Kundalini Yoga

I’m writing this article because of the resistance I initially felt towards Kundalini Yoga’s  “bizarre” chanting, music and foreign language sounds. I can only imagine that others will experience that same kind of resistance in the future. Here are some of the teachings, experiences and sources of wisdom that have help me and especially my left brain to overcome that resistance. Science and the left brain seem to get along well.
Read the rest of this entry »

Palden Dorje, Buddha Boy

Ram Bahadur Bomjon, also known as Palden Dorje,
(buddha boy), his official Buddhist name, is from Ratanapuri village, Bara district, Nepal. Born on a full moon (Chaitra Purnima), April 9, 1990, Palden Dorje has sat for severe meditation (kachhen duba) without food or water since, May 16, 2005 until the present.

After about ten months of meditation, Palden Dorje went missing on 11 March 2006. Due to his lack of explanation, some believed he was abducted. His followers theorized that he went deeper into the woods to look for a quieter place to meditate.

On 19 March a group of Palden’s followers met with him about 3 kilometers southwest of his meditation site. They say they spoke to him for thirty minutes, during which Palden said “there is no peace here” and that he would return in six years, or roughly 2011 or 2012 (interesting dates). He left a message for his parents telling them not to worry.

On 25 December 2006, villagers in Bara district spotted Palden meditating. He was carrying a sword which he had used to protect himself in the jungle, reminding reporters that “Even Gautama Buddha had to protect himself,” and claimed to have eaten nothing but herbs in the interim. He reiterated his commitment to Buddhist devotion for six years and said he would allow people to come observe him if they kept away some distance and didn’t bother him. When a reporter pointed out that pilgrims to his meditation site would be making donations in his name, he asked for the donations to not be abused or used for commercial purposes. A new wave of visitors came to see him and pray at his new meditation spot. On 8 March 2007 he left Bara district to again find a quieter place to meditate.

Read the rest of this entry »

This free to use online Yoga and Meditation Timer was inspired by the very elegant and well designed Enso Clock-Timer-Alarm by Salubrion (www.salubrion.com). I had fun building it but did not have an actual Enso Clock to work from so it would be great to know if anyone out there has one and can comment on the differences.

I have found that using a Yoga and Meditation Timer like this does indeed free the mind from the numbers and the resetting that can occur. It allows the mind one less distraction and when first beginning to meditate, we can use all the help we can get. I also found, during my testing phase, that it works well for naps too!
Read the rest of this entry »

Kirtan Kriya, also referred to as SA TA NA MA meditation, has be called the most important meditation in Kundalini Yoga. It was one of the first meditations taught by Yogi Bhajan and was the first meditation assigned to me in my own homework studies on the path to becoming a Kundalini Yoga Teacher. My assignment is a 40 day, 31 minute,  Sa Ta Na Ma Meditation. That’s 40 consecutive days, meaning if a day is missed, the 40 day count starts all over again. A strong commitment in action. Commitment by the way is the first step of Yogi Bhajan’s seven steps to Happiness.

How To Do Kirtan Kriya – Sa Ta Na Ma Meditation?

Perhaps the fastest way to get us started with Sa Ta Na Ma Meditation is to click the “Start Timer” button on the “Test It” tab of the Kirtan Kriya Timer that I just finished building to help me with my own timing.

Read the rest of this entry »