# Yoga Kundali Upanishad  ## Metadata - Author: [[Swami Satyadharma Saraswati and Ruth Perini (Srimukti)]] - Full Title: Yoga Kundali Upanishad - Category: #books ## Highlights - Only disciples were chosen, who had persevered in sādhana catuṣṭaya, the four kinds of spiritual effort, viz. viveka (discrimination between the permanent and impermanent), vairagya (non-attachment), ṣadsampatti ( six virtues of serenity, self-control, withdrawal of the senses, endurance, perfect concentration and strong faith) and mumukṣutva (intense desire for liberation). ([Location 140](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07PRD9SRF&location=140)) - Vāsanās are the deep rooted desires, which we carry with us over many lifetimes. ([Location 299](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07PRD9SRF&location=299)) - In the absence of prāṇa, there can be no life, no thought, no action. Therefore, the two causes of citta are vāsanā and prāṇa. Both must work together in order to fulfil the purpose and destiny of each individual. It is an important tenet of yoga that, if one of these two can be eliminated, then the other will also be destroyed. ([Location 308](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07PRD9SRF&location=308)) - When the body and mind remain still, suṣumnā, the spiritual channel located at the center of the spinal column, opens. ([Location 418](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07PRD9SRF&location=418)) - kevala, spontaneous breath retention. ([Location 716](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07PRD9SRF&location=716)) - When the breath ceases, the mind becomes totally still, and the veil that separates the mind from the higher consciousness is raised. Therefore, the most important aspect of prāṇāyāma is kumbhaka, ([Location 721](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07PRD9SRF&location=721)) - These three knots include: brahma granthi, the knot of procreation, viṣṇu granthi, the knot of sustaining and loving life, and rudra granthi, the knot of fearing dissolution. ([Location 1046](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07PRD9SRF&location=1046)) - Hold the contraction and the breath for a few moments. Experience the combined kumbhaka with contraction, reversing the downward flow of apāna energy. Continue holding the contraction and the breath, and feel the energy rising from the pelvic floor, upward into the sphere of agni, or fire, located behind the navel. ([Location 1159](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07PRD9SRF&location=1159)) - By redirecting the white bindu upward, the sexual and nervous energies become calm and balanced. This causes the pranic forces of prāṇa and apāna to be harmonised and equalised. When prāṇa and apāna are equalised, the mind becomes still and transcendent. ([Location 1851](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07PRD9SRF&location=1851)) - The state of sleep, being the deep unconscious, and the primordial spirit are also one and the same; as are the light of consciousness and pure intelligence. Light and intelligence both being the qualities of consciousness. ([Location 1932](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07PRD9SRF&location=1932)) - Begin the practice of prāṇāyāma with kumbhaka. Inhale slowly through both nostrils and contract the anal sphincter. Redirect the apāna vāyu upward through the perineum with the ingoing breath. At the end of inhalation, retain the breath. Continue to hold the contraction and focus the attention on the state of kumbhaka. Experience the mind becoming absolutely still. Go deep into this stillness. Then exhale slowly through both nostrils, releasing the contraction. Direct the breath and the vayu back down through the perineum. Continue this rotation until the feeling of heat arises. ([Location 2014](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07PRD9SRF&location=2014)) ## New highlights added August 1, 2022 at 1:44 PM - viṣṇugranthi, the psychic knot of sustenance. ([Location 2031](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07PRD9SRF&location=2031)) - ajña cakra, at the midbrain. ([Location 2042](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07PRD9SRF&location=2042)) - the melana, or union. ([Location 2189](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07PRD9SRF&location=2189)) - The sādhaka must develop sensory control to such a degree that as soon as the thoughts start to wander into areas of desire, he or she is able to bring it back immediately and focus on the practice at hand and the inner goal to be achieved. There must be a clear distinction between sensory satisfaction and self realisation. ([Location 2840](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07PRD9SRF&location=2840)) - the time of passing, when the breath stops and the body decomposes, he renounces the state of jivanmukta, and attains dehamukta, liberation outside the body. ([Location 3369](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07PRD9SRF&location=3369))