“जरा रंग सांची प्रेम की, और रंग हैं झूठ।”(Jara rang saanchi prem ki, aur rang hain jhooth) The true colour is the colour of Divine Love, all other colours are false. – Kabir das This is a topic I have not written about before although it has been with me for some years now and…
As Yoga sees it, male and female are biological genders but masculine and feminine are energies that every individual carries. One may call it the head and heart or Yin and Yang. And so simply having a female leader does not mean that we have empowered the feminine because the female leader could even be more masculine in her approach than a male!
The Feminine expresses more evidently in art, aesthetics, emotion and spirituality. As an example, we may build a house using our masculine energy but it is our feminine energy that makes it a “home”.
Bharat and Sanatana Dharma is marked by stories that are eternally true. And not only that, stories that relate intimately to our experience as conscious beings on this planet. Being woven into the fabric of the land, these stories are ever present both physically outside us, as well as within. The story behind the Kumbh mela is such a one.
The Gita spends a considerable amount of time – the entire first chapter – ‘setting the scene’. Notably, this is in contrast to other important scriptures of similar gravitas like the Brahma Sutras or the Yoga Sutras which begin with rather abrupt statements announcing that the topic of the text will now be discussed; or the Upanishads which again, don’t consider it important to describe context or background.
In my view, the Gita deliberately takes pains to draw attention to the example and metaphor of battle, to later, show the opposite of it or the transcendence of it and expatiate on the attainment of absolute peace.
Some interesting data by the Global Footprint Network regarding the ecological footprint of countries in terms of ‘number of Earths shows that India is the only country within the G20 economies that is making do with the planet as it stands; the rest are all living as though we have the resources of more than one planet Earth available!
The Earth can support natural human growth and progression but not psychologically dysfunctional consumption.
The focus of sustainability should be an alignment of human lifestyles towards harmony with our environment – this is the essence of Dharma.
‘Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam’, a Sanskrit phrase repeated in many ancient Indian texts, translates as “the Earth is one family”. This recognises not only the unity of mankind, but of all living systems on the Earth.
The true nature of mind is infinite.Truly, mind does not have any identity.When we hold personal views and stories,these cannot but bring sufferingbecause we are going against our true nature.
Moving from tamasic nature to sattva means you are refining the physical body, the mental body, the emotional body and the energy body. If you refine this so much that it became very transparent, you cannot miss the source of creation which is within you. Sadhguru
A reading from the book ‘HeartWords: mystic poems’
In equanimity, we are aligned with the Intelligence of the Creator.
The best words and any art seem to come from a churning that left no tangible trace but still, a knowing is shared in invisible ways that something was lost…and maybe something found.
Conflict and confusion is the nature of a mind that has lost connection to Source. Such a mind is desperate in its attempt to make sense of the world. The main themes running in such a mind are: ‘Time is running out.’ ‘What should I do?’ ‘I like X.’ ‘I hate Y.’ This mind desperately…
A beautiful paradox that true expression that touches the other most deeply is one where ‘the other’ was disregarded in the make. True creativity as an expression of Life comes from a freshness where no residue was left that was still open for a reaction – something of the old, a faded hurt, an insecurity on its…
An offering of the Sanskrit Chant Purnamadah Purnamidam
“Lord Shiva, only becomes ableto do creation in this world along with Shakti.Without her, even an inch he cannot move,and so how can one who does not do good deeds,or one who does not sing your praise,become adequate to worship youO Goddess of mine, who is worshipped by the Trinity” Soundarya Lahari, 1.1 (believed to have been…
Krishna is the most colourful incarnation – an irrepressible child, an irresistible lover, a truly valiant warrior, an astute statesman and a yogi of the highest order. sadhguru You might also like: Who is Krishna? Stressed-Out? Here’s 3 Lessons from a Bhagavad Gita Krishna Quotes – Bhagavad Gita Our Arjuna Moments Bhakti – to Fall…
In the whole of Rama’s realm there was no one who suffered from bodily pains, ill fortune or evil circumstances. Every man loved his neighbor and, contented with the state of life to which he had been born, conformed to sound morality and the teaching of scripture. The four pillars of religion were established…
A single understanding: “I am the One Awareness,” consumes all suffering in the fire of an instant. Be happy. Ashtavakra Gita Whenever you have the chance, laugh as much as you can. By this all the rigid knots in your body will be loosened. But to laugh superficially is not enough: your whole being must…
The Lord of the Universe wants to come and live in your houseif you accept He will see through your eyesHe will hear through your earsHe will speak with your tongueif you accept You will have nothing but the knowing that He is in you as you – to follow my Instagram poetry account click here: @shruti.heartwords “…everything in the world has a pure…
Akshaya Tritiya is the day we celebrate the abundance and unending-ness of life’s bounty manifesting as material and spiritual wealth, beauty, wisdom and love…
Sharing a beautiful poem by non-duality teacher Rupert Spira called ‘I Am’. The poem
The period from Mauni Amavasya (24 January 2020) until Mahashivaratri (21 February 2020) was traditionally considered, on the yogic path, to be a period for the practice of maun or Silence.
