DIET OF YOGIS

 

A Sadhaka must maintain strict discipline. In his behavior, he must be civil, friendly, courteous, gentle, honorable, and gracious. In Sadhana, he requires tenacity. He must be fully self-disciplined, pure, and faithful to the Guru. A glutton, or someone who is a slave to his senses and has several bad habits, is unfit for spiritual life.

“Mitaharam vina yastu yogarambham tu karayet; Nanarogo bhavettasya kinchit yogo na siddhyati na siddhyati na siddhyati na siddhyati na siddhyati na siddhyati na siddhyat.”

“If one follows Yogic rituals without practicing dietary moderation, he will not gain any advantage but will develop multiple diseases” (Ghe. Sam. V-16).

• In Yoga-Sadhana, food is very important. In the beginning of his Sadhana era, an aspirant should be very cautious when selecting Sattvic-natured posts.
• When Siddhi is achieved, the stringent dietary limits can be lifted. Food purity contributes to mental purity.
• Meditation is aided by sattvic food.
• Food discipline is extremely important for Yogic Sadhana.
• When the tongue is under control, the other Indriyas follow suit.

“Ahara-suddhau sattva-suddhih, sattva-suddhau dhruva smritih; Smriti-lambhe sarva-granthinam viprarnokshah."

—"By the purity of food follows the purification of the inner nature, by the purification of the nature, memory becomes solid, and by the loosening of all bonds, the wise get Moksha thereby.”

SATTVIC FOOD ITEMS DESIRABLE FOR YOGIS (A Sample Indian Diet)

For a Sadhaka, here’s a list of Sattvic or desirable foods:

Milk, red rice, barley, wheat, Havishannam, Charu, cream, cheese, butter, green dal (Moong dal), Badam (almonds), Misri (sugar candy), Kismis (raisins), Kichidi, Pancha Shakha vegetables (Seendil, Chakravarty, Ponnan-gani, Chirukeerai, and Vellaicharnai), Lowki vegetable, plantain-stem.

Charu: Combine half a seer of milk, boiled rice, ghee, and sugar in a pot and bring to a boil. This is a fantastic meal for Yogins.  This is for use throughout the day. Half a seer of milk will suffice for the night.

Milk should not be cooked excessively. As soon as the boiling point is reached, it should be extracted from the fire. Boiling it very much kills the nutritional values and enzymes, rendering it worthless. Sadhakas will like this dish. Milk is a whole meal in and of itself.

A fruit-based diet has a positive effect on the body. This is a healthy way of eating. Fruits are excellent sources of electricity.

Fruits and milk in the diet aid concentration and mental attention. Barley, wheat, milk, and ghee all help you live longer and have more power and strength.

Fruit juice and water with melted sugar sweets are also excellent drinks. It is possible to consume butter filled with sugar candy and soaked almonds. These will help to keep the machine cool.

FOOD ITEMS THAT ARE RESTRICTED FOR YOGIS

Salt, mustard, asafoetida, chillies, tamarind, sour curd, chutnee, beef, milk, fish, garlic, onions, alcoholic beverages, acidic stuff, stale vegetables, overripe or unripe fruits, and other articles that conflict with the system can all be avoided.

Rajasic food serves as a mental diversion. It arouses enthusiasm. Excluding the salt from your diet. It arouses arousal and emotion.

Giving up salt aids in the discipline of the mouth, and hence the spirit, as well as the development of willpower. A man who has given up salt will be unaffected by snake bites or scorpion stings.

Garlic and onions are much worse than beef. Live a healthy, holistic lifestyle. Easy, agreeable food comes to mind. You can build your own menu based on your body type. When it comes to choosing a Sattvic diet, you are the ultimate judge.

Yoga practitioners should refrain from eating foods that are harmful to their work. Milk (and ghee) are ordained during deep Sadhana.

Several articles of a Sattvic nature have been given above. That isn't to say you can take anything. You'll need to choose a few things that are both readily accessible and appropriate for you.

Yogins prefer milk over other foods. However, even a limited amount of milk may be toxic to certain people and may not be suitable for all constitutions. If one type of diet isn't working for you or you're constipated, switch to another Sattvic dietary food. This is what is Yukti. You should be an expert in the field of food and beverages. You do not have even the slightest need for any single meal. You must not become enslaved to any one thing.

MITAHARA 

Heavy food causes a Tamasic state which only induces sleep. There is a widespread misconception that a large amount of food is needed for good health and power. Much is dependent on the ability to absorb and assimilate information. 

