What is Ishtam
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What Does ISHTAM Mean?
The Sanskrit word इष्टम् ISHTAM literally means “desire” or “that which is loved.”
In Tamil, iṣṭam refers to desire, wish, affection, and love.
But ISHTAM is far more than just the dictionary definition…
In 2011 John Weddepohl formulated Ishtam
John’s years of living and studying on ashrams in different traditions in India inspired him to blend the physiological approach of modern postural yoga, ayurveda and anatomy with the orthodox knowledge of vedanta.
The Result?
The word इष्टम् ISHTAM describes oneness with what we desire and love the most. When all our actions stop and we are left with Self. This is इष्टम् ISHTAM.
Ishtam is more than Just a Style of Yoga
Atma Vidya: Self-Knowledge
Immortal, just being born human, the seeker is already the sought. Already the Truth we seek, in the battle between life and death, immortality has already won. Standing the test of time, Atma Vidya convinces us what prophets, saints and sages have been saying throughout the ages — that Truth which applies to everyone is one and the same. The eternal having always been reached, our goal of immortality already won by birth.
While most religious philosophies define the eternal as some extraordinary destination yet to be reached, the Vedantic teachings tear this idea apart. Pointing out the eternal that is ever present, ignorance alone creates the distance. Vedanta declares searching anywhere for the ever-accomplished leads to inevitable misery, causing all suffering and disappointment. Impossible to escape, asking the question: “Who am I?” the questioner, already the Truth is the answer. No other question needed, no other answer or solution possible.
Yoga Vidya: A Practice for Life
Yoga is a journey of discovery. There is no greater gift than discovering one’s own greatness. Yoga exercise (yogabhyasa) is the first step — lying dormant until you get to use your gift, the ever-present secret of the universe. Through the methodology of ISHTA Mala, a daily sequence of asanas, pranayama, and meditation, you discover how to embody yoga in everyday life.
What being accomplished means today is understanding that sadhana — spiritual practice — is not separate from living. Walking to the corner store for the newspaper, getting the newspaper, sadhana complete. Today, work is our sadhana — staying on top of our game, putting food on the table, paying the rent, bills and mortgage, maintaining our relationships. A sadhaka is one who wants to accomplish something; they are a seeker. Sadhana is the means of accomplishment. When the sadhaka has accomplished their goal through sadhana, they become a siddha.
Kriya Vidya: The Practice of Liberation
A Siddha is an alchemist, scientist, poet, wizard, engineer, mathematician, physicist and logician — adept in all human talents, looking for the limit to the human being. The Siddhas found the limitless. ISHTA Kriya sadhana is the Kriya Siddha Method used to generate all the power, stamina, vitality and vigor needed to fully enjoy your status and journey as a human being.
To be successful at yoga in the 21st century, your body has to be pliable. In Asta Yoga we learn to release the body’s juices and milk the body of its life force, expanding the pranashanki — the magnetic dynamism and pure potentiality that lies within. The complete practice of Yoga requires the body’s main nadhis (energy flows) to be fully open. This comes through regular asana practice with ISHTA Mala.
By reversing the ageing process, the Siddha Kriya Method brings the full flow of Swara under your personal control. No longer dormant, as though waking up from deep slumber, you become your own wish-fulfilling tree, mastering the swara energy. Whatever action you take to achieve your desired goal becomes more likely to succeed. Being born human is the most exotic thing that can happen. No experience is more profound or exotic than simply being human.
Now that you understand the three pillars of ISHTAM,
choose your path forward.
Join Sundaram Online Ashram for live classes,
self-knowledge courses, daily practice, and community.
Or explore the full ISHTAM Yoga Trilogy and
John’s complete teaching on theyogaco.com.
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