Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving are the three pillars of Lent and it is a time for reflection, repentance and reconciliation.
Let us examine each of these words. Continue reading
Let us follow the tenets of Lent in our daily life
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Tag Archives: meditation
The Maha Shivaratri Story
Maha Shivaratri is considered one of the holiest festivals. It commemorates several cosmic events.
- It honors Shiva and Parvati’s marriage. Shiva married Parvati, his divine consort, for a second time on this night. It is in celebration of their divine re-union that the day is observed as the “Night of Shiva,’ Shiva signifies Purusha (mindfulness), and Parvati (Prakriti). This is a union of mindfulness and nature. It promotes creation.
- Lord Shiva was incarnated as Rudra during the midnight of Maha Shivaratri, with Brahma’s blessings.
- It is also believed that Shiva performed his cosmic dance of creation, preservation and destruction (Rudra Tandava), when he heard that his consort Sati (Parvati in her earlier incarnation) had leapt into the Yagna fire.
- During the churning of the ocean, Shiva drank the poison which came out of the sea. This poison could have destroyed the universe. This is the reason why Shiva has a blue neck and he is called Nilkanth (Savior of the Universe). Shivaratri is observed to honor the day for preserving the universe.
- When Brahma and Vishnu fought for supremacy, Shiva manifested as an unending pillar of light (Linga) to stop them, and establishing himself as the supreme, all-encompassing force. He is also known as Lingobhava (Divine Light).
Meditate and send God a Valentine
Valentine’s day is coming. There are advertisements everywhere asking one to buy gifts, flowers, and sweets for one’s loved ones. It is so compelling and sweet deals are offered. We all want and wish to send Valentines. Continue reading
Listen to the whispering of your blood
I have been and still am a seeker, but I have ceased to question stars and books; I have begun to listen to the teaching my blood whispers to me. – Hermann Hesse
Dear ones, many of us have read Hesse and seen paintings by the artists like Kandinsky. They were all contemplative and thinking people. They were aware of the subtle breath, Prana and the Kundalini. They were questioning and also reading books about Hindu practices. Continue reading
How much sadhana is required of us?
It is a very interesting question and it is difficult to answer. My Guru said that one had to do at least four hours of Karma Yoga before practicing one’s sadhana. His reason was that one had to perform some Seva. Continue reading
Eight flowers dear to Vishnu
The eight flowers precious to Vishnu are: Continue reading
The five sacred Koshas which shroud us
In order to know, who we are we need to connect to our koshas. The Taittiriya Upanishad describes these five veils which are the five koshas. Continue reading
What does the name Rama signify?
Rama’s meaning is given in the Ramayana itself. Rama is that Sat-Chit-Ananda (existence, consciousness, bliss) Brahman, in which all yogis ever revel.
Rama is also, “He who delights everyone”. Continue reading
Happiness is within you
People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day. – A.A Milne
Do not cry because it’s over, smile because it happened. – Seuss
The Fivefold Footstool of the Guru – Padukapanchaka
In Tantra, Padukapanchaka means the “Fivefold footstool of the Guru”. It is a hymn praising the key centers in the body, particularly within the Sahasrara (Crown chakra). It represents the divine seat of consciousness where Kundalini energy culminates leading to liberation and realization through visualization the Guru’s feet resting on the mystical throne. It is central to Kundalini and Laya Yoga, describing the ascent of consciousness through stages like the twelve petalled lotus, sacred triangles, Nada-Bindu, and Mani-Pitha culminating in union with the Divine. Continue reading
Liberate your mind through the Shakti of the mantra
There are eight, total primary Bija mantra according to the Mantra Yoga Samhita. Aum, Aim Hrim, Klim, Krim, Shrim, Trim and Strim. The Shakti Bija mantras are considered the most important of all mantras for meditation, worship of deities, energizing prana or for healing purposes. Continue reading
Mantra Meditative Awareness
Originally, the mantra system one needed to identify with the vibration as much as possible. That is why mantras are always repeated, not chanted just once. If for half an hour, one keeps repeating Aum, Aum, Aum or Soham, Soham, Soham and nothing exists beyond this repetition. When the mantra is sustained over a period of time in this manner, for five minutes, ten minutes or fifteen minutes, then one merges one’s consciousness in the feeling, chanting and repetition of the mantra and one begins to identify with vibrations that one is creating while chanting the mantra. This is called Mantra Meditative Awareness.
What happens if one meditates on Aum constantly?
Prashnopanishad. Written by Pippalda.
Satyakama, son of Sibi asked what world will a being attain, who meditates on Aum throughout his life.
Pippalda answered:
Aum is both the higher and lower Brahman. He who meditates on Aum, will surely attain one of them. He, who meditates on Aum with a shallow understanding will gain a semblance of enlightenment. The Rik verses will bear him back quickly to be reborn on this earth. If he then continues to observe austerities, celibacy and faith, he will achieve spiritual greatness. Continue reading
Yama conversing with Nachiketa
Nachiketa’s story is central to the Katha Upanishad, where his steadfast determination to seek knowledge and truth lead him to learn the nature of the soul and the truth from Yama (God of Death and Justice). Nachiketa was the son of a greedy sage, who was offered to Yama by his father. Continue reading
Cultivate Peace in the garden of your heart
Salutations to the supreme Lord of the Universe
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