Let's Get Physical!

Week #1 Let's Get Physical with the Fifth Body

It is such a blessing that we are in a physical body. Many of us take it for granted, but it is a real gift on so many different levels. Each of our physical bodies is different and teaches us the lessons we have to learn. It's a vehicle for our spiritual growth and it enables us to do good deeds to uplift humanity. That being said, why do so many of us abuse our physical bodies and ignore them as if they didn't matter?

Just ask anyone who has had a grave illness and has survived, how precious is the human body. Many individuals who have endured physical hardship and pain know the true gift of the human spirit and even more so, the blessing of the physical body.

According to Yogi Bhajan, (the yogic point of view) to get here in this physical form, you have had to have had at least 8.4 million incarnations. Imagine....8.4 million incarnations equals one light year and in order to be a physical body capable of self-realization, you would have had to travel 100,000 light years. That's a long, long time.

So from a purely practical point of view, its a big deal to be here in the physical body. The physical body is the TEMPLE where all the other bodies play out their parts. One of the big jobs of the physical body is the POWER TO SACRIFICE. Another big job is that it give you the POWER TO TEACH, to uplift. It enables you to take esoteric abstract concepts and break them down for others so that they are understood. Having the POWER TO SACRIFICE means that you use this body in this lifetime to work out your incarnation as well as serving those around you. To sacrifice is also to teach because when you sacrifice, you are going outside of yourself to assist others.

Work out this incarnation....what does this mean? Well, here we have to discuss Karma and Dharma...because the gift of the Fifth Body is that you have the strength and discipline to choose Dharma over Karma.

"In Kundalini Yoga we don't worry about the effect, we worry about the cause, because cause has an effect. Effect can never happen without cause; consequences shall never happen without sequence.  If a person can be aware enough to know the trend of the sequences, he can control the consequences".- Yogi Bhajan

Karma is almost a household word yet not everybody knows what it means. The Law of Karma means that every action has a reaction and this is an absolute rule of nature. (It is Newton's third law of motion "Every action has a reaction, equal and opposite"). It does not mean "fate".

The idea is not to perform tasks that have a negative effect or backlash. Everything we do or say is a seed planted for the future. Sometimes we inherit the karmic energy of the past and we have to work it out in our incarnation so we can be liberated. If we are slaves to the ego attachments to objects, feelings, and thoughts, then we are biased toward certain behavior. We aim to balance these tendencies through the practice of Kundalini Yoga and the karmas are the conditions required in order to complete these tendencies.

Dharma is the path of life ABOVE the wheel of karma. It is a life aligned with our souls and destiny. It is a life of action without reaction because all actions are aimed toward the Infinate. If Karma is having a balance that you owe, Dharma is having the account cleared. WHEN YOU LIVE A DHARMIC LIFE, YOU ARE POSITIVE AND GRACEFUL AND YOU UPLIFT ALL THOSE AROUND YOU.

Your physical body can teach you a lot. If you experience an emotional stress, maybe you're the kind of person who tightens up your neck. And every time you have a similar emotional stress, even if its just a "hint" of the issue, your neck does the same thing. Your body is signaling you to pay attention to the source of the emotional pain so that you can resolve those issues. Your body is what it is today because it's a representation of all that you are; all your experiences and everything stored in your muscles and nervous system. What you did in the past not only has shaped who you are now but it informs where you are going in the future.

If you find that you are greedy, angry, jealous, competitive, or ungrateful or that you have trouble expressing yourself verbally, then balancing the physical body is your key to happiness and free expression. 

If you want to create a healthy environment in which your spirit can dwell, then working on the physical body can give you an advantage. If you want to serve humanity, teach and uplift others, then developing the FIFTH BODY will give you the strength and endurance to SACRIFICE and to mentor others.

Sat Nam! 

ACCESSING YOUR CREATIVE FLOW

MOVE THE ENERGY IN THE BODY

REGULATE AND CONTROL THE BREATH

DISCIPLINE THE MIND

OPEN THE HEART

Being creative is allowing your soul to speak through you and to live by your heart.  A creative person has a conviction that they have something unique to offer the world...a person with a certain faculty that he/she is destined to use for the service of others. 

