Ancient Wisdom Pearls
…enter the cave to discover wisdom from ancient Sages relevant in modern times!
Advaita Vedantic Path
Everything is but a vibration. Matter does not exist!
Question: JGD Ekthaji, Reference: YG page 25 para 3 – Vasishtha is talking to Rama on the vibrations and their impact. Does the vibration here means the event(s) that are occurring to this body-consciousness in order to experience the ignorance and later the Glory?...
You are not the doer!
Question: We strongly believe – Everything is happening. We are not doing anything. It is foolishness to think, I worked hard to achieve my current state…On the other hand – we also say, we should do our duties. We have to make sure, we do our sadhana. We have to...
Free will is a misnomer!
Question: Ekta Ji, Please can you elaborate on this. Is there no free will? I thought only few things like birth, death, longevity of life, source of birth are predetermined. Others, we can change our karmas. The statement below contradicts. Please share!“As long as...
Do we accumulate karma if we scold loved ones for doing wrong?
Question: Do we accumulate karma if we scold loved ones or try to correct them when they do something wrong? Answer: Again Karmas are not caused out of the action or thought, but Karmas are caused by the attachment/emotion associated with the action or thought....
Marriage or Seva?
Question: I want to do seva to progress spiritually. I feel I will progress much more if I were at my master’s feet than being at home. I also do not want to get married, but my mother wants me to get married. I am in a quandary. Should I focus on my spiritual path,...
Your mother-in-law is one of your very strong past Karma!
Question: I am not very talkative and like to be in knowledge. My Mother in law is the opposite and whenever she is around she keeps talking a lot. I try to stay quiet but she expects me to talk too. And if I am quite she will not stop trying until she makes me talk....
How does raaga(likes) and dvesha(dislikes) become an impression?
Question: JGD Ektaji, about Ragaa and Dwesha, it is natural to have a feeling of like and dislike. Is it a problem if we have a ragaa and dwesha as a fleeting impression or something that lasts few hours or a day etc. I understand rubbing the impression in creates the...
To Act, or Not To Act?
Question: With today’s knowledge, I know I should take life as a game but I was cheated in business. Should I drop it too, or should I pursue the case I filed with the lawyer? Question: I work for a profit oriented company and there is a lot of political stuff...
What is seeking?
Question: I quit my job and interviewed for another one. They offered me an entry level position with a pay less than half of what I am currently making. I did not accept the offer. My previous boss is working on getting me back at my old job. By me not accepting the...
Speaking is a skill for the wise!
Question: You said it is best to keep quiet unless you have something positive or helpful to say. I used to do this, but people used to say that I am unfriendly, uninterested or arrogant. Should I speak up more to create a better environment around people or should I...
Is there something like “too much spiritual knowledge”?
Question: All who worship what is not real knowledge, enter into blind darkness: those who delight in real knowledge, enter, as it were, into greater darkness. This is excerpt from Ishavasya Upanishad, what struck me was that people who worship worldly knowledge are...
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Everything is but a vibration. Matter does not exist!
Question: JGD Ekthaji, Reference: YG page 25 para 3 – Vasishtha is talking to Rama on the vibrations and their impact. Does the vibration here means the event(s) that are occurring to this body-consciousness in order to experience the ignorance and later the Glory?...
You are not the doer!
Question: We strongly believe – Everything is happening. We are not doing anything. It is foolishness to think, I worked hard to achieve my current state…On the other hand – we also say, we should do our duties. We have to make sure, we do our sadhana. We have to...
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Buddha’s Path
Marriage or Seva?
Question: I want to do seva to progress spiritually. I feel I will progress much more if I were at my master’s feet than being at home. I also do not want to get married, but my mother wants me to get married. I am in a quandary. Should I focus on my spiritual path,...
Dealing with Suicidal thoughts
Question: Everything around me seems to go against me. My son has been sitting doing NOTHING since he graduated. My brother has been fighting a fierce divorce case with his wife and lost his home, money, kids and job. My father has shut himself up. My mother remains...
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...
Will my medical condition disappear during meditation?
