Causation |

Apaatra Daanam – Charity to the unworthy!

by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 9, 2022 | Uncategorized

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...

Srimad Bhagwatam condemns Con-Men!

by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 7, 2022 | Uncategorized

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....

Contradictions in Advaita!

by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 28, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Body, Body, Body, Body, Body, Death, Direct Path, Dreams, Guilt, Kabir, Love, Memory, Memory, Ramana Maharshi, 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...

What if the Karma theory is wrong?

by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 26, 2021 | Awareness, Awareness, Flow with Life, Karmaphalam, Karmaphalam, Karmaphalam, Karmaphalam, Karmaphalam, Karmaphalam, Karmaphalam, Karmaphalam, Karmaphalam, Karmaphalam, Love, Memory, Purushartha, Self- Realization, Self- Realization, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Wisdom, 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...

You are not the doer!

by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 14, 2021 | Guru, Intellect, Intellect, Intellect, Intellect, Intellect

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...

Free will is a misnomer!

by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 9, 2021 | Ashtavakra Gita, Destiny, Destiny, Destiny, Destiny, Destiny, Destiny, Drama, Drama, Drama, I, Maya, Maya, Maya, Mind, Mind, Mind, Mind, Mind, Mind, Mind, Mind, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Space-Time, Time-past/present/Future, Truth, Wisdom

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....

To Act, or Not To Act?

by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 24, 2021 | Ambition/Career, Company/Association/Sangha, Compassion, Competition, Consciousness, Consciousness, Consciousness, Desire, Games/Play/Fun, God, Maya, Name/Roles, Problem/Struggle/Calamity, Relationship, Serious, Spontaneous, Vedic, Vedic, Vedic, Vedic, Vedic, Vedic, Vedic, Vedic, Vedic, 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...

Dealing with Possessiveness

by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 3, 2021 | Aagami, Commitment, Compassion, Craving, Elements, Equanimous, Freedom, Freedom, Happiness, Impressions, Impressions, Impressions, Impressions, Impressions, Jealousy, Knowledge, Life, Love/Hate, Patanjali Yogs Sutra, Prarabdha, Prarabdha, Prarabdha, Prarabdha, Prarabdha, Purushartha, Purushartha, Purushartha, Samsara, 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...

Are you worthy of Spiritual Knowledge?

by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 20, 2021 | Commitment, Commitment, Doubts, Gnyana, Guru, Guru, Guru, Guru, Liberation, Scriptures, Self, Self-Effort, Truth, Truth, Truth

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...

Karma and Karmaphalam

by Gnyana Sangha | May 30, 2021 | Emotions, Emotions, Emotions, Emotions, Expectations, Feverishness, Krishna, Let go, Present Moment, Seeking, Surrender, Surrender

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...

Dealing with disrespectful people using Buddha’s principles of observing sensations!

by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 27, 2021 | Buddha, Buddha, Buddha, Buddha, Buddha, Buddha, Buddha, Buddha, Buddha, Buddha, Buddha, Buddha, Buddha, Buddha, Personality, Seeking, Seeking, Seeking, Seeking, Seeking, Seeking, Seeking, Seeking, Seeking, Seeking, Seeking, Seeking, Seeking, Seeking, Seeking, Seeking, Seeking, Seeking, Seeking, Seeking, Seeking, Seeking, Seeking, Seeking, Seeking, Seeking, Seeking, Seeking

Dealing with disrespectful people using Buddha’s principles of observing sensations! Question:At work, few people are disrespectful in team meetings. I understand emotions arise due to1] my dvesha [I do not have a powerful physical voice or authoritative position,...

Karma and Suffering

by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 20, 2021 | Freedom, Freewill, Freewill, Freewill, Karma, Problem/Struggle/Calamity, Raaga/Dvesha, Types of Karma

Karma and Suffering Question:If everything is decided by Karma flow then what possibly could be an explanation of 3 years or even 3 months old girls getting physically abused? Is the one who is getting sexually abused experiencing the result of Sanchita karma? If yes...

