Ancient Wisdom Pearls
…enter the cave to discover wisdom from ancient Sages relevant in modern times!
Advaita Vedantic Path
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...
Karma Cornering
Questions: Right now my office situation is extremely difficult. I am overloaded, there is a lot of politics. I want to leave the job but I can’t because of my personal situation. The stress is affecting my health and I am taking sleeping pills. I am struggling to get...
How to come out of the dream?
Question: When I don’t know/realize that I’m living in a dream then how do I come out of the dream? – is it right to even think that I should come out (is there something outside of this ) OR think that it’s a dream n nothing matters & live in the dream? ...
Have a ‘Pure’ Guru Poornima!
Question: What are the important things that a sincere seeker should understand about Guru Poornima? I was wondering how should a sincere seeker and disciple’s acharan [behaviour] be on the spiritual path especially in the presence of a Guru. Please guide. ...
The trap of Maaya
Question: Dear Ektaji, why do we respect only greatness? Why do we set goals by comparing with bigger and better only? However our benchmarks of Greatness keep changing as we ourselves evolve, and we keep chasing one or other desires. What is a right way to look upon...
Drop Judging!
Question: I attended a family reunion last week, first time in a long time being in such a large gathering for an extended period. I noticed that even though I could let go of judging externally, i.e. expressing my judgements, I still found myself judging internally....
Is Faith required?
Question: Didi, what is the meaning of faith? An experience, made me think about what faith means to me anymore. From my understanding I think there are no Gods up there in the sky, there is nobody to hold onto. I see the flow brings situations into life and just like...
You are GOD! Only GOD is! You do not exist!
Question: Hi Ekta ji, Loved your analogy of white and green dress with body and soul. However, continuing with this analogy if the dress is the body and the body in white or green dress who did the action is the soul, then how come “I am not the doer” be said since...
Your name does not belong to you!
Question: Didi, I am 30 +. My Mom has nothing but to give advice every day and scold me. She always says negative about me and no encouragement. I cannot ignore them and I am getting angry at them and I decided not to call her for months. Even after many years, they...
If life is a happening, then what do I celebrate? what do I strive for?
Question: I understand that I am not the 5 elements, I am not the body, the mind or the intellect. I am not any labels, I am not male or female, young or old etc. I am a Sakshi, a witness and I am the pure consciousness. My question is: I therefore, can nearly...
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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...
Karma Cornering
Questions: Right now my office situation is extremely difficult. I am overloaded, there is a lot of politics. I want to leave the job but I can’t because of my personal situation. The stress is affecting my health and I am taking sleeping pills. I am struggling to get...
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Buddha’s Path
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...
Want to spend an afternoon interacting with a fully enlightened person… How to find one?
Question: I have a very deep thirst for knowing the Truth of ‘Who am I?’ I follow Ramana Maharshi’s teachings but it is so difficult to find a fully enlightened being to spend some time with and learn the Truth. I want to spend an afternoon speaking with a person who...
Gossipmongers on the spiritual path are wrong numbers!
Question: I just figured that one of my spiritual world colleagues is jealous because I am meditating longer hours and have become quieter than her. She herself acknowledges that she is a loose cannon. She gossips a lot even about her own family life. She tried to...
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...
Dealing with Sexual desires on the spiritual path!
Question: What should be the effort from our side to get over sexual desire on the spiritual path, if we should not suppress it? If we express it aren’t we making those impressions stronger? What should be our attitude towards it? Answer: Have you played with a...
Benefits of Vipassana or Satipatthana
Question: I went for the 10 days retreat. The experience was very fulfilling. On day 4 of the Vipassana program during meditation, I was vividly seeing the events from my childhood more than 35 years ago which upset me very much and I was unable to sleep that night. I...
Buddhadvaita could be your way!
Question: Ektaji, in Anapana meditation, when I observe my breath after few minutes of unknown thoughts appear then I am gone (unaware about anything) then again I realize I have to be aware of the breath then again the same thing happens. This way I'm not able to be...
How to respect elders even when they are wrong?
Question: What should we do when we are in a dilemma of whether to respect our elders and not hurt their feelings even if we know they are wrong or support what we think is right to help a needful person who has got no support from anyone even if it involves going...
Yardstick to measure spiritual progress
Question: What is the yardstick to measure my spiritual progress? How do I know if I am progressing spiritually? Answer: The yardstick to measure your spiritual progress is: ‘Equanimity + Awareness’. *Equanimity = [Internal Non-Reaction + External Non-Reaction]...
Killing microbes accrues Karma or not?
Question: I am a novice Buddhist. I admit that killing any living beings leads to negative karma production. Is there any explanation in karma formation in killing microorganisms? I had this debate with my friend, he claims microbes have some sort of intelligence,...
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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...
Want to spend an afternoon interacting with a fully enlightened person… How to find one?
Question: I have a very deep thirst for knowing the Truth of ‘Who am I?’ I follow Ramana Maharshi’s teachings but it is so difficult to find a fully enlightened being to spend some time with and learn the Truth. I want to spend an afternoon speaking with a person who...
