While yoga is accessible to all, the path to becoming a true yogi is known only to a few. An esoteric practice, it requires years of learning, dedication, willpower and the thirst for a connection with the universal consciousness. This mystic science owes everything to two esoteric cults - the Siddhas and the Buddhas, to Hatha Yoga and Buddhist Tantra. The philosophies, paths and deities of these two cults are intimately connected. A blend of these two paths can escalate an individual's consciousness and help one realise one's true potential. There are striking differences and similarities between these two cults, bound together by the heterogeneous spiritual thread of Gorakhnath, who devoted himself to the prolific knowledge of yoga and emerged as the greatest yogi ever.The Gorakhnath Enlightenment seeks to explore the teachings and philosophy of Gorakhnath.

This volume contains the essence of the writings and teachings of Mahayogi Gorakhnath. It is well pointed out that while the ultimate object of the search is the same for a Yogi and a philosopher, their modes of approach are different, the latterês being intellectual and the formerês intuitive and spiritual. The task of a Yogi does not require any subtle intellectual speculation or the framing of hypotheses and theories. The quest of the Yogi is a direct spiritual experience of truth on a high plane of consciousness. The highest state of Samadhi attained by the Yogi is neither purely subjective nor objective. It transcends both categories and it is an integrated experience beyond formal description. Such a transcendent state of consciousness is alone called Samadhi. This book analyses in detail the nature of Samadhi Experience. The term –Experience” is perhaps inaccurate because, in this state of Samadhi, there is no relation between subject and object, the experiencer and the experienced. It is the fulfilment of life as described in the Yogasutras. The Yogi who comes back from Samadhi may not have attained Kaivalya or Moksha, but he is illuminated by his experience. If he assumes the role of a teacher or preacher, he gives expression to his experience in such forms as may be easily intelligible to the people at large. Gorakhnath was a Maha-Yogi. The cult of the Kanphata Yogis is a definite unite within Hinduism, and its study is essential for understanding this phase of the religious life of India. the book is divided into three sections. The first two sections comprising chapters 1 - 13 deal with the cult and history of this sec. the third section containing chapters 14 - 16 opens with the Sanskrit Text Goraksastaka and its English rendering and annotations. The book is fully documented. It has a preface, Glossary, Bibliography, Plates and General Index. This book is an attempt to present a systematic and consistent account of the philosophical background of the spiritual culture associated with the names of Yogi Gorakhnath and other adepts of the Natha school.

The cult of the Kanphata Yogis is a definite unit within Hinduism, and its study is essential for understanding this phase of the religious life of India. In analysing the different aspects of this cult the author has drawn upon various sources, such as the legends, folk-lore and the formulated texts of this sect. The book is divided into three sections. The first two sections comprising chapters 1-13 deal with the cult and history of this sect. The third section containing chapters 14-16 opens with the Sanskrit Text Goraksasataka and its English rendering and annotations. It proceeds with the analysis of physiological concepts, chief aims and methods and then comes to conclusion. The subject matter of this study has been so arranged that the first two sections serve to illustrate the third. The book is fully documented. It has a Preface, Glossary, Bibliography, Plates and General Index.

Goraksha Samhita is composed by the great Yogī Gorakśanātha. Renowned spiritual masters in the East have highly acknowledged and honored him as a Siddha Yogī for many centuries. His name is mentioned by Svāmi Svātmārāma in his classical text Hatha Yoga Pradipīkā (Chapter One, Verses 4 and 5). He is also one of the Masters mentioned in the Purānas and yogic texts. He is well known as Guru Gorakhanāth, and a highly respected, revered and worshipped spiritual master in India and Nepal. The followers of the Nāth Tradition worship him as the incarnation of Lord Śiva, and say that the nine Nāths and eighty-four Siddhas belong to Adinātha, Lord Śiva. So, he is also called Śiva Gorakśa, the founder of the Natha Siddha tradition. It is said that Gorakśanātha was an Eighth Century Siddha Yogī. But some say that his physical presence occurred somewhere from the 8th to 11th century. According to the Nath Siddha tradition, Guru Gorakhnāth is an immortal sage and takes care of human beings and their welfare. It is said that Hatha Yogī Mastsyendranāth was the Guru of Gorakśanātha. Yogī Mastsyendranāth received Yoga Vidyā (knowledge/wisdom) directly from the mouth of Lord Śiva through Parvati. It was Guru Gorakśanātha who summarized the yogic subject matter in two hundred verses, which he had received from his Guru Mastsyendranāth, based on the teachings of Śri Ādinātha (Lord Śiva). This summarized text by Gorakśanātha is called Gorakśa Samhitā (compendium) which is also known as Gorakhsa Paddhati: Yogic Path of Guru Gorakhanātha. Gorakśa Samhitā highly emphasizes the purification of the body, prāna and the mind. It is believed that total purification of all impurities on both the physical and prānic levels is absolutely necessary in order to purify the mind. When these impurities are eliminated from the body and the energy blocks are removed, then the foundation for the awakening of the Śakti is prepared.

Discover how a 12,000-year-old mystical symbol holds the key to awakening your deepest inner potential and enhancing your powers of manifestation. The Sri Chakra Yantra is an ancient symbol depicting the process of creation in a powerful matrix which represents both the macrocosm (the Universe) and microcosm (the human body), thus acting as a powerful, cosmic antenna that allows you direct access to communicate with the Universe. This book equips you with information and skills necessary to harness the tremendous cosmic energies available in the Universe and channelize it to make life’s dreams come true by presenting the Sri Chakra Yantra as a tool for self-development. The author has kept in mind the sensibilities of the modern spiritual seeker and their needs and interests, presenting the information in a non-dogmatic and practical manner, thereby allowing everyone an opportunity to learn and experience the benefits of the precious Sri Chakra Yantra.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, a young crippled boy in North India met a spiritual teacher in the Nath tradition of the great teachers Matsyendranath and Gorakhnath, who imparted to him the precious knowledge of yoga meditation. The boy began to apply himself to this meditation practice and became a very unusual saint indeed.Gajanan Murlidhar Gupte, later known as Gajanana Maharaj, led an unassuming life, to all appearances a normal unmarried man of contemporary society. Crediting his personal transformation to the practice of the Soham mantra, he freely shared this practice with a small number of disciples, whom he simply called his friends. Strictly avoiding the trap of gurudom, he insisted that his friends be self-reliant and not be dependent on him for their spiritual progress. Yet he was uniquely able to assist them in their inner development.Gajanana Maharaj taught the ajapa-japa of the Soham mantra with the breath. In Light of Soham his teachings for success in Soham sadhana and spiritual life in general have been collected from the writings of himself and his disciples. An appendix by Abbot George Burke on the method of Soham Yoga gives detailed instruction on how to practice this method of meditation.

Life and teachings of Baba Lokenath Brahmachari, 1731-1890, a Himalayan yogi.