Select Page
Free will is a misnomer!

Free will is a misnomer!

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....
Do you test the participants before admitting them to Gurukul?

Do you test the participants before admitting them to Gurukul?

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...
Marriage or Seva?

Marriage or Seva?

Marriage or Seva? Question: I want to do seva to progress spiritually. I feel I will progress much more if I were at my master’s feet than being at home. I also do not want to get married, but my mother wants me to get married.  I am in a quandary. Should I focus on...
Benefits of Vipassana or Satipatthana

Benefits of Vipassana or Satipatthana

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

How to come out of the dream?

How to come out of the dream? Question: When I don’t know/realize that I’m living in a dream then how do I come out of the dream? – is it right to even think that I should come out (is there something outside of this ) OR think that it’s a dream n nothing matters...
Mind retaliates to your answer on craving for Guru!

Mind retaliates to your answer on craving for Guru!

Mind retaliates to your answer on craving for Guru! Question: Ektaji, My bhakti kicked in and did a little revolt against the answer – https://ektabathija.com/craving-for-guru/ Divine craving (for the physical guru or the tattva) is in my faith a blessing..does Mukti...
Have a ‘Pure’ Guru Poornima!

Have a ‘Pure’ Guru Poornima!

Have a ‘Pure’ Guru Poornima! Question: What are the important things that a sincere seeker should understand about Guru Poornima? I was wondering how should a sincere seeker and disciple’s acharan [behaviour] be on the spiritual path especially in the...
How to do proper darshan of the Guru during Guru Poornima?

How to do proper darshan of the Guru during Guru Poornima?

How to do proper darshan of the Guru during Guru Poornima? Question: Ektaji Jai Guru Dev, Can you please give me tips on how to get a Proper True Darshan of Gurudev during this upcoming Guru Poornima. The mind gets swept away with the much fanfare and misses seeing...
Intellectualization of Spiritual Knowledge is a MAJOR obstacle!

Intellectualization of Spiritual Knowledge is a MAJOR obstacle!

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...
How to experience the spiritual knowledge?

How to experience the spiritual knowledge?

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...
Is being a witness and being 100% aware the same?

Is being a witness and being 100% aware the same?

Is being a witness and being 100% aware the same? Question 1: I was practicing 100% awareness for most of the day. But it seemed to me that as I was 100% aware, I was also totally aware of what I was experiencing through the senses – I was totally aware of what my...
Dealing with Anxiety

Dealing with Anxiety

Dealing with Anxiety Question: Dear Ektaji, How should one deal with anxiety through Karma Yoga? I understand the role of gyana and bhakti/surrender when we are anxious about something in future but it is still prabhava gyana. Therefore I end up reasoning with my...
Journey from external to internal

Journey from external to internal

Journey from external to internal Question: Dear Ektaji, I have been with a spiritual organizaion for 15 yrs now, have done courses, seva, satsang(less of seva though :-), could be better) … However, one question that has never been understood is going within. Journey...
Connect with the Master internally instead of the external physical body!

Connect with the Master internally instead of the external physical body!

Connect with the Master internally instead of the external physical body! Question: I did feel a strong connection to my Guru when I did the course. But 3 years later now, I don’t feel anything. When I go to Ashram, I see people in crowds getting excited about Guruji,...
Vashistha talks about Fate and Self-effort

Vashistha talks about Fate and Self-effort

Vashistha talks about Fate and Self-effort Question: I am reading the Yoga Vasistha these days, could you please explain to me pages 22-24 of the Supreme Yoga – by Swami Venkatesananda, where he talks about Fate and self effort?   Answer: Vasistha says that ‘Self...
Abiding in the Self!

Abiding in the Self!

Abiding in the Self! Question: There is a sort of ‘bond’ between the awareness and the mind. The awareness goes out every time (away from the self to the world). And this connection or bond must be broken. How can I break this connection? I know that I have to take a...
The greatest fear!

The greatest fear!

The greatest fear! Question: Dear didi, your recent post made me realize that the ego is the cause of my beginning. Now that I have taken a step towards liberation there is a strange fear of becoming no one again, the mind says-  what will happen to’me’ after...
Happy NEW perspective!

Happy NEW perspective!

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...
No proxies allowed in Spirituality!

No proxies allowed in Spirituality!

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,...
From scenery to seer!

From scenery to seer!

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...
What if the Karma theory is wrong?

