476 – Great gurus say: love, serve and give

It is a very powerful sentence. Love automatically refers to one being kind and generous to the loved one. Serve means that one is happy to serve a loved one. Lastly giving one’s loved one makes one happy. The answer here is that to love, serve and give completely to all.

Do everything in love. – Corinthian 16:14

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462 – Pure love

You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is what you give of yourself that you truly give. – Khalil Gibran

It is every man’s obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out. The value of man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving. – Albert Einstein

No one has ever become poorer by giving. – Anne Frank

The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away. – Pablo Picasso

Love, serve, give. – Swami Sivananda

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413 – How can I become a Brahmachari?

What is Brahmacharya? Is it possible to practice it? The meaning is to search for Brahman. Brahman is everywhere and can be found by connecting with one’s inner self. This self-realization is only possible with complete control in thought, word, and action of all the senses 24/7. An individual practicing Brahmacharya is free of all desires and passions. Continue reading

359 – Possession and possessiveness

What is the definition of possession? Something that you own or are carrying with you. Why does possession have such a powerful hold on us? Let us examine why possession has its tentacles wrapped around us. Is our love possessive for our child, partner, parent, and pet? Can we own an individual? Is it healthy to be possessive? Continue reading

330 – Origin of the Sri Rama Mantra

As narrated by Swami Sivananda.

Sri Rama was seated in his court at Ayodhya, after his return from Lanka. He was surrounded by wise and venerable rishis. Deva Rishi Narada, Vishwamitra, Vashishta and many others were present to advise Sri Rama. While discussing spiritual topics, Sage Narada said, “I request all of you to give your opinion on the subject of whether the Lord’s name (Nama) or the Lord himself (Nami) is superior. Continue reading

315 – Fear is real

Fear is everywhere. We are terrified of Covid; the wars all over the world are causing sadness and disturbance in our lives. Forest fires have caused terrible damage and there is flooding in different countries. The biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate. It is essential for us to face these fears. Continue reading

289 – Who was Swami Sivananda’s Guru?

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 Parmahamsa Viswananda Saraswati, on the banks of the Ganga on 1st June 1924. Swami Sivananda was in quest of a Guru. Continue reading

288 – Eternal sayings of Parmahamsa Satyananda Saraswati

What is the meaning of Parmahamsa? Its literal meaning is supreme swan. Why a swan? The swan is at home on land and water. A true sage is equally at home in the realms of matter and spirit. To be in divine ecstasy and simultaneously to be aware in the world is the state of parmahamsa. Continue reading

277 – Statue of a Deity

Why are statues of the deity important for us in our sadhana? The statue is a symbol, a medium for establishing communion with God. Images are not frivolous visions of the artist, but they are emanating from his heart. When the murtis (deity’s statues) are made for worship, the craftsman follows the design rules of the Shilpa Shastras. Continue reading

274 – The Garden Of Love

Take a walk in a garden and look about you. The most wonderful thing is that one can take a walk anytime of the year, anywhere and appreciate nature. It can be very hot or very cold but it is possible to be appreciative of the greenery or the different shades of brown. Step out on the beach, in the park, forest or even playground. Become aware of everything around you. Of course switch off the phone. Once you are in a space, take a few breaths, normal, spontaneous ones and become comfortable with yourself. Focus on what you are observing. Continue reading

256 – Aradhana, worship from the heart

Swami Sivananda and Swami Satyananda extolled the worship of the divine and perceiving the divine in all creatures. Swami Sivananda would see God in every one who was suffering, and it was his Aradhana which enabled him to help all these persons. Continue reading