Thursday 20 October 2016

Man Noticed This Abandoned Hangar. What’s Inside Caught Him By Surprise


Urban explorer and photographer Ralph Mirebs found something very rare; a find unlike anything we’ve seen before. While venturing around Kazakhstan, Ralph came across an enormous abandoned building.
At first, the building looked similar to a large airport hangar but much larger. After breaking into it, he realized that this was a very special building with two of the most historical items in the world!
Scroll down to see these spectacular images for yourself.
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The abandoned hangar is located at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Cosmodrome is miles away and still in operation today. Because the NASA Space Program was recently shut down, this is the only area that astronauts can make their way up to the International Space Station via Russian Soyuz space shuttles.
This hangar in particular is from a previous time when the Russians and the Americans were competing in a race for space exploration.
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The hangar was erected in 1974 for the Buran Space Shuttle Program where technology and design would fuse to create some of the most incredible exploration vessels ever conceived. The Buran Shuttle Program was halted in 1988 but the hangar was operational until 1993 and was the home to three of the most advanced pieces of technology of their time.
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The collapse of the Soviet Union caused the demise of this facility in 1993. Sadly, only one shuttle of three ever partook in a mission. The shuttle completed one unmanned orbit before it was grounded and destroyed in a different hangar that collapsed on top of it.
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There are two shuttles from the Buran Space Program left and they sit in idle, turning into historic relics, within a forgotten and abandoned building located in Kazakhstan.
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The facility was an incredibly advanced building with atmospheric pressure control systems in place to keep dust and debris outside of its thick walls. Those systems have been turned off and now nature is slowly reclaiming this incredibly massive place.
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The shuttles are being covered with dust and bird droppings more and more every day. The ceramic tiles that wrap the shuttles are starting to fall off and shatter on the floor below. It’s only a matter of time before these two pieces of space exploration history are gone forever.
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Surprisingly only a few windows have been broken out but there is not much damage at all from vandals, which is a very rare sight when it comes to almost anything abandoned these days. It’s a good thing that urban explorers live by the motto, “Leave only footprints, take only photographs.”
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These two shuttles never made it to launch. One shuttle was actually a mock-up shuttle that was used to test fit everything that would be used to build the two fully functioning shuttles. Of those two shuttles, only one made it to launch for an un-manned orbit. It was grounded soon after and destroyed when the hangar it was being stored in collapsed.
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The facility used to build these shuttles is absolutely massive. We can’t imagine how massive this would be standing on the floor looking up. Isn’t it strange that there is an abandoned relic, completely forgotten about, that contains vehicles our civilization used to travel through space?
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The yellow platforms show the sheer size of this facility. They are on pneumatic rollers that can move around the shuttles and platforms in unison in order to work on them. You would think that all of this would be highly sought after and extremely valuable.
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The paint is starting to peel and the walls are starting to rust now that the climate control systems are dead. It’s only a matter of time before this entire building crumbles to the ground, crushing two iconic pieces of history.
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It looks as if the working shuttle was just about ready for its maiden voyage before it was grounded during the fall of the Soviet Union. With the Russian Space Program still in full effect, it surprises us that these can be left abandoned.
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But what a sight to see. Can you imagine walking into an abandoned building not fully knowing what to expect when you enter? We think that two full space shuttles sitting completely lifeless would be quite a shock.
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Some of the ceramic tiles have fallen off but for the most part these shuttles are in great shape. They’re just covered in years and years of dust and bird droppings.
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This is the nose of the operational prototype shuttle while the shuttle sitting in the front of the building is the test mock-up shuttle.
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They are still surrounded by the working platforms which are still in excellent condition. The paint has just started to peel which means the deterioration process has just been expedited.
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This is the type of thing you would expect to see in a James Bond movie but never in real life.
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Seeing it in this state is bittersweet and actually very beautiful. These images are somewhat surreal.
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Imagine seeing this place in its heyday. Russian scientists and engineers racing to press into the future of space exploration to discover the unknown and make history! It must have been spectacular.
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The holes on the front of the nose cone are actually thrusters that would be used to slightly steer the shuttle as it is in space. The ceramic tiles that cover the shuttle were used to protect the shell from the insane temperatures that the shuttle would be exposed to.
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The small round opening on the side of the shuttle is the entry hatch leading the Russian astronauts into the cockpit.
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From this facility, the shuttles would have been transported to the launchpad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome which is quite a few miles away. The Cosmodrome is still used today. In fact, American astronauts head to the International Space Station from this location.
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At the time the computer power of this shuttle was less than that of the cell phone in your hand. You would have to be a seriously brave person to take on a challenge like that.
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The cockpit of the shuttle has been stripped of some of its equipment but most of it is still there.
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The amount of equipment that is systematically placed throughout the fuselage is impressive!
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The best part is that it’s all still there and photographer Ralph Mirebs was able to capture it all.
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It looks like someone had a party in here at one point. Our guess is it was a few employees who found out their most impressive project was just canned.
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The hatch and pressure control systems look like they would turn right on and start working immediately.
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There is so much to salvage here. This door leads into the back half of the fuselage where satellites or other space equipment would be stored and launched into the sky.
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Inside you can see air tanks as well as the giant hatch above that would open allowing space astronauts to release their equipment into orbit.
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Being sealed off from the elements outside, the interior is relatively dust free and in amazing shape.
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Past the rear storage compartment is a huge equipment room.
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The other shuttle contains a docking system for connecting with other space vehicles, and an airlock used for going for spacewalks.
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Two completely forgotten space shuttles are sitting to rot and over time will be crushed by the building that once protected them. Hopefully this article spreads some attention and these shuttles are restored and placed in a museum.
Stumbling across some epic find when exploring abandoned or forgotten places is inspiring.
But what Ralph Mirebs found, makes this the most impressive urban exploration we’ve seen yet!

