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 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 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 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 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 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 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 | 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 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 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 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 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 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 | 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 | 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 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 | 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 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 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 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 | 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 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 | 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 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 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 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 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 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 | 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 | 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...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 25, 2021 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Buddha, Consciousness, Knowledge, Meditation, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Suffering, Surrender
Will my medical condition disappear during meditation? Question: I have a common chronic medical condition. Like my awareness, it is always there. But, when my mind is full of activity I do not notice it. I meditate for an hour a day and have moments of complete peace...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 20, 2021 | Consciousness, Dhyana, Meditation, Patanjali Yogs Sutra, Samadhi, Scriptures, Vedic
Is it possible to go into a complete thoughtless state while meditating? Question: When meditating, I sometime get down to a very relaxed clear state, where I feel only peace (there really isn’t any word for it though) but there are usually one or two thoughts...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 18, 2021 | Ignorance, Karma, Maaya, Present Moment, Suffering, Vedic, Viveka
What is ignorance in the present moment ? Question: I have a question: “Ignorance in the present moment” – Does that mean not everything that happens is karma? Or even that is karma only? Answer: Let’s understand what is ignorance in the present moment. It is being...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 12, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Consciousness, Direct Path, Gnyana, I, Mind, Present Moment, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara, Sankalpa/Intention, Scriptures, Thoughts
Truth reveals itself slowly… Question: Dear Ektaji.The power of attention in order to come to the NOW is heavily promoted in many spiritual circles. But in my direct experience, I am either paying full attention to something/someone or not. Either way, it is a...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 11, 2021 | Aagami, Ashtavakra Gita, Consciousness, Expectations, God, Guru, Karma, Karmaphalam, Mind, Sankalpa/Intention, Spontaneous, Vedic
Attachment to Karmaphalam (fruit of an action) Question:Please help me understand this. We have been working really hard for the upcoming course. We are talking about the benefits of meditation and this course to everyone. We have been doing intro talks but we still...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 9, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Direct Path, Dispassion, Doership, Ego, Enlightenment, Non-Doership
Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists! Question:Dear Ekta, I notice on the spiritual path, some people experience fear, some sadness but I guess they don’t understand that nothing can be lost. To quote A Course in Miracles: “Nothing real...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 6, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Body, Direct Path, Doership, Ego, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
Labeling thoughts is doership Question:When I watch the arisings with open eyes as I go about my day, I have noticed that sometimes l label arisings like, ” I-thought”, “trigger for habit pattern thought “, “desire/raga thought”,...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 4, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
The two witnesses! Question:Ektaji, in deep sleep, Awareness is resting as Pure Consciousness. There is no world. Then how is Awareness aware of being asleep or unconscious? (Ch. 11, I AM THAT) Answer:Nisargadatta Maharaj has explained that there are two stages...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 2, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Direct Path, Ego, Mind, Non-Doership, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Senses, Thoughts
Witness the transactional reality! Question: How to interact in the transactional reality mode [Vyavaharik satyam] without offending anyone as I feel distant, quiet, indifferent, and absorbed in the Witness Consciousness [Adhyatmik satyam] around friends and family?...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 29, 2021 | Aagami, Awareness, Guilt, Karma, Karmaphalam, Life, Niyati, Opinion/Behavior/Judgement, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Vedic
Everything that comes your way is Karma! Question: Dear Ektaji, today I listened to AG 2 “The five principles” here it is said that “don’t be wrong against wrong”. After 3-4 hours of listening, I was faced with the situation. I was arguing with my...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 22, 2021 | Aagami, Death, Ego, Emotions, Fear, General Spiritual, Karma, Knowledge, Maaya, Meditation, Meditation, Mind, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Wealth
Are you spiritually wealthy? Question:Jgd Didi,I am working on not creating any more Agami Karma through my thoughts, speech, and action by meditating regularly and being in knowledge. But what if I die and in the next birth because of being lost in MAAYA, I again get...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 18, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Body, Choice, Consciousness, Direct Path, Intuition, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Thoughts
Intuition and Inner Voice Question:Dear Ektaji, Is intuition a form of mind phenomenon (feeling), or is it an inner ‘voice of consciousness’? Answer:The witness/infinite void never speaks. So there is no question of a voice to arise from it....
