Do you remember where you first read the name Khechari Mudra? Did your mind log it for ‘later’ or dismiss it completely? Was this perhaps because of the mystery it used to be shrouded in or the unpleasant means by which you had heard it could be attained? Maybe you thought some ‘tongue folding exercise’ couldn’t be ‘all that’ and so you’d focus on the other aspects you were currently working with – perfecting headstand, or perhaps the most advanced possible headstand. Maybe it was a full Pretzelasan with your legs half way down your back, or possibly simply remembering not to worry about all that grasping and striving for the most advanced and ‘impressive’ yogasan/a.
I remember when first encountering the name ‘Khechari’ it had a particular ring which inspired. Throughout my life I have been a bliss junky and really enjoyed leaving my body, whether it be spontaneous, or induced endogenously or exogenously. I’d had a few scrapes at death’s door and learned in my twenties that I just couldn’t run away from myself, no matter how hard I tried.
It was time to deepen. That meant meditation and self inquiry, understanding the bioenergetics of both and how they interwove as one. As a child and due to illness, I had entered Samadhi states and craved for them once again. I always believed the cure was in the pain and this was highlighted for me by the fact that without chronic asthma I might not have made much effort or had to seek the deeper meaning of life. It was through being terribly unwell so many nights that I had the opportunity to enter deep trance states, dream with clarity or project astrally.
I’ve always believed ‘Thy will be done’ and also realised the all powerful Godhead resides in each one of us patiently witnessing the ripening or dissolving of karmic seeds.
I remember reading in one of the Yoga Shastras in India of the application of and apparently amazingly powerful effects of this mudra khechari – I think it was the Shiva Samhita. At the time I was further researching the cure for asthma, a journey I had been on for 30 years at the time.
As many tend to do while travelling throughout the Indian states, I amassed a collection of yogic literature. It clearly pointed me in the direction of the freedom of a permanent cure for asthma and its relatives; hay fever, sensitive skin and other allergies such as ‘general sensitivity to homo-sapiens’.
I remember folding the pages in the small shastra, while drinking some fresh mint tea one night – hoping to be able to return to them some day to ‘learn khechari’!
Years passed. Being a full time teacher I found myself saying ‘Sat Cit Ananda’ while students lay in nidra near the end of many classes. I always feel a great glow from within as those words leave my lips. However, that inquisitive human mind of mine kept asking;
- “Sat” – Truth – yep, I’m working on that one. I think I understand at least many of the untruths I have been living for so long.
- “Cit” – Awareness, Consciousness – hmmmm well yes I am aware and conscious and when I say this to these people they at least have some clue as to what I am talking about. Those that are still awake that is 🙂
- “Ananda” – Blisssssssssss”- I always sensed this triggered people in diverse ways – the bliss of the ignorant – some kind of unconscious stupor that hauls one through life? The fleeting bliss of eating chocolate or from and after lovemaking, which personally I could only derive while eating chocolate or during or enjoying the afterglow of lovemaking.
Like some folk in the classes I taught, I sought ‘the mental Bliss of the yogin’ – a certain bliss I could tap into any time or place and perhaps have an intensity control too. It is a bliss that pervades all layers of one’s being; from the deepest-darkest it outwardly illuminates the mental, emotional and physical bodies, with its radiant luminescence.
Many hops, skips and jumps later, also practicing/teaching Tai Ji and Nei Gong, my understanding of alchemy deepened and I embraced the unity of the Indian and Chinese practices.
The years of ‘outer cultivation’ via Qi Gong practices, interwoven with years of intense daily bandha and kriya work and, once again rewoven with Nei Gong or inner Taoist cultivation slowly led me to Khechari Mudra (One who wanders through space into Brahman’s expanse (my own COLLOQ interpretation)). On the 12.9.2012 my tongue slipped upwards beyond the tendon behind the uvula and another chapter began.
This was for me, as for many at first, quite sexual. The A &P of the experience involves circuitry connecting body to brain and being that certain channels run all the way from the pelvis to the higher cerebral centres, it’s no surprise one might experience this thrill as the linga (tongue) slips past the uvula (clitoris) into the yoni (nasopharynx).
