Golden attitudes towards people around us

Four Indian yogis representing happiness, compassion, friendliness, indifference

मैत्रीकरुणामुदितोपेक्षाणां सुखदुःखपुण्यापुण्यविषयाणां भावनातश्चित्तप्रसादनम्॥३३॥Maitrī-karuṇā-mudita-upekṣāṇāṃ sukha-duḥkha-puṇya-apuṇya-viṣayāṇāṃ bhāvanātaḥ citta-prasādanam. (Patanjali yoga sutras 1:33) People around us can be a source of help. They can be a source of distress. Sometimes they effect us by doing something to us. Sometimes, without doing anything directly to us, they can be a source of mental trouble. You must have experienced this. … Continue reading Golden attitudes towards people around us →

Common Yoga Protocol

This post is for the reader who is in a hurry to have a little taste of yoga. In my previous posts I explored certain aspects associated with the philosophy of yoga. But yoga has been mostly promoted as a kind of healthy lifestyle choice. Many want to keep it that way - just a … Continue reading Common Yoga Protocol →

Begin with the end in view

अर्जुन उवाच: स्थितप्रज्ञस्य का भाषा समाधिस्थस्य केशव।स्थितधीः किं प्रभाषेत किमासीत व्रजेत किम्।। Arjuna asked: O Keshava ! How would you define a sthitaprajna who is established in samadhi? How does he talk? How does he sit? How does he walk? The ancient text on yoga which is most talked about is The Yoga-sutras of Maharshi … Continue reading Begin with the end in view →

Sitting Near The Guru

In our Indian tradition, great importance has been attached to being in the presence of the Guru as much as possible and getting knowledge directly from him. While this is applicable to all forms of knowledge, this has crucial significance in the case of spiritual knowledge. The crux of vedic wisdom are compiled in books … Continue reading Sitting Near The Guru →

The Meaning and Purpose of Life

Life has no inherent meaning or purpose. It is you who brings meaning and purpose to life – so would say the western philosopher. But is it? The wonder and dilemma associated with meaning and purpose of life has been as old as civilization itself. Our ancient Rishis too have meditated upon it. They have … Continue reading The Meaning and Purpose of Life →

Back after a long gap

waiting for sunrise: serenity beach Puducherry I know I have written so few blog posts in the last three years. My last post was way back in August 2023. It is not that I have not been writing. But the things I have written, mostly official things, though in volumes, are destined to gather dust. … Continue reading Back after a long gap →

Freedom from Anger

If you never become angry congratulations. You are already enlightened in the sense that you have risen beyond all the psychological bonds. You have developed the highest degree of compassion. If you are not not enlightened, brace for some unsavory remarks. It is either the enlightened or the stupid who never become angry. If Buddha … Continue reading Freedom from Anger →

Lord Brahma’s Advice to His Creation

In vedic astrology human births are classified as Deva Gana, Manushya Gana and Rakshasa Gana. It does not mean that those who are born under Rakshasa gana are demonic in nature. Among other implications, such classifications are usually taken into account while matching horoscopes of prospective brides and grooms. Otherwise also we have lots of … Continue reading Lord Brahma’s Advice to His Creation →

Essays on Hinduism by Karan Singh

It is not a book review. I am not going to write about the pros and cons of the book. I loved the book and will give a summary of the book along with the salient features that stuck me. I read this book over a couple of days in a hospital waiting room. … Continue reading Essays on Hinduism by Karan Singh →

how will you know what you are not?

If you were not you, who would you like to be? This is the topic for Indispire Edition #362. I don't know on what premise the proposer poses this interesting topic for bloggers to express their views. But, from the wordings it is assumed that the author already assumes you are you. So, supposing you … Continue reading how will you know what you are not? →