809 – Water is life

 

Turned into strife.

Water makes up 60% of our bodies. On Earth, it appears as lakes, rivers, seas and oceans and it covers 71% of the earth’s surface. Water also exists in the air as water vapor. Currently 44% of all wastewater returns to earth untreated. This means that all our waste (human, household sewerage, toxic and medical) is released directly into the planet’s ecosystems.

We have forgotten what water means. Continue reading

787 – Dispeller of darkness and ignorance

In the Hindu tradition, the real Guru is regarded as the divine him/herself. A Guru is the only one who dispels the darkness within one, and then leads one to the light which is burning within oneself. S/he guides one spiritually, without being didactic or dictatorial. A guru enables one to become a better human being and accept one’s flaws. A guru is blessed with divine grace. Continue reading

778 – A joy list

Dear ones, make a list of all your joys. You will be surprised as to how much we have to be happy for.

My greatest joy is that I came to Yoga Vidya 21 years ago and have a second home with people I love and respect. I cannot explain this feeling but I feel like crying when I leave.

My 8 joys

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571 – I have found a treasure chest

I have been writing a daily blog as you my dear ones are aware. It is a troubled time. Cost of living has risen. The weather is unpredictable. In India, we are becoming toast and here we are freezing. There are air, train and bus strikes. We look around and life after Covid has changed for all of us. Continue reading

568 – Chant with your heart – the original

The practices of Ajapa Japa were given by Swami Satyananda Saraswati in 1963 in Cama Hall, Bombay.

In his talk, he has given six practices for the followers of Yoga. They are simple and easy to follow. What is essential is that the Ajapa Japa sadhana has to be practiced for a month. I have written the sadhana as he gave it and it is simply said by the Guru for all to follow. Continue reading

560 – Chant with your heart

Ajapa Japa Sadhana as explained by Swami Satyananda Saraswati.

When we chant, we are uttering from the mouth, when we chant from the heart, it is called Ajapa. Ajapa Japa is a complete sadhana and through it one can have direct experience of samadhi. Continue reading

539 – Words – sacred sounds

The power of the word lasts forever. It cannot fade away. I read that when we say something hurtful to someone intentionally, it never leaves the ether. Words are made of prana as we utter them by using our prana. They themselves have the energy and power which can heal, help, hurt, harm or hinder, humiliate and humble. Continue reading

520 – Everyone is Divine

The more I live, the more I become convinced everyday that every human being is divine. In no man or woman however vile, does that divinity die… You must know what you are, what your real nature is. You must become conscious of that infinite nature within. Then your divine bondage will burst. – Swami Vivekananda

The main idea in Tantra is having faith in oneself, which according to Tantra is equivalent to having faith in God because neither Tantra nor Vedanta views God as something different from the person. Therefore, if we leave aside the idea of God sitting somewhere up in heaven while we are down here faith in God simply means having faith in ourselves, in what we do and express and achieve to the best of our ability—slowly and slowly developing the creative aspect of our personality. – Swami Satyananda Saraswati

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512 – Satyananda Yoga

In Satyananda Yoga Asana and Pranayama are the first and second steps. These steps give one an understanding of annamaya kosha, the experience of matter and pranayama kosha, the experience of energy. The balancing of matter and energy is enabled through the practice of asanas and pranayama the third and fourth step, the practice of pratyahara and dharana are taught, in order to make the mind one pointed. Continue reading

494 – Basant Panchami

Basant means one who bestows wishes and season of spring. Spring is about new beginnings and transformations. Panchami means the fifth day of the Hindu lunar month in the Hindu calendar marking the beginning of winter’s end and the coming of spring. And in the western calendar it is January—February. Continue reading

451 – Bliss and love

 

“Another name for God is bliss. No ego, no me, no you, no office. Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram.”

Life itself is a yogic sadhana.

Bliss is of two kinds; one is the bliss of worldly pleasures and the other is the bliss of Brahma, Brahmananda, which manifests and awakens from within, or of the self, atmananda. Worldly bliss is the result of external experiences and this bliss which is obtained from worldly objects is perishable and a womb of sorrow. Continue reading

442 – Our eternal question to Gurus

Can enlightenment come at any time?

Swami Satyananda Saraswati’s answer.

“Enlightenment can come at any time. It may at first seem like a flash from time to time, until it finally stabilizes itself. It is not predestined. It is not one’s will. It is not an outcome of one’s sadhana, which means purity, tapasya or vairagya. It comes unannounced, it can come to a person on the street and bypass a saint who has been meditating for a long time. Continue reading

441 – What are Siddhis?

We are all interested to know more about Siddhis, and many of us are very keen to acquire them. What are Siddhis? Siddhis are supernatural accomplishments which control the mind and prana. There are eight paranormal powers obtained by Yogis as a result of sustained practice, which are considered to be obstacles on the path to realization because they maintain interest in samsaras (cycle of birth, death and rebirth; illusory world).

What are the eight Siddhis?

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424 – Attainment of serenity and equilibrium

“When serenity and equilibrium prevail,
Not only ideas but dreams come true
And sleep is converted into samadhi.
Generally, the mind is dull and dissipated,
Sometimes it goes in for higher things
But then returns to its lower field.” – Swami Satyananda Saraswati.1960.

How do we become serene? Continue reading