In the vast majority of cases, the majority of the meal, along with feces, passes undigested. Take a half-tummyful of nutritious food. Fill a fifth of the way up with pure water. Leave the rest to chance. 

Mitahara is important for maintaining optimal wellbeing. Meal irregularity, overeating, and unwholesome diet are the root causes of almost all diseases. It's really risky to eat anything at all times like a monkey. Such a person will quickly become a Rogi (sick person), but he can never become a Yogi. 

“Success in Yoga is not for him who eats too much or too little; nor for him who sleeps too much or too little,” Lord Krishna declares emphatically (Gita VI-16). “To him who is temperate in feeding, in sleep and wakefulness, Yoga becomes a destroyer of misery,” He says in Sloka 18 of the same verse. 

A glutton cannot have diet rules and follow Mitahara from the start. He'll have to get used to it over time. Allow him to take half as much as possible at first. Allow him to eat fruits and milk alone for a few days instead of his normal heavy night meals. In time, he would be able to totally skip night meals and rely solely on fruits and milk during the day. 

Many who practice Sadhana for a long time must only drink milk. It's a whole meal in and of itself. They can take any quickly digestible fruits if desired. 

When a glutton suddenly switches to a fruit or milk diet, he may be compelled to consume something at all times. That's not nice. I'll say it again: incremental preparation is needed. Don't fast for too long. You would become vulnerable as a result of it. 

Fasting once a month or when love is bothering you greatly would suffice. You need not really consider the different types of food when fasting. When you're fasting, you can't keep worrying about eating all the time. Stop company when fasting. Live on your own. 

Make the most of your time in Yogic Sadhana. Do not eat something heavy after a fast. It is beneficial to drink milk or fruit juice. Leave no fuss over your eating habits. Whether you can pull off a single diet, you don't have to sell it to anyone. 

The observance of such Niyamas or rules is for your spiritual growth, and you can not prosper spiritually from making your Sadhana public. Many people nowadays find it a profession to earn money and a living by practicing Asana, Pranayama, or adhering to dietary restrictions such as consuming only raw foods, leaves, or roots. They are unable to grow spiritually. 

Self-realization is the ultimate purpose of creation. Sadhakas should keep the target in mind at all times and perform intense Sadhana using the methods prescribed.

You may also want to read more about Kundalini Yoga and Holistic Healing here.

 

 

Hinduism - What Is Upavasa?

 

 

Fasting, which is sometimes done as a prescribed activity for specific religious observances such as festivals and vows (vrats), and is sometimes done as a way of expiating one's sins, is referred to as a general phrase.

Although upavasa may refer to complete abstention from food and drink, it is most often associated with dietary changes.

In other situations, such as during the Shivaratri festival, such "fasting" means refraining from cooked grains, which are regarded such an important component of a meal that the term "rice" is also used to describe "food" in some regions of India.

In other circumstances, one will refrain from eating particular foods, such as the Santoshi Ma Vrat, which requires a person to abstain from eating anything with a sour or bitter taste.

When fasting is done as an act of penance (prayashchitta), the prescriptions generally involve the quantity of food consumed rather than the kind.

The chandrayana, a penitential rite lasting one lunar month in which the penitent's food consumption mirrors the monthly course of the moon, is the most well-known of these.

On the first day of the declining moon, the performer eats fourteen mouthfuls of food, then one fewer mouthful on each subsequent day, culminating in a full fast on the new moon day.

The penitent eats one more mouthful each day during the waxing moon, until he reaches fifteen mouthfuls on the full moon day.

~Kiran Atma

Amazon | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.

Be sure to check out my writings on religion here.

Shivaratri

 

 ("Shiva's Night") The most significant yearly celebration for Shiva worshippers (bhakta), held on the sixteenth day of the dark (waning) half of the lunar month Phalgun (February–March).

On this night, Shiva worshipers are reported to obtain unrestricted religious advantages.

The festival's observances are divided into three categories: fasting (upavasa), wakefulness, and worship.

Those fasting on Shivaratri must avoid all grains, which distinguishes between a "snack" and a "meal," but are otherwise allowed to eat anything they choose.

Observers remain up all night, preferably at a temple, telling and listening to stories of Shiva's epic achievements, then worship Shiva the following morning.

Shivaratri is a prominent Indian event, and the readings and talks are broadcast through loudspeakers in numerous locations so that people who live nearby might benefit from the religious significance.

The festival's founding story explains the potency of any religious observances carried out on this day, even if unintentionally.

According to legend, on the evening of Shivaratri, a hunter lost in the woods climbs a tree for protection and spends the night.

Unbeknownst to him, at the base of the tree lies a linga, Shiva's symbolic form, a pillar-shaped thing.

