Laya Yoga is a vehicle of spiritual growth originating from the spiritual tradition of the Himalayan lineage of succession. It is a gift from the Sages of the mountains and contains the wisdom of the Great Mountain Spirit. Master Śiva, known as the King of Yogis, and his consort, Goddess Parvati, known as the Guardian of Tantra, stand at the forefront of the entire lineage of the Himalaya tradition.
The term Layah means dissolution, the melting away of all conditioning and limitations formed through various events and experiences throughout human life. The barriers of conditioned existence gradually dissolve until the soul sees the enlightening dawn of freedom and salvation (Kaivalya). Layah means to absorb or dissolve. Yoga means union or reconciliation. Laya Yoga is reconciliation through dissolution. It can be described as the yoga of absorbing dissolution into the Spirit of God.
Laya Yoga is a form of yoga where Unity, the Supreme Union, also known as samadhi, is achieved through the process of laya, which can be expressed in the Sufi term fana or the Buddhist nirvana. One could say that laya means deep concentration (focus), gradually dissolving the material ego structures into the pure power of the Supreme Consciousness. Laya is the process of gradually absorbing the essential energies that make up our material being so that Consciousness (Ćittam) is freed (liberated, saved) from everything non-spiritual, revealing the divine enlightening power of the Pure Spirit. It can be said that consciousness absorbed in focus on God, immersed in the Spirit, gradually absorbs this essence until everything non-spiritual falls away and annihilates itself, leaving the indestructible being of the Eternal Spirit, the true substance and essence (Sain) of the human Being (Nara).
Dikshan—initiation into Laya Yoga—means establishing a connection between the human spirit clothed in a body and the Eternal Supreme and Holy Spirit of God, Brahman, who remains without a body. The energy of initiation is the flow of the breath of the Spirit of God and reconciliation with God in Spirit. It facilitates focusing on Spirit and Truth as well as authentic spiritual, inspired prayer. It can be said that initiation is always a baptism in the Holy Spirit performed for the practice of spiritual dissolution into God.
The Ancient Spiritual School, known as the “Order of Mystery” or “Path of Absorption”, is based on the teachings and practices of Laya Yoga handed down in very ancient times by Lord Śiva to his disciples and devotees known as chelas. Chohan (Lord) Śiva established twelve lines of yoga transmission in total, which form complete and comprehensive systems of teaching and practice across all phases of the spiritual path of human development. Laya Yoga is a lineage upheld by great Mahatmas from an Ashram located in the Himalayan valley.
The Laya system is one of the four main so-called Great Spiritual Paths, alongside Mantra, Hatha, and Raja Yoga. It is thus one of the four principal forms of the yogic path that exist and can be practised in this Dark Age, known as Kali Yuga. It is also worth mentioning that Lord Śiva referred to these four yoga systems as MAHA YOGA when fundamental elements of them are practised collectively. Essentially, what we offer as a public introduction to yoga is, in its essence, Maha Yoga (the Great Yoga), and it can be further elaborated into one of the Great Spiritual Paths. Of course, the Brotherhood prefers the Eternal Path of Absorption (Laya Yoga).
The lineage or spiritual tradition from which Laya Yoga originates is called HIMALAYA, more precisely Himalaya Tirtha Sangha. The seven-step path (marga) of spiritual growth dissolving into the immeasurable grace of the ocean of mercy of the supreme God forms the foundation of the entire spirituality of the GURU succession (Spiritual Guides), who pass on one of the most ancient and esoteric forms of yogic teaching. Traditionally, the leaders of the entire line of transmission and its forms are Guru Śiva (the Benevolent), more often known through his numerous emanations as the Honourable Father, Babaji, and his consort known as Devi Parvati (Daughter of the Mountain, i.e., the venerable Mahatma Himavat). Aćaryas consecrated through spiritual transmission form the pillars of yoga teaching as the messengers or apostles of this Vedic Laya Yoga lineage.
