Inner guru
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by Swami Muktibodhananda Saraswati
An important question arises from these considerations. What is meant by the 'spiritual' intentions of yoga? The term 'spiritual' has nothing to do with religion or mysticism or anything in the spirit world. If your concept of spirituality has any of these connotations, then it needs some alteration. 'Spiritual' implies transformation of the lower mind so that it becomes capable of perceiving subtler and higher realms. When the transformation occurs, experience of another, all encompassing and all knowing mind existing in the substratum of every living and non-living thing is perceived. It operates something like a main radio station sending signals to smaller substations and radios. But it is only after the consciousness has undergone a certain stage of evolution that the higher mind can be realised. This is the experience of the 'inner guru'. So, if you desire to awaken the vast dormant area of your brain through yoga and experience the higher consciousness, then you will have to find an evolved and enlightened person, who has already undergone such an experience.
In India the guru tattwa is the most relevant part of an individual's life and sadhana. Whether your sadhana follows the lines of yoga or has no such formalities, the fulfillment of serving the guru is most vital.
Manifestation of the guru tattwa
The greatest surprise occurs through the practice of yoga as the techniques start having a noticeable effect upon your whole being and your concepts of life. Then the purpose for which these practices are intended begins manifesting in tangible experience. As yoga was designed to awaken the higher consciousness, then whosoever should practise it is bound to have this experience eventually.
This system is based on scientific lines, whereby you start from a logical, comprehensive point in your physical existence, and manipulate the mental and psychic forces. By concentrating on the two dualistic energy forces, and eliminating all of the accumulated impurities within the energy pathways of the physical, mental and psychic bodies, the third most powerful force can be generated. That is the spiritual energy which awakens the higher faculties in the brain and consciousness.
Through yoga the monitoring center in the brain, known as ajna or guru chakra, situated at the pineal gland, is directly activated. 'Ajna' means to command, therefore, through ajna chakra instructions from our higher consciousness to the gross mind and body are mediated. For the purpose of awakening ajna chakra, the shastras emphasise the necessity of the external guru before the internal awakening process is begun.
Thus the Hatha Yoga Pradipika (3:12) declares that: "He who is devoted to any knowledge, while pleasing the guru with utmost attention, readily obtains the fruit of that knowledge." Another reason why the guru is necessary is that no one will know the science better than he. The guru is fully experienced and shows you, according to your own personal development, the systematic process by which you can progress.
Therefore, even if you do not want to practice yoga for the realisation of higher consciousness, but prefer to use it for worldly fulfilment, still it is most necessary to have a guru. He will know your inner desire and capacity, and will allow the expansion of your consciousness to proceed at a rate which you are able to handle. He knows how and for whom the practices will bring best results. Therefore, the Shiva Samhita (3:14) states that: "Only by the guru's favor is everything good relating to oneself obtained. So the guru ought to be served daily, else there can be nothing auspicious."
Her guru swami Satyananda_Saraswati
SWAMI NIRANJANADA DICIPLE OF SWAMI SATYANADA SARASWATI
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