The hunter spends a cold and unpleasant night shaking the tree, sending dew and leaves as sacrifices to the linga; upon descending the tree, he kneels to pick up an arrow he fell during the night, and so kneels before the linga.

Despite a lifetime of negative karma brought on by his employment as a hunter, the religious merit derived through this unaware observance led this hunter to Shiva's abode upon his death, and to a subsequent reincarnation as a king.

Hinduism - What Is Bairagi?

Bairagi has the literal meaning of “dispassionate”. 

This is the generic term for any ascetic who worships Vishnu as their patron god, although it is most often used to refer to the warring ascetics known as Nagas. 

• Chatuh-Sampradayi Nagas is another name for Chatuh-Sampradayi Nagas.

Bairagi Sadhus: Unveiling the Dispassionate Path of Renunciation in Hinduism

The Bairagi tradition within Hinduism stands as a testament to the profound pursuit of renunciation and devotion. Literally meaning "dispassionate," a Bairagi is an ascetic dedicated to the worship of Vishnu, seeking detachment from worldly desires. While encompassing various Vaishnava ascetics, the term is most often associated with the formidable Naga Sadhus, particularly those of the Chatuh-Sampradaya. This essay explores the multifaceted Bairagi tradition, examining its philosophical foundations, diverse practices, and the unique characteristics of the Naga Sadhus.

Central to the Bairagi ethos is vairagya, the detachment from material possessions and emotional ties. Rooted in Hindu scriptures, which emphasize the transient nature of worldly pleasures and the pursuit of moksha (liberation), this detachment is an active process of severing ties with the ego and senses. Bairagis strive for inner tranquility, free from distractions like fear, anger, and desire.

The Bairagi path involves rigorous discipline and self-control. Ascetics renounce familial ties, possessions, and social obligations, adopting a simple lifestyle focused on spiritual practices. These include meditation, chanting, fasting, and pilgrimage, aimed at purifying the mind and body for divine connection. The worship of Vishnu, the preserver god, is paramount, as he embodies compassion, righteousness, and cosmic order, ideal for those seeking liberation.   

While "Bairagi" encompasses diverse Vaishnava ascetics, the Naga Sadhus of the Chatuh-Sampradaya are distinctive. The Chatuh-Sampradaya, meaning "four traditions," refers to Vaishnava lineages founded by Ramananda, Vishnuswami, Nimbarka, and Madhvacharya, with the Naga Sadhus primarily associated with the Ramanandi Sampradaya.

Naga Sadhus, known for their ash-covered bodies, matted hair, and minimal clothing, embody renunciation. Often carrying tridents and swords, they historically served as warrior ascetics, protecting Hindu pilgrimage sites.   

Historically, Naga Sadhus safeguarded Hindu holy sites, engaging in militant defense against rivals and invaders. With the decline of organized warfare, their focus shifted to spiritual pursuits.   

The Kumbh Mela is a significant event for Naga Sadhus, where they emerge from seclusion to participate in elaborate processions, showcasing their unique traditions. Their presence underscores the enduring strength of the Bairagi tradition and its commitment to spiritual discipline.   

Naga Sadhus lead austere lives, often residing in remote locations, enduring harsh conditions. Their practices include intense meditation, prolonged fasting, and self-imposed austerities, aimed at transcending physical limitations.   

The Bairagi tradition, exemplified by Naga Sadhus, represents a powerful expression of Hindu renunciation and devotion. It is a path of rigorous self-discipline, unwavering faith, and surrender to the divine. Despite their seemingly extreme practices, they embody a deep commitment to spiritual liberation and an understanding of the transient nature of worldly existence, illustrating the transformative power of spiritual practice and the pursuit of moksha.

~ Kiran Atma

You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.

Be sure to check out my writings on religion here.

Hinduism And Hindu Theology - What Is Achala Ekadashi?

Achala Ekadashi is the Hindu New Year. The eleventh day (ekadashi) of the dark (waning) half of the lunar month of Jyeshth (May–June) is the festival. 

• This, like other eleventh-day celebrations, is devoted to the adoration of the deity Vishnu. Achala means "immovable," and another name for this ekadashi is apara, which means "unrivaled." 
• The name alludes to the religious virtue gained by participating in this event, which cannot be revoked or reversed, according to tradition. 

• Most Hindu holidays have specified rituals, which typically include fasting (upavasa) and devotion, and frequently promise particular rewards if they are followed faithfully. 

Individual adherence differs according to one's devotion and preferences. 

