Breathing new life
Breathing new life into ancient knowledge
As a result of delving deep into healing techniques, Shri N Jayachander Reddy revived the ancient healing system, Yoga Prana Vidya, which he outlines over here to Pradeep Krishnan
Shri N Jayachander Reddy, a retired wing commander of the Indian Air Force, spent his retired life in a remarkable way. For about two decades, he researched and revived the almost extinct ancient spiritual healing technique of Yoga Prana Vidya (YPV) and made it adaptable to modern times.
A native of Telangana settled in Bengaluru, Shri Reddy, a post-graduate in engineering, after 21 years of service, delved deep into YPV, discovering techniques to maintain sound health, heal the body, and also to connect with one’s higher Self.
He says that in this system, healing takes place through certain processes that facilitate removal of used-up energy and pump fresh energy into the body. “This technique involves channelling energy from healer to patient. The healer absorbs the energy that exists in nature—in the form of the sun, air, earth, water, trees, and food—and focusses that energy towards the affected part of the patient,” says Shri Reddy. So far, he has trained hundreds of healers all over India and abroad, and says that his mission is “to create at least one healer in every family so as to make heaven on Earth for every family.”
In 2012, Shri Reddy established the Sri Ramana Trust ashram at Thally, Hosur, in Tamil Nadu, as a research centre that offers courses of different duration on YPV, to train prospective healers and to treat the needy.
My wife, Sreelakshmi, and I reached the ashram on 23 June 2019 to meet Shri Reddy. As soon as we entered the sprawling 12-acre ashram compound (a mini forest located by the side of Ubbanur Lake), tall trees, beautiful flowers, and cuckooing birds welcomed us. The caressing cool fresh breeze instantly filled our minds with tranquil spiritual energy. The Ganesha temple, statues of Krishna and Buddha, and the Lotus pond added elegance to the whole place. For the inmates, a day at the ashram begins with a special morning meditation and ends with a walk to the nearest Ubbanur Lake to watch the setting sun.
Sitting in his residence located inside the ashram campus, surrounded on all sides by beautiful yellow, orange, and red flowers, Shri Reddy spoke about rediscovering Yoga Prana Vidya, causes of diseases and healing.
How did you come to the spiritual path?
I was born in Panjugula village near Hyderabad. Thanks to my parents, since childhood, I had the company of two gurus of my parents and thus formed the idea that ‘life’ is beyond the physical domain and it definitely has a higher purpose. From the Bhagavad Gita, I realised that while one’s body perishes, the soul continues its journey. Later, this understanding has helped me a lot in my journey as a healer. Fortunately, my wife and two children are not only on the spiritual path but also whole-heartedly support my mission.
You were an officer with the Indian Air Force who turned a spiritual leader and healer. What was the turning point in your life?
Right from childhood, for about three decades, I had been suffering from migraines. Though I had tried acupressure, magnet therapy, and naturopathy, I did not get completely cured. Meanwhile, one day, I happened to read about the ancient science of healing that considers the human body an amalgamation of panchakoshas (five sheaths), chakras (energy centres), and nadis (energy channels). Attracted by this finding and eager to find a solution to my prolonged ailment, I started practising reiki and Pranic Healing of Master Choa Kok Sui and soon got rid of the migraines. That was the turning point. Later, while studying the works of Yogi Ramacharaka [William Walker Atkinson (1862-1932)], an American, who devised methods to maintain proper health to have an integrated spiritual life, I studied and developed YPV as an integrated system combining different forms of yoga—Bhakti, Raja, Dhyana, and Kundalini—for maintaining the physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being of an individual.
How is YPV different from other systems?
Nowadays, Hatha Yoga is being identified only with physical exercises and breathing techniques. Actually, the domain of Hatha Yoga is much larger as it also prescribes what, how, and when to eat, how to chew food, how to take rest and how to do proper exercises. In our system, different methods and practices are synchronised in a simplified manner so that it works not only on the physical body but also on the etheric, emotional, and mental body. This is significant in light of the findings that 90 per cent of ailments are psychosomatic in nature. Our techniques give importance to regular exercise, proper breathing, a balanced diet, etc.
Could you please explain how it works on the human body?
