Friday, November 17, 2023

A.A.Y.A. / Advaita Atma Yoga Academy - Atman Nityananda





Self-realization is the main goal of human life; viz. The realization that we are eternal Being and awareness (Atman or Brahman). Our true Self or Atman* is eternal Existence and consciousness or awareness; It is Satchitananda*, nondual (Advaita*) and beyond form, time, space and causality.  

Realizing that we are the Atman our deepest aspirations of freedom, expansion, immortality, wisdom, unconditional love, peace and happiness without limits are fulfilled; we are free from all suffering and we live effortlessly an without a break the peace, bliss and freedom eternal.

Advaita Atma Yoga - The double approach

Advaita Atma Yoga is an integral approach based on the principles of Advaita Vedanta and the main paths of yoga*. It  gives a fresh approach to the traditional spiritual paths, recommends a sattvic way of living and provides all necessary knowledge, practices and methods to facilitate the transformation of our lower nature and the realization of our true nature. 

Advaita Atma Yoga as an integral method also aims to the holistic, harmonious and balanced development of the human being at all levels: physical, vital, emotional, mental, intellectual and spiritual level. 

In the classical yoga there is the eight limb's process of development which is a ladder of eight steps (known as Raja Yoga or Astangha Yoga*). 
The eight limbs or steps are: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, concentration, meditation, Samadhi. This model applies with some differences to all paths of yoga.

Advaita Atma Yoga also takes account of this eight step process but approaches this model with a new fresh way, which I call it  ‘The double approach’, because from the very beginning of the journey we begin to explore and work with both; the lower self and the higher or true Self.

From the beginning we apply both, techniques and methods for the exploration, purification, transformation and development of the lower self (body, prana, mind, intellect) and methods and techniques to rediscover, recognize and live aware of our essence or true Self.

In relation with the lower self the goal is to know and understand how function the body, the energy, the emotions, the thinking mind, the senses and the intellect, to purify them from the egoic energies and tendencies, to create balance at all levels and develop the higher capacities of energy, mind and heart.

In relation with our true Self the goal is to study, reflect, contemplate, observe, discern (between the SELF and the non-self), enquire and meditate in order to recognize our essence or Slef (Atman), to develop self-awareness and finally rest as awareness. The development of Self-awareness from the beginning is a crucial part of our  sadhana because enables us to disidentify from the emotional and thinking mind and develop detached and objective self-observation which together with discrimination enables us to discover and eliminate the egoic tendencies and energies.

Three levels of purification and equilibration

The whole process of yoga is a preparation of the internal instrument - named Antahkarana - which is fourfold: manas (mind), buddhi (intellect), ahamkara (ego) and chitta (subconscious mind), in order to be able practice effectively Self-enquiry, meditation and samadhi. Only a pure sattvic, dispassionate, discriminative, detached, introverted, one-pointed, serene mind,  can be an effective instrument to do meditation, self-enquiry and reflect clearly our true Self or Atman.

Since the most difficult part of the spiritual process is the purification of the lower self, Advaita Atma Yoga considers as the most effective way or method of purification "the three level purification". This is an holistic process to purify our Antahkarana working 'simultaneously' from three levels. 

1. On the body-vital energy level (which includes the physical prana and the psychic prana which is related with the emotions and desire) 
2. On the mind -intellect level
3. On the awareness level which is at the center of all practices.

To succeed in this purificatory process I suggest a variety of techniques and methods that make this process very effective and accelerating. Of course the most important factor in the spiritual journey is the aspirant himself. Νo practice by itself can give significant results. Ιt is the aspiration, the motivation, the intention, the faith and self-confidence, the attitude, the sincere constant and intense practice of the practitioner, with patience, tenacity and perseverance that brings great results.

Αll levels of human existence are interrelated and interact between each other; thus the work we do with each one of them has also impact to all others. The purification of the body and vital energy for example facilitate the purification of the emotions and mind and the opposite. Only awareness is unaffected by the other levels of our existence but is the One that influence all others and facilitate decisively the purification and the development of mind and heart.  

Some of the important practices are: Self-enquiry, discrimination (viveka), detached observation, reflection, meditation, auto-analysis, introspection, Japa nama, prayer, kirtan, devotion, study, transformation of sexual energy. By these practices the mind is purified, and the higher capacities of heart and mind are developed. A purified mind by constant contemplation, discrimination, self-enquiry and meditation can be awakened and realize fully its identity with Atman (Consciousness) as well as can express the divine qualities in the world, (peace, love, harmony, wisdom, creativity and beauty). 

Considering health as an important factor of well being and spiritual growth are indicated also ayurvedic principles and applications as well as methods of natural healing, aiming the maintenance of good physical health and vitality and the reestablishment of psychological harmony and balance. Good health and psychological harmony are the foundations for the individual and social well being as well as for the realization of Truth.

READ MORE ABOUT PPRACTICES:

Glossary

Advaita: Not two. This idea indicates the nondual nature of our true Self (Atman), and its identity with the universal Self (Brahman). Does not exist two Beings or Selves, the Universal Self and the individual Self. There is only one Self undivided and universal and appears to be individual due to its conjunction with the human mind and the veil of ignorance that covers his true nature.

Atman: Atman is called our true Self which is identical with the Universal Self which is named Brahman. ‘Ayam Atma Brahma’ , (The individual Self-Atman is one and the same with the absolute –Brahman), is one of the great mahavaykas of Upanishads that establish the identity of Atman with Brahman.

Yoga: Means union with the true Self or God. We call Yoga the realization that we are one with God but we call also yoga the process to achieve this realization of unity or identity with God. The main paths of Yoga are: Karma, Raja, Bhakti and Jnana Yoga.

Sat-chit-ananda:
Sat is the Truth Existence absolute, Exist in eternity, never cesases to be.
Chit is Consciousnesso or Awareness absolute. Atman is self-luminous therefore does not any other factor to know Itself.
Ananda is Bliss Absolute. The very nature of Atman is Bliss without limits.

Raja Yoga or Astangha Yoga*: Read here about RAJA YOGA 


Peace, Love, Harmony