791 – Handling of fears

Which arise in the mind during puja and meditation.

A saying of the Paramhamsa Swami Satyananda Saraswati.

Explanation by the Master

All of us when we meditate find that we encounter our latent fears. What are these fears? They range from passion, lust, anger, desire, envy and of course unexplained fear. One feels completely blocked as they are churning in the mind. It is a self-defeating battle to suppress them and they keep regenerating and multiplying. Fear is an essential part of Puja with bhava, it pussyfoots in and in dhyana also it comes in. Continue reading

592 – Words with D and E

The effect of words beginning with D and E on us, is extraordinary. I will discuss D words first and then E words.

D words

Despair, desperation, depression, despondency, disgrace, distress, dumps, disconsolation, dispirited, devilish, dolefulness distraught, dismay, discouragement, demoralization, defeatism, disheartenment, dejection. Continue reading

586 – Loss

What is loss? It is a very powerful word which encompasses many subjects. It has a great many meanings. How do we understand and perceive it? Loss relates to when we identify with our anxieties and insecurities. We lose our sense of clarity and we are faced with disillusionment and uncertainty. When we relate to this, we kill our self. Continue reading

580 – Ether and the power of speech

The Latin root of Ether is aether, which means, “the upper, pure, bright air.” Ether was described as a substance that was said to fill all space and make up all bodies. Ether is the fifth and highest element after air, fire, water and earth. It is believed to be the substance composing all heavenly bodies. Continue reading

538 – Rejuvenate yourselves during Chaitra Navratri

Chaitra Navratri is a popular festival. It falls in the month of March or April. The first day of the Hindu Lunar calendar is known as Chaitra and therefore this time is known as Chaitra Navratri.

The Goddess Durga and her different incarnations are adored during this festival for eight days. The birthday of Rama falls on the ninth day and this day is known as Ram Navami. It celebrates Rama’s birth, the avatar of Vishnu. Rama was born to King Dasharatha and his wife, Queen Kaushalya. This festival is a part of Chaitra Navratri. Continue reading

535 – Taming our heart

Belong means accord, fit, be a part of, to be akin, to have a relationship. We all want to belong to someone. I am going to share excerpts from ‘The Little Prince’ with you:

One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes… it’s the time that you spent on your rose that makes the rose so important… You become responsible for what you’ve tamed. You’re responsible for your rose. Continue reading

534 – Allow Prana to make you free of your needs

I wrote earlier about being needy and how much I detested the word. I also described the practice of Anuloma Viloma, which is visualizing one’s breath while inhaling and exhaling. What is remarkable is that this sadhana unblocks the nostrils and allows the breath to flow freely. Please read the preceding blog. Continue reading

501 – Practice Atmabhava every day – Part 2

Yesterday I wrote about the daily practice of atmabhava and making it a part of our life. I also wrote about the different days of the week dedicated to the Gods. The point I am making is that we must be aware of God’s presence all the time. Many of us by fasting, only remember the specific God, because we desire something. The point here is fasting is good, it purifies one only if we have unconditional love for the divine. There is to be no expectations. The outcome is the divine is all knowing and without demanding, one’s wishes are fulfilled. Continue reading

471 – Love’s doors are always open

Proverbs about love are universal.

Love understands all languages. – Romanian

Love has to be shown by deeds, not words. – Swahili

The heart that loves is always young. – Greek

The course of true love never did run smooth. – William Shakespeare.

In the Gita, Krishna said there are various paths for spiritual progress—karma yoga, jnana yoga, dhyana yoga and bhakti yoga. He also mentions throughout his discourses that there is a secret message; a secret that only a heart filled with love can fathom. (Bhagavad Gita 4.3)

The Gita is essentially a revelation of divinity’s love for humanity as well as a love call for humanity’s love for reciprocal love for divinity. Let us tread the path of love as revealed by Krishna. Let us love and be loved. – Swami Prabhupada.

For those who have conquered the mind, it is their friend. For those who have failed to do so, the mind works like an enemy. – Bhagavad Gita 6.6

My dear ones, attend to your mind, liberate it by banishing anger, hate and fears. Open the doors of love.

Aim Hrim Klim

Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash

462 – Pure love

You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is what you give of yourself that you truly give. – Khalil Gibran

It is every man’s obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out. The value of man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving. – Albert Einstein

No one has ever become poorer by giving. – Anne Frank

The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away. – Pablo Picasso

Love, serve, give. – Swami Sivananda

Continue reading

339 – How can I become a Yogi?

I can become a yogi by practicing Karma Yoga and Jnana Yoga. Karma Yoga and Jnana yoga practice have to be combined. I have to fulfil my duties, whether I am a parent, sibling, friend, teacher, or mentor. I must remain committed to the demands placed on me. In order to develop the attitude of a karma yogi and jnana yogi. Continue reading