Swami Rama presented this tradition in its scientific format 1. Purification of thoughts and emotions : Practice purifications Yamas Non-violence Truthfulness Non-stealing Abstinence from sexual indulgence Non-possessiveness Niyamas Purity Contentment Practices for perfection of body, mind and senses Study for knowledge of the self Surrender to ultimate reality Brahma-viharas Friendliness towards the happy Compassion for the unhappy Delight in virtuous Indifference towards the wicked ……..Cont/d Swami Rama presented this tradition in its scientific format

1. Purification of thoughts and emotions : Practice purifications Antidotes to disturbing thoughts : Prati-paksha-bhavana Ward off thoughts opposed to yama, niyama and brahma-viharas Conquest of Vikshepas : Disturbances Sickness Mental laziness Doubt Lack of enthusiasm Sloth Craving for sense pleasure False perception Despair Unsteadiness in the concentration and Accompaniments Grief Despondency Trembling of body Irregular breathing

The first meditative tradition 2. Mindfulness : Practice smrty-upa-sthana A deep self observation, in all states of body, breath and the mind 3. Breath Awareness : 1st step in the Practice of Meditation Diaphragmatic breathing Slow Smooth Without jerks Without break in between breaths Breath awareness branches of to Nadi-shodhana Pratyahara Kundalini breathing Sa-garbha pranayama The first meditative tradition

Most comprehensive, integral and all-inclusive 4. Japa : Understanding of sound vibrations Nine major stages of mantra practice With the awareness of the breath flow While performing daily tasks Listening to one’s mantra in the mind / anhata chakra With sumeru breathing Merging the mantra into the dot of the bija of a given chakra, then observing it emerge from there again Merging the mantra into the mind‘s chamber of silence and then observing it emerge again from the silence Merging the mantra into the interior sound in the Cave of the bees, bhramara guha, again experiencing its re-emergence Using the mantra in the mental worship in the interior temples, manasa-puja Contemplating the meaning of mantra and unifying that with Manana Internal dialogue Using the mantra as bhakti experience Most comprehensive, integral and all-inclusive

Given birth to major meditative traditions of the world 5. Shavasana : Enter one’s own subtle body. May be used to Replace sleep Heal oneself learn, discover, plan and solve Master the art of dying Enter Samadhi 6. Dharana : Concentrations, Pra-vrttis Various methods of concentration On various focal points in physical body At the chakra points In the tattvas As listed in Vijnana-bhairava (100 ways) and Malini-vijayottara-tantra (1300 ways). Even if not practised know the ins and outs Given birth to major meditative traditions of the world

Does not require adherence to belief system 7. Dhyana : Meditation proper Begins at the level of manomaya kosha. Enter kosha through Refining art of japa Subtler steps in breath awareness Concentrations Initiations Guru may pull the disciple’s mind to a higher degree 8. A qualified Preceptor Fulfill following requirements Knowledge of major yoga text Have practiced and initiated into major paths of yoga Be able to see the association between the Himalayan tradition and other paths Be able to study the personality type of a student to designate Complementary path (bhakti, jnana etc) Mantra or chakra concentration Progressive appropriate practices Have certain degree of transmission power Does not require adherence to belief system

Unbroken lineage 9. Transmission Tradition has been passed on experientially in an unbroken chain of master disciple relationships Transfer shakti to those being taught Create common mind-field Induce meditative state by mere presence and voice Unbroken lineage

May you receive the grace of the Himalayan Lineage