Meditations from the Tantras by Saraswati Swami Satyananda

Author:Saraswati, Swami Satyananda
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Yoga Publications Trust
Published: 2018-07-13T16:00:00+00:00

Preliminary Ajapa Japa

Stage 1: Preparation

Sit in padmasana, siddhasana, siddha yoni asana or sukhasana.

In this session we will take up the important subject of ajapa japa.

The word japa means repetition.

Ajapa japa means repetition without forced concentration, or spontaneous repetition.

There are different techniques used to keep the inner mind in touch with the mantra, whether it is the mantra Om or the mantra Soham.

We will use the mantra Soham.

Sah means He, the Supreme; aham means I, the individual soul. It is to remind yourself that I am that.

The mantra is also the inherent sound of the breath itself; So is the ingoing breath and Ham is the outgoing breath.

This practice forms the basis of kriya yoga and other parts of kundalini yoga.

The first stage needs attention.

Become aware of your breath and become aware that you have not been aware of your breath for some time.

You have not been aware of it all night.

Your centre of awareness is in the throat, the frontal counterpart to vishuddhi chakra, vishuddhi kshetram.

The breath should be normal but not nasal; it should be from the epiglottis as it is naturally at night when you are sleeping, almost like snoring.

There should be little sound; the breath is subtle.

Close your eyes and stop all physical movement.

Become aware of the whole body.

If you maintain awareness of the whole body it will become quiet.

Concentrate or become aware of the throat, the frontal counterpart to vishuddhi.

You can feel your breath, which is not gross enough to hear.

Let the breath adjust itself and move spontaneously.

Maintain awareness of your breath.

The throat must become part of your constant awareness.

The feeling of the breath in the throat is the object of attention.

You have one idea . . . ‘I know I am breathing in; I know I am breathing out.’

Each round of breathing should be the object of your awareness.

Do not try to go in.

If your mind wanders, let it but be aware of it.

Remember, ‘I know I am breathing in; I know I am breathing out.’

The centre of awareness is vishuddhi.

Stage 2: Breathing in the frontal passage

Now to be more clear, instead of the suggestion, ‘I am breathing in, I am breathing out,’ suggest to yourself, ‘I feel the breath ascending and descending, I know.’

Do not go in.

No suspension please.

Come out.

Do not fall forwards or sideways.

No blank mind, keep the mind moving externally.

Awareness of the ascending and descending breath and awareness of ‘I know’.

You are aware that you are aware of the breath.

The second stage of this practice is awareness of the ascending and descending breath.

No shaking or jerking, do not lose track.

Super awareness of awareness.

Keep your body stiff mentally.

With an expanded mind as if you are fully awake.

You know you are aware.

In the depths of meditation and concentration there is awareness.

‘Yes, I am sure I am not sleeping, I am in a state of wakefulness.’

Ascending and descending breath, between the navel, manipura kshetram, and the throat, vishuddhi kshetram.

Between these two points there is no loss of consciousness even for one second.

Awareness of the breath ascending and descending.

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