Will power is very essential in our spiritual growth. We treat it very casually, and for many things that we wish to do, we say that we do not have the will for it. Without a strong will it is impossible to make progress. Continue reading
According to Sri Aurobindo, the only work that spiritually purifies is that which is done without personal motives, without desire for fame or public recognition or worldly greatness. Without insistence on one’s own mental motives or vital lusts and demands or physical preferences, without vanity or crude self-assertion or claims for position or prestige. Continue reading
The Yoga described in Pashupata Tantra, is neither hatha yoga nor raja yoga, it is a yoga named by Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati as Shiva Yoga.
Shivenasaha yogah: Shiv yogah “The teachings of yoga as associated with Shiva will be called Shiva Yoga.” Shiva Yoga is the most important as it has four parts: hatha yoga, raja yoga, bhakti yoga and karma yoga. Continue reading
When we attempt our sadhana, what are we pursuing?
Excellent health! Exhaustion of our karmas! Relaxed state of mind! Closer to the divinity! Blessings! Our guru will elevate us because we are applying due diligence! Continue reading
When I close my eyes and try to silence my mind, negative thoughts set up a clamor. I get involved with them and I am entrapped. How many of us feel like this? 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
How do we define boredom? Boredom is fatigue, ennui, monotony, tedium and indifference. There is a German proverb which says, boredom is the father of all sins. Continue reading
Negativity comes in all shades and colors. We have negative feelings, reactions, and emotions. Negativity makes us more angry and unreasonable. It overtakes us and it is very difficult to remember at that time, that we could turn it into a positive thought, feeling or emotion. Continue reading
Thursday is the day of the Guru. I asked myself this question, as must so many of you, “Who was Swami Sivananda’s Guru?” Swami Sivananda received mantra diksha from Paramahamsa Viswanananda Saraswati, on the banks of the Ganga on 1st June,1924. Swami Sivananda was in quest of a Guru. Continue reading
As given by Swami Satyanananda Saraswati.
Just breathe. Be aware of your natural and spontaneous breath. Be aware of your ingoing breath and be aware of your outgoing breath. No effort. Your breathing pattern can vary, sometime your breaths are short, sometimes they are long. Now when you inhale add So, and when you exhale add Ham. You are affirming that you are saying So with your ingoing breath and Ham with your outgoing breath. You are not making any loud sounds, it is normal breathing. You can do this anywhere and anytime. Practice for 2 to 3 minutes, or longer. You will feel calmer and centred. It will enable you in your daily meditation.
This little sadhana was given in1968. It is wonderful, try it, share it with kids, your loved ones and on people who are sick.
Aim Hrim Klim
We must learn and understand the practice of Karma Yoga and Bhakti Yoga. What is Karma Yoga? The word karma is used freely and frankly and all our misfortunes are blamed on our bad Karma. Karma is the real desires created in the mind. When we wish to possess, it is karma. Karma is a movement that takes place within the mind, body or emotions. Continue reading
Lord Krishna said, “When the perfectly controlled mind rests in the Self only, free from longing for all objects of desires, then it is said, he is harmonized and balanced.” Continue reading
Swami Satyananda Saraswati said, “If we hold ourselves responsible for the future, our own and our children, then we will ensure that the evolution of man is along positive lines. Only then will wars cease, only then will man be able to love his fellow man, and only then will adults understand the young and the young understand the old.” Continue reading
Do you know your own self as well as you know your own house. You know where everything is in place in your home. You know your bookshelves, what is in your kitchen, in your cupboard. When you lay the table, you take the cutlery out of the drawers, place the plates, etc. There is no confusion in your mind. If you invite someone for a meal, you may take out your grandma’s lace tablecloth and your mother’s silver. Your writing desk, what is in the drawers, your files, your clips, stapler, everything is in place. You know where your cheque books are kept, have an idea how much you have in the bank. You are very familiar with your home. Continue reading
Both Swami Sivananda and Swami Satyanananda were clear that if you want peace of mind, balance and want to follow the spiritual path, you have to tame your mind. Swamiji said that if you have a quarrel with your partner or family, you may sleep in a separate room but your mind cannot be put in another room. It will sleep with you, it will play with your thoughts, give you dreams and wake you up the next morning not rested but more upset. So how does one quieten this mind. Swamiji has laid emphasis on the mind. Swami Sivananda has emphasised on developing positive qualities of the mind and eradicating the negative and restrictive qualities of the mind. Continue reading