Inner Engineering Retreat at the Isha Yoga Centre

Inner engineering - had heard so much about this program that I finally succumbed to my curiosity. Am also in a transition phase in my career and thought I had done so much of outer Engineering - Education, Networking, continuous learning of techniques and tools so felt it is time for some Inner Engineering. A three and a half day investment seemed quite appropriate as well at the Isha Centre in a scenic setting near Coimbatore. Here are some key learnings and insights for the ones interested…..

First, it is a completely new journey into a realm that is beyond our normal logical, questioning mind. It calls for a leap of faith into a new dimension not easily explained by the axioms we are so familiar with in day to day life. However, it is done in a very "secular", non denominational, non-religious manner without pushing you too much. So well packaged and marketed in my view!!

Second, it is an intense program both mentally and physically. You are in the program 24 hrs with time given for rest, some structured recreation and food. You are either doing exercises or squatting on the floor listening to lectures/discussions (a picnic and a time out for some games are included). Day starts at 5 AM and will go on until 930 PM every day. We had over 70 people in our Group from all over India and Overseas (as many as 10-15 participants). The accommodation (Nalanda House) is a 5-star facility and so is the infrastructure. The food is a simple vegetarian fare but delicious with enough variety.

Third, try not to be perfect or push yourself on the asanas too much as its takes weeks of practice to reach the levels of perfection and the salubrious effects, if any. If nothing, its a nice way of learning to stretch your body and keep a healthy body and mind. The practices are taught to bring solace to or "activate" the Body, Mind, Emotions and Life's energies, the four fundamental elements of our existence that is within us.

Lastly, it is worth going through something like this at least once in your life time to break the monotony of life.

DAY ONE

Day One is just a half a day introduction to the Isha Centre near Coimbatore - the International School, the man-made lakes (Surya and Chandra Kunds) for an energising dip, the temple of Linga Bhairavi and the main attraction, the Dhyana Linga - a Siva linga under a large dome (www.dhyanalinga.org). Batches of about 100-150 people are let in for a 15-min meditation session squatting around this massive 14-foot Linga made ostensibly of solidified mercury! The symbolism is apparent - the Linga with seven golden markings from bottom to top sitting atop a coiled snake represents the Kundalini or Life energy that lies dormant in every human being. The seven golden markings at regular intervals on the Linga represent the various chakras or Nodal points of energy flow within our body and major junctions of the energy flow lines (72000 flow lines in all in any human body). Each of these Chakras, when stimulated correctly produce various beneficial effects. The Chakras are as follows

1. Muladhara - at the Perineum (that small space between your legs between the anal opening and the genitals)

Controls one's material pursuits, self-preservation and bodily needs

2. Swadishtana - just above the genitals

Controls one's pleasure seeking behaviour, self-gratification, sexual desire

3. Manipoora - 3/4th of an inch below the Navel (all 72000 flow lines touch this node and get re-distributed through out the body - Apparently this node in Far East cultures are called Hara of "Hara kiri" fame)

Controls Will-power, Motivation, determination, self-esteem

4. Anahata - at the soft spot just below where the two rib cages meet,

Controls sense of Balance, Compassion, good relationships

5. Vishuddha - soft spot at the base of the neck

Controls Creativity, communication and Self-expression

6. Ajna (Ag 'nya) - between the eyebrows

Controls all the faculties of the mind: intelligence, intellectual clarity, Imagination, memory, perception and concentration

7. Sahasrara - at the centre of the top of the head - In several traditions this is depicted as a halo atop the head. It is point of the highest energy/vibration in the body.

Responsible for the highest level of consciousness, also called Nirvana or total ecstasy or bliss.

Suffice it to say that we use less that 2% of the energy available in the body for our day to day activities. We can tap into another 2% by regular yoga practices and feel truly energised. Once the various Chakras are activated, strictly in the right way under the guidance of a Guru, we can derive benefits and a larger percentage of the life energy becomes available. 

DAY TWO and THREE

Day Two of the Inner Engineering began with learning of some preparatory asanas like

a) Patanga or Butterfly Asana - to activate the base of the spinal chord

b) Shishupala Asana or Rock the baby - again to activate the base of the spine

c) Naadi Vibhajan or Stretching Cat - Balancing your breath 

d) Surya namaskar - Complete body stretching with focus on the breath and conditioning the muscles

e) Shavaasana - arguably, the easiest, as you lie flat with hands and legs apart and relax for a few minutes after the strenuous set of asanas above. But herein lies the trick. While the asana seems simple in a physical sense, Shavaasana requires a lot of discipline and maybe even courage! Yes. you should really imagine that you are dead and you should see with your mental eye your soul floating outside your mortal body and go into a "no mind" state. if done well, you should go into a trancic state at least for a couple of seconds........

f) Preparatory steps for Shambavi Maha Mudra

DAY FOUR

This is the day of initiation into the supposedly powerful Shambavi Maha Mudra, a combination of breathing exercises, breath control, reciting the Aum and meditative relaxation. Shambavi according to Satguru is a 1000 year yogic tradition that has been passed on through generations of yogis and never shared with the general public till now. 