I had studied the ‘Union of Human, Earth and Heaven’ in the Tao and always intuited this was the flagship back home – a way to continue conscious journeying of the spirit towards soul whether it be temporal or post mortem. In 2000 during meditation I experienced the Ouroboros – I ‘was’ the chi and the channels through which it flowed as the life forced coarsed through my governing and functional meridians (aka Microcosmic Orbit or M.O).
Many moons later, now in khechari there was the quick recognition that the tongue is indeed a live-wire-switching mechanism to aid the flow of energy moving through the MO and flying up and down through the central or thrusting channel. In terms that many yogins recognise, the tongue in khechari brings the sadhaka ‘IN to sushumna nadi’.
Isn’t this partly why we’ve been practicing all that Nadi Shodana and Kumbhaka? Hereby we have the yoking of ida and pingala, the heavenly union of yin and yang, the self intercourse or perfect inner harmony. All being well this is said to lead to ‘outer manifestation’ and one enters the heavenly kingdom while the feet are still firmly rooted to the earth.
What does this all mean in practical terms? Quite simply, profound healing and awakening ensues. All those benefits we have been deriving from asana /pranayama and meditation continue. For me personally, it was similar to regular Uddiyana Bandha and Nauli Kriya practice – both were quantum leaps in the evolution of the execution, alignment and presence during my day to day ‘yoga practice’ and more importantly, daily life itself. Teaching yoga became so much easier as I enjoyed ever increasing strength, depth and clarity. The clarity reveals simplicity and through all of these we deepen down in to our prenatal and primordial roots.
I now feel I understand why so many have difficulty connecting to breath work and meditation. Through my lens, it appears that without the direct experience of shakti (the physical energy) there isn’t sufficient fuel to ignite shiva (conscious awareness) and, vice versa. When however, we practice exercises whereby we feel something tangible moving within, which progressively becomes more and more blissful – the practice literally electro-magnetises us. The application of bandhas, mudras and pranayama progressively ‘automate’ in a more subtle and blissful manner, as opposed to wilful engagement.
‘Kali welcomes us, enthrals us, thrashes us and helps us release ourselves from the bondage we create in searching outside ourselves for that which can only be obtained from within’.
As my practice grew I observed the above mentioned automatic bandha-pranayama-kumbhaka cascade which because of the interconnectivity of all subtle and gross nadis/channels, enlivened the tongue and eyes to turn inwards and upwards towards to the God/esshead (pituitary and pineal glands).
When the yogin enters sushumna there continues our deep journey into the ‘land that time forgot’ and ‘the land of milk and honey’ awaits.
When my tongue first tasted the ‘milk and honey’ or Amrit (nectar) that lies within the nasopharynx, it was as though all wishes had been fulfilled. The sensation is deeply intoxicating, inviting one to ‘drink’ as often as the body/kundalini allows.
In the same way it is very difficult to un-see the seen, when we have felt the bliss of samadhi states; the absorption of the mind in the body, body in mind and both in soul – whether by natural or exogenously induced means, the desiring heart will crave a refill.
I am very aware of the words of the wisest – “S/he who desires nothing has it all”, yet for this mind-body-organism, to be able to dive deep, quickly and most often very blissfuly, in almost any circumstances – this must be a winning strategy. Meditation and this boon khechari, they educate the craving’s of the monkey-mind;
We really are all that we seek – AnandaSwarupam – Embodiments of Bliss.
We have missed this for eons, no matter how much the sages have reminded us. We have spent so much energy going out, way out into space, boldly stretching the limits of the mind and the generous bounty of Gaia-Mother to perhaps finally catch up with these wise beings. They taught of our multi-dimensional self, which can ‘know the world without going anywhere’ – our innate ability to astrally as well as physically abide. This means the certain deepening of one’s asana, pranayam and meditation as well as all other experience, while awake, dreaming or projecting. The healing and energising empowerment is immense, something one can feel each time the gaze turns inwards, following the magnetic pull of sweet khechari.
If you would like to know more about the wonderful practice of Khechari Mudra please private message me.
