Enlightenment and Progress

[ak33]

I believe that an answer to "Who has attained enlightenment with AYP" will never be attained on this forum. I would like to now ask some more directed questions to AYP practitioners, preferably those have considerable experience, firstly what is your daily practice? How do you view the world on a day-to-day basis? Can you describe some of your meditation experiences? Can you describe major shifts in consciousness? Have you subdued your addictions, mental afflictions, desires? If yoga is a science, then it is not wrong to ask these kinds of questions. Detailed and objective answers are preferred.

[Bodhi Tree]

I came to AYP after quitting drugs and alcohol, and practices like Deep Meditation and Samyama have helped me stay sober with remarkable ease. More importantly, the practices have got me more active in creative endeavors like playing guitar and writing songs. At times, I feel like I could float through the air, but that has not happened as of yet, though I'm confident with enough repetitions of the akasha--lightness of air sutra, it will happen one day.

Not much phases me in social situations, and I can connect with all kinds of people on a deep level very quickly. However, I have yet to sustain a long-term relationship with a female partner, but nevertheless, I admire and respect the divine feminine more and more.

Lately, my meditations have a lot of ego voice chattering on, but there is plenty of inner space still present, so the voice doesn't bother me, and I appreciate how the ego is coming to terms with purification and opening. Even if the sessions are internally noisy, I inevitably feel better afterwards. Often I see light streaming through my third eye, as well as soul-images of many people I do and do not know. I feel like a hologram projected from the whole of existence. My recurring desire is to have more mobility across inner space, and that comes in waves.

Every once in a while, some glamorous scenery will come along where I'm privy to some higher dimensions and cosmic beings, but I don't push for that too hard because it can get toasty.

One of the most profound and effective teachings I've gleaned from AYP is directing negative emotions to my higher ideal, and over the past several years, I've trained myself so that such redirection is increasingly automatic. This is a great relief for me, since Alcoholics Anonymous advocates an emotional lobotomy (removal of anger) that I regard as unwholesome and problematic, to say the least. On that note, I am forming my own group based on AYP and the calling to serve and improve the recovery paradigm and community.

All in all, it's been a slow and steady journey of enlightenment, and I'm only 4 years into daily practice. I appreciate the day-to-day mentality of staying present with the moment, but even so, I can't help but wonder how good it will get as time marches on and the obstructions dissolve, personally and globally.

Hope this satisfies your inquiry a little bit. Best wishes on your path.

[ak33]

Thank you Bodhi, much appreciated
Anyone else? (also, please try to keep the descriptions specifically to AYP practices)

[Dogboy]

quote:firstly what is your daily practice?

I'm in AYP 17 months now.  My daily practice is usually one twenty minute meditation and samyama; I occasionally throw in one yoni mudra at the end for the eye candy.  In pockets of the day I do a few minutes of asana and pranayama; a few times a week I engage in arousal (solo tantric) practices.

 

quote:How do you view the world on a day-to-day basis?

Everything is beautiful, in it's own way. (Sing it!)

 

quote:Can you describe some of your meditation experiences?

It takes little time to slip deep into DM and maintain the mantra. My kundalini is active and the energy intense with directed attention, therefore I often employ solar centering and surrender any 'willfulness' in the process. I really enjoy samyama as it is a way to give back kundalini energy via the sutras and feels grounding, as does offering up to my ishta, which feels like champagne bubbles flowing from my heart.

 

quote:Can you describe major shifts in consciousness?

I seem to better identify when Ego steps forward to exert influence.  I definitely have felt a buffer from suffering in moments of duress. I find myself smiling more, and receiving smiles back. The veil still obscures the infinite but the fabric seems thinner.

 

quote:Have you subdued your addictions, mental afflictions, desires?

I have always been an even keeled, moderate sort without addiction or affliction. Most of desire involved arousal and sexual pleasure, which now (thanks to AYP) is expressed inward and upward and is a part of my yogic tool kit.

AYP is a highly energetic system with a small time commitment that appeals to the Guru in me. Above all: SELF PACE!

[Radharani]

Dear ak33,
You are right, nobody here is going to answer "the enlightenment question" as such.  However, the other more specific questions that you asked are indeed reasonable indicators of how our practice is going and I'm sure you will get plenty of responses.  You asked specifically about AYP practices; I am from another school (HOY) but there is considerable overlap in the techniques and philosophy of these two schools, so I think my experience will be relevant.

