Ma Kali’s essence is the fierce transformative power of the Divine Feminine, embodying time, destruction, and liberation by annihilating illusion (Maya). She destroys the ego to reveal the ultimate paradox of terrifying power and unconditional maternal love that purifies and renews. She represents the primal power and she destroys negativity and ignorance by granting wisdom. Continue reading
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
Universal mantras can be chanted without being given by a Guru. They can be chanted anywhere and at any time. Whichever mantra is used, it will create a positive attitudinal change and an optimistic, qualitative change in the mind. Continue reading
In the practice of Tantra, mantras are used. The mandala of sound in the beginning, when one practices the mantra, one chants Om, Om, Om aloud and one can hear the sound. Later one does not utter the sound, but one can feel it. Continue reading
The sun requires no torch to make it visible. We do not light a candle to see the sun. – Swami Vivekananda
I can feel a sunshine stealing into my soul and making it all summer, and every thorn a rose. – Emily Dickinson
Mother, dark blue Saraswati, who grants all that is auspicious to those who surrender to you, who sits with your left leg extended, you who are the heart of Shiva, with a smiling lotus face.
Who has three eyes similar to the fully open blue lotus flower, who is the one who does,
And who wears skull, lotus and sword, you are my only hope and so I surrender to you, Oh Goddess
Sitting on a dais folding the left leg and leaving free the right leg. – Meditation form of Tara from Tara Ashtakam
A temple is a sanctuary. It is the place where there is a concentration of divine energy. However why should we go to a temple when God is present everywhere? We are the manifestation of Brahman and the meaning of Brahman is the supreme and eternal essence of the universe. We are lacking our connection to the real meaning of faith and divinity. We are governed by our thoughts and ahamkara (ego). Continue reading
Chanting these seven mantras daily, can enable us to quieten and calm our mind. Continue reading
Pranava means “cosmic sound” in Sanskrit. It is the name of the mantra Om. Meditating on pranava leads to liberation because it brings about unity with Brahman, the absolute truth. Continue reading
We all have this question, is there a perfect pranayama which one can practice in front of people unobserved. There are numerous pranayamas mentioned and each one is better than the other. They energize our lungs, stimulate our digestive system, regulate our breath and calm our mind. However, they cannot be practiced without the sadhaka being noticed. Continue reading
In all forms of Hindu worship, one form is used and that is joining our hands in Namaste. The palms of the hands are simply placed together in front of the chest. We are bowing to god. This act shows respect to the gods, and it also expresses our humility. Continue reading
The great split resulted in Purush and Prakriti. According to the Brihad–Aranyaka Upanishad, during the creation there was the single self, and he was alone and fearful. He split himself. The split portion was identified as Prakriti, and Purusha. Continue reading
Mantra means liberation from the thought processes of the mind (manyate trayate). When the thought processes are controlled by the mantras, the consciousness presents itself in its purest, truest nature. Mantras hold the pranic power of speech. The Vedas say that prana is hidden speech, while speech is manifest prana. We speak throughout the outgoing breath and can inhale only when we are not speaking. Continue reading
A symbol is used to make the mind one pointed and to bring about a perception of prana. The symbol is known as the ishta devata. In Sanskrit ishta means desired by your own choice; devata means divine awareness. Continue reading
Why is Om Namah Shivaya such a powerful mantra.
Om Namah Shivaya means I bow my head to Shiva. I am bowing down to myself as Shiva resides in all as our own consciousness. Continue reading