The art of Happiness is Empathy

Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive. – Dalai Lama

Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another and feeling with the heart of another. – Alfred Adler

Feel the sentiments of others being like one’s own self. This is what Atmabhava means. It is a Sanskrit word that means the existence or being of one’s self. It is composed of the words atman and bhava. It also means all-encompassing affection, which is sympathy and feeling oneness with others, identifying with their woes. It is a pure form of worship of the Supreme Divine Being, the consciousness or God. Continue reading

Words can be powerful and destructive

Dear Ones, look at words starting with Re.

Responsibility is the word which governs one and all. Do we assume responsibility for our actions or do we blame others?
Regret means to feel sorry and to be sincere about it.
Reward means compensation, award or profit.
Recommend means to endorse or support.
Recompense means to compensate, to pay or repay and satisfy.
Repayment means to reciprocate, to give back or pay back.
Requital means to give something in return.
Reconciliation means an agreement or harmony. Continue reading

First step in Pratyahara

Sri Swamiji said,

It should be understood that pratyahara means withdrawing the mind from the objects of sense experience, then the senses function according to the mind, and not vice versa. The capacities of smell, taste, sight, touch and hearing are withdrawn from their objects and then the senses begin to follow the mind inward and not outward. This is withdrawal of the mind from the sense activities so that the sense organs also become introverted with the mind; they imitate the mind and follow it inside.

This is his description of pratyahara. Continue reading

What is our understanding of Prana

Swami Niranjananda gives the best explanation. My experience is that every time I read the writings of the Masters, I find that I learn something new or my understanding gains more clarity. My Guru, Swami Satyananda said to me, ‘Be curious, inquisitive and have an open mind.’ I have followed his wise advice and along the path have been finding more and more precious insights, which I can share with you, dear ones. Continue reading

Oh, Mahadevi have mercy

As Hindus we struggle in our lives be free of karma. The effects of karma are far reaching and the mother is keen to show us how to exhaust our karmas. What does this mean? God’s unique quality is mercy and She is Sarvani—the knower of all things. Since God is all knowing, all our misdeeds and actions are known to her. God is Sarva Sakthan and is all powerful and omnipotent. God may create a new hell and we may be pushed into it. However, the divine mercy, which is present in God guides us and it can be our salvation. Continue reading

Tulsi Vivah

What is Tulsi Vivah? It is a festival which is a very important ritual. It celebrates the ceremonial marriage of the holy Basil plant, known as Tulsi to Vishnu and Krishna. It is believed that if one has a Tulsi plant outside one’s house, then one’s husband will never leave one. The holy Basle has to be watered daily. Tulsi Vivah is a sacred tradition which marks the beginning of the wedding season in Hindu culture. Continue reading

Surya Namaskara

I bow to the Sun.

Surya atma jagasthushsch yadaditya gatam tejo jagadbhasayate akhilam.

The Sun is the soul of a whole universe; Sun is the source of life for all living beings.

We have just celebrated a three-day festival called Chhaat, praying to Surya Devata, at sunrise and sunset. The concept is beautiful as one bathes in running water at dawn and dusk. Fasting is observed for three days, and one is purified. Continue reading

Who is Ram?

Ram is the seventh avatar of Vishnu, and he is born as a mortal. In our Hindu tradition, Ram is a divine human, a mortal god incorporating both into the exemplar who transcends both humans and gods. The story of his life is in the Ramayana and the Ramayana is an allegory for the duties, rights and social responsibilities of an individual. He is a superior being and does not render evil for evil. Continue reading