by Ekta Bathija | Sep 22, 2026 | Atma Nirvriti, Attention-Seeking, Direct Path, Let go, Life, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence, Thoughts
How does one transact in daily life being the Witness? Question: I deeply appreciate your Atma Nirvriti explanations and guidance. At the Knower stage, how does one transact in daily life and work, with family, and even travel and move around? I feel an inwardness, a...
by Ekta Bathija | Aug 11, 2026 | Adi Shankaracharya, Body, Breath, Direct Path, Ego, Emptiness, I, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Silence, Thoughts
The ‘I-sense ‘, when identified with an arising, is the Ego. Question: Didi,Is this the correct understanding: the body breathes naturally, the mind generates thoughts, the I-sense clings either to the thought and continues thinking, or it gets with the...
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 19, 2026 | Advaita, Body, Direct Path, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence
The active silence lies beyond the inactive silence of deep sleep Question: Dear Ekta, Papaji says, “The silence of sleep is an inactive silence out of which activities arise. But the real state that lies behind Waking, Dreaming, and Sleeping is an active...
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 | Jun 17, 2026 | Advaita, Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Direct Path, Existence, I, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence, Spontaneous, Thoughts, Wisdom
Can you extend the duration of a thought? Question: Ektaji, I have found in my experience that if I choose to focus (react) to a certain thought, it serves to extend its duration in my field of Knowingness. Is this a contradiction of the statement above that I have no...
by Ekta Bathija | Apr 1, 2026 | Body, Buddha, Direct Path, Fear, Mind, Reaction, Silence, Thoughts, Wisdom
Difference between an uncultivated mind and an uncontained mind Question: Didi, I saw your video on the Buddha’s sutta on the mind that can be trained and developed. My question is, how do I know if my mind is trainable or not? How do I know if I have an...
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 18, 2026 | Anger, Aversion, Buddha, Company/Association/Sangha, Desire, Mind, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence, Vairagya, Vasana, Viveka
Do you sleep like a baby? Question: Following the Buddha’s path, I would like to dissociate from people, situations, and things that bring about unwholesomeness in me. How do I clearly distinguish between wise disassociation with wholesome effort vs avoidance...
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 18, 2026 | Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Dispassion, General Spiritual, Mind, Paths, Rituals, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence, Spontaneous, Thoughts, Upanishad, Vairagya, Viveka, Worship
Do I have to discard Dvaitam path rituals? Question: Do I have to discard all old rituals and practices that I followed on the previously adhered to Dvaitam paths? Sometimes, the thought occurs to resume what has been stopped. How do I navigate this? Answer: On...
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 11, 2026 | Attachment, Aversion, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Craving, Dispassion, Form, General Spiritual, I, Illusion, Independent Spirituality, Mind, Opinion/Behavior/Judgement, Pleasure/Pain, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Scriptures, Sensations, Silence, Thoughts, Vairagya
Persistent Sakshi-bhaava evolves to natural Vairagya Question: Didi, how to stay at a distance when a captivating arising appears? How to develop sufficient Vairagya (dispassion) towards it? Answer: Realizing one is the Witness of the Waker and not the...
by Ekta Bathija | Nov 16, 2025 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Emptiness, Knowledge, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Silence, Thoughts, Truth
The presence devoid of the interference of thought Question:Is the calmness of the mind and thoughtlessness the same as Awareness being aware? How to ensure that I can continuously just BE in awareness? Answer:The calmness or thoughtlessness of the mind is not... by Ekta Bathija | Nov 2, 2025 | Awareness, Consciousness, Doubts, Ego, Fear, General Spiritual, Knowledge, Paths, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence, Truth
Awareness itself does not ask questions, nor raises doubts! Question: It feels like the clouds move in and also pass. At times it seems clear, then again doubt arises. In these moments, staying aware of me as the witnessing field seems to settle things, like I’m...
by Ekta Bathija | Oct 26, 2025 | Energy, General Spiritual, Impressions, Karma, Mind, Sensations, Silence, Thoughts, Wisdom
Should I do this action or that? What about the Karmic impression? Question: Knowing that there may be creation of Karmic impressions, should I decide to do an action out of compassion or not? Waker is confused. Answer: A scientist proposes a new hypothesis,...
