A Tantra Yoga Workshop from a Master Teacher Tantra Yoga Secrets empowers readers to overcome emotions, gain new knowledge, and live a more fulfilling spiritual lifestyle. "Takes one beyond the illusionary misunderstanding that tantric practice/sadhana is about sexuality and raises it to its full value as a powerful way to wake up to the Self of all." -GABRIEL COUSENS, MD, DD, diplomat of Ayurveda, acknowledged Kundalini and Shaktipat master; author of Conscious Eating and Rainbow Green Live-Food Cuisine Considered to be the highest and most rapid path to enlightenment, Tantra Yoga is a practice of transformational self-healing. While many are drawn to Tantra on the promise of an enhanced sexual practice-longer orgasms, increased stamina-the real Tantra aims to awaken Kundalini, the dormant potential force in the human personality. Master teacher and author Mukunda Stiles invites readers to participate in a tradition that includes a vast range of practical teachings that lead to the expansion of human consciousness and the awakening of a primal energy. Stiles explains this incredibly intimate and life-changing practice with grace, structure, and clarity. "These lessons provide a system of practices that con open doors into rewording perceptions of reality." -ROBERT SVOBODA, B.A.M.S., ayurvedic physician, author of Aghora; Ayurveda: Life, Health, and Longevity; Prakruti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution; and Ayurveda for Women "Anyone seeking self-awareness will benefit by following the step-by-step asana and meditation practices from this ancient path." -MA JAYA SAT! BHAGAVATI, Kashi Ashram, founder of Kali Natha Yoga "Tantra Yoga Secrets is an invaluable manual for students ready to progress beyond yoga postures to expanded states of awareness." -LINDA JOHNSEN, author of Daughters of the Goddess: The Women Saints of India "Tantra Yoga Secrets provides an insightful view of this fascinating yet misunderstood topic of how to bolance the male and female energies of Shiva and Shakti within us to achieve swastha (the harmony of health with the inner Selij." -DR. DAVID FRAWLEY (PANDIT VAMADfVA SHASTRI), author of Inner Yoga and Mantra Yoga and Primal Sound ISBN: 978-1-57863-503-0 Praise for Tantra Yoga Secrets "One of the beauties of Tantra is that, ultimately, each individual is in charge of set­ ting a goal, achieving it, and evaluating that achievement. Tantra is an experimental discipline, and those who follow the path of Tantra must carefully integrate each experience until experiencing itself is perfected, by uniting the experiencer with the Self. The lessons in Tantra Yoga Secrets provide a system of practices that can, when employed with determination, concentration, and discernment, open doors into rewarding perceptions of reality." -Robert Svoboda, BAMS, Ayurvedic physician and author of Ayurveda: Life, Health, and Longevity; Prakriti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution; andAyurvedafor Women "Preserving a deep spiritual lineage as well as appreciating the natural world, Mukunda Stiles offers a practical guide with useful tools to assist the spiritual seeker in achieving a profound transformation rather than superficial change. Anyone seek­ ing self-awareness will benefit by following the step-by-step asana and meditation practices from this ancient path. I feel honored to have Mukunda in my life as he teaches on this Earth." -Majaya Sati Bhagavati, Kashi Ashram, founder of Kali Natha Yoga "With this latest book, Mukunda Stiles has moved into the role of a spiritual yoga teacher. It is an excellent, lucid, skillful explanation that takes one beyond the illu­ sionary misunderstanding that tantric practice/sadhana is about sexuality and raises it to its full value as a powerful way to wake up to the Self of all. Mukunda, as a wise and experienced yogi, reveals one of the deepest secrets of all yoga sadhana from Yoga Sutra I, 12. 'Persistent and earnest effort over a long period of time and dispassion from the results of practice gives success in yoga."' -Gabriel Cousens, MD, DO, diplomat of Ayurveda and acknowledged Kundalini and Shaktipat master; author of Conscious Eating and Rainbow Green Live-Food Cuisine "It is refreshing to find a book on Tantra with genuine depth! Tantra Yoga Secrets is an invaluable manual for students ready to progress beyond yoga postures to expanded states of awareness. Tantra Yoga spiritualizes every aspect of life; Tantra Yoga Secrets shows you how." -Linda johnsen, author of Daughters of the Goddess: The Women Saints of India "Mukunda has added to his deep study of yoga and ayurveda an innovative examina­ tion of Tantra. Tantra Yoga Secrets provides an insightful view of this fascinating yet misunderstood topic of how to balance the male and female energies of Shiva and Shakti within us to achieve swastha (the harmony of health with the inner Self)." -Dr. David Frawley (Pandit Vamadeva Shastri), author of Inner Tantric Yoga and Mantra Yoga and Primal Sound TANTRA YOGA SECRETS Eighteen Transformational Lessons to Serenity, Radiance, and Bliss MU KUNDA STILES (Q)WEISERBOOKS l!J San Francisco, CA I Newburyport, MA First published in 2011 by Red Wheel/Weiser, LLc 665 Third Street, Suite 400 San Francisco, CA 94107 www.redwheelweiser.com Copyright © 2011 by Mukunda Stiles All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, record­ ing, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Red Wheel/Weiser, LI.c. Reviewers may quote brief passages. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Stiles, Mukunda. Tantra yoga secrets : 18 transformational lessons to serenity, radiance, and bliss I by Mukunda Stiles. p. em. Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 978-1-57863-503-0 (alk. paper) 1. Yoga. 2. Tantrism. I. Title. B132.Y6S728 2011 294.5'436-dc23 Cover design by Jim Warner Cover photograph and author photo by Chinnamasta Stiles Interior photos by Sraddha Van Dyke; © SAYVA Typeset in Garamond Printed in Canada TCP 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2011017730 The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of the Ameri­ can National Standard for Information Sciences-Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials 239.48-1992 (R1997). Contents Devi Puja . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xii Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiv PART l Engaging Your Pranic Energy ........ . Lesson 1 The Energy Body and Tantrik Practice . . . . . . . . . . • . • . 1 . . . . . . 3 The Tantrik Yoga Tradition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Seeking Energy with Yoni Mudra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Yoni Mudra Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Dialogue with Mukunda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Lesson 2 The Five Elements and Sensuality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Elements and Sensual Awareness-Nyasa Puja . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Return to Your Source-Yoni Mudra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Dialogue with Mukunda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Lesson 3 Yogic Anatomy and Sacred Space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Tantrik and Ayurvedic Theory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Chakras in Theory and Experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Creating a Sacred Space-Puja . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Dialogue with Mukunda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Lesson 4 Healing with Prana and Emotional Energy Expression . . . . . . . 55 Cultivating the Tantrik Mind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Pranic Breathing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Feeling the Five Pranas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Seeking Prana's Openness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Continuous Tantrik Pranayama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Dialogue with Mukunda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 PART ll Tools for Tantra ................ . Lesson 5 Transforming Sensuality into Prana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 75 Signs of Pranayama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Fixed Gazing- Tratak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 v Involuting the Chakras through Shambhavi Mudra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Dialogue with Mukunda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Lesson 6 Tantra Prana Bodywork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Theory of Tantra Prana Bodywork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Tantrik Bodywork Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Prana and Divine Mother . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 On Divine Love and Kashmir Shaivism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Congratulations! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Dialogue with Mukunda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Lesson 7 Tools for Tantra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Mantras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Yantras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Tantrasanas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Bhadrasana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 Tarasana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 Virasana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ill Samasana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ill Swastikasana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Padmasana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Siddhasana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 Tantrasana for Partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 Mukunda's Tantrik Yoga Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Dialogue with Mukunda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 PART lll Healing Sexual Wounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Lesson 8 Sexual Health Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 Healing Life and Death . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 Prostate Massage-Ganesh Kriya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 Breast Massage-Karuna Kriya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 Self-Breast Massage-Karuna Kriya Variation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 Dialogue with Mukunda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 vi Lesson 9 Tantrik Love and Its Natural Sexual Expression . . . . . . . . . . 149 The Search for Love . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 Sexual Integrity- Brahmacharya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 Finding Your Own Natural Sexual Expression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 Pelvic-Floor Tone-Mula Bandha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 Congratulations! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 Dialogue with Mukunda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 Lesson 10 The Divine Couple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 The Union of Shiva and Shakti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 Communing with the Divine Mother-Devi Puja . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176 Dialogue with Mukunda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177 PART lV Spiritual Awakening ............. . . . . 189 Lesson 11 Initiation and Spiritual Awakening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 Finding Your Inner Teacher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 1\vo Forms of Initiation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 Balancing the Fulfillment of Worldliness and Spirituality . . . . . . . . . . 200 Dialogue with Mukunda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 Lesson 12 Signs of Kundalini . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222 Eight Categories of Awakening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 Awakening Your Heart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 Congratulations! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228 Dialogue with Mukunda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 PART V Deepening Your Tantrik Practice ...... . Lesson 13 From Pranayama to Bandha to Mudra . . . . . . . . . . . 239 . . . . 241 Advanced Pranic Breathing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241 Advanced Root Lock-Mula Bandha to Mula Mudra . . . . . . . . . . . . 243 Yoni and Lingam Puja . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 Enhancing Fertility for Conception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248 Dialogue with Mukunda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 vii Lesson 14 The Colorful Paths of Tantrik Yoga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262 Yoga and Tantrik Partner Practices 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 • 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 262 Tantrik Partner Agreement 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 265 Clarifying Your Personal Path 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 266 Choosing an Appropriate Partner 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 268 Preliminary Guidance 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 270 Tantrik Practice for a Couple 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 271 Preparation for Lesson 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 273 Dialogue with Mukunda 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 274 Lesson 15 Devi/Deva Communion . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 278 Sharing Your Love 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 279 The Requisite Mind for Devi/Deva Partner Practice 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 280 Indian and Tibetan Tantra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 283 Summary of the Devi/Deva Partner Practice 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 287 The Secret of Tantrasana Partner Practice 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 • 0 0 292 Congratulations! 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 293 Dialogue with Mukunda 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 294 PART Vl Toward Unity and Spiritua1111umination .. . . . . 309 Lesson 16 Tantrik Secrets-Beyond Duality . . . . . . . . . . ..... 311 Secrets ofYoni and Lingam Mudras 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 312 Wrapping Yourself in the Stillness of Etemity- Shiva-Lata-Mudra 0 0 0 0 0 313 Opening to the Breath of Love 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 314 Dialogue with Mukunda 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 317 Lesson 17 God/dess Consciousness . . . 0 • • • • • • 0 • • • 0 • • • • • • 320 Integrating Yoga and Tantra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 320 What Is the True Self? 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 326 Puja for Devi/Deva Communion 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 331 Shiva Puja 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 331 Shakti Puja 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 332 Shiva- Shakti Dharana 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 333 Dialogue with Mukunda 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 333 viii Lesson 18 Spiritual Illumination 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 337 What Is Spiritual Illumination? . . . . 0 • • • • • • • • • • • 0 • • 0 • • • 337 Cultivation of the Infinite . . 0 • 0 • • 0 • 0 • • 0 • • • • • • • • • • • • • 0 343 Continuing to Deepen Your Sadhana of Love . . 0 • • • • • • • • • • • • • 345 Dialogue with Mukunda . 0 • • 0 • 0 • • 0 • 0 0 • 0 • • 0 • 0 • • • • • 0 • 347 Appendix: Attainments for each Tantra Lesson 0 0 0 • 0 0 0 0 • • 0 0 0 0 • • • • 0 0 • • 351 Glossary of Yoga and Tantrik Terms 0 0 0 • • 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 • • 0 0 0 0 0 • 0 0 0 353 Recommended Tantrik References 0 0 • 0 0 0 • • 0 0 0 • • • 0 0 0 • • • 0 0 0 0 0 0 • • 362 ix Devi Puja Tara Mata ki Jay Sarasvati Mata ki Jay Lakshmi Mata ki Jay Kali Mata ki Jay T he puja (ritual of submission) to the Devis has taken me to intimacy with the Goddess in the form of Tara as the sky, Saraswati as the dance of life, Lakshmi as the bounty and abundance of Mother's milk, and Kali as the remover of all that is no longer beneficial. From these subtle forms, grosser forms have been born, most especially Suptashring Devi-an expression of the Mother as the entire Earth-whom I was led to by my beloved tantric role model, Swami Prakashananda. These Devis in turn have transformed themselves into my blessed wife, consort, healer, and companion, Chinnamasta Devi, who has taken me to places others could not. She has only one mission-to dance the tandava, the eternal communion of Shiva and Shakti, merging and separating for