Sri Gurudevi Practices

What is Sadhana?

Sadhana is often translated to mean a “device”, “spiritual labor” or a “tool” for spiritual growth. It quite literally means the performance of merging the breath, -Ana, with the Truth, Sat or Sadh. The true sadhana is therefore breath awareness for it is the active practice of reuniting the breath with spirit or life. The breath is the bridge between the physical and nonphysical therefore the word Sadhana describes the process of walking with the Truth through the Breath.

Our Practice

The path is Advaita-Kshama and the central practice is Kshama Kriya. The Act of Forgiving (Kshama) + Breath Awareness (Shivanapanasati) = Kshama Kriya. Kshama Kriya therefore is “The act of releasing the past for the sake of the Breath or Awareness Itself.” This practice is twenty four hours, every day and every hour and every minute and second of the day. No matter what we share in our programs, events or other activities, Gurudevi Yoga’s teachings always center around the idea of Nondual Forgiveness as the Way given to attain Self Realization and Communion with the Divine. Swamiji refers to the path of forgiveness as the path of “communication” suggesting that the power of Thought is more immediate than the pursuit of Enlightenment through meditation, exercises, or other means that imply the use of the body and therefore the need for time altogether. In nearly every Satsang, Darshan, or discussion with Swamiji, his hope is to free you and enlighten you with just one question, “Can you feel that you exist right now?”. The answer which is immediate and true, is the beginning and end of your spiritual journey if your goal is Self-Realization. To accept and cherish this simple question and answer is the end of your suffering and the essence of what true, Nondual forgiveness is. However Swamiji realizes that most after receiving such an immediate awakening don’t often the value the power of this exchange and offers a variety of tools and methods to remove the blocks to this awareness.

“The awareness of your own existence is so natural, it’s super-natural. It’s so ordinary, it’s extra-ordinary.”

Therefore the offerings from Gurudevi Yoga are split up into four parts. Swamiji believes every method offered is complete in itself and there is no need to anxiously climb up the ladder of initiations and programs. All events and programs will lead you back to the efficacy and success of practicing Kshama Kriya and Breath Awareness.

These four categories are:

Samadhipada - The preliminary stage . For those who do not have much desire in dedicating themselves to sadhana due to ideas of household duties and other responsibilities that hinder their ability to perform longer periods of spiritual practice. Samadhipada can also be seen as the “effortless approach”. However much you give yourself to these free, available practices you will see gradual progress in your daily life.

Madha - These are techniques offered to the one who has mild intensity on the path to Truth. This means you sincerely believe that you can dedicate yourself to an average of 30 minutes of practice a day. The process offered in this phase are simple yet powerful techniques transmitted by Swamiji or a trained Gurudevi Practitioner during a one day program called, “Nirvana - Master Your Own Destiny”

Madhyama - This second phase is for those with moderate intensity who feel they can commit to at least 60-90 minutes a day to dedicated training. The processes offered in this phase help align the energies more toward the goal of liberation while still emphasizing the physical and psychological benefits needed in daily life. These practices are shared by Swamiji or a trained Gurudevi Practitioner over a 3 Day Program called, “KSHAMA - The Fire of Forgiveness”

Uttama - This third phase is for those whose concern is spiritual growth beyond everything. There is no thought about family or worldly situations in the context of how the spiritual path will affect their lives. These individuals whether maintaining a household or walking alone have made the process of enlightenment a priority. You are willing to commit to 120-180 minutes a day to your spiritual practices. These techniques are shared over a 7 day period by Swamiji in a program called, “KRIYA - The Rite to Immortality”

It benefits you nothing to speed through these programs if there is not Bhakti (devotion) and surrender in your heart. You must attend each phase to move on to the next and the third phase, Uttama, will have a required meeting with each participant prior their final acceptance into the KRIYA Program.

You are given Kshama Kriya as a means to practice all through the day and accelerate through this path like you never dreamed of. Kshama is the Way.

Sri Swami Sai Krsna represents Advaita-Kshama Marga, or the path of Nondual Forgiveness. He’s a direct disciple of Sri Mahavatar Babaji and a part of the Shiva Yoga Sampradaya (Tradition).

Main Practice

Kshama Kriya - This is the central practice of Gurudevi Yoga. The Act of Forgiving (Kshama) + Breath Awareness (Shivanapanasati) = Kshama Kriya. Kshama Kriya therefore is “The act of releasing the past for the sake of the Breath or Awareness Itself.”