by Ekta Bathija | Oct 23, 2025 | Anger, Aversion, Birth, Buddha, Death, Dispassion, Doership, Dukkha, Emotions, Illusion, Impressions, Karma, Karmaphalam, Liberation, Mind, Moksha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, Senses, Silence, Spontaneous, Truth
Don’t miss the Karmic account closing window! Question: Dear Didi, I have a question about arisings, the first wave, and creating further impressions. This is family masala. Waker’s brother-in-law called today and said something rude to Waker. Waker replied,...
by Ekta Bathija | Oct 19, 2025 | Advaita, Body, Direct Path, Dispassion, I, Illusion, Mind, Rama Geeta, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Senses, Silence, Spontaneous, Upanishad, Vairagya, Viveka, Wisdom
The 6 Virtues or Shat Sampat Question: Dear Ekta, could you expand on the spiritual journal point “inner self investigation leads to natural development of silence of the lips”? Thank you. Answer: The first and foremost point is that one must...
by Ekta Bathija | Sep 17, 2025 | Advaita, Direct Path, Dreams, Fear, Guru, I, Mind, Relationship, Seeking, Silence, Truth, Wisdom
If you were content with Dreams, would you trade them for Deep Sleep? Question: If I were content with the pleasure of dreams, would I trade it for the sleeper identity? This question makes me dizzy. I don’t know which end is up 😊. Please do elaborate. Thank you...
by Ekta Bathija | Jun 11, 2025 | Advaita, Atma Darshan, Atmananda, Direct Path, I, Projection, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence, Truth
Find the Inner Child! Question: Namaste Ektaji, the way a baby perceives the world: Just Beingness, neither the thought of separateness, nor the thought of oneness, would that be recognition of Satchidananda in Jagat? Answer: Yes dear. That is called Sahaja... by Ekta Bathija | May 21, 2025 | Advaita, Attachment, Awareness, Body, Concepts, Death, Direct Path, Memory, Mind, Projection, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence, Truth, Upanishad
How can the ‘limitlessness’ die in the limited state? Question: Ektaji, I had COVID and went through extreme fear. I think the fear stemmed from my attachments to my family, wife, and kids. I have been walking the Advaita path for years. The silence is...
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 19, 2025 | Awareness, General Spiritual, Intellect, Meditation, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence, Thoughts
Anhad Naad can be used as a beginners self-inquiry tool Question: I attempt to stay established as the witness, during my daily activities and in closed-eye contemplation. As I notice myself getting lost in thoughts, and I bring myself back to the witness, I...
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 16, 2025 | Body, General Spiritual, I, Mind, Seeking, Silence, Viveka
The Anhad Naad is like the chirping of crickets yet not a sound! Question: Didi, is it true that ‘Anhad Naad’ has stages where one can hear different sounds at each stage? Eg: If one continuously hears the Naad for a few days then later one can hear...
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 31, 2024 | Direct Path, Doubts, Gnyana, Guru, Knowledge, Love, Misery, New year, Paths, Scriptures, Silence, Truth, Wisdom
New Year’s poem for the spiritual seeker! A New Year’s poem for the earnest spiritual seeker! Bring in the spiritual cheer.Let wisdom flow.Let Silence lead.Let Love glow! The true spirit is purity.Recognize its flavor.Relish its freedom and,It’s sweet and spicy...
by Ekta Bathija | Oct 13, 2024 | Breath, General Spiritual, Just Be, Let go, Meditation, Mind, Senses, Silence, Surrender
Unclothe the Emperor! Question: When I close my eyes and sit for meditation then the mind is very chatty and wants to pass judgement but as soon as I open my eyes, the chattering mind stops. In other words, why is the mind more cluttered inside as compared to outside...
