Yoga for Diabetes

Yogasans bring the sensitivity of the body cells to the action of insulin.

Diabetes is a chronic and complex metabolic disorder caused by malfunction of the pancreas. It is such a condition in which the pancreas either fails to produce adequate insulin or it produces enough insulin but the cells of our body can’t utilize the insulin properly. In such a situation, the glucose levels in the bloodstream are considerably higher than usual.

Our metabolism changes food into fuel and delivers it to the hungry cells. Our bodies are made up of millions of cells. To make energy, the cells need food in a very simple form. When we eat or drink, it is broken down into a simple sugar called glucose. The blood and blood vessels carry glucose from the stomach or the liver to our muscles or our cells

Glucose cannot enter the cells by itself. This task is rather done by insulin. The pancreas does the work of producing insulin and release into the blood. Insulin serves as the helper and releases glucose into the cells to be used as energy.

Yoga lowers the levels cholesterol and triglycerides.

When glucose leaves the bloodstream and enters the cells, the blood glucose level automatically gets lowered. Low glucose is a yardstick of diabetes. Without insulin, glucose cannot get into the cells for use as energy. This causes the retention of much glucose in the blood. This is also regarded as ‘high blood sugar’ or diabetes.

The diabetics should do some Yogic exercises daily besides medication and diet as these help control blood sugar level. They should also not miss relaxation so that it is easy for them to vent out physical, mental and emotional stress caused by various means. The practice of Yogasans, Pranayams, Subtle Body Relaxation and Meditation will back the patient to eliminate stress very easily and naturally.

Yogasans not only control diabetes, but it also helps maintain overall health. It can be any physical activity that consumes huge amount of energy over a period of time. The muscles are preserved and toned, the heart and blood vessels are exercised well and even the efficiency of the lungs is improved.

Just half an hour's Yoga is the solution to Diabetes.

Diabetics are provided additional benefits by yogasans especially by bringing the sensitivity of the body cells to the action of insulin. Fat plumpy cells are anti to the action of insulin and hence demands greater quantities of insulin to keep the blood sugar under control. This increased sensitivity makes it possible for the cells of the body to use glucose more easily.

Yogasans are also able to lower the levels of fat, such as cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. For this reason, a daily exercise can also be a plus point to reduce weight for fat people. Psychologically too, there are several effects such as they back to reduce or root out stress.

Besides yogasans, a diabetic can participate in an activity, which consumes a huge amount of energy over a period of time, such as fast walking, running, jogging, bicycling, skipping, etc. These activities help maintain good blood glucose control. However, Yoga is the best package among all these for the diabetic as it provides wholesome exercise for the body and mind. In the beginning, Yoga can be started with 20-30 minutes duration. Slowly it can be increased to at least one hour daily.

JKYog - A Unique Yogic System For Enlightenment

JKYog emphasizes on the mind purification.

Jagadguru Kripaluji Yog blends both— material and spiritual techniques—from the eternal sciences of the Vedic scriptures. It is a complete system of Yog, including five Vedic disciplines for mind-management and exemplary physical health.These five disciplines are:

1. Radhey Shyam Yogasans

2. Radhey Naam Pranayam

3. Subtle Body Relaxation

4. Roop-dhyān, or Meditation on the Form of God

5. Science of Proper Diet

JKYog for enlightening a soul

The techniques of Jagadguru Kripaluji Yog have been practiced by true yogīs in India for millenniums. However, in their study andpractice in the Western world, the role of the mind, which is the basis of elevation and degradation of a person, is not emphasized. The scriptures state:

mana eva manuṣhyāṇāṁ kāraṇaṁ bandha mokṣhayoḥ (Pañchadaśhī)

“The mind alone is the cause of bondage  and liberation.” If the mind is neglected, then any science for the nourishment and evolution of the personality will be incomplete and only partially effective.

