Surat Shabd Yoga or Surat Shabda Yoga is a form of spiritual practice that is followed in the Sant Mat and many other related spiritual traditions. As a Sanskrit term, surat means "soul," shabd means "word" and yoga means "union." The term "word" means the “Sound Current,” the “Audible Life Stream” or the “Essence of the Absolute Supreme Being,” that is, the dynamic force of creative energy that was sent out, as sound vibration, from the Supreme Being into the abyss of space at the dawn of the u ...

Including:

• Surat Shabd Yoga - Basic principles
• Surat Shabd Yoga - Movements and masters
• Surat Shabd Yoga - Variations in movements
• Surat Shabd Yoga - Notes and references

Read more here: » Surat Shabd Yoga: Encyclopedia - Surat Shabd Yoga

See also:

Surat Shabd Yoga, Surat Shabd Yoga - Basic principles, Surat Shabd Yoga - Movements and masters, Surat Shabd Yoga - Variations in movements, Surat Shabd Yoga - Notes and references

Read more here: » Surat Shabd Yoga: Encyclopedia II - Surat Shabd Yoga - Movements and masters

The stated purpose of Surat Shabda Yoga is to realize the individual's True Self (Self-Realization), True Essence (Spirit-Realization) and True Divinity (God-Realization) while living in the human physical body. This Journey of Soul involves reuniting in stages with what is called the Essence of the Absolute Supreme Being, the Shabd. Attaining self-realization and above also results in jivan moksha/mukti, liberation/release from samsara, the cycle of karma and reincarnation while in the physic ...

See also:

Surat Shabd Yoga, Surat Shabd Yoga - Basic principles, Surat Shabd Yoga - Movements and masters, Surat Shabd Yoga - Variations in movements, Surat Shabd Yoga - Notes and references

Read more here: » Surat Shabd Yoga: Encyclopedia II - Surat Shabd Yoga - Basic principles

The path of spiritual progress leading to Self-realisation, propagated by Gurudeva Mangatram is the Surat Shabd Yoga, the path advocated by a number of spiritual teachers like Vasisht and Patanjali in ancient times and saints like Kabir and Guru Nanak in mediaeval times.

Gurudeva's teaching includes the themes of bhakti yoga, gnana yoga, nishkam karma yoga and surat shabd yoga . At this stage of experience, the moolmantra was revealed unto young Mangat: Om Brahman alone is being, without shape and form, One without a second, all pervasive, blessing incarnate. To him, the Supreme Lord, we offer our salutations.

(See also: Gurudeva Mangatram, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

In most religious scriptures, Shabd or the Word is referred to as the creator of the universe. It is a current from the ocean of pure consciousness that is characterised by ethereal and sublime sound vibration.

It is the all-pervading manifestation of God, the radiant sound current, and it is the connecting link between God and His creation. All the powers of nature depend on and work through Shabd.

(See also: Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

In Yoga, Self-realization is knowledge of one's true self. This true self is also referred to as the atma to avoid ambiguity. The term "self-realization" is a translation of the Sanskrit expression atma jnana (knowledge of the self or atma). The reason the term "realization" is used instead of "knowledge" is that jnana refers to knowledge based on experience, not mere intellectual knowledge. As discussed in the article on yoga, while the goal of self-realization is the same in all yoga paths, the means used to ach ...

Including:

• Self-realization - Self-realization in Sahaja Yoga
• Self-realization - Self-realization in Reiki Tummo
• Self-realization - Self-realization according to Paramhansa Yogananda
• Self-realization - Self-realization in Surat Shabd Yoga
• Self-realization - Note

Read more here: » Self-realization: Encyclopedia - Self-realization

A bhajan or kirtan is a Hindu devotional song, often but not necessarily of ancient origin. Great importance is attributed to the singing of bhajans within the Bhakti movement. It is also one of the pillars of Sikhism and in that context refers to the singing of the Sacred Hymns from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, or "SGGS". The Sikhs place huge value on this type of singing and a Sikh is duty bound to listen to and/or sing Guru-Kirtan as frequently as possible. In Surat Shabd Yoga, bhajan means listening to the i ...