Thursday 13 October 2016

Hinduism Is Very Scientific Religion


Few Reasons Why Hinduism Is Very Scientific Religion


Hinduism is scientific as it is based on what can be known, intuited and experienced. There is no need for any blind belief to qualify for heaven. The Rishis had profound insights not only in spiritual but also worldly matters. The Rig Veda (10.22.14) states that earth is round, goes around the sun, etc, yet even Hindu children don’t hear about it. Yoga is a verified science, and whosoever denies it, should understand it before calling it a pseudo-science. It’s not even religious in nature or the definition by a far margin. Also Hatha Yoga is depicted as a form of aerobics and nothing more.
Below are few examples of Scientific Proofs of few day to day things which all Hindus do and this gives a clear picture of Hinduism or Sanatana Dharma is a very Scientific Religion.There are many other proofs of Hinduism, that is a great science wherein we get all the Knowledge of Any field in sciences like Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Astronomy, Maths, Biology etc.

1.  Joining Both Palms Together To Greet



In Hindu culture, people greet each other by joining their palms – termed as “Namaskar.” The general reason behind this tradition is that greeting by joining both the palms means respect. However, scientifically speaking, joining both hands ensures joining the tips of all the fingers together; which are denoted to the pressure points of eyes, ears, and mind. Pressing them together is said to activate the pressure points which helps us remember that person for a long time. And, no germs since we don’t make any physical contact!

2. Why Do Hindu Women Wear Toe Ring


Wearing toe rings is not just the significance of married women but there is science behind it. Normally toe rings are worn on the second toe. A particular nerve from the second toe connects the uterus and passes to heart. Wearing toe ring on this finger strengthens the uterus. It will keep it healthy by regulating the blood flow to it and menstrual cycle will be regularized. As Silver is a good conductor, it also absorbs polar energies from the earth and passes it to the body.

3. Throwing Coins Into A River



The general reasoning given for this act is that it brings Good Luck. However, scientifically speaking, in the ancient times, most of the currency used were made of copper unlike the stainless steel coins of today. Copper is a vital metal very useful to the human body. Throwing coins in the river was one way our forefathers ensured we intake sufficient copper as part of the water as rivers were the only source of drinking water. Making it a custom ensured that all of us follow the practice.

4. Applying Tilak/KumKum/Tika On The Forehead



On the forehead, between the two eyebrows, is a spot that is considered as a major nerve point in the human body since ancient times. The Tilak is believed to prevent the loss of “energy”, the red ‘kumkum’ between the eyebrows is said to retain energy in the human body and control the various levels of concentration. While applying kumkum, the points on the mid-brow region and Adnya-chakra are automatically pressed. This also facilitates the blood supply to the face muscles.

5. Why Do Temples Have Bells



People who are visiting the temple should and will Ring the bell before entering the inner sanctum (Garbhagudi or Garbha Gruha or womb-chamber) where the main idol is placed. According to Agama Sastra, the bell is used to give sound for keeping evil forces away and the ring of the bell is pleasant to God. However, the scientific reason behind bells is that their ring clears our mind and helps us stay sharp and keep our full concentration on devotional purpose. These bells are made in such a way that when they produce a sound it creates a unity of the Left and Right parts of our brains. The moment we ring the bell, it produces a sharp and enduring sound which lasts for the minimum of 7 seconds in echo mode. The duration of echo is good enough to activate all the seven healing centers in our body. This results in emptying our brain from all negative thoughts.

6. Why We Start With Spice & End With Sweet

Our ancestors have stressed on the fact that our meals should be started off with something spicy and sweet dishes should be taken towards the end. The significance of this eating practice is that while spicy things activate the digestive juices and acids and ensure that the digestion process goes on smoothly and efficiently, sweets or carbohydrates pulls down the digestive process. Hence, sweets were always recommended to be taken as the last item.

7.  Why Do Indian Girls Apply Mehendi/Henna On The Hand And Feet



Besides lending color to the hands, mehndi is a very powerful medicinal herb. Weddings are stressful, and often, the stress causes headaches and fevers. As the wedding day approaches, the excitement mixed with nervous anticipation can take its toll on the bride and groom. Application of mehndi can prevent too much stress because it cools the body and keeps the nerves from becoming tense. This is the reason why mehndi is applied on the hands and feet, which house nerve endings in the body.

