{"id":13034,"date":"2016-11-01T01:10:23","date_gmt":"2016-11-01T06:10:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/paganpages.org\/content\/?p=13689"},"modified":"2016-10-31T19:26:08","modified_gmt":"2016-11-01T00:26:08","slug":"yoga-meditation-wisdom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2016\/11\/01\/yoga-meditation-wisdom\/","title":{"rendered":"Yoga, Meditation, &#038; Wisdom"},"content":{"rendered":"<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t<!--\n\t\t@page { margin: 0.79in }\n\t\tP { margin-bottom: 0.08in }\n\t\tA:link { so-language: zxx }\n\t\tA.0:link { so-language: zxx }\n\t-->\n\t<\/style>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i><b>YOGA, MEDITATION &amp; WISDOM <\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">(Formerly *A Moment for Meditation*)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i><u>THE FIVE PATHS OF WISDOM<\/u><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>While there are four paths of yoga (Karma, Bhakti, Raja, Gyana), which will be discussed in a future column, today I will be talking about the &#8220;Five Paths of Wisdom&#8221; as taught within Kundalini Yoga.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>As with all important things, connecting to the path to wisdom is a much longer journey than you might think upon undertaking it. It is filled with obstacles; frustration; deep inner work, which is almost always painful, and strange twists and turns in the road.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>In brief, the stages or &#8220;pads&#8221; are:<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>Saram Pad &#8211; Novice<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>Karam Pad &#8211; Apprentice<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>Shakti Pad &#8211; Practitioner<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>Sehej Pad &#8211; Expert<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>Sat Pad &#8211; Master<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>1. <\/i><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i><u>Saram Pad<\/u><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> &#8220;A novice must cultivate obedience, motivation and discipline&#8221; ~ Yogi Bhajan<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> All beginners start with Saram Pad. It is the first exposure to something new that <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> you wish to explore, in which you have no experience. You just know that you <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> are desiring something new. Your motivation can be that a friend is doing it, that <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> you are in physical or emotional pain and this may alleviate it, or it just calls to<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> you. This is what could be termed &#8220;the honeymoon&#8221; phase.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>2. <\/i><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i><u>Karam Pad<\/u><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> Karam means &#8220;to accomplish tasks&#8221;. This is the stage where you have gained <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> some experience. You have seen the benefits, the pros and the cons. You <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> will feel that you need to continue to learn more. In this way, you compare the <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> new experiences with what you experienced in the past. You will continue to<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> gain new perspective, and you may choose to challenge yourself.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> Within yoga, this would be the time when you would start your Sadhana, or your<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> daily spiritual yoga and meditation practice. <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>3. <\/i><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i><u>Shakti Pad<\/u><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> Shakti Pad is known as the test of power, or ego.This is the stage where decisions are made. Will you continue with your current path, continuing to learn more or will you decide to stop and find something entirely new.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> This is when you begin to make your choices. In the past, it was your teacher<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> who would be telling you what to practice. Now, you will make that decision.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> What is your goal, your motivation, in your practice? You may experience<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> doubt as you begin to move beyond your instructor&#8217;s teachings. For this<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> spiritual journey, you choose whether to continue to follow this teacher, find<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> another teacher, or find your own path within your practice. All teachers, even<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> within the same spiritual\/yogic community will have different viewpoints.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>4. <\/i><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i><u>Sehej Pad<\/u><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> This is when you completely immerse yourself in your path, every step on<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> this journey is a joy. You are completely focused and are eager to find new<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> challenges. You develop an attitude of what is called *seva* or service to<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> others and your spiritual community. <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> In Sehej Pad, you are learning, but you are also teaching. Teachers can teach,<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> but, they should also still be students, as you are always learning. You learn as<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> you teach your students; their thoughts, their ideas. <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> It can take years to move beyond this stage. It take much hard work and <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> discipline. Some stay in this stage and never move beyond it, but they are happy<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> because their path brings them such joy.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>5. <\/i><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i><u>Sat Pad<\/u><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> &#8220;Sat&#8221; means &#8220;Truth&#8221;. <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> This is the last stage. There is no separation between you and your path.