Laya Yoga, system of practicing Yoga based on chakras development and inducing Kundalini energy. Laya means absorbing and dissolving or melting all difficulties and negatives, liberating from obstacles and problems by dissolving karman and destroying ovules of causes. It is usually called yoga of absorption or absorbing the lower nature by higher divine spiritual forces.
We can say that "Laya Yoga" term is usually used in two different meanings: first is every particular method of practice or even every single exercise, which melts mind conditionings or causes of suffering. Second meaning is many-sided and ordered initiation system referring to liberation of conditionings by methods of absorbing and dissolving. Laya Yoga can be practiced either as tantric system or vedic one – adequately "Tantrika Laya Yoga" or "Vaidika Laya Yoga".
Philosophically the spiritual aim of Laya Yoga school describes treatise "Yogabija" (142) as identity, uniformity (aikya), kshtera (fields of mind and ego) with kshterajna (authority of field, cognitive consciousness). After realizing this identity the mind melts itself, and when Laya state appears, vital force (pavana) becomes stable. Because of the state of absorption (Laya) a man can achieve ananda state- bliss and happiness and transcendental consciousness as well.
Laya state as higher spiritual state of Yoga is described as entrance of one single soul (atman) to the Absolute or All-Spirit, unification with God. Laya is entrance into God, coming into divine consciousness, merging with Highest Consciousness, with All-Spirit. "Laya" term as ending state of consciousness or spiritual realization is identified with fourth level of consciousness expansion called as Turiya or it's sophisticated higher phase.
Laya Yoga pays attention to practicing such groups of exercises like mantras, mudras and yantras – appropriately work with sound, shape and gestures, and work with signs and symbols (mandala). This sequence complies with methodology of introducing exercises – what is often forgotten by teachers of chakras in the West. They usually teach in rather accidental way, much different than Eastern Masters. Mantra purifies speech organs and sense of hearing. Mudra enables higher energies to flow through all our body and yantra enables us to contact with higher extraterrestrial creatures. During contact with higher existences we should be very careful, because not all of them are Gods or Goodies indeed and demonic worlds are full of spirits as well, even often pretending Gods.
As far as asana-yoga exercises are concerned, the positions associated usually with yoga, system of Laya Yoga uses usually such positions of meditation: sitting (sit on knees, lotus), standing (tree), lying (sawasana) or walking. Of course with appropriate focusing, visualization, rhythm of breathing and prayer (mantra). Lots of bows and half-bows are practiced and ritual moves called sthulla-karira. Laya practice contains also well known in northern India "transcendental runs" which are similar to jogging and tranquil lying on water surface with minimal moves indispensable for maintaining on the surface. It is called "water relaxation" and is usually connected with session of intensive purifying breathing.
Laya Yoga at its basis is correctly associated as a mystic way, a way to unification with God through intensive prayers, singing mantras, meditations of light and revering (nods, glorification) which all leads to stimulation of Kundalini power. Work with chakras and chakra therapy which commonly are used in the West should be more connected with practice of Laya Yoga that to Kundalini Yoga. Unfortunately, from the methodological point of view, western systems of chakra therapy sometimes are devoid of elementary basis, such as making correct connection with God through intensive exercises and long lasting glorification some form of God.
Treatises like "Bhagavata – Purana" (2.4.14.) or "Uddhavagita" (23.29.), persons practicing in wrong way, without appropriate basis call it by "Ku-Yogi" term – literally "Bad Yogin". It is a trainee which because of mistakes can not achieve divinity, spirituality, enlightenment or liberation. Ku-Yogi is a person who has been deluded by obstacles and other people or demons (asures). Such Ku-Yogi achieves only psychical emptiness, spiritual asepsis, he tries to pretend enlighten ego or suddenly leaves spiritual path because it "gives non profit" to him; experiencing crisis in spiritual life – always because of already made mistakes and not appropriately strengthen basics.
[edit] Further reading |
