„Tat-Tvam-Asi” UCCM yoga school (intermediate and advanced levels)

Margaret Rhasoda Varga: My experiences with other yoga schools

Many people I know have been following some kind of yoga training under the guidance of noted foreign masters for decades, and I have tried to get involved in them. I have studied these systems and have not joined them because the progress of my friends has been undetectable compared to what I have achieved in developing my own system alone. In my experience, the yoga masters (with respect to the exception) are not interested in the development of their students, but in keeping them at the same level, because this provides them with a regular income, which they use to maintain their ashrams abroad. Now, why should I support the residents of eastern ashrams? If their system worked that well, they would be able to raise their society to get the support they need to survive. The original purpose of creating monastic orders was not to withdraw from society and isolate themselves, but to serve its spiritual upliftment.



Program of yoga school (intermediate level) (link)

Those of the disciples who are really serious about progress will sooner or later give up the worldly way of life, not infrequently joining their master's ashram. The majority of the Eastern masters have no idea of Western culture and way of life, or if they do, they do not appreciate it, and therefore they make their disciples impossible, who during their study, become less and less able to integrate into society, and adopting their master's approach, judge their fellow human beings who lead a Western way of life. To what extent is Indian or Tibetan culture more successful, either in terms of economic development or spiritual fulfilment? If it were successful, there would be visible signs of it and it would be an example for us. A sensible combination of the two cultures could be the solution, but few are capable of this. The Eastern masters condemn those who combine the two cultures, saying that they do not transmit the teachings 'purely', but modernize them, adapting them to Western culture. In my opinion, this is a natural process, although there are indeed excesses to be avoided. 

Students are also suggested to give up their former Christian roots and culture, despite the fact that the starting point of all yoga schools is the independence from religions. I see the reason for this in the fact that the master is a role model for the students, and because he is a Hindu or Buddhist who knows Christianity only by reputation, the students adopt his value judgement. Here is an example that was happened in my presence. Someone asked the initiating master why Jesus was listed as a master in one of the yoga schools? The answer was, "We just put him there." The answer was so "lofty" that it could be immediately interpreted on several levels: 1) he had no idea, 2) it was a way to attract Christian-attitude disciples, 3) he didn't think Jesus belonged there either. 

Eastern masters who do not know Christianity in depth draw conclusions from the outward realizations of the average Christian, which leads to erroneous results. When I was in India, I did not try to judge the authenticity or spiritual significance of Vedic scripture from the average Hindu's (or Krishna consciousness) believer's level of realization. The man on the street is as ignorant of the essence of his own religion in east as in west. 

In my experience, the Eastern masters do not impart to their disciples the pure living of their faith, but the dogma of their religion. Combining several paths or religions is seen as wrong, to be avoided. With them, one can only follow the beaten path. It is as if, in the forest, the only way to get to the top of the mountain is by the path marked out. This can lead to the realization of a particular religion at best, but not to the realization of Over-self and God. The latter is a land without paths.  

If one studies all the authentic scriptures impartially in his yoga training, he can create a bridge between cultures. And the bridge connects, it leads towards unity. Conversely, if one elevates one's own religion above the others, that it is the only true one and the others are false, then this leads to separation, it leads away from unity.

What makes UCCM yoga training different from the rest? 

- on this path you can really progress at your own pace,
- you can live a full life with it (no need to withdraw from society, become a monk, move to an ashram),
- it is adapted to the western way of life and culture; it is really bridge between East and West,
- no need to practice abstinence (as you progress, unnecessary habits automatically disappear)
- truly independent from religions but not from belief,
- a completely customizable path. 

UCCM's Yoga School is a continuation of UCCM's spiritual self-knowledge training. In this sense, completion of the latter is a prerequisite for joining a yoga school. A further prerequisite is the return of completed self-study workbooks, which serve the purpose of giving the prospective student an account of his/her progress in self-study. 

The UCCM Yoga School provides a comprehensive overview of the paths to inner God-realization currently available to humanity. It raises consciousness permanently above ordinary awareness, whereby the disciple gains insight into the own and others' actions, the own and others' life tasks, the laws governing the universe, their interconnections, and can choose a path for himself/herself with a higher knowledge instead of the unconscious drift he/she has been on. This yoga school is responsible therefore exclusively for spiritual development, for those who in this or a future life wish to leave the gross material plane of existence and to serve the Supreme at some higher point in the universe.

