By Rudra Shivananda According to Patanjali, when yoga is achieved with the state of no-mind, then one rests in one’s essential state, one’s true nature. However, what is that essential state? There is great difficulty in understanding something that cannot be described in our limited mental state but only realized in the yogic consciousness. From
by Rudra Shivananda We all like to watch movies or read a book about the heroic figure that battles against all odds and wins through by defeating formidable enemies. This can be the lone cowboy battling foes amidst the lonesome prairie or the space cadet fighting pirates in the starry void. It can be a
Rudra Shivananda In order to achieve success in concentration and subsequently to enter into meditative states, it is essential to be able to sit still without any movement for certain periods of time. This is due to the fact that when the body moves, the mind moves and concentration is broken. It is therefore important
Rudra Shivananda It is tempting especially in times of great upheavals, natural disasters or even personal challenges to try to think about them instead of persevering in one’s own spiritual practice. There is a sense of guilt among some spiritual seekers to sit and meditate while there is turmoil about them. This is a fallacious
Rudra Shivananda Everyone is constantly looking for the better or best healing methodology because we all get sick at some time or the other and we want to feel better all the time. Some look to the modern medical infrastructure to get the newest wonder drug to eliminate whatever they are suffering from while others
By Rudra Shivananda It is required of the yogic classics to point out the goal of the spiritual discipline, explain the method of practice and the observable result. These three parts usually take up most of the text. The same three parts are given completely in just one famous verse of the Ishavasya Upanishad which
By Rudra Shivananda As we approach the prime decision point on November 6th in a major political process to elect a new president, it helpful to re-examine the impact of fear on our minds. Politicians are adept in pressing the fear button and clouding the judgement of the voters. The truth and our good sense
By Rudra Shivananda Each human being has an inner Light, but most people do not make contact with their Divinity, even once in their life-time. The physical sun that we observe every-day is very far from our planet. It appears as a small disc, but we know from our science classes, that it is really
By Rudra Shivananda There is one advice that I give to all sincere seekers irrespective of their path or progress and that is to persevere and never give up. The spiritual path is long and arduous and has many pitfalls and obstacles. We are often befuddled by our delusions and fall prey to illusions, thinking
By Rudra Shivananda As we learn of the passing of a true hero, that of Neil Armstrong who took a small step on the Moon and expanded the boundaries of humanity, I’m reminded of the significance of the moon as a powerful symbol in the yogic tradition. Just as the effect of Armstrong’s feat will