In Jagadguru Kripaluji Yog, each of its five sciences is practiced with focus on purifying and elevating the mind with the help of spiritual techniques. This gives a deep satisfaction and experience of Bliss at the level of the soul. If practiced sincerely, JKYog leads to the harmonization of the mind-body-soul, a feeling of well-being from within, and the attainment

Neem - Bitter But Better Medicine For All Diseases

Neem - the multi-medicine for all diseases

Neem known as ‘Azadirachta indica’ in English is a tree found in tropical and semi-tropical regions. The tree full of green leaves looks very beautiful. Some people dislike it because of its taste. And some others like it and use it as green vegetable.
But as compared to the benefits it gives, the bitterness is nothing at all. There is calcium and vitamin A in a greater extent. Since ancient times the Neem has been used by Ayurveda. It’s just now that it’s getting extolled all over the world for its medicinal properties. It is a panacea for curing the diseases.
Blood purification.
Take half a spoon of juice (from fresh Neem leaves) everyday early in the morning.
Fever
Take 4-5 Neem leaves and boil them with a glass of water. When the only half of the water remains, drink it with some honey or sugar.

Neem - solution for skin problem

Dry the leaves and make powder. Take half a spoon of it with water for two three days.
Flue, cold and cough.
Chew 4-5 new soft new leaves and drink water. Continue it for some days.
Wound
One should wash the wound with water boiled with Neem leaves. This kills the bacteria in the wound helping to cure it faster.
Worm in the stomach
Taking half a teaspoon of Neem leaf-powder kills the worms and germs in the stomach.
Teeth problems
Brush with Neem stick or powder and then brush with toothpaste. Especially the herbal pastes give good results. Drink some Neem juice every day.
Eczema
Chew 4-5 soft leaves for some days and use leaf extracts on the affected areas.

Neem - natural treatment for fever

Ear problems
Drop some drops of Neem oil in the ear and it gives instant relief.
Acne and Psoriasis
Prepare a paste of leaves and rub it on the affected area. You can even use the oil. After some time when it gets dried gently wash it out. Along with that you should either take the half a spoon of dried powder or chew 4-5 leaves. Continue for some days.

Daily Dietary Check for Efficient Yogic Practice

Natural Foods are of Great Help to Yogic Practices.

To ensure you are in tune with the Science of Healthy Diet, ensure you are following checkpoints in your diet:

- Two servings of fresh seasonal fruit. One serving is approximately 100 grams or one moderate fruit.
- Four servings of vegetables—freshly cooked or as a salad.
- A handful of sprouts.
- A lemon a day—as an early morning drink with warm water or squeezed over salads.
- A bowl of curd or buttermilk.
- Vary your choice of cereals. Replace the wheat roti at least three-four times a week.
- Vegetarians should eat one bowl of dal every day for the proteins.
- A fistful of nuts and dry fruits.
- Strict vegetarians should eat flax seed or also for the Omega-3 fatty acid content.
- Drink water at the right time.
- Avoid cold drinks and iced preparations with meals.
- Try to eat when you are in a relaxed state of mind.
- Do not overeat. Get up from the table when you are still hungry.
- Rest a while after lunch.
- Take a comfortable stroll after dinner.

Facial problems hampering your personality? Calm down, take a sigh of relief and go through……

Laughter for a shine on your face.

Perhaps somebody well-said “A smile on the face is a sign that the heart is at home.” Our facial expression shows our internal condition like the dawn shows the day. Having a gentle smile on your face with well maintained body really adds impression to your personality. But how to create a smile when the face itself is not attractive? May be your question. Yes, of course! The beauty of the skin puts fragrance to the gold. The causes to your problems may range from the food habit to the way of living. Mainly the diet and the mentality should be taken on account.

 Here are some easy tips for adding beauty to your face:

 Positive thinking has a tremendous impact on your brain as well the body and the positive thinking is generated by meditation (esp. on the form of God you like). So practice meditation for some time followed by some Yogasans and Pranayams.

    There should be pure fresh vegetarian diet with the proper maintenance of time.

    Dry out your face by massage every time before you use your towel.

    Take some grapes, cut them into pieces. Then rub them on your face and after 4-5 minutes rinse with warm water.

    Take a reasonable amount of milk and mix some turmeric powder and ground sandalwood to form a paste. Apply it on the face. Leave it for 5-10 minutes before you wash it out.

    Take some amount of ground orange lentil, ghee and milk. Mix them to form a paste. Rub on your face as a paste and after half an hour remove it with clean water.

Veg food means a natural effulgence.

    Apply some yoghurt on the face and leave it for sometime before washing it.

    Prepare a paste of turmeric powder and gram flour with water. After applying it on the face, wait for sometime till it gets dry. Then wash it with water.