Namaste and
Yours in yoga,
Matt – Pranasana Yoga.
ps – Khechari is commonly referred to in the patriarchal system as the King of Mudras’. However as Kali, (mother of my demon-destroying) came to show me how, initiating me from within, I think it wise to pay my obeisances to Ma.
Jai Guru Kali -Ma-Deva!
A quick demo of me 2 months after first entering Khechari on YouTube
This article is a source of inspiration for me,
it helps me a lot in sleep problems. I also used this Rain Sounds https://youtu.be/uSxflHAxweE to fall asleep easily.
Thanks, keep it up!
I’ve been practicing yoga for almost 40 years, and Kechari Mudra first happened spontaneously about 4 years ago. It’s now part of my regular practice, and I’m still trying to understand it’s meaning. I often keep it active during my asana routine and it makes the postures flow from the inside out. Amazing. Would love to discuss further.
Hello David,
Lovely to hear from you and trusting you are well and joyful today.
Thanks very much for your post and great to hear from another practitioner of Khechari.
I understand what you mean about ‘understanding its meaning’ and can share that I believe the Khechari Wisdom keeps revealing her/himself to us within our practice. I have more to say….. and am most definitely all ways learning!
How often are you practicing the Mudra and I assume you have tried in your pranayam and meditational practice?
Let me know and we can continue…..
Wishing you a wonderful and peaceful Xmas 2020, Matt 🙂
I just learned Khechari Mudra was a thing. I’ve been doing it since I was a kid. So for about 30+ years at least. I never really talked about it because I just thought it was a weird thing I do.
Whenever they told us to put our tongue on the roof of our mouth in yoga class, it always confused me. I guess because my tongue is so long, it always felt weird. I didn’t understand that the goal was khechari Mudra, that I had already achieved
This month, I began doing kriya yoga every day, and they told us to do the tongue thing again, so I googled it and discovered this weird thing I already knew how to do was actually a practice. So now I’m intrigued. I don’t really taste any “sweet nectar”, but I can feel the energy when I press on my pituitary gland while meditating after kriya. I’m so curious to understand the practical applications of this!
Hello Dear Melanie and hoping this finds you well today.
Many thanks for posting your comment to our blog which I hope you found useful.
Firstly, not knowing that Khechari Mudra (KM) was a thing, how often would you apply it?
In yoga class – why did this confuse you when they asked you to place your tongue up? It sounds like they didn’t explain any background?
As you mention ‘goal’, may I ask what is yours with regard to KM? People have different ways of saying what usually amounts to a similar thing, but I believe it’s always good to hear in their words, so as to expand our brains by listening to someone else’s pathways.
Kriya Yoga every day – wonderful – do they teach you how to bring energy down in your class? How to ground?
Nectar / Amrit/a – it will come 🙂
What makes you think you are pressing directly on your pituitary gland? Have you studied the A&P of the nasopharynx?
I ask to learn. I have experienced the nectar from the beginning of entering KM 9 years ago. I know that we are all different.
Also when you say you feel the energy when you do this, how do you mean specifically? Cerebrally?
The practical applications – that’s just great – why do anything unless we know the point/summit/benefits 🙂
In the years I have experienced KM I can sum it all up by saying I have experienced for years now the deep peace, bliss and awareness of which the yogic scriptures and sages speak. I waited a long time for this and, with the grace of Guru and God, it came to pass. The process unfolds as the mudra and its effects deepen for me. I don’t believe I am at the summit yet but certainly enjoy the ever more intense heights to which the ascent brings me to.
I hope that all helps a little and welcome your reply
With thanks and Namaste!
Matt 🙂
Here is an email and my response from a mail I received from C regarding the practice of Khechari Mudra (KM).
I post with his permission and my thanks to him and you the reader…
Hi Matt!
My name is C. I just read your fabulous article on Khechari mudra, and in light of some recent questions I’ve had, I thought I would reach out.
I achieved the physical act of Khechari about 5 years ago. I was in the middle of intense Yoga teacher training along with my own pranayama and meditation practice.
