By Nidhi Kumari

Yogi Ashwini, the founder of Dhyan Foundation, that has benefitted thousands of people emotionally, mentally and spiritually from the practice of Yog (Sanatan Kriya) is visiting Australia in October. Ahead of his visit Indus Age reached out to Yogi Ji for an exclusive interview. Excerpts:

From the field of Economics and Business Management you ventured into the arenas of Yoga, Vedic Martial arts; have become a spiritual writer, a motivational speaker and much more. Tell us about your entrance into Yoga and spirituality.

As yog is commonly understood – a healing system of the body where you do certain funny breathing exercises to rid disease, I also went for the same. I searched and searched going to various schools, attending myriad courses. Everyone would talk of some kind of healing or cleansing. When I actually got into yog, I realised it is not a healing science. Yogah chitta vritti nirodh, says Patanjali. It is a sum total of creation, of eight limbs which include 5 yams and 5 niyams among others. Asan is not a physical movement. Patanjali describes it as sthir sukham asanam. That is silencing the five vrittis of mind, then you become sthir, that is yog and asan. It is a state of inner and outer silence.

Before yog, I was a normal human being, though I still look normal…Yog is about becoming normal. You don’t have to grow a beard or wear a sari or dance around trees to say you are in yog. That is a show, a stereotype. Yog is internal and external strength. Before I got into yog my physical body was very weak, even though I was in the prime of youth.

As you go deeper in yog, you realize all that is heavy for you leaves you, age doesn’t touch you and strength of the body increases. That is, provided you are doing yog. And for that, you have to go to ashram, make a guru, and do yog. Buying off shelf is not going to get you that because what is sold is tied to maya, and what is tied itself, cannot release you from your bondages. Yog is about getting released from the body, then you access the actual force or energy of creation. It is not a ritual, lifestyle, diet or religion, yog sets you free, freedom into the actual force of what universe is all about.

Looking back I can say, at that time I was abnormal, now I am normal.

What has been the motivation behind Dhyan Foundation?

Dhyan Foundation is a thought, the thought of my Guru, a thought to aid creation – any one who has this thought, who is willing to help others, is Dhyan Foundation.

You’ve said that Yoga is not about having a toned body; jumping or skipping. Then what is yoga all about in your words?

Patanjali said yogah chitta vritti nirodha – five modifications that pull you back into physical world, yog is going over them with help of guru, gradually. It is not an entry route, but an exit route.

Yog is the science of entire creation. If you look at creation- sun, moon, earth, sky, fire, human body, all are various aspects of creation. Yog is the sum total of creation. What is the energy behind these things that makes them function – that is subject of yog.  When you do yog, you start having interactions with these elements and forces and; slowly you become one with them. Like the five elements in the body – you don’t see them yet they are there. When you do higher practices of yog, you begin to realize all the elements in your body and understand their basis. Then the elements listen to you and follow you and you are able to affect changes in the body using them.  Yog unfolds in stages – first at the level of elements, then consciousness, then divinity. It is the sum total of creation, making a normal being into a super being.

How is Dhyan Foundation different from other spiritual and yogic foundations that exist across the globe?
It is a unique organisation, comprising of volunteers, who have come together to put forth the right message of yog as it was laid down by Patanjali, to feed the hungry, nurse the sick, to protect animals and the environment – without any remuneration or fee, as a part of their sadhna and seva. These volunteers hail from all walks of life, different parts of world and belong to different faiths, yet they work together because they want to share and spread their experience of the phenomenal power of yog.

At Dhyan Foundation, we stick to original form of yog. Yog for you is what has been your experience and each one at Dhyan Foundation has his/her own set of experiences of various shaktis that run creation. Since DF is sanitized of commerce, hence the Shakti flows.

You’ve emphasized a lot on Sanatan Kriya. Enlighten us more about it and its importance in Yoga.

Sanatan Kriya is a comprehensive approach to Patanjali Ashtang yog. It is suited for the modern man as it is not as complicated as the sutras. Not much time is required to practice the kriya, thus it is suited for people of all professions.

With regular practice of Sanatan Kriya, the body is balanced and the various chakral points are in harmony, this leads to reversing of symptoms of ageing. When flow of prana is balanced out and regulated, it induces health and vitality in individual organs and various channels of the body, the body glows, has vitality, health and strength.  The glow and radiance of practitioners at Dhyan Foundation is proof of the efficacy of the science.

Sanatan kriya is a beginning, the first step – then yog starts and you are guided on your individual path of sadhna by your guru.  Basis of yog is guru shishya relationship; it is one to one, never en-masse.

What are the services and causes that Dhyan foundation is involved in?

Formed in 2002, Dhyan Foundation today is a global phenomenon with centers all across the world. Thousands have benefited physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually from the practice of Yog (Sanatan Kriya). The Foundation is actively engaged in a host of charities including daily food distribution camps feeding 1000s across India, running 16 schools for underprivileged kids, protecting and providing for over 15000 animals including cows, bulls, dogs, monkeys, birds, horses, mules etc through a network of 25 cow shelters, over 500 feeding spots, 100 dog shelters, 24-hour emergency services, etc.

You will be visiting Australia this month, tell us about your tour.

Dhyan Foundation is organizing a yog retreat on 6^th and 7^th October in Melbourne, Australia where participants will be taken through practical experience of the power and efficacy of yog, under supervision of doctors and medical practitioners.

Your message to the people of Australia and how they can connect with your Foundation.

Physical life and physical body is moving towards death every second. Your body will age, you will fall prey to diseases. Solution is- find a guru and get seriously into yog. Experience divinity. Save the planet and go beyond.

For more information, visit www.dhyanfoundation.com