SAHAJA YOGA 1)
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WHAT IS YOGA
Yoga literally means "union. The union referred to is between the conscious mind through the subtle mechanism described below, with a higher, universal consciousness. Thus, after Yoga has taken place a new level of human awareness becomes accessible to consciousness. This has been described as an "epistemological breakthrough". At this stage each individual has the capacity to explore the mechanism, but until then what follows must remain a hypothesis, with its ing evidence, However, we can each state that after years of deep and serious investigation we have all become convinced that what follows is an accurate of real processes which occur in human beings. Furthermore we believe them to be of profound importance for medicine.
Agnya Chakra - pituitary and pineal glands, hypothalamus, retina, optic chiasma and optic lobes.
By a series of subtle connections called "nadis" in Yogic terminology, each chakra is connected to and brings its influence to bear on the whole body. For example, the Nabhi Chakra controls the entire Sympathetic system. In classical texts there are said to be three hundred and fifty million of these nadis. Very importantly each chakra is connected to a part of the hand as indicated in the diagram. Once the state of Yoga is achieved the hands become sensitive to the state of the Chakras, and with practice, this is easily interpreted.
The chakras also influence and reflect our mental and emotional life. For example, the Swadisthana chakra controls a person's creativity, and in those who work too hard - artists and other creative people it may become weak. 2) THE MECHANISM OF YOGA The right Anahat chakra (there are three parts of the Anahat a) Chakras chakra : right, centre and left) reflects the relationship of The chakra is a subtle energy centre which cannot fatherhood, either with the person's own father or his own normally be perceived. The human being has seven major children. Sufferers from anorexia nervosa, for example, Chakras (as shown on the accompanying diagram) and invariably have a problem with this centre. these correspond to the autonomic nerve plexuses. Thus : Thus, the state of the chakras at a subtle level *
The Mooladhara Chakra corresponds to the pelvic plexus. reflects and influences a person's physical, mental and * The Swadisthana Chakra corresponds to the aortic emotional welfare. This is a dynamic relationship so that action at a subtle level on the chakra can improve and (very plexus. importantly) integrate all these aspects. This is why, in a * The Nabhi (or Manipur) Chakra corresponds to the coeliac nutshell, people who achieve and consolidate their Yoga plexus. invariably find that their physical, emotional and other * The Anahat (or Heart) Chakra corresponds to the problems improve. cardiac plexus. b) The nadis * The Vishudhi chakra corresponds to the cervical plexus There are three nadis, as shown in the diagram, * The Agnya Chakra has its gross expression as theoptic They are the Ida, Pingala and Sushumna which correspond Chiasma. to the left and right sympathetic and the parasympathetic * The Sahastrara the limbic area. systems respectively. The discontinuity between the cranial Further, more the petals of each chakra corresponds and pelvic outflows of the parasympathetic system reflects to the subplexuses of the autonomic system. the gap in the Sushumna known as the void in Sahaja Yoga Each chakra directs the particular type of energy and as Maya or the Bhava Sagara in Indian Philosophy. The controlling the autonomic nerve plexus and also adjacent Pingala is also known as the Sun (Ha) channel and the Ida endocrine and other organs. For example : as the Moon (Tha) channel, hence the name Hatha Yoga. It * Mooladhara Chakra - prostate gland, vas deferens, cervix should be noted that the system of Hatha Yoga described of the uterus, Fallopian tubes. by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras is very different from the * Swadisthana Chakra - pancreas, part of liver and spleen version practiced in the west today. Each exercise is for a * Nabhi Chakra - adrenal gland, remainder of liver and specific chakra and so to perform them in an indiscriminate way, without indentifying where the problem is, is unlikely to spleen, pancreas, kidneys, part of the uterus be of any benefit and might actually be harmful. This style of * Anahat Chakra - lungs, pleura, pericardium, heart. Yoga was practised in a very different society from our own, * Vishuddhi Chakra - thyroid and parathyroid glands, neck, and is simply not practical under modern conditions. ear, nose, throat, face, teeth, tongue, mouth, face, The Ida Nadi nourishes and nurtures our desires palate, anterior parts of the eyes. This centre is also and our emotions. It begins at the Mooladhara chakra and important for its control over the hands. crosses at the Agnya chakra. Its activity gives rise to waste
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1) When the Kundalini reaches the Agnya Chakra products which bloat up into a balloon like structure which one becomes silent and peaceful. The person sits with his is called the super-ego. This is controlled by left Agnya. The Pingala Nadi looks after our action, both eyes closed; so this is not a state of hypnosis nor is it a physical and mental, that is to say our intellect. It gives us state of intoxication. The person is fully aware of himself energy when we think and plan about the future. It begins at and of his surroundings however the person is very relaxed the Right Swadisthana chakra and crosses at the Agnya. and his attention is not constantly being distracted by the Its activity gives rise to another balloon like by product, the normal flow of mundane thoughts. ego, which is controlled by the Right Agnya. The Sushumna Nadi represents our parasympathetic nervous system and it looks after our evolutionary capacity. In the normal human being , this nadi is not fully enlightened. It is in a way a potential channel as far as our central nervous system (c.n.s) is concerned, that is, one cannot feel its existence in one's conscious awareness. This potential channel only becomes activated after Yoga has taken place i.e. after awakening. Then one can feel its existence through the c.n.s i.e. in our consciousness. c) Kundalini and Kundalini Awakening Kundalini means 'coiled energy' and refers to a power which lies in three and a half coils in the sacrum bone which is called Mooladhara (whish is distinct from and lies above the Mooladhara chakra). A pulsation is sometimes seen at this level during Kundalini Awakening. Like the Sushumna, the Kundalini is normally in a potential state. When it is awakened it ascends to the top of the Sushumna. When the Kundalini emerges at this point, Yoga is said to have taken place. Yoga is impossible without Kurdalini Awakening.
This state is not achieved by any effort of will or by mental exercise on the part of the patient. It occurs spontaneously when the Kundalini is awakened. Thus the Kundalini reaches the area of the fontanelle and emerges emitting a cool breeze. This in itself is an unprecedented break-through in human consciousness. The wrong practices (discussed in paragraph above) which we have found to be harmful to the mechanism may give rise to such bizarre manifestations as jumping, dancing, shaking, screaming, bodily contortions or moving things from here to there. The summoning up of these occurrences and manifestations is of no inherent value and does not achieve any benefit to the practitioner. 2) If one of the chakras is damaged or defective, the Kundalini may be obstructed at that level. In such cases it is often possible to see the pulsation of the Kundalini at that level with the naked eye, and to hear it with a stethoscope. This pulsation can also be heard at the fontanelle and this was called "Spandakarika" by Adi Shankaracharya.