All Hindu and Tibetan yogas draw from this source of the finest heavenly nectar. In its essence, YOGA as a spiritual path predates the Hindu tradition, which emerged only in the 7th century CE! Laya Yoga can be called the yoga of absorption (dissolution) into the consciousness of the Great Spirit, Light, and Life. Guru Śiva, the head of the entire yogic teaching lineage, is also called Father, Baba, and more often Master Father, which sounds like Wale Baba. Guru Śiva lived and walked the earth just like you, around 10–12 thousand years before our era. That is how ancient the yoga teachings he discovered and founded together with his consort Devi Parvati are. He directly teaches only a few, most often Arhats, while remaining a spiritual patron for all yoga adepts and practitioners. The abstract concept of Śiva (Divine Grace) defining the supreme spiritual being of the universe is distinguished here from the name of the yogi living on earth, whom we call Guru Śiva! The Absolute is more often referred to as Paramśiva!
Bodhidharma, who brought Vedic teachings to China via Tibet, brought exactly the teachings and practices of the ancient yogis, including the Śaivite martial art kalaripayattu, later known as Shaolin. Gautama Buddha also practised yoga; through yoga, he attained enlightenment and proposed yoga as a universal path to liberation and salvation for human beings. The so-called Tibetan Buddhist schools to this day, ironically, refer to themselves as schools of Tibetan Yoga practice, and the term Buddhism is unknown there. Buddha is revered as a yogi who achieved perfect holiness in enlightening awakening. In essence, the yoga practised in all Buddhist schools is mainly based on Mantrayana methods and the Raja Yoga system.
Tantra – Love Relationships and Prosperity
Tantra literally means “shedding primitiveness” or “refinement,” and Laya Yoga has its tantric variant of practice. The term Tantra is synonymous with the concept of Magic, particularly in the field of shaping human love relationships and life success, which in practice means effective prosperity. In the teachings of Laya Yoga, Tantra occupies a prominent place as it effectively deals with resolving the problems and troubles of everyday human life. The sages have called Tantra the Art of Living, and today tantric training appears under names such as Psychosynthesis, Transpersonal Psychology, Rebirthing, Regressing, the Art of Living, Psychoeducation Laboratory, Life Schools, Prosperity Courses, Awareness of Abundance, Love Relationships, Art of Affirmation, Spiritual Culture, A Course in Miracles, Management, Spiritual Dance, Positive Thinking, Creative Visualization, Assertiveness, Creativity, and similar. All these courses and training programs are introductions to some aspect of the knowledge and practice of our ancient Tantra, which is the true Magic of Life.
Tantra encompasses practical knowledge on how to live and function in the world among people, how to create successful intimate and loving relationships, how to find life love, and how to create conditions for decent human life, prosperity, success, income, and happiness. Creatively and effectively arranging one’s material and life matters, solving problems, and eliminating psychological suffering is undoubtedly a good beginning for any spiritual life, regardless of religion or worldview. Today, we hear of Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim (Sufi), Jewish, and Christian Tantra. Jewish Tantra, known as Kabbalah, is particularly effective in the field of prosperity, wealth, and abundance, and implementing the appropriate principles of conduct always yields the desired results.
Human beings have the right to Love, the right to Prosperity, and the right to creatively fulfil themselves in life in their chosen field—be it science, art, religion, work, technology, artistry, or others. Knowing one’s Self (Atman) and fulfilling oneself in life is the Vedic art of Self-Realization and Self-Accomplishment. Living by the principle of Love becomes the driving force for a person’s realization in their individual life. Intimate love in a chosen relationship and the sanctity of every sexual act, Love and Friendship in the human Brotherhood, successful and loving activity ensuring success in profitable Ventures (Prosperity), and opening up to the dimension of spiritual art and creation—all herald the birth of a New Social Spiritual Culture known as the Community of the Age of Aquarius, emerging amidst pain and dark adversity. The principle of Love for All is slowly but inevitably becoming the foundation, the fundamental Law of Operation for every New, Reborn Human Being of the Future.
Removing fears, self-acceptance, being here and now, harmony with others, respect for life and creatures, building peace and brotherhood—these are the activities of people across various fields of activity on our planet. Tantra offers simple and effective tools for cleansing humans of anger, worries, problems, and anxieties, eliminating phobias and demonic threats of the old civilization of the Piscean Age based on feudal coercion and terror. New societies will move away from feudal and feudal-parliamentary structures, building fully timocratic communities where everyone will have a direct voice in managing society, and human values will be founded on the authority of authentic Spiritual Guides, Gurus of humanity, who truly see the purpose and destiny of the human race.
