Guru-Yoga:

Guru-Yoga ("Yoga [relating to] the teacher"): a yogic approach that makes the guru the fulcrum of a disciple's practice; all traditional forms of yoga contain a strong element of guru-yoga

(See also: Guru-Yoga, Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

GURU: Teacher; preceptor.

(See also: GURU, Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

Guru - Spiritual preceptor.

(See also: Guru, Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

Guru is one who has full Self-illumination and who removes the veil of ignorance in deluded Jivas. Guru, Truth, Brahman, Ishvara, Atman, God, Om are all one. The number of realised souls may be less in this Kali Yuga when compared with the Satya Yuga, but they are always present to help the aspirants. They are always searching for the proper Adhikarins.

Read more here: » Yoga Guru: Who Is A Yoga Guru?

Retaining no traces of individuality to hinder the flow of God's love and harmony through them, their work is done by God, their teachings are from God and the transformations they cause are also from God alone. God, then, is the actual Guru, the physical body only serving to spread love and knowledge about His own Self.

This is the true foundation of Siddha Yoga in which allegiance to the guru is complete. Reverence of the spiritual master as God is the foundational belief. Those who embrace such a path find true protection, peace, love, joy, well being and the experience of the Divine at every step because of blessings from their spiritual master.

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

There are numerous ways to awaken kundalini but generally these approaches may divided into two groups. In the first group are paths such as Mantra Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Laya Yoga or Raja Yoga. In these paths the kundalini is awakened through the effort of the individual. In the second group is the path that is variously called Sahaja Yoga, Kundalini Yoga or Siddha Mahayoga. In this path the kundalini is spontaneously awakened by the grace of the Siddha guru in a process that is called shaktipat.

Read more here: » Siddha Mahayoga: The Lineage of Swami Shivom Tirth

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)

Teachings Of Kabir

Once Kabir tied a stout pig to the front post in the verandah of his house. An orthodox Brahmin Pundit came to Kabir's house for discussing a philosophical problem.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Yogis: Teachings Of Kabir

Gorakhnath

Sri Gorakhnath was a great Yogi like Sri Jnanadev of Alandi. In Chandragiri village on the banks of the Godavari, there was a Brahmin named Suraj. His wife's name was Sarasvati.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Yogis: Gorakhnath

Over the last century, it is in the realm of art that a contrarian movement developed - towards spirituality, a movement that has been sought to be described by one word: 'Abstract'.

One of the first to define the abstract was W Kandinsky, who explained it as non-materialism in art, the exploration of the spiritual entity of things, when art, stripped of its theatricality, and its "bait of entertainment" reached a pure core. The dictionary splits the word abstract into the Latin 'abs', meaning 'away from', and 'tractum', meaning 'to draw'. Clearly, it means to draw away from the external to the internal entity of things.

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

Sant Dnyaneshwar realised that the Gita's teachings could be read and understood only by a small Sanskrit-knowing elite. Dnyaneshwar, under the advice of his guru, Nivrathinath, rendered a Marathi version of the Gita known as Dnyaneshwari. It contains more than 9,000 verses called ovies. So Sant Dnyaneshwar brought the teachings of the Gita within reach of the common man. Dnyaneshwari was composed around the twelfth century, when Dnyaneshwar was only 16 years old. He took samadhi at the age of 22 and left this mortal world.

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

In olden days the aspirants were required to live with the Guru for a number of years, so that the Guru could study the students thoroughly. The food during practice, what to practise and how, whether the students are qualified for the path of Yoga, and the temperament of the aspirants and other important items have to be considered and judged by the Guru.

Read more here: » Yogic Guru: Necessity For A Yogic Guru

Mantras

Awakening Kundalini is effected by Mantra also. It is a portion of Bhakti Yoga. Some aspirants should repeat the Mantra given by their Guru even lakhs of times. During the time of Diksha of an Uttama Adhikari, the Guru utters a particular Mantra and Kundalini is awakened immediately.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Mantras: Mantras for Awakening Kundalini

The Cutting Of Frenum Lingui

28. A knower of the Atman, having drawn out the tongue from the root of the palate, should in accordance with the advice of his Guru, clear the impurities of the tongue for seven days.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad: The Cutting Of Frenum Lingui

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)

The flailing arms, high kicks, twists and crouches may look eccentric, but the walking style of exercise guru Duke Saraye is sweeping Japan with its unique mix of yoga, ballet, aerobics and other Oriental and Western ideas.

"Sole is soul - if you don't tread right, your soul won't become clean," 49-year-old Saraye, wearing a trademark black T-shirt and lycra skullcap, told a class of 60 women, young and old during a recent two-hour class at a Tokyo hall.

(See also: Yoga, Yoga, Yoga and Health, Yoga Systems, Yoga Positions)

Tirumula Nayanar

Tirumula Nayanar was a great Yogi in Kailas. He had all the 8 major Siddhis through the grace of Nandi, the Vahana of Lord Siva. He was a friend of Agastya Muni

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Yogis: Tirumula Nayanar

Mansoor

Mansoor was a Sufist Brahma-Jnani. He lived in Persia, some four hundred years ago. He was repeating always "Anal-haq! Anal-haq!" This corresponds to "Soham" or "Aham Brahma Asmi" of the Vedantins.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Yogis: Mansoor

Milarepa

Milarepa was one who had been profoundly impressed from his youth by the transient and impermanent nature of all conditions of worldly existence and by the sufferings and wretchedness in which he saw all beings immersed.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Yogis: Milarepa

Sadasiva Brahman

Sri Sadasiva Brahman, a reputed Yogi, lived in Nerur, near Karur, in Trichinopolly district, some one hundred and twenty years ago. He was the author of 'Atma Vilas', 'Brahma Sutras' and various other works.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Yogis: Sadasiva Brahman