The Purifying Path of Haṭha Yoga: An Introduction to Ṣaṭkarma
Haṭha Yoga's essence is the six purification techniques, or Ṣaṭkarma, for cleansing the body and balancing energy. Our polluted modern environment necessitates these natural cleansings using water, salt, and air. These practices purify the physical system and uniquely influence the vegetative nervous system, which is typically beyond our control. The goal is to balance the Iḍā and Piṅgalā energy channels, allowing the central Suṣumnā to flow. This mastery brings many benefits, fostering willpower and overcoming inertia. Regular purification, especially during seasonal changes, removes metabolic waste that causes illness and stagnation, keeping energy flowing. Specific techniques like Netī cleanse the nasal passages, while Agni Sāra and Naulī stoke the digestive fire. These are potent tools that require proper guidance from an experienced teacher regarding the correct method and timing.
"Haṭha Yoga is not only that we clean and purify our whole system, our whole body, but it also has a great, very great effect on our nervous system, especially the vegetative nervous system."
"When they are balanced, then the third one, the Suṣumnā Nāḍī, will start to flow."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
Up next
Keep the light
The Siddha Pīṭha Paramparā stems from the Himalayan legacy, where cosmic energy focuses directly from the universe. The master chose Jadan as a holy seat of immense energy, destined for all mankind. Every word of the Guru comes true. In Jadan Ashram, the light is radiant, but outer peace does not automatically bring inner peace. Life there is simple and intense, with time passing differently, allowing deep spiritual absorption. The lost needle searched outside where there is light, though lost in darkness, reflects ignorance. Where there is light, bright thoughts arise; where there is darkness, negativity comes. Christmas is a time to give away negative qualities, offer good feelings, and practice forgiveness. God unites in oneness, beyond differences in religion or culture. The Himalayas are the youngest mountains, yet they grow tall, hosting many saints and yogis. Alakhpurījī is indescribable, spotless, everlasting—a Śiva-like being. Serving the master in every aspect is the true sādhanā. Through such service, the physical body may transform into a subtle body, gaining siddhis. Śiva drank the world’s poison, becoming Nīlakaṇṭha, the blue-throated one. Alakhpurījī blessed Devpurījī in the glaciers, granting divine powers. The dharma is to work for Gurudeva and bring his message to others.
“Only to see the mountains is nothing. But in those mountains, we are searching for something.”
“Where there is light, it brings bright thoughts. And where there is darkness, negative thoughts come.”
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
The Serpent's Blessing: A Story of Kuṇḍalinī
The path to consciousness unfolds through the inner kingdom. A man sought Kuṇḍalinī awakening. A master gave him a flute. He blew it continuously for half an hour. A cobra emerged from a bush. He coaxed the snake into a basket. He planned to display his awakened Kuṇḍalinī. Resting under a banyan tree, a monkey stole the basket. The monkey opened it, saw the king cobra, and became paralyzed with fear. The master felt sorry for the monkey. This story warns against chasing such experiences. Another man searched for the wish-fulfilling Kalpavṛkṣa tree. Sitting beneath it, he wished for water, food, a bed, a net, and his wife. Each appeared. Then he feared a ghost, and a ghost materialized. Greed leads to loss. True Kuṇḍalinī is energy, knowledge, light connecting to the cosmic. Rest and meditate instead of forcing practices.
"Kuṇḍalinī is your energy, your knowledge, many good things. It is your light connecting to the cosmic."
"Don’t run behind such things."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
Use your Viveka
Karma is action through body, breath, and thought; everything from digestion to thinking is karma. Past life karma is a dormant seed that sprouts into present destiny. Humans possess awareness and intellect to comprehend their actions. The mind's fluctuations, or vṛttis, generate karma and cause suffering, as they are known only to oneself and the divine. True Hatha Yoga consists of six purification techniques, not merely postures. Modern stress retreats and commercialized Ayurveda are often misrepresented. One must use discernment to see the true nature of actions, as temptation often masks emptiness. Ultimately, we arrive with closed fists and depart with empty hands, taking nothing from this life.
"Anything that happens through your body, through your breath, through your thoughts, through your actions, everything is called karma."
"Better to do the karma than nothing."
Keep your energies clean
The five bodies each require their own nourishment. The physical body, Annamaya Kośa, needs food. It is said every grain has a destined consumer. A story tells of a grain of rice, uncooked and stuck in a merchant's tooth, which later fell before a king who ate it. Another story tells of a chickpea that entered a man's sinus; a sage said it was destined for a chicken, and so it was. Destiny governs all; free choice is an illusion. Yet discipline is necessary. Care for the physical body through proper āsana and diet, understanding food's effects are unknown. The energy body, Prāṇamaya Kośa, is sustained by breath and pure substances; avoid blocking it with artificial materials. The mental body, Manomaya Kośa, contains all thoughts and desires, known only to oneself and the divine. The intellectual and bliss bodies will be discussed later. Practice yoga as a daily discipline for these sheaths.
"On every grain is written the name of the one who will eat it."
"Destiny is playing with us. Nothing we can do, and we do not have free choice."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
