by Ekta Bathija | Aug 5, 2026 | Advaita, Body, Chanting, Devotion, Duality, Gratitude, Guru, Ignorance, Meditation, Mind, Samadhi, Silence, Surrender, Wisdom, Worship
Gratitude and Absolute Surrender to the inner Guru Tattva! Question: Dear Didi, How to show gratitude and absolute surrender to the inner Guru Tattva moment to moment? Is there any prayer that can help? Answer: The Guru Tattva lies within. The inner environment... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jul 12, 2026 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Body, Consciousness, Desire, Direct Path, Happiness, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Seeking, Thoughts
When Even the Witness Dissolves, You Recognize That You Are What You Seek! Question: Dear EktabenIf a desire is a thought that arises from consciousness, does it stand to reason that such a thought is an attempt by consciousness (which has forgotten itself when... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jun 28, 2026 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Brahman, Death, Dispassion, Ego, Enlightenment, Guru, I, Ignorance, Impressions, Knowledge, Mind, Reaction, Rituals, Samadhi, Sensations, Thoughts, Truth, Vasana
Videhamukti completes the incomplete Jivanmukti Question: Hi Ektaji, I was going through Jivanmukta by Vidyaranya Swamy, wherein he said, “When realization of the Truth (Tattva Jñāna) alone is perfected, but the dissolution of the mind (Mano Nāśa) and the... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jun 21, 2026 | Buddha, I, Memory, Mind, Reaction, Samadhi, Silence, Spontaneous, Thoughts
Strive for inner softness or Saumyata! Question: Maintaining the Buddha vows helps me keep a peaceful mind free of unnecessary chit-chat. But I broke some vows. How to deal with the broken vows? Answer: Before we discuss what to do about broken vows, it is... 
by Ekta Bathija | Apr 12, 2026 | Advaita, Aversion, Awareness, Body, Breath, Buddha, Doership, I, Meditation, Mind, Paths, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Satipathana, Self, Sensations, Thoughts, Truth
Incorporate Awareness or Witnessing into your meditation technique Question: EktaJi, I attended S.N Goenka’s 10-day Vipassana retreat and felt like it promoted effort and also had a lack of emphasis on awareness of mental phenomena, focused more on physical... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 25, 2026 | Adhyasa Drishti, Advaita, Body, Buddha, Consciousness, Direct Path, Dispassion, Gnyana, Guru, I AM THAT, Independent Spirituality, Knowledge, Liberation, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Paths, Rama Geeta, Ramana Maharshi, Samadhi, Scriptures, Vairagya, Viveka
Are there different books for different levels of Seekers in Gnyana Sangha? Question: Hello Didi, I understand better when I read rather than when I listen. Are there different books for different levels of Seekers in Gnyana Sangha? If you could tell me which books a... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 22, 2026 | Advaita, Brahman, Consciousness, Direct Path, Emptiness, Illusion, Ishavasya Upanishad, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Sensations, Thoughts
Go beyond Deep Sleep to Turiyatita Question: Dear Ektaji, I have one question. One must BE in rest to observe one in motion. I am Turiya, and Turiya is consciousness in motion. How can I witness 8 arising in the Waking world and the Dream world, which is consciousness... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 28, 2026 | Advaita, Body, Buddha, Conscious, Courage, Direct Path, Dukkha, God, Happiness, I, Impressions, Intellect, Mind, Physical, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Self, Sukkha
Effort or Effortlessness Question: Didi, I was under the impression that the spiritual path is effortless, but you said in the previous post that effort must be applied. I am sure I am missing a delicate pointer somewhere. Please guide me. Answer: Let me... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 21, 2026 | Advaita, Aversion, Awareness, Body, Brahman, Company/Association/Sangha, Consciousness, Craving, Direct Path, Ego, Enlightenment, Fear, I, Relationship, Samadhi, Sensations, Thoughts, Wisdom
From Loneliness to Aloneness… Question: Why does everyone feel lonely, irrespective of age, gender, or whether surrounded by people or not? From the Advaita perspective, I know there are no others, and there is only Brahman. ‘Others’ is my figment of... 
