The Peace that passeth all understanding has been the axis around which Indian culture has revolved in all its aspects.
Peace is a divine attribute. It is a quality of the soul. It fills the pure heart. Continue reading
Are we under the control of our fears?
Do we allow the fears to rule us?
What does it mean to be governed by our fears?
What is fear really? Continue reading
Why should we perform Hridayadi Nyasa? The answer is to connect with the Divine and to become aware of our inner divinity. Continue reading
Does it not sound beautiful, saying Lunar Mansions. When we think of mansions, most of us imagine a beautiful house with gardens, fountains and singing birds bathed in moonlight. Continue reading
Dear ones, we celebrate Diwali, which is a joyous festival, on the twenty first of October. It is a much-loved festival. We light lamps at night, children get fire crackers, new clothes, women buy jewelry, eat lots of sweets and many of us gamble on Diwali night. Continue reading
Why do I start with these lines? Because when we are aware and in the presence of the Divinity, we are never lost.
He who is established in Yoga sees the same Atman everywhere. He sees the Atman present in all beings and all beings in the Atman. – Chapter VI: Verse 30
How do I stay in my home? How can I be at peace in my home? Do I define my home as being materially comfortable or is my home my internal spiritual abode? Where is my home? Continue reading
Dear ones, close your eyes. Place a Yantra or a Mandala of your choice at eye level if possible or on the table or altar. A yantra is a spiritual, geometrical design. And a mandala is a spiritual artwork, typically in a circular, radial form that incorporates the image or symbol of the divinity. Continue reading
Jnana comes in many ways. Jnana for the Buddha came through the contemplation of sufferings of others. In the case of Sankara, the great saint it came with the longing to understand. For others it comes through the art, or sacred songs or chants. It can come through the sound of the silence within. Continue reading
Paryushan Mahaparv (Jain festival of spirituality) is from August 20–27. Paryushan means to dwell within oneself and to be close to the soul. This time is spent in dedicating one’s body and mind to spiritual sadhanas. Paryushan Mahaparv is a festival for all humanity. Continue reading
When I was growing up, in the local paper this title would come every day. A thought for the day. It was the time when one waited for the newspaper to arrive. Then my parents would read the newspaper and the subject would come up for discussion about what the thought was. It was quite the highlight as often one felt that it was exactly what one was thinking about. Dear ones, you must remember that there was no television and one depended on the radio and the daily newspaper. Continue reading
Worship of the Shivalingam is a symbolic representation of Lord Shiva and is a central practice in Hinduism. It is believed to embody Shiva’s boundless cosmic energy and is revered as a source of divine wisdom and liberation. Continue reading
In Kashmir Shaivism, in the Shiva Sutras, Upaya refers to the different levels of spiritual sadhanas to approach the ultimate reality.
Upaya is a spiritual or yogic method or path by which the individual soul returns to pure consciousness. Upayas are methods of wholeness that depend on an individual’s perspective. Does he identify with the body, the mind, or the individuality? What illusion of himself does he hold? The specific Upaya is not important; it is the intentionality and the earnestness which is important. What is crucial, is the Sadhana must be performed in a passionate and sincere way. All the Upayas lead to the same goal, and finally methods of Samavesha (absorption in the Divine) in the Lord. Continue reading
Space between the breaths, the Dvadashanta
Focus on the space within the breaths. It can be after the inhalation or after the exhalation. Breathe in and out and try to focus on that space. You may see it or you may feel it. Take a few minutes. What is that space like? Is it still? When you focus on the stillness, the stillness will get unstill; thoughts will come in. When you breathe again, you will get back to it. Inside or outside it is the same point. This space is 12 finger widths down one’s nose until one reaches the region of the heart. This is the inner Dvadashanta, where the in breath ends. Similarly, if one measures outer breath coming out of the nostrils, it will be 12 finger width again. The space where it ends is called the outer Dvadashanta. Continue reading
The Hindu path of penance is a way of self-improvement and spiritual growth involving self-discipline, atonement and a sincere effort to connect with the divine.
Several internal flames have to be lit for the sadhana of penance.
First flame to be kindled is for not being restless. Restless means distracted and constantly pursuing desires and trivialities in life. This flame then continues to burn and the impurities of this life vanish. Continue reading