Egyptian

Egyptian Yoga Movements of the Gods and Goddesses
Tjef Sema Paut n Neteru

“The Movement Towards Union with the Gods and Goddesses”
The
Ancient Egyptian Yoga Exercise and
Meditation Movement Postures
For
Spiritual Health and Enlightenment
Seventh Edition – Expanded
“HER NAME IS HEALTH, SHE IS THE

DAUGHTER OF
EXERCISE,
WHO BEGOT HER ON
TEMPERANCE"
(Ancient Egyptian Proverb)
1
Egyptian Yoga Mystic Postures of Enlightenment
Cruzian Mystic Books

P.O.Box 570459
Miami, Florida, 33257
(305) 378-6253 Fax: (305) 378-6253
First U.S. edition 1996

Third Edition ¤ 1998 By Reginald Muata Ashby
Fourth Edition ¤ 1999
Fifth Edition ¤ 2000
Sixth Edition ¤ 200
Seventh Edition ¤ 2005
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever
without written permission (address above) except in the case of brief quotations embodied in
critical articles and reviews. All inquiries may be addressed to the address above.
Ashby, Muata
Egyptian Yoga Tjef Neteru Postures ISBN: 1-884564-10-0
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
1 Yoga, 2 Exercise, 3 Egyptian Philosophy 4 African Mythology, 5 Meditation, 6 Health, 7

Self Help.
Cruzian Mystic Books
Interned site – www.Egyptianyoga.com
Also by Muata Ashby
Egyptian Yoga: The Philosophy of Enlightenment

Initiation into Egyptian Yoga: The Daily Spiritual Program
2
Sema Institute of Yoga / Temple of Aset

Sema (?) is a Kamitic (Ancient Egyptian) word and symbol meaning union. The Sema Institute is dedicated to
the propagation of the universal teachings of spiritual evolution which relate to the union of humanity and the
union of all things within the universe. It is a non-denominational organization which recognizes the unifying
principles in all spiritual and religious systems of evolution throughout the world. Our primary goals are to pro-
vide the wisdom of ancient spiritual teachings in books, courses and other forms of communication. Secondly,
to provide expert instruction and training in the various yogic disciplines including Ancient Egyptian Philoso-
phy, Christian Gnosticism, Indian Philosophy and modern science. Thirdly, to promote world peace and Uni-
versal Love.
A primary focus of our tradition is to identify and acknowledge the yogic principles within all religions and
to relate them to each other in order to promote their deeper understanding as well as to show the essential unity
of purpose and the unity of all living beings and nature within the whole of existence.
The Institute is open to all who believe in the principles of peace, non-violence and spiritual emancipation
regardless of sect, race, or creed.
Sema Institute
P.O. Box 570459, Miami, Fla. 33257
(305) 378-6253, Fax (305) 378-6253
©2001
Health Note:
Before exercising with this program or the video,
consult your physician if you have high blood pressure, orthopedic problems, or
any other illnesses, bodily pains or discomforts, or if you are pregnant.
The reader agrees not to hold Drs. Muata or Dja (Karen) Ashby personally, or
Cruzian Mystic Books, or The Sema Institute of Yoga responsible for any inju-
ries or physical impairments that may result. Exercise at your own risk.
3
4
The Sema Institute 3 Tjef neteru Sema Paut Neteru system 90

Integral Path
PART I: What is Yoga? 7
The Paths of Yoga 8 Tjef neteru Sema Paut Neteru system 91
Integral Path and Mystical Religion
What is Egyptian Yoga? 11
The Special Concept of Phases in the 92
Part II:
II Origins of the Yoga Postures 19 Egyptian Yoga Thef Neteru System
in Ancient Egypt and India
Tjef Neteru as A Dynamic System of 97
PART III: The Myth Behind the 37
Varied Modes of Spiritual Practice
Ancient Egyptian Postures
Pose 1: Time Before The Beginning 99
The Sitting Poses 100-101
The Creation 39
Proper Breathing 102-103
Alternate Nostril Breathing 104-105
The Battle of Horus and Set 45
Pose 2: Nefertem 106-107
PART IIII: The Mystical Symbolism Pose 3: Nun 108-109
of The Characters in the 47
Ausarian (Osirian) Myth Pose 4: The Shu Pose 110-111
Pose 5: Warm Up 112-113
Asar (Osiris) 48
Pose 6: The Journey of Ra Posture 114-121
Set 49 Series
Aset (Isis) 50 Pose 7-8: The Geb Shoulder-stand, 122-125
Nebethet (Nephthys) 52 Pose 9: The Wheel Pose 126-127
Anubis 54 Pose 10: The Fish Pose 128-129
Sebek 56 Pose 11: The Spinal Twist Pose 130-131
Pose 12: The Forward Bend Pose 132-133
Heru 56
Pose 13: The Scorpion Pose 134-135
Horus 57
Pose 14: The Crocodile Pose 136-137
Horus and Set 57
Pose 15: The Cobra Pose 138-139
Djehuti (Thoth) 61 Pose 16: The Sphinx Pose 140-141
PART IIIII: Healthy Life Style, Diet 63 Pose 17: Heru 142-143
and Nutrition, Preventative Health
Pose 18: The Jubilation Pose 144-145
and Daily yoga Practices
Pose 19: Nut, the Heavens 146-147
The Ancient Egyptian Diet and 64
Medical System Pose 20: Maat, righteousness/order 148-149
Pose 21: Aset-The Isis Pose 150-151
The Teachings of the Temple of Isis 67
and the Diet of the initiates Pose 22: The Aset Throne Sitting 152-153
Pose 23: The Divine Embrace 154-155
The Daily Schedule for Yoga Practice 79 Pose 24: Djed-Establishment 156-157
Pose 25: The Headstand 158-159
PART IIIIII: The Exercises, Yoga 86
Postures and Meditations Pose 26: The Scarab 160-161
5
Practice Questions 167

Working with the Postures 172
Egyptian Yoga Exercise Video Series 174
Egyptian Yoga Teacher Training 175
Other books and Videos by the authors 177
6
Part I
Introduction
What is Yoga?
7
What is Yoga? The literal meaning of the word YOGA is to "YOKE" or

to "LINK" back. The implication is: to link back individual consciousness
to its original source, the original essence, that which transcends all men-
tal and intellectual attempts at comprehension, but which is the essential
nature of everything in CREATION: Universal Consciousness. In a
broad sense Yoga is any process which helps one to achieve liberation or
freedom from the bondage of human existence. So whenever you engage
in any activity with the goal of promoting the discovery of your true self,
be it studying the wisdom teachings, practicing them in daily life, practic-
ing exercises to keep the mind and body healthy for meditation, rituals to
lead the mind toward the divine or meditation on the divine, you are prac-
ticing yoga. If the goal is to help you to discover your essential nature as
one with God or the Supreme Being or Consciousness, then it is yoga.
The disciplines of Yoga fall under five major categories. These are:
Yoga of Wisdom, Yoga of Devotional love, Yoga of Meditation, Tantric
Yoga and Yoga of Selfless Action. Within these categories there are sub-
sidiary forms which are part of the main disciplines. The important point
to remember is that all aspects of yoga can and should be used in an inte-
gral fashion to effect an efficient and harmonized spiritual movement in
the practitioner. Therefore, while there may be an area of special empha-
sis, other elements are bound to become part of the yoga program as
needed. For example, while a yogin may place emphasis on the yoga of
wisdom, they may also practice devotional yoga and meditation yoga
along with the wisdom studies.
So the practice of any discipline that leads to oneness with Supreme

Consciousness is called Yoga. If you study, rationalize and reflect upon
the teachings, you are practicing Yoga of Wisdom. If you meditate upon
the teachings and your Higher Self, you are practicing Yoga of Medita-
tion. If you practice rituals which identify you with your spiritual nature,
you are practicing Yoga of Ritual Identification. If you develop your
physical nature and psychic energy centers, you are practicing Serpent
Power (Kundalini or Uraeus) Yoga. If you practice living according to
8
the teachings of ethical behavior and selflessness, you are practicing

Yoga of Action in daily life. If you practice turning your attention toward
the Divine by developing love for the Divine, you are practicing Devo-
tional Yoga or Yoga of Divine Love. The practitioner of yoga is called a
yogin (male practitioner) or yogini (female practitioner) and one who has
attained the culmination of yoga is also called a yogi. In this manner yoga
has been developed into many disciplines which may be used in an inte-
gral fashion to achieve the same goal: Enlightenment. Enlightenment is
the state of consciousness of complete harmony of mind, body and spirit
wherein one discovers one’s true identity and union with the Divine. En-
lightenment also implies the discovery of one’s innermost Self, the im-
mortal and eternal elements of one’s being beyond the mortal and transi-
tory human personality and body. Therefore, the aspirant should learn
about all of the paths of yoga and choose those elements which best suit
his/her personality or practice them all in an integral, balanced way.
Advancement in Yoga is dependent on the desire of the individual to

put forth his/her effort in the direction toward self-improvement under
proper guidance. In this way, the negative karma of the past which has
created the present conditions can be destroyed in order to create prosper-
ity and spiritual emancipation.
Most people have heard of Yoga as an exercise or as a strange and

perhaps even occult practice, however, Yoga is a vast science of human
psychology and spiritual transformation which includes the practice of
virtuous living, dietary purification, physical exercises (asanas), breathing
techniques, study of the wisdom teachings and their practice in daily life,
and meditation. Through a process of gradually blending these in the
course of ordinary life, an individual can effect miraculous changes in
his/her life and thereby achieve the supreme goal of all existence, the goal
of Yoga: Union with the Higher Self.
9
The teachings which were practiced in the ancient Egyptian temples

were the same ones later intellectually defined into a literary form by the
Indian Sages of Vedanta and Yoga. This was discussed in the book Egyp-
tian Yoga: The Philosophy of Enlightenment by Dr. Muata Ashby. The
Indian Mysteries of Yoga and Vedanta represent an unfolding and intel-
lectual exposition of the Egyptian Mysteries. Also, the study of Gnostic
Christianity or Christianity before Roman Catholicism will be useful to
our study since Christianity originated in ancient Egypt and was also
based on the ancient Egyptian Mysteries. Therefore, the study of the
Egyptian Mysteries, early Christianity and Indian Vedanta-Yoga will pro-
vide the most comprehensive teaching on how to practice the disciplines
of yoga leading to the attainment of Enlightenment. The question is how
to accomplish these seemingly impossible tasks? How to transform your-
self and realize the deepest mysteries of existence? How to discover
"who am I?" This is the mission of Yoga Philosophy and the purpose of
yogic practices.
In this form of study, we will use various new terms you may not have
heard before, but we will make every effort to explain them in detail and
to relate them to the Western understanding as well as to use the terms in
the other religions that will be discussed. In this way the teaching will not
only be relevant to the Egyptian Mysteries, but also to other religions as
well. Therefore, if your previous background was in Christianity or in
one of the various traditions within Hinduism, you will not have any dif-
ficulty in understanding the teachings as they will be presented. As you
go through this volume, you will discover that each of the elements
within Indian and Christian Yoga were practiced long ago in ancient
Egypt.
10
What is Egyptian Yoga?

?>××
In order to better understand the perspective of ancient Egyptian mys-
tical philosophy that will be presented in this volume, it will be necessary
to establish the correct definitions which will be used to reference the
various teachings and disciplines which will be discussed.
The ancient Egyptian language and symbols provide the first

"historical" record of Yoga Philosophy and Religious literature. The In-
dian culture of the Indus Valley Dravidians and Harappans appear to
have carried it on and expanded much of the intellectual expositions in
the form of the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas and Tantras, the ancient
spiritual texts of India.
Egyptian Yoga is what has been commonly referred to by Egyptolo-

gists as Egyptian "Religion" or "Mythology", but to think of it as just a
set of stories or allegories about a long lost civilization is to completely
miss the greatest secrets of human existence. Yoga in all of its forms was
practiced in Egypt earlier than anywhere else in our history. This unique
perspective from ancient Africa provides a new way to look at life, relig-
ion and the discipline of psychology. Perhaps most importantly though,
Egyptian mythology, when understood as a system of Yoga, gives every
individual insight into their own divine nature. This is its true worth.
Above from left to right are the symbols of Egyptian Yoga. These are:
Sma, nfr, nkh, htp. The hieroglyph ?"Sema", represented by the union of
two lungs and the trachea, symbolizes the union of the Higher and lower
self, the duality, which leads to the knowledge of the One, indivisible
cosmic consciousness.
11
12
The hieroglyph >"Nefer", close in pronunciation to

"Neter" (God), expressed by the union of the heart and the trachea
symbolizes: that which is the most beautiful thing, the highest good,
the greatest achievement.
The hieroglyph ×"Ankh," symbolizes the union of the male

(cross-temporal) and the female (circle-eternal) aspects of oneself,
leading to the transformation into an androgynous being. Thus, the two
become One. The Ankh was also later used in Christianity and Hindu-
ism as a symbol of divinity. Therefore, the Ankh is the unifying sym-
bol which links Egypt, India and Christendom.
The hieroglyph ›"Hetep", symbolizes supreme peace, the final

abode of all who satisfy the desire of their soul, union with the Higher
Self: YOGA.
Egyptian Yoga encompasses many myths and philosophies which

lead to the reunion of the individual soul with its Higher Self. Ancient
Egyptian religion involves three major theological branches based on
the primordial Trinity (Amun-Ra-Ptah) which emanates out of the hid-
den and nameless transcendental Divinity. This Divinity is variously
known under the following names: Nameless One, Neberdjer
(Nebertcher) , Shetai, Tem, Neter Neteru, Amun, Asar (Osiris), Ra,
Heru (Horus), Kheper, and Aset (Isis). These names are to be under-
stood as being synonymous since they refer to the same idea of an Ab-
solute Supreme Being and transcendental reality from which the phe-
nomenal world arises as land rises out of an ocean.
Besides Asar (Osiris) and Aset (Isis), the central and most popular
character within the ancient Egyptian Religion of Asar (Osiris) is Heru
(Horus) who is an incarnation of his father, Asar (Osiris). Asar (Osiris)
was killed by his brother, who out of greed and Setian (demoniac) ten-
dency, craved to be the ruler of Egypt. With the help of Djehuti, the
God of wisdom, his mother Aset (Isis), and Hetheru (Hathor), his con-
sort, Heru (Horus) prevails in the struggle against Set for the rulership
of Egypt. Heru's (Horus') struggle symbolizes the struggle of every hu-
man being to regain rulership of the Higher Self and to subdue the
13
lower self. With this understanding, the land of Egypt is equivalent to the
Kingdom/Queendom of Heaven concept of Christianity. Therefore, the
union of Upper and Lower Egypt is a subtle reference to the union of the
lower self and the Higher Self within a human being. The struggle toward
the unification of these is the central issue of the conflict between Heru
(Horus) and Set, the rulers of Upper and Lower Egypt, respectively.
The most ancient writings in known history are from the ancient
Egyptians. These writings are referred to as hieroglyphics and they refer
to the religion of Asar (Osiris) and Heru (Horus). Also, the most ancient
civilization known was the ancient Egyptian civilization. The proof of
this lies in the ancient Sphinx which has now proven to be over 12,000
years old. The original name given to these writings by the ancient Egyp-
tians is Metu Neter meaning "the writing of God" or "Divine Speech".
These writings were inscribed in temples, coffins and papyruses and con-
tain the teachings in reference to the spiritual nature of the human being
and the ways to promote spiritual emancipation, awakening or resurrec-
tion from ordinary human consciousness and mortality to cosmic con-
sciousness and immortality.
14
Smai Tawi
(From Chapter 4 of
the Prt m Hru)
The Term “Egyptian Yoga” and The Philosophy Behind It
As previously discussed, Yoga in all of its forms were practiced in Egypt apparently
earlier than anywhere else in our history. This point of view is supported by the fact that
there is documented scriptural and iconographical evidence of the disciplines of virtu-
ous living, dietary purification, study of the wisdom teachings and their practice in daily
life, psychophysical and psycho-spiritual exercises and meditation being practiced in
Ancient Egypt, long before the evidence of its existence is detected in India (including
the Indus Valley Civilization) or any other early civilization (Sumer, Greece, China,
etc.).
The teachings of Yoga are at the heart of Prt m Hru. As explained earlier, the word
“Yoga” is a Sanskrit term meaning to unite the individual with the Cosmic. The term
has been used in certain parts of this book for ease of communication since the word
“Yoga” has received wide popularity especially in western countries in recent years.
The Ancient Egyptian equivalent term to the Sanskrit word yoga is: “Smai.” Smai
means union, and the following determinative terms give it a spiritual significance, at
once equating it with the term “Yoga” as it is used in India. When used in conjunction
with the Ancient Egyptian symbol which means land, “Ta,” the term “union of the two
lands” arises.
In Chapter 4 and Chapter 17 of the Prt m Hru, a term “Smai Tawi” is used. It means
“Union of the two lands of Egypt,” ergo “Egyptian Yoga.” The two lands refer to the
two main districts of the country (North and South). In ancient times, Egypt was divided
into two sections or land areas. These were known as Lower and Upper Egypt. In An-
cient Egyptian mystical philosophy, the land of Upper Egypt relates to the divinity Heru
(Horus), who represents the Higher Self, and the land of Lower Egypt relates to Set, the
divinity of the lower self. So Smai Taui means “the union of the two lands” or the
“Union of the lower self with the Higher Self. The lower self relates to that which is
negative and uncontrolled in the human mind including worldliness, egoism, ignorance,
etc. (Set), while the Higher Self relates to that which is above temptations and is good
in the human heart as well as in touch with transcendental consciousness (Heru). Thus,
we also have the Ancient Egyptian term Smai Heru-Set, or the union of Heru and Set.
So Smai Taui or Smai Heru-Set are the Ancient Egyptian words which are to be trans-
lated as “Egyptian Yoga.”
?
15
Above: the main symbol of Egyptian Yoga: Sma. The Ancient Egyptian lan-
guage and symbols provide the first "historical" record of Yoga Philosophy and
Religious literature. The hieroglyph Sma, ?"Sema,” represented by the union of
two lungs and the trachea, symbolizes that the union of the duality, that is, the
Higher Self and lower self, leads to Non-duality, the One, singular conscious-
ness.
More Ancient Egyptian Symbols of Yoga
Above left: Smai Heru-Set,

Heru and Set join forces to tie up the symbol of Union (Sema –see
(B) above). The Sema symbol refers to the Union of Upper Egypt
(Lotus) and Lower Egypt (Papyrus) under one ruler, but also at a
more subtle level, it refers to the union of one's Higher Self and
lower self (Heru and Set), as well as the control of one's breath
(Life Force) through the union (control) of the lungs (breathing
organs). The character of Heru and Set are an integral part of the
Pert Em Heru.
16
The central and most popular character within Ancient Egyptian Religion of
Asar is Heru, who is an incarnation of his father, Asar. Asar is killed by his
brother Set who, out of greed and demoniac (Setian) tendency, craved to be the
ruler of Egypt. With the help of Djehuti, the God of wisdom, Aset, the great
mother and Hetheru, his consort, Heru prevailed in the battle against Set for the
rulership of Kemet (Egypt). Heru's struggle symbolizes the struggle of every hu-
man being to regain rulership of the Higher Self and to subdue the lower self.
The most ancient writings in our historical period are from the Ancient Egyp-
tians. These writings are referred to as hieroglyphics. The original name given to
these writings by the Ancient Egyptians is Metu Neter, meaning "the writing of
God" or Neter Metu or "Divine Speech." These writings were inscribed in tem-
ples, coffins and papyruses and contained the teachings in reference to the spiri-
tual nature of the human being and the ways to promote spiritual emancipation,
awakening or resurrection. The Ancient Egyptian proverbs presented in this text
are translations from the original hieroglyphic scriptures. An example of hiero-
glyphic text was presented above in the form of the text of Smai Taui or
“Egyptian Yoga.”
Egyptian Philosophy may be summed up in the following proverbs, which

clearly state that the soul is heavenly or divine and that the human being must
awaken to the true reality, which is the Spirit, Self.
"Self knowledge is the basis of true knowledge."
"Soul to heaven, body to earth."
"Man is to become God-like through a life of virtue and the cultivation

of the spirit
through scientific knowledge, practice and bodily discipline."
"Salvation is accomplished through the efforts of the individual.

There is no mediator between man and {his/her} salvation."
"Salvation is the freeing of the soul from its bodily fetters, becoming a
God through knowledge and wisdom, controlling the forces of the cos-
mos instead of being a slave to them, subduing the lower nature and
through awakening the Higher Self, ending the cycle of rebirth
and dwelling with the Neters who direct and control the Great Plan."
17
Smai Tawi
“Egyptian Yoga”
18
Part II
Origins of the Yoga Pos-
tures in Ancient Egypt
and India
19
ORIGINS OF THE YOGA POSTURES
History Of The Yogic Postures in Ancient Egypt and India

Since their introduction to the West the exercise system of India known as “Hatha Yoga” has gained much
popularity. The disciplines related to the yogic postures and movements were developed in India around the 10th
century A.C.E. by a sage named Goraksha.* Up to this time, the main practice was simply to adopt the cross-
legged meditation posture known as the lotus for the purpose of practicing meditation. The most popular manual
on Hatha Yoga is the Hatha-Yoga-Pradipika (“Light on the Forceful Yoga). It was authored by Svatmarama
Yogin in mid. 14th century C.E.**
Plate 1: Above- The god Geb in the plough posture engraved on the ceiling of the antechamber to the
Asarian Resurrection room of the Temple of Hetheru in Egypt. (photo taken by Ashby)
Prior to the
emergence of the discipline the physical movements in India just before 1000 A.C.E., a series of virtually
identical postures to those which were practiced in India can be found in various Ancient Egyptian papy-
ruses and inscribed on the walls and ceilings of the temples. The Ancient Egyptian practice can be dated
from 300 B.C.E 1,580 B.C.E and earlier. Exp. Temple of Hetheru (800-300 B.C.E.), Temple of Heru (800-
300 B.C.E.), Tomb of Queen Nefertari (reigned 1,279-1,212 BC), Temple of Horemakhet (10,000 B.C.E.)
and various other temples and papyruses from the New Kingdom Era 1,580 B.C.E). In Ancient Egypt the
practice of the postures (called Sema Paut (Union with the gods and goddesses) or Tjef Sema Paut Neteru
(movements to promote union with the gods and goddesses) were part of the ritual aspect of the spiritual
myth which when practiced serve to harmonize the energies and promote the physical health of the body
and direct the mind, in a meditative capacity, to discover and cultivate divine consciousness. These disci-
plines are part of a larger process called Sema or Smai Tawi (Egyptian Yoga). By acting and moving like
the gods and goddesses one can essentially discover their character, energy and divine agency within one's
*Yoga Journal, {The New Yoga} January/February 2000, The Shambhala Encyclopedia of Yoga by Georg Feuerstein, Ph. D.
**Hatha-Yoga-Pradipika, The Shambhala Encyclopedia of Yoga by Georg Feuerstein, Ph. D.
20
consciousness and thereby also become one of their retinue, i.e.

one with the Divine Self. In modern times, most practitioners of
Hatha Yoga see it as a means to attain physical health only.
However, even the practice in India had a mythic component
which is today largely ignored.
Plate 2: Nut and Geb and the higher planes of ex-

istence. Below: -line drawing of the same scene.
(photo taken by Ashby-Temple of Aset (Isis)) See
Arrow.
The figure above depicts another conceptualization of the
Netherworld, which is at the same time the body of Nut in a forward bend posture. The innermost goddess
symbolizes the lower heaven where the moon traverses, the physical realm. The middle one symbolizes the
course of the sun in its Astral journey. This shows a differentiation between the physical heavens and the
Astral plane, as well as time and space and Astral time and space, i.e., the concept of different dimensions
and levels of consciousness. The outermost symbolizes the causal plane. Geb, who is in the plough posture,
symbolizes the physical plane and all solid matter, while the goddesses represent the subtler levels of exis-
tence.
Records of meditation as a discipline for lay people, as opposed to priests, first show up about 500 B.C.
in both India and China. Contrary to what many Yoga students believe, his (Patanjali) text said little about
Hatha Yoga postures, which weren’t a widespread practice at the time. It only speaks of a sitting posture
for the practice of meditation and nothing more.
21
From Raja Yoga Sutras – Translated by Swami Jyotirmayananda:

Samadhi Pad Sutra 46: seated pose for meditation
Samadhi Pad Sutra 48-49: perfecting the seated pose for meditation
Plate 3: The Egyptian Gods and Goddesses act out the Creation through
their movements (forward bend (Nut), spinal twist (Geb), journey of Ra and
the squatting, standing motion (Shu and Nun).
22
Figure 1: The varied postures found in the Kemetic papyruses and temple
inscriptions. (Egyptian Yoga Postures Poster)
23
Figure 2: The practice of the postures is shown in the sequence below.

(Egyptian Yoga Postures Poster by Muata Ashby)
Figure 3: Below- the Goddess Parvati from India, practicing the tree Pose –
modern rendition.
Many people do not know that when the practice of Hatha

Yoga was adopted by yogis (one who studies the yoga disci-
plines) in India in the first millennium A.C.E., it was repudi-
ated by the established practitioners.* When it was opened
up to the general community and ceased to be a practice of
secluded yogis and was later brought to the west at the turn
of the 20th century much later, it was not quickly adopted.
However, in the latter part of the 20th century, due to the ar-
dent promotion by a few Indian masters, it has gained wide
notoriety. However, for the most part only the physical bene-
fits have been adopted and acknowledged while the mystical
teachings within the discipline have not been embraced gen-
erally. Beyond the misinformed and the dogmatic followers
of orthodox religion, who repudiate yoga as an occult, evil
practice, one comment by a famous personality in late 20th
century western culture typifies the feeling of the vast major-
ity of those who are involved in yoga for the physical
“benefits” other than “spiritual” aspects of yoga:
“I don’t want it to change my life, just my butt.”

-famous actress (United States-2000 A.C.E.)**
Still, it must be understood that many people who are leading a worldly life
are first introduced to yoga through the discipline of the postures in ordinary ses-
sions dedicated to promoting physical health and later turn towards the spiritual
aspects. However, there is much concern among advanced practitioners of Yoga
in India and elsewhere, that Western culture has appropriated yoga and converted
it to something other than yoga as it has been known for thousands of years. In-
stead of having Geb or Parvati as the role models, such prominent (worldly) per-
sonalities as actors and entertainers Julia Roberts, Madonna, Woody Haroldson
and others have become the “ideal.” So now, the same materialistic pursuits
(physical health, beauty, sex-appeal, excitement, etc.), which are the hallmarks of
western culture, have been projected on yoga by westerners who have appointed
themselves as the purveyors of yoga to the masses. Many also distribute a myriad
of products which are not necessary or desirable for the practice of yoga postures
such as spandex, props, lotions, bikini yoga, etc., and conduct not spiritual yoga
retreats but yoga vacations, yoga parties and the like. Yoga originated as a non-
*The Shambhala Encyclopedia of Yoga by Georg Feuerstein, Ph. D.