by Ekta Bathija | Dec 8, 2025 | Advaita, Buddha, Buddha, Consciousness, Dukkha, Knowledge, Love, Meditation, Memory, Mind, Misery, Relationship, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Suffering, Thanksgiving, Thoughts
Don’t just forgive but be grateful for all worldly sorrows Question: Dear Ekta, Thanksgiving is difficult for people like me. I am unable to give thanks to my family. I want to follow the Buddhadvaita path and forgive, but bitter memories haunt me. Can you help... 
by Ekta Bathija | Nov 9, 2025 | Knowledge, Ramana Maharshi, Samadhi, Wisdom
Global Launch: ‘I-I’ Journal Levels 1 & 2: Ramana Maharshi’s Samadhi teachings Dear Angels,Announcing the Global launch of two journals by Ekta Bathija: ‘I-I’ Journal Level 1: Ramana Maharshi’s Deep Sleep and Closed-Eyed... 
by Ekta Bathija | Sep 24, 2025 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Buddha, Emptiness, Just Be, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Scriptures, Thoughts, Wisdom
Structure must be dropped in Deep Samadhi Question: Dear Ekta didi, can you please elaborate on “The collapse of hankering for structure and methodology is a prerequisite for Samadhi.” Thank you Answer: Any hankering is an obstacle for Samadhi, my dear. Let me... 
by Ekta Bathija | Aug 20, 2025 | Advaita, Body, Breath, Conscious, Consciousness, Direct Path, Ego, Existence, Ishavasya Upanishad, Meditation, Mind, Samadhi, Self
The body doesn’t sit to meditate… the body sits to disappear… Question: My mind comes up with the excuse, ‘You’re not this body, why does this body sit for meditation? I know it’s an excuse. Please help the Ego from falling into this... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jun 29, 2025 | Body, Consciousness, Enlightenment, General Spiritual, Grateful, Gratitude, Ignorance, Illusion, Meditation, Mind, Relationship, Samadhi, Thoughts
Be grateful for sudden losses, they make you debt-free! Question asked in the Gurukul forum:Someone stole a belonging, and a thought of ill will arose that this product will not have good consequences for the thief. You said that “Every pinch becomes a punch. The... 
by Ekta Bathija | May 4, 2025 | Addiction, Consciousness, Craving, Emptiness, Expectations, General Spiritual, Happiness, I, Mind, Misery, Opinion/Behavior/Judgement, Pleasure/Pain, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Seeking, Suffering
Beware of mind-manufactured spiritual images Question: Dear Ekta Ji, There is a recognition that there is an addiction or craving to doing, and there is an emptiness that becomes unbearable at times. The urge to do arises, cravings are created, and unwholesome... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 19, 2025 | Advaita, Body, Brahman, Buddha, Consciousness, Direct Path, Enlightenment, I, Illusion, Maya, Mind, Moksha, Projection, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Self, Self- Realization, Senses, Truth, Wisdom
The four avenues to establish in your true Spiritual Self! Question: Thank you Ektaji for your enlightening wisdom. I have been doing Swapna Nidra Gnyana Sadhana for a few months now. I realized that I am the 4th (Turiya). But still, I am Maya-Ansh (Particle of Maya).... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 2, 2025 | Addiction, Consciousness, Craving, Direct Path, Emptiness, Expectations, General Spiritual, Happiness, I, Impressions, Meditation, Mind, Misery, Pleasure/Pain, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Seeking, Suffering
The image of the witness is not the Witness! Question: Dear Ekta Ji, there is a recognition that there is an addiction or craving to doing, when the day’s measure is done and there is nothing more to do (including spiritual doing meditating, journaling) there is an... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 19, 2025 | Advaita, Body, Buddha, Chanting, Consciousness, Direct Path, Fear, Guru/Disciple, I, Illusion, Maaya, Meditation, Mind, Religion, Samadhi, Self- Realization, Sensations, Senses, Shiva, Spontaneous, Thoughts
Manufacturing mental images and observing them is not true meditation Question: When I was chanting my mantra, I heard Akathkatha. I saw Shiva in front of my eyes. My consciousness was not in my body. I had that experience for two hours. I felt lightweight and had... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 5, 2025 | Advaita, Attention-Seeking, Bhakti, Breath, Chanting, Consciousness, Devotion, Direct Path, Dispassion, Duality, Enlightenment, General Spiritual, God, Guru, Guru/Disciple, I, Illusion, Krishna, Love, Mind, Moksha, Samadhi, Self, Self- Realization, Senses, Silence, Truth, Vairagya, Worship
Devotion is the automatic last step on the path of Self-Inquiry Question: Namaste Ektaji, how does the leap from devotion to Self-realization take place for Meerabai, Tukaram, Gnyaneshwar, etc? There is no mention of self-inquiry, so how did they realize who they are?... 