Including:

• Bhajan - History and Origin
• Bhajan - Types of Bhajans
• Bhajan - Kirtan in Sikhism
• Bhajan - Ragas in Sikh Kirtan
• Bhajan - Tala in Sikh Kirtan
• Bhajan - Meaning According to the SGGS
• Bhajan - Great Exponents
• Bhajan - Popularity with the Masses
• Bhajan - Modern Forms
• Bhajan - Usage in Surat Shabd Yoga

Read more here: » Bhajan: Encyclopedia - Bhajan

Esotericism refers to knowledge suitable only for the advanced, privileged, or initiated, as opposed to exoteric knowledge, which is public. It is used especially for mystical, occult and spiritual viewpoints. Esotericism - Etymology. Esoteric is an adjective originating in Hellenic Greece under the domain of the Roman Empire; it comes from the Greek esôterikos, from esôtero, the comparative form of esô: "within". Esoteric refers to anything that is inner and occult. It ...

Including:

• Esotericism - Etymology
• Esotericism - Esoteric vs. Esotericism
• Esotericism - Nuances
• Esotericism - Scope
• Esotericism - Historical sketch
• Esotericism - Esoteric themes
• Esotericism - Traditions
• Esotericism - Esotericism in popular culture

Read more here: » Esotericism: Encyclopedia - Esotericism

Mysticism, from the Greek μυω (muo, "to conceal"), is the pursuit of achieving communion with or conscious awareness of ultimate reality, the divine, spiritual truth, or God through direct, personal experience (intuition or insight) rather than rational thought; the belief in the existence of realities beyond perceptual or intellectual apprehension that are central to being and directly accessible through personal experience; or the belief that such experience is a genuine and important source of knowledge. In the Hellenistic world, ...

Including:

• Mysticism - Types of mystical experience
• Mysticism - Mysticism and epistemology
• Mysticism - Subjectivity and mysticism
• Mysticism - Self-transcending self-discovery
• Mysticism - Mysticism and syncretism
• Mysticism - On the difficulty of defining mysticism
• Mysticism - Theosophy and Occultism
• Mysticism - Examples in major traditions
• Mysticism - Hindu mystics
• Mysticism - Chinese mystics
• Mysticism - Christian mystics
• Mysticism - Islamic mystics
• Mysticism - Jewish mystics
• Mysticism - Other mystics

Read more here: » Mysticism: Encyclopedia - Mysticism

The causal realm or causal body is, according to mystical and religious traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Surat Shabd Yoga, Theosophy and Integral theory, a state or structure of consciousness that results from formless mysticism — the contemplation of the reality that is prior to the emergence of form or manifestation. This is thought to correspond to the Buddhist conception of Nirvana. It is subsequent to the subtle realm and thus is sometimes called the "very subtle" realm. Oth

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Selfless Service is a commonly used term in Sant Mat and Surat Shabd Yoga as well as other spiritual disciplines and in world religions such as Sikhism. The concept is similar to the Christian ideal of Charity as a form of love or devotion for one's fellow man. Because God is perceived as residing in the heart of others, serving other people (and in particular helping them to find God by way of a spiritual teacher) is considered an essential devotional practice. "Service before Self" was a motto by Sant Kirpal Singh which described this practice. A ...

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Baba Sawan Singh (1858 - 1948), also know as "The Great Master," was the second Satguru of Radha Soami Satsang Beas (RSSB) from the death of Baba Jaimal Singh in 1903 until his death in 1948. [1] Sardar Bahadur Jagat Singh succeeded him as the third RSSB Satguru. Other disciples who formed spiritual missions elsewhere include Sant Kirpal Singh, Baba Somanath, Pritam Das, and Mastanaji. A chart of this Sawan Singh and related lineages helps s ...

