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As I said, you are welcome to judge any swami or guru anyway you like. You don't want to trust in the benefits of raising kundalini, fine, that's your personal choice. I personally don't care one way or another on the topic with respect to others following it. If you think I am participating in the discussion to convince someone or promote something, you may be mistaken. I am participating simply because I enjoy being part of some discussions and if I can help someone in someway. Thank God, Buddha and Christ did not live in the world we live in today. There would be some news paper alleging them of some abuse in some country. We can quote that and reject their entire teaching and tradition. I don't think some of these teachers fared very well in their own times either. It's just human nature to find the fault in others I noticed that you were using some web sites as your source earlier. Do you know the personal lives of the people who created those sites, or contributed to those articles? Not that it would matter to me one way or another. Maybe they are even clean right now. What if 30 years later, after the person who is running one of these website is dead, some news paper in UK says he abused women 40 years back. Would you discard all the knowledge that you learned and benefited all those years, because the teacher did some mistake, some time in his life. Just some things to think about. Edit: In the examples you quoted, I am not even familiar with who Swami Muktananda is, besides hearing his name some times. Some of the others I know, but I am not part of any of those traditions. I just try to take the good from any teacher. So, there is nothing personal in here for me.

Sorry, I don't judge people by such arbitrary news and some allegations. He is a well known disciple of Swami Sivananda and founder of Bihar School of Yoga. I have no special interest towards the Swami besides appreciating some of his great works on Kundalini and Kriya yoga. You are welcome to come to your own judgements. The same message there is conveyed by several other teachers. I had the eBook easily available and so quoted him. I would rely on messages from traditional teachers any day over the thousands of internet sites, that give information as they like. The other reason I quote is for others. Many listen only if something comes from a book or website. If it will help someone why not? Most things I say are from my own personal experience. The reason I quote sometimes is because some of the quotes say what I want to say better than I can in my own words, that's all. If you have something against this Swami and expect some argument fighting for him, that won't happen. Good luck!

While I completely agree that preparation is needed before someone ventures into Kundalini yoga or tantra, we also need to keep in mind that we are all in different points of evolution. Not to claim one is superior than other, each one is beautiful and unique in their own ways and everything is manifestation of the same divine. However, there is a thing such as past lives, karma, etc. We are blindsided by many things. It is possible to be born with an open heart. If such a person spends years or decades on practices aimed at opening the heart, then that may not be the smart way for that person. This is where the guidance of a teacher or tradition becomes critical. A true teacher should be able to assess and determine exactly where a student stands and what is right for them at this point. Here is what Swami Satyananda Saraswati writes about this in his book Kundalini Tantra.

Per some teachings of Kundalini and Kriya yoga, the central channel splits into 2 branches. One goes through the 3rd eye and other through crown. This may be the reason for some confusion in this area. Many old texts deal on this distinction. For those interested, Sri Mukherjee's 2nd book on Kriya yoga has a picture and brief explanation. I will try to get the picture and explanation later when I get a chance. Depending on tradition, people seem to have different understanding of these things. The core underlying event may be similar or same, but the unraveling can happen in more than one ways, or so it seems to me.

Welcome Tanya!

Welcome Tuesday!

I get what you are trying to convey. However, I wouldn't discourage work and putting forth effort. The essence of karma yoga is to engage in activities or put forth effort, but without the identification, 'I am doing it' and without the expectation of results. It is not the work, trying or putting forth effort that may be the issue, but it is our attachment to the action with the identification as 'I' and 'mine' that seem to result in issues. All of us have to put forth effort, physically and mentally every day in order to carry out different activities. Anyway, it's a different take that makes sense to me. Cheers.

I understood that my friend. That example is something that just came up to you. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Nice to know about your wish to be clear and cogent in your posts. Most of us have such goals in life. My best wishes and good luck! Just a tip, if your post was in response to someone's message, it might help to quote that person in your reply and address the question you want to ask. Unless, you wanted it as a general question to everyone in the forum. You may know this already, just pointed out, because it could help in a discussion.

Agree, this part is very helpful. It is also vital to observe this process in ourselves. Only by noticing our own attachments and see how they lead to misery, we slowly untangle them.

That is an excellent book. But, not sure if it is a good place to start. That book by Swami Satyananda Saraswati is like a comprehensive manual or encyclopedia that documents numerous practices in Kriya, Tantra & Kundalini yoga. I use it only as a reference manual. The book does provide structured practices. However the author himself warns, many of those practices should be done only under the guidance of a qualified teacher. Many techniques that were never printed before, are documented on this book. The Swami has done a great service by documenting the practices. But, it is wise to approach them with caution. There are medical journals, that document and explain things like heart surgery. But, attempting them just by reading the book may not be advisable. Having said that, the Swami points out which practices are safe to undertake without great risks. Depending on where you are located, you can possibly try, Kriya yoga classes or initiations nearby. There are multiple lineages that offer initiations and classes all over the world. To start with, I would suggest visiting Ennio's site and read his books that are free. I have interacted with Ennio and have the greatest respect for him. He is also kind and answers the questions from earnest seekers. I liked the practices especially as given by Sri Mukherjee, which can be found on Ennio's site and books (http://kriyayogainfo.net) . Sri Mukherjee's books can also be purchased on Amazon. You can also check out AYP, which is a self directed system that is similar to Kriya yoga and TCM: https://www.aypsite.org. I have practiced Kriya yoga and some other meditation, spiritual practices, on and off for nearly 2 decades. As I pointed out, I found the group energy practices with help from some folks that are advanced to be safe and the fastest practice that I ever did. If you are interested, I can introduce to some in this site, who may be able to help. This could also be a complement to Kriya practice. I would also suggest that you check out the Primordial Fire meditation that Jeff has described in the link below. If you have any questions, you can post on that thread and Jeff normally answers promptly. Best wishes & good luck!