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 11, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Craving, Direct Path, Ego, Illusion, Mind, Senses, Silence, Thoughts
Thought is the father of the World! Question:Why does the mind make me feel that this illusory world is real? Answer:That’s because Perception is inside out, not outside in. The senses do not gather information correctly because reality is colorless,...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 8, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Direct Path, Doership, Ego, Freedom, Illusion, Non-Doership, Suffering, Thoughts
What happens when I recognize that I am NOT the doer? Question:Ektaji, by recognizing that ‘I am not the doer’, does the world-projection end? Answer:By you recognizing the truth that you are not the doer, has the projection of your family ended?...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 6, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Consciousness, Ego, Illusion, Ramana Maharshi, Seeking, Silence
Go beyond the understanding that ‘The world is an illusion’! Question:Ektaji, at Ajata Vaada level, why is it incorrect to just say, “The world is an illusion”. Doesn’t the world exist only when I perceive it? Answer:It’s not wrong dear. It’s...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 4, 2021 | Advaita, Atmananda, Body, Breath, Consciousness, Direct Path, Dvaita, Ego, Ignorance, Knowledge, Mind, Non-Doership, Pranayama, Surrender
Were my Dvaitam practices a waste? Question:After coming onto the Advaitam path, the thought arises whether all the Dvaitam practices done for the past decades were a waste? Answer:No dear, that is just the Ego throwing tantrums. Ignore the tantrums and...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 30, 2021 | Anger, Attachment, Aversion, Craving, Death, Fear, Guilt, Impressions, Jealousy, Kabir, Knowledge, Love/Hate, Maya, Meditation, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Scriptures, Seeking, Self-Effort, Seva, Silence, Thoughts, Vedic
Fear of the ‘last thoughts at death’ Question: Ektaji – Is it fair to have Dvesha to control the last impression (not to think certain thing)? If it is something out of control why not make it like “come as it comes” like spontaneously? Can we train our subconscious...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 25, 2021 | 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 16, 2021 | Consciousness, Desire, Emotions, General Spiritual, Gnyani, Knowledge, Meditation, Memory, Mind, No-Mind, Paths, Raaga/Dvesha, Satvik/Rajasic/Tamasic, Self- Realization, Sensations, Sex/Passion/Celibacy
Wanting to look good….. Raaga or not? Question:I have a desire to have clear pretty skin. I was wondering if it is Raaga or it is part of nature? Is it a bad karma or a bad desire to want to look pretty not with make-up but with normal skin?Answer:You are the...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 14, 2021 | 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 | Mar 11, 2021 | Aagami, Body, Bondage, Destiny, Doership, Enlightenment, Freewill, Guru, I, Karma, Karmaphalam, Maaya, Mind, Niyati, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Samsara, Sankalpa/Intention, Siddha, Soul, Temporary, Time-past/present/Future, Vedic
If everything is a play of Destiny, then what is Freewill? Question:I am still not clear on how Destiny and Freewill play a part in our lives. When do we have a freewill when it is all our destiny or a result of our past karma. If I am not the Doer, where is free will...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 9, 2021 | Attachment, Buddha, Courage, Dhyana, Ego, Gnyana, Gnyani, I, Illusion, Knowledge, Maaya, Maya, Meditation, Meditation, Mind, No-Mind, Paths, Purushartha, Purushartha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara, Scriptures, Self-Effort, 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 Nature...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 7, 2021 | Aagami, Ashtavakra Gita, Desire, Freedom, Happiness, Misery, Pleasure/Pain, Present Moment, Vedic
How to handle joy? Question: Ektaji, at present, I am on the verge of going through a big change in life. Whatever I have known till now is suddenly being metamorphosed into something larger. All three aspects of people, situation and things are in transition. From a...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 4, 2021 | Body, Concepts, Doubts, Emptiness, Faith, Fullness, Guru, Intellect, Knowledge, Mind, Opinion/Behavior/Judgement, Personality, Prakriti, Purusha, Vedic
See Guru as an Energy, not a Personality! Question:Yesterday Guru Dev tweeted that see Guru as beyond a personality see the being, see the hollow and empty, ever full presence. From past few weeks, I was actually wanting to feel Guru Dev beyond the body. And you are...
by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 23, 2021 | Advaita, Doership, Ego, Enlightenment, General Spiritual, I, Karma, Liberation, Non-Doership, Paths, Raaga/Dvesha, Self- Realization, You
If I am not the doer then how do I accrue Karma? Question:If I am not the doer then how do I accrue Karma? If I am not the doer then how is there a karma bag? If I didn’t do anything then whose Karma bag am I carrying? Answer:When you were a baby, there...