Dealing with sadness…

by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 15, 2021 | Ego, Ego, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction, Reaction

Dealing with sadness… Question:There are instances when someone just blurts out anger for nothing I did (some people have anger management issues and I know that) and my reaction usually tears, going in silence and feeling hurt. Is that my bucket of anger too? If not,...

Death of a loved one

by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 21, 2021 | Faith

Death of a loved one Question:Why my daughter died of cancer at a very young age, she was very enthusiastic about life, still unmarried and why I had to go through her cancer battle, to see her pain, agony for 5 years? Nobody knows what it feels like taking your...

Fools blame others! Wise look inwards!

by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 2, 2021 | Attraction, Dukkha, Dukkha, I, I, I, I, Misery, Sanchita, Suffering, Sukkha

Fools blame others! Wise look inwards! Question: After doing so many knowledge sessions with you, I have realized that I have a tendency to think that I am perfect and others are wrong. My ways are correct and theirs are wrong. I understand this is the cycle...

Awareness knows that the body is shutdown in deep-sleep!

by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 4, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Body, Direct Path, Sensations, Thoughts, Thoughts, Thoughts, Thoughts

Awareness knows that the body is shutdown in deep-sleep! Question: What is the hindrance in being aware of sensations in deep sleep? Currently, In the waking state, Awareness is not aware of itself all the time. If Awareness would be aware of itself during all waking...

Leave the mind alone!

by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 14, 2021 | Consciousness

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...

Dwindling of desires!

by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 1, 2020 | Reaction, You

Dwindling of desires! Question:There is an expectation to take up additional tasks (at work) as the role requires it.As a spiritual practitioner, I have noticed desires reducing in me automatically and now I have no desire to do extra/more tasks aiming at promotion or...

Stand up for what is right even if you have to stand alone!

by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 27, 2020 | General Spiritual

Stand up for what is right even if you have to stand alone! Question: Didi, I see that people around me do all kinds of corrupt and unwholesome things – lie, steal, twist facts, play games with me, do politics in office as well as at home. These people are very...

How to give it back to the evil people in life?

by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 17, 2020 | Emptiness, Guru, Just Be, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Personality, Self, Self

How to give it back to the evil people in life? Question:I’m following the Buddha’s path of compassion but I need advice on how to treat people who treat you unfairly, cold-heartedly or are just evil people? I have been running into a lot of problems with it. I’ve...

Interview topic – Enlightened Beings

by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 15, 2020 | Niyati, Niyati, Niyati, Niyati, Niyati, Niyati, Niyati, Niyati, Niyati, Niyati, Niyati, Niyati, Niyati, Niyati, Niyati, Niyati, Niyati, Niyati, Niyati, Niyati, Niyati, Niyati, Niyati, Niyati, Niyati, Niyati, Niyati, Niyati, Niyati, Niyati

Interview topic – Enlightened Beings Question: I am deeply interested to understand the meaning of “Enlightenment”. Answer: Interest in knowing something is called curiosity. It is not sufficient to help one attain the highest possible goal for a human called...

Vasanas

by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 8, 2020 | Anger, Anxiety, Attachment, Attention-Seeking, Aversion, Desire, Expectations, Fear, Fear, Greed, Guilt, Happiness, Hurt, Impressions, Jealousy, Love/Hate, Love/Hate, Love/Hate, Mindfulness, Misery, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Selfishness, Stress, Sukkha, 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,...

How to do the Jhanas optimally?

by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 6, 2020 | You, You, You, You, You, You, You, You, You, You, You, You, You, You, You, You, You, You, You, You, You, You, You, You, You, You, You

How to do the Jhanas optimally? Question:How to do the Jhanas optimally?Answer:One must experiment with his mind while in the Jhanas.Experiment 1 – Make an attempt to maintain it:To maintain it longer requires a stable and non-reactive mind. If you jump at the...

