The following reflections are excerpted from the new book Sacred Resistance: Eco-Activism and the Rise of New Spiritual Communities, edited by Mark Clatterbuck. Five different spiritual communities are observed, exploring how, spirituality—individual and communal,...
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 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...
Pope Francis — born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936 to Italian immigrant parents — made history as the first Latin American and the first Jesuit to ascend to the papacy in the Church’s two-millennia-long tradition. Upon his election, he chose the name...
In this talk, Swami Sarvapriyananda (senior monk of the Ramakrishna Order, and spiritual director of the Vedanta Center of New York) shares the teachings of the great Jnana Yogi Swami Vivekananda on the true nature of the Self. The talk is based on the Vijnana Vedanta...
In the previous chapter of this journey tracing the spiritual legacy of Swami Satchidananda, we touched on the mystical experience he had while meditating at the samadhi shrine of Siddhar Bhogar in Palani. It was there—surrounded by the silent vibrations of Tamil...
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...
Looking for some inspiration? The Integral Yoga Etsy Shop has you covered—literally! Our Woodstock collection is a blast from the past reminding us it's time to "Get Ourselves Back to the Garden!" All our Integral Yoga Shop offerings bring you fun and uplifting...
High above the verdant landscape of Tamil Nadu, atop the sacred Palani Hills, the echoes of devotion resound through the ages. The Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple—one of the six revered abodes of Lord Muruga—stands as both a beacon of spiritual transformation...
Many people I know are searching for ways to actively respond to the chaotic events unfolding in the U.S. and a world filled with violence, suffering, and injustice. We don’t want to see our Yoga practice as a retreat from the world, nor do we want to simply shake our...
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...
Veganism and the Yamas: A Yogic Call to Compassion Yoga is a path of transformation—one that extends far beyond the mat. It is a way of living that aligns our thoughts, words, and actions with our highest ideals. The eight limbs of Raja Yoga, as outlined by Patanjali,...
If you get divinely and miraculously healed, is this part of your karma? Yes. Miraculously you are healed. Maybe you deserved it. God helped you to heal. You have done some good karma to receive that kind of healing energy. But if you haven't healed and if you want to...
We all probably struggle sometimes to make wise choices when deciding between taking care of others and taking care of ourselves. Many of us were raised with a strong work ethic that is reinforced by the “gotta get ahead” mentality of American culture, the value...
In our last installment, we journeyed back to 1942, when Ramaswamy (later known as Swami Satchidananda) traveled to Palani, a sacred pilgrimage site steeped in centuries of spiritual significance. This holy place in Tamil Nadu has long been a sanctuary for saints and...
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...