Sivananda Yoga FAQ

Q 1: I am in something of a dilemma due to the fact that I do not know what my aim in life is to be. I have been told that if I know this, I will find it easier to meditate. Could you tell me how to discover the answer to this?


A: The aim of Life is God-realization. To become one with Jesus is the goal of life. To transmute the brutal instincts and to become divine is the goal of life. If you control anger, eradicate selfishness and develop tolerance, compassion, selflessness, generosity, courage, forgiveness, you will become divine. Is selfishness good? No. So become selfless. Is greediness good? Is anger good? Is lust good? Is vanity good? These form the lower nature of man. So remove these and become selfless, generous, patient, tolerant, pure and humble. This is the goal.

Q 2: Kindly let me know the movements of the Kundalini. For instance, when Kundalini is awakened, how to take it to Sahasrara through the various Chakras and how to keep it at a particular Chakra. And how to bring the Kundalini back to Muladhara through the various Chakras?

A: You will have to take the Kundalini to the Sahasrara Chakra through the practice of Yoni Mudra. If you become absolutely desire-less, if the Vasanas are destroyed in total, Kundalini will ascend by itself without any effort, through the force of purity.
Kundalini will drop down by itself through the force of Prarabdha. It will stop at each Chakra by itself. You need not exert to fix it anywhere. It is better you stay under the proper guidance of a Yogi Guru to learn all these Yogic mysteries and secrets. Try to get ethical perfection before you attempt to awaken the Kundalini and take it to Sahasrara. When you are in the path and when you are sincerely doing Sadhana or Yogic practices, you yourself will know how to take the Kundalini from one Chakra to another. Refer to my book Kundalini Yoga for detailed instructions.

Q 3: Is this universe an accidental combination of jarring atoms? Please be kind enough to explain the evolution of the universe.

A: The Universe is not an accidental combination of atoms. The theory of evolution differs according to the different schools of philosophy. The most accepted view is the Universe is a systematic organic whole directed by a supremely intelligent and omnipotent Being behind it. From the relative standpoint, the Universe appears as a gradual unfoldment of the primordial matter into the visible gross effects, this matter being actuated by the all-pervading Consciousness Itself. The effects of this matter are, objectively, the five principles of sound, touch, form, taste and smell, giving rise to ether, air, fire, water and earth, and subjectively, the subconscious, the mind, the intellect, the ego, the sense-organs of perception and action, the vital energies and the physical body. All these effects appear as realities, though they are not so actually, because they are based on the one Reality which is the omnipresent Pure Consciousness. From the absolute standpoint, there is no substantial Universe at all, except the temporary external form taken by the fluctuating imagination of the mental consciousness within.

Cultivate the divine virtues such as purity, courage, humility, self-restraint, non-violence, truth, mercy, faith. – Sri Swami Sivananda