Including:

• Baba Sawan Singh - Notes and references

Read more here: » Baba Sawan Singh: Encyclopedia - Baba Sawan Singh

Shabd or Shabda literally means “sound” or “word” in Sanskrit. [1] Esoterically, Shabd is the “Sound Current vibrating in all creation. It can be heard by the inner ears.” [2] Variously referred to as the Audible Life Stream, Inner Sound, Sound Current or Word in English, the Shabd is the esoteric essence ...

Including:

• Shabd - Other terms for Shabd
• Shabd - Quotes
• Shabd - Notes

Read more here: » Shabd: Encyclopedia - Shabd

Coming from the Latin, initiation implies a beginning. The related verb, initiate, means to begin or start a particular action, event, circumstance, or happening. An initiation is also a ceremony by which a person is introduced into a society, or other organized body, especially the rite of admission into a secret society or order. Normally an initiation rite would imply a shepherding process where those who are at a higher level guide the initiate through a process of greater exposure of knowledge. This may include the revelation of secrets, usually reserve ...

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Arhatic Yoga is a form of Yoga, developed and taught by Grand Master Choa Kok Sui, that synthesizes in a single discipline all the other paths of yoga. The goal of AY is the achievement of "Arhatship", or "Arhat" status. A good definition is the following: "The Arhat is the Perfected One who has overcome The Three Poisons of Desire, Hatred and Ignorance. At the end of the p ...

Read more here: » Arhatic Yoga: Encyclopedia - Arhatic Yoga

Paschimottanasana literally translated as "intense stretch of the west". A yoga position (or asana) where one sits on the floor with legs flat on the floor, straight ahead. Put your hands flat on the floor and lean slightly forward without bending your knees. ...

Read more here: » Paschimottanasana: Encyclopedia - Paschimottanasana

While Yoga evolved as a spiritual practice, in the West it has grown popular as a form of purely physical exercise. Some Western practice has little or nothing to do with Hinduism or spirituality, but is simply a way of keeping healthy and fit. This differs from the traditional Eastern view of yoga. While it is not always possible (or even desirable) to completely separate "exercise yoga" from "spiritual yoga," this article seeks to concentrate on the former. Yoga as exercise has evolved into numerous subdivisions and variation ...

Read more here: » Yoga as exercise: Encyclopedia - Yoga as exercise

Located near Munger, in India's Bihar State, Bihar Yoga Bharati (BYB) is a yoga institute dedicated to the study of yoga in a gurukul environment. Swami Sivananda first had the vision of a yoga institute when he established the Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy in Rishikesh. This inspiration was carried forward by Swami Satyananda, who established Bihar School of Yoga in 1963, followed by the Ganga Darshan complex in Munger. Swami Niranjanananda, with the blessings of his predecessors, founded Bihar Yoga Bharati in 1994 to preserve and regenerate the total scope of yogic science by combining aca ...

Read more here: » Bihar Yoga Bharati: Encyclopedia - Bihar Yoga Bharati

The short film 'Naked Yoga is an attempt to illustrate the practice of yoga in a natural setting. The purpose is to free the body and mind of restrictions, not to sexualise the practice. ( In San Francisco, courts found that George Monty Davis (aka "Naked Yoga Guy") is not committing a crime by practicing naked yoga in a public place.) Naked Yoga - Documentary released in 1974. The plot of this movie includes three young ladies performing yoga, sans clothes, in the open air of Cyprus. Another woman does the same in a studio. Th ...

Read more here: » Naked yoga: Encyclopedia - Naked yoga

Anusara yoga is a modern school of yoga started by John Friend in 1997; it is a hatha yoga with a Tantric philosophy. Friend continues to take an active role leading the expansion of the school and training (and certifying) teachers. The emphasis of the school is on a set of "universal" alignment principles all postures, "heart opening" postures and the spiritual/meditative benefits of hatha yoga. Attainable bliss and joy in practice and everyday life are an important aspect of the underlying philosophy of this school. Many western students ...

Including:

• Anusara Yoga - Opening Invocation

Read more here: » Anusara Yoga: Encyclopedia - Anusara Yoga