The 5 Elements of Tantrik Hatha Yoga

As part of a continuation of essays on the pancha maha bhutas, today I will offer some concluding thoughts on this topic; with the upcoming course that I'll be teaching, I would like to share some final ideas on the matter.

We must remember that the ideas of Yoga are all related to the objectives or aims of this spiritual path. At the same time, we must also remember that these ideas were and are presented as methods and ways of experimentation rather than as rules or dogmas. This is important, as our own individual attainment is dependent on our ability to think for ourselves and apply any of the means suggested to arrive at our own conclusions and understanding. Wisdom is not so easily achieved, and although hints & clues have been passed down to us over generations, it is the will and intention of the sadhaka (aspirant) through his or her own sadhana (practice) that keeps the flame of awakened intelligence alive and healthy.

With this in mind, the suggestions I am imparting through my upcoming course are related to thoughts and ideas that are my own; they have emerged through many hours in my personal spiritual laboratory and are directly related to, and influenced by, the traditional teachings and spiritual science of Tantra and Yoga. I can only share those things that I've found to be beneficial for myself and that which has supported me on my own path.

The "clues" left behind by many great masters and as described in ancient texts relate to us modern humans on many levels. There are some 'common sense' teachings that seem directly observable and are capable of being grasped with small amounts of mind-power, and there are the mystical and esoteric teachings which require additional contemplation and furthermore practice to grasp. I have heard that these teachings, and the unique language used to proffer them, are sometimes referred to as "Twilight" language -- language that doesn't directly point to the black-or-white but instead remains elusive and demanding of one's higher psychic faculties or abilities. This way of teaching and passing wisdom down along the ages is not exclusive to the yogic traditions but can be seen across culture. The real wisdom of religion may not be apparent at first glance but the hidden guidance is packaged discretely so as to remain protected from the greedy or selfish nature of humans. In my observation it is in such a way that spiritual wisdom preserves & protects itself from the evils of mankind.

When it comes to the technology of yoga, it may be useful to contemplate on the idea that humans have most likely been practicing forms of yoga for far longer than we have written evidence, and in more places than just the East. The processes of attaining ecstatic, divinely absorbed states of consciousness and of elevating our mundane awareness to heightened and exalted positions is not exclusive to any one tradition, lineage, location or time-period. In the yogic way of viewing the cosmos, we are describing a universal phenomenon: the phenomenon of a human ascending the heights of consciousness to arrive at the ultimate realization and experience of being re-joined or "yoked" together with the Supreme. Call it what you will, and there may indeed be many paths to arrive, but the Source is the same. As it says in the Vedas, "Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti" (Rig Veda 1.164) : "Truth is One; but the wise call it by various names",

In the process of spiritual development, we learn how to interpret and apply the teachings offered for, we hope, our gradual progression and advancement. A teacher or guide is one who can assist us in the steering of the ship as we navigate the vast uncharted waters of spiritual exploration, but even a teacher or guide is limited in that they may only be able to help in the particular stream that they themselves have traversed. This is why a handful of yogic principles come in 'handy' and are very important for consideration. Two immediately come to mind, coming to us from the Yoga Sutras:

isvhara pranidhana: Surrender to the Supreme; and

ahimsha: non-violence.

Additional teaching from the Sutras reveals what the INO emphasizes as well: an investigation into the nature of the Kleshas, or the coverings/obstructions preventing the Light of Consciousness from shining through. More on this later, but suffice to say that these pith insights offer critical guidelines for our path ahead.

What we hope to receive by examining these (and other) spiritual teachings or principles -- in the context of the ideas around "teacher" or "guide" -- is that by interpreting these guidelines for ourselves, we set ourselves up for a truly self-initiated path; an intrinsic drive through which we awaken our own personal will and intention. A teacher or guide is one who provides the necessary 'spark' at the right moment, but the tinder is one's own provision and to keep the fire alive one must continue to add appropriate fuel and oxygen. The symbolism of this should not be lost on those of you who worship fire (and the Sun).

Although we may require "the teacher" at different times for different purposes, we are the ones who must learn how to absorb, digest and integrate what is being transmitted through the guide, and then we are the ones who carry forward the essence of the teaching. Ideally this is done without becoming a carbon copy as, rather than a repeat of the past, one will have awakened the flame of living wisdom within themselves. This "awakening" may happen in stages and appear to differ amongst those pursuing spiritual transformation, but the process is very similar person to person, in that when legitimate attainment is achieved, a new, higher level will have been reached. The value and merit of the achievement is one's own and yet is undoubtedly a selfless process as its only real worth is in its universality. "Spiritual realization" is nothing more than the realization of Spirit, as the universal binding substance between all things. This would imply that everything we do is for & connected to everything. The teacher, teaching and student merge into one continuous process.

