Santosha, the yogic state of contentment, is not ordinary contentment, such as being happy personally with who are, what we own, or having our desires fulfilled. It is not mere complacency or being satisfied with outward enjoyments. Santosha is the contentment and peace that arises from dwelling in our true nature, the inner Self
Upanishadic sages thousands of years ago understood the secrets of neuroscience, but going beyond the physical body to higher levels of consciousness, ultimately transcending the manifest universe. Vedic Deities (Devatas) can be defined relative to mind, sensory, pranic, and motor functions that can easily be correlated to the workings of the brain and the nervous
In Vedanta the Self or Atman is commonly defined as space (kham, akasha). That space (akasha) is further defined as bliss (Ananda). What is the nature of this space that is the Self? Our inner Self holds the entire universe in the small space within the spiritual heart (Hridaya). This is a space of
Shiva as the Drinker of Poison Shiva is the great ecstatic deity of Yoga, the supreme Lord of the highest inner energy and transformation. He has the deepest experience of bliss (ananda) as his constant state of being. He is the foremost drinker of the Soma, the amrita or mystic nectar which is the delight
We will explore the extensive relationship and vast interconnections between Yoga and Ayurveda, focusing on the Yoga Sutras. This examination extends to important issues of Yoga sadhana, Yoga therapy and Ayurvedic healing. Yoga, Ayurveda and related Vedic disciplines have more connections than usually acknowledged, particularly in the West. We cannot understand one of these systems
Soma is part of a vast cosmic symbolism in Vedic thought. It cannot be reduced to a single plant as some scholars have proposed. For every Agni or form of the cosmic fire there is a corresponding Soma, water or nectar. In the human being we have access to special powers of Agni or higher
Many religions honour their founder or great teacher in various ways. Hindu dharma is perhaps unique in honouring the guru or spiritual master as a principle in itself beyond any particular personality, philosophy or revelation.The true guru is a position of spiritual guidance, the illuminating presence of a higher awareness. The guru is not limited to any physical person, however exalted he or she may be.
Yoga and Ayurveda constitute a way of life that allows us to arrive at longevity and immunity, and to provide the basis for the pursuit of Self-realization and Moksha. Their approach to healing is based upon right values, right behavior, and right relationship with our natural environment and humanity overall. The medical side
Yoga is defined as Samadhi in the Yoga Sutras. Yet few Yoga practitioners know what Samadhi is or how to approach it. But without understanding Samadhi one cannot understand Yoga in the true sense of the term. Samadhi is complete coherence and composure of mind, the mind fully united with the power of seeing, so
Some scholars state that there is no mention of Shakti in the Yoga Sutras. This is incorrect. Shakti is the last word in the Yoga Sutras that sums up its entire teaching and defines its goal as the realization of the Purusha. It suggests what is referred to as Kundalini Shakti in other Yoga texts.
Depression has become widespread in recent years, more so during this pandemic when people must spend more time alone, limited
भारोऽविवेकिन: शास्त्रं भारो ज्ञानं च रागिण: । अशान्तस्य मनो भारो भारोऽनात्मविदो वपु: ॥ Shastras are a burden for those who
By Yogini Shambavi The Divine Feminine The most effective way to create and sustain universal harmony is to develop an
Ananda is one of the key terms of Yoga and Vedanta, and like many of the others often misunderstood. Ananda
काममय एवायं पुरुष इति स यथाकामो भवति तत्क्रतुर्भिवति । यत्क्रतुर्भवति तत्कर्म कुरुते यत्कर्म कुरुते तदभिसंपद्यते ॥ The individual person is
By Yogini Shambhavi Mahadevi, the Great Goddess, has many names and forms in Jyotish, the Vedic astrological science of light.