**Yoga Journal, {The New Yoga} January/February 2000
24
secular spiritual discipline for transcending the world and has now been con-
verted by many into a means to enjoy the worldly pleasures more intensely. This
deviation from spiritual discipline to an instrument for enhancing worldly pleas-
ure-seeking is perhaps most prominently visible in the discipline of Tantra Yoga.
Using sexual symbolism to drive home a mystical teaching, Tantra Yoga has less
to do with physical sexual intercourse between human beings than intercourse of
the soul with the Divine. Yet, many so called practitioners of Tantra Yoga in the
west tirelessly promote the idea that it is a form of “Sex-Yoga” designed to attain
spiritual enlightenment and the heights of worldly pleasure at the same time.
There are many misconceptions about the history and teaching of yoga and this is
perhaps one of the most blatant. The hedonistic* path of life, which typifies
western culture, has been shown to be ultimately a dead end street leading to
frustration and regret in later life. Yet people follow blindly the inane statements
of ignorant religious leaders, entertainers, politicians, marketers and advertisers,
which lead to spiritual and worldly bankruptcy.
Many practitioners of the Hatha Yoga postures do not realize that the postures
were not designed just to promote physical health. Actually, like the Kemetic
system, the Hindu Yoga posture system is also designed to relate a human being
to the gods and goddesses and the cosmic forces, which are symbolized by the
use of animal names and visualizations using natural objects. This is accom-
plished by the practice of the movements, study of the mythology and philosophy
behind them and meditative absorption with the principles and energies that they
represent. The promotion of health is only a means to an end, a byproduct of the
practice, and not an end in itself. The ultimate goal of yoga is to awaken the
spiritual consciousness. Any other use of yoga is a misuse or at least a limited
use. In these respects the movement systems of Kemet from Ancient Egypt,
Yoga from India, and Kung Fu of China, are unique when compared to other
forms of exercise, movement systems. Western forms of exercise are designed to
cultivate the external muscles and physical energy while the Eastern and African
disciplines are designed to develop and cultivate the internal life force, which
transcends physicality and the world itself.
The table on page 28 shows the dates in which the practice of spiritual postures
was enjoined in Africa and Asia. The earliest recorded evidence for the practice
of specific movements that lead to spiritual enlightenment occurs in Ancient
Egypt (Kamit) c. 10,000 B.C.E. The earliest recorded practice in India of the
yoga postures is c. 1,000 A.C.E.
NOTES:
Yoga Journal, {The New Yoga} January/February 2000
*he·don·ism (h¶d“n-¹z”…m) n. 1. Pursuit of or devotion to pleasure, especially to the pleasures of the senses. 2. Philosophy.
The ethical doctrine holding that only what is pleasant or has pleasant consequences is intrinsically good.
25
THE YOGIC POSTURES

IN ANCIENT EGYPT AND INDIA
Hatha-Yoga-Pradipika, The Shambhala Encyclopedia of Yoga by Georg Feuerstein, Ph. D.
The Shambhala Encyclopedia of Yoga by Georg Feuerstein, Ph. D.
The Shambhala Encyclopedia of Yoga by Georg Feuerstein, Ph. D.
Yoga Journal, {The New Yoga} January/February 2000
Kemetic (Egyptian) Cobra
Indian Full Cobra
Kemetic Wheel
Indian Wheel
Kemetic Spinal Twist

Indian Spinal Twist
Kemetic Lotus Indian Lotus
26
A History of the Discipline of Physical Postures in Ancient Egypt

and India from Ancient to Modern times
Smai Tawi Tjef Neteru Hatha Yoga Practice in Ancient India and the dates
Yoga Practice in Ancient Egypt when introduced
1 Horemacket (Sphinx 10,000 B.C.E.) 1 Sage Goraksha 10th century A.C.E. (First Introduced)
2 18th Dynasty Papyri 1580 B.C.E. 2 Hatha-Yoga-Pradipika (“Light on the Forceful
3 Tomb of Hatshepsut 1580 B.C.E. Yoga). It was authored by Svatmarama Yogin in mid.
4 Temple and Tomb of Seti I (reigned 1306-1290) 14th century C.E.
5 Tomb of Queen Nefertari (reigned 1,279- 3 Shiva Samhita – Hatha Yoga text –melds Vedanta
1,212 BC), with Hatha 1750 A.C.E.
6 Temple of Heru (800-300 B.C.E.), 4 Women first admitted to Hatha Yoga practice (Late
7 Temple of Aset (800-300 B.C.E.) 19th century
8 Temple of Hetheru (400-300 B.C.E.)
9 Independent Mystery traditions (3rd century to Modern Practices in India and the West
20th century. 1 Ananda Yoga (Swami Kriyananda) 20th Century
10 Tjef Neteru Sema Paut (Movement of the Gods 2 Anusara Yoga (John Friend) 20th Century
and Goddesses) 20th century 3 Ashtanga Yoga (Pattabhi Jois) 20th Century
4 Bikram Yoga (Bikram Choudhury) 20th Century
*Women practiced the postures since the most an- 5 Integral Yoga (Swami Satchidananda) 20th Century
cient times. 6 Iyengar Yoga (B.K.S. Iyengar) 20th Century
7 Kripalu Yoga (Amrit Desai) 20th Century
8 Kundalini Yoga (Yogi Bhajan) 20th Century
9 Sivananda Yoga (Swami Vishnu-devananda) 20th
Century
10 Svaroopa Yoga (Rama Berch) 20th Century
11 TriYoga, (Kali Ray) 20th Century
12 Viniyoga (T.K.V. Desikachar) 20th Century
Thus it is evident that the practice of the Yoga postures in Egypt began over 2500 years
Table on
before the practice commenced in India. It is also likely that the Indians were introduced to
next page: the system when they connected with the Ancient Egyptians during the period of the reign
A Timeline of the Indian Sage King Ashoka. (See the book African Origins of Civilization, Religion and
of the Yoga Spirituality by Muata Ashby.)
Discipline of
Physical It has been suggested that the practice of the Hatha Yoga in India began with the use of
Postures in the Lotus, which may be traced to the Indus Valley culture. Also, the use of the term
“Asana” or posture, by the Indian Sage Patanjali, who wrote the classical yoga treatise
Ancient
“Yoga Sutras” which are also known as “Ashtanga Yoga” or eight legged path or steps of
Egypt and yoga. The use of the lotus pose in the Indus Valley culture seems only to relate to the ico-
India nography of meditation. This is also true for the Yoga Sutras. Patanjali refers to asana as a
means to practice effective meditation and not as a concerted system and series of postures
for promoting health and the development of the inner Life Force. Thus, Hatha Yoga as we
know it today began at the end of the first millennium of our era and not in the time before
the Common Era (B.C.E.). So Ancient Egypt appears to be the source for the discipline of
postures. These were practiced by the priests and priestesses in order to promote physical
health but more so to promote a meditative state of mind that would allow them to come
closer to the cosmic forces represented by the divinities in the iconography of the postures,
thereby allowing them to discover their own divine essence and ultimately the source of all
the cosmic forces, the Supreme Self.
27
28
The Physical Yoga Postures Part 2
Contrary to popular knowledge, the practice of the discipline that was later known as ”Hatha Yoga” in
India began at around the year 1000 A.C.E. and not in pre-Christian (Comma Era) times as is commonly
supposed. Often times the mention of the word “asana” in the Patanjali Yoga Sutras” (200 B.C.E.) is
thought to represent an early practice of Hatha Yoga. However, when the statements by Patanjali are
examined closely, it is clear that the meaning relates to a sitting posture for meditation and not the
elaborate system of a sequence of postures designed to cultivate physical health and harmonization of the
Ha (solar) and Tha (lunar) energies of the physical and astral bodies of a person.
Further, notice that the popular practices of Hatha Yoga which have come to the West are
all 20th century developments. They are outgrowths of the original Hatha Yoga concept but
are modern interpretations, exemplifying elaborate and in many ways intricate concepts and
practices which were not enjoined by sage Goraksha. The emphasis on the physical postures
as either a discipline for physical health in a limited sense or as a self-contained end of Yoga
at the exclusion of the other disciplines (meditation, study of the wisdom teachings, right ac-
tion, devotional worship) has prompted many Indian masters to complain about the disregard
for the true meaning of Yoga and the true purpose of the exercise postures. As with so many
other disciplines, Western society has taken cultural disciplines and traditions but ascribing
new meanings and transforming these disciplines and traditions into something other than
what they originally were. The practice of the Indian Hatha Yoga postures has been adopted
by many in the western countries but the adjunct practice of meditation and the philosophy of
the postures has been left aside in great measure. The postures are mostly used as a meas to
promote physical health as opposed to their original intent of promoting positive spiritual
evolution. The following article illustrates this point. (text emphasis by Ashby)
TAKE A SEAT by Alan Reder

If your not meditating, are you really doing Yoga?
– Yoga Journal Feb. 2001
THE SUCCESS OF YOGA in the West may have come at a heavy price. Many
teachers worry that something special has been lost in Yoga American style, and that
something is meditation. Meditation, not postures, is the heart of Yoga, they point out.
In Patanjali's India, Yoga and meditation were nearly synonymous, yet meditation plays
only a minor role in many American Yoga courses. In others, it is not taught at all.
Some Yoga students regard meditation as boring cultural baggage and appreciate
learning postures without it. But what if your experience with Yoga has inspired you to
go deeper, into Yogic spirituality? If your Yoga teacher doesn’t offer meditation guid-
ance, how should you begin? Since Yoga comes from India, should your meditation
technique be Hindu or Buddhist? Is Zen Buddhist okay? Does the inner peace you al-
ready feel in Yoga class count?
Records of meditation as a discipline for lay people, as opposed to priests, first show
up about 500 B.C. in both India and China.
29
Contrary to what many Yoga students believe, his (Patanjali) text said
little about Hatha Yoga postures, which weren’t a widespread practice at
the time.
The important question arises, is Yoga (Exercise) in the West really being practiced correctly? In fact, can
it even be said that yoga is being practiced in the west? The following excerpts from an article that ap-
peared in the magazine Yoga Journal, explores this problem.
“The New Yoga, America is Reinventing the Practice…But it is still Yoga?”

“New Light on Yoga” – Yoga Journal – July/Aug 1999
“Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra…his father, at the turn of the twentieth century, was one of the
first yogic crusaders to bring hatha yoga to practices ….and begin teaching them to a lay
audience. ‘When I see what yoga has become I the west,’….. ‘I wish my father had left
it with the hermits in the caves’.”
The degradation of the practice of Yoga was typified by the comment of a well known Hollywood Actress:
“I don’t want Yoga to change my life, just my butt!”

USA – 2000 ACE
Many teachers of the Indian Yoga postures in the western countries take pride in learning the jargon of
Sanskrit words and wowing their students with difficult contortions but not including philosophy or medi-
tation in their practice, presumably because the populations of the west are hostile to forms of spirituality
other than the western religions (Christianity, Islam, and Judaism). In the current climate (late 20th century-
early 21st) where the social climate is increasingly religiously intolerant, the prospects of Yoga and other
mystical traditions in the west will be problematical. The following guidelines should be followed if the
true Indian and Ancient Egyptian tradition of the postures is to be upheld.
Integral Practice of the Yoga postures includes physical regimen, diet, philosophy, meditation, devotional
practice and virtuous living.
• Integral Practice is not just the Postures, not just meditation, not just cultivation of the vital
body, not just wisdom
• It must include mystical philosophy, leading to entry into higher planes of existence.
• It is that experiences that informs all yogic movements in all religions of history.
• Names, jargons, clothing, memorized texts, etc. are foundations, not attainments.
Hatha Yoga, Buddhism and Ancient Egypt
“In Zen Buddhism, for example, students can chant a lineage of teachers stretching back for
centuries, with each Zen master certified by the one preceding. No such unbroken chain of
transmission exists in hatha yoga. For generations, hatha yoga was a rather obscure and
occult corner of the yoga realm, viewed with disdain by mainstream practitioners, kept
alive by a smattering of isolated ascetics in caves and Hindu maths (monasteries). It appears
to have existed for centuries in seed form, lying dormant and surfacing again and again. In
the twentieth century, it had almost died out in India. According to his biography, Krish-
namacharya had to go all the way to Tibet to find a living master…Given this lack of a
clear historical lineage, how do we know what is "traditional" in hatha yoga? Where did
our modern proliferation of poses and practices come from? Are they a twentieth century
invention?”
-July/August 1999 By Anne Cushman (Yoga Journal)
30
Many practitioners of Indian Hatha Yoga are fond of describing their practice as “ancient” and as being
comprised of an unbroken “lineage” of teachers going back “thousands of years.” Upon close examination
of the practice in India we find that no such unbroken chain of transmission exists in Hatha Yoga. Actually
in the early twentieth century, it had almost died out in India.
HATHA-YOGA ("forceful Yoga"), also called hatha-vidya ("science of hatha"); the type of
Yoga specific to the Kanphata sect, though this designation is also applied in general to the vast
body of doctrines and practices geared toward Self-realization by means of perfecting the body.
The term Hatha Yoga is defined as “forceful union,” that is forcing spiritual evolution via the cultivation of the
energies of the physical body. In Ancient Egypt the program of transformation through body cultivation was de-
scribed in the Pert M Heru text, more commonly known as the Egyptian Book of the Dead, as well as in other
texts.
The origins of Hatha Yoga were clearly in Buddhism and not in Hinduism since we find evidence of rejection
of Hatha Yoga by the Hindu sages. Hatha Yoga is clearly rejected in the Laghu -Yoga - Vasishtha (5.6.86,
92), which maintains that it merely leads to pain. Some of criticisms, especially against the magical under-
currents.
GORAKSHA or GORAKSHANATHA The most popular teacher of hathayoga, who is

widely celebrated as its inventor, is Goraksha (9th or 10th cen. CE), a member of the Natha tra-
dition, in which body cultivation played a crucial role. He is acclaimed by some as the first
writer of Hindi or Punjabi prose and is credited with the authorship of numerous works, includ-
ing the Goraksha-Samhit4, the Amaraugha-Prabodha, the Jnata-Amrita-Shastra, and the Siddha-
SiddhantaPaddhati. Although the Tibetan sources speak of him as a Buddhist magician, the
works ascribed to him and his school have a distinct leaning toward Shaivism.
The most popular teacher of hathayoga, who is widely celebrated as its inventor, is Goraksha
(9th or 10th cen. CE), a member of the Natha tradition, in which body cultivation played a cru-
cial role. In India it came under attack early in its development. For instance, it is clearly re-
jected in the Laghu -Yoga - Vasishtha (5.6.86, 92), which maintains that it merely leads to pain.
The most formidable critic of hatha-yoga was Vijndna Bhikshu, a sixteenth- century savant and
Yoga practitioner. Some of his criticisms, especially against the magical undercurrents present
in this yogic approach, are undoubtedly justified.
Tantric philosophy figures prominently in the origins of Indian Hatha Yoga as one of its
disciplines. As was discussed in the section of this book entitled “Item for Comparison 11:
Tantric Philosophy,” Tantrism was practiced in Ancient Egypt from the earliest times. The
practice of Tantrism in Ancient Egypt was akhnowledged by Ajit Mookerjee.
Tantric influence, however, is not limited to India alone, and there is evidence that the pre-
cepts of tantrism traveled to various parts of the world, especially Nepal, Tibet, China, Ja-
pan and parts of South-East Asia; its influence has also been evident in Mediterranean cul-
tures such as those of Egypt and Crete.
-Ajit Mookerjee (Indian Scholar-Author –from the book The Tantric Way)
Specifically, Tantric Buddhism gave rise to the earliest practice of certain postures as a means to enhance
spiritual evolution. Before this time, the only reference to Asana or posture was the sitting posture for meditation,
mentioned in the Raja Yoga Sutras by Patanjali. Below: Patanjali Yoga Sutras Sadhana Pad (200 B.C.E) -
sutra 46: Asana – Trans. Swamiji Jyotirmayananda
31
There is clear evidence of the existence of the Sakkara/Memphis- School of Memphite Theology- Di-
vinity Ptah. There is also clear evidence of the practice of “magi” or “Hekau” and the practice of Tjef
Neteru or postures of the gods and goddesses in Egypt.
Buddhist records show that early Buddhists had visited Memphis and had set up a settlement there.
Henceforth Buddhism begins to develop similar iconographies including the Divinity sitting on the lotus,
and also lotus friezes similar to those of Ancient Egypt appear in Buddhist art.
32
Left: Heru on the Lotus, Right: Buddha on the Lotus

In the book Search for the Buddha by Charles Allen, the author documents the Buddhist connection
to Ancient Egypt as follows. The Buddhist/Indian ruler had a practice of setting up pillars with in-
scriptions attesting to his following the Buddhist principles and other edicts. One was discovered that
unequivocally shows that ancient Egypt and India were associated.
In March 1838 a more complete and accurate impression of the Girnar rock inscrip-
tion became available to James Prinsep. On 14 'March he wrote another of those let-
ters to Alexander Cunningham that bubble over with enthusiasm and good cheer. The
Girnar inscription differed from the pillar edicts in a number of passages, and in one
he had found a line that linked Piyadasi/Ashoka to Egypt and the Ptolemys:
The passage in the 14th edict is much mutilated, and I long for a more correct copy. It
really becomes interesting to find Egypt and Ptolemy known to Asoka! I must give
you the real text:
Yona raja paran cha tena chaptaro rajanan tulamayo

Greek king furthermore by whom the Gypta rajas Ptolemy
cha antigina cha maga cha * * *
and Antigonus and Magus and * * *
savata devanampiya dhammanusasti anubatate yata pajati
everywhere Beloved of the God's religious precept reaches
where goes.
Hurrah for inscriptions!
Here was proof of diplomatic links between Ashoka's empire and the West, in the
form of Alexander the Great's successors: the Egyptian king Ptolemy was probably
Ptolemy II (ruled 285-247 BCE); Antigonus was probably Antigonos Gonatos of Mace-
donia
TANTRIC BUDDHIST “MAGIC” YOGA begins to develop especially in Tibet – India. The following time-
line indicates the early process of evolution of hatha yoga in India.
33
In ancient Kamit there were at least 24 postures in the spiritual practice prior to the time of Patanjali. In
the practice of Kamitan Tjef Neteru (Egyptian Hatha Yoga) the “magic” consists in using postures to en-
gender certain alignments with spiritual energies and cosmic forces. This is the kind of practice repudiated
by the Hindu sages and adopted by the Tantric Buddhists. Between the years 100 A.C.E. and 1000 A.C.E.
the Buddhist Kaula school developed some postures. Then Goraksha developed what is regarded by pres-
ent day Hatha Yoga practitioners as a practice similar to the present day. However, the number of postures
only reached 15 at the time of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika scripture. The Mysore family was instrumental in
the development since they were strong patrons of Hatha Yoga. Subsequent teachers developed more pos-
tures and vinyasa (which was not practiced in early Indian Hatha Yoga) up to the 20th century where there
are over 200. The teacher Krishnamacharya said he had learned from a yoga teacher in Tibet. Krish-
namacharya's first writings, which cited the Stitattvanidhi as a source, also featured vinyasa (sequences of
poses synchronized with the breath) that Krishnamacharya said he had learned from a yoga teacher in Ti-
bet. So the practice of the postures in India does not extend to ancient times and did not begin in India
with Hinduism but with Buddhism and Buddhism was associated with the Ancient Egyptian city of Mem-
p hi s whe r e p o st ures and spiritual magic were practiced previously.
34
The following table (on next page) shows the dates in which the practice of spiritual postures was
enjoined in Africa and Asia. The earliest recorded evidence for the practice of specific movements
that lead to spiritual enlightenment occurs in Ancient Egypt (Kamit) c. 10,000 B.C.E. The earliest re-
corded practice in India of the yoga postures is c. 1,000 A.C.E.
Timeline Summary (1800 B.C.E.-1000 A.C.E.)
1800 BCE Ancient Egypt – Discipline of Sema Paut-Egyptian Yoga Postures, Arat Shetaut Neter (Goddess
Mysteries), Arat Sekhem (Serpent Power), Hekau (“Magic)
Already ancient
550 BCE Cambyses invades Egypt – Buddhism, Jainism, Pythagoreaninsm, Zoroastrianism, Confucianism,
Taoism - BORN
100 ACE -Tantrism – Emerges as a Distinct culture of Spirituality in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism
Emphasizing Shaktism (Goddess female energy and Goddess as female aspect of the Absolute), Occultism,
Magic, Kundalini
c. 460-490 A.C.E. Shakta and Tantra Spirituality -Writings elaborating on Tantric spirituality and mysti-
cism of the Chakras
Goraksha – Develops Hatha Yoga to “Force” the movement of Kundalini (serpent Power) # Postures ?
1000 ACE
35
36
Part III
The Myth Behind the
Ancient Egyptian Yoga
Postures
37
YOGA EXERCISES IN ANCIENT EGYPT
Not many people are aware of the fact that the Ancient Egyptians
practiced Yoga Exercises and Meditation thousands of years ago.
This enlightening book and the available video presentation,

sheds light on the ancient myths of the gods and goddesses of An-
cient Egypt and also provide a method of practicing physical exer-
cise while meditating on the cosmic principles which the Neters
(gods and goddesses) represent. This allows the practitioner of yoga
to experience a psycho-physical and psycho-spiritual transformation
leading toward the highest goal of human existence: Spiritual En-
lightenment or the discovery of one’s own Divinity and union with
the Cosmos.
This presentation will look on exercise not just as a physical discipline

for health of the body. True health is a result of an integrated relationship
between the mind, body and spirit. What will make this presentation
unique is the mystical aspect which will be imparted and practiced along
with the physical exercises. There are many reliefs and steles displaying
the Ancient Egyptian Gods and Goddesses in what has come to be
known as Yoga Exercise Postures.
Yoga Postures are special exercises which engender a psycho-physical

and psycho-spiritual transformation which leads to harmony of the mind,
body and spirit. Throughout history, the teachings of Yoga have been as-
sociated with religion and mythology. In order to understand the deep
psycho-spiritual symbolism of each exercise, it will be necessary to un-
derstand the creation myth of ancient Egypt and the Myth of Asar
(Osiris). These teachings impart profound wisdom on the understanding
of the soul, creation, and the journey of every human being through life.
38
A COMPENDIUM OF THE AUSARIAN RESURRECTION

MYTH
THE CREATION
The process of creation is explained in the form of a cosmologi-

cal system for better understanding. Cosmology is a branch of phi-
losophy dealing with the origin, processes, and structure of the uni-
verse. Cosmogony is the astrophysical study of the creation and
evolution of the universe. Both of these disciplines are inherent fac-
ets of Ancient Egyptian philosophy through the main religious sys-
tems or Companies of the gods and goddesses. A Company of gods
and goddesses is a group of deities which symbolize a particular
cosmic force or principle which emanates from the all-
encompassing Supreme Being, from which they have emerged. The
Self or Supreme Being manifests creation through the properties
and principles represented by the Pautti Company of gods and god-
desses - cosmic laws of nature. The system or Company of gods
and goddesses of Anu is regarded as the oldest, and forms the basis
of the Asarian (Osirian) Trinity. It is expressed in the diagram be-
low.
Ra-Tem ÖÖ°
Ø Hathor
Ø Tehuti
Ø Maat
Shu Ù Tefnut
Ø
GebÙNut
ÝØÞ
Set Osiris Ù Isis Ù Nephthys
Osiris
Ø Ø
Horus Anubis
39
The diagram above shows that the Psedjet (Ennead), or the crea-
tive principles which are embodied in the primordial gods and god-
desses of creation, emanated from the Supreme Being. Ra or Ra-Tem
arose out of the “Nu”, the Primeval waters, the hidden essence, and
began sailing the “Boat of Millions of Years” which included the
Company of gods and goddesses. On his boat emerged the “neters”
or cosmic principles of creation. The neters of the Ennead are Ra-
Atum, Shu, Tefnut, Geb, Nut, Asar (Osiris), Aset (Isis), Set, and Ne-
behet (Nephthys). Hetheru (Hathor), Djehuti and Maat represent at-
tributes of the Supreme Being as the very stuff or substratum which
makes up creation. Shu, Tefnut, Geb, Nut, Asar (Osiris), Aset (Isis),
Set, and Nebehet (Nephthys) represent the principles upon which
creation manifests. Anpu (Anubis) is not part of the Ennead. He rep-
resents the feature of intellectual discrimination in the Asarian
40
(Osirian) myth. “Sailing” signifies the beginning of motion in crea-

tion. Motion implies that events occur in the realm of time and
space, thus, the phenomenal universe comes into existence as a mass
of moving essence we call the elements. Prior to this motion, there
was the primeval state of being without any form and without exis-
tence in time or space.
Asar, Aset and Heru
Asar (Osiris) and Aset (Isis) dedicated themselves to the welfare

of humanity and sought to spread civilization throughout the earth,
even as far as India and China.
During the absence of Asar from his kingdom, his brother Set had
no opportunity to make innovations in the state because Aset was ex-
tremely vigilant in governing the country, and always upon her
guard and watchful for any irregularity or unrighteousness.
Upon Asar's return from touring the world and carrying the teach-
ings of wisdom abroad there was merriment and rejoicing through-
out the land. However, one day after Asar return, through his lack of
vigilance, he became intoxicated and slept with Set's wife, Nebehet .
Nebehet, as a result of the union with Asar, begot Anpu .
41
Set, who represents the personifica-

Ra tion of evil forces, plotted in jealousy
and anger (the blinding passion that
prevents forgiveness) to usurp the
throne and conspired to kill Asar. Set
secretly got the measurements of Asar
and constructed a coffin. Through
trickery Set was able to get Asar to "try
on" the coffin for size. While Asar was
resting in the coffin, Set and his assis-
tants locked it and then dumped it into
the Nile river.
The coffin made its way to the coast

of Syria where it became embedded in
the earth and from it grew a tree with
the most pleasant aroma in the form of a DJED. The DJED is the
symbol of Asar's BACK. It has four horizontal lines in relation to a
firmly established, straight column. The DJED column is symbolic
of the upper energy centers (chakras) that relate to the levels of
consciousness of the spirit within an individual human being.
The King of Syria was out walking and as he passed by the tree,
he immediately fell in love with the pleasant aroma, so he had the
tree cut down and brought to his palace. Aset (Auset, Ast), Asar's
wife, the personification of the life giving, mother force in creation
and in all humans, went to Syria in search of Asar. Her search led
her to the palace of the Syrian King where she took a job as the
nurse of the King's son. Every evening Aset would put the boy into
the "fire" to consume his mortal parts, thereby transforming him to
immortality. Fire is symbolic of both physical and mental purifica-
tion. Most importantly, fire implies wisdom, the light of truth, illu-
mination and energy. Aset, by virtue of her qualities, has the power
to bestow immortality through the transformative power of her
42
symbolic essence. Aset then told the king that Asar, her husband, is
inside the pillar he made from the tree. He graciously gave her the
pillar (DJED) and she returned with it to Kamit (Kmt, Egypt).
Upon her return to Kmt Aset went to the papyrus swamps where
she lay over Asar's dead body and fanned him with her wings, infus-
ing him with new life. In this manner Aset revived Asar through her
power of love and wisdom, and then they united once more. From
their union was conceived a son, Heru, with the assistance of the
gods Djehuti (Thoth) and Amun (Amon).
One evening, as Set was hunting in the papyrus swamps, he came

upon Aset and Asar . In a rage of passion, he dismembered the body
of Asar into several pieces and scattered them throughout the land.
In this way it is Set, the brute force of our bodily impulses and de-
sires, that "dismembers" our higher intellect. Instead of oneness and
unity, we see multiplicity and separateness which give rise to egois-
tic (selfish) and violent behavior. The Great Mother, Aset, once
again sets out to search, now for the pieces of Asar with the help of
Anpu and Nebehet.
43
After searching all over the world they found all the pieces of
Asar (Osiris)’ body, except for his phallus which was eaten by a
fish. In Eastern Hindu-Tantra mythology, the God Shiva, who is the
equivalent of Asar, also lost his phallus in one story. In Ancient
Egyptian and Hindu-Tantra mythology, this loss represents seminal
retention in order to channel the sexual energy to the higher spiri-
tual centers, thereby transforming it into spiritual energy. Aset,
Anpu and Nebehet re-membered the pieces, all except the phallus
which was eaten by the fish. Asar thus regained life in the realm of
the dead, the Duat.
Heru, therefore, was born from the union of the spirit of Asar
and the life giving power of Aset (physical nature). Thus, Heru rep-
resents the union of spirit and matter, and the renewed life of
Asar, his rebirth. During this time of exile, Aset left Egypt and
wandered around with the child in search of a place to be safe away
from Set. While traveling through a town Heru was bitten by an
evil scorpion which had been sent out by Set. The goddess Nebehet
and the scorpion goddess Selket came to her assistance and cried
with Aset . Then Selket told Aset to use her worlds of power to call
upon Ra, the Supreme Being, to stop his
MAAT movements in the Barque of Millions of
Years and to restore Heru back to health.
Ra sent Djehuti with words of power
and spiritual energy to revive Heru. Af-
ter Heru was nursed back to health and
educated by his mother Aset (Isis) he
quickly grew up to be a strong young
man. As Heru grew up, Asar, who was
abiding in the Duat, encouraged him to
take up arms (vitality, wisdom, courage,
strength of will) and establish truth, jus-
tice and righteousness in the world by
challenging Set, its current ruler.
44
The Battle of Heru and Set
The battle between Heru and Set

took many twists, sometimes one
Shu
seeming to get the upper hand and
sometimes the other, yet neither one
gaining a clear advantage in order to
decisively win. At one point Aset tried
to help Heru by catching Set, but due
to the pity and compassion she felt to-
wards him she set him free. In a pas-
sionate rage Heru cut off her head and
went off by himself in a frustrated
state. Even Heru is susceptible to pas-
sion which leads to performing deeds that one later regrets. Set
found Heru and gouged out Heru's eyes. During this time Heru was
overpowered by the evil of Set. He became blinded to truth (as signi-
fied by the loss of his eyes) and thus, was unable to do battle (act
with MAAT) with Set . His power of sight was later restored by
Hetheru (goddess of passionate love, desire and fierce power), who
also represents the left Eye of Ra. She is the fire spitting, destructive
power of light which dispels the darkness (blindness) of ignorance.
When the conflict resumed, the two contendants went before the
court of the Ennead gods (Company of the nine gods who ruled over
creation, headed by Ra). Set, promising to end the fight and restore
Heru to the throne, invited Heru to spend the night at his house, but
Heru soon found out that Set had evil intentions when he tried to
have intercourse with him. The uncontrolled Set also symbolizes un-
restricted sexual activity. Juxtaposed against this aspect of Set
(uncontrolled sexual potency and desire) is Heru in the form of ithy-
phallic (erect phallus) MIN, who represents not only the control of
45
sexual desire, but its sublimation as well. Min symbolizes the power
which comes from the sublimation of the sexual energy.
Through more treachery and deceit Set attempted to destroy Heru

with the help of the Ennead, by tricking them into believing that
Heru was not worthy of the throne. Asar sent a letter pleading with
the Ennead to do what was correct. Heru, as the son of Asar, should
be the rightful heir to the throne. All but two of them (the Ennead)
agreed because Heru, they said, was too young to rule. Asar then
sent them a second letter (scroll of papyrus with a message) remind-
ing them that even they cannot escape judgment for their deeds; they
too will be judged in the end when they have to finally go to the
West (abode of the dead).
This signifies that even the gods cannot escape judgment for their
deeds. Since all that exists is only a manifestation of the absolute re-
ality which goes beyond time and space, that which is in the realm of
time and space (humans, spirits, gods, angels, neters) are all bound
by its laws. Following the receipt of Asar's scroll (letter), Heru was
crowned King of Egypt. Set accepted the decision and made peace
with Heru. All the gods rejoiced. Thus ends the legend of Asar, Aset,
and Heru.
The Resurrection of Asar and his reincarnation in the form of

Heru is a symbol for the spiritual resurrection which must occur in
the life of every human being. In this manner, the story of the
Asarian (Osirian) Trinity of Asar-Aset-Heru and the Egyptian En-
nead holds hidden teachings, which when understood and properly
practiced, will lead to spiritual enlightenment.
46
Part IIII
The Mystical Symbolism
of
The Characters in the
Asarian (Osirian) Mystery
47
The Mystical Symbolism of

The Characters in the Asarian (Osirian) Mystery
The characters in the Asarian (Osirian) Mystery originated in the

