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Jnana Yoga: The Yoga of Truth
Peter Marchand, a student of the late Harish Johari, was drawn to the study of Jnana Yoga by what he calls his “rational tendencies.” As an environmental engineer and scientist he felt easily attracted to the study of Jnana Yoga. His book, The Yoga of Truth began as...
Become Fit to Experience Jnana Yoga
Gurudev Sivanandaji used to tease the so-called Vedantins and Jnana Yogis at the ashram. They would say, “Aham Brahmasmi, I am that Supreme Brahman.” Occasionally, Gurudev would touch a jnani’s arm with a little piece of stinging nettle. That person would jump up,...
Mantra Japa: One Practice Is All You Need
In the Yoga Sutras, Sri Patanjali Maharishi lists nine obstacles, which cover a range of physical, mental, and spiritual problems. They are: disease, dullness, doubt, carelessness, laziness, sensuality, false perception, failure to reach firm ground, and slipping from...
Mantra Yoga
The goal of all spiritual paths is the same—to realize the Universal Spirit. This Spirit, which is referred to by various names, is all-pervading. Essentially, we are that Spirit. Yet, we do not experience it because of the limitations of our body, mind, and ego. One...
Understanding Hatha Yoga within the Yoga System
Both a renowned Sanskrit scholar and yogi, Swami Venkatesananda—like his spiritual master, Swami Sivananda—can be regarded as a sage of practical wisdom. In this talk at Yasodhara Ashram (British Columbia) in the 1970s, he speaks about the underlying philosophy behind...
The Practice of Asanas
Both a renowned Sanskrit scholar and yogi, Swami Venkatesananda—like his master, Swami Sivananda—can be regarded as a sage of practical wisdom. Below is a transcript of one of his talks presented at Yasodhara Ashram (British Columbia) in the 1970s. Perhaps you will be...
Yoga Asanas: The 3rd Stage of Yoga
Yoga asanas… are they as painful as they sometimes look? ... And why do we have to do them anyway? My first introduction to Yoga asanas came as a child, back in the 1970s. At that time there was a popular American television show called “That’s Incredible”… a...
Hatha Yoga: Path to Self-Realization
Hatha Yoga is the physical aspect of the path to Self-Realization. The body is the vehicle which carries the Self on its journey through time and space. It is the temple wherein dwells the Divine. The body is not an obstacle or stumbling block in the spiritual life,...
The Benefits of Hatha Yoga
If you wish to eliminate the toxins that have already found room in the body, then Hatha Yoga can help. The Yoga postures and breathing techniques purify the physical body. Even if you have developed some bad habits, by practicing Hatha Yoga you will lose all the...
The Story Behind the Bhagavad Gita
In this article, Sri Swami Satchidananda gives us an overview of the "backstory" that sets the stage for one of Yoga's great, foundational texts—the Bhagavad Gita. My Master, Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj, said this about the greatness of the Gita: "The Gita expounds...
The Living Gita: Chapter 2 on Steady Wisdom
Sri Swami Satchidananda often quoted from Chapter Two of the Bhagavad Gita in his talks around the globe. He emphasized the importance of the slokas (verses) 54-72 because he said that if we are on a spiritual path, we should have some sense of where we are headed. He...
What Does the Bhagavad Gita Really Have to Offer?
The Bhagavad-gita is not just another religious text; nor is it merely a Hindu scripture. Rather, it provides “applied spiritual technologies,” or systematic procedures by which anyone, of any religious faith, can advance toward the ultimate goal of life. In other...
The Living Gita: Chapter 1
In this article, you can read the first chapter (The Despondency of Arjuna) of the Bhagavad Gita from Sri Swami Satchidananda's book, The Living Gita. Sri Swamiji makes the entire Bhagavad Gita so accessible to the modern reader. The Despondency of Arjuna The first...
Lessons from the Gita: Don’t Eat the Fruit
There is a great joy in giving—in sharing and caring—and not expecting anything in return. That’s what we learn from the Bhagavad Gita. You are born to serve, but not to look for the fruits of that service. Offer the fruit to everybody. That is what is meant by the...
Introduction to the Bhagavad Gita
The ancient Indian scriptures are known collectively as the Vedas. The Bhagavad Gita comes from the Vedas. But what are the Vedas? The root vid means knowledge. According to the Hindus, the Vedas are holy scriptures. Any scripture that talks about the truth is a Veda....
The Yoga of Devotion
Sri Swami Satchidananda recommended that his students memorize these twenty slokas in Chapter 12 of the Bhagavad Gita. These slokas explain the essence of Bhakti Yoga, one of the main branches of Integral Yoga. He said, “This twelfth chapter is really important. It...
Bhagavad Gita: The Beloved Lord’s Secret Love Song
Dr. Schweig’s brand new book, Bhagavad Gita: The Beloved Lord’s Secret Love Song is described by Huston Smith (the internationally recognized authority on world religion) as a “beautiful and accessible translation of the Gita.” In this interview, Dr. Schweig explains...
Russell Simmons on his vegan diet, Obama and Yoga
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ag5wDXEsX8The founder of Def Jam Records Russell Simmons was interviewed on CNN's "American Morning". He was asked why he follows a vegan diet. He also discusses Barack Obama and yoga. *note* Although Russell does follow a vegan diet he...
The Sonic Technology of Yoga
Largely unknown in the West, yet developing alongside Hatha Yoga, Nada Yoga is a 2000-year-old spiritual system. The Yoga of Sound, Russill Paul’s comprehensive book on the subject of Nada Yoga, makes this ancient and mystical science accessible to all. In this...
Artist Spotlight: Karnamrita Dasi
“Enchanting”, “haunting”, “utterly sublime”—just a few words that do not even begin to describe "Dasi," the first album by Karnamrita Dasi. Karnamrita has been chanting since early childhood. She has the voice of a gandharva (angel) and her songs of women saints are...
Listening to the Sound Within
Nada Yoga is the Yoga of sound and it includes practices using sound formulas and mantras. Mantra repetition itself is a Nada Yoga practice. Through repeating the mantra, you gradually develop that sound vibration within. After practicing for a long time, you will be...
Jai Uttal: Singing to the Inner Vastness of the Heart
Jai Uttal’s eclectic East meets West sound has put his music at the forefront of the world fusion movement. Jai’s musical roots embrace a rich variety of cultures and traditions that span the globe and the centuries. From the hillbilly music of the Appalachian...
Yoga for Your Personal Finances
By day a mild-mannered mortgage specialist and by night Jacqueline Richards is a Hatha Yoga instructor. When her Yoga students discover her finance background they often ask for money advice. This led her to the realization that the underlying principles of Yoga,...
Vedanta and Psychotherapy
Vedanta and Psychotherapy would seem at opposite ends of the spectrum. Vedanta asserts that all is Brahman and psychotherapy has the psyche as its focus. But as Swami Tadatmananda, a senior disciple of Sri Swami Dayananda (one of the most respected Vedantis)...
The Integral Yoga Approach to Balancing the Emotions
Integral Yoga master teacher Swami Vidyananda’s workshops on Yoga and the emotions explore Integral Yoga techniques that bring greater harmony within oneself and to one’s relationships. These workshops use Hatha Yoga and meditation, as well as sacred imagery,...