“Many ask Amma, what a human being’s real dharma, or duty is. The goal of human life is to know oneself. We should know the answers to the questions, 'Who am I? What is my real nature?' This is our ultimate duty.” ~AmmaRead More
A recent Yoga Journal article asked the question “Is Yoga a Religion”? During the closing ceremony of Yoga into the 21st century conference in NYC the renowned Yoga teacher T.K.V. Desikachar told the audience that Yoga is not a religion and should not affiliate with any religion.
While I agree that Yoga need not be associated with any religion, I am more curious to explore the premise of the question itself, which I think keeps Yoga from unleashing its full potential in our lives.
Read MoreThe Sanskrit word Prasad means a blessing, or gift that has been divinely invested. It is usually an edible sweet or fruit that is offered at all Hindu spiritual gatherings to represent the pure and divine state of the holy person or place, which has the potential to bless our life and fulfill our wishes. Indeed, anything that an enlightened master touches becomes Prasad, as the object is believed to be infused with divine vibrations.
Read MoreKarma was probably one of the first words to migrate into the English language from India. The 50’s used karma to get high, 60’s to make love, 70’s to boogey, 80’s to work harder, the 90’s to believe and manifest (and work out more) and today we use it to hold our breath on the yoga mat. The word Karma has been embraced both by the pop culture and spiritual seekers and is even starting to show up in corporate board rooms.
Read MoreThe character of Hanuman teaches us of the unlimited power that lies unused within each one of us. Hanuman’s undying devotion and service to Lord Rama exemplifies “Dasyabhava” devotion – one of the 9 types of devotions – that bonds the disciple and the guru.
Read MoreFor Amma the state of oneness with all of creation is not a philosophy or a spiritual principle to follow – itsimply is the only way she knows how to be. From her simplest day to day exchanges with people to her huge charitable projects, she brings no sense of “I” or “me” into the equation.
Read MoreChakras are the most embraced aspects of yoga in the west but perhaps also the most misunderstood. Most people have acquired their understanding of chakras from an amalgam of traditions like Reiki, Tai chi, crystals, and New Age teachers. What I am presenting in this article is the classical Yoga interpretation of chakras, which are an integral aspect of Yoga theory and practice.
One of my favorite Zen stories is the one about a Buddhist scholar who goes to study with a Zen master. He expresses his sincerity about wanting to learn from the master but then proceeds to ramble on about how many spiritual books he has studied and meditation techniques he has mastered. The master listens patiently and then offers the scholar some tea. He continues to pour tea into the scholar’s cup until it is overflowing. “Stop, stop! The cup is full, what are you doing”, the scholar yells? The master replies, “you are like this cup, you are so full of spiritual ideas about the Buddha’s way, there is nothing I can teach you”.
Read More“We are taught that the hero’s journey is the journey from weakness to strength, but I am here to tell you that the stories are wrong. The real hero’s journey is the journey from strength to weakness... you are going to make that journey from strength to weakness and while it won’t be an easy trip, it is a heroic one”. ~John GreenRead More
The death and destruction in Japan is incomprehensible and our hearts go out to all those whose lives, hopes, dreams have been crushed by the powerful earthquake. I have received many queries asking what the future holds. Personally, I do not predict world events, I think that it is challenging enough to try and get a glimpse into the future of one human being – the destiny of the earth is much bigger than all of us and much bigger than the predictions of a mere mortal astrologer.
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