The evolution of consciousness through the doors of perception The Sanskrit word chakra means wheel. A wheel rolls, turns and, by means of cyclic or circular movement, takes one on a journey. This journey occurs in space and time, and thus it is eventf …
In his landmark 1975 book Animal Liberation, author Peter Singer defined the word “speciesism” as a prejudice toward those of another species – specifically, Singer referred to the way in which human animals look down upon all other species as less int …
Whenever virtue declines and evil dominates, God manifests as an avatar; an embodied being (sometimes a human being, sometimes an animal being) to protect that which is good, for the sake of love, light and balance. One such incarnation was Krishna. A …
This collection of the timeless teachings of one of the greatest sages of India is a testament to the uniqueness of the seer’s life and work, and it is regarded by many as a “modern spiritual classic.” I Am That (now in its 11th printing) continues to …
Shri Swami Satchidananda, a disciple of Swami Sivananda from Rishikesh, is the founder and spiritual director of the Integral Yoga Institute, which has yoga centers throughout the world. He lives at his ashram, Yogaville, in Buckingham, Virginia. Swami …
The Hatha Yoga Pradipika is a medieval scripture written in 1350. The Nath Yogi Swatmarama is the author. The meaning of the title is interesting to consider if one wishes to begin to understand the book’s content. Pradipika means “light” or “to illumi …
By looking for similarities between yoga and Buddhism, rather than differences, we have an opportunity to further expand our understanding of the quest for enlightenment. The search for relationships within related practices develops intuitive skills a …
The Hindu Gods and Goddesses are vehicles for realizing our True Self, our unlimited Divine potential. Through our study of them, we can recognize our true inner qualities, such as Truth, Knowledge, Peace, and Compassion. Brahman – or the Supreme God t …
Chapter 12: The Way of Divine Love: Bhagavad Gita “Arjuna said: Those devotees who, ever steadfast, worship You after this fashion, and those others who worship the Imperishable and Unmanifest – which of these have greater knowledge of yoga? The Lord s …
The yogi’s behavior towards himself. 1. SAUCHA: Purity, cleanliness (sauch=to be radiant) Saucha is the practice of cleaning the body. This includes bathing, brushing the teeth and the practice of kriyas. When we try to be perfectly clean, we start to …
Truthfulness, Non-stealing, Continence, Greedlessness are Patanjali’s Ethical Guidelines on how to treat others. SATYA: Truthfulness Chanting the name of God is said to be one of the best ways to practice Satya. When you chant the name of God then you …
The first step in Patanjali’s System of Ashtanga Yoga is ahimsa, which means non-harming. When you are Self confident the need to hurt, humiliate or kill another being is absent. Only a person with low self-esteem would harm another to feel better abou …