Master teacher Acharya Girish Jha has spent

30 years studying and teaching Authentic Yoga and

Meditation in the original Himalayan tradition. In his
very brief presence in USA, less than two years, he
attracted people from PA, NJ and NY and conducted
over 25 workshops, seminars, and over individual
sessions to 60 aspirants on Authentic Yoga. He is
currently teaching in PA, NJ, and NY in USA
Many of his students and Acharya Girish are working together to present a
variety of workshops besides the regular classes. They offer the following
topics: Aryurveda and Yoga, Health, Harmony and Happiness in Modern Life,
Stress Management through Authentic Yoga and Family Harmony (resolving
differences between family members and spouses).
Acharya Girish, a North Brunswick resident for the last year received a Post
Graduate degree in Yoga and Modern Science from the University of Delhi
and has been mentored by 50 Himalayan Masters for 30 years. His spirituality
and his extensive knowledge of yoga, yoga philosophy, world religions,
modern science and ancient texts and scriptures lead aspirants to simple,
easy , effective programs and practices aims at awakening within, conscious
evolution, peace, harmony and excellence His unique background allowed
him to create a vast number of yoga programs. Acharya Girish worked for 25
years with the government of India in management, research, education and
administration. He has also taught 60,000 people in countries around the
world individually and in groups. An important part of his work is presenting
workshops on Stress Management for Corporate Executives. Based on his
many years of research, he created the New Paradigm of Living (NPL) that
combines scientific findings with the wisdom of Yoga and spirituality. NPL
aims at managing and preventing stress and anger, improving relationships
and creating a physical and psychological balance.
SAMVIT HOLISTIC RESEARCH EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE OF YOGA & ALLIED SCIENCES
2007 SHREYAS

All rights of the works reproduced reserved. Unauthorised copying, hiring, lending,
public performance and broadcasting of this record is prohibited.
Website: www.shreyasyoga.com Email: info@shreyasyoga.com

Shreyas

Rest Relaxation & Peace-I

by Acharya Girish Jha

Shreyas Yoga Series

on

Authentic Yoga
in Himalayan Tradition

(YOGA, SCIENCE AND SPIRITUALITY FOR HUMAN EXCELLENCE)

SIX STEP RELAXATION PRACTICE

(One of the 10 groups of practices of VEETRAG YOGA)
by Acharya Girish Jha
Shreyasyoga series on authentic Yoga in Himalayan Tradition
(Yoga, Science and Spirituality for Human Excellence)

Dedicated to The lotus feet of

A living legend, A laughing saint
A Guide, A Mentor
And
A great Himalayan master
Who transformed my life
And enlightened me the secrets of ancient wisdom
And inspired to integrate it with Modern Science
Swami Laxman Das Avadhootji

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Guru is the highest consciousness that dwells deep within our hearts but
manifest in human form for evolving consciously, dissolving all sufferings and
making the passage easy to the Joy of Conscious Living

What I am, What I have and What I possess

All belongs to thee
My Gurudev

Preface
Gurudev (My Himalayan Mentor) is an epitome of Peace.
This peace is immutable, infinite and all pervading that emanates
from him and spread silently to all who approach him. Almost 30
years ago, When I was introduced to him by a spiritual master,
my mind became silent, tears started flowing out of eyes, heart
was filled with love and body freezed-up completely for hours.
First time, I consciously experienced that there is spiritual
consciousness. That too without formally asking him to guide
me into the path of yoga, spirituality, Tantra etc. I entered into
age old Master-Disciple Tradition without even aspiring for it.
Since then, life evolved consciously under his guidance and still
evolving. He is present within me; his presence dwells within me
all the time. He inspires guides, motivates, awakens but also
teaches by examples. His teaching is living that too consciously.
He is Gurudev divine guru. He is pure consciousness. He is
eternal love. He is living, moving and acting in the highest state of
consciousness. Progressively, I experienced as there is no doer
and I became his instrument. Awakening, conscious evolution
and transformation and progressive realization were natural in
his presence, under his guidance. He is a laughing saint, master,
living legend and Himalayan master who continued the age old
tradition that dates back over 6000 years. I was fortunate and
blessed by him. I learnt everything from him. He is so simple
that he becomes extraordinary by living an ordinary life. Later
I combined the wisdoms of Yoga, Science and Spirituality and
started spreading his message. He is my beloved master Swami
Laxman Das Avadhootji.

