Hari Aum.
Om Ishaya Namah.
I hope all readers had a wonderful Christmas. I was in two minds about whether or not to write this post but my intuition tells me that it is the right thing to do (for reasons that I will explain later).
One of the ancient traditions of yoga is known as Raja Yoga or the 'Kingly yoga'. This type of yoga (which Krishna describes in the Gita) refers to a variety of practices, starting with the practice of the yama and niyama (yogic ethics-- the core foundation of all yogic and spiritual paths).
Upon this firm foundation of ethics, is laid the practice of other yogic techniques including specific breathing exercises ('pranayama'), physical movements and postures ('asana') designed to control the flow of 'prana' in the subtle, 'sukshma sharira' (energy/astral layer/body).
This control of prana and purification of the 'nadis' (channels through which prana is said to flow in the subtle body) enables the spiritual energy known as kundalini to rise up the chakras (energy centres) eventually leading to knowledge of one's true spiritual nature. (For a further understanding of yogic anatomy, please see this post from September 2023 https://mantrayoga.blogspot.com/2023/09/yogic-anatomy-brief-outline.html?m=0 )
The practice of raja yoga techniques often involves meditation upon various chakras and rapid awakening of the kundalini. This can lead to the experience of 'siddhis' or 'spiritual powers' (they are eight classical siddhis described in the yogic texts which essentially involve control over the material aspect of the universe).
Coming to the subject of the Natha yogis, they are a very ancient lineage of spiritual practitioners. The original Guru of this tradition is said to be Lord Shiva Himself-- known as Adi Natha ('Adi' means original or first in Sanskrit and 'Natha' means 'master' or 'lord'). There have been various incarnations of Shiva associated with this tradition (including the teacher called Mahavatar Babaji). There are also many famous Gurus of this lineage (including Paramahamsa Yogananda and his Guru, Sri Yukteswar).
Amongst the natha yogis, there is a legend of a great yogi, a great master whom they call by the name 'Isha Natha' (the 'Natha' suffix was given to all spiritual teachers in this tradition). In their ancient scripture (called the Natha Namavali) describing the lives of their spiritual masters, they record the life of this great spiritual teacher.
In essence, this describes the life of a boy from many centuries ago, who travelled to Asia aged 14, met his spiritual master (known as 'Maranatha' meaning 'conqueror of death'), practiced yogic methods (raja yoga/kriya yoga) and attained enlightenment/Realisation.
The text then states that he returned home where people did not understand him and that they attempted to kill him. The Natha Namavali goes on to say that, after suffering considerably at their hands, Isha Natha returned to the Himalayas (with the help of his spiritual master) and spent the remainder of his life teaching until his death. There is an ancient tomb in this area (within the place today called Kashmir) which is said to be the place of his burial (the 'Roza bal' shrine).
There are remarkable similarities between the description of the spiritual master whom the Natha yogis call Isha Natha and the spiritual being known as 'Isha' in the Islamic tradition, as 'Yeshua' in the Jewish tradition and as 'Jesus' in the Christian tradition.
There are various documentaries on the subject and all sorts of people over the centuries have travelled to Asia to try and understand if Isha Natha is the same as Isha/ Yeshua/ Jesus. (I leave to readers to decide what they make of this idea. I do not wish to offend anyone, however, in my view, it is very likely that it is the same individual known by different names in various traditions).
The reason I feel inspired to write this post, is that two days ago, on Christmas Eve, certain events took place that made me feel a connection with this great teacher known as Isha natha. As I have mentioned in previous posts, my spiritual life feels pretty rubbish these days. I do the daily mantra japa of course but it feels mechanical (and there is nothing I feel I can do about it except be patient until it resets itself again which it hopefully will at some stage).
In addition, my present sixth purascharana was to have been completed by now but it is dragging on at a very slow pace. I feel tired spiritually and have been unable to fully cure myself of this feeling (music and dance have provided some relief but not enough in my view).
I therefore felt the need to connect with Isha Natha on a day which is celebrated as his birthday (I felt he would be sympathetic). After my usual mantra japa, I spent some minutes meditating upon him (while repeating the mantra 'Om Ishaya Namah'; 'Isha' means the 'Supreme Being/ God' in Sanskrit) and felt much better afterwards. During this meditation, I offered some prayers for all those dear to me (including family and friends), myself and all beings.
A short while after this meditation, I discovered that my father (who lives in India) had developed an urgent health issue and had to be rushed to hospital (where he underwent a battery of tests which have so far thankfully come back as being normal; he is still not fully out-of-the-woods but things fortunately look ok at present).
I firmly feel that it is Isha Natha who has taken care of him and me in the past 48 hours (I had felt the need to meditate on him while, unknown to me, my father had been taken to hospital). I feel there is no difference between him and Sivananda-- I see them both as God-realised beings. And this is the reason why I am writing this post about him.
In addition (in accordance with the yogic teaching), I feel there is no difference between Guru and God (therefore, in my view, Isha Natha, Sivananda, Krishna/Narayana/Shiva/Durga are all One. When I repeat a mantra for any one of them, I feel I am worshipping all these divine forms.)
My view, like that of Sivananda, is that Isha Natha (Isha/ Yeshua/ Jesus) was a great spiritual master. And we do not have to belong to any particular group or institution (be it the 'natha yoga' tradition or a church or anything else) to connect with him or any other spiritual master.
In my view, therefore, it is also unnecessary to argue with/ attempt to convert or fight with anyone with regard to spiritual teachers and teachings. As the Gurus advise, we should live and let live, i.e. practice spirituality in a way that feels right to us, while respecting other people's right to do the same.
Sivananda advises meditating upon the Divine as the best way to directly connect with God. Whether we feel spiritually inspired or tired, some meditation everyday will help us connect with the Divine within ourselves and provide us the grace and protection that we and our loved ones need in an increasingly uncertain world.
I wish all of you a happy New Year 2026. I hope and pray this year will bring much spiritual progress and inspiration for us all. As usual, let us also continue to pray for peace within ourselves and on our planet.
Om Namo Narayanaya.
Hari Aum Tat Sat.
P.S.
The following documentary is related to the above topic. I found it interesting (it also includes a brief interview with Swami Chidananda, disciple of Sivananda):
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