    Taking steam for a few minutes every day heralds excellent results to remove blackheads and brings a natural glow on your face.

    Every night wash your face with water and baking soda. This will take out all the extra oils in the face and remove the blockages from the pores which are the cause for facial damage. 

    Make a paste with some pieces of ripe papaya and 2-3 teaspoons of ground oatmeal and one teaspoon of sugar. Massage it on your face for some minutes and let it get dry. Then, after half an hour wash it out well.

      Laugh for a few minutes everyday as the laughter gives a very good tonic to the mind as well as the body too. In regards to laughing, Victor Hugo says, "Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face." If you have a group of like-minded friends then it becomes easy to practice laughter.

 

Why are Yogasans So Beneficial ?

Yogāsans harmonize the body, mind, and emotions.

The art of healthy living must incorporate all aspects of the personality—the physical, mental, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. While the central theme of Yoga remains the highest goal of the spiritual path, physical yogic practices enshrined in it, give direct and tangible benefits to everyone regardless of their spiritual aims.

Meditation is the ultimate of Yoga.

Yogāsans harmonize the body, mind, and emotions. For example, at the physical level, organs, muscles, and nerves may not be functioning properly. Āsans bring the different bodily parts into perfect coordination so that they work for the good of the whole body. At the mental level, people harbor poisonous thoughts and emotions within. Muscular knots may occur anywhere in the body—in the neck as cervical spondylitis, in the face as neuralgia, etc. Every mental knot has a corresponding physical, muscular knot, and vice versa. For example, emotional tensions can affect the smooth functioning of the lungs and the breathing process, contributing to a very debilitating disease, which is asthma. The aim of āsans is to release these knots.

For full benefit, these āsans should be performed along with meditation. Meditational exercises cleanse the mind, to bring a feeling of peace and contentment within. Proper combinations of āsans, pranayam, subtle body relaxation, and meditation, tackle these knots, both at the physical and mental levels. As a result of the release of dormant energy, the body becomes full of vitality and strength, the mind becomes light and creative, joyful and balanced.

Yogāsans have succeeded as an alternative therapy in diseases such as asthma, diabetes, blood pressure, arthritis, digestive disorders, and many ailments of a chronic and constitutional nature, where modern medical science has failed.

How to Meditate on the Form of God ?

The mind is such a machine created by God that it cannot remain empty; it keeps working on something or the other. To still the mind into a state of thoughtlessness creates an unstable condition for the mind that is difficult to maintain. This is just as while riding a bicycle, if you apply the brakes and bring the bicycle to a standstill, you will fall either to the left or to the right. But if you simply turn the handle to one side, the cycle will stop moving forward and very easily turn in the direction of the handle.

Meditational techniques for stopping the thought process and stilling the mind are highly unsuccessful. In Bhakti Yog, we do not try to still the mind; we divert it to God. Please read the answer to the previous question, to get a detailed explanation of this. Now, I would like to explain to you how to meditate upon God. In endless past lifetimes we have been habituated to interacting with forms. All the personalities we loved and all the objects we were attached to had forms, and so attraction to forms is a natural sanskār (tendency) of the mind. So make the Form of God as the basis of your meditation. If we endeavor to meditate merely upon the Name of God, or the syllable “Om”, the mind will not easily experience sweetness in it. But if we have the all-attractive form of God before us, the mind will effortlessly be drawn towards it. This meditation upon the form of God is called Roop Dhyān. Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj states:

saba sādhana janu deha sama, rūpa dhyāna janu prāna

khāta gīdha aru svāna janu, kāmādika śhava māna (Bhakti Śhatak 10)

“All spiritual practices are like the body; meditation upon the form of God is like the life airs. Just as the body without life airs is worthy of being eaten by dogs and vultures, similarly sādhanā without meditation upon the form of God, is eaten by lust, anger, greed, and envy.”

