Ancient Wisdom Pearls
…enter the cave to discover wisdom from ancient Sages relevant in modern times!
Advaita Vedantic Path
Be a Lotus!
Question: “The soul sticks on to the body until the karma is exhausted.” This means that you will keep getting a body by the laws of Niyati as long as you have karma. What happens to the soul after it is exhausted with all the Karmas–no more Karmas left, so more...
Fear of the ‘last thoughts at death’
Question: Ektaji – Is it fair to have Dvesha to control the last impression (not to think certain thing)? If it is something out of control why not make it like “come as it comes” like spontaneously? Can we train our subconscious brain to think- not to think (e.g....
Is karma responsible for significant number of deaths due to natural calamities?
Question:So if body is inside prana, when we hear about suppose earthquake or any other natural phenomenon where so many people die, is it because the prana of that area was low or is it karma or is it due to the devas ?Answer:There are weather devas who are...
Mahaa Maaya, Moha Maaya and Yoga Maaya
Question :The ball is rolling and we are not the doer. Whatever will happen will happen. How does free will fit in? You have explained free will earlier, but somehow I am not able to connect it. We have the free will not to create agami karma but what has to happen...
Thoughts during meditation and sadness after!
Question: Dear Ekta didi, I have been doing my meditation but I just can’t get my mind to shut up! It constantly brings thoughts. I don’t resist them. But I am slightly concerned. I am in no way impatient, I will continue to do the 20 minute meditations until I have a...
If everything is a play of Destiny, then what is Freewill?
Question:I am still not clear on how Destiny and Freewill play a part in our lives. When do we have a freewill when it is all our destiny or a result of our past karma. If I am not the Doer, where is free will in the picture? Is free will just an illusion?Answer:There...
How to handle joy?
Question: Ektaji, at present, I am on the verge of going through a big change in life. Whatever I have known till now is suddenly being metamorphosed into something larger. All three aspects of people, situation and things are in transition. From a materialistic and...
See Guru as an Energy, not a Personality!
Question:Yesterday Guru Dev tweeted that see Guru as beyond a personality see the being, see the hollow and empty, ever full presence. From past few weeks, I was actually wanting to feel Guru Dev beyond the body. And you are the best person, as the way you explain...
Fools blame others! Wise look inwards!
Question: After doing so many knowledge sessions with you, I have realized that I have a tendency to think that I am perfect and others are wrong. My ways are correct and theirs are wrong. I understand this is the cycle of Sanchita, Prarbdha and Agami Karma. But...
Why this? Why that? Why? Why?…. It’s all Maaya!
Question:JGD Didi, I had a nasty marriage and even nastier divorce in past. I have two adorable children though. I have promised them they will never have any stepfather in their life, that is the reason why I have turned down many instances. I have found myself...
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Buddha’s Path
Stop saying ‘why is this happening to me?’ Eat fresh!
Question:Hello Ekta didi, sometimes I wonder how come some people don't have to let go of anything in life. They have been blessed with things others aren’t. Why is it so? Is it all karma again? How come some people can let go things easily even though they aren't...
Death of a loved one
Question:Why my daughter died of cancer at a very young age, she was very enthusiastic about life, still unmarried and why I had to go through her cancer battle, to see her pain, agony for 5 years? Nobody knows what it feels like taking your daughter to cremation...
Who is the designer of the Mind?
Question: Didi I was just in wonder why is my mind so cunning / playing games all the time and not letting me be at peace / be a Sakshi? Why is it designed so? Answer: Design of the Mind: Mind is ruled by the inherent power of Nature called Maaya! Mind is born out of...
The secret of the ‘first thought’!
Question: What to do if negative thoughts keep coming against a person. I know it is not right and I am creating agami karma for myself but I am still unable to avoid it. Answer: This is a common mistake made by many spiritual seekers. People think that every...
Sit on the fence!
Question:Dear Ektaji, What to do when you have conflict in picking among two different things(raagas) in life ? It seems like dropping one and picking another is like choosing one of your Raagaa & creating dvesha for another.What is the flow of life at that point...
Happy NEW perspective!
Seeker: Can you help me make a firm new years resolution and stick to it?Answer: At this junction in life [new years], most people run after resolutions or they sit and sulk about the past years resolutions that they did not keep up to. Haven’t you learnt a lesson...
New Years vows for the sake of spiritual progress!
Question: How to do a few days of Spiritual sabbatical? Answer: Spirituality is about looking within and finding that peace within. For beginners, who have not yet learnt to be with their own selves, every Teacher/Guru/Master gives processes/techniques so one finally...
Intellectualization of Spiritual Knowledge is a MAJOR obstacle!
