by Gnyana Sangha | Dec 4, 2022 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Direct Path, Drama, Duality, Ego, Just Be, Laziness, Maya, Self-Effort
Why drop conditioning? Question: In Atma Nrvriti we are talking about unlearning what we have been taught thus far and to drop all the conditioning, isn’t this another conditioning to drop conditioning? Can we just be? Answer: The Ego makes new excuses daily...
by Gnyana Sangha | Dec 1, 2022 | Ashtavakra Gita, Craving, Drama, Expectations, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Service, Seva, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 29, 2022 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Body, Buddha, Direct Path, I, Mind, No-Mind, Sensations, Silence
Silence is your new friend! Question: Dear Ektaji, After struggling for many days/attempts I could settle down my mind today taking my attention away from whatever my mind was creating. After a while, a sense of silence overtook me. My being had this kind of...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 27, 2022 | Attachment, Awareness, Breath, Dreams, Kriya, Meditation, Mindfulness, Pranayama, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Scriptures, Service, Seva, Vedic, Yoga Vasistha
You are in a dream! Wake up! Question: Didi, today in my meditation, all of a sudden, I felt that the dimensions (square, rectangle) the room is not real.. I felt it turning to circle and disappearing.. As though this dimension is not real. Yesterday I was doing some...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 24, 2022 | God, Grateful, Gratitude, Independent Spirituality, Knowledge, Service, Seva, Thanksgiving
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,...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 22, 2022 | Attachment, Awareness, Consciousness, General Spiritual, Independent Spirituality, Love, Mind, Paths, Self- Realization, Seva, Silence
Graduate from seeking to giving! Question: Why is a ‘donation’ option not available on the website www.ektabathija.com? Answer: Ekta’s main teaching is to attain the inner silence of consciousness so that one awakens to his own inner truth. What is the...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 20, 2022 | Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Brahman, Consciousness, Gratitude, Independent Spirituality, Knowledge, Kriya, Meditation, Pranayama, Scriptures, Self, Upanishad, Vedic
Your nature is Gratefulness! Question: Being grateful is your very nature and I totally understand that. What is confusing is, in earlier verses of Ashtavakra, he says if you are grateful to me that means you recognize myself as someone other than yourself (not seeing...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 17, 2022 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Brahman, Consciousness, Direct Path, Duality, Existence, God, Illusion, Mind, Self, Sensations, Senses, Thoughts, Yoga Vasistha
If this world is a dream, how is it that we all share the same dream? Question: In Yoga Vashishta on page 33 last paragraph, it is said that the Creator is the mind or pure intelligence, the Creator is the mind and pure intelligence is His body, thought is inherent in...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 15, 2022 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Brahman, Consciousness, Direct Path, Dreams, Duality, I, Mind, You
Is the awareness/knowingness limited to special people? Question: Do we all experience the awareness/knowingness or is it limited to special people? Can I ever come to the point of recognizing this awareness/knowingness everywhere in everything and everyone? ...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 13, 2022 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Direct Path, Existence, I, Mind
Why can’t ‘I’ experience another person’s ‘I’? Question: Dear Ekta Didi, When this ‘I’ is present in every being, why is it that I am not able to experience another person’s ‘I’? I am able to experience only my awareness within my body complex. Could you enlighten me...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 10, 2022 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Dreams, Ego, Memory, Mind, Thoughts
Chittachaya – Borrowed Consciousness! Question: Ekta didi, please would you explain Chittachaya [borrowed consciousness]? Answer: Just like we cannot see gravity but we can experience it, knowingness cannot be seen but its effects are experiential. ...
![Advaita [Non-Duality] in a nutshell. Everything is Brahman [Consciousness]. How?](https://ektabathija.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/witness-consciousness-1080x675.jpg)
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 8, 2022 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Brahman, Consciousness, Direct Path, Mind, Self, Sensations, Thoughts
Advaita [Non-Duality] in a nutshell. Everything is Brahman [Consciousness]. How? Question: Ekta didi, please would you explain Advaita [Non-Duality] in a nutshell. Everything is Brahman [Consciousness]. How? Answer: Let’s directly experience it rather...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 6, 2022 | Atmananda, Buddha, Consciousness, Dispassion, God, Guru, Kabir, Knowledge, Meditation, Moksha, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Ramana Maharshi, Self, Self-Effort, Silence, Wisdom
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:...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 1, 2022 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Ego, Fear, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Thoughts
The Sun is always shining! Question: The response of the mind to ‘Perceptions are not conscious by themselves’ went from fear to denial to acceptance. The mind recognized that it has been thirsting to merge in the Infinite for a while. Then why fear? Answer:...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 30, 2022 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Consciousness, Direct Path, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
Difference between the witness and pure consciousness! Question: Didi, could you explain the difference between consciousness and pure consciousness? Answer: Whenever there is an object to witness, then only the witnessing consciousness arises. The witnessing...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 27, 2022 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Concepts, Consciousness, Direct Path, Doership, Dreams, Ego, Happiness, I, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj
I have eaten up the world! Question: Didi for some time now, in the dream-state, there is that ‘I-Amness’ and a knowingness of the dreams. Whatever the story is, it runs like a movie with a knowing that it is a dream. Is that how it’ll be? Answer: Yes, dear. ...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 25, 2022 | Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Dreams, Existence, Illusion, Knowledge, Matter, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Thoughts
Are sensation and feeling different or the same? Question: What is sensation? What is feeling? Are they different or the same? Answer: A sensation is simply ‘knowledge’. A feeling is simply ‘knowledge’.A pleasant sensation is only...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 23, 2022 | Advaita, Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Consciousness, Direct Path, Dreams, Existence, Form, Illusion, Knowledge, Matter, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Thoughts
What is perception? Question: What is perception? Answer: Perception is simply ‘knowing’.Seeing is knowing a form. Hearing is knowing a sound. Smelling is knowing an odor. Tasting is knowing a flavor. Touching is knowing a sensation. All perception...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 20, 2022 | Advaita, Ashtavakra Gita, Direct Path, Doership, I, Illusion, Intellect, Memory, Mind, Samadhi, Sensations, Temporary, Thoughts
The doer and experiencer are not the same illusion, even if they seem so! Question: Dear Ektaji,Is my understanding correct? Situation:6pm – I keep my car keys somewhere in my house.8pm – I want to go out. I am searching for the car keys but can’t find...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 18, 2022 | Advaita, Atmananda, Awareness, Dreams, Flow with Life, I, Just Be, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Non-Doership
Seeing life as a dream! Question:Didi for some time now while in dream state there is that ‘I-amness’ and a knowingness of the dreams. Whatever the story is, it runs like a movie with a knowing that it is a dream. Is that how it’ll be? Answer:Yes dear....
