Few spiritual teachers in the modern era spoke as directly to the human heart as Ram Dass. Decades after his teachings first transformed Western spiritual culture, his voice continues to guide seekers navigating a world that often feels fragmented and divided. A newly...
“Many situations in life are similar to going on a hike: the view changes once you start walking.” —James Clear, American writer and speaker, author of the 2018 self-help book, Atomic Habits. My father used to warn us with an adage that still echoes in my ears:...
Several years ago, by sheer chance, I saw a picture of an old, skinny, wrinkly person wearing a simple printed black and white cloth and with tattoos on her legs, arms and face. I remember I stayed astonished in front this portrait, not only because of the full body...
We are witnessing one of those moments seen in all the epic stories, a time when Maya reigns and the dark energies rise up to veil the hearts of men and women. Those in power are blinded by fear and greed, offering empty promises. People of the light must wait...
In this talk, Swami Satchidananda uses practical, experiential language to describe the different dimensions of human life, emphasizing the importance of developing all aspects of our being in an integrated way—Integral Yoga, a complete Yoga. Each person is a mixture...
What does it mean to be a yogi? You can find out when you spend four weeks immersed in the Living Yoga Training program and discover a newfound peace. The Living Yoga Training (LYT) program offers a transformative experience for those seeking spiritual growth. In the...
As December holidays give way to New Year celebrations, it's a good time to move beyond the wrapped presents received and re-awaken to life's gifts. As you make your way through the new year, you can return to this foundational practice as a way to (re)awaken to the...
The beginning of a new year is a natural time to reflect on and re-envision our lives. The tradition of New Year’s resolutions can be life-changing or it can be a temporary way of fooling ourselves with lofty ideas that fade when reality hits. Clarifying our...
We are told we are divided and we may also feel divided. I feel it when I watch the news or spend time on social media, but I seldom experience the divide in routine human-to-human interactions in which we are all busy simply going about our daily lives. Even if the...
In life we go through many tests, and it is often these very tests that teach us the most valuable lessons. As the old sayings go, “Necessity is the mother of invention,” and “Adversity is a blessing in disguise.” So, we should learn to see adversities, difficulties,...
Thanksgiving, a special time when we give thanks. It's the perfect time to reflect on how we can put gratitude and compassion into action. As we make our way through the month of November, we can return to the following practice as a tool to deepen your capacity for...
At the close of our morning meditation, the residents of the San Francisco Integral Yoga Institute reaffirm the intention we hold for our spiritual growth while living together in community. Last month, we chose a phrase from this affirmation as our focal practice:...
There is a saying, “Marriages are made in heaven.” Heaven is wherever the spirit is expressed. In this sense, a true marriage is not only on the physical level. The couple temporarily rises to a lofty height. We could say that their wedding is a celestial gathering....
Why do we gossip? This question might appear trivial at first, but when examined deeply, it opens a window into human psychology, social dynamics, and the level of spiritual evolution or lack thereof. Gossip is not merely idle talk, it is more. It is both idle and...
If you asked Sri Swami Sivananda what a busy person in the West should actually do each day to grow spiritually, he would likely point you to a deceptively simple framework: do a little meditation, a little prayer, a little study, a little service—every day—with...
In this featured hybrid program, at the Integral Yoga Institute of San Francisco, Dr. Dean Ornish will explain why a whole foods plant-based diet, moderate exercise, stress management techniques, and love/social support are so beneficial in treating and preventing a...