After about two years of not really knowing what to do with the mudra, I realized my tongue was long enough to block my nostrils, so I began practicing Nadi Shodhana using only the tongue constantly throughout the day. This went on more or less continuously for the last three years, until about six months ago when I just decided to see what would happen if I left my tongue in position without moving. It almost immediately felt like making love, but the sensations traveled all throughout my body, expanding my heart and brain regions.
I have been practicing Nadi Shodhana less now simply because the bliss coming up from resting in Khechari is more pleasurable. My question is if this ongoing, ecstatic experience is a distraction from the more deliberate practice of pranayama, or if this experience of just resting in Khechari is on the path to samadhi?
Thank you again for your wonderful contributions through your website.
Many blessings,
C
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Matt’s response….
Hello C and trusting this finds you well today.
Many thanks for your mail and sharing your experiences.
I think the easiest way for me to start responding is as below…
C:
I achieved the physical act of Khechari about 5 years ago. I was in the middle of intense Yoga teacher training along with my own pranayama and meditation practice.
M:
That must have been a blast – did you share the experience with the group?
I think it’s good for you to look back at the route you took up the mountain to help know which way towards the summit. Which pranayams / kriyas did you mostly practice, what form of mediation and why? What was your goal in the first place, what are you seeking?
C:
After about two years of not really knowing what to do with the mudra,
M:
I think that’s pretty common.
C:
I realized my tongue was long enough to block my nostrils, so I began practicing Nadi Shodhana using only the tongue constantly throughout the day. This went on more or less continuously for the last three years,
M:
Why did you do this – you read on the internet or from Kriya yoga? How did you notice this helped you and your practice evolve? So many questions 🙂
C:
until about six months ago when I just decided to see what would happen if I left my tongue in position without moving.
M:
Was this one of the first intuitive decisions you made or has the path been mostly like this up to here?
C:
It almost immediately felt like making love, but the sensations traveled all throughout my body, expanding my heart and brain regions.
M:
Nice – Oh words cannot reach the heights of the blessing of KM!
C:
I have been practicing Nadi Shodhana less now simply because the bliss coming up from resting in Khechari is more pleasurable.
M:
Very good. When you say bliss coming up – where from? Do you mean that simply by resting the tongue the bliss arises or do you notice it arises literally from beneath (eg heart or lower)?
I hope some of my questions will give you more food for thought.
C:
My question is if this ongoing, ecstatic experience is a distraction from the more deliberate practice of pranayama,
M:
I feel for some, pranayama could even be a distraction from the deeper realisation of release from attachment to phenomena/duality which leads to the awakening into singularity. It’s quite easy to get lost in the powers that come with all of this. I’m no superman, but yes KM certainly instils changes from the deepest levels. With these changes come gifts we dis-cover from deeper within.
C:
or if this experience of just resting in Khechari is on the path to samadhi?
M:
This is such a good question to ask and I feel the answer has to connect with one’s intent whatever methods are used.
Clearly this IS your question and for me….
I hope to be able to write so much more about this one day :)…..
My guru used to say that ‘Bliss is my food’. As you know, yogis speak of SatCitAnanda – my understanding of which is the 3 aspects are interchangeable – all aspects of the same thing – the one Divine Consciousness. Sat is Cit is Bliss/Joy. I believe all Akasha is SatCitAnanda – the Universe is Self Aware and blissfully so.
What I can say from my experiences thus far is the Ananda which is ever deepening and accumulating oftentimes leads to me Samadhi.
Sometimes the bliss is so sweet and gentle and at others so intense and probably clearing and decongesting that it becomes unbearable to sustain and one must slip out of KM.
I can say in summary…
I know that many are using various pranayams and mudra/bandha practice in KM with Mantra and visualisation. I too do this but add that don’t mistake the finger for the moon (which is a great analogy when discussing KM:)
For now and quite a while actually my focus has been, to abide in the stillness. The bliss which becomes addictive is not the goal. The stillness and peace (which oftentimes feel to me to not be any separate from the bliss – it just depends how deep and intense) are my direction. It is clear that through such stillness we can know God from whom, all will be added, as and when necessary.
Seek and Ye Shall Find, Ask and Ye Shall receive….
I have more to say but for now,
I hope that helps you align with your truth.
Let me know if you wish.
Sending you love and Joy Brother,
Matt 🙂