finite self diminished and
more and more awareness of 'Being Shiva', Shivoham, 'Being
Brahman', aham brahmasmi, began to dawn on me.

'Of course I also had a vision of Vaikuntha, the Abode of
Lord Vishnu, and even saw the play of raslila but these were
mere visions, not the final reward of sadhana. The ultimate
fruit of sadhana or True Enlightenment is obtained when the
knot of ignorance is cut.

'Six years passed in this manner.

'The NEXT STAGE, which takes quite some time after the vision
of BLUE LIGHT, is BINDHU - BHED or the piercing of the pupil of the
eye. It means that the pupils of the two eyes are pierced and in
place of normal dual vision, the eyes attain a uniform field of
PERCEPTION. At the time of this bindu-bhed, the eye balls may
suffer pains for three to fifteen days just as it hurts during the
chakra-bhed, that is, the piercing of the nerve-plexus in the
spinal cord. The use of medicine is not advised. The eyeballs
start revolving, and in course of time, after many revolutions,
both the bindus come together, and when this is achieved, the
eyes, though fixed at one point, can see in all directions.

This is an uncommon phenomenon and is the SECRET of what is
described as DIVINE VISION. After the bindhu-bhed the eyes roll
upwards ...

'KARNA-BHED also takes place at the time of bindu-bhed. A
chakra, situated at the root of the ear, starts to hurt during
karna-bhed. The DIVINE SOUND one then hears is known as
udgitha or OMKAR DHWANI, and is so very pleasant that I
cannot describe it in words....

'After bindu-bhed and karna-bhed, the sadhaka
experiences a kind of meditation whereby he sees another
separate self of his own. He is puzzled, unable to decide which
one of the two is his real self. Such an experience is known as
pratik-darshan. At this time his body gets completely purified.

Thereupon the sadhaka acquires a feeling that he is merely a
witness to everything, and in my case this experience had
lasted three months.

'The final attainment comes only when the NEEL-BINDU, the
BLUE PEARL-like spot of light, remains steady in the vision of the
sadhaka. In the beginning it is unsteady. It appears in the
vision, sparkles for some time and suddenly disappears, which
indicates restlessness of the mind.

FINAL ENLIGHTENMENT

'As one advances in sadhana, a golden lotus comes, with a
peculiar subtle sound of its own, from the Sidha-Loka and
drops on the head of the sadhaka, THEN sadhaka who is able
to HEAR THE SOUND as well as FEEL ITS TOUCH.

It then drops onto the ground from the head, and before he
can have a look at it or pick it up, it disappears, an
experience I myself have had.

'After this, the neel bindu (Blue Light) becomes steady and
the sadhaka becomes calm and restful and keeps on looking at
the neel bindu.

His Antarshakti becomes more and more powerful, though his
body gets very thin.

'When the neel bindu has become fixed and steady, its lustre
always increases and gradually it spreads everywhere,
ultimately enveloping the entire universe. The sadhaka now
sees in that lustre his Guru or Ishtadeva. He himself then
becomes one with his Guru or Ishtadeva, whereby he realizes
that God, Guru and he himself are One in essence.

This can be termed as real Advaita or non-duality ....
No further ways of sadhana remain available for him, he
has only to fulfil his remaining fate, prarabdha. Thus,
becoming a jivanmukta, he spends the rest of his life for the
well being and spiritual uplift of others.'

===

Guru Nanak talks of 'yan Kand', the Realm of knowledge,
in Japuji, the sacred hymns of the Sikhs, while talking of
the different realms to which the soul will ascend in its
evolutionary flights. He said in 'Gyan Khand' that there are
many Sidhas, Buddhas and Naths or Master of Yoga and
many Gods and Goddesses. Exquisite nada or celestial music
can be heard and infinite joy and bliss is experienced.

Swami Muktananda talks of Sidha loka as the home of the
Sidhas, which appears to correspond to the same description
as that of 'Gyan Khand'. I found this fact of great interest
since it shows the authenticity of people who have similar
experiences.

Swami Muktananda gives a detaled description of Sidha loka
as he talks of the blue bodies of the Sidhas,made of pure
consciousness, living amongst trees, flowers and creepers,
gardens and mountains, all filled with conscious radiance.
They travel on the chariot of thought and keep visiting our
world according to their choice.

JAPA YOGA

Swami Mukhtananda goes on to say that there
are many Sidhas living here and there in India who do not
disclose their identity and it is difficult to recognize them
unless they themselves so desire. Swami Mukhtananda lays
great stress on Guru-Bhakti, devotion to the Guru, so that one
may earn their grace and achieve fulfilment with ease.

Besides meditation Swami Muktanandji insists on Nama Japa
on continuous remembrance of the mantra given to the
initiate, which is a highly potent method of spiritual evolution,
also known as MAHAYAJNA.

Lord KRISHNA says in the Gita 'of all the YAHNAS, I am the Japa
Yajna'.
Guru Nanak says that in Kali Yuga there is nothing better
than the singing of the Lord's name and his constant remembrance.

Japji is the name of the morning prayer revealed to every Sikh which
he must recite daily.
In fact Guru Nanak went to the extent of saying:
I live only by reciting thy Name
If I forget thee I shall die.

Japa Yoga is the EASIEST Path and suits all conditions, and,
being perfect in itself, it is a means as well as an end. People of
all faiths prescribe and practice this but it is a SCIENCE and
there are certain prerequisites to be followed.