What is my daily practice?  Until 2011 I did the SRF form of kriya as my central practice for about 30 years, until I discovered HOY and found that the HOY technique (very similar to AYP spinal breathing) was much more effective.  So, after that I was doing about 30 minutes of asana plus pranayama (spinal breathing) and then deep meditation upon waking, and then just a little bit of asana, pranayama and more deep meditation before sleep.  (Note, AYP recommends doing the second session earlier in the day.)  In the past year or so I've had issues with health and lack of time, so have shortened my daily routine to just a few minutes of asana, pranayama and meditation upon waking - not as much as I would ideally like - and then often a much longer meditation before sleep, sometimes an hour or more (not recommended per AYP, but I tend to get swept away and lose track of time).  A couple of nights a week when we both have off work, my husband and I practice tantric sex also.

How do I view the world on a day to day basis?  I don't feel the need to "view the world" in any particular way; doing so can only be projection or imposition of a mental construct.  Every day, every moment, is fresh and new, like Christmas morning.  I'm just here to be Love in the world amidst all the paradox and chaos and whatever may unfold.  I do sometimes find that it is a delicate balancing act between being absorbed in meditative Bliss and Oneness, versus allowing myself to be actively concerned and involved in politics, etc., as part of trying to make the world a better place.

Can I describe my meditation experiences?  We're not really looking for "experiences" in meditation.  For me, generally "meditation" is what happens whenever I'm not actively doing something else, and consists of simply enjoying God in Love and stillness.  The "practice" of meditation is just setting aside time specifically to do that.

Major shifts in consciousness?  I've described this elsewhere, but very briefly, in 2011 the meditative state burst out and took over my entire reality.  Then in 2013 the intensity was amped way up and the Presence even more palpable on a continual basis.

Have you subdued your addictions, mental afflictions, desires?  LOL, who is subduing whom?!    My desire for God had completely taken the place of all other desires years ago.  Now having Him, everything else pales in comparison.  (AYP is not "religious" but the practices are offered to one's own ishta, Whatever that may be.  The practices lead to absorption in Bliss which is better than anything, so that other stuff naturally falls away.)

I hope that is helpful!  

[Charliedog]

I found AYP only a few months ago, and the lessons of Yogani and this forum gives me much courage and understanding of my journey till now. It's not so easy to find someone who can answer your questions on this journey. Especially because our journey is very unique.

I practice Mantra (the only difference is, I use So-Ham instead of I am), SB, DM and samyama every day. In the morning for 30 min. incl. some pranayama.
SB with mantra and DM also in bed before sleep and when I wake up at night (not recommended, but I do this since 7 years)
I practice asanas every day ( My work is yogateacher since 2 years) but also my own asana practice appr. 30 min.
 
I view the world at this moment as a beautiful place with all human beings on a journey to find Love and Thruth. The biggest shift for me was the moment that I could feel in DM at the same moment deep pain and deep love, and that it stays in that way after that,  also in daily life. Deep understanding of the circle of life, that it has to be the way it is. And I know now the difference between understanding with the mind and deep Realizing.

The pressure of "have to do" changed in "satisfaction in the moment" and funny enough everything happens on the right moment, but without the feeling or pressure of doing.....

I feel that especially DM and SB with mantra practice every day gave me a deep understanding of the need to let go my willpower..... and surrender to Thruth. Realizing That brought me ecstasy and Love in meditation, and bliss or love in every day life.
And I realize that I use poor English for this beautiful journey, but thats the way it is for me.....

[karl]

How can it help to know  what someone else is or maybe ? It's amusing like a good story but it's as useless as a wet match, but anyhoo

My practice
5mins pranayama
20mins DM
5mins sutras

Fundamental changes:
An understanding of how many things  connect to exactly the same point. Like the hub of a wheel around which everything turns. It gives a reference for everything .

Left my well payed miserable job and began writing allowing, me to follow my heart instead of how I thought I should be.

I see the world differently but I have no idea how I used to see it so it's difficult to produce specific examples. It's like being in love. I see the world in light of that. Sometimes I can't hold an opinion, or even form one. It's as if all the energy just disperses leaving an impression.

