The Nine Techniques
Taught by Maharaji's mahatmas in the old days
Best of the Forum Index

Ms. K -:- the Nine Techniques -:- Wed, Jan 26, 2000 at 16:29:05 (GMT)

__ Runamok -:- the Nine Techniques -:- Wed, Jan 26, 2000 at 16:48:53 (GMT)

__ __ Jean-Michel -:- The 5 Holy Names of RSSM -:- Wed, Jan 26, 2000 at 17:05:00 (GMT)

__ __ __ Jean-Michel -:- and the last one: PANCH NAAM -:- Wed, Jan 26, 2000 at 17:40:12 (GMT)

__ __ Ms. K. -:- the Nine Techniques -:- Wed, Jan 26, 2000 at 17:01:56 (GMT)

__ __ __ G -:- the Nine Techniques -:- Wed, Jan 26, 2000 at 18:32:48 (GMT)

__ __ __ Joey -:- Techniques, shmechniques! -:- Wed, Jan 26, 2000 at 18:20:56 (GMT)

__ __ __ __ G -:- Techniques, shmechniques! -:- Wed, Jan 26, 2000 at 18:37:52 (GMT)

__ __ __ __ __ Ms. K -:- A question for G and Joey -:- Wed, Jan 26, 2000 at 19:04:02 (GMT)

__ __ __ __ __ __ G -:- Another answer for Ms. K -:- Wed, Jan 26, 2000 at 20:23:47 (GMT)

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ Ms. K -:- Another answer for Ms. K -:- Wed, Jan 26, 2000 at 22:31:55 (GMT)

__ __ __ __ __ __ Joey -:- An answer for Ms. K -:- Wed, Jan 26, 2000 at 19:43:29 (GMT)

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ Ms. K -:- An answer for Ms. K -:- Wed, Jan 26, 2000 at 22:09:22 (GMT)

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ billie -:- An answer for Ms. K -:- Fri, Jan 28, 2000 at 16:50:22 (GMT)

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ willie -:- An answer for Ms. K -:- Fri, Jan 28, 2000 at 19:43:07 (GMT)

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ billie -:- Special Shaman -:- Sat, Jan 29, 2000 at 05:28:33 (GMT)

Date: Wed, Jan 26, 2000 at 16:29:05 (GMT)
From: Ms. K
Email: None
To: Everyone
Subject: the Nine Techniques
Message:

To G and everyone, as promised, here is part of the story from the archives where a person received nine meditation techniques from one of Shri Hans' Mahatmas. The person's name was Dr. Mike, but he's not any of the Mike's or Michael's who are posting on the forum right now. I've put some explanatory notes in brackets for anyone who isn't familiar with Maharaji's family history. Please note that Dr. Mike refers to Maharaji as 'Prempal' (his given name. I think there is more of this story in the archives, but maybe not. Dr. Mike had understandably mixed feelings about revealing the nine techniques - although he did say that five of them were breath techniques.

Dr. Mike wrote:
'I was initiated by Satyanand (one of the Mahatmas under Prempals [Maharaji’s] father [Shri Hans]...After the festival at Amherst [summer 1974](which was just after I graduated from High School), my parents gave me a ticket to where ever I wanted to go as a graduation present. Naturally I chose India. Some of my friends who'd also received the same type of present (some just got money which they put to their tickets) and I flew from New York to Delhi and spent what felt like forever on a bus to get to Prem Negar. When we got there, Bal Bhagwan [Maharaji’s older brother] was giving Satsang and we were given a place to stash our stuff and put our sleeping bags out. He was giving satsang in Hindi, so we just grooved on the energy (not knowing Hindi). The next day we were introduced to Mahatma Satyanand and listened to his Satsang for hours. My friends decided this 'Monk Life' wasn't for them and they left to go to a Rock Concert in Ganshipuri. I stayed around for a few weeks listening everyday to Satyanand for hours and doing service.'

'I really didn't request to receive Knowledge. Satyanand at one point of his satsang started to instruct me and I followed along. He taught nine techniques and quoted them from the Bramanand Gita. It was a looonnnnggg knowledge session compared to another knowledge session I sat in with JagDeo when I got back to the states. I thought that either JagDeo had forgotten or just gave an overview of the techniques. Anyway, Satyanand reviewed the techniques for several days with me. I also sat in on a knowledge session with Parlokanand back in the states and he had the same techniques as JagDeo exect just a wee bit different. Each state-side Mahatma taught a very shortened and abbreviated version of what Satyanand taught in India.)'

