by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 26, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Consciousness, Direct Path, Illusion, Meditation, Memory, Mind, Sensations, Silence, Thoughts
Is there a conscious link between thoughts? Question:Thoughts being dead information are simply a result of the memory of people, situations, things, ideas picked up from conditioning. Is there a conscious link between thoughts? Answer:If you are looking for a logical...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 25, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Direct Path, Doership, I, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Thoughts
It’s very simple and easy! Question:Is it as simple as withdrawing from the stand of body/mind and resting as the awareness? Answer:Yes, it is that simple. It is both simple and easy. That is why it is called effortlessness. You have to give up the effort...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 14, 2021 | Awareness, Causation, Consciousness, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You
Leave the mind alone! Question: Dear Didi, in your signature and on your web site, there is a beautiful quote. “Leave the mind alone, it will quieten itself! Meditate!”I meditate, but it is more of a struggle and I always come out feeling not so good about my...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 5, 2021 | Awareness, Devas, Divine, Doership, Ego, Energy, Existence, Freedom, I, Intellect, Karma, Let go, Mind, No-Mind, Prayer, Present Moment, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Spontaneous, Suffering, Surrender, Vedic, Wisdom
Surrender 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 by the obstacles they throw...
by Gnyana Sangha | Dec 31, 2020 | 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 | Dec 22, 2020 | Advaita, Awareness, Chanting, Consciousness, Enlightenment, Kabir, Paths, Pranayama, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence
Kabir says that ‘you are that’ already… recognize it before its too late! Question: I found this Kabir poem recitation by Shabnam Virmani. She learned this poem from Bhairavidevi who sings songs about Kabir. Please can you help translate it into...
by Gnyana Sangha | Dec 13, 2020 | Awareness, Consciousness, Enlightenment, God, Guru, Kabir, Paths, Religion, Self-Effort, Suffering
Kabir says drop all conditioning! Question: In one of your answers, you mentioned that Kabir asks us to burn down our house of material and spiritual conditioning if we want to attain the Witness/Consciousness/Sakshi. Has Kabir explained what is spiritual...
by Gnyana Sangha | Dec 10, 2020 | Advaita, Advaita, Awareness, Brahman, Consciousness, Enlightenment, Mind, Paths, Self, Self-Effort
The personal Journey within the Witness/Awareness/Consciousness! Question: Didi, please, please share with me your own experience of the Journey within Awareness/Witness. I might be there but I am not confident if it is my ‘ego’ thinking I am there. Your...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 29, 2020 | Awareness, Body, Enlightenment, Gnyani, Guru, Independent Spirituality, Intellect, Masters, Matter, Mind, Physical, Pleasure/Pain, Prakriti, Ramana Maharshi, Suffering
Does a Guru or the Enlightened one feel sadness? Do they actually fall sick? Question:I have a question, although it may sound silly. I was wondering, do enlightened beings feel sadness? Do they actually feel sick? As I look at Guruji, I see consciousness and whatever...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 26, 2020 | 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 25, 2020 | 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? Answer:...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 24, 2020 | 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 23, 2020 | 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. ...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 22, 2020 | 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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 15, 2020 | 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 of...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 3, 2020 | Awareness, Guru, Independent Spirituality, Knowledge, Maaya, Maya, Meditation, Meditation, Mind, Paths, Present Moment, Purushartha, Purushartha, Scriptures, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Vedic
Guilt of spiritual insincerity Question: JGD Didi, I have started listening to knowledge recently and I, suddenly, realized that I have been tremendously insincere in the past.This is bothering me too much. I want to progress on the path, please guide me on how to...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 29, 2020 | Awareness, Body, Brahman, Concepts, Consciousness, Doership, Ego, Elements, Existence, Fear, Form, Gnyana, Gratitude, Guru, I, Impressions, Life, Matter, Mind, Opinion/Behavior/Judgement, Personality, Physical, Prakriti, Purusha, Self, Soul, Surrender, Truth, Vedic, You
