The Meaning of "Rahini"

The Three Spiritual Roots of Rahini:

1. Rahini comes from the Indian word which means, "Goddess Saraswati". Saraswati is a Hindu deity that symbolizes knowledge, learning, speech, music and the creative arts. Saraswati embodies compassion, truth, wisdom and a higher spiritual consciousness.

   She is the "Mother of the Vedas"; she is the river of consciousness that enlivens creation; she is the dawn-goddess whose rays dispel the darkness of ignorance and delusion. Without her there is only chaos and confusion. To realize her one must go beyond the pleasures of the senses and rejoice in the serenity of the spirit.

   "Ambi tame devi tame nadi tame Saraswati":
   "You are the Mother. You are the Goddess. You are the river Saraswati"
   -Rig Veda

2. Rahini is a Sanskrit word that means "true living" or "rightful living". The word "Rahini" is cited and defined in the Gorakhbodh, an esoteric Hatha yogic text called the Nathas. The Nathas is written in the form of a dialogue between Gorakhnath, known as the "founder" of Hatha Yoga, and his Guru, Matsyendranath.

   Gorakhnath: How can one carry out true living (rahini) and how can one carry on meditation? Where is the elixir? How can one drink it? How can one keep the body for ever?

   Matsyendranath: By turning to the higher (Urdha) or the mind, you can attain right living; by turning to Shakti you can achieve right meditation; by turning to the heaven within (gagan) you can have the elixir of immortality (Amirasa) and by turning to conscious activity (chit) you can drink it. By relinquishing desire, one can gain the immortal body (bidehi rahai). [106]

3. In addition to the above, Dr. Dean Telano, founder of Rahini Yoga, teaches:

   • Rahini means "true living" and it entails bringing lightness or joy into one's life, mind and heart.
   • The nectar of yoga is ultimately tasted by carrying out true and rightful living, Rahini. It is only turning to the higher mind - "mind of clear light", that Rahini can be attained.
   • To tap into the mind of clear light is to tap into the blissful seed of the heart. Opening and freeing this heart-seed will allow the bliss of "clear light" to emerge and shine forth.