Life is all about establishing relationships. It starts the very moment we are conceived in the mother's womb. Our relationship with God continues within the womb of the new mother. A new relationship is cemented for life with our mum. Then she shows us to our dad and siblings. The family is introduced soon. Friends come by. Teachers come by too. Colleagues come together. A life partner comes along and a beautiful relationship starts. We have children of our own. How amazing and wonderful a journey. Besides building relationships with fellow humans, many go beyond these reaching out into the plant and animal kingdom too. Only some go further and beyond all these reaching out to God. God comes as the guru. The guru shows us God, bringing us one full circle. In this journey of ours, effort plays an important role. Ramalinga Adigal says "உனது முயற்சியே உனது படி" bringing us to understand that our efforts are the stepstone that brings us to higher levels in spiritualism as we journey along after coming into their fold and apprenticeship. Taking hold of them, we are given the privilege and freedom to walk with them. They come as a companion and a guide. Nothing more, nothing less. We have to take the first steps. We have to walk and see the journey through. We have to place the effort towards it. We shall not be carried to our destination. There is no flying carpet that flies us there.
Health is of utmost importance in this journey. Even to sit and meditate one needs good health. Even to perform the yoga asanas and pranayama he needs good health. Even to journey physically to their abodes on the pilgrimages, one needs good health too. Blessed with good health he starts his endeavor. The guru follows closely behind never interfering but assisting when and if the need arises. Traveling the journey like everyone else, when changes began to take place in me, I feared if I was having an ailment or if it came with old age. I was faced with the fear of these possibilities when I underwent the back pain in 2011, which kept raising its hood time and again over the years. When I was asking myself if at all these came as a result of my age or if my body and my internal organs were failing and needed to be addressed and medication taken, Agathiyar brushed aside my complaint of pain that I had to endure for some 2 1/2 years telling me that it was indeed a process of change and transformation taking place within. Certain subtle changes were taking place as a result of the techniques, practices, instructions, and guidance given by them that I followed diligently. He had me drop all my asana and pranayama practices learned from Tavayogi then.
Late last year Agathiyar started me back on it although only asking to adopt some select techniques and moves. At the same time, he had me consume his Agathiyar Kuzhambu, a Siddha herbal preparation that acts as a purgative. Just one dose of it churned the whole digestive and alimentary system and overhauled the whole respiratory system too. He did not let go of me easily but insisted that I take a daily dose of a formula he gave that I could easily prepare, asking me to take it and keep it to myself and not share the portion with others and knowing me pretty well, not to share it on the blog too. I managed to consume that concoction, for some 51 days minus a few days in between when I had to attend to some major errands. I would be laid off for almost half a day daily frequenting the toilet throwing up the three dosas, Vatta, Kapha, and Pitta. These were accompanied by numbness in the legs that worried me a lot; recurring acute pain in the lower back; frequent headaches; excruciating pain in the knees, and other unwarranted bodily pains and aches, to name a few. But they come and went away at times without the need for any medication and at other times the compassionate Siddhas had herbal preparations prepared and delivered to me too through their agents. As I was told it was a process that I needed to go through, I never visited the doctors over these discomforts. I had excessive phlegm in the throat for no reason. I am currently coughing up more phlegm and bilious humor daily, now even having to consume the previous magic portions as before. The body has begun to expel them on its own. We learn from http://www.greekmedicine.net/Principles_of_Treatment/Adjusting_and_Regulating_the_Bilious_Humor.html more about the Bilious humor also known as the Choleric humor.
Health is of utmost importance in this journey. Even to sit and meditate one needs good health. Even to perform the yoga asanas and pranayama he needs good health. Even to journey physically to their abodes on the pilgrimages, one needs good health too. Blessed with good health he starts his endeavor. The guru follows closely behind never interfering but assisting when and if the need arises. Traveling the journey like everyone else, when changes began to take place in me, I feared if I was having an ailment or if it came with old age. I was faced with the fear of these possibilities when I underwent the back pain in 2011, which kept raising its hood time and again over the years. When I was asking myself if at all these came as a result of my age or if my body and my internal organs were failing and needed to be addressed and medication taken, Agathiyar brushed aside my complaint of pain that I had to endure for some 2 1/2 years telling me that it was indeed a process of change and transformation taking place within. Certain subtle changes were taking place as a result of the techniques, practices, instructions, and guidance given by them that I followed diligently. He had me drop all my asana and pranayama practices learned from Tavayogi then.