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> It has become such a part of you. You have achieved a transcendence<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i> and have become one with your spirituality.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-13690\" src=\"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/wisdom.jpg\" alt=\"wisdom\" width=\"298\" height=\"169\" \/><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\">\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>An article in Yoga Journal by Gurucharan Singh Khalsa, Ph.D., who was one of my instructors years ago while in Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training, likes the 5 Paths of Wisdom to the growth of a plant.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>Saram = Seed (Formula)<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>Karam = Sprout (Wisdom)<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>Shakti = Leaves Appearing (True Wisdom)<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>Sehej = Blooming Flower (Great Wisdom)<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>Sat = Sending out New Seeds (Infinite Wisdom)<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>This article can be found at: <\/i><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><span lang=\"zxx\"><u><a href=\"http:\/\/www.yogajournal.com\/article\/teach\/stages-of-learning\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>http:\/\/www.yogajournal.com\/article\/teach\/stages-of-learning\/<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>In the future of this *re-focused* column, I will be discussing The Four Paths of Yoga, as mentioned above, and The Eight Limbs of Yoga. <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>Blessings and Sat Nam, <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>Susan Morgaine<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>)O(<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>YOGA, MEDITATION &amp; WISDOM (Formerly *A Moment for Meditation*) THE FIVE PATHS OF WISDOM While there are four paths of yoga (Karma, Bhakti, Raja, Gyana), which will be discussed in a future column, today I will be talking about the &#8220;Five Paths of Wisdom&#8221; as taught within Kundalini Yoga. As with all important things, connecting to the path to wisdom is a much longer journey than you might think upon undertaking it. It is filled with obstacles; frustration; deep inner work, which is almost always painful, and strange twists and turns in the road. In brief, the stages or &#8220;pads&#8221; are: Saram Pad &#8211; Novice Karam Pad &#8211; Apprentice Shakti Pad &#8211; Practitioner Sehej Pad &#8211; Expert Sat Pad &#8211; Master 1. Saram Pad &#8220;A novice must cultivate obedience, motivation and discipline&#8221; ~ Yogi Bhajan All beginners start with Saram Pad. It is the first exposure to something new that you wish to explore, in which you have no experience. You just know that you are desiring something new. Your motivation can be that a friend is doing it, that you are in physical or emotional pain and this may alleviate it, or it just calls to you. This is what could be termed &#8220;the honeymoon&#8221; phase. 2. Karam Pad Karam means &#8220;to accomplish tasks&#8221;. This is the stage where you have gained some experience. You have seen the benefits, the pros and the cons. You will feel that you need to continue to learn more. In this way, you compare the new experiences with what you experienced in the past. You will continue to gain new perspective, and you may choose to challenge yourself. Within yoga, this would be the time when you would start your Sadhana, or your daily spiritual yoga and meditation practice. 3. Shakti Pad Shakti Pad is known as the test of power, or ego.This is the stage where decisions are made. Will you continue with your current path, continuing to learn more or will you decide to stop and find something entirely new. This is when you begin to make your choices. In the past, it was your teacher who would be telling you what to practice. Now, you will make that decision. What is your goal, your motivation, in your practice? You may experience doubt as you begin to move beyond your instructor&#8217;s teachings. For this spiritual journey, you choose whether to continue to follow this teacher, find another teacher, or find your own path within your practice. All teachers, even within the same spiritual\/yogic community will have different viewpoints. 4. Sehej Pad This is when you completely immerse yourself in your path, every step on this journey is a joy. You are completely focused and are eager to find new challenges. You develop an attitude of what is called *seva* or service to others and your spiritual community. In Sehej Pad, you are learning, but you are also teaching. Teachers can teach, but, they should also still be students, as you are always learning. You learn as you teach your students; their thoughts, their ideas. It can take years to move beyond this stage. It take much hard work and discipline. Some stay in this stage and never move beyond it, but they are happy because their path brings them such joy. 5. Sat Pad &#8220;Sat&#8221; means &#8220;Truth&#8221;. This is the last stage. There is no separation between you and your path. It has become such a part of you. You have achieved a transcendence and have become one with your spirituality. An article in Yoga Journal by Gurucharan Singh Khalsa, Ph.D., who was one of my instructors years ago while in Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training, likes the 5 Paths of Wisdom to the growth of a plant. Saram = Seed (Formula) Karam = Sprout (Wisdom) Shakti = Leaves Appearing (True Wisdom) Sehej = Blooming Flower (Great Wisdom) Sat = Sending out New Seeds (Infinite Wisdom) This article can be found at: http:\/\/www.yogajournal.com\/article\/teach\/stages-of-learning\/ In the future of this *re-focused* column, I will be discussing The Four Paths of Yoga, as mentioned above, and The Eight Limbs of Yoga. Blessings and Sat Nam, Susan Morgaine )O(<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":212,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13034","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13034","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/212"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13034"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13034\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13034"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13034"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13034"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}