Joining the yoga school does not require the disciple to follow a particular religion, for in this system he/she will be part of a teaching independent of religions, but based on the knowledge and operation of religions, in which the elements of religion are merely barriers fixed on either side of the inner path, which he/she must eventually let go of. Yoga school develops skills and can lead to the possession of lived knowledge. Once completed, the disciple can become self-improvement, i.e. able to access and develop his/her own inner knowledge independently. 

Some of the skills required to apply for yoga school 

- Openness and acceptance.
This applies to all religions, all entities, all methods. Rejection takes you away from Oneness. Acceptance is not the same as saying yes to anything, anytime. Since acceptance and openness between master and disciple are mutual, the disciple can make his/her decisions of his/her own free will and evolve at his/her own pace.

- Commitment to spiritual development.
I do not say God here because in the process of spiritual development the disciple himself/herself experiences the entity, power, intelligence to which he/she bows of his/her own free will. No one forces any form of God on him/her, not even God himself, which means that the path also gives the possibility of dissolving in the powers or intelligence.

- An aspiration to external and internal self-knowledge.
The disciple realises that all persons and situations reflect him/her, that everything is for his/her development, that everything happens for him/her, and that he/she uses his/her experiences in his/her inner and outer world for his/her development.

- A stable family and financial situation.
If a disciple is preoccupied with financial situations or problems with his/her partner and family, he6she cannot concentrate on his/her spiritual development and must therefore have the means and methods to deal with the situations that arise, so that he/she does not have to leave school in the middle of the process. The above condition does not mean that his/her family and financial situation is above average, but that his/her situation in the financial world is stable and manageable.

- At least average physical and mental health. 
Serious illnesses and pains prevent one from concentrating on spiritual development. Mental illness is contra-indicated for this yoga training. Must not use psychoactive substances, suffer from alcoholism, mental illness. He/she must be able to control his/her nervous system in basic situations of life. This does not mean that a sick person cannot be a student, but that the illness in question must be brought to a manageable level before enrolment, either independently or with assistance.

The guru of UCCM Yoga School is Sri Yukteswar Giri on spiritual plane. The teacher, master and spiritual guide on the physical plane of the UCCM Yoga School is Margaret Rhasoda Varga and teachers accredited by her.

To join the UCCM yoga school, it is a prerequisite that the applicant has an energetic healing initiation (e.g. REIKI) and a relationship with angels. The necessary courses can also be taken within the framework of the R.A.I. (REIKI Association International). (select Courses -> RAI courses)

We accept the initiation of other systems independent from R.A.I. We can discuss the possible solution with the applicants in case of contact.

Training is performed in small groups with 20 sessions in agreed time; depending on the disciples

- ones per month during two years,

- two times one week per year during two years.

How to live the yoga aphorisms of Patanjali in everyday life using the teachings of UCCM yoga school’ basic and intermediate levels?

Maharishi Patanjali summarized the teachings necessary for God-realization about 400 years before Christ, according to some, and much earlier according to others. This teaching is completely universal, independent of any religion and has become known as the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. There is no seeker of God who can avoid following these precepts if he/she really wants to achieve his goal.

However, the 21st century poses serious challenges to seekers who wish to pursue the practice of sutras alongside their daily work and family chores. This is where UCCM self-knowledge training, a simple method of mind control that can be implemented by everyone, aims to help. With daily practice, the method will, depending on one's dedication, lead to results in a few years that will bring within reach what may now seem a distant goal to many, the pursuit of sutras. The UCCM spiritual self-knowledge training can do this because it has been developed with the knowledge of Patanjali's system of yoga.

When western people hear of yoga, they think of either physical exercises, meditation or mantras. Yoga, on the other hand, is the science of affirming and realizing true faith in God; furthermore is the absolute reality of the Over-self and creation, which is for all human beings and all religions, for seekers of inner knowledge.

Absolute reality depends on the level and state of our consciousness. Therefore, no one can claim to know the absolute reality. Yoga, therefore, is a never-ending journey to the knowledge of absolute reality, which has stages, different degrees. The eight-step path is not a set of alternatives, each of which is a step towards God, but a system of stages that build on each other, each successive stage involving the practice of the previous one. 

