The Tradition

The history of humanity is not the history of tool making or of social organization. It is the history of mind's unfoldment. The Himalayan tradition believes that even if one weaves no clothing nor owns a stone to crush wild nuts, one may be a saint, a sage, a philosopher, a wise (wo)man. And what use that we land a man on Mars but have conquered not the god of war who dwells within the mind, nor can curb our anger, nor can slow down our breath, nor can lower our blood pressure without the aid of an agency external to us? The Himalayan tradition advocates complete self-sufficiency of a human being without dependence on any object external to his spirit and mind.

For this the Tradition teaches specific methods of training the human mind. It awakens the energy called Consciousness and instructs its disciplines into the meaning of "Thou art That" - till one's very being knows, "I, indeed, am That". The methods taught are scientific, systematic and entirely internal. And then comes the mystery of initiation, the direct conferring of the energy of Consciousness into the disciple till the disciple becomes a Master in his own right.

When Swami Rama demonstrated in a laboratory condition that he could alter the count of living or dead cells at will as the scientists drew his blood, he was asked, "Swami, how do you do that ?" And he answered, "They are my blood cells; are they not ?" The power, not a process, called Consciousness is realized within as the ultimate in yoga as it has been taught by the Masters of the Himalayan Tradition, in an unbroken lineage for countless millennia. The Upanishads, Bhagavad-gita, and countless other scriptures are simply revelations of the truths thus experienced. The teachers of the tradition have taught in all known civilizations of the world and have left their mark in the writings and records everywhere.

One trained in the Himalayan Yoga Meditation Tradition knows all the paths of meditation as they diverge from it and converge into the same as their origin. The teachers of the Tradition live for others only : that the suffering of many may be alleviated. They wander -as the Buddha said to his first batch of his disciples - "Wander, ye monks, for the benefit of the many, for the comfort of the many". An Ashram of this Traditions beckons you to come and receive compassionate love in a world that causes much suffering. That love is Meditation, and its highest from is enlightenment.

If you would like to partake in the nectar of the Tradition the first step is to begin learning and practicing meditation. This website lists yoga retreats and seminars where you may learn meditation, hatha yoga as meditation, and much more. You also might want to check the Selected Writings area for articles on various aspects of yoga.

Swami Rama of the Himalayas, Founder, Emissary of the Himalayan Sages

Swami Rama, the founder of the Sadhana Mandir Ashram was born in the Himalayas and raised by his spiritual Master in the legendary caves of the yogis where countless generations of yogis have been trained and initiated into the deepest mysteries of the sacred science of yoga. A monk in the Shankaracharya Order, he held the highest position as a Shankaracharya, which he then renounced to continue to serve the Himalayan Tradition.

All sciences are open to a yogi. He was a scientist who offered himself for scientific experiments to be conducted on a yogi; philosopher who wrote forty five books; a poet who translated an epic in three months; an architect, sculptor, painter. The most well known names in the classical music of India gathered around him to accompany him in his music sessions. Dog trainer; horse trainer; it was a delight to watch him at tennis. Enlightened guide to disciples. Master of the Art of Life.

Uncountable thousands around the world came to him asking for gifts tangible and intangible. When he gave with the right hand, his left hand did not know. One meets people in all walks of life, in highest professions, who tell us how he blessed, guided, created their success in life. He would sit for hours in the company of a one-buffalo farmer while princes waited outside his chamber. When he granted funds for establishing the library of a University in the Garhwal Himalayas, he did it on the condition that his name would not be given any public association with it. As he prepared to leave his body, he left strict instructions to build no memorials, establish no shrines nor a museum, and do nothing else to commemorate his name. His memorial is in the hearts of his disciples who miss the love they received in abandon.

A philanthropist who created a Medical City in four years where there were only farmers' fields, and gave subtle hints on surgery to surgeons. A superb administrator who taught leaders how to lead and managers how to manage. Equally at home in the East and the West, he was a both a scientist and an accomplished mystic, a siddha. Above all, he was a direct descendant of the lineage of yogis, going back thousands of years, who are the founders and keepers of yoga, the source of all paths of meditation, and who confer the direct experience as initiation into the mystery of Consciousness.

Swami Rama has left many disciples behind, none anywhere near his stature and calibre, to carry on the various assignments of his work. What we all most remember about him is the magnetic, charismatic power of love, such that as he walked one felt pulled to simply walk behind him. The full impact of his spiritual legacy will be realized perhaps in a century.

Coming to his Ashram even for the first time, one experiences the special energy, inspiration and the pull to a mental silence.

Last modified: 26-11-2006 16:58:41