In my travels through the North, I have come across a lot of things that one might simply disbelieve due to the simple misconception that it doesn’t fit their logical atmosphere and yet somehow - the constant interactions with these situations have made me realise that there are things that are happening as of this moment - that we are barely aware of.
As you take a sip from your cup of tea or stretch your feet out of laziness - there is something fantastic happening around you, all you need is some awareness as to its direction.
Let me tell you about the Naga Sanyasi whom I came across in the North - at the base of the Himalayas.
To give your context:
The Nagas come from the Natha Sampradaya and are most often naked - in fact, that is what the word ‘naga’ means, in Sanskrit the same word means ‘snake.’ The reason they are so connected is that just like the snake, they consciously choose to be naked - of course, there are several other interpretations in relation to the primordial energy that is rested at the base of a human being (Spine) and how the way it moves is like that of a snake - the lore is infinite and it can be penned down for ages. The Chakra's as they call them are energy centres in each body and although there seem to be 4 major ways of attaining to salvation - Bhakti, Karma, Kriya and Gnana, under these 4 lie a million different paths to the same goal. The Nagas are extremely strong-bodied, not in terms of muscle but in terms of metabolism, tissue strength and their overall bone and blood structure would be very different from a general individual who does not practice certain asanas and systems. The kinds of pranayama (Breathing exercises) they practice keep them warm and sometimes make them sweat in sub 0 temperatures (In Buddhism it's a famous meditation called 'Tummo')
More on this in the next blog.
It is interesting to note that they control the metabolism and other involuntary actions of the body consciously as they believe that the path to the divine is through the control or awareness of the 5 senses - furthermore, as one dwells into the study of the 5 senses, he might come to the conclusion that the study of the 5 senses ultimately leads you to control your body and your mind as a whole. One might wonder if going through this torture is necessary and the truth is - in his own words - it's not. It is not torture in the sense one might think it is, for these individuals have a goal and the path to that goal is ridden with tests and examinations that require one to be extremely sincere and downright crazy, this path is not for the one with logic and a rational, for the one who thinks that he might give x and get 10x - this path will definitely lead to no fruition - you see in this uncharted path you need to give every ounce of what you have and expect absolutely nothing in return.
The naga sadhu I met lived in the state of a ‘Samana’. Gautama - the Buddha and several ascetics lived through this phase of a ‘Samana’ (Wandering saints) wherein they believed in disregarding the very nature of pain and pleasure, they own nothing and accept only what is given to them therefore in this ascetics’ case, he does not ask for food unless it is given to him - to ask is to sin, to take what is given is all that is required.
The life of a Samana is beyond what one can imagine, the physical struggle of keeping the body alive whilst adhering to his philosophy of accepting only what is given can drive one insane therefore keeping this in mind and having a one-pointed devotion towards enlightenment is no common feat. Jainism, Buddhism and several sects practice this stage in fact - this is a state that one walks into only if the desire for enlightenment is much more than the value of his life.
As I said, a lot can be written about such individuals and the things they do however discussing this conversation with one Naga Sadhu might just give you an idea of what I am talking about.
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