A diverse group meditates together in a serene mountain pavilion. First try, then trust Maharishi Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras has taken a very scintific appraoch to yoga. Normally matters of religion and spirituality are based on faith. Faith in God is the starting point of many religious and spiritual practices. But Patanjali seems to … Continue reading Om is its indication
Tag: Religion
Mantra Yoga
The word mantra is now part of English Dictionary. According to Oxford Dictionary - a mantra is a word, sound, or phrase repeated frequently, particularly during meditation or prayer to aid concentration. It also refers to a frequently repeated statement or slogan that expresses a core belief or principle. Sanskrit scholars would define the word as … Continue reading Mantra Yoga
Learning under a Guru
In ancient times learning anything valuable was done by going to a Guru. It was the standard practice. It was such a a standard practice that the word Upanishad means sitting near a Guru and the highest spiritual knowledge is contained in the Upanishads. Yogic practices were handed down to generations though a master- disciple … Continue reading Learning under a Guru
Kriya Yoga vs Karma Yoga
तपः स्वाध्यायेश्वरप्रणिधानानि क्रियायोगः (योगसूत्र 2.1)Tapaḥ svādhyāyeśvara-praṇidhānāni kriyā-yogaḥ (Patanjali Yoga Sutras 2:1)योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय।सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते।।yoga-sthaḥ kuru karmāṇi saṅgaṁ tyaktvā dhanañjayasiddhy-asiddhyoḥ samo bhūtvā samatvaṁ yoga uchya (Bhagavad Gita 2:1) After describing Samadhi in the first section of the Patanjali Yoga Sutras, in the second section titled Sadhana Pada Maharishi Patanjali … Continue reading Kriya Yoga vs Karma Yoga
Jnana Yoga vs Bhakti Yoga
Shradhavan labhate Jnanam - One who is curious gains knowledge Jnana yoga is translated as the yoga of the knowledge and knowledge is associated with lots of information. A person who has lots of information is considered to be knowledgeable. A person may have all the knowledge of the world, but the question may not … Continue reading Jnana Yoga vs Bhakti Yoga
Arjuna’s Despondence
सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये रथं स्थापय मेऽच्युतO Achyuta ! Place my chariot at the middle of both the armies. You may wonder - what has Arjuna, or for that matter the Bhagavad Gita to do with yoga? Let us not forget that the first chpter of the Bhagavad Gita is named as Arjuna Vishada Yoga, the second chapter … Continue reading Arjuna’s Despondence
Guest Post : Closely Guarded History and Beauty of Mahendra Giri
A VISIT TO THE HISTORICALLY MOST IMPORTANT MOUNTAIN IN THE EASTERN GHATS WHERE LORD PARSHURAM THE IMMORTAL BEING IS SAID TO BE IN MEDITATION. Recently, I had been to Mahendra Giri, which has the second most highest mountain peak of Odisha. Mahendra Giri is part of the Eastern Ghats, which is the second oldest mountain … Continue reading Guest Post : Closely Guarded History and Beauty of Mahendra Giri
August Contemplations
I: Spirituality and Freedom August here in India is the rainiest month. In spite of that we have celebrations galore. Most of our religious festivals follow the lunar calendar. There are two types of lunar months in India. Some states, especially those in South India follow a system where in the month ends on the … Continue reading August Contemplations
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
PEBBLES AND WAVES 