Embarking on a Spiritual Odyssey, Part 12: Sacred Discipline Continues

In our last installment, Ramaswamy (Swami Satchidananda’s birth name) realized that the next step in deepening his spiritual practices would be to travel sixty miles from his birthplace of Chettipalayam to the ashram of the family Guru, Sri Sadhu Swamigal, in Palani....

Embarking on a Spiritual Odyssey, Part 11: A Hidden Devotion–Swami Satchidananda and the Divine Mother’s Grace

While in seclusion (in the early 1940s) undergoing intensive sadhana, Ramaswamy’s (Swami Satchidananda’s birth name) diet was austere, limited to one meal a day at noon consisting of kitcheree, a mixture of rice and dhal. His mother, Srimati Velammai, would prepare it...

Embarking on a Spiritual Odyssey, Part 10: The Inspirational Influence of Sri Ramalinga Swamigal

Sri Ramalinga Swamigal, a great Tamil Siddhar, left an indelible mark on South Indian spirituality, inspiring future generations through his profound compassion, universal outlook, and commitment to social justice. His teachings continue to resonate, particularly...

Embarking on a Spiritual Odyssey, Part 9: Sri Ramakrishna–All Paths Lead to God

In Part 8 of this series, we explored how Ramaswamy (Swami Satchidananda’s birth name) delved deeply into his spiritual yearnings, engaging with sacred texts and absorbing the wisdom of saints. Another profound influence during this formative period was the life and...

Embarking on a Spiritual Odyssey, Part 8: Surrender and Grace–The Mystical Poetry that Transformed a Seeker

In Part 7 of this series, Ramaswamy (Swami Satchidananda’s birth name) had expressed his deepening spiritual yearnings to his parents and they agreed to not pressure him into remarriage. Instead, they gave him time to devote himself to religious study and meditation...

Embarking on a Spiritual Odyssey, Part 7: Turning Point–The Premonition

During the time Ramaswamy (Swami Satchidananda’s birthname was Ramaswamy) served as the manager of the Perur Temple in 1937, he had become well-acquainted with one of the families who was very active and helpful in the management. In fact, the head of the family had...

Embarking on a Spiritual Odyssey, Part 6: The Cosmic Dancer

When asked to reflect upon his life, Swami Satchidananda once said, "It’s hard to summarize a long life in a few words. But I can just say I am fortunate, in a way, to be born in a family of pious parents. They were my first Gurus. They instilled faith in God in my...

Embarking on a Spiritual Odyssey, Part 5: Guided by the Thirukkural

As a young boy, Ramu (Swami Satchidananda’s birthname was Ramaswamy, Ramu for short) was deeply immersed in Tamil culture and spirituality. One of the most significant influences in his life was the Thirukkural, a revered Tamil text written by the celebrated poet and...

Embarking on a Spiritual Odyssey, Part 4: The Floating Swami

As noted in our last installment (part 3), devotion played a central and foundational part in how Ramu (Swami Satchidananda’s birthname was Ramaswamy, Ramu for short) was raised. In his biography, Sri Swamiji noted that of all the devotional worship offered in his...

Embarking on a Spiritual Odyssey, Part 3: Roots of Devotion

Devotion and worship were part and parcel of Ramu’s (Swami Satchidananda’s birthname was Ramaswamy, Ramu for short) upbringing and shaped him, his daily life and worldview. His parents were extremely devout and raised Ramu to participate fully in traditional spiritual...

Embarking on a Spiritual Odyssey, Part 2: Tamil Shaivism and Palani Malai

In the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, with its verdant landscapes nestled amid swaying coconut palms and fragrant jasmine vines, lies a quaint village steeped in timeless charm and rustic allure. This is the setting in which the family home of Sri Gurudev Swami...

Embarking on a Spiritual Odyssey: Tracing Our Integral Yoga Tradition Through Time, Part 1

It is said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, but what if that journey encompasses not only miles but also centuries of profound wisdom, timeless traditions, and a tapestry of influences that have shaped our spiritual heritage? In this...

Official Journal of Integral Yoga® International

Founded in December 1969, Integral Yoga Magazine is a free monthly eMagazine featuring “Weekly Words of Wisdom” and all the same great content

it has for over 50 years: inspiring articles, program info, the latest news—and videos

Introduction to Integral Yoga®

An inspiring introduction to Integral Yoga: the wisdom teachings, global community, and international organization

 

Featured Posts

Life’s Pendulum: Balance Amid Change

When you watch the thoughts passing through your mind by being the witness rather than getting caught up in them, is this the same as what is meant by the expression, “Offering it up to God?” Yes, you can look at it in this way. One approach is what we can call the...

Resolutions That Last: The Art of Sustainable Spiritual Practice

For many years, I’ve given a talk on New Year’s resolutions at our annual Integral Yoga New Year’s Retreat. I focus mainly on setting achievable goals for a regular spiritual practice of poses, breathing, relaxation and meditation. Here’s a few suggestions from that...

Embarking on a Spiritual Odyssey, Part 12: Sacred Discipline Continues

In our last installment, Ramaswamy (Swami Satchidananda’s birth name) realized that the next step in deepening his spiritual practices would be to travel sixty miles from his birthplace of Chettipalayam to the ashram of the family Guru, Sri Sadhu Swamigal, in Palani....

Walking with Faith

"When we walk with faith we're never alone. We trust there's a Higher Power always with us." In this satsang talk, presented by Integral Yoga TV, Swami Karunananda, senior monk and teacher trainer, speaks on the subject of faith. She also shares amazing stories from...

