The Goal of Yoga: Atyantam Sukham (Boundless Happiness)
Namaste, What is the goal of Yoga? Many modern practitioners may say that it is to get a flexible body, or to get fit. This is a positive outcome but somewhat misses the mark, there is more to yoga then meets the eye. Traditionally speaking Yoga is one of the six orthodox philosophical schools of […]
Is it up to your effort? Or due to destiny?
Namaste, Is it up to your effort? Or due to destiny? This question has been asked for thousands of years. Is what we do really due to our effort? Or does everything occur as a result of pre-determined destiny? Theists would often argue that it is all in Gods hands, that everything occurs due to […]
Da! Da! Da!
Namaste, The people asked Prajapati “Please teach us!.” To them he uttered the syllable Da and asked: “Have you understood me?” They replied: “Yes, we have. You said, ‘Control your senses (damyata).’ He said: “Yes, you have understood.” Then they shouted again: “Please teach us!” To them he uttered the same syllable Da and asked: […]
A Thousand Hindus
Namaste, They say there are over a billion Hindus on the planet. I don’t believe that figure, if there was even a thousand Hindus there would be no starving children, no horrendous factory farms causing suffering to millions of innocent animals, solving all of societies problems. Just a thousand Hindus would prevent the elderly from having to […]
The Meaning of Namaste
Namaste, Heritage is easy to take for granted. Being born into an Indian family, I never knew the richness and profound importance Hinduism has in the world. Even the simplest greeting is an offering to the divine. My teacher Ram Dass said, ‘In India when we meet and part we often say, ‘Namaste’, which means: […]
The Meaning of Raksha Bandhan (Raksha = Protection. Bandhan = Bond)
Namaste, This is an opportunity for brothers and sisters to reaffirm and protect their sacred relationship. One of my cousins who unfortunately could not meet to tie a rakhi in person said she tied it on Lord Ganesh, so that everybody is included! I really liked this.. So with that in mind happy Raksha Bandhan […]
Is your mind clouded?
Namaste, When the sea is rough, it is clouded and difficult to see the bottom, but when the waters are calm you can see things with clarity. Patanjali says Yoga means to calm the fluctuating mind, How is this done? Patanjali says by practise.., meditation, yoga, worship, what ever you choose.. do something… Best wishes, […]
Racing through life..
Namaste, In this wonderful 2 minute video, Alan Watts describes our predicament. It is designed by the animators of South Park. https://youtu.be/WGoTmNU_5A0 I remember being in High School, desperate to get in to college, then in college desperate to go to University, then again desperate to get into a high flying city role. The message is […]
Lord Shiva’s Advice
Namaste, One of my most loved scriptures is the Mahabharata, it is the longest poem in the world and contains a wealth of knowledge from so many areas of life. I found this short but powerful advice to householders from Lord Shiva himself: Maheshwara said, ‘Causing no injury Truthful speech Compassion to all living beings […]
A saint called Ramananda
Namaste, Here is the only written work he left us, which is within the holy book of Sikhism, the Guru Granth Sahib. Where should I go? My home is filled with bliss. My consciousness does not go out wandering. My mind has become crippled. One day, a desire welled up in my mind. I ground […]