Question: Ekta ji, can you point to any references in scriptures or your own experience on how to identify the symptoms of being half baked in Vedanta knowledge or being caught up just in the theory of Advaita? Answer: It is a big danger if you are caught up in the...
Silence is your new friend!
Question: Dear Ektaji, After struggling for many days/attempts I could settle down my mind today taking my attention away from whatever my mind was creating. After a while, a sense of silence overtook me. My being had this kind of overtaking before but I was so happy...
Am I cheating my Guru if I follow somebody else?
Question: Dearest Ekta Didi, I have been with a spiritual foundation for the past 22 years and have done several courses there. Ever since I stumbled upon Ramana’s sessions with you, there has been a huge change that I can not describe. I completed the Advaitha, and...
Your well is full of negativity, it’s not the bucket’s fault!
Question:I never look at other person as he/she is. I am always looking for negativity in others. Is it my mental conditioning that is causing me to be judgmental of others? How do I come out of this? I have this problem I have recognized it but when it grips me it is...
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Individual Spirituality
The source of the I-thought is Silence!
Question: Concentration on 'I' thought seems to be an on and off process. I get a glimpse that concentration on 'I-thought' will remove the identification with the body but the more I concentrate on the 'I' the more I feel the presence of my body. Am I doing something...
Dispassion is not Suppressing Desires
Question: Is dispassion accepting what has come our way and not longing for a certain outcome? Answer: Dispassion is a natural maturity of the intellect that comes after dissolving yourself in self-introspection or spiritual knowledge and meditation. It is just like...
Crossing through the dark clouds of Maaya!
Question:I am practicing being more and more aware. In spite of being aware that my particular Karma or action will create a future karma, my mind gets stuck suddenly and I land up creating an aagami karma seed. How is it that some events create deep Impressions and...
Ego is a major pitfall on the Spiritual path!
Question : Dear Didi, I tend to be influenced by those who are having too much fun and less awareness and don’t take the spiritual path seriously. I feel that we are not even eligible to learn this beautiful knowledge from Gurudev. He is so compassionate towards us in...
Maaya makes you believe that dreams are real!
Question:We keep hearing how this awareness is like knowing your dreaming. But the best (and most entertaining) dreams are when you think it’s real! I know thinking like this is primitive-talk compared to what we’ve learnt, but I still can’t help but agree with this...
Does a Guru or the Enlightened one feel sadness? Do they actually fall sick?
Question:I have a question, although it may sound silly. I was wondering, do enlightened beings feel sadness? Do they actually feel sick? As I look at Guruji, I see consciousness and whatever is emanating from him is just natural. Since he’s in a human form, he’s not...
Am I cheating my Guru if I follow somebody else?
Question: Dearest Ekta Didi, I have been with a spiritual foundation for the past 22 years and have done several courses there. Ever since I stumbled upon Ramana’s sessions with you, there has been a huge change that I can not describe. I completed the Advaitha, and...
Dispassion or Disinterest?
Question: Jgd Ekta di, Are dispassion and disinterest one and the same. I have lost ambition in Career. I do whatever job is given to me. But my Boss has started noticing it that I don’t go beyond what was asked of me and don’t bring new ideas to the table. A similar...
Guilt of spiritual insincerity
Question: JGD Didi, I have started listening to knowledge recently and I, suddenly, realized that I have been tremendously insincere in the past.This is bothering me too much. I want to progress on the path, please guide me on how to overcome this feeling. ...
Belief v/s Experience
Question: Ektaji, how can witnessing become my experience when I don't know the very first step itself? I know the Upanishads are Rishi's meditated and this knowledge came. So I believe in that and studied but if I don't believe and doubt that how can I experience the...
The life of ‘maximum relief’
Question: My friend somewhere read that the life before liberation is the toughest, is there any truth to this? Answer: I don’t think that the last life before liberation is the toughest. It is just that in that life, you will actually make efforts to understand your...
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General Spirituality
Dealing with sadness…
Question:There are instances when someone just blurts out anger for nothing I did (some people have anger management issues and I know that) and my reaction usually tears, going in silence and feeling hurt. Is that my bucket of anger too? If not, how do I stop...
Sab Moha Maaya hai!
Question: Dear didi Your what’sapp dp is “Sab moh maaya hai”. Means except self everything is moh maaya? Like my body, my mind, my ego is MAAYA? People around me, their body, their ego, their mind is also Maaya. And I should let go of it? Answer: Correct! In fact,...
Wanting to look good….. Raaga or not?