Living the Yoga of Sound

In 1971, Michael Grosso had an extraordinary experience in Greenwich Village, New York, that led him to realize he needed to balance his overly intellectual life with music. Michael had just spent the last several years obtaining a Ph.D. in philosophy from Columbia...

Tasting the Spiritual Fruit

Every year on his birthday, as we gathered to honor Sri Swami Satchidananda, the tables would turn in the most profound way. Rather than our offerings of gratitude and celebration taking center stage, Gurudev would bless us with a birthday message brimming with wisdom...

Embarking on a Spiritual Odyssey, Part 11: A Hidden Devotion–Swami Satchidananda and the Divine Mother’s Grace

While in seclusion (in the early 1940s) undergoing intensive sadhana, Ramaswamy’s (Swami Satchidananda’s birth name) diet was austere, limited to one meal a day at noon consisting of kitcheree, a mixture of rice and dhal. His mother, Srimati Velammai, would prepare it...
Featured News
New Audiobook Release: To Know Your Self

New Audiobook Release: To Know Your Self

Integral Yoga Media, in collaboration with Integral Yoga Publications is thrilled to announce the release of our latest audiobook: To Know Your Self by Sri Swami Satchidananda, read by Nathan Chatelier and released on Audible. To Know Your Self is based on the...

read more
Integral Yoga Etsy Shop + Raffle!

Integral Yoga Etsy Shop + Raffle!

  From inspiring art to spiritual gifts, the Integral Yoga Etsy Shop features unique items that embody the inspiration and joy of Yoga. To celebrate our 2025 launch, we’re offering the first 25 customers who make a purchase by January 11th automatic entry into a...

read more
Explore Practice
Ahimsa As a Gift

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...

read more
Explore Lifestyle
The Grateful Life Is a Liberated Life

The Grateful Life Is a Liberated Life

When I feel defeated by all of the distractions and information I consume on a daily basis, I go to the river near my home. On the shore, my senses are inundated with beauty — the light in the trees, a heron passing by, the roar of water over stones that drowns out...

read more
Balancing Humility and Self-Worth

Balancing Humility and Self-Worth

In this episode of the Integral Yoga Podcast, Līlā Śakti Mayī and host Avi Gordon (director, Integral Yoga Teachers Association) dive into the profound connection between humility, self-care, and the power of Sanskrit. The discussion focuses on how language can embody...

read more
Using the Yoga Sutras in Daily Life

Using the Yoga Sutras in Daily Life

We all get those physical signs of stress and anxiety. We might feel tired or have random aches and pains and can’t pinpoint the source. We stretch, we breathe, and we feel rejuvenated right afterwards. But after a few days the same aches and pains are back, and...

read more
Explore Philosophy
Life’s Pendulum: Balance Amid Change

Life’s Pendulum: Balance Amid Change

When you watch the thoughts passing through your mind by being the witness rather than getting caught up in them, is this the same as what is meant by the expression, “Offering it up to God?” Yes, you can look at it in this way. One approach is what we can call the...

read more
Tasting the Spiritual Fruit

Tasting the Spiritual Fruit

Every year on his birthday, as we gathered to honor Sri Swami Satchidananda, the tables would turn in the most profound way. Rather than our offerings of gratitude and celebration taking center stage, Gurudev would bless us with a birthday message brimming with wisdom...

read more
Advaita Vedanta and the Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi

Advaita Vedanta and the Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi

This video features special guests Swami Sarvapriyananda (spiritual director, Vedanta Society of New York) and Michael James (a translator of Sri Ramana Tamil writings) as they discuss the essence of Advaita Vedanta and Sri Ramana's teachings. They also focus on how...

read more
Explore Education
Healing Arts Yantra Workshop: Feb. 28 – March 2, 2025

Healing Arts Yantra Workshop: Feb. 28 – March 2, 2025

Join Yoga teacher Padme for a weekend Yantra Workshop at Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville. Yantras are an ancient geometrical technology that have existed for thousands of years, dating back to ancient India. They are tools for meditation, healing, and Self-realization....

read more
Immersive Yoga Sutras Workshop: March 2025

Immersive Yoga Sutras Workshop: March 2025

Join Carroll Ann (Prashanti) Friedmann, E-RYT 500, for this "Immersive Yoga Sutras Workshop" from March 7 – 9, 2025 at Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville in Buckingham, Virginia. Discover the transformative power of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras in this intensive weekend...

read more
Explore Health
Breath, Body and Brain Aligned

Breath, Body and Brain Aligned

While Sri Patanjali and other classical Yoga sources have known this for several thousand years, recent medical research highlights the profound connection between breath, body, and mind, emphasizing breathwork as a tool for emotional regulation and stress relief....

read more
Yogic End-of-Life

Yogic End-of-Life

The Integral Yoga End-of-Life Project and its website offers a free resource filled with profound guidance inspired by the teachings of Integral Yoga. The Project blends timeless spiritual principles with practical approaches. Central to this initiative is a...

read more
Ishvara Pranidhana: The Psychology of Surrender

Ishvara Pranidhana: The Psychology of Surrender

On the journey of self-growth, one of the central concepts in yogic philosophy is Ishvara Pranidhana, or the act of surrendering to a Higher Power. Patanjali, in the Yoga Sutras, describes it as a foundational practice that leads us toward liberation and inner peace....

read more