Hatha Yoga

Article by Sundernath (Shandor Remete)

Hatha Yoga – The Misconceived High Road of Tantric Science

It is well established that Matsyendranath, Gorakshanath and the rest of the eighty four great Siddhas (Adepts) were all Tantrika Gurus. They practiced a Hatha Yoga interwoven with the process of worship, a dimension almost completely absent from the contemporary practice of yoga in both India and the West.

This integrated path outlined by the ancients is no longer utilised and the ignorance of this path and its requirements renders the efforts at least 98% of modern day practitioners fruitless from the very beginning. As Guru Gorakshanath states in his Text of Eternal Speech;

‘Where there is hope, there is disappointment. Where there is doubt there is sorrow. These cannot be avoided without initiation. Both are great ills.’

This description captures the mindset of the vast majority of present day practitioners who are driven by all kinds of aversions and desires. The pursuit of flexibility, power, health, or alternative lifestyles leads nowhere and is as far removed from the true state of Yoga as Mars is from Mecca.

The ancient Gurus outlined procedures designed to help each individual clear their own path towards the wisdom of enlightenment. This is a world away from blindly following the institutional formulas of fools who render lip service to a wisdom they have never lived. The procedures of Tantric Hatha Yoga outlined by the ancient Gurus are the Bahiranga, Antaranga and Paramantaranga Sadhanas. Each of these three fields of activities has a particular set of tools and skills necessary for success. If an honest seeker reflects carefully on this threefold system they will realise how far modern understanding has strayed from the source and how the impoverished  schools of this age utilise barely one third of the first limb (Bhairanga Sadhana).

The skills set out in these three fields require a full knowledge of Yogic anatomy and physiology, including the map of the 16 subtle corridors of the life wind, a good understanding of the 107 vital junctions of the body and an apprehension of the daily changes impelled by the constant waning and waxing of the moon. This knowledge was imparted to the novice at the time of initiation and it is this knowledge which Gorakshanath refers to in the first verse of his Initiation Sermon (which follows on from the text above).

‘Study yourself! Distinguish between proper and improper law! Know the mystery of mysteries! Fulfill needs and expectations! (Duty)’.

Self study is only possible if one has been initiated into this knowledge of the maps and procedures of the fields of action. To distinguish the proper from the improper refers to the discriminating faculty within. The gaining of knowledge of the influences of the moon is the beginning of the unfolding of wisdom and comes through the revealing intelligence that manifests during practice. This faculty takes a long time to surface and one must not try to force the process but learn step by step, each of the required layers of the Sadhana.

When one understands the nature of these requirements one will see that the path is not about any particular ability (which can help or hinder progress) nor is it about a particular lifestyle. The process of wisdom requires that one goes beyond all the notions that have arisen from likes and dislikes and which have bred the underlying fear that in turn breeds anger, lust, violence and greed, that all lead only to exhaustion and illness.

Bahiranga Sadhana (the external practices) are comprised of Asana – both dynamic and static, the Shatkriyas (six cleansing processes) and Nadi Suddhi. The mastery of these allows progress in the internal practices of the Antaranga Sadhana – Pranayama, Mudras and Karanas. The Paramantaranga Sadhana (beyond form or formless) is comprised of Khecari Vidya (the science of roaming), Khecari Mudra, Vajroli, Amaroli and Sahajoli Mudras and the crowning process of Shambavi mudra. These are the outlined forms of the activities that pave the path of wisdom so one can serve at the feet of the formless one.

Due to ignorance of these practices, their requirements, relationship and appropriate applications modern day Hatha Yoga has become an impoverished make-believe exercise system that leads only to the grave. So what is changed by a recognition of this situation? Nothing! unless one is prepared to tread the suggested path with patience, endurance and full faith in one’s own undertaking leaving hope and doubt to those who lack vigorous bearing and prefer to be followers.

Shadow Yoga © Sundernath (Shandor Remete)
Editor, John Evans

Shadow Yoga is concerned with the social and environmental impacts of industry and the marginalisation of various groups. We have pledged 1% of sales to help fund diverse grassroots organizations and appreciate the support of our community.

In 2002, Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue Ribbon Flies, created 1% for the Planet and started a global movement. “The intent of 1% for the Planet is to help fund these diverse environmental organizations so that collectively they can be a more powerful source in solving the world’s problems.”

Important Information

August is the time of the monsoon in India. Ancient writings outline that this season is the best season for Panchakarma treatments (Ayurvedic cleansings) which are enhanced at this time. Alongside this, the yoga will be offered with the treatments.