by Ekta Bathija | Oct 9, 2024 | Desire, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Impressions, Meditation, Mind, No-Mind, Silence, Suffering, Surrender, Thoughts, Truth, Unconscious
Desire is the root cause of suffering! Question: Desires and tendencies – it’s one thing being aware as they come up, suppress them, reduce them, possibly even eliminate them. But there is always a danger lurking of reviving them. I am going through one right now....
by Ekta Bathija | Sep 15, 2024 | Breath, Chanting, Emotions, General Spiritual, Guru, Kriya, Meditation, Mind, Paths, Pranayama, Ramana Maharshi, Silence
Mental Health and Spirituality Question: Dear Ektaji, my sister, suffering from bipolar disorder has done Vipassana, AOL basic, and silence course. She told Guruji that she can’t do the kriya and meditation and he advised her to do ‘Om Nama Shivaya’...
by Ekta Bathija | Aug 18, 2024 | 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 Ekta Bathija | Jul 28, 2024 | 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 Ekta Bathija | Mar 24, 2024 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Direct Path, Expectations, I, Independent Spirituality, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Silence, Stress, Thoughts, Upanishad, Wisdom
You are ‘Niranjan’! Question: When thoughts would be all over and I start stressing and getting exhausted, I remember to shift my stand from body-mind to the witness. It just calms me down, seems a ocean of peace and calm is within me (I just have to...
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 6, 2024 | Body, Independent Spirituality, Mind, Present Moment, Self, Self, Silence, Sub-conscious, Tapas, Thoughts
Silence…..Shhhhh! Question: How to keep an optimum silence during the Silence Course? Answer: Silence is not only of the body, it is of the mind. So one must make every attempt to at least taste a minute of complete silence of the mind at a Silence retreat...
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 3, 2024 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Craving, Desire, Direct Path, Enlightenment, Feverishness, Just Be, Knowledge, Memory, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Scriptures, Senses, Silence, Surrender, Thoughts, Upanishad, Wisdom
Agamya – Inaccessible through words! Question: I wanted to also share that I really found the question and answers helpful after the explorations yesterday where Ektaji was speaking with Shailaja. That mind is only limited to the perception of five senses and...
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 3, 2024 | Atmananda, Buddha, Consciousness, Dispassion, God, Guru, Kabir, Knowledge, Meditation, Moksha, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Ramana Maharshi, Self, Self-Effort, Silence, Wisdom
Is sadhana alone not sufficient for attaining moksha? Question: Ekta didi, If we are doing our sadhana and meditation which then what is the need for knowledge? Is sadhana alone not sufficient for attaining moksha? Please guide me, I am stuck in this. Answer:...
by 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 | Dec 20, 2023 | Awareness, General Spiritual, God, Guru, Knowledge, Meditation, Meditation, Mind, Scriptures, Self, Self- Realization, Silence, Thoughts, Wisdom
How to do a Spiritual Sabbatical? Question: How to do a few days of Spiritual sabbatical? Answer: Spirituality is about looking within and finding that peace within. For beginners, who have not yet learnt to be with their own selves, every Teacher/Guru/Master...
by Ekta Bathija | Oct 8, 2023 | 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 Ekta Bathija | Oct 1, 2023 | Advaita, Awareness, Consciousness, Direct Path, I, Just Be, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence, Thoughts
Mind’s attention OR the Witness? Question: Dear Ekta, How can I clearly distinguish between the mind’s attention and the witness? Answer: Let’s start with an analogy. When you stand in front of the mirror, you see a reflection of yourself...
by Ekta Bathija | Sep 27, 2023 | 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...
by Ekta Bathija | Sep 24, 2023 | 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 Ekta Bathija | Aug 6, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Buddha, Direct Path, Existence, Guru, I, Illusion, Laziness, Masters, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Ramana Maharshi, Religion, Scriptures, Seeking, Self- Realization, Senses, Silence, Thoughts, Truth, Worship
Why shouldn’t one simply follow a Guru blindly? Dear Ektaji, I can grasp your teachings very well. I also know that you see the truth. Then why shouldn’t I simply follow you blindly? Why is there insistence on following the inner Guru as opposed to an...