"You feel happy when you can give something.  When you give yourself discipline and your discipline gives hope to somebody, therein lies real happiness" - Yogi Bhajan

On October 13 at 2 pm, I'm coming to RISD to teach a workshop on Accessing Your Creative Flow. Your creative flow is YOU being YOU.  Consciously communicating, consciously being, and consciously receiving. When you tame your inner anger and eliminate fear, you create a healthy and welcome environment for creative self-expression.  When you remove energetic blocks by moving the body in a specific way, you create an open channel for the cosmic flow.  When you regulate and the control the breath, you open the heart and control the mind. And when you discipline the mind, you can do anything. 

Yoga and Creativity are my two passions and when you put them together, it's like an atomic explosion! The fact that I have been invited to come to my alma mater as a yogi to conduct a workshop on creativity is a dream come true. My goal is to teach EVERYONE, not just artists or creatives, that a creative, HAPPY, self-realized life is within reach.   Learning how to manage your energy so you can maintain focus, sustain endurance, and channel the infinite flow of energy through you is what will make you have the extraordinary life you've always dreamed of.  No matter what you do, whether you think you are creative or not,  Kundalini Yoga and Meditation makes EVERYTHING you do better.

LIVING THE LIFE CREATIVE - AFTER THE FACT

THANK YOU ALL for participating in the Living the Life Creative Workshop at Golden Bridge on Sunday.  It was great to share the teachings with you.... and to guide you through a journey of accessing your creative flow and linking it with the cosmic flow so that you can experience the CREATIVE and expanded YOU.

As promised I am posting some of the meditations and kriyas that we did so that you can practice these teachings on your own. 

Before you do any Kundalini yoga or these meditations/kriyas, it is essential that you tune in with the Adi Mantra: "Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo". This will provide you with a protective link between you and the consciousness of the divine teacher, the Master of Kundalini Yoga, Yogi Bhajan as well as all the teachers before him. ONG is the infinite creative energy (which we chanted in the workshop) experienced in action.  NAMO implies reverent greetings...so together ONG NAMO means "I call on the infinite creative consciousness". This opens you up to the cosmic flow which guides all action. GURU is the embodiment of the wisdom you are seeking..the one who takes us from darkness to the light. DEV means divine or the subtle realms.  NAMO repeated again infers reverence of the student to the teacher.   So in total, it means "I bow to the teacher within", or "I call on the great divine wisdom as I humbly bow".

The Kundalini Energy is your creative potential. The creative flow is the expression of your SOUL.  It is the cosmic flow that unites your finite selves with the infinite, the great beyond.  The creative flow is the purpose of life. Anyone can be creative, but only individuals who apply self-discipline will take it the extra mile.  Self Discipline creates extraordinary individuals out of ordinary ones.  It builds character, excellence, and humility.  Great rewards come from consistent, ernest, and regular practice.  This is true in all fields as well as in your yoga practice. A daily sadhana is essential the key ingredient in achieving mastery.

A creative person has a conviction that they have something unique to offer the world...a person with a certain faculty that he/she is destined to use for the service of others.

"You feel happy when you can give something. When you give yourself discipline and your discipline gives hope to somebody, therein lies real happiness". - Yogi Bhajan

Your mind is here to serve your SOUL. So...If you want to access your creative flow, the key ingredient is CONTROLLING THE MIND.  When the mind and the soul are in alignment, you are able to create a fulfilling life for yourself and bring creativity into EVERY SINGLE ASPECT of your life....and share the flow of this beautiful universal life force with all.

If you would like additional information, you can email me at raghubirkk@gmail.com or comment in the box below.  The FOR CREATIVITY set is from Physical Wisdom, illustrated and compiled by Harijot Kaur Khalsa and published by KRI http://www.kundalink.com/product_p/k-614.htm and the TWO MEDITATIONS are from THE MIND, by Yogi Bhajan, published by KRI. http://www.spiritvoyage.com/yoga/The-Mind---Its-Projections-and-Multiple-Facets/Yogi-Bhajan/BKS-009015.aspx

Sat Nam,

Raghubir

Living the Life Creative

You don’t have to be an artist to have a creative life. 