8. Sitting On The Floor & Eating

This tradition is not just about sitting on floor and eating, it is regarding sitting in the “Sukhasan” position and then eating. Sukhasan is the position we normally use for Yoga asanas. When you sit on the floor, you usually sit cross-legged – In sukhasana or a half padmasana  (half lotus), which are poses that instantly bring a sense of calm and help in digestion, it is believed to automatically trigger the signals to your brain to prepare the stomach for digestion.

9. Why You Should Not Sleep With Your Head Towards North

The myth is that it invites ghost or death but science says that it is because the human body has its own magnetic field (Also known as heart’s magnetic field, because the flow of blood) and Earth is a giant magnet. When we sleep with head towards north, our body’s magnetic field become completely asymmetrical to the Earth’s Magnetic field. That cause problems related to blood pressure and our heart needs to work harder in order to overcome this asymmetry of Magnetic fields. Apart from this, another reason is that Our body have the significant amount of iron in our blood. When we sleep in this position, iron from the whole body starts to congregate in the brain. This can cause a headache, Alzheimer’s Disease, Cognitive Decline, Parkinson disease and brain degeneration.

10. Why We Pierce Ear

Piercing the ears has a great importance in Hindu ethos. Many physicians and philosophers believe that piercing the ears helps in the development of intellect, a power of thinking and decision-making faculties. Talkativeness fritters away life energy. Ear piercing helps in speech-restraint. It helps to reduce impertinent behavior and the ear channels become free from disorders. This idea appeals to the Western world as well, and so they are getting their ears pierced to wear fancy earrings as a mark of fashion.

11. Surya Namaskar



Hindus have a tradition of paying regards to Sun God early in the morning by their water offering ritual. It was mainly because looking at Sun rays through water or directly at that time of the day is good for eyes and also by waking up to follow this routine, we become prone to a morning lifestyle and mornings are proven to be the most effective part of the day.

12. Choti (Tuppi) On The Male Head

Sushrut rishi, the foremost surgeon of Ayurveda, describes the master sensitive spot on the head as Adhipati Marma, where there is a nexus of all nerves. The Shikha protects this spot. Below, in the brain, occurs the Brahmarandhra, where the sushumnã (nerve) arrives from the lower part of the body. In Yog, Brahmarandhra is the highest, seventh chakra, with the thousand-petalled lotus. It is the center of wisdom. The knotted shikhã helps boost this center and conserve its subtle energy known as Ojas.

13. Why Do We Fast

The underlying principle behind fasting is to be found in Ayurveda. This ancient Indian medical system sees the basic cause of many diseases as the accumulation of toxic materials in the digestive system. Regular cleansing of toxic materials keeps one healthy. By fasting, the digestive organs get rest and all body mechanisms are cleansed and corrected. A complete fast is good for heath, and the occasional intake of warm lemon juice during the period of fasting prevents the flatulence. Since the human body, as explained by Ayurveda, is composed of 80% liquid and 20% solid, like the earth, the gravitational force of the moon affects the fluid contents of the body. It causes emotional imbalances in the body, making some people tense, irritable and violent. Fasting acts as an antidote, for it lowers the acid content in the body which helps people to retain their sanity. Research suggests there are major health benefits to caloric restriction like reduced risks of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, immune disorders etc.

14. The Scientific Explanation Of Touching Feet (Charan Sparsh)

Usually, the person of whose feet you are touching is either old or pious. When they accept your respect which came from your reduced ego (and is called your shraddha) their hearts emit positive thoughts and energy (which is called their Karuna) which reaches you through their hands and toes. In essence, the completed circuit enables the flow of energy and increases cosmic energy, switching on a quick connect between two minds and hearts. To an extent, the same is achieved through handshakes and hugs. The nerves that start from our brain spread across all your body. These nerves or wires end in the fingertips of your hand and feet. When you join the fingertips of your hand to those of their opposite feet, a circuit is immediately formed and the energies of two bodies are connected. Your fingers and palms become the ‘receptor’ of energy and the feet of other person become the ‘giver’ of energy.

15. Why Married Women Apply Sindoor Or Vermillion



It is interesting to note that that the application of sindoor by married women carries a physiological significance. This is so because Sindoor is prepared by mixing turmeric-lime and the metal mercury. Due to its intrinsic properties, mercury, besides controlling blood pressure also activates sexual drive. This also explains why Sindoor is prohibited for the widows. For best results, Sindoor should be applied right up to the pituitary gland where all our feelings are centered. Mercury is also known for removing stress and strain.

16. Why Do We Worship Peepal Tree



‘Peepal’ tree is almost useless for an ordinary person, except for its shadow. ‘Peepal’ does not a have a delicious fruit, its wood is not strong enough for any purpose then why should a common villager or person worship it or even care for it? Our ancestors knew that ‘Peepal’ is one of the very few trees (or probably the only tree) which produces oxygen even at night. So in order to save this tree because of its unique property, they related it to God/religion.