by Ekta Bathija | Dec 22, 2024 | Buddha, Consciousness, Direct Path, Dreams, Ignorance, Life, Samadhi, Satipathana, Self, Suffering, Truth
Shunyata is everythingness in nothingness Question: Avidya or Ignorance is impermanent, it doesn’t exist once it observes itself. Then why should one do anything about ignorance if ignorance doesn’t exist anyway? Answer: This is where the Supreme Truth... 
by Ekta Bathija | Sep 29, 2024 | Advaita, Ashtavakra Gita, Direct Path, Doership, I, Illusion, Intellect, Memory, Mind, Samadhi, Sensations, Temporary, Thoughts
The doer and experiencer are not the same illusion, even if they seem so! Question: Dear Ektaji,Is my understanding correct? Situation:6pm – I keep my car keys somewhere in my house.8pm – I want to go out. I am searching for the car keys but can’t find... 
by Ekta Bathija | Dec 27, 2023 | 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 Ekta Bathija | Oct 22, 2023 | 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 Ekta Bathija | Oct 18, 2023 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Buddha, Consciousness, Knowledge, Meditation, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Suffering, Surrender
Will my medical condition disappear during meditation? Question: I have a common chronic medical condition. Like my awareness, it is always there. But, when my mind is full of activity I do not notice it. I meditate for an hour a day and have moments of complete peace... 
by Ekta Bathija | Sep 27, 2023 | Buddha, Buddha, Commitment, Meditation, Purushartha, Samadhi, Self- Realization, Truth
Why some people cannot meditate? Question: Why some people cannot meditate? Answer: Many people asked the Buddha why they couldn’t meditate? Here’s what Buddha said… Many spiritual practitioners during Buddha’s time were following the Vedic techniques of... 
by Ekta Bathija | Aug 20, 2023 | 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 Ekta Bathija | Aug 9, 2023 | 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 Ekta Bathija | Jul 8, 2023 | 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 Ekta Bathija | Jul 6, 2023 | Bhakti, Bondage, Commitment, Courage, Devotion, Dispassion, Doership, Ego, Faith, Freedom, Guru/Disciple, I, Independent Spirituality, Liberation, Mind, Moksha, Non-Doership, Prayer, Raaga/Dvesha, Samadhi, Self- Realization, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Surrender, Surrender, Vairagya, Wisdom
Mind retaliates to your answer on craving for Guru! Question: Ektaji, My bhakti kicked in and did a little revolt against the answer – https://ektabathija.com/craving-for-guru/ Divine craving (for the physical guru or the tattva) is in my faith a blessing..does Mukti... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jul 2, 2023 | 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 Ekta Bathija | Jun 21, 2023 | 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 =... 
