Ancient Wisdom Pearls
…enter the cave to discover wisdom from ancient Sages relevant in modern times!
Advaita Vedantic Path
Karma and Mercury Retrograde!
Question: Please explain what happens during Mercury Retrograde from the spiritual aspect. Answer: All cosmic bodies whether planets, stars, comets, etc affect us. E.g. The moon affects the water element on our Planet. It is a scientific fact that high tides...
True meaning of dispassion!
Question: Jai guru dev Ekta didi, I am a student..How do I study dispassionately? Somehow i have had to create an impression that if i study well then i will get leisured lifestyle..And that causes little anxiety in me…What is the key to balance both Passion (where I...
Make Sankalpas then drop them!
Question: In Ashtavakra Gita, you say “Make a Sankalpa”. In Yogavashishta, you say drop Sankalpas and be committed to zabardast Purushartha. I am confused. Please help. Answer: This is not the first time for you on the Spiritual path. Your journey began many...
Dispassion is natural on the path!
Question: We learnt in Yoga Vasishtha that seeking is the cause of Dukha in this Samsaara. I have been applying this knowledge and walking sincerely on this spiritual path for over 5 years now. I am feeling stuck in my career and job. If I am asked what I would like...
Learn the skill to act without doer-ship
Question: How to deal with a dishonest business partner and at the same time be able to drop doer-ship and act without creating any Agami Karma [future karma]? Answer: First, let’s understand how Sanchita Karma becomes Agami Karma. What is Sanchita Karma?...
Why get out of the cycle of Birth and Death?
Question: Why do we want to get out of this birth and death cycle? Answer: If you are still not tired of the world, then get tired. How long do you want to continue this drama. Every day you do exactly the same things. You wake up, go to work/school, eat,...
Drop the body before the body drops you!
Question : In Asthavakra 8, you said, at death, the body gets tired of you and drops you. Is it not the other way around? When karma is exhausted the Purusha drops the Prakriti. Isn’t it true? Please help to clarify. Answer : Death of body does not equal to the...
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...
Storm of Emotions in Relationships
Question: I am going through a lot of stress in relationships, too much storm of emotions in relationship with one particular individual. Please help! Answer: There are definite steps to always follow irrespective of who/what is the cause of this storm of...
Law of Cause & Effect
Question: Ektaji JGD, I have over the years read many stories of children being brutally violated and it sickens me. I cannot believe or wrap my mind around the idea that these children are reaping the fruits of their past karma. Is it not possible that one is...
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...
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Karma and Mercury Retrograde!
Question: Please explain what happens during Mercury Retrograde from the spiritual aspect. Answer: All cosmic bodies whether planets, stars, comets, etc affect us. E.g. The moon affects the water element on our Planet. It is a scientific fact that high tides...
True meaning of dispassion!
Question: Jai guru dev Ekta didi, I am a student..How do I study dispassionately? Somehow i have had to create an impression that if i study well then i will get leisured lifestyle..And that causes little anxiety in me…What is the key to balance both Passion (where I...
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Buddha’s Path
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...
Obstacles on Spiritual Path
Question: JGD Ekta ji, I have registered for the Silence course but I am so scared of my in laws. They would not approve my absence for 5 days. I have almost decided to not attend the course. But I am very restless to attend. I am stuck between family 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...
What if the Karma theory is wrong?
Question: I am getting a feeling of missing out. What if this Karma Theory is wrong and I wake up 40 years from now realizing that I missed out on people, places and things that at least gave me short-term pleasure. Now I have to give it all up to develop discipline...
Let go of the story!
Q: While yoga and Buddha's path made me feel more calm and secure, I feel it was the mind still finding security and solace in some concept/activity, albeit more socially acceptable. A: What is the mind? It is simply thoughts+feelings dear. When you do any activity...
Expectations are Attachments!
Question: My 14 year old son is terrible to live with. He is disrespectful, hurtful, vengeful without any provocation… even when I come from a space of love, the reaction from him is horrible. I tell myself that it’s my karma and to go through it. I identify the...
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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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...
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Individual Spirituality
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...
Storm of Emotions in Relationships
Question: I am going through a lot of stress in relationships, too much storm of emotions in relationship with one particular individual. Please help! Answer: There are definite steps to always follow irrespective of who/what is the cause of this storm of...
Fear of Death = Fear of unknown
Question: How is fear of unknown different from the fear of death and how to come out of both these fears? Please help. Answer: Fear of the unknown and the fear of death are essentially the same. Understand one thing that, since you have been in this form...
The waking dream is like the sky!
Question: Is my understanding correct? Mahadaakasha = body-mind complex/intellect/memory/ego - the dream character Chidaakasha: the witness consciousness. Paramaakasha: Pure consciousness/dreamer There is identification as the dream character and all the labels in the...
Only a Jivanmukta can be called a Videhamukta, others simply die!
Question: Didi, is it a correct understanding that a Jivanmukta interacts with the world in Sakshibhav whereas for Videhamukta the world does not exist? Answer: For the convenience of all, let's define the terms before we describe them further. Legend:...
There is a difference between feeling happy and being happiness yourself!
Question: Didi, my understanding is that we are the dream manifestation of pure consciousness. Something prompted us to become the experiencer and once we came into this world, don't know how long ago or in what form, Ego and Karma bind us here. Once we realize we are...
You are ‘Niranjan’!
