The word to describe feeling elated in the joy of others is Mudita. Mudita is a Sanskrit and Pali word that means sympathetic or empathetic joy. It describes the pure selfless happiness that comes from watching other people succeed, feel good or experience good fortune—without envy or greed. Continue reading
What is the real mantra sadhana?
One moves from the verbal, and wakeful state to the mental and internal state in mantra. Continue reading
I am sharing some quotes with you, dear ones. Some are ancient sayings and yet they are contemporary in their meaning. It is possible for us to overcome our pain and suffering. We can convert it into our strength and be on the path of self-realization. Continue reading
Swami Satyananda described sadness as a product of the mind, born from guilt, hurt and self-unacceptability, rather than an external event. He taught that emotions are a result of mental conditioning. Spiritual practices can help transcend suffering by shifting the mind’s attitude, gaining control over it and fostering inner acceptance. Continue reading
Brahmari Sadhana is the practice of Brahmari pranayama, with the mantra Soham. In Sanskrit Brahmari is bee, and the pranayama is akin to a bee humming. It comes from the humming sound made while exhaling. Brahmari pranayama is the life-force that vibrates the whole brain by control of the pituitary gland. Continue reading
How do memories make one? Memories are influencers, which influence one, and will and can affect our behavior. How should we handle our memories and how can we benefit from them.
I will share with you some very powerful quotes from the Bible on memory. Continue reading
Who are my BFFs? My thoughts, they are my constant friends. They wake up with me and go to bed with me. I am never alone. Listen to Ramana Maharishi, a great modern-day Saint. He had a spontaneous spiritual awakening at the age of Sweet Sixteen. He realized that his true nature was beyond the physical body and the fear of death. His teachings reflect this. Continue reading
Leaders possess numerous powers, but this should not make them adamant and inflexible. They should have the humility to listen to and accept other opinions whenever appropriate. Vinayaka also indicates one who has Vinaya-humility. – Swami Swaroopananda
Dear ones, do we know how to be humble? It is a missing quality or trait. Call it what you wish. Continue reading
Swami Satyananda Saraswati, my Guru and founder of the Bihar School of Yoga, spent twelve years in Swami Sivananda’s ashram. In that period, he found that many persons wrote to Swami Sivananda, asking for help and treatment for their health problems. He would suggest that they practice Yoga. Continue reading
The two mandalas of form and sound are considered to be the backbone of Tantra, however there are other mandalas which are used. The Mandala of smell is one of these. One can imagine the fragrance of jasmine and smell it. 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
You do not need to leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen, simply wait, be quiet still and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you to unmasked, it has no choice. – Franz Kafka
Spiritual progress is only possible with purification of one’s heart. How does one purify one’s heart? Our spirit, Atman is pure and remains pure. No evil can contaminate it. Continue reading
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
What do we understand about gratitude? Is it acknowledgement, appreciativeness, responsiveness, gratefulness, obligation, thankfulness or all of the above?
Our Gurus, wise men and seers say that we must be indebted to the universe and its inhabitants. However, we are enamored of the word that we use it in daily affirmations without understanding the meaning and absorbing it in our life.
How do we perform a gratitude sadhana? Continue reading