What is Personality? Question:Is personality born from the soul or is it created by the ego? When we see others who are acting very differently than we ever would like ourselves to, even though they are part of our same consciousness, does that mean that they have the...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 20, 2020 | Advaita, Awareness, Consciousness, Duality, Enlightenment, Independent Spirituality, Paths, Ramana Maharshi, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Self- Realization
Belief v/s Experience Question: Ektaji, how can witnessing become my experience when I don’t know the very first step itself? I know the Upanishads are Rishi’s meditated and this knowledge came. So I believe in that and studied but if I don’t believe...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 11, 2020 | Awareness, Awareness, Consciousness, Drama, I, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Meditation, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Silence, Temporary, Thoughts
A thought is just a JOKER! Question:When I am in the silent state during meditation and shift my object of meditation from sensations to the silence/ pure awareness I am experiencing, how to prolong that state? It feels like the mind is waiting behind the bushes like...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 24, 2020 | Awareness, Awareness, Buddha, Freewill, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Karma, Meditation, Mindfulness, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Truth, Vedic
Karma Cornering Questions: Right now my office situation is extremely difficult. I am overloaded, there is a lot of politics. I want to leave the job but I can’t because of my personal situation. The stress is affecting my health and I am taking sleeping pills. I am...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 20, 2020 | Awareness, Awareness, Body, Buddha, Buddha, Craving, Desire, Dispassion, Doership, Elements, Feverishness, Gunas, Impressions, Karma, Non-Doership, Pleasure/Pain, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Satvik/Rajasic/Tamasic, Self- Realization, Sensations, Senses, Sex/Passion/Celibacy, Truth, Vairagya, Vasana
Dealing with Sexual desires on the spiritual path! Question: What should be the effort from our side to get over sexual desire on the spiritual path, if we should not suppress it? If we express it aren’t we making those impressions stronger? What should be our...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 10, 2020 | Awareness, Buddha, Buddha, Enlightenment, Karma, Karmaphalam, Masters, Present Moment, Satipathana, Self-Effort, Sensations
Buddha’s Legendary Enlightenment Question: Why is Buddha’s enlightenment considered legendary. Are there categories in enlightenment? Answer: Transcription: JGD. The question is: Why is Buddha’s enlightenment considered legendary. Are there categories in...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 8, 2020 | Aagami, Anger, Anxiety, Attachment, Attention-Seeking, Attraction, Aversion, Awareness, Buddha, Causation, Craving, Desire, Dukkha, Emotions, Expectations, Fear, Fear, Greed, Guilt, Happiness, Hurt, Impressions, Jealousy, Karma, Karmaphalam, Love/Hate, Memory, Mindfulness, Misery, Pleasure/Pain, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Samsara, Seeking, Selfishness, Stress, Sukkha, Thoughts, Vasana
Vasanas Question:Can you clarify what vasana means?Answer:The mind is stuck in 3 factors –PeopleSituations andThingsThe association with all these 3 will lead to impressions in the mind.Association with people leads to – Impressions of entanglement, jealousy, lust,...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 3, 2020 | Awareness, Awareness, Body, Buddha, Buddha, Dukkha, Enlightenment, Equanimous, Matter, Present Moment, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Satipathana, Senses, Sukkha, Thoughts
Yardstick to measure spiritual progress Question:What is the yardstick to measure my spiritual progress? How do I know if I am progressing spiritually?Answer:The yardstick to measure your spiritual progress is: ‘Equanimity + Awareness’.*Equanimity = [Internal...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 25, 2020 | Attachment, Awareness, Awareness, Bondage, Buddha, Buddha, Concepts, Craving, Desire, Equanimous, Freedom, Ignorance, Just Be, Knowledge, Let go, Meditation, Mind, Misery, No-Mind, Pleasure/Pain, Present Moment, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Samsara, Satipathana, Seeking, Sensations, Silence, Suffering, Temporary, Thoughts, Wisdom
What is taught in a Buddha retreat? Question: Please would you explain what is taught in the Buddha retreats? I have statues of Buddha at home but am totally unaware of his teachings. Please enlighten me about what is Vipassana, Samatha, Jhanas, etc. Answer: Here is a...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 16, 2020 | Advaita, Advaita, Awareness, Brahman, Consciousness, Ego, Enlightenment, Flow with Life, God, Paths, Rituals, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self-Effort, Symbolism, Truth
Happy Paryushana! Approaching rites and rituals the Advaitic way! Question: Di, I finally had the experience and recognition, that everything is awareness, everything is Brahman! I am Brahman and everything is Brahman. Only Brahman is. And there is no karma....