by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 21, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Doership, I, Mind, Self-Effort, Thoughts
Thought is not conscious! Question:Didi,In the example that you gave during the session, the 1st thought arose out of my previous conditioning that on Sundays I have to attend Atma Nirvriti class. The second thought arose out of the habit of being lazy and the last...
by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 14, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Concepts, Direct Path, Energy, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Senses, Silence
When you drop labels, you find Awareness! Question:I feel the energy as well, as soon as I sink into silence. I find the energy is intense and overpowering. I am not sure If it is the witness that is witnessing this energy or is it the mind that is feeling this...
by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 11, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Body, Concepts, Direct Path, Emotions, Mind, Physical, Sensations, Senses, Temporary, Thoughts
Difference between perceptions, sensations, thoughts, and feelings! Question:Didi, Is there a difference between perceptions, sensations, thoughts, and feelings? Answer:Let’s understand them in detail: Perception:Perception is nothing but images in...
by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 9, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Buddha, Direct Path, Ego, Flow with Life, I, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence
Nobody is in control! Question:Didi, I realize that all the vows from Buddha’s path are basically a reminder that I am taking a stand as the mind or body. The moment the recognition happens I get thrown into awareness! I experienced this at work today – it...
by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 7, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Aversion, Awareness, Body, Brahman, Consciousness, Craving, Direct Path, Illusion, Love, Mind, Sensations
The master key to Bliss! Question:The foundation of the mind was already shaken a little, by the close manner in which you are guiding us, from afar. I have not read about such a thing anywhere, and I’ve read many spiritual seekers’ and sages’ autobiographies/...
by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 4, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Causation, Direct Path, Mind, Sensations, 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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 2, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Sensations
Who knows the absence of objects in deep-sleep? Question:Ekta Di, If I am holding a baby’s hand, there is touch perceived in awareness. Now, if the body falls asleep holding the baby’s hand the touch is no longer perceived in awareness. Awareness is permanent and is...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 30, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Enlightenment, Home, Ignorance, Maaya, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara
Deep-sleep & Turiya Question:Dear Ektaji, For an Enlightened Being, is the Deep sleep state the biggest as he/she is in Awareness ALL the time? Answer:A beginner only knows the three states of waking-dreaming-deep sleep. Therefore, at the beginning stages,...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 29, 2021 | Anger, Craving, Desire, Dispassion, Equanimous, Independent Spirituality, Intellect, Just Be, Knowledge, Meditation, Mind, Present Moment
Dispassion is not Suppressing Desires Question: Is dispassion accepting what has come our way and not longing for a certain outcome? Answer: Dispassion is a natural maturity of the intellect that comes after dissolving yourself in self-introspection or spiritual...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 29, 2021 | Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Atmananda, Brahman, Direct Path, Drama, Duality, Illusion, Mind, Ramana Maharshi, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara, Silence
Drishti Srishti Vaada and Ajaata Vaad Namaste Ektaji:Is it possible that I am shuttling between the two viewpoints? When I am the Witness/Void, I am in Ajaata-vada viewpoint? When I get pulled out by the mind and get involved in the drama, then I am in...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 28, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Consciousness, Direct Path, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Senses, Silence, Thoughts
Is it okay to stop actions and thoughts to be the Witness? Question:Ektaji, When I am in confusion I try to stop my action & thoughts to look into the constant companionship of the Witness. Can you guide me on whether my path is right? Answer:At the...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 27, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Consciousness, Direct Path, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
The collapse of the witness! Question:Didi, I am puzzled by what I think I heard – when explaining Drishti-Shristi Vada, I believe you said that along with the Creation the Witness is born … and at night when the Creation dissolves the Witness also...