3) As the Kundalini rises through the Agnya Chakra it cools down the system, especially the cerebro spinal fluid. This results in the balloons of left and right Agnya becoming progressively deflated Once this happens the Kundalini is This happening of Kundalini Awakening and ultimate able to reach the top of the Sushumana, the Sahastrara union with a higher consciousness is an inborn mechanism Chakra. At this point we can say that Yoga has taken and is activated in a spontaneous and natural way without place.... extreme efforts. 4) The sensations on the hands, can with very little Until recently the Kundalini has been a mysterious practice, be used to ascertain the state of the chakras. The power and misleading ideas about it are unfortunately nadis and the chakras themselves begin to manifest in the common-place. One of the most serious of these conscious awareness and what has so far been a hypothesis misconceptions is the mistaken notion that the kundalini is becomes part of ones everyday sensory experience. Thus placed below the Mooladhara chakra which manifests the we can feel on our fingers ourselves and also other people pelvic plexus. As has already been stated, this chakra by a proper method of decoding which can be taught, to controls the reproductive organs. This reversal of the anyone who reaches this state, in a month. Thus, the relationship between the Mooladhara chakra and the diagnosis takes place at a deeper level of our being, through Kundlaini was used to justify the entirely false notion that our sensitivity to these seven centres. Kundalini awakening can be accomplished by sex. Infact all 5) If one learns how to nourish the chakras through such perverse practises and all forms of "black magic" are the knowledge of Sahaja Yoga one can cure the exhausted against Nature and extremely harmful to the Kundalini. It chakras and have very good physical, mental & emotional cannot be stressed too strongly that sex plays no part in health & a very balanced life. Kundalini Awakening. We are now seeing further evidence 6) As explained above, Sahaja Yoga, enables one of the harmful effects of the abuse of this chakra, for example to feel the chakras of other people, which represents a in the emergence of the acquired immune deficiency qualitative change in human consciousness manifesting in syndrome (A.I.D.S.) our c.n.s. The collective aspect of the human psyche We have now seen several thousand people becomes directly accessible for the first time. experience Kundalini Awakening through Sahaja Yoga and 7) This, then is the epitome of our living evolutionary in not one case has any one had in any way a disturbing or process, brought forth by the living forces of Nature. We can distressing experience/ conclude that we become able to control our autonomic It is not possible to describe fully the experience of nervous system and to utilise the energies of the Kundalini Awakening of Yoga " in words, but some of the changes that take place are as follows :
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parasympathetic system.
required that we attend collective meditation sessions which We are a group of people who have all experienced are held on a weekly basis across all Sahaja Yoga Centres this Yoga. We have found that our own lives, those of our across the country & across the world. families and the many of our friends who also practice it So it is necessary for us to see the need to rise have become very much richer in health, in quality and in through our inbuilt evolutionary process to reach a higher objectivity as a result. consciousness. This consciousness can cure other people We can show Sahaja Yoga to be the most scientific and in return gives tremendous joy to the Yogi. This joy and logical method that Nature has created within ourselves, does not have the quality of happiness or unhappiness. which gives us a balance, redeems us of our mental and physical troubles, comforts us without any medicines and counsels us. By activating the subtle instrument we are able to use a subtle 'vibratory awareness, which guides us to the answers to gross and subtle questions.
All our great scientific discoveries have seemed fantastic at the time, and this perhaps seems equally so. But we are certain that the people conducting this investigation will have a scientific attitude of open mindedness. What we are putting forward is that human consciousness can become one with The all Pervading Power which is CONCLUSION responsible for all living work. This is not a jump into the To experience the bliss of Sahaja Yoga it is dark, but a jump into the light - into a complete enlightened necessary that we should have the pure desire in our freedom state. for our Kundalini to awaken & connect us to the all Pervading Power and to feel The Divine Energy within us on our central nervous system. To grow deeper and ascend higher, it is
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SAHAJA YOGA A TALK BY H.H. SHRI MATAJI NIRMALA DEVI AT FICCI AUDITORIUM, NEW DELHI ON APRIL 6,1997 I bow to all the seekers of truth. At the very onset I have to tell you that truth is what it is. You cannot change it, you cannot transform it, you cannot explain it. Only thing is that you can experience it. In this Kaliyuga there are special people born in every country who are the seekers of truth. William Blake, a great poet of England, had said that those men of God will be born this time and they will know the truth. If I am telling you something today, you need not accept, We have had enough problems with blind faith. First of all you must get the experience and then you will not doubtit. I discovered a method to solve problem of Kundalini Awakening. There are seven Chakras within us basically. These Seven Chakras are responsible for our physical, emotional and mental being. There is no doubt about it. But you have to first find out and then believe. Once you get your realisation, you feel these subtle centres within you.
thing that is affected is liver. Now bad liver because it cannot throw its heat which is the poison of the body, so what happens is that heat starts rising. If it rises to the right side it goes to the right heart chakra which controls the lungs. Such a person can get Asthma. The Asthma has been cured through Sahaja Yoga very easily. Same thing happens when the heat moves to the left side that is pancreas. Mostly people who are thinking too much and planning too much get diabetes. The sugar does not cause diabetes. Then it goes down to the kidney. With this heat kidney coagulates and you need dialysis & if not, you die but you die bankrupt. There is a simple way of curing kidney trouble. But the most difficult is the spleen. Now in modern times life is very hectic . Then we have no time to eat our food properly. In America, I have seen some doctors brushing their teeth in the car. That is the limit of things. So in this kind of hectic life, spleen poor thing which has to produce RBC's for emergencies, gets mad and it cannot also, sort of cooperate with all the madness that is happening.
Sahaja Yoga is going to the roots, the roots are seven chakras and our Kundalini of course, Without medical science you can't understand Sahaja Yoga because you can't corelate. Now there are three nadis, left, right and centre. Left is called Ida, right is called Pingla and centre is called Sushumna Nadi, Kabira has described it very clearly
Doctors are completely treated like criminals in America. So if they do anything wrong by mistake, they are finished. Their practice is gone. They are put in jail. After all they are human beings, but this consideration is not there. So the futuristic life makes them very crazy really. Then they become very hot tempered. And for the slightest things I am so very happy that the Indian Medical you start saying things. Then you start feeling guilty. Then Association has given me this honour to be able to talk to you catch the chakra called left-vishudhi By this you have you. I also did my medicine and I know how difficult it was. spondylitis Now you should also know one more thing that this Now according to Sahaja Yoga we have two types is the Yogbhoomi. They have given us science all right but of heart attacks, one is active massive heart attack, the we will give them Yoga, the real basic knowledge, that is the other is lethargic like Angina. So the first one which is massive foundation of medical science. So we have to go to something one is where that heat reaches the heart. Say there is a boy which is absolute. Now it is a subject of medicine. I will who is playing tennis at the age of 21 or 22 and drinking speak on one of the centres which is very important and also and competing with his father. If you continue this kind Doctors are always affected by that. So I will say that what of things, may be you might get one day a massive heart can go wrong with Doctors and what they should be careful attack, specially the industrialist. Industrialists are so much about. futuristic, so much calculative that they don't calculate that It is the second centre which is called Swadhishthan this will entail them heart problems. So this heart suddenly Chakra, which on physical side is manifested as aortic collapses and they die. Another one is lethargic heart attack plexus. It supplies energy to our liver, pancreas, spleen, like angina, and happens if you feel guilty. Some people are intestines and kidneys and converts the fat for the use of very sensitive and very formal type and you know they feel guilty, I should have done this. I have known people who our grey cells which we are using all the time. were crying all their life", I spilled coffee on the table". For Why do we call this liver, because of liver we live. anything they start feeling guilty. Not only you develop Liver is very important in Sahaja Yoga. I know that in medicine spondylitis you develop a situation where your heart can not we don't know much about liver. It is absolutely curable in pump blood properly. That is the angina. Sahaja Yoga. Liver is the one which sucks up all the poisons There are two sides of life, left side, and right side and throws it into the blood. when they meet (when one side is over active), you get the Such a man who is always thinking, all his energy "psychosomatic diseases". If the Kundalini rises what is going to the brain and other organs are neglected. First
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happens that it nourishes those centres. But suppose you are using right side too much , left side breaks up. Then what happens that your connection with the main is lost. You are on your own and Cancer starts. Cancer can be cured not at a galloping stage but at an early stage. We have also tried some galloping stage patients. When Kundalini rises it goes and crosses over the fontanelle bone. "Shunya Shikhar Par Anahad Baje" Kabira said" On the central nervous system you can feel the "Cool Breeze of the Holy Ghost", they used to call it in Bible, or they call it as "............", Alakh Niranjan" or they call it "Brahma Chaitanya"................"when the Kundalini rises she helps you physically. In all there are the seven chakras & all seven chakras with the permutations and combinations of these three channels, are cleansed by the Kundalini it cures all. As a result you start enjoying You become a person who is a witness, whole thing becomes just a drama. By this you know the complete knowledge of medical science in totality. On the finger tips you can see where is the disease. Now if you know what are these centres (Chakras) meant for, you should know what they are related to as far as physical side is concerned. Then you will know that this person is suffering from this disease.
