Talk:Shivabalayogi

Edits Shivabalayogi
"Trance" is the word typically used for bhava in English books on Shivabalayogi, including Gen. Hanut Singh, and it is the word used by Shivabalayogi's interpreters during his visits to the United States and England. Bhava is not really a teaching, it is a spiritual phenomenon that Shivabalayogi evoked. In fact, given that Shivabalayogi never gave a public discourse, much less write any book, one could argue that he had no verbal teaching. Tpalotas| 4 January, 2010 —Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned comment added by Tpalotas (talk • contribs) 20:29, 4 January 2010 (UTC)

I have: 1. added missing material from several leading biographies of Shri Shivabalayogi. 2. added extensive references to address tag requiring additional referencing of article. 3. removed references not cited in text. 4. added teachings on meditation and bhava samadhi and placed in teachings section (rather than separate section for bhava samadhi) 5. translated "bhava samadhi" as ecstasy rather than trance, according to convention. Shivabala Janak (talk) 23:39, 12 December 2009 (UTC)

The Ringness is correct, external link section seems used for advertising -- removed. Checked remaining link -- person featured on website not subject of article who dies on March 28 1994, according to article, but living person. Highly misleading as matter of record. New categories added. Waimearush (talk) 01:48, 26 December 2009 (UTC)

I have: 1. Deleted “the divine soul” from “(a lingam symbolizes the divine soul, the absoluteness of the Divinity)”. This does not add anything. For example, the wikipedia article on Lingam (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingam#Interpretations) cites Swami Vivekandanda as “adducing proof from the Vedas, and particularly the Atharva-Veda Samhita, to the effect that the Shiva-Linga had its origin in the idea of the Yupa-Stambha or Skambha—the sacrificial post, idealized in Vedic ritual as the symbol of the Eternal Brahman.” See also websites such as http://www.templenet.com/beliefs/shivling.htm: “It is a symbol of that which is invisible yet omnipresent. It is hence a visible symbol of the Ultimate Reality which is present in us (and in all objects of creation ).”

2. Removed quote beginning with “The question among people is whether the astronomer who travels...”  This quote is too long, it is a claim which does not convey the meaning of the passage as given in General Hanut Singh’s biography which is based on Shivabalayogi’s own explanation of his first message:

''Recalling this experience later Shri Swamiji said: "It is possible in the state of Samadhi to travel to the Surya Mandal and return alive; this is my own experience. Those wishing to achieve this can do so by practicing Dhyan". But in the same context he cautioned those who aspired solely for such experiences that: "People should strive for Self Knowledge, they should strive to know themselves and their true nature, this alone will bring Peace to the world." (pp. 59-60)''

Inter alia, surya mandal refers here to a manifestation of some other world, rather than the physical sun as we know it, which was the implication in the deleted quote. The reason for the discrepancy is an imperfect translation from the Telugu and the fact that the words noted down regarding Shivabalayogi's first speech were not an accurate/direct transcript. To avoid this problem, I have replaced the quote with the meaning of the passage, encapsulated in a couple of sentences, based upon Shivabalayogi's own words, which are recorded in the biography by General Hanut Singh, p. 59-60. It is this intended message/teaching which is important.

3. Corrected typographical errors, e.g. microphone, etc. introduced in recent revisions.

4. Found parenthetical statement “which one disciple calls the jangama dhyana meditation technique” awkward. Changed to “which he referred to as the jangama dhyana meditation technique to one disciple” – this accords with the material on the following page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jangama_dhyana.

5. Moved “Spiritual Philosophy: the Yoga Vasistha” section to after the Meditation section, as the two are closely related to Advaita and the Realization of the Absolute.

6. Renamed “Divine Song…” section to “Other Aspects of Shivabalayogi’s Mission” as this section is not only about bhajans and bhava samadhi, but also vibhuti and prasadam.

7. Removed quote in this section beginning with “As he once said, "I have done tapas for twelve years...”  This quotation does not explain anything about bhava samadhi, and has no information content beyond the sentences before and after it.

8. Removed the word “avatar,” as the proper definition, i.e. “manifestation” (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar), is not clear in this context and is redundant anyway. The appropriate meaning has already been communicated in the preceding sentences.

Shivabala Janak (talk) 18:15, 6 January 2010 (UTC) Shivabala Janak (talk) 19:13, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Removed the tag calling for additional citations for verification as extensive references have been added. Shivabala Janak (talk) 15:18, 15 January 2010 (UTC)