Shailendra Sharma
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Shailendra Sharma is a kriya yoga[1] guru - the fifth guru in the lineage of the great immortal yogi guru, Mahavatar Babaji.[2]
Shailendra was born on July 10, 1957 in Bhopal, India in a family of a respected judge. Since childhood Shailendra adored reading and used to read any book he could find at home or borrow from his friends. In 1978 he graduated from college in Gwalior with a Master’s degree in Political Science. Then he passed all the exams necessary to join Indian Army, but at the last moment, to his relatives’ great surprise and indignation, Shailendra decided to refuse military service. The fact is that at that very time several of his relatives suddenly died. These events influenced Shailendra deeply.
For several years Shailendra was wandering around India in search of a guru to teach him the original kriya yoga.
At last, in 1982, Shailendra met Satyacharan Lahiri, the grandson of the founder of kriya yoga Lahiri Mahasaya[3], who got the knowledge directly from Mahavatar Babaji. And again the techniques the guru taught him seemed to Shailendra very familiar, as if earlier he had already known them. His own practice was advancing fast and successfully, and in just two years he became a guru and a successor of Satyacharan Lahiri.
Soon in 1984 Shailendra experienced his first samadhi[4], the confluence of individual consciousness and the cosmic absolute. Then Mahavatar Babaji[5] appeared and taught him certain breathing techniques, pranayamas[6].
Shailendra later wrote commentaries on Bhagvad Gita, Yoga Darshan, and Shiv Sutras. Shailendra came to Govardhan in 1993. He has been residing at the royal cremation grounds (Chhatris) of the Rajas of Bharatpur ever since. This place is highly mystical and unique. Here he found a natural Shiva Lingam and installed it on the cremation site of a late Raja. He works out at the gym, reads American comics among other things, and meets his disciples and visitors every afternoon.
His discoveries regarding Mother Earth, the consciousness of the Time and the Void, the mysteries of Samadhi, and the mechanics of karma have paved the way towards an understanding of the very mysteries of creation.
Life and Teachings
editShailendra Sharma is a unique and imaginative philosopher whose perspectives on awareness, the environment, and human nature stem from his revelations obtained through yoga practice. His thoughts are precisely articulated in his interpretations of Hinduism's fundamental sacred scriptures, but are not limited to these works.
Individuals who approach Shailendra Sharma, whether they are his disciples seeking to share their own personal practice experiences or truth-seekers from around the world, receive insightful answers to a range of questions - both personal and universal - through engaging in discussions with him over a cup of tea, a common occurrence in his home at the Govardhan Hill.
The Path To Discipleship
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Shailendra Sharma, a spiritual teacher in India, explains how he chooses his disciples. He accepts anyone who approaches him with sincere questions and a genuine desire to learn. In Indian culture, it is believed that a guru's greatest reward is when their disciples progress further than they have. This is because a guru's success depends on the training they provide to their disciples. A father will also be happiest when their son surpasses them. Shailendra clarifies that he doesn't consider himself the only real guru, but is simply there to help and to share techniques with his disciples.
He emphasizes that he doesn't want followers, but rather people who will journey with him. Shailendra Sharma is not a prophet and is only responsible for those he has initiated. He and his disciples do not aim to create a new religion, but simply follow a certain discipline. He believes that a disciple should surpass their guru in everything and hopes that every disciple will do so. This, he explains, is the ultimate fulfillment of being a guru. He doesn't want followers because they create mental barriers, and instead wants his disciples to challenge him in everything.
Shailendra Sharma never asks his disciples to do anything for him, as he would rather have friends. He believes that disciples and gurus should be friends and share secrets. He also notes that he never says anything first, but instead waits for questions. He believes that the more someone becomes aware of something, the more different their questions will be. He never preaches, but teaches, and adjusts his answers based on the mental level of the person asking the question. He explains that the goal is to reach the person's mental level and give an answer that they can easily understand, while also pushing their mental level so they can understand deeper meanings.
Shailendra Sharma also comments on the common practice in India of seeking a guru or baba to remove one's worldly problems. He acknowledges that only a few people are truly interested in spiritual advancement and mental progress. Nevertheless, he is in a good mood most of the time because many good seekers come to him as students. Being a guru, he explains, is a big responsibility, but it is also a good feeling. He is happy that many good seekers come to him for guidance.
Khechari Mudra
editKhechari Mudra is a key condition of Kriya practice; it is called "the King of mudras." Hatha Yoga Pradipika says, "There is no mudra higher than Khechari. The direct translation of Khechari means - 'kha' which means 'space', and 'chari' which means 'movement'. So it means 'movement into the space'.
There are several stages of mastering Khechari Mudra. It starts from "swallowing of the tongue", then comes the installation of the breath flow in Sushumna (central channel, connecting brain and nervous system), and stopping of the breath (Kevala Kumbhaka). The finishing stage is the state of Unmani, where the mind is absorbed in its original cause
Khechari Mudra is actually the beginning of Kriya.Between Vishuddha and Ajna Chakra there is space, which should be bridged by taking the tongue inside.
This is the first stage of Khechari. Without it Sushumna does not exist: it is disconnected and is in two parts. For this reason, the beginning practices of Kriya Yoga do not include a number of pranayams and bandhas. They will not work without the locked tongue in Khechari, or they can even do some damage. After Sushumna is locked, the next stage - the awakening of the subtle body, starts.
References
edit- ^ "Kriya Yoga school", Wikipedia, 2024-05-25, retrieved 2024-07-04
- ^ "Mahavatar Babaji", Wikipedia, 2024-07-04, retrieved 2024-07-04
- ^ "Lahiri Mahasaya", Wikipedia, 2024-05-31, retrieved 2024-07-04
- ^ "Samadhi", Wikipedia, 2024-05-28, retrieved 2024-07-04
- ^ "Mahavatar Babaji", Wikipedia, 2024-07-04, retrieved 2024-07-04
- ^ "Pranayama", Wikipedia, 2024-05-19, retrieved 2024-07-04