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 25, 2023 | 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 Ekta Bathija | May 10, 2023 | Advaita, Awareness, Chanting, Consciousness, Enlightenment, Kabir, Paths, Pranayama, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence
Kabir says that ‘you are that’ already… recognize it before its too late! Question: I found this Kabir poem recitation by Shabnam Virmani. She learned this poem from Bhairavidevi who sings songs about Kabir. Please can you help translate it into...
by 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 12, 2023 | Awareness, Awareness, Breath, Buddha, Meditation, Prana, Pranayama, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence, Thoughts
Silence the thoughts skillfully Question: Ekta ji, Jai Guru Dev ! What is the power of thought, how much importance should I attach to it, can I dismiss all the thoughts that spring up, life (mundane chores) runs on Thoughts, so called actions spring out of thoughts,...
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 | Feb 22, 2023 | Awareness, Breath, Buddha, Buddha, Ego, Meditation, Meditation, Mindfulness, Sensations, Silence
Are you tensing up in meditation instead of relaxing? Question: A teacher said that “If you practice mindfulness too much, you cannot relax and experience the unknown.” I had been pondering on this a lot, I find it true and untrue at the same time. During...
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 19, 2023 | 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....
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 8, 2023 | Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Awareness, Body, Breath, Buddha, Dhyana, Doership, Equanimous, Flow with Life, I, Independent Spirituality, Intellect, Just Be, Krishna, Meditation, Mind, Mindfulness, No-Mind, Non-Doership, Patanjali Yogs Sutra, Present Moment, Purushartha, Purushartha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Senses, Silence, Spontaneous, Thoughts
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...
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 31, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Concepts, Direct Path, Energy, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Senses, Silence
When you drop labels, you find Awareness! Question: I feel the energy as well, as soon as I sink into silence. I find the energy is intense and overpowering. I am not sure If it is the witness that is witnessing this energy or is it the mind that is feeling this...
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 26, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Buddha, Direct Path, Ego, Flow with Life, I, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence
Nobody is in control! Question: Didi, I realize that all the vows from Buddha’s path are basically a reminder that I am taking a stand as the mind or body. The moment the recognition happens I get thrown into awareness! I experienced this at work today – it...
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 15, 2023 | 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 Ekta Bathija | Jan 12, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Consciousness, Direct Path, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Senses, Silence, Thoughts
Is it okay to stop actions and thoughts to be the Witness? Question: Ektaji, When I am in confusion I try to stop my action & thoughts to look into the constant companionship of the Witness. Can you guide me on whether my path is right? Answer: At the...
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 8, 2023 | 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...
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 5, 2023 | Compassion, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Impulsive, Karma, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Silence, Spontaneous
How does one distinguish between spontaneous and impulsive actions? Question: Act spontaneously…that is my nature I have always been spontaneous…but all spontaneous acts are not always wise decisions! I have experienced in my life whenever I have been spontaneous I...
by Ekta Bathija | Nov 29, 2022 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Body, Buddha, Direct Path, I, Mind, No-Mind, Sensations, Silence
Silence is your new friend! Question: Dear Ektaji, After struggling for many days/attempts I could settle down my mind today taking my attention away from whatever my mind was creating. After a while, a sense of silence overtook me. My being had this kind of...
by Ekta Bathija | Nov 22, 2022 | Attachment, Awareness, Consciousness, General Spiritual, Independent Spirituality, Love, Mind, Paths, Self- Realization, Seva, Silence
Graduate from seeking to giving! Question: Why is a ‘donation’ option not available on the website www.ektabathija.com? Answer: Ekta’s main teaching is to attain the inner silence of consciousness so that one awakens to his own inner truth. What is the...
by Ekta Bathija | 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 Ekta Bathija | Mar 24, 2022 | Aagami, Awareness, Buddha, Consciousness, Impressions, Intuition, Mind, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Silence, Spontaneous, Thoughts, Time-past/present/Future, Types of Karma
Thought body and Intuitive body Question: What’s the difference between thought body and intuitive body? Answer: Only awareness is the tool that can help distinguish a thought from an intuition. Here are a few tell-tale signs. Thought – Very...