Since we are currently in this period, let’s try to understand a little about what is meant by Silence.
What has a 20th century Indian philosopher writing about the Advaita of Adi Shankara got to do with a Sufi poet from the 13th century? This article explores Jnana and Bhakti in the context of the different ancient schools of Advaita.
“What effort does a lotus flower need to blossom in the lake? The lotus does not touch the lake even though it lives in lake. Only the legs touch the lake, not the head. So make effort with the legs and no effort with the head and you will see that you will not have any connection or relation with that in which you are living. This samsara is the lake. If you want to live like a lotus, live in the world with no relationship it. Most people are drowned in the lake and are not called a lotus. They are the creepers growing from the bottom. This is a very special method for the few who want to live free of any relationship and yet be involved in relationships totally. This is the secret. If you are aware and if you need it, you can get it, but not otherwise.”
– HWL Poonja (Papaji)
An article looking more closely at why we love and adore Rama…
A tribute to Meera bai on her Jayanti (birth anniversary) – contemplating ‘true love’
“Lord Shiva, only becomes ableto do creation in this world along with Shakti.Without her, even an inch he cannot move,and so how can one who does not do good deeds,or one who does not sing your praise,become adequate to worship youO Goddess of mine, who is worshipped by the Trinity” Soundarya Lahari, 1.1 (believed to have been…
Three hilltops huddled together a long time ago. To pay their respects like a devotee, to watch her beauty like a lover, to care for her like a parent. Looking up at these first adorers of Ma Ganga from this particular spot on her Rishikesh banks, it appeared as if this passage between the mountains led up to another world in the skies hidden by those surreal, swirling clouds…
I recently spent some time in the holy town of Rishikesh. What a blessing to be in Ma Ganga’s presence and feel her intimate connection with humanity.
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In this audio/visual offering, you can sit back, relax and bathe in Ganga’s pure waters without leaving your home. Your own meditation on Ganga’s ghats…
Beautiful quotes of Krishna from the Bhagavad Gita.
15 sayings of the mystic poet-saint Kabir Das (15th century CE). The wisdom of life encapsulated in these couplets is simple and timeless.
Three ancient works of wisdom that are unparalleled in the profundity with which they looked at human life and existence.
The Indian and other ancient cultures lived in deep harmony with nature. Indeed, Indian culture went beyond even the planet Earth to embrace a cosmic identity. So how did the world lose its way and what can we do now?
Arjuna’s moment of doubt and confusion is not a moment from history, but a living moment. We all have the opportunity to grow in wisdom if we are willing to recognise ours.
All paths of yoga are essentially about being in constant remembrance of and thus communion with the Divine. A relatively easy tool for this is japa. Still the practice of japa requires discipline and effort. A still easier and softer way is kirtan or bhajan.
“Of vibrations, I am the transcendental OM; Of sacrifices I am the chanting of the holy names.” – Bhagavad Gita (10.25)
Explore the deep science and understanding behind mantras.
The benefits of chanting the cosmic sound AUM have been known for millennia. Try this simple exercise to experience the benefits yourself.
“This is the land from whence, like the tidal waves, spirituality and philosophy have again and again rushed out and deluged the world, and this is the land from whence once more such tides must proceed in order to bring life and vigour into the decaying races of mankind. It is the same India which has withstood the shocks of centuries, of hundreds of foreign invasions, of hundreds of upheavals of manners and customs. It is the same land which stands firmer than any rock in the world, with its undying vigour, indestructible life. Its life is of the same nature as the soul, without beginning and without end, immortal; and we are the children of such a country.” – Swami Vivekananda. Read more about his work and wisdom.