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 16, 2022 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Aversion, Craving, Direct Path, Doubts, Ego, Impressions, Knowledge, Meditation, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Self-Effort
Do impressions get released during contemplation meditation as well? Question: While doing the Nisargadatta Contemplations [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwOB9CZXOf9TFFu5ayJGJHYpb6SW0xj5G], I noticed a release. Do impressions get released during contemplation...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 12, 2022 | Aagami, Awareness, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Karma, Let go, Life, Miscarriage, Pleasure/Pain, Pregnancy
Miscarriage Karma Question: How to deal with a miscarriage? Answer: Life brings along sukhas [pleasure] as well as dukhas [pain]. Why a dukha happens? Why it happens to a specific individual? When the dukkha comes? How long the dukha remains? When the dukha...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 9, 2022 | Aagami, Awareness, Buddha, Drama, Dreams, Emotions, Gnyana, Ignorance, Impressions, Independent Spirituality, Intellect, Jealousy, Mind, Mindfulness, Opinion/Behavior/Judgement, Raaga/Dvesha, Self- Realization, Sub-conscious, Suffering, Thoughts, Types of Mind, Viveka
Who are you listening to? Question: Hi Ektaji, Is Drishti/Nazar real? My son gets sick OR runs to emergency with some stiches/fractures etc after he achieves any trophy OR he exposes his skills in a group. Mostly, whenever I get ready and am happy, immediately...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 5, 2022 | Aagami, Birth, Death, Grateful, Gratitude, Karma, Karmaphalam, Raaga/Dvesha, Sanchita, Thoughts, Vedic
Can your thoughts change your karma? Question: I read book a book called “The Secret”. In that book the author says that whatever is your dominant thought and whatever you visualize you attract that in your life. So does it mean your thoughts can change...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 2, 2022 | Awareness, Buddha, Flow with Life, Independent Spirituality, Knowledge, Let go, Meditation, Patanjali Yogs Sutra, Prarabdha, Present Moment, Purushartha, Samadhi, Scriptures, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Viveka
Be like a crystal! Question: In Patanjali Yogasutras, a reference is made to ‘being a crystal’. Is ‘being a crystal’ different from Sampragnyata samadhi? Answer: ‘Being a crystal’ means living as if you don’t exist....
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 28, 2022 | Aagami, Awareness, Destiny, Flow with Life, Just Be, Karma, Let go, Marriage, Niyati, Prarabdha, Problem/Struggle/Calamity, Raaga/Dvesha, Sanchita, Spouse, Vedic
Relationship Karma Question: In my relationship with my spouse, lately I have this insistent gut feeling that it won’t last. Is it because of any past impression? Why does it happen? Answer: It could be a difficult relationship for you because of your past...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 25, 2022 | Aagami, Animal, Anxiety, Ashtavakra Gita, Attachment, Aversion, Bhagwad Gita, Consciousness, Craving, Desire, Emotions, Enlightenment, Feverishness, Gunas, Guru, I, Karma, Karmaphalam, Maaya, Maya, Niyati, Prarabdha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sanchita, Satvik/Rajasic/Tamasic, Scriptures, Self, Soul, Types of Karma, Upanishad, Vedic
Beyond the realm of right and wrong… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHArGdiJR3c&feature=youtu.be Have questions? Reach out to Ekta by clicking on the “Ask a Question” button on the left sidebar. For attending Ekta’s online knowledge sessions, click the...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 21, 2022 | Aagami, Choice, Emotions, Guilt, Laziness, Life, Niyati, Non-Doership, Prarabdha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sanchita, Universe, Vedic
A dialogue on karma, guilt, academics and pattern in life Question: Hello ekta didi, I realize that I’m not the doer and things happen the way the universe is planning. I know and believe that the universe is very intelligent. Answer: Let me add the most...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 18, 2022 | Buddha, Energy, Form, Formless, Mind, No-Mind, Samadhi, Vedic
Thought waves are recorded in Space! Question: Are thoughts recorded in Space? They say that whatever the Rishis and Yogis have said is recorded in Space and the most aware mind can download this in the deepest of the meditation. Please explain how this works? ...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 14, 2022 | Awareness, Awareness, Guru, Intellect, Knowledge, Knowledge, Let go, Meditation, Mind, Mindfulness, Miscellaneous, Present Moment, Purushartha, Scriptures, Surrender, Vedic
What to do when you have problems in life? We all have problems in life, now what to do when your emotions are high and you are just not able to cope? 1 ) First of all calm your self down with some 10 minute knowledge video from here –...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 11, 2022 | Bhakti, Devotion, Enlightenment, Expectations, Faith, Gnyana, Gnyani, Guru, Independent Spirituality, Intellect, Karma, Karmaphalam, Knowledge, Non-Doership, Prayer, Raaga/Dvesha, Seeking, Seeking, Self- Realization, Surrender, Vairagya
Three paths for a Seeker! Question: Good to meet you didi. Love being in a place where the knowledge is discussed… feels light and natural. One thought that passed me during today’s discussion: Loving the God, consciousness in a idol form or even an Enlightened...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 7, 2022 | Aagami, General Spiritual, Karma, Karmaphalam, Knowledge, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Scriptures, Vedic
Bad karma with the opposite sex Question: I just got out of a bad and abusive marriage, my parents helped me out. Seven years ago, I was in an abusive relationship too, at that time also my parents helped me out. I am trying to understand what kind of karma is this?...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 31, 2022 | Aagami, Awareness, Bhakti, Craving, Divine, Emotions, Enlightenment, General Spiritual, Gnyana, Impressions, Intellect, Karma, Karmaphalam, Knowledge, Meditation, Mind, Patanjali Yogs Sutra, Prarabdha, Reaction, Sanchita, Self- Realization, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Tapas, Types of Karma, Vedic, Wisdom
Dealing with Anxiety Question: Dear Ektaji, How should one deal with anxiety through Karma Yoga? I understand the role of gyana and bhakti/surrender when we are anxious about something in future but it is still prabhava gyana. Therefore I end up reasoning with my...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 28, 2022 | Aagami, Aversion, Craving, Karma, Mind, Niyati, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Scriptures, Vedic
Can animals get enlightened? Question: If in a non-human life form you don’t do things that are out of your nature and do only things as a part of that life, how can it be that Raaga(likes)/Dvesha(dislikes) had developed becoming the seed for a next life? Is it...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 24, 2022 | Aagami, Anger, Ashtavakra Gita, Bondage, Doership, Emotions, Fear, Flow with Life, Freewill, Guilt, Jealousy, Karma, Karmaphalam, Knowledge, Let go, Life, Love/Hate, Mind, Niyati, Prarabdha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sanchita, Scriptures, Types of Karma, Vedic
Life is a flow of events on account of Karma Question: If life is a flow of events, where everything that is happening has to and we have nothing to do with it, then how does the karma theory play in with the above statement, where we alone are responsible for our...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 21, 2022 | Jealousy, Mind, Scriptures, Truth, Vedic
Overcoming Jealousy Question: We are all social beings. We need to socialize once in a while with our friends just to get away from the home environment. All our friends are very mature, happy and well to do. They drive better cars, they have better homes, they have...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 10, 2022 | Aagami, Anger, Buddha, Doubts, Emotions, Energy, Jealousy, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Sankalpa/Intention
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....
