Awakening the Kundalini is the prime purpose of our birth. Kundalini is the sleeping and dormant potential force in us. It is situated at the root of the spinal column in the mooladhara chakra. In Tantra, our energy is called Kundalini shakti. Kunda refers to the concave cavity in which the Kundalini, resembling a coiled and sleeping serpent and when it is manifesting itself, it is called Devi. Continue reading
We have three gunas. Gunas are traits with which each one of us is born with. Tamas is being dull and immovable like a rock. Rajas is being ambitious and egotistical. Sattwa is being rational, and non judgemental. Continue reading
Mantras have a very powerful effect on us and their healing powers are immense. When we play the mantras on CDs and hear them, the sound waves spread out. I have watched this first hand in my home. I play a different chant every day as soon as I wake up. It is very fascinating to watch my cats. Continue reading
We are celebrating Valentine’s all over the world. How many valentines has s/he got and how many have I got. Have I sent one to my beloved or the current beloved? What gifts have I received and what gifts have I sent. I hope I have not forgotten and so on our thoughts are playing in our heads. Continue reading
According to my Guru, Swami Satyanananda Saraswati, there comes a stage in our lives, when the desire to succumb to the divine will come naturally. Until this happens we are guided by our ego. Our expectations are motivated by ego, efforts are energized by the ego, until our ego has wrung us dry. We all wish to have a better life. We are lost in a maze of confusion. Our intentions improve ourselves and lead a qualitative life. In order to tread on this path we have to look at our own experiences and then those of others to learn to detect what has been truly fulfilling. Continue reading
Ma Shakti created Ganesha. She did not desire a son, she created him to be her protector. After Shiva beheaded Ganesha in a fearsome rage, there was pandemonium in the universe. Parvati assumed the form of Kali and was prepared to destroy and devour all the worlds. The Gods and devas were terrified, and the Gods said that they will have to give him some of their attributes. Shiva called him Ganesha which means ruler, gana means a group of people and isha means master. Continue reading
How do we create a sacred space? We go to the temple, church, mosque, pagoda, to pray, to communicate with God, meditate and to be at peace. When we enter a place of veneration, it is the space in our hearts and mind which has to be pristine. Please pause and think. Continue reading
I have been running an NGO called TORCH for the last 27 years. Our focus is on children who live on the pavement with their parents. We enable the kids, who are between the ages of 3-8 to live a life of a happy child. Our goal is to give them affection, safety, and a routine. The kids are on their own on the pavement. They maybe asked to do chores like taking care of younger siblings or clean the space, or guard their stuff as it is out in the open. Continue reading