The Secrets of Holi: Braj Ras Rahasya of Saguna Brahman (a poetic offering)
In the world, the eyes tired of colours
Thinking colours were tiring
But when my Beloved’s full colours shone
I realised what eyes were made for
Navratri: Rise of the Feminine
It is She who gives the power or Shakti to reach the Absolute. It is She, as Katyayani, who brings the gopis closer to Krishna. It is She, as Mahalakshmi, who is the gatekeeper to Vishnu’s heart and Grace. It is She, as the Kundalini Shakti, who awakens us to Shiva nature. It is She as Mahamaya, who brings forth the manifestation and She as Parameshwari, who is an expression of the Absolute. As Sri Ramakrishna said, Kali is Brahman Itself.
Naga, through the Yogic Lens
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 Ways of Shiva and Krishna – Holi Contemplation
“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…
Female to Feminine through the Vision of Yoga
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”.
On Akshaya Tritiya: the Un-ending and Immortal
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…
Bhakti: To Fall in Love Like Meera
A tribute to Meera bai on her Jayanti (birth anniversary) – contemplating ‘true love’
Exploring Shakti as Parvati, Sita and Radha
“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…
Ancient Wisdom and the Environment
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?
Japa and Kirtan – the Ways of Devotion
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.
The Power of Mantra: Science & Spirituality
“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.
Art Beyond Aesthetics: the Spiritual Dimension of Natyashastra
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.
In the Name of Rama (Chanting Rama Naam)
Chanting Ram Naam (the name of Rama) has the power to elevate consciousness. The devotee poet and saint Tulsidas (16th century) claimed it to be the ‘supreme secret’. Here are a few simple and popular Ram chants.
Understanding Rama and Ramayana
On the occasion of Rama Navami (birthday of Lord Rama), understanding what Rama signifies.
108 Names of Devi (Sri Devi Ashtottara Shata Namavalih)
The Sri Devi Ashtottara Shata Namavalih is a hymn reciting the 108 names of the Mother Goddess, Devi or Shakti. Shakti is the life force behind all Manifestation just as Shiva is the Unmanifest. Here’s a truly sublime must-listen rendition of the 108 names of Devi.