SUDARSHAN KRIYA:

SUDARSHAN KRIYA: GREATER THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS Some years ago, while I was posted at Gorakhpur, an Art of Living devotee happened to read my maiden book, ‘The Matter of the Mind’ wherein I narrated the efficacy of the Sudarshan Kriya technique and how it extricated me from the cesspool of alcoholism. It seemed aeons ago, when my mind was subsumed by tenebrosity and hurtling down the hubristic path on account of excessive drinking. My wife in sheer desperation enrolled me for the Part 1 course (now called the Happiness Programme). Today by the grace of the Master H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and the breathing technique of Sudarshan Kriya I am sober. The devotee connected me to an estimable psychiatrist and soon along with two other faculty members, we began conducting courses for alcoholics and drug addicts at a rehab centre. They were around 40 and we were three. Some looked menacing, others disenchanted, a few enveloped by ennui. But in our arsenal was the potent cassette of Sudarshan Kriya and enveloped with the divine benediction of Gurudev. We began with gentle warm ups. This was followed by pranayams and finally Sudarshan Kriya. A few hardened addicts attempted to derail the Kriya. But the febrile minds gradually settled as the rhythms of ‘SOHAM’ resonated the dingy hall. Meaning of Sudarshan Kriya The unique breathing technique of Sudarshan Kriya is the fulcrum of the Happiness Programme of the Art of Living. “Su” means proper, “Darshan” implies vision and “Kriya” is a purifying action. Through the actions of our breath, we appreciate a proper vision of who we really are. It is momentous to understand that nature runs on a rhythm. For instance the sun rises and sets at a particular time, similarly seasons arrive and exit at predetermined times. Humans feel hungry or sleepy at certain times. Our emotions, feelings, thoughts are all cast in the symphony of rhythm. We are unable to distinguish between cacophony and symphony in this frenetic pace of life which is cannonaded by innumerable thoughts, continuous action and noise. When sounds are harmonised by the syllable of SOHAM we can term it as magical music. Enlightenment is not accruing anything providential but harmonizing our whole being rhythmically. During the breathing process participants feel varied sensations, emotions, tingling sensations, laughter, weeping among others. But the objective is to keep breathing to the syllable of SOHAM in (chanted in Gurudev’s voice). Eventually all the accumulated stress is extricated and a person is thoroughly relaxed. One can experience this entire process only by undertaking the course. The breathing technique was cognated by H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar after being in silence for a period of 10 days on the banks of Bhadravati River at Shimoga, a small town in Karnataka. Cassandra’s of doubt and prophets of doom have questioned the salutatory benefit of the course and the breathing technique. Researchers at NIMHANS and AIIMS have zeroed on the impact of the breathing technique, which improves the heart rate, benefits cognition, improves breathing pattern, restores calmness in the mind and body, arrests Alzheimer’s affliction, works positively on the endocrine system, all of which increase energy (or prana) levels in the human body. . This technique has been used successfully used on victims of trauma, on terrorists and naxalites. This wonderful knowledge and wisdom has triggered humanness to blossom. Every cell and article of the body overflows with jollity and life is abundant with the glow of love and the body becomes the wick. Love and belongingness becomes a natural process of our inner being if practised unflinchingly and unfailingly. Several practitioners feel they can practice the breathing technique at home. But that is only walking half the path. It is indispensible and paramount that one must practice the technique daily and attend the follow up once a week, where a certified Art of Living teacher plays the chant of SOHAM in Guruji’s voice as it reinvigorates the body and mind. One should also be wary of imitations available on You Tube these days. The Sudarshan Kriya cassette or i-pod is given only to qualified Art of Living teachers. Breath is the very kernel of our very existence. Therefore it is essential to breath to the correct technique. A person will gain more spiritually and physically by traversing on this journey by taking part in the bouquet of courses offered by the foundation. The entire voyage is to spread waves of happiness across the universe. THE X-FACTOR TO ANYONE, WHO IS agitated, apprehensive or discomposed I would recommend reading the Bhagwad Gita over and over again. As they pore into this masterpiece surely and certainly, they will find answers to their innumerable queries. A peerless