Mysteries of Anu. Anu is the city where the first major priesthood of
the dynastic period arose. Anu was the seat of the worship of Su-
preme Being in the aspect of a solar divinity. Thus, all forms of the
Supreme Being were associated with the Sun as their most visible
and powerful symbol. The Pyramid texts of Pepi II determine the com-
pany of Gods and Goddesses of Anu to be: Tem, Shu, Tefnut, Geb, Nut,
Asar (Osiris), Aset (Isis), Set and Nebehet (Nephthys). Of these, Asar
(Osiris), Aset (Isis), Set and Nebehet (Nephthys) play a most important role
in the Asarian (Osirian) Mystery. Each character in the Asarian
(Osirian) Myth is a symbol of the human struggle for spiritual eman-
cipation. Each of them carry a message for the spiritual aspirant
which is woven into the fabric of the teaching. It is imparted through
the principles which the characters represent and through the interac-
tions between them throughout the story. Therefore, we may proceed
now to discover some of the most important mystical
implications of the symbols and characters of the
Asarian (Osirian) Myth.
Asar (Osiris)
Incarnation of the Higher Self into the realm of time
and space
Asar uttered his own name, Asar, and thereby

brought the world and all life within it into existence.
This is the process of Divine incarnation whereby the
Supreme Being becomes the universe. Asar (Lord of the
Perfect Black) is the personification of the blackness of
the vast un-manifest regions of existence. Asar is the es-
sence of all things and the very soul of every human be-
ing - his/her Higher Self, who, through ignorance, has
become involved in the world and is struggling to
Asar
48
achieve its original state of perfection. Asar symbolizes the frag-

mented ocean of consciousness which has been cut into pieces by
the Lower Self. No longer is there a vast all-encompassing, all-
knowing, all-seeing consciousness. The Divine has become limited
in association with the human body due to the desire to experience
human feelings and egoistic sentiments. Instead of looking at the
universe through the cosmic mind, the Divine now expresses him-
self through billions of life forms whose bodies, minds and senses
are too limited to see the vastness of creation.
Set
The lower self
Set represents the unbridled lower self of all human beings. His
impulsiveness and reckless passionate pursuits are the ever present
enemy of the aspirant or anyone else who is striving for control
over the urges of the mind and body. The lower self is represented
by the desires of the mind which lure the soul into the varied situa-
tions where it experiences pain and pleasure in the world of time
and space (the relative existence). These desires lead to selfishness,
greed, hatred, anger, lust and other human failings. Set is also iden-
tified with the desert, the waste land. This is a sym-
bolic reference to those who are selfish, argumentative
and egoistic. Their life is based on fighting with others
over what they have not earned and therefore, they live
a life which is constantly agitated and devoid of real
peace. They are constantly seeking to fulfill their needs
and desires and rarely feel contented except temporar-
ily when they are feeling that they are getting what
they want. This may be by hook or by crook. They do
not think about the feelings of others, only about what
they want and they don't care if they must hurt others
to get it. This is the Setian quality and it is a negative
feature in the personality of those who are at a low
level of spiritual evolution.
Set
49
Those who act in an egoistic fashion destroy their ability to use

reason. Their actions are based on impulse and emotion and they
are easily carried away with their desires. Thus, it is Set (egoism,
selfishness, desire, greed, hatred, anxiety, lust, etc.) who brings the
downfall of Asar.
Aset (Isis)
Love and Wisdom
The motherly love of Aset is instrumental in discovering and

putting the pieces of Asar dead body back together. The two most
important features which Aset encompasses are love and wisdom.
Aset's undying love and devotion to Asar transcended her loss of
him twice. This divine devotion led her to discover the pieces of
Asar's (Osiris') dead body. This is the devotion of the initiate which
leads him or her to the Divine. All that is
needed is a deep, ardent love for the Divine.
The name "ASET" represents wisdom itself

which bestows the knowledge of the true Self
of the initiate. In the Asarian Mysteries, when
Set killed Asar by tearing him into pieces, he
was symbolically tearing up the soul. How-
ever, Aset restores the pieces of the soul Asar.
Therefore, Pride and Insolence (Set-egoism)
destroy the soul and Knowledge of the Self
(Aset), restores it to its true nature.
Aset is the wisdom faculty within the heart

of everyone which can be developed through
the practice of the teachings. This kind of wis-
dom is not intellectual. When you go to school
Aset
you get intellectual information which you use
for a job to live in society but you remain the
50
same personality. The wisdom which Aset represents is the wisdom

that comes from actually experiencing the Divine, from being one
with the Divine. This wisdom has a transformative effect on the
mind. You discover your true identity as not being separate from
God but as being one with the Supreme. When Aset imparts this
wisdom she is said to be unveiling her true nature.
"I Aset (Isis), am all that has been, all that is, or shall be;
and no mortal man hath ever unveiled me."
A devotee of ASET (ISIS) is: One who ponders over sacred matters
and seeks therein for hidden truth. It is not enough to just hear the an-
cient myths or to understand them at an intellectual level. The aspirant
must go deep within him/herself to discover the subtle ideas being con-
veyed. Plutarch describes the character of an initiate of Aset (Isis) as:
He alone is a true servant or follower of this Goddess

who, after has heard, and has been made acquainted in a
proper manner (initiated into the philosophy) with the
history of the actions of these gods, searches into the hid-
den truths which lie concealed under them, and examines
the whole by the dictates of reason and philosophy. Nor
indeed, ought such an examination to be looked on as un-
necessary whilst there are so many ignorant of the true
reason even of the most ordinary rites observed by the
Egyptian priests, such as their shavings and wearing linen
garments. Some, indeed, there are who never trouble
themselves to think at all about these matters, whilst oth-
ers rest satisfied with the most superficial accounts of
them. They pay a peculiar veneration to the sheep, there-
fore they think it their duty not only to abstain from eating
flesh, but likewise from wearing its wool. They are con-
tinually mourning for their gods, therefore they shave
themselves.
51
In this manner, Aset is one with Asar and all who come to her
temple are given wisdom which leads them to experience the Divine.
This wisdom is the intuitional realization which comes from ponder-
ing on the nature of the Divine. Pondering implies repeated reflec-
tion on the Divine, trying, with sincerity and humility, to understand.
Nebethet (Nephthys)
Nature and Death
Nebehet is the sister of Asar and she represents nature and the
natural phase of life called death. Nature is what the spirit impreg-
nates with its life giving essence. Therefore, nature Nebehet is the
recipient of Asar's seed (spirit). According to natural law, anything
that is born must be subject to the laws of nature and ultimately die.
In his original form, detached from nature, Asar was timeless, im-
mortal, and untouched by the passions and frailties of human nature.
As an incarnation of the Divine, Asar becomes intoxicated with na-
ture and becomes associated with it through intercourse with Nebe-
het. This is the predicament of every individual human being. The
human spirit becomes involved with nature in the form of the natural
elements and thereby produces a physical body composed of an ag-
gregate of physical elements (water, earth, fire, air) which interact in
various ways through the qualities of each (review chapter 3 of
Egyptian Yoga: The Philosophy of Enlightenment).
There is deep mystical symbolism in the

images and teachings surrounding the
Triad or Asar, Aset and Nebehet. In the
temples of Denderah, Edfu and Philae,
there are sculptured representations of the
Mysteries of Asar (Osiris). These show
“the Asar” (initiate) lying on a bier and
Aset and Nebehet are nearby and are re-
ferred to as the “two widows” of the dead
Forms of Nebethet
52
Asar. In the reliefs of the temples and various papyri, Aset and Ne-
behet are represented as looking almost exactly alike, the only dif-
ference being in their head dress: Aset ‘, Nebehet S or Q. However,
the symbols of these goddesses are in reality just inverted. The sym-
bol of Nebehet is the symbol of Aset when inverted ‘ÎQ. There-
fore, each is a reflection of the other and it may be also said that both
are aspects of the same principle. This likeness which Aset and Ne-
behet share is important when they are related to Asar.
Asar sits on the throne and he is supported by the two goddesses,

Aset and Nebehet. Symbolically, Asar represents the Supreme Soul,
the all-encompassing Divinity which transcends time and space.
Aset (Isis) represents wisdom and enlightened consciousness. She is
the knower of all words of power and has the power to resurrect
Asar and Heru. Nebehet represents temporal consciousness or
awareness of time and space. She is related to mortal life and mortal
death. This symbolism is evident in the sistrums which bear the like-
ness of Aset on one side and Nebehet on the other and the writings
of Plutarch where he says that Aset represents “generation” while
Nebehet represents “chaos and dissolution”. Also, in the hiero-
53
glyphic texts, Aset is referred to as the “day” and Nebehet as the

“night”. Aset symbolizes the things that “are” and Nebehet repre-
sents the things which will “come into being and then die”. Thus, en-
lightenment is being referred to here in the relationship of Asar, Aset
and Nebehet and it is this enlightened state of mind which the initi-
ate in the Asarian Mysteries (Asar Shetaiu) has as the goal. To be-
come one with Asar means to attain the consciousness of Asar, to
become aware of the transcendental, infinite and immortal nature
while being aware of the temporal and fleeting human nature.
*Review the section entitled “The teachings of the temple of Aset

(Isis) and The Diet of the Initiates” in the book “Initiation Into
Egyptian Yoga: The Secrets of Sheti”.
Anpu (Anubis)
Discernment and Discrimination
Anpu is the trained intellect of the aspirant. This implies the abil-
ity to discipline the body and mind so as to not get caught up in the
illusions or emotions of the mind. When the mind and its wavelike
thought vibrations are under control, the way is open to spiritual re-
alization in an atmosphere of peace and harmony. This peace and
harmony does not necessarily imply an outer situation of calm. It
does imply an inward peace which comes from understanding the
implications of the wisdom teachings. Anpu represents the dawn
when darkness turns to light. He watches over the balance (scales) in
the hall of judgment of the Book of Coming Forth By Day (See chap-
ter 10 and pages 117, 192) with extreme diligence and in the aspect
of Apuat, he is the Opener of the Ways who leads souls to the Ely-
sian Fields in the Great Oasis. Therefore, his great quality of dis-
crimination allows the aspirant to diligently watch the mind and to
determine which thoughts are divine and which are egoistic and
tending towards nature and its perils (life, death, pain, pleasure, etc.).
Anpu, as the son of Nebehet and Asar is therefore, a combination of
54
nature (Nebehet) and spiritual aspiration Anpu

(Asar).
As the principle of discriminative in-

tellect, Anpu represents the aspirant who
has developed a keen understanding of
what is real and what is unreal. This
form of reason is the most important
quality that needs to be developed by an
aspirant who is on the path of spiritual
discovery. You must be able to know, at
least intellectually, what the world is and
is not, what you are and what you are
not, etc. The teachings contain many pre-
cepts of wisdom but they are not truly
real for you until you discover the truths for yourself. However,
through your developed intellect you should be able to reason that
physical matter is not really solid even though your senses tell you
that it is. You should be able to reason that you are in reality an im-
mortal spirit and not just a physical body composed of elements even
though you do not yet have experience of your immortality. This rea-
soning process is the kind of discriminative knowledge which will
lead you to self-discovery.
The jackal deity has two aspects, Anpu (Anubis) is the embalmer,
the one who prepares the initiate, the Shti (one who is in his coffin—
the body). Up to this point the initiate is considered to be dead, a
mummy, since he/she does not have conscious realization of the
transcendental reality beyond the ego-personality. At this stage, the
aspirant must be prepared (virtue and physical purification) to re-
ceive the teaching because without preparation, the highest teaching
would fall on deaf ears. The next aspect is Apuat, The opener of the
Ways. In this context Anpu represents vigilance and constant prac-
tice of discrimination and watchfulness (mindfulness) over the ego-
self. Apuat represents the development of intuitional realization
55
Sebek
which occurs in degrees. Gradually, the ego self
becomes effaced and reveals the true Self as one
with Amun. Then the mysterious hidden essence
of all things is realized as one's very self. All of a
sudden it is realized that this was always the true
self and that the individual ego personality was a
misunderstanding born out of one's ignorance.
Sebek
Sublimated Spiritual Energy
Another deity which symbolizes the idea of the

sublimated animal energies in man is the Neter
Sebek (Sbk, Sobk) Ÿ. In alternate versions of the
Asarian myth Sebek assists Aset by carrying the
body of the dead Asar and protecting it from evil.
Sebek is a crocodile god who, like Set, symbolizes the natural forces
of nature. In the uncontrolled state, Sebek is a dangerous beast who
kills all who cross his path. In this aspect, he is an associate of Set as
the one who fetters humans. In the tamed (sublimated) state, Sebek
is a formidable ally to Asar in repulsing the forces of evil. In the
Pyramid Texts, Sebek assists in the overthrow of Set, and like Anpu,
he is made to lead the initiate along the spiritual path and restore the
Eyes (intuitional vision of the divine) to the deceased (initiate).
Heru (Horus)
Divinity - The Sun Divinity
Heru is the original pre-dynastic form of the Supreme Being asso-

ciated with the sun. Heru (God) and Het-heru (the house of Heru)
were the first divinities to be worshipped generally throughout an-
cient Egypt and such, were the first theological expression of the du-
ality of existence. The Supreme Being lives within his own house,
the universe. Thus, God (spirit) and Goddess (creation) are in reality
one and the same. In the pyramid texts, at the beginning of the dy-
56
Heru
nastic period, the symbol of Heru,§, is used inter-
changeably with ¢, The Neter. In dynastic times Heru
was associated with Heru as in the Asarian (Osirian)
Mystery where he was represented in the form of
Heru-p-khart or Heru the child, who later becomes
Min, the avenger of his father.
Heru Sa Asar Aset

The Rebirth of the Spiritual Life — The Birth of
the Spiritual Life
Heru (Horus) is the rebirth of the spirit of the Di-

vine. This rebirth is not a physical birth from the
womb, but a rebirth of the mind. No longer is there
interest in worldly pursuits which are empty and shallow. Instead,
there is a burning desire to conquer the lower self and regain the
original glory and freedom of knowing and becoming one with the
Higher Self. This is symbolized by Heru regaining the throne of Up-
per and Lower Egypt. In doing so he has regained mastership of the
higher and the lower states of consciousness.
Heru and Set

The Struggle between the Higher Self and the lower self —
Purification
The struggle between Heru and Set is the struggle of every human
being to control the mind with its erratic desires, longings, unful-
filled expectations and disappointments. This struggle is not avoid-
able by anyone who is not enlightened. Most people succumb under
the weight of the lower self and its desires for fulfillment. This is a
pathetic development which those people have allowed to develop
due to their own indulgence in the sensual desires of the body and
also due to their ignorance of their divine nature which is buried
deep within under the egoistic thoughts and unconscious ignorant
57
feelings. When aspiration arises, the aspirant practices living according to

the precepts of Maat until life becomes an expression of virtuous order,
leading to the stage of Maa-keru or being true of word and deed. This pro-
cess serves to cleanse the heart (mind) of the impurities of the lower self
and place the aspirant on the road to victory. When the light of wisdom
and the determination to pursue the divine arise, then struggle becomes a
holy war against ignorance and illusion within one’s own consciousness.
From this struggle arises understanding and strength which leads to final
victory of the Higher Self over the lower.
The objective is to sublimate the feelings of anger, hatred, greed, jeal-

ousy, and bigotry within oneself. The battle of Heru and Set is a battle
within the aspirant to choose where to focus his/her time, energy and emo-
tions. This is proven by the ancient relief of the combination deity Heru-
Set where the two are depicted as sharing one body with their two heads.
"Follow your heart throughout your life. Do more than is re-

quired of you. Spend no more time on daily cares than re-
quired by your household, when wealth ultimately arrives,
then too follow your heart for wealth does no good if you are
downhearted."
Heru-Set "Contemplate thy powers, contemplate

thy wants and thy connections; so shalt
thou discover the duties of life, and be
directed in all thy ways."
—Ancient Egyptian Proverbs
After the necessary duties are performed

for your sustenance (job, household chores,
etc.), what do you do? Do you engage in up-
lifting endeavors? Are they virtuous? Do they
lead to a sense of peace and fulfillment? Do
they lead you to activities where there is a lot
of aggravation, annoyance and distress? Are
you in constant pursuit of satisfying some de-
sire or fancy in your mind? Do you gossip and
58
engage in emotionality or do you feel inclined to go to a quiet place and

study the teachings? Do you refrain from engaging in fits of anger and
hurtful comments toward others or do you enjoy picking fights or watch-
ing others hurt each other?
Wherever you direct your mind, there you will be. If you direct it to ac-
tivities which involve a lot of extrovertedness, argumentativeness and un-
rest, you will have that kind of mind even when there is peace and quiet.
However, if you direct the mind to peace and harmony, in time, you will
have peace and harmony even under the most stressful conditions. This is
the miracle and mystery of the mind. Where the attention goes, the energy
and desire flows as well. Thus, the challenge for a spiritual aspirant is to
lead him/herself to become more Heruian instead of Setian. The path of
Heru, virtue, heroism and effacement of the ego, leads to spiritual enlight-
enment and victory while the path of Set, ignorance and egoism, leads to
an endless search for fulfillment of worldly desires. The path of Set is the
cycle of birth and death and countless experiences of disappointments and
unfulfilled desires. Thus if you have fanciful notions of being happy in the
world of human experience you are living life based on illusion and igno-
rance because no one is truly happy in the world. If you choose to live ac-
cording to the precepts of Maat, then you are aligning yourself with order,
truth and reality.
59
Djehuti
Above: Horus, son of Osiris

and Isis.
60
Djehuti (Tehuti, Thoth)

Reason
The struggle between Heru and Set does not end with either de-
stroying the other. Heru pursues the path of reason seeking counsel
with the wisdom of Djehuti and Aset. Set, the lower self, refuses to
abide by the decree of wisdom but he is eventually sublimated
through his own humiliation and ignorance. In the end, when the as-
pirant is aligned with all divine forces, the lower self can no longer
struggle. The overwhelming force of the Divine pushes the lower
self into a position of service rather than of mastership. This is sym-
bolized by the relief which shows Set protecting the Barque of Ra
from the evil serpent Apep (Apophis).
Thus, Djehuti represents the reasoning aspect of the mind

(intellect) when it is aligned with the Higher Self (God). Djehuti is
the intuitional quality of the mind which can receive the wisdom
from the spirit because it is not tainted by ignorance or egoism.
The god Djehuti in the ritual act (movement) of stretching the cloth.
Karnak Temple 18th Dynasty, Egypt, Africa
61
The King handing the Djed Pillar (of Asar) to Aset

(from a bas relief at the temple of Asar at Abdu (Abydos).
62
Part IIIII
Healthy Life Style,
Diet and Nutrition,
Preventative Health and
Daily Yoga Practices
63
THE DIET OF THE GENERAL ANCIENT EGYPTIAN

POPULATION AND THE MEDICAL SYSTEM
Hippocrates (460?-377? BCE), who has been called the father of

medicine and whose major teaching was that diet is the cause of dis-
ease, was instructed in this most important health factor by the phy-
sicians of ancient Egypt. Herodotus witnessed an elaborate system of
medical science during his travels in Egypt. The following is an ex-
cerpt from his writings where he notes the general dietary practices
of the ancient Egyptian people.
The Egyptians who live in the cultivated parts of the

country, by their practice of keeping records of the past,
have made themselves much the best historians of any
nation of which I have experience. I will describe some
of their habits:
1. Every month for three consecutive days they purge

themselves, for their health's sake, with emetics* and
clysters, in the belief that all diseases come from the
food a man eats; and it is a fact - even apart from this
precaution - that next to the Libyans they are the
healthiest people in the world.
2. I should put this down myself to the absence of

changes in the climate, for change, and especially
changes of weather, is the prime cause of disease.
3. They eat loaves of Spelt - cyllestes is their word for

them...
4....and drink a wine made from barley, as they have no

vines in the country.
64
5. Some kinds of fish they eat raw, either dried in the

sun, or salted; quails, too, they eat raw, and ducks and
various small birds, after pickling them in brine; other
sorts of birds and fish, apart from those which are con-
sidered sacred, they either roast or boil.
6...nevertheless they are peculiar in certain ways which

they have discovered of living more cheaply: for in-
stance, they gather the water-lilies (Lotuses) which
grow in great abundance when the river is full and
floods the neighboring flats, and dry them in the sun;
then from the center of each blossom they pick out
something which resembles a poppyhead, grind it, and
make it into loaves which they bake. The root of this
plant is also edible; it is round, about as big as an apple,
and tastes sweet.
7. There is another kind of lily to be found in the river;

this resembles a rose, and its fruit is formed on a sepa-
rate stalk from that which bears the blossom, and has
very much the looks of a wasp's comb. The fruit con-
tains a number of seeds, about the size of an olive-
stone, which are good to eat either green or dried.
8. They pull up the annual crop of papyrus-reed which

grows in the mashes, cut the stalks in two, and eat the
lower part, about eighteen inches in length, first baking
it in a closed pan, heated red-hot, if they want to enjoy it
to perfection. The upper section of the stalk is used for
some other purpose.
9. Some of these people, however, live upon nothing

but fish, which they gut as soon as they catch them, and
eat after drying them in the sun.
65
*An emetic is any medicinal agent used to induce vomiting. In In-

dia, Yogis practice a similar procedure for cleansing the upper gas-
trointestinal tract. It is called Jala Dhauti. The procedure is to ingest
4-5 glasses of lukewarm water with a small amount of salt in it, then
shake up the intestines through massaging and abdominal move-
ments and then vomit the water out using the fingers. This has the
effect of removing phlegm and bile.
A- Another important point is that the sun was used for much of the
cooking as opposed to stoves, and even worse, microwave ovens
which destroy both the gross and subtle nutritional quality of foods.
B- Many foods were eaten raw and vegetables made up a major part
of the diet.
C- Wheat was not a major part of the diet. Spelt was used instead. In
Indian Ayur-Veda science, wheat has been found to be incompatible
with some people, causing them phlegm or congestion.
D- The ancient Egyptians lived in an area of the world where the cli-
mate was stable. This is important because their physical bodies
were not subjected to drastic changes such as in those areas where
seasonal temperature changes range many degrees. There are certain
locations in the world where the climates change many degrees
within a single day. This occurrence is jolting to the body's equilib-
rium and thus affects general health. This factor of the geographical
climate became a primary teaching of Jesus in the Essene Gospel of
Peace. Also, this Gospel describes cooking with the sun as well as
the proper methods of food combining, attitude when eating and
methods of internal cleansing through fasts and enemas.
66
THE TEACHINGS OF THE TEMPLE OF ASET (ISIS) AND

THE DIET OF THE INITIATES
While the general population was considered to be one of the most

healthy groups of the ancient world, the spiritual initiates were re-
quired to keep even more strict dietary practices. The special diets
of the ancient Egyptian initiates were a highly guarded secret as
were the inner meanings of the myths which were acted out in the
mystery rituals (SHETAUT NETER). For this reason, many of the
special yogic practices which included a special diet and meditation
were not committed to writing in an explicit fashion. Rather, they
were committed to hieroglyphic form and carried on through the ini-
tiatic process. It was not until Greek historians and initiates into the
Egyptian mystery schools began to write about their experiences that
the more detailed aspects of the initiatic diets were available to a
wider audience. The sect of Jews called the Essenes practiced an ini-
tiation period of two to three years and instituted purification diets
and hygienic practices similar to those spoken about by Herodotus
(484?-425 BCE) and Plutarch (46?-120 ACE). The Essenic health
practices were presented in the Essene Gospel of Peace.
The Three Kinds of Foods and The Three Classes of Foods
Every human being needs three kinds of foods in order to survive

and thrive. First, the body and nervous system need physical food to
sustain the body. Clearly the ideal here is a vegetarian diet composed
of fresh vegetables and fruits. Secondly, the human personality
needs mental food. This means nurturing, love and compassion,
which comes from loved ones, to feed the emotional needs; and then
at a higher level, wisdom teachings and spiritual aspiration to en-
lighten the mind, which comes from good association with higher
minded people, the spiritual preceptor in particular. This is food for
thought. Then the personality needs food for the soul. This comes
through meditation and transcendence of the lower nature. This is
self-discovery. Those deprived from any of these will suffer anxiety
and frustration in life.
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The Ancient Egyptian Texts state that one cannot expect to obtain results
unless one is:
“mentally pure and physically pure.”
These are the keys to accomplishing any goal in life and, enlighten-
ment is a goal like any other, albeit the highest goal. With respect to at-
taining the goal of enlightenment, all other goals are like dust blowing in
the wind. The following instruction will serve as guidelines for medita-
tion and is not intended to be a substitute for a competent instructor.
There are many techniques of meditation. Here we will focus on basic
techniques of "moving" meditations for initially calming the mind of the
beginning practitioner.
Another important factor of meditation is that health of the body must

be maintained through proper diet and proper exercise. This means that
the diet should be composed of fresh whole foods and it should be exclu-
sively vegetarian. You cannot expect to have success in meditation if you
have a weak constitution or if your are constantly craving foods which
heighten the body consciousness and negative emotions (meats) or those
which have drug-like effects on the body (sugars). The mind is affected
by these in the same manner that it is affected by other mind altering
drugs. Therefore, a spiritual aspirant must cleanse the mind and body in
order to climb the ladder of spiritual evolution.
Many people do not realize that what they consume has a strong effect
on their psyche. This implies not only foods but all manner of consump-
tion. Just as there are three major states of relative consciousness, there
are three basic kinds of foods. The first group is composed of those foods
which engender restlessness, agitation and distraction.
Ex. sugars, salty foods, dry foods, hot spices, coffee, fish, poultry,
eggs, etc.
These foods promote passion, stimulate the emotions and excite the
body. Also eating in a hurry promotes restlessness and distraction. The
second group is composed of foods which promote dullness. This group
includes:
meats, tobacco, alcohol, fermented foods, processed foods, stale

or overripe foods.
68
These foods promote dullness of intellect, anger, hatred, greed, volatil-

ity, negative thoughts, disease and clouded reasoning ability. These foods
are filled with negativity due to the way in which they are handled in the
food processing system. The addition of unnatural chemicals to food in
and of itself is reason enough to classify them as tainted with poison. The
killing of animals effectively poisons the food with negative hormones as
well as fear vibrations from the animals. Also the human digestive tract is
not designed to handle meat so the food rots as it passes through the in-
testinal system, causing diseases such as cancer. Is there any wonder why
medical doctors admonish those who contract cancer or experience heart
trouble to stop eating meat and to stop smoking? Shouldn’t they begin
promoting a meat free diet for everyone (including themselves) at an
early age? If smoking is known to produce cancer shouldn't it be out-
lawed as are other addictive drugs? Poisons are sold out of greed and ig-
norance. Also, such poisons are consumed due to ignorance and addictive
desire.
Dull foods are not good for the body or for the mind, but much like the
stimulating foods, they create an addictive form of dependency wherein
even when the person has a full understanding of the deleterious effects
of the foods, he or she continues to consume them anyway using the ex-
cuse “well I want to enjoy my life even if I shorten it”. The weakened
will disables a person’s reasoning capacity as well as their willpower to
resist the urge for the foods.
Lucid foods are those which promote harmony, inner mental peace,
bright intellect, willpower, etc. They foster purity of the mind as well as
the body. They are nutritious and enhance the body’s ability to fight off
disease. Lucid foods include:
whole foods, cereals, fresh vegetables and fruits, legumes, seeds,

nuts, sprouted seeds, herb teas, honey.
A serious spiritual aspirant must learn about the nature of food as he

or she climbs the ladder of mystical spirituality. In so doing, a healthy
constitution can be created which will allow for a positive and fruitful
spiritual movement towards self-discovery. Since every human being is
69
not exactly the same as another, the exact diet which is optimal for
each individual will be slightly different. Therefore each individual
should experiment with their diet within the broad guidelines given
above in order to discover the right combination within the Lucid
Diet category which is best suited for him or her.
Plutarch, a student of the mysteries of Aset, reported that the initi-

ates followed a strict diet made up of vegetables and fruits and ab-
stained from particular kinds of foods (swine, sheep, fish, etc.) as
well as indulgence of the carnal appetite. In the following excerpts
Plutarch describes the purpose and procedure of the diet observed by
the Initiates of Aset and the goal to be attained through the rigorous
spiritual program. This next excerpt should be studied carefully.
To desire, therefore, and covet after truth, those truths more es-
pecially which concern the divine nature, is to aspire to be par-
takers of that nature itself (1), and to profess that all our stud-
ies (2) and inquiries (2) are devoted to the acquisition of holi-
ness. This occupation is surely more truly religious than any
external (3) purifications or mere service of the temple can be.
(4) But more especially must such a disposition of mind be
highly acceptable to that goddess to whose service you are
dedicated, for her special characteristics are wisdom and fore-
sight, and her very name seems to express the peculiar relation
which she bears to knowledge. For "Aset (Isis)" is a Greek
word, and means "knowledge or wisdom,"(5) and
"Typhon,'' [Set] the name of her professed adversary, is also a
Greek word, and means " pride and insolence."(6) This latter
name is well adapted to one who, full of ignorance and error,
tears in pieces (7) and conceals that holy doctrine (about Asar
(Osiris)) which the goddess collects, compiles, and delivers to
those who aspire after the most perfect participation in the di-
vine nature. This doctrine inculcates a steady perseverance in
one uniform and temperate course of life (8), and an abstinence
70
from particular kinds of foods (9), as well as from all indul-

gence of the carnal appetite (10), and it restrains the intemper-
ate and voluptuous part within due bounds, and at the same
time habituates her votaries to undergo those austere and rigid
ceremonies which their religion obliges them to observe. The
end and aim of all these toils and labors is the attainment of the
knowledge of the First and Chief Being (11), who alone is the
object of the understanding of the mind; and this knowledge the
goddess invites us to seek after, as being near and dwelling
continually (12) with her. And this also is what the very name
of her temple promiseth to us, that is to say, the knowledge and
understanding of the eternal and self-existent Being - now it is
called "Iseion," which suggests that if we approach the temple
of the goddess rightly, we shall obtain the knowledge of that
eternal and self-existent Being.
Mystical Implications of the Discourse of Plutarch:*
*Note: The numbers at the beginning of each paragraph below corre-

spond to the reference numbers in the text above.
1- It is to be understood that spiritual aspiration implies seeking the

union with or becoming one with the thing being sought because this
is the only way to truly "know" something. You can have opinions
about what it is like to be a whale but you would never exactly know
until you become one with it. God enfolding all that exists is the one
being worthy of veneration and identification. This "knowing" of
Neter (God) is the goal of all spiritual practices. This is the supreme
goal which must be kept in mind by a spiritual aspirant.
2- In order to discover the hidden nature of God, emphasis is placed

on study and inquiry into the nature of things. Who am I? What is
the universe composed of? Who is God? How am I related to God?
These are the questions which when pursued, lead to the discovery
of the Self (God). Those who do not engage in this form of inquiry
71
will generate a reality for themselves according to their beliefs.