The Process of Finding A True Guru

Swami Mukundananda - The Founder of JKYog

 There is a saying in Hindi:

pānī piyo chhānake, guru banāo jānake

“Drink water only after filtering it; make a Guru only after carefully knowing him.” We must not accept anyone as our Guru, merely because of a friend’s suggestion; we must ourselves recognize someone as a true Guru, and only then should we surrender to him. However, just as it is not possible for a First Grade student to evaluate the capability of a college teacher, similarly, it is not easy to recognize a Guru, who is a Divine personality, while we are only beginning the path of spirituality. Yet, there are certain characteristics that provide helpful indications:

Swami Mukundananda showering the nectar of Bliss on His Devotees

1. The true Guru’s words are very impacting. Although we may have heard and read the same knowledge many times without being moved by it, when we hear the same words from the mouth of a God-realized Saint, they change us from within. We can perceive that there is something different in the way the Guru expounds the knowledge, which makes it so impacting. The reason for this is that the Sadguru does not merely elucidate what he has read in books; he explains from the depths of personal realization. Hence, it goes deep into the hearts of the listeners.

2. Whatever doubts we have on the spiritual path, if we place them before the Guru, he or she can easily resolve them and dispel our confusions. A mere theoretical scholar of the scriptures cannot do this. Scholarly learning without practical sādhanā only increases the confusions, since there are many scriptures and each states different spiritual principles. The theoretical scholar becomes confused with the apparent contradictions. However, the Sadguru possesses realized knowledge, for he or she has seen the Truth, and is able to reveal it with the benefit of experience.

The Devotees garlanding Swami Mukundananda

3. A true Guru does not give his disciple material allurements. Rather, he teaches that worldly attainments are not the goal. Nowadays, many so-called saints claim to have a magic formula for removing all the material miseries and bestowing money, wealth, prestige, etc. on their followers. Allured by such false statements, people flock to them in thousands. We must beware of such imposters who have not yet even understood that detachment from the world, and not material attainments, is the goal of spiritual life.

4. If we associate with a true Guru, we will naturally find ourselves getting attached to God and detached from the world. Just as when we feel cold and walk towards fire, as we go closer to the fire, we naturally experience the cold going away and heat entering the body. Similarly, the God-realized Saint is like a fireball of God-consciousness. If we associate with him, we will experience the Divine consciousness rubbing on us as well.

5. The above points are all helpful in recognizing a Saint, but the strongest indication will come from God Himself. When He sees in us a sincere desire to meet Him, He will guide us to a true Guru. And when the inspiration comes from God, we will know it by its intensity; our heart will urge us that we have found the Guru we were looking for. This point will be further discussed in the answer to the next question.

Who is a True Guru ?

The Fifth Original Jagadguru - Swami Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj 1008

The word “guru” has now been adopted by the English language as well, and so we hear terms such as Marketing guru, Economics guru, Finance guru, etc. However, when you refer to the true Guru, you are enquiring about the spiritual connotation of the word as described in the scriptures. The meaning of the word “Guru” is:

Swami Mukundananda Ji

gu śhabdastvandhakārasyāt ru śhabdastannirodhakaḥ

andhakāra nirodhatvāt gururityabhidhīyate (Advaya Tārakopanishad 16)

“The syllable “gu” means “darkness,” and “ru” means “to destroy.” Hence, one who dispels our nescience and brings to us the light of true wisdom is the Guru. The true Guru must have two qualifications. Firstly, he or she should possess theoretical knowledge of the scriptures—this is called Śhrotriya. Secondly, he or she should have realized that knowledge and be seated in the Truth—this is called Brahm Niṣhṭh.

Hence, a true Guru is one who is both—Śhrotriya and Brahm Niṣhṭh. In these, the second criterion is most important, i.e. the Guru must be God-realized. Only one who has attained God can help others attain Him. If one is a beggar himself, how can he give money to others; if one has no knowledge himself, how can he teach others? If one has not attained the Bliss of Divine love, how can he give it to others? Hence, a Guru who has attained God is the true Guru, and such a Spiritual Master is called “Sadguru,” or “One who is seated in the Truth.”

Kundalini Awakening - Material Sadhana or Spiritual Sadhana ?

Swami Mukundanada delineating about the Kundalini Power

The material energy, Maya,  innumerable astounding powers and secrets within it. The inventions of the modern day world are only the tip of the iceberg of what exists within the womb of Mother Nature. The human body, which is made from Maya, also has many secrets and hidden potentials latent in it. Amongst these is the Kuṇḍalinī.

Kuṇḍalinī is a power that lies dormant at the base of the spinal column. Those who practice the sādhanā of Haṭha Yog, endeavor to awaken it by various means, and make it rise upwards through the spine. As the power ascends through the various chakras (circular regions) in the spine, it results in many siddhis (mystic abilities).

