Sri Swami Sivananda (the Guru of Integral Yoga founder Sri Swami Satchidananda) said that our suffering brings out the essence in us, just as an herb releases its fragrance when crushed. Gold is exposed only by removing a mountain of soil. Diamonds are formed through...
Some of the great Yoga Masters have compared the mind to a drunken monkey that has been bitten by a scorpion! You have such a mind, but when you allow the mind to do whatever it wants, you don’t really notice how mischievous it is. It is only when you try to keep it...
In this enlightening 1976 interview, American TV host and journalist Bill Boggs spoke with Swami Satchidananda and Ram Dass in New York City. They discussed a range of topics from many paths to our goal, happiness, suffering, enlightenment, prison Yoga, and more....
It was 1968 and I was in my 20s in New York City. I started practicing Yoga at the Integral Yoga Institute. I am now in my 70s, it is 2020, and I live in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I am still practicing Yoga. I’m sure you can do the math. Since my 20s, I have been...
Swami Karunananda (senior Integral Yoga monk and master teacher) writes about the Guru-disciple relationship and shares some of the inspiring experiences she had with her Guru, Sri Swami Satchidananda. This talk was recently given on the 18th anniversary of the...
In order to be attuned to the Cosmic Consciousness, you have to be tuned in. If you haven’t tuned yourself in, then nothing will come. And if you tune to a wrong station, horrible things will come. But when you are tuned well, when you are at ease, everything comes to...
Kirtan/musical artists and Integral Yogis Sam Rossitto and Meera Kerr each created a musical track of the sacred mantra for meditation given by Sri Swami Satchidananda. In his honor, we are sharing a mash-up of their songs, done with their blessings. Enjoy this new...
I often quote Avvaiyar, a very great saintly female poet from South India. She was clever with her use of words and never wasted any. Just a few words were enough to give you a great message. Somebody asked her, “How can I arrive at my home?” or in other words, “How...
The 18th Mahasamadhi Anniversary of Integral Yoga Founder Sri Swami Satchidananda is August 19, 2020. It will be observed globally at all Integral Yoga centers. Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville's Livestream program in honor of the anniversary will be streamed on...
Through venerating our Guru, our lineage and traditions, we are connecting with the principle of Guru-tattva. This is summarized in Śrīgurustotram: akhaṇḍamaṇḍalākāraṁ vyāptaṁ yena carācaram tatpadaṁ darśitaṁ yena tasmai śrīgurave namaḥ Salutations to that Guru, who...
Avi Gordon (Integral Yoga Teachers Association director) is joined by Rev. Kamala Itzel Hayward (Integral Yoga teacher, Yoga therapist, Integral Yoga minister) for this conversation on spirituality and social justice. For 13 years, Rev. Kamala practiced law full time,...
My spiritual master, Swami Sivananda used to say, “The sannyas (swami/renunciate) ego is the worst kind of ego. You have renounced everything, but you have not renounced the egoism of renunciation itself.” That’s what you see when someone demands: “Do you know who I...
In this article, Darren Mahesh Hayward explains how he came to set up a meditation group in the UK called All Us Men (or AUM). The group is aimed at helping men manage difficult emotional times. A group of men from all walks of life, different ages and lifestyle, all...
"The enlightened person does whatever is appropriate," explains Dr. Amrita, in the latest Integral Yoga Podcast. Avi Gordon (Integral Yoga Teachers Association director) discusses enlightened action and a number of wellness topics with Dr. Amrita— founder of America's...
Sri Swami Satchidananda often reminded us that the great surfers spend thousands of dollars to travel across the globe to find the big waves, and to experience the thrill of riding them into the shore. Emotionally, socially, economically and spiritually we are...
The first thoughts of proposing some type of ministry for the Integral Yoga organization occurred in the winter of 1980. My mother had been a member of the Third Order of St. Francis when she was young. This order was established by St. Francis in response to a...