very far in scientific approach. They have tried to find out energies that are subtle energies. Lot of things they have done, specially they are interested in working through Sahaja Yoga. You become a person who is absolutely in balance. Ask the doctors," who runs the heart?" they say, "Autonomous nervous system". Now who is this auto ? They are honest on that and will say "we do not know". They know very little about parasympathetic nervous system. In emergency our sympathetic nervous system goes into action and what brings it back to normal afterwards is parasympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system when it is filled with energy it settles down, it gets nourished, then it starts working in such a beautiful manner that you achieve so many things that you normally cannot achieve. First thing that happens is you become a very peaceful person.
The thoughts are rising and falling but there is a gap in between. This is called in Sanskrit .............. Villamb, we can call it "pause" in English. When we are jumping in future or in the past. but you cannot be in the centre. It is a big problem, you cannot be in the present and in the present is the reality. In the present is totality and in the present is the silence. So what happens that you become "Nirvichar". i.e. without any thoughts. This thoughtless awareness gives This all pervading power, they have called it Brahma you complete peace within yourself. Chaitanya, when it starts flowing through you, tremendous The common problem is the stress. Now why this things happen. This not only guides you or gives you stress is there that also you should know. Ida & Pingla are knowledge but it protects you as well. I met a doctor who two channels and they cross each other at optic chiasma. has a dialysis hospital, he got his kidney affected, Normally Pingla Nadi (Right sympathetic) creates ego balloon, Ida doctors have no protection of any kind when they treat any Nadi (Left sympathetic) creates super ego balloon (due to body. If they are sensitive they may catch slowly the disease conditionings). When you are too right sided then ego moves they are curing. We are human beings not machines. In and covers the left side, so there is a block, whatever problem Sahaja Yoga, you know what you are catching and you know you have it cannot out of your body. Then you become how to clear that and how to protect youself. Sahaja Yoga weaker & weaker. That is how you.have stress. First of all can not be imposed on any body. It respects your freedom. this Kundalini has started working in this Kaliyuga. With the How will you know that Guru Nanak was an rise of Kundalini these two (ego and super ego) move out incarnation or about Christ or about any one of them. But and the channel is opened out and you become one with once you are born in Sahaja Yoga, you know exactly that all The Divine and so many areas of your brain get enlightened. the Sufis are one, all the great prophets are one. All your Also I don't know how far the medical science has problems will be solved as far as integration of religions is gone for the understanding that the left and right side are concerned. You don't have to give up anything. Religions two different complementary systems. But in Sahaja Yoga can never teach you to hate anybody. This all pervading you know that they are two complementary systems power is the power of love. It guides you, it looks after you, (sympathetic channels). One is right side and the other is it co-operates, it co-ordinates. It is so efficient a government left side. When right side is too active left side comes into I don't think we can ever imagine. Guru Nanak said " know action and vice-versa. Right sided people are futuristic and yourself". Christ said "know thyself" The truth is that you left sided people are who live in the past. are not this body nor this mind, not these emotions, you are not this ego, you are not these conditionings, but you are If some body has viral you may give him antiboitics the pure spirit. One should become a little humble about it or what you like, it wont help only Sahaja Yoga can drive it as we do not know about the absolute. So the religion and out because Sahaja Yoga can act on the left side (Viral is science become one. We can explain it scientifically as Dr. left side problem) Many mad people crazy people have also U.C. Rai has done You don't have to become a ritualistic. been cured through Sahaja Yoga as well. Once realised, you have to do a little meditation every day. In Sahaja Yoga you become peaceful and you Param Chaitanya has given us a chance to have a hospital in Vashi (Bombay) and the results are very good (where the patients are being treated according to Sahaja Yoga). Doctors are coming from Russia also they have gone
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become generous. There is nothing like sanyasa. Nobody has to go out of the family. You have to be a very normal person. But one thing is important that you must have your pure desire to get your realization. First of all we have to
believe that we are the reflection of God Almightly. When you go abroad, you get amazed. I tell you they are very stupid people. Americans sometimes, they are not grown up as human beings. To me they said, "We cannot take to Sahaja Yoga because you do not take money. If you don't take money we have no value. Why should we believe in you". So we should not look to them for understanding of life. We have such a heritage. Imagine that thousands of years back we have been talking of------, Brahma. We have been talking of absolute truth. In what country there had been this kind of culture? No country, we should be very proud to be Indians. I am very very thankful to this Indian Medical Association for this. I know in this country if the doctors take it up, all over the world they will have to understand the value of our knowledge of life and of medical science.
all sufis, and all the incarnations. Basically our genes are very good. In Sahaja Yoga you can change your genes also. It is not from the parents, it is not with the circumstances, it is from your own reactions to things that you develop your genes. What happens with genes that you become a very very religious man from inside. Love for humanity is religion. You enjoy giving your love. Even those who hate you, you love them. Their hatred is out of ignorance. So let the whole world come here. Once they came to give us slavery. Let them come here to learn what is Divine. don't have to read many books . First of all they should be completely one with the Divine otherwise they are not entitled.They have no power. When you are not empowered how will you grow? But for that you don't have to spend too much of time 5 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes in the evening. You will see really what is right and what is wrong. What is going wrong with you also. You develop new dimensions, that we call as " Collective Consciousness....................". Sitting down here you can see the vibrations of Mr. Clinton or you can feel the vibrations of any other person. You can correct the vibrations of other people who are sitting far away.