I have heard it said that once knowledge comes alive in the individual, true knowledge, it cannot be threatened nor can it be removed; it is simply there and will be transmitted to whomever is ready & able (in other words, karmically aligned) to receive it. This is quite different than belief, as beliefs can be threatened and often do result in the suffering amongst our human tribe. People fight frequently in defense of their ideas, ideologies and beliefs. Humans generally seem to have an inability to form new thoughts but instead have a strong attachment to carry their old ones forward, ever to their detriment. Furthermore, they have a tendency to violently impose their belief-thoughts onto others and expect others to confirm and conform to their ideas. Historically, there has been incessant warfare due to factors such as these, which ultimately all stem from dysfunctional thinking; thinking in ways which lead to damage of one's own mind and this, of course, extends into their environment. What we are suggesting here is that superior ways of thinking -- knowledge, wisdom, gnosis -- can indeed be attained, but these forms of knowing are not beliefs. A "superior way of thinking" is the result of experiential and spiritual knowledge which has been digested, assimilated and embodied to the extent that it becomes like a radiant and true light amidst a sea of ignorance, darkness and delusion. Perhaps this is what it means to wake up the primal intelligence of the cosmos within oneself.

In any and all art-forms and crafts, there is and always had been a teacher, a model, a mentor, or a guide. Painting, music, cooking, baking, sculpting, drawing, writing... the various sciences... all of these forms relate to a path of creation. One sets out to accomplish the creation of the related thing: an artist and their art, a musician and the music, a baker and the pastry... etc. When one is learning how to accomplish the creation of said thing, they often go to someone who has previously succeeded in creating the thing they are inspired to create. A guide, or a teacher, is someone who has walked the path already. Results may vary, and we hope that we find someone who is adept enough to guide us in avoiding pitfalls and mistakes that perhaps they themselves underwent, but the idea is the same and is similar in all situations between teacher-student. When it comes to spirituality and spiritual techniques, the "craft" is no different, at least conceptually speaking. Thus, finding a quality guide is important, lest we end up with a half-baked ceramic pot that is unable to hold the water being poured into it. After all, those of us on the spiritual path are attempting to pour energy into ourselves, which is the power of transformation. Unfortunately, in this day and age, there are quite a few people parading around as guides or teachers whose practice is limited to what they have learned in books or even in trainings, but are lacking the juice of real sadhana.

Although this is my opinion, I am led to believe that it can only be through one's own efforts in practice and experimentation that the awakening of wisdom can dawn. One must bake their own cup in the fiery tapas of legitimate work to contain the energy that might pour in. I'm not sure if it can be another way, as if it were different, then we would all be enlightened masters upon hearing the words of Jesus or Buddha and we would all love one another with perfected consciousness. No, one must work to attain the result of a purified mind and heart and therefore become a bridge for others between the maya of suffering on the Earthly plane and the eternal delight of the celestial realms. As I mentioned, results may vary, but at least with this attitude we are working together and knowing this might keep us humble on the journey.

Which brings us back to the topic at hand: the 5 Elements of Tantrik Hatha Yoga. As some of you know, we have a course coming up which starts on Tuesday May 13. You can register here (if it's not too late!) This course is an investigation into the building blocks of the cosmos and how they are mirrored internally. From the macro-cosm to the micro-cosm; as above so below, or so it has been stated. Each stage of the journey from the physical and fixed form of the world to the effulgence of the undifferentiated Light of Consciousness has been mapped out. For the Hatha Yogi, one internalizes these stages and prescribes the practices and techniques to address the needs of each. We build from the ground up -- literally, metaphorically, and esoterically. From the feet to the crown -- from the Earth to the Cosmos. We deal with the Solar energy, with the Lunar energy, with the elements.... all of these an application of clues and hints left behind by previous masters in this particular tradition.

If you feel inspired to enter into the spiritual laboratory with me as your guide, jump on in. I'll share what I've learned and I'll share where I've missed the mark. My intention is to support others who feel the call to deepen on their path with yoga and pass on what I've been so fortunate to receive from my guides and teachers. May we all rise up together.

Om Namah Shivaya

-GI