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 30, 2020 | 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 main...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 22, 2020 | Aagami, Awareness, Buddha, Buddha, Drama, Emotions, Mind, Reaction, Satipathana, Thoughts
The secret of the ‘first thought’! Question: What to do if negative thoughts keep coming against a person. I know it is not right and I am creating agami karma for myself but I am still unable to avoid it. Answer: This is a common mistake made by many spiritual...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 20, 2020 | Awareness, Awareness, Breath, Buddha, Meditation, Prana, Pranayama, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence, Thoughts
Silence the thoughts skillfully Question:Ekta ji, Jai Guru Dev ! What is the power of thought, how much importance should I attach to it, can I dismiss all the thoughts that spring up, life (mundane chores) runs on Thoughts, so called actions spring out of thoughts,...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 16, 2020 | Awareness, Buddha, Consciousness, Enlightenment, Just Be, Meditation, Purushartha, Satipathana, Scriptures, Self- Realization, Self-Effort, Soul, Soul, Sukkha, Truth, Uncategorized
Buddha taught that there is NO SOUL! Question:Buddha taught that there is NO SOUL! Please, can you enlighten us on this?Answer:To understand Buddha first, we have to understand his basic teachings.Buddha was a prince, who saw riches/name/fame/relationships but did not...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 11, 2020 | Advaita, Awareness, Emotions, Mind, Paths, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Thoughts
Is it the witness or a blank screen manufactured by the mind? Question:Is it the witness or a blank screen manufactured by the mind? Is Manolaya the same as the blank screen manufactured by the mind? How do I get out of it? Answer: You will know very clearly if there...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 10, 2020 | Advaita, Advaita, Awareness, Body, Brahman, Consciousness, Ego, I, Paths, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
Is the body-mind inside the field of knowingness/awareness? Dear Sincere seeker, Please find the short video clip and its transcript below for the answer to the question, ‘Is the body-mind inside the field of knowingness awareness?’ Transcript: The...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 8, 2020 | Advaita, Advaita, Awareness, Consciousness, Just Be, Paths, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence, Thoughts
What is the silence in between two thoughts? Dear Sincere seeker, Please find the short video clip and its transcript below for the answer to the question, ‘What is the silence in between two thoughts?’ Transcript: If you are not sleeping, if you...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 7, 2020 | Advaita, Advaita, Awareness, Brahman, Consciousness, Illusion, Maya, Paths
What is the real meaning of Jagat Mithya [The world is an illusion] Dear Sincere seeker, Please find the short video clip and its transcript below for the answer to the question, What is the real meaning of Jagat Mithya [The world is an illusion]? Transcript: I am not...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 2, 2020 | Advaita, Awareness, Consciousness, Gossip, Illusion, Maaya, Paths, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
Awareness does not seem to be natural to me. How do I make it my nature? Dear Sincere seeker, Please find the short video clip and its transcript below for the answer to the question, Awareness does not seem to be natural to me. How do I make it my nature? ...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 30, 2020 | Advaita, Awareness, Consciousness, Drama, Ego, Independent Spirituality, Mind, Paths, Ramana Maharshi, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara
Dealing with Blame [per Ramana Maharshi’s direct path] Question: I can not take insults and blame and criticism, I wilt away like a dying flower. Please help me deal with this, a family member does not speak respectfully and this kills me. Please help! ...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 28, 2020 | Awareness, Consciousness, I, Independent Spirituality, Mind, Paths, Ramana Maharshi, Silence, Thoughts
The source of the I-thought is Silence! Question: Concentration on ‘I’ thought seems to be an on and off process. I get a glimpse that concentration on ‘I-thought’ will remove the identification with the body but the more I concentrate on the...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 23, 2020 | Advaita, Advaita, Awareness, Awareness, Consciousness, Paths, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Thoughts
