GLOSSARY

Arati
The daily performance of Arati is one of service and salutation to a saint or sacred image. Lights, incense and camphor are waved to the accompaniment of bells, drums and conch shells; followed by a traditional chant.

Avadhut
A saint who has transcended body-consciousness is not bound by ordinary social conventions. They exist in permanent, perfect integration and bliss. Their state of transcendance radiates from them like the sun, drawing others into their field of perfect harmony.

Ashram
An ashram is a sanctuary where all things external are directed towards empowering and deepening the experience of inner exploration and transformation.. Some ashrams are graced with the physical presence of a spiritual Master.

Baba
Literally means "father". Baba is a term of affection for a saint or holy man. On this site, Swami Muktananda Paramahamsa is "Baba".

Bhajan
In India, the Source and its Creatiion has inspired countless songs and verses. When sung, they elevate us into the heart of the original Creative experience - joy and satisfaction.

Brahmin
As the first caste of Hindu society, Brahmins have the responsibility for maintaining and communicating cultural tradition. From among their members come priests, scholars and teachers.

Guru
Literally, 'Gu'= Darkness or ignorance. 'Ru'= Illumination. Guru is therefore the spiritual Master who initiates and guides a seeker across the sea of Separation to the shore of Union and therefore, liberation. Guru is not simply the psycho/physical human form - the Model.
Guru is principally the function of Self Revelation through the power of grace. Direct and continuous contact with the Guru function within ourselves is both the practise and the goal of the Guru/Disciple relationship.
For the seeker who understands this, there is yet an intoxication, an inexpressible sweetness and desire to be close to one who perfectly embodies the Guru principle.

Kashmir Shaivism
This is a non-dual philosophy. It recognises the entire creation as the manifestation of a singular, divine consciousness or Shiva.
Kashmir Shaivism explains how the formless, static Shiva manifests its Self as the Many, through the agency of its dynamic energy, called Shakti. The authoritative scripture of Kashmir Shaivism is the SHIVA SUTRAS ( The Yoga of Supreme Identity).

Kundalini
Literally means the 'coiled one". Like the earth, the body has two magnetic poles; one in the crown, the other situated near the base of the spine and called, Kundalini. Kundalini has the unique property of recognising and responding to the perfectly aligned energy of a Siddha Master. Thus 'awakened', it begins a spontaneous and irresistable inner journey through the six energy centres of the body, towards its counterpart in the crown.
In most people the journey is not direct. There are obstacles which will, inevitably be cleared by the passage of Kundalini. When Kundalini achieves Union, the seeker experiences the ecstasy of Liberation.

Mahamandaleshwar
One who is called Mahamandaleshwar, has been elevated by his peers, to the highest level of traditional, Hindu spiritual guardianship.
Today, India has 80 Mahamandaleshwars who carry on the work begun by Adi Shankaracharya, 1200 years ago.

Mala
A Mala is a string of beads used as an aid for mantra repetition. Depending on the nature of the beads, a Mala can also protect the one who wears it.

Mantra
Mantra is a sound or set of sounds which mirror both our Source and the original movements of creation. It therefore has the unique power to bypass the chaos of our physical, emotional and mental movements and restore us to a state of pristine harmony.
Mantra Yoga is traditionally regarded as a complete and perfect yoga path. Its utter simplicity belies an awesome profundity and joy.

Muktananda
Literally; 'mukta' (freedom) 'ananda' (bliss)
On this site, 'Muktananda' is the name of Swami Nityananda's Guru.

Nityananda
Literally; 'nitya' (eternal). 'ananda' (bliss).
On this site, 'Nityananda' is the name of Baba Muktananda's Guru, Bhagawan Nityananda and Muktananda's co-successor, Mahamandaleshwar, Swami Nityananda.

Om
'Om' is the primal sound or vibration from which the entire universe constantly emanates. It is the sound of creative departure and return. It is thus the essence of all Mantra.
The sounding of 'Om' is the beginning of a transformative process which delivers us to a state of awareness enabling us to actually experience identity with the supreme Creative Principle.

Satsang
Broadly speaking, Satsang is a meeting of devotees (yoga practitioners) for the purpose of chanting, meditation and the study of relevent classical yoga texts.
In a deeper sense, Satsang is about energising the fundamental Guru/Disciple relationship. In a world where the predominant focus of attention is 'out there', Satsang provides an environment which affirms the practise of looking within.

Shakti
(also known as Chiti, Chit Shakti, Kundalini)
Shakti is the Creative Principle and its expression.
Through her power. she continuously projects, maintains and dissolves the universe. Traditionally Shakti is spoken of as female, because she brings to birth all things. But gender and personality are just two of her numerous veils. Shakti is in Reality not separate from the Absolute. Because she is both Creation and Source, She is a perfect means to Liberation.

Siddha
A Siddha is one who has achieved perfect and permanent identity with the Source of all.
Their gift is transformation. As an embodiment of grace, a Siddha can initiate and lead others to Liberation, the state of a Siddha.
Kundalini is the agent of Siddha Yoga, which encompasses all the great Yoga Paths. The Yoga of the Siddhas is lateral. Unexpected. It is spontaneous, and individual to each person. The seeker's role is one of focussed intelligence, awareness, acceptance and appreciation of the Master's dynamic gift.

Swami
'Swami' is the title given to one who has taken the vow of renunciation, and thus become a monk, or sannyasi in one of the traditional Hindu Orders.

Upanishads
These are the teachings of the ancient Indian Sages. Their central statement is that the Self of a human being is the same as Brahman, the Absolute or Supreme Consciousness.
The goal of life, according to the Upanishads, is realisation of this Identiy.

Vedas
These are the four ancient, authoritative and revealed Hindu scriptures of India. They are Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharva Veda.

Vedanta
This is a philosophical school founded by Badarayana. It contains the teachings of the Upanishads and investigates the nature and relationship of the Absolute, the World and the Self.

Yajna
A Yajna is a ritual of transformation. Its central metaphor is fire, the traditional means for both external and internal purification. Each Yajna has a Divine Character as its patron. Through the agency of ritual offerings to the fire and the Deity, participants experience a powerful and direct relationship to the Supreme Consciousness within themselves.