Sahaj Marg Clarifies: Yawning during or after meditation

Clarifications from a conversation between Chariji Maharaj and Sanskrit Kannan (SRCM Preceptor), narrated by Sanskrit Kannan.

I asked Rev. Chariji Maharaj once in 1985" is Prana and mind inter-related? " He asked me, " why are you asking me this?"I told Him that even Patañjali refers to this. The texts on HATHA YOGA are replete with such reference. " Chariji said, " You see, in deep meditation the breathing automatically slows down. So this is a natural Pranayama in our Sahaj Marg practice.  The deeper the sitting,  the slower is the flow of air. To compensate for this slowness in breath resulting in lack of oxygen, sometimes you can see some people yawn after a meditation session. You might have seen me yawning after some sittings.  That means the sitting was deep."

One more incident related to this topic is as follows:

In 1985,  when Rev. Chariji Maharaj was in Europe,  after a Sunday morning Satsangh one Prefect chided an abhyasi for yawning after the sitting and said that it was wrong and it reflected grossness. That abhyasi naturally was upset and hurt. I consoled him by repeating what Rev. Chariji Maharaj had told us.  He was happy, but the Prefect did not accept what I said. So, I sent a letter to Rev. Chariji Maharaj narrating this incident, asking for clarification. Chariji Maharaj replied," yawning, during or after meditation is not wrong. "

However, I may add in lighter vein that this is not applicable to those who sleep during the sitting. 

Sahaj Marg Meditation: What to do?

Sahaj Marg Meditation: What to do?
By Sanskrit Kannan - SRCM Preceptor

In the previous article (Sahaj Marg Meditation - Condition: Some tips), we heard from Chariji Maharaj and Shri. Kamlesh D Patel on what we should not do after meditation.

Let us see what Chariji Maharaj tells us what should we do before Sahaj Marg meditation. I asked Him once about this, especially before morning meditation . He told me that we should first do meditation in the morning.  Some people go for walking and then do meditation in the morning which is not right.

Chariji Maharaj also added that we should not do meditation in empty stomach. " Take milk,  or at least water before meditation. But don't waste time in making coffee etc. Water will do.  He told me a story in this regard. 

Once a person went to Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and told him, " Master,  I am interested in spiritual progress. What should I do? " The Master repled, " please read some verses of Bhagavad Gita daily and also take grape juice. " The seeker asked, " Master how much grape juice should I drink daily? "The Master laughing replied, " you are not yet ready for spirituality. Had you asked me how much verses of Bhagavad Gita should I read daily, I would have advised you. Instead you are more interested in grape juice. Please go now and come back after some days. "

Rev. Chariji Maharaj said,  " So, if I say you may take coffee or milk in the morning before meditation, your time will be spent /wasted on this. So water will do".

What about yawning during or after Sahaj Marg meditation?  We will address this question in another article. 

Sahaj Marg Meditation - Condition: Some tips

Sahaj Marg Meditation - Condition: Some tips

From Dr. Sanskrit Kannan

With respect to the excellent advice given by the Sahaj Marg Master, Shri. Kamlesh Patel (Kamleshji) recently not to disturb our condition after meditation by either switching on or switching off the fan, Kamlesh D. Patel added one more interesting and valid advice not to take water after meditation.

I had occasion to ask the same to Rev. Chariji Maharaj in 1983 while travelling by car with Him. " is it not right to drink water immediately after meditation/sitting? "

He told me, " you should avoid taking water after the meditation at least for some time. "

I asked Him, " why?"

He told me, " you see, what happens during meditation is some heat is generated... ( incidentally the word tapas also used for meditation which means heat). So if you take water immediately after meditation it affects the condition. "

He  also told me regarding the hand-position during meditation. " You see the great Masters Buddha and others, how they keep one palm over the other. Or you can keep all your fingers in locked position.

What is the benefit?

He added, " you see during meditation, Yogic energy permeates the whole body.  If you keep your palms on each other or close the fingers in locked position, then the energy is circulated within the body.  On the other hand, if we keep both hands on the thighs or knees with stretched fingers, then the energy is let out.  But in cinema or TV shows we see the so called saints sitting with their fingers either stretched or not joined. This is not the right way. "

We always see the pictures of Rev. Lalaji Maharaj,  Rev. Babuji Maharaj sitting with their palms one on the other. Rev. Chariji Maharaj and Rev. Master Kamleshji also sit in the manner described above by Rev. Chariji Maharaj.

These are simple, yet useful tips.  Also Rev. Chariji Maharaj used to say that some people read news paper immediately after the sitting or see the mobile for messages or calls. This is also not right. We have to educate the Sahaj Marg abhyasis.