840 – Three levels of self-understanding

The Bhagavad Gita talks about three levels of understanding ourselves.

The first is knowing what one is supposed to do (Swadharma). Swadharma is a term from sva: proper and dharma: law, duty in Hinduism. According to the Gita, Swadharma is to act in harmony with one’s inborn nature for oneself and society. Continue reading

839 – Sacred Space

Space verily is greater than radiance.
For in space are the sun and moon,
Lightning, stars and fire.
Through space one calls,
Through space one hears
Through space one replies
In space one delights
Or does not delight…
Meditate on space.

That which is Brahman is also the space outside the body.
That which is the space outside the body is also inside the body.
And that which is the space inside the body is also the space within the heart.
That treasure within the heart is full and unchanging.
He who knows this is always full and not subject to change.

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838 – Tara, the savior goddess

Who is Tara? She is the Buddhist savior goddess with numerous forms, known throughout Nepal, Tibet and Mongolia. She is the feminine counterpart of the bodhisattva (the buddha to be) Avalokiteshvara. Avalokiteshvara Boddhisattva is the most popular Mahayana Buddhist deity. He is the earthly manifestation of Amitabha, guarding the world between the departure of the historical Buddha, Gautama and the appearance of the future Buddha, Maitreya. Continue reading

837 – Meditations

The Temple of Nature: Rig Veda

Nature’s beauty is an act of God
Let us feel the touch of God’s invisible hands.
In everything beautiful
By the first touch of his hand,
Rivers throb and ripple
When He smiles the sun shines,
The moon glimmers, the stars twinkle,
The flowers bloom
By the first ray of the rising sun
The universe is stirred,
The shining gold is sprinkled
On the smiling buds of rose;
The fragrant air is filled
With sweet melodies
Of singing birds.
The Dawn is the dream of
God’s creative fancy.

Chandogya Upanishad 1.10 & 1.11

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836 – Masculinity and Femineity

We believe that in the creation of the universe, God revealed two aspects of himself, Male and Female. The male was considered Purush, wisdom and space. Female was Prakriti, nature. Neither could survive without the other. Space is everywhere and wisdom is hidden in it. However, there is no creation. The creation occurs with Father Purush and Mother Prakriti or Shakti. Both Purush and Prakriti unite within us and in the cosmos for the wonderful universes. Continue reading

834 – Saraswati Puja

Saraswati is the Goddess of knowledge, fine arts and education. Before Saraswati Puja starts, students keep their books and instruments in front of her for blessings. They are not supposed to touch their books as they are kept at the altar. As children, we loved this idea as we would not be able to do our homework. It is believed that if one prays to her with dedication and devotion, one will be blessed with academic success. Also, one becomes Sattvic and all tamasic habits are shed. Continue reading

833 – Sayings of the Masters

Swami Sivananda

Simple life is a veritable blessing, because it makes one free from cravings and desires, which cause suffering and pain.

Bhakti is a force that will influence our civilization, culture and relationships.

Empty yourself. Tune your radio. Unite your mind. The rest will take place when the proper time is due.

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832 – Maha Shivratri

I am sharing a mantra with you, dedicated to Shiva, seeking atonement and blessings.

Om namaste astu bhagvana visrvesrvaraya mahadevaya
Trayambakaya tripurantakaya trikalagnikalaya
Kalagirudraya nilakanthaya mrityumjayaya
Sarvesrvaraya sadashivaya sriman mahadevaya Namah.

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831 – Namaste International Women’s Day

#InspireInclusion

Live in the presence of the Divine Mother. Close your eyes and visualize nature. Nature with her diamond, dazzling stars, the milky way, the flowers, the birds, clouds, mountains, sky – the countless beauties of creation – is the Divine Mother. In nature you behold the divine aspect of God, which is the mother. It is full of human kindness, beauty, gentleness and kindness. The beauty in the world bespeaks the creative motherly instinct of God, and when we look upon all good in nature, we experience a feeling of tenderness within us – we can see and feel God as Mother in nature. – Swami Yogananda

Dear ones, all of us love nature and it does not matter whether we are females, males or trans. This love that we experience is maternal love and love which is unconditional. We all have it in us and it has nothing to do with what gender we are. And that is the miracle of God. Continue reading

830 – Forgiveness mantra

Chanted at dawn and dusk.

Karcharana Krtam Va Mantra is known as the Shiva Forgiveness Mantra and Shiva Meditation Mantra. It is also a prayer.

Karacharana Kritam Vaa Kaya Jam Karmajam Vaa
Shravannayanjam Vaa Maansam Vaa Paradham
Vihitam Vihitam Vaa Sarv Metat Kshamasva
Jay Jay Karunaabdhe Shri Mahadev Shambho

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829 – What is the nature of spiritual initiation?

One wishes to attract the attention of an entity one can see but one does not know his name. One uses a word or a sound to attract his attention. He comes over and says that his name is so and so and was one seeking him. Similarly, God himself in the role of the Guru discloses himself to the pilgrim wandering in search of a guide. In the ultimate analysis the pilgrim is one with the name and with the Guru. How can it be otherwise? He alone can impart the gift of his name and none but he himself can sustain the knowledge of his name. As explained by Sri Anandamayi Ma. Continue reading

828 – Practice Titiksha

Titiksha means patient endurance as a practical approach to ride out the storm of suffering. Swami Yogananda gives some advice on how to face life without becoming emotionally, and mentally disturbed.

He said one must remain balanced while watching how one’s body is affected. Continue reading