About the International Nath Order
Who is suitable for Membership in the International Naths Order?
The International Nath Order is a group of individuals brought together by a sincere interest in meditation, spiritual development and study of the precepts handed down through history in the Nath tradition. As such, there are various levels of association based on an individual's own committment and understanding. The question of membership is perhaps too simple. Rather the question might be how active a participation in experimental Yoga is an individual ready to demonstrate. A person demonstrates such quality by harnessing their intuition and imagination in the service of both personal spiritual development as well as group enhancement of magickal and spiritual goals . The measure of success depends upon the intensity of involvement in both personal work and group experience. Spiritual progress is aided by a willingness to harmonize your work on yourself using Nath principles while actively participating with other seekers doing Group Work & experiments. Such association offers rewards which are beyond the common use of a word like "membership". Truly, the whole is greater than the parts. Do you wish to become a part of the Greater Work?
What is the Initiation?
Initiation is when a qualified guide of the International Nath Order transmits something of their own consciousness into the spirit of the initiate. Thus the initiation is a spiritual seed which the initiate may cultivate. This is an opporturnity which if nurtured may led to attainment, but if left unattended will remain dormant. Knowing that you are actually on a road with a connection to the Goal is a great aid to navigating. The On Ramp is not the destination. How many of the curious have a closet full of maps, yet have never traveled? The spark of spiritual transmission during the initiation is a manifestation of an unbroken spirit link with many Nath Sages and Saints of the past, currently offered by those who now tend the flame.
Do the teachings of the Naths come from an ancient oral tradition?
Some of our teachings have undoubtedly been handed down through a spoken tradition extending back into time, while other ideas are more recent and have been written. The important distinction to make, is that in the Nath tradition the written word is in itself not sufficient to express the many aspects of our path. While many of our guidelines and principles have been written down, not all experience is expressible in words. Participation in direct experience illuminate the core teachings as no words can. The Nath Order not only offers the gems of ancient spiritual wisdom, but extends that wisdom with modern expression and experiment in Magick.
Is the goal of the Nath yogi the liberation of the soul from the earth plane?
This is but one of several goals of the Nath yogi. Shri Gurudev Mahendranath writes, "Our aims in life are to enjoy peace, freedom, and happiness in this life but also to avoid rebirth onto this earth plane. All this depends not on divine benevolence but on the way we ourselves think and act." The emphasis is on a continuum of spiritual practices designed to reduce and eventually erase the influences of past conditioning termed the five Kleshas (obstructions): ego, ignorance, repulsion, attachment, and clinging to life. Methods of removing these obstructions can lead to benefits experienced in this life, such as improved insight, tranquility and naturalness.
Does the process of instruction in the Nath path have rules?
"The Nath Order has no rules, superstitions or dogmas. Even after receiving initiation into the Nath Order people are not bound to accept anything they wish to disbelieve and cannot harmonise with their own thinking. Teachings in the Nath Order are only guidelines to assist you to develop your own thinking, the transmutation of "think" on to a higher level." -The Magick Path of Tantra, by Shri Gurudev Mahendranath. It should be noted, that one who does not act on wise advice, is twice a fool: for important lessons must be repeated until they are mastered. Persons are free to make as many mistakes as they wish, and live with the results. Critical thinking starts with critical listening.
What is Tantra?
This is a large and mysterious subject, much misunderstood in the West. Space does not permit an exhaustive answer here, however such a important concept deserves some attention, albeit incomplete. The term Tantra is used variously both as meaning a written treatise on occult lore or Magick, and also referring to an ancient pagan science of spiritual attainment. Important to Tantra are practices used to catalyse the realization and experience of the connection between the individual Microcosm and the divine Macrocosm. Tantrik science is not exclusively sexual practices. Indeed, vital attitudes and guidelines of our path must extend into all aspects of life experience. The Nath Tantrik regards sexuality and its expression as a divine offering or sacrament. The exploration and experimental use of this divine energy can be put into focus by the powers of concentration developed by the Nath Tantrik in meditation. In such a context, Tantrik sexual expression can be a powerful catalyst for the attainment of true spiritual Yoga (union) with the Macrocosm or Cosmic Spirit. In the large sense, Tantra utilises any technique that awakens the flow of spiritual energy through the yogi's body/mind/spiritual energy centers. It is this experimental, pragmatic, and essentially amoral outlook which has caused confusion and fear in the minds of puritanical and dogmatic religious persons. Tantra may be viewed as a way of life, in which the yogi scientist uses any effective tools at hand to break the illusion of maya. "Tantra develops in the three aspects of higher thinking - Insight, Intuition, Imagination. By these, developed in meditation, the mind awakens to understanding and union with the Cosmic Purusha and rebirth on the Earth Dimension is no more. "- H.H. Shri Gurudev Mahendranath.
Does the International Naths Order expect money from interested persons?
Many seekers have the worry of being exploited for monetary gain by organizations espousing spiritual teachings. The goal of the International Nath Order is not to build golden palaces or amplify the attachments to materialism that daily living already encourages. The important point of attention is the need of the organization to be supported by both personal and collective sacrifice. This support may take several levels of involvement such as personal contributions of time, material and yes, money. Much work involves the relationship between service and reciprocity. This linkage to the work may take various forms. Yet some demonstratible personal offering is the primal link, without which the reciprocal benefits of group action cannot be achieved. It is through tangible outward signs of working, that a person gains a link on things: a connection. Financial offerings to cover the monetary needs of the organization are gladly accepted, the size of the offering being a personal consideration. It is not an "obligatory" connection, but a very real connection which should be viewed just as seriously as your individual spiritual work, commitments of time and materials.
Do Naths use austerities in their spiritual practice?
Some Naths do so, as a personal variation to their practice. Austerities have been used in many traditions as a technique to reduce the ego and body attachments. Austerities are like medical treatment: no one medicine for every patient. These can be quite useful tools, but must be tailored to individual needs. It should be noted that there has been no special emphasis on austerities in the Nath tradition, nor has there been any prohibition on such practices. Whenever practical, alternative methods to minimize the body/ego attachment are used instead of direct mortification of the body from fasting, special diets, etc. We see that these extreme practices may possibly increase "attachments-to-the-practice" in some yogis, yet may still function as a valid vehicle for other yogis of different temperament.
Do Naths believe in God?
As a tradition, Nath Tantriks do not have a paternalistic monotheistic dogma. We use the concept of the Cosmic Spirit. Within this broad concept are many variations of qualities or degrees of manifestation which we link to the names of an endless variety of gods and goddesses. You are free to think of your own word for your personal link to the Cosmic Spirit.
