tilaka: (Sanskrit) "Sesamum-like mark," from tila, "sesame seed."

Distinctive marks made on the forehead or the brow with clay, ashes or sandalwood paste as an indication of sectarian affiliation. Vaishnavas wear a vertical v-shaped tilaka made of clay.

The Saivite tilaka, called tripundra, is three horizontal strips of holy ash with a dot below the middle of the forehead. Wearing the tilaka is an expression of religious affiliation and pride in one's beliefs, not unlike the Christian's cross or the Jew's yarmulke.

Elaborate tilakas are worn by Hindus today mainly at religious events and when on pilgrimage, though many Hindus wear the simple dot (bindu) on the forehead, indicating that they are Hindu, even when moving in the general public.

See: bindu, Hinduism, tripundra.

(See also: Tilaka , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Tilaka Dictionary

In Hinduism, the tilaka, also spelled tilak, is a mark worn on the forehead and other parts of the body for spiritual reasons. It is commonly seen on women (especially married ones), Hindu priests, practising brahmins and other Hindus on religious occasions. Tilaka - A sign of God. The tilak on Hindu religious men affirms their devotion and is a symbol of the One they believe as God. It may be made with sandal paste, ashes or another 'cooling' (per Ayurveda) substance. Saivites typically use ashes, V ...

Including:

• Tilaka - A sign of God
• Tilaka - Worn by women Bindi
• Tilaka - In different languages
• Tilaka - History
• Tilaka - Related customs
• Tilaka - In other cultures

Read more here: » Tilaka: Encyclopedia - Tilaka

Tilaka has been worn by Hindu women for many millennia for different reasons as a bindi or dot between the eyebrows or on the center of the forehead. This practice is associated with Yoga and Ayurvedic principles. Per yogic belief, the psychic energy forces of the nadis (subtle nerves), Ida and Pingala, meet at the middle of the forehead and activate the centre of 'will', clearing the way for enlightenment. This place is also the seat of the the soul (atman) or the Self, the location of the spiritual third eye, and the ajna chakra. The tilak ...

See also:

Tilaka, Tilaka - A sign of God, Tilaka - Worn by women Bindi, Tilaka - In different languages, Tilaka - History, Tilaka - Related customs, Tilaka - In other cultures

Read more here: » Tilaka: Encyclopedia II - Tilaka - Worn by women Bindi

Siddha master:

One who has attained the state of enlightenment and who has the capacity to awaken the dormant spiritual energy of a disciple and guide him or her to the state of the Truth.

(See also: Siddha master , Yoga, Yoga Dictionary, Siddha Yoga, Siddha Yoga Dictionary)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V X Y Z

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yoga-nidra

the mystic slumber of Lord Vishnu.

(See also: yoga-nidra , Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Tilaka Dictionary

 Karma-yoga:

unselfish actions

(See also:  Karma-yoga , Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Tilaka Dictionary

Kevala kumbhaka:

spontaneous cessation of breath without any conscious effort.

(See also: Kevala kumbhaka ,Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

For more dictionary entries, see » Tilaka Dictionary

Kundalini Awakening

Kundalini awakening or pranic awakening and its cross-tradition similars-the spontaneous spinal rockings known in Judaism as davening and in Sufisim as zikr; the "taken-over" gyrations of gospel "holy ghost" shaking and dancing and charismatic/pentacostal "mani-festations"; the Dionysian "revel"; QuakerismÕs and Shakerism's autonomic quaking and shaking; Tai Chi guided by chi itself; the shamanic trance-dance; BuddhismÕs and Raja-YogaÕs effortless "straight back" (uju-kaya) meditation; the yogically derived ecstatic belly-dance and Flamenco; and even the full-bodied, spontaneous Reichian "reflex"-literally embody the spiritual path.

Read more here: » Kundalini Awakening: Kundalini and Sahaja Yoga (Spontaneous Yoga)

Anubhava - one of the five essential ingredients of rasa. The actions which display or reveal the spiritual emotions situated within the heart are called anubhavas.

The anubhavas are thirteen in number:

1)   nrtya (dancing) ,

2)   vilunthita (rolling on the ground) ,

3)   gita (singing) ,

4)   krosana (loud crying) ,

5)   tanu-motana (writhing of the body) ,

6)   hunkara (roaring) ,

7)   jrmbhana (yawning) ,

8)   svasa-bhua (breathing heavily) ,

9)   loka-anapeksita (giving up concern for public image) ,

10)    lalasrava (salivating) ,

11)    atta-hasa (loud laughter) ,

12)    ghurna (staggering about) , and

13)    hikka (a fit of hiccups).

