In the first of his ten incarnations, Vishnu took the form of Matsya (a fish) to save primeval man from the deluge that consumed the world. He is depicted as half fish and half God. When I saw the whale sharks I thought of Vishnu in his Matsya Avatar. Continue reading
Dear ones, we are in the Philippines. Three times our vacation was cancelled. First time, I had to have an emergency surgery. Second time there was a hurricane and so much rain that the places we wanted to visit were flooded with water and mud and Mount Mayon erupted. Third time the dates were too close to my application for a Schengen visa. Continue reading
We all have this image of Shiva meditating and we wish we could go into this wonderful state. However, the path to reach a meditative state is full of pebbles and sharp stones. Our conscious, subconscious and unconscious thoughts are the thorns, which are in the way. Continue reading
Basant Panchami is being celebrated on the second of February. It is a festival, when we welcome spring and worship Saraswati.
It is also called Saraswati Puja. It is usually observed in late January or early February. Likewise, it is known as the King of all seasons. Since it is early greetings to spring. It marks the gradual transition towards the full bloom of spring. We wear Yellow and are not supposed to touch our books. We worship them. Yellow is the color of Saraswati, who represents creativity, knowledge and it is the color of the ripening mustard fields all over in northern India. Continue reading
How do I find silence? I live in such a noisy place. There are different sounds all around. The whistling of the pressure cooker from my neighbor’s home. The doorbells ringing. Cars going past. The cry of the ambulance or the police sirens. The birds are squawking and the crows are cawing. Dogs barking, vendors selling their wares. Oh dear, oh dear what shall I do? Continue reading
The one, who always worships Lakshmi, Sri Kamala, the one who dwells in the lotus, Padma, the pleasing one holding tender lotus bloom in her hands, the daughter of the ocean, the one who carries the pot of nectar in her two hands, the goddess Ira and the beloved of Vishnu will ward off all miseries. – Mahalakshmi Stuti, Skanda Puran, verse 8
I desire you
More than food
And drink.
My body
My senses
My mind
Hunger for your taste
I can sense your presence
In my heart.
Although you belong
To all the world
I wait with silent passion
For one gesture
One glance
From you.
Whom do we desire, who are we seeking? Continue reading
What is the meaning of visualization? The gross meaning is to anticipate, envision or create. There is a spiritual meaning of visualization and that is the practice we are seeking. How can we develop visualization? It is a question asked so many times of Gurus. Yet it is a word used so frequently by us in our daily life. In the context of Yoga sadhana, Swamiji answered this question. Continue reading
The message of the Gita is acceptance. Whatever happens, is happening for the good and this encourages acceptance and trust in life’s flow. The Gita also emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment. It says the past is behind, learn from it. The future is ahead, prepare for it. Continue reading
Swami Niranjananda explains the importance of performing sadhana in a classic meditative pose. There is a technique called Yantra pranayama, which is to be practiced in Kaya Sthairyam. I have written about it and there is a YouTube of mine on it. However, dear ones, I will refresh your memory. It is a guided meditation, where one learns to become still and comfortable. Its origin is in Yoga. Kaya Sthairyam is also a wonderful standalone practice. Continue reading
The Shree Shiva Tandava Strotram is a hymn written and sung by the demon king Ravana to praise Lord Shiva. It is about the cosmic dance of Shiva that destroys all negative energies, which exist in one. The content describes the beauty and powers of Shiva in the minutest detail. He is addressed as the destroyer of death. And it ends with his refrain, “When will I be happy?” The result was that Ravana received blessings and a celestial sword called Chandrahaas, because of the intensity of his prayers and rigid meditations. Continue reading
Dear Ones, I have been writing about Pratyahara as explained by Swami Niranjananda Saraswati. I will go through the list. Continue reading
What is Sravan Pratyahara? It is the pratyahara, where you become aware of the sounds around you. The best way to understand this is in the practice of Shava asana and Yoga Nidra. The process is to listen to the sound and then let it go. Continue reading
Close your eyes. Be comfortable. Spine straight. Be still as still as you can be. Now open your eyes and pick up an object. You may take a small walk, but be concentrated on finding such an object. It can be a flower, a leaf or a fruit. Now sit down again and be still. Gaze at the object deeply. It is like the practice of trataka. Continue reading
The three wise monkeys said, see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil. This saying of the wise monkeys originated in Japan, during the Muromachi period (a time of turbulence). It is believed that they were influenced by the teachings of the Buddha. Their names were Mizaru who covered his eyes and saw no evil; Kikazaru, who covered his ears and heard no evil; Iwazaru, who covered his mouth and spoke no evil. Then there is the San Saru symbol, which says, “See the good, hear the good and speak the good.” The wise monkeys are also known as the three mystical monkeys. Continue reading