The preparatory asanas followed by the Shambavi is a step towards energising one's body and mind and take it to a higher level of awareness, compassion, control over emotions (see the Chakra effects above) and living life accepting every moment rather than brooding over the past or worrying about the future. Purportedly,  the benefits range from increased concentration, Energy levels, Inner peace, Balanced Emotions, and improved self confidence as one practices it over a period of time (you can google Shambavi Maha Mudra or go to http://www.ishayoga.org/program/isha-yoga-center/survey-result-shambhavi-mahamudra). 

Certainly, the health benefits of the various Asanas are a positive side effect. It can also be a start of a journey for those who would want to explore the supposedly infinite realm (of consciousness/awareness) that lies beyond what we perceive with our logical "scientific" mind everyday. Serious ones see it as using this body, mind and intellect gifted to us by Nature to peep into and even leap into a higher level of life.

Various other insights from the 3.5 day journey are

i) Most of Shanbavi is performed in Ardha Sidda asana - a squatting position where the left heel is pressing against the mooladhara or perineum (space between the legs, anal opening and the genitals) and the right leg left freely. This position allows one to remain static for a long time without the need for any bodily needs and is therefore ideal for meditation. 

ii) Our breath (inhalation/exhalation) has 3 parts to it - Predominant Right nostril (Pingala), Predominat Left Nostril (Ida) and balanced (Shushumna). Each has its attributes that control emotions, behaviour, self-confidence etc. Every 40 minutes or so, our breath changes between Pingala and Ida, unbeknownst to us!! Obviously, with exercises like pranayama, we can bring in balance (Shushumna) with significant benefits to our Body, Mind, Emotions and Energies.

iii) What we end up using as brain power is just 12%…. Yogic practices have striven to increase this to 25% and beyond…. you can imagine the level of Mental focus, multi-tasking ability, creativity, perception, intellectual capabilities when this happens.

iv) One uses only 24% of one's lung capacity for breathing. Increasing this to higher levels results in significant benefits to the Body, Mind, Emotions and Energies. (Basis of all yoga, I guess)

v) The mind is made up of the Conscious (2%), sub-conscious (2%), the unconscious (95%) and the Collective Unconscious as per science. Rig Veda, Buddha and Patanjali before him already spoke of these 4 states of the mind. Buddha also spoke of all matter being made of atoms and sub-atomic particles. Apparently, when one peeks into the unconscious, one can see all their past lives and even predict future events (The book Many Lives Many Masters by Dr. Brian Weiss comes to mind). Buddha apparently spoke of the 1600 lives he lived starting from a single cell organism to all life forms before being born as a human and eventually finding enlightenment.

The possibilities in the unconscious state are endless according to Buddha and one can create the entire universe if need be in that state (compare with the movie Inception where a whole city is built by the protagonist in his unconscious state).

vi) Quantum Physics speaks of the entire Universe as energy or vibration. The sound emanated by this vibration is Aaaaa-Uuuuuu-Mmmmm making up Aum or Om (in India), Amen in Christian Culture and Ameen in Islam. These three sounds activate the three chakras starting with Manipoora, Anahata and Vishuddha (see above). Quantum Mechanics also speaks of any system in the Universe having Creation, Maintenance and Destruction as a fundamental aspects. Apparently, this is what is personified as Brahma (Aaaaa), Vishnu (Uuuuu) and Siva (Mmmmm) by the scriptures. These three sounds are also the fundamental or basic sounds that one can make without the help of one's tongue. The tongue simply mixes these three basic sounds to create all types of sounds, akin to 3-colour system used in Colour Television or displays.

vii) Many participants spoke of anger in their life and other frustrations, misery and problems but said they could forget all that for these three days and be themselves and live the moment. 

Are you willing to take this journey or this leap of faith? Feel it is worth at least to enjoy the completely relaxing, rejuvenating environs of the scenic Isha Centre, at the foothills of the Velliangiri Hills, the tail of the Western Ghats…..

For others not able to make it to Coimbatore, Inner Engineering is offered in all major cities in India and a few cities worldwide as a one-week program (3 hrs each day of the week and with full day Sunday).

Its time for some Inner Engineering in your life…...