Advanced Yoga Practices - Easy Lessons for Ecstatic Living

1. Yoga: Joining Inner and Outer Realities

Yoga means, “to join.” Religion means, “to bind back together.”

Bridging the Divide. Yoga and religion, at their core, are about reuniting the seemingly separate aspects of our existence: the outer world of space and time, perceived through our senses, and the inner world of consciousness, the observer behind it all. This separation is a habit, a deep-seated identification with our body/minds, which leads us to perceive the world as separate from ourselves.

The Path to Oneness. The journey of yoga is not about escaping the world, but about changing our perception of it. It is about dissolving the identification with our body/mind and recognizing the underlying unity of all things. This process involves changing our deepest functioning, biologically and neurologically, which in turn transforms our experience of life.

Beyond Intellectual Understanding. Yoga is not merely an intellectual pursuit; it is a holistic practice that operates on many levels – physical, mental, emotional, and neurological. It is about changing our deepest functioning, biologically and neurologically, so that our experience of life is transformed. This transformation is achieved through practices that directly engage our heart, mind, body, breath, and sexuality.

2. Desire: The Fuel for Spiritual Transformation

Devotion is the continuous flow of desire toward an object or goal.

The Power of Devotion. Desire is the essential ingredient for any successful endeavor, and spiritual practice is no exception. Continuous desire, or devotion, is the fuel that drives us forward on the path to enlightenment. It is the engine of practice, enabling us to sustain daily spiritual efforts for as long as it takes.

A Cycle of Growth. Devotion is not a static emotion; it is a dynamic force that grows with practice. As we engage in spiritual practices, our divine experience increases, which in turn intensifies our devotion. This creates a positive feedback loop, where increased devotion leads to more dedicated practice, which yields more divine experience, and so on.

Beyond Emotional Indulgence. Bhakti, or love of Truth/God, is more than just an emotional indulgence. It is a powerful spiritual practice that harnesses emotional energy to influence the process of human spiritual transformation. It is the continuous flow of desire toward our highest ideal, and it is the key to sustaining our commitment to daily practice.

3. Meditation: Awakening the Silent Seed Within

To access the divine all we have to do is know how to be still.

The Natural Ability of the Mind. Our minds have a natural ability to be quiet, and in that quietness, we connect with our inner genius, our creativity, and our deepest consciousness. Meditation is the process of systematically allowing the mind to become still, accessing the blissful silence that lies beneath the surface of our thoughts.

The Power of the Mantra. To facilitate this process, we use a special thought called a mantra, specifically the sound "I AM." The mantra is not used for its meaning, but for its profound vibratory quality when used effectively deep inside the mind and nervous system. The mantra is a tool to help the mind settle down, not a focus of intellectual understanding.

A Simple Procedure. The practice of meditation involves sitting comfortably, closing our eyes, and gently repeating the mantra "I AM" in our minds. When our minds wander, we gently bring our attention back to the mantra. This simple procedure, done twice daily for twenty minutes, gradually transforms our lives, bringing us closer to our true nature of blissful silence.

4. Pranayama: Cultivating the Nervous System with Breath

By restraining the breath in certain ways we can produce certain predictable effects.

The Life Force. Pranayama, or breath control, is a practice that harnesses our natural ability to use the breath to influence the flow of prana, or life force, in the body. By restraining the breath in specific ways, we can loosen and cultivate the nervous system, enhancing the effects of meditation.

Spinal Breathing. Spinal breathing involves slow, deep breaths through the nose, with attention moving up and down the spinal nerve from the perineum to the point between the eyebrows. This practice, done before meditation, quiets the nervous system and provides a fertile ground for deep inner exploration.

Ujjayi and Beyond. As we become comfortable with spinal breathing, we add ujjayi, a slight restriction in the throat during exhalation, and we also open the throat wide during inhalation. These actions further refine the flow of prana, preparing the nervous system for the rise of ecstatic energy.

5. Kundalini: Harnessing Sexual Energy for Spiritual Growth

Kundalini is our connection between sex and spiritual transformation.

Beyond the Physical. Kundalini is not just about sex; it is about the expansion of our sexual energy into the spiritual realm. It is about harnessing the powerful life force within us and directing it upward through our nervous system, transforming our experience of life.

