Guest guest Posted March 7, 2001 Report Share Posted March 7, 2001 Sat Nam, All. A few questions: 1. Could anyone tell me or point me to a source that could discuss the flow of energy in the White Tantric context? I'm looking for more in-depth discussion than "the energy flows diagonally": the role of the participants' energy, the "filtering" process, how the strength of YB's subtle body can impact the experience... to begin with. Where did White Tantra come from? I have heard it was "given" to YB. If this is the case, did Red Tantra and Black Tantra have names prior to the naming of White Tantra? It seems the lines separating these tantric "types" and kundalini yoga are fairly arbitrary. 2. Is there a resource that catalogues all of the poses/exercises/meditations (not sets) of KY and includes modifications and benefits? I would also be interested in critiques of the poses, as some of them seem to be "inadvisable" (such as the knee projecting out past the toe in archer pose). 3. I am curious to hear from people who practice KY, are aware of the connection between KY mantras/prayers/etc. to sikhism, but do not follow the Sikh path. How do you reconcile your practice with a practice that is heavily influenced by an organized religion? You're welcome to email me directly if you prefer not to post publicly. Thanks in advance. Nina. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 7, 2001 Report Share Posted March 7, 2001 Whoa girl, that's a lot of questions! Maybe you'll find some of it, but generally I don't think it's all laid out so clearly. murrkis [murrkis] Wednesday, March 07, 2001 7:25 AM Kundaliniyoga Qs: Tantric Energy, KY pose catalogue, Sikhism/KY Sat Nam, All. A few questions: 1. Could anyone tell me or point me to a source that could discuss the flow of energy in the White Tantric context? I'm looking for more in-depth discussion than "the energy flows diagonally": the role of the participants' energy, the "filtering" process, how the strength of YB's subtle body can impact the experience... to begin with. Where did White Tantra come from? I have heard it was "given" to YB. If this is the case, did Red Tantra and Black Tantra have names prior to the naming of White Tantra? It seems the lines separating these tantric "types" and kundalini yoga are fairly arbitrary. I have not yet had the opportunity to practice white tantra, though my husband has three times. I would say though, in my opinion, that if you really want to know try an inward journey on the subject. It is about what is really happening, and with wordless experiences such as that, trying to put mental ideas and words to it all tends to take one out of the experience. I know that it is fun to and can make it seem more real to some, but I suggest becoming familiar with the inner reality of it. How much does, "the energy flows diagonally" really mean if you have not experienced that? On the other hand there is Jnana Yoga, which is yoga of the mind. You might be fond of it. Try _Vasistha's Yoga_ or the concise version, _The Yoga Vasistha_, generally carried by Borders books if you are curious about it. It sort of turns and blows out your mind. 2. Is there a resource that catalogues all of the poses/exercises/meditations (not sets) of KY and includes modifications and benefits? I would also be interested in critiques of the poses, as some of them seem to be "inadvisable" (such as the knee projecting out past the toe in archer pose). I don't think there is. The resource I am familiar with for such things is the golden chain of teachers and students. Also, as I have practiced over time I find that I become more perceptive of what the exercises are doing energetically. 3. I am curious to hear from people who practice KY, are aware of the connection between KY mantras/prayers/etc. to sikhism, but do not follow the Sikh path. How do you reconcile your practice with a practice that is heavily influenced by an organized religion? You're welcome to email me directly if you prefer not to post publicly. Well, I think the answer to this question can have many aspects. For one, I have encountered varying definitions of Sikhism. There is a book about it at sikhnet which I've looked at. Also, my teacher has told me that a Sikh is anyone who seeks the truth. Also, it is said of the Sanskrit language that the words are vibrations of the actual things. So, when you chant, "Krishna", He is dancing on your tongue. I assume that gurmuki is similar in that point. That would be a reason for people of any faith to use these languages for meditation and getting in touch with the divine. Another aspect is, well, it works. That's what I've come down to. I practiced a full morning sadhana with my teacher in Buffalo and was so moved by Japji. Eventually I got the daily banis on tape and a nitnam book and for a while, about a year, I chanted japji daily. It was always mysterious to me exactly why, but it just made me feel so good I kept up. Then it just trailed off for me, but I still think longingly of it and I'm sure I'll do it again. It was contradictory to what I was following religiously at the time, since I was practicing Krishna Consciousness with my husband (his very natural calling). Now, it could have a lot to do with translation, but the common way of viewing the two religions says that Krishna consciousness is personal and Sikhism is impersonal, thus termed "mayavadi". I don't want to trudge into this territory because I don't really agree that one is right and the other wrong, or that they are even all that different. But, just for the sake of example I am sharing this that I believed at the time. The point is that even though the two religions could be viewed as oppositional by some, especially by most ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) devotees, I continued with the practice of Japji just because it was beautiful and made my heart swell. I should also mention on the note of the two religions that Guru Nanak and Lord Chaitanya (the founding father of chanting Hare Krishna) are said to have met and had an ecstatic kirtan together once. Also, Yogi Bhajan thought very well of Srila Prabhupada, the man who brought Krishna Consciousness to the west. Thanks in advance. Nina. Your welcome, I hope I was of some help. You put a lot of questions out here. I feel a lot of energy in them. I encourage you to look within as well. All the answers are there too, probably in much more complete form. Love Always, littlebird Leslie AKA Guru Chiter Kaur Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 7, 2001 Report Share Posted March 7, 2001 I really think you need to take some classes by a certified teacher. ( It doesn't sound like you are right now). I am not a sikh, but I am a teacher of KY. I was taught that Sikhism is a lifestyle not a religion. ( that is what our sikh teachers told us in our training). I feel KY helps me to deal with anything life throws at me. It has made a tremendous difference in my life, and the life of my students. Sat Nam, Siri Ram K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 7, 2001 Report Share Posted March 7, 2001 Dear Nina, It does not bother me that KY is associated with Sikhism - it is a technology that in my experience works for the individual. I see the mountain having many paths to the top - all different, but the final destination is the same. Practising KY does not obligate me to embracing the beliefs of any one system - it just helps me along my own path, and for that I am exceedingly grateful. Blessings, Avtar K ______________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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