Benefits of Vipassana or Satipatthana

Benefits of Vipassana or Satipatthana Question: I went for the 10 days retreat. The experience was very fulfilling. On day 4 of the Vipassana program during meditation, I was vividly seeing the events from my childhood more than 35 years ago which upset me very much...

Birthday Message!

Birthday Message! Question: JGD didi, many happy returns of the day. Please could you give us a message on your birthday about how to celebrate a birthday. Answer: Life is a school. We all are here to learn some lessons. There are several classrooms:...

Killing microbes accrues Karma or not?

by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 13, 2020 | Buddha, Maaya, Maaya, Maaya, Maaya, Maaya, Maaya, Maaya, Maaya, Maaya, Maaya, Maaya, Maaya, Maaya, Maaya, Maaya, Maaya, Maaya, Maaya, Maaya, Maaya, Maaya, Maaya, Maaya, Maaya, Maaya, Maaya, Maaya, Maaya, Maaya, Maaya

Killing microbes accrues Karma or not? Question: I am a novice Buddhist. I admit that killing any living beings leads to negative karma production. Is there any explanation in karma formation in killing microorganisms? I had this debate with my friend, he claims...

Why is there a pinch experienced in doing right?

by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 11, 2020 | Flow with Life, Flow with Life, Flow with Life, Flow with Life, Flow with Life, Flow with Life, Flow with Life, Flow with Life, Flow with Life, Flow with Life, Flow with Life, Flow with Life, Flow with Life, Flow with Life, Flow with Life, Flow with Life, Flow with Life, Flow with Life, Flow with Life, Flow with Life, Flow with Life, Flow with Life, Flow with Life, Flow with Life, Flow with Life, Flow with Life, Flow with Life, Flow with Life

Why is there a pinch experienced in doing right? Question:I have a question regarding the previous knowledge on Apaatra Daanam!We have faced that situation many times with extended family. Using my Viveka, it’s obviously ‘apaatra’! But why I still feel a pinch? Just...

Law of Nature – Kudrat ka kanoon!

by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 25, 2020 | Maaya

Law of Nature – Kudrat ka kanoon! Question:Is it okay to think negative about someone but not really do any action to hurt them? The negative thought was planted in me by another friend. I keep thinking about the negativity again and again, but I am not doing or...

Are you ready for Buddha’s teachings on the Art of BEing with REALITY?

Are you ready for Buddha’s teachings on the Art of BEing with REALITY? Question:I am confused whether I should start with the Vedic or Buddha’s knowledge sessions on the website http://www.gnyanasangha.com. How do I know if I am ready for Buddha’s...

Why are Buddha’s Suttas not easily accepted?

by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 15, 2020 | Bhakti, Devotion, Intellect, Knowledge, Knowledge, Knowledge, Knowledge, Knowledge, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Self-Effort

Why are Buddha’s Suttas not easily accepted? Question:Why are Buddha’s Suttas not easily accepted? I notice that NOT ONLY in Hindu monks but also in the Buddhist sects. Why can’t man accept the Truth?Answer:Your question is valuable and will help many others.Buddha’s...

Want to spend an afternoon interacting with a fully enlightened person… How to find one?

by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 5, 2020 | Independent Spirituality, Independent Spirituality, Independent Spirituality, Independent Spirituality, Ramana Maharshi

Want to spend an afternoon interacting with a fully enlightened person… How to find one? Question: I have a very deep thirst for knowing the Truth of ‘Who am I?’ I follow Ramana Maharshi’s teachings but it is so difficult to find a fully enlightened being to spend...

A few questions on KARMA

by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 31, 2020 | Attachment, Attachment, Aversion, Aversion, Destiny, Dukkha, Ego, Pleasure/Pain, Pleasure/Pain, Pleasure/Pain, Pleasure/Pain, Pleasure/Pain, Sankalpa/Intention, Scriptures, Self, Soul, Temporary, Types of Karma, Types of Karma, Vedic

A few questions on KARMA Question:Is karma about keeping your intentions positive or is it about keeping your intention and thoughts neutral?Answer:There are two steps:Moving from negativity to positivityDropping the attachment to positivity = attaining...

