Bahiskrita dhauti: "...very dificult unless you are an extremely advanced hatha yoga practitioner.... standing navel-deep in clean water, pushing the rectum out and washing it in the hands... The Gherand Samhita says it is not easily available even to the Gods"
Yeah you got that right! I thought that was an urban myth, but there it is, in the Pradipika.
I will spare you the Moola shodhana
Now, funny stuff aside, I did find one practice I am highly interested on, the "Varisara dhauti", or "shankhaprakshalana" , It is an elaborate practice because of all the preparations and things to do afterwards, but very easy to perform in itself, nothing gross, and as effective as surgery for cleansing all the whole digestive system.
I will be trying it, and I will be blogging about it.
By the way, the best description of how to do it I have found is here.
If you pratice all the exercises describes in HYP, you may attain the immortality(chiranjivitva) claimed by his author as benefit. You may then have more chance to get movie deal or to be famous.
ReplyDeleteBefore you begin, however, you may ask to yourself where is Svatmarama... today. It could help. ;-))
May all being be happy.
Nataraja, I appreciate your post... of course I was only joking... I am not nearly ready to take on a task like all of the Pradipika... I am a begginer at best :)
ReplyDeleteAs per the question of Svatmarama, yes, good question, my guess is he is right here, laughing with us
Hi Claudia, very nice and humorous answer. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI personally think that HYP contains obnoxious practices inconsistent with the teachings of "Sattvic Yoga" and the Yoga Sutras.
If you really want to experience the process of transformation, you may try the meditation again and Vipassana is the most convenient meditation technic for me.
You don't have to be a monk to practice Vipassana. The practice of 5 precepts is the foundation, just something like the practice of Yama and Niyama in Ashtanga Yoga.
I am very sorry to hear that your 10 day course was not convenient for you and I sincerely hope that you could experience the benefit of Vipassana in the nearest future.
May all beings be happy.
May all beings share my peace.
May all beings be peaceful.
May all beings share my dhamma.
May all beings be liberated.
There are some pretty WILD things in the HYP eh? The first chapter had me laughing already (not sure if it's in this edition, but saw an online version that said you must smear cow dung on the walls where you practice in!) Hehe.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read your report on the shankhaprakshalana, sounds like a really interesting process. :)
Hi Nataraja I loved Vipassana, I just could not deal with the "way of the teaching", the voice of that recording drove me crazy, the constant repetitio for an hour "is it heat? is it cold? is it ...", gosh, I felt like throwing the cushion at it... if it wasnt for the teacher I would do it again and again... I agree with you it is easy and it no need to be a monk, it is real... yes, if only the teacher would shut up. :)
ReplyDeleteSkippetty, yes, it is pretty wild indeed, I think the cow dung was to avoid having insects in the cave... can you imagine if we had to do that now? where would we even get it?
Hahaha! This is going to be a great read.
ReplyDeleteAlso check out SKPJ's Yoga Mala. Actually a wonderful book. Cow dung included...
Yes I read yoga mala while on Mysore, and review portions here and there, like it too :-) I especially enjoy the activities that can be done only when a certain nostril is active... very interesting
ReplyDeleteOi! I think I'd rather buy some ballet shoes and try to practice standing around on my toes!
ReplyDeleteI would very much like to see that B, will you be videotaping? did you get your ballet shoes already?, I will check your blog :)
ReplyDeleteSaturday morning I get them! :)
ReplyDeleteCool :) I wonder if the ballet will help the yoga
ReplyDeleteI hope so!!! I'd wanted to go to the beginner class tonight, but it's 8:30 to like 9:45. There is NO way. I'm freaking tired... Ooof-a!
ReplyDelete