(See also: Anubhava , Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Tilaka Dictionary

Puraka:

Puraka ("filling in"): inhalation, an aspect of breath control (pranayama)

(See also: Puraka ,Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

For more dictionary entries, see » Tilaka Dictionary

Manduka Yoga (Sanskrit) [from manduka frog]

A "particular kind of abstract meditation in which an ascetic sits motionless like a frog" (Monier-Williams). However, all true yoga practice involves complete mental abstraction from exterior concerns and the outer environment, so that all yogis, while practicing yoga sit motionless "like a frog." It is not a particularly high kind of yoga, in any case, for true spiritual yoga is the yoga of the inner man, implying intense intellectual and spiritual concentration on affairs and subjects of spiritual character, and need not necessarily involve any sitting in yoga whatsoever.

The true disciple may be doing his master's business and going about in pursuit of his duties from day to day, and yet be practicing this spiritual yoga without a moment's intermission. All forms of yoga practice which involve postures, sittings or similar things in which the physical body is active or inactive, technically belong to one of the various kinds of hatha yoga and are to be discouraged.

(See also: Manduka Yoga , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

For more dictionary entries, see » Tilaka Dictionary

Drishti - Vision.

(See also: Drishti ,Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

For more dictionary entries, see » Tilaka Dictionary

Nadis are the astral tubes made up of astral matter that carry psychic currents. The Sanskrit term ‘Nadi’ comes from the root ‘Nad’ which means ‘motion’. It is through these Nadis (Sukshma, subtle passages), that the vital force or Pranic current moves or flows. Since they are made up of subtle matter they cannot be seen by the naked physical eyes and you cannot make any test-tube experiments in the physical plane. These Yoga Nadis are not the ordinary nerves, arteries and veins that are known to the Vaidya Shastra (Anatomy and Physiology). Yoga Nadis are quite different from these.

Read more here: » Nadis: Yoga Nadis

Breath, sound and meditation are the main resources of kundalini yoga. For example, a school of Kundalini yoga is probably best recognised for its frequent use of 'Breath of Fire' and the mantra 'Sat Nam'. Breath of Fire is a breathing exercise where you inhale and exhale rapidly through the nose without pausing, and pump the navel point while using the abdomen as a bellows. Sat Nam means 'truth is my identity' and, as a chant, is used to stop mind chatter by creating a rhythm that produces higher consciousness.

Read more here: » Yoga: Kundalini Yoga - Techniques and Pitfalls

Yoga Philosophy explained thru the Patanjali Yoga Sutras. The roots of Yoga can be traced back roughly 5,000 years to the Indus Valley civilization, where seals depicting people performing asanas (yoga postures) were used in trade along the river. The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word "Yuj" meaning to yoke, join or unite. It is the union of all aspects of an individual: body, mind and soul. Hence, Yoga reunites all opposites - mind and body, stillness and movement, masculine and feminine, sun and moon - in order to bring reconciliation between them. Yoga is one of the six branches in Indian philosophy and is referred to throughout the Vedas – the ancient scriptures of India. There is a legend that says that the knowledge of Yoga was first offered by Lord Shiva to his wife Parvati and then passed on to the world.

Read more here: » Patanjali: Yoga Philosophy and the Patanjali Yoga Sutras

This FAQ gives an overview of those kundalini yoga practices which require conscious effort. Part I of III.

In Part III: 1) But even if kundalini is dangerous, isn't it a faster way to enlighenment?, 2) What are the origins of kundalini yoga?, 3) What is the classical literature of kundalini yoga?, 4) What is the precise role of the guru in kundalini yoga?, 5) Can't I learn it through books?, 6) Where can I gain instruction on kundalini yoga?, 7) Where can I learn more?

Read more here: » Kundalini Yoga: Kundalini Yogas FAQ (part III of III)

Pregnancy is a total experience. It is a time in a woman's life when it is of prime importance that the various dimensions of her being are in harmony. The regular practice of certain yoga exercises, meditation and breathing techniques ensures optimum health of her body and mind, and the unification of her physical, emotional and spiritual growth with that of the developing child.

Read more here: » Yoga: Yoga And Pregnancy

Karma Yoga - The Yoga of Action

Karma yoga joins both the physical and mental aspects of Hindu philosophy to produce a single concept. It believes that the present relies on the past and that in turn, with your actions, you can alter the future. Selflessness is a primary requirement for karma practice. Steering your actions towards the good Ð saying good, thinking good, doing good will all facilitate selflessness. Acting this way eliminates egoistic and negative behaviour and enables you to influence your destiny.

Read more here: » Yoga Branches: Karma Yoga

Definition of the Locust yoga position (Shalabhasana): Lying face down with lifted legs.

Read more here: » Yoga Positions: The Locust - Yoga Position

Although yoga is best used as preventive medicine, some of its practices also have great therapeutic value. They can help those suffering from various difficult physical conditions, like back pain, scoliosis, and arthritis. However, ideally, your yoga practice should be an integral part of your efforts to maintain good health and prevent degenerative diseases.

Read more here: » Yoga: Therapeutic Yoga