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
Tag Archives: Sadhana
The power of Yoga Nidra
Dear ones, I am so proud that the practice of Yoga Nidra is referred to and practiced everywhere. My Guru is regarded as the creator of Yoga Nidra. I just read two quotes and I will share them with you. Continue reading
Response to rudeness
First of all, let us define rudeness. Rudeness is described as a weak imitation of strength. So many of us practice rudeness. It is also described as behavior which is inappropriate. It is being insolent, discourteous, impertinent and impolite. Continue reading
What do we learn from the tarsier?
Dear ones, the tarsier is an animal, which is halfway between lemurs and monkeys. It measures only about 9-16 centimeters. Its tail is double its length. It is found in the Philippines and various islands of Southeast Asia. Continue reading
Courtesy, civility, kindness
Life is not so short, but that there is always time enough for courtesy. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Civility costs nothing and buys everything. – Montagu
A part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve. – Joseph Joubert
A tree is known by its fruit, a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship and he who plants kindness gathers love. – Saint Basil
Rage and Tranquility
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
A Valentine for Mother Earth
Reflected Awareness Sadhana
We are what our thoughts have made us; so, take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far. – Swami Vivekananda
It is Valentines’ Day and there are so many expectations about it. The excitement for young persons is about how many valentines and gifts one will get. As we get older, we still have an element of wishful thinking, maybe one’s ego comes into play. Continue reading
The Resonating Sound within
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 Yogic path to freedom
How do we define freedom? It is a word used by all of us.
Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. – Martin Luther King Jr.
Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better. – Albert Camus
He who is brave is free? – Seneca
Freedom is not the absence of commitments, but the ability to choose and commit myself to – what is best for me. – Paul Coelho
Samyojana
What does samyojana mean? In Sanskrit, it means knots which are within us and these knots have to be opened. They are chains which bind us spiritually. Continue reading
The true meaning of visualization
What is the meaning of visualization? The gross meaning is to anticipate, envision or create. There is a spiritual meaning of visualization and that is the practice we are seeking. How can we develop visualization? It is a question asked so many times of Gurus. Yet it is a word used so frequently by us in our daily life. In the context of Yoga sadhana, Swamiji answered this question. Continue reading
Our role as Yoga teachers in 2025
What should we do as Yoga teachers?
Our responsibility as Yoga teachers is to enable our students to understand the following principles. Continue reading
Welcome love, goodbye resentment
Dear ones, the year is going to end soon. Let us pause and think of all the good things that happened in 2024. In this category, I am putting what made you laugh, sing, dance and pleased. Continue reading
Quotes from the Masters
Simple life is a veritable blessing, because it makes one free from cravings and desires, which cause suffering and pain. Continue reading
The different pratyaharas
Dear Ones, I have been writing about Pratyahara as explained by Swami Niranjananda Saraswati. I will go through the list. Continue reading