Prana
What is “Prana”? “Prana”, also called universal energy, the energy of life, ki, qi, or divine energy, is the substance behind all creation. It is the substance that allows objects to live in an inert state, as well as the essence of what makes living things live and move. It is the one cosmic principle, […]
Hatha Yoga – How it differs from Patanjali Yoga
Sage Patanjali was a contemporary of Buddha and his system of yoga was influenced by the Buddhist philosophy of yama and niyama. In the Yoga Sutras he divided raja yoga into eight steps. Yama and niyama are the first two, followed by asana and pranayama. Then come pratyahara, dharana dhyana and samadhi, which are final […]
PRANA AND MANTRA
An intrinsic relationship between sound and prana under-lies all creation. At the beginning of creation, when the first movement arose within the field of dormant consciousness and mahaprana manifested, sound also came into being. With the first movement of cosmic energy the first sound manifested, which was Om. This transcendental sound is also called “nada”, […]
PRANA – THE KEY TO HEALTHY LIFE
According to yogic text at the very beginning, there was nothing, not even creation. What existed was all pervasive, unmanifested consciousness. It contained within all qualities and components for creation. In this utter stillness, there was then a movement. In the utter stillness of consciousness, a desire arose” I am one, let me become many” – […]
Buddhism, Patanjali & Hatha Yoga
Sage Patanjali (around the same time as Buddha, about 2500 years ago) composed 196 sutras (aphorisms) that provide eight steps leading to complete enlightenment. The eight steps are Yama (moral/ethical rules; Non-violence, truth fulness, non-stealing, chastity & non-avarice), Niyama (purity of speech & body, contentment, acceptance of others, persistence, study of Vedic literature, contemplation), Asana […]