Question: I have a common chronic medical condition. Like my awareness, it is always there. But, when my mind is full of activity I do not notice it. I meditate for an hour a day and have moments of complete peace and calm. The condition, however, is ever-present. If...
Dealing with disrespectful people using Buddha’s principles of observing sensations!
Question:At work, few people are disrespectful in team meetings. I understand emotions arise due to1] my dvesha [I do not have a powerful physical voice or authoritative position, etc].2] my fear of “trump effect” that the authoritative figure is disrespecting,...
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...
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Marriage or Seva?
Question: I want to do seva to progress spiritually. I feel I will progress much more if I were at my master’s feet than being at home. I also do not want to get married, but my mother wants me to get married. I am in a quandary. Should I focus on my spiritual path,...
Dealing with Suicidal thoughts
Question: Everything around me seems to go against me. My son has been sitting doing NOTHING since he graduated. My brother has been fighting a fierce divorce case with his wife and lost his home, money, kids and job. My father has shut himself up. My mother remains...
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Individual Spirituality
“OM” is not just a sound, it is a vibration!
Question: “Om” is the antidote to both sound AND sight? I didn’t get this, how it could be the antidote to the latter? Answer: Because “OM” is not just a sound, it is a vibration. According to the scientists, the entire universe is a wave function. Just a...
Does the vaccine affect the Self?
Question: Dear Ekatji,I have a concern about whether I should be vaccinated or not I am really not sure. My life is being the same before the pandemic and now during this pandemic, my life is so simple I am not in the rush for things to be like before the pandemic, I...
Do you test the participants before admitting them to Gurukul?
Question: Dear Didi, I want to join your Gurukul system, but I know that I am far from being eligible right now. I am too attached to this Samsara and my yearning is not strong enough for the highest truth. What are the requirements for someone to be admitted to...
Ego got you in! Ego gets you out!
Question: JGD Didi, my whole life is a cycle of I’s (Egos).. it is a sine curve of I’s and the people, situations and things are only a tool to help me recognize the ‘I’ fluctuation. If it’s been all about the ‘I’, how can one be selfish about his/her...
Overwhelmed by to-do’s? Naah!
Question: You have so many people asking you so many questions from all around the world……I’m sure you could fill every free minute you have (waiting for an appointment, waiting in the grocery check-out lane, sitting in the bathroom) just writing out responses. And...
Kapti Mann
Question: If my entire life, I keep on thinking about my raagas and dveshas and try to remove all the karma that I have created in the past, it will take billions of lifetimes and I will never be able to empty my karma bag. Is that the purpose of the raaga dvesha...
Dispassion or Ego?
Question: Is it important for the outside world to accept my change in personality/ my growing dispassion? I don’t care about or see the outside world and when an ego of an external person/world comes up, I concentrate to focus on myself and the present moment and the...
How do I experience Silence during meditation ?
Question: “Drop the small mind”. I understand one way is to keep saying I am not the body, I am not the mind, I am not the ego etc. I do this during meditation, yet I am unable to TRULY drop the mind just does not go away.A few thoughts come then they stop but I am...
Non-stealing in the mind
Question: Patanjali says, that we should not steal even in our mind. Asteya – Non-stealing. I have a habit of always wishing for others’ things, others’ possessions, others’ looks. I really want to get over this because I know, in the process only I am suffering. The...
Dealing with ‘harsh’ behavior
Question: If someone is behaving harsh and not accepting it rather want me to be kind and show humility and accept them and they will continue to be the same. How to handle them in this situation? Answer: There are 2 techniques to learn and apply here: 1]...
Are you worthy of Spiritual Knowledge?
Question : Sometimes I wonder that, am I even worthy of this highest and beautiful knowledge? Even after studying and applying the knowledge we sometimes lose the path and get involved in cravings, desires and get carried away by sense organs. It is then it comes to...
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“OM” is not just a sound, it is a vibration!
Question: “Om” is the antidote to both sound AND sight? I didn’t get this, how it could be the antidote to the latter? Answer: Because “OM” is not just a sound, it is a vibration. According to the scientists, the entire universe is a wave function. Just a...
