By Rudra Shivananda In key spiritual texts, re-birth and liberation are explained in terms of the moon and the Sun, keeping in mind that we are not talking about the physical sun and moon but the existential planes they represent. If a person has done a lot of good deeds, such that the good exceeds
By Rudra Shivananda When we talk about sadhana or spiritual practice, most often we highlight the techniques and the progress in proficiency of practice. We might give tips on how to practice better or guidelines to overcome certain obstacles that will occur along the path. However, it may be instructive to examine the psychological stages
By Rudra Shivananda When a spiritual seeker chooses a particular path for personal development, he or she may not be aware that there are significant life-changing differences between the powerful yogic systems that can affect one’s ability to maintain a family and function in society. The yogic systems that were developed and flourished during the
By Rudra Shivananda Once an aspirant has set his or her foot on the spiritual path, a bewildering array of possibilities present themselves – the variety of spiritual groups, marketplace of systems, choice of teachers, myriad techniques and conflicting instructions. Choices to be made, doubts that constantly arise, and obstacles that present themselves are just
By Rudra Shivananda One of the obstacles that beset all sincere spiritual aspirants is the doubt that arises from contemplating the amazing transformation of an essentially ignorant normal human being into an enlightened Master in one life-time. How is such a miracle even possible? The great Masters have always taught that a human birth is
By Rudra Shivananda A primary yogic practice is the use of breath to control the life-force energy and direct it to awaken our potential divinity. A spiritual path such Kriya Yoga is structured such that most of the practitioner’s sadhana is based on the pranayama according to the principle that prana and mind are
By Rudra Shivananda One of the greatest difficulties faced by the aspiring spiritual student is the lack of time that we all face in this busy age, especially in the more developed societies. It is one of the ironies that the average adult in the United States most probably has less free time then previous
By Rudra Shivananda When electricity is generated, it is necessary to have transformers, conductors, fuses, switches and so forth, to carry the power to its destination, otherwise it would be useless or harmful. So also, when prana or life-force is made to flow in the yogi’s body, it is necessary for him to employ bandhas,
By Rudra Shivananda A few days ago, my aged and ailing father contracted pneumonia and has since been hospitalized in the intensive care unit of the local hospital since he was not responding to the normal anti-biotic treatment. The doctors are holding out little hope for his recovery. I am, of course, always hopeful and
By Rudra Shivananda Christmas is a time for celebration and also a time to commemorate the birth of a great spiritual Master and World Teacher – the Lord Jesus. Although from a purely historical perspective, December 25th is most probably not the date of Jesus’s birth, it is one of the best day of the