Ancient Wisdom Pearls
…enter the cave to discover wisdom from ancient Sages relevant in modern times!
Advaita Vedantic Path
Guru chose me or I chose the Guru?
Question: Didi, I have heard that Guru chooses his disciples and we are not choosing our Guru. Can you please explain this. Answer: One aspect to it is that in the ancient times, the Guru would test the disciple to see if he or she was worthy of the knowledge....
Faith is like falling in love!
Question: Didi, What is faith ? Answer: You don’t know me, you have never met nor have you ever seen me, still you have a firm connection with me and know that I will give you true answers for your questions. This is called Faith 😊 Question: How do I cultivate...
Srimad Bhagwatam condemns Con-Men!
Question: Didi, This verse is from the Srimad Bhagwatam. It criticises the people who earn a livelihood by accepting money on behalf of the Lord. All the new-age spiritual Gurus and Masters are doing the same except for a few. Doesn’t Enlightenment mean that all...
Will I acquire Karma by killing an insect?
Question: Killing an insect with no attachment – Do we acquire Karma impression? Answer: Why would you kill an insect if there was no attachment? There is definitely a dvesha, that’s why the thought of ‘killing’ arises. Dvesha can be in the form of ‘disgust’,...
Reacting to situations/people is a bad habit like smoking
Question: I am practicing “It’s Okay” for every situation. But If some one is sarcastic and if I do not react to them, that always revolves in & around my mind until I do something. I will be free only if I answer back. What to do? Answer: Stop fooling yourself...
Do animals accure Karma?
Question: We are different from animals because we are given the ability to differentiate. Then what happens to pets like dogs and cats? Especially, dogs who go through training, and some dogs are trained to sniff things and fight crime, or people who have pets and...
What do you want to be? ‘King’ or a ‘Beggar’?
Question: JGD Didi, I take up seva with full enthusiasm but then I slack and never complete what I have started or if I do, I am usually doing it thinking what will I get from this. Didi, how can I be motivated to do more seva? How to train my mind to be lazy or...
MIND MANAGEMENT!
Question: Patanjali said that smriti is also a vritti. My grandmother passed away last year and I miss her a lot. If I try to ignore her thoughts my mind says if you will forget her you will not meet her ever. And yes I wish to meet her again. Why is it so? Why are we...
Vashistha talks about Fate and Self-effort
Question: I am reading the Yoga Vasistha these days, could you please explain to me pages 22-24 of the Supreme Yoga – by Swami Venkatesananda, where he talks about Fate and self effort? Answer: Vasistha says that ‘Self effort’ is of 2 types: 1 – Self effort of...
You chose your parents! How?
Question: In the karma video you have mentioned that the soul selects his/her parent for a new body and environment. Does the soul make this decision guided by a certain thing (if it is guided by our sanchita? are we aware of our sanchita in that soul state)? or...
How do you tell the difference between fear and intuition ?
Question: I've been feeling extremely anxious (more than normal). I try to resist negative thoughts, but they keep coming up. How do I handle this? Somehow, I can't shake off this anxious feeling of something bad might happen. Also, intuition and fear are 2 different...
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Guru chose me or I chose the Guru?
Question: Didi, I have heard that Guru chooses his disciples and we are not choosing our Guru. Can you please explain this. Answer: One aspect to it is that in the ancient times, the Guru would test the disciple to see if he or she was worthy of the knowledge....
Faith is like falling in love!
Question: Didi, What is faith ? Answer: You don’t know me, you have never met nor have you ever seen me, still you have a firm connection with me and know that I will give you true answers for your questions. This is called Faith 😊 Question: How do I cultivate...
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Buddha’s Path
Fear of the ‘Law of Attraction’
Question: It is said, 'whatever/wherever you put your thought to, you dissolve into it’? I understand the gross meaning of this that wherever I put focus my on, my mind starts working towards that or on the way of achieving that. However, if I am upset about someone...
Resistance to meditation
Question: Dear Ekta, I have a question. You told us to give the divine the highest priority. For a few years I have been doing do my practice every day. Every day I spend time on studying the knowledge. Also trying to implement this. I never skip a knowledge session...