The practice of Kshama Kriya is split into two parts:

1. Ksana - Moments
   and

2. Sambandha - Connection

The path of Advaita Kshama is about initiating a love affair that turns into complete communion with the Divine. Both aspects of Ksana and Sambandha are integral and making your Kshama practice successful.

Ksana, means a moment or instant. There is no way to quantify your time spent with eternity. Sometimes these moments correlate to another man spending a hundred years of loveless meditation. To practice this bring your attention back to the breath the very moment it comes to mind and don’t try to hold it, enjoy it and allow it for as long as possible or the situation allows.

This aspect ignites iccha Shakti, Willpower or the power of desire and is most important for those of the world with householder responsibilities and high activity in the world. Instead of loathing about not having the time to do more sadhana or prayer, spend this moment returning back to the awareness of the breath. If only it lasts for a few moments you will return back to your tasks at your work desk, while cooking, in the family life and feel rejuvenated and will bring the peace of that moment into the rest of your day. This aspect of Kshama that is Ksana will begin revealing to you the simplicity and the peace of natural awakening.

Sambandha, means connection, relationship, and refers to that eternal bond the soul has with the Source of creation. The more you practice Kshama Kriya in the form Ksana, or moments throughout the day, that will lead to the desire of improving the Sambandha or connection with your inner Self. This means you will suddenly find more time in the day to just sit and watch the breath. At least twice a day for at least five minutes, sit with eyes closed or open and watch the breath. The peaceful rest and quiet you start to feel will overwhelm you with joy and new life.

“Kshama is the highest of tapas and can only be taken up after many lifetimes of other sadhanas. The grandest and noblest of virtues. Kshama is the breath of life.” - Sathya Sai Baba

“The highest pranayama is the Kriya kundalini, but the highest Kriya is Kshama, or nondual forgiveness.” - Sri Mahavatar Babaji

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” - Christ Jesus

“Vigor, forgiveness, fortitude, purity, absence of hatred, absence of pride—these belong to one born for a divine state, O Arjuna” - Bhagawan Sri Krishna

Primary Instruction

Shivanapanasati - Breath Awareness. “Be willing to watch the Breath all day.”

Shivanapanasati is the answer to your problems. And it’s very simple but it’s not a small thing. This is the same instruction given to Parvati by Shiva. To Arjun from Krsna. From the Buddha and from Christ to their disciples. You have to be willing to watch the breath all day. Breath is not just svasa, and the oxygen you take in. It is the very presence of life sitting there in your moment to moment activity. Sit twice a day, once with eyes closed, once with eyes open for a focused practice watching the breath. Every moment you can spare between activities or in the midst of them take a few moments to acknowledge the breath and your existence and try to watch it throughout the day the best you can. This is the instruction my Guru gave to me that transformed my life. I’m with you all the way. I know your problems, and this is the solution. When there needs to be an adjustment or something to help even further, that will be provided intuitively and without hesitation by your inner guidance.

The mantra is “Om Sai Krsna, Om Sai Ram”, which translates to, “God is all attractive and all Powerful”.

The mantra consists of multiple beej or “root” sounds, which influence the system and help direct the energy upward. The sound “Om Sai Ram,” specifically raises energies from the navel, heart, and center of the head, and leads them to the top of the head at the crown. The sound “Sai” is made up of two root sounds: “Sa” and “Ai”. Sa represents the father aspect, or Shiva, while Ai represents the mother aspect, Devi. Together, the sound “Sai” emphasizes the union of these two into one energy. The word “Krsna” symbolizes that aspect of God that is transformative, and more commonly referred to as “All Attractive”.

A mantra is a sound that protects your mind. In the eyes of the universe, you are a complex form of sounds and vibrations that make up an individual entity. This mantra can make your environment joyful and your atmosphere one of quiet strength and lovingness. It is sweet to the soul and powerful to those who wish to manifest good health and wealth in this world.

Sai Krsna Japa (Bhava Samadhi Mantra) Audio

From time immemorial, there has been an urge to ‘call’ down the divine in efforts that it will condescend to our human play and provide aid and care to our fickle nature and destructive tendencies. Whether you are spiritual, agnostic, or on the fence, one thing we all agree on is the impact of shapes and sizes in our physical universe. This comes to the significance of what we call a yantra. Yantra means “form”. Additional meanings include, “instrument”, “machine”, “support”, or a device “to hold or fasten” something.

What is a satguru? Sat means “truth” or “reality” and Guru means “dispeller of ignorance” or “remover of darkness”. The guru is not a person but a principle that serves as the intermediary between the known and the unknown. A satguru has the ability to remove all the karmas, or past activity, and consequently help in freeing the soul from suffering and belief in illusion, or the ephemeral. The satguru is the inner guide on the path of Self-Realization.

