The Story of Kaya Kalpa

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The Story of Kaya Kalpa

 

Just as fire burns as long as there is wood, as the lamp burns as long

as the oil and wick last, so also the life remains in the body while

it is nourished by the soma.

 

& #8212; Hatha Yoga Pradipika

 

 

Since the beginning of the written word, every spiritual faith has

revealed accounts of individuals achieving miraculous experiences of

exceptional longevity, immortality, and divination. The common thread

that weaves these traditions together is the acknowledgment, practice,

and attainment of an extraordinary internal alchemical process that

bestows complete bodily regeneration and optimum health.

 

Within the sub-continent of India the ancient cultures of sages called

Siddha and Natha yogis referred to this process as Kaya Kalpa, which

is a Sanskrit term that means extending the life of the body or

rejuvenation of the body. This unique healing modality utilizes a rare

and precious methodology called Somarasa, the elixir of immortality,

that seeks to replenish the quality of vital fluid in the body to

suspend and ultimately reverses the aging process. Historically, this

powerful rejuvenation process was reserved for elderly sages and yogis

who sought uncommon longevity of the physical body in order to

continue and accomplish their service to humanity. These holy people

were invariably seeking to actualize the true potential of man by

uniting themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually with God.

This exalted state is referred to as the Vajrakaya, or diamond body.

Through the use of Kaya Kalpa their physical bodies would continue to

support their existence on the manifest plane for the pursuit of this

life long endeavor.

 

Traditionally, the Kaya Kalpa was a ninety day process performed

during an isolated retreat to elicit intense bodily purification and

deeply nourishing rejuvenation. The sage was brought into a building

called a Kutir, that had an inner chamber surrounded by seven walls

that protected them from all climatic conditions and unwanted external

stimulation. The innermost chamber provided an insulated environment

where no light could reach and where the sage remained contained

during the process as if being reentered into the womb. It was here

that the sage ingested the precious Soma and the intense purification

practices began. During this time it was said that the sage purified

so deeply that his breath remained in his body solely from the grace

of the Soma.

 

Slowly and methodically the sage was led out of the innermost chamber

and led through the other seven chambers of the building depending on

how the body responded to the purification and rejuvenation process.

Each progression into another chamber provided more light and

stimulation from the elements of nature thus gradually acclimating the

body with its indigenous environment to prevent trauma. Over the

duration of this three month process the sage is given a highly

specialized course of powerful medicinal herbs complimented by

supportive therapies that produce the lasting regenerative effects for

the entire physical body. At the completion of the process it is said

in Susruta & #8217;s Compendium, an esteemed ancient Sanskrit text, that

& #8220;the

visionary man who makes use of the king of plants, Soma, wears a new

body for ten thousand years. & #8221;

 

 

Kaya Kalpa at Hridaya Hermitage

 

Traditional Kaya Kalpa has rarely been used since its introduction due

to the extreme nature of the process and the scarcity of suited,

disciplined yogis who could endure and thrive from such a practice. At

Hridaya Hermitage we practice a different method of Kaya Kalpa called

Vatatapika, the path of air and light. This path focuses primarily on

the mastery of Yoga. The masters of this timeless spiritual art have

provided a concrete and sequential outline for achieving and

experiencing the altruistic reality of life, otherwise known as the

Vajrakaya or diamond body.

 

Vatatapika Kaya Kalpa emphasizes the need for purification and

rejuvenation over a longer period of time with a gradual increase in

intensity. These practices require thorough understanding and guidance

to accomplish and can take many years to achieve. However, the process

of learning and applying these techniques lead the practitioner along

a journey of abounding physical health, greater mental and emotional

clarity, and an expanding awareness into the nature and power of

spirituality. It provides a model for living that integrates

purification and rejuvenation into everyday living.

 

The Kaya Kalpa is intended to be a monumental life altering experience

that can transform someones life. At Hridaya we are utilizing the

principals of the path of air and light to address the ever growing

manifestation of degenerative diseases and to increase the longevity

of individuals who seek the advancement of physical, mental, and

spiritual evolution. This timeless system of purification and

rejuvenation has accomplished this goal for thousands of years. Even

in its modern day application, thousands of miles from its indigenous

origin in India, the Kaya Kalpa continues to produce results that

surpass any healing practice since its conception.