When I got out of art school, I thought life was divided into two parts: the working life to pay the bills, and the artistic life to feed the soul.  At that time, I didn’t have a clue about how one’s attitude and “altitude” could allow you to be completely creative in and out of studio and how every second of every day could feed your soul.

Everyone WANTS to live up to their potential...or at least they say they do.  We walk around with so many fears and imagined limitations, inner anger, and old non-productive stories; some of which we aren’t even aware.  These get in the way of our excellence and our creative flow.  Many of us have a negative mantra or two looped in our heads... “I’m not good enough”, ”I can’t”, or “why bother?” are some examples that just keep us stuck in a rut. What are YOU saying to yourself that’s keeping you from being the best you can be? NOW IS THE TIME TO STOP THE SELF-SABOTAGE.  And to make matters worse, we even seek the company of others who, through endless commiseration, keep us from improving our situations.

As Kundalini yogis, we are encouraged to UPLIFT AND ELEVATE others...not sit around and wallow in our stories.   That’s because we have the technology to rise above these misfortunes and obstacles through mantra, meditation, and yoga.  Our self-discipline keeps us out of trouble and gives us the strength to help others.

When you write, count beans, study, play music, think, make “art”, meditate, cook, garden, do sports, heal, teach, or whatever it is that you do....you are there to practice your craft.  You might have an argument with yourself about it beforehand, but you will eventually show up and practice. How do you get to Carnegie Hall?  Practice, practice, practice.  That’s right...the secret to YOUR success in anything you do is PRACTICE.  

Through practice, or self-discipline as we’ll now call it, you can take yourself from average to sensational in a relatively short amount of time. Since I’m a yogi, I have experienced the effect of that discipline on one’s well-being and how it gives you strength and power, self confidence, and projection.  Meditation and a regular spiritual practice can give you the grace and altitude you need to navigate the challenges of the world today.  And it connects you to your higher self, your cosmic flow; your SAT NAM so that everything you do is infused with the creative flow that is the Kundalini energy itself.

When you live your life with the creative flow activated in you, it doesn’t matter WHAT you do, you are living a conscious life. You can have a more positive effect on others by flipping greasy hamburgers in higher consciousness than if you feed beautiful vegetarian food to others with a bitter and angry heart.  You can be a creative accountant, lawyer, stockbroker in the same way you can be a creative artist or musician.  WHAT you do is just a vehicle for the cosmic flow.

I noticed that when I taught Kundalini yoga, I had the same feeling as when I made art.  This was a a big AH-HA moment.

The cosmic flow will come through you as a result of discipline and consistency.  In much the same way that a violinist will become a more proficient and talented musician through practice and rehearsal,  you can become a more balanced, energized, focused, and compassionate person through yoga and meditation.  In the same way a top athlete can transform themself into a champion through effective coaching and practice, you can become a saint through the guidance of your teacher and the discipline of a daily sadhana.

Sat Nam,

Raghubir

Summer Solstice 2012 - photos by ET

I just returned from Summer Solstice in Ram Das Puri...in the hot, arid and profoundly powerful mountains above Espanola, New Mexico. This year, along with 2000+ like minded souls, we meditated, did yoga, hung out, did three days of White Tantric Yoga, broke through obstacles, explored new territory, dispelled fears, conquered demons, and had a really good time together.  New friends, old friends, true friends. These photographs were all taken by Elena Tchoujtchenko.  She took many more as well as video footage, but these photographs include me, a portion of me, or Kundalink and so I wanted to share them with you on Blogalini.

 Kundalini Yoga is about angles and triangles. 

 Truly beautiful .  This is Tantric Hill where I pitched my tent.

 Early morning after sadhana, Gurdwara and Yogi Tea. Facing East, the sun on my eyelids.

 Jai Gopal invited me to sit on the stage and teach with him.  That was so much fun!!

 And here I am teaching my own class at 7am ...one of my favorite sets, Coordinating Mind, Body, and Soul.  

And the Gong relaxation afterwards...