What I teach, comes from him. What I speak, spoken by

him in my heart. All my life is his grace and blessings. During
the last 30 years, learning, teaching and guiding thousands
of people all around the world constantly and consciously
evolves into higher and higher consciousness. Rest, Relaxation
and Peace booklet is one small booklet about Authentic Yoga
in Himalayan Tradition. It is a humble beginning to begin the
journey to the Joy of Conscious Living. This relaxation practice
is termed as 6 Step Relaxation Practice (6SRP). This 6SRP is
a part of Veetrag Yoga have been attended by thousands all
around the world. Six steps though remain the same as guiding
principles but format of delivery changes, depending upon the
group attending the practice. Therefore, it is dynamic, conscious
and evolving practice. This booklet presents a simple, easy to
follow; relaxation practice if done regularly can bring not only
conscious rest and relaxation but will also transform body, life
and mind. Let every on earth declare what my beloved mentor
says Peace is our essential Nature.

Acharya Girish Jha

Introduction
When one is conscious and constantly aware of the Center of Being, one
always lives, moves and acts in Rest, Relaxation and Peace. When one
unconscious and lives mechanically from the Circumference of Being,
one always lives, moves and acts in stress, grief and sufferings. Not many
people are aware of their Center of Being and not too many ventures to live
consciously in their life. Both results in living in Unconsciousness, Ignorance
and Falsehood (UIF). This UIF creates a vicious circle of dualities of painpleasure, sorrow-happiness, hatred-love etc. Modern Man made efforts
in all directions and used all means to manage and treat their sufferings
but did not succeed. One amongst millions gathers ones mind within,
and discovers the Immutable Peace and Relaxation. Once discovered, he
never looses contact with this Center of Being.
Six-Steps Relaxation Practice (6SRP) is the easiest, simplest, most
effective, practice that takes just 10 minutes of time. The fundamentals
of Authentic Yoga, Meditation and Spirituality based on 30 years of
experience followed by guiding to thousands of people, have helped
Acharya Girish Jha to use modern terminology in this 6SRP.
6SRP brings Rest and Relaxation at physical, emotional and mental levels.
It can be practiced laying down, sitting on the chair and also while standing.
The advanced practitioners can practice 6SRP while performing their daily
activities. It only demands Will and Determination to learn to follow the
simple instructions consciously. After few days of practice, one can take
this practice at home or office and can practice anytime anywhere.
Acharya Girish Jha developed this practice 30 years ago and revising,
modifying and perfecting the practice based on the experiences of
thousands of people who attended his program.

Adoration of Guru evolves one to Highest consciousness

Rest Relaxation and Peace

Rest, Relaxation and Peace are three different states of the
same consciousness. We always rest and relax subconsciously or
unconsciously. We fall into unconsciousness in deep sleep. We claim
to relax when we move into unconsciousness by drinking, gossiping,
overeating etc. Peace is static relaxation and relaxation is dynamic
peace. Rest is causal but mostly subconscious.
Authentic Yoga Tradition says that gathering the threads of mental
consciousness, scattered outside, manifests relaxation and peace
into the body, life and mind. This gathering is to be done consciously
that progressively empties the mind of its contents or keep these
contents in abeyance. But the moment mind makes any effort;
content of the mind is created. Therefore, awareness and attention
are to be maintained before gathering is to take place.
When body is consciously witnessed as separate and mind is
withdrawn within, one becomes Happy (peaceful) and Relaxed
Here and Now. One also become Free from sufferings (Astavakra
Gita 1. 3)
One of the most authentic texts, Astavakra Gita says that Relaxation
and Happiness can be instant and here and now if one witness that
he is not the body and mind is withdrawn or gathered within. But
modern lifestyle always allows the mind to run outside. We make all
efforts except changing the direction of the mind inside or gather
within. We also force our mind to relax by declaring - We Must Relax

