[/caption]Beloved readers and friends,
Someone visited my blog and pasted a link in his comments which read "Have you read these books on Yoga and Pranayama?". This was a link which was pointing towards some publishing house's directory. Although I did not follow the link but I know what it would have been like if I had! In juicy, emphatic language they would have told the merits of why I should purchase a particular book to learn how to master Yoga and Pranayama. I had only two choices - either to smile on his foolishness of showing candle to halogen lamp or empathize on his grave sickness of CAD Compulsive-Advertising-Disorder of visiting all related or unrelated sites, rated or unrated sites and showcase his products to lure his prospective customers. I admit that I exercised both the choices at the same time.
I have never seen any individual so far who has been foolish enough to get into deep waters just after reading a book "How to perfect swimming in 10 days". If you find one - please do tell me immediately as my sincere search has not ended as yet. I am still searching for such a person.
On the other hand- I find everyday thousands of books on meditation, yoga, pranayama disappearing from shelves of Crosswords like book joints and outlets and all these so called literate wise people behaving utterly foolish to usher themselves ceremonically in to deep waters of Yog Sadhana. Sooner or later we shall expect invitation to attend to their last rites. Why?
Without having proper guidance of a master and in the absence of following the correct sequence of Yoga and Pranayama, it has been clearly stated in Yogchoodamani Upanishad, verse 117
Hikka Kaasah tatha Shwaasah Shirah Karnaakshi vedanaah|
Bhavanti Vividha rogaah pavanavyatyayakramaat||
that if Sadhaka is liable to suffer from hiccups, Asthma, cough, headache, pain in eye and ear and angered Vayu (evergy flow in uncleansed Nadis) creates innumerable of both curable and incurable diseases.
If you are having any Yoga book in hand my request is just throw it in the dustbin right now. If the downslide of economy prevents you from taking such a vehemently merciless decision towards your own hard earned money then place the book in the locker instead and try searching for an authentic, seasoned master who can guide you. Who can help and guide you in taking your first baby step into discipline of Yoga.
Learning Yoga and Pranayama - Playing with fire it is if you are not under personal and direct supervision of an able master. For your information even simple looking Yogic postures need preparation. They are definitely designed to strengthen your body, nerves, energy bearning capcity and immune but before that you must be scanned for what is your capacity. What is your current status of health. What is the state of your nerves, muscles and bone structure. Only an experienced master has that capacity.
In our body we have 72,000 nadis. These are energy channels which carry information and instruction (conscious and unconscious both) to and fro. It should not be a surprise if I tell you that your brain itself consumes so much electricity in just one day that the same amount of electricity would be able to lit a 20 watt CFL for some time. Yes, it is true! And what carries these electric currents in our body? It is only these Nadis which are responsible for conduction of such a massive electric current day in day out.
Will you take chance to fuse these delicate conductors? I hope not. And what should we be called if we knowingly start breaking these life-supporting network of Nadis by indulging in such an intricate and complex practice such as Yoga and Pranayama after reading such self-help books? I would call such a person an idiot - you may rename as you please.
I have received comments and messages after people read my earlier posts that even they have seen many cases where people suffered by practicing Yoga. Their issues range from minor injuries to as severe as brain stroke. But what they did not see or can not see is how much internal nadi system has been destroyed by their irresponsible act of taking up Yoga and Pranayama without preparation and supervision of an able master.
I have also received so many requests to elaborate upon the right methods of practising Yoga and I would definitely write on that yet I must warn you in advance. Whatever I write on the subject of Yoga. Even if I tell you certain methods elaborately here.. please don't try it home. For that you would definitely need a master.
Hope I am clear now to my readers. Also I have given enough number of warnings by now so I can now fearlessly dwell upon elaboration of the subject from next post onwards.
I will come back to you shortly with a series on preparations for Yoga and also elaborate upon each step of Yoga.
Love and light to all of you..
- AD
