The Mantra Sat Nam

Sat Nam is a mantra commonly used in Kundalini Yoga and amongst its practicioners. It is frequently repeated three times at the end of a yoga session. But what is the importance of Sat Nam, what does it mean.

I’ve heard the following interpretations for Sat Nam via my Kundalini Yoga instructors:

• Truth is my identity
• My identiy is Truth
• My True Self
• Truth is our identity

It has been called the process of naming ones self Truth. It can be used similar to Namaste, (the divine in me aknowledges and pays tribute to the divine in you.) Where the “Truth” is the divine.

Being one who likes to get to “Source” info, I decided to do some further research into the nature of Sat Nam. I made an assumption that Sanskrit is a rather root dialect and that “Sat Nam” in Sanskrit would provide supplemental information on the nature of Sat Nam.

I found this Sanskrit Dictionary, and looked up the words, Sat and Nam.

Sat

1. being
2. real
3. that which really exists
4. the real existent truth

I’ve seen it written that Sat means Be, or more apprpriately Be-ness. Which would be the essence of being. (HPB’s Secret Doctorine) I suspect some careful analysis would find an interesting correlation between Be-ness and emptiness. (For those of Buddhist faith)

but onward to Nam.

1. To bow
2. To submit or subject oneself

And so one is bowing to Truth, to Be-ness the essence of being.

And the active interpretation of Sat Nam emerges.

Sat Nam

H~

Mantras are words, or a series of words spoken/chanted internally or verbally.  It is said that the universe and all MANifestation is built upon sound, and thus the power of mantras vibrates forth.  In the beginning there was the WORD… 

Mantras are used in Yoga in order to invoke a specific state of mind or being.  There is actually a yogic sciene in proper expression of mantras, when a person generates a sound their tongue is placed across varying locations of their upper pallet.  These locations correspond to meridians, or energy focal points, which in turn correspond to a humans larget energetic system as a whole.  By pressing the right combination of locations on ones mouth one is able to stimulate the proper energy paths in order to bring about the desired, or specific state of being. 

(I always find it interesting to speak about “desired” states of being, when the path to enlightenment requires the relinquishment of desires.  I often question the desire to be enlightened, but I digress)

Another perspective on mantra is that they invoke a specific energy pattern to be brought upon the yogic practicioner.  The repetition of this energy pattern, let’s say devotion, or Union with God, provides the proper inertia for that state of being to be carried on throughout ones day.

The power of words is a power to be mindful of indeed.

All definitions here are based on my understanding, learning and reading of Kundalini and other Yoga related texts, classes and websites.

I invite the Kundalini Yoga experts in the community to ellaborate on what I have presented here, and thus further the learning experience for visitors.

Pranayama takes it root from, prana life force energy.  Pranayama is breathing, or more specifically the yoga science of breathing.  By practicing pranayama one brings in the vital life force energy that is necessary for life.

By mindfully focusing on the breath one is able to release the tension of the day to day struggles and dwell in peace.  Specific breathing patterns can add specific enhancements to ones kundalini yoga practice.

In Kundalini Yoga there are several forms of pranayama, such as:

• Long deep breathing- the most basic essential type
• Breath of fire- very swift, light long deep breathing through the nose
• Alternate nostril breathing- for cooling, or energizing purposes and balance
• O breath breathing
• Lions breath

There are others as well, but these form the basis of many.

It is said that energy follows thought.  It can be said that thought follows the breath.

Alice Bailey, in Light of the Soul- The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali- brings in interpretation from Johnson that states Pranayama is more specifically “Control of Prana” and not necessarily the breath.  Many practicioners of Yoga correlate pranayama to breath control because breath control is one means to “physically” control prana.  There are other means of prana control as well and thus additional types of Pranayama.

All definitions here are based on my understanding, learning and reading of Kundalini and other Yoga related texts, classes and websites.

I invite the Kundalini Yoga experts in the community to ellaborate on what I have presented here, and thus further the learning experience for visitors.

Prana has been defined as life force energy.  Some alternative terms from other belief systems may be chi, or qi.  It is the energy that flows through our being.  As one works with their chakra energy systems the ability to sense the prana flowing through becomes more profound.

Feeling the force (prana) flow can be a form of meditation.

All definitions here are based on my understanding, learning and reading of Kundalini and other Yoga related texts, classes and websites.

I invite the Kundalini Yoga experts in the community to ellaborate on what I have presented here, and thus further the learning experience for visitors.

A chakra is defined as a wheel, or vortex of energy.  There are seven primary chakras that flow through a human’s energetic system.  The chakras have been called “windows to the soul” this is because they provide humans with subtle connections into soul consciousness.  It is through the seven energy centers that vitality pulses throughout our system energizing many of our physical, emotional and mental states.

By removing blockages within our chakras we are able to remove blockages within our lives.  We can discover our true self, and purpose in life.  And in that discovery live to our fullest expression and potential.

All definitions here are based on my understanding, learning and reading of Kundalini and other Yoga related texts, classes and websites.

I invite the Kundalini Yoga experts in the community to ellaborate on what I have presented here, and thus further the learning experience for visitors.

 

Define: Kundalini

Kundalini is defined as a lock of hair, of the beloved.  It is said that the Kundalini lies dormant at the base of the spine (1st chakra.)  This represents the feminine aspect of the divine, or shakti.

Through spiritual practice and Kundalini Yoga the dormant Kundalini energy is invited to flow up from the base of the spine, along the chakras, up to the crown chakra, where the feminine aspect is united with Shiva, the masculine aspect of the divine.  Thus polarity is achieved and balance across the centers is attained.

Kundalini energy is strongly associated with fire and heat.  Given that it travels along an energetic path, some would also liken it to electricity.

All definitions here are based on my understanding, learning and reading of Kundalini and other Yoga related texts, classes and websites.

I invite the Kundalini Yoga experts in the community to ellaborate on what I have presented here, and thus further the learning experience for visitors.