by Gnyana Sangha | May 15, 2022 | Body, Buddha, Consciousness, Emptiness, Enlightenment, Festivals, Gunas, Guru, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Maaya, Masters, Raaga/Dvesha, Self, Senses, Truth
HAPPY BUDDHA POORNIMA! Jai Guru Dev! Happy Vesak. What is Vesak? It is a Pali word for Vesākha or Buddha Poornima. Buddha was born, he got enlightened and he died, all on the same day. It is called Vesak in Pali. That was the language of those times. Buddha spoke in...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 5, 2022 | Brahman, Consciousness, Energy, General Spiritual, Hindu, Life, Maya, Meditation, Miscellaneous, Opinion/Behavior/Judgement, Shiva, Silence
God is a thorough businessman! Question: Jai gurudev! I understand that ‘Hari’ and ‘Hara’ are one and the same. Yet I want to know wearing of what is scientifically more beneficial, the rudraksha that is connected to lord shiva or the tulasi beads that are associated...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 1, 2022 | Attraction, Aversion, Birth, Craving, Death, Greed, Impressions, Karma, Parents, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sanchita, Soul, Thoughts, Types of Karma, Vedic
You chose your parents! How? Question: In the karma video you have mentioned that the soul selects his/her parent for a new body and environment. Does the soul make this decision guided by a certain thing (if it is guided by our sanchita? are we aware of our sanchita...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 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 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 12, 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 | Apr 3, 2022 | Dispassion, Girlfriend/Boyfriend, Illusion, Independent Spirituality, Life, Maaya, Physical, Pleasure/Pain, Prakriti, Purusha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Relationship, Samsara, Seeking, Self, Sex/Passion/Celibacy, Vairagya, Vedic
Does spirituality reduce the desire for sex? Question: Some have very strong desires and need sex anywhere between 2/3 times a week. Some have not had sex in months. Some are frustrated that one of the partner initiates all the time. Some have never had great need for...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 29, 2022 | Aagami, Independent Spirituality, Karma, Raaga/Dvesha, Samsara, Vedic
Karma payback! Question: JGD Didi, If I do my best to overcome my own raagas and dveshas and not create agami karma towards person A and I am successful. But, if person A has a lot of dvesha towards me does this mean that I will have to come back. Just so that he can...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 27, 2022 | Aagami, Awareness, Bondage, Emotions, Guilt, Impressions, Karma, Memory, Mind, Misery, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Thoughts, Types of Karma, Vedic
Guilt is a safety valve! Question: What is guilt? Why is our conscience so strong (in some cases), for example, if one lies, but later on he feels guilt. He knows he lied for the best, otherwise it would cause hurt to the other’s mind. Answer: Guilt is...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 20, 2022 | Anxiety, Company/Association/Sangha, Emotions, Fear, General Spiritual, Gnyana, Ignorance, Let go, Mind, Purushartha, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Stress, Thoughts
What will people say? Questions: Hello Ekta didi, small negative events make me sad. It’s like the earth element is constantly dominating me. I worry and fear about things in my life. I don’t know how to rise above it. My problem is I think a lot what other...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 17, 2022 | Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Awareness, Bhagwad Gita, Bhakti Sutra, Body, Ego, Feverishness, I, Impressions, Karma, Knowledge, Maaya, Mind, Patanjali Yogs Sutra, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sanchita, Scriptures, Upanishad, Vedic, Viveka
Impressions related to body and sex Question: I have impressions on my mind for past so many years that this body is me. How do I get rid of this impression that is so strongly rooted in my mind? Will the impression of “I am the body” be the reason for my re-birth...
by Gnyana Sangha | 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 22, 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 | 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 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...
![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 | Feb 3, 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 | 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 6, 2022 | Ashtavakra Gita, Birth, Body, Death, Karma, No-Mind, Samadhi, Self, Vedic
Drop the body before the body drops you! Question : In Asthavakra 8, you said, at death, the body gets tired of you and drops you. Is it not the other way around? When karma is exhausted the Purusha drops the Prakriti. Isn’t it true? Please help to clarify. ...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 2, 2022 | Buddha, Buddha, Commitment, Gossip, Karma, Meditation, Mind, New year, Samadhi, Sankalpa/Intention, Silence
New Years vows for the sake of spiritual progress! Happy New Year Angels! In the new year, let’s take Buddha’s vows to make it the year where your spiritual wisdom grows at rocket speed. Remember, your own experience is your teacher. If in your own experience, you...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 1, 2022 | Attachment, Buddha, Commitment, Desire, Emotions, Expectations, Feverishness, Guilt, Just Be, Mind, New year, Present Moment, Suffering, Temporary, Thoughts, Truth, Vedic
Happy NEW perspective! Seeker: Can you help me make a firm new years resolution and stick to it? Answer: At this junction in life [new years], most people run after resolutions or they sit and sulk about the past years resolutions that they did not keep up to. Haven’t...
by Gnyana Sangha | Dec 23, 2021 | Emotions, Flow with Life, Independent Spirituality, Karma, Karmaphalam, Mind, Pleasure/Pain, Problem/Struggle/Calamity, Relationship, Silence, Stress, Suffering, Temporary, Vedic
Storm of Emotions in Relationships Question: I am going through a lot of stress in relationships, too much storm of emotions in relationship with one particular individual. Please help! Answer: There are definite steps to always follow irrespective of who/what...
by Gnyana Sangha | Dec 21, 2021 | Children, Death, Emotions, Equanimous, Impressions, Just Be, Karma, Karmaphalam, Mind, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Truth, Vedic
Law of Cause & Effect Question: Ektaji JGD, I have over the years read many stories of children being brutally violated and it sickens me. I cannot believe or wrap my mind around the idea that these children are reaping the fruits of their past karma. Is it not...
