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Is Vedanta Hindu?
In this talk, Swami Medhananda, a scholar-practitioner, answers the question "Is Vedanta Hindu?" Sri Swamiji explores this thought-provoking subject, examining the historical, philosophical, and spiritual dimensions of Vedanta. Is it exclusively tied to Hinduism, or...
Embarking on a Spiritual Odyssey, Part 14: Bhogar’s Mystical Legacy and a Sadhu’s Initiation
High above the verdant landscape of Tamil Nadu, atop the sacred Palani Hills, the echoes of devotion resound through the ages. The Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple—one of the six revered abodes of Lord Muruga—stands as both a beacon of spiritual transformation...
Yoga as a Holistic Approach for Healing from Adverse Childhood Experiences
A majority of U.S. adults experience adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which are potentially traumatic events taking place before the age of 18. These include forms of abuse, neglect, household dysfunction, community violence, and discrimination. Studies have...
A Spiritual Response to a Troubled World
Many people I know are searching for ways to actively respond to the chaotic events unfolding in the U.S. and a world filled with violence, suffering, and injustice. We don’t want to see our Yoga practice as a retreat from the world, nor do we want to simply shake our...
From Do-er to Be-er: A Supreme Form of Yoga
Karma Yoga transforms karma into Yoga. Karma Yoga never binds you to good or bad results, whereas karma ensures that you must experience the consequences of your actions, whether pleasant or painful. If your actions are good, then you face that in the form of...
Ahimsa in Action: Living in Alignment with the Ethical Foundations of Yoga
Veganism and the Yamas: A Yogic Call to Compassion Yoga is a path of transformation—one that extends far beyond the mat. It is a way of living that aligns our thoughts, words, and actions with our highest ideals. The eight limbs of Raja Yoga, as outlined by Patanjali,...
Healing, Karma, and Divine Grace: The Power of Prayer and Surrender
If you get divinely and miraculously healed, is this part of your karma? Yes. Miraculously you are healed. Maybe you deserved it. God helped you to heal. You have done some good karma to receive that kind of healing energy. But if you haven't healed and if you want to...
Service and Self–Care
We all probably struggle sometimes to make wise choices when deciding between taking care of others and taking care of ourselves. Many of us were raised with a strong work ethic that is reinforced by the “gotta get ahead” mentality of American culture, the value...
Embarking on a Spiritual Odyssey, Part 13: Palani’s Sacred Legacy
In our last installment, we journeyed back to 1942, when Ramaswamy (later known as Swami Satchidananda) traveled to Palani, a sacred pilgrimage site steeped in centuries of spiritual significance. This holy place in Tamil Nadu has long been a sanctuary for saints and...
Shivoham!
The great Indian sage and proponent of Advaita Vedanta, Adi Shankara, realized his true nature and wrote the “Nirvana Shatakam,” with six Sanskrit verses that describe his experience. Gaiea, a Western yogini, Sanskrit scholar and teacher both sings and composed music...