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 7, 2022 | Anxiety, General Spiritual, Mind
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 4, 2022 | Anxiety, Awareness, Awareness, Buddha, Concepts, Doubts, Emotions, Equanimous, Fear, Flow with Life, Gnyani, I, Just Be, Knowledge, Let go, Love/Hate, Matter, Mind, Misery, Present Moment, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self- Realization, Sensations, Stress, Suffering, Surrender, Viveka, Wisdom
Stop struggling and float with Life! Question: At times I feel like I have dropped a desire, but again it pops up with more intensity. And at times I feel I am dropping the desire but doubt arises if I am just resisting it. How to differentiate between dropping a...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 3, 2022 | Anger, Attachment, Depression, Ego, Emotions, Feverishness, Freewill, General Spiritual, Girlfriend/Boyfriend, Hurt, I, Mind, Misery, Raaga/Dvesha, Relationship, Soulmate, Stress, Suffering
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 31, 2022 | Awareness, Buddha, Doership, Kriya, Meditation, Mind
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 27, 2022 | Aagami, Aversion, Buddha, General Spiritual, Karma, Mind, Niyati, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 7, 2022 | Dispassion, Guru, Guru, Knowledge, Maaya, Samsara, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 5, 2022 | Concepts, Enlightenment, General Spiritual, Guru, Maaya, Mind, No-Mind, Senses, Silence, Viveka
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 3, 2022 | Awareness, Breath, Commitment, Courage, Faith, Flow with Life, Guru, Guru, Guru, Guru/Disciple, Independent Spirituality, Intellect, Knowledge, Let go, Life, Masters, Meditation, Meditation, Mind, Pranayama, Rumi, Samsara, Self, Self, Self-Effort, Truth, Wisdom
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 28, 2022 | Faith, God, God, Guru, Guru, Guru, Love, Vedic
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 😊...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 26, 2022 | Advaita, Attachment, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Dreams, Dvaita, Ego, Form, God, Guru, I, Let go, Love, Mind, Rituals, Scriptures, Seeking, Upanishad, You
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 23, 2022 | Attention-Seeking, Devotion, Dhyana, Dispassion, General Spiritual, Gnyana, Guru, Guru, Guru, Just Be, Knowledge, Meditation, Meditation, Mind, Purushartha, Self, Self- Realization, Self-Effort
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,...
![Difference between the Gnyani [self-realized] and the Acharya [learned one]!](https://ektabathija.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/sun-tree-1080x675.jpg)
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 21, 2022 | Advaita, Awareness, Bhagwad Gita, Body, Brahman, Consciousness, Desire, Direct Path, Dreams, Ego, Enlightenment, Expectations, Gnyani, Greed, Guru, I, Illusion, Kabir, Knowledge, Masters, Mind, Name/Roles, Personality, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara, Self- Realization, Service, Truth, Upanishad, Wealth, You
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 19, 2022 | Advaita, Body, Concepts, Death, Direct Path, Dreams, Ego, Guru, Intellect, Kabir, Love, Mind, Personality, Ramana Maharshi, Religion, Rituals, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Thoughts, Truth, Upanishad
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 16, 2022 | Bhakti, Bondage, Commitment, Courage, Devotion, Dispassion, Doership, Ego, Faith, Freedom, Guru/Disciple, I, Independent Spirituality, Liberation, Mind, Moksha, Non-Doership, Prayer, Raaga/Dvesha, Samadhi, Self- Realization, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Surrender, Surrender, Vairagya, Wisdom
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 14, 2022 | Advaita, Ashtavakra Gita, Attachment, Buddha, Company/Association/Sangha, Ego, Enlightenment, Flow with Life, Guru, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Krishna, Masters, Mind, Paths, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 14, 2022 | Attachment, Awareness, Craving, Desire, Dispassion, Ego, Feverishness, General Spiritual, Guru/Disciple, Liberation, Masters, Moksha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Tapas, Thoughts
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 12, 2022 | Advaita, Awareness, Company/Association/Sangha, Consciousness, Duality, Enlightenment, General Spiritual, Guru, I, Knowledge, Masters, Paths, Ramana Maharshi, Religion, Scriptures, You
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 9, 2022 | Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 7, 2022 | Buddha, Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, Vedic, You
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....
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 5, 2022 | General Spiritual, Guru
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 2, 2022 | Body, Brahman, Commitment, Concepts, Consciousness, General Spiritual, Guru, Guru, Guru Poornima, Intellect, Liberation, Maaya, Maya, Moksha, Paths, Physical, Pleasure/Pain, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Samsara, Scriptures, Self-Effort, Siddha, Wisdom
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 31, 2022 | Attachment, Karma, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Scriptures, Vedic
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’...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 29, 2022 | Dukkha, Emotions, General Spiritual, Impressions, Karma, Let go, Mindfulness, Misery, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Self, Sensations, Suffering
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 26, 2022 | Aagami, Aversion, Karma, Mind, Niyati, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 24, 2022 | Aagami, Animal, Impressions, Karma, Karmaphalam, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sanchita, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 22, 2022 | Attachment, Aversion, Craving, Desire, Dispassion, Feverishness, General Spiritual, Karma, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sensations, Types of Karma, Vasana
What is attachment? Question: When it comes to moving from karma to akarma, What is the difference between indifference and dispassion? If karma is not about right and wrong action but rather forming an attachment towards an action, shouldn’t a murderer who does not...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 19, 2022 | Concepts, Emotions, General Spiritual, Knowledge, Mind, Scriptures, Self- Realization, Sensations, Thoughts, Wisdom
Stand naked in front of the mirror Question: Hi Ektaji, How to control or stop negative thoughts that are coming in the mind every time or in any situation and think positive? Answer: JGD dear, Mind is a trickster so there are certain important steps that we...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 17, 2022 | Attachment, General Spiritual, Greed, Karma, Karmaphalam, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha
Money Karma Question: I’m working hard to earn money to fulfill my parents dream. I would drop my desire to earn money once I give them experience/things which they always dreamed of and could’t have it. How would it effect my karma? how would it affect their karma?...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 15, 2022 | Body, Buddha, Consciousness, Emptiness, Enlightenment, Festivals, Gunas, Guru, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Maaya, Masters, Raaga/Dvesha, Self, Senses, Truth
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 12, 2022 | Compassion, Ego, I, Love, Service, Seva, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 10, 2022 | Dispassion, General Spiritual, Karma, Karmaphalam, Sanchita
How do we accumulate Karma? Question: Do women accumulate Karma on a/c of behavior under the influence of changing hormones? Answer: Yes, you will accumulate karma if you get attached to anything. Your hormones are again part of your sanchita karma dear. ...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 8, 2022 | Aagami, Aversion, Independent Spirituality, Karma, Mind, Niyati, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 5, 2022 | Brahman, Consciousness, Energy, General Spiritual, Hindu, Life, Maya, Meditation, Miscellaneous, Opinion/Behavior/Judgement, Shiva, Silence
God is a thorough businessman! Question: Jai gurudev! I understand that ‘Hari’ and ‘Hara’ are one and the same. Yet I want to know wearing of what is scientifically more beneficial, the rudraksha that is connected to lord shiva or the tulasi beads that are associated...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 3, 2022 | Commitment, Destiny, Guru, Impressions, Karma, Knowledge, Meditation, Niyati, Prarabdha, Purushartha, Sanchita, Scriptures, Self-Effort, Vedic, Yoga Vasistha
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 1, 2022 | Attraction, Aversion, Birth, Craving, Death, Greed, Impressions, Karma, Parents, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sanchita, Soul, Thoughts, Types of Karma, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 28, 2022 | Attachment, Aversion, Choice, Craving, Emotions, General Spiritual, Kriya, Love/Hate, Preference, Raaga/Dvesha, Seeking, Suffering
