Sufism

The whole concept of Sufism is to feel one- be one- with nature, with the universe. They develop this feeling of oneness through certain physiological movements which are called Sufi dance. It is a practice of movements which are spontaneous, movements which open up the creative aspects of consciousness.

They believe that the whole universe is in constant motion and that all the planets, all the stars, all other celestial bodies move in a rhythm; they move in co-ordination with each other. In order to experience that movement they practise dance, and it is a very special dance. In it they try to become one with the movement of the celestial bodies, with the vibration of the universe. That philosophy is not really very far from the yogic philosophy, because they follow the basic principle that man should attune himself with the movement, with the vibration of nature, of the universe.

If you read the mantra shastras which contain the science of mantra, they say the same thing- that the cause of the universe is sound. If you read the ancient Indian scriptures, they talk about hiranyagarbha, the cosmic egg which split open. When it split open, creation came into being. Scientists today use a similar principle or theory to explain creation - the 'big bang' theory: first there was a concentrated energy, then it cracked, it split, it exploded.

Sufis and the mantra yoga philosophy both believe that where there is movement there is a big probability of vibration; where there is vibration there is a big possibility of the existence of sound - whether audible and/or inaudible. Where there is sound, there is vibration, there is movement.

In a nutshell, Sufism is becoming aware of the movement which is existing in each and everything and if we think about it from our normal perspective, with our common understanding, we see it is one.

All their sayings are in the form of examples and parables, poems, little stories which convey the deep knowledge- and they allow that story to sink in so that you follow that conduct, those codes, disciplines, the way of living in a spontaneous way. It is not an enforced doctrine, it is a very spontaneous way of life lived from moment to moment.

By Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati

(abridged)

Source: Yoga Magazine, May 1990

Sexual Attraction, kundalini

Sexual attraction and sexual drive are natural not only to man but to all living species. It is responsible for propagation. Therefore, in every species, sexual passion has been provided by nature as a very powerful drive. In salmon fish, and some insects, the male dies soon after copulation. The male of these species enjoys sex only once in his life. In spite of this, their species continue to multiply, which shows that the sexual drive is very powerful indeed.

The five parts responsible for sex drive

The brain is the source of this sexual drive. The control of sexual activity depends on your brain monitoring capacity. It is really dependent on a small part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which is about the size of one's thumbnail. Although it is so small, the hypothalamus controls very important feelings and sensations. So far, research has shown that the hypothalamus controls seven important feelings: thirst, hunger, sexual passion, bodily heat and cold, anger and allied passions, body growth, etc.

Below the part of the hypothalamus controlling the sexual drive, there is a link half an inch in length, which connects it to the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is in the central part of the head. The link that connects this part of the hypothalamus to the pituitary can be termed the 'time clock mechanism'. This link has an important function similar to an alarm clock. In this time clock mechanism, many different hormones circulate between the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. An increase in hormonal activity here is responsible for increased sexual drive.

The pituitary gland is linked through the bloodstream with the testicles or the ovaries. The hypothalamus, time clock mechanism, pituitary gland, testicles and ovaries are the five parts responsible for sexual drive. The feelings aroused in the part of the hypothalamus responsible for passion, move forcefully like a wave to the genital organs.

In man the reproductive system has been created with the most wonderful links to the brain. Relationships brought about through this instinct make for love and attachment. On the worldly level, family ties and social obligations arise from this basic instinct. On the spiritual level, however, this is the source of kundalini shakti and when united with Shiva, the consciousness principle in the brain, it brings about the flowering of all the higher human potentialities

(abridged)

By Dr. B. Ramamurthy, Madras

Source: Yoga Magazine, Oct 1982

Juicing: What are the health benefits?

Is juicing healthier than eating whole fruits or vegetables?

Answer

From Jennifer K. Nelson, R.D., L.D.

Juicing probably is not any healthier than eating whole fruits and vegetables. Juicing extracts the juice from fresh fruits or vegetables. The resulting liquid contains most of the vitamins, minerals and plant chemicals (phytonutrients) found in the whole fruit. However, whole fruits and vegetables also have healthy fiber, which is lost during most juicing.

Proponents say that juicing is better for you than is eating whole fruits and vegetables because your body can absorb the nutrients better and it gives your digestive system a rest from working on fiber. They say that juicing can reduce your risk of cancer, boost your immune system, help you remove toxins from your body, aid digestion, and help you lose weight.

But there's no sound scientific evidence that extracted juices are healthier than the juice you get by eating the fruit or vegetable itself. On the other hand, if you don't enjoy eating fresh fruits and vegetables, juicing may be a fun way to add them to your diet or to try fruits and vegetables you normally wouldn't eat. You can find many juicing recipes online or mix up your own combinations of fruits and vegetables to suit your taste.

If you do try juicing, make only as much juice as you can drink at one time because fresh squeezed juice can quickly develop harmful bacteria. And when juicing, try to keep some of the pulp. Not only does it have healthy fiber, but it can help fill you up. If you buy commercially produced fresh juice from a juicing stand or store, select a pasteurized product. Note that juices from some fruits and vegetables can contain more sugar than you might realize, and this can add unwanted calories and lead to weight gain.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Riding the Wild Breath

Dr. Swami Shankardevananda Saraswati, MB, BS (Syd)

"Having repressed his breath in the body, and having checked his movements, one should breathe through the nostrils with diminished breath. Like that chariot yoked with vicious horses, the wise man should undistractedly restrain his mind."

Shvetashvatara Upanishad (II, 9)

The breath pulsates in the body like a piston in an engine, 15 times per minute, 21,600 times per day, but we are not aware of it. It is driven by prana, the energy of life, and is responsible for the rate of all the chemical processes in the body- from the burning of oxygen and glucose to every muscular contraction, glandular secretion and thought.

Of all the body's automatic processes, the breath is the easiest to become aware of because it lies at the interface of the conscious and subconscious mind. We can easily take control of it whenever we want, though at most times it goes on by itself controlled only by the autonomic nervous system. It is, therefore, a subtle mirror of underlying neural and mental activity. When we are happy it is rhythmic, deep and slow, and when we are unhappy or tense it is gasping, sighing, shallow, fast and uneven.

Regular breathing induces relaxation, regularity and integration of the body's rhythms and processes so that they work together in harmony. Irregular breathing can be caused by and lead to dangerous mental frameworks, chaotic thinking patterns, and a disordered lifestyle, as well as physical, emotional and mental blocks, conflicts, impulsiveness and disease. It disrupts the rhythms of the brain resulting in a vicious circle.

The breath and mind in most people are like a team of wild horses whose driver has lost the reins and who are running in whichever direction they please. Without awareness of breath or mind, we can easily slip into unstable brain and thought patterns, neurosis and disease. William Reich, the German psychiatrist, highlighted the need for controlled breathing when he stated: "There is no neurotic individual who is capable of exhaling in one breath, deeply and evenly."

This insight into the link of breath and mind points out that mental tension creates uneven breathing. Yogis used this insight to devise techniques which enhance and balance awareness and breathing patterns so as to induce a calm mind and to reorder the chaotic internal cycles of brain and mind.

(abridged)