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Individual Spirituality
Karma Cornering
Questions: Right now my office situation is extremely difficult. I am overloaded, there is a lot of politics. I want to leave the job but I can’t because of my personal situation. The stress is affecting my health and I am taking sleeping pills. I am struggling to get...
Want to spend an afternoon interacting with a fully enlightened person… How to find one?
Question: I have a very deep thirst for knowing the Truth of ‘Who am I?’ I follow Ramana Maharshi’s teachings but it is so difficult to find a fully enlightened being to spend some time with and learn the Truth. I want to spend an afternoon speaking with a person who...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Are there karmic consequences to eating meat?
Question: Good afternoon. I have been raised as a pure vegetarian. I am however married to a Bengali (love marriage) who has been raised on fish and meat. I love my husband a lot and do not want him to suffer the karmic consequences of eating meat. I feel very anxious...
Who are you?
Question: When we say 'know yourself' or 'realize yourself' who you or "your true nature" or real self, It looks like we are pointing towards the ONE Self who is SELF of all, our inner self or in other words the ocean in which waves are happening like individuals with...
No ‘I’ No ‘You’!
Question: Sutras from the higher chapters of Ashtavakra Gita and Narada Bhaktisutras clearly mention that you are already enlightened and that there is no need to meditate, then why are meditations encouraged by so many? How do I get to a stage where no meditation is...
Is being a witness and being 100% aware the same?
Question 1: I was practicing 100% awareness for most of the day. But it seemed to me that as I was 100% aware, I was also totally aware of what I was experiencing through the senses – I was totally aware of what my body and mind were doing. It seemed to be an...
How to thank the Infinite?
Someone asked me how to thank that infinite power? What could I do for God that would be the closest possible thanks to him? I answered, “God does not need your prayer, rites, rituals. He really does not need your flowers, fruit, coconut, etc. God wants every...
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Karma Cornering
Questions: Right now my office situation is extremely difficult. I am overloaded, there is a lot of politics. I want to leave the job but I can’t because of my personal situation. The stress is affecting my health and I am taking sleeping pills. I am struggling to get...
Want to spend an afternoon interacting with a fully enlightened person… How to find one?
Question: I have a very deep thirst for knowing the Truth of ‘Who am I?’ I follow Ramana Maharshi’s teachings but it is so difficult to find a fully enlightened being to spend some time with and learn the Truth. I want to spend an afternoon speaking with a person who...
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General Spirituality
Stand up for what is right even if you have to stand alone!
Question: Didi, I see that people around me do all kinds of corrupt and unwholesome things – lie, steal, twist facts, play games with me, do politics in office as well as at home. These people are very successful and rich. They seem to have a powerful position among...
How to give it back to the evil people in life?
Question: I’m following the Buddha’s path of compassion but I need advice on how to treat people who treat you unfairly, cold-heartedly or are just evil people? I have been running into a lot of problems with it. I’ve been ignoring people. But I’m starting to 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...
Have a ‘Pure’ Guru Poornima!
Question: What are the important things that a sincere seeker should understand about Guru Poornima? I was wondering how should a sincere seeker and disciple’s acharan [behaviour] be on the spiritual path especially in the presence of a Guru. Please guide. ...
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...
How to respect elders even when they are wrong?
Question: What should we do when we are in a dilemma of whether to respect our elders and not hurt their feelings even if we know they are wrong or support what we think is right to help a needful person who has got no support from anyone even if it involves going...
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'....
Psychological and Spiritual Poverty
Question: Hello Ekta, In the field of Psychology, there is a concept of psychological poverty due to a lack of formative years of unconditional love. Is there something like spiritual poverty that could be a possibility in such individuals who suffer from...
Are there karmic consequences to eating meat?
Question: Good afternoon. I have been raised as a pure vegetarian. I am however married to a Bengali (love marriage) who has been raised on fish and meat. I love my husband a lot and do not want him to suffer the karmic consequences of eating meat. I feel very anxious...
What is EGO ?
Question: What is ego? Answer: When one is caught up in the duality of “I” and “You”, it is called Dwaita. This sense of separation between “I” and “You” is the root cause of anger, jealousy, hatred, etc. This sense of separation is Ego. Ego is simply when...
Statue Bhatakti Atma!
Question: I have come to realize lately that my mind has learned my trick of taking a step back to go into witness consciousness during meditation. These days when I want to practice it anytime throughout the day, my mind cunningly jumps in and starts a conversation...
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Stand up for what is right even if you have to stand alone!
Question: Didi, I see that people around me do all kinds of corrupt and unwholesome things – lie, steal, twist facts, play games with me, do politics in office as well as at home. These people are very successful and rich. They seem to have a powerful position among...
How to give it back to the evil people in life?
Question: I’m following the Buddha’s path of compassion but I need advice on how to treat people who treat you unfairly, cold-heartedly or are just evil people? I have been running into a lot of problems with it. I’ve been ignoring people. But I’m starting to feel...
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Kabir’s Path
Gossipmongers on the spiritual path are wrong numbers!
Question: I just figured that one of my spiritual world colleagues is jealous because I am meditating longer hours and have become quieter than her. She herself acknowledges that she is a loose cannon. She gossips a lot even about her own family life. She tried to...