Question: When thoughts would be all over and I start stressing and getting exhausted, I remember to shift my stand from body-mind to the witness. It just calms me down, seems a ocean of peace and calm is within me (I just have to remember to reach it). Same happens...
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...
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]...
Let go of the story!
Q: While yoga and Buddha's path made me feel more calm and secure, I feel it was the mind still finding security and solace in some concept/activity, albeit more socially acceptable. A: What is the mind? It is simply thoughts+feelings dear. When you do any activity...
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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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General Spirituality
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...
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...
How is ‘human life’ different from ‘animal life’?
Question: I am wondering that the ideal way to live is: be in the present moment without worrying. No desires even desire for liberation is not necessary as it may become a craving ragga /dvesha. Everything is a happening. Then what is the difference between us and...
Seva or Serving the Ego!
Question: What is seva really? And from what space should an individual come from when he or she wants to do pure seva? I have noticed that I get into the same power struggle that I would, in a corporate office. I need some clarity there, please help. Answer:...
Choicelessness is freedom!
Question: Is applying viveka, a kind of seeking? Because choosing/deciding right from wrong is so relative to this mind? Answer: Actually, Viveka is deeper than just plain discrimination between right and wrong. Viveka is the ability to maintain an absolutely...
How to manage job, family, Seva without getting overwhelmed?
Question: Can you please give direction on how do you manage a job, family, personal endeavor, and Seva while not getting overwhelmed? I have a tendency to say yes to many things, but in the end, I’m just playing catch up on my to-do list. How to manage the tasks and...
From scenery to seer!
Question: Ektaji, what is the scenery and what does it mean ‘not to get lost’ in the scenery? Who is the seer? Answer: Scenery: Everything around you is the scenery. The people, situations and things around you are all scenery Seer: You are the seer. The one...
Are you a Vairaagi yet?
Question: Does Vairagya mean a giving up of non-religious pleasures like singing, dancing, poetry etc. or just give up hankering for them? Answer: Vai – raagya means devoid of raaga. Who is not a vairaagi? – It does not matter whether you are dancing like a...
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...
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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...
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...
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Kabir’s Path
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...
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...
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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....
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Ramana Maharshi’s Path
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...
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...
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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...
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Atmananda’s Path
Are you wearing a mask?
That is a beautiful sharing of Jim Carrey’s experiential recognition of the truth in the video - https://youtu.be/TucyzpHDNlE. I would elaborate a little bit on the same. You are all wearing a mask. Do you recognize it? When you were a toddler, you did not have a...
The waking dream is like the sky!
Question: Is my understanding correct? Mahadaakasha = body-mind complex/intellect/memory/ego - the dream character Chidaakasha: the witness consciousness. Paramaakasha: Pure consciousness/dreamer There is identification as the dream character and all the labels in the...
Only a Jivanmukta can be called a Videhamukta, others simply die!
Question: Didi, is it a correct understanding that a Jivanmukta interacts with the world in Sakshibhav whereas for Videhamukta the world does not exist? Answer: For the convenience of all, let's define the terms before we describe them further. Legend:...
There is a difference between feeling happy and being happiness yourself!
Question: Didi, my understanding is that we are the dream manifestation of pure consciousness. Something prompted us to become the experiencer and once we came into this world, don't know how long ago or in what form, Ego and Karma bind us here. Once we realize we are...
You are ‘Niranjan’!
Question: When thoughts would be all over and I start stressing and getting exhausted, I remember to shift my stand from body-mind to the witness. It just calms me down, seems a ocean of peace and calm is within me (I just have to remember to reach it). Same happens...
You project your own world!
Question: Didi, is my understanding correct?Pratyaksha Gnyana: I see/meet a new person in the neighborhood.Paroksha Gnyana: Prejudices/assumptions about him/her based on the looks/conversation.Aparoksha Gnyana: In awareness, I don’t exist. The person also does not...
Agamya – Inaccessible through words!
Question: I wanted to also share that I really found the question and answers helpful after the explorations yesterday where Ektaji was speaking with Shailaja. That mind is only limited to the perception of five senses and the void is beyond and that intellect can...
The sky is not blue!
Question: Dear Ektaben, Following the self explorations, one question has arisen: I have seen 2 thoughts arise in this being at different stages in life: One thought said - I have a choice over my decisions and interactions with people, situations, and things ie I...
The script of life is always perfect!
Question:Didi,What did/do you do when you witness that everybody is living in their own heads with their own stories and are suffering unnecessarily because of not being able to see the drama? Answer: Every single human on this planet who feels that he is the...
Don’t dissect the illusion!
Question: Dear Ektadi,During the transition from the dreaming state to the waking state, the transformation of the thoughts into dream images stops suddenly. It is like while knitting the yarn suddenly runs out. It is as if the thoughts don't get a background or glue...
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Are you wearing a mask?
That is a beautiful sharing of Jim Carrey’s experiential recognition of the truth in the video - https://youtu.be/TucyzpHDNlE. I would elaborate a little bit on the same. You are all wearing a mask. Do you recognize it? When you were a toddler, you did not have a...
The waking dream is like the sky!
Question: Is my understanding correct? Mahadaakasha = body-mind complex/intellect/memory/ego - the dream character Chidaakasha: the witness consciousness. Paramaakasha: Pure consciousness/dreamer There is identification as the dream character and all the labels in the...
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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?
Ask Ekta
Have a Spiritual Question?
Ask Ekta