Question:I have a desire to have clear pretty skin. I was wondering if it is Raaga or it is part of nature? Is it a bad karma or a bad desire to want to look pretty not with make-up but with normal skin?Answer:You are the best judge, dear! Only you would know whether...
Fools blame others! Wise look inwards!
Question: After doing so many knowledge sessions with you, I have realized that I have a tendency to think that I am perfect and others are wrong. My ways are correct and theirs are wrong. I understand this is the cycle of Sanchita, Prarbdha and Agami Karma. But...
If I am not the doer then how do I accrue Karma?
Question:If I am not the doer then how do I accrue Karma? If I am not the doer then how is there a karma bag? If I didn't do anything then whose Karma bag am I carrying? Answer:When you were a baby, there was no sense of 'I'. There was no sense of 'my body'....
Leave the mind alone!
Question: Dear Didi, in your signature and on your web site, there is a beautiful quote. “Leave the mind alone, it will quieten itself! Meditate!”I meditate, but it is more of a struggle and I always come out feeling not so good about my inability to become...
How would I know I am not seeking anymore?
Question: Can you please explain how would we know whether we have united or reached our self and are Pure witness right now. How do we know we are doing it right? How would I know I am not seeking anymore? Answer: Being a witness is as simple as looking at your mind...
What has to happen has already happened!
Question: There is only one possibility in the way things happen, right? To be specific - at this point I am going through an emotional turmoil. I could choose to wait for my girlfriend and see where it takes me OR I could choose to forget her and move on OR I could...
Enlightenment is the sole purpose!
Question: Dearest Ekta, Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I recently read your answer in the "Many masters One path" post and it resonated with me. https://ektabathija.com/many-masters-one-path/ Towards the end, you describe the following: "I am interested in...
YogaMaaya can be a hurdle on the spiritual path
Question:I have a strange experience to share. Today in my meditation I felt like I was distanced from myself when I got carried away in my thoughts and the moment I came back to the breath I felt like that distance was gone. It is a strange kind of knowingness. Or am...
When in anger, not being a winner is actually winning!
Question:I have been working on my spiritual knowledge yet could not deal with a big fight with my spouse. How to deal with anger? After that fight, I realized that I valued winning more than my relationship.Answer:That’s the quality of the Ego. It only wants to...
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Kabir’s Path
Fear of the ‘last thoughts at death’
Question: Ektaji – Is it fair to have Dvesha to control the last impression (not to think certain thing)? If it is something out of control why not make it like “come as it comes” like spontaneously? Can we train our subconscious brain to think- not to think (e.g....
Is sadhana alone not sufficient for attaining moksha?
Question: Ekta didi, If we are doing our sadhana and meditation which then what is the need for knowledge? Is sadhana alone not sufficient for attaining moksha? Please guide me, I am stuck in this. Answer: Let me explain how a Spiritual teacher teaches and what...
Kabir says that ‘you are that’ already… recognize it before its too late!
Question: I found this Kabir poem recitation by Shabnam Virmani. She learned this poem from Bhairavidevi who sings songs about Kabir. Please can you help translate it into English? Swansa Swansa mein naam le aur biratha swansa mat khoyNa jane is swansa ka awan hoye na...
Kabir’s Inner Mirror
Question: What mirror is Kabir talking about in the following Doha? Hirday ma hi aarsi, mukh dekha nahi jaaye Mukh to tabhi dekhiye, jab dil ki duvidha jaaye There is a mirror inside, but the reflection is not clear. One can clearly see his face only when the clouds...
Kabir says drop all conditioning!
Question: In one of your answers, you mentioned that Kabir asks us to burn down our house of material and spiritual conditioning if we want to attain the Witness/Consciousness/Sakshi. Has Kabir explained what is spiritual conditioning? Answer: Yes, dear, we covered...
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Ramana Maharshi’s Path
Go beyond the understanding that ‘The world is an illusion’!
Question:Ektaji, at Ajata Vaada level, why is it incorrect to just say, “The world is an illusion”. Doesn't the world exist only when I perceive it? Answer:It’s not wrong dear. It’s the job of the teacher to help a seeker move from Srishti Drishti Vaada to...
Is sadhana alone not sufficient for attaining moksha?
Question: Ekta didi, If we are doing our sadhana and meditation which then what is the need for knowledge? Is sadhana alone not sufficient for attaining moksha? Please guide me, I am stuck in this. Answer: Let me explain how a Spiritual teacher teaches and what...
The source of the I-thought is Silence!
Question: Concentration on 'I' thought seems to be an on and off process. I get a glimpse that concentration on 'I-thought' will remove the identification with the body but the more I concentrate on the 'I' the more I feel the presence of my body. Am I doing something...