The eight-step road:

1. Yama (external moral rules)

"Take heed that you do not give alms before men, that they may see you, or else you will have no reward from your heavenly Father" (Matthew 6.1).

Adherence to the moral rules recommended by all religions, so that it is not for the outside world, but arises from an internal impulse. Striving for honesty, integrity, non-violence. As Jesus declared, "Whatever you would have men do to you, that do to others..." (Matthew 7.12). Compassion, love for all beings, is already expressed in the Moses principle: "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19.18), which Jesus also emphasized (Matthew 22.39). Yama is the recognition and experience of the fact that we are essentially one, that we are all creatures of God and in this sense, we are brothers and sisters.

The proper stewardship of material and other goods is most evident in Jesus' parable of the talents. Who are not attached to their material goods, who regard those as given for service, and who use and benefit them properly,  for those it is valid: "...to one who has, it is given and it is multiplied" whereas for those who do not use their creative power, it is valid: "...from one who has, even what one has, it will be taken away" (Matthew 25.29). It is clear from this that poverty in Christianity is not a virtue, but a condition for which one's own self is responsible. The creation and proper management of material wealth is as much a skill to be learned as any other.

UCCM yoga course teaches you to live and create in harmony with the laws of the Universe, in this sense it leads to living through of yama in the highest level.

2. Nijama (inner value system)

"Be you therefore perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 6.48).

Personal virtue and self-discipline, striving for purity of body, mind and spirit. What is yama towards the world (macrocosm) is the same as nijama inward (towards the microcosm), that is, inner work on ourselves, which can be done in many ways. One way is to study the scriptures with the aim to know ourselves from the religious stories and learn from it, another, much quicker method is the self-knowledge training. Either way, it is necessary for the yogi to analyze himself/herself, to be aware of the driving forces of his/her actions and to perfect the weak points of his/her personality. It is also necessary to surrender oneself completely to God, in the full awareness that this surrender is to identify with one's own inner divine essence, i.e., to live one's Over-self.

Self-observation and self-analysis are the essence of UCCM yoga courses. It does not present people empty moral rules or petrified dogmas, but reveals their own living inner values to them, helping them to live those through. It therefore dissolves the resistances and tensions that arise from the apparent disharmony between the inner and outer worlds.

3. Asana (postures)

"The disciple meditates in a lotus position.
Master: - Why are you sitting? - the disciple stood up.
Master: - Why are you standing? - the disciple laid down.
Master: - Why are you laying? 
Then the disciple is enlightened." (zen koan from Rhasoda)

Asana means posture. One of the biggest misconceptions in Western societies about this is that yoga and the practice of asanas are considered the same. Asanas are very important for maintaining a healthy body and mind, which is essential for practicing the next levels of yoga. But asanas alone are not sufficient for God-realization and are only the third step in the eight-step system.

Disease and under-functioning of our organs is mainly due to lack of vital energy. Asanas promote and facilitate the flow of life energy to different parts of the organs. Only a healthy body and mind can handle the tensions and nerves- emotional strain that can arise in the deep meditations of the next stages. The asanas make you aware of the tensions, as pain occurs where the body is tense, but they do not make you aware of the cause. Therefore, for the Western man, where the way of life is incomparably tenser than in Eastern cultures, the practice of asanas alone does not lead to satisfactory results. In fact, all postures are asanas, the point is not the "posture of the body" but the state of consciousness in which the posture is performed.

The UCCM yoga course helps us, as it provides an independent method of the practice of asanas, to release fears stored up in the nervous system which are not consciously recognized.

4. Pranayama (regulation of breathing)

"- Master, when will I reach God? - It had been no answer. Once, when they are bathing in the river, the master pushed the disciple's head under the water so that he almost drowned.
- Why did you do that, master?
- If you grasp for God like you grasped for air, you will reach Him."
                                                                      (Zen story)

Ordinary breathing exercises are not the same as pranayama. Prana is the omnipresent, cosmic life energy of God. The conscious regulation of the absorption, release and distribution of life energy through breathing is pranayama. Pranayama cleanses the physical and etheric body and as a result, the life energy will flow freely in the energy conduits (nadis). Yogis have recognized that cosmic consciousness is closely related to the mastery of the breath. The mind can be controlled by proper inhalation and exhalation. The goal of pranayama is to achieve pratyhara.