On one occasion years ago, during lunch with my mother discussing many deep spiritual and mental topics she commented, “Son, I understand that the subconscious mind controls so much of our lives. I just think most people don't have the necessary energy to combat their subconscious mind.” This struck me profoundly and always stayed with me. The sri satguru yantra is the necessary energy that has been brought down for the entire collective and humanity.

The sri satguru yantra is the materialization of the super mind, or supramental consciousness as Sri Aurobindo called it and fulfillment of the work of beings such as him. It has been referred to as many things, the higher self, the holy spirit, many names have been attributed to this stainless indwelling presence within all beings. Eckart Tolle referred to the next phase in humanity as “A New Earth”. Deepak Chopra has called this next chapter for man, the “meta human”. Paramahansa Yogananda referred to it as the “Cosmic Man” hidden within all beings and the apostle, Paul, said, “22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24

The prayers of the common man and householder have been heard. There was a time where the adept had to be advanced in his ways to hear precisely and clearly the intuitive voice of that holy presence within. To be steadily guided and instructed from the promptings of that inner voice seems hardly feasible in today’s time that is more fast paced, anxious, and distracted as ever. The spirit always has a response to the cunning and complex ways of the ego. This “supermind” has been made manifest and consequently more accessible to man than ever before through the sri satguru yantra as well as the work, devices, and energy of the sages of old and new.

Now, with this powerful aid for humanity, I believe man, woman, and child will start to hear, feel, and experience the satguru within more intimately, deeply, and clearly than ever.

Even a glance of the yantra will save the lost soul thousands of lifetimes and the exponential suffering the “not-Self” lurks in darkness waiting to project. But no one needs to see it to benefit. It's now a part of each mind in all existence. More beings will begin to experience Ritambhara Prajna, or Intuitive Knowledge, and Truth-Consciousness. I am convinced that all around the world, beyond the apparent tragedies and calamities, a silent resolution is taking place within the hearts of men from all walks of life bringing more peace, harmony, and understanding amongst one another. This silent resolution is what I am here to stand behind and see through. Thank you, God bless you.

Love,

Sri Swami Sai Krsna

- Excerpt from Return of Sai

Dhyanasanas - Asanas to prepare the body and energy for deep meditation.

Sai Surya Namaskar - A practice to align oneself with the sun and activate the solar energy, as well as create a joyful and exuberent inner atmosphere.

Savitur Kriya - A more meditative hatha yoga practice to connect to the sun’s gentler aspect and the 7 lokas.

Soma Kriya - A practice to align oneself with the moon.

Nirmanasanas - Asanas for transformation.

Sri Gurudevi Puja - A powerful practice to invite and invoke the energies of Sri Gurudevi to be with you in your life.

The Sri Gurudevi Foundation hosts many events to be with Swami in person and online.

Darshan - Darshan literally means “to behold”. This is a time to be with Swami, experience his presence, inbibe his energies, and go through spontaneous yogic processes to accelerate your growth. Receive eye to eye contact with the Truth.

Satsang - Satsang literally means “communion with truth”. These events are centered around discourse and discussion, and will soon be made available online.

Being a part of Gurudevi Yoga means choosing Advaita-Kshama or Nondual Forgiveness as your spiritual path. You will feel the grace of all the spiritual beings through time descending their guidance and support and bestowing on you spiritual strength and wisdom.

1. Accept the miraculous practice of Kshama Kriya (Nondual Forgiveness) and the divine instruction of Shivanapanasati (Breath Awareness) as your primary means for spiritual awakening.

2. Repeat and reflect on the “Final Four” at least once a day:

   Final Four (Principles to Maintain Higher Consciousness)

   1. Peace is the Condition of My Desires

   2. I Don’t Have to Be Perfect, but My Gratitude is Mandatory

   3. Be Quick to Forgive

   4. Everyone is the Source

3. Chant the mantra “Om Sai Krsna, Om Sai Ram” at least one round (108 times) a day, or “Yehovah Yireh, Yehovah Rafah” if you’re of the Abrahamic tradition.

4. Render service to your community through any locally based project or Sri Gurudevi Foundation led event at least one day per month.

To acknowledge this path as your own does not need devotion, allegiance or any form of worship to or for Swami or any other figure, however by accepting this outstanding tradition as your own, remove all sense of competition and desire to harm your fellow man because Gurudevi Yoga essentially encompasses all other paths of yoga and walks of life.

If you have accepted all four standards and carefully considered the note of acknowledgement at the end, please send your name and where you are based to the email provided on the Contact Us section!