The Khechari Mudra Sadhana course will be conducted by Sundernāth who is an initiate of the Mrighasthali Goraknath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal.
The teachings will consist of individual instruction spread over three years.
‘asanam vijitam yena jitam tena jagat-trayam’
One who has gained mastery over asanas, has won over all three planes of the self (body, breath and mind) and enjoys integrated health. This is attained through the inner sound of Kundalini that consists of the straight line, the coil and the sound.
Maha Shivasana is made up of the six seats required for the proper cultivation of khechari mudra. These six seats are the outcome of the interwoven mastery of sixteen asanas with their associated mudras. That interwoven mastery requires three years of study and opens the way for the cultivation of khechari mudra. This cultivation will then take a further nine years for the sadhaka to complete on their own.
To achieve the mindset required to complete this journey one must understand the following two terms.
- Samayacarana: refers to the consistent practice of vows and rules over the period of cultivation. (Manthanabhairavatantra) This is required for the beginner to succeed in the cultivation of the practises of Khechari mudra.
- Shivacarana: the non-performance of rules and vows is the appropriate conduct of the accomplished yogin/yogini. (Malinivijayottaratantra)
According to the Nath-yogins, when the yogin or yogini practises this sadhana, the attractions of the world do not affect them and their bodies are kept in good order. For these reasons Adinath urges the Siddhas to maintain it. However Guru Matsyendranath, in his Samhita, is clear that one may face a number of obstacles in the cultivation of Khechari Mudra.
These potential obstacles include:
- emaciation of the body
- laziness from hunger
- itching of the body
- paleness of body
- dental disease
- loss of power
- ruin of the lightness of body
- severe fever
- head diseases and phlegm
- vomiting
- breathlessness
- momentary blindness
- irresistable sleep
These are the possible scenarios that may present themselves after the churning of the tongue has begun. To avoid these, Kundalini must be provoked and raised by bhastrika pranayama together with its kumbhaka.
There are several layers of activities in the preparation of Khechari mudra. First the body, including the tongue, must be prepared. Then begin the different activities of the tongue (churning etc). These are followed by dhyana upon the inner sound (nadanusandana). There are many other layers and stages in the process but all will remain fruitless without the application of Shivasana.
This course is for established Hatha Yoga practitioners with a strong will free from all agendas and attachments.
“Each stage has its own set of tools and each tool should be chosen and used according to the task at hand. Once the task is accomplished the tool must be relinquished. You build a raft to cross a river. When you reach the opposite bank you leave it there. You don’t put it on your back to climb the mountain.”
Sundernāth.
From Sundernāth:
An overview of what lies ahead for those that have been accepted for the three year course.
It is important that you do not enter on this path lightly.
What you will learn over these three years will require a further nine years to reach fruition. That fruition will not come by itself and will require commitment, taking responsibility and perseverance.
For this physical preparation period the following are crucial –
Yama – moderate diet
Niyama – non violence towards oneself
Asana – Vajrasana is the master asana for this practice but all 84 asanas of the Nath gurus may be utilised to reach this goal
Commitment, responsibility and perseverance alone are not enough to overcome the obstacles that will arise on this path. One must learn the way of austerity as that alone brings the power to overcome the most tenacious obstacles. Through an austere approach to Sadhana one moves beyond desire and aversion, beyond grief and joy and so travels unencumbered. Within this freedom is power. To acquire it one must have faith in one’s endeavour and courage in facing each step. The good thing is that courage is the inherent nature of body and speech, while darkness is a habit of the mind.
Over the course of this first twelve years, the different layers of practices will be introduced to each individual according to their natural abilities and the course of their development. Once mastery of the physical basis of Khechari mudra is achieved then it will require another twelve years to reach the subtlety of the blooming light of the great void that transcends all expectations.
Alak Adesh
Sundernāth
Information
- This course is open to experienced hatha yoga practitioners
- Applications will be accepted by email to contact@shadowyoga.com stating your Full name, date of birth, country of origin and hatha yoga experience
- Acceptance is at the sole discretion of Shadow Yoga
- Successful applicants will be required to attend two seven-day individual sadhana courses per year.
You will be able to choose the timing according to your schedule.