• Fasting, for example, may range from avoiding just specific meals to avoiding all meals throughout the day. Individuals may worship at temples or in their own houses. 
• Following this event religiously is said to absolve one of the bad consequences of one's previous actions, especially acts that would result in birth as a pret, or unquiet spirit, as well as enhance one's reputation, riches, and religious virtue.

You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.

Reiki Healing - What Are Reiki Initiations?

Here I delve into both theory and practice of the Usui System of Natural Healing's traditional symbols and chants. 

The use of these instruments in the initiations, which expose the diversity of Reiki abilities to the pupils, is a very important element. 

Even though I've been doing them for years and have seen their never-failing, amazing direct and indirect impacts on myself and my pupils so many times, these ancient rites still seem like miracles to me (Walter). 

Initiations come in a wide variety of forms and may be found all around the globe. 

I often encounter the viewpoint that it doesn't matter what occurs in these ceremonies as long as the desire to develop Reiki abilities is there. 

This approach is completely incorrect, since Reiki does include a technical component. 

This implies that specific tasks must be completed in order for a person to be transformed into a Reiki channel and have their various Reiki talents awakened. 

There are also a number of safeguards in place to ensure that every student experiences this deep spiritual awakening and change in a peaceful and safe manner. 

It would not have been required for Usui to undertake a 21-day retreat with a specific meditation method and fasting in one of Japan's most powerful power locations in order to permanently open himself to Reiki if an initiation worked only on good will. 

Of course, many individuals have previously tried to introduce themselves via books or “automatically” through the Internet by clicking on icons. 

However, I've never met anybody who has had their Reiki skills awakened as a consequence of doing so. 

Different Types of Initiations

Reiki initiations aren't the only method to awaken a person's spiritual abilities. 

There are many distinct kinds of initiations, some among them are listed below: 

1. Self Initiation

2. A Light-Being Assists In Initiation

3. Re-Activating A Past Life Initiation

4. A Teacher's Initiation

Self-Initiation.

Dr. Mikao Usui's 21-day meditation and fasting period: It takes a unique set of circumstances for anything like this to work. 

First, the individual must have a thorough understanding of the field in which he wishes to use the talents awakened by the initiation. 

The right kind of practice must be done, and it must be done for a long enough period of time and in a location with good spiritual preconditions. 

The initiation period must be chosen such that the practitioner's efforts are aided by astrological transits. 

The practitioner's inner attitude is a deciding element. 

Even the finest external preconditions and tightest practice discipline will not make a spiritual initiation possible without a modest, heartfelt motive directed toward serving in the Divine Order, since it is ultimately divine grace that accomplishes it. 

The individual may prepare for it, but the Creative Force decides! 

A Light Being Assists in Initiation.

Rarely, individuals are initiated by a spirit while sleeping or meditating, or at a time when they least anticipate it. 

This usually often occurs after lengthy, intense periods of engagement with a spiritual subject for which no human instructor could start and train the individual at the time. 

There is a basic guideline to follow in this situation: 

It will vanish if the new talent is not utilized three times in the service of the Divine Order during one moon cycle—until the moon returns to the same position it was at the time of the initiation. 

The initiation then ceases to exist. 

Being initiated by angels or other spiritual beings is usually a once-in-a-lifetime event. 

It often has a long-term impact on a person's perspective on life. 

The necessary training has either been conveyed primarily through appropriate knowledge from books, inspiration, or direct contact with a light being, making it "just" a matter of having attentive and persistent experiences with the newly acquired talents, or it has been appropriately transmitted after the initiation. 

The same concept applies now as it did previously: 

Those who do not study and practice will get just a little benefit from the gift. 

Reactivating an Initiation Received in a Previous Life.

A spiritual talent that was gained in a previous life may occasionally be reawakened via an effort that is mostly unconscious in connection to a spiritual subject. 

In general, this is accompanied with more or less clear recollections from previous incarnations in some manner. 

This may also happen during a regression or meditation session. 

The new ability must also be put into practice in the service of the Divine Order three times during one moon cycle, until the moon is back in the same position as it was during the initiation, just as it was during the initiation via a light being. 

Self-initiation, initiation via a light being, or reactivation of an initiation from a former incarnation all need humility and a genuine effort to pursue the spiritual path, in my experience. 

A Teacher's Initiation.

This initiation route is perhaps the most straightforward: 

You go to a seminar or training session, learn something, and get an initiation so that what you've learned works satisfactorily and long-term.

You may also want to read more about Reiki Healing here.

Hinduism - What Is Vijaya Ekadashi?

 

The eleventh day (ekadashi) of the dark (waning) half of the lunar month of Phalgun (February–March) is a religious celebration.

