峇里島Yoga Barn主動意識冥想課體驗 | Experiencing Active Consciousness Meditation in Yoga Barn Bali

這趟峇里島之旅，由於大部分時間都花在陰瑜珈的師資培訓，沒有太多時間去瑜伽會館體驗不同的課程，唯一的一堂就是培訓結束後立刻衝去Yoga Barn的Active Consciousness Meditation。

上課前就有看過一些討論，提到這堂課會給人全然的感官震撼，加上培訓的同學也有提到朋友的經驗也都表示很難以言喻，於是帶著好奇的心決定前往一探究竟。

根據Yoga Barn網站上的描述，「Active Consciousness Meditation是堂古老而充滿力量的脈輪清理冥想課程，這個過程可以淨化能量通道，洗刷積累及隱藏在內心的情緒、淤積和舊有傷疤，並啟動脈輪能量及提高意識的層次。這會讓你的身體感到幸福並產生完整的感覺。」

• 課程連結 (Pannu Wasu是父親，Dhruv Wasu是兒子)：
  https://www.punnuwasu.com/classes/meditation

課程開始前，果然如傳聞所述，助教先在教室內傳遞衛生紙，說是等等課程可能會讓大家飆淚，所以需要先屯好備用。教室內瀰漫著一股不知道會發生什麼事，風雨欲來的微妙氣氛。班上同學約莫三十幾位左右，看起來也是來自世界各地，似乎不分國界，大家都對這堂神秘課程的傳說有所耳聞。

課程開始，老師 (Dhruv Wasu)先解釋人體七脈輪，接著介紹等等會用到的呼吸法。基本上就是自然吸氣，用力吐氣 (有點像是Kapalbhati Pranayama頭顱發光淨化法的方式) ，但在實際課程時會配合音樂的韻律，以及脈輪的觀想。並提到等等課程開始後大家心裡若出現什麼情緒或是動作，都不要去壓抑它，就是盡情的去將其釋放出來，也不要去在乎他人的表現如何。

然後就是冥想正式開始，全班同學圍坐成一個大圓，眼睛閉上，手牽手開始練習。一開始的呼吸是較為緩慢的，後面隨著音樂及口令的引導越來越快速，開始聽到一些同學陸續發出呻吟、吼叫，或是大哭大笑的反應。真的是一個頗為瘋狂且難以言喻的經驗。

激烈的呼吸法結束後，老師換上柔和的梵唱及音樂，開始幫大家把情緒收攝回來，可以感受到週邊同學很多從原本激烈的嘶吼變成不住的流淚或啜泣，內心似乎經歷了一場難以言喻的洗禮。

據D所述，他的確看到了一些自己也不明白為什麼會看到的幻象，幻象和過去自己的一段創傷有關，而他感覺到這個傷痕似乎在和他道別，要迎向一個新的開始，因此他感受到相當複雜的情緒，既難過但又同時感到釋放。

冥想結束後，我們的討論仍舊熱烈地繼續著。非常有科學研究精神的D，希望這樣的冥想練習也能有科學根據的支持，於是上網研究了一番，最後的結論是：過度換氣 (Hyperventilation)。的確在這樣激烈的呼吸法之下，我們的症狀和過度換氣很類似，血液中的二氧化碳含量減少，導致進入腦部的血流量下降，出現症狀包括手腳末端麻木或刺痛或是出現幻覺。而在正常呼吸之後本來就會因為氧氣濃度恢復正常而感到通體舒緩。

Ｄ看到後從敬畏轉為失望，甚至感到有點被欺騙，另外也覺得老師怎麼可以進行這麼危險的練習 (過度換氣最糟的狀況會導致腦部缺氧死亡) 。不過我相信老師他們也都知道這個呼吸法可能帶來的嚴重性，因此整堂課程老師和助教都有在旁全程監控。

而我是覺得，在古老的印度，當醫學都還未發達的時候，他們就知道用這樣的方式來清理心靈與能量，也是蠻不可思議，相信這套練習能夠持續數千年而流傳至今，應該也是有其原因。在現在這個過度嚴肅、緊繃的世界，很多人其實不知道如何放鬆自己的情緒，甚至不知道自己已經過度過度緊繃，瀕臨崩潰邊緣 (尤其要男人坦白處理自己的情緒，似乎不是件容易的事情。之前D還曾一邊放著《男人的一生》這首歌，一邊獨自傷感) ，透過一些科學及心靈結合的手法，或許能幫到人也不是一件壞事？其次，過度換氣看到的幻象為何會和個人的創傷經驗有關？這點也是未解之謎，或許也是有老師在旁邊引導，才有辦法將自己內心壓抑的情緒帶出來？

