The great Indian sage and proponent of Advaita Vedanta, Adi Shankara, realized his true nature and wrote the “Nirvana Shatakam,” with six Sanskrit verses that describe his experience. Gaiea, a Western yogini, Sanskrit scholar and teacher both sings and composed music...
“Nirvana Shatakam” : A Gateway to the Infinite
The profound Nirvana Shatakam stotra (hymn of praise) was composed by Adi Shankaracharya, the great 8th-century philosopher and sage, who stands as one of the most profound spiritual figures in India’s history. His teachings revitalized the understanding of Advaita...
Golden Jubilee: Swami Yogananda’s 50th Sannyas Anniversary
During Guru Poornima in 2021, we specially honor Swami Yogananda Sarasvati, who was initiated into the Holy Order of Sannyasa fifty years ago in 1971 by his Guru, Sri Swami Satchidananda in Kandy, Sri Lanka. He was the first westerner to be initiated by Swami...
Life & Teachings of Sri Shankaracharya
Sri Shankaracharya was the 8th century Indian philosopher/theologian who consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta. He also organized the Daśanāmi Saṃpradāya (the order of Swamis) of which the Integral Yoga lineage is a part. Swami Sarvapriyananda (spiritual...
The Jnana Yoga of Adi Shankara
Sri Adi Shankara is considered to have shaped the Hindu religion for the 1200 years following his disappearance from the world at age 32 in the early part of the ninth century. Having brought forth the advaita philosophy in its fully systematized and polished form, he...
Yogic Meal Prayer
In almost every culture there are different ways to say prayers before consuming food. Most of these prayers offer an opportunity to express the gratitude we feel to have the food we are about to eat. They sometimes give us pause to also reflect upon those who are...