Does the vaccine affect the Self?
Question: Dear Ekatji,I have a concern about whether I should be vaccinated or not I am really not sure. My life is being the same before the pandemic and now during this pandemic, my life is so simple I am not in the rush for things to be like before the pandemic, I...
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General Spirituality
Is it a Raaga or a mere preference?
Question: Ektaji, It is difficult to completely drop raaga and dvesha. For example, I interview several candidates for a job and based on my likes and dislikes within professional guidelines I select or reject a candidate. Within first 5 minutes of interview I...
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...
Reacting in Dreams
Question: During the daytime a thought came to me, to say something nasty to my colleague in office. But I stopped myself and I let go of that dvesha [aversion] and I also forgot about it. By the time it was evening and I came home, I felt very strong. I felt very...
Do you test the participants before admitting them to Gurukul?
Question: Dear Didi, I want to join your Gurukul system, but I know that I am far from being eligible right now. I am too attached to this Samsara and my yearning is not strong enough for the highest truth. What are the requirements for someone to be admitted to...
Dealing with Possessiveness
Question: What if it is not me who is possessive, but someone else is possessive of me , rather obsessive almost to the sick levels of possessing me, what is that I should or should not do. Answer: Recognize that it is just a play of the elements and that person’s...
Are you in good company?
Question: If the people around me are not good, will it affect my spiritual growth? Answer: The company you keep matters a lot, especially on the spiritual path. For e.g. if a group of people is sitting and laughing, you are passing from there and decide...
Consistent effort is the only way out!
Question: JGD Ektaji, I have seen many of your videos. Needless to say I loved them all . Sometimes I feel that I should first be very regular with my sadhana/practice. Because the knowledge that you explain is so very good that I feel as if I first need to clear to...
How do thoughts generate in the mind?
Questions: How does the thought generate in our mind? Answer: From a Dvaitam perspective: Thoughts generate out of the subconscious. Now what is the quality of your subconscious? It depends on the conditioning of your mind from: Associations [people] – associations...
Dealing with difficult people & situations
Question: Dear Ekta, I really don’t trust my business partner as he cheats on tax and my share of profits. I also realize that it must be karma, so I have to deal with this. At this moment I don’t have an alternative, because I have to pay my bills. All the savings...
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...
To Facebook or not?
Question: With the advent of social media and uncontrolled use of it, we have added immensely to the list of Raagas and Dveshas especially on viewing people’s profiles, photos or posting messages. In a very subtle way, it impacts the mind and adds to my cravings...
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Is it a Raaga or a mere preference?
Question: Ektaji, It is difficult to completely drop raaga and dvesha. For example, I interview several candidates for a job and based on my likes and dislikes within professional guidelines I select or reject a candidate. Within first 5 minutes of interview I...
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...
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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...
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! Answer: Kabir...
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...
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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...
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Ramana Maharshi’s Path
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...
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...
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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...
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Atmananda’s Path
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...
Can thoughts cease?
Question: Will the thoughts cease with the Advaita knowledge of being the Witness? Answer: There is Peace when you take the stand as the Witness but the Peace itself is not silent. The thoughts still continue to arise from this Peace, just like waves arise from...
Mind’s attention OR the Witness?
Question: Dear Ekta, How can I clearly distinguish between the mind's attention and the witness? Answer: Let's start with an analogy. When you stand in front of the mirror, you see a reflection of yourself there. Go on and experiment in front of the mirror now!...
The personal world creation and its reflection!
Question: Didi, I have a question regarding personal world creation. I see it having 2 aspects as below- Creating a story in your own mind and projecting it, thus creating your personal world. For eg. Husband came late from the office, I created a story in my head he...
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...
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...
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 as...
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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...
Can thoughts cease?
Question: Will the thoughts cease with the Advaita knowledge of being the Witness? Answer: There is Peace when you take the stand as the Witness but the Peace itself is not silent. The thoughts still continue to arise from this Peace, just like waves arise from...
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Gnyana Sangha
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