Open your hearts, dear ones

Because there is suffering in your heart, it is possible for you to enter my heart.

Thus spoke the Buddha.

Buddha repeatedly said that he only taught suffering and the transformation of suffering. When one recognized and accepted the suffering within one, then the Buddha in us will look at it and address it. He will find out the source, prescribe a course of action which will transform it into peace and liberation. Suffering is the means that the Buddha used to liberate himself and that is how we can become free. Continue reading

Restore Cosmic peace

Om Shanti Om is an ancient Vedic mantra. Om is the sound of the universe, the primordial sound. As one chants this mantra one is spreading peace for all human kinds, living and nonliving in the entire universe. My grand-daughter asked me, what she could do about the Indo-Pak conflict. I thought about it and my response was that chanting Om Shanti Om, on her mala would be her contribution. Continue reading

Embrace the trajectory of Self-reflection

Daisaku Ikeda was a Japanese Buddhist leader, author and nuclear disarmament advocate. His quotes make one reflect and understand the Yogic path.

Even if things don’t unfold the way you expected, don’t be disheartened or give up. One who continues to advance will win in the end. It is impossible to build one’s own happiness on the unhappiness of others. Continue reading

Understanding Anger and managing it

The Bhagwad Gita gives the best description of Anger, and chanting a mantra is the cure.

Krishna says:

Anger leads to
Complete delusion or loss of judgment.
From delusion, memory is bewildered.
When this happens, intelligence gets lost.
And the person falls in this chain of events.
When we act in anger, Krodha vegam,
we do things that we regret later.

Continue reading

A Hindu Peace Prayer

I desire neither earthly kingdom, nor even freedom from birth and death.
I desire only the deliverance from grief of all those afflicted by misery.
Oh Lord (Cosmic Mother) lead us from the unreal to the unreal to the real;
from darkness to light, from death to immortality.
May there be peace in celestial regions.
May there be peace on earth.
May the waters be appeasing.
May herbs be wholesome and may trees and plants bring peace to all.
May all beneficent bring peace to us.
May your wisdom spread peace to us.
May your wisdom spread peace through all the world.
May all things be a source of peace to all and to me.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti (Peace, Peace, Peace).

Mahatma Gandhi Continue reading

Exhaust your karmas

Two processes are recommended for exhausting one’s karmas, Tapasya and Titiksha.

Tapasya means to burn or heat. It is purifying every part of the body through a particular process. It is undergoing a process of suffering spontaneously and willingly. In the Bhagwad Gita different forms of tapasya, physical, mental and emotional austerity are given. Continue reading

Sadhana in daily life

Sadhana has to be understood in the context of one’s daily life. Sadhana is a signal indicating the beginning and growth of the divine life within. Through sadhana the hidden powers of the mind are discovered which can be used for successful living and for spiritual realization. Sadhana enables one to overcome limitations. Continue reading

Sadhana, our new life

Sadhana is the beginning of a new life, a life of expansion, glory and divine splendor is the road to peace, happiness, prosperity and immortality. Draw inspiration from sadhana to grow, expand and evolve. Build up all the positive qualities: fortitude, patience, and courage, that are dormant within. Let life be a radiance of purity, now and forever. Purify the mind in the flame of devotion and wisdom. Tread on the path of truth, which the sages followed. Faith, hope and love alone will vitalize your sadhana. – Swami Sivananda

Dear ones, how do we follow Swami Sivananda’s wisdom? Continue reading