Both a philosophy and a science - Yoga

Yoga is both a philosophy and a science. The philosophy and the science of yoga are not only intertwined and inseparable but they also reinforce each other. Yoga is usually translated from Sanskrit as "union" or "to merge." Most people tend to think of yoga as just another type of physical exercise, especially in the West it is quite unfortunate that people have come to think of yoga purely as the physical asana's which constitute only a very small part of yogic knowledge. The term "yoga" actually describes the state in which a person experiences oneness with the whole existence. Yogic practices are simply a method by which one prepares the body, mind and spirit to arrive at and exist in such a state. Arising within the Hindu tradition, yoga stands alone as a methodology not affiliated with any religion.

Dhyana, in Sanskrit, essentially means meditation, and Linga means, the form. The first form is a Linga and the final form before dissolution is also a Linga. A Linga or perfect ellipsoid can be energized in various ways, to serve different purposes. It is one form that when energized becomes a perennial storehouse of energy. The yogic science of making a Linga is based on this knowledge. Dhyanalinga is the distilled essence of yogic sciences, it is an outer manifestation of the peak form of inner energies.

In the Dhyanalinga, energy has been pushed to its highest point and locked through an intense process of prana prathistha¹. As Sadhguru describes it, the Linga form allows energy to be brought to the highest intensity at which it can still retain a form. Beyond that, it moves into formlessness.

The physical form of Dhyanalinga - the black granite stone - is just scaffolding for this energy form. Even if this were to be removed now, the energy form that exists there cannot be destroyed. It is eternally present and available to all.



¹ - pranaprathistha: process of consecration or energizing an object with Divine energies through a direct process involving the consecrator's own life energies.



Science of the Ancient Temples
Temples have always played a central role in the Indian society. Apart from being a source of spiritual vibrance to the common people, temples also served as centers of education, art and culture of the society. The construction of the temple itself was fairly complex. The main deity was often complemented by one or more minor deities carefully positioned along the path of approach to the main deity. Looking at these structures, it is apparent that the temples were built to a certain pattern, certain understanding and purpose, catering to the needs of the individual and the society.

Gradually, the underlying understanding of the temples and the science behind its construction and usage was lost and rituals and traditions took over, making temples a place for prayer and worship. The Dhyanalinga Temple, however, is built with an understanding and mastery of the science of spiritual evolution.

Ancient temples were built not as places for prayer, but as a vortex of energy where people could transform themselves in a very deep way. Traditionally, the belief is that when one goes to a temple one should sit down for a while before coming out, otherwise, the visit would be fruitless. This is so because, temples were built like a public charging place, by which people could charge themselves with an inner energy. People visited the temple before they entered into their daily work, so that they could go about with a certain sense of balance and depth in their lives.

The Science of the Dhyanalinga

Dhyana, in Sanskrit, essentially means 'meditation' and 'linga', means 'form.' When a person comes to a deep state of meditativeness within himself, the spiritual energy of the person naturally takes the shape of a Linga. It is with this understanding that Lingas came to be revered and worshipped in India right from the pre-Vedic times. A linga is a perfect ellipsoid. Although generally associated with Shiva in the mythology, scientifically, this shape is the only shape that can serve as a perennial storehouse of energy.

The linga is created in such a way that even those who do not know meditation can experience meditation. This is a science: it does not belong to any religion. Whoever comes within the sphere of the Dhyanalinga has the power to reach the peak of consciousness.

Imbibing Dhyanalinga does not require devotion. One can approach it with devotion also, but even if there is no devotion, one can experience inner transformation just by being receptive and available to the energies of the Dhyanalinga.

There is a belief in India that if one wants wealth, one should visit a certain temple, if one wants health, one should visit another temple and so on. This belief is there because, generally, only one aspect of life is enshrined in a temple. In the Dhyanalinga, all the aspects of life are enshrined together in the form of the seven chakras.

"The core of every galaxy is always an ellipsoid. A perfect ellipsoid is what is referred to as a linga. So the first form, from un-manifest to manifest-when it begins to manifest as creation-the first form that it takes is always the form of an ellipsoid.

And from our experience we know if you raise your energies to a certain pitch, the final form that your energy takes before dissolution is also that of an ellipsoid.