by Gnyana Sangha | Dec 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 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 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 18, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Direct Path, Dreams, Ego, Illusion, Knowledge, Mind, Senses, Upanishad
Difference between false and illusion! Question: One question has been daunting to me for some time. I understand that everything I can grasp with my senses is an illusion. So whatever I see with my eyes is an illusion created by the ego. I am looking at a book right...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 16, 2021 | Competition, Ego, General Spiritual, I, Name/Roles, Paths, Relationship, Samsara, Service, Seva, Wealth, You
Seva or Serving the Ego! Question: What is seva really? And from what space should an individual come from when he or she wants to do pure seva? I have noticed that I get into the same power struggle that I would, in a corporate office. I need some clarity there,...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 14, 2021 | Choice, Choicelessness, Consciousness, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Just Be, Raaga/Dvesha, Seeking, Seeking, Viveka
Choicelessness is freedom! Question: Is applying viveka, a kind of seeking? Because choosing/deciding right from wrong is so relative to this mind? Answer: Actually, Viveka is deeper than just plain discrimination between right and wrong. Viveka is the ability...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 11, 2021 | Ambition/Career, Awareness, Consciousness, Craving, Desire, Doership, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Gnyani, Life, Mind, Non-Doership, Purusha, Relationship, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, Self, Seva, Truth, Wisdom
How to manage job, family, Seva without getting overwhelmed? Question: Can you please give direction on how do you manage a job, family, personal endeavor, and Seva while not getting overwhelmed? I have a tendency to say yes to many things, but in the end, I’m just...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 9, 2021 | Awareness, Awareness, Bondage, Food, Freedom, Games/Play/Fun, General Spiritual, Knowledge, Love/Hate, Maya, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara, Senses, Sex/Passion/Celibacy
From scenery to seer! Question: Ektaji, what is the scenery and what does it mean ‘not to get lost’ in the scenery? Who is the seer? Answer: Scenery: Everything around you is the scenery. The people, situations and things around you are all scenery Seer: You...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 7, 2021 | Advaita, Body, Direct Path, Drama, Dreams, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
Don’t seek acknowledgment for your own personal unshareable insight! Question:Last night, as I was falling asleep, I had this strange experience. At the level of the mind I became aware of some hazy images and a pretty strong humming sound flashing close to my...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 4, 2021 | Buddha, Buddha, Fear, In- Laws, Marriage, Misery, Relationship, Samsara, Self-Effort, Temporary
Obstacles on Spiritual Path Question: JGD Ekta ji, I have registered for the Silence course but I am so scared of my in laws. They would not approve my absence for 5 days. I have almost decided to not attend the course. But I am very restless to attend. I am stuck...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 2, 2021 | Awareness, Buddha, Diwali, Ego, Opinion/Behavior/Judgement
Your well is full of negativity, it’s not the bucket’s fault! Question: I never look at other person as he/she is. I am always looking for negativity in others. Is it my mental conditioning that is causing me to be judgmental of others? How do I come out...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 28, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Body, Causation, Death, Direct Path, Dreams, Guilt, Guru, Independent Spirituality, Kabir, Karma, Karmaphalam, Love, Memory, Mind, Ramana Maharshi, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sankalpa/Intention, Suffering
Contradictions in Advaita! Question:Hello Dear Ekta, in the Ramana Maharishi’s Guru videos you asked us whether we recognize the four stages of creation and manifestation of a personal universe, thru Sankalpa – [Inclination/attraction] Kaama – [Lusting...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 26, 2021 | Awareness, Awareness, Buddha, Causation, Faith, Flow with Life, Intellect, Karma, Karmaphalam, Knowledge, Life, Love, Memory, Mind, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self- Realization, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Truth, Wisdom
What if the Karma theory is wrong? Question: I am getting a feeling of missing out. What if this Karma Theory is wrong and I wake up 40 years from now realizing that I missed out on people, places and things that at least gave me short-term pleasure. Now I have to...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 24, 2021 | Advaita, Attachment, Body, Death, Desire, Direct Path, Fear, Food, Fullness, Life, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, No-Mind, Pleasure/Pain, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara, Thoughts, Universe
Does the sage not have a mind? Question:Maharaj says, ‘Pleasure and pain do not sway me. I am free from desire and fear. I am full. I need nothing.” I understand that he is speaking as Pure Consciousness. Is it correct to assume that thoughts/desires like this can...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 21, 2021 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Desire, Direct Path, Doership, I, Illusion, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Universe
Primordial Awareness is Stillness itself! Question:When there is no I, there will be no witnessing, only Primordial Awareness or Universal witness (as Maharaj describes it). Instead of “I am seeing” (witnessing), there will be only, “Seeing is happening” (Primordial...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 17, 2021 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Desire, Direct Path, Ego, Existence, Happiness, Illusion, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Pleasure/Pain, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self
The mind is an old broken mirror! Question:Hello Ekta, I have a question. Nisargadatta was saying that ‘how can restless mind can calm itself’ or something similar…Then you were explaining this point and at some point, you said Mind and body are reflections of the...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 14, 2021 | Advaita, Anger, Bhakti, Body, Buddha, Compassion, Concepts, Consciousness, Direct Path, Dispassion, Ego, Energy, Fear, Flow with Life, Gnyana, Illusion, Independent Spirituality, Let go, Life, Meditation, Mind, Religion, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Thoughts, Truth
Let go of the story! Q: While yoga and Buddha’s path made me feel more calm and secure, I feel it was the mind still finding security and solace in some concept/activity, albeit more socially acceptable. A: What is the mind? It is simply thoughts+feelings dear....
