Vedanta
June 4, 2019

THE SILENT MIND – DESCENT OF SHAKTI

The first stage in Sri Aurobindo's yoga, and the major task that opens the door to many realizations, is mental silence. Why mental silence, one may ask? Clearly, if we wish to discover a new country within us, we must first leave the old one behind; everything depends upon our determination in taking this first step. Sometimes it can happen in a flash. Something in us cries out: "Enough of this grinding!" We at once are on our way, walking forth without ever looking back. Others say yes then no; they vacillate endlessly between two worlds. Let us emphasize here…
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SadhanaVedanta
May 27, 2019

VERSES FROM SADHANA PADA OF YOGASUTRA BY SWAMI VIVEKANANDA

1. तऩ्स्वाध्यामेश्वयप्रणिधानाणन णिमामोग् ॥ १॥ tapahsvadhyayeshvarapranidhanani kriyayogah Mortification, study, and surrendering fruits of work to God are called Kriya Yoga. Commentary: The first step, the preliminary step, is called Kriya Yoga. Literally this means work, working towards Yoga. The organs are the horses, the mind is the reins, the intellect is the charioteer, the soul is the rider, and this body is the chariot. The master of the household, the King, the Self of man, is sitting in this chariot. If the horses are very strong, and do not obey the reins, if the charioteer, the intellect, does not know…
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Vedanta
May 26, 2019

TESTING THE GURU

Just like it is mandated in shastras that a Guru must test his disciple before accepting him, it is a good idea today for a disciple to test his Guru and be completely satisfied before accepting someone as a true guide or mentor. Quite often, particularly in this age, there are many people who may have had some spiritual experience, or even developed a few lower level abilities, but who operate from their ego-minds and believe themselves to have become great master. This is nothing but self-delusion. Only someone who is truly in contact with the Divine, and not operating…
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Vedanta
May 26, 2019

HOW TO REACH DISPASSION? – ASTAVAKRA GITA

Janaka  said: How is one to acquire knowledge? How is one to attain liberation? And how is one to reach dispassion? Tell me this, sir. Ashtavakra said: If you are seeking liberation, my son, avoid the objects of the senses like poison and cultivate tolerance, sincerity, compassion, contentment, and truthfulness as the antidote. You do not consist of any of the elements — earth, water, fire, air, or even ether. To be liberated, know yourself as consisting of consciousness, the witness of these.   If only you will remain resting in consciousness, seeing yourself as distinct from the body, then…
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Vedanta
May 11, 2019

ANEKANTAVADA AND ANDHA-GAJA-NYAYA

The origins of anekāntavāda can be traced back to the teachings of Mahāvīra (599–527 BCE), the 24th Jain Tīrthankara. The Jain doctrine of anekāntavāda, also known as anekāntatva, states that truth and reality is complex and always has multiple aspects. Reality can be experienced, but it is not possible to totally express it with language. Human attempts to communicate is naya, or "partial expression of the truth". Language is not Truth, but a means and attempt to express truth. From truth, according to Māhavira, language returns and not the other way around. One can experience the truth of a taste,…
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SadhanaShaktiVedanta
May 10, 2019

MAHALAKSHMI BY SRI AUROBINDO

Wisdom and Force are not the only manifestations of the supreme Mother; there is a subtler mystery of her nature and without it Wisdom and Force would be incompetable things and without it perfection would not be perfect. Above them is the miracle of eternal beauty, an unseizable secret of divine harmonies, the compelling magic of an irresistible universal charm and attraction that draws and holds things and forces and beings together and obliges them to meet and unite that a hidden Ananda may play from behind the veil and make of them its rhythms and its figures. This is…
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SadhanaVedanta
November 30, 2018

BE SILENT

BE SILENT - The Truth Is by Sri H. W. L. Poonja (Papaji) The purpose of all practice is Silence, your real nature. Without Silence you cannot be in peace so strive only for this. Even while active remain in Silence as Silence and be conscious of Silence always. Ramana’s main teaching is Silence and it is this Silence that silently answers all questions and removes all doubts. Train your mind to go to Silence. As Kabir said: “Keep your body, your mind, your intellect, and your prana quiet and wisdom will follow behind you searching for you!” Be Silent by…
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Vedanta
November 16, 2018

KUNDALINI SHAKTI’S INVOLUTION AND EVOLUTION

KUNDALĪ SHAKTI’S INVOLUTION AND EVOLUTION - The Serpent Power by Arthur Avalon Shakti as Prakriti first evolves mind (Buddhi, Ahamkara, Manas) and senses (Indriya), and then sensible matter (Bhūta) of fivefold form (“ether,” “air,” “ fire,” “water,” “earth”) derived from the supersensible generals of the sense-particulars called Tanmātra. When Shakti has entered the last and grossest Tattva (“earth”) - that is, solid matter - there is nothing further for Her to do. Her creative activity then ceases, and She rests. She rests in Her last emanation, the “earth” principle. She is again coiled and sleeps. She is now Kundalī Shakti,…
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VedantaVishnu
July 9, 2018

Yoga-Vāsiṣṭha: On the Spiritual Heart

When Rama asked, "Which is the greatest mirror in which we see these images of things? What is it that is called the Heart of all the beings in the world?" Vasistha answered, "When we reflect we see that all the beings in the world have two hearts."   "One of these is worth acceptance, the other is not useful (spiritually). Listen how they differ. The organ called the heart placed somewhere in the chest of the physical body is useless. The Heart which is of the form of Pure Awareness is worth acceptance; it is both within and without…
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Adwaita
June 10, 2018

Paṃcadaśī: manual of Adwaita Vedanta

Panchadasi (पंचदशी) is a classic manual of Adwaita Vedanta composed in the 14th century by Vidyaranya Swami, who was the head of the Sringeri Mutt and was also instrumental in establishing the Vijaynagara Empire. Vidyaranya's pre-monastic name was Madhavacharya (not to be confused with the founder of the Dvaita sampradaya). He also composed a famous compendium of all Indian spiritual schools known as Sarvadarśanasaṅgraha where he lists all possible philosophies prevalent in India at that time. Another of his famous works is Madhaviya Shankaravijaya, a biography of Adi Shankaracharya. Panchdasi as the name suggests consists of 15 chapters grouped into…
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