Beyond the Mat: Embracing True Yoga through Sahaja Yoga
Today, we celebrate International Yoga Day. Over time, we’ve all interpreted the word “yoga” in ways that suit us. Some consider sitting on the ground and reaching their ears through their knees as yoga, while others think manipulating the pace of their breathing is yoga. Thus, many believe that yoga is purely a physical exercise involving bending, stretching, or compressing the body and involves complex breathing techniques. Around us, there are many who only pull out their yoga mats from the storeroom on Yoga Day, clean them, take a picture while performing yoga, and upload it on Facebook, thinking that posting a selfie is the celebration of Yoga Day.
The other day, I met a friend to whom I had explained what yoga really is back in 2016 in very simple terms. I had tried to make it understandable to everyone, but perhaps because he had a lot of hair on his head back then, it didn’t sink in. Instead, he was the one who ended up explaining to me the benefits of various yoga poses.
After not seeing him for a long time, I casually asked him, “So, do you practice yoga now?” To which he replied, “Yes, I do the headstand every day as my guru instructed.” I then commented, “Wow, doing the headstand regularly must be very beneficial for you, right?” Just as he was about to answer, his wife interjected, “What benefits? All his hair from doing those silly poses is gone!” I was puzzled and asked, “What do you mean by ‘gone’ due to poses, sister-in-law?” That’s when my friend removed his cap to reveal his completely bald head. He said, “Ever since I started doing it, all my hair has fallen out.” I told him, “Not all practices are bad; it’s just that if you don’t know the correct way to do them, instead of seeing positive outcomes, you start seeing negative ones.”
I couldn’t help but add, “Look, back in 2016, when you had a full head of hair, you didn’t grasp the simple yoga I explained to you, and now doing these complex routines regularly has led to nothing but verbal taunts from your wife over your baldness.”
So, each has their own preferences and comforts. The literal meaning of the word “yoga” in our common language is “to add” or “to connect.” When someone asked Saint Kabir what yoga was, he replied:
“Written not, spoken not; only seen in practice, when bride and groom unite, the procession fades into insignificance.”
Here, Saint Kabir straightforwardly means that he hasn’t written or read about yoga; he has experienced it. Here, the “bride and groom” symbolize “my soul and the divine.” The union of my soul with the divine makes everything else insignificant. As per Saint Kabir’s words, “When you connect with your inner self through yoga, all worldly attractions become secondary.”
If we were to read this couplet without understanding its meaning, each of us would interpret it differently, and many might get it wrong. Maharashtra is the land of saints, and all saints have emphasized that the union of the soul with the divine is essential, and that is what they call “yoga.”
Yoga is an integral part of Indian culture. Its importance is highlighted in scriptures like the Vedas, Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita. All the saints who have passed have written about how to cultivate yoga based on their experiences and feelings. Different interpretations of these writings have been made by our ancestors and us, often incorrectly. However, our involvement is not in these disputes; here, we need to see how we can cultivate our yoga. Once yoga is achieved, there must be some proof or evidence of it before we can believe in its effectiveness. Furthermore, many texts describe that the word “yoga” originates from the Sanskrit word “yuj,” which means the dissolution of the soul into the divine.
Regular practice of yoga not only improves physical health but also aids in mental peace and spiritual growth. It reduces stress, sharpens concentration, and helps us build a closer relationship with our soul.
According to our traditions, we always try to show our feelings to God through prayers, attempting to connect with the divine. Everyone has different methods of praying. Some read scriptures (often leading to becoming foolish scholars), while others count beads (often while simultaneously watching useless TV shows), where the beads might complain, “Why do you rotate me with your hands? Forget the mind’s wanderings, and I’ll connect you immediately.”
Everyone tries to attain God in their own way, whether by chanting “Ram Ram, Jai Shri Ram,” “Pandurang Hari,” “Ya Allah-Ya Khuda,” or “Oh Jesus.” However, despite these efforts, many of us face various physical, mental, and financial troubles because we haven’t truly practiced yoga. As mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita (Verse 9/22), “Yogakshemam Vahamyaham,” Lord Krishna promises to take care of those who are in union with him.