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 12, 2021 | Aagami, Desire, Destiny, Dharma, Doership, Education, Ego, Flow with Life, Freewill, Guru, Karma, Karmaphalam, Marriage, Mind, Prarabdha, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sanchita, Self-Effort, Service, Seva, Spouse, Tapas, Vedic, Wisdom
Karma affects both Material life and spiritual goals? Question: We do not choose where we are born or what profession we choose, but we choose whom we get married to or have kids. Also, the kind of people who come into our life is a result of our past karmas – good or...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 7, 2021 | Concepts, Dispassion, Duality, Dvaita, Equanimous, General Spiritual, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Vairagya
Are you a Vairaagi yet? Question: Does Vairagya mean a giving up of non-religious pleasures like singing, dancing, poetry etc. or just give up hankering for them? Answer: Vai – raagya means devoid of raaga. Who is not a vairaagi? – It does not matter whether...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 5, 2021 | Aagami, Attachment, Aversion, Buddha, Conscious, Consciousness, Craving, Desire, Expectations, God, Impressions, Karma, Life, Mind, Niyati, Parent/Child, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Seeking, Vedic
Expectations are Attachments! Question: My 14 year old son is terrible to live with. He is disrespectful, hurtful, vengeful without any provocation… even when I come from a space of love, the reaction from him is horrible. I tell myself that it’s my karma and to go...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 3, 2021 | Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Death, Enlightenment, History, Maya, Mind, Scriptures, Self, Silence, Truth, Vedic
Scriptures are not history! Question: I am a humble learner with a multi-variate interest in scriptures and vedas since my school days. There was this Shastrarth that took place between sage Astavakra and Acharya Bandi in presence of King Janaka. Can I assume that at...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 30, 2021 | Anger, Aversion, Consciousness, Divine, Ego, Greed, Hurt, Independent Spirituality, Jealousy, Karmaphalam, Let go, Mind, Pleasure/Pain, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Suffering, Surrender, Surrender, Surrender, Thoughts
What is the difference between Tolerance and Surrender? Question: What is the difference between tolerance and surrender? Answer: Tolerance is like a potential volcano. There is a dislike hidden within which just churns and burns inside and can erupt at any...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 28, 2021 | Courage, Craving, Desire, Dispassion, Doership, Ego, I, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Karma, Knowledge, Life, Non-Doership, Personality, Pleasure/Pain, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara, Self, Self- Realization, Truth, Vairagya
Who am I? Question: Similar to what’s said in AG 4- I got caught in identifying with a talent and also with not having a talent & was/is suffering. What is said in it still repeats in my ears. It is mentioned “you don’t know who you are”. I started thinking how...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 26, 2021 | Choice, Choicelessness, Flow with Life, Freedom, Independent Spirituality, Mind, Viveka
Choices – what is right and wrong? Question: Is applying viveka, a kind of seeking? Because choosing/deciding right from wrong is so relative to this mind? Answer: Actually Viveka is deeper than just plain discrimination between right and wrong. Viveka is...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 23, 2021 | Attraction, Courage, Craving, Dukkha, Equanimous, Happiness, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Knowledge, Life, Mind, Misery, Pleasure/Pain, Raaga/Dvesha, Samsara, Seeking, Seeking, Self, Self- Realization, Sukkha, Temporary, Truth
There is no happiness in this world! Question: Why am I not happy with my-self? Why am I continuously looking for someone/something/some situation to make me happy or make me feel that I am happy? Answer: There is no Happiness/Sukha in this world, but the mind does...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 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 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 24, 2021 | Aagami, Ambition/Career, Causation, Company/Association/Sangha, Compassion, Competition, Consciousness, Desire, Doership, Drama, Emotions, Games/Play/Fun, God, Karma, Karmaphalam, Life, Maaya, Maya, Name/Roles, Pleasure/Pain, Prarabdha, Problem/Struggle/Calamity, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Relationship, Samsara, Seeking, Serious, Spontaneous, Vedic, Wealth
To Act, or Not To Act? Question: With today’s knowledge, I know I should take life as a game but I was cheated in business. Should I drop it too, or should I pursue the case I filed with the lawyer? Question: I work for a profit oriented company and there is a...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 22, 2021 | Aagami, Attachment, Boss/Colleague, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, Greed, Karma, Love/Hate, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Seeking, Seeking, Spontaneous, Surrender, Surrender, Truth, Vedic
What is seeking? Question: I quit my job and interviewed for another one. They offered me an entry level position with a pay less than half of what I am currently making. I did not accept the offer. My previous boss is working on getting me back at my old job. By me...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 17, 2021 | Gossip, Mind, Silence, Vedic
Speaking is a skill for the wise! Question: You said it is best to keep quiet unless you have something positive or helpful to say. I used to do this, but people used to say that I am unfriendly, uninterested or arrogant. Should I speak up more to create a better...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 15, 2021 | Advaita, Body, Brahman, Compassion, Independent Spirituality, Karma, Life, Mind, Paths, Pleasure/Pain, Relationship, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Self- Realization, Thoughts
Does the vaccine affect the Self? Question: Dear Ekatji,I have a concern about whether I should be vaccinated or not I am really not sure. My life is being the same before the pandemic and now during this pandemic, my life is so simple I am not in the rush for things...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 12, 2021 | Advaita, Dispassion, Ego, Enlightenment, General Spiritual, Gnyana, God, Happiness, Independent Spirituality, Intellect, Knowledge, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Paths, Samsara, Scriptures, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Surrender, Worship
Do you test the participants before admitting them to Gurukul? Question: Dear Didi, I want to join your Gurukul system, but I know that I am far from being eligible right now. I am too attached to this Samsara and my yearning is not strong enough for the highest...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 8, 2021 | Ambition/Career, Attention-Seeking, Death, Desire, Doership, Drama, Emptiness, Expectations, Flow with Life, I, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Mind, Non-Doership, Present Moment, Thoughts