Some people believe they have the answers, that the universe is at-
oms and electrons or energy. Others believe that the body is the soul
and that there is nothing else. Still others believe that the mind is the
Soul or that there is no soul and no God. The first qualification for
serious aspiration is that you have a serious conviction that you are
greater than just a finite individual mortal body, that you are an im-
mortal being who is somehow mixed up with a temporal form
(body). If this conviction is present, then you are stepping on the
road to enlightenment. The teachings will be useful to you. Those
who hold other beliefs are being led by ignorance and lack of spiri-
tual sensitivity as a result of their beliefs. Thus, their beliefs will cre-
ate a reality for them based on those beliefs. They will need to travel
the road of nature which will guide them in time toward the path of
spiritual aspiration.
3-4 The plan prescribed by the teachings of yoga is the only true
means to effective spiritual development because it reveals the inner
meanings of the teachings and it is experiential, i.e. it is based on
your own personal experience and not conjecture. Otherwise, wor-
ship and religious practices remain at the level of ritualism only and
do not lead to enlightenment.
5-7 The name “ASET (ISIS)” represents “wisdom” itself which be-
stows the knowledge of the true Self of the initiate. In the Asarian
(Osirian) Mysteries, when Set killed Asar (Osiris) by tearing him
into pieces, he was symbolically tearing up the soul. However, Aset
restores the pieces of the soul (Asar). Therefore, Pride and Insolence
(Set-egoism) destroy the soul and Knowledge of the Self (Aset) re-
stores it to its true nature. The Greek name for Aset (Isis) is sup-
ported by the ancient Egyptian scriptures. One of the names of Aset
(Isis) is: Rekhit ‰¯Ë˜[meaning “knowledge personified” and
“Aset (Isis)-Sothis”. Rekhit is also a name of the God in the “Duat”
or Netherworld who possesses knowledge which can lead the soul to
72
the abode of the Divine, thus avoiding the fiends and demoniac per-
sonalities of the Duat which lead the soul to experience hellish con-
ditions after death. The variation, Rekh-t ‰¯Ë·˜#, means
Sage or learned person.
8- True spirituality cannot be pursued rashly or in a fanatical way by

going to extremes. Yoga spirituality is a science of balance. It has
been developed over a period of thousands of years with well estab-
lished principles, which when followed, produce the desired effect
of leading the initiate from darkness to light, ignorance to knowl-
edge, an un-enlightened state to enlightenment.
9-10 The foods referred to are flesh foods (swine, sheep, fish, etc.),
pulse, and salt. Indulgence in sexual activity has two relevant as-
pects. First, it intensifies the physical experience of embodiment and
distracts the mind by creating impressions in the subconscious which
will produce future cravings and desires. This state of mind renders
the individual incapable of concentration on significant worldly or
high spiritual achievements. Secondly, control of the sexual urge
leads to control of the sexual Life Force energy, which can then be
directed toward higher mental and spiritual achievement.
11- See #1.
12- There are two very important points in this line. Once again we
are being reminded that good association or keeping the company of
sages or other enlightened personalities is a powerful means to gain
knowledge of the state of enlightenment. To this end, strive to keep
good company in your family relations as well as non-family rela-
tions. Read uplifting books by the sages and the teachings of the
masters. When you discover a more evolved personality, seek to
maintain contact by reading their teachings and through correspon-
dence. Do not debate with those who lack spiritual sensitivity. This
form of interaction will weaken your mind. As Jesus said: Cast not
your pearls before swine, for they will trample them as they turn
73
against you. Trust in the Omniscient Divine Self, who knows past,
present and future, who manifests as Nature to lead others on the
path. Spread the teachings of yoga to those who are interested only
or with those whom you practice. This kind of interaction will help
you both to increase your understanding and generate a positive
frame of mind.
The second important point here refers to continuous reflection

and meditation on the divine which is also expressed in the opening
prayer in page one of this book: "Give thyself to GOD, keep thou
thyself daily for God; and let tomorrow be as today." It implies that
one’s mind should be constantly remembering the divine and glori-
fying the divine in all things. It means not allowing the mind to de-
velop attachments to the fleeting events of human life be they posi-
tive experiences or negative ones. It means not allowing the negative
thoughts and feelings to lead you into a pursuit of illusory pleasures
of the senses which will draw you away from divine awareness and
realization. It means centering the mind on self discovery and intro-
spection at all times regardless of what your activities may be and
those activities should be based solely on the principles of virtue,
justice and order. This form of spiritual practice is known as
“mindfulness” in Buddhism and Vedanta Philosophies.
Plutarch further reports that the Egyptian initiates:
...strive to prevent fatness in Apis† as well as them-

selves(1), for they are anxious that their bodies should
sit as light and easy about their souls as possible, and
that their mortal part (body) should not oppress and
weigh down their divine and immortal part...during
their more solemn purifications they abstain from wine
(2) wholly, and they give themselves up entirely to study
(4) and meditation(5) and to the hearing (3) and teach-
ing of these divine truths which teach of the divine na-
74
ture. † Bull which was kept as a symbol of Asar (Osiris)

and Ptah.
The following dietary guidelines for spiritual and physical health are
derived from the above statement.
1- Preventing "fatness"- obesity. This issue is very important even

for those without spiritual aspirations. Some people who are over-
weight claim that they are happy and content as they are. Some sci-
entists claim to have discovered a gene in the human system which
causes a propensity to become overweight. Once again, all of your
body's characteristics are due to your past karmic history of experi-
ences and desires, not only in this lifetime but in previous ones as
well. Physical weight is like a physical object which is possessed.
The more you have, the more you try to hold onto, and the more
stress you have trying to enjoy and hold onto "things". Desires of the
body such as eating have a grounding effect on the soul because they
engender the desire to experience the physical pleasure of consum-
ing food. Desires of the body as well as strong emotions such as
hate, greed, etc., have the effect of rendering the mind insensitive to
spirituality. Excess weight on the body causes innumerable health
problems to arise.
You can change the future condition of your body by first men-
tally resolving to change it and then employing the self-effort in that
direction while at the same time invoking the help of the Neters
(cosmic forces - divine energies of God) to assist your quest for self-
improvement. This will not be easy since the temptation of food is
very great. It is related to the first energy center of the subtle spiri-
tual body (Uraeus-Kundalini Serpent Power)* and it is a force which
needs to be controlled in order to proceed on the spiritual path. As
part of your spiritual program, begin controlling your intake of food
gradually, on a daily basis. Even if you cut back a tablespoonful per
75
day until you reach a level of intake which will support the normal
weight for your body structure. Be especially watchful of yourself in
respect to your habits. Do you eat out of habit, for pleasure or out of
necessity? If it is out of habit or for pleasure, you must break the cy-
cle by engaging in other activities when the desire arises. Do exer-
cise, deep breathing, study, chant, call a fellow practitioner for sup-
port. The Serpent power will be discussed in detail in two future sec-
tions. *see audio tape lecture KUNDALINI - URAEUS YOGA:
Workshop and Cleansing Meditation - I.
2- Natural wines and other naturally brewed drinks may be accept-

able in general society for the masses in small quantities, but not for
the serious student of yoga (initiate, aspirant). You will notice that
as you purify yourself, you will not be able to tolerate even a small
amount of intoxicants. Distilled liquor is not a natural substance. It is
processed into a potent form which is injurious to the body and is
therefore, not suitable at all for use by those advancing on the spiri-
tual path. The same applies to narcotics and all other "recreational"
drugs. All of these distort the spiritual perception while damaging
the physical body. No drug can produce a high which can be com-
pared to spiritual bliss. Therefore, resolve to leave all drugs behind
and become intoxicated with spiritual feelings and aspiration.
3,4,5- Once again, the main format for spiritual education is:
3- Listening to the teachings.‡

4- Constant study and reflection on the teachings.‡
5- Meditation on the meaning of the teachings.‡
‡Note: It is important to note here that the same teaching which was
practiced in Ancient Egypt of Listening to, Reflecting upon, and
Meditating upon the teachings is the same process used in Vedanta-
Jnana Yoga of today.
76
Chapter 30B of the Book of Coming Forth By Day states:
This utterance (hekau) shall be recited by a person pu-

rified and washed; one who has not eaten animal flesh
or fish.
Chapter 137A of the Book of Coming Forth By Day states:
And behold, these things shall be performed by one who

is clean, and is ceremonially pure, a man who hath
eaten neither meat nor fish, and who hath not had inter-
course with women.* (applies to female initiates not
having intercourse with men as well)
In the Mysteries of Asar and Aset, Set represents the lower hu-
man nature and Heru the Higher. Set kills Asar and usurps the throne
which rightfully should belong to Heru, Asar's son. In various ren-
derings of the characteristics of Set, it is stated that Set is promiscu-
ous. Most interestingly, both Heru and Set are vegetarians. Their fa-
vorite food is lettuce. Therefore, we are to understand that vegetari-
anism increases the potential for spiritual advancement and for the
vital sexual force. With this understanding, it is clear that control of
the sexual urge to conserve potential spiritual energy and purifica-
tion of the diet are necessary practices on the spiritual path which
enable the aspirant to achieve increased spiritual sensitivity. When
practiced correctly, the conserved energy can be transformed into
spiritual energy by directing it through the various energy centers in
the body until it finally reaches the center of intuitional vision (Eye
of Heru-Udjat).
A most important point to remember when beginning practices

for the purification of the body is that they should be implemented
gradually, preferably under the supervision of an experienced per-
son. If these changes result in an inability to perform your daily du-
ties, then they are too extreme. The key to advancement in any area
77
is steady, balanced practice. There must always be a balance be-

tween the practical life and the spiritual. In this way, spiritual ad-
vancement occurs in an integral fashion, intensifying every area of
one’s life rather than one particular area exclusively. All areas must
be mastered, secular as well as non-secular, in order to transcend the
world process (illusion of time and space and the ego-self).
Since the physical body and all worldly attainments are change-
able, fleeting and ultimately perishable, it would be wise to pursue a
way of life which directs the mind toward understanding the Self
and not to pursue health as an end in itself, but as a means to your
own growth and spiritual evolution, which will continue even after
the death of your physical body if you have not attained enlighten-
ment up to the time of physical death. The holistic development of
an individual must be directed to achieving a state of consciousness
which is not dependent on the physical body for peace and comfort.
The body is an instrument which you have created through your
thoughts to allow you to pursue the goal of enlightenment and
thereby experience the fullness of life.
For more details on the subject of diet, fasting and nutrition see the
new book The Kemetic Diet: Food For Body, Mind and Soul by
Muata Ashby
Left: The goddess Maat (right) and the

God Djehuti preside over the scales of
karmic fate which judge every human
heart. The Ammit monster divides the
scale between the third and the fourth
sphere of psycho-spiritual conscious-
ness-the Serpent Power.
78
The Daily Schedule for Yoga Practice
A practitioner of Yoga must be able to integrate the main prac-

tices of yoga into daily life. This means that you need to begin add-
ing small amounts of time for Prayer, Repetition of the Divine Name
(Hekau), Exercise (includes proper breathing exercise), Study of the
Teachings, Silence, Selfless Service, Meditation, and Daily Reflec-
tion. This also means that you will gradually reduce the practices
which go against yogic movement as you gain more time for Sheti.
Below you will find an outline of a schedule for the beginning

practice of Yoga. The times given here are a suggested minimum
time for beginners. You may spend more time according to your ca-
pacity and personal situation, however, try to be consistent in the
amount of time and location you choose to practice your discipline
as well as in the time of day you choose to perform each of the dif-
ferent practices. This will enable your body and mind to develop a
rhythm which will develop into the driving force of your day. When
this occurs you will develop stamina and fortitude when dealing with
any situation of life. You will have a stable center which will anchor
you to a higher purpose in life whether you are experiencing pros-
perous times or adverse times. In the advanced stages, spiritual prac-
tice will become continuous. Try to do the best you can according to
your capacity, meaning your circumstances. If your family members
are not interested or do not understand what you are trying to do
simply maintain your practices privately and try to keep the interrup-
tions to a minimum. As you develop, you may feel drawn toward
some forms of practice over others. The important thing to remember
is to practice them all in an integrated fashion. Do not neglect any of
the practices even though you may spend additional time on some
versus others.
Practicing spirituality only during times of adversity is the mis-

take of those who are spiritually immature. Any form of spiritual
79
practice, ritualistic or otherwise is a positive development, however,

you will not derive the optimal spiritual benefits by simply becoming
religious when you are in trouble. The masses of people only pray
when they are in trouble...then they ask for assistance to get out of
trouble. What they do not realize is that if they were to turn their
minds to God at all times, not just in times of misfortune, adversity
would not befall them. As you progress through your studies you
will learn that adversities in life are meant to turn you toward the Di-
vine. In this sense they are messages from the Divine to awaken
spiritual aspiration. However, if you do not listen to the message and
hearken to the Divine intent behind it, you will be in a position to
experience more miseries of life and miseries of a more intense na-
ture.
Basic Schedule of Spiritual Practice
1a- Deep breathing, using the proper breathing technique.

1b-Alternate Breathing exercise (10 minutes in Am and in PM),
2-Prayer (10-30 minutes in Am* and in PM),
Opening Prayer:
Ä
O Åmen, O Åmen, who art in heaven, turn thy face upon
the dead body of the child, and make your child sound
and strong in the Underworld.
O Åmen, O Åmen, O God, O God, O Åmen, I adore thy

name, grant thou to me that I may understand thee;
Grant thou that I may have peace in the Duat, and that
I may possess all my members therein...
Hail, Åmen, let me make supplication unto thee, for I

know thy name, and thy transformations are in my
mouth, and thy skin is before my eyes. Come, I pray
80
thee, and place thou thine heir and thine image, myself,
in the everlasting underworld... let my whole body be-
come like that of a neter, let me escape from the evil
chamber and let me not be imprisoned therein; for I
worship thy name..
3-Exercise (10 minutes in am and before study time),
4-Repetition of the Divine Name in the form of your chosen hekau-

mantra (10 minutes in am and in PM),
5-Meditation practice (10 minutes in Am, should be practiced after
exercise, prayer and repetition of the Divine Name),
Closing Prayer after meditation or any spiritual practice:
I am pure. I am pure. I am Pure.

I have washed my front parts with the waters of libations, I
have cleansed my hinder parts with drugs which make wholly
clean, and my inward parts have been washed in the liquor of
Maat.
Ã
6-Study of the teachings (reading 30 minutes per day),

7-Silence time (30 minutes per day),
8-Listening to the teachings: Choose an audio recording of a yogic
spiritual preceptor and listen for a minimum of 30 minutes per day
without any distractions if possible. If possible, go to a yogic spiri-
tual center (Ashram, Wat, Temple) where teachings are presented by
a qualified teacher of yoga wisdom. If this is not possible, form a
study group wherein the teachings may be discussed and explored.
9-Selfless service (as required whenever the opportunity presents it-

self),
10-Daily reflection: Remembering the teachings during the ordinary
81
course of the day and applying them in daily living situations- to be

practiced as much as possible.
*(see Morning Worship and Meditation tape)
The suggested times given above are the minimum amount you
should spend on daily spiritual practices each day. Whenever possi-
ble you should increase the times according to your capacity and
ability. You should train your mind so that it rejoices in hearing
about and practicing the teachings of yoga instead of the useless
worldly activities. Follow this path gradually but steadily.
Once you have established a schedule of minimal time to devote

to practices, even if you do 5-10 minutes of meditation time per day
and nothing else, keep your schedule if at all possible. Many people
feel that they do not have the time to incorporate even ordinary ac-
tivities into their lives. They feel overwhelmed with life and feel
they have no control. If there is no control it is because there is no
discipline. If you make a schedule for all of your activities (spiritual
and non-spiritual) and keep to it tenaciously, you will discover that
you can control your time and your life. As you discover the glory of
spiritual practice, you will find even more time to expand your spiri-
tual program. Ultimately, you will create a lifestyle which is entirely
spiritualized. This means that every act in your life will be based on
the wisdom teachings (MAAT) and therefore you will not only
spend a particular time of day devoted to spiritual practices, but
every facet of your life will become a spontaneous worship of the di-
vine.
82
Please observe the following rules for practicing Yoga exercises.
Exercise and Meditation should be done on an empty stomach.

To increase the intensity of the workout increase the number of repe-
titions of the exercises according to your capacity.
To increase the meditative aspect of the workout, do less repetitions
and hold the postures for a longer period of time.
No undue force should be exerted to get into any of the postures.
You should use a proper mat to avoid slipping and to cushion the
spine while performing the exercises.
83
84
Health is the daughter of exercise. This is an Ancient Egyptian

proverb of course. But the exercise of the gods and goddesses be-
gins much earlier than the proverbs and is rooted in the hearth of
Egyptian mythology. As you have seen in the previous sections,
there is a profound mythological teaching within the Asarian
(Osirian) Myth. The characters within it portray specific metaphori-
cal ideas and cosmic principles which when understood correctly,
can allow the students of mythology and spirituality to discover the
hidden truth within their own hearts. Throughout Egyptian writings,
reliefs, and steles, there are to be found specific depictions of the
characters in the Asarian religious myth which correspond exactly to
positions or postures which are today known as Yoga Postures. As
mentioned earlier, these postures are special, unlike ordinary exer-
cises or positions in which the physical body may be placed, because
they are specially designed to have an effect on the psycho-spiritual
energy centers of the spiritual (astral) body.
Yoga is not only a discipline of the body. It is an integrated life-

style which leads to physical, mental and spiritual health. You
should not look on yoga only as a means for exercise or as just a
means to relax the mind, although the benefits in these areas are well
documented, but you should also understand that the greatest success
in yoga comes when you adopt it as a lifestyle. You must live it, and
then you will discover its deepest secrets.
So let us begin!
85
Part IIIIII
The Exercises,
Yoga Postures
and
Meditations
of
Egyptian Yoga
86
The Special Features

of the Tjef Neteru System
87
The Tjef Neteru
Why is the Tjef Neteru Sema Paut Neteru System

of Postures and Movements so Unique?
Yoga philosophy recognizes four main aspects of the personality that
need to be harmonized and cultivated in order to effect the positive spiri-
tual evolution in a human being. These aspects of the personality include
the physical and ethical nature, the emotions, the intellect and the will.
The discipline of the postures promotes the positive development of all of
the basic aspects of the human personality and is therefore to be consid-
ered as an integral discipline for promoting spiritual evolution.
The Integral Path
In the yogic field, one can concentrate on a particular aspect of the

personality and attain a higher level of spiritual culture. However, in this
mode of practice there is a danger of becoming imbalanced in the move-
ment towards spiritual evolution. Many practitioners have become too ob-
sessed with an aspect at the neglect of others. This may lead to some pro-
gress in that particular area but also causes a deficiency in the personality
due to stagnation in the other areas, which weakens the overall personal-
ity and thwarts the personality’s ability to cope with and transcend
worldly situations. Further, the defect in the personality renders it dull. So
one may become intellectually evolved but be emotionally crippled or
emotionally expanded but with misunderstanding (blind faith) for exam-
ple. So the sages have enjoined that an integral movement is more effec-
tive in the long run as opposed to a fanatical or imbalanced practice.
Spiritual evolution is like growing a fruit tree. It takes its time to bear
fruit but providing sun, rain and nutritious soil for it to grow in can
shorten the time to its earliest natural and safe possible completion. Unor-
thodox or obsessive means will eventually frustrate the authentic spiritual
movement. So the Ancient Egyptian philosophy and discipline of the
movements of the gods and goddesses promotes a balanced and powerful
advancement in the spiritual culture.
88
The Tjef Neteru
Aspect of
Personality Yogic Aspect Promoted in the System
Affected
Physical body- Right Action - Physical movement promote health

Ethical Nature and balance of subtle energies through posture.
Acting like the gods and goddesses is the highest
form of action.
Emotions
Devotion – opening of the caring feeling towards the
higher self through emulation of the Divinities.
Developing love for the divinities promotes universal
love and is therefore to be considered as a higher
form of love than ordinary human relationships,
which are limited and finite.
Intellect
Wisdom movement – through deepening knowledge
of the Divinities, their higher nature as expressions of
the inner self and their relationship to higher
consciousness. Achieving the knowledge of the
divinities is actually a movement for learning about
self since these are actually emanations of the
innermost reality within oneself.
Will –
Unconscious Meditative movement – concentration and
absorption of the mind and body with the divine
principle through one-pointed identification with the
divine principles. The discipline of the postures is for
more than just developing physical health. It can lead
one to the highest spiritual realization since it
harmonizes the physical, mental and emotional
natures so that it will become possible to experience a
concentration leading to immersion in the essential
nature of the innermost reality behind the physical
manifestations of the cosmic energies as symbolized
89
The process of
personality Integration.
Love-Contentment Ù Understanding Ù Peace Ù Fulfillment
The Paths of Yoga

Love Understanding Peace Fulfillment
Contentment
Ï Ï Ï Ï
Emotion Reason Action Will
Ï Ï Ï Ï
Yoga of Yoga of Yoga of Yoga of
Devotional Wisdom Righteousness Meditation
Love Virtue
Control of Understanding Self-control Study of Mind
feeling. the Selfless and
Directed Divine, service. development of
towards the Mystical Purity of Heart. inner powers.
Divine Psychology
90
THE INTEGRAL PATH AND MYSTICAL RELIGION
Many practitioners of yoga exercises, especially those who practice the

eastern forms, have not understood that it is actually supposed to be a system
of physical culture designed for the purpose leading the body to health but also
to mental concentration and into a meditative state. The Integral path slide
(previous page) shows how the Tjef neteru Sema Paut Neteru system of
postures works to promote an integral movement in the spiritual practice. Each
element in the posture system integrates the four basic yogic elements. This
practice is engendered through the systems concept and its spiritual basis
which is grounded in the Kemetic (Ancient Egyptian Mythic scheme). The
language of myth, especially that of Ancient Egypt, evokes an primordial but
familiar way of looking at Creation and our place in it. So our practice is not
just physical but also mythological. The study of Kemetic myth (basis of the
Tjef neteru) leads us to Devotion and Wisdom since we learn about the
divinities and develop feeling for them and then become wise through
understanding and experiencing their passion. Following their passion and
wisdom leads us to righteous action, living and thinking. As we delve deeper
into their mythic origins we are led to their mystical innermost nature as we
become meditation in motion and find ourselves not just acting like them but
becoming like them or more precisely one of them. Even further, we begin to
realize that they are not entities separate from us but rather emanations, as if
products of our own will. As the rays are to the sun, we are the very source
from which they arise and have their existence. We become aware that we are
one and alone, the source of all sources, the ultimate Neter who moves not and
yet moves all! This is the vital mystical movement which all human beings
long for.
The complete practice of mystical religion incorporates three steps, Myth,

Ritual and Metaphysics (i.e. Mysticism). These also form an integral part of the
Tjef neteru Sema Paut Neteru system. Thus, the Tjef neteru Sema Paut Neteru
system incorporates the following elements:
1. Myth – based on the Kamitic tradition

2. Ritual – ritual movements emulating the divinities (temple practice ).
a. Physical Culture – promotes physical health and the balancing of
the Life Forces as well as the awakening of the Serpent Power.
3. Mysticism – promotes a balanced movement of union of the individual
personality with its cosmic source by discovering and uniting the
91
The System of Phases in the Practice of The

Egyptian Yoga Postures
The Program of Thef Neteru Yoga differs from other forms of exercise (sports, recrea-
tion, games) in several important ways. First, it is a system for developing not only the
physical aspect of a human being but also the mental and spiritual aspects as well. This oc-
curs in the following way.
The practice of the physical postures of yoga affect not only the muscles (as ordinary ex-
ercises do) but also the nerves and the mind and thus develops the inner Life Force and Ser-
pent Power energies, thereby awakening and cultivating the psychic energies of the Astral
Body and the higher power of the inner self.
The understanding of the mythological teachings of the postures allows the practitioner
to develop insight into the character and energy of each posture by understanding its presid-
ing deity and enabling them to assume the role of that deity, thus allowing that cosmic force
to be awakened within their consciousness. Therefore, along with the practice of the pos-
tures the practitioner should also study the mythology and teachings of the particular deity in
order to gain insight into the feeling of the god or goddess of the posture. The gods and god-
desses (Neteru) are in reality symbols of cosmic forces in nature and in the mind, which if
understood and cultivated, cause a human being to develop their latent divine (Neteru)
qualities, thus, engendering higher consciousness and spiritual enlightenment.
The practice of the postures should be seen as a journey of self-discovery and not as a
chore or obligation simply to keep the physical body fit. That attitude will yield only limited
results. The workout may be understood as a series of phases leading from Death to life,
from before Creation to after Creation and from the Lower Self to the Higher.
The Beginning: Before Creation
In the beginning there were no forms, no Creation. There was only non-existence, but non-
existence means absence of created objects (planets, stars, matter, the elements, etc.) and not
absence of existence itself. The spirit was, is, and always will be and that spirit is symbol-
ized by the Mummy (Karast) which is physically dead. The gods Asar and Anpu-Apuat pre-
side over the dead mummy and from death life springs forth. This is the divine resurrection.
1- Karast (Mummy) Pose
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Phase 1: Creation
As you perform the postures you will learn about and discover Creation. This is accomplished
through the following poses.
2- Nefertem Lotus Pose
Nefertem is God in the form of the child, the innocence of creation as symbolized by the new
born sun. He springs forth from the Primeval Ocean and sits atop the Lotus which is Creation
itself, as its master. As God brought Creation into being through sound, or the word, which
creates vibration or movement, so to the Journey of Enlightenment through the Thef Neteru
(postures of the gods and goddesses) is begun with Words Of Power which set the proper vi-
brational tone to the environment, propitiate the presence of the cosmic forces to be discov-
ered, harnessed and cultivated. If you have difficulty sitting in the lotus pose you may use the
half lotus or the cross-legged posture.
WORDS OF POWER
You may use any words of power you were initiated into by your teacher or you may use those
listed below.* You may add additional words of power in accordance with your inner feeling.
Chant for five to ten minutes.
Om
(The universal Hekau or mantram of the Higher Self)
Anetej Neteru, Akhu Neteru, Dua Neteru

(Homage to the gods and goddesses, Glorious spirits they are, Adorations to them.
*See the book Initiation Into Egyptian Yoga for more Words of Power. You may also take this
opportunity to practice breathing exercises here.
3- Nun Pose.
Nun is the Primeval Ocean from which all creation arises. The aspirant should understand that
Creation already existed as unformed matter before it came into being. Unformed matter was
given form by ideas, will and sound of God. Nothing is Created, only transformed from al-
ready previously existing essence. God Creates using his very own essence just as a human
being creates the dream world during a dream from their very own mental essence. This
“essence of God” is also referred to as the Neteru (gods and goddesses or cosmic forces) ema-
nating from Pa Neter (The Supreme Being).
93
Words of Power during the practice of individual postures.
You may also use words of power as you practice the individual postures. The Mysticism of
the Neteru involves the task of discovering them within yourself. This is the most powerful
and highest form of Yoga practice, seeing yourself as one with the divine. This means learn-
ing about the neteru, acting like them, talking like them, feeling like them and finally being
them. This is the most important aspect of all Kemetic (Ancient Egyptian) ritual systems
and it is so because of its power to transforms a human being. As you believe so you be-
come. If you believe you are a lowly human being you will think, feel and act that way and
your life will be a reflection of that limitation and degradation. If you understand you are
more than that you will discover more, your true identity. This process is called yoga and the
end or goal of this process is called spiritual enlightenment, resurrection. Therefore, as you
practice the postures you should see yourself as embodying the principles of the presiding
deity of that posture. This is why it is important to understand the myths related to each of
the neteru.
Egyptian Yoga Exercise is more than physical exercise. It is a ritual system of Forms and
Special Movements for becoming Divine, one with the gods and goddesses and ultimately
discovering that these gods and goddesses or cosmic forces, are in reality emanations from
your innermost self. Thus you may utter the words “Nuk pu” and the name of the presiding
deity as you go into each posture. For example, as you enter the Aset pose say “Nuk pu
Aset, Nuk pu Aset” and so forth.
4- Shu Pose
Shu represents space and air, which separates heaven and earth but which also sustains life.
Therefore breathing in this and all exercises is very important.
Then you will discover how Creation is sustained.
5- Warm Up –Preparing to Sustain Creation. Warm up is very important before going into
any posture so as not to hurt any muscles or tendons, etc.
You will discover how Creation is separated into heaven and earth. (Nut and Geb)
6- Journey of Ra Pose Series
The Journey of Ra Pose Series is actually a journey within the larger journey of the whole
program. It means understanding the cycle of daily creation through which God sustains
Creation at every moment. Creation is not just an event that occurred billions of years ago. It
is an ongoing process. Every day you journey in the physical world through your mind and
physical body and through the astral world when you dream at night. Your desire and will
94
and your movement are what sustain your reality just as the constant movement of the spirit
sustains Creation all the time. Coming into harmony with this means discovering the power to
create a better life for yourself by taking control of your power in every moment of your life.
Phase 2: The Earth
Then you will discover the earth (gross-lower-physical nature) aspect of your own personality
through the following postures.
7-8 Shoulder-stand Pose - Plough Pose,

