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It extends to one's work, rest periods, family life and diet, as described above. By dedicating certain
periods or the day, however, to practicing the above techniques, one can go deeper within, and tap
the latent reservoirs of energy and consciousness. All efforts at self discipline are complimentary
and have self-mastery as their goal. A master is one who has mastered himself or herself in one or
more aspects. Such mastery begins with the techniques and extends progressively to all of the parts
or ones life. Success in disciplining the palate, or craving for food, for example, leads to great
powers of self control, according to the teachings or the siddhas. Success in disciplining one self in
seemingly insignificant areas paves the way for self control in even the most difficult of
circumstances.
Satsang
The word Satsang means fellowship of truth seekers. One should regularly associate with other
students of Kriya Yoga to share experiences, insights, and to encourage one another. The path of
Kriya Yoga is long and gradual, and there are many obstacles, including desires, ignorance, laziness,
distraction, and confusion, which follow students may help one to overcome at a particular time. No
one can attain Self realization for another person; each person must work through his or her own
habits and tendencies. But fellow students of Kriya Yoga can often provide encouragement or
insights which assist one to progress.
Satsang also implies that one should not allow oneself to be ridiculed by those persons who do
not share one's appreciation for yoga. While one may dismiss their ridicule intellectually, one may
absorb their doubts and prejudices subconsciously. In particular, . one should not ", as Jesus said,
"cast pearls before swine", meaning one should not try to share one's sublime experiences or yoga
with those who will only ridicule them. Sharing with others, even those who are on a similar path,
should not become an excuse for inflating one's ego or for converting others to one's own way or
thinking.
Teachers of Kriya Yoga do periodically organize gatherings of students for this purpose. Such
meetings also provide an opportunity to study together the writings of the Siddhas.
Yogic vegetarian diet
Much has been written in recent years with regards to the benefits of vegetarianism. From the
standpoint or yoga, however, what is most important in diet is the effect on one's consciousness.
What we consume influences our behavior and thinking. Meat and intoxicants should be avoided by
the student or yoga because of the animalistic tendencies and effects on the nervous system which
they stimulate. Such consequences will nullify much or the beneficial effects of yoga. Foods which
stabilize the consciousness, and which are easy to digest, will permit one to apply one's energies to
yoga, rather than to digestion. Giving preference to unprocessed and unrefined whole foods, which
are locally grown and in season, and which have a balance or various types or energies, will permit
one to avoid the numerous prevalent modern ailments such as cancer and heart disease. The
National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C., in its 1982 report Diet, Nutrition and Cancer,
stated that thirty to forty percent of cancers in men and sixty percent in women are caused by diet.
An over consumption of saturated fats, sugar and refined food products is to blame (Kushi, 1983,
p.14). The rapid increase in modern diseases indicates that modern man is in a degenerative spiral,
and faces extinction within a few generations unless a return is made to a simpler diet, which
biological man is accustomed to by heredity (Kushi, 1977; Robbins, 1990).
Transform sleep into yogic rest
The practice or "yoga nidra" or "shushupti", translated as "yogic rest" can replace the need for
sleep as commonly known. Yoga teaches that there are four states of consciousness:
1. Physical consciousness: present during daily activities;
2. Dream consciousness: present during astral experiences or in waking mental activities,
3. Consciousness during deep sleep without dreams;
4. Pure consciousness: "turiya", the fourth state. beyond the three others, their source, eternal,
infinite without modification.
By practicing yoga nidra one arrives at this fourth state. The practice demands reinforcement of
the meditation practices, and analysis and resolution of all desires, feelings and thoughts to enable a
state of profound rest.
Such a yogic rest is different from sleep because one remains completely conscious even as the
body sleeps. The quality or the rest given by it is superior to that given by meditation. Only by
meditation and yoga nidra can rest be given to the totality or the consciousness, including the
subconscious mind, which also needs rest. In sleep the awareness is withdrawn. It differs from
meditation in that in meditation one does not seek to maintain awareness during deep sleep. By
practicing yogic rest the student can study the boundaries between the above four states of
consciousness.
Yoga nidra may be learned during an Anthar Kriya Yoga.
Mental purity, patience, silence and other observations
Just as it is important to nourish the physical body with proper food, it is also important to
nourish the mind and intellect properly. The student should seek out those sense experiences and
sources of intellectual stimulation which will be supportive of yogic discipline and transformation.
It would be self defeating to seek out sense gratifications for their own sake, neglecting to maintain
a continuous awareness. The mental and vital reactions could cause one to be overwhelmed by self
doubts, or other negative emotions.
Sincerity is the most important quality in the field or Babaji's Kriya Yoga. Sincerity means doing
what is intended, and being honest with oneself with regards to one's faults and motivations. It
includes regular self-examination and correction of one's behavior, whenever one realizes that one
has made a mistake, as well as resolving not to repeat it.
Patience is also extremely important in the field of yoga. Those who maintain it, ultimately
succeed, even after millions of falls. Those who lack it, give up and settle for a mediocre existence.
Silence refers to "Kriya Mouna Yoga", which includes mental quietude as well as avoidance or
unnecessary talk. Its regular observance loads to self realization as well as a recharging of all five
bodies with pranic energy. Other important practices and/or attitudes for the student of Kriya Yoga
to create the optimal conditions under which Self realization and transformation can occur include:
non-violence, truthfulness, equanimity, compassion, non-stealing, self control and moderation with
respect to sex, food and work. An equal allotment of time should ideally be given to the following
three major classes of daily activity: yogic practices, work in one's chosen field and thirdly, rest and
daily routine.
Seeking inspiration from Babaji and the 18 Siddhas
Babaji and the 18 Yoga Siddhas are in this world to inspire all seekers or Truth by serving both
as examples of Divine transformation, as well sources or direct guidance. During the advanced
classes of Kriya Yoga training in meditation, the student learns how to contact Babaji and the 18
Siddhas and to seek inspiration from them with respect to their verses of wisdom as well as with
respect to the problems or daily life. Every student of Kriya Yoga races countless problems, but
unlike the average person, he or she can draw upon that infinite source of wisdom, the Divine
master Babaji, the Supreme Self, for guidance. Such inspiration may also come at the most
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