Ismailism on Kundalini (Holy Spirit) Yoga practices?

[Shamati]

Hi! I'm new on this forum. I've heard of the ismailis in the cobtext of Alut, Hassan i Sabbah & the Assassins & "the Fatimid Empire" but have only interested myself in the spirituality of Ismaili shi'ism while researching different strains of islamic sufism & I now have a great interest in ismailism & am intrigued by its theology & history! I always thought islam made more sense theologically than my religion of birth, lutheran christianity, because I agree with the supreme all encompassing monotheism of islam & its view on prophets being humans.

I've read some quotes from the 3rd Aga Khan sayin that "all humans have a spark of divinity in him & that spark should be allowed to burn into a flame through prayer & dhikr & not be allowed to be extinguished" or something like this & this seemed to me to refer to what I have came to know as the Kundalini energy which was awakened in me during a period of intense meditation & yoga asanas which I begun after a fundamental change in lifestyle from destructive & materialistic to always thinking about the spiritual dimension of life.

What does ismailism say about the kundalini or holy spirit energy? Is it ever talked about? How do ismailism view the practice of yoga? It seems a forward thinking faith which is why i believe that maybe ismailis are positive towards yoga asanas for strengthening the flow of the Holy spirit as opposed to almost all christian & muslim sects I've explored thus far.

Rene guenon & frithjof schuon said the current "new age" spirituality was not good & the one needs to be initiated into a legitimate religion that can trace its roots back to a prophet. Both converted to islam

[agakhani]

Yes "Kundalini awakening" is not new in Ismailism.
If you read Ginan NAME "BRAHMA PRAKASH" composed by Pir Shams you can find Kundlaini there, thIS ginan is specially composed on this subjects, i.e. how to get progress in meditation and pass 7 Chakras one after another ( cycles) and reach "Agya chakra" and can look the Noor of Allah.
It is possible that some names are different then "YOGA DARSHAN" written by Maharshi Patanjali, for a example you may not find name of Aagya Chakra but you can find 'BHAMAR GUFA' instead.

There are many ginans on INGLA-PINGLA-SUKSHMANA AND KUNDALINI
below are few:-
1, Saakhi Mara Atam na Othar ke by pir Sadardin
2, Series of Jogeshwars ginans composed by Syed Imam Shah has lots of information on these and "KUNDALINI AWAKENING.

By the way Kundalini practice needs at least 3 hours everyday which is not possible in this modern time therefore our Imam suggested us to practice only 1 hour and with simple way whatever you thing is best and more convenient to us.
There was a time when many Ismailis were practicing 6 hours every day, many Ismailis were practicing on 'BREATHING MEDITATION' some were practice strictly on the path of Yoga as described by 'Maharshi Patanjali' but right not in my opinion very few Ismailis who has interest might be practicing Kundalini to avoid harm themselves.
As per my thinking, KUNDLAINI AWAKENING IS NOT PROHIBITED OR FORBIDDEN BY OUR ANY IMAM, if I am wrong please correct me.

Our Imams blessed us this new meditation practice is a 'LIFT' ( SULTAN Mohammed Shah our 48th Imam gave this name "lift"our current meditation practice is like "Lift" for us while Kundalini awakening is like a ladder, which takes years and years to receive any benefits

[shiraz.virani]

Shamati, I just wanna let you know that our AGAKHANI bhai is also called as BABAKHANI...You know the guru who taught baba ramdev all the postures/ asan's went into hiding in INDIA?? The guru later emerged in AUSTIN,TX....today he is known by the name "AGAKHANI"

Jokes apart, Shamati... whatever info you wanna get regarding yoga, bandagi, hindu culture/religion AGAKHANI bhai is the best person to reach at.

[agakhani]

Shamati, I just wanna let you know that our AGAKHANI bhai is also called as BABAKHANI..

NA MAI HU KOI BABA, NA MAI HU KOI DARVESH, NA KOI HU MAI'GYANI'
ME TO HU BAS EK AGAKHAN KO MANNE WALA SIRF EK 'AGAKHANI'

[Shamati]

Yes "Kundalini awakening" is not new in Ismailism.
If you read Ginan NAME "BRAHMA PRAKASH" composed by Pir Shams you can find Kundlaini there, thIS ginan is specially composed on this subjects, i.e. how to get progress in meditation and pass 7 Chakras one after another ( cycles) and reach "Agya chakra" and can look the Noor of Allah.
It is possible that some names are different then "YOGA DARSHAN" written by Maharshi Patanjali, for a example you may not find name of Aagya Chakra but you can find 'BHAMAR GUFA' instead.

