yoga teachers fellowship

The splendor of the moon - A Kundalini Yoga ritual

The moon hangs bright and full. The trees are illuminated silvery gold. Fifteen of us are sitting in a circle - two among us for the first time. Tania from around the corner and Adam- a Trauma medical Doctor from Boston, USA. Giulia is beating a drum, John beating one as large as the full moon. Sharon, Gidon and Siri Dharma are strumming guitars. Itta’s fingers stroke the keys of the harmonium. The sweet flute sounds come from the river within Zhan.
Seated in cross-legged pose, we rub our hands together, place them at our heart centers. We chant “Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo” (I call on Creative Consciousness, I call on the Divine Teacher).

We start every Kundalini Yoga gathering with this chant. Kundalini is the creative potential of the human being. The technology of Kundalini Yoga develops the neutral mind and its capacity for intelligence, endurance and integrity. It also transforms the subconscious habit of self belittlement. It encourages an expansion so our minds experience infinite potential. It also takes care of the subconscious habit of repeating experiences which are already in the past.
Kundalini yoga is a combination of seven other yoga forms - it is the diamond of yoga in that it is complete and multi-faceted. Kundalini is the nerve of the soul and when awakened, we live life graciously by the soul, not by the fearful controlling ego.

As we complete the opening Mantra, my body tingles in sweet anticipation, it knows the meditation that lies ahead. It is called Mangala Charn Kriya. We hold our hands together in prayer pose at the heart, moving them at a 60 degree angle upwards and outwards from our chests. We chant Aad Guray Nameh (I bow to the Primal Wisdom) as we extend the arms as shown in picture, Jugaad Guray Nameh (I bow to the Wisdom through the ages) as we return the arms to the Heart Centre, Sat Guray Nameh (I bow to the True Wisdom) as again we extend the arms out and Siree Guru Dayvay Nameh (I bow to the Great unseen Wisdom) as we turn the hands to prayer pose.
This is a protection Mantra. This is the first group meditation in my new home - how grateful I am that we are doing this meditation. I was held up in an armed robbery in my previous home - Shakti Khaya.

Mantra is the use of sound to control and direct the mind. In the ancient science of Naad Yoga (chanting), with the movement of the tongue in the mouth, the chemical composition of the brain fluids are altered, thereby altering the state of the mind. Through Naad, we begin to transcend from the single identification with the body and mind to connection and identification with the Essence.
I did this meditation that we are doing this evening daily for 40days directly after my yoga teachers training in the Punjab, India. Here are some extracts from my 2002 journal:
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DAY 1
Do meditation in the afternoon, 1st day back in Delhi after teachers training course. Slept for 12 hours - still felt tired. Meditation left me feeling calm and contained. I accept that doing meditation first thing in the morning is a wonderful start to my day.
DAY 10
Did long warm up and sun salutations. Still feel sensitive at the stomach area - awaiting menstruation.

DAY 20
As it is Saturday, we did first Aquarian Group Sadhana (spiritual practice)at Shakti Khaya (my new Yoga Centre) today. What a beautiful blissful experience.
Did my meditation outside in the afternoon. Felt such a lump in my throat and urge to cry - didn’t quite happen. Not quite focused during meditation. Notice how very calm I am at the end of it.

DAY 40
I have had a continued deepening of a feeling of vulnerability, fear, aloneness and smallness. This morning an enormous flood of tears came (did heart opening yoga this am as I felt slightly tearful yesterday). I continued the moving mudra for the full 31 minutes, but could not chant much beyond 10 minutes. I just sobbed from such a deep core primal painful place.
I am getting to understand that what I need to do is simply feel and sit with this pain. I also realize how much core pain and fear still drives me.
I will carry on with this meditation for some time yet, as there is still so much opening of the heart to be done. I have come to realize that I need to not only live by the heart, but especially teach from the heart.
~
Thirty one minutes of this meditation have passed. We sit quietly for some time, absorbing the sweet, safe quiet space within and around us.
The musicians lead us with the closing blessings: “May the long time sun shine upon you, all love surround you and the pure light within you, guide your way on”. Followed by chanting Sat Nam (truth is my identity).
We move towards the kitchen where a large variety of foods await our hungry stomachs. Pritam brought a bean pate. A vegetarian bake came hot out of the oven. The kitchen is abuzz with easy chatter. Tanya speaks “Do you do this regularly? I would love to do it again and again”. I answer her “:The Friday closest to the full moon”.
Adam, the surgeon from Boston - bright-eyed, says “This was my first ever meditation”. We eat and share our beings in the warm flow of food, conversation and warm sweet yogi tea.

Alone with the full moon as the last car drives off - the words of Rumi the Persian mystic appear -
‘The sky was lit by the splendor of the moon. So powerful - I fell to the ground’ …

Karin Geldenhuys