Dispassion connects you to the present moment… How?
Question: In spite of my readings and video watching, I am still trying to understand the concept of dispassion. My friends tell me that when I talk about certain things, they can see how passionate I am. This can be motivating to people. So is to have dispassion, the...
Srimad Bhagwatam condemns Con-Men!
Question: Didi, This verse is from the Srimad Bhagwatam. It criticises the people who earn a livelihood by accepting money on behalf of the Lord. All the new-age spiritual Gurus and Masters are doing the same except for a few. Doesn’t Enlightenment mean that all...
Thought body and Intuitive body
Question: What's the difference between thought body and intuitive body? Answer: Only awareness is the tool that can help distinguish a thought from an intuition. Here are a few tell-tale signs. Thought - Very clearly, if you notice a raaga or dvesha lurking in...
Mahati Vinashayati – The greatest disaster!
Question : When I am upset with someone or angry I tell myself to be calm and not to throw any agami seeds. My mind comes back saying I am ready to take rebirth. How do I get out of this cycle? Answer: You must first pat yourself for asking this question. Very...
Meditation is not for me!
Question: While meditating, not even once have I listened to the whole meditation, there are variety of things happening every single time: 1. As soon as I close my eyes, even when I am paying attention to the voice, my mind starts drifting.2. or a dreamlike state...
New Years vows for the sake of spiritual progress!
Happy New Year Angels! In the new year, let’s take Buddha’s vows to make it the year where your spiritual wisdom grows at rocket speed. Remember, your own experience is your teacher. If in your own experience, you feel impure inside, it is because of the lack of...
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...
Just DO NOthing!
Question: How do you meditate on a specific subject? For example, I think I can utilize deep meditation to get a stronger comprehension of love and how that’s what I’m made of etc etc. But if I’m already in meditation, to try to grab at a specific subject takes me out...
Life is flowing, just flow with a smile!
Question: I have to make a decision. How do I let “Life take its course”, how do I flow with it and where does my Purushartha come into play? What do I have to do to stop pretending to be a doer? With all the decision making and choices to choose from, how do I...
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Fear of the ‘Law of Attraction’
Question: It is said, 'whatever/wherever you put your thought to, you dissolve into it’? I understand the gross meaning of this that wherever I put focus my on, my mind starts working towards that or on the way of achieving that. However, if I am upset about someone...
Resistance to meditation
Question: Dear Ekta, I have a question. You told us to give the divine the highest priority. For a few years I have been doing do my practice every day. Every day I spend time on studying the knowledge. Also trying to implement this. I never skip a knowledge session...
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Individual Spirituality
Journey from external to internal
Question: Dear Ektaji, I have been with a spiritual organizaion for 15 yrs now, have done courses, seva, satsang(less of seva though :-), could be better) … However, one question that has never been understood is going within. Journey from external to internal. I am...
Mind retaliates to your answer on craving for Guru!
Question: Ektaji, My bhakti kicked in and did a little revolt against the answer – https://ektabathija.com/craving-for-guru/ Divine craving (for the physical guru or the tattva) is in my faith a blessing..does Mukti not happen through Grace? Once we reach a stage in...
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...
HAPPY BUDDHA POORNIMA!
Jai Guru Dev! Happy Vesak. What is Vesak? It is a Pali word for Vesākha or Buddha Poornima. Buddha was born, he got enlightened and he died, all on the same day. It is called Vesak in Pali. That was the language of those times. Buddha spoke in that language. If you...
MIND MANAGEMENT!
Question: Patanjali said that smriti is also a vritti. My grandmother passed away last year and I miss her a lot. If I try to ignore her thoughts my mind says if you will forget her you will not meet her ever. And yes I wish to meet her again. Why is it so? Why are we...
If you don’t drop dvesha, you might be born to it!
Question: I have been trying to implement the discipline of non-reaction and being an observer in my life. My current land lady is a perfectionist, extremely organized, very picky with a complaining nature. I find it very difficult to keep her happy. Despite listening...
Alligator Karma!