Overwhelmed by to-do’s? Naah! Question: You have so many people asking you so many questions from all around the world……I’m sure you could fill every free minute you have (waiting for an appointment, waiting in the grocery check-out lane, sitting in the bathroom) just...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 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 27, 2021 | Aagami, Aversion, Awareness, Children, Children, Emotions, Flow with Life, Impressions, Jealousy, Karma, Life, Love/Hate, Mind, Niyati, Parent/Child, Parents, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Relationship, Sanchita, Time-past/present/Future, Types of Karma
Karma in babies Question: At what age does a person starts creating karma? When a child is born, he does not have this attachment to action and he naturally does what comes to him, but again the child does not have any understanding of awareness and knowledge. so both...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 25, 2021 | Buddha, Depression, Destiny, Divine, Emotions, Faith, Flow with Life, Impressions, Just Be, Karma, Life, Love/Hate, Mind, Misery, Niyati, Parent/Child, Pleasure/Pain, Prarabdha, Problem/Struggle/Calamity, Stress, Suffering, Surrender
Dealing with Suicidal thoughts Question: Everything around me seems to go against me. My son has been sitting doing NOTHING since he graduated. My brother has been fighting a fierce divorce case with his wife and lost his home, money, kids and job. My father has shut...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 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 29, 2021 | Aagami, Company/Association/Sangha, Emotions, Equanimous, General Spiritual, Karma, Kriya, Let go, Life, Physical, Prakriti, Pranayama, Problem/Struggle/Calamity, Raaga/Dvesha, Types of Karma
Dealing with difficult people & situations Question: Dear Ekta, I really don’t trust my business partner as he cheats on tax and my share of profits. I also realize that it must be karma, so I have to deal with this. At this moment I don’t have an alternative,...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 27, 2021 | Aversion, Courage, Dispassion, Divine, Ego, Enlightenment, Equanimous, Greed, Guru, Happiness, Love, Raaga/Dvesha, Vairagya, Vedic
Enlightenment makes me greedy! Question: JGD Ektaji, Thanks for sharing this beautiful thought, but I believe thinking about enlightenment itself is a kind of suffering. You constantly work hard towards it reminding yourself that enlightenment is your end goal. I have...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 24, 2021 | Fear, Greed, Independent Spirituality, Love/Hate, Maaya, Mind, Patanjali Yogs Sutra, Vedic, Viveka
Non-stealing in the mind Question: Patanjali says, that we should not steal even in our mind. Asteya – Non-stealing. I have a habit of always wishing for others’ things, others’ possessions, others’ looks. I really want to get over this because I know, in the process...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 22, 2021 | Attachment, Awareness, Compassion, Dukkha, Expectations, Ignorance, Independent Spirituality, Let go, Opinion/Behavior/Judgement, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction
Dealing with ‘harsh’ behavior Question: If someone is behaving harsh and not accepting it rather want me to be kind and show humility and accept them and they will continue to be the same. How to handle them in this situation? Answer: There are 2...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 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 27, 2021 | Advaita, Atmananda, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Maaya, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Silence, Thoughts, Truth
The personal world creation and its reflection! Question: Didi, I have a question regarding personal world creation. I see it having 2 aspects as below- Creating a story in your own mind and projecting it, thus creating your personal world. For eg. Husband came late...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 23, 2021 | 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 or she was...
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 16, 2021 | Games/Play/Fun, Grateful, Karma, Pleasure/Pain, Serious, Vedic
Is life all about clearing our karma baggage ? Question:If life is all about clearing our karma baggage, how we can say that it’s beautiful?Answer:When you keep looking at life like a war, like a struggle against Karma, you will be unhappy. If you keep questioning...
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 | 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 27, 2021 | Buddha, Causation, Consciousness, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Personality, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You
Dealing with disrespectful people using Buddha’s principles of observing sensations! Question:At work, few people are disrespectful in team meetings. I understand emotions arise due to1] my dvesha [I do not have a powerful physical voice or authoritative position,...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 25, 2021 | 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.wordpress.com/2016/07/04/craving-for-guru/Divine craving (for the physical guru or the tattva) is in my faith a...
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 20, 2021 | Aagami, Causation, Destiny, Drama, Freedom, Freewill, Karma, Karmaphalam, Life, Maaya, Maya, Niyati, Prarabdha, Problem/Struggle/Calamity, Raaga/Dvesha, Samsara, Sanchita, Types of Karma, Vedic
Karma and Suffering Question:If everything is decided by Karma flow then what possibly could be an explanation of 3 years or even 3 months old girls getting physically abused? Is the one who is getting sexually abused experiencing the result of Sanchita karma? If yes...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 15, 2021 | Causation, Doership, Ego, Faith, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You
Dealing with sadness… Question:There are instances when someone just blurts out anger for nothing I did (some people have anger management issues and I know that) and my reaction usually tears, going in silence and feeling hurt. Is that my bucket of anger too? If not,...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 13, 2021 | Brahman, Consciousness, Desire, General Spiritual, Illusion, Maaya, Samsara, Self
Sab Moha Maaya hai! Question: Dear didi Your what’sapp dp is “Sab moh maaya hai”. Means except self everything is moh maaya? Like my body, my mind, my ego is MAAYA? People around me, their body, their ego, their mind is also Maaya. And I should let go of it? Answer:...
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 | Apr 1, 2021 | Aagami, Bondage, Karma, Maya, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Vedic
Be a Lotus! Question: “The soul sticks on to the body until the karma is exhausted.” This means that you will keep getting a body by the laws of Niyati as long as you have karma. What happens to the soul after it is exhausted with all the Karmas–no more Karmas left,...
