Terms

acarya One who teaches by example. asana Postures used to stimulate flow of life-force through the body and to aid meditation. âkâsha The ether; primordial substance that pervades the entire universe; the substratum of both mind and matter. All thoughts, feelings, or actions are recorded within it. avatara An appearance of Supreme Being in this world. bhagavan The Supreme Lord, one who possesses all opulence in full. darshan To be in the presence of God or SatGuru. ishvara Personal manifestation of the supreme; the cosmic self; cosmic consciousness. jiva Eternal individual soul. mandala Images used to meditate upon. namaskar Namashkar underlying meaning as practised in hinduism. prajna True or transcendental wisdom based on insight, discriminating knowledge, or intuitive apprehension. paramahamsa Topmost class of spiritually realized devotees, a supremely swanlike devotee. paramatma the Supersoul. parampara an unbroken disciplic succession through which pure spiritual knowledge is transmitted. prakrti nature, can refer to both the spiritual (para) or material (apara) nature. pralaya Dissolution of cosmos (pralaya in hinduism) — how it occurs. prânâyâma The regulation of the breath flow — exercises for controlling the breathing which exerts a purificatory effect upon the mind and the chakras (psychic nerve centers). pratyahara Practicing the withdrawal of the mind from the objects of the senses — the process of taming the mind — a preliminary exercise as preparation for concentration. satchidānanda Reality, seen through the discovery of Brahman as sat or ultimate being, cit or pure consciousness, and ānanda or perfect bliss. sadhu a saintly person. srishti The universal becoming. siddhi Meas "perfection"; refers specifically to the eight mystic powers, such as the ability to become very light. vidyâ True knowledge.