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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: 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...

In Memoriam: Swami Murugananda, 1942 – 2024

On Jan. 6, 2024, after some time at the Acute Care Center at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, Virginia, our dear brother Swami Murugananda has passed into the Divine Light, embraced by the eternal love of his beloved Sri Gurudev Swami...

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Swami Vivekananda: The Power & the Glory of Vedanta

Swami Vivekananda: The Power & the Glory of Vedanta

On January 13th, the Vedanta Society celebrated the birth anniversary of the great sage Swami Vivekananda. In this video, Swami Sarvapriyananda, spiritual director of the New York branch, pays homage to Swami Vivekananda for his contributions to Indian society and the...

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The Spiritual Wisdom of George Harrison

The Spiritual Wisdom of George Harrison

For many, George Harrison was just one of the Beatles and a musician, but there was so much more. This short video captures some of the spiritual wisdom that inspired his inner life and his spiritual journey. He explains how being anchored in the Yoga teachings and...

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My Journey “In the World, But Not of the World”

My Journey “In the World, But Not of the World”

From 2008 to 2009 I lived at Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, in Buckingham County, Virginia. I returned to “the world” in 2009 to take a job in the West Indies, where I spent four clumsy years stumbling all over myself in an effort to integrate the experience and...

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Vegetarian Crocodile Offered Last Rites at Hindu Temple

Vegetarian Crocodile Offered Last Rites at Hindu Temple

Indian Express: In a rare gesture, a Kerala temple accorded “bhu samadhi” to a crocodile, named Babiya, that died in the shrine’s pond on Sunday night and a post-mortem cited the death due to old age. Since the crocodile has been part of the lore of Sree...

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The Origin Story of Integral Yoga Japan (Hiroshima)

The Origin Story of Integral Yoga Japan (Hiroshima)

I’d like to share with you the story of how I decided to start Integral Yoga Japan in Hiroshima. There was a lady in Japan who was undergoing a lot of physical and mental challenges. She wrote to Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville to ask for help and guidance. Swami...

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Remembering Uma Devi Pemmaraju

Remembering Uma Devi Pemmaraju

Uma Devi Pemmaraju passed away in early August 2022 at the age of 64. She was the daughter of the late Dr. P. N. Rao and his wife, Rani, mother of Kirana Petkun. The entire family, including Uma's siblings, Dr. Rama Pemmaraju and Dr. Shankar Pemmaraju, were longtime...

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Tender Recollections of My Guru

Tender Recollections of My Guru

Sri Gurudev Swami Satchidananda came to the West in 1966. His presence was magnetic. He attracted people from all walks of life, from diverse backgrounds and faiths, with different temperaments, interests and capacities. The unifying factor amidst all the diversity...

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Pianist Serenades Rescued Elephants

Pianist Serenades Rescued Elephants

Paul Barton is a pianist from Yorkshire, England who traded the dales and concert halls for the jungles of Thailand, where he performs for elephants rescued from captivity, some blind and handicapped, at a sanctuary in Thailand. This story and short video is so...

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