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 21, 2021 | Buddha, Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You
Death of a loved one Question:Why my daughter died of cancer at a very young age, she was very enthusiastic about life, still unmarried and why I had to go through her cancer battle, to see her pain, agony for 5 years? Nobody knows what it feels like taking your...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 18, 2021 | Aagami, Brahman, Consciousness, Energy, Flow with Life, Freewill, Impressions, Karma, Karmaphalam, Maaya, Niyati, No-Mind, Prakriti, Prarabdha, Purusha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sanchita, Types of Karma, Vedic, Vibration
Mahaa Maaya, Moha Maaya and Yoga Maaya Question : The ball is rolling and we are not the doer. Whatever will happen will happen. How does free will fit in? We have the free will not to create agami karma but what has to happen will happen irrespectively. Unless agami...
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 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 | Mar 2, 2021 | Aagami, Attraction, Causation, Dukkha, Ego, General Spiritual, I, Karma, Mind, Misery, Pleasure/Pain, Prarabdha, Sanchita, Suffering, Sukkha, Vedic, You
Fools blame others! Wise look inwards! Question: After doing so many knowledge sessions with you, I have realized that I have a tendency to think that I am perfect and others are wrong. My ways are correct and theirs are wrong. I understand this is the cycle...
by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 25, 2021 | Aagami, Awareness, Buddha, Buddha, Drama, Emotions, Mind, Reaction, Satipathana, Thoughts
The secret of the ‘first thought’! Question: What to do if negative thoughts keep coming against a person. I know it is not right and I am creating agami karma for myself but I am still unable to avoid it. Answer: This is a common mistake made by many spiritual...
by Gnyana Sangha | 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 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 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 | Jan 31, 2021 | 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. As...
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 | 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 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 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 14, 2021 | Awareness, Causation, Consciousness, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You
Leave the mind alone! Question: Dear Didi, in your signature and on your web site, there is a beautiful quote. “Leave the mind alone, it will quieten itself! Meditate!”I meditate, but it is more of a struggle and I always come out feeling not so good about my...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 5, 2021 | Awareness, Devas, Divine, Doership, Ego, Energy, Existence, Freedom, I, Intellect, Karma, Let go, Mind, No-Mind, Prayer, Present Moment, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Spontaneous, Suffering, Surrender, Vedic, Wisdom
Surrender Question:I am trying to understand why we have to surrender our impulses/attachments to the Devas. We talked about asking forgiveness of the Devas and asking them to guide us, free us and help us so that we don’t get tripped by the obstacles they throw...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 3, 2021 | Drama, Dreams, Illusion, Independent Spirituality, Maaya, Maya, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Samsara
Maaya makes you believe that dreams are real! Question:We keep hearing how this awareness is like knowing your dreaming. But the best (and most entertaining) dreams are when you think it’s real! I know thinking like this is primitive-talk compared to what we’ve...
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 17, 2020 | Body, Consciousness, Duality, Existence, I, Kabir, Paths, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Universe, You
Kabir’s Inner Mirror Question: What mirror is Kabir talking about in the following Doha? Hirday ma hi aarsi, mukh dekha nahi jaaye Mukh to tabhi dekhiye, jab dil ki duvidha jaaye There is a mirror inside, but the reflection is not clear. One can clearly see his...
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 10, 2020 | Advaita, Advaita, Awareness, Brahman, Consciousness, Enlightenment, Mind, Paths, Self, Self-Effort
The personal Journey within the Witness/Awareness/Consciousness! Question: Didi, please, please share with me your own experience of the Journey within Awareness/Witness. I might be there but I am not confident if it is my ‘ego’ thinking I am there. Your...
by Gnyana Sangha | 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 | Dec 3, 2020 | 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, 2020 | Body, Death, Karma, Liberation, Mind, No-Mind, Ramana Maharshi, Self-Effort
Why is the no-mind state not permanent in this human body? Question: Dear Ektaji, With reference to the ‘no mind’ state, why is it that no mind state is not permanent in this human body? Answer: This answer will make sense only if you have started the...