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 8, 2022 | Buddha, Meditation, Mind, No-Mind, Silence
Meditation is not for me! Question: While meditating, not even once have I listened to the whole meditation, there are variety of things happening every single time: 1. As soon as I close my eyes, even when I am paying attention to the voice, my mind starts...
by Ekta Bathija | 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 Ekta Bathija | 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 Ekta Bathija | 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 Ekta Bathija | 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 Ekta Bathija | 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 Ekta Bathija | Mar 14, 2021 | Awareness, Concepts, Dhyana, Energy, Guru, Knowledge, Kriya, Meditation, Meditation, Mind, Pranayama, Purushartha, Scriptures, Silence, Thoughts, Upanishad, Vedic
Thoughts during meditation and sadness after! Question: Dear Ekta didi, I have been doing my meditation but I just can’t get my mind to shut up! It constantly brings thoughts. I don’t resist them. But I am slightly concerned. I am in no way impatient, I will continue...
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 28, 2021 | Awareness, Consciousness, I, Independent Spirituality, Mind, Paths, Ramana Maharshi, Silence, Thoughts
The source of the I-thought is Silence! Question: Concentration on ‘I’ thought seems to be an on and off process. I get a glimpse that concentration on ‘I-thought’ will remove the identification with the body but the more I concentrate on the...
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 10, 2021 | Body, Emptiness, General Spiritual, Karma, Mind, Niyati, Paths, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, Silence, Spontaneous
How would I know I am not seeking anymore? Question: Can you please explain how would we know whether we have united or reached our self and are Pure witness right now. How do we know we are doing it right? How would I know I am not seeking anymore? Answer: Being a...
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 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 Ekta Bathija | 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 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 | 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...
by Ekta Bathija | Jul 8, 2020 | Advaita, Advaita, Awareness, Consciousness, Just Be, Paths, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence, Thoughts
What is the silence in between two thoughts? Dear Sincere seeker, Please find the short video clip and its transcript below for the answer to the question, ‘What is the silence in between two thoughts?’ Transcript: If you are not sleeping, if you...
by Ekta Bathija | Jun 25, 2020 | Awareness, Brahman, Consciousness, Enlightenment, God, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Love, Present Moment, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self- Realization, Silence
God lives in my pocket… a poem by Ekta Bathija He said, “keep searching”,She said, “don’t stop the search”.I searched, I searched, I searched,And I couldn’t find anything. Then one fine day, sitting on the green couch,by the window, watching the sun’s golden...
by Ekta Bathija | 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 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 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 Ekta Bathija | Apr 12, 2020 | Bhakti, Brahman, Buddha, Conscious, Consciousness, Devotion, Emotions, Emptiness, Enlightenment, Fullness, Gnyana, Gnyani, Intellect, Love, No-Mind, Silence, Thoughts
Emptiness IS Fullness! Question:How can emptiness be also called fullness on the spiritual path? Please clarify.Answer:On the spiritual path, many different kinds of people walk. Some people are in the head and some people are completely in the heart. The people...
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...
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 10, 2019 | Awareness, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Knowledge, Meditation, Mind, Silence
This meditation? Or that technique? Question:Sometimes I want to do this type of meditation, sometimes I want to do another type of technique? Is it okay to change or should I do both?Answer:Recognize the flow and move with that. What does the flow mean? Just like...
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 10, 2019 | Compassion, Destiny, Dispassion, Freewill, Karma, Knowledge, Maaya, Mind, Pleasure/Pain, Purushartha, Self-Effort, Silence, Truth, Vedic
The higher Truth! Question-Today I was thinking that this body, this human life and the tools like Viveka that I currently have are only to understand, learn and reach the highest truth. But I’m just happily using it for all this worldly Maaya stuff. For a person to...
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 15, 2019 | Ego, Emptiness, Gossip, Impressions, Karma, Mind, Sankalpa/Intention, Silence, Vedic
Hollow and Empty! ..Question: Dear Ektaji, referring to “I am hollow and empty” – does this mean if I remind myself that I am nothing, I will automatically modify my speech and eventually it will become pure? Answer: “I am hollow and empty” is a meditation that was...
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