Drishti Srishti Vaada and Ajaata Vaad
Namaste Ektaji:Is it possible that I am shuttling between the two viewpoints? When I am the Witness/Void, I am in Ajaata-vada viewpoint? When I get pulled out by the mind and get involved in the drama, then I am in Drishti-Srishti-vada? Thanks! Answer: Drishti...
Why is the no-mind state not permanent in this human body?
Question: Dear Ektaji, With reference to the 'no mind' state, why is it that no mind state is not permanent in this human body? Answer: This answer will make sense only if you have started the self-exploration to find who you are, otherwise, these will be merely...
Does a Guru or the Enlightened one feel sadness? Do they actually fall sick?
Question:I have a question, although it may sound silly. I was wondering, do enlightened beings feel sadness? Do they actually feel sick? As I look at Guruji, I see consciousness and whatever is emanating from him is just natural. Since he’s in a human form, he’s not...
Belief v/s Experience
Question: Ektaji, how can witnessing become my experience when I don't know the very first step itself? I know the Upanishads are Rishi's meditated and this knowledge came. So I believe in that and studied but if I don't believe and doubt that how can I experience the...
Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!
Question:Namaste Ektaji,Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! On this occasion, I wanted to share an anecdote of Ramana Maharshi related to this festival. It’s from the book Guru Vachaka Kovai recorded by Muruganar. It’s a pun on the word ‘purnam’, the filling in modak. My...
Fear being used as a weapon on the spiritual path
Question: Fear is being used to keep me bound to my current spiritual teacher. I keep getting emotionally manipulated by others in this community with the fearful stories of losing spiritual grace if I leave. But my intuition keeps warning me against staying here. Is...
Difference between ‘I am THIS’ & ‘I am’ per Buddha’s path
Question: Dear Ekta di: It would be of great benefit if you could please help with the following: Book: Samyutta Nikaya sutta number 22.89 (7) Khemaka- Pg 944 (middle paragraph): "Friends, although [the notion] 'I am' has not vanished in me in relation to these five...
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Atmananda’s Direct Path
Thought is the father of the World!
Question:Why does the mind make me feel that this illusory world is real? Answer:That's because Perception is inside out, not outside in. The senses do not gather information correctly because reality is colorless, shapeless, odorless, tasteless, touch-less,...
What happens when I recognize that I am NOT the doer?
Question:Ektaji, by recognizing that 'I am not the doer', does the world-projection end? Answer:By you recognizing the truth that you are not the doer, has the projection of your family ended? Has the world disappeared? No! When I recognize that 'I am not the...
Go beyond the understanding that ‘The world is an illusion’!
Question:Ektaji, at Ajata Vaada level, why is it incorrect to just say, “The world is an illusion”. Doesn't the world exist only when I perceive it? Answer:It’s not wrong dear. It’s the job of the teacher to help a seeker move from Srishti Drishti Vaada to...
Were my Dvaitam practices a waste?
Question:After coming onto the Advaitam path, the thought arises whether all the Dvaitam practices done for the past decades were a waste? Answer:No dear, that is just the Ego throwing tantrums. Ignore the tantrums and recognize the progression of the...
Is sadhana alone not sufficient for attaining moksha?
Question: Ekta didi, If we are doing our sadhana and meditation which then what is the need for knowledge? Is sadhana alone not sufficient for attaining moksha? Please guide me, I am stuck in this. Answer: Let me explain how a Spiritual teacher teaches and what...
The source of the I-thought is Silence!
Question: Concentration on 'I' thought seems to be an on and off process. I get a glimpse that concentration on 'I-thought' will remove the identification with the body but the more I concentrate on the 'I' the more I feel the presence of my body. Am I doing something...
Thought is not conscious!
Question:Didi,In the example that you gave during the session, the 1st thought arose out of my previous conditioning that on Sundays I have to attend Atma Nirvriti class. The second thought arose out of the habit of being lazy and the last thought arose out of my...
The Sun is always shining!
Question:The response of the mind to ‘Perceptions are not conscious by themselves’ went from fear to denial to acceptance. The mind recognized that it has been thirsting to merge in the Infinite for a while. Then why fear? Answer:This happens in stages as you...
Difference between the witness and pure consciousness!
Question:Didi, could you explain the difference between consciousness and pure consciousness? Answer:Whenever there is an object to witness, then only the witnessing consciousness arises. The witnessing consciousness is called the witness in short. Whenever...
When you drop labels, you find Awareness!
Question:I feel the energy as well, as soon as I sink into silence. I find the energy is intense and overpowering. I am not sure If it is the witness that is witnessing this energy or is it the mind that is feeling this perception. In our last session, we learned that...
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