The vicious cycle of Likes & Dislikes! Question: Dear Ekta Di, if getting rid of karma is the sole purpose and to then to get enlightened is what we want, then how should we deal with this present life? I mean what should we do with this life ? If I should not...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 26, 2022 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Brahman, Breath, Company/Association/Sangha, Consciousness, Direct Path, Drama, Gnyana, Home, I, Illusion, Knowledge, Life, Meditation, Mind, OM, Silence, Space-Time, Suffering, Temporary, Truth, Upanishad, Vibration
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 24, 2022 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, I, Ignorance, Illusion, Memory, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Senses, Upanishad
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 21, 2022 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Direct Path, Dreams, I, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Senses, Thoughts, Upanishad
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 19, 2022 | Advaita, Body, Direct Path, Dreams, Ego, Enlightenment, History, Human, Illusion, Knowledge, Mind, Non-Doership, Personality, Upanishad, Wisdom
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 17, 2022 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Direct Path, Doership, Emotions, Gnyana, I, Illusion, Kabir, Knowledge, Mind, Personality, Self, Thoughts, Truth, Upanishad
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 14, 2022 | Advaita, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Ego, Gnyana, Grateful, Knowledge, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Suffering, Truth, Upanishad
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 10, 2022 | Fear, Guru, Just Be, Knowledge, Meditation, Meditation, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Surrender, Thoughts, Vedic, Wisdom
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 7, 2022 | Aagami, Aversion, Independent Spirituality, Karma, Mind, Niyati, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 5, 2022 | Alligator, Consciousness, God, Independent Spirituality, Karma, Niyati, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 3, 2022 | Dispassion, Girlfriend/Boyfriend, Illusion, Independent Spirituality, Life, Maaya, Physical, Pleasure/Pain, Prakriti, Purusha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Relationship, Samsara, Seeking, Self, Sex/Passion/Celibacy, Vairagya, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 31, 2022 | Attachment, General Spiritual, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Thoughts
Why do we all have same thought patterns? Question: Recently I had this thought (1 is allowed!) that maybe it is better to unlearn some of my mind’s bad habits than to have no mind at all. But then I thought (fine, 2!) how did these habits get learnt at all? Which...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 29, 2022 | Aagami, Independent Spirituality, Karma, Raaga/Dvesha, Samsara, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 27, 2022 | Aagami, Awareness, Bondage, Emotions, Guilt, Impressions, Karma, Memory, Mind, Misery, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Thoughts, Types of Karma, Vedic
Guilt is a safety valve! Question: What is guilt? Why is our conscience so strong (in some cases), for example, if one lies, but later on he feels guilt. He knows he lied for the best, otherwise it would cause hurt to the other’s mind. Answer: Guilt is...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 24, 2022 | Aagami, Awareness, Buddha, Consciousness, Impressions, Intuition, Mind, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Silence, Spontaneous, Thoughts, Time-past/present/Future, Types of Karma
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 22, 2022 | Aversion, Craving, Impressions, Karma, Memory, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Sub-conscious, Vedic
How are karma impressions formed? Question: Is there any science on how impressions form in the mind? What are impressions exactly? Answer: Impressions are formed by multiple exposure of the mind to the same stimulus repeatedly. For example: You feel that you...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 20, 2022 | Anxiety, Company/Association/Sangha, Emotions, Fear, General Spiritual, Gnyana, Ignorance, Let go, Mind, Purushartha, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Stress, Thoughts
What will people say? Questions: Hello Ekta didi, small negative events make me sad. It’s like the earth element is constantly dominating me. I worry and fear about things in my life. I don’t know how to rise above it. My problem is I think a lot what other...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 17, 2022 | Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Awareness, Bhagwad Gita, Bhakti Sutra, Body, Ego, Feverishness, I, Impressions, Karma, Knowledge, Maaya, Mind, Patanjali Yogs Sutra, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sanchita, Scriptures, Upanishad, Vedic, Viveka
Impressions related to body and sex Question: I have impressions on my mind for past so many years that this body is me. How do I get rid of this impression that is so strongly rooted in my mind? Will the impression of “I am the body” be the reason for my re-birth...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 15, 2022 | Elements, Matter, Prakriti, Science, Space-Time, Vedic
What is the difference between Air and Ether? Question: What is the difference between air and ether? Answer: Ether is space. Everything is in space. Every prakriti object is suspended in ether or space. They are just 2 names for the same element. Whereas, Air...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 13, 2022 | Aagami, Anger, Buddha, Commitment, Ego, Impressions, Jealousy, Karma, Mind, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 10, 2022 | Consciousness, Expectations, Feverishness, Flow with Life, God, Karma, Karmaphalam, Land/Bhoomi, Let go, Misery, Parents, Suffering, Universe, Vedic
Parents Karma! Question: My parents are old and they live alone in their country and I live here in the US. I want them to come here but they do not like to live here. They are really suffering as they are old and I cannot leave my family here and go there to take...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 8, 2022 | Buddha, Meditation, Mind, No-Mind, Silence
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 6, 2022 | Consciousness, Divine, Divine, General Spiritual, God
Do I have Brahma, Vishnu, or Shiva Shakti Question: How will I get to know whether I have Brahma shakti , Vishnu shakti or Shiva shakti from my day to day life? Will it have an impact on the profession or job I do? Answer: If you are into creating things then...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 3, 2022 | Devas, Doership, I, Karma, Let go, Mind, No-Mind, Surrender, Surrender, Vedic
Surrendering to Devas Question : I am trying to understand why we have to surrender our impulses/attachments to the devas. We talked about asking forgiveness of the devas and asking them to guide us, free us and help us so that we don’t get tripped up by the obstacles...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 1, 2022 | Brahman, Consciousness, Divine, Shiva, Vedic
Shiva Tandav – Happy Mahashivratri! On the occasion of Mahashivratri, here is a special video explaining Shiva tatva: Here is the link to the quantum mechanics video mentioned in the talk above – https://youtu.be/LARXSPARbZU Have questions? Reach out to...
by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 24, 2022 | Company/Association/Sangha, Gnyana, Life, Paths, Religion, Seeking, Self- Realization, Stress, Uncategorized
Who is Gnyana Sangha for? Question: Who is Gnyana Sangha for? Answer: Let me start with a simple basic fact; Everyone is NOT looking for true spirituality. What are most people looking for? The general stresses of life creates unpleasantness that people are...
by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 24, 2022 | Advaita, Body, Brahman, Consciousness, Direct Path, Illusion, Maaya, Maya, Mind, Personality, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Universe, Upanishad
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 20, 2022 | Advaita, Bhakti, Body, Brahman, Consciousness, Direct Path, Ego, God, Guru, Illusion, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Self- Realization, Upanishad
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 17, 2022 | Advaita, Body, Conscious, Direct Path, Dreams, I, Illusion, Memory, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self- Realization, Thoughts, Uncategorized, Upanishad
Does the dreamer have the waking memory? Question: After waking up we recognize that dream objects are illusory. Similarly, when we go into the dream state do we recognize that waking state objects are illusory. Experientially I do not know. Is the memory of waking...
