artwork credit: Ann Marie Maxwell with aesthetic modifications made by YIFY

This Wednesday is the big day. Are you yogi/nis ready?! If you thought Sat Kriya
was pure awesomeness (or conversely if you found it to be too much),
this one's going to knock your socks off! It's simple, sweet, and
powerful. Anyone can do it and I hope you'll join me.

SMILING BUDDHA KRIYA

"The story goes that a brahman found Siddhartha nearly starved and in
an unhappy way, unable to walk after a forty-day fast. The brahman
nursed him back to health, and when Siddhartha finally began to smile
again, the brahman taught him this kriya. Siddhartha went on to become
Buddha, who found Enlightenment under the bodhi tree!" 

(from the book Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful by Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa)

"Historically, this is an outstanding kriya. It was practiced by both
Buddha and Christ. You have probably seen this mudra     [ symbolic
hand gesture ] in paintings and statues. It is a gesture and exercise of
happiness and it opens the flow of energy to the heart center. You
needn't worry about learning this kriya to be a Buddha or a Jesus — just
learn it to be yourself! Be a little selfish for your higher
consciousness. Master the technique and experience the state it brings.
Then share it by creating beauty and peace around you."

(from the book Transitions to a Heart-Centered World by Gururattan Kaur Khalsa)

Benefits:

1. Promotes Joy, Bliss, and Happiness


2. Balances and heals the positive mind


3. Gives the confidence to face and overcome challenges


4. Gives the energy to inspire and uplift others


5. Opens the Third Eye and brings intuition and insight


6. Opens the heart


7. Expands consciousness

(1 - 5 from Anmolmehta)

How to Practice Smiling Buddha Kriya:

1. Sit in Sukhasana (Easy Pose). Sukhasana has many variations, but
   what is most important is its meaning: to sit comfortably. So sit in the
   most comfortable position for you, so long as your waist, back, neck,
   and spinal column are all straight. Feel free to sit up against a wall
   if you need the extra support to be able to remain seated for an
   extended period.


2. Take Maha Gyan Mudra (see illustration above). Palms face forward.
   Curl your ring and pinky fingers in toward each palm and hold them down
   gently with your thumbs. Keep your pointer and middle fingers extended
   straight up and pressed together. (You are basically making a peace
   sign, but the two extended fingers are together, rather than in a V.)


3. Hands are at the sides of the shoulders. Elbows are bent, creating a 30 degree angle between the upper arm and the forearm.


4. Roll the shoulder blades down the back, broaden your collarbones, relax the trapezius, and soften your front ribs.


5. Close your eyes and direct your focus and energy to the Third Eye
   Point. Do this with powerful intention, but gently with the inner gaze,
   so as not to strain the eyes.


6. Smile softly.


7. Begin to chant this mantra mentally and continuously, "Sa Ta Na Ma."
   (Sa = Infinity. Ta = Life. Na = Death. Ma = Rebirth. The whole mantra
   means "I am Truth.") This is the most fundamental of the Kundalini
   mantras.


8. Stay relaxed and at ease within the kriya. Let your breathing be natural.


9. Practice Smiling Buddha Kriya for 3 minutes. If you can, work your
   way up to 11 minutes. If not, 3 minutes is perfect and will be very
   powerful.


10. When complete, inhale deeply, exhale deeply, then open and close the fists a few times, and relax.

(adaptation by Y is for Yogini,
based on the kriya by Yogi Bhajan and research by Gururattan Kaur Khalsa
and Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa)

If you are a visual learner, watch this Smiling Buddha Kriya instructional video. (Note: Be sure to read all notes above, as there are important points the video does not cover.)

Who's in? Let me know so we can stay connected during our journey!