Himalayan Philosophy

The Himalayas are known as "Dev Bhumi" The Land of the Gods and are very powerful in their vibrations. For the yogi the spine is the energetic gateway to transcendence, and for many Tantric practitioners the spine represents the internal Himalayas. The purpose of going into these mountains, walking on ancient pilgrim routes and practicing yoga is to tap into that immortal vein of energy, and allow those vibrations to shake free the attachments which have been created by the mind.

In the Yoga Sutras (Y.S.) it is stated:

1.2 — Yogascittavrttinirodhaha- yoga is the cessation of the activities of the mind i.e., SAMADHI

Sages and yogis have forever sought transformation and spiritual refuge in the Himalayas, practicing tapas (austerities) to attain realization of the Self, and surrendering the concept of "I".

Y.S. 1.3 — Tada drastuh svarupe avasthanam- Then the seer (observer) is firmly established in its proper place.

Both yogic and ayurvedic philosophies have their root in Samkhya Philosophy. Samkhya states that there is Purusa and Prakrti. Purusa is the Self (observer). Prakrti is the subtle Nature, from which "Mahat" the great principle of Intellect arises. Intellect then produces ahamkara (the "I" concept). It is from this theory of evolution that we attempt to move back to the Self/Source. Based on this theory it is known that the seeds of all suffering originate from the concept of "I exist."

Y.S. 2.3 — Avidya asmita raga dvesa abhiniveshah klesah- from wrong knowledge arises the concept that "I exist," followed by desire, aversion and fear of death.
These are the five klesas (which create pain/unhappiness) to be freed from.

*Thus it is said: -- Just as a person on top of a mountain looks at those on the surface of the earth, the discerning yogi who is free from pain, having climbed the mountain in the form of the purity of "Samadhi-intelligence," sees all others as suffering.

*Excerpted from the Yogavartika of Vijnanabhiksu (commentary on Patanjali's Yoga Sutras) Y.S. 1.47

Auspicious Himalayan Symbology: The Himalayas are the abode of Lord Shiva and his Consort Goddess Parvati -- the Daughter of the Himalayas. They are the Parents of Lord Ganesha, the Remover of Obstacles and the Blesser of New Beginnings. (This is why Ganeshji is always the first to be prayed to before beginning anything sacred or new.) The temple at Gangotri is dedicated to the Goddess Ganga, who is believed to have descended from heaven at this location, as a result of King Bhagirath's centuries-long penance. His tapas was performed in order to be granted the boon of having the ashes of his dead relatives washed away by her holy waters, purifying his ancestral karma.The current of the Ganga was so strong that Lord Shiva (the Destroyer in the Hindu Holy Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer) had to hold her flow in check by coiling his matted locks around her. Ma (Mother) Ganga is the Holiest and most revered River in all of India, if not the world. It is said that bathing in her waters will cleanse you of your karmas (attachments). If you are cremated on her banks and your ashes are submerged in her waters, she can even free you from rebirth. In Nature, no mountains can rival the Mighty Himalayas. For solitude and meditation they have been the most desired for thousand of years, in spite of the great sacrifices that have historically been made. There were no roads, and often times no food or shelter. The humble mendicants went with barely any clothes and no shoes. To enter the Himalayas at that time was to embrace death. Though facing these challenges and conditions would be unimaginable today, the internal sacrifices required remain. The extreme physical, mental and emotional challenges are considered to be purifying and are meant to be embraced.

copyright © Paul Swen