Karma, Destiny and Free will

by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 30, 2020 | Awareness, Awareness, Awareness, Awareness, Awareness, Awareness, Freewill, Mind, Prarabdha, Sanchita, Sanchita, Sanchita, Sanchita, Sanchita

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...

Decision-making – Everything is a happening!

Decision-making – Everything is a happening! Question:Should I stay here in the US or go back to India? Should I sell my home or keep it and rent it out and return back to the US in a few years? Is there still some karma to be taken care of in the US…..in this...

Be with reality as it is! But how?

by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 22, 2020 | Uncategorized

Be with reality as it is! But how? Question:Didi, what does it mean to be with reality as it is? It’s difficult to understand. Please, would you explain?Answer:Be with reality as it is!This is a tough one to understand. People feel what’s so difficult in being with...

The collapse of craving!

by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 2, 2019 | Just Be, Just Be, Just Be, Just Be, Just Be, Just Be, Just Be, Just Be, Just Be, Just Be, Just Be, Just Be, Just Be, Just Be, Just Be, Just Be, Just Be, Just Be, Just Be, Just Be, Just Be, Just Be, Just Be, Just Be, Just Be, Just Be

Results for "collapse of craving" Question:I have searched with many schools of thoughts and still cannot figure out why I still crave for things. In fact, I understand when you explain about the feverishness that arises because of craving. I totally...

The essence of Mourning period after death.

by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 2, 2019 | Uncategorized

Results for "the essence" Question:Dear Ektaji,A very close friend of my brother is expected to die due to cancer. Respected elder family members have said to him that he cannot attend a family wedding in June if he attends his friend’s cremation ceremony....

Volition is Karma!

by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 1, 2019 | Illusion, Illusion, Illusion, Illusion, Illusion, Illusion, Illusion, Illusion, Illusion, Illusion, Illusion, Illusion, Illusion, Illusion, Illusion, Illusion, Illusion, Illusion, Illusion, Illusion, Illusion, Illusion, Illusion, Illusion, Illusion

Volition is Karma! Question:Didi, silly question, I used to sometimes pluck the flowers from our backyard and put them in an arrangement in water or in a vase, but now when I go to pluck them I feel like I am hurting them and I don’t want to do it, so I haven’t been...

Anger burns you NOT the other person

by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 1, 2019 | Illusion

Anger burns you NOT the other person Question:Didi one silly questionIs doing unwholesome behavior with unwholesome people justified? I got angry with a person at work who was gossiping and was very harmful towards me, so I gave her a taste of her own medicine, but...

Spiritual Restlessness

by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 1, 2019 | Niyati

Spiritual Restlessness Question:Didi, quoting from your message “Constantly remind yourself that ‘this restlessness is a reality’. Let me try NOT to suppress it or cover it up”. Does one have to get past the struggle to just ‘BE’ with the restlessness? I have always...

Is there a benefit in knowing about planetary movements?

by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 1, 2019 | Seeking

Ekta Question:What is the point of knowing that it is the Mercury retrograde going on right now? I have only been on the watch since yesterday keeping a guard to prevent negativity. It makes me nervous. How is it helpful?Answer:Mercury Retrograde is just an apparent...

Principles of Law of Attraction

by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 6, 2019 | Aagami, Aagami, Aagami, Aagami, Aagami, Aagami, Aagami, Aagami, Aagami, Attraction, Attraction, Attraction, Emotions, Emptiness, Energy, Gnyana, Independent Spirituality, Knowledge, Let go, Sankalpa/Intention, Sankalpa/Intention, 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...

When someone blames you, they actually take away some negative karma from you!

by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 17, 2019 | Karmaphalam, Life, Life, Life, Life, Life, Pleasure/Pain

When someone blames you, they actually take away some negative karma from you! Question:Jai Gurudev Ekta didi, “When someone blames you, they actually take away some negative karma from you. Understand this and don’t put up resistance. Feel happy and lighter about it....

Your name does not belong to you!

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...