9- Wheel Pose,
10- Fish Pose
11- Forward Bend Pose
12- Spinal Twist Pose
These poses primarily focus on the physical spine since it is the structure which allows the
body to function. Flexibility of the spine means physical health and mental health. Constric-
tion and calcification or weakness of the spine means pain and disease (physical and mental).
These postures affect the mind because they promote the health and flexibility of the spinal
nerves which in turn affect the mind, and the psycho-spiritual energy centers, which exist in
the Astral Body.
Phase 3: Transition Poses
The transition poses assist a spiritual aspirant in moving from the Earth Series postures to-
wards the Higher Self. Now that Creation has been engendered and sustained and the Earth
aspect of life (gross) has been explored and glorified it is time to begin the journey of discov-
ering the subtle aspect of life. The transition poses are:
13- Selket –Scorpion Pose

14- Sebek –Crocodile Pose
15– Arat- Cobra Pose
16- Horemacket –Sphinx Pose
17- Heru – Horus Pose and variations
Heru is the supreme defender of truth, righteousness and justice. He is the successful spiritual
aspirant. Therefore, he represents virtue, honor and invincible will. He is the perfect balance
between the higher and lower self and he therefore leads the spiritual aspirant into the inner
shrine of the spirit, the Higher Self.
95
18– Henu Pose Series
The Henu Pose Series is optional in the general practice of the Thef Neteru System of psy-
cho-spiritual exercises. However, it should be part of the advanced program of practice. The
Henu Form is a series of postures performed to pay homage to the Divine. Its movements
are slow and deliberate as well as graceful, creating a devotional feeling between practitio-
ner and the Higher Self. Anpu, Heru, Set and others divinities preside over this posture and
it is great honor to perform it.
Phase 4: The Higher Self Poses
The Higher Self is the subtle, expansive aspect of existence. It is presided over by the god-
dess in three special forms. Nut– expansive, infinite self. Maat– virtuous self. Aset– intui-
tional wisdom of self. Thus we have the following poses:
19- Nut Pose

20- Maat Pose and
21- Aset Winged Pose
22– Aset Sitting Pose
23-Aset Embrace Pose
Phase 5: Establishment Poses
The establishment poses are designed to help the practitioner become established in the
benefits derived from the teachings and exercises of the previous phases. The Establishment
Poses are:
24– Djed Pose

25- Headstand Pose
26- Khepri— Scarab Pose
27– Shti (Mummy) Pose
Sheti means the body which is prepared for resurrection. This pose is used for the final re-
laxation and meditation of the session.
Closing Words of Power
Om Hetep Hetep Hetep

(Om Peace, Peace, Peace.)
96
Tjef Neteru as A Dynamic System of Varied

Modes of Spiritual Practice
The Tjef neteru Sema Paut Neteru system is actually an extremely
flexible and dynamic method of spiritual practice as it can be performed in
one of several modes to suit the needs of the particular attendants, the
particular teaching style of the leader or the purpose of the session.
(introductory session, physical workout session, mythological emphasis
session, meditative emphasis session, etc.)
The program may be practiced as follows:
I. A Physical Workout Session

a. The postures may be practiced with a lower or higher number
of repetitions in order to engender a more basic (beginners) or
intense (intermediate or advanced) physical workout.
II. A Mythological/Ritual Workout

a. The program may be practiced in such a way that the mythic
teachings are imparted throughout so that the practitioners
gain an understanding of the psychospiritual principals to be
cultivated. (combines the benefits of the Kemetic Spiritual
Wisdom with the physical workout benefits)
III. A Meditative Session

a. The program may be practiced as a meditative session by
reducing the number of repetitions and holding the postures
for a longer period of time while being led through guided
imagery into a silent reflection on each posture.
IV. A Meditative Form

a. This form of practice is for proficient practitioners. There is no
guided imagery or instruction given by the leader except the
name of the posture. The practitioners skillfully move from
one posture to another in a flowing and balanced manner,
thereby developing the inner spontaneous movement of the
Neteru cosmic consciousness, an intuitional harmonizing of
the individual with the cosmic.
97
"Smai Tawi"
(Egyptian Yoga)
98
Pose 1-
1-The Beginning:
Before Creation
Left: The Ancient Egyptian Supreme
Being in the form of the evening sun
(Tem), encircled by the serpent of
“Many Faces” (infinity and multiplic-
ity). The Serpent symbolizes the
power or Life Force through which
Creation is engendered. The Serpent,
“Mehen” lives in the primeval ocean
out of which Creation arises. Note the symbol, N. It is an Ancient Egyptian determinative
used to signify “limb,” “flesh,” “parts of the body.” There are three symbols at the feet of
Ra and next to these are the heads of the serpent. In mystical terms the meaning is that from
the singular essence arise the three aspects, the Trinity, and from these arise the multiplicity
of Creation. Thus, Creation is the very flesh or body of God. From his head is emerging
Khepri, the Creator of the universe, who performs the actual act of creation. It is important
to understand that the creation act is not something that happened once long ago. Khepri is
said to create the new day every day. Thus, the implication is that creation is a continuous
process which sustains the universe at every moment just as you sustain your dream world
at every moment during a dream..
Visualize that you are that spirit, completely still, with all the potential to manifest
and create anything you want.
See yourself resting on the great serpent which lives in the Primeval Ocean. See
your body as a dead mummy but with a burgeoning Life Force power deep down.
Visualize the journey ahead, the creation that is to follow, and marvel at that
wondrous power of the Divine within you to enliven the body and sustain Crea-
tion.
Stay completely still in this posture for 2 minutes, relaxing every muscle. Do not
move even if you want to scratch. Stay absolutely still as if your body were dead.
Sit up now and come to the Lotus Posture, to begin the process of coming to life
and Creating your world, your peace, your health and your spiritual enlightenment.
99
(Fig. 1)
(Fig. 3)
(Fig. 2)
(Fig. 4)
(Fig. 4A)
(Fig. 6)
Fig. 7
(Fig. 5)
100
Now sit in the easy pose or the lotus pose to practice a few breathing ex-
ercises. You can use The easy pose (Fig. 4) is best for beginners, un-
less you are very flexible, because it does not put undue strain on the
muscles. An alternative posture is to sit with your legs folded under you
as shown in Fig. 4A. As you progress, you may eventually begin to
practice the lotus pose (Fig. 1) for your exercises and meditations. The
lotus pose requires much practice and concentration. Once it is mastered,
it is a good posture for meditation because it is centered, stable and it
keeps the back straight which maintains the alignment of the energy cen-
ters of the vertebrae column.
The Lotus flower (Figs. 2,3,5,6) has deep mystical symbolism in both
Ancient Egypt and India. It relates to the spiritual aspirant who develops
detachment and dispassion from the world since it sits in the muddy wa-
ter but is not touched or affected by the mud. It is ever pure and de-
tached. This is how life is to be lived. Detachment from the illusory
pleasures of the world allows the mind to be calm and concentrated for
spiritual study and meditation. These in turn lead the spiritual aspirant to
discover the infinite realms of the inner Self.
Figure 7 is The King sitting on the throne. This posture as well as

Fig. 1, 4, and 4A, may be used for meditation.
The sitting poses are the beginning of your spiritual exercises. There-
fore, you should begin by invoking some auspicious prayers, chants or
your favorite utterances to propitiate positive energies during this time.
A simple and universal practice is to chant “Om,” “Om,”
“Om,”“Om,”etc.
OTHER POSTURES
Left: Knees bent while

resting the folded
elbows on the knees.
Right: sitting on heels

with toes extended and
hands on the thighs.
101
Fig. A
Above: Chest breathing.

Below: Abdominal
breathing.
Fig. B Fig. C
102
Proper Breathing
Proper breathing is one effective way to store and accumulate vital Life Force energy in the body.
Other means are control of emotions, thoughts, actions, etc. Proper breathing is a practice that should
be used especially before and during meditation since it acts to harmonize the energies of the mind and
consequently also the mind.
Most people in the modern world do not know how to breathe properly. Most people (especially
males) have learned to breathe by pushing out the chest in a "manly" or "macho" fashion. This mode of
breathing is harmful for many reasons. The amount of air taken in is less and vital cosmic energy is
reduced and becomes stagnant in the subtle vital energy channels, resulting in physical and mental dis-
eases. The stagnation of the flow of energy through the body has the effect of grounding one's con-
sciousness to the physical realities rather than allowing the mind and body to operate with lightness and
subtlety.
"Belly breathing" or abdominal breathing massages the internal organs and devel-
ops Life Force energy (Sekhem, Chi or Prana). It will be noticed that it is your natural
breathing pattern when you lie down on your back. Instruction is as follows: A-
Breathe in and push the stomach out. B- Breathe out and pull the stomach in. This
form of breathing is to be practiced at all times, not just during meditation. It allows
the natural Life Force in the air to be rhythmically supplied to the body and nervous
system. This process is indispensable in the achievement of physical health and men-
tal-spiritual power to control the mind (meditation).
Deep (Yogic) Breathing—The 3 Part Breath: Breathe as in the Proper Breathing

technique, except more deeply. Inhale and push the abdomen out, then without re-
leasing the breath, again inhale a little deeper filling the lungs in the chest area, and
again, without releasing the breath, inhale deeper still, filling the area of the lungs un-
der the shoulders. With this last inhalation, the shoulders should rise up a little, natu-
rally. Control your exhalation so that it is soft and smooth, and twice the time it took
for the inhalation. Exhale first by releasing the shoulders and letting the air out from
the top of the lungs, then release the chest and let the air out from the middle lung
area, and finally pull the abdomen in expelling all remaining air from the lungs. Re-
peat. The deep breathing technique allows you to take approximately 5 times the oxy-
gen and Life Force Energy than the normal breath, thus revitalizing and cleansing the
body and mind, and balancing the emotions (through the Serpent Power System).
Breathing exercise: With eyes closed, allow the abdomen to expand as you breathe in. Visualize that
you are taking in Life Force energy along with the air. See it remaining in your body as you expel the
air. Visualize that all the nutrients of the air are being used and that impurities are being carried away.
103
Prior to your practice of yoga postures and meditation, you should practice ALTERNATE NOS-
TRIL BREATHING. There are opposing forces (poles) of energy in the human body. These forces are
related to mental energy, the emotions, and mental and physical health. When these poles are out of
balance, various mental, emotional and physical problems can arise. When harmonized, they allow
you to experiencing vitality, health, mental calm, concentration and inner peace. The study of these
forces is related to the Uraeus Serpent of Egypt and the Kundalini Serpent Yoga systems of India. For
now, simply follow the instructions below and you will begin to feel improved health and vitality. As
you study the deeper implications of the breath, more teachings will be given to enhance your prac-
tice.
The opposing energy poles of the body, Uatchet (Udjat, Utchat) and Nekhebet, can be balanced
by practicing a simple ALTERNATE NOSTRIL BREATHING exercise. These Ancient Egyptian names
are symbolic of the opposing energies that flow through the subtle spirit body and energy centers of
every human being. They are also referred to as the solar channel and the lunar channel, or the Pin-
gala and the Ida Nadis (energy channels) in the Indian Kundalini system, respectively. The solar
breath (Uatchet, through the right nostril) is heating to the body and is therefore useful when physi-
cal activity is to be performed. Also, the solar breath is useful when there is disease in the body. At
this time, breathing through the solar channel will heat up the body and assist it in overcoming the
disease process. Therefore, if there is illness, the left nostril should be blocked off for given periods of
time. This may also be practiced before going to bed. When going to bed one should lay on the left
side when falling asleep in order to cause the breath to flow through the right nostril. The lunar
breath (Nekhebet, through the left nostril) is cooling to the body. However, unless one is well ad-
vanced in the practice of yoga, one should practice the ALTERNATE NOSTRIL BREATHING which
harmonizes both the solar and lunar channels, therefore balancing the energy of the mind and body.
† Air
×] Ò
Ankh, Oodja, Seneb = Life, Vitality, Health -The Special Kemetic Benediction
The air contains vital Life Force energy which is subtler than the air itself. The term, ], oodja,
the central sign in the Ancient Egyptian benediction, Life, Vitality and Health, gives us a very im-
portant teaching in reference to the process of human existence on earth. The sign signifies “fire
drill” or an instrument used to start a fire or the commencement of the burning process. Used in this
manner the idea that is given is that the Divine Life Process, ×(Ankh), engenders a fire (oodja, vi-
tality) which courses through the body and promotes health, Ò, (seneb).
Vitality is what gives the impetus to life. It is the force, which sustains and gives a person the
104
will to live. If there is no vitality the entire personality is depressed and there is no enjoyment of
life. Vitality sustains the immune system and the immune system keeps external as well as inter-
nal agents (bacteria, viruses, poisons, waste material, etc.) from disturbing the course of life. Vi-
tality may also be referred to by the term Life Force or the Kemetic term Sekhem. Therefore, the
following formula may be applied to the understanding of the inner processes that sustain life:
Vitality = immunity = health = life.
Oodja, (subtle essence of vitality), and Seneb (health), allow one to

have Sekhem or Physical Power. Skhem divine power
-power of nature
ALTERNATE NOSTRIL BREATHING:
Sitting in a comfortable posture, using the right hand, bend the index and middle finger to-
ward the palm while leaving the thumb, fourth and fifth (pinkie) fingers extended (position 1).
Using the thumb to close off the right nostril, breath in (inhalation) through the left nostril while
holding the right one closed (position 2), then close both nostrils using the fourth finger to close
the left nostril leaving the pinkie finger extended and the other two fingers remaining bent
(position 3). Release the thumb from the right nostril and exhale through the right nostril
(position 4). Next, breath in through the right nostril while holding the left one closed (position
4). Close both nostrils by holding the right nostril close with the thumb (position 3) and retain
the breath for a short time, then release the fourth finger from the left nostril and breathe out
through the left nostril (position 2). This constitutes one cycle of the Alternate Nostril Breathing ex-
ercise. The ratio of inhalation: retention: exhalation should be 2:8:4 to begin, working up to
4:16:8. You may repeat a hekau (mantra) such as “OM” while performing this exercise. Continue
in this way for five minutes at the beginning, gradually building up to fifteen minutes or longer as
needed. The Alternate Nostril Breathing exercise is an excellent way to balance the body’s energies.
The energies may also be balanced other ways, such as by controlling the emotions, remaining
calm and engaging one’s self in activities that are in harmony with one’s consciousness (hobbies,
job, recreation).
Position 1 Position 2 Position 3 Position 4
105
Pose 2-
2- Nefertem:
The Divine Child of Crea
Creation
Forms of Heru as Ne-

fertem (Neferatum)
Above: Nefertem is Heru in the form of the sun god as Creator. He presides over the Lotus of Crea-
tion which is the universe itself. The lotus emanates from the Primeval Ocean of formless, undiffer-
entiated matter.
Nefertem means: “Beautiful Completion” or the culmination of all things which owe their exis-
tence to the Self or spirit. All things are completed in God. As a child Nefertem symbolizes the
morning sun which engenders the coming into being of life to the world at dawn. The finger point-
ing to the mouth symbolizes divine consciousness which expresses as sound. Sound or the word,
through its vibrations and intent, brings forth the forming
of undifferentiated matter (primeval ocean) into form (Creation-the lotus). The Lotus, upon which
the Divine Child sits, emanates from the Primeval Ocean. Therefore, all matter which composes
the world comes from that ocean-everything comes from and is made up of the same essence. The
sitting atop the lotus also symbolizes the mastery of the spirit over, as well as detachment and tran-
scendence from Creation.
106
Be seated in the lotus posture, or any comfortable cross legged pos-

ture – with back straight.
Next raise your right arm and place the tip of your index finger on
the center of your lips. See yourself as the spirit which brings
creation into being just as your mind creates ideas from
unformed subtle matter. God brings forth physical crea-
tion from unformed elements (gross matter).
Next place your hand back on your knee and begin

uttering the Words of Power which bring Creation
into being, the names of God. You may use the
chants below or any others you may find in the
book Initiation Into Egyptian Yoga. Or you may
use any other words which you have been ini-
tiated into by your spiritual teacher or which
have special spiritual significance to you.
Om, Om, Om, Om

Dua (adorations) Ra, Dua Ra, Dua Ra, Khepera
Om Asar Aset Heru
Next begin seeing the objects around you as forms which have been created
from primeval matter itself.
Next close your eyes and see yourself as assuming the role of Nefertem. See
yourself as being the supreme ruler who is sitting atop Creation, as its
monarch but also detached from it as well.
107
Pose 3
3-- Nun: The Crea
Creation
Nun is the Primeval Ocean itself. It is at once a deity
as well as part of Ra’s very essence. The practice of the
Nun Posture requires (Position 1) that the practitio-
ner should bring the hands together in a squatting
position. This symbolizes unity of the opposites and
self-containment. Then visualize yourself as being sub-
merged below the surface of the ocean.
Imagine that there is no world and that everything is

like an ocean, homogenous and peaceful. There is no
sky, no heaven and earth, no sun, only water all
around you. Exhale.
Position 2: Now raise up as you breathe in as if you

are pushing up and out of the surface of the water.
Above: The god Nun lifting the Divine Boat

out of the Primeval Ocean and thereby engen-
dering Creation.
2
1
108
Position 3: Raise up further and continue breathing in and pushing up higher. And now visu-
alize that your movement up and above the surface of the water is bringing the sky and the
earth and air into being.
Position 4: Complete the inhalation and extend your arms fully, standing straight.
Reverse: Now come back down as you breath out.

Gradually lower your arms until they come back to-
gether and you reach the squatting position once 4
more. Exhale fully and begin raising up once more.
Repeat 3-5 times.
109
Pose 4: The Shu Posture
The
God
Shu: Air
and
Space.
110
Pose 4: The Shu Posture
Shu is the divinity which was sent by Ra, the Su-

preme Being, to separate Geb and Nut (earth and
heaven). So Shu is the instrument by which the Di-
vine Self caused the world to come into its present
form which sustains all life. Thus, Shu represents air,
space or ether. Air contains a subtle Life Force energy
which sustains life. This subtle energy is called Sek-
hem. It is presided over by Shu’s consort, Tefnut. Tef-
nut represents moisture, such as when it rains. Rain
allows plants to grow and it brings water for people to
live.
Tefnut is the powerful strength which is in the

ocean of creation and she is the source of vitality for
all living things.
Inhale deeply, raising up on your toes as you raise

your arms up along side your body, bring them over
your head, and then, lowering your arms down along
side your body and your feet back onto the ground
Tefnut (flat), exhale as you come down.
Breath freely and deeply. See yourself as the creator

of your own life, the sustainer of your reality. Breath
in the universe and see yourself communing with
cosmic life itself.
Whisper as you breath out Shu...Shu...Shu...Shu...
111
Pose 5–
5– Warm Up
(Fig. 1)
(Fig. 2) (Fig. 3)
112
WARM UP AND DANCING
Now first we will begin with some warm up exercises. It is very important to
warm up the body before doing any kind of exercise so that we won't hurt any of
our tendons, ligaments or muscles.
(Fig. 1) Standing with feet approximately 1 1/2 to 2 feet apart, begin swinging the
body gently from side to side, four times to the right and four times to the left. In-
hale as you turn to the right and exhale as you turn to the left. Try to twist you
body as much as you can so you can look behind you. Just allow the body to flow
with the movement and allow your mind to also flow with the movement as if you
are dancing. Feel the air as it passes around your arms and hands. Very good.
(Fig. 2) Hands on the waist and bending from side to side, four times to the left
and four times to the right. As you go through the video or book you will be seeing
some Egyptian pictographs (pictures of steles showing these very exercises we are
doing now).
(Fig. 3) Keeping the hands on the waist, bend backwards and forwards, four times
in each direction. If you are using the video and would like to perform a particular
exercise for a longer period of time, you can also stop the video at any point.
Keeping the pelvis still and facing forwards, rotate the top of the body in a circular
fashion: Bend forward, bend to the right, bend backwards, bend to the left, for-
ward, etc. Circle to the right three times, then to the left three times.
Pause for a moment to relax, hands together in the Hetep Posture, (as when saying
a prayer), symbolizing the union of the Higher and lower self. Close your eyes and
as you inhale, think about the symbolism of Hetep: Supreme Peace, Harmony and
Unity with everything. Feel that you are surrounded by that peace. Feel that you
are one with everything in creation. Inhale deeply, feeling that you are inhaling
peace and exhale and release tension from the body and mind. Repeat three
times, being sure to use the proper breathing technique.
Now hands to the side. We are going to warm up the neck. It is very important to
warm up the neck before doing some of the exercises we are going to do today.
Move it back and forth from side to side, backwards and forwards, four time in
each direction. Now roll the head in a circle to the left four times. Repeat to the
right. Pause for a moment.
113
Our next exercise will be The Journey of Ra Posture Series. This posture holds
deep mystical symbolism involving the Ancient Egyptian deities Ra, Nut, and
Osiris and the evolution of the individual Ba (soul). It incorporates The Nut For-
ward Bend and The Cobra Pose, which will also be performed later on as separate
postures.
In the Ancient Egyptian creation story, the goddess Nut consumes Ra, as
symbolized by Tem, the setting sun in the evening, and Nut also gives birth to
Ra, as symbolized by Khepri the rising sun in the morning. The time between
when Nut consumes Ra and when she gives birth to him, that is, the time be-
tween dusk and dawn, Ra is said to travel in the Underworld (Duat). There are
many deep implications to this teaching of the Underworld.
In one aspect, the Underworld represents the subtle world or astral plane
where your dream or astral (out of body) experiences take place. It is also the
plane where the soul of an unenlightened personality goes when the body dies,
to have heavenly or hellish experiences, depending on its karmic fate. There is
another aspect of the Underworld known as Amenta, which represents the
abode of Osiris. This is where enlightened souls go when their bodies die.
When you enter into deep dreamless sleep, you enter into this abode of Osiris,
however because you are not enlightened, your experience in this realm is as if
shrouded by a veil. This “veil” is referred to as the veil of Isis. It represents the
ignorant (unenlightened) mind which cannot experience the Transcendental Re-
ality which exists all around it, all the time, and is its very nature. So Isis repre-
sents Creation, which is nothing but a manifestation of the Divine Self, Ra (or
Osiris). When the mind is enlightened, the veil of Isis lifts and one experiences
only the Divine Self. There is no more duality, no more distinguishing Creation
from God, and vice versa. This veiling power of the ignorant mind carries over
into the dream state and the deep, dreamless sleep state. So when you wake up
you only know that you feel rejuvenated, that you had a good night’s rest, but
you have no knowledge of what took place.
However, through the process of deep yogic meditation you are able to go to
Amenta, the abode of Osiris, and experience the supreme all-encompassing Self,
your own true nature, as profound peace, bliss and expansion in consciousness,
with conscious awareness. When you attain enlightenment, you will forever-
more abide, consciously, in the peace and bliss of the Supreme Self, Osiris,
whether you are involved in the waking, dream or deep sleep states of conscious-
ness.
114
The Journey of Ra also symbolizes the cycle of reincarnation and the process of
transmigration of the individual (unenlightened) soul. The birth of Ra in the
morning in the eastern sky symbolizes the birth of an individual into the world
of time and space as an ego-personality, that is, a personality identified with the
body, mind and ego as being the totality of his/her being. Ra’s journey from the
eastern horizon to the western symbolizes the life of an individual, and Ra’s set-
ting in the western sky followed by his being consumed by Nut symbolizes the
death experience of the individual. The after-death experience is symbolized by
Ra journeying into the Underworld. In yogic mysticism, the consciousness of
the individual does not die when the body of that individual dies, because the es-
sence of that individual is immortal and eternal. In the Underworld (Duat, as-
tral plane), the soul (unenlightened consciousness) of the individual encounters
heavenly or hellish experiences depending on if the individual lived a life of vir-
tue (spiritual principles) or vice (egoism), respectively. After journeying in the as-
tral plane, Ra again emerges from Nut as she gives birth to him in the form of
the morning sun. So too, the consciousness of the individual which survives the
death of the body becomes born into a new body based on the karmic needs of
the soul and once again enters the world of time and space, to repeat this cycle of
life, death, astral experiences, birth, etc., over and over again, until enlighten-
ment is attained. When enlightenment is attained, the soul of the individual
which is now one with the Universal Soul joins with Osiris in Amenta after the
death of the body, never to be reborn into the world of time and space again. It
abides in eternity and immortality.
With respect to one’s spiritual discipline or Sheti, Ra, as symbolized by the

sun, represents the yogic qualities of consistency, sustained effort and perseverance.
We always know exactly when the sun is going to rise and when it is going to set;
it is always consistent. It never decides that it is too tired to rise when it is sup-
posed each morning to perform its duties. And it never overindulges, staying out
longer in the evening because it is having such a good time that it does not want
to retire. It sets when it is time for it to retire for the evening, and it rises when
it is time for it to do so. This quality of consistency is one of the key qualities an
aspirant must develop to be successful in their practice of their program of spiri-
tual discipline or Sheti. An aspirant must strive to be consistent in the time and
place of the practice of spiritual disciplines, to the extent that it is possible to do
so. Meditation should be practiced in the early hours of the morning between 4
to 6 A.M., before sunrise.
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11 12
10
12a
9
7
8
116
1 2
3
5
6
117
The sun also never becomes tired and bored of doing the same thing over and
over again, rising and setting, rising and setting, rising and setting, etc., and
therefore, quits performing its duty, offering excuses as to why it was not possible
for it to accomplish its task. Just like each day you eat, you drink, you brush
your teeth, you shower, and perform certain other daily tasks, over and over
again, you need to exert self effort day by day to perform your Sheti. You should
not justify not performing your spiritual discipline by saying “Well, I did it yes-
terday and I’ll do it again tomorrow, but today I want to take a break.” Did you
take a break from talking today because you talked yesterday? Did you take a
break from eating or drinking today because you ate and drank yesterday? Did
you not wash your face today because you washed it yesterday? So the mind has
numerous tricks it plays on the unwary aspirant. You should strive to be like Ra,
to perform your duties unceasingly and effortlessly, and your personal program
of Sheti is your most important duty of your life, so you need to make time for it
daily, and put forth every effort to be consistent in your practice.
In the Ancient Egyptian creation story, it is said that each day as Ra emerges
in the eastern sky, he has to do battle with the negative forces of Set and his
fiendish friends who are constantly trying to stop the Barque of Ra from moving
on in its journey across the heavens. If the Barque of Ra stops moving, creation
comes to an end. Knowing that he will encounter evil forces, Ra perseveres each
day, performing his duty. In this aspect he exemplifies perseverance in the face of
adversity. Perseverance in the face of adversity is a very important quality which
an aspirant must strive to attain. Studying and practicing yoga does not mean
that your external life will necessarily become easier and you won’t have to face
certain challenges in the form of adverse situations. It does mean that through
practicing the spiritual disciplines of yoga, you will gain insight into your true na-
ture, and thus the world around you. This insight will allow you to, in effect,
keep your head above water in calm seas as well as the rough seas of life. In
other words, like Ra, you will be able to overcome Set and his evil friends in the
form of your own egoism (Set) and its accompanying negative sentiments of an-
ger, greed, insecurity, jealousy, fear and tension (Set’s friends) which, each day,
from the time you emerge from sleep in the morning, try to over power your
spiritual awareness. Thus, like Ra, you must be constantly vigilant to not allow
Set and his evil friends to interrupt your spiritual progress on the path to attain-
ing Enlightenment.
Another yogic quality Ra, as symbolized by the sun, demonstrates is selfless

service. We have discussed the importance of selfless service at length in our
books, videos and tape series based on the teachings of Maat. We have empha-
118
sized that an aspirant must incorporate performing selfless service for the benefit
of humanity as part of their spiritual discipline. In the traditional yogic system,
this includes devoting some time to help your spiritual preceptor in the dissemi-
nation of wisdom as to the nature of the Self to those who desire it. This form
of selfless service is very pure because it leads those who practice the teachings of
yoga to uproot the very tree of pain and suffering which human beings experi-
ence. This does not mean that other forms of selfless service should not be prac-
ticed as well. If someone is hungry or thirsty, knowledge of the Self is most likely
not going to help them whereas food and water would. Therefore, balance and
common sense must always be observed, and practicing one form of selfless serv-
ice should not negate other forms of selfless service which you may be called
upon to perform.
Ra, in the form of the sun, exemplifies true selfless service. He knows how
important it is in sustaining life on earth, yet he puts forth his life-giving essence
without asking for anything in return. He does not hoard his energy, demanding
that unless he is paid his due by humankind, he will cease to work. He does not
accept bribes, shining more on those who have more money. He shines on all
equally, and he does this everyday. He does not force his will on humankind. If
people choose to stay in their houses or remain in bed all day with their blinds
close, he does not become upset and force his way in. He is there, splendorous,
but detached and dispassionate, and those who wish to partake of what he has to
offer are welcome to do so. Those who wish to thank him may do so, but he
does not depend on or require the gratitude of humankind to perform his duty.
He shines on everyone freely, without judgment. He does not say “I’m going to
shine on you but not you, because you did this negative deed.”
Ra gives himself freely to all. Without this life-giving essence the earth would
not be here; it could not exist. So in the morning when you wake up and go out-
side and see and feel the sun as it shines on you, feel the warmth and allow the
life-giving energy to penetrate into your very being so that throughout the day
when you are called upon to help others, you can do the same, give freely of
yourself, willingly, without asking for anything in return.
So, keep these qualities of bliss, peace, consistency, self-effort, repeated effort,
sustained effort, perseverance and selfless service in mind as you prepare to per-
form The Journey of Ra Posture Flow. Feel that you embody all of these divine
qualities. As you flow through these postures, feel the energy flowing smoothly
and unhampered throughout your entire body. Try to perform all your duties
each day with this same free flowing manner, not allowing the ego to step in.
119
Strive to the ultimate abode of selfless service. Strive to be like Ra. Feel that you
are the abode of selflessness as you perform your actions. Dedicate all your ac-
tions to Ra as a symbolic gesture of selfless service. Feel that all actions being
performed by you are really being performed by your Higher Self, Ra. Allow all
actions to lead your mind to think of Ra, the ultimate abode of selfless service.
THE JOURNEY OF RA
Now, stand up on the front of your mat to begin this exercise series. It is a lit-
tle intricate so just take your time. It consists of twelve positions, however, the
last six positions are basically the reverse postures of the first six.
(1) Exhale and bring your hands together in The Hetep Pose, the prayer posi-
tion. (2) Inhale, raising your arms in front of you and then over your head, bend
backwards . Reach back as far as you can, keeping your pelvis tucked in and
arching your upper back, and symbolically take hold of Ra (sun disk) to remove
him from the sky (setting sun). (3) Bring Ra down to begin his journey in the
Underworld as you bend forwards, trying to keep your back straight and your
arms extended straight, in alignment with your neck. Bending all the way down,
folding over, bring your hands to your feet, placing them (flat...if flexible
enough) on the floor alongside your feet. If you need to you may bend your
knees. (4) Inhale your right foot back pointing the toes behind you, and raise
your head up, looking back as far as you can, pushing your pelvis down to give a
good stretch. Balance yourself with your palms placed flat on the floor or on the
tips of your fingers if you are not very flexible (but eventually working to place
the palms flat on the floor). (5) Tuck the toes of the right leg under, and holding
the breath, place your left leg back, alongside the right leg and come up into The
Nut Pose, an inverted V. Try to push the heels of your feet flat on the floor and
your head down between your arms to give a good stretch. This is where goddess
Nut consumes Ra. (6) Keeping your buttocks in the air, exhale and lower your
knees to the floor, pointing your toes, then arching the back lower the chest and
chin (beginners) or forehead (more advanced) to the ground, as you journey into
the Underworld. (7) Now inhale and push up with your arms, keeping the el-
bows bent, raising your head and chest up and arch backwards as far as you can,
keeping your abdomen and pelvis on the floor, as you raise yourself up in con-
sciousness as you glide into The Cobra Pose. Keep your elbows tucked into your
sides as much as possible and focus your practice of The Cobra Pose at the sixth
energy center, the seat of higher consciousness, at the point between the eyes (the
Mer energy center or Ajna chakra).
120
The second half of the posture series is performed by reversing the steps in
the first half. Now you are going back up into The Nut Pose. (8) Exhale, and as
you come up into The Nut Pose, an inverted V, pressing your heels and head to
the floor. This symbolizes Nut giving birth to Ra as he emerges from the Under-
world, and now you are going to set him in the sky. (9) Inhale and bring the
right foot all the way forward between the hands, looking up and back. If you
cannot bring the right foot all the way forward, grab the ankle with the right
hand and move it into position. Again, push down on the pelvis while looking
up and back to give a good stretch. (10) Exhale and place the left foot forward
between the hands and straighten the legs so that you are folded over, hands flat
on the floor, fingers in line with the toes. (11) Inhale, and again keeping your
arms extended and aligned with your neck and the back straight, raise up, bend-
ing forwards, then stretching straight up, and then all the way backwards, not al-
lowing the pelvis to push forward but keeping it tucked in, reach over the head
and place Ra back in the sky as the rising sun. (12) Exhale and lower your arms
The Hetep Pose, then alongside your body. This is one cycle. Repeat using the
left leg. You may alternate legs as you continue to perform more cycles. You may
perform six to eight cycles according to your capacity, then relax in The Mummy
Pose (13)
.
The Journey of Ra Posture is a good pose to wake yourself up in the morning
and to jump start your metabolism, even if your don’t have time to do the other
postures. Try it instead of a cup of coffee. It relaxes and stretches all the muscles
and joints in the body and massages the internal organs, so it is also a very good
warm up exercise, and of course there is great spiritual benefit to be derived if
you reflect on the mystical implications of the posture series.
Right: Ra traverses in
his Barque over the
body of Nut..
121
Pose 7-
7-8: The Geb Plough Posture
The Ancient Egyptian

god Geb performing
the Plough Pose-from
the ceiling in the ante-
chamber to the resur-
rection room-Temple
of Hetheru in Egypt,
Africa.
The Ancient
Egyptian god
Geb perform-
The Pillar of Asar is the spiritual spine of every human being.