In Russia they had a meeting of about 250 scientists. I started talking about science. I thought better be at their level to talk to them, so one of them got up and said "Mother please don't tell us this science. We know all of it. Now you tell us the science of God. Science of Divine." I was amazed. Look at these Russians. So I found out that all these countries like Bulgaria, Russia, Romania, their people are like clean Sahaja Yoga has many dimensions. This is power slates. In Romania I was amazed. One paper I read, I told of love, of Divine Love. You should take to Sahaja Yoga and them medical things like this. They gave me a doctorate not make the best of your lives. It becomes our responsibility honorary but real. You can imagine? Such clear mind. Indians that this basic knowledge goes all over. are also very much like that and very much more capable. May God Bless You All ! Our culture is very deep We have to thank all the saints and
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MANAGEMENT OF STRESS THROUGH SAHAJA YOGA R.D. Kulkarni
WHAT IS STRESS ?
emergencies, the person has to through the stages of alarm and resistance time and again and the accumulated pressure causes exhaustion, diseases or emotional problems, leading to fall in performance levels, productivity and strained relations in family and at workplaces. Sometimes, however, the person gets withdrawn into depression. These are chronic effects of stress, which are the signals that life style or work habits should be adjusted before worst problems emerge. Hence the importance of effective stress management.
In daily life we frequently face difficult situations that bring mental and emotional pressure. The body then responds in prompt, speedy and efficient ways. Stress is any thing that causes fear, anxiety, worry apprehensions, anger and even excitement. Continuous efforts to cope with such situations have adverse effects on human system for want of relief from mental and emotional strains and it leads to diseases. According to Dr. Vernon Coleman, who has arrived at the conclusions after discussions with a number of doctors from different regions, that 90-95% illness can be STRESS MANAGEMENT blamed totally or mainly on psychological forces, 98% A number of strategies have been evolved over the headaches are stress or pressure related, a vast majority of years which bring relief of varying degrees. A number of people indigestions are due to stress etc. resort to drinking, smoking etc. which are harmful. Relaxation techniques have been found to be more effective than others STRESS THRESHOLD and meditation is the best ralaxation technique. In Sahaja It is a point where more pressure would become Yoga, developed by Her Holiness Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, counter productive. Beyond this point, more pressure would the regular practice of meditation, after the self-realization, lead to fall in productivity and contentment. can bring sustained relief, from short term and chronic effect This point differs from person to person depending of stress, and stress related diseases. It can also bring about upon one's ability to cope with the pressure. Some people necessary additional changes as the person is evolved to can sustain higher levels of pressure, some thrive on stress take a balanced outlook toward events and situations he while some suffer enormously even under modest amount has to face in daily life. of stress. There is fairly fixed stress threshold for activity and inactivity. At one end there is inactivity that we can STRESS MANAGEMENT THROUGH THE cope with and at the other end, it is activity that we can SAHAJA YOGA cope with. If the range between them is narrow, one is stress In the state of arousal there is over activity of prone. sympathetic nervous system thereby causing imbalance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous RESPONE TO STRESS systems. In Sahaja Yoga meditation Parasympathetic Byitselfstress never causes a problem. It is the nervous system. is activated and the imbalance is corrected, way one responds to stress that can lead to problems. The which brings relief to the person. response is generally in three stages: In this connection, a research was conducted by ALARM - In the face of a challenge or a threat, the two doctors, under the guidance of Dr. U.C. Rai, the head of nervous system is highly stimulated, heart rate increases, Physiology Department, Lady Hardings Medical college, muscles become tense, breathing becomes fast, The body New Delhi. systems are now ready to fight or flee. It has been concluded that Sahaja Yoga practice RESISTANCE - If the cause producing the stress produces significant physiological changes in both trainees continues the body chemistry adjusts to that situation (i.e. and advanced Sahaja Yogis, by bringing about an equilibrium steady flow of adrenal and other glands secretions & in order between sympathetic and parasympathetic dominance which to keep the body at a more easily maintained level of arousal is usually seen in the situations of stress. Thus Sahaja Yoga during the time needed to fight or get away. helps an individual in providing relief against stress and EXHAUSTION - If the challenge continues for a long thereby could prevent stress disorders". This research was time, the resources for arousal and resistance are used. accepted by Delhi University and the degree of MD was They are involuntary physical responses to stress for which conferred upon the doctors. built-in mechanism exist in human body. They may be Sahaja Yoga aims at spiritual evolution of mantriggered even by imagining or thinking about an kind,thorugh the realization of his innate self (the Atma). situation. The self realization enlightens one's inner being which So long as the problem is solved and we are able to comprises thousands of nerves (and nerve centres, which rest, even the acute effects of stress are not dangerous to a are known as Nadis and Chakras respectively in Yoga healthy person. Due to repeated occurrences of theory, and through which the energy circulates. Three main
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nerves among them, viz the Ida, Pingla and Sushumna The benefits are numerous and depends upon correspond to left, right nervous systems and sincerity and regularity in the practises of meditation Some Parasympathetic nervous system respectively. They cater of them can be as under : the energy for the functioning of sympathetic and * Peace of mind, contentment and joy are felt within. Parasympathetic. * The health is improved. The chakras are subtle energy centres which correspond to autonomic nerve plexuses. Each chakra is a * Relationships become harmonious. group of nerves which are known as petals in Yoga and their * Innumerable people have been cured of diseases number corresponds to the subplexuses of the autonomic * Sound mind and body, improved concentration, memory nervous system. The chakras are connected to different and grasp is achieved. organs and glands through subtle nerves through the Sahaja Yoga can be practised by people from all plexuses, Besides influencing the functioning of various castes, religions and nationalities. systems, the chakras also influence and reflect our mental There is no alternative to experience, in order to emotional life. Hence the state of chakras, at a subtle level, understand the benefits of self-realization and meditation, in reflects a persons, physical, mental and emotional welfare. Sahaja Yoga. It is therefore important to accept the knowledge Action on the chakras can therefore improve and integrate imparted in programmes as a hypothesis and follow it with these aspects. The chakras are so established on the regular practice for some time, with an open mind of a Sushumna channel, that they are enveloped from the left scientist, as an experiment. Results achieved would certainly side by the Ida channel and from the right side by the Pingala convince you to continue with it and finally to make it as the channel. The Ida Nadi nourishes, our desires emotions and way of overcoming stress, and thereby live a very balanced gives us our past. The Pingala Nadi looks after our actions, l i f e . both physical and mental that is to say our intellect and attention. It gives us energy when we think and plan. The "Face youself honestly. Sahaja Yoga is an honest Sushumna Nadi looks after our evolutionary capacity. In the endeavour" normal human being this Nadi and consequently the Para "Sahaja Yoga makes you so powerful and so pure Sympathetic is generally not enlightened. This channel becomes activated after the Divine Power Kundalini that that impurities just fall out . It is a cleansing force". resides in our sacrum bone, is awakened. In the situation of stress, the perception of a challenge or a danger, causes the activity of the Pingala channel, the chakras enveloped by it and glands connected to the chakras, and thereby the activity of endocrine system. The prolonged over activity of the Pingala channel, results into an imbalance which if remained uncorrected, entails disorders and diseases. The Kundalini Shakti which is coiled in the sacrum bone, when awakened, ascends through the Sushumna channel and the chakras, and emerges out of the fontenelle bone. While descending, the Divine Energy soothes down the nervous and connected physical, mental and psychic systems. The activity of the Kundalini corrects the imbalance as the dominance of the Pingala channel is reduced. Through the regular practice of Sahaja Yoga meditation, in which this process is repeated proper balance between the sympathetic and Parasympathetic is established. Techniques have been developed in Sahaja Yoga, to restore the balance, if imbalance takes place for some reason. The process of awakening of the Kundalini shakti has been made extremely simple by Her Holines Shri Nirmala Devi and the person is not required to make any effort. The regular meditation for short time brings about further spiritual progress and bestows a number of benefits. Some of the salient features of Sahaja Yoga are as under : Sahaja Yoga can be practised with in one's family without disturbing day to day activities. There is no need to give up anything.
