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Date Posted: 10:01:03 01/28/06 Sat
Author: ketch - 5 Dec 2005
Subject: Re: Yama/Niyama - The Hardest Part of Yoga
In reply to: Sundarar - 5 Dec 2005 's message, "Re: Yama/Niyama - The Hardest Part of Yoga" on 09:58:09 01/28/06 Sat


"However 8 fold ashtanga yoga steps must be practiced by the raja yogi all at once. They will likely all improve together."

I have to say I disagree with this statement. In the very high stages that may be true but the yogi has to master the steps in the correct order (with the exception of asana possibly). Perhaps it is not possible to completely master the stages one at a time, but we must at least attain the passing mark before we can progress.

Most people would agree that we cannot simply start practicing samadhi. It is just not possible, except in a few very rare cases. To get to samadhi we first have to master dhyana (extreme meditation - absorbtion). Likewise we cannot attain dhyana without first achieving a high degree of proficiency in dharana (single pointed concentration). Similarly dharana is not possible unless we can free the mind from disturbances by pratyahara, which can only be achieved after we have first mastered pranayama. These are logical steps which occur in sequence.

The specific techniques of kriya which are given at initiation are really techniques of the fourth stage - pranayama (coupled with asana perhaps).

Unfortunately many people seem to think that they can jump in at this stage without first practicing the lower stages. People go to India and take worthless "initiations" from dubious "guru's" then boast of how they have the original kriya. Worse still some even buy dubious initiations from internet "guru's." One of the reasons I started this thread was to show that is not the traditional way, nor will it be effective.

High Pranayama (such as kriya yoga) cannot be properly practiced without some degree of mastery of the previous steps. Perhaps it is even dangerous to do so. This is one of the reasons for the traditional secrecy surrounding yoga techniques. They are not suitable for everyone, and those who set themselves up as yoga teachers, giving out these techniques promiscuously are helping no one.

For the strength of kriya pranayama one thing which is absolutely essential is not to dissipate prana through sexual indiscretion. Even if kriya does not demand complete celibacy, moderation is essential. Without this the currents are weak. Sometimes people complain that they cannot feel the kriya currents after years of practice. I will bet a pound to a penny that in most cases the reason is that they have dissipated energy through sex. Brahmacharya really is what provides the fuel for successful pranayama.

The same for other requirements of yama/niyama. Success in pranayama is not possible without them. If the mind is given to anger or to harming others we will not be able to practice pranayama with concentration and with the mind on the divine.

Those who think that kriya yoga (or "original kriya") consists simply of taking initiation and practicing a few simple techniques are deluding themselves. That is not kriya and those who give out "initiation" so easily are not genuine guru's.

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