Prashnopanishad: Pippalda
Prajapati, the lord of creation is often described in Vedic texts as having sixteen aspects. Sukesha, disciple of Pippalda, was asked by a prince as to who was the person with sixteen parts. He did not know the answer and therefore questioned his Guru. Continue reading
Prashnopanishad by Pippalda.
The process of Prana purification is likened to oblations to the Everlasting One. Prana healing happens at the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual level.
Gargya the grandson of the sun god, Surya, asked Pippalda:
“What is the nature of sleep and dreams, why does one need sleep and why does one dream?” Continue reading
Pippalda answers this question in Prashnopanishad. This question was posed by Kausalya, the son of Asvala. His question focuses on the nature and function of Prana (life force, vital breath). Continue reading
Dear ones, the Prashnopanishad gives the most illuminating description of Prana. One is able to understand Prana. Prana is likened to a mother who takes care of her offspring.
Prashnopanishad literally translates to Upanishad of Questions. It is an Atharvan Upanishad. Its dialogue explores existential questions, and this question addressed to Pippalda by Bhargava relates to understanding the importance of Prana in attaining Brahman. 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
It is wisest to be impartial. If you have health, but are attached to it, you will always be afraid of losing it. And if you fear that loss, but become ill, you will suffer. Why not remain forever joyful in the self? – Swami Yogananda
A harmonious self is far more valuable than an unhappy self. Ill health can affect us anytime, but do we have to brood about it and dwell on it. One has to understand that it is our thoughts which are influencing us and when that happens, we begin to think that we are victims. The question which come up is: “why me”? Continue reading
Dear Ones, we are all aware of the five elements, which comprise the universe, mother earth and all sentient beings. The five elements are earth, water, fire, air, and ether. We practice sadhanas to purify these elements. Continue reading
Hanuman was the son of the Vayu, God of the Wind. His mother, Anjane was a beautiful celestial nymph, who had been cursed to be born on earth as a monkey princess, because she was an impetuous maiden by Brihaspati’s wrath. Brihaspati was the guru of the Devas. Her curse would only be uplifted when she would bear a child. Anjane was seen by the Wind God and despite being a monkey, she was very beautiful. He was enchanted by her and he blew on her. Hanuman was born and she was freed of the curse. Continue reading
The Visshudhi chakra is the chakra for communication. I am discussing the visshudhi chakra in isolation for a specific reason. The visshudhi chakra is purple and it is associated with Aakash (ether). The udana prana rules this chakra and the function of this prana is to purify our body of toxic substances, while exhaling. Purification occurs at all levels, physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. 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
Rage is an intense emotional state of displeasure with someone or something. Tranquility is a state of freedom from storm or disturbance. How does one keep a balance? There is only one way, which is being aware of one’s breath. What does this do for one? Does it banish one’s rage, one’s turmoil in one’s mind? It does. Continue reading
We all have this image of Shiva meditating and we wish we could go into this wonderful state. However, the path to reach a meditative state is full of pebbles and sharp stones. Our conscious, subconscious and unconscious thoughts are the thorns, which are in the way. Continue reading
The mind is like the wind. You’re trying to stop the wind, dressed as a kite. How are you going to do it? – Mooji
If I can control my kite, I can control my thoughts through my Prana.
Close your eyes. Become aware of the breath, flowing in and out of the nostrils. Become aware of the Prana, the life force in your breath. Start counting backwards from 54 to 0. Make no mistakes. Be centered on the Prana, visualize it as a light going in and out of the nostrils.
Whisper your intentions into the Prana when you exhale, releasing them to the universe. You can also tie small pieces of paper with your wishes to a tree and let the wind carry them away. When your wish is fulfilled, you can open any paper.
Hanuman is the Lord of Prana and he is the son of the Pawan, the God of Wind. When our Prana is purified, our mind becomes steady and free from thoughts. We pray to Hanuman for steadfastness and dedication.
Aim Hrim Klim
In Fengshui there are four colors which are regarded as powerful. They attract wealth and abundance, and they are purple, deep blues, gold and dark greens.
Purple is associated with spirituality and one’s interior life. It is also associated with material possessions. It is believed that if we feel complete, we will send that energy out into the world and riches will begin to find their way to us. Continue reading
Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that: Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that. – Martin Luther King Jr.