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TREATING TENSION Doctors establish that with practice of Sahaja Yoga tensions can be reduced by USHA RAI Recent medical investigations have shown that emotional stress and anxiety can precipitate chemic heart disease and cause sudden death. Clinicians have also suspected for long that accumulation of small stresses from long standing conflicts can augment the develoment of hypertension and even coronary atherosclerosis. Inspite of their side effects and habit forming nature there is a tendency to use tranquilisers and other drugs to control tensions and blood pressure.
which show whether the patient is tense or relaxed. All 10 were patients of hypertension, some of them on drugs. As the Sahaja Yoga practice progressed the medicines were reduced and finally stopped. In 12 weeks the diastolic blood pressure dropped from 100 to 80 and the adrenalin flow, it was found also dropped.
The second group of 10 trained Sahaja Yogis from the centre at Safdarjung Enclave had been practicing Sahaja Yoga for two to six years . Readings were taken before, The physiology department of the Lady Hardinge during and after Sahaja Yoga. and the Sucheta Kripalani hospital has establihed through The GSR in the first group of subjects increased elaborate scientific studies the effect of Sahaja Yoga on the from 43.9 kohms to 64.7 Kohms. In the second group human body and its role in preventing stress disorder. practising Sahaja Yoga the mean level was 103.9 kohms. In The study, published in the journal of the International the second group practising Sahaja Yoga the mean GSR Medical Sciences Academy establishes that even with a was 130.4 kohms which increased by practise to 183.85 few weeks practice of Sahaja Yoga, tensions are reduced kohms. and people can lead a more relaxed life. The changes in the skin resistance are a measure Prof. U.C. Rai, former head of the Department of of sweat gland activities and are related to the sympathetic Physiology at the Sucheta Kriplani hospital and currently nervous system. The study says the sweat glands are additional medical superintendent who heads the team connected to the hypothalamus, reticular formation and undertaking Sahaja Yoga (stress studies) says, "drugs are cerebal cortex and therefore reflect the activity of different not a satisfactory long term answer to tackle the problems regions of the brain related to the individuals's arousal and of severe stress. Various relaxation techniques meditation awareness. The ascending reticular activating system and & biofeed back technique have been tried to reduce the effect hypothalamus are the fundamental structures which of stress on the body. But there have been little or no determine the state of awareness of an individual." scientific studies to show how this relaxation occurs. Therefore, the change in the activity of the sweat Now Prof. Rai alongwith Dr. S. Sethi and Dr. S.H. Singh have also established that the awakening of the Kundalini which the Yogis maintain is manifest in the subtle feeling of coolness in the palm of the hand and a sense of euphoria of release are possible with the practise of Sahaja Yoga. The static Kundalini is symbolised by a serpent coiled into a length of 3.5 inches with its tail southwards and spiralling around the central axis at the base of spine. When the Kundalini Shakti is activated with Sahaja Yoga it ascends to unite with Shiva (pure consciousness) above the crown of the head and self realisation occurs.
glands should be closely related to one's awareness and level of tension or relaxation., The study shows that Sahaja Yoga awakens the Kundalini there by producing a state of thoughtless awareness with deep relaxation. which in turn, is responsible for increased skin resistance in both groups. In patients with anxiety neurosis the blood lactate concentration increases. On doing Sahaja Yoga this reduces and the adrenalin production drops. Increased adrenal activity leads to high blood pressure.
Significant Physiological Changes have been noticed in both trainees and the advanced Sahaja Yogis. The sympathetic system dominance, noticed in situations of Studies done which were published in scientific stress, is knocked down by the Yoga. journals were conducted on 20 people in the age group 35 Two papers named, "Effects of Sahaj Yoga Pratise to 50. Ten of them were from the Department of Physiology on patients of Psychosomatic Diseases" and Physiological and had no previous training in any form of Yoga, meditation Effect of Kundalini Awakening by Sahaj Yoga which were or bio techniques. They were given two days prepared by Dr. Deepak Kumar Chugh and Dr. Sandeep Sethi training by a qualified Sahaja Yoga teacher in the physiology have already earned doctorates. department. There after they practised it for a few weeks. 20 minutes daily on weekdays under the watchful eyes of their tutor. At fixed intervals doctors studied the effect of Sahaja Yoga on the heart rate, blood pressure, the level of the blood lactic acid, VMA in urine which indicates secreation of adrenalin by the body and the glavanic skin resistance (GSR).
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MANAGEMENT & TRANSFORMATION BY SAHAJA YOGA Dr. Brotin Khan All these men and women Entering through the gates of the factory Showing their badges and punching cards, For them everything has become a ritual Some are dominating, some are frustrated, -No joy. Is there, Someone, Some Power? Who can penetrate into their hearts To awaken their Spirits? So that all can become Children of one Family Bubbling with creativity From the Love and Comion of that Power And contributing the maximum to the humanity Yes, yes, still there is hope!
HAVENT YOGA?
YOU
HEARD
ABOUT
SAHAJA
Management is an exceedingly complex art. It is at times mathematics, at times poetry but always in balanced sense. Management means dealing with people. It is the responsibility of the managers to get the maximum out of people for the maximum productivity. For that the managers have to understand human nature and behaviour. So the first step towards better management will be to know what are the qualities of good manager and then how to transform the human beings for the best results of the organisation.
QUALITY OF A GOOD MANAGER
When the physiological needs of man such as food and housing are reasonably satisfied, his next need is safety, that means security of employment and freedom of arbitrary management actions. When physiological and security needs are satisfied, his social needs become important. He wants to have a feeling of belonging. The next need of man after all these is his need for achievement-egoistical and self-fulfilment need. In this way it goes on - and lack of satisfaction will have behavioural consequences, his efforts become ineffective.
LEARNING IS NOT BECOMING ; The Japanese believe that continous training can lead to continous improvement in performance. Therefore, in most Japanese Companies, everyone from Sweeper to a Managing Director attends training classes throughout their career. This approach is also known as the Zen approach, as opposed to the Chinese approach which is known as Confucious approach. According to the Zen approach, the purpose of training is continous improvement in the performance of whatever one does no matter what one's work is everyone can improve on his throughout his or her career by continous training. The Confucious approach, on the other hand, holds that the aim of training is to qualify the trainee for a more important job, in other words, the training is for promotion. The Confucious approach emphasises attention to status, wages and other benefits, rather then the excellence of work.