'I always found it curious that during the break-up of Mata-Ji [Maharaji’s mother] and Prempal, that Satyanand was one of the Mahatmas that Prempal named that he didn't want speaking in public. I spoke to Satyanand about this and the old guy said that it was orignally intended that premies would come and study an assortment of Astanga-Yoga (8 branch practices of Yoga) that had been collected by Shri Hans [Maharaji’s father] from various gurus and munis. That the Mahamas, who were teachers in their own right, from various Yoga traditions would be invited to teach their methods as well.'

'It was only after Prempal came into view that people started calling Shri Hans 'Bhagwan' (implying Lord of the Universe). Satyanand said that Shri Hans told them just to go with it and pay it no mind. However, when the snowball effect florished... a large amount of the old guys (mahatmas) were left behind in India rather than having the family confronted in front of Americans, and the idea of having an eclectic teaching center was forgotten altogether. A large amount of the old guys are dead now however, after DLM got rolling... they formed their own centers and said the hell with DLM. Some of them still exist today and when you ask those who know the entire episode... they sound a lot like Ex-Premies do now.'

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Date: Wed, Jan 26, 2000 at 16:48:53 (GMT)
From: Runamok
Email: None
To: Ms. K
Subject: the Nine Techniques
Message:

So what were they? Sounds like they were extended versions of the 4... follow your breath (1); use the mahamantra with your breath (2); etc. (instead of 1 & 2 together as one).

I've also seen posts here describing the use of more common techniques like mantras as a part of the practice. Maybe that's it.

Ashtanga, the 8-fold path is a lot of souped up guidelines for living. No killing, lying, cheating kinda stuff (I forget exactly & don't remember if all you potential Ashtangies can have sex or not). When you see the term, it's often associated with really hard yoga practiced aerobically (continuously from pose to pose) which also goes to market as Power Yoga.

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Date: Wed, Jan 26, 2000 at 17:05:00 (GMT)
From: Jean-Michel
Email: None
To: Runamok
Subject: The 5 Holy Names of RSSM
Message:

This is from a post on one of the ex-satsangis websites:

The Radhasoami Beas five names are as follows:

JYOT NIRANJAN
OANKAAR
RARANKAAR
SOHANG
SATNAAM
RIGHT?

Jyot Niranjan is very similar to the yogic word i.e. 'Alakh Niranjan'

Oankaar and Satnaam came from other religions as well. The only word that seems to be the creation of RS Beas is Rarankaar and I could not find the meaning of this word anywhere in the dictionary.

That makes 4 + 4 = 8

Still one missing .....

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Date: Wed, Jan 26, 2000 at 17:40:12 (GMT)
From: Jean-Michel
Email: None
To: Jean-Michel
Subject: and the last one: PANCH NAAM
Message:

That was almost a joke, as 'panch naam' means 5 names in Hindi.

From what I've understood reading (part of) the endless controversies and discussions on the ex-satsangi forums,
is that some 'masters' merely teach 'panch naam', some teach the 5 names, some only teach some of them, some are supposed to take you to some 'spiritual' places, some say it doesn't matter etc etc etc

None of them of course agree, and maybe some feel safer teaching all of this, just in case you'll miss one of them at the last minute ....

You now know all of them, and you're safe and saved by the grace of the virtual instructor (I still have my diploma). Well, I think I should mention this on my resume ...

 

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Date: Wed, Jan 26, 2000 at 17:01:56 (GMT)
From: Ms. K.
Email: None
To: Runamok
Subject: the Nine Techniques
Message:

Hi Run -
I have tried to find a post in which Dr. Mike described the nine techniques, and I think the information was in an e-mail conversation we had. The basic idea was that 'so-hum' was just one of the original breath techniques that was taught - there were four more, and they were all based on different syllables (I guess these could be called mantras) 'heard' on different parts of the intake and outake of breath - supposedly resulting in feeling different things 'behind' the breath. Also, the light, music, and nectar techniques he was taught were much less simple that the ones we were taught.

I just think the whole story is really interesting. It very much contradicts the idea that the Big Four techniques were some secret and holy tradition that was passed down for generations. Also, it calls the whole 'Satguru' concept (that Maharaji and Shri Hans were the 'perfect masters of the age) into question. It really makes it sound like the Big Four techniques were packaged as a quick and easy way to teach 'knowledge' to ignorant westerners - ditto with the perfect master idea.

Take care,
Ms. K (Katie)

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Date: Wed, Jan 26, 2000 at 18:32:48 (GMT)
From: G
Email: None
To: Ms. K.
Subject: the Nine Techniques
Message:


Sohang was taught to me. If I remember correctly,
'so' was with the in-breath and 'hang' with the
out-breath. Hang was pronounced with an Indian
accent by the Mahatmas. I remember this crazy guy
who made a crude joke with 'so hung' in it.
Boy, talk about blasphemy!