Self giving transforms unconsciousness, ignorance and falsehood

as if it falls into the domain of the mind. Yoga says Rest, Relaxation
and Peace are but one state of consciousness, which transcends
the mind, life and body. However, if we allow this state to manifest
into body, life and mind, we experience Relaxation and Peace
consciously.
Real self expresses in many attributes and one of which is Peace. Sri
Aurobindo and Mother say that Self Conscious Being (human race)
is created out of peace. Peace manifests out of Inner instead Outer
consciousness. Authentic Yoga is consciousness based approach
where matter, body, life, emotions, mind are all different states of
consciousness. Mother says, Physical steadiness makes the body
function better; nervous calm makes for greater effectivity of the
nerves, emotional stability helps one handle people better; mental
peace is the foundation of acquiring greater knowledge. My Gurudev
says, Peace is our essential nature. Anything that is our essential
nature reveals from deep within.
Peace if spiritual always moves from inside (inner consciousness)
to outside (outer consciousness). This peace is independent of
everything that exists in the material world and also body, life, mind,
emotions. Authentic yoga is consciousness based approach. This
means that every layer of our existence represents different state of
consciousness. We can move either from lower to higher to highest
state of consciousness or vice versa. If we move from highest to
higher to lower to lowest , we fall into unconsciousness, ignorance
and falsehood.

Peace is our essential nature

6 Step Relaxation Practice

It is an easy, simple, effective 6 step practice that follows the
fundamentals of Authentic Yoga, supported by modern science and
enters into spirituality (any existence beyond mind , devoid of any
religious considerations). It is a NON PRACTICE but still a practice as
mind wills for doing it. It is non practice as it demands no effort at
all from the body, speech, thought and mind. It demands Awareness
and Attention alone that cannot be practiced.
Acharya Girish Jha conducts Relaxation practice in more than 20
different ways depending upon the level of awareness of an individual
or group. But after working for over 30 years, he follows the 6 Step
Relaxation approach. The steps remain the same but every step can
be done in variety of ways to bring about a change in consciousness.
This change of consciousness manifests in physical steadiness,
emotional poise, mental calm, and infinite space within. The practice
follows the eternal fundamentals of Authentic Yoga Tradition. But it
integrates Modern Science and spirituality also.
Simple first way / Stage of Relaxation
(Please ask for 6SRP) - min time 7 minutes
Please do not think for doing 6SRP but use your Awareness and Attention only.

Preparation - 1.5 minutes

Proper position / posture :
- Lie down on your back and close the eyes gently. Arms are placed
on the sides and hands near the thighs on the ground. Legs are
kept straight, heels are little apart from each other and toes are
hanging on the sides.

O Mind! Be AT Peace , This will also pass

Or
- Sit on the chair, head and spine straight but not stretched, both
heels are placed on the ground. Put both hands on the thighs
facing up. Close eyes gently.
Or
- Sit or lie down in any position, posture you like. The above two
positions are the best in the beginning but one can have any
position / posture after practicing for 50 times.
This can be practiced in active / dynamic phase of the body but not
recommended / suggested until the practitioner undergoes practical
and philosophical training under Acharya Girish Jha or his team.
Be Comfortable, Carefree and Causal Take your awareness on :

The head and neck and adjust if there is any stretching

The right arm and left arm adjust it
Hips and spine and adjust if there is any stretching
The right and the left leg and adjust them
Check with awareness the whole body and adjust them

Be Carefree Let drop all thoughts by becoming aware of them

Dropping means unconcerned
Majority of thoughts we are concerned come from our fear,
pleasure etc
Let thought come and thought go
Be causal -

