Sambasivam Chaitanya’s journey now brings him to Tiruvannamalai, to the holy presence of Arunachala, and to Ramanashram, where one of modern India’s greatest sages sat in the stillness of Self-realization. At Ramanashram, Advaita was no longer only a subject of...
The majority of the suffering that you experience is caused not by something outside of yourself but by your internal reaction to things. And those reactions that bring pain are usually based on attachments and expectations that are unfulfilled. You make an...
The full moon of Guru Poornima has waned, but the contemplation it awakens does not end with the observance. Only a few weeks later, on August 19, we mark the Mahasamadhi of our beloved Guru, Sri Swami Satchidananda (Sri Gurudev). These two sacred observances...
I’m sure that many of Swami Satchidananda's (Gurudev’s) followers have had enlightening moments in his presence and their personal relationship. As I reflect on the 60 years since his arrival in New York, here are a few of mine. On that auspicious day in 1966 when we...
In July 1986, during the International Year of Peace, a luminous vision took form in the rolling hills of central Virginia. On July 20, spiritual leaders, dignitaries, devotees, neighbors, and seekers gathered at Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville for the dedication of...
When people speak of Alice Coltrane, they often begin with brilliance: pianist, harpist, composer, bandleader, visionary. They speak of the astonishing beauty of her music, the spiritual intensity of her recordings, and the way her work seems to open an inner sky. But...
We may look a little different, speak different languages, have different nationalities, but these are all different parts we play. Essentially, we are all one. As an analogy, consider the sea. All the waters came from the sea, isn't it so? From the sea, the water...
In this talk, Swami Satchidananda uses practical, experiential language to describe the different dimensions of human life, emphasizing the importance of developing all aspects of our being in an integrated way—Integral Yoga, a complete Yoga. Each person is a mixture...
How to really let go of wanting the fruits of your efforts? The best way to let go is to realize what will happen if you do not let go. Ask yourself: “If I let go, what will happen? If I do not let go, what will happen?” Make a list of pros and cons. The main reason...
In the great spiritual biographies of India, there are periods that seem, on the surface, uneventful—stretches of wandering, waiting, or uncertainty. Yet these are often the hidden chapters in which the deepest transformation takes place. For Ramaswamy, the young...
In this short, self-directed, free online course, "Introduction to The Essential Teachings of Swami Satchidananda," you will be able to watch Swami Satchidananda sharing some of his core teachings in his fun, loving, and inspirational manner. He also reflects on how...