Wednesday, 22 April 2020

ATTAINING SATISFACTION

Bringing us the treasure chest, not in the form of gold coins and gems but something much valuable, he gave us several asanas and pranayama techniques to follow through Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal in 2008. Having put them into practice till 2011, Agathiyar asked to stop doing it after I developed extreme pain in my lower back. All my efforts have brought me to the second chakra Svadistana. As Tavayogi said, our effort is only until Muladhara and Svadishtana, my efforts could only bring me that far. I could not progress further. I began to stagnate there. Agathiyar has been closely monitoring us says that I have stagnated at Svadishtana, just as the flowing water of the stream stagnates into a pond.

நீ செய்தவை யாவும் சரி. இது நாள்வரை நீ கடந்து வந்தது இவ்வுலக வாழ்க்கையின் பயணம். இனி நீ கடக்க போவது உமது உள்பயணம். நீ செய்யக்கூடிய வழிமுறைகளைக் கூறவிருக்கிறோம். நாம் சொல்லும் வழிமுறைகளைச் செய்து வா. இப்பயிற்சியினை முதலில் மேற்கொள். இவை உமக்கு வழி நடத்தும். 

"What you did is all right", he endorses the approach, the practices, and instructions that he gave over time and which we had followed. After mentioning that all these while we have lived the worldly life, Agathiyar tells us that now we have to go within. And he went on to elaborate the ways. He gave more techniques. As Tavayogi said that upon reaching Svadistana on our own effort and perseverance, the Siddhas will give us a hand and lift us up from there, Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal came to give me a lift to the next level, breaking the bund and letting the stream flow again finding its way and creating a new path. Recently Agathiyar asked that I revisit these exercises and practice. Having said that he gave further techniques and directives that included taking his Agathiyar Kuzhambu or a purgative to cleanse the internals and bring the 3 dosas within their ratios. He had me continue a daily intake of a drink that he taught me to prepare and that he reminded me was specific to me and not to share with others, a drink that would do a similar job of that of Agathiyar Kuzhambu but with a milder effect. The pranayama and meditation techniques that he gave has burst the dam. Just as the bund that surrounds the pond is broken to create a ditch to let out the water that has ponded and stagnated over time, the prana that increases multifold by doing forceful inhalation and exhalation or bhastrika or bellows breath as taught by Tavayogi, comes within without effort these days Even the pores of the skin have started to breathe and take in the prana. The senses have been heightened too.

Picking up from the ground in Sariyai, following our ancestors' and parents' customs, traditions, beliefs, faith, and worship we came to carry on these practices and passed them down to our children. Coming to the path of the Siddhas, the guru brought us to Kriyai first and Yogam later. Learning and practicing rituals, mantra japa, yoga, and meditation etc, we were given credit hours to pursue further. In recognition of our efforts and with the coming of the divine, Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia that catered to new seekers hungry for information and knowledge on the Siddhas, took on a new name Agathiyar Tapovanam Malaysia. After having brought the seekers over to this small humble home of ours, Agathiyar brought the heavenly deities to grace our home. Now he is set to bringing us on yet another journey, this time into their world, going within into the deep recesses of the heart.  

Should I share all these personal stuff? Would not it amount to being boastful of one's achievement? Would not others think that I am showing off? Would it build my ego? But imagine if Pandit Gopi Krishna did not share his Kundalini experiences writing his book "Kundalini - Path to Higher Consciousness"; if Paramahansa Yogananda did not write his autobiography; if Ramalinga Adigal had not allowed for the publication of his personal experiences with God in the form of soulful songs compiled as the Thiruarutpa; if Nambi Andar Nambi had not compiled the devotional renderings, plea and praises to Lord Siva of Appar, Sampandhar, and Sundarar as the first seven volumes of the Thirumurai, we would have lost a lot in saving our souls and attaining salvation. These works have kept the flame in us burning, urging us on with the thought that if these saints could do it so can we.

Just as Yogi Maharshi Shuddhanand Bharati writes in his "Yoga For All",
"By so many experiments on myself, I have found out a way to live disease-free. I am obliged to tell you, my dear readers, how I lived in and out free from mental, vital, physical ailments. I do not know if I can conquer death but I can tell you that you too can live an ideal life free from disease and mental worries. I am giving you the science of the body before leasing you to yoga for the body. man can live beyond the present span of life if he knows the secret of the body which houses his eternal spirit - the god in the human", 
I too am obliged to share how Agathiyar came to give me yet another chance after many lifetimes, to come to his path and follow his dictates. Hopefully, one day or in some future birth we might join his ranks. I do not know exactly where Agathiyar is taking us, but we are grateful and satisfied for bringing us this far, grateful for all that he has done for us. The path was gifted to us; he sent two wonderful gurus and several upagurus; and Agathiyar himself has come as a guru bringing Ramalinga Adigal along to guide us further. They have been working on us earnestly and tirelessly. Even if it ends here we are satisfied. We do not have dreams of high achievement. Just like Ramalinga Adigal equates himself to the fly and the dog, we are realistic about it and know where we stand too. We stand with open palms waiting for their grace and handouts. We are beggars too as Yogi Ramsuratkumar called himself, begging for salvation of the soul. If he says "This is sufficient for this birth and let us come back" so be it. As Supramania Swami said we shall keep polishing it till it shines and Tavayogi said we shall come back to complete the mission and become whole, there is no hurry. We are prepared to wait. Buddha after attaining enlightenment or nirvana was shown a thousand faces. When he asked who they were he was told that that was his former births. Tuning the other side he saw yet another thousand faces. When he asked who were they, he received the reply that that was to become his future births. Who can comprehend and understand the divine play?