總而言之，你是站在相信的一方呢？或是你認為這完全怪力亂神的無稽之談？歡迎留言一起討論，或飛去Yoga Barn體驗這堂神秘的冥想課程。

(其實我覺得Ｄ一開始是懾服的，課程結束後他感覺真的有被療癒到，甚至想帶其他家人朋友一起來嘗試，但後來看到科學描述，覺得難道相信的靈性療癒沒有想像中那麼神奇嗎？才開始感到有點失望。不過，我後來看到他還是悄悄關注了老師的Instagram，或許連他自己都沒辦法完全說服自己吧，畢竟宇宙本來就有很多事情是難以解釋的)。

During my recent trip to Bali, I devoted most of my time to a Yin Yoga teacher training course, leaving little opportunity to explore various yoga classes. However, I did manage to attend one notable session immediately after the training: the Active Consciousness Meditation at Yoga Barn.

Before the class, I had read several discussions and heard from fellow trainees about this unique meditation, described as an overwhelmingly sensory experience. With a mix of curiosity and anticipation, I decided to see for myself what it was all about.

According to the Yoga Barn website, “Active Consciousness Meditation is an ancient and very powerful chakra-clearing meditation. This practice involves a blend of rhythmic fast breathing and meditation on the seven main chakras. The process cleanses the energy channels, washes out hidden emotions, blockages, and old hurts, and activates the chakras, raising your level of consciousness. This makes your body blissful and results in a feeling of wholeness.”

• Course Website (Pannu Wasu is the father and Dhruv Wasu is the son):
  https://www.punnuwasu.com/classes/meditation

True to the rumours, the assistant handed out tissues before the class, warning us that we might be moved to tears. The room was filled with a subtle, charged atmosphere of anticipation. About thirty participants from around the world gathered, all intrigued by the mystical reputation of this session.

The instructor, Dhruv Wasu, began by explaining the seven chakras of the human body and introducing the breathing techniques we would use. Essentially, we were to breathe in naturally and exhale forcefully (similar to Kapalbhati Pranayama), but synchronised with rhythmic music and chakra visualisations. He emphasised that any emotions or movements that arose should not be suppressed but fully released, without concern for others’ reactions.

The meditation commenced with everyone sitting in a large circle, eyes closed, and holding hands. The initial breathing was slow but gradually intensified with the music and instructions. Soon, participants began to express themselves vocally, with sighs, roars, laughter, and tears. It was a wild and indescribable experience.

After the intense breathing session, the instructor switched to gentle chants and music to help us reintegrate our emotions. I could sense many participants around me transitioning from fierce outbursts to quiet weeping or sobbing, as if undergoing an indescribable inner cleansing.

D later described seeing visions connected to past traumas, feeling as if these old wounds were saying goodbye and signalling a new beginning. This left him with complex emotions, both sorrowful and liberated.

Our discussion continued fervently after the session. D, ever the scientific mind, sought scientific explanations for the experience and concluded that it was a case of hyperventilation. Intense breathing can reduce carbon dioxide levels in the blood, decreasing blood flow to the brain and causing symptoms like tingling extremities and hallucinations. The return to normal breathing restores oxygen levels, resulting in a sense of relief.

D’s initial awe turned into disappointment, feeling somewhat deceived and questioning the safety of such practices. However, I believe the instructors were aware of the potential risks and monitored us closely throughout the class.

To me, it’s remarkable that ancient India discovered such methods to cleanse the mind and energy long before modern medicine. The fact that these practices have endured for millennia suggests they hold some truth. In today’s overly tense world, many people struggle to relax and may not even realise how stressed they are, especially men, who often find it hard to express their emotions. Perhaps combining science and spirituality could benefit those on the brink of emotional collapse.

All in all, do you stand with the believers, or do you dismiss it as mere superstition? Feel free to leave a comment or visit Yoga Barn to experience this mysterious meditation yourself.

As a side note, D seemed deeply moved initially and even considered bringing family and friends to try it. However, after learning about the scientific explanation, he felt disillusioned, questioning the magic of spiritual healing. Yet, I noticed he still quietly followed the instructor’s Instagram, indicating he might not be entirely convinced. After all, the universe is full of inexplicable wonders.