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Why is there a pinch experienced in doing right?

Why is there a pinch experienced in doing right?

by | 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...
Dealing with disrespectful people using Buddha’s principles of observing sensations!

Dealing with disrespectful people using Buddha’s principles of observing sensations!

by | Jul 24, 2020 | 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,...
Are you ready for Buddha’s teachings on the Art of BEing with REALITY?

Are you ready for Buddha’s teachings on the Art of BEing with REALITY?

by | 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...
Buddha taught that there is NO SOUL!

Buddha taught that there is NO SOUL!

by | Jul 16, 2020 | Awareness, buddha, Consciousness, Enlightenment, Just Be, Meditation, Purushartha, Satipathana, Scriptures, Self- Realization, Self-Effort, Soul, Soul, Sukkha, Truth, Uncategorized

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?

by | 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...
Want to spend an afternoon interacting with a fully enlightened person… How to find one?

Want to spend an afternoon interacting with a fully enlightened person… How to find one?

by | Jul 5, 2020 | Buddha, Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, Illusion, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, 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 some...
Can I continue vedic chanting along with Buddha’s & Ramana’s path?

Can I continue vedic chanting along with Buddha’s & Ramana’s path?

by | Jul 1, 2020 | Advaita, buddha, Buddha, Chanting, Company/Association/Sangha, Competition, Duality, Flow with Life, Guru, Independent Spirituality, Maaya, Non-Doership, 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....
God lives in my pocket… a poem by Ekta Bathija

God lives in my pocket… a poem by Ekta Bathija

by | 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...
Am I cheating my Guru if I follow somebody else?

Am I cheating my Guru if I follow somebody else?

by | Jun 14, 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...
What is the purpose of life?

What is the purpose of life?

by | 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...
How to be motivated when you know everything is incapable of satisfying?

How to be motivated when you know everything is incapable of satisfying?

by | 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...
Time does not exist!

Time does not exist!

by | 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...
What can I do to increase Awareness?

What can I do to increase Awareness?

by | 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...
Are you a SAKSHI ?

Are you a SAKSHI ?

by | Apr 28, 2020 | Anger, Ashtavakra Gita, Attraction, Awareness, Awareness, Buddha, Commitment, Compassion, Craving, Dhyana, Emotions, Fear, Gnyana, Mind, Mindfulness, Purushartha, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Relationship, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Tapas

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

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

by | Apr 21, 2020 | 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 body...
Bhakti leads to the flowering of Gnyana

Bhakti leads to the flowering of Gnyana

by | Apr 9, 2020 | Aagami, Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Bhakti, Brahman, Consciousness, Destiny, Devotion, Divine, Doership, Gnyana, Guru, Knowledge, Love, Maya, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sanchita, Surrender, Surrender, Surrender, Vedic

Bhakti leads to the flowering of Gnyana Question: Hello Ektaji, I read on one of the Facebook post where Guruji says “Devotion destroys all the karma”.  Could you please explain this with reference to what we have learnt so far in Ashtavakra Gita? Answer: Ashtavakra...
Who is God?

Who is God?

by | Apr 5, 2020 | Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Bhakti Sutra, Consciousness, Enlightenment, Form, Formless, God, Independent Spirituality, Knowledge, Life, Maaya, Maya, Patanjali Yogs Sutra, Raaga/Dvesha, Samsara, Scriptures, Self, Self- Realization, Self-Effort, Vedic, Wonder, Yoga Vasistha

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...
A few questions on KARMA

A few questions on KARMA

by | Mar 31, 2020 | Aagami, Attachment, Aversion, Body, Causation, Consciousness, Destiny, Doership, Dukkha, Ego, Freewill, Impressions, Karma, Karmaphalam, Life, Maaya, Mind, Niyati, Pleasure/Pain, Prarabdha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara, Sanchita, Sankalpa/Intention, Scriptures, Self, Soul, Sukkha, Temporary, Thoughts, Types of Karma, Vedic

A few questions on KARMA Question:Is karma about keeping your intentions positive or is it about keeping your intention and thoughts neutral?Answer:There are two steps:Moving from negativity to positivityDropping the attachment to positivity = attaining...
Karma, Destiny and Free will

Karma, Destiny and Free will

by | Mar 30, 2020 | Aagami, Awareness, Causation, Destiny, Emotions, Freewill, Impressions, Karma, Karmaphalam, Mind, Niyati, Prarabdha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sanchita, Types of Karma, Vedic

Karma, Destiny and Free will Question:My understanding is that Free-will comes into the picture in two ways: 1.We exercise our free will in the present life in response to Prarabdh Karma (Thoughts and actions that we manifest in current life as a result of Sanchita...
Decision-making – Everything is a happening!