Keep Smiling, this will remind you of the Self

 Causal means simply being aware of attentive of the state of

body, mind, emotion and doing nothing
Ist step Body Awareness (1 minute)
Take your awareness and attention on :
The head and neck. Feel the head and neck and become aware.
The right arm ( either from tips of fingers to shoulder or from
shoulder to tips of fingers)
The left arm
The rib cage and the abdomen
The shoulder blades and the spine
The right leg ( either from toes to right side of waist or from the
right side of the waist to toes)
The left leg
The whole body from toes to the top of the head ( or from the top
of the head to the toes of both the legs)
Feel the whole body and become aware of the body
Awareness of the whole body
If you feel / experience some tingling or numbness, please do not
move and remain with an experience
IInd Step : Steadiness (30 seconds)
With awareness of the body , move your mind on the whole body
from the toes to the top of the head
Move your awareness from toes to the top of the head at least five
times
Become attentive of the body and experience steadiness of the
body
You need not to control anything and just a matter of Awareness

Discover within Love, Energy, Awareness and Peace

and Attention of the body

Awareness and steadiness of the body. There is no movement in
the body
The relaxation response is a physical state of deep rest that changes
the physical and emotional responses to stress and the opposite of
the fight or flight response.
Dr. Herbert Benson
IIrd Step : Enter into a state of No Thinking (1.5 minutes)
You enter into a state of NO THINKING and do not force the mind
A state of NO THINKING is always present behind all moving
thoughts, feelings and sensations of the mind
With awareness and attention of the body just become aware of
all thoughts that are passing by
You watch the traffic on the road while standing across the
road. You do not move the vehicles on the road at all. You are
just standing and watching them. You are an observer and doing
nothing with any vehicles.
Similarly, there is traffic of the mind. On the road of the mind, you
have thoughts moving coming and going
You become an observer of the thoughts let them and let them
go and continue watching them with your awareness.
Let thoughts come and go please and remain as an observer.
In the conditions of the Awareness and Steadiness of the body, you
are in a state of no thinking. If you experience tingling or numbness,
be with it
IVth Step : No concentration (30 seconds)
move in awareness of the body

I am responsible for my Sorrow and Happiness

 move into steadiness of the body

remain aware of the state of NO THINKING
Check if the mind moves to any thought, feeling or sensation and
keep returning to them. This is subconscious concentration.
Become aware of the body and steadiness and state of no
thinking either simultaneously or one by one. This will enable
drop the subconscious concentration.
V Step : Invocation (1 minute)
In the conditions of Awareness and Attention of the body and a
state of NO THINKING, please move your awareness and attention
from top of the head to the toes.
Sometime you may consciously move your awareness on the
outer body and at other time inside the body.
When awareness moves on the body from the top of the head to
the toes become aware of the space inside and outside
The very awareness of space inside / outside or inside or outside
the body bring an experience of calmness.
Simple moving your awareness on the body manifests the
calmness.
VIth step : Breath Awareness (1 minute)
In the conditions of Awareness , Steadiness of the body, a State
of NO THINKING and no concentration
Move your awareness on the breath consciously know the
breath
Pay attention to incoming and outgoing breath
No thinking , just awareness on the breath and attention of the
incoming and outgoing breath
Do not change the rate and rhythm of the breath

Be Aware from moment to moment in life

 Remain aware of the breath and also attentive of the breath

Conclusion :
Listen to the chanting from a teacher or chant and hear mentally
the chanting. The very chanting done by the teacher helps you to get
conscious experience of Relaxation.
Om Shanti Shantih Shantih......
How to come out of relaxation practice
Bring your awareness on the tips of the fingers of the right hand-move
a little and experience the change of sensations and consciousness.
Bring your awareness on the tips of the fingers of the left hand - move
a little and experience the change of sensations and consciousness.
Bring your awareness on the tips of the fingers of the right toes - move
a little and experience the change of sensations and consciousness
Bring your awareness on the tips of the fingers of the left toes - move
a little and experience the change of sensations and consciousness
Open your eyes slowly and consciously know the state of relaxation
Future series :
Rest Relaxation and Peace series
Veetrag Yoga Series -1 BAS Vol 1

Consciousness is the basis of authentic yoga while material / physical is manifestation

What can be enjoyed for its own sake is peace.Sri Aurobindo and Mother writings