I'm very God centric despite spending years as an atheist. I have no interest in religion. I read religious texts with the same  hub of the wheel approach. At one time the words would have left me puzzled, now it's crystal clear. I used to be socialist and now I'm anarchist.

Everything else is just the same. I still get angry, still forget to do things, still mess up, get irritated, scared ( much less so now as I spent  my life somewhat  manic depressive ).

I have a book on kindle where I documented the subtle changes up to around 2 years ago. Things have continued to change.

[kumar ul islam]

Hi Kari I used to be anarchist now I believe in the grace and love of God many blessings to you

[BlueRaincoat]

quote:Originally posted by karl
It's like being in love.

Yes, in love with the universe!

[karl]

quote:Originally posted by kumar ul islam

Hi Kari I used to be anarchist now I believe in the grace and love of God many blessings to you

I think you might be thinking of the wrong kind of anarchist . The rabble rouser/chaos type of personality- the sort with placards banners and takes part in marches ? No, mine is a different form of Kung Fu

[karl]

quote:Originally posted by BlueRaincoat

quote:Originally posted by karl
It's like being in love.

Yes, in love with the universe!

Not exactly. It's a deep and abiding empathy for other people If I disapprove initially of some action - take the recent murders in France - I go into unity automatically and I'm not conscious of having taken that step. Not sure it's easy to describe or imagine that. Like merging with the sea nothing, remains of the self in that moment and the effect is  permanent. It's not sympathy or understanding, but an instant merging in which neither I or the other remain. It doesn't mean I agree or approve the actions of that person, but neither do I see them as neutral internally. The actions don't disturb the essence, yet I can hold an impression of the action as if it was without energy.

[Bodhi Tree]

quote:Originally posted by karl

No, mine is a different form of Kung Fu

"A good martial artist does not become tense, but ready. Not thinking, yet not dreaming. Ready for whatever may come. When the opponent expands, I contract; and when he contracts, I expand. And when there is an opportunity, "I" do not hit..."it" hits all by itself."

--Bruce Lee

[karl]

quote:Originally posted by Bodhi Tree

quote:Originally posted by karl

No, mine is a different form of Kung Fu

"A good martial artist does not become tense, but ready. Not thinking, yet not dreaming. Ready for whatever may come. When the opponent expands, I contract; and when he contracts, I expand. And when there is an opportunity, "I" do not hit..."it" hits all by itself."

--Bruce Lee

that's perfect.

[BlueRaincoat]

Great quote Bohdi - the clearest proof I've yet come across that martial arts at an advanced level are also a spiritual journey.

quote:Originally posted by karl
It's a deep and abiding empathy for other people If I disapprove initially of some action - take the recent murders in France - I go into unity automatically and I'm not conscious of having taken that step.

This is interesting. Perhaps I will get there one day too.

In my case being 'in love with the universe' does say it pretty accurately. Using the same example of the terrorism in France, seeing something like that doesn’t take me out of the 'in love' state - when people do bad things, I'm aware it's not their essence, but their hurt (which, I feel, is somehow at a more superficial layer of their being) that makes them lash out in violence.

[karl]

You are already 'there'. I think you are still rationalising more than using intuition. As they say in Star Wars 'you must learn to use the force'.

Instead of rationalising ( which I still do) I'm appalled and diffident at the same time. I can happily enjoy the sense of outrage and anger letting it flourish and flow without it disturbing anything.

This isn't something I have cultivated or really understand. That's why I struggle to hold opinions independently of 'that which seemingly is'.  Everything is tied back to a central point ( I have no access to it ) and I have relinquished virtually all control to that point.

The Bible speaks of a small voice and the mustard seed. This seems to be what is happening. I allowed the seed to grow and gave up trying to use intelligence, emotion, thought etc as the primal method.

It seems I'm at sea in a rotten boat which leaks more and more each day. The practices are now a method of bailing out the boat so it can remain buoyant. Entirely opposite to how I perceived them. Now the practices do not move me towards enlightenment, they are a method of slowing the changes to an acceptable rate. The boat will sink when the time is right and until then it must be kept afloat in order to reach that point.

I read a book the other day in which someone described themselves as the superfluous Man. That's exactly how it is. I know less and less because it's no longer necessary to know. Instead everything just appears. So coming to this forum now and writing is just what I'm doing I have no idea why .