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The Supreme Self
The true identity is the universal Self, not the limited individual you perceive.What you consider to be your personal self is an illusion. That limited identity is not your true nature. Your essence is the All-Self, the Ātmā of everything. This truth is encapsulated in the mantra. The … read more »
Gyana Yoga: simple life and high thinking
The practice of Śama and Dama is the foundation for controlling the mind and senses.Śama is the withdrawal of the senses from external objects, not through hatred or escape, but through careful avoidance, like skillfully passing another car. The world itself holds no inherent bondage; you must learn to refuse … read more »
Who is the true doer?
A story of how divine service humbles even the greatest devotee.Hanumān, after Lord Rāma's victory, sat thinking of his own indispensable deeds: finding Sītā, bringing the healing herb, saving Lakṣmaṇa. His ego swelled. Rāma, knowing his thoughts, decided to gently drown this pride. He called Hanumān … read more »
If you practice Yoga, you will be far away from Roga
Yoga is the practice that separates you from illness and negative states.Where there is bhoga, or sense enjoyment and desire, there is roga, or illness. Where there is raga, meaning quarreling, jealousy, dualities, aversion, and attachment, there is also roga. These three—bhoga, raga, and roga—always go together. … read more »
God is not your slave -- but if you call from the deep of your heart, God will come.
The Lord arrives precisely when His devotees are in greatest distress.Consider Kṛṣṇa's birth. His parents, Devakī and Vasudeva, were imprisoned by her brother, the demon Kaṁsa. Terrified by a prophecy, Kaṁsa killed each of their newborn children by dashing them against a wall. This was utter … read more »
Sattvic life is the first step towards self realization -- teaching of the Rishis
The purpose of human life is to realize the Self.All creation has meaning. Other beings fulfill their purpose through destiny alone, without choice. Humans also have destiny but possess intellect and choice, granting a greater obligation. Merely eating, sleeping, and procreating makes human life no … read more »
Wake up!
The foundation of practice is purifying body and mind.Change is required. Practice at home for health first; spirituality follows automatically. The body inherently produces illness and the tamasic quality. A sattvic body has no illness. Unhealthy bodies produce negative thoughts, which dull the intellect … read more »
A Call for Universal Harmony and Inner Peace
Sanātana Dharma is the universal religion based on eternal principles found in all faiths, speaking not of a personal God but the one universal God present in all.Yoga is the balancing principle of all elements, leading to harmony and the union of individual consciousness with cosmic consciousness; this inner balance is peace. Modern industrial development has created distraction and disaster, misdirecting humanity. True … read more »
Sayam and Niyam
Liberation depends on discipline and control, not merely postures.The way you live and speak, through śayama and niyama, is crucial. We mark the passing of a master of perfect discipline and self-control. Such a departure is a profound loss. Our observance is but a … read more »
Sant Bani
The sight and words of the Guru are a supreme blessing that purifies and brings peace.Every meeting and word cleanses the inner instrument and calms the three fires of suffering that burn all beings. This world is seen as a burning forest. God sent clouds of wisdom—the Guru's speech—as a nectar-rain … read more »
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Sat - Cit - Ananda (Part 2)
The man-made world is imperfect, born from an unsteady mind of desire and greed, which is the root of conflict and suffering.The perfect, divine reality is within. Do not trust the changing mind with its selfish cravings, which are the five imprisoning demons. True peace is found not in external pursuits but by turning inward through prayer … read more »
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Sat - Cit - Ananda (Part 1)
The nature of Śiva and reality is the eternal truth within.Śiva is liberation, consciousness, and immortality—the eternal light within you. That Ātmā is unborn, formless, and immortal; it is not born and does not die. What is real is unchangeable, beyond time, language, or philosophy. Only … read more »
Ego
The ego of identity is a universal illusion, and death is the ultimate equalizer.People often attach their self-worth to qualifications, religion, or social status, creating a divisive sense of superiority. This negative intellect is a trap leading to suffering, while positive intellect leads to liberation. True high society is … read more »
When to practise
Guidelines for practice require mindfulness.Practice on a somewhat empty stomach, allowing hours after a meal. Choose a time of personal convenience, integrating practice without neglecting obligations to family and society. Do not become individualistic, as neglecting duties creates unhappiness. Within … read more »
Smile
The body is a natural temple requiring rest and peace.Restlessness and tension shorten lifespan, while happiness increases healthy cells. A global laughter technique involves dedicated group laughter, transforming participants' appearance and vitality after a weekend. A speaker illustrated that smiling engages only a few muscles, … read more »
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Two Types of Maya (Part Two)
Māyā manifests as siddhis, or miraculous powers, which are a great temptation for the practitioner.These powers become accessible and pleasant but are the best friends of the ego. Using them creates a pattern of distraction, causing a fall from the yoga path. Spiritual awakening is often accompanied by such miracles, … read more »
What the Awakening of the Kundalini Really Is
The true nature of Kuṇḍalinī awakening is not a problem.The feeling of having a problem is a wrong, fixed idea. A genuine awakening is a pleasant rise of consciousness and wisdom; you do not feel it as a problematic energy. Disturbances arise from incorrect practice, … read more »
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Two Types of Maya (Part One)
The purpose of yoga is the development of consciousness and spiritual awakening, not for gaining powers.Health must be balanced, but consciousness is primary. Māyā, as illusion and delusion, presents constant temptation. It changes form to match personal weaknesses like money, taste, or passion. This tricky force ultimately abandons its victims, leaving … read more »
How to grown up a noble child?