So the linga is seen as a doorway to the beyond, from both ends. The first form of manifestation is an ellipsoid. The final form of dissolution is also an ellipsoid. So because the A and Z of creation happen to be the linga, it is seen as a doorway to the beyond. " - Sadhguru

Consecration

The most important aspect of a temple is the energies of its deity. The process of enshrining this energy in such a way that it is available to the visitor is called the prathista or the consecration. Basically, there are two kinds of consecration processes - mantra prathista and pranaprathista

When consecration is done through chanting of certain mantras ¹ and performing certain yagas and yagnas ², it is called mantra prathista. Deities so consecrated constantly require poojas and other rituals to maintain its energies. In contrast, pranaprathista is done in such a way that the energies are locked. The deities, then, maintain their energies at a constant level and do not require performing of rituals or any means of re-energizing

In the Dhyanalinga, through an intense process of pranaprathista, energies of all the seven chakras ³ were raised to the very peak and locked to prevent dissipation over time. Hence there are no poojas or rituals in the Dhyanalinga. It is expected that the energies of the Dhyanalinga will not suffer dissipation for at least 5000 years.

At the base of the Dhyanalinga is a tub filled with etheric substances, called the 'Veeryasthana', comprising mainly mercury solidified through methods of Indian alchemy. There is a cylindrical column at the center of the Linga about one inch in diameter, called the LingaRandra, which contains a copper tube filled with mercury, called the LingaDanda.

The consecration process lasted over three years and people involved in the consecration underwent intense sadhana, overcoming the limitations of the body and the mind to energize the Dhyanalinga. The practices and processes took them to realms beyond the physical and mental dimensions. They sustained certain states of samadhi, where contact with the body was minimal. They also embarked on a Karma Yatraacross different parts of the country, where their past bondages were dissolved in heightened levels of awareness.

Usually, during pranaprathista, people involved in the consecration use their own physical and energy bodies as tools for the process of the consecration. As a result, it becomes difficult for the people involved in the consecration to retain their physical bodies after the consecration process is over.

The consecration of the Dhyanalinga took a heavy toll on Sadhguru's body. Until the very end of the process it was not guaranteed that Sadhguru would retain his physical body. Finally when he did, it was a much-damaged body that he was left with. Doctors and specialists could not make out the cause of the damage or suggest any course of remedy. Ordinarily, they would classify some of the conditions that they came across in Sadhguru's medical reports as impossible or clubbed under the generic category - cancer. Subsequent test reports seldom showed adherence to any predicted pattern and left the doctors baffled as to how he was even alive.

¹ - mantras: a syllable or a pure sound

² - yagas and yagnas: rituals

³ - chakras: seven main points or junctions of confluence of the pranicnadis or channels in the energy body


Qualities of Dhyanalinga

The basic thrust of the energies of the Dhyanalinga is to foster spiritual growth and evolution of a person. However, the Dhyanalinga will radiate seven different qualities of life on the seven days of the week by which one may derive various benefits.

Monday: Earth being the tathwa ¹, this element stirs the spiritual energies in the most fundamental way and helps one rise beyond the limitations of food and sleep. It helps in fertility, childbirth, and the cleansing of doshas ² in the body and mind. It releases one from financial and emotional insecurity. It removes the fear of death. It firmly establishes one within the body and also the world outside. The day is most conducive to the aspiration of people seeking to make a spiritual beginning. It is the root of all growth and brings awareness of the divinity in man.

Tuesday: Water being the tathwa, it provides the fluidity to create one's life the way one wants. It helps in procreation, imagination, intuition, and mental stability. It supports conjugal relationships and is a very good day for healing one's inner ailments.

Wednesday: Fire being the tathwa, it creates a zest for life and aids in general health, helps in digestion related problems, material well being and health, in particular, for children below 4 years of age. It brings physical balance and self-confidence. It nurtures selflessness and brings a deep understanding of the body. It hastens the dissolution of karmic bondage.

Thursday: Air being the tathwa, freedom becomes the way. It is an important day for seeking the divine. It is a meeting and a balance of the lower and higher energies. Love and devotion are the way. Radiance and innocence become the qualities of the person. A very good day to shed karmic bondage.

Friday: Space being the tathwa, limitlessness and freedom are the basic qualities, highly purifying for those who are suffering from any kind of negative energies, spells, black magic and bad vibrations. It develops memory, concentration, patience, self-confidence, and synchronicity with nature. It lowers the dependence on food and water.

Saturday: Being the Maha tathwa, it is beyond all duality. It leads to knowledge and enlightenment. Peace is the dominant quality. It is very important for those seeking self-realization. It helps one to go beyond the five elements and allows the individual to attain viveka (wisdom). It brings one in tune with the cosmic laws and become one with everything.

Sunday: It marks the celebration of life beyond all senses. This is the best day to receive the Guru's grace and to break the illusion of the individual self.



¹ - tathwa: element, as in the five elements.

² - dosha: defect or blemish. Specifically refers to defects in the physical, mental or energy bodies


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