Is Sakshi bhava [awareness], just a thought produced by the mind? Dear Sincere seeker, Please find the short video clip and its transcript below for the answer to the question, ‘Is Sakshi bhava [awareness], just a thought produced by the mind?’ ...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 18, 2020 | Advaita, Advaita, Awareness, Breath, Buddha, Chanting, Consciousness, Doership, Ego, Meditation, Paths, Pranayama, Samadhi, Satipathana, Silence
Buddhadvaita could be your way! Question: Ektaji, in Anapana meditation, when I observe my breath after few minutes of unknown thoughts appear then I am gone (unaware about anything) then again I realize I have to be aware of the breath then again the same thing...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 4, 2020 | Advaita, Advaita, Awareness, Duality, Ego, Emotions, I, Mind, Paths, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Satipathana, Self-Effort, Sensations
Advaitic way of dealing with uncontrollable emotions Question: Ekta didi, I am going through a strong emotion because of an event in my life this last week. I am quite aware of it and this time I want to use it to go deep into the emotion. What is the Advaitic way of...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 2, 2020 | Aversion, Awareness, Awareness, Birth, Buddha, Craving, Death, Just Be, Mind, Moksha, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Samadhi, Self, Space-Time, Time-past/present/Future
Time does not exist! Question:As you said, we will be born again and again until we attain moksha from the cycle of birth and death. How to understand the paradigm of time here i.e. after this life, can I be born back in time? Does time exist really? If no, then there...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 28, 2020 | Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Emotions, Guru, Liberation, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Vedic
Identifying yourself with your thoughts and emotions, thinking that you created them, is utter ignorance ! Question:Guruji dropped this tweet a few weeks ago (which I’ve since added to my “Daily Reminders”): “Identifying yourself with your...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 5, 2020 | Awareness, Awareness, Flow with Life, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Let go, Mindfulness, Present Moment, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Wonder
Not my circus, not my monkeys! Question:Dear Ektaji, Can you please advise how we can both be in wonder and saakshi bhaav? Aren’t these two opposite states? Or does it mean when we are in sadhana, we have to be in saakshi bhaav and other times in the state of...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 3, 2020 | Awareness, Awareness, Consciousness, Death, General Spiritual, Karma, Mindfulness, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
3 States of Consciousness Question: Ektaji, I have one question. You were saying that if one is established in 100% awareness of the subtle body at death, you become enlightened. Does this happen only at the time of death or can it happen even when you...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 30, 2020 | Aversion, Awareness, Awareness, Independent Spirituality, Meditation, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
How to apply Sakshi Bhav in everyday life ? Question: I often try (or at least do it when I am aware) to be a sakshi of whatever I am doing. This is easier in meditation but difficult when I not meditating. How do I practice this with my eyes open when I am in vyavhar...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 28, 2020 | Anger, Ashtavakra Gita, Attraction, Awareness, Awareness, Buddha, Commitment, Compassion, Craving, Dhyana, Emotions, Fear, Gnyana, Mind, Mindfulness, Purushartha, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Relationship, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Tapas
Are you a SAKSHI ? Question: When the storm of emotions hit (it did yesterday LOL) I kept reminding myself to “watch for it”. The emotion was anger and disappointment but when it was surging the high wasn’t under control. I was constantly reminding myself that the...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 21, 2020 | Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Awareness, Body, Breath, Buddha, Dhyana, Doership, Equanimous, Flow with Life, I, Independent Spirituality, Intellect, Just Be, Krishna, Meditation, Mind, Mindfulness, No-Mind, Non-Doership, Patanjali Yogs Sutra, Present Moment, Purushartha, Purushartha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Senses, Silence, Spontaneous, Thoughts
Is being a witness and being 100% aware the same? Question 1:I was practicing 100% awareness for most of the day. But it seemed to me that as I was 100% aware, I was also totally aware of what I was experiencing through the senses – I was totally aware of what my body...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 20, 2020 | Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Enlightenment, Mind, Non-Doership, Purusha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Thoughts, Vedic, You
