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Date Posted: 09:07:09 02/21/04 Sat
Author: ketch - 11 Dec 2003
Subject: Stylites, Faquir's and Kriya Yoga
In reply to: ketch - 11 Dec 2003 's message, "St Daniel the Stylite" on 09:01:55 02/21/04 Sat



The Stylites spent their lives on top of poles or columns as a religious practice. The fashion was started by St Simeon Stylites who spent 30 years on top of a column from 423AD.The person who spent the longest atop a pole was probably St Alypius in the sixth century who remained on a pillar for 67 years without a break, for the last fourteen of them lying down because his feet could no longer support him.

The practice appears to have fallen out of favour at least a thousand years ago.

The original impetus for the Stylites may have come from the desire to escape the crownds who thronged to visit anyone believed to be a saint. Christ was regarded as the Pantokrater (Almighty) and seemed remote from most people. Saints were seen as being able to mediate between the Pantokrater and man and were thus in great demand. Later however the practice was probably seen as a means of worship and gaining religious merit.

In some ways the practice of the Stylites was perhaps not that different from the actions of some modern Indian Faquirs, who might spend years standing up, or holding one arm aloft.

In both cases the bodily discomfort is looked upon as the price to be paid for some spiritual reward.

Both the Stylites and Faquirs show a high degree of determination and religious devotion. What they lack is a knowledge of the high techniques such as Kriya Yoga which can produce results more effectively than bodily mortifications.

If such people were to receive Kriya they would probably make rapid progress, and perhaps those of us fortunate enough to have these sacred techniques can learn something from the single minded determination of the Stylites.

Snakes and Ladders?

An engraving showing St Simeon Stylites


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