We bring you a small excerpt from Gurudev’s speech given in 1999. Here, He talks about what Yoga is, and specifically about the history and effects of his sect of Yoga, Siddha Yoga. In the end, is his message to the youth and how they will bring about a transformation through Yoga. Guru Siyag on Yoga “How do you define yoga? Sage Patanjali in the very second aphorism of his treatise ‘Yoga Sutra’ defines yoga simply as “a neutralization of mind’s inner tendencies called Vrittis.” Until the mind, which is fickle and runs helter skelter, doesn’t become calm and stable, the seeker can neither meditate nor can he experience yoga (a union with the supreme consciousness). In the practice of Siddha Yoga, which I speak of, it is the Guru who subtly checks the disciple’s mind from wandering off, calms it down and makes it devoid of any thought.

“The Nath sect of the Yoga tradition that we follow (through Siddha Yoga) is led by nine Naths (ascetic yogis) who are immortal. Machhindra Nathji was the first in the pantheon of great Gurus when the current epoch of Kaliyuga began millions of years ago.

“Gorakhnathji was one of Machhindranathji’s disciples. Gorakhnathji likened the Vedas to the Kalpataru (mythical wish-fulfilling tree) and described Yoga as the “Immortal fruit of the Vedas.” The practice of Siddha Yoga frees the practitioner from a triumvirate of afflictions: physical, mental and spiritual. No affliction exists beyond these three broad categories. The practice of Siddha Yoga has been freeing hundreds of thousands of practitioners from all kinds of physical diseases and ailments.

“This transformation (through elimination of triple affliction) is based on a tangible philosophy. It is not a figment of someone’s creative imagination. I am aware that some people do employ fiction when dealing with yogic philosophy because their advice is purely theory-based and lacks practical experience. Some “Gurus” even go the extent of saying that the Kundalini can be awakened if the seeker practices Yoga for 20 years! To this I say, “What is the guarantee that a Guru and his disciple will live for 20 years? Why slog for 20 years for something that you can achieve today? Why not gain spiritual consciousness here and now? This talk about 20 years is utter rubbish.”