When “I” watch my thoughts, who is doing the watching? Question: When “I” watch my thoughts, is it my consciousness that’s doing the watching? Or another layer of the burrito altogether? Answer: You are watching the thoughts. You are not the mind, you are not...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 18, 2020 | Awareness, Consciousness, Independent Spirituality, Knowledge, Purusha, Scriptures, Self, Yoga Vasistha
Who are you? Question: When we say ‘know yourself’ or ‘realize yourself’ who you or “your true nature” or real self, It looks like we are pointing towards the ONE Self who is SELF of all, our inner self or in other words the ocean...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 17, 2020 | Awareness, Consciousness, Dreams, Duality, General Spiritual, Illusion, Let go, Physical, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Satori, Self, Truth, Videha
Is it possible to drop duality? Questions: In Cosmos, it is said that there is no concept of time. My question though is, can you experience this while you are in a physical form. From Lila’s story(yoga vasishtha), she had to remove the duality completely? Please...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 9, 2020 | Aagami, Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Bhakti, Brahman, Consciousness, Destiny, Devotion, Divine, Doership, Gnyana, Guru, Knowledge, Love, Maya, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sanchita, Surrender, Surrender, Surrender, Vedic
Bhakti leads to the flowering of Gnyana Question: Hello Ektaji, I read on one of the Facebook post where Guruji says “Devotion destroys all the karma”. Could you please explain this with reference to what we have learnt so far in Ashtavakra Gita? Answer: Ashtavakra...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 5, 2020 | Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Bhakti Sutra, Consciousness, Enlightenment, Form, Formless, God, Independent Spirituality, Knowledge, Life, Maaya, Maya, Patanjali Yogs Sutra, Raaga/Dvesha, Samsara, Scriptures, Self, Self- Realization, Self-Effort, Vedic, Wonder, Yoga Vasistha
Who is God? Question: What’s the easy way to be connected to divine. I was good at that but I got lost & cannot concentrate to get there again. Answer: How to be connected to the divine? Who is God? Most do not even know who is God. How can you be...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 30, 2020 | Aagami, Awareness, Causation, Destiny, Emotions, Freewill, Impressions, Karma, Karmaphalam, Mind, Niyati, Prarabdha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sanchita, Types of Karma, Vedic
Karma, Destiny and Free will Question:My understanding is that Free-will comes into the picture in two ways: 1.We exercise our free will in the present life in response to Prarabdh Karma (Thoughts and actions that we manifest in current life as a result of Sanchita...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 20, 2020 | Awareness, Bondage, Buddha, Freedom, Relationship, Self- Realization
Drop holding onto external supports in life! Question: If everything is changing then how do I live? What am I supposed to hold onto to go through this life? Answer: Beautiful question dear! Very few people even realize that they are holding on to something or...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 18, 2020 | Awareness, Bondage, Boss/Colleague, Death, Emotions, Existence, Fear, Fear, Form, Illusion, Maaya, Physical, Prakriti, Relationship, Samsara, Self, Self- Realization, Soul, Temporary, Vedic, Viveka, Wisdom
Death Question: Dearest Ektaji, My first boss and mentor who became a very good friend just died this morning. I have known him since 1985. Part of me feels ignorant/lost and part of me feels thirsty. I feel Lost because I do not have good knowledge about death and...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 11, 2020 | 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 | Mar 8, 2020 | Awareness, Breath, Buddha, Buddha, Ego, Meditation, Meditation, Mindfulness, Sensations, Silence
Are you tensing up in meditation instead of relaxing? Question: A teacher said that “If you practice mindfulness too much, you cannot relax and experience the unknown.” I had been pondering on this a lot, I find it true and untrue at the same...
by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 16, 2020 | Awareness, Awareness, Enlightenment, General Spiritual, Guru, Ignorance, Masters, Meditation, Wisdom
Types of Spirituality paths! Question: I struggle between the need for objects of meditation (music, chanting) and just being in pure nothingness. Sometimes I am here, sometimes there. I want to reach the ultimate spiritual goal. Have I reached this confusion after a...