This is the eleventh-day observance devoted to the worship of Vishnu, as is the case with all eleventh-day observances.

Most Hindu holidays have pre-determined ceremonies, which generally include fasting (upavasa) and devotion, and frequently offer particular rewards for loyal participation.

Those taking this vow should fill an earthen pot with the seven varieties of grain, place an image of Vishnu on top of the pot, and recite the names of Vishnu for twenty-four hours.

The pot of grain should be handed to a brahmin on the twelfth.

In terms of outcomes, it is stated that diligently honoring this festival would provide vijaya (victory) over poverty and sadness.

~Kiran Atma

Amazon | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.

Be sure to check out my writings on religion here.

Saphala Ekadashi

 

The eleventh day (ekadashi) of the dark (waxing) half of the lunar month Paush (December–January) is a religious observance.

The eleventh-day observances are all dedicated to Vishnu worship.

Most Hindu religious festivals have prescribed rites, which usually include fasting (upavasa) and worship, and often promise specific benefits if performed faithfully.

Those performing this rite must sing and tell stories about Vishnu's exploits all night.

The name Saphala means "successful," and those who follow it religiously will be successful in everything they do.

Hinduism - What Is Kalpavas? Who Are The Kalpavasis?

 

Kalpavas (meaning "dwelling for a kalpa") is a Sanskrit word that means "residence for a kalpa." During the annual Magh Mela event in Allahabad during the lunar month of Magh (January–February), a strict religious vow is made.

The confluence of two holy rivers, the Ganges and the Yamuna, is where Allahabad is located.

The fundamental religious rite of the celebration is bathing (snana) at this point.

Although most visitors only remain for a few days during the festival, kalpavasis, or persons who have taken the kalpavas vow, stay for the full month.

Kalpavasis also promise to follow a rigorous ascetic lifestyle that includes daily baths in the Ganges, a limited diet, specific attire and worship, and participation at religious meetings known as satsang.

The ascetics from all over South Asia who come to bathe in the hallowed waters are the main players in the Kumbha Mela.

According to legend, the great philosopher Shankaracharya founded the Kumbha Mela to encourage regular meetings of educated and holy men as a way to reinforce, preserve, and disseminate Hindu religious ideas.

 

Kalpavasis: The Spiritual Heart of the Kumbh Mela

The Kumbh Mela, a colossal gathering of Hindu pilgrims, is renowned for its vibrant spectacle and profound spiritual significance. At the heart of this mega-event reside the Kalpavasis, a unique group of ascetics and devotees who embody the essence of spiritual dedication. The term "Kalpavasis" translates to "dwellers of the Kalpa," referring to the immense cycles of time in Hindu cosmology. These individuals immerse themselves in a rigorous spiritual retreat during the Kumbh Mela, renouncing worldly comforts and dedicating themselves entirely to divine pursuits.

Kalpavasis exemplify the highest ideals of Hindu spirituality, characterized by unwavering devotion and rigorous self-discipline. They embrace a life of austerity, often residing in simple shelters within the Kumbh Mela grounds. Their daily routine involves a strict regimen of spiritual practices, including early morning dips in the sacred river, hours of meditation, chanting of mantras, and rigorous fasting. This austere lifestyle is aimed at purifying the mind and body, culminating in the ultimate goal of spiritual enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Beyond their individual practices, Kalpavasis play a crucial role in fostering a strong sense of community within the Kumbh Mela. They often live in small groups, sharing resources and engaging in collective spiritual practices. This communal living fosters a supportive environment for spiritual growth and provides a powerful example of the transformative power of collective devotion.

The presence of Kalpavasis at the Kumbh Mela is of immense significance. They serve as living embodiments of Hindu ideals, inspiring millions of pilgrims with their unwavering devotion and selfless service. Many seek their blessings and guidance, considering them to be conduits of divine wisdom. Moreover, Kalpavasis play a vital role in preserving and transmitting the rich tapestry of Hindu traditions and values across generations.

Kalpavasis are an integral part of the Kumbh Mela, embodying the very essence of this extraordinary spiritual gathering. Their unwavering devotion, rigorous practices, and selfless service serve as an inspiration to millions, reminding us of the timeless values of renunciation, self-discipline, and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.

You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.

You can find my latest book series on Hinduism here:

Be sure to check out my writings on religion here.

Hinduism - What Is A Vrat?

 

Term referring to a religious pledge, said to be derived from the verb "to select." 

Vrats are an essential element of contemporary Hindu life as religious observances.