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 burn down the house!
Question: Why does Kabir talk about burning down the house in this Doha? Main mera ghar jaadiya, liyo paleeta haath, koi agar jaado ghar aapro, chale hamaare saath I burnt down my house with a flaming torch If you can scorch your own house, come join me! ...
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...
![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 -...
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Gossipmongers on the spiritual path are wrong numbers!
Question: I just figured that one of my spiritual world colleagues is jealous because I am meditating longer hours and have become quieter than her. She herself acknowledges that she is a loose cannon. She gossips a lot even about her own family life. She tried to...
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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Ramana Maharshi’s Path
Want to spend an afternoon interacting with a fully enlightened person… How to find one?
Question: I have a very deep thirst for knowing the Truth of ‘Who am I?’ I follow Ramana Maharshi’s teachings but it is so difficult to find a fully enlightened being to spend some time with and learn the Truth. I want to spend an afternoon speaking with a person who...
Why shouldn’t one simply follow a Guru blindly?
Dear Ektaji, I can grasp your teachings very well. I also know that you see the truth. Then why shouldn't I simply follow you blindly? Why is there insistence on following the inner Guru as opposed to an external Guru on the path of Advaita Vedanta? It is so easy to...
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...
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...
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...
No ‘I’ No ‘You’!
Question: Sutras from the higher chapters of Ashtavakra Gita and Narada Bhaktisutras clearly mention that you are already enlightened and that there is no need to meditate, then why are meditations encouraged by so many? How do I get to a stage where no meditation is...
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...
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...
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...
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Want to spend an afternoon interacting with a fully enlightened person… How to find one?
Question: I have a very deep thirst for knowing the Truth of ‘Who am I?’ I follow Ramana Maharshi’s teachings but it is so difficult to find a fully enlightened being to spend some time with and learn the Truth. I want to spend an afternoon speaking with a person who...
Why shouldn’t one simply follow a Guru blindly?
Dear Ektaji, I can grasp your teachings very well. I also know that you see the truth. Then why shouldn't I simply follow you blindly? Why is there insistence on following the inner Guru as opposed to an external Guru on the path of Advaita Vedanta? It is so easy to...
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Atmananda’s Path
Truth reveals itself slowly…
Question: Dear Ektaji.The power of attention in order to come to the NOW is heavily promoted in many spiritual circles. But in my direct experience, I am either paying full attention to something/someone or not. Either way, it is a happening that presumably is part of...
Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists!
Question: Dear Ekta, I notice on the spiritual path, some people experience fear, some sadness but I guess they don't understand that nothing can be lost. To quote A Course in Miracles: "Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists. Therein lies the peace of...
Labeling thoughts is doership
Question: When I watch the arisings with open eyes as I go about my day, I have noticed that sometimes l label arisings like, " I-thought", "trigger for habit pattern thought ", "desire/raga thought", "obsessive thought", etc. I understand that goal is silence and...
Why shouldn’t one simply follow a Guru blindly?
Dear Ektaji, I can grasp your teachings very well. I also know that you see the truth. Then why shouldn't I simply follow you blindly? Why is there insistence on following the inner Guru as opposed to an external Guru on the path of Advaita Vedanta? It is so easy to...
The two witnesses!
Question: Ektaji, in deep sleep, Awareness is resting as Pure Consciousness. There is no world. Then how is Awareness aware of being asleep or unconscious? (Ch. 11, I AM THAT) Answer: Nisargadatta Maharaj has explained that there are two stages of Witnessing:...
Witness the transactional reality!
Question: How to interact in the transactional reality mode [Vyavaharik satyam] without offending anyone as I feel distant, quiet, indifferent, and absorbed in the Witness Consciousness [Adhyatmik satyam] around friends and family? Answer: Once you start...
Is desire not a thought?
Question: Didi, please would you explain if Vichara [thought] and Vasana [desire] are the same or different? Is desire, not a thought? Answer: There is a major difference between Vichara [thought] and Vasana [desire]. Nisargadatta Maharaj has explained it in...
Intuition and Inner Voice
Question: Dear Ektaji, Is intuition a form of mind phenomenon (feeling), or is it an inner 'voice of consciousness'? Answer: The witness/infinite void never speaks. So there is no question of a voice to arise from it. Let's take an example of getting caught up...
Guru Ashtakam helps one look inwards toward the Inner Guru!
Question: Ektaji, sometimes, I listen to Guru Astakam as it helps my mind/EGO to dissolve into Turiya or Amness. On further self-inquiry, Turiya merges back to void or Brahman. Am I going in the right direction? [YouTube link to Guru Astakam by Shankaracharya...
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,...
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Truth reveals itself slowly…
Question: Dear Ektaji.The power of attention in order to come to the NOW is heavily promoted in many spiritual circles. But in my direct experience, I am either paying full attention to something/someone or not. Either way, it is a happening that presumably is part of...
Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists!
Question: Dear Ekta, I notice on the spiritual path, some people experience fear, some sadness but I guess they don't understand that nothing can be lost. To quote A Course in Miracles: "Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists. Therein lies the peace of...
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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?
Ask Ekta