The basis of our system is rooted in the concept that the human body is made up of panchakoshas (five sheaths); annamaya kosha (body), pranamaya kosha (life energy), manomayakosha (mind), vijnanamaya kosha (wisdom), and anandamayakosha (bliss). The body’s ability to heal itself has to be facilitated by increasing the energy flow and level in all the five koshas through specific practices that involve exercise, breathing, diet, meditation and forgiveness. Through several scientific studies, we have documented the effectiveness of this system.
Do you think all diseases of the mind and body are curable? What about terminal diseases like cancer and tumours?
While healing is bringing in positive changes to improve one’s condition, cure is a complex process where the patient himself has to learn to handle the situation. Any disease is curable, depending on the patient’s readiness to address the causes and to follow the remedial measures. When one is dirty, cleaning helps to remove the dirt, but to avoid getting dirty again, one has to understand and remove the cause of the dirt. Likewise, our system, by facilitating one to find out the real cause of the problem, empowers the individual to come out of the trauma by enabling them to manage themself. This way, even cancer can be healed. At the same time, if the real cause of the problem is not found, even simple ailments get prolonged. In the case of terminal illness, if a person’s organs are spoiled beyond treatment, the soul may leave the body to reduce the suffering of oneself as well as that of others connected with them.
What are the conditions for practising YPV?
There are no specific conditions. Anyone above the age of 14—even persons with physical or other challenges—can learn and practise. One can start with the specified instructions, physical exercises, breathing techniques, meditation, and forgiveness sadhana (spiritual practice) with the free Sadhana App that we have developed.
Is there any connection between one’s spiritual pursuit and health?
As spiritual practices result in drawing more energy to the body, it has to be kept fit enough to receive and handle high spiritual energy. Unless the electric wiring has the capacity to handle high voltage, it is likely to catch fire. Likewise, one cannot have prolonged spiritual practices without a strong body. So, based on one’s body condition, different spiritual practices are prescribed.
What according to you are the main causes of disease?
As one’s thinking and feeling affect the body, most of the diseases are psychosomatic in nature. I have found that the inherent reason for asthma, cardiac problems and cancer is mostly psychosomatic. For some, even a minor injury makes them insecure, and have fear and anger. This shows that one’s health and mind are closely connected. As a sound mind is the result of a sound body and vice versa, in our system, we have devised techniques that give equal importance to the development of mind as well as the body.
What ought to be the purpose of human birth and life?
Humans are the highest manifestation on the physical plane. Life forms on Earth cannot exist without the support of the Universe. Mother Earth nourishes and supports the body by providing oxygen and food. That makes it imperative for one to count their blessings and live with gratitude, so as to become a servant of the Divine. During this process, the evolution of the soul happens; one moves from atma to mahatma to Paramatma and ultimately merges with Parabrahman. So, for the sake of humanity to survive, one has to evolve in consciousness.
How can one synchronise the body, mind, and spirit?
Practising simple techniques such as physical exercise, breathing, meditation, and forgiveness sadhana, will help one to achieve synchronisation of body-mind-spirit. Our meditation techniques activate one’s energy centres, making the body a perfect channel for divine energy to flow smoothly so as to purify and upgrade oneself very quickly.
Taking the right food, such as fruits or at least pre-cooked edible foods like salads, sprouts, nuts, and raisins are very important. To maintain good health, half of every meal must have fruits, salads, and sprouts.
Your message to the readers?
Realise the purpose of your birth and work towards that. Relinquish foods that are not conducive for keeping good health. Keep away from smoking, alcohol, and drugs. Avoid the two white poisons: salt and sugar, and reduce the intake of refined products as well as cooked food. During illness, take natural food. To become an asset to the family and society rather than a burden, it is important to maintain good health, emotional balance, and mental clarity.
Last but not the least, ponder ‘What do I want in life?’ and contemplate ‘Who am I?’
Nothing can replace
1. Rhythmic yogic breathing
2. Physical exercises including stretching
3. Balanced diet including fruits and other natural foods
4. Chewing well
5. Sufficient consumption of water
6. Good karma or entitlement
7. Forgiveness sadhana and smiling
8. Adequate physical rest/sleep
9. Alignment with right spiritual group or satsang