Later, m dropped the manta part and said just to
focus on your breath, also to NOT to meditate
during the day. This was after saying to ALWAYS
remember 'Holy Name' for years.

When a understandably confused premie asked an
initiator/instructor 'What should we do?' say
if we're just standing a bus stop. The guy, it
might have been David Smith (ex-somethingAnand Ji)
said 'Just remember the experience'.

Lately, m talked about mantras, saying basically
that they were totally useless and that 'people
don't even pronounce them right'.

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Date: Wed, Jan 26, 2000 at 18:20:56 (GMT)
From: Joey
Email: None
To: Ms. K.
Subject: Techniques, shmechniques!
Message:

Hi ya Princess Leia!

It was sometime in the 80's, that m revised the 4 techniques that most of us westerners were taught. Instead of practicing a minimum of two hours a day, m now asked premies to practice only one hour minimum a day. Instead of referring to the techniques as 'Light, Music, Holy Name and Nectar,' he now referred to them simply as 'techniques 1,2,3,and 4'.

In the early 90's I attended a knowledge review session with m in Florida, and he explained his most recent changes to his presentation and instruction of the techniques as follows

I just wanted to make it easier, to take the pain out of practicing Knowledge

Of course as I reflect on this today, I can't help but wonder...if he really wanted 'to take the pain out of practicing knowledge'....why didn't he just take himself out of the equation, a la Krishnamurti?

N'est-pas? :)

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Date: Wed, Jan 26, 2000 at 18:37:52 (GMT)
From: G
Email: None
To: Joey
Subject: Techniques, shmechniques!
Message:


If he knew there was pain in practicing, why didn't he
change them earlier? This dispells the myth I had in
my head that he didn't know how they were being taught.
Of course, this conflicted with the other myth that he
knew everything.

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Date: Wed, Jan 26, 2000 at 19:04:02 (GMT)
From: Ms. K
Email: None
To: G & Joey
Subject: A question for G and Joey
Message:

Hi G and Joey -
Since you are both here, I have another question which someone asked me recently. Do you know what what reason was given for stopping satsang - or at least satsang between premies?

Thanks,
Ms. K

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Date: Wed, Jan 26, 2000 at 20:23:47 (GMT)
From: G
Email: None
To: Ms. K
Subject: Another answer for Ms. K
Message:


Yes, basically because we are too confused,
we can't be trusted with such a holy thing,
we just mess things up when we talk, I
mean, who are we to speak? We were just
supposed to, with as few words as possible,
point the Way to the Master, and He would
take it from there. I guess he not only
wanted to isolate us from 'non-premies' but
even from each other.

Also remember 'no chit-chat'? I bought into
that big time, one time I made a woman cry
just because she was talking to another
premie. 'no chit-chat' + 'no satsang'
= 'SHUT UP, don't say anything you idiot!'
Actually the rule about 'no chit-chat' was
not talked about anymore. So now it's ok to
talk about anything, as long as you are not
talking about love, peace, God, etc.
Whereas before it was the exact opposite.

What would be said about a math teacher,
all of whose students flunked? Would they
be called a good teacher?

I remember m saying 'People will look at you,
then they will look at me, and then they will
look at you again and if you are not clear,
they will get confused (or turned off or
something)'. Well, I brought a lot of people
to see m, and they were turned off by him
right away, they were turned off before looking
at me again. But I was supposed to think it
was my fault!

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Date: Wed, Jan 26, 2000 at 22:31:55 (GMT)
From: Ms. K
Email: None
To: G
Subject: Another answer for Ms. K
Message:

Hi G -
You wrote:
I guess he not only wanted to isolate us from 'non-premies' but even from each other.

Yes! As I said to Joey below, the premie community was very important to me when I was a premie. It wasn't perfect, and there were some people I didn't like, but there was a lot of support and caring there - genuinely.

And:
Also remember 'no chit-chat'? I bought into that big time, one time I made a woman cry just because she was talking to another premie. 'no chit-chat' + 'no satsang' = 'SHUT UP, don't say anything you idiot!'

That was probably me that you made cry :). Seriously, I had a really hard time with that rule. I was a teenager when I received Knowledge, and it's pretty hard for many teenagers not to 'chit chat' at least SOME of the time. It's the age when many people develop conversational skills. I felt guilty about it, but it was hard to refrain from doing it.

You wrote:
I remember m saying 'People will look at you, then they will look at me, and then they will look at you again and if you are not clear, they will get confused (or turned off or something)'. Well, I brought a lot of people to see m, and they were turned off by him right away, they were turned off before looking at me again. But I was supposed to think it was my fault!

