Savitri Simpson

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear KJ,

Keeping up your practices of Energization "for a long time" is a wonderful thing in itself. Well done!

The wandering mind is not a thing easily conquered. Ask any long-time meditator! They'll tell you it is a constant process, but absolutely worth the effort!

Gyandev McCord

Ananda Village

Answer

Hello Jeff,

The response you've described, while not the "average" experience of people chanting, is not pathological, either. It seems to me that you are going into a highly internalized state of awareness, and as a result, some prana is beginning to flow in ways that you don’t normally experience, which makes the body pulsate (or at least, it may feel that way -- perhaps someone watching you wouldn’t be able to observe any movement).

Shanti Rubenstone, MD

Ananda Palo Alto

Answer

Hypertension, or high blood pressure is one of the most common physical ailments in our country.

Meditation of any sort definitely lowers blood pressure. At the Harvard hospitals all patients who come to the hypertension clinics are taught meditation as part of their treatment.

Shanti Rubenstone, MD

Ananda Palo Alto

Answer

Your question is a good one. It is asked by many, i.e. are medicines “good or bad” and how should we as yogis approach our physical bodies.

Paramhansa Yogananda and Swami Kriyananda do not promote certain medicines for specific illnesses. Yogananda does talk a lot about diet and exercise, and of course the Energization Exercises as an energetic way of dealing with all physical, emotional and spiritual ills.

Anandi Cornell

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Ashwin,

If your co-workers have such strong negative opinions about spiritual pursuits, I think you are wise not to mention anything about what you are doing. Naturally, feeling terribly fearful is not a good thing.

A strong antidote to fear is love. Perhaps it would help you to end your Kriya practice by focusing on your love for God and God’s love for you. Then imagine that love flowing out from you to embrace your co-workers and others.

Seva Wiberg

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear John, This is a good question as we all have faced this problem.

Some people use a stimulant before starting the morning meditation, such as tea or coffee. The idea here is to have energy to start meditating, as you seem to for your evening practices.

Seva Wiberg

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Sandy,

We sell a DVD showing the Energization Exercises.

These exercises were created by Paramhansa Yogananda to bring more energy into body and mind. With more energy, you can cope with life’s tests and can direct your life better.

Gyandev McCord

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Sanjay,

You say that others take advantage of you, so that tells me some good news: You know what is right and what is not right, what is healthy interpersonal behavior and what is not.

Then comes your big question, “Why do I not stand up for what is right? What attitude of mine makes me willingly participate in unhealthy behavior? Is it fear of others’ disapproval? Fear of making a mistake? Low self-esteem? Not caring enough about anything to take a stand?” Work out the answer for yourself. Then will you know better what to do about it.