the delight of being One and the enjoyment of being the worldly couple. Honoring Chinnamasta Devi When I resist my Devi, life is difficult and dry; when I surrender to her, life flows. Devi naturally longs to live a life full of integrity. When the stress of life is accumulated through a lack of seeing what is truthful and honorable, Deva often has to swallow the bitter pill of seeing the truth about his foolishness and arrogance. Devi won't withhold in offering Deva darshan in order to help him return to the heart. It is my personal experience that the truth lies in the wisdom teachings given by my Devi. She only reveals them to me when I finally am ready to humbly submit and accept them. This often results in putting my head in her lap. Her thoughts are Divine Mother's flow run­ ning through her-there is no difference. She personifies the hidden meanings of the teachings that come naturally and intuitively to her. The serenity prayer and all other X forms of prayer become juicy, and my confidence in infinite goodness and love are restored. The deepest acts of surrender are to believe and truly trust her way. For this is how the Divine Mother is naturally revealing and expressing herself as my Devi. Teaching side by side with my Devi has enlivened our insights and has revealed more of the shakti hidden within the teachings. From the moment we met, there was an instant recognition. We were led to sit next to each other, and the teachings would flow naturally from Devi into Deva and vice versa without pause. Often, Chinnamasta Devi would reflect upon the words expressed by Deva. At the exact moment I would feel the stillness of the breath happening, Chinnamasta would say or do what was needed. The ease of our interactions has naturally grown to become the living force sup­ porting the integrity of the shakti which is manifested as the secrets of Tantra in this book. Our life together has greatly enhanced the final edits of this book. While some students are more attracted to one of us, mature students feel an equal attraction and no separation. Sharing and being with Chinnamasta is to me the living experience of the mys­ terious delight of Tantra, that is continuously arising and expanding as the sacred tremor of the tantric spanda. xi Acknowledgments I wish to give my gratefulness and gratitude to the forms of the formless: Deva has become Devi, the commonplace has become the unexpected, teachings have become my teachers. First and foremost is to acknowledge Devi's path. My great respect and love go to my guru and teachers, the known, the unknown, and the unknowable. Most profound gratitude to my guru Swami Muktananda Paramahansa and his guru Bhagavan Nityananda of Ganeshpuri, India and to my spiritual teacher Swami Prakashananda of Suptashring. The known teachers include Paul Copeland, MD, Psychiatry; Ramajyothi Vernon, BKS Iyengar; Mata Amrit Anandamayi Ma "Ammachi"; Professor Krishnamacharya, Indra Devi, Yogi Hall of the Redwoods; and Ma jaya Sati Bhagavati, Bhadra Kali of Ganeshpuri. The many teachers and students with whom we shared both deep and superficial reflections of the nature of yoga. The texts that have inspired me-Yoga Sutras, Guru Gila, Shiva Sutras, Vijnana Bhairava Tantra, and, most especially, the Yoga Vasistha. My teachers and these texts have transformed the way I perceive the world and myself. All of these influences have totally captivated my life into one of seeking the mystery of form changing into formlessness. The known becomes unknown, the unknown becomes the unknowable. The secret teachings have come to me since a vivid summer experience in 1979. Hav­ ing been drafted into the army, I was on a bus headed from one section of Fort Ord to another. The Monterey jazz Festival was happening nearby. While sitting on the bus, I began to notice that everything was breathing. Throughout the half hour bus ride, a formless undulating tide captivated my attention. Many years later I would reflect back on this experience in light of tantric texts such as the Tripura Rahasya (the mystery of the trinity) and others that helped me understand the significance of the spontaneous arising of the Devi's triple forms com­ ing in and out of the Oneness. We are all given experiences of the primal Mother, but xii without a text and a living teacher such a mystery goes unnoticed. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (II-1) reveals the secret that teachings can be given in such a way as to embody the Shakti as Devi. The first step is Sadhana Pada-the path of practice. The second step is Swadhyaya Pada-the path of understanding and inquiry. The third step, Isvara Pranidhana, is to seek a teacher who can elaborate and clarify the first two steps. In this way, such experiences turn into realizations. Sitting on the bus, with everything undulating-this body space, the space sur­ rounding the body, the space of the bus, the cornfield, the sky field-and yet, there is no difference. The experience of not seeing a difference is the culmination of practice and the study of the texts. Chronologically speaking, the undulating bus experience took place years before texts were shown explaining the serenity, radiance, and bliss. At first, these three states of consciousness seemed to arise separately. After forty years of Tantrik Yoga, the three forms of the Devi undulate in and out of form and formlessness. For all of the mistakes, for all the influences left without acknowledgment, I ask you forgiveness. May I realize as you do the significance of this great mystery called Life. Sadgurunath Maharaj ki Jay. - Blessings to the true inner teacher, the Self. Jagadambe Mata ki Jay. - Blessings to the Mother of the world. xiii