If we take an everyday example, making a phone call means connecting our phone to someone else’s. If the connection is successful, we can speak; if not, there’s a problem in one of the phones. If saints say that the union of the soul and the divine is yoga, then there must be some proof of yoga even after it’s achieved. If a simple plastic phone’s connectivity can be proven, shouldn’t the divine connection also have some evidence? If a store wouldn’t sell a phone without proof of connectivity, why would we follow a yoga practice without any evidence of its effectiveness? If we were sensible, we wouldn’t waste our time and money on a yoga practice that shows no signs of connectivity.
If you truly want to experience what “yoga” is and instantly need proof like the flow of vital energy from your body, then the only way is “Sahaja Yoga.” Through the Sahaja Yoga initiated by Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, you can achieve self-realization right where you are by awakening your Kundalini today. How much longer are we going to just sit and read scriptures without experiencing the state they describe? It is essential to rid ourselves of the baggage of the six enemies (desires, anger, greed, attachment, arrogance, and jealousy) by achieving self-realization. In today’s modern age, the only way to achieve self-realization is through “Sahaja Yoga,” which allows you to experience the awakening of Kundalini and self-realization in just 5–10 minutes without reading or writing any books, completely free and in an authentic manner. When self-realization occurs, as Saint Dyaneshwar described, cool breezes flow practically from both hands and the fontanel area of the head.
Thus, Sahaja Yoga is a straightforward and simple path to establishing a spiritual connection and awakening Kundalini, based on personal experience. It is based on the teachings of Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi. In this yoga practice, the awakening of the Kundalini energy travels through the seven chakras, significantly impacting the individual’s physical, mental, and spiritual levels. When the Kundalini reaches the sahasrara (crown chakra), the individual experiences self-realization, profoundly changing their life experiences, perspectives, and responses.
So, friends, to truly understand the essence of Yoga Day, start searching for a Sahaja Yoga meditation center near you today. If you can’t find one, you can even access this great yoga online for free and authentically as “Sahaja Yoga.”
Verses by Sant Tukaram Maharaj:
“Do not speak of mere legends here; what use are dry words? Let experience be the etiquette here; theories do not advance us. Choose distinctly as the swan separates milk from water. Let experience be the etiquette here; theories do not advance us. Tuka says we need substance, not the ignorance of fools. Let experience be the etiquette here; theories do not advance us.”
These verses underline that true yoga is not about superficial or ritualistic practices but about genuine experiences that lead to spiritual enlightenment. Yoga is a significant part of Indian heritage, as underscored in scriptures like the Vedas, Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita. It has been shaped by the experiences and insights of various saints over the centuries.
In our modern times, when we are often disconnected from our inner selves, Sahaja Yoga offers a path to rediscovering our spiritual essence. This form of yoga, initiated by Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, involves the awakening of the Kundalini energy, which travels through the seven chakras and leads to profound physical, mental, and spiritual transformations. The ultimate goal is self-realization, where one experiences a profound connection with the divine.
Key Takeaways:
- Comprehensive Understanding of Yoga: Yoga is not limited to physical postures but is a profound spiritual journey that connects the soul with the divine.
- Daily Practice Benefits: Regular yoga practice offers numerous benefits, including improved physical health, mental clarity, and spiritual awakening.
- Essence of Sahaja Yoga: Sahaja Yoga, taught by Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, focuses on self-realization through the awakening of Kundalini energy, offering a direct experience of spiritual connection.
- Accessibility and Simplicity: Sahaja Yoga can be practiced by anyone, anywhere, without the need for extensive reading or prior knowledge, making it accessible and simple.
- Cultural and Spiritual Depth: Reflecting on traditional Indian teachings and the wisdom of saints like Sant Kabir and Sant Jnaneshwar, Sahaja Yoga deepens the cultural and spiritual understanding of yoga.
- Proof of Effectiveness: Like any significant practice, the effects of Sahaja Yoga can be experienced practically, adding credibility to its spiritual benefits.
- Empowerment through Self-Realization: Sahaja Yoga empowers individuals by enabling them to achieve self-realization, leading to transformative life changes and the ability to handle life’s challenges with greater ease.
If you are seeking a true understanding of yoga, explore Sahaja Yoga. It doesn’t require extensive readings but offers a direct experience of spiritual awakening that is free and authentic. So, discover a Sahaja Yoga meditation center near you or explore this profound practice online.
