In this talk hosted by the Integral Yoga Institute of New Jersey, Integral Yoga master teacher and senior monastic Swami Karunananda explains the benefits of the practice of pranayama (yogic breathing techniques). She also shares the instructions she received from her...
We try to use our limited, finite intelligence to understand, grasp things, and make our lives happy, aiming to achieve and acquire this or that. Yet, in the end, nothing seems to truly help. Sometimes, it may feel like we’re finding peace or happiness, but all these...
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...
Alan Asangan Binstock was born in 1948 and raised in Bronx, New York. His formal fine arts education began in New York’s High School of Music and Art, followed by undergraduate studies at Hunter College. He moved to Boulder, Colorado and began developing sculpture and...
The Finnish-born artist Iria Leino is known not only for her expansive body of abstract work but also for her deep spiritual devotion, which played a central role in her artistic development. Throughout her life, she found inspiration in a rich spiritual practice and,...
The only way to deal with fear is to face it. The more you try to run, the more it will haunt you. Face it and ask yourself questions: “Who are you? Where are you coming from? Why are you coming to me? What am I afraid of?” When you ask these questions, you will find...
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...
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...
While humility is the hallmark of a sincere spiritual aspirant, we may rarely think of practicing it. In an age where self-empowerment is synonymous with personal growth, the idea of humbling oneself is decidedly unpopular. It can easily be dismissed as a sign of...
On August 27, 2024 a special kirtan service in celebration of the anniversary of the birth of Swamini Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda was held at the Integral Yoga Institute of New York. Special highlights of the program included special guest, Sita Michelle...
In this episode of the Integral Yoga Podcast, senior Integral Yoga monk Swami Gurucharanananda (Mataji) shares insights into her life journey and spiritual path, first as a Catholic nun and later meeting her Guru, Swami Satchidananda. Born in Washington DC on April...
Who am I really? Who am I being? These are two queries and discoveries to be made while practicing svadhyaya (self-study)—Yoga’s fourth niyama, as well as the second practice in the Kriya Yoga of Sri Patanjali. Svadhyaya includes the study of sacred texts and the...
Swami Satchidananda, the revered founder of Yogaville and a world-renowned spiritual teacher, presents a transformative vision in his book, Heaven on Earth: My Vision of Yogaville. This compelling vision encapsulates his dream of creating a haven of peace, love, and...
Someone once asked me the following question: “In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says, ‘The yogi who perceives the essential oneness everywhere naturally feels the pleasure or pain of others as their own.’ Is it possible to feel the pain of others without losing...
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...
Ever have questions about Yoga? The meaning of life? What is maya? Other burning questions? Now there’s a new website, Ask Swami (askswami.org), where you can ask those questions in real time and get your questions answered! The answers are sourced from the Integral...