Late last year Agathiyar started me back on it although only asking to adopt some select techniques and moves. At the same time, he had me consume his Agathiyar Kuzhambu, a Siddha herbal preparation that acts as a purgative. Just one dose of it churned the whole digestive and alimentary system and overhauled the whole respiratory system too. He did not let go of me easily but insisted that I take a daily dose of a formula he gave that I could easily prepare, asking me to take it and keep it to myself and not share the portion with others and knowing me pretty well, not to share it on the blog too. I managed to consume that concoction, for some 51 days minus a few days in between when I had to attend to some major errands. I would be laid off for almost half a day daily frequenting the toilet throwing up the three dosas, Vatta, Kapha, and Pitta. These were accompanied by numbness in the legs that worried me a lot; recurring acute pain in the lower back; frequent headaches; excruciating pain in the knees, and other unwarranted bodily pains and aches, to name a few. But they come and went away at times without the need for any medication and at other times the compassionate Siddhas had herbal preparations prepared and delivered to me too through their agents. As I was told it was a process that I needed to go through, I never visited the doctors over these discomforts. I had excessive phlegm in the throat for no reason. I am currently coughing up more phlegm and bilious humor daily, now even having to consume the previous magic portions as before. The body has begun to expel them on its own. We learn from http://www.greekmedicine.net/Principles_of_Treatment/Adjusting_and_Regulating_the_Bilious_Humor.html more about the Bilious humor also known as the Choleric humor.
Even the smouldering embers of a chronic or recalcitrant Choleric condition like chronic gastroenteritis, inflamed and bleeding gums, or various other chronic inflammatory or bilious conditions can rob your body of the harmony and integration it needs to heal, and insidiously eat away at the organism's reserves of vitality and immunity. They can also disrupt the wholeness and integrity of the body's overall humoral balance and fluid metabolism. Correcting these chronic Choleric imbalances and disorders is therefore equally important.
A medical checkup that came my way free of charge cleared the air and calmed my fears about any ailment. Bringing my daughter to the clinic for her severe and unbearable PMS condition, the doctor after treating her, tells me that I am eligible for a free medical checkup. I turn up at his clinic later. He gives me the good news that all is well with me. Two of the possibilities, ailment, and old age mentioned earlier, were cleared and struck off. Then Ramalinga Adigal came to tame my fear further telling me indeed it was a process currently going on within, asking me not to worry as did Agathiyar console me, brushing aside my back pain in 2011. Adigal builds my confidence and strength saying that all the changes taking place were a process, that of cleansing.
Just as there is an internal cleansing that sadhakas have to bear with while traveling the path, one is told to drop all his possessions, desires, etc, that are also a cleansing of sorts. As the saying goes "too much of a good thing too shall be disastrous", Tavayogi reminds us that although desires bring us fame, too many desires shall lead to one's downfall. When one's desires are not fulfilled he becomes frustrated. If it is fulfilled it leads to more desires and greed arising in him.
"ஆசைகள் ஒருவனுக்கு புகழை அளிக்கும். அதிக ஆசைகள் அவனையே அழிக்கும். ஆசை நிறைவேறாத போது நிராசை ஆகிறது. அதுவே நிறைவேறும் போது பேராசையாகிறது"
We are told to drop even the merits we have earned through doing puja, charity, and yoga. The reason being the ego hitches a ride on all these too. The only and sure way to rid of the ego is to give away the merits gained. Hence, I understand today why Supramania Swami told me that even the tavam or tapas or austerities undertaken has to be left behind. Tavayogi says it beautifully, "பாவம் புண்ணியம் என்கின்ற இரண்டையும் கிடக்கின்ற போது தான் இறைவன் உன் முன் தோன்றுவான். என்னால் ஆவது ஒன்றுமில்லை எல்லாம் நீயே கதி என்று நற்சேவை செய்கின்ற போது பாவம் புண்ணியம் இரண்டும் அறுந்து போகும்." God only shows himself when we refrain from doing bad and go beyond even good deeds. Only when one realizes and does all deeds without taking credit for them, rather giving all the credit back to God, both the awaiting consequences of the merits and demerits earned are severed for good.
Fate is a product of actions done and the relevant merits or paavam and punyam in previous births. This results in the need to take continuous births. The births are determined by these deeds, either good or bad. Fate has to carry out its duty and that's where the planets or navagraham come into play to watch over and ensure that Erai's orchestration comes into play in a timely and perfect manner in accordance to each period in time and perfectly in sync with the yuga and the dharma of that period, all set out and functioning to the minutest detail. Once the machinery is in place and the system begins to work, Erai and Siddhas can only interfere to a certain extent. The extent, and for whom and when, is then determined by Lord Shiva. As the fact goes "You can't get a job without experience, and you can't get experience without a job", it is a vicious circle either way.
On this journey, we begin to realize from experience that the greatest joy is that of giving. Tavayogi says that a true turavi or mendicant is one who looks around for more things to give away when people seek aid from him. "இனித் துறப்பதற்கு தன்னிடம் என்ன பாக்கி இருக்கிறது என்று சிந்திப்பவனே, சிந்தித்து துறப்பவனே உண்மைத் துறவி."