by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 15, 2022 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, I, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Truth, Upanishad
Can one be aware in the deep sleep state? Question: In a deep sleep state, can one be aware? Answer: First let’s understand what is the meaning of Awareness and who goes through the states of waking, dreaming, and deep sleep. As you are a beginner of...
by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 13, 2022 | Aagami, Guru, Karma, Karmaphalam, Kriya, Meditation, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Scriptures, Vedic
Can meditation erase my past bad karma? Question: Are we stuck with bad karma if we have made mistakes in the past such as hurting people verbally or in thoughts due to ignorance? Do we have to undergo those consequences or can I erase that bad karma that I have...
by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 10, 2022 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Conscious, Consciousness, Direct Path, Energy, Mind, Physical, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Upanishad
The BodyMind work on an autopilot mode! Question: Is it that the mind is in autopilot mode in dreaming, therefore the experience of the mind’s attention is less? But then even in waking the body-mind are on autopilot. Then what is the difference? Answer: The...
by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 8, 2022 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Dreams, Illusion, Mind, Personality, Senses, Upanishad
Can Consciousness know the world without the body-mind? Question:Ektaji, is it true that the Awareness/Knowingness/Consciousness can know only until there is a body-mind complex? Answer:Let’s use the example of space to help explain this. Where is a...
by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 6, 2022 | Aagami, Attachment, Conscious, Impressions, Karma, Life, Niyati, Purushartha, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Vedic
Daivam, Niyati & Purushartha Question: What is Daivam, Niyati & Purushartha? The further we go into Yoga Vashishtha the more confused I get… specially with this “Now it depends on the intensity of your commitment whether your Purushartha wins over your Daivam...
by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 1, 2022 | Attachment, Attraction, Awareness, Consciousness, Emptiness, Enlightenment, Expectations, Gnyana, Impressions, Knowledge, Mind, Prakriti, Purusha, Scriptures, Self, Self- Realization, Self-Effort, Surrender, Vedic, Viveka, Wisdom
Abiding in the Self! Question: There is a sort of ‘bond’ between the awareness and the mind. The awareness goes out every time (away from the self to the world). And this connection or bond must be broken. How can I break this connection? I know that I have to take a...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 30, 2022 | Courage, Ego, Fear, I, Liberation, Meditation, Vedic
The greatest fear! Question: Dear didi, your recent post made me realize that the ego is the cause of my beginning. Now that I have taken a step towards liberation there is a strange fear of becoming no one again, the mind says- what will happen to’me’ after...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 27, 2022 | Chanting, Elements, Karma, Karmaphalam, Meditation, Mind, Physical, Prakriti, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 25, 2022 | Anxiety, Attachment, Dispassion, Doership, Expectations, Feverishness, Karma, Mind, Niyati, Present Moment, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 23, 2022 | Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Intellect, Let go, Purushartha, Sankalpa/Intention, Satvik/Rajasic/Tamasic, Self-Effort, Vedic, Yoga Vasistha
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 20, 2022 | Aagami, Attachment, Impressions, Independent Spirituality, Karma, Raaga/Dvesha, Thoughts
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 18, 2022 | Anxiety, Aversion, Craving, Emotions, Fear, General Spiritual, Independent Spirituality, Intuition, Meditation, Mind, Present Moment, Thoughts
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 16, 2022 | Ashtavakra Gita, Dispassion, Dukkha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara, Seeking, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 13, 2022 | Aagami, Attachment, Aversion, Bhakti Sutra, Craving, Doership, Impressions, Intellect, Karma, Prarabdha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sanchita, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 11, 2022 | Aagami, Aversion, Karma, Mind, Niyati, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 6, 2022 | Ashtavakra Gita, Birth, Body, Death, Karma, No-Mind, Samadhi, Self, Vedic
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. ...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 2, 2022 | Buddha, Buddha, Commitment, Gossip, Karma, Meditation, Mind, New year, Samadhi, Sankalpa/Intention, Silence
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 1, 2022 | Attachment, Buddha, Commitment, Desire, Emotions, Expectations, Feverishness, Guilt, Just Be, Mind, New year, Present Moment, Suffering, Temporary, Thoughts, Truth, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Dec 23, 2021 | Emotions, Flow with Life, Independent Spirituality, Karma, Karmaphalam, Mind, Pleasure/Pain, Problem/Struggle/Calamity, Relationship, Silence, Stress, Suffering, Temporary, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Dec 21, 2021 | Children, Death, Emotions, Equanimous, Impressions, Just Be, Karma, Karmaphalam, Mind, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Truth, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Dec 19, 2021 | Brahman, Buddha, Just Be, Knowledge, Meditation, Mindfulness, Prana, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Seva, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Dec 16, 2021 | Animal, Body, Craving, Desire, Freewill, General Spiritual, Intellect, Liberation, Maaya, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Senses, Viveka
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Dec 14, 2021 | Advaita, Direct Path, Ego, Maaya, Mind, Personality, Seeking, Stress, Wisdom, You
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Dec 12, 2021 | Brahman, Buddha, Choice, Consciousness, Doubts, Flow with Life, Mind, Non-Doership, Purusha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Spontaneous, Truth
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Dec 9, 2021 | Body, Commitment, Guru, Karma, Knowledge, Laziness, Maaya, Meditation, Mind, Patanjali Yogs Sutra, Purushartha, Satvik/Rajasic/Tamasic, Scriptures, Self-Effort, Vedic
No proxies allowed in Spirituality! Question: My peaceful experiences are not stable, and I am going up and down in my spiritual path, I feel there is no steady growth in my spiritual path. What should I do? Answer: The spiritual path is long, it is unknown,...
by Gnyana Sangha | Dec 7, 2021 | Body, Death, Energy, Fear, Formless, Independent Spirituality, Knowledge, Masters, Matter, Meditation, Mind, Rishi, Scriptures, Self, Swamy, Truth, You
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Dec 3, 2021 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Breath, Consciousness, Direct Path, Dreams, Ego, I, Illusion, Independent Spirituality, Intellect, Memory, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Senses, Thoughts, Upanishad
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Dec 2, 2021 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Death, Direct Path, Duality, Fear, I, Ignorance, Independent Spirituality, Liberation, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Self- Realization, Suffering, Thoughts, Upanishad
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,...
by Gnyana Sangha | Dec 1, 2021 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Conscious, Consciousness, Direct Path, Dreams, Ego, Form, Happiness, Independent Spirituality, Karma, Mind, Name/Roles, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Temporary, Thoughts, Upanishad
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 30, 2021 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Direct Path, Expectations, I, Independent Spirituality, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Silence, Stress, Thoughts, Upanishad, Wisdom
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 29, 2021 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Direct Path, Dreams, Existence, Gnyana, I, Impressions, Knowledge, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Senses, Thoughts, Upanishad
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....