17. Why Do We Worship Tulsi Plant



Hindu religion has bestowed ‘Tulsi’, with the status of the mother. Also known as ‘Sacred or Holy Basil’, Tulsi, has been recognized as a religious and spiritual devout in many parts of the world. The Vedic sages knew the benefits of Tulsi and that is why they personified it as a Goddess and gave a clear message to the entire community that it needs to be taken care of by the people, literate or illiterate. We try to protect it because it is like Sanjeevani for the mankind. Tulsi has great medicinal properties. It is a remarkable antibiotic. Taking Tulsi everyday in tea or otherwise increases immunity and help the drinker prevent diseases, stabilize his or her health condition, balance his or her body system and most important of all, prolong his or her life. Keeping Tulsi plant at home prevents insects and mosquitoes from entering the house. It is said that snakes do not dare to go near a Tulsi plant. Maybe that is why ancient people would grow lots of Tulsi near their houses.

18. Why Do We Worship Idol

Hinduism propagates idol worship more than any other religion. Researchers say that this was initiated for the purpose of increasing concentration during prayers. According to psychiatrists, a man will shape his thoughts as per what he sees. If you have 3 different objects in front of you, your thinking will change according to the object you are viewing. Similarly, in ancient India, idol worship was established so that when people view idols it is easy for them to concentrate to gain spiritual energy and meditate without mental diversion

19. Why Do Hindu Women Wear Bangles

Normally the wrist portion is in constant activation on any human. Also, the pulse beat in this portion is mostly checked for all sorts of ailments. The Bangles used by women are normally in the wrist part of one’s hand and its constant friction increases the blood circulation level. Furthermore the electricity passing out through the outer skin is again reverted to one’s own body because of the ring-shaped bangles, which has no ends to pass the energy outside but to send it back to the body.

20. Why Should We Visit Temple?



Temples are located strategically at a place where the positive energy is abundantly available from the magnetic and electric wave distributions of north/south pole thrust. The main idol is placed in the core center of the temple, known as “*Garbhagriha*” or *Moolasthanam*. In fact, the temple structure is built after the idol has been placed. This *Moolasthanam* is where earth’s magnetic waves are found to be maximum. We know that there are some copper plates, inscribed with Vedic scripts, buried beneath the Main Idol. What are they really? No, they are not God’s / priests’ flash cards when they forget the *shlokas*. The copper plate absorbs earth’s magnetic waves and radiates it to the surroundings. Thus, a person regularly visiting a temple and walking clockwise around the Main Idol receives the beamed magnetic waves and his body absorbs it. This is a very slow process and a regular visit will let him absorb more of this positive energy. Scientifically, it is a positive energy that we all require having a healthy life.