Freeing humanity from all complexes and guilt syndromes, mostly induced and instilled by a sick environment, especially guilt syndromes in the realm of sexual life and the right to wealth, seems to be the primary priority of any therapeutic activity in society. Various phobias such as a sense of threat, delusions of sinfulness associated with sex, poverty and inferiority complexes, the syndrome of a submissive and subjugated sheep—or rather a ram incapable of independent and creative existence—sick, authoritarian parental power with a feudal structure leading to the destruction of the individual, lack of spiritual and moral values in society—all these are subjects of interest and comprehensive therapy, transformation, and purification in the simple and accessible exercises of Laya Tantra.
The Art of Affirmation and changing thought patterns, the magic of thought, visualization, and prayer are effective tools for designing one’s destiny, changing conditions, and improving one’s existence for every human being. Breathing exercises and simple sound vibrations allow effective cleansing of humans from their complexes, phobias, and inhibitions so that they can live life to its fullest.
Laya Marga – The Path of Absorption
Laya Marga, the Seven-Step Path (Marga) of spiritual growth, dissolves one into the immeasurable Grace (Kripa) of the ocean of mercy of the Supreme God through the succession of masters in the transmission lineage. The process of laya is the dissolution of the physical nature (virat) into the vast space of spirit, into the emptiness of the cosmic infinity (mahakaśa). The Great Holy Spirit of God is the constant aspiration of all the seekers of the laya path, also called chela, which means disciple. Laya Yoga can be called the path of absorption into the consciousness of the Great Spirit (Brahman, Paramatman, Paramśiva). Seven successive stages of discipleship are connected with seven centres of spiritual energy called ćakras. The process of inner transformation at each stage corresponds to the rhythm of each adept’s life, marking successive vehicles to the goal, each moving at an increasingly faster pace.
Laya Yoga is usually known for its deeply esoteric teachings about ćakras, centres of subtle energy, and the powers of the soul (self). Laya Yoga as a whole is a vehicle of spiritual growth, originating from the spiritual tradition of the Himalayan lineage of succession. It is a gift from the Sages of the mountains and contains the wisdom of the Great Mountain Spirit. The great Rishis (Sages) cultivate this path of absorption into the Grace of the Guru. Master Śiva, known as the Lord of Yogis, and his consort, Goddess Parvati, known as the Guardian of Tantra, stand at the forefront of the entire lineage of the Himalaya tradition. The practice of Laya Yoga encompasses a vast wealth of contemplation on the beauty of nature and many mysteries connected with angels—the spirits of nature. The foremost angel of God overseeing the harmony of life in nature and the development of all forms of life is Rudradeva. It is worth remembering that most healing occurs through the opening of the heart to the healing powers of the soul living as nature. Everything God created is good for us, for He created nothing evil. Hence, yogic practices harmonizing with the forces of nature bring us goodness, are beneficial for us, and often serve as the only divine remedy.
All yogic teaching and practice elements can be found on the laya path within the Himalaya tradition. The path also includes the so-called Secret Four-Step Laya Yoga. This is the practice of the aspirants of the Swami Order, who have already completed the work of the Seven Vehicles toward the Great Spirit. The laya yoga path can be understood through the Four Pillars of Practice, known as Laya Vajra. Here are the basic pillars of this yoga:
- Vairagya – freedom and detachment;
- Abhyasa – constant, regular practice; the self of the heart;
- Śraddha – faith and fidelity, trust and confidence;
- Virya – strength, power, energy, and vigour!
As can be easily noticed, spiritual freedom is the foundation of esoteric spiritual training from the very basics of Laya Yoga. The highest yoga class, Kaivalya Pada, is also a path of freedom. Yoga liberates from all bondage, especially from the enslavement found in dark sectarian pseudo-religious movements, which easily become mass and societal phenomena. Salvation, liberation, and, therefore, spiritual freedom are the alpha and omega of Laya Yoga. Any training discipline is merely a means for refining the mind and body, transforming emotions, purifying the subconscious reservoir, and ultimately achieving spiritual liberation.
The path is marked by successive stages. Seven successive initiations reveal the spiritual work within the Himalayan tradition, or if preferred, Vaidika Laya Yoga.
