Original Light: The Morning Practice of Kundalini Yoga

303 Pages·2016·5.04 MB·English

by  Snatam Kaur

THE KUNDALINI YOGA tradition speaks of a call to the Divine that awakens
“the Original Light of the soul.” In gatherings across the globe, Snatam Kaur
and her fellow musicians have shared that radiance through sacred chants.
With Original Light, this beloved devotional singer guides us into the heart of
the path, with the Aquarian Sādhanā as a foundation to understand the
tradition’s daily principles, morning practices, and sacred chanting
experiences.
Kundalini, the universal life force, has for centuries been shrouded in
misconception and lore. But in fact, Snatam Kaur assures us that through
Kundalini Yoga, the capacity to experience it is within all of us—a natural and
limitless source of physical health, stillness, joy, energetic strength, and loving
connection with others and all of creation.
Original Light was written for those seeking a compassionate and supportive
guide to creating a daily spiritual practice. Snatam shares with honesty and
gentle humor her own stories, challenges, “aha” moments, and many practical
pointers gained from her lifelong journey.
Readers first explore the philosophy and foundational principles of
Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan, and then learn the five morning
practices of the Aquarian Sādhanā, including:
The Wake-Up Routine—establishing a sacred space, bathing and purification,
healthy diet and elimination guidelines, and more
Jap Jī—from 15th-century sage and founder of the Sikh tradition, Gurū
Nānak, this sacred recitation is both a map and a direct expression of our
union with the Divine
Kundalini Yoga Kriyas—nine energizing posture and movement sets for
creating a somatic space for your spirit
Aquarian Sādhanā Mantras—seven devotional chants as the sun rises to open
the doors of liberation and experience bliss and ecstasy
Gateway to Divinity—the closing transition stage that integrates your own
spiritual tradition and helps you to focus your energies and set your
intentions for the day ahead
For those of all faiths, Original Light provides an ideal introduction and resource
to improve our health, find greater freedom and stillness within, and
illuminate each moment of the day.
Includes two CDs of guided chants and practices with Snatam Kaur.
SNATAM KAUR is an American-born Kīrtan singer raised in the Sikh and
Kundalini Yoga tradition. She is known internationally for her ability to
transform traditional chants into a contemporary sound that appeals to the
modern ear and awakens an ancient yearning in the soul. While traveling
across the globe on tour, she also teaches yoga and meditation. For more
information, please visit snatamkaur.com.
Printed in Canada
Cover design by Jennifer Miles
Author photos: front and back covers © Eileen Escarda back flap © Jo Ann Manolis
PRAISE FOR ORIGINAL LIGHT
“Snatam is a living example of an ecstatic soul, and her book is a transmission
of love and devotion, shared with supreme totality. The beauty and purity that
shines through her music is evident here, throughout the book, in her words
and in her teachings. Allow her to inspire you, as she has done for so many of
us and for so many years.”
DEVA PREMAL
sacred chant artist
“If you’ve been enchanted by Snatam’s transformative singing voice, you may
be even more transfixed by her author’s voice. She teaches here about
Kundalini Yoga, but she does so through her personal experience, through
stories that say much more than theories and instructions. In this book she
found the right sound and the perfect inflections to move readers to discover
their own spiritual meaning through traditional practices. I found this book
enchanting, comforting, and profoundly instructive.”
THOMAS MOORE
author of Care of the Soul and A Religion of One’s Own
“When I first sat down to read this book, I was intimidated by the devotion
Snatam has to her spiritual practice. Waking up at 3:15 a.m.? Chanting and
meditating for two hours? This was not something I could pull off! But within a
few sentences, I knew that Snatam’s embrace was so wide and wise, that we all
can fit within the deep spiritual practices she offers. There is so much kindness
and inspiration in this book. Snatam has done the hard work of mining ancient
meditative practices and bringing them up to us, to use however we can, to
make our lives better. She asks the question, ‘Do you want to be your true self,
or do you want to continue to live in a state of action and reaction?’ And then
she gives us ways to choose truth, positivity, light, and peace—for ourselves
and our families and the world. She’s a teacher for our times.”
ELIZABETH LESSER
cofounder of the Omega Institute and author of The Seeker’s Guide and Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can
Help Us Grow
“Back in the 60s, when I was searching for a practice and spirit-based lifestyle,
this is the book I wanted. It tells the hows and the whys of these sacred
techniques and is inspiring as well. It is a significant exposition of Yogi
Bhajan’s teachings on this subject.”
NIRVAIR SINGH KHALSA
CEO of the Kundalini Research Institute, Level Three Lead Trainer in Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi
Bhajan®, and author of Ten Light Bodies of Consciousness and The Art, Science, and Application of Kundalini Yoga
“Snatam Kaur has created a wonderful narrative about the practice of
Kundalini Yoga. I am deeply touched by her commitment to her sadhana—
spiritual practice—which shows in her voice and music that has captured many
hearts and minds. My own spiritual practice of Raja Yoga confirms Snatam’s
views that we are in a unique time in the world, what she references as the
Aquarian Age. Many are awakening to the reality that there is more to life than
a materialistic consciousness. This seems to be a time of great change as
humanity moves closer to experiencing God, where instruments like Snatam
will gift us with a good read of a practice than can help us become better
people.”
SISTER JENNA
founder and director of the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Museum I & II, host of the America Meditating
Radio Show, and recipient of the President’s Lifetime National Community Service Award
“This book is precious, exquisite, and universal. The practices, chants, and
recitations nourish and nurture body and soul, gently awaken us to our divine
nature, and help us to evolve into the fullness of our being. The Sufis say, ‘The
true teacher kindles the light; the oil is already in the lamp.’ Snatam Kaur is a
rare genuine teacher who has devoted her life to service.”
IMAM JAMAL RAHMAN
teacher and author of Spiritual Gems of Islam
To access the audio files that accompany this book, visit
SoundsTrue.com/OriginalLight and choose to either download the tracks to
your computer or stream them on your reading device.
This book is dedicated to my spiritual teacher, the Siri Singh Sahib,
also lovingly known as Yogi Bhajan.
Who else would have inspired such a journey?
CONTENTS
Introduction
Chapter One The Gift of Practice
Chapter Two Sacred Sound as Teacher
Chapter Three A Journey into Kundalini
Chapter Four Altar of the Self
Stage One: Preparing for the Aquarian Sādhanā
Chapter Five Meditation of the Soul
Stage Two: Jap Jī
Chapter Six Bliss in the Body
Stage Three: Kundalini Yoga
Chapter Seven Chanting as the Sun Rises
Stage Four: Aquarian Sādhanā Mantras
Chapter Eight Surrender, Bow, and Receive
Stage Five: Gateway to Divinity
Chapter Nine Presence of Self
Chapter Ten Blessings for Family and Community