Retracing Krisnamacharya's Lesson Plan I was reading up on AG Mohan's book about his teacher, and a man I hold in high regard, Tirumalai Krishnamacharya (TK), in his book, Krishnamacharya: His Life and Teachings. Mohan was the last of T. Krishnamacharya's students who studied with him for 2 decades until his (TK) death. Mohan talked about the time he asked TK to be his student. TK agreed and started the lessons with the Upanishad teachings about Prasnopanishad. I was so envious. I would give up everything to be a student of TK. But then it just hit me. What if I just retrace the lessons learned by Mohan from TK? I can simply look it up on the internet and devour as much knowledge as can integrate into my yoga practice! Sure enough, I looked for writings about Prasnopanishad. And here it is!
What is the Upanishads? The Upanishads is an ancient Sanskrit text about philosophy and spirituality, and can be found in the last part of the Vedas. It is the source of the Vedantas. There are 10 major legs of the Upanishad, one of which is the Prasnopanishad.
What is the Prasnopanishad? Prasnopanishad is one of the 10 major sections of the Upanishads that talk about prana where the teacher and the students are engaged in an enquiry into the nature of the universe. It has 67 mantras spread over 6 chapters. Because the mantras are cryptic, it should not be taken literally. For someone in the practice of asana and pranayama, learning Prasnopanishad is a logical next step.
6 Students and the Teacher The setting starts with 6 students devoted to Brahma who comes to the teacher, Pippalada for answers. The teacher tells them to stay with him and practice austerity and self-control for a year and he will answer their questions. The students asked 6 questions. I will only discuss the 3rd question refering to the nature and origin of Prana.
"How does the Chaitanya (Prana) enter the body and get diverted into five
channels? How does it leave the body? How does it sustain the universe without
and within?"
the student, Kausalya, asking about Prana to his teacher, Pippalada
Where does Prana come from? Prana is inherent in the Self (Atman), in the same way that a shadow is inherent in the object. If there is no object, there can be no shadow. The shadow cannot exist on its own without the substance. The shadow cannot be grasped or caught - it remains intangible. So is Prana. Prana cannot exist without the Self.
Thought Bubble: I'm confused. I thought prana was a single life-force permeating all of the universe. That it flows through everything including me and them. How could it be a single unit coming out of the Self? One self, one prana? Or does it mean our mind is creating this reality (including our prana) as a holographic simulation? That without the mind, the simulation stops, and reality (and our prana) cease to exist?
How does Prana enter the Body? Prana comes into existence through our thoughts. Our thoughts create our reality and give birth to prana. Our thoughts control prana. When we think of something, the corresponding prana is impelled by that thought.
Division of Prana There is only one Prana (chief life force) but it performs 5 different functions in the body, with specific locations and clear-cut duties - thus it's only a functional division. There are no 5 different pranas. This prana takes a different name depending on what its function is.
prana - life-breath, respiration - inhaling & exhaling
Located in and moves through the mouth, nose, eye and ear
Prana makes them speak, inhale and exhale the air, see and hear
apana - out-breath
Located at the region of the anus and the reproductive organs
Causes them to excrete the waste products of the body and initiates the process of procreation
samana - equalizing-breath
Located in the region of the navel
It distributes energy-vitality equally from food-water, it activates the seven flames (openings in the face)
It is from this fire which rises afterwards up to the region of the heart seven flames shoot up as it were in the form of two eyes, two ears, two nostrils and one tongue in the mouth and enables the soul to have the experience of forms, sounds, smells and flavors
vyana - diffused-breath
Located and moves within all the 72,000 nadis, all of them emanating from the heart where the Self (Atman) resides
As vyana moves all over the body it gives power and energy to all the limbs and senses to perform their functions
udana - ascending-breath, leads the soul at death
Ascending upward through the Sushumna nadi
It leads the departing soul to the virtuous world, for its virtuous deeds; to the sinful world, for its sinful deeds; and to the human world if the deeds are a mixture of both (virtuous and sinful)
How does Prana conduct the Functioning of the Body and the Senses? Internally, within the body, the manifestation of the Principal Prana is the prana, apana, samana, udana and vyana. Bodily functions are governed by these elements. Externally, the sun, space, fire, heat, earth and air are the manifestation of the Principal Prana, the Cosmic Prana. The external influences the internal. There is a direct relationship between the universe and the individual. We are also the microcosm of the universe - what we go through, the universe also undergoes.
sun - the sun influences prana which dwells in the eyes, ears, nose and tongue
earth - earth corresponds to apana which regulates excretion and procreation
space - space corresponds to samana which regulates the digestive system
air - air corresponds to vyana which energizes the entire body
fire - fire corresponds to udana, as the ascending-breath which sustains life.