Infinite Goddess Haridass Kaur's husband, Siri Karta Singh and I at our centrally located and shared uber table...and  I was completely color coordinated unbeknownst to me. 

after the 2 1/2 hour blind walk, Nampreet and I give the VICTORY SIGN

There was no room but to do cobra in mid air with Elena

Harnek wearing a Guru Nanak tee shirt during Harijiwan's class on the last day...

Elena, filmmaker extraordinaire, great friend, tantric partner, and the very best driver in the universe.

Jasdeep 

Jaijot - great and luminous friend enjoys her first Summer Solstice!!!!!!

Navjot leading the warriors

Gisela and I

Beautiful Kewal Kaur

Nirbhao 

Getting ready to teach

22 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO TO SUMMER SOLSTICE

22 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO TO SUMMER SOLSTICE

THIS MIGHT HELP YOU TO DECIDE WHAT TO BRING AND WHAT TO EXPECT ESPECIALLY IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME.

(Partially reprinted and annotated from last year's post and the year before and the year before)

The Summer Solstice is rapidly approaching and there is much to do before I go to Guru Ram Das Puri for the celebration. I will be joined by thousands of like-minded souls who travel to New Mexico for this extraordinary experience hosted by the 3HO®, Yogi Bhajan's Healthy, Happy, Holy organization.

THE BACK STORY:

In the mid-1970s, a group of Hopis took Yogi Bhajan into the Jemez Mountains of Northern New Mexico near the town of Española and gestured toward the vast wilderness that stretched out for miles. The elders explained that for a hundred thousand years, huge spiritual gatherings took place over a vast territory stretching from what is now New Mexico, south to Mexico, and east to Missouri. They told Yogi Bhajan that these spiritual gatherings took place once every 108 years and the last one had taken place 2000 years ago...around the time the forces of darkness appeared.

The Hopi elders went on to tell Yogi Bhajan that it had been foreseen that just before the forces of darkness reached their full power, a white-clad warrior from the East would arrive and create a white-clad army to protect the Unified Supreme Spirit. Since Yogi Bhajan was the white-clad warrior they were talking about, the Hopis entrusted him with the duty of keeping and protecting the Unified Supreme Spirit on this sacred land. Yogi Bhajan had celebrated the summer soltice in many different locations, but he was looking for one place where the students could return to year after year. In 1976, 3HO Foundation bought the parcel of land that the Hopis had recommended, and Yogi Bhajan named it Ram Das Puri that came to be known as Guru Ram Das Puri.

thank you Mrsikhnet.com for the beautiful photograph....click on the link.

The Summer Solstice celebration is a great opportunity for many things; to deepen your practice, to be with your spiritual family, to serve, and to live close to this sacred earth. There are several ways to experience this living close to this sacred earth...and one way is to camp. Camping may not be for everyone, but I have camped the 5 years I've gone and I think I've learned a few things which I wanted to share. This is just my personal experience, but it might help others as they start to prepare for the Summer Solstice experience in the high desert.

1. CAMPING

The first year I thought, that all I needed was a very small and light tent to sleep in. NOT! LET ME TELL YOU THAT YOU SHOULD GET A TENT THAT YOU CAN STAND UP IN. It doesn't have to be the size of a one bedroom apartment, but you should be able to stand up in it. My first year I couldn't stand up and I was changing my clothes in a crow squat. It was light to carry, easy to assemble, and basically disposable. And I did dispose of it because it was useless. 


The second year, I bought a larger, more commodious tent with better construction. THERE IS WEATHER THERE, SO MAKE SURE YOUR TENT IS WATERPROOF and sturdy enough to withstand rain and wind. A FEW YEARS AGO WE HAD FEROCIOUS WINDS;  A STRONG TENT IS A MUST IF YOU WANT TO HAVE SOMEWHERE TO SLEEP. Some people came back from events on the site only to find their tents collapsed or if there's rain, their belongings sopping wet. This is avoidable...so I say,

Invest in a decent tent that is waterproof and large enough to stand up in. (REI, TARGET, COSTCO all have good tents)There are other more expensive tents out there but these stores carry good strong tents at a fair price.  You can also check Amazon.com. Another year I bought one of those gigantic tents that sleeps 16. It was nice to have all that "space", but I basically used 1/2 of it. 