Question: I read about a crocodile/alligator grabbing a child in a national park and eating it. I felt very sad. I think it is wrong to say that it was that little child’s karma. Is it not allowing the culprit to run free if we keep blaming the victim for his/her...
Does spirituality reduce the desire for sex?
Question: Some have very strong desires and need sex anywhere between 2/3 times a week. Some have not had sex in months. Some are frustrated that one of the partner initiates all the time. Some have never had great need for sex right from a very young age. Some talk...
Karma payback!
Question: JGD Didi, If I do my best to overcome my own raagas and dveshas and not create agami karma towards person A and I am successful. But, if person A has a lot of dvesha towards me does this mean that I will have to come back. Just so that he can get over his...
Does a fleeting thought create karma?
Question: If we have a fleeting thought, which is a negative thought about someone, does it create an attachment due to the dvesha or does it have to be continuous thoughts incessantly one after another about the dvesha for that person to create an attachment? Which...
Does planning happen in present or future?
Question: Some more explanation on ‘planning happens in the present moment’ will be helpful to me. Often, when I am walking [morning walk] or meditating, a thought or an idea arises on what needs to be done to resolve a current issue, without any intentional...
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Journey from external to internal
Question: Dear Ektaji, I have been with a spiritual organizaion for 15 yrs now, have done courses, seva, satsang(less of seva though :-), could be better) … However, one question that has never been understood is going within. Journey from external to internal. I am...
Mind retaliates to your answer on craving for Guru!
Question: Ektaji, My bhakti kicked in and did a little revolt against the answer – https://ektabathija.com/craving-for-guru/ Divine craving (for the physical guru or the tattva) is in my faith a blessing..does Mukti not happen through Grace? Once we reach a stage in...
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General Spirituality
Spiritual Anxiety!
Question: Jai Gurudev Ektaji, For the past 3 months I have been regularly doing my sadhana every morning. Also, I have been listening to and reading knowledge more regularly than before. But I have noticed that I have become much more sensitive to my thoughts and...
Become Mortgage-free from relationship patterns
Question: JGD Ektaji, I have been dumped by my boyfriend and I just cannot find the courage to let go and move on. My ego is hurt and I really want to know why? Why has this happened to me? I want to still make it happen but he just won’t listen. I keep begging him...
Dispassion connects you to the present moment… How?
Question: In spite of my readings and video watching, I am still trying to understand the concept of dispassion. My friends tell me that when I talk about certain things, they can see how passionate I am. This can be motivating to people. So is to have dispassion, the...
How does the mind of an Enlightened function?
Question: As a realized sage reads a newspaper, looks at the words, does the mind faculty in him read the words out loud? Even as I read there is a voice in the head clearly enunciating every word or since they are realized, the content is just felt, because they are...
Connect with the Master internally instead of the external physical body!
Question: I did feel a strong connection to my Guru when I did the course. But 3 years later now, I don’t feel anything. When I go to Ashram, I see people in crowds getting excited about Guruji, to take his blessings, to take a photograph with him. But I don’t feel...
Craving for Guru!
Question: Is love for my Guru a Raaga? Will it bring us back in next lifetime with him? what if one does not seek Mukti but only want to be with their Guru in every life? Answer: Then one has not progressed spiritually at all. One has just substituted his...
Many Masters One Path
Question: Why do you teach so many scriptures from different paths and not restrict to one particular religion/sect/organization only? Answer: Since 1998, I have propagated scriptures by several spiritual masters. I know for sure from my experience that ALL...
Apaatra Daanam – Charity to the unworthy!
Question: Dear Ektaji,When do we call it Apatradanam? My husband and I helped on several occasions, our Indian temple priest by giving guru Dakshina in US dollars. Now there is a request for money for his daughter’s dental procedure. Because I can not help out of my...
So many spiritual techniques! So much confusion!
Question: Before coming on to the spiritual path, life was simple. You study, you pass the exam. You don’t study, you fail. Now with the half-baked Knowledge, for anything you worry a thousand things: Whether I am witness consciousness or working with Raaga-Dvesha?...