They can refer to one-time religious observances associated with specific festivals, such as the Shivaratri vrat, or more regular religious observances, such as those associated with the monthly lunar calendar (e.g., the ekadashi rites) or those performed on the day of the week associated with a specific patron deity.

The particular prescriptions for these vrats vary a lot, but there are a few things that they all have in common.

They frequently include dietary changes, sometimes via fasting (upavasa) and other times by consuming or avoiding certain foods.

Worship of the ruling god is another continuous feature.

The vrat's charter myth, which recounts how the vrat was created, how it should be performed, and what kind of blessings it offers, is frequently recited or heard as part of this devotion.

Vrats associated with festivals are practiced by a wide range of individuals, but weekly vrats (such as the Santoshi Ma Vrat) are most often practiced by married women in order to improve the health, safety, and prosperity of their families.

Despite the fact that such weekly vrats are ostensibly optional, they have become an anticipated component of women's religious life, through which women may protect their families' wellbeing via their sacrifices.

See Mary McGee, "Desired Fruits: Motive and Intention in Hindu Women's Votive Rituals," in Julia Leslie, ed., Roles and Rituals for Hindu Women, 1991; and Doranne Jacobson and Susan S. Wadley, Women in India, 1992, for more on women's rites.

~ Kiran Atma

You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.

Be sure to check out my writings on religion here.

Hinduism - Who Is Goddess Parvati In The Hindu Pantheon?

 

 ("mountain's daughter") Parvati is the Hindu goddess Parvati, who is the wife of the god Shiva and the daughter of the minor deity Himalaya (the Himalaya Mountains personified) and his wife Mena.

Shiva has been lost in monastic seclusion since the loss of his first wife, Sati, and Parvati comes in human form to entice him to father the offspring required to defeat the demon Taraka.

Even as a kid, Parvati swears to have only Shiva as her spouse, according to her legends.

Shiva has made a vow of asceticism and is engrossed in profound meditation on Mount Kailas, so her parents attempt to dissuade her.

Parvati's initial attempt to stir Shiva's passion fails miserably.

Kama, the god of love, attempts to kill Shiva with a desire arrow, but Shiva shoots a torrent of fire from his third eye, burning Kama to ash.

Undaunted, Parvati enters the mountains and starts her own program of extreme physical asceticism (tapas): standing for long periods of time on one foot, suffering the heat of summer and the cold of winter, and practicing severe fasting (upavasa) and self-denial.

Shiva is ultimately awakened by the spiritual strength created by her austerity, and he appears to her dressed as an elderly brahmin.

He attempts to dissuade Parvati by making harsh statements about Shiva's lifestyle and behavior, but Parvati remains steadfast in her decision.

Shiva eventually exposes his actual self to her, and the two marry.

Shiva is the Hindu image for the perfect husband because of his love to his bride, yet their family life is uncommon.

The pair has no stable residence or means of support since Shiva is the metaphor for the ideal ascetic, and Parvati is sometimes shown as lamenting about being an ascetic's wife.

Their marriage, symbolically, marks the ascetic's domestication and entry into social and family life.

Their marriage exemplifies the cultural conflict that exists between the two most fundamental Hindu religious ideals: the householder and the renunciant ascetic.

Shiva and Parvati conceive offspring, but not in the traditional way: Skanda grows from Shiva's semen, which falls on the ground during their interrupted love-making, while Ganesh develops from the invigorated soil from Parvati's body.

Parvati, like other married Hindu deities, is seen as compassionate and gentle.

She may be spiteful in certain legendary myths, but on the whole she exudes a loving and motherly presence.

Her mythology is nearly completely linked to Shiva's, demonstrating her subjugation as the perfect wife, and her devotion is also frequently linked to him.

Parvati has a crucial role in tantra, a secret, ritual-based religious practice, since she is often shown as the one asking Shiva and later as the pupil receiving his instructions in tantric scriptures.

See David R. Kinsley's Hindu Deities, 1986, for further information about Parvati and all the Hindu goddesses.

You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.

Be sure to check out my writings on religion here.

Hinduism - Who Was Kabir?

 (middle of the 15th century?) A poet is considered as one of the most important religious personalities in northern India.

Kabir belonged to the Sants, a group of poet-saints from central and northern India who shared several characteristics: an emphasis on individualized, interior religion leading to a personal experience of the divine; disdain for external ritual, particularly image worship; belief in the power of the divine Name; and a tendency to ignore caste hierarchies.

Kabir was a devout follower of these ideas, and in his works, he openly criticizes any religious practice based on habit or custom, such as asceticism, unique ways of clothing, fasting (upavasa), image worship, caste, and text.

