Advaita Atma Yoga - The double approach
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| Atman Nityananda |
Self-realization
is the main goal of human life; i.e.
the realization that we are eternal Being and awareness (Atman or Brahman) and
not this body-mind entity conditioned by the egoic tendencies. Our true Self or
Atman* is eternal Existence and consciousness or awareness; It is
Satchitananda*, Advaita* (non-dual) and beyond form, time, space and
causality.
Realizing that we are the ever free, peaceful and blissful Consciousness (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 and we express the divine qualities in the world, (peace, love, harmony, wisdom, creativity and beauty).
Advaita Atma Yoga - The double approach
After some 30 years of experience, Atman Nityananda created a method of spiritual practice that he calls "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* but represents these ancient teachings in a way more digestible and comprehensible for the people of this modern age. In this integral yoga it is recommended a sattvic way of living and is provided all necessary knowledge, practices and methods to facilitate the transformation of our lower nature and the realization of our true nature.
Advaita Atma Yoga takes account of the eight step process of Raga Yoga* as well as the sadhana Chatustaya of Jnana Yoga* but approaches these models with a new way which I call, ‘The double approach’.
Advaita
Atma Yoga it is called ‘The double
approach’ because from the beginning of the spiritual journey aims on
two directions: the exploration, transformation and development of our
lower self as well as the inquiry, recognition and connection with our
higher or true Self. From the beginning we apply techniques and methods for the
exploration, purification, transformation and development of the lower self
(body, prana, emotions, mind, intellect) and methods and techniques to
rediscover, recognize and live aware of our essence or true Self.
‘The double approach’ is a balanced and integral way to achieve our goal, i.e. Self-realization. As a bird needs two wings to fly smoothly, similarly we need both, the harmonious development of our lower nature and a conscious living from our essence, (Consciousness, Atman)
The work related to our lower self
In relation with the lower self the goal is to know and understand how function the body, the senses, the prana (vital energy), the emotions and feelings (heart), the thinking mind, and the intellect, to purify them from the egoic energies and tendencies, to create balance at all levels, to transform our energies and develop the higher capacities of prana, heart, mind and intellect.
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. The development of one capacity or virtue facilitates the development of all others. Only our true Self (Awareness) is unaffected by the other levels of our existence but it is the One that influence all others and facilitate decisively their purification, equilibration and development.
This
process of purification and self-transformation is done by various methods and
techniques which are related with all aspects of our existence, physical,
vital, emotional, mental, intellectual and causal.
Some of the important practices are: Self-enquiry, discriminative detached observation, investigation, observation, control of senses, feeding mind and senses with proper (sattvic) impressions, proper diet, sattvic living, study, pranayama, hatha yoga asanas, Hrany yoga, 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.
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, discriminating, detached, introverted, one-pointed, serene mind can be awakened and reflect clearly the Divine Consciousness as well as express the divine qualities in the world, (peace, love, harmony, wisdom, creativity and beauty).
Since the most difficult part of the spiritual process is the purification of the lower self and since body, prana, sexual, energy, mind, heart and intellect are interconnected and interrelated between each other, (the one is affected by the function of the others), Advaita Atma Yoga considers "the three level purification", as the most effective way or method of their purification and equilibration.
This
is an holistic process to purify our Antahkarana that is
working 'simultaneously' from three levels.
1.
On the body-vital energy level (the physical prana and the
psychic prana)
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, it is suggested 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 not the method or the techniques. Νo practice by itself can give significant results; it 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.
The Divine Mother or Shakti
All
spiritual process, (the purification, transformation and the development of
higher capacities) is a work of the intelligent-power of the Divine Shakti,
even though we may not know this, or we are not conscious of it. All
purificatory and transformative practices as well as all the practices that are
related to our true nature (Consciousness or Atman), are possible thanks to the
Divine Mother or Shakti, the intelligent power of the universe.
Since
the Divine Shakti is the intelligence, the energy and the power behind our
transformation it is suggested to connect with the Divine Shakti and invoke Her
help us purify and transform our lower nature and illuminate our mind and
intellect.
There
is a variety of practices related to the Divine Mother by which we can purify
and transform our lower nature as well as activate the higher capacities of our
prana, mind, intellect and the centers of consciousness (chakras).
The
main practices with the Divine Mother are: prayers, recitation of mantras,
recitation of stotras, recitation of Her divine names, singing Shakti-kirtans,
the fire ceremony (Yagna), the Suria yoga or Sun gazing, transformation of
sexual energy through special practices that include mantra and pranayama.
Our devotion to the Divine Mother should be accompanied by faith and trust to Her power, guidance and protection until the ultimate step of the final release.
The work related to our Higher Self (Consciousness, Atman)
In
relation to our true Self the goal is to recognize our essential or Divine
nature, to live as much as possible connected with our essence, to facilitate
the awakening and finally be established on our true Self (Atman).
In
order to succeed in this endeavor, are suggested various methods and
techniques, like the study of literature about the nature of our true Self,
reflection, contemplation, detachment or disidentifation from the mind,
discriminating observation in order to discern (between the Self and the
non-self), Self-enquiry and meditation. All these help us to recognize our
essence or Self (Atman), to develop self-awareness and finally wake up and rest
as awareness.
The
development of Self-awareness, from the beginning of the journey is considered
as a crucial part of our sadhana not only because we live aware and aligned
with our true nature, but also because enables us to disidentify from the
emotional and thinking mind and develop detached self-observation which is a
necessary step in the process of the discover and the dissolution of the egoic
tendencies, desires and the ego itself.
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 Sel-realization.
Glossary
Advaita: Not two. This idea indicates the non-dual 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 ceases to be.
Chit is
Consciousness or Awareness absolute. Atman is self-luminous therefore does not
need any other factor to know Itself.
Ananda is Bliss Absolute. The very nature of Atman is Bliss without limits.
Raja Yoga or Astangha Yoga*: The eight steps of Raja Yoga are: (Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, concentration, meditation, Samadhi. (Read more about RAJA YOGA ).
The aspirant (of Jnana yoga) who is endowed with all these four qualifications continues under the guidance of a realized sage with Sravana , Manana and, Nididhyasana
(Read more about Jnana Yoga sadhana and Sadhana Chatustaya : The pre-requisites of the aspirants in the path of Jnana Yoga (Advaita Vedanta)
A.A.Y.A. / Advaita Atma Yoga
Academy