Source – Quora

Hinduism : in brief


From a Western lexical standpoint, Hinduism like other faiths is appropriately referred to as a religion. In India the term dharma is preferred, which is broader than the western term "religion". Hindu traditionalists prefer to call it Sanatana Dharma (the eternal or ancient dharma).
Millenia ago, seers in the ancient Eastern tradition articulated the blueprint for the fulfillment of the objectives of human birth as was shown to them in the highest supreme levels of consciousness. The Supreme Self pervades and exists in all dimensions in all beings, sentient and insentient. It is that Supreme Self that exists inside each individual self, in each individual person. And therefore every individual person is none other than the Supreme Self, for how can the part be different from the whole.
In order for an individual to realize their supreme Self, they need to identify the reasons and objectives why they came into being on this earth plane, and fulfill them. The ancient seers clearly articulated the objectives of humankind as "Purusharthas" -- 'Purusha' means an individual or person, and 'Artha' means meaning or objective or pursuit. They articulated four Purusharthas as:
Dharma : Righteousness, Duty
Artha  : Wealth
Kama   : Desire
Moksha : Liberation
The four purusharthas are really the objectives of God, of the Supreme Self, the qualities of God. And since an individual person is a reflection of God, is a part of God, it is the rightful pursuit of a person to fulfill these four purusharthas.  In fact, it is both your individual and soul purpose. 
An individual can realize him or herself by balancing and fulfilling these four objectives. These four objectives are not independent of each other and should not be viewed in a stand-alone manner. They define and refine the other objectives and allow the other objectives to define and refine itself. The activity of fulfilling one objective should also support the fulfillment of the other objectives. By maintaining a balance between the definition and fulfillment of the four purusharthas, a symbiotic evolution of the individual self takes place. Exclusive pursuit of one purushartha creates an imbalance in a person's life, and prevents the person from reaching the ultimate destination of their life. As a person progresses through the evolution of their soul, they find that some of the objectives eventually lose their place and importance to more predominant objectives. For example, the desire to earn wealth may diminish and disappear, or a person may come to the realization that there are no more material desires that they need to pursue, and hence more room is created for the pursuit of the ultimate objective, Moksha.
Ekatvam is founded on the four pillars of Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha. The mission of Ekatvam is to help people realize their True Selves, to become one with the Supreme Self in this lifetime, to achieve moksha. Often, people make the mistake of renouncing everything in the pursuit of Moksha, but that can frequently turn out to be the wrong path, and is not suited for everyone. Ekatvam is in place to help people identify their true purpose and their unique purusharthas.  Ekatvam shows the way to each individual by helping people see the underlying unity, Ekatvam (oneness), of themselves with the Universe. The path for each individual to reach the ultimate destination is different, and it is only the individual self that can identify and see the path with the help of the Divine guidance.
Dharma: A person is born on this earth to perform certain duties. The soul houses itself into the physical vehicle that is the body which most suits for performing these duties. The physical work that a person needs to do, the duties of the person on this earth plane are termed as the Dharma of the person. Dharma is a difficult term to translate into English, but can roughly be translated as the rightful duty of a person. This is the true calling of a person, what they are born to do. Examples of a person's dharma are to be a doctor, teacher, writer, warrior, priest, parent etc. Sometimes a person's dharma is decided by their birth, but not necessarily so. A person's dharma can be a combination of things, and as a person progresses through life, different stages of life may call for different dharmas and purposes. Tuning into the inner guide of the heart allows a person to identify their dharma, their true calling.
Artha: Artha is the pursuit of material wealth, which brings material comforts to a person. People sometimes believe that the path of spiritual growth and pursuit of material wealth are mutually exclusive, or even that a spiritual seeker needs to be in poverty. But that is not true. If we look at the Universe, it is a reflection of abundance. Nature is abundant in everything, poverty is nothing but a state of consciousness. If abundance is the quality of the Divine, how is pursuit of abundance in contrast with the pursuit of the Divine? If one is in poverty, in a state of constantly worrying about how to support and feed, if that is what the focus is on, how can one pursue spirituality? Only when there are no worries is one able to focus their attention to the goal of union with the Divine. The important thing to remember is not to be attached to the possession or attainment of wealth. It can be either transcended or sought with detachment, and with awareness. When done in this state of mind, the pursuit of wealth is not different from the pursuit of the Divine, because one sees abundance, or wealth as a form of the Divine. And in this state of detachment, one recognizes when one has attained their financial objectives, and hence the desire to pursue automatically dies away, paving the way for Moksha.
Kama: Kama is fulfilling one's desires.  Desires are in various forms -- to be wealthy, powerful, sexual needs, recognition, service, etc. The Kama purushartha advocates that one's desires in this lifetime need to be fulfilled, albeit in a state of awareness and without harming anyone in the process. For a person to evolve spiritually and to reach the ultimate destination, the barrier of desires needs to be crossed. This can be done either by fulfilling the desires, or by sublimating or transcending them. Suppressing of desires is certainly not recommended because it is like a fully coiled spring that is held down by force, it can erupt unpredictably causing undesirable consequences. As one becomes aware of their desires and one goes about fulfilling them in awareness and without judgement, one soon reaches the stage of being able to sublimate them. The Divine, the Universe, lends a big hand in the process.

Stages of Spiritual Evolution

The ancient Siddha tradition, which has been revealed to Amma and Swamiji, has its origin in India. The seers in the Siddha tradition, were able to transcend the limitations of the human mind and body and attain liberation. They reached supreme states of consciousness in which they became one with the primordial, Supreme Self, while still in the physical body. And in those states of consciousness, they realized that it is possible for any person to reach the same state, if only a person has the desire and is willing to walk the path. They devised methods and practices which, when followed, allow a person to become increasingly closer to God. Said another way, these ancient Siddha masters devised ways where anyone can become a saint, anyone can attain Union with the Divine. Innumerable times it has been shown that while saints are born, they can also be self-made by pursuing a path of self evolution.
In general, for a person to reach the Supreme, they need to go through increasingly progressive stages. The Siddha masters have defined and devised a 4-stage path for self-realization. This is a broad framework which describes the stages of spiritual evolution in an individual. Each stage is described in detail with respect to the activities that need to be performed, the type of changes one experiences in different levels of consciousness. The four stages are Sariyai, Kriyai, Yogam and Gnanam. These four stages are a continuum, and there is often an overlap between them. As a spiritual seeker goes through these stages, he becomes increasingly closer to God, and eventually becomes One with God.
The human mind is constantly engaged in thought process, jumping from one realm to another, worrying about things. It constantly deludes a person in thinking that the five sensory organs define the complete reality of the person. Consequently a person is caught up in everyday life, and there is little time or inclination to think about the real reason for their existence. The four-fold path of Sariyai, Kriyai, Yogam and Gnanam encourages a person to increasingly detach themselves from the sensory inputs and to go inwards.

Sariyai

Sariyai is the first step, where the spiritual seeker worships a deity. This can be anyone – Lord Krishna, Jesus, Kali Ma – whatever form if Divinity that connects with the devotee. The deity is considered to be a full representation of the Supreme Divine, and in fact is considered to be God in the full form. The devotee worships and serves the deity. This worship can take many different forms, such as cleaning the altar and premises, bathing the idols, decorating them with flowers, lighting a lamp and incense, helping other devotees in worshipping the deity, etc. The person is constantly engaged in serving God in the form of a deity. All thoughts and actions are directed towards this activity, which helps focus the mind of the devotee. A deep love for God develops in the mind of the devotee.
The spiritual seeker should adhere to the principles laid out for Yama (moral principles) and Niyama (discipline and responsibility) in the 8-fold path. By paying attention to moral principles, developing discipline and accepting responsibility, purification at the external level starts to manifest.

