Artwork: Matsyendra Natha by Dinesh Shrestha
Trika Mahasiddha Yoga
Know the truth of the body, know the truth of the Universe.
-Ratnasara Tantra
Trika Mahasiddha Yoga (TMY) is a traditional path to the realization of our True Nature and the ultimate unity of body, energy and mind. It dates back thousands of years to an ancient source in pre-Buddhist, pre-Upanishadic India and Central Asia. Prior to their widespread dissemination beginning in the early 20th century, the integrity of the transmission of yogic technologies was long ensured by the primary vehicle of the guru-disciple relationship. These last 150 years have seen an unprecedented movement away from the traditional roots of yoga as the ultimate method to end confused suffering and experience liberation toward a more limited system of physical exercise and health cultivation. Trika Mahasiddha Yoga is a complete path of spiritual science that brings together both “outer” and “inner” methods of practice in appropriate measure according to the aptitude, competency and disposition of each student. While modern impressions of yoga are focused almost exclusively on the outer practices of posture, breath and concentration, traditional yoga also possesses a well-developed range of inner methods that includes meditation both with and without form, purification of the five elements, kriya yoga, deity yoga, sleep and dream practice and transformation of consciousness at the time of death.
The Mahasiddhas are the great adepts of the original Tantrik systems of yoga. They were unique in that they lived a philosophy, practice and lifestyle that transcended ordinary religion and sectarian affiliations. There was incredible exchange and cross-fertilization between the yogins of the non-dual spiritual traditions including the Indian Saivites and Nathas, the Bonpos of Zhang-Zhung, Tibetan Buddhists, Chinese Chan Buddhists and Daoists. Though they never formally established a school per-say, the power of their experience of the fully awakened state was passed on through oral instruction and direct transmission. Trika Mahassidha Yoga is a system of spiritual cultivation handed down intact and undiluted from generation to generation from the original Mahasiddhas of the non-dual spiritual practice traditions, including the great codifiers of Hatha yoga, Matsyendranatha (also known as Macchanda Natha) and his consort equal Konkanamba.
The primary goal of TMY practice is to release the infinite energy of creativity, bliss, wisdom and compassion there under tension, lying dormant in every human being. Fully realized yogins are those that have released this subtle energy and come to know their destiny, attained radiant health and happiness, and lived out their allotted year in joyful contribution to the world. This all begins with the cultivation of “present moment awareness” because it is the only in the present moment that true satisfaction abides undisturbed, no longer distracted by situations, people, or our own inner dialogue and conflict.
-Dharma Bodhi
Trika Mahasiddha Yoga: Preliminary Practice Manual
Artwork: Shambu Natha by Dinesh Shrestha
TMY Modified P-1Series
Originally designed by yogins in secluded retreat spending long hours in meditation, this series is renowned for its ability to smooth the circulation of the wind energies of the entire body. Traditional forms of medicine both Chinese and Ayurvedic inform us that while our body’s functional energy is the first to be adversely affected by a sedentary lifestyle, its longterm stagnation ultimately impacts our joints. And so this series is also known as the “anti-rheumatic series” for its beneficial effects in preventing, and even reversing, all manner of degenerative joint afflictions. It is also a pathway to directly connect with life energy through sensational awareness, smooth the inner experience of the mind and open space for the virtues of equanimity, joy and compassion to arise.
Authentic yoga practice teaches us to work where we are at. This series may be done seated on the floor or in a chair, whichever allows for deeper connection with the sensations of body, energy and mind. The movements should first be practiced at a slow and deliberate pace to allow for complete range of motion and integration with the breath, gradually increasing in speed over many months until a singular, smooth rhythmic flow of breath and movement is achieved.