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 28, 2021 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Craving, Desire, Direct Path, Enlightenment, Feverishness, Just Be, Knowledge, Memory, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Scriptures, Senses, Silence, Surrender, Thoughts, Upanishad, Wisdom
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 27, 2021 | Advaita, Awareness, Birth, Body, Choice, Death, Direct Path, Doership, Fear, Freewill, I, Life, Maaya, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara, Thoughts, Upanishad, Wisdom
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,...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 26, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Bondage, Buddha, Consciousness, Direct Path, Doership, Drama, Ego, Enlightenment, Flow with Life, Human, I, Knowledge, Life, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Suffering, Thoughts, Universe, Upanishad, Wisdom
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 24, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Consciousness, Direct Path, Dreams, Illusion, Just Be, Mind, Thoughts, Upanishad
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 23, 2021 | Advaita, Atmananda, Consciousness, Desire, Direct Path, I, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Surrender, Thoughts, Upanishad
What is the locus of the ‘longing to understand the highest’? Question: Dear Ektaben, One paradoxical observation of the screen of ‘knowingness’ is that it knows(!) that the mystery of the whole screen of ‘knowingness’ is simply...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 22, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Company/Association/Sangha, Direct Path, Enlightenment, Human, Illusion, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self- Realization, Upanishad
Names for the indescribable reality! Question: Self-realized beings’ describe everything as a ‘hologram’. Do you literally see people as holograms (that is the word we will use as I only know hologram based on current mind perception visual)? How...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 21, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Body, Direct Path, Freedom, I, Mind, Suffering, Upanishad, Vasana
You cannot claim the object that you illumine! Question:Ektaji, could you please clarify whether vasanas are a hindrance to freedom? Answer:Until you consider the body-mind as yours, Vasanas belong to you. Until Vasanas belong to you, personhood cannot cease....
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 20, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Concepts, Consciousness, Direct Path, Doership, Ego, I, Ignorance, Mind, Relationship, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Upanishad
Dissolution of the personal ‘I’ Question: Most Advaita knowledge that I encounter appears to focus on the fact that I am the all-pervading consciousness. When the words “I am” or “true self” are encountered it appears that they are...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 19, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Existence, Mind, Self- Realization, Thoughts, Upanishad
Locus of the Being! Question: My self-inquiry – Every physical and mental object is just pure Consciousness. There is vacillation going on regards the stand taken. Though there is the being of pure Consciousness, the locus of the being is still here, where the...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 18, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Direct Path, Dreams, Ego, Illusion, Knowledge, Mind, Senses, Upanishad
Difference between false and illusion! Question: One question has been daunting to me for some time. I understand that everything I can grasp with my senses is an illusion. So whatever I see with my eyes is an illusion created by the ego. I am looking at a book right...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 16, 2021 | Competition, Ego, General Spiritual, I, Name/Roles, Paths, Relationship, Samsara, Service, Seva, Wealth, You
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,...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 14, 2021 | Choice, Choicelessness, Consciousness, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Just Be, Raaga/Dvesha, Seeking, Seeking, Viveka
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 11, 2021 | Ambition/Career, Awareness, Consciousness, Craving, Desire, Doership, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Gnyani, Life, Mind, Non-Doership, Purusha, Relationship, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, Self, Seva, Truth, Wisdom
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 9, 2021 | Awareness, Awareness, Bondage, Food, Freedom, Games/Play/Fun, General Spiritual, Knowledge, Love/Hate, Maya, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara, Senses, Sex/Passion/Celibacy
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 7, 2021 | Advaita, Body, Direct Path, Drama, Dreams, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
Don’t seek acknowledgment for your own personal unshareable insight! Question:Last night, as I was falling asleep, I had this strange experience. At the level of the mind I became aware of some hazy images and a pretty strong humming sound flashing close to my...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 4, 2021 | Buddha, Buddha, Fear, In- Laws, Marriage, Misery, Relationship, Samsara, Self-Effort, Temporary
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 2, 2021 | Awareness, Buddha, Diwali, Ego, Opinion/Behavior/Judgement
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 31, 2021 | Advaita, Body, Desire, Direct Path, Doership, Ego, Enlightenment, Feverishness, Flow with Life, Jealousy, Just Be, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self- Realization, Truth
Intense longing for self-realization Question:I have a strong and a very old habit of indulging in story creation and I realized it only after studying Chapter 12. This is the reason why I am not able to move ahead on the path, I am still at the level of doer and...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 28, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Body, Causation, Death, Direct Path, Dreams, Guilt, Guru, Independent Spirituality, Kabir, Karma, Karmaphalam, Love, Memory, Mind, Ramana Maharshi, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sankalpa/Intention, Suffering
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 26, 2021 | Awareness, Awareness, Buddha, Causation, Faith, Flow with Life, Intellect, Karma, Karmaphalam, Knowledge, Life, Love, Memory, Mind, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self- Realization, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Truth, Wisdom
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 24, 2021 | Advaita, Attachment, Body, Death, Desire, Direct Path, Fear, Food, Fullness, Life, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, No-Mind, Pleasure/Pain, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara, Thoughts, Universe
Does the sage not have a mind? Question:Maharaj says, ‘Pleasure and pain do not sway me. I am free from desire and fear. I am full. I need nothing.” I understand that he is speaking as Pure Consciousness. Is it correct to assume that thoughts/desires like this can...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 21, 2021 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Desire, Direct Path, Doership, I, Illusion, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Universe
Primordial Awareness is Stillness itself! Question:When there is no I, there will be no witnessing, only Primordial Awareness or Universal witness (as Maharaj describes it). Instead of “I am seeing” (witnessing), there will be only, “Seeing is happening” (Primordial...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 19, 2021 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Doership, Dreams, Ego, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Personality, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Thoughts
The journey to Ajaata Vaad! Question:I understand that the dream character = body/mind, I = Witness, and Dreamer= Pure Consciousness. The thoughts, feelings, sensations, and perceptions do not belong to the Witness, they belong to the Dreamer, Pure Consciousness. The...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 17, 2021 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Desire, Direct Path, Ego, Existence, Happiness, Illusion, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Pleasure/Pain, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self
The mind is an old broken mirror! Question:Hello Ekta, I have a question. Nisargadatta was saying that ‘how can restless mind can calm itself’ or something similar…Then you were explaining this point and at some point, you said Mind and body are reflections of the...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 14, 2021 | Advaita, Anger, Bhakti, Body, Buddha, Compassion, Concepts, Consciousness, Direct Path, Dispassion, Ego, Energy, Fear, Flow with Life, Gnyana, Illusion, Independent Spirituality, Let go, Life, Meditation, Mind, Religion, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Thoughts, Truth
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....