Kriyai

Kriyai is the second stage in the spiritual evolution. As one matures in Sariyai, like a fruit which ripens on the tree but is not yet ready to fall off, the soul seeks a greater longing to be one with the Supreme consciousness, and Sariyai falls short on this. Kriyai is characterized by a combination of external worship to a deity and worship to the Divinity within. In this stage, the devotee is advancing from worshipping a concrete form to realizing that form within and consequently reduces the amount of time spent for the external worship of the deity, making way for internal worship. This internal worship is in the form of "mantra japa" which means chanting of the mantras, often silently. This helps calm the constant chatter of the mind and to go more silently inwards. Often, a spiritual master, a Guru, is needed in this stage to guide the devotee towards the correct mantras to use.  In this stage the devotee feels increasingly closer to the Divine, as it starts to blossom within.
In this stage, the spiritual seeker needs to go deeper, to begin the inner purification. Asanas (perfection and mastery of the body through yoga) as described in the 8-fold path are recommended to help with the purification both at the external and internal levels. Developing a deeper inner discipline happens naturally in this stage.

Yogam

Yogam is the third stage and is the maturation of Kriyai.  It is a pivotal point for the realization of the self. Yogam is not to be confused with Yoga, although Yoga can be one of the practices. In Yogam, there is a full maturity of the intuitive mind and the spiritual seeker is able to bring the mind to a standstill, and is able to catch glimpses of the Supreme Divine God and starts merging and becoming one with God. There is a detachment from all things worldly.
The emphasis in Yogam is on the withdrawal from the external sensory stimuli in order to perform internal purification. The internal purification is done at several different levels: physical, mental, emotional and etheral. This is done using a combination of methods described in the 8-fold path, such as 'pranayama' (harnessing and perfection of breath), 'pratyahara' (withdrawal of senses) and 'dharana' (single-minded focus).
At this stage, the branch is ready to release the fruit which has ripened, and the spiritual seeker is ready to enter the final stage, Gnanam.

Gnanam

Gnanam is the fourth and final stage in the spiritual evolution. This stage is one of pure knowledge and knowing. One does not need to do rigorous practices such as prayers or japa in this stage in order to go towards moksha, liberation. They happen by themselves. One needs to just be still, sitting in one place. Everything is empty, the person goes into the Void, which is the source of creation and manifestation. True knowledge is experienced as it shows itself.
In this stage, the spiritual seeker effortlessly goes into 'Dhyana' (uninterrupted meditation) and 'Samadhi' as laid in the 8-fold path. This stage is absolute bliss,Sat-Chit-Ananda. The spiritual seeker and the supreme Self and the Universal Spirit, become One, there is no difference. This is similar to melting of an earthen pot which separates a handful of the water in the ocean.
Ekatvam is about unveiling the truth of the totality of spirituality. It is about striving for everybody to reach the stage of Gnanam, to lead everyone to moksha, or liberation.
In the spirit of universal consciousness and uplifting the truths found in all religions, the Eight Fold path is a guide to how one should strive to live. It is a way of living on the path of Truth.  The Eight Fold path is both a step-by-step process, and also a simultaneous development of our beings all at once. The first five steps are the preliminaries of yoga and build the foundation for spiritual life. They are concerned with the body and the brain. The last three, which would not be possible without the previous steps, are concerned with reconditioning the mind, preparing the whole being for Divine Union.  Amma and Swamiji, through Ekatvam, are honored to work with your Divine Soul and grow awareness of this Path to Enlightenment.
Yama is action with moral principle. There are five yamas:
o    Non-violence (ahimsa). Do no harm to any creature in thought or deed.
o    Truth and honesty (satya). Telling no lies, to oneself or others.
o    Non-stealing (asteya). Do not steal material objects or intangebles.
o    Non-lust (brahmacharya). This is seeing divinity in all, and is not a call to celibacy. It is refraining from selfish and meaningless sexual acts. 
o    Non-possessiveness (aparigraha). This is detaching oneself from greed and not pursuing material gains as one's sole purpose.
Niyama is inner discipline and responsibility. There are five niyamas:
o    Purity (shauca). Purity is achieved through the practice of the five yamas, which help clear away the negative physical and mental states of being
o    Contentment (santosha). This is having fulfillment with who you are and what you have in any moment, while maintaining that these things are not the true self.
o    Austerity (tapas).  In order to fulfill one’s higher purpose it demands discipline of body, speech, and mind.
o    Study of the sacred text (svadhyaya). These could be texts of any religious affiliation as long as you find that the text resonates a feeling of Bhakti or devotion within you.
o    Living with an awareness of the Divine (ishvara-pranidhana). Coming to a place where all actions are a form of devotion and performed in love of the Divine.
Asana is perfection and mastery of the body, which frees the body and mind from tension and restlessness allowing for undisturbed meditation on the Divine.  This could be yoga for instance.
Pranayama is the mastery of breath or Prana.  This is the life force or energy that exists everywhere and flows through each of us.
Pratyahara is directing awareness inwards.  It is a withdrawal from the material senses.
Dharana involves teaching the mind to focus on one point or image.  It is concentration that allows one to rise above the seemingly endless flurry of thoughts.
Dhyana is perfecting meditation without objective, it is only with the purpose to create a heightened awareness of oneness with the universe.
Samadhi or absolute bliss. This is pure contemplation, in which you and the universe are one. Those who have achieved samadhi are enlightened.  This is the God-union and the goal of the eight fold path, truly the achievement of success.

