26th November, 1998
Chapter 2 - The Path To The Goal That Is You
Day 79 - Sadhana (Continued)
Yagnas are the ancient methods of enriching the subtle, to purify the
individual as well as the collective consciousness. Yagna has 3 aspects -
1. Deva puja - Honouring the Divine in all forms.
2. Sangatikarana - Hastening the process of evolution by unifying all the elements and people in creation.
3. Dana - Sharing with others, giving freely what one has been blessed with.
Yagna creates energy and energy creates consciousness, awareness. Heightened awareness brings you close to reality and reality is a witness. To realise that everything is happening you need
heightened awareness. And to bring about heightened awareness you have to increase prana.
Prana can be increased through -
1. Fasting and fresh food.
2. Cold water baths.
3. Total exhaustion, not letting sleep take over
4. Emotional peaks.
5. Singing and chanting.
6. Pranayam, Kriya and meditation.
7. Giving without givership, serving without doership.
8. The presence of the master.
9. Silence.
All these together are yagnas. To the degree that you are awake, everything around you brings knowledge. If you are not awake, even the most precious knowledge does not make sense. Awareness depends upon your ability to open and shut your windows.
When there is a storm, you need to shut your windows, otherwise you will get wet. When it is hot and suffocating inside, you need to open your windows. Your senses are like windows. When you are awake, you have the ability to open and shut your windows at
will, then you are free.
If your windows cannot be shut or opened at will, you are bound. Attending to this is sadhana or spiritual practice. Different organs of your body are governed by different devas. The solar plexus is connected with the sun, which is why it is called “solar” plexus.
When the first rays of the sun fall on the solar plexus, it is very good for your body. This is why it is good to do Surya Namaskar (sun salutation yoga asana) in the early morning. The solar plexus has a profound impact on the central nervous system, the optic nerves, the stomach and what we usually call our ‘gut feeling’. It is the second brain in your body.
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji
Celebrating Silence
