Kabir said,
Look for bliss within, not elsewhere.
Kabir invented the word ‘Avadhoo’, which means infinite, vast, expansive, boundary-less, unfathomable as ether. Avadhoo is also his name for the guru, when we pray to him. Avdhoota means one who does not wear any garments but in reality, is an individual who has stripped her/him/self-off all the layers of her/his mind—layers of delusions, ignorance, attachment, aversion and therefore one emerges as her/his true self. Continue reading
Before the word emancipation existed Lalleshwari, or Lal Ded was truly liberated. She broke away from tradition, defied marriage, mother-in-law’s hostile treatment and became a seeker of truth. All this happened in the 14th century. Continue reading
All followers of God, seek salvation.
Salvation has many meanings. We want preservation from harm, ruin and loss. We want freedom from our sins and karma. We desire liberation of our spirit. We want redemption, and restoration for ourselves and earth. We want to salvage our environment and restore it to its pristine form. Continue reading
The effect of words beginning with D and E on us, is extraordinary. I will discuss D words first and then E words.
Despair, desperation, depression, despondency, disgrace, distress, dumps, disconsolation, dispirited, devilish, dolefulness distraught, dismay, discouragement, demoralization, defeatism, disheartenment, dejection. Continue reading
Cry to your Mother Syama with a real cry, O mind!
And how can she hold herself from you?
How can Syama stay away?
How can your mother, Kali hold herself away?
O mind if you are in earnest, bring her an offering
Of bel-leaves and hibiscus flowers;
Lay at her feet your offering
And with it mingle the fragrant sandal-paste of Love. – Ramakrishna Parmahamsa
I have been writing a daily blog as you my dear ones are aware. It is a troubled time. Cost of living has risen. The weather is unpredictable. In India, we are becoming toast and here we are freezing. There are air, train and bus strikes. We look around and life after Covid has changed for all of us. Continue reading
Give your full attention to whatever you are doing and recognize the constant renewal of life all around you. Appreciate the beauty and spiritual radiance in people. Open your heart with compassion and accept people as they are. Lastly leave the past to God’s mercy, the future to his discretion. Live in the present with awareness and empathy. In your heart resides your soul. Let us make this our life long celebration of Easter. Continue reading
What happens to us when we say potent words aloud?
Love, our face lights up. We have a warm feeling inside us.
Joy is an expression of delight and jubilation. We smile.
Friendship, when we have affection and respect for someone. We are included.
Compassion being sensitive to others.
Empathy when we relate to others’ problems.
Hate and anger are intense emotions. They result in an adrenalin rush. We frown, look cross and add lines to our face.
Fear triggers another release, when we say that we are afraid, it reduces our level of fear, or it can further exaggerate it. Continue reading
Do we understand the meaning of this word? It is used so liberally and also in fun. In India, while growing up, as children we would describe an inattentive person as being in samadhi. The actual meaning is the culmination of Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga. Continue reading
Karma and Yoga are brothers. When they unite, they form a very powerful relationship. Through this relationship it is possible to lead a spiritual life for an ordinary individual. None of us can avoid the actions of our karma. It is not the objective of Yoga to send us on a road, where one neglects one’s karma in the form of our daily responsibilities and duties. Continue reading
My mother was my first Guru and teacher. She was a very special person. She was amongst the early women in India to study social work. She went on a scholarship to study in England, and she also was a Sanskrit scholar. She met my father on the ship. He was also going to study, and they fell in love. They were together in Europe for five years and then came back to India. Continue reading
It is very difficult as our mind is cluttered with junk. There is an accumulation of thoughts, like the barnacles on a ship. And are you aware how difficult it is to remove them? Continue reading
There was a poet who said looking at a photograph, “I do not know what you are like in real life. You may be cruel, destructive or loving and gentle. However whenever I look at your picture I see you the way the way I wish to see you.” So this applies to all of us when we gaze at the picture of our personal or deity. We do not have to think of our deity or Guru in flesh and blood. We are in the presence of spirit and purity. And this experience becomes living reality. Continue reading
What happens when we have a Guru? S/He creates a situation, where one is free to confront the different aspects of life. If one can go through these phases, then the sun will continue to shine on one. The Guru creates a net of maya (illusions). Continue reading
Many say that our guru is within us. It is true but we need a switch to activate us, and this switch has to be switched on. According to Swami Niranjanananda, we have a bulb within us, which has wires. What is required is that there has to be a connection. There has to be no short circuits or carbon so that the electricity can flow. Continue reading