The Himalayan Tradition of Yoga Meditation

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The source of the systematic practice of Yoga Meditation is a lineage of sages from the ancient cave monasteries of the Himalayas. This unbroken lineage of teachers is at least 5,000 years old. 

However, while the lineage is an ascetic tradition of the Himalayas, many of the sages themselves are also related to the monastic order of Shankaracharya of the 9th century. 

A diversity of swamis, yogis, and others practice and train seekers in these methods of self-exploration, self-discovery, and self-realization.

• The ancient, oral yoga system, recorded by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutra is accepted as a preliminary step.
• Philosophically, the Advaita Vedanta system of one absolute Reality without a second is practiced, particularly the Mandukya Upanishad, relating to AUM and the states of waking, dreaming, sleep, and the fourth state, turiya.
• Both Mother and Father principles of the universe are acknowledged, practicing purely internal Tantra. Maya (illusion) is seen as the creativity of the Mother principle, and is thus not an obstacle.

The tradition of the Himalayan sages encompasses all of the yogas, including jnana, karma, bhakti, raja, laya, kundalini, kriya, and tantra yoga practices. The various yogas are seen to complement one another, like fingers on a hand. 

Guru is not considered to be any person, though the force of guru may operate through a person. Teachers may be respected, but are not objects of worship. "Gu" means "darkness" and "ru" means "light." Guru is the light that dispels the darkness of ignorance. Along with the sincere efforts of the seeker, obstacles are removed through a bestowing of grace called shaktipata. 

While this ancient meditative tradition has influenced many of the world's religions, the tradition itself is not a religion. All religions are acknowledged as an expression of the one absolute reality, called by many names, including God.

All of the practices are internal and no rituals are performed.

There is not a belief in conversion, changing the cultural habits of others, or introducing any face of God in particular.

Serving humanity through selflessness is an expression of love which one should follow through mind, action, and speech. 

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