* He by nature is not resistant to organisational needs and normally considers work as a natural Today management experts are talking and lecturing activity. on TQM (Total Quality Managemnt), Zero Defect Management etc. The Mantra of continous improvement like other TQM * He is ready and eager to assume responsibility. Principles, sounds wonderful. But it is neither original nor * He has no favourite easy to implement So, while the management commitment * He is not rude, irritable, hard-driving and rough : manager to continous improvement may be unflinching. It is often on the other hand believes that good human relations unable to translate the noble intention into action. It may be increase productivity noticed that these are all a mental approach. These experts * He has no immoral behaviour to his colleagues of are overlooking the fundamental fact that human beings can't be transformed into better humans only by learning and opposite sex. training. When a human mind is exposed to a certain * He is creative. knowledge or behavioural attitude only through the mental * He is lovable and comionate. approach, the process of learning and training upto a certain * He is not adverse to the change in the organisation. point is absorbed but after that it recoils back. It generates BARRIER AGAINST DEVELOPMENT OF reactions in his mind, body and life style. Thus after some time, the executives or managers of the company, may not MANAGERIAL QUALITY : be able to contribute their best to the company, if they are Human being's desire is never ending. As soon as trained only be these management experts. one of his desires, is fulfilled another appears in its place. TRANSFORMATION IS AN INSIDE JOB Once a need is satisfied it no longer becomes a motivator of We have to become a perfect instrument within behaviour. before we can perfect the world outside" is the message of H.H. Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, the founder of Sahaja Yoga. Thus transformation should be viewed as an inner phenomena 11
than an outside event. To transform ourselves for better who are often thinking of the past, are very emotional, avoid qualities we have to look inside us. meeting people and are introverts. They cannot face criticism. Such Managers are by nature indolent, work as little UNDERSTANDING TRANSFORMATION as possible; lack ambition and dislike responsibilities. They THROUGH SAHAJA YOGA : According to the Meta Science of Sahaja Yoga, as revealed by H.H. Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, there exists a subtle instrument in each human being which is ready for connection with the higher consciousness beyond the human awareness. When this connection between our limited self (The Atma) and the Unlimited Divine Power (The Paramatma) is established and made stronger through regular and sincere practice of Sahaja Yoga, transformation within occurs automatically. Our attention turns inward and we become very introspective. We start judging and perfecting ourselves instead of judging and trying to perfect others. It is logical also because we have no control over others but we can control and change ourselves. For the world to transform, it is imperative that each of us looks inside ourselves instead of looking at the mistakes of others and this is possible only through Sahaja Yoga. H.H. Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi says ,"everything becomes perfect as soon as we perfect ourselves". We know more about the motor car that we drive than our own instrument which is so beautiful and so subtle. Sahaja Yoga is a way of life. It is transformation within. It is the culminating point of our human evolution which has been promised by the scriptures. The Kundalini is the germinating power of the seed of our being. This seed sprouts through Sahaja Yoga. The Kundalini cleanses us, comforts us,redeems us, counsels us and connects us to the All Pervading Divine Power. The Chakras are the life force within us. Chakra means wheel and they are so called because vital life energy spins at these points. The left sympathetic nervous system the Ida Nadi or Moon Channel represents the power of desire of an individual. It brings our attention to the memories of the past. The energy flow in this nadi is blocked by conditioning, superstitions, feeling of guilt, to much pity on self, sexual perversion and pornography. Movement in this channel gives rise to reactions which are stored in a balloon like structure at the right side of the brain and known as super-ego. As long as this channel remains active there is human desire to remain alive.
are inherently self-centred and indifferent to organisational needs. They prefer to be led. They are by nature resistant to change. They are gullible and the ready dupe of the charlatans and the demagogue. They sit in the corner of the office & try to hide themselves from the rest. Management directs the effort of management it fails to obtain the desired improvement in these type of people as there is no harmony which results in very poor performance. In other words, these group of people are dealt with management by control and this does not yield the optimum result. The Managers or people who are using their right sympathetic channel too much are always very aggresive. They always like to dominate over others and make the employer or colleague's lives miserable. If they are leaders or heads of departments, they do not delegate anything so as to keep the credits of any success intact for himself only. They try to hide others success, as a result the company suffers immensely. They become barriers for effective communication as a proper two way communication means explanations, questions, criticism both up and down and not only one way. These people are invariably hard task masters and workoholics which may not yield best result or take out the best from the people. They carry work to home, have no time for family and become dry persons. For any function to perform these type of people depend on only a few handful of persons, as a result a sense of belonging to the company is not generated in other persons who are working under such a leader as no team effort is created. These people are always rushing around and looking busy. They make the appraisal of their subordinates usually concentrating on their faults and weaknesses. Though they work like lieutenants, they may not be prepared to take the best decision for the company.
Right sympathetic nervous system the Pingla Nadi or the Sun Channel represents our power of actions It makes us think, work, plan and organise for the future events. The reactions generated due to all these actions are stored in a balloon like structure at the end of this channel at the left side of the brain and is known as ego. Whereas we have control over the sympathetic nervous system, we have no control over the functions of parasympathetic nervous system, known as Sushumna or the central channel, like the digestion of food, function of lungs, heart etc. When we use the sympathetic nervous system, we consume energy. Thus, the managers or people who are using the left sympathetic channel too much are the persons
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THE EFFECTS OF SAHAJA YOGA IN BRONCHIAL ASTHAMA & HYPERTENSION Dr. Deepak K. Chugh, Department of Physiology Lady Hardinge medical College, New Delhi-110001 (India)
INTRODUCTION
other people can also be felt and brought into balance.
Modern Sahaja Yoga is an authentic system of yoga meditation, the theoretical basis of which suggets an alternative physiological paradigm.
The changes postulated above obviously amount to a very fundamental change in the physiology of the person.
We present here experimental evidence showing beneficial effects of Sahaja Yoga in essential hypertension and bronchial asthma and suggets that the alternative paradigm maypoint the way to further lines of investigation.
THE SAHAJA YOGA HYPOTHESIS Thus Sahaja Yoga is a vitalist theory. Three major energy channels are postulated, corresponding to: 1. Sympathetic nervous system (left)
PRELIMINARY PHYSIOLOGICAL STUDIES A Preliminary study (4) compared a group of naive subjects (N=10) with a group of experienced (2 to 6 years) meditators (N=10) The first group was trained in Sahaja Yoga for 12 weeks. Over the course of the 12 weeks galvanic skin resistance (GSR) increased and blood lactic acid urinary vanilly Imandelic acid (VMA), heart rate, respiratory rate and systolic blood pressure all decreased.
3. Parasympathetic nervous system
The group of experienced meditatory showed similar Physiological changes over the course of 20 minutes Sahaja Yoga practice.
The awakened residual force bridges the gap between the cranial and sacral outflows of the parasympathetic system .
Subjects reported a sensation of a cool breeze in the hands and measurement of skin temperature in the palm of the hand showed a significant decrease.