I believe we have different understanding of this thread. I understood it to be, finding my attachments and to work on them. Anyways, it's fine. Good luck!

It is always easy to find the attachment in others and point out. I have said enough on the topic. Best wishes.

Each person is who or what they are. Unique and beautiful in their own ways. The rest of it, who is greater, good, bad, etc., (Edison vs. Einstein) springs forth from our own likes, dislikes, attachments and aversion towards concepts or persons. Would it make any difference to a sage who has equipoise and sees everyone with compassion?

What's wrong with Edison? If the Buddha nature is in everyone, is it not on Edison also? Who am I to Judge? Alas!

Yes, energy can and it does exist without any intent. Everything in the universe moves because of energy. Consciousness can be equated to Shiva and Energy to Shakti. The entire observed phenomena or universe is the result of the interplay between these two. These two just 'are', they exist without cause or intent. If we use the word energy in a narrow sense to limit to only certain things observed in the body, then it may require intent. Edit: those two are said to be the same at higher levels.

That is wonderful. I have read they were building some freeways few years back. I did not know it was complete. Good to know, it's complete. Very nice, about your plans for a trip on 2020. Who knows, I may visit one day also. Thanks for your kind words about southern India. It is truly great to have friends that go back. I have some friends like that. I visited some places in Malaysia, in and around Kuala Lumpur. This is 20 years back. It was just beautiful.

Each has their own significance. Mt Kailash is generally accepted as the abode of Lord Shiva from the ancient times. Is it the same outer Mount Kailash that is in the Himalayan mountains is up to our beliefs! Some say, the real abode of Shiva exists in the inner world (another dimension/realm) and what we see outside is just a pointer to that. No matter what Mount Kailash is very special for all Hindus and is very significant. On the other hand, Arunachala (also ancient) is regional - not every one in India may be familiar with. Only a small portion (relatively) that lives in the southern states or those who read about Ramana Maharshi, may be familiar. I never got the opportunity to personally visit Kailash. The trip needs some special preparation, medical clearance, visa to China, etc. to visit Mount Kailash. The entire Himalayas is mystical and there are so many powerful places. I have traveled and visited other places in Himalayas such as Rishikesh, Haridwar, Gangotri - where Ganges originates from himalayan glaciers, Yamunotri origin of Yamuna from glaciers, Badrinath - famous for it's Vishnu temple and Kedarnath - famous for it's Shiva temple. The last 4 of those 6 places are called char dham, considered very special Hindu pilgrimage sites in Himalayas -- tourists can visit these 4 sites few months every year in summer (travel during other months is not possible due to weather). Each one of these places have some special significance. Vaishno Devi temple in Himalayas (Kashmir) is also very special. That is a place I would like to visit some day. But, there is something very special about Arunachala in my experience. I grew up in the southern India, so I have visited the place few times. I can say it is a powerful transformative experience for me. Our intent is also important, no matter the place. The Shiva temple in the town is also considered very special. For each of the five basic elements (earth, water, fire, air, space/ether) there are 5 special places with temples, that are said to represent each element. In Arunachala temple (Thiruvannamalai), the Shiva represents 'fire'.

It's not attachment to energy. Attachment and desires arising out of residual karma, can be felt as blocks to the natural energy flow in the body. Anyway, all of this are just different attempts to describe the process in words. If the description of attachments with related to energy seems limited, so is the dependent origination. It's just another theory made up by human mind to explain things.

Asana practice in yoga generally should not lead to pain. If it's done as a workout with goals to be achieved, then there can be strain. It's best to practice yoga poses gently. I am a big fan of restorative yoga also.

Meditation is generally to cultivate inner silence. Other yogic practices target and directly work with energy. At very high stages, silence and energy are said to be 2 sides of the same coin. Have you tried anything like Kriya yoga? I personally found some group energy practices to be the most effective.

Do you mean to say Rigpa can be experienced only maybe once in a decade or so in dream by advanced practitioners? Can you please elaborate on that?

It just feels like two different ways to look at the same thing (attachment), from what I am reading. I could be wrong. If we look at it from the perspective of dependant origination, all attachment seems to be a result of that. At the same time it is also true that everything is energetic in ways. But, we go beyond words or analysis at certain point.

Yes, many consider the Arunachala hill as embodiment of Shiva himself. It is a powerful place. I would suggest anyone that is in the area or has opportunity to visit the place.

Interesting question about the divine in the sleep. Look forward to hearing more on that

Another thought just came to me. Should we practice all these different kinds of yoga, is it even possible to practice many of them? It is hard to practice these yogas sincerely and see it through all the way. Why not take some help or look for easier ways. Instead of yoga, why not just 'directly' achieve the end result of all these yoga. This is what is promised on the 'center' verse of gitain 9th chapter. Whoever practices ananya bhakti, or single pointed devotion or meditation on the divine (I translate it as on one's ishta-devata), to them all the results of yoga & kshema (welfare) are guaranteed. Unlike the sambhrama yoga, this concept is very special to me. "Whoever prays to me with no other thought whoever thinks of me incessantly, I will take care of their welfare."