Kabir describes himself as a weaver (julaha) in his poems, and according to legend, he supported himself via this employment.

Kabir's background makes it impossible to associate him with a certain faith.

In Arabic, the name Kabir ("Great") is one of Allah's names in the Qur'an, indicating that he is a Muslim.

His poetry, on the other hand, demonstrates his extensive understanding of Hindu religious life.

The members of Kabir's julaha society were supposed to be new converts to Islam who had not yet completely integrated.

Kabir's poetry, on the other hand, plainly demonstrates that he was neither Hindu nor Muslim.

Kabir's appeal is probably due to his forthright, impassioned assertion that true religious accomplishment can only be attained via inward, individual experiences of the divine, which he refers to as Ram.

This is a word for the incomprehensible, ultimate Supreme Reality, not the god-king who is the hero of the Ramayana.

Both of these emphasizes reflect the Nathpanthi ascetics' influence, who also emphasized inward experience and yoga.

Kabir reportedly claimed in one of his songs that he had never put pen to paper since he was so engaged in the holy.

Many of his shorter epigrams have become conventional sayings, and his songs are still popular today.

Kabir's oldest attested poetry can be found in three major collections: one in the Adigranth, the Sikh scripture also known as the "Primal Book," another compiled by the Dadupanth, the religious organization founded by the Sant poet-saint Dadu, and the Bijak, compiled by the Kabirpanth, a religious community that claimed Kabir as its guru (religious preceptor).

These collections show substantial variances, indicating that they are not all from the same source.

For more information, see Charlotte Vaudeville's Kabir (1974); Linda Hess and Shukdev Singh's The Bijak of Kabir (1983); John S.

Hawley and Mark Juergensmeyer's Songs of the Saints of India (1988); Nirmal Dass' Songs of Kabir from the Adi Granth (1991); and David Lorenzen's Kabir Legends and Ananta-Das' Kabir Parachai (1991). 

You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.

Be sure to check out my writings on religion here.

Hinduism - What Is The Nirjala Ekadashi?

 

The eleventh day (ekadashi) of the bright, waxing half of the lunar month of Jyeshth (May–June) is a religious celebration.

The eleventh-day observances are all devoted to the worship of Vishnu, the deity.

Most Hindu holidays have mandated ceremonies, which generally include fasting (upavasa) and devotion, and frequently promise particular rewards if they are followed faithfully.

This ekadashi has more stringent requirements than the others.

Not only is all food prohibited, but the individual performing the ceremony must also refrain from drinking water, hence the term nirjala, which means "waterless." The fast must endure from sunrise until sunset.

Because this ekadashi falls during the warmest time of the year, this will be a difficult endeavor.

The benefits are substantial: Whether or whether they have performed the ceremonies for the other twenty-four ekadashis throughout the year, those who complete the vow for this one ekadashi get religious merit for all twenty-four ekadashis during the year.

Keeping the ekadashi promise is also said to ensure a long life and the liberation of the soul after death.

You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.

Be sure to check out my writings on religion here.

Hinduism - What Is Ekadashi Baruthani?

The eleventh day (ekadashi) of the dark, or waning, half of the lunar month of Baisakh, which falls between April and May, is the festival. 

The festival is devoted to the adoration of Vishnu, particularly in his fifth incarnation, the Vamana avatar. 

• Most Hindu holidays have specified rituals, which typically include fasting (upavasa) and devotion, and frequently promise particular rewards if they are followed faithfully. 

• Those who follow this practice should avoid being angry or backbiting, and consume food that has been cooked without salt or oil. 

The word Baruthani means "armored" or "protected," and it is thought that keeping this festival properly observed would shield one from all harm and provide great prosperity. 

• An ascetic whose foot has been bitten off by a wild beast regains the leg by completing this procedure, according to the founding myth.

You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.

Be sure to check out my writings on religion here.

Hinduism - What Is Tapas?

 

 (“heat”) Term for any kind of physical asceticism, or what was formerly known as "mortification of the flesh." 

Fasting (upavasa) and celibacy, as well as rituals of enduring physical agony, such as the "five flames" (panchagni) rite, are all included in the word tapas.

During this ceremony, a person sits in the hot season, surrounded by four flames, with the sun above representing the fifth fire.

Other ceremonies include suffering cold through bathing (snana) in snow-fed rivers, as well as enduring any kind of bodily hardship.

Tapas may also refer to strange and even masochistic habits such as standing for years on end; holding an arm lifted until the muscles atrophy and it can no longer be lowered; resting on thorn and nail beds, and so forth.