God has as many names as he has attributes. Which name
will bring the best fruits of Japa Yoga is a question which only
a perfect Master can solve. He gives a Name, a Mantra, at the
time of initiation which is called a Beej Mantra, or a
potencized Sedd Mantra, which is in harmony with the initiate
or achieves this harmony by the special powers of the Guru.

The constant repetition of this Mantra as 'Nam' brings about
the best results, which come quicker if the Guru is a Sidha.
Swami Muktananda describes Japa Yoga as Kalpa Viriksha, a
wish-fulfilling tree, or Dama Dhenu, a celestial Cow, and
Param Chintamani, a gem which yields anything desired.

He also says that 'if the Sadhaka carries out the Mantrajapa
after identifying his oneness with the Guru, the Mantra itself
and the Lord of the Mantra, then the Mantra instantly
activates yoga processes within the initiate, to making him
merge with God and become like Lord Shiva'.

Swami Muktananda describes the effect of Japa Yoga::
on the physical body through the action of the red light;
on the 'subtle body' through the white light, about the size of the
thumb and located in the throat,
on the 'causal body' through the black light which is about half the
size of a thumb joint and which lives in the heart;
and on the 'grand causal body' through the BLUE LIGHT which is the
size of a tiny spot or a lentil which is situated in the navel.

When the tongue, representing the physical body, is satiated
through its recitation of the Mantra, Japa enter further and
the Mantra begins to be repeated more and more in the
throat, representing the japa of the 'subtle body'.

By now the body as a whole, has been purified, and at this
stage the disciple has visions of Gurus, Gods, Goddesses,
Sidhas and Saints.

Then the japa enters deeper, into the heart. This is
also called Shunya or Void, where the Knot of Ignorance can
also be found. The speed of japa increases still further and
there is greater joy and enthusiasm. The heat in the head
increases and disciple feels warmths throughout his limbs.

He can carry out his world activities more efficiently since now
inner guidance and vigour is available. He also gets a glimpse
of his causal body.

Then, suddenly, the japa moves into the navel.

The aspirant feels VIBRATIONS in that part and the BLUISH
lustrous body is also perceived. He sees a divine light and all
types of states of knowledge, devotion and Yoga are
experienced, as all the hidden powers are awakened.

Anhad Nada, unstruck heavenly music, is heard and he now
gets a Mantra from within by his guru's grace which is
THE KEY TO Consciousness of one's INNER BEING.

At this stage no effort or japa is involved which
continued through the words, heard unconsciously,
known also as 'Ajapa jap'. There is a blissful
feeling of ONENESS with the universe and its creator.

He becomes perfect.

Nam or Mantra or Shabda is the vehicle which takes one
beyond creation to the creator.

You will notice how in a sort of reverse process, the'Sabda'
shakti descends from the tongue, via the throat and the heart
to the navel and completes the process in easily assimilable
stages.

Meditation becomes automatic in this process and no special
restrictions are laid down about the place or the time or
the duration of the sadhana.

Baba Onkarnath says the same thing and lays great stress on
JAPA YOGA. In both cases, however, the sadhana becomes
easier, because of the Shakti Pat Dikaha by these GREAT
Masters.

There are innumerable instances given in 'Shree Gurudev
Vanee', the Annual Magazine, of disciples, both western and
eastern obtaining similar results. It would take volumes to
describe all these variations of spiritual experiences. This
Annual Magazine, which contains the personal experiences of
some disciples, also has articles by Swami Muktananda and
some of his eminent devotees, which are well worth studying.

It clears many a doubt, strengthens wavering minds and acts as a
tonic for those on the path.
---

I think something ought to be said here about THE DELUSION
& deceptions that these SIDHAS may cause in the minds of
those whom they meet for the FIRST TIME.

I think it is deliberately done to separate the rice from the husk.
Swami Muktananda may be found in very rich attire.

On occasions he may be made to wear a crown and sit on a magnificently
decorated Singhasan or throne. This may put off some disciples who
have not yet
acquired the vision to look deeper and recognize in him the Sanyasin
of three births.

Sai Baba of Shirdi wore a torn shirt but his incarnation the
Satya Sai Baba wears rich attire and lives and travels in the
conditions of comfort which modern civilization provides.
Raja Janak may have disappointed some disciples with his
style of living but he was the greatest renunciate known to
history.

One should SEE WITH EASE with which such men sit on the bare
floor or live on just nothing. Often they accept such garments
and fineries to please their most devoted disciples and discard
them or give them away as if it was trash. That is the sign of a
true Yogi or renunciate. I have seen some remarkable saints in
silk robes and some others in self-imposed poverty. Let us pray
to God to give us WISDOM to RESPECT the Divine in whatever
SHAPE it appears before US.

====

[vidny...@gmail.com]

Jay Gurudev
I am fortunate to be the devotee of Mahayogi Swami Umananda Saraswati,who is the greatest disciple of Swami Muktananda...

[Henosis Sage]

On Wednesday, 22 April 2020 11:11:51 UTC+10, vidny...@gmail.com wrote:
> Jay Gurudev
> I am fortunate to be the devotee of Mahayogi Swami Umananda Saraswati,who is the greatest disciple of Swami Muktananda...

Jai Guru

Indeed you are fortunate. Live well.