When you make a spiritual commitment—what kind of commitment is it? And why do you make it? A spiritual commitment doesn’t have to be to become a swami, a minister. Particularly in the spiritual field, what are you committed to? Not to an organization or an ashram,...
Krishna Das: Presence, Practice, and Letting Go of Ego
In this profound podcast episode, Krishna Das, the renowned kirtan singer, sits down with Integral Yoga Teachers Association director Avi Gordon to share insights on navigating the subjective nature of reality, the power of spiritual practice, and the art of letting...
To Have or Have Not? Aparigraha: Non-Possessiveness
“Possession are okay, as long as you possess them, and you don’t allow them to possess you.” ~Sri Swami Satchidananda It’s ironic how as youngsters all we want to do is play with our toys. As children, we must learn to share at home with our siblings and at school...
Serving a Higher Will
When we strive to see ourselves as instruments of a Higher Will—the hands of God at work in the world—we access and allow ourselves to be guided by a concern for the well-being of everyone. We more easily let go of our personal desires without force or denial and find...
Ahimsa As a Gift
Ahimsa is a Sanskrit word that translates as “without injury” or “nonviolence” in English. It’s a principle in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jainist philosophy that involves causing the least amount of harm possible to all beings. It’s the first ethical principle given as a...
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Video Series
Join Integral Yoga Master Teacher Nalanie Chellaram as she teaches the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The series begins with an overview of the text and why it is such an inspiration to so many. Utilizing the commentaries by Swami Satchidananda, along with insights from...
The Art and Science of Sacred Chanting
Thousands of years ago the rishi (seers) of ancient India created a culture wherein religion, art and science thrived in harmony. Music was known to be a divine art interwoven with the sciences of sound, psychology and mathematics. It was partially intended for...
Beyond the Meditation Cushion
The great South Indian sage Thiruvalluvar said, “What is tapasya (penance)?” Tapasya doesn’t mean go and close your eyes and meditate. That’s easy, comfortable. Tapas means to burn. A spiritual seeker is supposed to practice tapasya. Thiruvalluvar says, “The more you...
Finding Peace in Chaos
In this inspiring conversation led by host Avi Gordon (director of the Integral Yoga Teachers Association), Swami Ramananda (president of the Integral Yoga Institute of San Francisco) shares profound insights on finding peace in chaotic times through spiritual...
How to Control Thoughts and Stop Vasanas?
In this short video, Swami Ramanacharana Tirtha answers this question. Sri Swamiji is an Acharya of Vedānta sampradāya. His discourses and writings are filled with the power of Atmajñāna and the fragrance of bhakti and one gets an intimation of one’s spiritual essence...
Yoga Adventures for Little Explorers
In their new book Yoga Adventures for Little Explorers, author Megan McDougall and illustrator Hayley Lowe share their love of teaching Yoga to young ones! This little book will bring children on a journey with meditation, breath, work and flow. Yoga Adventures sets...
A Journey into the Yoga Sutras
Enjoy watching/listening to Yoga teacher Rachel Scott's podcast in which she is in conversation with Integral Yoga Publications author Carroll Ann (Prashanti) Friedman. Prashanti discusses her new book, Practicing the Yoga Sutras: A Personal Study Guide and Journal....
Embarking on a Spiritual Odyssey, Part 16: The Mother’s Geometry—The Bhuvaneshvari Yantra
In the sacred stillness of the Palani Hills, at the samadhi shrine of the great Siddhar Bhogar, a seed of profound transformation was sown in the heart of a young seeker named Ramasamy. Years later, known to the world as Sri Swami Satchidananda, he would carry that...
The Path to Spiritual Ripening
Everything takes its own time to mature, including one’s spiritual maturity. Just because you pray a raw fruit will ripen, it won’t ripen overnight. Imagine that you plant a seed and you just sit there and pray, “Please seed, I have planted you and I hope you will be...
Planting New Seeds for Spiritual Growth
As the first signs of spring emerged, I invited a group of sincere seekers to embark on a journey of inner cultivation through a 3-part series called Keys to Sustainable Growth. Just as the earth awakens in spring, offering fertile ground for new life, I encouraged...
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...