The plough posture strengthens, elongates the spine and awak-
ens the spiritual Life Force.
122
Pose 7-
7-8: The Geb Shoulderstand-
Shoulderstand-Plough Pos
Posture
The Ancient Egyptian god Geb and Nut performing

the Plough Pose and Forward Bend Pose-from the
ceiling in the antechamber to the resurrection room-
Temple of Hetheru in Egypt, Africa.
The Pillar of Asar .
123
Pose 7-
The Shoulder
Stand
124
Pose 7-
Next, we are going to practice the plough exercise. In the Egyptian Yoga Exer-
cise program this is known as the Geb exercise. This is one of the exercises which
Geb does, once he separated from Nut. This is an Earth exercise, meaning that it
is for the entire physical body, but, specifically for the back as well as for the neck
region and the neck spiritual center. In ancient Egyptian Yoga, the four upper
spiritual energy centers are referred to as the “Back of Osiris,” “Pillar of Osiris” or
“The Vertebrae of the Initiate”. There are several ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs re-
lated to Arat, The Uraeus or the Serpent Power or Life Force energy (Known as
Kundalini in India) and the spiritual energy centers of the subtle astral body. They
relate to the spinal column or vertebrae. Some of these are below:
@ABCDF
Any exercise which is performed to benefit the spine will also be beneficial for
the upper energy centers of the subtle spiritual body. However, when the exercises
are performed with the special mythological and psychological insights given
through a program of yoga instruction, the benefits are much greater.
Left: The hieroglyph of the "Vertebrae".
Bottom right: From the "Egyptian Book of Coming Forth By Day," this epi-
sode is known as "The Slaughter." The soul of Ankhwahibre does battle with Apo-
pis who is sitting atop the vertebrae (Back - Djed Pillar of Osiris) implying that
Apopis seeks control of the spiritual energy present in the spiritual subtle channels
of the back.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PLOUGH POSE

Lay flat on your back. Now lifting both legs, keeping the knees straight, bring
your knees over your stomach, to your chest, gradually help yourself up with your
arms supporting yourself on your back and work yourself up to make your body
straight. Before bending the legs over completely to the ground push straight up as
you support your lower back. This is the shoulder stand. Now move your toes
down to the floor, touching the ground with your toes behind your head. Do this
posture according to your level of flexibility and do not force it.
Try to keep your knees straight. Now moving back up, gently bring the legs
down and roll yourself out of this position and feel every section of your back as
you do this. Now rest for a few minutes on your back. Take some deep breaths.
Once again, remember to breathe with your belly.
125
Pose 9: The Wheel Pose
From ancient Egypt,

An Egyptian woman performing
the wheel pose in ancient times.
At left:
From
ancient
Egypt
The wheel
pose.
126
1
Pose 9: The Wheel Pose
The next posture is known as the cartwheel or wheel pose. It is

beneficial for the arms, legs and the back.
Also, it is extremely beneficial to the psycho-spiritual energy cen-

ters which lie in the subtle spinal column. This posture stimulates
the energy centers to promote spiritual awakening. This teaching is
known as the Arat or Serpent Power. It is relates to the Cobra pose
as well.
See the book “The Serpent Power” by Dr. Muata Ashby.
INSTRUCTION:
Lie on your back, arms behind the head, palms on the ground
with fingers pointing toward your feet, feet up close to buttocks, now
push up. Hold for as long as you can, then come down gently watch-
ing the breath. Breath in as you go up and breath out as you come
down.
Now relax flat on your back with legs two feet apart and arms one
foot apart from the body, breathing deeply as you relax. You are
breathing the forces of Geb and Nut within our bodies together once
again, as they were in the beginning, in harmony. The male and fe-
male principles, the opposites, heaven and earth are coming together
within our bodies as Geb and Nut come together within our beings.
127
Pose 10: The Fish
2
128
Pose 10: The Fish
In the creation story, there are two fish that guide the boat of Ra on its
journey. As you perform this posture, feel that you are being led by the
Spirit, the Higher Self, on this journey to the experience of oneness of en-
lightenment.
THE FISH POSE:
The Fish Pose is the counter pose for The Shoulderstand Pose and should
ALWAYS be done after The Shoulderstand Pose. Begin from The Mummy
Pose. Bring your legs together and place your arms alongside your body,
palms up, your fingers barely under the outside of your thighs. Grab a
hold of your thighs for leverage and gently raise your upper body as you
come onto your elbows. Now arch your neck and upper spine backwards,
bending your head back to bring the top of your head unto the floor be-
hind you. Support your weight on your buttocks, elbows and the top of
your head. In this position, your chest cavity is very expanded so take this
opportunity to inhale and exhale deeply several times (five to six deep
breaths), bringing a rich supply of oxygen to the lungs and all the other
organs of the body. In this position you actually increase your lung’s ca-
pacity to bring a larger supply of oxygen into your body, so inhale deeply
and exhale completely. Try to keep your legs and the lower portion of
your body relaxed. To come out of this position raise your head up touch
your chin to your chest, relax the elbows and lay down flat on your back.
Inhale and exhale deeply as you relax in The Mummy Pose.
Opposite above: The pilot fish of Ra: The Barque of Ra.
Bottom: The hieroglyphic symbols for the pilot fish of Ra
129
Pose 11: The Forward Bend
Left: A yogi performing The

Sitting Forward Bend - from
Ancient Egypt.
1 2
The standing
Forward Bend
130
Pose 11: The Forward Bend
The Sitting Forward Bend is a sitting variation of The Nut Pose. It gives
gentle massage to all the internal organs of the body such as the kidneys,
liver, spleen, and gastro-intestinal system (stomach, intestines and colon)
and it stretches the muscles of the body from the foot to the neck and the
entire spinal column.
INSTRUCTION:
Come up into a sitting position keeping your back straight (1). Gently
rock yourself on your pelvic bone from side to side, and adjust yourself so
that you are sitting forward on your pelvic bone. This will allow you to
bend forward with ease. Flex your feet so that the bottom of the feet are
vertical and flat, as if pushing on an imaginary wall. Let the toes point
backwards toward the head. Inhale and raise your arms straight up over
your head (2). We’ll inhale up and exhale down three times to loosen
up. Inhale up, and exhale down, bending forward reaching for your
toes. Inhale up and exhale down. Inhale up once more and then exhale
down. If you are flexible enough you can actually hold of the bottom of
your feet and bring your chest onto your thighs, or place your hands on
the floor in front of your feet. If you are not so flexible, reach as far as
your can, your ankles, shin, knees, thighs or wherever it is that you feel
comfortable, but being sure to keep your back straight. Don’t let your
back hunch over in the process of stretching forward. More important
than how far you can reach forward is that you keep your back straight
and breath deeply in this position, inhaling into the areas of tension and
then releasing the tension as you exhale, each time reaching forward a lit-
tle more. To release the posture, exhale and lie down on the mat, slowly
and gently, one vertebrae at a time. Relax in The Mummy Pose.
131
Pose 12: The Spinal Twist
132
Pose 12: The Spinal Twist
Like the plough, this exercise is very important for the back. Leave
one leg extended while you bring the other leg in towards the body by
bending the knee while keeping your foot on the floor. Raise one arm
and rest it on the bent knee, leaving the other hand behind the body to
support yourself. Keep the back straight. Turn the head from side to
side. The important thing with this exercise is keeping the back straight.
These back exercises help to develop the vertebrae of the spine and they
are very important in reviving Osiris or the latent spiritual consciousness
within. This is also related to reviving your energy centers of your body.
Now turn to the other side and repeat the procedure. Leaving the other
leg extended, bring in the other one, leaving one palm facing up towards
heaven, and the other facing down towards the earth. The other varia-
tion that can be used is to bring one leg and place it on the outside of
the other leg that is extended.
Nut, the heavens, is the wife of Geb, the Earth. As his wife, she en-
folds him from end to end just as the sky enfolds the planet earth from
end to end, from one end of the galaxy to the other. Nut is the mother of
all, and within her all human life occurs. Within her is Shu, ether, or
space, which separates her from the earth. Above her are the stars. It is
also Nut, who conceives Ra every evening. Every evening she consumes
him as He sets in the Western horizon and he traverses through her body
(the astral plane) and in the morning emerges as Kheper, the new sun.
Meditation: So let us think about ourselves as going up to unite with Nut

as we go into the forward bend pose. This position is also known as the
inverted position. You should try to touch your heels to the ground by
putting one leg forward first, hands in front and raising up moving the
leg back. Hold this position and think about Nut who is all encompass-
ing. Her whole body encompasses the entire universe. She extends from
one end to the other, and below her is Geb, the earth, the physical na-
ture. Hold this position as long as you like. You may come down, and
then raise up once more. Remember to breathe in and out deeply with
the belly, concentrating on Nut. Now, come down.
133
Pose 13: Selket (Serquet) The Scorpion Pose
At left: an ancient
Egyptian relief
depicting the Scorpion
pose.
At right: the Scorpion
Goddess Selket.
The Ancient Egyptian

symbol of the scorpion.
134
Pose 13: Selket (Serquet) The Scorpion Pose

SELKET, THE SCORPION
Next, raise up slowly to the sitting position, shaking out any tensions. Shake out
any tension in the neck, the back, the legs, etc.... Very good. Now we will practice
the Selket or Scorpion Pose.
Think about a scorpion’s power to inflict pain. Also think about its power of
protection. In the story of Isis, Osiris, and Horus, there is a part where after Osiris
is killed by Set, Djehuti, or the messenger of wisdom of Ra, the Supreme Being,
sends seven scorpions to guard Isis on her journey out of Egypt and away from Set
who was trying to kill her and Horus. Mostly, we know of scorpions as evil creatures
or hurtful creatures, something like snakes, however, there is another side to all
these stories, and once we become aquatinted with the deeper meanings behind the
symbolic forms used in myths, we can then begin to discover the inner dimensions
of the meditations and exercises.
Now we will proceed to practice the Selket pose. This is the scorpion pose, and
in the Indian yoga system, it is known as the locust pose. Lay down on the stomach,
forehead touching the ground. Make a fist with the hands, and then place the arms
directly under the body. First, we are going to raise the right leg, then the left leg,
and then both together. Watch the breath. Breathe in as you raise the leg and
breathe out as you let the leg down. Let us begin. Right leg up, right leg down, left
leg up, left leg down. Once again, right leg up, right leg down, watching the breath.
Tilt head to the side for a few minutes and take a rest. Now raising both legs at the
same time, arms underneath the body. Raise up, now down. Raise up, now down.
Raise up, now down. Hands at the side, relax. You may hold this position as long
as you like. And also raise as high as you like. Greater benefit is derived the higher
you raise your legs and the longer you remain in the posture. Remember never to
strain or push yourself beyond your limits in any exercise.
Now we will practice a variation on the Selket pose. Position yourself facing for-
ward with your hands in front of you, leaning on your stomach. Now, pushing up
and at the same time, raise the legs. Now let them down. Breathe in when you raise
the legs, and breathe out when you lower them. Repeat once again. Right away, you
will feel that this exercise is good for the muscles in the lower back. Now do this to
your capacity. Never Strain. Repeat them one more time. Lie down. Now rest.
135
Pose 14–
14– Sebek: The Crocodile Pose
Forms of Sebek
136
Pose 14–
14– Sebek: The Crocodile Pose
Sebek is a crocodile god. He assisted Asar in his time of need and he

represents the potential power of nature. Specifically, he represents the
power that lurks within the waters. He is that power which can rise up at
any moment and kill if it is misused and misunderstood or be used for
positive goals if sublimated and cultivated.
The crocodile deity is associated with the second psycho-spiritual en-

ergy consciousness center.
INSTRUCTION:
1– Lifting your arms visualize that you are paying homage to the croco-
dile god himself as you twist your upper body. 2– Face forward and lower
your arms and forehead to the ground before him.
Visualize that you are prostrated before the crocodile god. With bowed
head and arms in front of you, bring one knee towards your elbow and
then extend it back and bring them together again. Do this exercise for
both legs.
137
Pose 15–
15– The Cobra Pose
Above: Osiris, resting in the Cobra pose, being resurrected by Horus

(From the Temple Resurrection Room.
Above: the Cobra
Above: Netjer-Anhk,
“The Living God” who
gives Life Force which Above: the Goddess Renenet,
leads to resurrection. the bestower of life’s fortune
according to one’s actions
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
138
Pose 15–
15– The Cobra
After a few minutes raise yourself up
slowly from the Sebek posture to the sitting
position, shaking out any tensions. Shake
out any tension in the neck, the back, the legs, etc.... Very good.
e
Now we will practice the Cobra, serpent or Uraeus
pose. The Uraeus is a goddess, equivalent to the Indian
Kundalini. The serpent power is related to the energy
centers of the body and is also intimately related to the
resurrection of Osiris. It is related specifically to the ver-
tebrae and the back of the yoga practitioner, thus in rais-
ing the power of the back, the spiritual Life Force and
consciousness is raised. One is raising Osiris within
one's self. Therefore, the Uraeus exercise and the scor-
pion exercise are strongly related to the spiritual develop-
ment of the energy centers of the body. When the latent
Life Force psycho-spiritual energy reaches the level of the
sixth energy center at the forehead, there dawns intuitional vision of the
Self. This is symbolized by the Cobra worn at the forehead in ancient
Egyptian masks, crowns, etc.
Now, lay on your stomach, with your hands under your shoulders,
and your forehead touching the ground. Breathing in, raise the chest
off the ground, without pushing with your arms and release down,
breathing out, forehead to the ground. Repeat two more times. Now
move up. Now move down. Repeat one more time. Now rest for a mo-
ment. This time, push up with the hands, gently,
and to your capacity, keeping the elbows close to
the sides of the body. Now, release and lower your
forehead back to the ground, breathing out., Per-
form the Cobra once more. Push up as high as
you can, holding as long as you like. Now relax.
The Serpent Go-
dess of ancient
Egypt.
139
Pose 16–
16– Sphinx: The Horemakhet Pose
1 2
Left: The Set or

Seth animal.
Right:
The
Apuat animal.
140
Pose 16–
16– Sphinx: The Horemakhet Pose
The Next posture we will practice is the Sphinx. It is related to the de-
ity Apuat (Anus) and Set. The Sphinx is the most Ancient Egyptian sym-
bol known. It represents several important mystical principles. Foremost
among these is the ideal of a human being who has reached the heights of
enlightenment while controlling the lower self at the same time. There-
fore, as you practice this posture see yourself as a Sphinx. Visualize that
you are the mind, the spirit and that your body is as powerful as that of a
lion. See yourself as the perfect combination of body and soul.
INSTRUCTION:
First rest on your heels. Then lean forward and place your hands in
front of you. Rest on your elbows. This is the recumbent phase of the
posture. Now raise up the front of your body by pushing up from your el-
bows. This is the extended phase of the posture. Feel the stretch in your
back.
141
Pose 17–
17– The Heru Pose
As stated earlier, Heru is the defender. He represents spiritual aspiration

and will power to back up that aspiration to overcome unrighteousness,
ignorance and even death.
He assisted in the resurrection of his father and through his warrior skills
defeated Set, the agent of ignorance and freed the land from injustice.
Below: Horus as the Hawk from the Tem-

ple at Ombos, Nubia, Africa.
Horus as the Hawk, hold-

Above: Heru khuti: Heru of the two ing the Uas scepter (flow
Horizons, the all encompassing of energy to Creation.
one.
From the tomb of King

Tutankhamun.
142
Heru as king of
Egypt
Above: Heru as a Divine child, master of nature, controller of beasts

(evil, unrighteousness, the lower self).
THE POSTURE
Come to a standing posture, remaining motionless and see your-

self as a powerful, immovable mountain, a pyramid, etc. See
yourself as a righteous warrior, protector of the weak, upstand-
ing and true. Visualize yourself as that redeemer of your own
soul, the leader of your own destiny, the protector of your own
life, the architect of your own destiny.
As you commence the next

phase of the program, visu-
alize yourself as bringing all
of the qualities of Heru into
your practice.
Visualize that the power

and wisdom of your
self-discovery in the
lower self (beginning
through the Transition
Phase) will be transformed
into the glorious self-
discovery of the Higher Self
which is to follow now.
Above: Heru Behdet: The warrior,
defender of truth and restorer of
righteousness.
143
Pose 18–
18– Anpu: The Henu Pose
Left: The god Apuat (Anubis)
performing the Henu. From a
tomb at Thebes., Kamit
(Egypt).
A B
3 2
144
Pose 18–
18– Anpu: The Henu Pose
Opposite: A- Jubilating Was scepter from the relief of Djoser.
B- Jubilating Rekhyt bird. Scene from the relief of Amenemhet I. The

Rekhyt bird symbolizes "The People of Egypt".
In the HENU exercise (Figures A and B Left), prayers are offered to

the Divine Self, God.
Henu symbolizes "praise", "rejoicing" and "jubilation". There are

many hieroglyphic reliefs showing Gods as well as initiates performing
the Henu exercise. First one kneels on one knee and extends one arm
with palm open while at the same time holding the other arm closer to
the body with closed fist. Then the extended arm is drawn back and the
hand is closed as it touches the chest. The performance is repeated sev-
eral times and ends with the final position where one arm is raised be-
hind the head with closed fist and the other arm touches the chest with
closed fist.
145
Pose 19–
19– Nut: The Inverted Pose
3 2
4
146
Pose 19–
19– Nut: The Inverted Pose
Now we will practice the Nut pose. You will recall that we introduced
goddess Nut earlier as the heavens and as the mother of Aset. Also, we
practiced the sitting forward bend. Now we will practice the exercise with
a different emphasis. This posture is to be practiced in the standing posi-
tion and with the special visualization of Nut.
INSTRUCTION:
Stand straight and stretch out your arms directly above your head.
Stretch the right side and then the left. Now bow down while keeping the
arms in line with the upper body and touch the ground beside your feet if
you can or grab your ankles. If you need to bend your knees in order to
reach down.
Now keep your feet in the same position while you walk your hands
forwards in front of you and make a mountain with your body. Stretch
yourself as Nut does. Close your eyes and visualize that you are encom-
passing the entire earth.
Come out of the position by reversing the instructions just given.
Above: The Nut extended posture on the tips of the

fingers and the toes.
147
Pose 20–
20– The Maat Pose
Above: The Goddess Maat presides over

2 the balance of the heart of the spiritual
initiate.
Above: The Goddess Maat perform-

4
ing the Maat pose in the Tomb of
Nefertari, Egypt, Africa.
Left: Goddess Maat with the papy-

rus scepter and Ankh. 5
148
Pose 20–
20– The Maat Pose
On the opposite page you can see a picture of Maat. Maat is a daughter of Ra. It is said
that Maat is the foundation of creation. Ra stands in his boat of creation on the pedestal of
Maat. So what is Maat? Maat is order, righteousness, justice, truth. Maat also implies a right-
eous way of life based on order, duty, dispassion and cosmic awareness. There is a very deep
philosophy behind Maat. You can look at our Philosophy video in order to get more on this
as well as the books Egyptian Yoga: The Philosophy of Enlightenment and Egyptian Proverbs. Essen-
tially, what you need to think about as you perform the exercise is becoming like Maat, becom-
ing truthful, becoming righteous, becoming orderly within yourself. What does that mean?
That means understanding your oneness with the universe, understanding that you are the
daughter or the son of the Supreme Being. You must understand that you are immortal, eter-
nal and essentially one with the Divine. You are not just a mortal individual caught in a world
of time and space. You are the master of the universe as you exist by Maat.
INSTRUCTIONS:
With legs two feet apart, raise both arms as if you are unfurling your spiritual wings. Turn the
head to the side, twisting the leg, now kneel down. Breathing in and come up, turn to the
other side. See yourself as having wings to fly on. When you are truthful and righteous, you
become at peace. When you are at peace, you can fly, your thoughts can fly, your ideas can fly.
When you are in tension, you are constricted and agitated. Your mind, your thoughts cannot
fly. Your spirit becomes trapped in the body and has no awareness of the greater world that
exists beyond the body. Arms down and rest. Breathing in and out. OM. peace.
Spread your legs apart about two feet and what we do basically is that as you Maat repre-
sents truth justice and righteousness. Maat is the very foundation of creation it is the basis of
everything it is the basis for you of me, of everything, it is the basis of being able to come into
harmony with all those around us. When we act in ways that are harmonious with Maat when
we act in truthful righteous and just ways then we come into harmony with Maat. Keep these
in mind as we do the posture. You can lower your arms right now cause let me just say one
more thing as you inhale and unfurl your wings of Maat what I want you to do is to focus and
if you have seen the pictures of the balance of the scales of Maat from your right hand see that
the scale is hanging off of it and that scale see your heart and on the left hand see the feather
of Maat so as you do the posture you will have your ab or your heart on the scale in your right
hand and you will have the feather of Maat on your left hand on the scale and try to keep the
balance try to keep your heart as light as the feather of Maat. Spread your legs apart and then
go ahead and we are going to twist our feet to the right and bring your head to the right so we
are basically looking forward at our hand and lower yourself to the ground, lower the left knee
onto the ground and go back sit on our heel the left heel and then we can bring our heel all
the way down and sit on our foot try to maintain the balance and then inhale we come up and
turn back facing forward exhale release the arms and shake the arms out a little bit inhale up
and furl the wings of Maat turn to the left feet to the left face our left arm the feathers of Maat
and lower ourselves to the ground bring our right knee onto the ground sit on our right heel
and then we can point our toes and sit all the way down on the right foot try to keep the bal-
ance and inhale up slowly and gently and turn forward and release the arms and shake out the
arms. relax and shake out the arms when you feel a pain in your thighs tomorrow yes, think of
Maat.
149
Pose 21-
21- The Aset Victory Pose
1
2
3
The forms of Isis
150
Pose 21-
21- The Aset Victory Pose
Now the Isis Pose. Maat and Isis are related to each other. Both repre-
sent order, justice, wisdom and truth. These qualities are essential on the
spiritual path. Therefore, while practicing the Isis pose, there should be a
keen understanding of the qualities embodied in Isis. There is no better
way to do this except by visualizing yourself as being imbued with those
qualities by seeing yourself as Isis.
Think of yourself as Isis. As we said earlier, Isis is the daughter of Nut

and Geb, and wife of Osiris. Isis is the embodiment of wisdom, not just
intellectual knowledge, but spiritual knowledge which comes from experi-
encing the transcendental realms of existence. This is real knowledge
which cannot come from books or any intellectual exercise of the mind.
Isis is the one who comes and saves Osiris after he was killed by Set.
INSTRUCTION:
Place the right leg in front, raise arms to the side and exhaling, come
down. Inhale and come up. Come to the original position, watching the
breath. Now place the left leg to the front, arms out to the side up, going
down, breathing in coming up, breathing out going down. Repeat one
more time.
151
Pose 22-
22- The Aset Throne Pose
The God Asar sitting on

the throne of Aset (Isis).
The Goddess Aset The goddesses Aset and
(Isis) sitting on the Nebthet (Nephthys)
stand behind the throne.
throne,
suckling Heru.
The practice of the Throne-

Sitting Posture
The Goddess Net (Aset- The King sitting on

Isis) sitting on the throne. the throne of Aset.
The Goddess Hetheru

sitting on the throne.
152
Pose 22-
22- The Aset Throne Pose
Aset
Asar
The goddess, who symbolizes creation itself, the physical universe, supports the
incarnation of the soul (Asar). In this way, the physical (Aset) supports the spirit
(Asar). This is why the symbol of the throne is used in the name of the god Asar and
the goddess Aset. This symbol of the goddess herself is the throne, and this is why the
throne seat, ‘, is where Asar is shown seated. The name Asar is spelled with the
throne symbol, the eye symbol, u. And the male determinative, K. The eye symbol
written in this manner means "to make,” "create,” "to do" or "engender." Therefore,
the mystical symbolism of the name Asar is the essence, which procreates or comes
into existence through Aset.
The symbols of the name of Aset are the throne seat, ‘ “as”, the phonetic sign for
“t”, ¯, the determinative egg, ˜, symbol of motherhood, and the female determina-
tive, [.
This manner of reading of the name of Asar is supported by the myth of Asar and
Aset as well as their epithets and their iconographies. The name Asar is intimately re-
lated to the name Aset. Asar and Aset are often referred to as “brother” and “sister.”
This relates to the idea that they come from the same parent, i.e. the same spiritual
source. In ancient times men and women who married were also referred to as brother
and sister. This had no relation to their parentage. Rather, this epithet relates to the
mystical origins of all human beings. Essentially, we are all brothers and sisters. As
our true nature is not man and woman but soul, and our parent, the Universal Spirit.
Through the myth of the Asarian Resurrection, we learn that Asar and Aset are
Avatars, divine incarnations, sent to earth to lead souls, incarnating as human beings,
towards righteousness, prosperity and spiritual enlightenment. In a higher sense, Asar
represents the soul of every human being which comes to earth and must struggle to
overcome the lower nature, who is symbolized by Set.
Instruction:
Raise the arms with palms facing downward. Bending the knees, lower yourself as
far as you can comfortably go as if you were to sit on the throne of the goddess. Visu-
alize yourself as being supported by the beneficent power of the goddess, who is the
great and compassionate mother. Stay in the posture for as long as is comfortable,
raise yourself up and repeat once more.
153
Pose 23-
23- Hept: The Aset Embrace Pose
The Goddess Aset
The Goddess Aset

embracing Asar
2
Above: The goddesses Aset and

Nebethet embrace Asar.
154
Pose 23-
23- Hept: The Aset Embrace Pose
Above: The all-embracing, all-encompassing wings of Heru.
The Embrace Posture, refers to the act of hugging or embracing. The

goddess Aset is the quintessential ideal of the idea behind this pose. She
embraced Asar and Heru in their time of need and brought them back to
life. In the same way, a spiritual aspirant should understand that the Aset
quality within them is capable of encompassing their entire life in order
to resurrect it from the grips of dullness, negativity and misery.
Thus, visualize yourself as a gigantic image of Aset and see yourself

embracing your body, your very personality.
You are Asar and Aset has come to enfold you with the love and
peace which she brings to resurrect you.
INSTRUCTION:
Wave your arms from side to side and with your eyes closed see your-
self embracing the entire world. There are no good or bad things in the
world, only the embrace which encompasses all. Allow Aset within you
to emerge with the power of all encompassing devotion, compassion and
love for all.
155
Pose 24–
24– Djed: Es-
Es-
tab
tablished in Asar Pose
The Mystical Implications of the Djed
¥
The Djed pillar, ¥, is associated with the Ancient
Egyptian Gods, Ptah as well as Osiris. It is part of a
profound mystical teaching that encompasses the
mystical Life Force energy which engenders the uni-
verse and which is the driving force that sustains all
life and impels human beings to action. In the
Ausarian Resurrection myth it is written that when
Osiris was killed by Set, his body was thrown into
the Nile and it came ashore on the banks of Syria.
There it grew into a tree with a fragrant aroma and
the king of that land had it cut into a pillar. The pillar
of Osiris-Ptah refers to the human verte-
brae and the Serpent Power or Life
Force energy which exists in the subtle
spine of every human being. It refers to
the four highest states of psycho-spiritual consciousness in a human being
with the uppermost tier symbolizing ultimate spiritual enlightenment.
Also, the Djed refers to the special realm of the Duat (astral Plane)
wherein Osiris or spiritual resurrection can be discovered in much the
same way as the Christian Tree of Life refers to resurrection in Christian
mystical mythology.
The Duat or Ancient Egyptian concept of the Netherworld is a special

place of existence. This is the abode of Osiris-Ptah as well as the ultimate
destination of those who become spiritually enlightened. It is the realm of
Supreme Peace. It is known as Sekhet-Aaru or in other times Amentet.
Amentet is a reference which unites the symbolism of Osiris and Ptah
with that of Amun, thus relating the deities of Ancient Egypt into a singu-
lar essence and dispelling the notion of polytheism. This is an important
Tantric theme. The Djed symbolizes the awakening human soul who is
well “established” or “steadfast” or “stability” in the knowledge of the
156
Self. Djeddu, ¥¥«}{, refers to the abode of Osiris within

the Duat.
Djeddu was the name of two towns in Ancient Egypt. In mysti-

cal terms it refers to being firmly established in the Netherworld.
The Ancient Egyptian word Djeddu also refers to “steadfastness”
or “stability” as well as the pillar of Osiris. This is the principle
being referred to in the following verse from the Egyptian Book of
Coming Forth By Day, Chapter I: 13-15:
Š!¥¥ËËKx¥¥ËËKÈ}\Ëb!b¥¥«}{:Ò]ËË!b¥¥
{«}
nuk Djeddy, se Djeddy au am-a em Djeddu Mesi - a em
Djeddu
“I am Djeddy (steadfast), son of Djeddy (steadfast), con-
ceived and born in the region of Djeddu (steadfastness).”
PRACTICING THE POSTURE
Slowly come to a standing posture.
Looking straight ahead place your left arm over your chest with
the tips of your fingers almost touching your right shoulder.
Now bend your right arm and cross your chest over your left arm
and touch your chest.
Now find a comfortable position and remain completely motion-

less, being as if encased in an impregnable pillar.
Visualize that you are established in the teaching, that you are
firm in your resolution and will to act, think, feel and bee one in
divine consciousness with Creation and the spirit.
Visualize that your are the conduit between heaven and earth and
that you are immovable
157
Pose 25-
25- The Headstand Pose
At left: a variation
on the arm position,
with hands open
supporting the
body.
Ancient Egyptian versions of the

