What about pain in kriya?

*Disclaimer: This is not a doctoral advice, rather a yogic perspective, but scientific one. Yoga is the oldest science of our whole being. Never aggravate pr-existing conditions, modify if necessary.

~ Pain is the response to a certain discomfort in the posture. We say Kundalini yoga is a yoga of awareness, meaning that it is our greatest learning to distinguish between the cause of the pain. Whether it is physical that can lead to injury or simply mind-related to sabotage strengthening of our nervous system.

~ So when the pain occurs in the body, the body naturally produces a hormone adrenaline, also called epinephrine. That will release the pain, it is natural pain-relief hormone. If the pain comes from the mind, emotions, programs etc., and when you get to that threshold where you think you cant hold the posture longer, if you just hold on a little more passing that threshold, you will experience a relief and even able to hold the posture for a very long time! Myself, I experienced on numerous occasions with challenging postures. Because your body is intelligent and it will understand that there is no real danger (not like it is a car accident or some organ stops working) and will use the nervous system to support you.

~ If the pain comes from those parts where you had any previous injury, falls, damages etc., then this is something to watch for and be aware to move those parts with lots of awareness and take it easy.

~ Or let’s say you experience pain where you did not have it before, start paying attention if its real physical pain or emotional of not being able to maintain posture. It can also be a sign of weak nervous system, that is why often we can experience shaking. But this shaking is actually strengthening the system. 

~ In a challenging posture, the body will protest. Your brain will send out signals of pain or tiredness-even distress. But nothing is hurting you. It is pain without the danger. By letting the pain be, be letting it pass, you separate yourself from your thought. You conquer your instinctual fear and the tendency to inflate and escalate a simple pain into a grandiose problem. As you persevere and become calm and move in rhythm, the body reorganizes the functions of the hypothalamus to reassess what is going on. The brain gives you relief with endogenous opioids and the secretions.

~ Also remember, our body produces lactic acid from the contractions of the muscles. That’s what is creating a pain, but it is not hurting you. It is just there because it keeps assessing if you are in real danger. Like those marathon runners. Those who reach first and second, are those who could actually stay with this discomfort knowing it is not hurting but rather it is a natural process of the body. They could still feel that pain and discomfort, but did pass through that threshold and it brought the strength.

~ “Sustainable”, “Retraining mind” pain is the reaction to a stress. Stress is essential for our brain to thrive and maintain some measure of its original plasticity. Positive stressors can be enormously good for us- and nervous system. It is only the stress that is too extreme, prolonged, or accompanied by strong negative emotions like fear, that we begin to accumulate an unmanageable allostatic load.

~ The timing of stress is critical. A bout of strong exercise or jumping into a cold stream is good for us if it is intermittent.

~ When we are exposed to a stressor, a pain or a threat, the first thing we have to do is to mobilize our resources and energy to meet the challenge. This process of shifting from one level of energy to another is called allostasis.

~ Allostasis adjusts the body’s systems to a level of functioning that keeps the entire organism, body and mind stable in the face of any challenge or change.    

~ Kundalini Yoga makes us warriors, healers. We not only destroy stress and heal its ills, we also enjoy stress 😊

~ We relish it, using it in small amounts like a fine spice. It is the wily, ill-behaved stress we dislike.

~ We consciously use stress in small homeopathic doses to alter our mind and redirect the flow of our thoughts. We intentionally use strong doses of stress to provoke the healing resources of our bodies. We use small, precisely applied amounts of stress in systemic ways to toughen our nervous system and develop a caliber. This continuous relationship with stress, this practice, gives us an extraordinary ability to deliver ourselves under any circumstances.

It teaches us awareness.

As Yogi Bhajan said, living without awareness produces stress. It is like trying to walk 100 miles using only one toe instead of both feet 😊

Awareness is the key result of your Kundalini practice.

Sat Nam!

About pain and thoughts

Yes, mind is fascinating. Right now you can see the play of it. Kundalini not like a mainstream yoga, it works exactly on your nervous system. It is the base of everything. And a lot what was not apparent to us earlier, comes on surface. Meditation before didn't necessarily supported the nervous system. It maybe made you feel good about meditating, about yourself. But now is the real deal. You are going very deep into your subconscious. And yes it's hard.

Yes, the mind will be pulling you out because it's a natural protective mechanism. When we have pain we avoid it. When we have unpleasant experience, we want to avoid. It's hard for us to learn from those pains, we just want to avoid it, forget it! So it's a pattern in our mind, that we actually HAVE to change. If we don't, after some time we will go into numbness and we won't feel anything.

So right now while doing this kriya, you are addressing a pattern that mind got used to do. Naturally there will be more thoughts.

It DOESN'T mean you CAN’T do it. It simply means that your mind will be adjusting to a new pattern (a good one!). Using the mantra, the mind is rewiring to Higher Frequency.

What you can do when thoughts arise, just watch them, like on a screen in a big theater and let it pass. Another thought arises, watch it and let it pass.