In addition seven subtle energy centres correspond to :
Study in essential hypertension (5)
1. the pelvic autonomic plexus
The experimental group A consisted of 15 female patients aged between 38 and 45 from the hospital hypertension clinic. The control group B consisted of ten patients with similar ages and socio economic backgrounds.
2. Sympathetic nervous system (right)
2. the aortic autonomic plexus 3. the coeliac autonomic plexus 4. the cardiac autonomic plexus 5. the cervical autonomic plexus 6. the optic chiasma 7. the limbic area These channels and centres have significance in physical, mental, emotional and spiritual areas, thus a theory is put forward capable of predicting associations across these areas; for example between disordered family relationships and physical disease. The sympathetic and parasympathetic systems act on the plexuses but in opposition to each other, the parasympathetic relaxes the plexuses, increasing their vitality. Over-acting of the sympathetic system or imbalance between the left and right sides is the cause of many diseases. By the activation of residual force the parasympathetic activity can be maximised and a balance established. In addition a change of awareness takes place such that the plexuses can be felt both in the body and in the hands. Thus the patient gains a very much clearer understanding of his problems by reviving the vitality of his plexuses. This is achieved be means of very simple techniques which require only a few minutes each day. No strenuous physical exercises are involved. The plexuses of
Group A was trained in Sahaja Yoga and followed up for 16 weeks. Again GSR increased, whilst blood lactic acid and urinary VMA decreased in the experimental group. At the start of the experiments the blood pressure of both groups were poorly controlled despite medication. At the end of the 16 weeks period, the blood pressure of the experimental group was well controlled and all the patients stopped medication. No significant changes were observed in the control group, and their blood pressure remained poorly controlled. Study in Bronchial Asthma (5) The experimental group consisted of nine female patients aged between 38 and 45 years . They were trained in Sahaja Yoga and followed up for 16 weeks. Control group D consisted of nine female patients of similar age group and socio economic class. In the meditating group there was a significant improvement in lung function (FEVI/FEV) and a significant decrease in the number of acute asthmatic attacks. As the clinical condition of the patients in the meditating group improved, it was possible for all but one of them to cease all medication. No significant changes were observed in the control group.
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In Sahaja Yoga asthma is said to be due to a constriction in the cardiac centre on the right side. A prediction of this hypothesis is that heat will accumulate in the liver due to the constriction, blocking its upward movement.
We have found the Sahaja Yoga hypothesis a productive source of experimental prediction and would certainly welcome further studies which, in our opinion, are clearly required. The implication for health care also merit careful consideration.
In order to test this prediction the temperature over REFERENCES : the liver was compared to the temperature in the right iliac 1. Shri Mataji Nirmal Devi. Sahaja Yoga and its practice, fossa. In the Sahaja Yoga group the percentage difference The Life Eternal Trust Publishers, New Delhi. between the liver surface temperature and the abdominal 2. Kalibermatten G.De (1979). The Advent The Life Eternal surface temperature decreased significantly. Trust Publisher Bombay.
DISCUSSION
3. In Sahaja Yoga hypertension is said to be due to an excess of right side sympathetic activity. Sahaja Yoga practice is held to correct this imbalance. Similarly Sahaja Yoga is held to relieve the constriction causing 4. asthma. Our results show clinically significant benefits in both these conditions from the practice of Sahaja Yoga. Of particular interest, all but one of the patients in both treatment groups was able to give up all medication and yet still demonstrate clinical improvement.
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Rai U.C. Sethi S.Singh S.H. Some effetc of Sahaja Yoga and its role in the prevention of stress disorders, Journal Int. Med. Sciences pp 1923 March 1988. Chugh D.K. Effects of Sahaja Yoga practice on Patients of Psychomatic Diseases. Thesis submitted in 1987 to University of Delhi, India
BEHAVIOURAL MODIFICATION THROUGH SAHAJA YOGA A STRATEGY FOR PREVENTION OF AIDS Prof Umesh C Rai conditions could be bacterial pneumonia fungi infection, Kaposi's Sarcoma and Lymphoid intestinal pneumonia. Gastro intestinal and hepatic manifestations, restroternal chest pain, difficulty in swallowing ulceration of gastro and duodenal mucosa, Diarrhoea, malabsorption and weightloss is a common symptom in patients with chronic HIV infection, Large deep ulcers of perianal area are diagnostic of AIDS. Hepatitis in patients with AIDS may present with fever, abdominal pain, hepatomegaly and abnormal liver function The AIDS was first discovered in 1981, but it has tests. since then reached epidemic proportions with over 38,000 cases reported in USA alone. It is estimated that 1 to 2 NEURLOGICAL MANIFESTATION million Americans are already infected with the HIV in The disorders of the nervous system most commonly addition, the Public Health Service recently predicted that seen in patients with AIDS are encephalitis, meningitis, approximately 270,000 cases of AIDS will have developed cerebral space occupying lessions, demyelination, retinitis, by 1991. Worldwide, thousands of Europeans and possibly myelopathy and peripheral neuropathy. The common millions of Africans are also infected with HIV. AIDS did not complaints of encephalitis patients are loss of balance, exist in USA till 1970. In 1981 CDC announced two cases in forgetfulness, loss of concentration and lethargy. In cases homosexuals at New York and Los Angeles Since then the of meningitis headache is universally present in all the number of cases started increasing drastically. By mid 1986 patients. The other symptoms are fever, neck, stiffness, approximately 22,000 cases had been reported in the United States alone. The disease has taken the shape of a global nausea and vomiting. Sometimes, unusual demyelination epidemic Sexual is the major mode of transmission disease is seen in AIDS patients, which causes aphasia, of the AIDS retro virus. Transmission can also occur via blindness, hemiparesis and ataxia. blood, as in individuals who share contaminated needles for I.V. drug abuse or for blood transfusions. Mothers may STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTION transmit the virus prenatally to their infants. a) General health education, information and Among adults in USA, 73% cases are among counselling, (b) Screening of blood and organ donation, (c) homosexuals or bisexual men (mainly in New York, San Surveillance and (d) Behavioural modifications. Francisco and Los angeles); 17% are among I.V. drug Health Education and Health Information is one of abs, 1% in haemophilics, 2% amongst those who the major preventive strategies for reducing the spread of received blood transfusion, 1% in heterosexuals partners HIV throughout the world. Although research continues there and 7% into m\none of the above categories Except for sexual appears at present no cure or vaccine. The pioneers of transmission, there is no evidence that the virus could spread health education compaigns in the USA and UK have among family living in the same household with voluntary groups, initially directing their efforts towards AIDS patients. homosexual men. Following these, substantial changes have In just six years after the initial description of the taken place in sex behaviour and also reduction in the clinical syndrome and four years after the first detection of incidence of HIV infection. Clinicians should take the lead the etiologic agent, much has been learned about AIDS and to practise preventive medicine and respond both HIV. Seldom has medical science progressed so quickly sympathetically and with sound practical information. and yet the AIDS epidemic continues unabated. An acute illness occuring three to six weeks after primary infection has been documented in a few patients. It is characterised PREVENTIVE SEXUAL TRANSMISSION by fevers, arthralgias myalgians, maculo papular rash, The epidemiology of HIV infection in UK urticaria abdominal cramps and diarrhoea. Patients with full indicates that people who take part or have taken part in blown syndrome demonstrate one of a number of patterns particular activities are currently at much higher risk than of disease. About 50% of patients develop pneumocystis others. These are homosexuals and bisexual men, Carini pheumonia. Patients complain of prolonged i.e. six to intravenous drug s, haemophilics, the sexual partners eight weeks of breathlessness, dry cough and inability to of these individuals and those who have had sexual s take a deep breath. Fever is almost invariable. Other The Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was originally defined by the Centre for Disease control (CDC) as the disease which is indicative of defect in cell mediated immunity. The examples cited for such disease were Kaposi's Sarcoma, a life threatening opportunistic infection of Pneumocystis Carini Pneumonia. AIDS is caused by human immuno deficiency virus (HIV). This virus is Lymphocytotrophic and selectively infects human T Lymphocytes.