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 26, 2020 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Brahman, Consciousness, Direct Path, Duality, Existence, God, Illusion, Mind, Self, Sensations, Senses, Thoughts, Yoga Vasistha
If this world is a dream, how is it that we all share the same dream? Question: In Yoga Vashishta on page 33 last paragraph, it is said that the Creator is the mind or pure intelligence, the Creator is the mind and pure intelligence is His body, thought is inherent in...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 25, 2020 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Brahman, Consciousness, Direct Path, Dreams, Duality, I, Mind, You
Is the awareness/knowingness limited to special people? Question: Do we all experience the awareness/knowingness or is it limited to special people? Can I ever come to the point of recognizing this awareness/knowingness everywhere in everything and everyone? Answer:...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 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 17, 2020 | Advaita, Advaita, Ashtavakra Gita, Attachment, Buddha, Company/Association/Sangha, Enlightenment, Flow with Life, Guru, Independent Spirituality, Krishna, Masters, Paths, Raaga/Dvesha
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 | Nov 12, 2020 | Dispassion, Ego, Flow with Life, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Maaya, Time-past/present/Future, Truth
Dispassion or Disinterest? Question: Jgd Ekta di, Are dispassion and disinterest one and the same. I have lost ambition in Career. I do whatever job is given to me. But my Boss has started noticing it that I don’t go beyond what was asked of me and don’t bring new...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 10, 2020 | Awareness, Buddha, General Spiritual, Impressions, Maaya, Meditation, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Samadhi, Silence, Thoughts
YogaMaaya can be a hurdle on the spiritual path Question:I have a strange experience to share. Today in my meditation I felt like I was distanced from myself when I got carried away in my thoughts and the moment I came back to the breath I felt like that distance was...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 8, 2020 | Ambition/Career, Competition, Education, Home, Life, Maaya, Maya, Name/Roles, Samsara, Self-Effort, Vedic, Wealth
The trap of Maaya Question:Dear Ektaji, why do we respect only greatness? Why do we set goals by comparing with bigger and better only? However our benchmarks of Greatness keep changing as we ourselves evolve, and we keep chasing one or other desires. What is a right...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 3, 2020 | Awareness, Guru, Independent Spirituality, Knowledge, Maaya, Maya, Meditation, Meditation, Mind, Paths, Present Moment, Purushartha, Purushartha, Scriptures, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Vedic
Guilt of spiritual insincerity Question: JGD Didi, I have started listening to knowledge recently and I, suddenly, realized that I have been tremendously insincere in the past.This is bothering me too much. I want to progress on the path, please guide me on how to...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 29, 2020 | Awareness, Body, Brahman, Concepts, Consciousness, Doership, Ego, Elements, Existence, Fear, Form, Gnyana, Gratitude, Guru, I, Impressions, Life, Matter, Mind, Opinion/Behavior/Judgement, Personality, Physical, Prakriti, Purusha, Self, Soul, Surrender, Truth, Vedic, You
What is Personality? Question:Is personality born from the soul or is it created by the ego? When we see others who are acting very differently than we ever would like ourselves to, even though they are part of our same consciousness, does that mean that they have the...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 22, 2020 | Advaita, Awareness, Duality, Dvaita, I, Kabir, Mind, Paths, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
Kabir says burn down the house! Question: Why does Kabir talk about burning down the house in this Doha? Main mera ghar jaadiya, liyo paleeta haath, koi agar jaado ghar aapro, chale hamaare saath I burnt down my house with a flaming torch If you can scorch your own...
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 6, 2020 | 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 am...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 1, 2020 | Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You
Dwindling of desires! Question:There is an expectation to take up additional tasks (at work) as the role requires it.As a spiritual practitioner, I have noticed desires reducing in me automatically and now I have no desire to do extra/more tasks aiming at promotion or...
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 27, 2020 | Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You
Stand up for what is right even if you have to stand alone! Question: Didi, I see that people around me do all kinds of corrupt and unwholesome things – lie, steal, twist facts, play games with me, do politics in office as well as at home. These people are very...
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 17, 2020 | Causation, Doership, Emptiness, Faith, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Guru, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Personality, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, Self, You
How to give it back to the evil people in life? Question:I’m following the Buddha’s path of compassion but I need advice on how to treat people who treat you unfairly, cold-heartedly or are just evil people? I have been running into a lot of problems with it. I’ve...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 15, 2020 | Buddha, Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You
Interview topic – Enlightened Beings Question: I am deeply interested to understand the meaning of “Enlightenment”. Answer: Interest in knowing something is called curiosity. It is not sufficient to help one attain the highest possible goal for a human called...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 8, 2020 | Aagami, Anger, Anxiety, Attachment, Attention-Seeking, Attraction, Aversion, Awareness, Buddha, Causation, Craving, Desire, Dukkha, Emotions, Expectations, Fear, Fear, Greed, Guilt, Happiness, Hurt, Impressions, Jealousy, Karma, Karmaphalam, Love/Hate, Memory, Mindfulness, Misery, Pleasure/Pain, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Samsara, Seeking, Selfishness, Stress, Sukkha, Thoughts, Vasana
Vasanas Question:Can you clarify what vasana means?Answer:The mind is stuck in 3 factors –PeopleSituations andThingsThe association with all these 3 will lead to impressions in the mind.Association with people leads to – Impressions of entanglement, jealousy, lust,...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 6, 2020 | Buddha, Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You
How to do the Jhanas optimally? Question:How to do the Jhanas optimally?Answer:One must experiment with his mind while in the Jhanas.Experiment 1 – Make an attempt to maintain it:To maintain it longer requires a stable and non-reactive mind. If you jump at the...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 3, 2020 | Awareness, Awareness, Body, Buddha, Buddha, Dukkha, Enlightenment, Equanimous, Matter, Present Moment, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Satipathana, Senses, Sukkha, Thoughts
Yardstick to measure spiritual progress Question:What is the yardstick to measure my spiritual progress? How do I know if I am progressing spiritually?Answer:The yardstick to measure your spiritual progress is: ‘Equanimity + Awareness’.*Equanimity = [Internal...
by Gnyana Sangha | 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 29, 2020 | Advaita, Concepts, Consciousness, Enlightenment, Food, General Spiritual, Mind, Paths
Is vegetarianism preferable for spiritual growth? Question: Thank you for the article on vegetarianism and non-vegetarianism – https://ektabathija.com/are-there-karmic-consequences-to-eating-meat/. My question is not about the Karmic consequences of eating meat...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 27, 2020 | Advaita, Advaita, Animal, Concepts, Duality, Dvaita, Food, General Spiritual, Human, Independent Spirituality, Karma, Mind, Paths, Rumi, Uncategorized
Are there karmic consequences to eating meat? ‘.Question: Good afternoon. I have been raised as a pure vegetarian. I am however married to a Bengali (love marriage) who has been raised on fish and meat. I love my husband a lot and do not want him to suffer the...
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 23, 2020 | Advaita, Advaita, Emptiness, Festivals, Fullness, Ganesh, Independent Spirituality, Paths, Ramana Maharshi, Vedic
Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! Question:Namaste Ektaji,Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! On this occasion, I wanted to share an anecdote of Ramana Maharshi related to this festival. It’s from the book Guru Vachaka Kovai recorded by Muruganar. It’s a pun on the word ‘purnam’, the...