Decision-making – Everything is a happening!

by | Mar 27, 2020 | Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You

Decision-making – Everything is a happening! Question:Should I stay here in the US or go back to India? Should I sell my home or keep it and rent it out and return back to the US in a few years? Is there still some karma to be taken care of in the US…..in this...
Be with reality as it is! But how?

Be with reality as it is! But how?

by | Mar 22, 2020 | Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You

Be with reality as it is! But how? Question:Didi, what does it mean to be with reality as it is? It’s difficult to understand. Please, would you explain?Answer:Be with reality as it is!This is a tough one to understand. People feel what’s so difficult in being with...
In sickness and in health!

In sickness and in health!

by | Mar 17, 2020 | Awareness, Body, Doership, Energy, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Gratitude, Mind, Misery, Pleasure/Pain, Prana, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Self- Realization, Self-Effort, Suffering, Truth, Wisdom

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...
Guilt of spiritual insincerity

Guilt of spiritual insincerity

by | Feb 20, 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...
Who is the designer of the Mind?

Who is the designer of the Mind?

by | Jan 30, 2020 | 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...
Preparation for a long Buddha retreat

Preparation for a long Buddha retreat

by | Jan 27, 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...
Sensation Vs Thought

Sensation Vs Thought

by | Jan 23, 2020 | Anger, Aversion, Awareness, Buddha, Craving, Desire, Emotions, Equanimous, Gnyani, Mind, Mindfulness, Paths, Pleasure/Pain, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self- Realization, Self-Effort, Sensations, Thoughts

Sensation Vs Thought Question: If a craving (or aversion) arises in my mind, would it be more strategic to observe that thought itself objectively, or to just direct my attention to my body for an observation round? My guess is the former…..but I’ve been finding more...
Shivering during meditation, is it normal?

Shivering during meditation, is it normal?

by | Jan 13, 2020 | Awareness, Awareness, Body, Breath, Buddha, Fear, Impressions, Just Be, Meditation, Memory, Physical, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Satipathana, Sensations, Senses, Thoughts

Shivering during meditation, is it normal? Question: Yesterday, when I was meditating, I could only do three rounds of body observation but I felt I was aware the whole time and I felt for the first time I am doing it as you had explained, I was feeling all my body...
What is taught in a Buddha retreat?

What is taught in a Buddha retreat?

by | Dec 14, 2019 | 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...
Benefits of Vipassana or Satipatthana

Benefits of Vipassana or Satipatthana

by | Oct 22, 2019 | 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...
How to give it back to the evil people in life?

How to give it back to the evil people in life?

by | Oct 10, 2019 | 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...
Apaatra Daanam – Charity to the unworthy!

Apaatra Daanam – Charity to the unworthy!

by | Aug 2, 2019 | Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You

Results for "wrong karma" Question:Dear Ektaji,When do we call it Apatradanam? My husband and I helped on several occasions, our Indian temple priest by giving guru Dakshina in US dollars. Now there is a request for money for his daughter’s dental procedure....
Leave the mind alone!

Leave the mind alone!

by | Aug 2, 2019 | 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...
The essence of Mourning period after death.

The essence of Mourning period after death.

by | Aug 2, 2019 | Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You

Results for "the essence" Question:Dear Ektaji,A very close friend of my brother is expected to die due to cancer. Respected elder family members have said to him that he cannot attend a family wedding in June if he attends his friend’s cremation ceremony....
Anger burns you NOT the other person

Anger burns you NOT the other person

by | Aug 1, 2019 | Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You

Anger burns you NOT the other person Question:Didi one silly questionIs doing unwholesome behavior with unwholesome people justified? I got angry with a person at work who was gossiping and was very harmful towards me, so I gave her a taste of her own medicine, but...
Stand up for what is right even if you have to stand alone!

Stand up for what is right even if you have to stand alone!

by | Aug 1, 2019 | 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...
Being Aware!

Is there a benefit in knowing about planetary movements?

by | Aug 1, 2019 | Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You

Ekta Question:What is the point of knowing that it is the Mercury retrograde going on right now? I have only been on the watch since yesterday keeping a guard to prevent negativity. It makes me nervous. How is it helpful?Answer:Mercury Retrograde is just an apparent...
How to make sure not to be born again?

How to make sure not to be born again?

by | 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...
Intellectualization of Spiritual Knowledge is a MAJOR obstacle!

Intellectualization of Spiritual Knowledge is a MAJOR obstacle!

by | Mar 10, 2019 | 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...
Overwhelmed by to-do’s? Naah!

Overwhelmed by to-do’s? Naah!

by | Mar 10, 2019 | Ambition/Career, Attention-Seeking, Death, Desire, Doership, Drama, Emptiness, Expectations, Flow with Life, I, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Mind, Non-Doership, Present Moment, Thoughts

Results for "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...
Dealing with Sexual desires on the spiritual path!