and invaluable conversation had taken place between Krishna and Arjuna aeons ago. The Song Celestial is a potent message as relevant today as it was prior to the battle of Kurukshetra. Lord Krishna deftly assuages the foggy and shadowy mind of his sakha Arjuna, so that the latter could discern between pusillanimity and alacrity and seize the opportunity to make his mind robust and brawny and thus fulfil his dharma, overcoming his personal feelings. Today the minds of youngsters are cannonaded with innumerable choices. Presented with too many choices on the platter, many find they are unable to make the correct decision; be it the choice of career or their soulmate. Further the mind is constantly fusilladed by social media that they become addicted to gizmos and unduly smitten by the razzmatazz. In the process rationality in their choices is the first casualty. This has become an endemic problem spanning across generations. Technology and alternatives have changed the paradigm and the ability to make rational decisions. The human mind is a victim of continuous bombardment and is never in the present moment to view things from the prism of objectivity. The febrile and wavering mind which is never in the present moment and perpetually swinging like a pendulum between the past and the present is struck by certain feelings and emotions; feelings of attachment, entanglements, lust and obsession, greed and jealousy, anger and arrogance. Apart from this the mind is gripped by the fear of the unknown. “What would happen to me? “I am not feeling well,” “How long will it take for me to recuperate,” “Will I perform well in the examinations,” “How will I fare in the interview” “Am I ready to make a pointed presentation which would impress the management and the customers,” “Am I looking presentable to impress the girl next door,” and so on… The list is endless. The mind is cannonaded by such thoughts. It does not provide the aperture to accept efficacious and positive thoughts. The contributory reasons for negative thoughts are our low prana, qui or energy levels and lack of self-confidence. It is like Lionel Messi, Neymar or Cristiano Ronaldo in the cauldron, where rambunctious crowds are rooting for them, and they miss a spot kick much to the consternation of the maniacal crowds and his team mates. Why does the mind freeze? Individuals are unable to perform. This could be due to lack of self-belief, overconfidence or just being unable to cope with the enormous pressure. In various Art of Living programmes, participants bow down to the angels of East, South, West and North to overcome emotions like attachments, entanglements, lust, obsessions, greed, jealousy, anger and arrogance. In the Happiness Programme of the Art of Living, a precise and a spesh “Hum” technique is taught where in the individual releases fearful feelings and perturbation by literally screaming, “Hum”. This releases all pent up emotions. As per Gurudev, the Mother Goddess had slain the asuras (demons) by bellowing “Hum”. So when an individual’s mind is gripped by fear, it would be propitious to exercise the “Hum” technique rather than swallowing an anti-anxiety pill like Zapiz or Prozac. Sudarshan Kriya, the unique rhythmic breathing technique brings the mind to the present moment. This brings awareness and mindfulness in an individual. Now before practising Sudarshan Kriya, the seeker expresses gratitude to parents (our first teachers), ancestors (because of whom we are on this planet), to Mother Earth (which nourishes and sustains us), to the Sun God (which provides us light and energy) and finally to the Masters of the past, present and future who have imparted this repository of knowledge. Those who practice Sudarshan Kriya express their deep gratitude to H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar who has gifted humanity with this unique breathing technique and the profound knowledge. Thus Guru is the X –factor, the embodiment of Supreme Knowledge which metamorphoses and transfigures the mind. The Guru Tattva encompasses the Shiva Tattva and Narayana Tattva. Aeons ago the Kaurava and Pandava armies braced themselves for the battle of Kurukshetra, to decide who would be the rightful heirs to the throne of Hastinapur. The conceited and hubristic Duryodhana egged on by his uncle Shakuni and brother Dushasana refused to enter into any treaty with their estranged cousins, the Pandavas. Thus battling it out to don the prized crown was the only method to settle the contentious issue. As the armies faced each other, before the conch was blown to signal the commencement of war, the ace archer, Arjuna quite inexplicably requested his charioteer, Lord Krishna, to take him closer to the enemy army so that he could have a close sight of his rivals. The opponents consisted of the venerable Bhishma, his Gurus Dronacharya and Kripacharya and a hundred cousins. Beholding