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 16, 2020 | Advaita, Advaita, Awareness, Brahman, Consciousness, Ego, Enlightenment, Flow with Life, God, Paths, Rituals, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self-Effort, Symbolism, Truth
Happy Paryushana! Approaching rites and rituals the Advaitic way! Question: Di, I finally had the experience and recognition, that everything is awareness, everything is Brahman! I am Brahman and everything is Brahman. Only Brahman is. And there is no karma....
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 13, 2020 | Buddha, Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You
Killing microbes accrues Karma or not? Question: I am a novice Buddhist. I admit that killing any living beings leads to negative karma production. Is there any explanation in karma formation in killing microorganisms? I had this debate with my friend, he claims...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 11, 2020 | Buddha, Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You
Why is there a pinch experienced in doing right? Question:I have a question regarding the previous knowledge on Apaatra Daanam!We have faced that situation many times with extended family. Using my Viveka, it’s obviously ‘apaatra’! But why I still feel a pinch? Just...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 9, 2020 | Buddha, Courage, Desire, Maaya, Misery, Temporary
Desires put you in a catch 22 situation! Question: How does one deal with desires? Whereas some desires may be frivolous like clothes, jewelry, material things and others seem to be existential like taking an extra leadership role at work or leading a volunteering...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 6, 2020 | Attachment, Flow with Life, Happiness, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, No-Mind, Senses, Silence, Temporary
Real Joy V/s Fake Joy Question: How do you differentiate real joy and fake joy? How can we find the enjoyment is real and not fake one? Answer: Hello dear, that’s a real deep question. The joy that comes from the objects of senses is temporary. Hence it is not real...
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 | Aug 2, 2020 | Buddha, Buddha, Compassion, Gossip, Jealousy, Kabir, Love/Hate, Mind, Problem/Struggle/Calamity, Samadhi, Truth
Gossipmongers on the spiritual path are wrong numbers! Question: I just figured that one of my spiritual world colleagues is jealous because I am meditating longer hours and have become quieter than her. She herself acknowledges that she is a loose cannon. She gossips...
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 25, 2020 | Buddha, Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You
Law of Nature – Kudrat ka kanoon! Question:Is it okay to think negative about someone but not really do any action to hurt them? The negative thought was planted in me by another friend. I keep thinking about the negativity again and again, but I am not doing or...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 23, 2020 | Buddha, Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You
Are you ready for Buddha’s teachings on the Art of BEing with REALITY? Question:I am confused whether I should start with the Vedic or Buddha’s knowledge sessions on the website http://www.gnyanasangha.com. How do I know if I am ready for Buddha’s...
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, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, Illusion, Intellect, Just Be, Karma, Knowledge, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, Self-Effort, You
Why are Buddha’s Suttas not easily accepted? Question:Why are Buddha’s Suttas not easily accepted? I notice that NOT ONLY in Hindu monks but also in the Buddhist sects. Why can’t man accept the Truth?Answer:Your question is valuable and will help many others.Buddha’s...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 12, 2020 | Advaita, Advaita, Ignorance, Life, Mind, Paths, Silence
Why does the waking state seem to be the bigger state when it is actually the reverse? Dear Sincere seeker, Please find the short video clip and its transcript below for the answer to the question, ‘Why does the waking state seem to be the bigger state when it...
![What is the real meaning of Jagat Mithya [The world is an illusion]](https://ektabathija.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/inception-1080x675.jpg)
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 7, 2020 | Advaita, Advaita, Awareness, Brahman, Consciousness, Illusion, Maya, Paths
What is the real meaning of Jagat Mithya [The world is an illusion] Dear Sincere seeker, Please find the short video clip and its transcript below for the answer to the question, What is the real meaning of Jagat Mithya [The world is an illusion]? Transcript: I am not...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 5, 2020 | Buddha, Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, Illusion, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Ramana Maharshi, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You
Want to spend an afternoon interacting with a fully enlightened person… How to find one? Question: I have a very deep thirst for knowing the Truth of ‘Who am I?’ I follow Ramana Maharshi’s teachings but it is so difficult to find a fully enlightened being to spend...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 2, 2020 | Advaita, Awareness, Consciousness, Gossip, Illusion, Maaya, Paths, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
Awareness does not seem to be natural to me. How do I make it my nature? Dear Sincere seeker, Please find the short video clip and its transcript below for the answer to the question, Awareness does not seem to be natural to me. How do I make it my nature? ...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 1, 2020 | Advaita, Buddha, Buddha, Chanting, Company/Association/Sangha, Competition, Duality, Flow with Life, Guru, Independent Spirituality, Maaya, Non-Doership, Ramana Maharshi, Self- Realization
Can I continue vedic chanting along with Buddha’s & Ramana’s path? Question: Respected Ekta ji, I just wish to be guided if one can continue with general practices of chanting Hanuman Chalisa, Om Namah Shivaye , Om Namo Baghvate vasudevaye or Durga....