Inclusions

  • Accommodation for the specified nights. We will do our best to provide your choice of accommodation
  • One consultation with the Vaidya (Ayurvedic doctor)
  • Treatments as specified
  • Three vegetarian meals a day with two beverages (ideally herbal tea if not, tea/ coffee) and fruit bowl
  • One group session on Diet and Ayurveda

Exclusions

  • Extra meals/fruits/tea/coffee & juices

Extras

  • Airport taxi pickup and drop are available (see below)
  • Additional specific treatments are available
  • Astrology Session: INR4,000

Discounts

  • 5% For EarlyBird booking and full payment received before 31 March (will be applied at checkout)
  • If you are registering for more than one course at Poonthottam an additional 5% discount is available. We will also include the night between the courses. In this case, please email Danny May with your course selection and room type.
  • We regret that Teacher’s Discount is not available for these retreats.

Venue information
Poonthottam
The closest domestic airports in order are Kozhikode, Cochin, Coimbatore. Cochin takes longer because of very heavy traffic. The ashram will help organise a taxi for you – see contact details below.

Contact

For taxi bookings and information about additional treatments or extending your stay, please contact Jishnu Ravendranath
WhatsApp is prefered +918075435242

Cancellation Policy

(based on Ayurvedasram policy)
After 30 April – Cancellation fee of 25%
After 28 May – 100%

Limited to 25 participants. We expect places to fill quickly.

Meditations of the Thunder Dragon (Taranyali Dhyanam)

with Sundernath

Over the past twenty years, we have introduced and taught all the preparatory practices required to cultivate the subtle energy and initiate the gathering of vital power that leads to the spontaneous or natural state of Sahajavasta which is the highest peak of meditation.

These practices and technical tools were laid out in Sundernath’s book Taranyali Tridha Dhyanam in the chapters on Krantam and Kriya. In the last chapter, he introduces the principles and characteristics of the final phase to which they lead – the acquisition of Shambhavi Mudra. These properties can be summed up in the term prasādājñā which implies that this mudra has a double nature – Rudra Shakti, the command of authority for the removal of impurities and Kundalini Shakti, the command of grace. When these two energies are drawn together into a single point the portal of transmission is opened. In this explanation I gave enough for genuine seekers to gain some sense of the path ahead and the demands that it would make.

The time has come to teach those individuals who are suitably prepared and open, by practical steps and in a systematic manner, the complete process through to this final stage.

This will be undertaken in four stages as follows:

  1. The Sheathing of Thunder and Lightning
  2. Stabilising the Thunder and Lightning
  3. Opening the Sky and Flooding
  4. The Arousal of Hamsah – the Anahata Nad, (the unstruck sound of the heart).
    Shambhavi Mudra

Each stage will consist of three-weekend workshops, each weekend consisting of three sessions. Between these stages, the students will be given suitable time to practice and absorb what they have learned before proceeding further.

Copyright © Shadow Yoga. All rights reserved. No part of these teachings may be reproduced, distributed, recorded or transmitted in any form or by any means, including, recording, or other electronic or mechanical means, without the prior written permission of Shadow Yoga. All advice given is strictly in confidence.

Vitry-lès-Cluny

About the region

Tourism center information

Close by: Remember to call ahead for visit conditions

Roche de Solutré: Not to miss, on the Great Site of France Solutré Pouilly Vergisson

Musée de préhistoire: Jardin archeological and botanical garden, the Maison du Grand Site to complete the tour.

Château De Pierreclos: In the midst of organic vineyards.

Chateau De Berze-Le-Chatel: Historical monument, one of the most well-preserved medieval fortified castles of Burgundy (where Ridley Scott shot ‘The Last Duel’!)

Chapelle Des Moines: In Berzé-la-Ville (the next village!)  – not to be missed.

Château De Cormatin: (only possible to visit its magnificent garden) Between Tournus et Cluny.

Les Communs: Local ceramists.

Chapaize – L’église Saint Martin & L’église De Lancharre: The village offers bed and breakfasts, 3 restaurants a Sunday organic market, an art gallery, and artists’ ateliers.

Grottes D’azé: Earth under life: in -350 000, a primal man appeared in the cave, then rhinos and antique elephants…the prehistorical cave and the underground river hide one of the largest European cave bears fields.

Grottes De Blanot

Château De Saint-Point-Lamartine: If one appreciates the writer

Solornay sur Guye: The neighbouring town – includes a restaurant, small food store, salon de thé – pâtisserie 

Cité- Abbaye De Cluny: The Benedictin Abbaye Of Cluny Shined On The Whole Middle Age Europe, Being The Widest Of Western Christianity Before The Building Of Saint-Peters In Rome.

Communauté De Taizé: Christian Ecumenical Community Founded In 1940 By Brother Roger.

Abbaye Saint Philibert – Tournus: One Of The Largest French Monastic Cities.