Bullies, beware! Kumbhakarna’s sorry plight despite all his might is a warning that a fearful fate awaits those who use spiritual practices to enhance personal power and then use that power to control, intimidate and abuse instead of becoming a source of comfort to and serving those weaker than them. Meditators, beware! The task of plumbing the depths of one’s psyche is long and arduous. There are no shortcuts and no quick-fixes. Many a sleeping giant slumbers away in the dark recesses of the mind. Do you have the courage to keep on looking in and facing and transforming the illusory demons of your mind no matter how dark and devious, twisted and terrible they may seem? IN BRIEF MUDRAS Three mudras for the Travelling Yogi BY KRISHNAA KINKARI There are, nowadays, many teachers of yoga traveling all over the world to benefit keen students. Their yoga practice needs to be particularly strong and regular so the demands of the travel itself and the change of climate and diet in the destination venues do not deplete their energies nor confuse their minds even with the most serious ‘jet lag’! When traveling, situations like airport lounges or any waiting area and then on the vehicle itself, are often confined and very public. However, for the true yogis who are ever alert to their sadhana, mudras offer the perfect solution. The circumstances thus might be unfavorable, but the opportunity to remain calmly determined in every situation is excellent and also, in this case, delightfully simple, needing no special equipment and perfectly suited to any chair or enough room to plant the body, standing, sitting or lying. Mudras are the most versatile practice, are always ones best friend on a trip. Their practice will help one to be a yogi first, before becoming a teacher. A yoga teacher must fulfill the qualifications of a Yogi before trying to convey that to others. Constant traveling unbalances the tatvas[elements] which leads to disease. Balance and harmony can restore the ideal balance just through the juxtaposition of the fingers which lead to Dharana and Dhyana with sequential ease. Therefore travel need not be a task with an unfavourable end needing days of recovery as a consequence. It is simple, pleasant ,immediately fruitful, private, enjoyable and much more effective than many brain-cell destroying painkillers or any form of intoxicating self medication! Enough said !Let’s take three new mudras aimed at this purpose. PRITHIVI MUDRA Prithivi means Earth. This mudra helps one to ground oneself, bring oneself down to earth. A compliment is often given that a person is very ‘down to earth’. Such a person appreciates basic values and is a support to all around them. It brings back luster and brightness to the face and installs qualities of mercy, compassion and love as well as tolerance and patience. Helps in queues and delays! Method: Tip of the thumb touches the tip of the ring finger [earth finger] and the other three fingers remain extended. Do with both hands.15 minutes ideal. VYAN MUDRA Mudra for clearness which can control high blood pressure, thus useful in times of stress, tension , irregularity, unbalanced diet, vertigo and pollution. Method: Touch the tips of the index and the middle fingers with the front portion of the thumb. Ring and little fingers are relaxed and extended. The wind and ether elements are stabilized so that blood pressure is controlled and confined within normal limits SURYA MUDRA Surya means Sun. Here fire and earth elements unite to produce brilliant energy comparable to solar energy. Method: Touch the tip of the ring finger to the root of the thumb. The thumb then rests across the ring finger. The other three fingers extend. It helps with headache or sense of heaviness in the brain. Minimum 15 minutes with both hands. Have a good trip! May your travelling enlighten you and bring you back safe and sound! BOOK REVIEW AMAR CHITRA KATHA COMICS Immortal Stories for all Ages BY TIA SINHA Amar Chitra Katha in Hindi means ‘Immortal Picture Story’. Amar Chitra Katha comic books have captured the hearts of children in India for decades. These comics have been around since 1969. The heart and brain behind Amar Chitra Katha comics was the late Anant Pai who wanted to make children in India aware of their own culture. He sought to do this in a fun way rather than in a preachy and didactic manner. With the help of his stories, Uncle Pai, as he was commonly known, succeeded in bringing joy to his young readers. Well written, in simple English, often humorous and always beautifully illustrated, Amar Chitra Katha comics cover a wide range of topics. Recently published issues have a band of a particular colour on their cover. 40 NAMASKAR
<strong>Oct</strong>ober <strong>2015</strong> 41