Thoughts at the Time of Death When a person whose fire of life has been extinguished, dies, and takes a rebirth, with the senses (thoughts, feelings, actions, words) absorbed in the mind, which is taken into the next life. Udana leaves the body together with thoughts and together, they determine the type of rebirth. Therefore, be aware of all the sensory output at the moment of death.
Ending Thoughts I am not into Hinduism, but in my quest to know more about yoga and deepen my practice, I am taken to one of the pillars of Hinduism - the Upanishads. I find it surprising that I am already familiar to some of its teachings through my readings about yoga, prana and meditation. This added knowledge allows me to internalize prana as it moves around my body, and how I can possibly manipulate it through pranayama and kumbhaka.
(Jan 19, 2020) It's an Aliens-type movie thriller set in the bowels of the Marianas Trench featuring the Vampire trilogy love-interest, Kristen Stewart. A mining operations is under attack by a creature from the bottom of the sea and it's a race for the crew to survive the pressure and the monster.....more »»
IMPORTANT PLACES
Bus Station Train Station Chiang Mai International Airport Nong Buak Hard Park - free yoga classes daily
HOTEL
Arun Dara Villa - 7 exclusive rooms, 1 swimming pool for every room, grand opening
Nawa Sheeva Hotel - big rooms, high ceiling, salt-water pool, restaurant, cafe
Nawa Saraan Hotel - low density (4 spacious rooms), stone garden setting, Koi fish pond, Old City location
Arun Suite - 3 bedrooms in a 3-storie guesthouse within Old City, ideal for families
MOTORBIKE RENTAL
Tawan Bike - motorcycle rental | +66 91 635 2863 | Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200
USEFUL INFORMATION
Chiang Mai FYI / Tips
crop-burning season in Chiang Mai is between late Feb to early April. But laws change everytime. This year, 2019, there is a 61-day ban on burning so the farmers started burning early. When my plane was approaching Chiang Mai on Jan 24, 2019, there was already a thick blanket of smog covering the entire city (and beyond). But within the city itself, you won't feel it (but that doesn't mean the air is healthy). To monitor air conditions in real time, refer to site: Chiang Mai Air Pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI)
hot season begins March and lasts until June
wet season begins July and lasts until September
best time to visit Chiang Mai is mid-September to mid-February - after the monsoon and before the burning
you have to try Khao Soi, this is north Thailand's culinary staple
the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is located in the Old City
to exchange your dollars to Thai Baht, the Super Rich Money Exchange give the best rates. There are many branches scattered around Chiang Mai
get a red cab (songthao) outside the train station for Baht 50 (instead of paying B100 if inside the train station) to Old City - if you haggle nicely enough...I did!
shared red taxi (songthao) - B30 standard fare plying all over Old City
for only B50/day, best to rent a bike to go around the Old City - it's a 2.5km2 with lots to discover
FREE daily yoga classes from 9:00am to 10:15am at Nong Buak Hard Park (southwest corner of Old City). Resident and passing-through teachers take turns conducting yoga classes.
