Yogic Lifestyle

Yoga is one of the world’s oldest and most complete systems of health. Yoga assumes a wholistic and multifaceted approach to maximizing the human experience. Many of the worlds various systems of mind body medicine grew from the spread of Yoga throughout Asia. For example, In Yoga what we call Prana (Life Force) other systems call Chi or Qi and the channels in which that energy flows we call Nadis (rivers of energy) and others call meridians. A mere 20 years ago “Modern” science denied the existence of these energy channels, as they had not developed an external tool to measure and tell them they existed. A common story for most humans today has become this external need for validation rather than going within and experiencing truth for ourselves; the failings of our modern mindset. In Ancient times the Rishis (Yogic seers) delved deep into the true nature of our selves and of everything in existence. It is these Rishis to whom we are indebted who pioneered a systematic, progressive, and practical, disciplined spiritual path (Sadhana) to attain for ourselves this highest awareness and knowledge of being, what can be called Life Mastery. This ancient tradition continues to exist today through the authentic and unbroken 7000 year old Brighu Rishi Paramparai (lineage). Brighu Rishi was one of the original Sapta (seven) Rishis who through his example propagated the Maha Yoga Marga (great Yoga path), of active Yogic living. Today this “Rishiculture”, as our Gurus have called it, Yogic lifestyle is alive as a complete way of life practiced by many students and teachers who through their example continue to pass on this powerful way of life cultivating energy and facilitating consciousness.

“Optimum health is simply a balanced state of conscious energy”

This multifaceted Yogic approach to health is viewed through our lifestyle in so many ways and affirms that who we really are is indeed the master of our experience, and that we can, if we choose, gain conscious control of our lives. In fact it is not just something we can do if we choose; it is our mission, our birthright! In Yoga we strive to live the ultimate life…the divine life! To be at one with the universe and express ourselves as divine beings demands that what we put into our bodies and minds be clean and filled with nutritive energy to provide us with the enormous amount of energy required for evolutionary transformation. Cultivating energy and facilitating consciousness requires that we maintain a healthy lifestyle, which includes nutritive activities, foods, environments, relationships, work, and even the thoughts we think.

“Within our lifestyle lies the clues to achieve a balanced state of health.
If we are to live fulfilled loving lives we must be willing to empower ourselves.”


If our actions or thoughts are not in harmony with the universe then we cannot have health. Though the manifestations of dis-ease are legion they are always the result of fragmentation, illusion, and an egoic life ruled by selfish desires. We must make conscious choices to eliminate those things, habits, or patterns that deplete us of energy, and then cultivate higher energy to benefit ourselves and others (which always benefits us). What we do, the way we do it, when we do it, how we do it, how much we do, what we are thinking when we do it, and the environment we are in when we do it will determine whether it will give us energy or deplete us of energy. This statement is true for all activities in life, and is key to manifesting our experience in the world and our role in the cosmos.

Evolutionary transformation occurs through empowerment,
the level of that transformation into consciousness is determined
by the amount of energy one has available to them.

While the Yogic path to Self Mastery and Spiritual Enlightenment will involve
devotion and adherence to Yogic precepts it is important to understand that
in the beginning it is not mandatory that one adopt all aspects of Yogic living,
rather one accepts them as natural expressions of their being after exploring
them through their own personal Sadhana.

CLEANSING
The first order of business when embarking on any program of mastery is to cleanse our bodies, minds, emotions, and lifestyles of those things that dis-empower us. In the Classical system of Yoga practiced by the Rishis there are many specific techniques that have been secretly practiced through the ages that powerfully cleanse us of our limiting Karmas at every level of our being, physically, mentally, emotionally, and even psychically. Through the systematic practice of these cleansing techniques that have been authentically handed down to us through our Paramparai so that we, (you and us) are empowered to effectuate powerful life changing transformation that will accelerate you on your own spiritual path. These traditional practices are offered as an Introduction to the Shat Karmas with special permission or with 6 mo of preliminary study.

Every choice we make will either empower us or dis-empower us. Evolutionary transformation requires successful implementation of choices that empower us and the successful removal of barriers (choices) that dis-empower us.