Headstand.
At right: the classic Headstand with
arms in a “V” shape bracing the head.
4
5
158
Pose 25-
25- The Headstand Pose
THE HEAD STAND
Now we are going to practice the head stand. This is one of the more difficult pos-
tures of yoga. If you find that you cannot do it without support, go close to a wall to
support you as you raise your legs. Measure one forearm’s length to measure the dis-
tance to use for your "V" shape support at the elbows and interlock your fingers. Now
place the hands behind the head, making a "V" with the elbows. Walking into posi-
tion, bring the legs closer to the body and slowly move the lower portion of the body
up. Once you are up, you may practice variations, such as moving legs from side to
side if you feel you can.
Hold as long as you can. To come down, move the body following the steps above
in reverse order. Bring legs close to the body, then down to the ground. Lay flat on
your back to equalize the pressure and allow the blood to flow normally again.
Fig. 33B
The “V” shape elbow

position for the head
stand.
Interlock the fingers
and cup the back of the
head with the hands
(A). Move the elbows
A apart by the distance of
one forearm’s length
B (B).
2 1
3
Above: the sequence for practicing the Headstand. The center photo shows the arms in a “V” shape with
hands interlocked and bracing the head. The left and right pictures show a more difficult variation with
palms open.
159
Pose 26–
26– Khepri: The Scarab Pose
160
Pose 26–
26– Khepri: The Scarab Pose
Now squat on the floor with your forehead on the ground and the knees
tucked into the chest . This is the pose of transformation, the Scarab. You are tak-
ing all the benefits from the exercises and keeping them within the body. Think
of yourself as a scarab. You are transforming yourself mentally, physically, and
spiritually.
$
´
The beetle is a very important pose. The scarab (dung beetle of Egypt) is an in-
sect which burrows into the mud caused by the Nile flood waters, and after the
muddy waters recede, the beetle comes up with a new body, a new being. The bee-
tle is likened to Ra, the sun, in the morning who comes out of the murky waters
of the dark night. The sun rises in the morning as a new being. The scarab
(energy of transformation) pushes the sun on its journey every day. In the morn-
ing, the sun is Kheper, the scarab, at noon it becomes Ra, and in the evening, the
setting sun, it is Tem. These different phases, symbolize the one Supreme Being
which manifests as a triad of time, past, present and future.
The scarab symbolizes transformation, and here we are transforming ourselves

mentally, physically and spiritually into higher beings, higher beings. Let go of all
the tension and mental agitation. In letting go, we are transforming our selves, we
are becoming peaceful, we are becoming true agents of Hetep and coming into
harmony with Maat.
Mediate on this for a minute, watching the breath.
161
Pose 27–
27– Asar: The Mummy or Corpse Pose and Medita
Meditation
Y The Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyph of the Corpse

Now, let us practice the final exercise. This exercise is going to be
always preceded by the scarab, and all these exercises that have been
given. This exercise is a meditative posture as well. All the benefits
that we derived from our exercises, meditations, postures and mental
exercises that we have done in this period, we are going to bring them
into this posture and allow them to integrate into our personalities
and become part of us.
Now, as we said before, Osiris was killed by Set who was jealous of
him. Isis came to revive him and resurrect him. This is the Great Res-
urrection that Isis performed for Osiris the true meaning behind the
corpse pose or mummy pose. By allowing the wisdom of Isis to be-
come part of you, you will be resurrected from your state of ignorance
into the state of supreme wisdom to experience your true divine na-
ture and discover your immortality.
162
Pose 27–
27– Asar: The Mummy or Corpse Pose and Medi
Meditation
Lay flat on your back, legs two feet apart, arms one foot
away from the body, watching the breath.
Visualize the ancient relief of Isis hovering over

Osiris. Keep your body perfectly still. Visualize it as be-
ing dead. Visualize it as being life-less. Now picture the
form of Isis. Her magnificent wing shape, hovering
about you flying back and forth. Now she is coming
closer and closer to your lifeless body. Now you can feel
the air, the wind, being blown from her wings as she hov-
ers directly above you. Feel the wind, not just blowing
on the body but blowing through it. Visualize her wings encompass-
ing the whole world and you are the whole world. Visualize her wings
enfolding you. They are unfurling and unfolding. Visualize Isis com-
ing directly over you and on top of you. Feel that you are completely
enfolded by her wings. Feel her love, compassion and majesty. She is
beautiful and wise. Look into her eyes, dark and mysterious, see the
depth of her being. She is transcendental, from her golden arms the
multicolored wings emerge. Her wings span the entire universe and
yet she is here with you. Isis is touching you. She is one with you now.
Now feel the vitality, the energy of the entire universe coming into
you. Feel yourself as being one with all that exists. This is Isis. This is
the wisdom that she brings. You are not the body, but the spirit en-
ergy that resides in the body, you are Isis. Let Isis live through you.
Let Isis become one with you. Visualize your arms and see wings
sprouting from your arms. See the wings unfurling. Now see yourself
coming up from the body; you are being resurrected. Fly up, up, up,
through the roof, through the air, above the clouds. Rise above the
clouds of your thoughts and your mind. There is no contradiction;
there is total oneness.
Look at the sun. Now fly towards it. Feel its rays. They are not
hot. They are cool; they are soothing. Fly to the sun, embrace it. Be-
163
Pose 27–
Meditation
Asar
(Osiris)
coming
out of the
coffin.
164
Pose 27–
Meditation
come one with it. The sun is the Supreme Being; it is Ra, not the
physical sun, but the spiritual principle behind it, the light of con-
sciousness itself. Now look at the moon and fly towards it. It is Isis,
that is also you. Embrace it, become one with it. Now, look at your
eyes. Look at your body there. Look at the eyes and visualize the eye
of Horus and the eye of Ra in place of your eyes. You are one with
the universe. You encompass all things and you have knowledge of
your true Self, your spiritual Self. You have the eye of Ra and you
have the eye of Horus within you and this is the legacy of the Neters.
This is your legacy. Meditate on this for a minute, watching the
breath.
Stay here now in silence for as long as you like.
Now, coming back to body consciousness, gradually move your

toes, ankles, knees, hips, stomach, chest, arms and shoulders, neck
side to side. Om. Peace.
Now, if you would like to you may go ahead, while you are in this
transcendental mood, with your body fully exercised, the energies bal-
anced, and the forces within your spiritual self, to heal yourself or
practice meditation. If you want to do some healing now, visualize
165
Pose 27–
Meditation
any part of the body that needs healing and direct the energies (the
Prana, the chi, the sekhem, Life Force) there for a few seconds. Direct
it to the part of the body that is in need of assistance.
We have already practiced mediation through out this program to-

day, but if you would like to do a formal meditation, this would be the
best time to do it. Now that your mind and body and spirit are ener-
gized, yet relaxed. If not, you may go through the day always trying to
keep a peaceful mind. Always try to understand that the obstacles you
are going through in life are all for your benefit. They are all chal-
lenges for you to exert your will, for you to develop your spiritual
strength and hold on to your spiritual peace, and your spiritual knowl-
edge. If you are challenged by those who are ignorant, those who are
trying to hurt you, don't become one with their level. Always try to re-
member who “you” are. Remember Maat. Remember that your
strength is derived from Isis, and is not from any possession or rela-
tionship that you have; it is derived from Isis. Everything is given light
through Isis, through the Supreme Being, so therefore, if there is any-
thing in your life that gives you pleasure it is because of the Supreme
Being, who is present there. So do not become attached to objects but
to the spiritual principle which flows through them and all creation.
So don't look at the object itself as a source of pain or pleasure, look
at the spiritual basis of the object. Everything in the universe is part
of that supreme ocean that we spoke of in the beginning, and that
ocean is nothing but the Supreme Being. May you attain wisdom,
may you travel in peace, may you travel in justice and righteousness
and honor and love.
Peace be with you.
166
Purification of the Body - Physical Exercise Practice Questions.
1- What is the importance of getting proper sleep?

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_________________________________
2- What is the importance of proper breathing?

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_________________________________
3- Describe the process of proper breathing.

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_________________________________
4- What is the most important purpose of physical exercise?

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_________________________________
5- What happens to the inner vital forces of the body when yoga ex-
167
ercises are practiced?

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_________________________________
6- What are the benefits of the head stand pose?

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_________________________________
7- Should physical exercise be performed before or after practicing

reflection and meditation?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_________________________________
8- Which Egyptian deities are performing yogic poses and symbolize

Heaven and Earth?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_________________________________
9- Which Egyptian poses are similar to the Sufi dervishes?
168
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_________________________________
10- What is the exercise pose being performed by the deities Shu,
Nut and Geb?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
11- Turning to the video (which accompanies this lesson), follow the
sequence of the exercises and then note in writing your experiences.
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_________________________________
12- What is the breathing exercise which emphasizes harmonizing

the energies of the body?
_______________________________________________________
169
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_________________________________
13- Which two goddesses helped Isis in her time of grief over Horus
and how did they help her?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_________________________________
14- From the video, what is the practice of the balancing breath and
why is it important?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_________________________________
15- What is the solar channel and what is the lunar channel?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_________________________________
16- When should the solar channel of breath be promoted and when
should it not be promoted?
170
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_________________________________
17- When should the balancing breath exercise be practiced?

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_________________________________
18- Which deity(s) preside(s) over the subtle channels of the internal
Life Force energy?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_________________________________
171
On the following page you will see a chart. This chart contains
guidelines for practicing the postures in a systematic way in your ex-
ercise program.
In the beginning you should practice the basic program. As you

progress you may add additional postures to your program. To in-
crease the intensity of your workout you can also practice more repe-
titions of each posture.
In order to gain the meditative benefits of the postures you can

follow the guidelines given in the Meditative Series column.
You should attempt to perform the basic program daily. As you

progress you may perform the medium program daily and as you
progress further you can perform the Intensive program and the
meditative programs.
There are two ways to increase the intensity of the programs. One
way is to increase the repetitions performed. This will provide the
benefit of physical health and vitality.
The second way to increase the intensity of the workout is to in-

crease the hold time of each posture, the time you stay in it. This
practice is used in the meditative workout. It will bring increased
stamina and will power. For more on the meditative workout follow
the program in the audio session. Tape #603 Egyptian Yoga Exercise
Workout Level Three.
172
Egyptian Yoga Exercise Program Guidelines

POSTURE Beginner BASIC MEDIUM MEDITATIVE
Session Session Session Session
1 Karast (Mummy) Pose 2 minutes 2 minutes 5 minutes 5 minutes
2 Nefertem Lotus Pose 2 minutes 5 minutes 10 minutes 10 minutes
3 Nun Pose. 2 reps* 3 reps* 4 reps* 2 reps*

4 Warm Up 1 minute 2 minutes 5 minutes 2 minutes
5 Shu Pose 2 reps* 3 reps* 4 reps* 2 reps*
6 Journey of Ra Pose Se- 1 set* 1 set* 4-6 reps* 1 set hold each pos-
ries ture 30 seconds
7 Shoulder-stand Pose, 1 rep* 2 reps* 1 rep*
Plough Pose,
8 Wheel Pose, 1 rep* 2 reps* 1 rep*
9 Fish Pose 1 rep* 1 reps* 1 rep*
10 Spinal Twist Pose 1 rep* 2 rep* 3 reps* 1 rep*
11 Forward Bend Pose and 2 reps* 2 reps* 3 reps* 2 reps*
12 Selket –Scorpion Pose 2 reps* 4 reps* 2 reps*

13 Sebek –Crocodile Pose 2 reps* 2 reps* 4 reps* 2 reps*
14 Arat- Cobra Pose 2 reps* 2 reps* 3 reps* 2 reps*
15 Horemacket –Sphinx 1 rep* 2 rep* 4 reps* 1 rep*
Pose
16 Heru – Horus Pose and 1 rep* 1 rep* 1 rep* 1 rep*
variations
17 Henu Pose 2 sets* 2 reps* 2 sets*
18 Nut Pose 1 rep* 1 rep* 2 reps* 1 rep*
19 Maat Pose 1 set* 1 set* 2 reps* 1 set*
20 Aset Pose 1 set* 1 set* 2 reps* 1 set*
21 Aset Sitting Pose 2 reps* 3 reps* 4 reps* 2 reps*
22 Aset Embrace Pose 2 reps* 2 reps* 4 reps* 2 reps*
23 Djed Pose 1 rep* 1 rep* 1 rep* 1 rep*
24 Headstand Pose 1 rep* 1 rep* 1 rep*
25 Khepri— Scarab Pose 1 minute 3 minutes 5 minutes 5 minutes
26 Shti (Mummy) Pose 3 minutes 5 minutes 10 minutes 15 minutes
*hold for *hold for *hold for *hold for three to
30 seconds one minute one minute five minutes or as
long as you can.
173
Kamitic Yoga
Beginners Session
Filmed at the Foot of the Step Pyramid in
Sakkara Egypt, Africa
Beginner's Introduction to
Avail-
able as
DVD
$10.00
Avail-
able as
DVD
$10.00
AUDIO CASSETTE EXERCISE SERIES

600 WC The Egyptian Yoga Exercise Workout with Vijaya Level I-
short session $9.99 45 min.
601 WC The Egyptian Yoga Exercise Workout with Vijaya Level II-
long session $9.99 - 90min
603 WC The Egyptian Yoga Exercise Workout with Muata Level III -
long session $9.99 - 90min
174
175
EGYPTIAN YOGA: EGYPTIAN BOOK OF THE

The Philosophy of Enlightenment DEAD
by Dr. Muata Ashby New Translation of the Mysticism of
ISBN: 1-884564-01-1 Soft the Papyri of Pert m Heru
350pp ISBN 1-884564-28-3
EGYPTIAN YOGA II
The Supreme Wisdom of RESURRECTING OSIRIS:
Enlightenment The Path of Mystical Awakening
by Dr. Muata Ashby by Dr. MuataAshby
ISBN 1-884564-39-9 278pp 8.5” X 11” Soft Cover 2 pages
ISBN: 1884564-27-5
THE MYSTICAL JOURNEY FROM
INITIATION INTO JESUS TO CHRIST
EGYPTIAN YOGA: The Secrets by Dr. Muata Ashby
of Sheti ISBN 1-884564-05-4 Pages over
***(Expanded new Edition) 260
by Dr. Muata Abhaya Ashby MEDITATION
Paper ISBN 1-884564-02-X The Ancient Egyptian Path to
Soft Cover Enlightenment
***(Expanded new Edition)
ISBN 1-884564-27-7
EGYPTIAN YOGA
The Movement of The Gods and
The Glorious Light Meditation
Goddesses-Meditation in Motion Technique of Ancient Egypt
by Dr. Muata Ashby ISBN: 1-884564-15-1(PB)
***(Expanded new Edition) This volume is based on the earliest
ISBN 1-884564-10-0 known instruction in history given for
the practice of formal meditation.
THE WISDOM OF MAATI: Discovered by Dr. Muata Ashby, it is
Spiritual Enlightenment inscribed on the walls of the Tomb of
Through the Path of Virtue Seti I in Thebes Egypt.
***(Expanded new Edition)
ISBN 1-884564-20-8 MYSTERIES OF MIND &
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EGYPTIAN PROVERBS The Mystical Teachings of
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THE SERPENT POWER:
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ISBN 1-884564-19-4 ISBN 1-884564-03-8
NEW RELEASE THE PATH OF DIVINE THE GODDESS PATH

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OGY: Mysteries of Enlightenment through Egypt
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176
AFRICAN ORIGINS OF THE KEMETIC DIET:

CIVILIZATION, Food For Body, Mina and
MYSTICAL RELIGION Soul
AND YOGA
PHILOSOPHY (Hard
GUIDE TO HEALTH, DIET
Cover First Edition) AND FASTING
ISBN: 1-884564-50-X ISBN: 1-884564-49-6
AFRICAN ORIGINS BOOK 1 THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF

PART 1 African Origins of HATHOR Based on an
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Religion, Yoga Mysticism The original Theater -
a n d E t h i c s Mysticism of the Temple of
PhilosophyISBN: 1- Hetheru. It is based on the
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AFRICAN ORIGINS BOOK 2 goddess Hetheru and the god
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(Soft) ISBN: 1-884564-56-
FROM EGYPT TO
9
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AFRICAN ORIGINS BOOK 3
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and Philosophy(Soft)
ISBN: 1-884564-57-7 THE STORY OF ASAR,
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ISBN 1-884564-24-0
177
OTHER BOOKS BY MUATA ASHBY

EGYPTIAN YOGA: The Philosophy of Enlightenment is a
wonderful resource book which won’t become dated
dated
and is useful for both neophytes and adepts of the
mys
mystical sciences...
—NewAge Retailer Review

Other Books From C M Books
P.O.Box 570459
Miami, Florida, 33257
(305) 378-6253 Fax: (305) 378-6253
This book is part of a series on the study and practice of Ancient Egyptian Yoga and Mystical
Spirituality based on the writings of Dr. Muata Abhaya Ashby. They are also part of the Egyptian Yoga
Course provided by the Sema Institute of Yoga. Below you will find a listing of the other books in this
series. For more information send for the Egyptian Yoga Book-Audio-Video Catalog or the Egyptian Yoga
Course Catalog.
Now you can study the teachings of Egyptian and Indian Yoga wisdom and Spirituality with the Egyptian
Yoga Mystical Spirituality Series. The Egyptian Yoga Series takes you through the Initiation process and
lead you to understand the mysteries of the soul and the Divine and to attain the highest goal of life:
ENLIGHTENMENT. The Egyptian Yoga Series, takes you on an in depth study of Ancient Egyptian
mythology and their inner mystical meaning. Each Book is prepared for the serious student of the mystical
sciences and provides a study of the teachings along with exercises, assignments and projects to make the
teachings understood and effective in real life. The Series is part of the Egyptian Yoga course but may be
purchased even if you are not taking the course. The series is ideal for study groups.
Prices subject to change.
1. EGYPTIAN YOGA: THE PHILOSOPHY OF ENLIGHTENMENT An original, fully illustrated