There are many ginans on INGLA-PINGLA-SUKSHMANA AND KUNDALINI
below are few:-
1, Saakhi Mara Atam na Othar ke by pir Sadardin
2, Series of Jogeshwars ginans composed by Syed Imam Shah has lots of information on these and "KUNDALINI AWAKENING.

By the way Kundalini practice needs at least 3 hours everyday which is not possible in this modern time therefore our Imam suggested us to practice only 1 hour and with simple way whatever you thing is best and more convenient to us.
There was a time when many Ismailis were practicing 6 hours every day, many Ismailis were practicing on 'BREATHING MEDITATION' some were practice strictly on the path of Yoga as described by 'Maharshi Patanjali' but right not in my opinion very few Ismailis who has interest might be practicing Kundalini to avoid harm themselves.
As per my thinking, KUNDLAINI AWAKENING IS NOT PROHIBITED OR FORBIDDEN BY OUR ANY IMAM, if I am wrong please correct me.

Our Imams blessed us this new meditation practice is a 'LIFT' ( SULTAN Mohammed Shah our 48th Imam gave this name "lift"our current meditation practice is like "Lift" for us while Kundalini awakening is like a ladder, which takes years and years to receive any benefits

Thanks for the replies!!
I managed to control the flow of Kundalini with only 1h of Yoga per day, but the first 2-3 months after the first flow of energy up the spine, through the head was so different and released energy so radically more powerful than anything I've ever felt before that it caused some unusual physical symptoms like shaking and made me love every living creation mor than I'd previously loved anything but also made me alot more suceptible to stress and anxiety from time to time. But after approx 3 months I started a course called "kundalini yoga" & also practicing at home which made me fell like I had adopted to the flow.

I also started having so-called "Out of body experiences" from time to time in my dreams (especially at full moon) in which I was in a dreamlike state, yet conscious. When I'm not in a spiritually "dry period" this happens almost every full moon, but especially often it happens at full moon-time.

According to the chinese taoist alchemy sources which i've familiarized myself with somewhat, this is a normal effect and something I had to get used to until I've reached fulfillment (maybe not in this lifetime :/ ) According to taoist alchemy there's more stages where the first kundalini awakening is but the beginning of the first process!

Are all Ismaili meditations and meditation-methods "secret" from non-ismailis like myself?
Does the 7 chakras mapping which are so standard these days in the west exist within ismailism? do they have different names or do ismailis generally map out different energy points in the body? like for example the Naqshbandi tareeqa do?
I feel drawn towards Ismaili islam, it's a beautiful spiritual faith IMHO and you have an awesome charismatic Imam

[nuseri]

With so many experience n thrills
You should be professor in this unique practice.
Do you see with your own eyes the inner glow of light on your body n face?

[Shamati]

With so many experience n thrills
You should be professor in this unique practice.
Do you see with your own eyes the inner glow of light on your body n face?

No. I've seen yogis who have this glow but the way I've understood this subject is that you have to initiate a 2nd & a 3rd Kundalini awakening: the first is in chinese taoist alchemy called the "Air" process. The 2nd is called the "Water" process because it's said to involve bodily fluids & the channeling of sexual energy traveling up the Sushumna which is supposed to demande at least 100 days of specific daily meditation and abstaining from sexual orgasm and eating meat. The 3rd is called the "Fire" process and this is the last stage. I don't know the details about how this is to be completed but I have read reports from and spoken with a guy who did complete this process. He was studying to become a roman catholic priest when the 1st stage of kundalini awakening happened. About 20 years later the whole 3 stage process was complete and he was no longer longing for the priesthood. The 3rd stage is said to climax in an experience in which the actual conscioussness and subtle energy body (which is being built up from stage 1) is traveling up the Sushumna and comes out of the Ajna chakra, in the forehead (pretty trippy stuff). This is where it's said one experiences the vastness and "One-ness" of God. This particular Guy saw a spinning swastika of fire when his energetic body travelled out of the forehead. This is where ones soul becomes a saint.

I don't know if this is the truth, but I heard this from what I determined to be a trustworthy source and read about it from Chinese Taoist alchemy and a book called "The secret of the Golden Flower". There's probably more ways to reach the same level of spiritual refinement

[nuseri]

To: Shamati.
Just a question out of curiosity.

How did you come to know about meditation practice of Ismailis?
Was it out of reading somewhere or a quest out of insight by your kundlani/yoga.etc practice?

Are you attracted toward Ismaili faith in totality? OR just wishing to know its meditation practice n experiences for your academic quest.

You seem to have a pious soul wishing to reach GOD/ALI. Keep it up.

[agakhani]

Are all Ismaili meditations and meditation-methods "secret" from non-ismailis like myself?