The story of Queen MadAlasA (Brahmanda Purana) is a lofty though inspirational example of a parent’s role in the life of a child. Her enlightening lullaby to her children produced four sages. Such conscious parenting may seem like a story best left in books but even a casual observer of some of today’s modern parenting can see that we are due for some changes. The age of technology and impending AI revolution calls for a different perspective on education. Can we figure out solutions in time that will avoid us becoming slaves to technology?
The Upanishads “are the production of the highest human wisdom” claimed German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer.
The Bhrigu Valli, part of the Taittiriya Upanishad is an important text especially for yoga and meditation practitioners since it describes the transformation from the gross to the subtle and the experiential understanding reached in yoga, of the ultimate knowledge.
The Natyashastra is an ancient encyclopedic treatise on the performing arts, composed by sage Bharat Muni (somewhere between 500 BCE – 500 CE). The ancient Indian view of art as expressed in the text, was much broader than mere aesthetics. Art was profoundly explored as a way to experience the Divine. Read on for a personal experiential account.
On the occasion of Rama Navami (birthday of Lord Rama), understanding what Rama signifies.
Sirsasana (or headstand) is regarded as the King of Asanas in yoga. If one goes deeper into the asana one realises that it teaches us more than the ability to hold the body upside down – it teaches us about overcoming our fears and limitations.
The festival of Holi is often dubbed the most ‘fun’ festival that is about playing with water and colours, singing, dancing and eating. But what really is the significance of this festival apart from ‘having fun’? Or maybe that’s just it. Some reflections on Holi, a festival that conveys the wisdom of joy and the joy of wisdom.
Here’s some reasons why you’d be better off replacing your gym work-out with a yoga class. This list of reasons excludes the simple fact that yoga has been recommended by wise sages and yogis for thousands of years, which in itself is a pretty hefty endorsement!
“The distinction between “with qualities” and
“without qualities” does not exist in Him;
He’s beyond both attachment and non-attachment;
Stainless, He’s beyond all forms.
He’s beyond both qualities and the absence of qualities;
Though formless, He’s the substance of all forms.
So how can I worship that Shiva, who exists
everywhere, like space!” – Avadhuta Gita |
Exploring the significance of Mahashivratri (the darkest night of the year), for seeking Shiva.
On his jayanti/birth anniversary (31 January 2018, Magha Pournima), remembering the Bhakti saint and poet Ravidas whose beautiful poems live on through time, as fresh today as when they were written centuries ago.
“The Sanskrit language is called DEVAVANI – the divine language. And it certainly is divine in the sense because it is the most poetic and the most musical language. Each word has a music around it, a certain aroma”.
Read more of what spiritual master Osho had to say about the Sanskrit language.
Sivananda yoga is a popular and well-recognised yoga offering globally. Here’s an insight into Swami Sivananda and his teachings, namely the “5 Points of Yoga”.
“Let the world bother about its reality or falsehood. First find out about your own reality. Then all things become clear” – Sri Ramana Maharshi
A small tribute to the sage of Arunachala on his 138th birth anniversary (jayanthi).
An overview of ashram life at the Sivananda ashram in Kerala, India while pursuing the Yoga Teachers Training Course. Read about the location, food, schedule at the ashram and more.
A visit to the Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple in Trivandrum, Kerala, the abode of Lord Vishnu on the Anantha Shayana.
Beloo Mehra describes her visit to the Dwarkadhish temple in Gujarat. Read more to experience the divinity of this ancient temple in the city of Krishna, through the eyes of a bhakta.
Advaita master Sri HWL Poonja ji (1910-1997) explains the power and significance of Om, the primordial sound. He also recounts an incident when he was challenged by a French Cardinal who insisted that light came before sound.
The famous Danish physicist and Nobel Prize winner, Laureate Niels Bohr said, “I go into the Upanishads to ask questions.” Bohr as well as other physicists like Erwin Schrödinger and Werner Heisenberg were avid readers of the Vedic texts and observed that their experiments in quantum physics were consistent with what they had read in the Vedas. The 19th century German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer was so impressed by the Upanishads that he called them “the production of the highest human wisdom”.
The Kena Upanishad begins with enquiry into the Self and contains the most profound wisdom and direct pointings towards Brahman, the Absolute.
Sri Sarada Devi (1853 – 1920) was the consort of the great saint Sri Ramakrishna Parmahansa and was considered as the Divine Mother incarnate herself. In this excerpt from her teachings, she explains the nature of mind and the importance of meditation in this Kali Yuga.
