When it comes to the art of krishna kaul, one of the most interesting figures is Krishna. The Lord Krishna is recognized as the chief controller of all energy on the planet. It is said that he is the founder of yoga. The term "yoga" is a combination of two Sanskrit words, "yug" meaning force and "kuna" meaning harmony or balance. Kundalini Yoga is actually a synthesis of the two.
The chief benefit of this type of Yoga is that it balances and coordinates the chakras and energy flow. The chakras are basically energy centers of energy along the spinal column. These energy centers also help to define the functioning of the human body. They are like a network of energy nodes which depend on each other for their existence. The imbalance in any of these nodes can have a wide ranging effect on the functioning of the entire body. This is why stress levels tend to be highest in individuals who have a number of such nodes whereas the healthy person has only a few.
A lot of contemporary Yoga is centered around the concept of unity. The key to achieving this unity lies in the perfect fusion of the internal and external energies. This takes place through the elimination of ego. Ego is the idea of self that makes us feel comfortable with our present circumstances. It is the main cause of all our inner conflicts and unhappiness. Krishna brings this to an end and transcends it altogether.
The main focus in Kundalini Yoga is on the energy of co-ordination. The various chakras are thought to be connected with each other via a network of energy centres known as the "Ayuvedra". There are also other terms that are used, such as Yantra, Kriya, Chakra, Snuka and janma.
There are many theories revolving around the physical aspects of Yoga, but one of the most important focuses is that of "saiva" or life force. It is believed to be responsible for the emergence of life from the eggs of the mother at the time of conception. It is also believed to be responsible for the sustenance of the physical realm. Kundalini Yoga attempts to bring this life force into conscious realization. One of its prime objectives is the elimination of alpha (through meditation).
Knowledge is the main objective of Kundalini Yoga. In fact all aspects of Yoga are intimately associated with this knowledge. For example, Patanjali's firstanta of yoga, "The Yoga Sutras", describes the procedure by which the aspirant undergoes alpha and samadhi. This knowledge is called krsna. This is a philosophical perspective of life that is meant to help people reach Nirvana, the supreme goal.
The second stage is raja. Knowledge is not just restricted to philosophy. It applies to all areas of life. Raja Yoga was introduced by the sage Patanjali. Its aim is to unite the forces of yama (lord) and niyama (seeker) within a person. The ultimate aim of the teacher is samadhi, which is liberation from samsara, the cyclical existence of mundane living.
Krishna's detachment from human affairs and his aloof from the affairs of the world made him the object of all affection and adoration. In later years he became the center of all affliction in Mahabharata, the last book of the Mahabharata period. Some of the most sublime lines in Mahabharata point to the agony and frustration experienced by the ageing guru. Krishna was never a materialized but rather a pure being seeking enlightenment in every form.
The third stage is kriya. Knowledge, through the process of practice, creates consciousness. It is sometimes said that Kriya is actually the first step on the ladder of kamma, the highest stage of consciousness. However, the word kriya itself indicates something completely different from what the followers of Lord Krishna had understood. When he went to Parambikulam with Kapil's group he was fettered with worldly concepts.
A devotee of Lord Krishna should always seek to become totally self-sufficient. He should be sensitive to his reaction to outside stimuli and therefore should always be attentive. Krishna's aloofness from the world created the need for initiatory practices that would free him from all possible interferences. These initiatory practices are pratyahara, meditative practice, and dharana.
Pratyahara means "to pray" and dharana means "attendance". The whole process of pratyahara, which includes sitting in silence, is basically an attempt to focus on the internalization of the Oneness or the soul consciousness. Krishna's withdrawal from the world removed all possible conditions for the arising of conditioned responses and thus broke the chain of conditioned thoughts and feelings. Only when all conditioned responses have been transcended can true freedom occur.