How to do proper darshan of the Guru during Guru Poornima?
Question: Ektaji Jai Guru Dev, Can you please give me tips on how to get a Proper True Darshan of Gurudev during this upcoming Guru Poornima. The mind gets swept away with the much fanfare and misses seeing the Guru in his full presence. How do we not get caught in...
Prisoner of past or Pioneer of future!
Question: Didi, how to overcome the bad habit of reacting to other people. I always react and then regret that I should not have behaved so. Please guide me. Answer: Very few people realize that the actual problem is ‘with their own selves’ and ‘not with...
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Spiritual Anxiety!
Question: Jai Gurudev Ektaji, For the past 3 months I have been regularly doing my sadhana every morning. Also, I have been listening to and reading knowledge more regularly than before. But I have noticed that I have become much more sensitive to my thoughts and...
Become Mortgage-free from relationship patterns
Question: JGD Ektaji, I have been dumped by my boyfriend and I just cannot find the courage to let go and move on. My ego is hurt and I really want to know why? Why has this happened to me? I want to still make it happen but he just won’t listen. I keep begging him...
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Kabir’s Path
![Difference between the Gnyani [self-realized] and the Acharya [learned one]!](https://ektabathija.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/sun-tree-400x250.jpg)
Difference between the Gnyani [self-realized] and the Acharya [learned one]!
Question: In chapter 4 verse 34 of the Bhagavad Gita it says:"Learn the Truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him with reverence and render service unto him. Such an enlightened Saint can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the Truth." My...
Ignore the lust for mystical experiences…that is not true spirituality!
Question: Ekta Ji, in a dream, even if certain events are unlikely, they may look sooo.. convincing... I am still practicing to witness myself in both states. But I could experience the particles from my limbs raises and fill up the whole body like air or dhoopam -...
Everything is programmed! Quit the self-foolery!
Question: One of my friends asked me if as Advaitins so we plan but I found it hard to explain to her that everything is happening as it’s already programmed. The doer-ship is a false assumption. How do I explain this to a non-Advaitin? Answer: You cannot...
Contradictions in Advaita!
Question:Hello Dear Ekta, in the Ramana Maharishi’s Guru videos you asked us whether we recognize the four stages of creation and manifestation of a personal universe, thru Sankalpa - [Inclination/attraction] Kaama - [Lusting ceaselessly] Karma - [repetition/ memory]...
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...
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Difference between the Gnyani [self-realized] and the Acharya [learned one]!
Question: In chapter 4 verse 34 of the Bhagavad Gita it says:"Learn the Truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him with reverence and render service unto him. Such an enlightened Saint can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the Truth." My...
Ignore the lust for mystical experiences…that is not true spirituality!
Question: Ekta Ji, in a dream, even if certain events are unlikely, they may look sooo.. convincing... I am still practicing to witness myself in both states. But I could experience the particles from my limbs raises and fill up the whole body like air or dhoopam -...
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Ramana Maharshi’s Path
Ignore the lust for mystical experiences…that is not true spirituality!
Question: Ekta Ji, in a dream, even if certain events are unlikely, they may look sooo.. convincing... I am still practicing to witness myself in both states. But I could experience the particles from my limbs raises and fill up the whole body like air or dhoopam -...
Many Masters One Path
Question: Why do you teach so many scriptures from different paths and not restrict to one particular religion/sect/organization only? Answer: Since 1998, I have propagated scriptures by several spiritual masters. I know for sure from my experience that ALL...
Contradictions in Advaita!
Question:Hello Dear Ekta, in the Ramana Maharishi’s Guru videos you asked us whether we recognize the four stages of creation and manifestation of a personal universe, thru Sankalpa - [Inclination/attraction] Kaama - [Lusting ceaselessly] Karma - [repetition/ memory]...
Do thoughts cease at least at Self-realization?
Question: Didi, you said in your previous post that "Nothing is going to change by following the spiritual path not even your mind's noise". But Ramana Maharshi session you read out the quote where he said "The degree of the absence of thoughts is the measure of your...