However, we must bear in mind that the Kuṇḍalinī is a material power, and not a spiritual power. The mystic abilities attained through it are purely material. If one’s Kuṇḍalinī is awakened, it does not mean that the person has come closer to God, or has established a relationship with God.

Also, if the Kuṇḍalinī is awakened without spiritual maturity, it leads to pride, which obstructs the spiritual progress of person. The Kuṇḍalinī is an immense power, and if it is not controlled properly, it can result in very deleterious side-effects.

Very often, people who awaken it without sufficient bodily and mental preparation are unable to handle it, and suffer serious consequences. In some cases, the body gets ruined, and in other cases, the mind. It is far safer not to go in that direction, and instead, strive to establish one’s connection with God through devotion. Then by the

Grace of the Lord, if we get any siddhis, we will also receive the power to protect ourselves from their pitfalls. The important thing is not the awakening of the Kuṇḍalinī, but the development of an intense longing for God.

Stress Management

We experience stress because we want certain outcomes, situations, and results. However, the soul is not independent, and it is not within its ability to fulfill all of its desires.

By nature, the soul is a servant of God. Now, what is the duty of the servant? To fulfill the wishes of the master. If we surrender to God and think that whatever He does is for our welfare, this attitude of surrender will help us get rid of stress. A surrendered soul says:

rāzī haiñ usī meñ jisameñ terī razā hai

yūñ bhī vāha vāha hai tyoñ bhī vāha vāha hai

“I am happy in Your happiness. Whatever situation You put me in, I will blissfully accept it.” Thus, stress is a symptom of lack of our submission to the Will of God. When we experience stress, the best medicine to cure it is to increase our level of surrender.

Now, what is the problem in increasing the level of surrender? Worldly attachments! We keep on pondering, “This should happen this way; that should happen that way.” That is the main hurdle to complete surrender. For achieving that goal, we need to increase our detachment from the world.

Meditation - the ultimate Solution

Before God-realization, there will always be some amount of tension within everyone, because the extent of surrender will not be one-hundred percent. However, by giving us tension, God signals to us that something is wrong and we need to correct it by surrendering further to Him. This is just as when we put our hand in the fire, we feel pain. What would happen if we did not feel the pain? Our hand would burn without our knowing it. The feeling of pain is, in fact,

a form of Grace. It is a signal that something is wrong, and that we must take the hand out.

Similarly, stress is a signal that we need to increase our surrender and devotion to God.

A spiritual doctor will prescribe you the medicine of submitting to God for getting rid of stress, whereas a material doctor will give you all kinds of medicinal drugs. However, such drugs will not help eradicate the root cause of stress. By increasing the level of surrender, the source of stress will itself be eradicated. Shree Krishna states in the famous verse:

karmaṇyevādhikāraste mā phaleṣhu kadāchana

mā karmaphalaheturbhūrmā te saṅgo ‘stvakarmaṇi

(Bhagavad Geeta 2.47)

 “Work with full dedication. Do not be careless while performing your tasks. But do not get attached to the fruits of those works.”

Shree Krishna again says:

yoginaḥ karma kurvanti saṅgaṁ tyaktvātmaśhuddhaye

(Bhagavad Geeta 5.11)

“A yogī is one who can work without any attachment to the results.” If we follow this formula, stress will be abolished from its roots.

Are We Body or Soul ?

Swamiji unfolding the secret - are we body or soul ?

Since the soul is Divine, and the body is material, your curiosity is natural—how does the communication between the two take place? The soul communicates with the body by energizing it with consciousness, or the force of life. Its presence makes the intellect, mind, and body work. 

Now the reverse communication—how does the body communicate with the soul? The link between the material body and the spiritual soul is established by the ego. In the materially conditioned state, the first covering on the soul is of the ego. The word for ego in Sanskrit is asmitā, which means “that which is not.” This ego creates a false identity for the soul. Due to it, the soul is under the illusion of being the body, mind, and intellect.

In this illusion that it is the body, the soul identifies with the pleasures and pains of the body. When the senses come in contact with the sense objects, they experience fleeting pleasure. In its mistaken conception of being the body, the soul too experiences this pleasure. However, the experience does not satisfy the soul, which can only be satisfied by Divine Bliss. So the search for pleasure continues. This is how the two-way communication between the soul and the body-mind-intellect works.