All of these activities are based on the notion that they produce spiritual strength (which is referred to as "heat"), and that a person who develops and accumulates enough of this force would attain supernormal abilities or the capacity to demand boons from the gods themselves.

Even while many modern Hindus are wary of and condemn extreme practices, there is still a huge cultural regard for ascetic self-control, and when paired with the appropriate personality, such activities may give significant religious power.

In Hindu mythology, Indra, the god-king, keeps a watchful eye on individuals who accumulate such abilities in order to safeguard himself from being supplanted by someone more powerful.

Because of the "heat" created by the tapas, Indra's celestial throne gets heated when an ascetic begins to collect enough strength to unseat him.

Indra must locate the aspirant and defuse the force in one of two ways: by bestowing a blessing on the aspirant, which is often the motivation for doing the tapas in the first place, or by sending a heavenly nymph (apsara) to seduce the ascetic, whose power will be released along with his semen.

This legend represents the core Hindu notion that celibacy, which conserves a man's vital energy by conserving his sperm, is the beginning point for ascetic strength.

~Kiran Atma

Amazon | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.

Be sure to check out my writings on religion here.

Hinduism - What Is Yogini Ekadashi? When Is It Observed In The Hindu Calendar?

 

The eleventh day (ekadashi) of the dark (waning) half of the lunar month of Ashadh (June–July) is a religious celebration.

This, like other eleventh-day celebrations, is devoted to the worship of Vishnu, especially in his avatar as Narayana.

Most Hindu holidays have mandated ceremonies, which generally include fasting (upavasa) and devotion, and frequently promise particular rewards if performed faithfully.

Giving presents to needy brahmins is the recommended activity on this day; following the festival sincerely takes away the sin of chopping down a pipal tree (ashvattha) and also brings one birth in heaven.

You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.

Be sure to check out my writings on religion here.

Reiki Healing - What Happens During the 1st Degree Initiation?

 

Reiki Master utilizes the symbols and mantras (holy phrases that summon spiritual energies and use them for a particular purpose) that Dr. Usui discovered in ancient scrolls on the techniques of the Healing Buddha or created on the basis of them during initiations into the 1st Degree. 

The Reiki Master, via his or her Master's initiation and the symbols and mantras of the 3rd Degree, is capable of establishing a permanent link to the source of spiritual life energy for any other human being. 

Traditional rituals that are required for activating Reiki skills and directing the organizing forces into certain chakras that participate in the transmission of spiritual life energy utilize the symbols and mantras. 

These techniques, however, will not work if the individual using them has not undergone the Master Initiation in the conventional manner. 

Let's utilize the radio example once again. It isn't functional without power. 

As a result, after discovering the scrolls from the great wealth of knowledge in Esoteric Buddhism, Dr. Usui was unable to start with Reiki right away. We can be confident he gave it a go. 

He only gained access to the wellspring of spiritual life force after three weeks of fasting and meditation—and only by the gift of the Creative Force—without which none of the methods could have been used. 

To get the full set of abilities in the 1st Degree, four partial initiations are required. 

In many Reiki schools, however, they are condensed into two or even one initiation. 

The four partial initiations are offered in Rainbow Reiki in order to gently acclimate trainees to their new skills and allow them enough chance to consciously appreciate the often intense spiritual experiences. 

Each partial initiation performs a distinct critical function. 

To ensure optimum integration of the spiritual benefits, each partial initiation should be separated from the preceding one by approximately 3 hours. 

Partial initiations should not be separated by more than 24 hours because otherwise the energy connections would be lost, and the student's Reiki skills will most likely vanish within 10 days. 

The chakras are only indirectly influenced by the Reiki initiations at all degrees. 

It removes the barriers in the domain of a race's karma that prevent individuals from having a direct, complete touch with the spiritual life force on a very deep energetic level. 

This is why, with the exception of gaining Reiki skills, which are discussed further below, the spiritual and bodily consequences of the initiations vary from person to person. 

Reiki is a kind of energy that is accessible to all living things. 

Without the proper initiation, spiritual life force arrives in drips and drops, to use a metaphor. 

Reiki comes to the initiated individual in a strong, steady, and always accessible current after an initiation, and it may even expand tremendously with consistent practice. 

Attunements affect certain chakras, which are effectively utilized as portals. 

The true transformations, however, occur on far deeper levels, in the so-called light body24. 

This is a spiritual framework that organizes and directs non-polar life energies such as Reiki. 

The information is then transmitted to the chakra system, which uses it to regulate its operations. 

More information about this subject may be found in the chapter titled "The Spiritual Energy System of Human Beings."

You may also want to read more about Reiki Healing here.