by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 11, 2020 | Awareness, Conscious, Expectations, Fear, General Spiritual, Impressions, Karma, Karmaphalam, Kriya, Sub-conscious
How to work on erasing past patterns? Question: JGD Ekta di, we acquire certain belief systems and patterns from our past birth as a result of Sanchita karma and these are strong impressions embedded in us that makes us act and react in a certain manner. The objective...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 13, 2020 | Awareness, Awareness, Body, Breath, Buddha, Fear, Impressions, Just Be, Meditation, Memory, Physical, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Satipathana, Sensations, Senses, Thoughts
Shivering during meditation, is it normal? Question: Yesterday, when I was meditating, I could only do three rounds of body observation but I felt I was aware the whole time and I felt for the first time I am doing it as you had explained, I was feeling all my body...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 2, 2020 | Awareness, General Spiritual, God, Guru, Knowledge, Meditation, Meditation, Mind, Scriptures, Self, Self- Realization, Silence, Thoughts, Wisdom
How to do a Spiritual Sabbatical? Question: How to do a few days of Spiritual sabbatical? Answer: Spirituality is about looking within and finding that peace within. For beginners, who have not yet learnt to be with their own selves, every Teacher/Guru/Master gives...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 9, 2019 | Awareness, General Spiritual, Samsara
Why everyone cannot meditate? Question:Didi – due to some recent experiences I have been wondering about this. Why is it so hard for people to understand this spiritual aspect of life and not meditate? which can help live a stress-free life in the general sense. Why...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 6, 2019 | Awareness, Chanting, Karma, Kriya, Let go, Meditation, Mind, Pranayama, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sanchita, Self- Realization, Thoughts, Types of Karma, Vedic, Wisdom
How do we stop negative thoughts at unpleasant moments? Question:I agree and have experienced that daily regular sadhana, pranayama, meditation, chanting helps to bring awareness and stay focused. However, there are times when we go through unpleasant moments how do...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 6, 2019 | Anger, Aversion, Awareness, Awareness, Buddha, Craving, Desire, Emotions, Fear, Guilt, Independent Spirituality, Knowledge, Love/Hate, Memory, Mind, Mindfulness, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sankalpa/Intention, Sensations, Sex/Passion/Celibacy, Thoughts, Vasana, Wisdom
Can one use restraint to be celibate? Question:For Brahmacharya to happen, a maturity is required, before this maturity can one use restraint to be celibate?Answer:The act of “restraining the senses” belongs to the circle of sleep.What is the circle of...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 6, 2019 | Anger, Awareness, Elements, Emotions, Faith, Guru, Hurt, Jealousy, Karma, Karmaphalam, Maya, Prayer, Raaga/Dvesha, Sankalpa/Intention, Surrender, Vedic
How to deal with emotions of negativity ? Question:I am going through storm of emotions and all negative like anger , jealousy. I feel frustrated, guess fire element is dominant. Though I tell myself it’s not me it’s the effect of fire element but it...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 6, 2019 | Aagami, Awareness, Guilt, Karma, Karmaphalam, Life, Niyati, Opinion/Behavior/Judgement, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Vedic
Don’t be wrong against wrong, everything that comes your way is Karma! Question:Dear Ektaji, today I listened to AG 2 “The five principles” here Guruji says that “don’t be wrong against wrong”. After 3-4 hours of listening, I was faced with the situation....
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 6, 2019 | Aagami, Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Awareness, Dreams, General Spiritual, Independent Spirituality, Knowledge, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Scriptures, Sub-conscious
Raaga and Dvesha at the sub-conscious level Question:Can raaga/ dvesha happen at the sub conscious level? Are there seeds of attachment buried deep inside me which will pop someday?Answer:Yes, Raaga/Dvesha happen at a subconscious level predominantly. It is because...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 6, 2019 | Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Death, Emotions, Fear, Fear, Fear, Independent Spirituality, Knowledge, Mind, Prakriti, Scriptures, Sex/Passion/Celibacy, Vedic, Wonder
Go beyond Curiosity to be in the state of Wonder ! Question:Dear Ekta, I am in the middle of reading Ashtavakra Gita #12 – Nature of the mind. I am actually having a bit of difficulty understanding Wonder. What is wonder? How do I identify wonder? How do I know...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 6, 2019 | Aagami, Attraction, Awareness, Causation, Emotions, Emptiness, Energy, Gnyana, Impressions, Independent Spirituality, Intellect, Just Be, Knowledge, Let go, Love/Hate, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sankalpa/Intention, Thoughts, Vibration