What’s in a neem? Here’s 5 great things that have been known since Vedic times and that justify neem’s reputation in India as “sarva roga nivarini” or one cure for all ailments and ills.
Suffering from stress, tension and anxiety? Try these three pranayamas (breathing techniques) to restore calmness and peace of mind.
The Navratri festival in India is a celebration of the nine nights of the Divine Mother. The Mother Goddess manifests in many different forms. In Hindu culture, each of the nine nights is associated with a particular form of the Mother Goddess, Durga or Shakti (Navdurga). Read more.
Shruti Bakshi explains the significance of Navratri and the best way to make use of this period dedicated to the Mother Goddess.
Shruti Bakshi speaks to bestselling author Amish Tripathi about a wide range of topics from his books to his writing process, to atheism in ancient India and current issues in India relating to religion, society and politics. As someone with vast knowledge about India’s past and ancient wisdom and who refuses to be pigeonholed as ‘left’ or ‘right’, Amish’s views are refreshing, insightful and enlightening.
What’s the connection between Vivekananda, Tesla and ‘akasha’? Professor Subhash Kak explains, describing some of the earliest attempts at searching for a scientific basis for Vedantic concepts.
Surrender is a much misunderstood term today. Beloo Mehra explains what surrender really means for a spiritual seeker.
Vedic chants are considered to be the oldest unbroken oral tradition in the world. They are incredibly sophisticated arrangements of tones and letters that have a profound impact on the consciousness of the listener. Here we have the fortune of having a trained practitioner and teacher of Vedic chants, Dr Sivaram Hariharan aka Sydney Kishore, who describes his experience of learning Vedic chanting and some of the technicalities involved.
Ganesh Varadharajan explores the divergence between the East and West, essentially between Vedanta and Greek thought in the understanding of man and his relationship with the Divine. Setting side-by-side, examples from modern pop culture like Hollywood and the deep spiritual insights as articulated by Sri Aurobindo, makes for an interesting analysis of the diverging world and life views.
Professor Subhash Kak explains how Sanskrit is a language that not only represents the culture of India from north to south, but that also influenced the cultures of Southeast Asia, Middle East and Europe. Unfortunately, this language of yoga is much neglected today, making the revival of living Sanskrit, the need of the hour.
Of all the ways of greeting, the hugs and kisses and handshakes, the Namaste is the most profound, explains Ambika Gupta. Read about what the Namaste really represents and it’s yogic meaning.
Beloo Mehra takes on the difficult challenge of introducing us to one of the greatest men in India’s history – the great yogi, sage, poet, philosopher, visionary, patriot, politician and intellectual, Sri Aurobindo.
How can we understand this most colourful and attractive incarnation of the Divine? His exhalation is the Gita and his inhalation is the Leela, as Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev puts it. If we want to understand the nature of life, we must study the Gita but if we want to know the essence of Krishna, we must become his inhalation. We must approach with the devotion of Radha and Meera writes Shruti Bakshi.
This unconventional musical tribute to Devi, Shakti or the Mother Goddess by Krishna Das is likely to bring a tear to your eye.
Vedanta and Plato. Mahabharata and Homeric poems. Venus and Vena. Kupros and Shukra. What’s behind the fascinating parallels?
Professor Subhash Kak delves into the deep connections between India and the Graeco-Roman world which show up not only in language, but civilizational ideas, philosophy, mythology, astronomy and art. This is Part 1 in a two-part series.
Rahul Sharma describes his first ever spiritual travel – to the Isha Yoga Centre in Coimbatore, India, set up by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev. Having heard so much about the ashram’s consecrated spaces of mystic energy Rahul shares his outsider’s views based on his experiences at the ashram, the Dhyanalinga, Linga Bhairavi temple and at the Adiyogi statue.
Joe Nazar, a yoga and Ayurveda practitioner, gives an overview of the sister sciences and provides some tips on how to implement them in daily life.
Danielle Oakes shares 9 tips for surviving as a vegan in a meat obsessed society.
From the only book that Steve Jobs famously had on his iPad to the latest spiritual hacks attracting start-ups, the tech world seems to have an unceasing fascination for spirituality!
Nora von Ingersleben goes off the beaten track in Bangkok, soaking in the serenity at an old hilltop temple.
Too lazy to do yoga-asanas? Why not try Laughter Yoga? Read more to find out what’s so funny.