Ismaili method on meditation is very simple, you need to sit any posture you like and think it is comfortable for at least one hour, during this hour ismailis recite the 'BOL' also call "JAAP' received from their Imam.
I have heard and read that doing this simple meditation practice many Ismailis has been reached till 'SAMADHI' , the last stage of meditation.

As I wrote earlier that you can hardly find any Ismailis who is practicing on Kundalini awakening practice this is very hard and very very lengthy practice and you may not achieve the samadhi level in your this life, this one life is not enough. but the grace of our imam we Ismailis can rich till Samadhi level in this single life and our practice is very very simple.

BTW:- Whatever you are experiencing in your dream is called 'OUT OF BODY EXPERIENCE TRAVEL' no boasting but I had these kind travel experience in past, it is nothing to do with meditation, you may join any OBE group in your city, I think you may learn more how to progress in it.

[nuseri]

Is the meditation practice.Is the OBE experience stated by you'll come in dreams or in meditation time will full senses n memory ?

I am given to understand thru meditation the experience of spirituality are of reality in nature and not in form dreams.(fairy tales)

[Shamati]

To: Shamati.
Just a question out of curiosity.

How did you come to know about meditation practice of Ismailis?
Was it out of reading somewhere or a quest out of insight by your kundlani/yoga.etc practice?

Are you attracted toward Ismaili faith in totality? OR just wishing to know its meditation practice n experiences for your academic quest.

You seem to have a pious soul wishing to reach GOD/ALI. Keep it up.

Yes I'm interested in Ismailism in its totality and want to learn what the basic doctrines and faily rituals and prayers are.

I came across the story of the Ismaili caliphate when I was familiarizing myself with a general overview of the history of Islam and I remember that I always though that out of all strains of Islam Ismailism makes the most sense to me because I believe the soul reincarnates into another body and it also makes sense that there should always be a leader of the faith on earth.
The second time was when I was familiarizing myself with a general overview of the spiritual traditions and techniques of what is today India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The Kundalini-Yoga techniques I've studied the last 2 years were developed by a Sikh and I just stumbled across notes of sufism and ismailis here and there.
There was 2 european Holy Men who were converts to islam from France called Rene Guenon and Frithjof Schuon which intrigued me and spurred me to look into islam a bit deeper to see if I can find what they seem to have found and Ismailism appears to me like "Sufism" within regular sunni islam appears and I like that the Ismaili's don't "condemn" everything. Basically I already share the basic beliefs with Islam and Ismailis: There's One God in which all things exists and to which all things return and Mohammed is His prophet. But I also believe in reincarnation and that I can make spiritual progress with Kundalini energy in this life which I've learned is condemned as heresy by many muslims I've asked..

OBE only occurs when I sleep and yes I can remember everything when I "wake up". It's also possible to reach this state when you meditate but it requires practice. Basically what happens is that the body falls asleep bu the conscioussness is awake. Sometimes i can control where I want to go in this dreamlike state and other which I know who have practiced it can also travel pretty much anywhere. In certain occult teachings it's said that it is the realm in which souls, certain angels and spirits travel but I've never met something in this state as of yet. The "seven heavens" or seven planets can be reached through this state if you learn how to control your etheric body. So far I havent prioritized any of the OBE-stuff because it's just been a side-effect from my Kundalini awakening and I want to stay away from things I might not be able to control..

Because I have already awakened the Kundalini-force I am forced to continue with the practices wether I like it or not and I can tell you that it has greatly enriched my life.. Before it happened I was not interested in spirituality and sceptical even to the existance of God so I believe it was Divine Intervention that made med meditate which resulted in the full awakening, which has lead to regular meditation and yoga which has lead med to the search for spirituality within the revealed religions and now I'm researching Ismailism!

Is there any books written by Ismaili's on the Quran where I can read the esoteric interpretations of Quranic verses etc?

[Shamati]

Are all Ismaili meditations and meditation-methods "secret" from non-ismailis like myself?

Ismaili method on meditation is very simple, you need to sit any posture you like and think it is comfortable for at least one hour, during this hour ismailis recite the 'BOL' also call "JAAP' received from their Imam.
I have heard and read that doing this simple meditation practice many Ismailis has been reached till 'SAMADHI' , the last stage of meditation.

As I wrote earlier that you can hardly find any Ismailis who is practicing on Kundalini awakening practice this is very hard and very very lengthy practice and you may not achieve the samadhi level in your this life, this one life is not enough. but the grace of our imam we Ismailis can rich till Samadhi level in this single life and our practice is very very simple.

BTW:- Whatever you are experiencing in your dream is called 'OUT OF BODY EXPERIENCE TRAVEL' no boasting but I had these kind travel experience in past, it is nothing to do with meditation, you may join any OBE group in your city, I think you may learn more how to progress in it.