The sixteen saṃskāras are prescribed for the conscious conception and cultivation of a noble human being.Passion must be directed toward this conscious creation. Parents prepare through bodily purification and await an auspicious constellation for conception, the first saṃskāra, Garbhādhāna. Subsequent rites protect and nurture the pregnancy, welcome the child into the … read more »
Niskam Karma leads to liberation
Karma Yoga consists of two paths: sākām karma and niṣkām karma.Sākām karma is selfish work performed with expectation for personal benefit. This action binds you under karmic law, requiring repayment in this life or through future births, creating a chain of bondage whether the karma is … read more »
Fighting within family -- from the Mahabharata
The true nature of relationships is revealed in conflict and inheritance.Reality is only fully known after death, so one should not hurry toward it but enjoy life. A story illustrates this through familial strife over a throne, where blindness and ambition lead to plotting and exile. … read more »
Dharma of the Master
A moral dilemma arises when one must choose between two sacred vows of protection.A bird sought refuge from a predator. The master promised safety, stating even death held no power. A second bird then arrived, claiming refuge from starvation, having pursued the first for days. Both beings placed their … read more »
Inspiration to start the day
The sacred rhythm of daily life begins with conscious first impressions and intentional actions.Upon waking, direct your first gaze toward a beautiful or sacred object to set a positive tone for the day. Before rising, offer your body and mind in dedication. Determine which foot to place first by … read more »
Meeting Fatima Meer and Swami Sahajanand
We gather to honor service and spirit in this community.A spiritual leader was appointed to guide humanitarian work here, providing aid without discrimination. Daily, thousands receive free food and medicine. This service has been recognized with a national humanitarian award. Today we also acknowledge a … read more »
God is always with us
We need the help of all things to realize ourselves.It is realistic to feel you need human help, but we need help from every creature and object. We need this microphone to be heard, these walls for shelter, and this chair to sit. In this … read more »
All in One, One in All
We are one human race, a single species.Scientifically, there are not two races. For the divine, all are one. Our bodies are merely vehicles, varying in color or creed. All beings are reflections of one source, like the moon seen in different cups … read more »
Cycle of birth and death
Upon leaving the cycle of birth and death, one enters an astral form for a time.In this state, one sees and knows everything, undergoing a process where destiny for the next birth is determined. The form of the next birth is first created by this destiny. However, present actions can show … read more »
Saraswati
The grace of Sarasvatī and the necessity of self-effort define the spiritual path.Sarasvatī is the goddess of wisdom; her grace grants eloquence and knowledge, making her adored by all. In spirituality, all are supreme and equal, a principle reflected in human rights concepts originating from ancient texts. True … read more »
Kal chakra
Death is certain, and one must fulfill one's duty.The time and place of death are fixed but unknown. Therefore, one must act on their duties immediately, without delay. Life presents two paths: engagement in worldly duties and withdrawal from them. One must not abandon … read more »
Regression therapy
Regression therapy is a complex tool with potential benefits and significant risks.The method can sometimes help, but it often reveals truths that are difficult to master. If you recall a happy past life, you may feel happy; if you recall a miserable one, you will feel unhappy. … read more »
Svarga
Heaven and hell are not distant realms but present states of mind.A person content in their situation experiences heaven here. Another person in the same room, filled with anger and jealousy, experiences hell. The entire world and all situations are projections created by your own mind. Therefore, … read more »
Trapti
The self is satisfied by knowledge and wisdom.Satisfaction means completeness, ending the hunger of desire. When the self is fully satisfied, all unhappiness disappears. Such a person has mastered the senses; the senses are active but follow instructions, they are slaves, not masters. … read more »