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 12, 2021 | Aagami, Desire, Destiny, Dharma, Doership, Education, Ego, Flow with Life, Freewill, Guru, Karma, Karmaphalam, Marriage, Mind, Prarabdha, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sanchita, Self-Effort, Service, Seva, Spouse, Tapas, Vedic, Wisdom
Karma affects both Material life and spiritual goals? Question: We do not choose where we are born or what profession we choose, but we choose whom we get married to or have kids. Also, the kind of people who come into our life is a result of our past karmas – good or...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 10, 2021 | Ashtavakra Gita, Commitment, Depression, Karma, Knowledge, Let go, Marriage, Mind, Patanjali Yogs Sutra, Purushartha, Relationship, Scriptures, Spouse, Vedic
How to overcome loneliness and depression? Question: My husband is an alcoholic all he does is work and sleep alone, there is practically no interaction or no marriage between us. So I don’t have any company. In spite of understanding all the spiritual knowledge it is...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 7, 2021 | Concepts, Dispassion, Duality, Dvaita, Equanimous, General Spiritual, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Vairagya
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 5, 2021 | Aagami, Attachment, Aversion, Buddha, Conscious, Consciousness, Craving, Desire, Expectations, God, Impressions, Karma, Life, Mind, Niyati, Parent/Child, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Seeking, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 3, 2021 | Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Death, Enlightenment, History, Maya, Mind, Scriptures, Self, Silence, Truth, Vedic
Scriptures are not history! Question: I am a humble learner with a multi-variate interest in scriptures and vedas since my school days. There was this Shastrarth that took place between sage Astavakra and Acharya Bandi in presence of King Janaka. Can I assume that at...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 30, 2021 | Anger, Aversion, Consciousness, Divine, Ego, Greed, Hurt, Independent Spirituality, Jealousy, Karmaphalam, Let go, Mind, Pleasure/Pain, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Suffering, Surrender, Surrender, Surrender, Thoughts
What is the difference between Tolerance and Surrender? Question: What is the difference between tolerance and surrender? Answer: Tolerance is like a potential volcano. There is a dislike hidden within which just churns and burns inside and can erupt at any...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 28, 2021 | Courage, Craving, Desire, Dispassion, Doership, Ego, I, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Karma, Knowledge, Life, Non-Doership, Personality, Pleasure/Pain, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara, Self, Self- Realization, Truth, Vairagya
Who am I? Question: Similar to what’s said in AG 4- I got caught in identifying with a talent and also with not having a talent & was/is suffering. What is said in it still repeats in my ears. It is mentioned “you don’t know who you are”. I started thinking how...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 26, 2021 | Choice, Choicelessness, Flow with Life, Freedom, Independent Spirituality, Mind, Viveka
Choices – what is right and wrong? 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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 23, 2021 | Attraction, Courage, Craving, Dukkha, Equanimous, Happiness, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Knowledge, Life, Mind, Misery, Pleasure/Pain, Raaga/Dvesha, Samsara, Seeking, Seeking, Self, Self- Realization, Sukkha, Temporary, Truth
There is no happiness in this world! Question: Why am I not happy with my-self? Why am I continuously looking for someone/something/some situation to make me happy or make me feel that I am happy? Answer: There is no Happiness/Sukha in this world, but the mind does...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 21, 2021 | Guru, Guru, Non-Doership, Thoughts, Truth, Vedic
Are you responsible for your own thoughts & feelings or not? Question: I saw this below knowledge, I am kind of confused 🤔 There is a contradiction between his two statements. 1] Your worries, your feelings, your thoughts arise in your own mind. You are totally...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 19, 2021 | Ashtavakra Gita, Bondage, Drama, Feverishness, Flow with Life, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Maya, Niyati, Seeking, Vedic, Wonder
When will I progress spiritually? Question: I have been attending all sessions of Ashtavakra, at times I feel I have all the “theoretical” knowledge but wonder why it is not sinking in deeper! Lately, my mind is just jumping from one thing to another…I have not even...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 16, 2021 | Body, Consciousness, Existence, I, Matter, Science, Vedic, Vibration
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 14, 2021 | Causation, Destiny, Doership, Flow with Life, Guru, Intellect, Karma, Knowledge, Niyati, Self-Effort, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 12, 2021 | Attachment, Boss/Colleague, Emotions, General Spiritual, Preference, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 9, 2021 | Aagami, Ashtavakra Gita, Causation, Commitment, Destiny, Drama, Freewill, I, Impressions, Karma, Knowledge, Maaya, Maya, Mind, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Samsara, Space-Time, Time-past/present/Future, Truth, Vedic, Wisdom, You
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....
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 2, 2021 | Independent Spirituality, Matter, Maya, OM, Vibration
“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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 1, 2021 | Attachment, Children, Children, Emotions, Impressions, Karma, Parent/Child, Reaction, Thoughts, Vedic
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 Gnyana Sangha | Aug 31, 2021 | Attachment, Buddha, Buddha, Choice, Commitment, Courage, Dispassion, Enlightenment, Equanimous, Guru, Marriage, Present Moment, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Self-Effort, Seva, Surrender, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 29, 2021 | Aagami, Aversion, Choice, In- Laws, Just Be, Karma, Karmaphalam, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 26, 2021 | Ashtavakra Gita, Impressions, Let go, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Spontaneous, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 24, 2021 | Aagami, Ambition/Career, Causation, Company/Association/Sangha, Compassion, Competition, Consciousness, Desire, Doership, Drama, Emotions, Games/Play/Fun, God, Karma, Karmaphalam, Life, Maaya, Maya, Name/Roles, Pleasure/Pain, Prarabdha, Problem/Struggle/Calamity, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Relationship, Samsara, Seeking, Serious, Spontaneous, Vedic, Wealth
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 22, 2021 | Aagami, Attachment, Boss/Colleague, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, Greed, Karma, Love/Hate, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Seeking, Seeking, Spontaneous, Surrender, Surrender, Truth, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 19, 2021 | Anger, Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Body, Dreams, Emotions, Equanimous, General Spiritual, Impressions, Jealousy, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sensations, Sub-conscious, Types of Mind
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 17, 2021 | Gossip, Mind, Silence, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 15, 2021 | Advaita, Body, Brahman, Compassion, Independent Spirituality, Karma, Life, Mind, Paths, Pleasure/Pain, Relationship, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Self- Realization, Thoughts
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 12, 2021 | Advaita, Dispassion, Ego, Enlightenment, General Spiritual, Gnyana, God, Happiness, Independent Spirituality, Intellect, Knowledge, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Paths, Samsara, Scriptures, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Surrender, Worship
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 10, 2021 | Ego, Emptiness, I, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Meditation, No-Mind, Self
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 8, 2021 | Ambition/Career, Attention-Seeking, Death, Desire, Doership, Drama, Emptiness, Expectations, Flow with Life, I, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Mind, Non-Doership, Present Moment, Thoughts
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 5, 2021 | Bhakti, Brahman, Consciousness, Devotion, Ego, Gnyana, Guru, Intellect, Knowledge, Knowledge, Kriya, Meditation, Meditation, Mind, Upanishad, Vedic, Wisdom
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 3, 2021 | Aagami, Attraction, Aversion, Awareness, Awareness, Body, Causation, Commitment, Compassion, Craving, Destiny, Elements, Equanimous, Freedom, General Spiritual, Happiness, I, Impressions, Jealousy, Karma, Karmaphalam, Knowledge, Life, Love/Hate, Patanjali Yogs Sutra, Pleasure/Pain, Prarabdha, Purushartha, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Relationship, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara, Sanchita, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Tapas
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 1, 2021 | Company/Association/Sangha, General Spiritual, Knowledge, Mind, Self- Realization, Service, Seva, Vedic, Wisdom
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 29, 2021 | Commitment, Courage, General Spiritual, Let go, Mind, Self-Effort, Thoughts
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 27, 2021 | Aagami, Aversion, Awareness, Children, Children, Emotions, Flow with Life, Impressions, Jealousy, Karma, Life, Love/Hate, Mind, Niyati, Parent/Child, Parents, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Relationship, Sanchita, Time-past/present/Future, Types of Karma
Karma in babies Question: At what age does a person starts creating karma? When a child is born, he does not have this attachment to action and he naturally does what comes to him, but again the child does not have any understanding of awareness and knowledge. so both...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 25, 2021 | Buddha, Depression, Destiny, Divine, Emotions, Faith, Flow with Life, Impressions, Just Be, Karma, Life, Love/Hate, Mind, Misery, Niyati, Parent/Child, Pleasure/Pain, Prarabdha, Problem/Struggle/Calamity, Stress, Suffering, Surrender
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 22, 2021 | Aversion, Awareness, Courage, Craving, Independent Spirituality, Maya, Mind, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 20, 2021 | Animal, Buddha, Courage, Intellect, Karma, Karmaphalam, Liberation, Moksha, Rituals, Vedic
Animal Sacrifice for Peace & Goodluck! Question: Dear Ekta Ji, I am constructing a new house and it has reached the end stage. I have heard that we need to do animal sacrifice at home and put its blood on the walls of the new house to do peace for the new house....
