Swami Satyananda Saraswati said that one must accept oneself as one was. ‘An important step in yoga is to accept your nature as much as you’re able.’ He spoke a lot on self-acceptance and the reason is that acceptance of self is crucial to yoga and tantra. Tantra is called the way to acceptance. Continue reading
Hridaya Kamalam Kolam (lotus in the heart) is a hand drawn yantra for Goddess Lakshmi. Kolams are ancient symbols meant to be sacred welcoming areas for the Hindu deities. Kolam means beauty and are identified by their geometrical patterns, dots, curves and lines often marked by the use of white wheat flour. Continue reading
How does one do that? Our expectations and attachments become refined. They are not related to our desires, needs and wishes. We feel affection for everyone and our sincere in our awareness. We learn to express ourselves. We do not make resolves but act. Continue reading
What is addiction? It is having an excessive craving. Why is it present in some of us? Is it how we perceive life? Is it because one has no joy in life? Is life meaningless and taking a substance makes one forget our emptiness. Then we are looking at a world which is colorful and crazy. Okay, I am not going into the heavy-duty addictions immediately. Let us start with chocolate, coffee, sweets, different foods, sex, alcohol, smoking and drugs. It is not easy to give up some of these substances. We develop a dependence on them. Continue reading
Padma Purana states, “Sarvedevmayh Pita”—
father is the embodiment of all devatas, gods.
Hindu Scriptures state:
Pita dharmah, pita, swargah, pita hi parman tapah,
Pitr preetmpanne preeyant sarva devta. Continue reading
Who is a Sufi? A Sufi is a member of an Islamic religious group that attempts to become united with God by living a simple life by praying and meditating and can also be a roaming Dervish. A Dervish is a member of a Muslim religious order (Sufi), noted for devotional exercises. He is one who whirls or dances with abandonment. Continue reading
How can we remember Good Friday and make the remembrance a part of our regular life. Good Friday is held in commemoration of the crucifixion of Jesus. It is believed that the day Christ died, he carried the sins of the world along with him. The crucifixion and death symbolize his sacrifice and forgiveness for all sins. Continue reading
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
Like the rays of the moon the light of Yoga is expanding
All religions, beliefs and sects
Are receiving shelter
Under the kalpataru (wish fulfilling tree) of Yoga.
Towards the evolution of consciousness
Yoga has done unforgettable work.
Yoga will become tomorrow’s culture
And will show
A new way of life for mankind.
Dear ones, ask yourself this question. –Swami Satyananda Saraswati. 1981.
I believe that humanity is suffering because of nations; nations should disappear. Too many national anthems have been sung, too many flags have been flown… enough of all this. Accept the oneness of mankind. Now, one earth and one mankind. – Osho
Love is the most important emotion, and we cannot survive without it. In Hindu philosophy, we have a description of it and also different kinds of love are connected to many stories. The five stages of love are Kama (Sexual desire), Shringar (Romance), Maitri (maternal love, compassion), Bhakti (Cultivate love for God), Atma Prema (Self-love). Continue reading
For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For the want of a horse the rider was lost.
For the want of a rider the battle was lost.
For the want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail. – Anonymous
“For the want of a nail,” is an ancient proverb. The meaning is that something of great importance may depend on an apparently trivial detail. What do we consider important and what do we consider trivial? Continue reading
So, watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying: ‘I repent, you must forgive them.’ – Matthew 5:23—24
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. – Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. – Bhagavad Gita 16.3
Dear ones, I have written on this subject before and it means feeling the pain and distress of others. According to my Guru, the sum and substance of spiritual life and the best teaching of Vedanta is Atmabhava.
Do we empathize with others as if it is our own pain and distress? If we did, would we be having such acts of destruction and terrorism on our planet? We would not be attacking and destroying each other. Continue reading
Do we recall the gift God gave us in Jesus? What comes in our minds when we think of Christmas? We worry about our gifts exchange. We think that if our gift is not right, it will be misunderstood. Have we forgotten that we are loved, are never alone and can hope for the future? Continue reading