Lagan
Lagan is the concentrated power of intention and love that directs one's entire being toward a single aim.Without this focused interest, one cannot achieve success in studies, work, or family life. When your effort is merely duty, it lacks this force. True lagan makes you unwavering, like a mountain, undisturbed by changing circumstances. … read more »
Svabhava
One's intrinsic value, or sva-bhāva, determines all benefit and happiness.Those who habitually find fault in others cannot be happy in any relationship. This nature is like a price; the object does not change, but its value fluctuates, dictating gain or loss. Your bhāva towards God, … read more »
Theory and practice
The peril of mere intellectual theory is that it creates hollow argumentation, not devotion.Theory has destroyed many, making them empty-headed and dead-hearted. In contrast, a devotee knows only love and surrender. As one develops theoretical knowledge, one tends to criticize and argue more. A story illustrates this: a master … read more »
You are me and I am you
The core teaching is the non-dual unity of being, where apparent separation is an illusion born of physical attachment.You feel separate because you identify with the body; this perceived distance is the source of all suffering. In truth, there is no separation. The divine speaks through this form, not from a separate self. The … read more »
2nd International Children Peace Conference
Our prime duty is to nurture children and honor nature, for they are our future.Children are the culture of tomorrow; we must inspire them with truth and not abuse their innocence. Their performance was a lesson and a call to humanity. We must hand them a pure world. Our duty … read more »
Tyaga and vairagya
The path to enlightenment is rooted in the inseparable practices of inner renunciation and dispassion.The banyan tree symbolizes this enduring spiritual truth, as it was under such a tree that Buddha attained enlightenment through a life of tyāga and vairāgya. These two qualities are mutually dependent; the presence of one … read more »
Health and wealth
The first wealth is a healthy body.You are the primary doctor for your own body. True health cannot be purchased; it must be cultivated. Modern life has separated us from nature, making basic protections like clothing necessary. Human life is guided by … read more »
Eat that sweet, which makes you immortal
The search is for the peaceful corner within, where the soul regenerates.Only those who have tasted that immortal nectar truly know it. Ordinary sweetness creates desire and disease, enslaving the senses, particularly taste. Compulsive eating often stems from a psychological lack, a search for lost maternal love. … read more »
Vyaspurnima
The day commemorates the birth of Vedavyāsa, who preserved divine wisdom for humanity.He foresaw that human memory would decline, leading to the loss of this cosmic science. To prevent this, he dictated the Vedas to Gaṇeśa under a strict condition: his speech would not stop, and the scribe … read more »
The Eternal Presence of the Master
The divine presence is realized through devotion, yet often fully appreciated only in retrospect.A Master perceives the heartfelt love of devotees during sacred gatherings. That profound connection remains accessible beyond physical forms. The feeling of belated recognition arises from human attachment, not divine absence. The eternal bond transcends temporal … read more »
What is the Carana?
The Mangala Caranam is the auspicious invocation of the holy feet.This initial step is a prayer for the divine presence. The holy feet, or lotus feet, represent the Guru's grace. We pray for the Guru to enter and reside within our home. Wherever the Guru is, … read more »
What can we do for our passed away loved ones?
When someone departs, the appropriate prayer is the Mahāmṛtyuñjaya Mantra.This mantra is a powerful invocation for the soul's journey. It is a prayer to God for the forgiveness of the departed's deeds. Its purpose is to guide that person towards the divine light. The focus … read more »
Question of our age: the water
When the asurī śakti comes into power, distraction begins.This age is marked by wars, earthquakes, and floods. The planet now faces great challenges, threatened by its own child, humanity. What is called development is a path to destruction through pollution. The result is the … read more »