Sutras: HRIDAYA (Apocrypha)

The first issue of the esoteric magazine obliges
us to clarify its title and the mission that it has been designed to
fulfil. It is wholly contained in one beautiful and simple word: HRIDAYA. I hope that this magazine will attract the attention of all CHELA: disciples, aspirers and students of yoga, so that they can follow this path of Eternal Wisdom together. The root HRID
means sort of eternal, deeply hidden dimension of the heart and the
soul, a dimension of something that is the core and essence of the
human being. One can say that it is a Secret Lotos inside the heart,
the very source from which flows the force that revives the human being
in all his aspects. |

The Venerable One! The one who is reading this
work! It does not serve the purpose of reading, but the purpose of
meditating upon. Each thought is a signpost that shows the way to the
Light of the Self. These are the words that my Spiritual Master and
Leader, Guru and Friend in one person (Swami Baba Shivananda G. P.)
said to me once... |

What is the essence of the process of giving and
receiving the initiation? What profundity is hidden in it? Undoubtedly
it is a blessing, one that appears in four inter-related, or blended
forms. Initiation is a blessing given by a spiritual leader
(Hierophant), it is a blessing bestowed by the Spiritual Leader of the
School, i.e. The Teacher of the World: Mahadguru (Pir-o-Murshid). What
is more, it is a blessing from the Entire Spiritual Hierarchy, i.e.
from all the Masters, Saints and Prophets (from the Entire White
Confraternity). Last but not least, it is a blessing given by God: one
flowing from the Highest Being... |

If you carefully study the whole textbook of Patanjali, entitled "Yogasutra",
you will notice that the classical collection of teachings on pursuing
the path is divided into four parts or series of teachings. It turns
out that all traditions and spiritual schools, starting with Egypt and
ending with India, divided the entirety of their teachings and
practices into four series. When you realise that the beginning is at
the beginning and the end is at the end, the classification of stages
appearing on the path will reveal itself to you... |

(Yoga Sutra I, 5-11) Now let us proceed with the study of the first anga, i. e. class in the studies of yoga. It is going to be a path containing verses or aphorisms from the fifth to the eleventh, inclusive of the last one. We will get to know the basic concepts of literature relating to yoga and we will try to probe into them and experience what messages they convey... |

The entire abundance of the meanings of yoga is contained in very
simple and essential words. The tradition conveys four systems or
aspects of practising yoga as a whole. They are hidden in four words:
HATHA, BHAKTI, DJNANA and RAJA. I hope that these words do ring a bell.
They are worth perceiveing as the aspects of one and only YOGA... |

Thank you for your eagerness in pursuing the eternal goal, as thanks to this PASSION in Your heart further issues of the "Hridaya" bulletin may continue to be published. If You are interested in any subjects, please write to the author of the esoteric lessons. This time I would like to say a few words about the White Confraternity and Yoga. |

Today we are going to deal with the First Great Initiation. Preparation
for this initiation is contained in the series of practices belonging
to the First Class of Yoga. Brief Mystical Clues on this work are
included in the first chapter of Patanjali's textbook known under the
title "Yogasutra". Consequently, it describes what we usually do, i.e.
SAMADHI-PADAH. |

Laya is primarily the PATH OF ABSORPTION. The Higher Self, the divine
material element, absorbs the substance of ego, transforming the entire
material projection into a subtle shape which is a perfect reflection
(image) of the Ideal Human Being (PURUSHA). VIVEKA, MUMUKSHU, VIRAGA. Mantra Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga |

I would like to thank all those who suggested that I discuss this
marvellous Topic. I hope that it will prove useful to all people who
practise on the Path. Teachers continue to focus on the importance of
constant practising. Let me quote a few points that are important, or
the most important, and strongly emphasised in all Spiritual Schools. |