Principles of Law of Attraction Question:I’ve noticed, it is said to ‘be positive’ or to ‘think positive’ so you attract that kind of people or energies around you, but when thoughts are negative then those energies or situations arise sooner than the positive...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 6, 2019 | 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 | Mar 6, 2019 | Awareness, Buddha, Ego, Emotions, Feverishness, Hurt, Independent Spirituality, Intellect, Knowledge, Let go, Mind, Surrender
It’s OK! Question:If someone deeply insults and plays drama for their needs or hurts, how to get away from it saying, ‘it’s OK’? Mind doesn’t allow due to self-respect. How do I do it?Answer:Right from the moment you are born, the play that is life brings...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 6, 2019 | Aagami, Awareness, Destiny, Doership, Flow with Life, Impressions, Just Be, Karma, Karmaphalam, Life, Love/Hate, Niyati, Prarabdha, Problem/Struggle/Calamity, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Relationship, Sanchita, Self- Realization, Soulmate, Surrender, Vedic, Wisdom
Are you crazy or wise? Question:I met a guy for a matrimonial alliance but he left saying I feel a pull towards u so if it’s meant to be then destiny will get us back together! I don’t know how to deal with this. Is it really all destiny? Or it’s just a name...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 6, 2019 | Aagami, Attachment, Awareness, Buddha, Emotions, Just Be, Karma, Let go, Mind, Niyati, Prarabdha, Reaction, Sanchita, Thoughts, Wisdom
Stop saying ‘why is this happening to me?’ Eat fresh! Question:Hello Ekta didi, sometimes I wonder how come some people don’t have to let go of anything in life. They have been blessed with things others aren’t. Why is it so? Is it all karma again? How come some...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 6, 2019 | 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 impressions of...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 1, 2019 | 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 clearly, if you...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 1, 2019 | Aagami, Aversion, Awareness, Bhagwad Gita, Boss/Colleague, Compassion, Dharma, Ego, Emotions, Hurt, Impressions, Jealousy, Karma, Knowledge, Love/Hate, Mind, Name/Roles, Personality, Raaga/Dvesha, Relationship, Spontaneous, Vedic, Wisdom
How to deal with misbehavior? Question:After working with a person, some habit/pattern and memory came up. It reminds me that she acted like my ex-boss who needs us to respect her and follow her lead; but at some points, my ego tells me: No, this is not right! I...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 1, 2019 | 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 | Mar 1, 2019 | 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 nothing...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 1, 2019 | Awareness, Concepts, Dhyana, Energy, Guru, Knowledge, Kriya, Meditation, Meditation, Mind, Pranayama, Purushartha, Scriptures, Silence, Thoughts, Upanishad, Vedic
Thoughts during meditation and sadness after! Question: Dear Ekta didi, I have been doing my meditation but I just can’t get my mind to shut up! It constantly brings thoughts. I don’t resist them. But I am slightly concerned. I am in no way impatient, I will continue...
by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 28, 2019 | Awareness, Buddha, Commitment, Ego, Guru, Independent Spirituality, Life, Purushartha, Seeking, Self-Effort
6 Signs of a sincere seeker 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 “Gnyana Sangha” button on the left sidebar. Have a Spiritual Question? Ask...
by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 28, 2019 | 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 | Feb 28, 2019 | 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 | Feb 28, 2019 | 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 racing...
by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 27, 2019 | 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 | Feb 25, 2019 | 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 GURUJI, Raaga? Will it bring us back in next lifetime with him? what if one do not seek Mukti but only want to be with Guruji in every life? Answer: Then one has not progressed spiritually at all. One has just substituted his...
by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 21, 2019 | Awareness, Awareness, Birth, Death, Enlightenment, Impressions, Karma, Liberation, Mind, Miscarriage, No-Mind, OM, Raaga/Dvesha, Soul, Unconscious, Vedic
Baby dying in womb attains liberation or not? The key to liberation is ‘awareness’. Being ‘Aware at the point of death is the secret code!For an ‘unenlightened soul’, birth and death both happen in a ‘deep sleep state devoid of awareness’. Because of this lack of...
by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 21, 2019 | 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 | Feb 16, 2019 | 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 scenerySeer: You are the seer....
by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 16, 2019 | 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 | Feb 7, 2019 | 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 | Feb 7, 2019 | 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 | Jan 17, 2019 | 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 techniques...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 16, 2019 | 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 give...