One of the qualities of the mind, it has transitory nature. So thoughts are like water. They just pass through you. And they don't touch you unless you put energy into them.

Keep up! Trust the process. Trust yourself. You will feel much more stable in a few days. You need time and allow it.

Do not focus on the result  focus on the process! That is the most important and the result will be there 100%.

February Numerology: Focus on Positive

By Nam Hari

We have a busy month ahead of us, and there is a sense of urgency in the air as we maneuver to secure a safe and stable path towards higher ground. February allows us a time and space to get our ducks in a row and initiate an inspired plan that empowers us to feel motivated and in control.

The Base number for February is an 8 (Base is month of 2 + year of 6 = 8), and number 8 represents energy, power, healing, and prosperity. Number 8 likes to explore options and opportunities, while standing at the helm of its ship of dreams. There is a strong sense of, “Okay, I want my own life back now, and I don’t want anyone or anything messing with it and making up rules for me!” Well understood, as depending on your geography there have been many harsh restrictions that have crimped nearly everyone’s flow of life due to the pandemic.

That being said, we must still find a way to forge on and be well and prosperous. The key to this is in not letting yourself get caught in the claws of the endless spin cycle of fear. If you stay locked into the network news channels you are constantly being hit with something to be worried or sad about. There is a complete lack of balance here.

Keep your focus on the more upbeat and positive, as the number 6 of 2022 is our positive projective psyche. Now is the time to begin creating the supportive alliances that feed and nurture our spirit. This also directly supports our immune system and self-esteem.

The number 2 of February speaks to our need for love, connectivity, and the ability to sharpen our “sensory awareness skills” so we are not snookered by that which does not have our best interests at heart. In the Yogic tradition number 2 is the Negative Mind, that part of ourself which is able to discern where there is potential danger. Once we know the parameters of the negative we can then involve the Positive Mind, which sees the infinite positive potential in a situation. Then, last but not least, we engage the Neutral Mind which develops the secure and protected path forward.

The Gift number for 2022 is a 4 (Gift is the last two digits of the year), which is the Neutral Mind. However, it is by way of 22, which is a master number, as it is a multiple of 11. So, 22 is the archetype of the Master Planner and the Divine Architect. One of the best ways to beat the blues of the present world condition is to have a simple, steady plan that moves you forward, regardless of the sh*t-show that surrounds us at times. Stay steady, stay on point.

We are presently in a “long game” situation regarding many of the dynamics at play in our world, and believe me, I’m not happy about a lot of it either. Having said that, adaptation is key to not just survive, but to thrive in these times. Yes, it is possible.

The number 6 of 2022 embodies the themes of love, home, family, protection, and a tool called “mental beaming.” Mental beaming is a spiritual technique where you send or “beam out” a specific frequency, with the intention of attracting that energy towards you. You can focus at the third eye point while doing this, as it will directly engage the 6th chakra, your projective psyche, into the equation. Powerful stuff!

I know many of you out there are longing and looking for love in your life, and February is one of the highlight months where this can manifest. Not everything is about mantras, and sometimes we need a change-up and fresh approach. This is the month to “call it in” if you have been longing for romance and a life partner, and the song “Truly, Madly, Deeply” by Savage Garden is your ticket to paradise.

Don’t let the band’s name throw you off, because once you hear the creamy smooth caramel voice of Darren Hayes you’ll be hooked right in! This song has an absolute prayer like quality to it, so let yourself drift into the silky stream of lyrics as he sings, “I’m counting on a new beginning, a reason for living, a deeper meaning, yeah.” The positive “catch” here is this: imagine there is someone out there singing and projecting these lyrics to You, and you are tuning into and beaming on them.

Then, in good time, the two of you meet with a spark of recognition; eyes lock, and a mutual smile slowly emerges to fill the empty space that is now history. It can happen, so believe.

The number 2 of February grants us a time where we can explore our emotional needs and reset our boundaries. These things matter a lot right now, and when it comes down to who’s got your back and who always seems to blink and miss it, you need to reconsider your priorities.

Where appropriate, allow yourself to have the brave conversation where you say, “You know, I always return your phone calls and I’m willing to drop everything when you need help; why can’t you show up for me in the same way?” Number 2 is the domain of balance and reciprocal exchange. Some people are just “takers,” without even knowing it. You could save a relationship by letting the other person know that things are out of balance, and you’d like to correct it. They will either get on board with you, or, you may need to distance yourself for awhile.

You don’t need anyone’s permission or approval to get your life back on track right now. With a little effort, steadily applied over time, you can course-correct and be sailing into smoother waters. So much of the drama—it is all really in our own mind, isn’t it?

There is a jet-stream of Light prevailing throughout 2022, and we just need to tune into that Light through our spiritual practice. Whether it be prayer, meditation, hiking in nature, sitting in a sweat lodge, or singing and dancing, drum up your spirit so the Angelic realm may smile down upon you. Rise up, and the Heavens will meet you more than halfway. In the words of recently commemorated Maya Angelou:

“Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you.”