- Sadhana, also called Mansa Yoga, involves exercises of healing breath, work with sound (mantra), and visualization of light or contemplation of the beauty of nature as the basis for inner transformation. This stage can be summarized with the word “Apprehensive,” as it reflects the state of a person seeking help and solutions to their problems through yoga exercises. Mansa Yoga is otherwise known as the Integral Healing of the Human Mind. Laya Sadhana includes exercises for harmony in life. The first lesson of Laya Yoga aims to remove the stains of chaos and unrest from the mind. It is training in mental improvement and emotional transformation. The initial exercises address emotional problems and awaken the mental powers dormant in our minds, stimulated by the Divine Light and Love pouring from the depths of the soul, from the true self. Spiritual awakening in daily life, healing one’s life, and removing the root of fear from material existence to build the strength of faith is the essence of the first practice stage in the Order of Mystery (Laya Sangha), a secular community of laya practitioners.
- Abhyasa – the second stage of practice described as “Observant.” Establishing oneself in the self of the heart. Refuges, vows, and offerings characterize this stage, where the primary motive of practice is the search for God and spiritual growth in general. Constancy and regularity in practice are extremely important, as is strict adherence to the teacher’s instructions.
- Prajna-sadhana – the search for wisdom encapsulated in the word “Knocking,” as in knocking on the doors of wisdom and spiritual knowledge within the human self. Jnana Yoga of the sages, who are also known as Rishis (Sufi). In this lesson, the ideal of spiritual devotion and adoration emerges as the key to the chamber of wisdom.
- Prajna-abhyasa – is the central yoga connecting the Seven-Step path according to the chakras with the Twelve-Step path according to the heart. This vehicle operates through the heart centre and develops the Wisdom of realizing one’s Soul (Purusha). The word “Listening” encapsulates this vehicle of ascension. Harmony with the Universal Law.
- Kriya-sadhana – here, the leading note is the inward withdrawal of consciousness from the external world and listening to the vibrations of the sound of the spirit. The word “Reminding” aptly describes the fundamental activity of the adept of this vehicle. The Spirit reminds one of everything in due time. The practice of this First Kriya Yoga mainly includes exercises called sthula kriya.
- Kriya-abhyasa – here, the adept engages in a practice known as Kriya Śaktipat, which is the grace of the guru of the lineage, the all-grace of God. Much can be said and understood through the keyword: “Transforming.” This is the work of transforming the seeds of the past. We call this practice the Second Kriya Yoga, and it mainly includes exercises called sukshma kriya and subtle kriyas.
- Samnyasa – encapsulated in the word “Knight”, refers to the vehicle of the most intense transformations based on the practice of renunciation and detachment. Unceasing Dhyana, or contemplation of the flow of the Great Spirit, is the practice of aspirants dissolving into the Rainbow Light. Burning all past karma. The fundamental work is intense Mahasadhana, the Great Practice of Self-Sacrifice.
SAMADHI MAHALAYA – There is one goal of all systems of spiritual practice, though the methods may differ greatly. The way of achieving samadhi—the goal of all yoga—is called Mahalaya in the Himalayan tradition, meaning Great Absorption, dissolution into the Rainbow Body, and union with God. Bhavana (Nirvana), Dharmamegha, and ultimately, Mahasandhi are the three successive stages of ultimate dissolution into the infinity of the Great Spirit. The end of the path is ascension to the Heavens, following the example of Śiva, Enoch, Elijah, Jesus, Padmasambhava, and other great Divine Yogis. One practices the Third Kriya Yoga to achieve infinity, more precisely termed Laya Kriya. This is the subject of practice in the Secret Laya Yoga, also known as Kandha Yoga. Following the Teacher (Acharya) allows for mastering increasingly profound and intense vehicles of initiatory practices. All this is achieved through loving and wilful inner development, following the Himalaya Guru.
While cultivating Laya Yoga, it is also worth remembering the principles of liberating, salvific action, which are fundamentally based on working with joy and devotion for the Almighty God. Working with joy and satisfaction is the fundamental condition for the growth of prosperity. When you devote yourself to working for God with joy, He, in His all-encompassing grace, provides you with everything necessary for life. This wisdom constitutes the guiding thread of the tantric course of spiritual prosperity and is often the basis of personal and spiritual happiness and fulfilment in life. Many exercises serve as aids in implementing this simple principle in life. Offer your deeds to the only Good that exists, and He will bless you with Grace.
The Himalaya Master