Thank you! I'll check it out.
I have to continue anyway with my practices because it's not good to stop when one has already started it as I've been told and also felt for myself when I've ignored to perform daily meditations. As I've understood it every person has more or less kundalini energy flowing through him every moment and therefor one can naturally increase the flow of life energy by simply meditating every day, follow spiritual ethics and reading spiritually nourishing books like the Quran. It's not necessary to have a "kundalini awakening" to reach enlightenment but should be allowed to happen naturally.. I believe it's a sign of divine intervention of some kind when it does but every soul has its own path to travel

[nuseri]

To Shamati:
It was good to know your desire.
There are many written material n some r there on this site.
For qualitative reading n esoteric meaning of Quran.
You can read works of Shams Tabriz,Nasir Kushraw n Masnavi of Jalauddin Rumi.

Admin/KMaherali can provide links in better ways.

As you have progressed fairly in meditation.

There is a posting by me earlier In which Imam Jaffer Sadiq has said about one WORD greater than All word n names of God in the universe.You can use that word for your meditation and you will SURELY feel/see the difference 'YOURSELF' over a period of time

Blessed souls are born into Ismaili Faith,so the soul may have long way to go.

SO GO AHEAD YOU ARE ON TRUE PATH N NOW ON SUPER JET FUEL.

[agakhani]

Is the meditation practice.Is the OBE experience stated by you'll come in dreams or in meditation time will full senses n memory ?

As long as I concern, It is my common practice that I usually sleep after meditation in this sleep neither I am fully awakened nor I am in deep sleep but I have fully conscious that is for sure. you can name it dream or real experience but it was true that I used to see what is going on around me even I used to hear snoring from my wife and this time I experience OBE experience also called astral travel ( however, not every day) but unfortunately it has been stopped for a long time,many peoples believes that if you tell this kind experience to others it automatically stops, whatever reason it may be but I miss this kind experience in my opinion this kind experience has nothing to do with Ibadat/Bandagi/meditation and I also heard this from Dr. Rai Abu Ali Ali bhai in his one waez too.

[agakhani]

As I've understood it every person has more or less kundalini energy flowing through him every moment and therefor one can naturally increase the flow of life energy by simply meditating every day,

It might be true brother, I heard this many times and also read in many books FYI:- I have more than hundred books on this subject including the original book written by Maharshi Patanjali, Baba Ramdev, Osho and many other authors and I am still practicing both ways 'SIMPLE ISMAILI PRACTICE' and KUNDALINI AWAKENING PRACTICE' but I donot have much progress I am still there where I started before, it is possible that I am not practicing it hard or may be I have to choose only one method.
I also believe that there are many peoples who are lucky enough to progress very fast in my opinion those peoples must had practice during their previous lives.

[shiraz.virani]

Agakhani bhai:

I am still practicing both ways 'SIMPLE ISMAILI PRACTICE' and KUNDALINI AWAKENING PRACTICE' but I donot have much progress I am still there where I started before, it is possible that I am not practicing it hard or may be I have to choose only one method.

Agakhani bhai, a person attains the deedar of divine once he attains peace...A time where human mind is free of thoughts[good/bad].... You, me, nuseri and everybody else is too busy to fight on issues that we ourselves at times don't follow.

Let us all agree to be more compassionate [whether it be in regards to religion, people or even their NATIONALITY] then and only then I feel INSHA ALLAH that we shall all attain the best and indescribable deedar of divine.

[Shamati]

As I've understood it every person has more or less kundalini energy flowing through him every moment and therefor one can naturally increase the flow of life energy by simply meditating every day,

It might be true brother, I heard this many times and also read in many books FYI:- I have more than hundred books on this subject including the original book written by Maharshi Patanjali, Baba Ramdev, Osho and many other authors and I am still practicing both ways 'SIMPLE ISMAILI PRACTICE' and KUNDALINI AWAKENING PRACTICE' but I donot have much progress I am still there where I started before, it is possible that I am not practicing it hard or may be I have to choose only one method.
I also believe that there are many peoples who are lucky enough to progress very fast in my opinion those peoples must had practice during their previous lives.

I have personal experience from the method called "Kundalini Yoga" which is a bunch of postures known to increase or awaken the kundalini put together according to their specific functions. But I also recommend trying other things but I know this method to work for me and other peoples completely new to kundalini.

This link contains good information on different sets to practice etc. (i've been recommended to replace the mantras with phrases and holy names from my faith so you can use words, phrases, names from the Quran):
www. kundalinirising.org/kykriyas.html

You can also search on YouTube and find videos with guided complete sets.[/url]

[agakhani]

Thanks for sharing link and yes I search in youtube as well.