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 an enlightened one, I see consciousness and whatever is emanating from him is just natural. Since he’s in a human...
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Ignore the lust for mystical experiences…that is not true spirituality!
Question: Ekta Ji, in a dream, even if certain events are unlikely, they may look sooo.. convincing... I am still practicing to witness myself in both states. But I could experience the particles from my limbs raises and fill up the whole body like air or dhoopam -...
Many Masters One Path
Question: Why do you teach so many scriptures from different paths and not restrict to one particular religion/sect/organization only? Answer: Since 1998, I have propagated scriptures by several spiritual masters. I know for sure from my experience that ALL...
View all
Atmananda’s Path
Do not get attached to the spiritual mentor!
Question: Ektaji is the Consciousness. Sometimes she manifests as the form of a teacher teaching us. At other times, she manifests as any other person in front of us, be it a family member, friend, or stranger. They are all Ektaji. We are also the Consciousness. There...
Difference between the Gnyani [self-realized] and the Acharya [learned one]!
Question: In chapter 4 verse 34 of the Bhagavad Gita it says:"Learn the Truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him with reverence and render service unto him. Such an enlightened Saint can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the Truth." My...
Ignore the lust for mystical experiences…that is not true spirituality!
Question: Ekta Ji, in a dream, even if certain events are unlikely, they may look sooo.. convincing... I am still practicing to witness myself in both states. But I could experience the particles from my limbs raises and fill up the whole body like air or dhoopam -...
The soundless sound… Anhad Naad!
Question: Thank you so much for the Brahman contemplation on Mandukya Upanishad, it has opened up an amazing open-eyed meditation for me - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scKepUN7nlM The 2nd Mandukya self-inquiry Aum meditation -...
The witness consciousness is not continuous therefore it is illusory!
Question: Didi, in yesterday's blog, it was mentioned- When one can see the witness+mind+body+world as a single oneness, he transcends beyond. I understand that the mind + body+ world is an illusion, but how is the witness also an illusion? Please help me...
Waking versus dream state!
Question: Didi, I noticed that sometimes before this body wakes up in the morning, there is a state where I’m aware that I’m still asleep, no sense of body, just some blurry broken pieces of ‘image’ (‘thought)… and then I wake up. Sometimes I wake up before the alarm...
Can spiritual wisdom ever have a negative impact?
Question: Dear Didi. I realized after yesterday's session that without the Advaita basics and guided practice or experiential knowledge, the path to Ajaata Vaad can have a negative effect on the well-being of an everyday mind. Is my understanding correct? ...
Everything is programmed! Quit the self-foolery!
Question: One of my friends asked me if as Advaitins so we plan but I found it hard to explain to her that everything is happening as it’s already programmed. The doer-ship is a false assumption. How do I explain this to a non-Advaitin? Answer: You cannot...
Dive into self-inquiry… don’t stop short!
Question: Thank you Didi for explaining and bringing all the precious knowledge, the truth, and the reality of who we are and how to end this mind/ego suffering, very very grateful. After practicing listening to the 'Anhad Naad', I can recognize the Naad in...
The son of a barren woman is neither in reality nor in illusion.
Question: Ekta Di, can you please explain what this verse means? 'The unreal cannot be born either really or through Maya. For the son of a barren woman is neither in reality nor in illusion'. Answer: In Advaita Vedanta, Mithya [illusion] is clearly defined....
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Do not get attached to the spiritual mentor!
Question: Ektaji is the Consciousness. Sometimes she manifests as the form of a teacher teaching us. At other times, she manifests as any other person in front of us, be it a family member, friend, or stranger. They are all Ektaji. We are also the Consciousness. There...
Difference between the Gnyani [self-realized] and the Acharya [learned one]!
Question: In chapter 4 verse 34 of the Bhagavad Gita it says:"Learn the Truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him with reverence and render service unto him. Such an enlightened Saint can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the Truth." My...
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Gnyana Sangha
Spiritual knowledge can be complicated. So here is a chance to learn from someone who has walked the path and is ready to help a sincere seeker.
Have a Spiritual Question?
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Have a Spiritual Question?
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