the sight, Arjuna’s mind was stricken with grief, remorse and guilt and he lay down his fabled arms and was of the opinion that it would be iniquitous to gain the lost kingdom by slaying his kinsmen. So much so he opined that the act could be termed as sinful and impious. As if struck by a seizure, Arjuna was mentally distraught and willing to be annihilated rather than embark upon the voyage of bloodshed to avenge the ignominy of exile, the disrobing of Draupadi and the machinations of the evil Shakuni to usurp their kingdom. Such was the fragmented condition of Arjuna’s mind. Lord Krishna rebukes Arjuna for such a pusillanimous attitude and thoughts. There upon he exhorts Arjuna to raise the cudgels and embark upon the battle, as his mind ought to focus only on “doing the action, which was worthy of a Kshatriya” and not delve upon the purported consequences. A true Yogi is one who is blessed with a brawny and robust mind, focussed with steely determination to execute the task on hand fearless of the consequences. But herein lies the catch. A resolute and authentic Yogi is one who is the sovereign of his mind. He does not get ensnared by cravings, lustful thoughts, unwelcome desires, and fearful thoughts but conquers his mind, attitudes and attains three inestimable qualities that is equilibrium, equipoise and equanimity. Lord Krishna thereupon reveals the secrets of life and death. The soul is indestructible and incombustible. The physical form which animate bodies assume is verily ephemeral. It is the soul which transmigrates from an individual to another. The human mind which is so precious should discern and grasp this aspect. In fact Lord Krishna chastises valorous Arjuna for not adhering to the tenets of Karma Yoga instead succumbing to filial ties. He added that “there is no purpose in grieving for the dead and the gates of heaven would welcome you with open arms.” The Lord further mentioned that even if Arjuna did not vanquish his adversaries, defeat would be equally glorious as he would have performed a deed befitting a warrior. An intrepid mind, a warrior is one who takes up challenges and responsibilities and does not shirk from them. Taking up responsibility empowers an individual. This is true of anyone who is in pursuit of truth. It is a weak and meek mind whose thoughts get obfuscated by the clouds of doubt. Non–action is an act of cowardice too. Thus it is essential for humans to act. For this purpose it is essential that the human mind is trained to respond to various situations and not get stuck in the cesspool of inactivity. A sagacious person, a true Karma Yogi discovers Divine peace in actions performed and is not bothered with the fruits of the action. The mind of such a person is pristine and the Yogi dwells in the body as a pure as the mind. The Bhagwad Gita is the Song Celestial, running into 18 chapters; a memorable dialogue between Narayana and Nara (Arjuna). The Lord revealed his splendorous, luminous and radiant form to Arjuna which encompassed the entire creation and destruction of the Universe. It is believed that Oppenheimer, the noted German physicist had similar visions when the first trial atomic test had taken place in the USA. More importantly, the sheer ferocity of the Vishwaroop Darshan of the Lord dispelled all doubts in the mind of Arjuna who was a transformed personality. His mind was at peace and all the cobwebs and demonic thoughts were torpedoed. He blew his conch “Devadutta” and strung the fabled “Gandiva” which sent shivers down the spine of his adversaries. The mind of the bowman was truly awakened, aware and rejoiced with joy as he was prepared for the battle. It is noteworthy to point out that the intrepid combatant had won from both within and without. In our most impenetrable situations it is only pristine knowledge which provides succour. The hallmark of a true Karma Yogi is to steadfastly remain in the state of this knowledge. Only an authentic and genuine seeker, whose mind is hollow and empty bereft with all prejudices and preconceived notions is able to accept this knowledge and act upon it. Thus Guru is the X-factor who imparts knowledge to a genuine seeker at his feet. Jai Guru Dev! Victory to the Big Mind. “In the infinity of life where I am, All is perfect, whole, and complete. I believe in a power far greater than I am That flows through me every moment of every day. I open myself to the wisdom within, Knowing that there is only One Intelligence in this Universe. Out of this One Intelligence comes all the answers, All the solutions, all the healings, all the new creations. I trust this Power and Intelligence, Knowing that whatever I need to know is revealed to me In the right time, space and sequence. All is well in my world,” wrote Louise L Hay. Her book “You can Heal Your Life” has metamorphosed lives of millions of people across the globe. - LOUIS HAY