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in parts of Africa. Even though the prevalence among those without a recognised risk factor is very low, it requires sexual with only one infected person for transmission to occur The sensible message for everyone should be that "in order to reduce the risk of AIDS one should reduce the number of sexual partners" Or should know about his partner's previous sexual history and drug use history. Always use a condom. The HIV sero positive individual may wish to consider bringing his or her regular sexual partners for counselling and testing.
heterosexual activity and sex should be avoided while travelling abroad, as at home one should be reminded of risk, of casual sexual encounters particularly in areas where HIV is highly prevalent . Casual heterosexual encounters are very risky and should be avoided. Travellers should be reminded that in many parts of the world screening of blood for HIV before blood transfusion is not carried out.
Preventive Transmission in
"Saha" means 'with', "Ja" means born, "Yoga" means 'Union'. The benefits of Sahaj Yoga are unlimited provided the person practices it regularly and sincerely with a strong pure desire to elevate himself or herself to a state much higher than the human. The sincere practice of Sahaj Yoga meditation raises our consciousness to a higher level of awareness. We enter into a state of collective consiousness where we can feel our own subtle system & that of others. The awakening of the Kundalini pulls our attention inside & we become thoughlessly aware. The seven important energy centres (Chakras) are the seven heavens within us & they along with the three channels encom all aspects of our lives. Each chakra has Presiding duties & Divine Qualities which manifest only if the Kundalini has risen & cleansed & cleared the chakras on Her way to the, Thousand Petaled lotus i.e. the Sahasrar. The kundalini is our own individual Mother & Knows us in & out She knows all our problems, weaknesses & strengths.
Those who Inject Drugs Stop Using Drugs and Stop Needles. This is done by stopping the sharing of needles and other paraphermalia of drug use (Syringes, mixing bowls and spoons) used in injecting works. Ideally the best prevention is to stop using drugs. Sahaja Yoga can help in it in a long way. It has been seen that people who do Sahaja Yoga regularly, leave smoking, drinking and drugs. HIV Antibody Testing: All blood donors should be screened for HIV antibody with appropriate counselling. All suspected positives should be discarded. Screening of Blood and Organ Donations : All factor VIII preparation of Haemophilics should be heat-treated to destroy any active virus. Donors of organs and semen must be screemed for HIV antibody
Preventing vertical Transmission : Women with risk factor for infection should be offered counselling and HIV antibody testing if they want it in early stages of pregnancy may increase the risk of AIDS progression in the mother. Sero positive women should also be advised against breast feeding their infants, since one such case has been reported.
Preventing Transmission by Blood, Blood Products and Organ Donations : All Blood donation should be screened for HIV antibody. All suspected confirmed positive blood is discarded. All factor VIII for haemophilics is now heat treated to destroy any active virus. Donors of semen and organs should be screened for HIV antibody before organs are used.
Call War Against AIDS Prof. Luc Montagnier, discoverer of AIDS virus, recently pleaded for a massive international effort with active public involvement for preventive care against the disease. He cautioned againt any complacency in the fight against the disease. As per WHO forecast, by the year 2000 AD the majority of AIDS cases would be in the third world and too largely due to heterosexual . The AIDs injection would remian unknown unless widespread screening for AIDS antibodies is undertaken in developing countries.
Foreign Travel :
Behavioural Modification Through Sahaja Yoga
Once an individual gets Self Realisation the inner transformation starts working and divine qualities are exhibited by an individual. One experiences improved physical and mental health and old habits of smoking, drinking alcohol and sexual encounters with casual partners disappear in due course of time. In a survey study on people who ed Sahaja Yoga, it was found that in some cases, the above vices disappeared in a few days, but usually in three to six months period about 90% people have been able to leave these vices. As regards sexual encounters with casual partners it is prohibited. Below the Kundalini is one of the most delicate importantchakras presided by Lord Ganesh who informs mother Kundalini about the right time of awakening. As sense of chastity is essential for the growth of this chakra, adultery, pornography, tantric practices, flirtation, lustful attention spoil this chakra. AIDS is supposed to be due to bad Mooladhara Chakra. Even Christ said "Thou shall not have adulterous Eyes". This is very important. However, sex should not be suppressed as it is a physiological desire. For this an individual should get married and should have sex with his wife alone. Wisdom lies in the life-time marriage with one lady or one man because marriage is a collective sanction of the society and has in-built security essences for the proper growth of the children. With sensible married life and following the normal codes of morality as per Dharmic codes described in sacred scriptures the Mooladhara becomes strong and gets awakened by Sahaja Yoga technique. The awakened Mooladhara Chakra brings forth wisdom, chastity, purity strength and inner sense of
In central Africa, transmission of HIV is through
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right direction and one cannot think of casual sexual encounters. Not only that one even cannot have adulterous eyes, because immediately it will produce heat or burning sensation in the heel of the palms. One, becomes careful and clears his Chakra to come back in balance which is essential for keeping good health and to be free form sexually transmitted diseases which are caused by bad Mooladhara Chakra. A shift of consciousness in this direction has already started in about 130 countries of the world who are requesting their people to adopt Sahaja-Yoga lifestyle to prevent the spread of dreaded disease like AIDS which is spreading fast all over the world.
of life. One's Mooladhara Chakra becomes strong. Such a person cannot have casual sexual encounters or even adulterous eyes and this is a very important Behavioural Modification which occurs through Sahaja Yoga. In view of this it is felt that Sahaja Yoga practice would go a long way in prevention of AIDS, for which at the moment there is no treatment, nor is there any possibility in the near future even for any vaccine to prevent this disease which is engulfing the world like a wild fire.
This is going to usher the beginning of a New Age. With this there is a possibility of overall change for a new paradigm, a new way of viewing life and a new type of Understanding on this planet. Sahaja prescribed ages ago in Markandeya purana and now rediscovered by Her Holiness Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi in 1970 is an ideal Yoga in bringing about a transformation in human beings from within. It fills one with comion and love for the society. One is lifted to higher plane of awareness where animal instincts do not bother him. One gets the right direction for various activities
Note : This document is part of a medical journal published by the Indian Medical Association in 1997. Various tests, thesis & research etc. which have been mentioned in this document have already been completed & converted into PHD's, doctorates & widely acclaimed medical research. Some changes have been done to avoid repetition without affecting the medical facts.
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