Yesterday I wrote about the daily practice of atmabhava and making it a part of our life. I also wrote about the different days of the week dedicated to the Gods. The point I am making is that we must be aware of God’s presence all the time. Many of us by fasting, only remember the specific God, because we desire something. The point here is fasting is good, it purifies one only if we have unconditional love for the divine. There is to be no expectations. The outcome is the divine is all knowing and without demanding, one’s wishes are fulfilled. Continue reading
Tag Archives: swami sivananda
497 – How can we celebrate Rishi Sukadev’s Birthday?
Today it is Rishi Sukadev’s 60th birthday. Happy Birthday. Celebrate with us this special day by always remembering what Swami Sivananda said in the Yoga of Synthesis:
Serve, love, give, purify, meditate, realize, be good, do good, be kind, be compassionate. Continue reading
482 – Opposites
As spoken of by a Guru.
In the world of sorrow,
pain and trouble,
desires go on erupting.
Bear with everything,
This world is a festival
That lasts for a very short time.
476 – Great gurus say: love, serve and give
It is a very powerful sentence. Love automatically refers to one being kind and generous to the loved one. Serve means that one is happy to serve a loved one. Lastly giving one’s loved one makes one happy. The answer here is that to love, serve and give completely to all.
Do everything in love. – Corinthian 16:14
462 – Pure love
You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is what you give of yourself that you truly give. – Khalil Gibran
It is every man’s obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out. The value of man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving. – Albert Einstein
No one has ever become poorer by giving. – Anne Frank
The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away. – Pablo Picasso
Love, serve, give. – Swami Sivananda
429 – Putting things off
Swami Sivananda said never put off anything, do it now. When you put off something it is just a reaction, and therefore it is a trait of the mind. It became our bestie. We wake up in the morning and say to ourselves that we will do it tomorrow, until we forget about it. Continue reading
413 – How can I become a Brahmachari?
What is Brahmacharya? Is it possible to practice it? The meaning is to search for Brahman. Brahman is everywhere and can be found by connecting with one’s inner self. This self-realization is only possible with complete control in thought, word, and action of all the senses 24/7. An individual practicing Brahmacharya is free of all desires and passions. Continue reading
359 – Possession and possessiveness
What is the definition of possession? Something that you own or are carrying with you. Why does possession have such a powerful hold on us? Let us examine why possession has its tentacles wrapped around us. Is our love possessive for our child, partner, parent, and pet? Can we own an individual? Is it healthy to be possessive? Continue reading
330 – Origin of the Sri Rama Mantra
As narrated by Swami Sivananda.
Sri Rama was seated in his court at Ayodhya, after his return from Lanka. He was surrounded by wise and venerable rishis. Deva Rishi Narada, Vishwamitra, Vashishta and many others were present to advise Sri Rama. While discussing spiritual topics, Sage Narada said, “I request all of you to give your opinion on the subject of whether the Lord’s name (Nama) or the Lord himself (Nami) is superior. Continue reading
318 – How do we see ourselves and darshan
Darshan is reverence for a higher being. What if comes to my mind often. We perform sadhanas and try to lead a spiritual life. What if we did nothing? And the answer is we will go through life with emptiness in us. Continue reading
316 – How ironic that we remember God in our exclamations
Let us start with ‘Oh God’, ‘Oh Heavens above’, ‘Angels fear to tread, where fools go lightly’. It is interesting to observe that we always remember God, when we are diminished or aghast. Continue reading
315 – Fear is real
Fear is everywhere. We are terrified of Covid; the wars all over the world are causing sadness and disturbance in our lives. Forest fires have caused terrible damage and there is flooding in different countries. The biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate. It is essential for us to face these fears. Continue reading
289 – Who was Swami Sivananda’s Guru?
Thursday is the day of the Guru? I asked myself this question, as must so many of you, “Who was Swami Sivananda’s Guru?” Swami Sivananda received mantra diksha from Parmahamsa Viswananda Saraswati, on the banks of the Ganga on 1st June 1924. Swami Sivananda was in quest of a Guru. Continue reading
288 – Eternal sayings of Parmahamsa Satyananda Saraswati
What is the meaning of Parmahamsa? Its literal meaning is supreme swan. Why a swan? The swan is at home on land and water. A true sage is equally at home in the realms of matter and spirit. To be in divine ecstasy and simultaneously to be aware in the world is the state of parmahamsa. Continue reading
277 – Statue of a Deity
Why are statues of the deity important for us in our sadhana? The statue is a symbol, a medium for establishing communion with God. Images are not frivolous visions of the artist, but they are emanating from his heart. When the murtis (deity’s statues) are made for worship, the craftsman follows the design rules of the Shilpa Shastras. Continue reading