Blues/Jazz Bars in Chiang Mai
North Gate Pub - at Chang Phueg Gate, great Tuesday jam session, Blues on Sundays by the 11pm band
Taphae East - 88 Thapae Rd. (just north of Night Bazaar). Fridays at 9:30pm by Chiang Mai Blues Band
Boy Blues Bar - at the Night Bazaar. Mondays at 9:30pm is open mic
Chiang Mai Cost Index
B60 Chiang beer
B250 1 hour drop-in yoga session
B200 one hour Thai body massage at WAYA Massage(highly recommended)
B50 noodle soup with meat
B50 coffee
B40 pad thai
B30/kilo wash-only laundry
B50/kilo wash+iron laundry
B100-150 dorm bed/night
B250 fan room/night
B30 internet cafe/hour
B170-190 Movies Sat-Sun and public holidays
B130-150 Movies weekdays
B100 Movies Wednesdays (movie discount day)
B750 1/2 day Thai cooking lessons
B900-1000 1 full day Thai cooking lessons
B400 Muay Thai boxing ticket
B2500 starting room rate at the luxury hotel, Nawa Sheeva(highly recommended)
Transportation
B450 bus, Chiang Mai to Bangkok
B160-180 bus, Chiang Mai to Pai
B1250 bus, Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
B1650 slow boat, Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
B210 bus, Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, 3-4 hours
B360 Green VIP bus, Chiang Mai to Mae Sai (Thai border town for visa run to Tachileik, Myanmar)
B50 bicycle rental, 24 hours
B200 motorbike rental, 24 hours
B273 #51 sleeping train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
B638 #7 a/c train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
B50 red taxi fare from point to point
B100 red taxi fare from train terminal to city
Tours
B2000 full day elephant sanctuary
B750 Chiang Rai one-day tour
B1500 mountain biking scenic ride
How to Get to Chiang Mai from Bangkok by Train from Bang Sue Train Station
10:22pm - #51 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 12:10pm, sleeper, 3rd class B270 (non sleeper), 2nd class B438, B728 upper deck, B798 lower deck
Bus from Loei to Chiang Mai
From Loei town center, take a tuk-tuk ride to the bus station, B30. There is only one bus station.
As of June 28, 2020 (still on Covid schedule), there are only 3 night trips: 8:30pm, 9:30pm and 12 midnight. 9 hours, B470.
The bus makes the following stops at the following times from a 9pm Loei departure: Phu Ruea (9:50pm), Phitsanulok (12:40am), Uttradit (2:20am), Lampang (4:35am)
Final bus stop is at the Red Bus Arcade, Chiang Mai, 9 hour-trip, arriving 6am (from 9pm Loei departure).
Take a red songthaew to Old City, B50. They'll try to charge you B100, but they'll take B50 (just assure the driver you won't tell the other passengers).
How to Get a 60-Day Thai Tourist Visa and then Extend by another 30 Days
60-Day Thai Tourist Visa
NOTE: There is no need to go back to your country to get the Thai tourist visa. Any major city with a Thai Embassy will do. Apparently there is also no need to have an invitation from a Thai establishment to justify the visa.
Bring the following to the Thai embassy:
a) proof of money (bank statement will suffice)
b) flight booking to Thailand
c) onward flight back to your country from Thailand
d) filled-in tourist visa form
e) 2 passport pictures
f) hotel booking in Thailand (they didn't ask me for this but better be safe)
g) passport with at least 6 months validity
After handing over all the documents, they will ask you to come pick your passport with the visa the following day from 4 to 5pm. That's it!
NOTE: after 2 successful attempts, I was already questioned the 3rd time.
30-Day Extension
NOTE: When your 60-day visa is close to expiry and you want to extend your stay. No need to leave Thailand.
bring the following to the Immigration Office:
a) passport (make sure your Tourist Visa hasn't expired yet)
b) Baht 1900
c) photocopy of your passport + visa duration date stamp + TM6 card (white immigration card) and sign all the copies
d) completed TM7 visa extension form (available at the Immigration Office)
e) one 4cmx6cm passport picture
submit the above to the Front Desk. They will give you a stub with your number on it. Take a seat and wait for your number to be called
when your number is called, your picture will be taken. Then go back to your seat. They will call you again.
when they call you again, they'll give you your passport with your extended visa. That's it!
when there are no lines, the whole process can take only 10 minutes
General Travel Tips
arrive early - in case there is a snag (visa snag, documentation snag, transport ticket snag, etc.), you will have ample time to troubleshoot the problem if you arrive early (to the airport, to the bus terminal, etc.)
put detailed itinerary on the Calendar apps of your smart-phone according to timelines - this is where you do all your thinking and planning. Once written down, you don't have to think anymore while you are on the journey...you just follow the steps. This frees your mind for something else that might happen while you are already en route
avoiding scams - as a general rule, I ignore the touts or anyone I don't know who call out to me. The calling comes in many forms - "Hi! Where are you from?", "Excuse me! Excuse me!", "Where are you going?". I don't look them in the eye and I remain non-verbal with them. If you reply to them, you just gave them an 'in' to hound you. In order not to look rude, I smile and wave the 'not interested' hand to them, without looking at them.
power bank - hand-carry your power bank. Do not check it in. You can be called in when you are already inside the plane to go all the way to the loading dock so you can personally remove the power bank...and chances are, you'll have to surrender it to them. And you might delay the plane departure!