According to ancient scriptures and yoga, the human body is nothing but energy. We are not identifying with essence of life but with something that is created from that essence, and which is material and gross. Our collective consciousness is based on the body and the senses. Continue reading
How can we change our behavior?
The behavioral outcome of Raja Yoga as stated in the Yoga Sutras (1:33) explains how it is possible to change our behavior.
Maitreekarunaamuditopekshaanaam
Sukhadukhapuyaapunyavishayaanam
Bhaavanaatashchittaprasaadanam. 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
Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer in sacrifice, whatever you give, whatever you practice as austerity, O Arjuna, do it as an offering unto Me! – Bhagavad Gita, 9:27
How do I find silence? I live in such a noisy place. There are different sounds all around. The whistling of the pressure cooker from my neighbor’s home. The doorbells ringing. Cars going past. The cry of the ambulance or the police sirens. The birds are squawking and the crows are cawing. Dogs barking, vendors selling their wares. Oh dear, oh dear what shall I do? Continue reading
Dear ones, this is a poem by Pablo Neruda.
You start dying slowly
If you do not travel,
If you do not read,
If you do not listen to the sounds of life,
If you do not appreciate yourself.You start dying slowly
When you kill your self-esteem,
When you do not let others help you.You start dying slowly
If you become a slave to your habits,
Walking everyday on the same paths…
If you do not change your routine
If you do not wear different colors
Or speak to those you don’t know.You start dying slowly
If you avoid feeling passion
And their turbulent emotions––
Those that make your eyes glisten
And your heart beat fast.You start dying slowly
If you do not risk the safe for the uncertain,
If you do not chase a dream,
If you do not allow yourself,
At least once in your lifetime,
To run away from sensible advice.
Don’t let yourself die slowly.
Do not forget to be happy.
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
What should we do as Yoga teachers?
Our responsibility as Yoga teachers is to enable our students to understand the following principles. Continue reading
Swami Niranjananda explains the importance of performing sadhana in a classic meditative pose. There is a technique called Yantra pranayama, which is to be practiced in Kaya Sthairyam. I have written about it and there is a YouTube of mine on it. However, dear ones, I will refresh your memory. It is a guided meditation, where one learns to become still and comfortable. Its origin is in Yoga. Kaya Sthairyam is also a wonderful standalone practice. Continue reading
Simple life is a veritable blessing, because it makes one free from cravings and desires, which cause suffering and pain. Continue reading
There are two aspects of individual harmony; the harmony between body and soul, and the harmony between individuals. All the tragedy in the world in the individuals and in the multitude, comes from lack of harmony. – Hazrat Inayat Khan
If only all of us could be harmonious in our thoughts and actions, there would be peace and harmony in the world. Continue reading
To people in Kali Yuga.
What is the meaning of Kali Yuga? In one word it is deterioration. It is the ultimate decline at all levels. It is said that Kali Yuga started 5,123 years ago, on the day Krishna left his physical body. In these years one has seen the development and destruction of human society. There have been major wars genocides, and adjustments. Struggle has existed throughout. Continue reading
Swami Satyananda Saraswati said that one must accept oneself as one was. ‘An important step in yoga is to accept your nature as much as you’re able.’ He spoke a lot on self-acceptance and the reason is that acceptance of self is crucial to yoga and tantra. Tantra is called the way to acceptance. Continue reading
Her hands have no arms; her mouth has no face. She is the eyes of the blind, Mother Prachanda Chandika.
Without hands she fashions, she knows without a mind, without an eye she sees, Mother Prachanda Chandika.
She is the supreme hand of the hand, the wonderful consciousness of the mind, the eye, that is the origin of the eye, Mother Prachanda Chandika.
Though her head is cut off, she is the support of life. Though she is frightening in appearance, she is the giver of peace. Though a maiden she increases our vigor, Mother Prachanda Chandika. – Ganapati Muni, Prachanda Chandika-9-11,14.
It is the Goddess Chinnamasta, the consciousness beyond the mind. Her Sanskrit name, comprised of Chinna (meaning severed), masta (head) and Vajrayyogini (a Buddhist goddess) highlights her unique nature. She is the headless Vajrayyogini symbolizes self-sacrifice, transformation, and the transcendence of ego. She is connected with the fierce aspect of the Goddess Devi. Continue reading
The world and the life created in it is subject to the influence of maya and tamas. We are all victims of maya and tamas.
Maya is illusion and is the powerful force which creates the cosmic illusion that the phenomena is real. The purpose of maya is to teach one the futility of illusion. To be free of maya one must develop an attitude of gratitude. Continue reading