![Dealing with Blame [per Ramana Maharshi’s direct path]](https://ektabathija.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/criticism-quarrel-1-1080x675.jpg)
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 30, 2020 | Advaita, Awareness, Consciousness, Drama, Ego, Independent Spirituality, Mind, Paths, Ramana Maharshi, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara
Dealing with Blame [per Ramana Maharshi’s direct path] Question: I can not take insults and blame and criticism, I wilt away like a dying flower. Please help me deal with this, a family member does not speak respectfully and this kills me. Please help! ...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 18, 2020 | Advaita, Advaita, Awareness, Breath, Buddha, Chanting, Consciousness, Doership, Ego, Meditation, Paths, Pranayama, Samadhi, Satipathana, Silence
Buddhadvaita could be your way! Question: Ektaji, in Anapana meditation, when I observe my breath after few minutes of unknown thoughts appear then I am gone (unaware about anything) then again I realize I have to be aware of the breath then again the same thing...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 16, 2020 | Chanting, Consciousness, Dukkha, God, Guru, Independent Spirituality, Paths, Pranayama, Self, Self- Realization, Sukkha, Truth, Viveka
Can an atheist attain the highest Truth? Question: I don’t follow any Guru nor any spiritual path nor do I have any faith in any religion or God. I heard about your Kabir session from a friend where you have taught that the highest Truth is to find out Who am...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 11, 2020 | Ambition/Career, Animal, Birth, Body, Concepts, Consciousness, Death, Ego, Flow with Life, I, Ignorance, Illusion, Impulsive, Life, Maaya, Maya, Mind, Present Moment, Purusha, Samsara, Self, Soul, Spontaneous, Temporary, Vedic, You
What is the purpose of life? Question:I keep wondering why we first broke away from our nature of infinite consciousness? Why did that subtle vibration even occur that led to the “I”/ ego and then to the projected consciousness that leads us to this cycle of samsara...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 7, 2020 | Consciousness, Dispassion, Flow with Life, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Knowledge, Samsara, Silence, Temporary, Vairagya
How to be motivated when you know everything is incapable of satisfying? Question:At first I had found satisfaction in this idea of “aniccha – everything is incapable of satisfying”. It was kind of relieving that I didn’t have to wait to actually do something or...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 4, 2020 | Advaita, Advaita, Awareness, Duality, Ego, Emotions, I, Mind, Paths, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Satipathana, Self-Effort, Sensations
Advaitic way of dealing with uncontrollable emotions Question: Ekta didi, I am going through a strong emotion because of an event in my life this last week. I am quite aware of it and this time I want to use it to go deep into the emotion. What is the Advaitic way of...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 2, 2020 | Aversion, Awareness, Awareness, Birth, Buddha, Craving, Death, Just Be, Mind, Moksha, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Samadhi, Self, Space-Time, Time-past/present/Future
Time does not exist! Question:As you said, we will be born again and again until we attain moksha from the cycle of birth and death. How to understand the paradigm of time here i.e. after this life, can I be born back in time? Does time exist really? If no, then there...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 26, 2020 | Attraction, Awareness, Craving, Ego, Intellect, Life, Maaya, No-Mind, Senses, Vedic, Viveka
At what level are you in the Game of LIFE? Question:JGD Ekta Di, today in our modern society, we see people dressing in all kinds of ways for different social situations. Is there a spiritual perspective on how we should dress and what kind of clothes we should wear?...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 17, 2020 | Buddha, Equanimous, Maaya, Mind, Reaction, Self- Realization
Non-application of the Mind is Equanimity! Question:When there is a wave of strong Maaya that makes me become unaware and lose myself, what is the best approach to sail though this? Is it the application of equanimity & awareness with the determination to let...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 14, 2020 | Commitment, Courage, Emotions, General Spiritual, Life, Maaya, Maya, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
Did you miss the boat? 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 Bhaav) and as an outsider...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 10, 2020 | Aagami, Aversion, Awareness, Compassion, Craving, Emotions, Guilt, Gunas, Let go, Life, Mind, Opinion/Behavior/Judgement, Prakriti, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Vedic
What can I do to increase Awareness? Question:You mentioned law of attraction in our discussion. Is there anything we can do for the numerous times we have had knowingly/unknowingly grumbled upon others behavior and had bad thoughts about them? I am sorry for my ill...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 3, 2020 | Awareness, Awareness, Consciousness, Death, General Spiritual, Karma, Mindfulness, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
3 States of Consciousness Question: Ektaji, I have one question. You were saying that if one is established in 100% awareness of the subtle body at death, you become enlightened. Does this happen only at the time of death or can it happen even when you...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 26, 2020 | 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 | Apr 25, 2020 | Attachment, Dispassion, Dreams, Fear, General Spiritual, Let go, Life, Maaya, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Self- Realization, Truth
The truth is that you really don’t want to wake up! Question:If I have to get enlighten, it seems so difficult. I have to get over my attachment to my spouse, children, parents, friends, job, aspirations, power, position, company, money, house, car, friends, phone,...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 24, 2020 | Awareness, General Spiritual, Intellect, Just Be, Maaya, Mind, No-Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence
Being Aware! Question:Dear Ekta Didi, I observe a habit of talking to myself. I try hard not to speak, but I can’t stop it and then I join the conversation again! I have experienced a state of not talking to myself and just being, but I find it a very new thing and...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 17, 2020 | Awareness, Consciousness, Dreams, Duality, General Spiritual, Illusion, Let go, Physical, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Satori, Self, Truth, Videha
Is it possible to drop duality? Questions: In Cosmos, it is said that there is no concept of time. My question though is, can you experience this while you are in a physical form. From Lila’s story(yoga vasishtha), she had to remove the duality completely? Please...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 16, 2020 | Advaita, Duality, Dvaita, Ego, I, Independent Spirituality, Misery, Rumi, Samsara, You
A beautiful poem on Advait (non duality) Question: I really liked the Sufi poem about the stranger who knocks on the door, and then last time says “I am you”, etc etc. Can you send a link to this poem? Answer: It is a poem by Rumi, that I heard in Urdu long...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 15, 2020 | Advaita, Awareness, Bhakti Sutra, Equanimous, Independent Spirituality, Meditation, Ramana Maharshi, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self-Effort
No ‘I’ No ‘You’! Question: Sutras from the higher chapters of Ashtavakra Gita and Narada Bhaktisutras clearly mention that you are already enlightened and that there is no need to meditate, then why are meditations encouraged by so many? How do...