The Upward Flow. The practices of yoga, including meditation, pranayama, and specific physical maneuvers, are designed to stimulate the flow of kundalini energy upward. This upward flow is not a rejection of sex, but a transformation of it, a recognition of its potential for spiritual growth.

A Natural Process. The awakening of kundalini is a natural process, a biological and neurological transformation that occurs as we purify our nervous system. It is not something to be feared or suppressed, but something to be embraced and cultivated with wisdom and care.

6. Siddhasana: The Seat of Ecstatic Transformation

Siddhasana – Living in a Fountain of Ecstasy.

A Powerful Posture. Siddhasana, or the "perfected pose," is a specific way of sitting that involves placing the heel of one foot against the perineum. This posture, while seemingly simple, has a profound effect on the flow of energy in the body, particularly in the pelvic region.

Stimulating Sexual Energy. Siddhasana is designed to gently stimulate sexual energy upward, creating a foundation for the rise of kundalini. It is a physical maneuver that, over time, becomes a habit, a natural way of sitting that supports the flow of ecstatic energy.

A Foundation for Transformation. Siddhasana is not just a physical posture; it is a gateway to a new level of spiritual experience. It is a way of sitting that prepares the body and mind for the powerful practices of pranayama and meditation, and it is a key to unlocking the full potential of our nervous system.

7. Samyama: Directing Inner Silence for Manifestation

Samyama is systematically initiating particular intentions within pure bliss consciousness.

Beyond Meditation. Samyama is a practice that builds upon the foundation of deep meditation. It is a way of directing our inner silence, our pure bliss consciousness, to manifest specific intentions in our lives and in the world.

The Power of Intention. Samyama involves picking up a subtle thought or intention (a sutra) in our inner silence, and then letting it go. This process, repeated over time, has a powerful effect on our nervous system, and on the world around us.

A Path to Transformation. Samyama is not about obtaining powers; it is about transforming our lives and the world around us. It is about using our inner silence to create a more loving, peaceful, and harmonious reality.

8. Tantra: Integrating Sex and Spirituality

Tantra – Help for Sex Maniacs and Ordinary Lovers.

Beyond the Taboo. Tantra is often misunderstood as being solely about sex, but it is a much broader system of yoga that integrates all aspects of life, including sexuality, into the path of spiritual transformation. It is about using all of our natural abilities, including our sexual energy, to move toward enlightenment.

The Holdback Method. Tantric sex involves specific techniques, such as the holdback method, that help to preserve and cultivate sexual energy. These methods are not about denying pleasure, but about transforming it, about using sexual energy to fuel our spiritual growth.

A Path of Love. Tantric sex is not just about physical pleasure; it is about love, intimacy, and connection. It is about using the power of sex to deepen our relationships and to experience the divine in all aspects of life.

9. Self-Pacing: The Art of Balanced Spiritual Practice

Each is responsible for his or her own spiritual progress, and for the methods applied.

Individualized Approach. Self-pacing is the recognition that everyone is different, and that each of us must find our own unique path to enlightenment. It is about listening to our bodies, our minds, and our hearts, and adjusting our practices accordingly.

Avoiding Extremes. Self-pacing is about finding a balance between pushing ourselves forward and avoiding overexertion. It is about recognizing our limits and working within them, while still striving for progress.

A Key to Success. Self-pacing is not just a technique; it is a skill that must be cultivated over time. It is about learning to trust our inner wisdom and to make choices that are aligned with our highest good.

10. The Guru Within: Self-Sufficiency on the Path

The guru is in you.

Inner Guidance. The guru is not just an external teacher; it is the inner wisdom that resides within each of us. It is the voice of our own consciousness, guiding us on the path to enlightenment.

Self-Responsibility. The journey of yoga is ultimately a personal one. While external teachers and traditions can be helpful, it is up to each of us to take responsibility for our own spiritual progress.

A Call to Action. The guru within is not just a source of knowledge; it is a call to action. It is a call to awaken our natural abilities, to engage in daily practices, and to transform our lives into a living expression of divine love.

Last updated: January 18, 2025