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 24, 2021 | Ashtavakra Gita, Bhakti, Bondage, Devotion, Divine, Duality, Enlightenment, Faith, Form, Formless, Gnyana, Gnyani, God, Guru, Guru, I, Ignorance, Karma, Knowledge, Krishna, Liberation, Love, Meditation, Self, Soul, Truth, Vedic, You
I and You Question: With every episode, this knowledge is going in circles. Everything feeds off of the other. Ego dissolves in Love, now Ashtavakra says move from love to knowledge and then drop knowledge to move to love in which you dissolve. The example, that...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 21, 2021 | Children, Drama, Enlightenment, Games/Play/Fun, Gnyana, Illusion, Karma, Maaya, Marriage, Mind, Purushartha, Relationship, Spouse, Truth, Vedic
Why this? Why that? Why? Why?…. It’s all Maaya! Question:JGD Didi, I had a nasty marriage and even nastier divorce in past. I have two adorable children though. I have promised them they will never have any stepfather in their life, that is the reason why...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 19, 2021 | Awareness, Courage, Impressions, Independent Spirituality, Knowledge, Maaya, Meditation, Truth
Crossing through the dark clouds of Maaya! Question:I am practicing being more and more aware. In spite of being aware that my particular Karma or action will create a future karma, my mind gets stuck suddenly and I land up creating an aagami karma seed. How is it...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 17, 2021 | Company/Association/Sangha, Compassion, Ego, Guru, Guru, Guru, I, Independent Spirituality, Karma, Knowledge, Life, Maya, Meditation, Problem/Struggle/Calamity, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Scriptures, Self, Senses, Truth, Vedic
Ego is a major pitfall on the Spiritual path! Question : Dear Didi, I tend to be influenced by those who are having too much fun and less awareness and don’t take the spiritual path seriously. I feel that we are not even eligible to learn this beautiful knowledge from...
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 27, 2020 | Aagami, Ambition/Career, Commitment, Desire, Doership, Ego, Feverishness, Karma, Mind, Purushartha, Purushartha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sanchita, Seeking, Seeking, Vedic, Yoga Vasistha
Is Ambition also a seeking? Question:One of yesterday’s Yoga Vasishtha knowledge points and homework, that you gave was ‘not to seek and just be and live effortlessly through whatever transpires because of Sanchita karma.’ How do we differentiate seeking from...
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 15, 2020 | Awareness, Buddha, Concepts, Ego, Enlightenment, Intellect, Karma, Karmaphalam, Knowledge, Liberation, Meditation, Purushartha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara, Self- Realization, Vairagya, Wisdom
Intellectualization of Spiritual Knowledge is a MAJOR obstacle! Question: Ekta ji, can you point to any references in scriptures or your own experience on how to identify the symptoms of being half baked in Vedanta knowledge or being caught up just in the theory of...
by Gnyana Sangha | Dec 6, 2020 | Aagami, Alcohol, Bhakti Sutra, Company/Association/Sangha, Facebook, Gossip, Guilt, Laziness, Maaya, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Senses, Smoking, Vedic
Dusangha sarvathaiva tyajaha – Shun bad company at all costs! Question: Di, there is tremendous change in the society in India…everyone is so much into alcohol and stuff. There are special afternoon get together of females where all of them go to pubs…I am...
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 an enlightened one, I see consciousness...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 19, 2020 | Ego, Emptiness, Enlightenment, General Spiritual, Mind, Paths, Seeking, Self- Realization, Soul
Enlightenment is the sole purpose! Question: Dearest Ekta, Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I recently read your answer in the “Many masters One path” post and it resonated with me. https://ektabathija.com/many-masters-one-path/ Towards the end, you...
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 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 17, 2020 | Attachment, Bondage, Commitment, Consciousness, Courage, Craving, Desire, Doership, Ego, Enlightenment, Feverishness, Freedom, Illusion, Independent Spirituality, Liberation, Life, Maya, Moksha, Non-Doership, Problem/Struggle/Calamity, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Samsara, Self, Self- Realization, Self-Effort, Soul, Tapas, Temporary, Truth, Vedic, Viveka, Wisdom
The life of ‘maximum relief’ Question: My friend somewhere read that the life before liberation is the toughest, is there any truth to this? Answer: I don’t think that the last life before liberation is the toughest. It is just that in that life, you will...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 15, 2020 | Body, Buddha, Energy, Enlightenment, Meditation, Paths, Samadhi, Samsara, Satipathana, Self- Realization, Senses, Wisdom
Meditating during periods! Question: Is it ok to do meditation during periods? My doubt arose because I can feel the energy flow upwards in meditation, while the energy is said to flow downwards during periods. This is a huge topic of controversy in Kerala, India....
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 13, 2020 | Awareness, Buddha, Enlightenment, Knowledge, Knowledge, Let go, Liberation, Life, Maaya, Maya, Meditation, Meditation, Moksha, Self, Self- Realization, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Service, Seva, Vedic
Why do I feel stagnant in my spiritual growth? Question:JGD Ektaji – As you are aware, I have been in knowledge for about 3 years now. I have also been involved with some seva and regular sadhana but I feel like I am not growing. I watch my self all the time (sakshi...