Liberation

Moksha, or Liberation, is the ultimate goal of every individual. Moksha is the experience of, and realization that the individual self is the same as the Universal Supreme Self. It is an expansion of individual consciousness into the Universal consciousness. Liberation is not something attained after one's life, rather it is a permanent merger with one's True Divine Nature.
Every individual soul has their own unique path of evolution. This is a path that one chooses to gain the necessary experiences and to repay the karmic debts. One's birth ends with the death of the body, but the soul has accumulated karmas. The soul takes birth as a different personality and starts with the karmic balance that was accumulated. And instead of bringing the karmic balance to zero, more actions are performed, increasing one's ties to the material world.
Moksha is being liberated from all bondages. Moksha is about transcending this seemingly endless cycle of birth and death. It is about preventing a soul from taking birth on this earth within this perpetual cycle. If one is bound, how can they be free? One can be bound either by a golden chain (good karmas) or a rusting chain (bad karmas). Either way one is still bound.
However, it is possible to attain Moksha in one's lifetime by accelerating the process of the evolution of the soul. The seers and sages in many traditions have shown paths for people to follow so that they can evolve themselves into perfected souls, in this lifetime. They have articulated frameworks which give broad guidelines to people for walking the path to Moksha. These frameworks not only contain the teachings and insights that are necessary, but also lay down specific practices and methodologies to awaken the Divine within.

Moksha: Moksha means liberation, realization of the Self, and is the ultimate destination of this human birth. It is the stage of inner realization that the individual self is the same as the Supreme Self. It is the experience of the cosmos within one's self. It is the experience of the flow and fusion of the Shiva and Shakti energies in one's self. It is the experience of union, oneness, Ekatvam, with the Universe.
As all the rivers must eventually lead to the sea, there are many spiritual paths leading to the same destination.  Some paths are shorter than others, some are more arduous than others. The path can be difficult to navigate, and the path may not always be visible. A guide, in the form of a Guru is needed to traverse this path, someone who holds the person and shows them the Way to their inner Guru. It is Ekatvam's mission, and it is the Dharma of Amma and Swamiji to help people find their way to Moksha.

The Role of the Teacher

Many of us begin as wanderers in the ocean of life. We seek purpose and fulfillment. We accumulate karmas, which bind us to the cycle of life. Until the karmas are exhausted, our soul endlessly goes through this cycle of life, death and rebirth.  However, awareness can be raised to transcend this cycle, with proper guidance, and with Grace. On our own, we may seek fulfillment in wealth, in status, in perfecting some art or in relationships, but ultimately we must realize the true nature of these pursuits.  They are not bad - in fact many of these pursuits may aid in our spiritual fulfillment and evolution - but these actions must be performed with proper awareness to prevent attachment and disillusionment.  It is only through a Guru, through the Divine reflection of our own inner guidance, that we find true purpose and true fulfillment.
Volumes have been written and lectures have been orated-- all trying capturing the essence of the Guru-Disciple relationship.  Some of the major lessons are explained and some of the divine subtleties are acknowledged.  However, it is only through experience that one will ever appreciate the true greatness of this relationship.  This is undoubtedly the most unique relationship one will have in their life. It is Divine, it is selfless, it comes from a place of love that transcends the world as we understand it, and holds only the disciple’s spiritual evolution foremost.
A spiritual seeker can benefit from a true Guru more than with any practice or sadhana, more than any prayer or puja in a temple. For through the Guru’s Grace, great spiritual growth occurs. While on a pilgrimage in the Himalayas, Amma and Swamiji remarked to their disciple:
All that we see outwardly, the mountains, the valleys, the love and the suffering, all of this is a reflection of what is within us.  And yet, the inner world is deeper still, for it includes all which we see and all which is unseen.  Along the path to liberation, the journey into the inner-Self, there are countless pitfalls. There are steeper mountains to climb and more dangerous roads to traverse. These pitfalls come from the two biggest enemies to self-realization, the mind and the ego, and they are constantly present. Just as we need directions to get from where we are, to where we are going in the external world, we too need directions to navigate the inner realm, for it is far more harrowing. Trying to navigate alone can create complete disillusionment within a seeker. However, the presence of a true Guru sheds light on these hazards. The Guru takes on the role of making the disciple see both the outward and inward pitfalls and how to avoid them. That is the true Grace of the Guru. -Swami & Amma
 The relationship with the Guru can take on many different forms. The depth of the relationship will vary for every disciple. The relationship is a very dynamic one, it is ever-changing and yet it is always the same. The presence of the Guru in one's life clears obstacles on the spiritual path. The Guru's Grace is always there upon all the people who are connected with the teacher. It is a bond of love and trust, more than anything else. This is because the hardest lessons to receive are about the self and the hardest places to look are within our own reflections.  Once this trust is established fully, the Guru becomes the mirror and shows the disciple not just who they are, but who they can become - and how to fulfill their highest purposes.
 The teacher illuminates the light that has always existed in one’s own heart.  The Guru is the ultimate reflection of the Self. Gracefully, the student is shown his self-destructive tendencies and how to transcend them.  For these teachings to be bestowed and accepted fully, they can only be received in one's heart.