UCCM yoga course provide a very effective pranajama for sublimation of sub-pranas and purification of the energy body.

5. Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses)

"Three monks were arguing in the courtyard. The one said:
- The flag is moving.
The other said:
- The wind is moving.
The next said:
- The mind is moving.
The master remained motionless."
                           (zen koan)

The external material world is a collective created reality in which the mind perceives that the flag or the wind is moving. By quieting the movement of the mind, there is the realization that everything that happens in the external world, like a computer game, is the running of a mind program.

Pratyahara is the withdrawal of consciousness from the external physical world and its separation from the five senses. The senses act as telephone lines between the mind and the physical body, relaying the stimuli of the external world. Consciousness then spends time at the level of the mind. Through regular practice of turning the mind inwards, calm and inner peace is achieved. Consciousness is removed from the distractions of the five senses that keep it in illusion; which is mediated by the mind, and turns towards higher inner states. This higher state of consciousness is buddhi (intelligence). In this state, consciousness looks down upon the mind and perceives that all perception is the play of the mind and the senses, which is resulted in by the outward projection of life energy.

Regular practice of the UCCM yoga course’s exercises leads to a level of awareness where the student realizes that the running of all mind programs is his/her choice and that it is up to him/her to stop, replace or abandon these mind programs. Inner peace and tranquility are not only experienced during practice, but increasingly in the midst of doing everyday tasks.

6. Dharana (concentration)

"- Master, how do I start meditation?
- Pick up a pebble. Look at it for a long time. When it opens its eyes, put it down.
- Is this meditation?
- No. This is the way to it."
                            (Tamás Halmai - zen koan modified by Rhasoda)

In the mind there are countless, wandering thoughts. These thoughts have a creative power, constantly creating the future and hindering the experience of the present moment. Dharana is a constant concentration on a single thought, which can be an object, an image, a pure thought or idea, the name of God, the sound of Aum etc. The Vedic scripture recommends concentration on the transcendental form of the Lord: '...One should therefore concentrate on the transcendental form of the Lord as long as one can fix the mind on Him through meditation.' (Srimad Bhagavatam 2.2.11.) The object of concentration can also be a mantra. The point is that no other thought should appear in the mind during the activity. For example, for Krishna conscious devotees, when only the Hare Krishna mantra is present in the mind, this state is called unaffected japa. Then the mind creates a single thought, the meaning of the mantra. So, it is a mistake to think that they are not following Patanjali's principles. Similarly, in Buddhism, when the prayer mill is used, this is also done.

When there is only one thought present in the mind, that state is also known as the single-mindedness, where concentration is focused on a single thought. This also allows for the realization of conscious death. One who at the moment of death can attain at least the state of concentrating on one thought symbolizing God, his/her consciousness retains this state. "Whatever being-state a man remembers at the time of leaving his body, he will undoubtedly attain." (Bhagavad Gita 8.6.) If one remembers a human being-state, he is reborn; if he dies in God consciousness, his consciousness is linked to a God form he has determined.

UCCM yoga courses teaches you to focus on a single thought. When a single thought is present in the mind, and the mind is guided by the soul instead of the programs of the mind, the resulting thought gains tremendous power and is created in the material world. The disciple can create what is most necessary for his/her progress, from the creation of material and other wealth to God-realization, according to his/her own level and current goals.

7. dhyana (meditation)

"All meditation and mysticism merely mean to realize Narayana. The purpose of all penances is to attain Him, the cultivation of transcendental knowledge is to glimpse Him, and the ultimate liberation is to attain His realm." (Srimad Bhagavatam 2.5.15.)

In the state of dharana, awareness is fixed on a single thought or object. If during practice the yogi lets go of this single thought, meditation develops. Then the yogi consciously remains in a state of thoughtlessness for a long time. In a state of meditation, the yogi forgets his body, shuts off his senses, his mind, is unaware of space, of time. The breathing is barely perceptibly slow, the heartbeat is barely perceptible.

But the yogi is still aware of the existence of the ego (self). This is the state of ahankar.