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 | Oct 8, 2020 | Awareness, Buddha, Buddha, Consciousness, Depression, Emotions, Knowledge, Let go, Mind, Present Moment, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self-Effort, Thoughts, Vedic, Viveka
Observing the mind and getting out of problems! Question: I understand that we have to maintain an observer’s attitude towards our mind. But sometimes, trying to observe what is going on in my mind creates more turmoil in my mind since an inner dialogue starts...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 4, 2020 | Awareness, Buddha, Karma, Meditation, Purushartha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Self- Realization, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Truth, Vedic
Intention v/s Effort Question:How to be in Sakshi bhaav and master the mind when I don’t have any means of Sadhana, Seva and Satsang because of a personal situation? I am averse to 2 people in my office, my mind is getting trapped. Knowledge takes a back seat many...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 29, 2020 | Awareness, Body, Breath, Buddha, Buddha, Desire, Emotions, Feverishness, Gossip, Meditation, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Satipathana, Sensations, Senses, Silence, Thoughts, Truth, Wisdom
Preparation for a long Buddha retreat Question: Didi, please would you advise on how to prepare for my upcoming 10-day long Buddha retreat? Answer: Irrespective of whether you are enrolled in the Satipatthana retreat or the Jhana retreat or the Metta retreat, everyone...
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 13, 2020 | Buddha, Buddha, Enlightenment, Faith, Meditation, Mind, Samadhi, Scriptures, Truth, Vedic
Buddha became globally popular because… Question: Why is Buddha globally popular even though he was criticized by Vedic sages? Answer: Buddha, born as Prince Siddhartha Gautama had everything – money, name, fame, position, power, wife, everything one could wish for....
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 1, 2020 | Bhakti, Buddha, Causation, Devotion, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, Illusion, Intellect, Just Be, Karma, Knowledge, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, Self-Effort, You
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 30, 2020 | Awareness, Buddha, Dhyana, Enlightenment, Gnyana, Gnyani, Guru, Guru, Guru, Knowledge, Knowledge, Meditation, Meditation, No-Mind, Present Moment, Purushartha, Purushartha, Samadhi, Scriptures, Seeking, Self- Realization, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Silence, Thoughts
How to experience the spiritual knowledge? Question:I am starting to get to a point of reading/listening/understanding this spiritual knowledge where I am “making it a concept” as Guruji puts it. How do I “experience” the knowledge rather than “learn” it? Just wait...
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 20, 2020 | Awareness, Body, Bondage, Causation, Craving, Death, Fear, Fear, Freedom, General Spiritual, I, Maya, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Relationship, Samsara, Seeking, Seeking, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Senses, Vedic
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:...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 4, 2020 | Buddha, Concepts, Dharma, Flow with Life, Impressions, Intellect, Opinion/Behavior/Judgement, Raaga/Dvesha, Vedic, Viveka
Drop Judging! Question:I attended a family reunion last week, first time in a long time being in such a large gathering for an extended period. I noticed that even though I could let go of judging externally, i.e. expressing my judgements, I still found myself judging...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 27, 2020 | Buddha, Buddha, Commitment, Meditation, Purushartha, Samadhi, Self- Realization, Truth
Why some people cannot meditate? Question: Why some people cannot meditate?Answer: Many people asked the Buddha why they couldn’t meditate? Here’s what Buddha said…Many spiritual practitioners during Buddha’s time were following the Vedic techniques of meditation and...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 26, 2020 | Buddha, Buddha, Courage, Emotions, Mind, Problem/Struggle/Calamity, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Self- Realization, Sensations, Thoughts
Churning in the fire of insults/criticism? Burn! Question: JGD Ekta Didi,Lately I have been inundated with thoughts of intimidating people in my family. My mind rewinds and plays the incident and cajoles me to react. While I was in this war in my mind, I realized that...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 21, 2020 | Advaita, Bondage, Enlightenment, Fear, Fear, Freedom, Guru, Guru/Disciple, Independent Spirituality, Liberation, Paths, Ramana Maharshi, Suffering
Fear being used as a weapon on the spiritual path Question: Fear is being used to keep me bound to my current spiritual teacher. I keep getting emotionally manipulated by others in this community with the fearful stories of losing spiritual grace if I leave. But my...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 16, 2020 | Awareness, Buddha, Consciousness, Enlightenment, Just Be, Meditation, Purushartha, Satipathana, Scriptures, Self- Realization, Self-Effort, Soul, Soul, Sukkha, Truth
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 15, 2020 | Bhakti, Buddha, Causation, Devotion,