work, including hieroglyphs, detailing the meaning of the Egyptian mysteries, tantric yoga, psycho-
spiritual and physical exercises. Egyptian Yoga is a guide to the practice of the highest spiritual phi-
losophy which leads to absolute freedom from human misery and to immortality. It is well known
by scholars that Egyptian philosophy is the basis of Western and Middle Eastern religious philoso-
phies such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, the Kabala, and Greek philosophy, but what about In-
dian philosophy, Yoga and Taoism? What were the original teachings? How can they be practiced
today? What is the source of pain and suffering in the world and what is the solution? Discover the
deepest mysteries of the mind and universe within and outside of your self. 8.5” X 11” ISBN: 1-
884564-01-1 Soft $19.95
2. EGYPTIAN YOGA: African Religion Volume 2- Theban THeology by Dr. Muata Ashby ISBN 1-
884564-39-9 $23.95 U.S. In this long awaited sequel to Egyptian Yoga: The Philosophy of En-
lightenment you will take a fascinating and enlightening journey back in time and discover the
teachings which constituted the epitome of Ancient Egyptian spiritual wisdom. What are the disci-
plines which lead to the fulfillment of all desires? Delve into the three states of consciousness
(waking, dream and deep sleep) and the fourth state which transcends them all, Neberdjer, “The
Absolute.” These teachings of the city of Waset (Thebes) were the crowning achievement of the
Sages of Ancient Egypt. They establish the standard mystical keys for understanding the profound
178
mystical symbolism of the Triad of human con- Meditation, Diet, Words of Power and the an-
sciousness. cient wisdom teachings. 8.5” X 11” ISBN 1-
884564-02-X Soft Cover $24.95 U.S.
3. THE KEMETIC DIET: GUIDE TO HEALTH,
DIET AND FASTING Health issues have al- 5. THE AFRICAN ORIGINS OF CIVILIZATION,
ways been important to human beings since the MYSTICAL RELIGION AND YOGA PHI-
beginning of time. The earliest records of his- LOSOPHY HARD COVER EDITION ISBN:
tory show that the art of healing was held in 1-884564-50-X $80.00 U.S. 81/2” X 11”
high esteem since the time of Ancient Egypt. In Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 in one volume 683 Pages
the early 20th century, medical doctors had al- Hard Cover First Edition Three volumes in one.
most attained the status of sainthood by the pro- Over the past several years I have been asked to
motion of the idea that they alone were put together in one volume the most important
“scientists” while other healing modalities and evidences showing the correlations and com-
traditional healers who did not follow the mon teachings between Kamitan (Ancient
“scientific method’ were nothing but supersti- Egyptian) culture and religion and that of India.
tious, ignorant charlatans who at best would The questions of the history of Ancient Egypt,
take the money of their clients and at worst kill and the latest archeological evidences showing
them with the unscientific “snake oils” and civilization and culture in Ancient Egypt and its
“irrational theories”. In the late 20th century, the spread to other countries, has intrigued many
failure of the modern medical establishment’s scholars as well as mystics over the years. Also,
ability to lead the general public to good health, the possibility that Ancient Egyptian Priests and
promoted the move by many in society towards Priestesses migrated to Greece, India and other
“alternative medicine”. Alternative medicine countries to carry on the traditions of the An-
disciplines are those healing modalities which cient Egyptian Mysteries, has been speculated
do not adhere to the philosophy of allopathic over the years as well. In chapter 1 of the book
medicine. Allopathic medicine is what medical Egyptian Yoga The Philosophy of Enlighten-
doctors practice by an large. It is the theory that ment, 1995, I first introduced the deepest com-
disease is caused by agencies outside the body parison between Ancient Egypt and India that
such as bacteria, viruses or physical means had been brought forth up to that time. Now, in
which affect the body. These can therefore be the year 2001 this new book, THE AFRICAN
treated by medicines and therapies The natural ORIGINS OF CIVILIZATION, MYSTICAL RE-
healing method began in the absence of exten- LIGION AND YOGA PHILOSOPHY, more
sive technologies with the idea that all the an- fully explores the motifs, symbols and philo-
swers for health may be found in nature or sophical correlations between Ancient Egyptian
rather, the deviation from nature. Therefore, the and Indian mysticism and clearly shows not
health of the body can be restored by correcting only that Ancient Egypt and India were con-
the aberration and thereby restoring balance. nected culturally but also spiritually. How does
This is the area that will be covered in this vol- this knowledge help the spiritual aspirant? This
ume. Allopathic techniques have their place in discovery has great importance for the Yogis
the art of healing. However, we should not for- and mystics who follow the philosophy of An-
get that the body is a grand achievement of the cient Egypt and the mysticism of India. It
spirit and built into it is the capacity to maintain means that India has a longer history and heri-
itself and heal itself. Ashby, Muata ISBN: 1- tage than was previously understood. It shows
884564-49-6 $28.95 that the mysteries of Ancient Egypt were essen-
tially a yoga tradition which did not die but
4. INITIATION INTO EGYPTIAN YOGA rather developed into the modern day systems
Shedy: Spiritual discipline or program, to go of Yoga technology of India. It further shows
deeply into the mysteries, to study the mystery that African culture developed Yoga Mysticism
teachings and literature profoundly, to penetrate earlier than any other civilization in history. All
the mysteries. You will learn about the myster- of this expands our understanding of the unity
ies of initiation into the teachings and practice of culture and the deep legacy of Yoga, which
of Yoga and how to become an Initiate of the stretches into the distant past, beyond the Indus
mystical sciences. This insightful manual is the Valley civilization, the earliest known high cul-
first in a series which introduces you to the ture in India as well as the Vedic tradition of
goals of daily spiritual and yoga practices: Aryan culture. Therefore, Yoga culture and
179
mysticism is the oldest known tradition of spiri- Temt Tchaas means: collection of ——Ancient
tual development and Indian mysticism is an Egyptian Proverbs How to live according to
extension of the Ancient Egyptian mysticism. MAAT Philosophy. Beginning Meditation. All
By understanding the legacy which Ancient proverbs are indexed for easy searches. For the
Egypt gave to India the mysticism of India is first time in one volume, ——Ancient Egyptian
better understood and by comprehending the Proverbs, wisdom teachings and meditations,
heritage of Indian Yoga, which is rooted in An- fully illustrated with hieroglyphic text and sym-
cient Egypt the Mysticism of Ancient Egypt is bols. EGYPTIAN PROVERBS is a unique col-
also better understood. This expanded under- lection of knowledge and wisdom which you
standing allows us to prove the underlying kin- can put into practice today and transform your
ship of humanity, through the common sym- life. 5.5"x 8.5" $14.95 U.S ISBN: 1-
bols, motifs and philosophies which are not dis- 884564-00-3
parate and confusing teachings but in reality
expressions of the same study of truth through 11. GOD OF LOVE: THE PATH OF DIVINE
metaphysics and mystical realization of Self. LOVE The Process of Mystical Transforma-
(HARD COVER) tion and The Path of Divine Love This Vol-
ume focuses on the ancient wisdom teachings of
6. AFRICAN ORIGINS BOOK 1 PART 1 Afri- “Neter Merri” –the Ancient Egyptian philoso-
can Origins of African Civilization, Religion, phy of Divine Love and how to use them in a
Yoga Mysticism and Ethics Philosophy-Soft scientific process for self-transformation. Love
Cover $24.95 ISBN: 1-884564-55-0 is one of the most powerful human emotions. It
is also the source of Divine feeling that unifies
7. AFRICAN ORIGINS BOOK 2 PART 2 Afri- God and the individual human being. When
can Origins of Western Civilization, Religion love is fragmented and diminished by egoism
and Philosophy(Soft) -Soft Cover $24.95 the Divine connection is lost. The Ancient tra-
ISBN: 1-884564-56-9 dition of Neter Merri leads human beings back
to their Divine connection, allowing them to
8. EGYPT AND INDIA (AFRICAN ORIGINS BOOK discover their innate glorious self that is actu-
3 PART 3) African Origins of Eastern Civiliza- ally Divine and immortal. This volume will de-
tion, Religion, Yoga Mysticism and Philoso- tail the process of transformation from ordinary
phy-Soft Cover $29.95 (Soft) ISBN: 1-884564- consciousness to cosmic consciousness through
57-7 the integrated practice of the teachings and the
path of Devotional Love toward the Divine.
9. THE MYSTERIES OF ISIS: The Ancient 5.5"x 8.5" ISBN 1-884564-11-9 $22.99
Egyptian Philosophy of Self-Realization -
There are several paths to discover the Divine 12. INTRODUCTION TO MAAT PHILOSOPHY:
and the mysteries of the higher Self. This vol- Spiritual Enlightenment Through the Path of
ume details the mystery teachings of the god- Virtue Known as Karma Yoga in India, the
dess Aset (Isis) from Ancient Egypt- the path of teachings of MAAT for living virtuously and
wisdom. It includes the teachings of her temple with orderly wisdom are explained and the stu-
and the disciplines that are enjoined for the ini- dent is to begin practicing the precepts of Maat
tiates of the temple of Aset as they were given in daily life so as to promote the process of pu-
in ancient times. Also, this book includes the rification of the heart in preparation for the
teachings of the main myths of Aset that lead a judgment of the soul. This judgment will be
human being to spiritual enlightenment and im- understood not as an event that will occur at the
mortality. Through the study of ancient myth time of death but as an event that occurs con-
and the illumination of initiatic understanding tinuously, at every moment in the life of the
the idea of God is expanded from the mytho- individual. The student will learn how to be-
logical comprehension to the metaphysical. come allied with the forces of the Higher Self
Then this metaphysical understanding is related and to thereby begin cleansing the mind (heart)
to you, the student, so as to begin understanding of impurities so as to attain a higher vision of
your true divine nature. ISBN 1-884564-24-0 reality. ISBN 1-884564-20-8 $22.99
$22.99
13. MEDITATION The Ancient Egyptian Path to
10. EGYPTIAN PROVERBS: TEMT TCHAAS Enlightenment Many people do not know
180
about the rich history of meditation practice in TRA YOGA: The Art of Sex Sublimation and
Ancient Egypt. This volume outlines the theory Universal Consciousness This Volume will ex-
of meditation and presents the Ancient Egyptian pand on the male and female principles within
Hieroglyphic text which give instruction as to the human body and in the universe and further
the nature of the mind and its three modes of detail the sublimation of sexual energy into
expression. It also presents the texts which give spiritual energy. The student will study the dei-
instruction on the practice of meditation for ties Min and Hathor, Asar and Aset, Geb and
spiritual Enlightenment and unity with the Di- Nut and discover the mystical implications for a
vine. This volume allows the reader to begin practical spiritual discipline. This Volume will
practicing meditation by explaining, in easy to also focus on the Tantric aspects of Ancient
understand terms, the simplest form of medita- Egyptian and Indian mysticism, the purpose of
tion and working up to the most advanced form sex and the mystical teachings of sexual subli-
which was practiced in ancient times and which mation which lead to self-knowledge and En-
is still practiced by yogis around the world in lightenment. 5.5"x 8.5" ISBN 1-884564-03-8
modern times. ISBN 1-884564-27-7 $24.99 $24.95
14. THE GLORIOUS LIGHT MEDITATION 18. AFRICAN RELIGION Volume 4: ASARIAN
TECHNIQUE OF ANCIENT EGYPT ISBN: 1- THEOLOGY: RESURRECTING OSIRIS The
884564-15-1$14.95 (PB) New for the year path of Mystical Awakening and the Keys to
2000. This volume is based on the earliest Immortality NEW REVISED AND EX-
known instruction in history given for the prac- PANDED EDITION! The Ancient Sages cre-
tice of formal meditation. Discovered by Dr. ated stories based on human and superhuman
Muata Ashby, it is inscribed on the walls of the beings whose struggles, aspirations, needs and
Tomb of Seti I in Thebes Egypt. This volume desires ultimately lead them to discover their
details the philosophy and practice of this true Self. The myth of Aset, Asar and Heru is
unique system of meditation originated in An- no exception in this area. While there is no one
cient Egypt and the earliest practice of medita- source where the entire story may be found,
tion known in the world which occurred in the pieces of it are inscribed in various ancient
most advanced African Culture. Temples walls, tombs, steles and papyri. For
the first time available, the complete myth of
15. THE SERPENT POWER: The Ancient Egyp- Asar, Aset and Heru has been compiled from
tian Mystical Wisdom of the Inner Life Force. original Ancient Egyptian, Greek and Coptic
This Volume specifically deals with the latent Texts. This epic myth has been richly illustrated
life Force energy of the universe and in the hu- with reliefs from the Temple of Heru at Edfu,
man body, its control and sublimation. How to the Temple of Aset at Philae, the Temple of
develop the Life Force energy of the subtle Asar at Abydos, the Temple of Hathor at
body. This Volume will introduce the esoteric Denderah and various papyri, inscriptions and
wisdom of the science of how virtuous living reliefs. Discover the myth which inspired the
acts in a subtle and mysterious way to cleanse teachings of the Shetaut Neter (Egyptian Mys-
the latent psychic energy conduits and vortices tery System - Egyptian Yoga) and the Egyptian
of the spiritual body. ISBN 1-884564-19-4 Book of Coming Forth By Day. Also, discover
$22.95 the three levels of Ancient Egyptian Religion,
how to understand the mysteries of the Duat or
16. EGYPTIAN YOGA The Postures of The Gods Astral World and how to discover the abode of
and Goddesses Discover the physical postures the Supreme in the Amenta, The Other World
and exercises practiced thousands of years ago The ancient religion of Asar, Aset and Heru, if
in Ancient Egypt which are today known as properly understood, contains all of the ele-
Yoga exercises. This work is based on the pic- ments necessary to lead the sincere aspirant to
tures and teachings from the Creation story of attain immortality through inner self-discovery.
Ra, The Asarian Resurrection Myth and the This volume presents the entire myth and ex-
carvings and reliefs from various Temples in plores the main mystical themes and rituals as-
Ancient Egypt 8.5” X 11” ISBN 1-884564-10- sociated with the myth for understating human
0 Soft Cover $21.95 Exercise video $20 existence, creation and the way to achieve spiri-
tual emancipation - Resurrection. The Asarian
17. SACRED SEXUALITY: EGYPTIAN TAN- myth is so powerful that it influenced and is still
181
having an effect on the major world religions. mortality based on the Ancient Egyptian Phi-
Discover the origins and mystical meaning of losophy of Menefer -Mysticism of Ptah, Egyp-
the Christian Trinity, the Eucharist ritual and tian Physics and Yoga Metaphysics and the
the ancient origin of the birthday of Jesus Hidden properties of Matter. This volume
Christ. Soft Cover ISBN: 1-884564-27-5 uncovers the mystical psychology of the An-
$24.95 cient Egyptian wisdom teachings centering on
the philosophy of the Ancient Egyptian city of
19. THE EGYPTIAN BOOK OF THE DEAD Menefer (Memphite Theology). How to under-
MYSTICISM OF THE PERT EM HERU stand the mind and how to control the senses
$28.95 ISBN# 1-884564-28-3 Size: 8½" X and lead the mind to health, clarity and mystical
11" I Know myself, I know myself, I am One self-discovery. This Volume will also go deeper
With God!–From the Pert Em Heru “The Ru into the philosophy of God as creation and will
Pert em Heru” or “Ancient Egyptian Book of explore the concepts of modern science and
The Dead,” or “Book of Coming Forth By how they correlate with ancient teachings. This
Day” as it is more popularly known, has fasci- Volume will lay the ground work for the under-
nated the world since the successful translation standing of the philosophy of universal con-
of Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic scripture over sciousness and the initiatic/yogic insight into
150 years ago. The astonishing writings in it who or what is God? ISBN 1-884564-07-0
reveal that the Ancient Egyptians believed in $22.95
life after death and in an ultimate destiny to dis-
cover the Divine. The elegance and aesthetic 22. THE GODDESS AND THE EGYPTIAN
beauty of the hieroglyphic text itself has in- MYSTERIESTHE PATH OF THE GODDESS
spired many see it as an art form in and of itself. THE GODDESS PATH The Secret Forms of
But is there more to it than that? Did the An- the Goddess and the Rituals of Resurrection
cient Egyptian wisdom contain more than just The Supreme Being may be worshipped as fa-
aphorisms and hopes of eternal life beyond ther or as mother. Ushet Rekhat or Mother Wor-
death? In this volume Dr. Muata Ashby, the ship, is the spiritual process of worshipping the
author of over 25 books on Ancient Egyptian Divine in the form of the Divine Goddess. It
Yoga Philosophy has produced a new transla- celebrates the most important forms of the God-
tion of the original texts which uncovers a mys- dess including Nathor, Maat, Aset, Arat, Amen-
tical teaching underlying the sayings and rituals tet and Hathor and explores their mystical
instituted by the Ancient Egyptian Sages and meaning as well as the rising of Sirius, the star
Saints. “Once the philosophy of Ancient Egypt of Aset (Aset) and the new birth of Hor (Heru).
is understood as a mystical tradition instead of The end of the year is a time of reckoning, re-
as a religion or primitive mythology, it reveals flection and engendering a new or renewed
its secrets which if practiced today will lead positive movement toward attaining spiritual
anyone to discover the glory of spiritual self- Enlightenment. The Mother Worship devo-
discovery. The Pert em Heru is in every way tional meditation ritual, performed on five days
comparable to the Indian Upanishads or the Ti- during the month of December and on New
betan Book of the Dead.” ҟ Muata Abhaya Year’s Eve, is based on the Ushet Rekhit. Dur-
Ashby ing the ceremony, the cosmic forces, symbol-
ized by Sirius - and the constellation of Orion --
20. ANUNIAN THEOLOGY THE MYSTERIES -, are harnessed through the understanding and
OF RA The Philosophy of Anu and The Mysti- devotional attitude of the participant. This pro-
cal Teachings of The Ancient Egyptian Crea- pitiation draws the light of wisdom and health
tion Myth Discover the mystical teachings con- to all those who share in the ritual, leading to
tained in the Creation Myth and the gods and prosperity and wisdom. $14.95 ISBN 1-
goddesses who brought creation and human 884564-18-6
beings into existence. The Creation Myth holds
the key to understanding the universe and for 23. THE MYSTICAL JOURNEY FROM JESUS TO
attaining spiritual Enlightenment. ISBN: 1- CHRIST $24.95 ISBN# 1-884564-05-4
884564-38-0 40 pages $19.95 size: 8½" X 11" Discover the ancient Egyptian
origins of Christianity before the Catholic
21. MYSTERIES OF MIND Mystical Psychology Church and learn the mystical teachings given
& Mental Health for Enlightenment and Im- by Jesus to assist all humanity in becoming
182
Christlike. Discover the secret meaning of the $16.95

Gospels that were discovered in Egypt. Also
discover how and why so many Christian 26. HEALING THE CRIMINAL HEART BOOK 1
churches came into being. Discover that the Introduction to Maat Philosophy, Yoga and
Bible still holds the keys to mystical realization Spiritual Redemption Through the Path of Vir-
even though its original writings were changed tue Who is a criminal? Is there such a thing as
by the church. Discover how to practice the a criminal heart? What is the source of evil and
original teachings of Christianity which leads to sinfulness and is there any way to rise above it?
the Kingdom of Heaven. Is there redemption for those who have commit-
ted sins, even the worst crimes? Ancient
24. THE STORY OF ASAR, ASET AND HERU: Egyptian mystical psychology holds important
An Ancient Egyptian Legend (For Children) answers to these questions. Over ten thousand
Now for the first time, the most ancient myth of years ago mystical psychologists, the Sages of
Ancient Egypt comes alive for children. In- Ancient Egypt, studied and charted the human
spired by the books The Asarian Resurrection: mind and spirit and laid out a path which will
The Ancient Egyptian Bible and The Mystical lead to spiritual redemption, prosperity and En-
Teachings of The Asarian Resurrection, The lightenment. This introductory volume brings
Story of Asar, Aset and Heru is an easy to un- forth the teachings of the Asarian Resurrection,
derstand and thrilling tale which inspired the the most important myth of Ancient Egypt, with
children of Ancient Egypt to aspire to greatness relation to the faults of human existence: anger,
and righteousness. If you and your child have hatred, greed, lust, animosity, discontent, igno-
enjoyed stories like The Lion King and Star rance, egoism jealousy, bitterness, and a myriad
Wars you will love The Story of Asar, Aset and of psycho-spiritual ailments which keep a hu-
Heru. Also, if you know the story of Jesus and man being in a state of negativity and adversity.
Krishna you will discover than Ancient Egypt 5.5"x 8.5" ISBN: 1-884564-17-8 $15.95
had a similar myth and that this myth carries
important spiritual teachings for living a fruitful 27. THEATER & DRAMA OF THE ANCIENT
and fulfilling life. This book may be used along EGYPTIAN MYSTERIES: Featuring the An-
with The Parents Guide To The Asarian Resur- cient Egyptian stage play-"The Enlightenment
rection Myth: How to Teach Yourself and Your of Hathor' Based on an Ancient Egyptian
Child the Principles of Universal Mystical Re- Drama, The original Theater -Mysticism of the
ligion. The guide provides some background to Temple of Hetheru $14.95 By Dr. Muata
the Asarian Resurrection myth and it also gives Ashby
insight into the mystical teachings contained in
it which you may introduce to your child. It is 28. GUIDE TO PRINT ON DEMAND: SELF-
designed for parents who wish to grow spiritu- PUBLISH FOR PROFIT, SPIRITUAL FULFILLMENT
ally with their children and it serves as an intro- AND SERVICE TO HUMANITY Everyone asks us
duction for those who would like to study the how we produced so many books in such a
Asarian Resurrection Myth in depth and to short time. Here are the secrets to writing and
practice its teachings. 41 pages 8.5" X 11" producing books that uplift humanity and how
ISBN: 1-884564-31-3 $12.95 to get them printed for a fraction of the regular
cost. Anyone can become an author even if they
25. THE PARENTS GUIDE TO THE AUSARIAN have limited funds. All that is necessary is the
RESURRECTION MYTH: How to Teach willingness to learn how the printing and book
Yourself and Your Child the Principles of Uni- business work and the desire to follow the spe-
versal Mystical Religion. This insightful man- cial instructions given here for preparing your
ual brings for the timeless wisdom of the an- manuscript format. Then you take your work
cient through the Ancient Egyptian myth of directly to the non-traditional companies who
Asar, Aset and Heru and the mystical teachings can produce your books for less than the tradi-
contained in it for parents who want to guide tional book printer can. ISBN: 1-884564-40-2
their children to understand and practice the $16.95 U. S.
teachings of mystical spirituality. This manual
may be used with the children's storybook The 29. Egyptian Mysteries: Vol. 1, Shetaut Neter
Story of Asar, Aset and Heru by Dr. Muata Ab- ISBN: 1-884564-41-0 $19.99 What are the
haya Ashby. ISBN: 1-884564-30-5 Mysteries? For thousands of years the spiritual
183
tradition of Ancient Egypt, Shetaut Neter, “The the mundane reality.

Egyptian Mysteries,” “The Secret Teachings,”
have fascinated, tantalized and amazed the 31. EGYPTIAN MYSTERIES VOL. 3 The Priests
world. At one time exalted and recognized as and Priestesses of Ancient Egypt ISBN: 1-
the highest culture of the world, by Africans, 884564-53-4 $22.95 This volume details the
Europeans, Asiatics, Hindus, Buddhists and path of Neterian priesthood, the joys, chal-
other cultures of the ancient world, in time it lenges and rewards of advanced Neterian life,
was shunned by the emerging orthodox world the teachings that allowed the priests and priest-
religions. Its temples desecrated, its philosophy esses to manage the most long lived civilization
maligned, its tradition spurned, its philosophy in human history and how that path can be
dormant in the mystical Medu Neter, the myste- adopted today; for those who want to tread the
rious hieroglyphic texts which hold the secret path of the Clergy of Shetaut Neter.
symbolic meaning that has scarcely been dis-
cerned up to now. What are the secrets of Ne- 32. THE KING OF EGYPT: The Struggle of Good
hast {spiritual awakening and emancipation, and Evil for Control of the World and The Hu-
resurrection}. More than just a literal transla- man Soul ISBN 1-8840564-44-5 $18.95 This
tion, this volume is for awakening to the secret volume contains a novelized version of the
code Shetitu of the teaching which was not de- Asarian Resurrection myth that is based on the
ciphered by Egyptologists, nor could be under- actual scriptures presented in the Book Asarian
stood by ordinary spiritualists. This book is a Religion (old name –Resurrecting Osiris). This
reinstatement of the original science made volume is prepared in the form of a screenplay
available for our times, to the reincarnated fol- and can be easily adapted to be used as a stage
lowers of Ancient Egyptian culture and the play. Spiritual seeking is a mythic journey that
prospect of spiritual freedom to break the bonds has many emotional highs and lows, ecstasies
of Khemn, “ignorance,” and slavery to evil and depressions, victories and frustrations. This
forces: Såaa . is the War of Life that is played out in the myth
as the struggle of Heru and Set and those are
mythic characters that represent the human
30. EGYPTIAN MYSTERIES VOL 2: Dictionary Higher and Lower self. How to understand the
of Gods and Goddesses ISBN: 1-884564-23-2 war and emerge victorious in the journey o life?
$21.95 This book is about the mystery of The ultimate victory and fulfillment can be ex-
neteru, the gods and goddesses of Ancient perienced, which is not changeable or lost in
Egypt (Kamit, Kemet). Neteru means “Gods time. The purpose of myth is to convey the wis-
and Goddesses.” But the Neterian teaching of dom of life through the story of divinities who
Neteru represents more than the usual limited show the way to overcome the challenges and
modern day concept of “divinities” or “spirits.” foibles of life. In this volume the feelings and
The Neteru of Kamit are also metaphors, cos- emotions of the characters of the myth have
mic principles and vehicles for the enlightening been highlighted to show the deeply rich texture
teachings of Shetaut Neter (Ancient Egyptian- of the Ancient Egyptian myth. This myth con-
African Religion). Actually they are the ele- tains deep spiritual teachings and insights into
ments for one of the most advanced systems of the nature of self, of God and the mysteries of
spirituality ever conceived in human history. life and the means to discover the true meaning
Understanding the concept of neteru provides a of life and thereby achieve the true purpose of
firm basis for spiritual evolution and the path- life. To become victorious in the battle of life
way for viable culture, peace on earth and a means to become the King (or Queen) of Egypt.
healthy human society. Why is it important to Have you seen movies like The Lion King,
have gods and goddesses in our lives? In order Hamlet, The Odyssey, or The Little Buddha?
for spiritual evolution to be possible, once a These have been some of the most popular
human being has accepted that there is exis- movies in modern times. The Sema Institute of
tence after death and there is a transcendental Yoga is dedicated to researching and presenting
being who exists beyond time and space knowl- the wisdom and culture of ancient Africa. The
edge, human beings need a connection to that Script is designed to be produced as a motion
which transcends the ordinary experience of picture but may be addapted for the theater as
human life in time and space and a means to well. $19.95 copyright 1998 By Dr. Muata
understand the transcendental reality beyond Ashby
184
33. AFRICAN DIONYSUS: FROM EGYPT TO

GREECE: The Kamitan Origins of Greek Cul-
ture and Religion ISBN: 1-884564-47-X $24.95
U.S. FROM EGYPT TO GREECE This insightful
manual is a reference to Ancient Egyptian
mythology and philosophy and its correlation to
what later became known as Greek and Rome
mythology and philosophy. It outlines the basic
tenets of the mythologies and shoes the ancient
origins of Greek culture in Ancient Egypt. This
volume also documents the origins of the Greek
alphabet in Egypt as well as Greek religion,
myth and philosophy of the gods and goddesses
from Egypt from the myth of Atlantis and
archaic period with the Minoans to the Classical
period. This volume also acts as a resource for
Colleges students who would like to set up
fraternities and sororities based on the original
Ancient Egyptian principles of Sheti and Maat
philosophy. ISBN: 1-884564-47-X $22.95 U.
S.
34. THE FORTY TWO PRECEPTS OF MAAT,

THE PHILOSOPHY OF RIGHTEOUS
ACTION AND THE ANCIENT EGYPTIAN
WISDOM TEXTS ADVANCED STUDIES
This manual is designed for use with the 1998
Maat Philosophy Class conducted by Dr. Muata
Ashby. This is a detailed study of Maat
Philosophy. It contains a compilation of the 42
laws or precepts of Maat and the corresponding
principles which they represent along with the
teachings of the ancient Egyptian Sages relating
to each. Maat philosophy was the basis of
Ancient Egyptian society and government as
well as the heart of Ancient Egyptian myth and
spirituality. Maat is at once a goddess, a cosmic
force and a living social doctrine, which pro-
motes social harmony and thereby paves the
way for spiritual evolution in all levels of soci-
ety. ISBN: 1-884564-48-8 $16.95 U.S.
185
Music Based on the Prt M Hru

and other Kemetic Texts
Available on Compact Disc $14.99 and Audio Cassette
$9.99
Adorations to the Goddess
Music for Worship of the Goddess
NEW Egyptian Yoga Music CD

by Sehu Maa
Ancient Egyptian Music CD
Instrumental Music played on reproductions of Ancient
Egyptian Instruments– Ideal for meditation and
reflection on the Divine and for the practice of spiritual
programs and Yoga exercise sessions.
©1999 By Muata Ashby

CD $14.99 –
MERIT’S INSPIRATION
by Sehu Maa
Ancient Egyptian Music CD
Instrumental Music played on
reproductions of Ancient Egyptian Instruments– Ideal
for meditation and
reflection on the Divine and for the practice of spiritual
programs and Yoga exercise sessions.
©1999 By
Muata Ashby
CD $14.99 –
UPC# 761527100429
ANORATIONS TO RA AND HETHERU

By Sehu Maa (Muata Ashby)
Based on the Words of Power of Ra and HetHeru
played on reproductions of Ancient Egyptian Instru-
ments Ancient Egyptian Instruments used: Voice,
Clapping, Nefer Lute, Tar Drum, Sistrums, Cym-
bals – The Chants, Devotions, Rhythms and Festive
Songs Of the Neteru – Ideal for meditation, and devo-
tional singing and dancing.
CD $14.99 –
UPC# 761527100221
SONGS TO ASAR ASET AND HERU

NEW
Egyptian Yoga Music CD
By Sehu Maa
ments– The Chants, Devotions, Rhythms and
Festive Songs Of the Neteru - Ideal for meditation, and devo-
186
tional singing and dancing.

Based on the Words of Power of Asar (Asar), Aset (Aset)
and Heru (Heru) Om Asar Aset Heru is the third in a se-
ries of musical explorations of the Kemetic (Ancient
Egyptian) tradition of music. Its ideas are based on the
Ancient Egyptian Religion of Asar, Aset and Heru and it
is designed for listening, meditation and worship. ©1999
By Muata Ashby
CD $14.99 –
UPC# 761527100122
HAARI OM: ANCIENT EGYPT MEETS INDIA IN

MUSIC
NEW Music CD
By Sehu Maa
The Chants, Devotions, Rhythms and

Festive Songs Of the Ancient Egypt and India, harmonized
and played on reproductions of ancient instruments along
with modern instruments and beats. Ideal for meditation, and
devotional singing and dancing.
Haari Om is the fourth in a series of musical explorations
of the Kemetic (Ancient Egyptian) and Indian traditions
of music, chanting and devotional spiritual practice. Its
ideas are based on the Ancient Egyptian Yoga spiritual-
ity and Indian Yoga spirituality.
CD $14.99 –
UPC# 761527100528
RA AKHU: THE GLORIOUS LIGHT

NEW
Egyptian Yoga Music CD
By Sehu Maa
The fifth collection of original music compositions based
on the Teachings and Words of The Trinity, the God
Asar and the Goddess Nebethet, the Divinity Aten, the
God Heru, and the Special Meditation Hekau or Words
of Power of Ra from the Ancient Egyptian Tomb of Seti
I and more...
ments and modern instruments - Ancient Egyptian Instru-
ments used: Voice, Clapping, Nefer Lute, Tar Drum, Sis-
trums, Cymbals
– The Chants, Devotions, Rhythms and Festive Songs Of the
Neteru – Ideal for meditation, and devotional singing and danc-
ing.
CD $14.99 –
UPC# 761527100825
GLORIES OF THE DIVINE MOTHER

Based on the hieroglyphic text of the worship of God-
dess Net.
The Glories of The Great Mother
©2000 Muata Ashby
CD $14.99 UPC# 761527101129`
187
ABOUT
Dr. Muata Ashby
Reginald Muata Ashby was born in New York City but grew up in the Caribbean. Displaying an
early interest in ancient civilizations and the Humanities, he began to study these subjects while in
college but put these aside to work in the business world. After successfully running a business
with his wife for several years they decided to pursue a deeper movement in life. Mr. Ashby began
studies in the area of religion and philosophy and achieved doctorates in these areas while at the
same time he began to collect his research into what would later become several books on the
subject of the origins of Yoga Philosophy and practice in ancient Africa (Ancient Egypt) and also
the origins of Christian Mysticism in Ancient Egypt.
Reginald Muata Ashby holds a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Religion, and a Doctor of Divinity
Degree in Holistic Healing. He is also a Pastoral Counselor and Teacher of Yoga Philosophy and
Discipline. Dr. Ashby received his Doctor of Divinity Degree from and is an adjunct faculty
member of the American Institute of Holistic Theology. Dr. Ashby is a certification as a PREP
Relationship Counselor. Dr. Ashby has been an independent researcher and practitioner of
Egyptian, Indian and Chinese Yoga and psychology as well as Christian Mysticism. Dr. Ashby has
engaged in Post Graduate research in advanced Jnana, Bhakti and Kundalini Yogas at the Yoga
Research Foundation under the direction of Swami Jyotirmayananda. He has extensively studied
mystical religious traditions from around the world and is an accomplished lecturer, artist, poet,
screenwriter, playwright and author of over 25 books on yoga and spiritual philosophy. He is an
Ordained Minister and Spiritual Counselor and also the founder the Sema Institute, a non-profit
organization dedicated to spreading the wisdom of Yoga and the Ancient Egyptian mystical
traditions.
188
Who is Hemt Neter Dr. Karen Vijaya Clarke-Ashby?
Karen Clarke-Ashby (Seba Dja) is a Kamitan (Kamitan) priestess, and an independent

researcher, practitioner and teacher of Sema (Smai) Tawi (Kamitan) and Indian Integral Yoga
Systems, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, a Pastoral Spiritual Counselor, a Pastoral Health and
Nutrition Counselor, and a Sema (Smai) Tawi Life-style Consultant.” Dr. Ashby has engaged in
post-graduate research in advanced Jnana, Bhakti, Karma, Raja and Kundalini Yogas at the Sema
Institute of Yoga and Yoga Research Foundation, and has also worked extensively with her
husband and spiritual partner, Dr. Muata Ashby, author of the Egyptian Yoga Book Series, editing
many of these books, as well as studying, writing and lecturing in the area of Kamitan Yoga and
Spirituality. She is a certified Tjef Neteru Sema Paut (Kamitan Yoga Exercise system) and Indian
Hatha Yoga Exercise instructor, the Coordinator and Instructor for the Level 1 Teacher
Certification Tjef Neteru Sema Training programs, and a teacher of health and stress management
applications of the Yoga / Sema Tawi systems for modern society, based on the Kamitan and/or
Indian yogic principles. Also, she is the co-author of “The Egyptian Yoga Exercise Workout
Book,” a contributing author for “The Kamitan Diet, Food for Body, Mind and Soul,” author of the
soon to be released, “Yoga Mystic Metaphors for Enlightenment.”
Hotep -Peace be with you!

Seba Muata Ashby & Karen Ashby.
189
New Official
Egyptian Yoga Exercise Posture Posters
Approx. 11” X 17” Laminated $10.00 each
190
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Egyptian Yoga Movements of the Gods and Goddesses

Tjef Sema Paut n Neteru

Seventh Edition – Expanded

“HER NAME IS HEALTH, SHE IS THE

Cruzian Mystic Books

First U.S. edition 1996

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data

1 Yoga, 2 Exercise, 3 Egyptian Philosophy 4 African Mythology, 5 Meditation, 6 Health, 7

Also by Muata Ashby

Egyptian Yoga: The Philosophy of Enlightenment

Sema Institute of Yoga / Temple of Aset

The Sema Institute 3 Tjef neteru Sema Paut Neteru system 90

Practice Questions 167

What is Yoga? The literal meaning of the word YOGA is to "YOKE" or

So the practice of any discipline that leads to oneness with Supreme

the teachings of ethical behavior and selflessness, you are practicing

Advancement in Yoga is dependent on the desire of the individual to

Most people have heard of Yoga as an exercise or as a strange and

The teachings which were practiced in the ancient Egyptian temples

What is Egyptian Yoga?

The ancient Egyptian language and symbols provide the first

Egyptian Yoga is what has been commonly referred to by Egyptolo-

The hieroglyph >"Nefer", close in pronunciation to

The hieroglyph ×"Ankh," symbolizes the union of the male

The hieroglyph ›"Hetep", symbolizes supreme peace, the final

Egyptian Yoga encompasses many myths and philosophies which

The Term “Egyptian Yoga” and The Philosophy Behind It

More Ancient Egyptian Symbols of Yoga

Above left: Smai Heru-Set,

Egyptian Philosophy may be summed up in the following proverbs, which

"Self knowledge is the basis of true knowledge."

"Soul to heaven, body to earth."

"Man is to become God-like through a life of virtue and the cultivation

"Salvation is accomplished through the efforts of the individual.

ORIGINS OF THE YOGA POSTURES

History Of The Yogic Postures in Ancient Egypt and India

consciousness and thereby also become one of their retinue, i.e.

Plate 2: Nut and Geb and the higher planes of ex-

From Raja Yoga Sutras – Translated by Swami Jyotirmayananda:

Figure 2: The practice of the postures is shown in the sequence below.

Many people do not know that when the practice of Hatha

“I don’t want it to change my life, just my butt.”

*The Shambhala Encyclopedia of Yoga by Georg Feuerstein, Ph. D.

THE YOGIC POSTURES

Kemetic (Egyptian) Cobra

Indian Full Cobra

Kemetic Spinal Twist

Kemetic Lotus Indian Lotus

A History of the Discipline of Physical Postures in Ancient Egypt

The Physical Yoga Postures Part 2

TAKE A SEAT by Alan Reder

“The New Yoga, America is Reinventing the Practice…But it is still Yoga?”

“I don’t want Yoga to change my life, just my butt!”

Hatha Yoga, Buddhism and Ancient Egypt

GORAKSHA or GORAKSHANATHA The most popular teacher of hathayoga, who is

Left: Heru on the Lotus, Right: Buddha on the Lotus

Yona raja paran cha tena chaptaro rajanan tulamayo

Hurrah for inscriptions!

Timeline Summary (1800 B.C.E.-1000 A.C.E.)