Yes, Maharaji seems to be made out of Teflon or some similar substance! Nothing is ever his fault. My biggest problem with him is that he never seems to apologize for anything (correct me if I'm wrong). Anything that happens around him was and will be ALWAYS the fault of other people (usually premies).

Take care -
Ms. K.

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Date: Wed, Jan 26, 2000 at 19:43:29 (GMT)
From: Joey
Email: None
To: Ms. K
Subject: An answer for Ms. K
Message:

Hi G and Joey -
Since you are both here, I have another question which someone asked me recently. Do you know what what reason was given for stopping satsang - or at least satsang between premies?
Thanks,
Ms. K

Katie,

I remember on several occasions, m justifying this as follows.
When premies gave each other satsang, they were for the most part REALLY giving each other....confusion.

With the advent of the video age in his world, it became possible for m to bring an end to this 'confusion', by having HIMSELF as the only source of satsang.

Only m was capable of, at least in his own mind, of speaking about 'knowledge' in a manner that was 'free of concepts'. And when the videos came along, he found a way to make sure that he would be the only one who would talk about it. Just plop your video into the ole VCR, and you could listen to the 'ultimate authority', the one who was so pure, he would NEVER, EVER cause any confusion.

Now some people look back at the video age as the era of 'Knowledge Lite'. I look back on it however as the time when m was heading full steam towards total idolatry (you've already heard of some videos in which that was the message, pure and simple, eg. 'Now and Forever')...that is until ex-premie.org came along.

And I know alot of people who are happy that ex-premie.org DID come along.
And even a few who are especially grateful that you were, and STILL ARE part of it!

Luv ya Princess Leia!

Joey

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Date: Wed, Jan 26, 2000 at 22:09:22 (GMT)
From: Ms. K
Email: None
To: Joey
Subject: An answer for Ms. K
Message:

Thanks, Joey,
I left before the video era came along - obviously. I really liked many of the premies in my community, and I wouldn't have gotten into M in the first place if satsang hadn't existed.

Also, Joey, thank you for what you said about me :).

Take care -
Ms. K
(aka Princess L)

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Date: Fri, Jan 28, 2000 at 16:50:22 (GMT)
From: billie
Email: None
To: Ms. K
Subject: An answer for Ms. K
Message:

just found this site.Was shown Holy Name vibrating in my chest /abdomen by a shaman in the Rocky Mtn.Anyone interested I'll tell them all about it. will get back as soon as I can.

billie

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Date: Fri, Jan 28, 2000 at 19:43:07 (GMT)
From: willie
Email: None
To: billie
Subject: An answer for Ms. K
Message:

do tell

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Date: Sat, Jan 29, 2000 at 05:28:33 (GMT)
From: billie
Email: None
To: willie
Subject: Special Shaman
Message:

Well, I went to a shaman 'healer' for some health issue as I recall.
I laid on a bear skin rug and he blew on his hands and placed them seemingly on my chakras about a half inch above my clothing.
sometimes he would blow a'chakra' as he moved on and up towards my head. After an hr. he told me things he picked up - kidney stuff and something about my mother (that I would be ok or something). I was going to visit her for the first x in a long time in a few days.
Well, I indeedsaw my mother and as she ranted in her mentally disturbed way, I would sit w/ her smiling as if I had scotch dripping in my veins. Because - and for 2 weeks following -
I was totally and completely emersed in a warm,glowing feeling fr my pubic bone to my adam's apple area. It was what I would call THE vibration - The primordial vibration or Holy Name or Word that was in the beginning - I don't know what everyone relates to. But I felt love and warm and safe and that nothing mattered as long as I had 'that' happening.
I could be emersed in my core family's dysfunction and not have a button triggered.
It gently left me as subtly as a fog rolls away. There but not there. Within my reach but just beyond.
I would lay my own hands on my chakras thinking -' I took Reiki I can 'cleanse or unblock' my chakras as it seemed he did.
I can lay down as I had w/ him and concentrate on the tech. of Holy Name and get that feeling back.'
Well, it didn't happen. I am convinced (by reading some Ramakrishna.also) that revelation comes either by the love for a dear one, meditation, compassion ,self-mastery or selfless
service. Now I feel ones effort needs to be indeed the single most directed, most determined thing. Grace? I don't know.

It was grace indeed that I found Gary the Shaman. Now whereabouts unknown, alas.
Did he reveal Holy Name to me? He may not know he did, but
I say to you he did. Someone may say he just blew out my chakras and that is what I had leftover. Well, still it was opening me up to experience the most gentle & holy sweet thing of MY life.
Hope you don't think that's sad, but it is what it is.

sigh,
billie

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