It's a kind of loop in which an event has a consequence that not only keeps it going, but strengthens the original event or action. Ultimately the entire cycle starts all over again. An example of a vicious cycle is when you can't sign in without your password, but you can’t get your password without signing in. For a solution, you need to find a way to break the cycle - by contacting IT support, perhaps. (Source: https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary)How do we escape this vicious cycle of birth and death? Here we turn to the Siddhas to help us out to a certain extent, knowing pretty well of the limitations involved. Here is where we learn a lesson that man must learn to be satisfied. If he ends up being unsatisfied with what he has, it only means fate is in play. The biggest battle that we encounter is to battle the mind and the heart. We are reminded by Ramalinga Adigal of acceptance and to be satisfied always, "போதும் என்ற மனமே பொன் செய்யும் மருந்து. நீ போதும் என்று சொல்லும் நிலை உன்னை அறியாமல் நீ பெற்றுக்கொண்டுதான் இருக்கிறாய்." All the riches shall come to us once we become satisfied with what we have. Peace dawns on us the moment we accept everything as the will of God. When satisfaction sets in Ramalinga Adigal equates this state with that of "சுத்த பரிபூரணம்" or the state of completeness. No more harboring thoughts of achieving more. All actions cease and recede then. Peace and calm shall then reign. Nature begins to give herself to us. She shall follow our dictates. This is the state of a Siddha.
On this journey, we begin to realize from experience that the greatest joy is that of giving. Tavayogi says that a true turavi or mendicant is one who looks around for more things to give away when people seek aid from him. "இனித் துறப்பதற்கு தன்னிடம் என்ன பாக்கி இருக்கிறது என்று சிந்திப்பவனே, சிந்தித்து துறப்பவனே உண்மைத் துறவி."
Tavayogi who introduced us to Agathiyar as God through the phrase "Arul Gnana Jothiye Agathin Jothi; Tani Perung Kadavule Agatheesar Avar" ("அருள் ஞான ஜோதியே அகத்தின் ஜோதி; தனிப் பெருந் கடவுளே அகத்தீசர் அவர்") and through the first mantra initiation given to many in Malaysia, later turned to me as we stepped onto the steps to the famed Nattadreshwar temple in Erode, telling me that Agathiyar and Siva were one ("அகத்தியனும் சிவனும் ஒன்றே"). During another initiation at his Kallar Ashram he told me that the breath was God ("வாசியே கடவுள்"). A Sufi master in the movie "Sufiyum Sujatavum" says that "God is what you breath." We are reminded to focus on the breath and prana that moves through us by Ramalinga Adigal these days too ("பிரணவத்தில் கவனம் செலுத்து"). There is so much mystery revolving around the breath and prana. It shall be revealed to us as we begin to pay attention, focus, and concentrate on it. Adigal tells us to continue Nadi Suddhi something that Agathiyar had initiated us many years ago. When both Ida and Pingala travel through the Nadu Naadi or central channel, Sushumna, it becomes ideal to meditate. It shall come easily then. This is the lesson gained from experience by the Siddhas that results from its practice. We are blessed to have these gurus share it with us and guide us closely. We get insights into these secrets from http://www.thevaaram.org/thirumurai_1/onepage.php?thiru=10&Song_idField=10316
சுழுமுனையில் நில்லாமல், ஏனை இருவழிகளிலும் ஓடி, அதனால் வாழ்நாளைத் தேய்க்கின்ற பிராண வாயுவை யோகி தன் வசமாக்கிக் கொள்ளும் வழியிலே சென்று, அதனால் குண்டலி சத்தியை உணர்ந்தபின், அவ்வுணர்வு வாயிலாக அணையும் விளக்குப் போல மிக ஒளிவிடுகின்ற திரோதான சத்தியை அனுபவமாகக் காண்பான்.Damodaran Raman writes at http://vallalarspace.com/user/c/V000020815B
சுழு முனை நாடியின் மேல் வாசலான புருவ நடுவைத் திறக்க வேண்டும். ஆனால் புருவ நடுவானது பூட்டப் பட்டிருக்கிறது. வள்ளலார் கண்புருவப் பூட்டு என்றதைக் கவனிக்க. பூட்டைத் திறப்பது எப்படி? வாசிதான் பூட்டைத் திறக்கும் திறவுகோல் ஆகும். வாசி எப்படிப் பூட்டைத் திறக்கும்? மூக்கு வழியாக ஓடிக்கொண்டிருக்கும் வாசியைத் தடுத்து ஒடுக்கித் தலைப்பகுதிக்குத் திருப்ப வேண்டும். திருப்பினால் மேல்நோக்கி விரைந்து செல்லும் வாசிதான் பூட்டை உடைத்துப் புருவ நடுவைத் திறந்து புருவ நடு வழியாக வெளியேறும் .புருவ நடு வழியே செல்லும் வாசிதான் நாடி நாதத்தை எழுப்பும். அகவலில் வள்ளலார் கூயிசைப் பொறியெலாம் கும்மெனக் கொட்டிட என்றதை நினைவு படுத்திக் கொள்ளவும். இப்படியாக நாடி நாதத்தை எழுப்பினால் மூளையில் அமுதம் சுரக்கும். மடலெலாம் மூளை மலர்ந்திட அமுதம் என்ற அகவல் வரியைக் காண்க. பாடி என்பது நம் உள்ளம். அதில் உள்ள பகைவர்கள் காமம், வெகுளி, மயக்கம். நாடி நாதம் இவற்றைக் கட்டுமாம். கட்டினால் சாந்தம் வரும். சாந்தம் ததும்பிட என்பது அகவல்.