Soruba Samadhi

The drawing seen here is a teaching from Sri Mahavatar Babaji directly. It came at time when Amma was crying out, in tears praying and asking for the Truth to be shown to her. Babaji descended into the Singapore ashram and beautifully taught with a profound-simplicity, that can only be Divine. There is a small garden at the ashram, Babaji gracefully pointed to a Tulasi plant and said, “You should be like that.” In that moment Amma’s whole being experienced the Tulasi for what it really is, for what we really are. It radiated a golden effulgent light, much like a halo.
This teaching is about the essence of soruba samadhi, transforming the body into divine light. That life is about lifting our consciousness to reveal the radiant light that emanates from within. We must simply be in the truth of soruba samadhi, continually seeking to live in bliss. Amma was immersed in gratitude for the Grace and beauty of the teaching.  Several students living at the ashram at the time were absorbed in the presence of this great light energy. All in the ashram were moved to partake in some creative pursuit whether it was drawing, painting or contemplative writing.
The effulgent light of all beings… be like the Tulasi plant seeking the bliss of the sunlight and drawing the golden light of the sun into itself and thus attaining soruba samadhi.  I believe Ambaa and Babaji are drawing this through me as I am learning to be like the sacred Tulasi myself. Jai Pratyangira, Jai Babaji  - Amma

Sadhana

The saying, practice makes perfect, holds true in many instances in our modern world.  Spiritual practice or sadhana aligns with this saying.  In order to fulfill our highest purpose and realize the inner Truth, Sadhana is needed.
A person undertaking a spiritual practice is known as a sadhaka.  The goal of sadhana may vary, it may be spiritual-realization, enlightenment, pure love of God (prema), liberation from the cycle of birth and death (Samsara), or the blessings of a deity.  It is most important to perform any practice from a state of bhakti or devotion, while holding pure, Dharmic intentions.  The importance of spiritual practice cannot be emphasized enough, sadhana is extremely valuable to a spiritual seeker because is plants the seed of the fruit which will eventually sprout and ripen in later stages. It is essential, for without the seed, the fruit will not grow.  
Sadhana may involve yoga, meditation, pranayama, chanting of mantra (sometimes with the help of a japa mala), puja to a deity, among many others.  A practice given to a student from a teacher should be received with respect and practiced intently.  A practice given with this type of blessing is aligned with our highest purpose.  A spiritual teacher tailors an individual’s practice, as well as their experience of the sadhana, specifically for their unique path towards realization.  Under the guidance of a teacher, a practice can open one to levels of Grace and blessings that are tremendous at any stage of our lives.  It is a true blessing to have a practice bestowed by a teacher or Guru.
Sadhana helps to focus one’s mind and soul, and realize the harmonious relationship between the two.  Sadhana is both an art and a science.  It requires discipline by the sadhaka at each step, in order to practice with pure devotion from one's heart and also deep observant contemplation.  Developing a sharp focus, while maintaining a pure heart, enables us to evolve into the highest levels of consciousness through our spiritual practices.  A student on the path must be ever diligent.  One must be self-aware of their practice and their intentions.  A student is part-yogi, part-scientist, remaining astute and observant of their actions and reactions.  The ultimate key to an advanced spiritual practice is diligently performing one's sadhana, with a sense of detachment from the results, while maintaining a deep sense of love or devotion. 
The maturation of the sadhaka pinnacles at the point when one’s whole life is enveloped in spiritual practice.  The highest form of practice is when one’s daily life becomes the state of sadhana – when every step and every breath is in unity-consciousness.  To illustrate, a practice might begin in the form of a prayer, eventually this practice permeates the actions that we perform, that is, the prayer becomes present in our day to day lives. We incorporate this prayer in our work, our errands, while we cook and clean, etc.  Eventually, the actions we perform and the prayer become one, and there is no difference.  Ultimately, you realize that you are the prayer. Becoming the practice is the goal of a true sadhaka.  Living the Truth is the ultimate sadhana.



Source: http://ekatvam.org/sayujya-yoga/sadhana.html