RIGHT LIVING: A MORAL CODE - THE YAMAS & NIYAMAS
We cannot have peace and live free from mental, physical, or emotional dis-ease without applying a basic moral code in our lives. The Yamas (moral restraints) help us to stop tearing ourselves away from our natural Yogic state of existence and the Niyamas (moral observances) help us to move freely within that state. The Yogic concept of right living has been handed down to us to consciously explore and adopt as our own once we realize their truths. While delivered as the introductory limbs of Ashtanga (ashta=8 Anga=limbs) Yoga the Yamas, and Niyamas, are in actuality foundational to attaining the higher states of Yogic being and once realized are the natural gifts from our Self to our self to maintain a life of Anandum (bliss). The Yamas and Niyamas.

RIGHT EXERCISE
Modern science, through thousands of research papers now reaffirms what Yoga has espoused for thousands of years. In order to live life to its fullest we need to maintain a regular program of exercise. Science and Yogis agree this exercise should be moderate in nature, regular and consistently practiced, it should encourage all aspects of physical health, ie, muscular strength & endurance, cardiovascular, flexibility. Our exercise should be pursued with a healthy frame of mind without unhealthy goals or expectations. We should approach the training of our physical body as the upkeep of our temple in which we as spiritual beings are empowered to live and fulfill our missions. We should respect and use it, not abuse or dis-use it. Yoga realizes that within our body lies the keys to unlocking our potential and it is through the classical system of yogic training and facilitation that we guide you to your own empowerment.

RIGHT NUTRITION
The Yogic perspective on nutrition is to ingest foods that are nutritive and empowering for us. Many of us, due to our desire to satisfy our senses, habitually eat foods that rob of energy. What we eat, the way we eat it, when we eat it, how we eat it, how much we eat, what we are thinking when we prepare and eat it, and the environment we eat it in will determine whether it will give us energy or deplete us of energy. Vegetarian lifestyles are promoted within Yoga circles as a far more healthy option and as a natural extension of non-violence (Ahimsa) being apart of or true nature. In Yoga we propose solutions for the students to explore and to discover for themselves the intrinsic merit of any suggested concepts. The ideal for all humans is to be able to tap into their own inner guru and follow what we would call “Intuition Nutrition” where we always choose that which will empower us.

“ Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival
of life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.”
- Albert Einstein

DEVOTION: BHAKTI
There is no path worth traveling and no goal worth achieving that does not require a whole hearted and single minded devotion to its attainment. The goal of Yoga, Self Realization, is the highest of goals we can aim for in our human life. A Yogic life is dry and empty without the critical component of Bhakti (devotion). It can be said that all other paths serve to develop Bhakti in the Sadhak (one who performs Sadhana), and once appropriate Jnanam (wisdom) has been attained one cannot help but to feel devotion to God.

“As the waters of the Ganges flow incessantly toward the ocean,
so do the minds of the bhakta move constantly toward me, the Atma,
the supreme person residing in every heart, when they hear about my qualities”
- Bhagavata Purana

SEVA
Seva is the spiritual practice of selfless service and is vital to living a spiritualized life. Through the various programs and services offered through the Rishi Yoga Mandir and the Yoga Sadhana Foundation our highest aim is to facilitate Self realization through selfless service. The highest form of Seva is that which facilitates the spiritual growth and well being of others; it is for this reason alone that we offer our lives to this most worthy of causes. To understand the implications of Seva and to master the amazing energy that can be derived from Seva Shakti we offer the Mystical Aspects of Seva Shakti Sadhana course that we feel is foundational to the spiritual life and the true key to Self realization.

“One whose legs rush to offer help, whose lips utter comforting words of love,
and whose eyes shed tears of compassion on hearing the cry of the distressed,
such a person I would call a true disciple."
- Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

MEDITATION: DHYANA
To live a spiritualized life we must include a personal program of meditation to cultivate consciousness and master ourselves. Meditation has been proven as a panacea for many physical and mental states of dis-ease and is the key to a divine life. True meditation is Yoga, it is that state of cosmic consciousness; like Yoga it is that state of being and the path to that state. Many practice what they call meditation, and while they may taste it momentarily, very few actually achieve that state. Every tradition without exception and every teacher/Acharya/Guru who has achieved that state will unequivocally agree that we will need to follow a systematic and progressive approach led by a qualified guide who has personally walked the path and can authentically lead us safely around the many pitfalls that await us on our spiritual journey. The Rishi Yoga Mandir and its Acharya facilitates The Atmalaya Meditation System™ as a key aspect of Yogic Sadhana.