2. CLOTHING

Bring clothing that is easy to wash by hand, layer-able, and warm. It can get both very cold and very hot. If you are there for a while, you'll need to wash your clothes....which you'll probably wash by hand and hang up on a line or a tree. Bring lots of t shirts, comfortable pants, etc. for yoga practice, serving and "playing". Bring something to wash them with. I BRING DR. BRONNERS LIQUID SOAP BECAUSE I USE IT FOR BODY SOAP, SHAMPOO, AND LAUNDERING.

3. WEATHER

Be prepared for the rain: waterproof tent with rain flap. A portable, foldable rain coat or poncho is a good thing to have just in case. If you don't like to walk in the rain, bring an umbrella. Be prepared for high winds.  Make sure your tent is secured and tied down and not in an exposed area where it might fall prey to high winds from all directions.  As I said before, a good strong tent is worth the investment.  

4. FIRST AID

There is a first aid building on the property which is well stocked with things for minor pain and discomfort, sunburn, scrapes and abrasions, etc. There are doctors and nurses on staff for anything more serious. SO IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU MIGHT NEED, BRING IT. IT'S GOOD TO HAVE A FIRST AID KIT OF YOUR OWN....don't forget your prescription medication or supplements that you are used to taking. If you have a way to handle muscle pain (narayan oil, arnica, traumeel, ben gay, etc. for example) bring that with you. You can get narayan oil - i swear by it - at Ancient Healing Ways. 

There are massage therapists, chiropractors, healers offering their services in the bazaar tent so you can handle most minor injuries or discomfort for a reasonable fee. Just remember to bring what you think you might need based on your past experiences.

5) EATING AND DRINKING

Bring water bottles, hot bottle for yogi tea, eating utensils, a plate (reg food) and bowl(soup). You can pick these things up at places like Costplus, an Army/Navy store or Target. You'll be washing your own plates and utensils at every meal. There are water dispensaries all over the site which includes electrolyte water, too. You don't need to bring dishwashing soap...they have it at the dishwashing station.

6. FOOTWEAR

The terrain is rough and dry and while flip flops might be ideal for going to and from the shower area, your feet are going to get beat up. Trust me. If you are the slip-on, slip-off kind of person that I am, I like to use keen-type sandals which are waterproof, easy to get in and out of, offer support, and cover the toes (if you choose). I got mine at REI and it'll be another year I'll be wearing them all the time... if you know what you want, you can go to Zappos and get them for less money. I wear the Venice H2.....and the Daytona...both EXCELLENT CHOICES FOR SOLSTICE! While we're on the subject of feet, there is a foot therapy station at Solstice...

...and I highly recommend bringing BANDAIDS, FOOTCREAM, etc. because I can guarantee that your feet will get DRY.  REALLY DRY.

7. WAKING UP-

Bring a battery operated alarm clock (and batteries). Even though every morning at 3am before sadhana, Guru Singh and his band of 20-60 merry people walk through the camp sites starting at around 3 singing "RISE UP"...you still may want a back up plan.

8. TOILETRIES: 

SUNSCREEN, LIP BALM, SKIN LOTIONS, TOOTHBRUSH AND TOOTHPASTE. BRING YOUR OWN TOWELS AND WHATEVER ELSE YOU NEED TO STAY GORGEOUS AND HAPPY ON YOUR TRIP IN THE HIGH DESERT. OH DON'T FORGET THE Q-TIPS.

9. FOR WHITE TANTRIC YOGA YOU'LL NEED:

White cotton or natural fiber clothing and a white cotton or natural fiber headcovering....ALL of which ARE available at the bazaar at solstice. If you haven't experienced a Kundawrap or a Kundabini...you're in for a treat. You can get them at solstice in the bazaar or order yours now.

10. THERE IS NO HOT WATER. COLD SHOWERS. IT'S ALL ABOUT THE COLD SHOWERS. If you are not used to taking cold showers, now is a good time to practice it. By the time you get to solstice, you'll be a pro.