What if the Karma theory is wrong?

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...
Karma affects both Material life and spiritual goals?

Karma affects both Material life and spiritual goals?

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...
How to overcome loneliness and depression?

How to overcome loneliness and depression?

How to overcome loneliness and depression? Question: My husband is an alcoholic all he does is work and sleep alone, there is practically no interaction or no marriage between us. So I don’t have any company. In spite of understanding all the spiritual knowledge it is...
Who am I?

Who am I?

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...
There is no happiness in this world!

There is no happiness in this world!

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...
Dealing with Possessiveness

Dealing with Possessiveness

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...
What is Tapas?

What is Tapas?

What is Tapas? Question: What exactly is tapas? Does it refer to a dissolved state? I understand that the words: burn, cook are used here as metaphor but what do they actually refer to?   Answer: Tapas means endurance. Tapas is how strong are you mentally to be...
KARMA!

KARMA!

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?...
How do thoughts generate in the mind?

How do thoughts generate in the mind?

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:...
How do I experience Silence during meditation ?

How do I experience Silence during meditation ?

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...
Are you worthy of Spiritual Knowledge?

Are you worthy of Spiritual Knowledge?

Are you worthy of Spiritual Knowledge? Question : Sometimes I wonder that, am I even worthy of this highest and beautiful knowledge? Even after studying and applying the knowledge we sometimes lose the path and get involved in cravings, desires and get carried away by...
Who is the designer of the Mind?

Who is the designer of the Mind?

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...
Fear of the ‘last thoughts at death’

Fear of the ‘last thoughts at death’

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...
Thoughts during meditation and sadness after!

Thoughts during meditation and sadness after!

Thoughts during meditation and sadness after! Question: Dear Ekta didi, I have been doing my meditation but I just can’t get my mind to shut up! It constantly brings thoughts. I don’t resist them. But I am slightly concerned. I am in no way impatient, I will continue...
Who is the designer of the Mind?

Who is the designer of the Mind?

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...
Is Ambition also a seeking?

Is Ambition also a seeking?

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...
Guilt of spiritual insincerity

Guilt of spiritual insincerity

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...
The life of ‘maximum relief’

The life of ‘maximum relief’

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...
Why do I feel stagnant in my spiritual growth?

Why do I feel stagnant in my spiritual growth?

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...
Birthday Message!

Birthday Message!

Birthday Message! Question: JGD didi, many happy returns of the day. Please could you give us a message on your birthday about how to celebrate a birthday.   Answer:   Life is a school. We all are here to learn some lessons. There are several classrooms:...
Buddha taught that there is NO SOUL!

Buddha taught that there is NO SOUL!

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...
Why are Buddha’s Suttas not easily accepted?

Why are Buddha’s Suttas not easily accepted?

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...
Are you a SAKSHI ?

Are you a SAKSHI ?

Are you a SAKSHI ? Question: When the storm of emotions hit (it did yesterday LOL) I kept reminding myself to “watch for it”. The emotion was anger and disappointment but when it was surging the high wasn’t under control. I was constantly reminding myself that the...
Who is God?

Who is God?

Who is God? Question:   What’s the easy way to be connected to divine. I was good at that but I got lost & cannot concentrate to get there again.   Answer: How to be connected to the divine? Who is God? Most do not even know who is God. How can you be...
In sickness and in health!

In sickness and in health!

In sickness and in health! Question:Ekta ji, during Vyadhi, even as small as a headache, the Prana takes a hit and is focused only on the body. Should one wait for the phase to finish, and take it as tapas to come back and settle in the Self, what do you...
Longer retreats for advanced meditators!

Longer retreats for advanced meditators!

Longer retreats for advanced meditators! Question: Please would you provide some insight into the need for longer retreats and how they help a spiritual seeker? Answer: In the longer retreats, a sincere spiritual seeker receives individual meditation instructions....
Karma and its ways

Karma and its ways

Karma and its ways Question:My husband is an alcoholic all he does is work and sleep alone.  there is practically no interaction or no marriage between us. I feel extremely lonely and very depressed at home.What should I do to come out of this loneliness and depressed...
How to get over the guilt of Infidelity?

How to get over the guilt of Infidelity?

How to get over the guilt of Infidelity? Question:How to work on maintaining internal purity when I know that I have become impure by stepping out of my marriage? How to get over the guilt of Infidelity?Answer:Everything that happens to us is because of our own Karma...