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 18, 2021 | Anger, Aversion, Craving, Desire, Expectations, Feverishness, Flow with Life, Intellect, Karma, Karmaphalam, Marriage, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Spouse, Vedic
No decision is wrong if it is devoid of raaga/dvesha! Question: I have a very difficult marriage and a temperamental husband who drinks and blames me for his drinking. I am lonely and in pain. I understand this knowledge. I know everything is temporary but I still...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 15, 2021 | Body, Mind, Space-Time, Tapas, Vedic
What is Tapas? Question: What exactly is tapas? Does it refer to a dissolved state? I understand that the words: burn, cook are used here as metaphor but what do they actually refer to? Answer: Tapas means endurance. Tapas is how strong are you mentally to be...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 13, 2021 | Aagami, Brahman, Consciousness, Dukkha, Elements, Gnyani, Impressions, Karma, Karmaphalam, Knowledge, Maya, Meditation, Prakriti, Prarabdha, Raaga/Dvesha, Samsara, Sanchita, Self- Realization, Self-Effort, Space-Time, Surrender, Upanishad, Vedic
KARMA! Question: Please explain the sentences Excerpt 1 -The space is not afflicted by any action. Similarly, you are free from karma. Answer: Look around you right now. You are surrounded by space from all angles. Can you touch the space around you?...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 11, 2021 | Compassion, Courage, Dispassion, Ego, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Present Moment, Relationship
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 8, 2021 | Awareness, Company/Association/Sangha, Elements, Food, General Spiritual, Meditation, Meditation, Mind, Prakriti, Present Moment, Purushartha, Satvik/Rajasic/Tamasic, Self-Effort, Sub-conscious, Thoughts
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:...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 6, 2021 | Courage, Ego, Fear, Opinion/Behavior/Judgement, Service, Vedic
Are you a Lion or a fox? Question: JGD! Can you please explain today’s Guru Punch- Invoke the lion within you and have an attitude of sacrifice to rescue yourself from anxiety. I don’t understand the ‘attitude of sacrifice’ piece. Answer: People live in a lot...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 5, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Body, Death, Direct Path, Dreams, Emptiness, Food, Illusion, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Ramana Maharshi, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Self- Realization, Sensations, Thoughts
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 4, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Body, Death, Direct Path, Dreams, Knowledge, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Silence, Thoughts
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 1, 2021 | Awareness, Awareness, Dhyana, Emptiness, I, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Meditation, Meditation, Mind, Non-Doership, Purushartha, Purushartha, Seeking, Seeking, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Silence, Thoughts
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 29, 2021 | Aagami, Company/Association/Sangha, Emotions, Equanimous, General Spiritual, Karma, Kriya, Let go, Life, Physical, Prakriti, Pranayama, Problem/Struggle/Calamity, Raaga/Dvesha, Types of Karma
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,...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 27, 2021 | Aversion, Courage, Dispassion, Divine, Ego, Enlightenment, Equanimous, Greed, Guru, Happiness, Love, Raaga/Dvesha, Vairagya, Vedic
Enlightenment makes me greedy! Question: JGD Ektaji, Thanks for sharing this beautiful thought, but I believe thinking about enlightenment itself is a kind of suffering. You constantly work hard towards it reminding yourself that enlightenment is your end goal. I have...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 24, 2021 | Fear, Greed, Independent Spirituality, Love/Hate, Maaya, Mind, Patanjali Yogs Sutra, Vedic, Viveka
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 22, 2021 | Attachment, Awareness, Compassion, Dukkha, Expectations, Ignorance, Independent Spirituality, Let go, Opinion/Behavior/Judgement, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 20, 2021 | Causation, Commitment, Destiny, Doubts, Gnyana, Guru, Guru, Guru, Independent Spirituality, Intellect, Karma, Knowledge, Liberation, Scriptures, Self, Self, Self- Realization, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Truth, Wisdom
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 17, 2021 | Consciousness, Dhyana, Ego, I, Independent Spirituality, Knowledge, Meditation, Meditation, Self, Self- Realization
Gnyana leads to Dhyana Question: JGD didi, I have been listening to the knowledge and applying the knowledge points in my life and I have started feeling the nothingness/the consciousness. It is strange. It does not happen in meditation but it happens in...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 15, 2021 | Body, Concepts, Doership, Dreams, Ego, Faith, I, Just Be, Mind, No-Mind, Purushartha, Samsara, Self, Thoughts, Vedic, Yoga Vasistha
The Mind does not exist! Question: JGD Ekta Ji, I am of the mindset that there will always be thoughts in the mind but by staying in knowledge and other techniques you can control your mind so that you are not attached to these thoughts. This way you are still...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 13, 2021 | Advaita, Awareness, Consciousness, Direct Path, I, Just Be, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence, Thoughts
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 10, 2021 | Aagami, Anger, Animal, Birth, Body, Drama, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Human, Karma, Knowledge, Life, Name/Roles, Sanchita, Vedic
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 8, 2021 | Ashtavakra Gita, Aversion, Craving, Equanimous, Facebook, General Spiritual, Knowledge, Meditation, Mind, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Self-Effort
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 6, 2021 | Attachment, Buddha, Courage, Dhyana, Ego, Gnyani, I, Illusion, Maaya, Maya, Meditation, Mind, No-Mind, Purushartha, Samsara, Self-Effort, Selfishness, Yoga Vasistha, You
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 3, 2021 | Attachment, Children, Children, Expectations, Karma, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Vedic
Love is independent of attachment Question: If I am going to have a baby soon, am I going to build more karma? Because I know I am going to have an emotional attachment, or how can I deal with this situation, how can I give 100 percent affection without being...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 30, 2021 | Aagami, Attachment, Causation, Emotions, Expectations, Feverishness, Karma, Karmaphalam, Krishna, Let go, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Seeking, Surrender, Surrender, Vedic
Karma and Karmaphalam Question: Is karma about keeping your intentions positive or is it about keeping your intention and thoughts neutral? Answer: Karma is not created just by action, it is created by speech, it is created by thoughts too. But not by every...