11. SADHANA

Sheepskin, yoga mat, warm blanket, and a hoodie or something warm for morning sadhana. Some people take their entire bedding to the tent! It's pretty cold when you start but you warm up pretty quickly after you start doing yoga at 4 am. 

12. THE SUN IS STRONG

Bring a hat to protect you head from the sun unless you wear a headcovering. And Don't forget the sunscreen...

13. NIGHTTIME

Bring the following for a comfortable nights sleep: SLEEPING BAG, WARM BEDDING, YOUR PILLOW, SLEEPING PAD OR AIR MATRESS OR COT. IF YOU BRING AN AIR MATRESS, TRY TO GET ONE THAT HAS A BATTERY OPERATED BUILT IN AIR PUMP. (otherwise you'll be dragging it around all the time to electrical sources to refill it)

14. EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Bring a bathing suit just in case. Some people go down the hill to the hot springs and you might, too.

15.EVERYTHING IN ONE PLACE

Bring a bag to carry around your stuff. Of course you can buy a KundaBag or yoga tote at the Kundalink.com table in the Bazaar if you don't get one on line NOW....

16) BE THE LIGHT

Bring a flashlight OR one of these head lamps. If I have to recommend something that I couldn't do without, I would say it was one of these.  I USE THE HEADLAMP BECAUSE WHEN I WALK TO THE BATHROOM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND I AM CARRYING THINGS TO THE BATHROOM, I NEED MY HANDS and you might, too! Highly recommended.

17. PARTY TIME

On the 3HO website, they suggested bringing one or two dressy outfits for social events, but i have to say, this is not really necessary. It's pretty casual.

18. EXTRA PROTECTION

Bring a hooded windbreaker or hoodie... layers of clothing is the best way to go. I rarely wore socks although they can be helpful in the early morning chill.

AND if you need to charge your ipod or iphone or cellular, there's a charging station and you can plug in from time to time. I can tell you that you won't be using your phone very much, or at least much less that usual. The reception has been intermittent in the past. Wonder how it's going to be this year?#$!!

19. KEEP IT CLEAN

A "DOORMAT". SOME HEAVY TOWEL OR SHOWER MAT SO THAT YOU CAN WIPE YOUR FEET OFF BEFORE YOU ENTER YOUR TENT. JUST A THOUGHT....

20. TRAVEL LIGHT

The best advice I can give you is to travel light. You should be able to fit everything in a duffle bag and a medium suitcase. Try to keep your things to a minimum....and make sure you have enough clothes to layer and keep in rotation, comfortable shoes, comfortable bedding, and a tent that you can stand up in. You won't believe how helpful, generous and friendly everyone is and if you need something, if someone there doesn't have it, you can always go down the hill into "civilization" and buy it.

21.SHOW ME THE MONEY!

Bring some money because you can get some fantastic products at the bazaar.... many vendors take credit cards and checks, but cash is always nice!!! see you there! www.kundalink.com

22) AND IF YOU'D LIKE TO SEE EK ONG KAR'S (ELENA's) 

VIDEOS FROM SOLSTICES PAST......

2014

  2013  2012

 2011

This is the one from 2008:

kundalini yoga: summer solstice 2008 from ETentity on Vimeo.

Summer Solstice 2010 from ETentity on Vimeo.

I hope that this list has been helpful....if you have any questions, just write to me on the blog. Don't forget to go to KUNDALINK.COM and check out our wonderful products...most of which will be much appreciated during Summer Solstice.  

I'M ALSO TEACHING AT SUMMER SOLSTICE ON SUNDAY JUNE 21ST AT 2:00 IN THE AFTERNOON!!!!

Fearless Creativity: Truth has No Fear

Raghubir Kaur

(Yoga and Meditation)

Earth Tent

Embarking upon living a creative life one must live fearlessly. Fear is the biggest “buzz-kill” out there. It inhibits accessing your highest potential, keeps you from tapping into the most productive thought streams, has the potential to destroy and limit your personal and professional relationships and in general, just shuts you down. The pressure buildup, a result of worry and fear, is alleviated when you rid yourself of subconscious fears and reside in your truth.

SAT NAM.....and see you on the mountain!

Raghubir