It can be seen how far meditation in this sense is from the state of what is called meditation in Western culture. Meditation is also different from the state of consciously stopping thoughts and meditation is not the same as the state between sleep and wakefulness.

In meditation, the withdrawal of energy that has been put out into the senses and the astral-mental body and the fixation of consciousness takes place. Consciousness is concentrated in either the soul (Atman) or the intelligence (buddhi) center. The soul center is located within the spinal column at the level of the heart chakra (Anahat). In deep meditation, the yogi can hear a variety of Anahat sounds, indicating the success of the meditation. The center of intelligence is located in the head, just below the Sahashrar, in the groove between the two hemispheres of the brain. By fixing the consciousness at this point, the Aum sound can be heard first in the body and then throughout the universe, and other realizations of God can be accessed.

Regular practice of the UCCM yoga course’s exercises will help to achieve this state and the ability to distinguish between the two types of centers and their functions will be learned.

8. Samadi

"Having attained this transcendental level, there is no longer any need for mind control, contemplation or meditation as practiced by jnanis and yogis. One gives up such processes, just as the king of heaven Indra no longer bothers to dig a well." (Srimad Bhagavatam 2.7.47.)

The essence of samadhi is the renunciation of ego (ahankar). In this state, the sense of duality, of separation from God, ceases. Samadhi is achieved when the meditator, the process of meditation and the object of meditation become one.

Two types of samadhi are known. From sambikalpa samadhi (contemplation with fluctuations) the yogi still returns to a state of mind with fluctuations. In sambikalpa samadhi, several types of experiences can be experienced, depending on which center the yogi focuses on. If the attention is fixed on the soul center (Atman center), either impersonal or personal God realization can occur. In this case, the yogi experiences that his/her consciousness is expanded and he/she is one with the God aspect he/she is experiencing, i.e. his/her individual consciousness is dissolved in a collective (impersonal) (Paramatma, Upper Soul) or personal (Narayana) field of consciousness. In Christianity, many saints experienced this realization by experiencing union with Jesus as the personal aspect of Paramatma.

Fixing consciousness on the buddhi center under the Sahasrara is also the first experience of dissolution and expansion of individual consciousness. As the buddhi expands, it grows beyond the Sahasrar and leads to other experiences depending on the developed awareness of the yogi. One experience may be that the yogi experiences oneness with the life energy field around him/her. He feels that this energy pervades and animates everything and he/she is no different. Another experience is that the yogi is in union with the law (dharma). He/she sees the law at work and perceives that it is through him/her that this happens. Another is the experience of identification with the Primordial Light, or pure Light. These are impersonal forms of realization. In addition to experiencing impersonal layers, personal God realization is also available (Shiva, Shakti, Krishna, etc.). Then a particular form of God appears to yogi in samadhi and he/she identifies himself/herself as a part of He (as a single cell of a vast organism).

The nirvikalpa samadhi is immersion without fluctuations. It occurs when the interconnection between the two centers (Atman, buddhi) is established, i.e. the mind (ego) is completely eliminated. Then in samadhi the soul spark (Atman) rises to buddhi and abides there. The highest state that can be experienced in the physical body is that the soul spark does not leave the buddhi even when the yogi is not meditating, i.e. the yogi is constantly in the samadhi state of nirvikalpa even in the midst of his/her daily activities.

If one follows a path or master strictly, he/she will experience only and solely that what have experienced those who have gone before him/her; for if peach trees grow along a path, the one who walks along it cannot know that another path is lined with pine trees. True, there is less risk of getting lost and less responsibility, but the knowledge of God remains limited.

From what has been described, it is clear that not all seekers in samadhi experience the same thing, but it depends on the path chosen and the development of the buddhi body. If one has been on many different paths in different lifetimes, it is possible that in a given lifetime one may experience all of them and choose which state of consciousness one wishes to spend time in after leaving, and even have the opportunity to enter the different planes of realization, as it were connecting them.

There are also higher states of God-realization than those mentioned here, when the Atman leaves the physical body while in buddhi.

The UCCM yoga course is a practical and easy-to-implement tool for regulating and dissolving the mind, which, depending on the individual's commitment, can take the yogi up to the state of samadhi.

If, however, one does not yet aim at these heights, one can achieve inner peace, happiness, silence, self-acceptance and harmonious integration into the material world.