TRUTH, PEACE, HARMONY
For the past five decades, Maharishi has taught his philosophy in a simple, rational manner using modern terminology to make it easily understood by the majority. He has also published many books in English and Tamil. Maharishi makes us understand that we are at an evolutionary stage of the Supreme Being-the Space-and through practical teaching methods makes us understand the oneness running through the entire universe and beyond. The realization of this oneness is liberation. Only a liberated person can understand the scriptures, which say:
• My father and I are one—The Bible
• Form is emptiness; emptiness is form—Buddhism
• Aham Brahmasmi (I am Brahman)—Vedas
Only such a person would be able to imbibe in himself the mindfulness of the Buddhist, the ahimsa of the Jain, the service to humanity of the Muslim and the love and tolerance of the Hindu. When this comprehensive knowledge spreads among people, harmony and peace in society will be enhanced through every individual's understanding of the realities and functions of the microcosm and the macrocosm.
In 1958, Maharishi founded the World Community Service Center in Chennai. He has been invited abroad many times and has taught extensively in the USA, Malaysia, Singapore, Mexico, South Korea and Japan. In 1974, he was invited to the United Nations to give a talk on the value of yoga and meditation.
For the past five decades, he has dedicated himself to promoting harmony and peace in the world. Towards this end, he has constituted a global trust called the Brain Trust. This is a grand experiment to transform individuals worldwide into healthier, loving and self-realised citizens radiating peace and positive thought.
In order to introduce people to his philosophy, regular training sessions are conducted at the Temple of Consciousness, situated in natural surroundings on a 20-acre campus at Aliyar, 25 km south of Pollachi near Coimbatore, India. There are auditoria, classrooms, dormitories and guest rooms for the convenience of the trainees. Annually, 15 days are set aside for observing silence and in praying for world peace. Courses on personality development and Brahma Gnana are conducted regularly. Kaya Kalpa and Introspection courses are held every month.
The SKY Method
The Swami took great care that the concepts he espoused should not be merely theoretical, but also transformational.
Though educated only up to the third grade, his scientific bent of mind, and his firm belief that the purpose and inherent aim of human birth is to develop consciousness to its fullest, spurred him on to study ancient traditions, and lay them down for the benefit of humanity. In this, Maharishi culled the best out of various traditions, and made them into a potent yet simple mix, and also formulated levels of impartment of this knowledge. For instance, recognizing that the subtle life-force and the gross body are linked by three media – blood, heat and air, the system seeks to restore a normal and balanced flow in these media, using a similar approach to that of acupressure and reflexology.
The basic course that initiates the practitioners into the SKY system consists of physical exercises, simplified kundalini yoga, and kaya kalpa. The siddha approach is the root of the kaya kalpa, while the physical exercises have their root in yoga.
Simplifed Physical Exercises
Though Swamiji’s focus was always spiritual, he did believe that if spiritual development is to take place, the body must be free of diseases and pain to the maximum extent. And from this were born, the simplified physical exercises.
These comprise of hand exercises, leg exercises, neuro-muscular breathing exercises, eye exercises, kapaalbhati, makarasana, acupressure, massaging and relaxation. The combination is such that the entire body gets covered and all aspects of the system are taken care of. For instance, the neuro-muscular breathing exercises regulate the endocrine system, oxygenate the blood, ventilate the lungs fully, purify the blood and increase vital energy, thus helping to cure chronic headaches, migraine, asthma, allergies and sinus conditions. Similarly, makarasana regulates the endocrine system and strengthens the backbone and the spinal cord, while acupressure prevents heart ailments and is helpful in alleviating insomnia.
Simplified Kundalini Yoga (SKY)
This practice prepares the life-force for meditation. There is a meditation at the ajna chakra, a shanti yoga to balance the energies, and thuriya yoga that is the meditation on the sahasrara chakra. The benefits, as in any effective meditation technique, include reduction of the mental frequency, heightened awareness, intellectual clarity, will power and concentration.
Kaya Kalpa Yoga
The term ‘kaya’ means ‘body’ and ‘kalpa’ means ‘immortal’ in Sanskrit. An apt name for this is a potent anti- aging technique that is taken from the siddha tradition of South India, and is known to provide significant physical, mental, as well as spiritual benefits by intensifying the life-force, preventing diseases and relieving the practitioners of many of the troubles of aging.
In keeping with the SKY approach, this is again holistic, and acts on the entire system – reducing the intensity of diseases, activating the brain cells to their fullest functional levels, and helping in the removal of unwanted thoughts and habits.
The whole purpose of the basic course which is taught in two-hour sessions of six days is to enable one to remain attuned to a greater level of consciousness. Keeping in mind practical considerations, it requires the practitioner to devote just 20 minutes each day after learning the technique This, however, is just the first step of the journey, and many practitioners proceed to the next levels, which consist of introspection at four levels, the masters course and the brahma gnanam course
Benefits :
Reduces the mental frequency.
Enhances awareness.
Improves intellectual sharpness and understanding.
Improves the soft skills.
Increases the will power and concentration.
Increases management talents.
The Center provides essential education for
Knowledge of one's body, mind and life energy; their interactions, processes and practices to strengthen and streamline them.
Knowledge of true relationship between individual and society.
Knowledge of true relationship between individual and the all pervading Almighty Unified Force
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