742 – Visualization

Lately I had to go for a PET scan to another hospital. While I was waiting for my turn, it was freezing in the space I was in.

I managed to grab a blanket and my teeth stopped chattering. I was wearing my hospital attire as I am still in hospital. I think dear ones, you all know that the clothes one is made to wear, are meant for the convenience of the doctors and nurses. The arms are bare, and it is cold in them. I settled down to wait my turn. I closed my eyes and meditated on Shiva. After shutting my eyes, what did I see? Continue reading

717 – Sankalp and Abhyas

Fasting is a Yogic practice. It reduces the tamasic element in the body. Tamas is the greatest obstacle to meditation. While fasting, one sheds extra weight from the body and gains strength and clarity of mind. One cannot advance in the practice of Meditation, with an unhealthy body and weak mind. Continue reading

692 – Can we face this catastrophe?

Is the loss of mobile phones, and loss of the internet a calamity? How many of us can survive without our phones and the internet. I see myself and I see others around me. I am unashamed to say that I rely on the internet for information and details. The phone is also essential. However, the question is how necessary is the mobile. Continue reading

691 – How to develop our innate potential

How is our potential described? It is awareness, which means evolving and manifestation of what one can accomplish. Individual awareness is powerful and knowledgeable. When one develops this awareness and one becomes conscious of it, then it converts into high powered energy. Continue reading

679 – Spontaneous meditation

There was once a sannyasin, called Swami Yogeshwar Ananda, who had travelled to all the centers of meditation in India. Last he came to the Sivananda ashram in Rishikesh. He observed the inmates at work and there was never any time for meditation. The sannyasins were working all the time and were joyous in their tasks. After observing the inmates at work for a week, Swami Yogeshwar Ananda went to Swami Sivananda with folded hands and after touching his feet said, “I would like to spend more time with you, but there is no time for sadhana.” Continue reading

628 – Rain

A charm to hasten the coming of the rains.
(Atharva Veda; Book 4; Hymn XV)

  1. Let all the misty regions fly together, let all the rain clouds sped
    By winds assemble.
    Let the waters satisfy the earth,
    The voices of the great mist enveloped the bull who roareth.
    Let them show forth the strong, the bounteous Maruts:
    Let plants and shrubs be hung with drops of moisture.
    Let floods of rain refresh the ground with gladness and herbs
    Spring various with each form and color.
  2. Cause us who sing to see the gathering vapors: outbursts in many a place the rush of waters! Let floods of rain refresh the ground with gladness; and herbs
    Spring various with each form and color.
  3. Cause us who sing to see the gathering vapors: outbursts in many a place the rush of waters! Let floods of rain refresh the grounds with gladness; and herbs
    Spring various with each form and color.
  4. (8) Let lightning flash on every side: from all the regions blow the winds!
    Urged by the Maruts let the clouds pour down their rain upon the earth.
  5. (12) Our father, Lord Divine pouring the torrents. Let the streams breathe, O Varuna, of the waters. Pour the floods down: along the brooks and channels let frogs
    With speckled arms send out their voices.

Continue reading

620 – Yoga is within us

Swami Sivananda’s mission and vision was to make people aware of the divine life. He said that material stuff was only one end of the spectrum. In order to experience the evolution of our consciousness, we had to live a healthy life. A healthy life was a balanced body and mind. Continue reading

610 – Colors and thoughts

Swami Sivananda defines color and thoughts brilliantly. He also speaks about the color of our thoughts. According to him, a spiritual thought is yellow in color, an angry thought is red in color, a thought focusing on hatred is of a blood red color and a selfish thought is brown in color. Continue reading

602 – Healing traits to have

Plant seeds of happiness, kindness and friendship; it will all come back to you in abundance. This is the law of Nature. – Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati

He further says that within all of us there is a very special quality—Sam Rakshan, the caring nature. Sam means complete and Rakshan means to protect and preserve. It is this innate nature that takes one out of one’s self-centered ego and puts the comfort and happiness of others first. Continue reading

600 – Dry your tears

“Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya”. I bow down to the Lord who resides in the hearts of all beings. Lord Vishnu dries our tears with his love and compassion.

The best time to chant Lord Vishnu Mantra is between 4am—6am (Braham Muhurta). Have a bath and sit on a mat. Meditate on a picture of Lord Vishnu. The picture is one of Lord Vishnu in Yoga Nidra. Focus on his divine form. Use a Tulsi mala. Thursday is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and praying to him on this day will enable one to have all of one’s dreams fulfilled.

Meditation on the form of Lord Vishnu from the Bhagavatam. Continue reading

590 – Who is a Hindu?

Hinduism is the world’s oldest faith in the world. Hindus believe in the doctrines of samsara (the continues cycle of life, death and reincarnation) and karma (the universal law of cause and effect). In Hinduism, the soul or Atman is the crux of it. Continue reading

What is Yoga Vidya e.V.?

Creed and practice // Statement by Sukadev Volker Bretz.

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(Originally in German with German subtitles. Activate YouTube subtitles and choose your language.) 

As a spiritual-religious community, the members of Yoga Vidya e.V. live the teachings of Vedanta and Yoga in all aspects. How these two pillars shape the self-image of Yoga Vidya e.V. as a spiritual-religious community with an educational mission is explained by Sukadev Volker Bretz in this video. Continue reading

568 – Chant with your heart – the original

The practices of Ajapa Japa were given by Swami Satyananda Saraswati in 1963 in Cama Hall, Bombay.

In his talk, he has given six practices for the followers of Yoga. They are simple and easy to follow. What is essential is that the Ajapa Japa sadhana has to be practiced for a month. I have written the sadhana as he gave it and it is simply said by the Guru for all to follow. Continue reading