Astral Travel & Samadhi | The Subtle Body, Prana, Sushumna Nadi & Antar Kumbhaka | Bapu

Questioner: Just as we have a gross body (Sthula Sharir) and a subtle body (Sukshma Sharir), the subtle body is said to undertake astral travel. Please explain how this occurs through the yogic and natural processes. Bapu: In Yoga, there are five Koshas, beginning with Annamaya Kosha. The mind is formed from the subtle essence of food. When food is withdrawn, the mind gradually subsides. In the Jain tradition, Santhara involves voluntarily giving up food toward the end of life, sometimes involving approximately 30–40 days of fasting. Similarly, Prana emerges from the subtle essence of water. When water is withdrawn, the movement of Prana ceases. Vaani (speech) emerges from the subtle essence of Agni (fire). These principles relate to the five Koshas: Annamaya, Pranamaya, Manomaya, Vijnanamaya and Anandamaya. The hymn says: "Jee Re Lakha, Ajampa Samadhi, Pavan Nabhi Ma Samavo!" Consider a burning oil lamp. If we cover it with a transparent glass vessel, the flame eventually goes out because its air supply has been cut off. Similarly, during Rechaka and Puraka... (Bapu demonstrates approximately twelve cycles of inhalation and exhalation.) Now I will draw Prana inward and retain it at the Nabhi (navel center). (Bapu demonstrates.) Bapu: Did you observe? Questioner: Yes. Bapu: Whenever I retained Prana at the navel center, Sushumna opened, and the Sukshma Sharir entered it. The subtle body is the commanding force of the gross body. Without this governing force, the cells and tissues cannot follow instructions. Sushumna becomes completely Shunya (emptiness). When Rechaka and Puraka stopped, Antar Kumbhaka occurred. As Antar Kumbhaka became active, the mind dissolved. Remember the oil lamp: when the air supply was withdrawn, the flame was extinguished. I did not stop the process completely; otherwise, I would have fallen. Such practices should be performed while seated on the floor, not on an elevated seat where loss of bodily control could cause a fall. This is Sahaj Samadhi, or Ajampa Samadhi. Now consider another form of Samadhi. It is said that prolonged Mantra Jap or Sumiran can also lead to Sahaj Samadhi. However, I cannot fully comprehend how mere repetition produces Samadhi. What I understand is that through Antar Kumbhaka, Surata (attention) enters Shunya. Thus, Ajapa Jap leads to Samadhi. But how does one dissolve into the navel center? This is an extremely profound matter! Antar Kumbhaka is essential! The pressure influences the movement of the ten Pranas and Upapranas: Prana, Apana, Vyana, Udana, Samana, Devadatta, Dhananjaya, Krikala, Naga and Kurma. Unless all ten enter Sushumna, how can realization occur? And when they enter Sushumna, how can philosophical discourse continue? People have a misconception that someone whose Kundalini has awakened can continue delivering Satsangs and discourses. What does this mean? It is a great misconception! People spend their lives reading scriptures, and in old age, their minds merely repeat what they have accumulated. It is like bringing back out everything they have consumed! When all ten Pranas enter Sushumna, who remains to deliver philosophical explanations? Swami Vivekananda once asked Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa: "When you experienced Goddess Kali, what was that experience like?" Ramakrishna replied: "Ahaahaha!" (An expression of immense bliss.) Vivekananda did not understand and asked again. Ramakrishna asked, "What did you not understand?" Vivekananda repeated his question. Again, Ramakrishna responded: "Ahaahaha!" The message is that when direct spiritual experience occurs, philosophical explanation comes to an end. When realization happens, philosophy disappears. And if someone continues delivering philosophical discourses day and night, understand that such a person has not attained true realization! Bapu: Everyone say— Jay Girnari! 🙏 --- This discourse presents Bapu's spiritual perspective. Breath retention and prolonged fasting can be dangerous and should not be attempted based on this video. #AstralTravel #Samadhi #SukshmaSharir #SubtleBody #AstralBody #SthulaSharir #SushumnaNadi #Prana #Pranayama #AntarKumbhaka #Kumbhaka #Rechaka #Puraka #NabhiChakra #Panchakosha #AnnamayaKosha #PranamayaKosha #ManomayaKosha #VijnanamayaKosha #AnandamayaKosha #AjapaJap #AjapaJapa #AjampaSamadhi #SahajSamadhi #Sumiran #MantraJap #Kundalini #KundaliniAwakening #SpiritualAwakening #SelfRealization #SpiritualRealization #Shunya #Meditation #DeepMeditation #YogicWisdom #YogaPhilosophy #AncientIndianWisdom #SanatanDharma #Vedanta #IndianSpirituality #RamakrishnaParamahamsa #SwamiVivekananda #GoddessKali #Satsang #Girnar #Girnari #JayGirnari #Bapu