Inner Journey: Four Stages of Sadhana
One of the first places a seeker starts is looking for information in books and lectures. A few, however, are not satisfied with this “second hand knowledge.” They are confused by the contradictory scriptures. Some scriptures declare reality to be non-dual, while others claim the Divine is separate from the world. Some say God and the Universe are real, while others insist God is the only reality and everything else is an illusion. Tired of these contradictions only a discerning few set out to attain knowledge through direct experience. This is a great milestone on the spiritual journey.
Circles of Love
There are two competing processes in life, which determine the entire course of a person’s spiritual growth and evolution. One process is the tendency toward contraction, in which a person becomes increasingly selfish, bitter, egotistical, and separate from others in life. The second process is vital, for it is the process of expansion, the opening and development of love and the ability to recognize the essence in all.
Karma and Samskaras Part 2/2
As long as the unconscious mind remains, the impressions will ripen, come forward and manifest in the form of birth, span of life and experience. Just like a plant that emerges out of its winter sleep, even though it may have completely dried up, so also a disembodied being is reborn due to the impressions in the jiva that must be lived out. Thus, death is like winter sleep.
Karma and Samskaras Part 1/2
Karma means “action;” these are deeds you perform. Samskaras are “impressions,” created in the mind by actions. These samskaras in turn lead to more karma; repeated action strengthens the samskaras. There are four kinds of karma.
Tapas: Touching the Yoga mat counts
“Just as one eats morning, noon, afternoon, and night, so also will one have to meditate four times a day if one wants to realize truth quickly.”
The Significance of Prayer
Prayer is one of the most potent yet most underestimated practices. Almost everyone has prayed sometime or the other in life. We associate prayer with a house of worship, whether temple, church or mosque, and think of it as a religious practice. Few are aware of the significance of prayer in Yoga.
Understanding ignorance, death, meditation and samadhi
“If you understand only these issues — ignorance, death, meditation, and samadhi — everything will be revealed to you. No book can go beyond this.”
Raja Yoga: Samadhi and Surrender
When you have touched the edge of Infinity, you have had a glimpse of God. Before God, you can only surrender. When your mind surrenders spontaneously and completely you will have experienced Samadhi.
Dhyana: One-pointedness in Raja Yoga
Dhyana, the flow of meditation, is the seventh limb of Raja, the Royal path of Yoga.
Dharana: Fear in Meditation
Meditators experience fear and discomfort in the early stages of meditation, technically called Dharana. This article explains how meditators can deal with their fear and discomfort.
Practicing Pratyahara
Raja, the Royal path of Yoga comprises of 8 limbs. One of these limbs Pratyahara is explained here in a unique and insightful way.
Diaphragmatic Breathing in Meditation
Diaphragmatic Breathing is the most efficient method of breathing. This article explains one of the single most important practices to learn before beginning meditation.
Yamas & niyamas: value training in raja marga
Integrating values into an asana session lifts it from mere gymnastics to a profound spiritual science.
vichara: self inquiry
You can enter into a dialogue with your own inner self and gain access to the secrets of your mind and THAT which lies beyond.
Essential Asanas
Asanas are not the end of the practice but only a part of the practice. Static asanas are not exercises as understood by the conventional sense of the word.
The Essential Yoga Sutras
These are 74 essential sutras that are useful to meditators on the path of internal research. Sincere seekers, who wish to unravel the greatest of all mysteries, the mind, can begin here.
Adhikara: A Question of Qualification
What are the different relationships between a student and teacher? And why is qualification necessary?
Diksha: Four Categories of Initiation
This article elaborates upon the four categories of initiation in the Samaya Tradition.
Our Lineage, our Tradition
Secret teachings are transmitted orally to prepared students. Thus, the lineage is the cornerstone of the oral tradition.