by Ekta Bathija | May 3, 2023 | 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 Ekta Bathija | Apr 4, 2023 | Advaita, Buddha, Emptiness, Equanimous, I, Independent Spirituality, Let go, Meditation, No-Mind, Paths, Ramana Maharshi, Samadhi, Silence
Difference between ‘I am THIS’ & ‘I am’ per Buddha’s path Question: Dear Ekta di: It would be of great benefit if you could please help with the following: Book: Samyutta Nikaya sutta number 22.89 (7) Khemaka- Pg 944 (middle... 
by Ekta Bathija | Oct 2, 2022 | Awareness, Buddha, Flow with Life, Independent Spirituality, Knowledge, Let go, Meditation, Patanjali Yogs Sutra, Prarabdha, Present Moment, Purushartha, Samadhi, Scriptures, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Viveka
Be like a crystal! Question: In Patanjali Yogasutras, a reference is made to ‘being a crystal’. Is ‘being a crystal’ different from Sampragnyata samadhi? Answer: ‘Being a crystal’ means living as if you don’t exist.... 
by Ekta Bathija | Sep 18, 2022 | Buddha, Energy, Form, Formless, Mind, No-Mind, Samadhi, Vedic
Thought waves are recorded in Space! Question: Are thoughts recorded in Space? They say that whatever the Rishis and Yogis have said is recorded in Space and the most aware mind can download this in the deepest of the meditation. Please explain how this works? ... 
by Ekta Bathija | 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 Ekta Bathija | May 20, 2021 | Consciousness, Dhyana, Meditation, Patanjali Yogs Sutra, Samadhi, Scriptures, Vedic
Is it possible to go into a complete thoughtless state while meditating? Question: When meditating, I sometime get down to a very relaxed clear state, where I feel only peace (there really isn’t any word for it though) but there are usually one or two thoughts... 
by Ekta Bathija | 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 Ekta Bathija | 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 Ekta Bathija | Sep 13, 2020 | Buddha, Buddha, Enlightenment, Faith, Meditation, Mind, Samadhi, Scriptures, Truth, Vedic
Buddha became globally popular because… Question: Why is Buddha globally popular even though he was criticized by Vedic sages? Answer: Buddha, born as Prince Siddhartha Gautama had everything – money, name, fame, position, power, wife, everything one could wish for.... 
by Ekta Bathija | 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 Ekta Bathija | 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... 
by Ekta Bathija | May 19, 2020 | General Spiritual, Just Be, Meditation, Mind, Present Moment, Samadhi, Self, Silence, Space-Time, Time-past/present/Future, Truth
Mind creates the illusion of Time! Time does not really exist! Question:Time in addition to raaga/ dvesha or thoughts creates a barrier in meditation. Mind and Time seem undetachable unless consciousness goes in the silent core. Do you have tips to get over this... 
by Ekta Bathija | Apr 23, 2020 | Awareness, Just Be, Karma, Liberation, Mindfulness, Present Moment, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Self, Self, Self- Realization, Vedic
Be a witness to all that is happening Question:Jai guru dev Ektaji – Di, we are not the body. Though this body will finish one day but we are not destroyed as we are the energy which is making this body work. Di, I want to know that whatever karma we do, we do it... 
by Ekta Bathija | Dec 14, 2019 | Bondage, Dispassion, Freedom, General Spiritual, Guru, Knowledge, Meditation, Meditation, Mind, No-Mind, Samadhi, Samsara, Scriptures, Self- Realization, Self-Effort, Silence, Truth, Vairagya, Wisdom
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.... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 11, 2019 | Aversion, Birth, Choicelessness, Death, Desire, Dispassion, Enlightenment, Equanimous, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Liberation, Meditation, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Samadhi, Self- Realization, Silence
How to make sure not to be born again? Question:How to make sure not to be born again? How to stop the cyclical nonsense of birth and death?Answer:That’s an invaluable question, dear. But, It does not have a straight answer. There is NO way to ensure not to be born... 
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