Journey to Center: Heart Recognition
Welcome to an exploration of
4 translations
of the 1000-year-old
Pratyabhijna-hrdayam
Recognition of the Heart Sutras
Beginning Sunday November 29th through Sunday December 20th,
four Sunday pranayama and meditation practices will be offered to explore this ancient nondual teaching.
What is the Pratyabhijna-hrdayam?
Hrdayam (heart) pratyabhijna (recognition, consciousness)
The Heart of Recognition (Pratybhijna Hridayam) is a profound non-dual Tantrik teaching, of the Kashmiri Shaivistic lineage, which explores self-discovery of dimensional Consciousness; internal, external, cellular, subtle body, and more.
What is Kasmiri Shaivism? How is it related to Tantrika? Here are a few video resources for learning more:
Principles & Practices of Kashmiri Shaivism: Sanskrit Texts & teachers in context (I found closed captions very helpful)
Hareesh Wallis: On Recognition | Kashmiri Shaivism
Why study different versions?
By exploring varying translations of this ancient yet timeless text, layers of meaning are discovered. Language is the inspiration of all our experiences; physical, emotional, and spiritual. Each translation brings new perspectives and embodiment to the listener.
A PDF of the Translations in grid (tabular) form for comparison: click here
November 29th: Recognition of Our Own Heart | Joan Ruvinsky
Join Becky for a pranayama and meditation practice inspired by
Joan Ruvinsky's translation and commentary of Kshemaraja's
beautiful teachings.
This 29 minute practice is a video, exploring a two-part practice:
108 Sweet Breaths: inhale, pause, exhale, pause using a mala to provide gentle tracking, or "container", of time, space, touch, and breath. A practitioner could also use finger tips, touching thumb to each fingertip separately with each breath, transversing each hand or one hand through the practice.
Sutra Reading: Becky will read aloud Ruvinsky's translation of the 20 teachings. You are welcome to sit and meditate in the language, or lie back in constructive rest posture and absorb the experience.

Audio Version:
Dec 6th: The Recognition Sutras | Christopher Wallis
Join Becky for a pranayama and meditation practice inspired by
Christopher Wallis' translation and commentary of The Recognition
Sutras.
This 32-minute practice is a video, exploring a two-part practice:
108 Sweet Breaths: inhale, pause, exhale, pause using a mala to provide gentle tracking, or "container", of time, space, touch, and breath. A practitioner could also use finger tips, touching thumb to each fingertip separately with each breath, transversing each hand or one hand through the practice.
Sutra Reading: Becky will read aloud Chris' translation of the 20 teachings. You are welcome to sit and meditate in the language, or lie back in constructive rest posture and absorb the experience. Or follow along in your copy!

Audio Version: When you would rather not have a visual........
Dec 13th: The Splendor of Recognition | Swami Shantananda

Join Becky for a pranayama and meditation practice inspired by
Swami Shantananda's' translation and commentary of The Recognition
Sutras: The Splendor of Recognition.
This 32-minute practice is a video, exploring a two-part practice:
108 Sweet Breaths: Every 27 beads on the japa mala brings a new breathing pattern.
A practitioner could also use finger tips, touching thumb to each fingertip separately with each breath, transversing each hand or one hand through the practice.
Sutra Reading: Becky will read aloud Swami Shantananda's' translation of the 20 teachings. You are welcome to sit and meditate in the language, or lie back in constructive rest posture and absorb the experience. Or follow along in your copy!

Audio Version: When you would rather not have a visual........
Dec 20: Jaideva Singh | The Secret of Self-Recognition

Join Becky for a pranayama and meditation practice inspired by Jaideva Singh's' translation and commentary of The Recognition Sutras: The Secret of Self-Recognition.
This 34-minute practice is a video, exploring a two-part practice:
108 Sweet Breaths: 108 Deveadashanta Breaths; Expanding and condensing. A practitioner could also use finger tips, touching thumb to each fingertip separately with each breath, transversing each hand or one hand through the practice.
Sutra Reading: Becky will read aloud Singhs' translation of the 20 teachings. You are welcome to sit and meditate in the language, or lie back in constructive rest posture and absorb the experience. Or follow along in your copy!

Audio Version: When you would rather not have a visual........
The Four Translations used in our practices:
Ruvinsky, Joan. (2019). Pratyabhijnahrdayam: The Recognition of Our Own Heart. Babaji's Kriya Yoga and Publications, Inc. St. Etienne de Bolton, Quebec, Canada.
Singh, Jaideva. (1963). Pratyabhijnahrdayam: The Secret of Self-Recognition. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers. Delhi.
Swami Shantananda, Bendel, P. (2003). The Splendor of Recognition: An Exploration of the Pratyabhijna-hrdayam, A Text on the Ancient Science of the Soul. SYDA Foundation, South Fallsburg, NY.
Wallis, Harresh. (2017). The Recognition Sutras: Illuminating a 1,000-year-old Spiritual Masterpiece. Mattamayura Press. Boulder, CO.