Nithin Sridhar helps us understand the meaning and significance of Goddess Kali who is often misunderstood and her symbolisms often misinterpreted.
Newsletter #2 with thoughts on the desultory attempts by scientists to understand and interpret mystical/spiritual experiences (e.g. Arun Shourie’s attempt in his recent book Two Saints). Includes a weekly round-up and other LWP updates.
Can Sanskrit show us the way forward? Kiran Varanasi reminds us of the vital role Sanskrit played in the brilliance and endurance of the ancient Indian civilisation and how it can help transform civilisation once again.
David Frawley reflects on the crucial role of Yoga in restoring our lost connection with nature. Concerned with the balance of the body and mind, Yoga and Ayurveda can also help us restore ecological balance and respect for other life on the planet- an urgent need of the hour.
Here’s LWP’s recommendations for chants, mantras and songs of Lord Shiva curated by us from YouTube. Each one is different in style and mesmerizingly wonderful in its own way.
A wholesome chickpea and mint salad with a honey-yogurt-lime dressing to give you that boost of nutrition while leaving you feeling light on hot summer days.
As the summer heat rises, it’s simple yoga and pranayama to the rescue. Restore your calm and cool with these easy exercises.
In Part V: Krishna’s Dance, Subhash Kak explains how the stories of Krishna, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, reflect a harmony between materiality and spirit.
Vata, Pitta, Kapha. Sounds like Greek? Ayurveda entrepreneur Nidhi Bansal breaks it down for us on LWP.
Eminent Vedic teacher David Frawley explains how the Bhagavad Gita reflects India’s ethos and offers solutions for the human condition.
Let’s take a look at one of the most ancient Sanskrit shlokas (verses) that is also one of the most profound and fundamental.
Recently back from a trip to the Himalayas, the birthplace of the river Ganga and on the occasion of World Water Day, I take the opportunity to write about the river Ganga, the life-giving Mother of India.
After 3 years in Paris, one is generally expected to be dripping with the smugness that comes from being able to correctly pronounce ‘Champs Elysees’, to rattle off a dozen cheese names without a pause, to wear simple dark t-shirts costing a small fortune and if one has lived sincerely, to even smell of macarons…
The way the awakened energy moves in our human body is in the form of the Kundalini serpent – the electrical charges that open up our consciousness and extra-sensory perception.
For the spiritual seeker, there are two main aspects that the snake represents – Stillness and Sensing.
The Guru is a form of Grace that has come to lead you back to Itself. With all other things in the world, we accept partially – there is always a part of us that holds back and doesn’t consent fully. A guru is just someone with whom your acceptance became Total.
If we really want to learn from the Gita, then we need to understand that it has chosen to put before us that basest of human actions, violence, so that we really get the point about acting in yoga. If we really want to extract from the Gita, a wisdom we don’t ordinarily find in the world, we should ask – how can a war be fought without hatred?
The spiritual traditions in Bharat include thousands of stories relating to events that happened over tens of thousands of years. However, these stories don’t intend to bind us or keep us stuck in history. They intend to show us how things happened (iti-h-aas), as is relevant for us presently. The beauty of Sanatana Dharma is that while the stories do relate to actual events, they also relate to subtle understandings and often metaphorically explain to us certain truths about our human condition and how to transcend ignorance.
Sanatana Dharma means the eternal law which is the basis of Existence itself. It is not something conjured up by the mind of a human being, but is the way that the cosmos functions. To be in tune with that movement and functioning is to follow Sanatana Dharma. To achieve this, myriads of methods and paths arose in Bharat and still exist today, reflecting the fact that each individual is unique, the way he seeks is unique and the way he perceives what he finds is also unique.
Those who follow the path of bhakti to the Saguna form of Brahman i.e. Brahman with attributes, will say that there is some intrinsic desire in the human being to know and feel the Infinite here, on Earth. To know the Infinite in form and present to our human experience.
“Surely he was the greatest man who ever lived. He never drew a breath for himself. Above all, he never claimed worship. He said, “Buddha is not a man, but a state. I have found the door. Enter, all of you!”
– Swami Vivekananda
It is an unfair exchange with God. Perhaps that’s why they say, God is not for trading with. Keep your transactions out of it. But what if you do end up in such an exchange?
It is bound to be unfair. You give a little, He will give a lot. This is in gist, what Akshaya Trittiya is about.
To those who worship Him, the Lord may grant mukti sometimes, but rarely bhakti.
– Srimad Bhagvatam
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