Dealing with Sexual desires on the spiritual path!

by | Mar 10, 2019 | 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 attitude...
How does a “thought” become an Agami Karma ?

How does a “thought” become an Agami Karma ?

by | Mar 7, 2019 | Aagami, Consciousness, Ego, Elements, General Spiritual, Impressions, Independent Spirituality, Intellect, Karma, Memory, Raaga/Dvesha, Senses, Sub-conscious, Surrender, Thoughts

How does a “thought” become an Agami Karma ? Question:First one of the 5 elements or the senses hits us (it also depends on my doshas), then it goes to the memory bank & opens one file like, dislike with People, Situation & Thing. (Is there any...
Your raagas and dveshas create future, not the thoughts!

Your raagas and dveshas create future, not the thoughts!

by | Mar 6, 2019 | Awareness, Impressions, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Karma, Karmaphalam, Let go, Niyati, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Vedic, Yoga Vasistha

Your raagas and dveshas create future, not the thoughts! Question:In yesterday’s YV, he talks about not creating future because of thoughts. So all along we try to think of how to shape the future but it seems that’s counter intuitive to what’s to be...
How do we stop negative thoughts at unpleasant moments?

How do we stop negative thoughts at unpleasant moments?

by | Mar 6, 2019 | Awareness, Chanting, Karma, Kriya, Let go, Meditation, Mind, Pranayama, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sanchita, Self- Realization, Thoughts, Types of Karma, Vedic, Wisdom

How do we stop negative thoughts at unpleasant moments? Question:I agree and have experienced that daily regular sadhana, pranayama, meditation, chanting helps to bring awareness and stay focused. However, there are times when we go through unpleasant moments how do...
Can one use restraint to be celibate?

Can one use restraint to be celibate?

by | Mar 6, 2019 | Anger, Aversion, Awareness, Awareness, buddha, Craving, Desire, Emotions, Fear, Guilt, Independent Spirituality, Knowledge, Love/Hate, Memory, Mind, Mindfulness, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sankalpa/Intention, Sensations, Sex/Passion/Celibacy, Thoughts, Vasana, Wisdom

Can one use restraint to be celibate? Question:For Brahmacharya to happen, a maturity is required, before this maturity can one use restraint to be celibate?Answer:The act of “restraining the senses” belongs to the circle of sleep.What is the circle of...
Raaga and Dvesha at the sub-conscious level

Raaga and Dvesha at the sub-conscious level

by | Mar 6, 2019 | Aagami, Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Awareness, Dreams, General Spiritual, Independent Spirituality, Knowledge, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Scriptures, Sub-conscious

Raaga and Dvesha at the sub-conscious level Question:Can raaga/ dvesha happen at the sub conscious level?  Are there seeds of attachment buried deep inside me which will pop someday?Answer:Yes, Raaga/Dvesha happen at a subconscious level predominantly. It is because...
Go beyond Curiosity to be in the state of Wonder !

Go beyond Curiosity to be in the state of Wonder !

by | Mar 6, 2019 | Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Death, Emotions, Fear, Fear, Fear, Independent Spirituality, Knowledge, Mind, Prakriti, Scriptures, Sex/Passion/Celibacy, Vedic, Wonder

Go beyond Curiosity to be in the state of Wonder ! Question:Dear Ekta, I am in the middle of reading Ashtavakra Gita #12 – Nature of the mind. I am actually having a bit of difficulty understanding Wonder. What is wonder? How do I identify wonder? How do I know...
Principles of Law of Attraction

Principles of Law of Attraction

by | Mar 6, 2019 | Aagami, Attraction, Awareness, Causation, Emotions, Emptiness, Energy, Gnyana, Impressions, Independent Spirituality, Intellect, Just Be, Knowledge, Let go, Love/Hate, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sankalpa/Intention, Thoughts, Vibration

Principles of Law of Attraction Question:I’ve noticed, it is said to ‘be positive’ or  to ‘think positive’ so you attract that kind of people or energies around you, but when thoughts are negative then those energies or situations arise sooner than the positive...
Who are you listening to?

Who are you listening to?

by | Mar 6, 2019 | Aagami, Awareness, Buddha, Drama, Dreams, Emotions, Gnyana, Ignorance, Impressions, Independent Spirituality, Intellect, Jealousy, Mind, Mindfulness, Opinion/Behavior/Judgement, Raaga/Dvesha, Self- Realization, Sub-conscious, Suffering, Thoughts, Types of Mind, Viveka

Who are you listening to? Question:Hi Ektaji, Is Drishti/Nazar real? My son gets sick OR runs to emergency with some stiches/fractures etc after he achieves any trophy OR he exposes his skills in  a group. Mostly, whenever I get ready and am happy, immediately...
Be like a crystal!

Be like a crystal!

by | Mar 6, 2019 | 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, Guruji talked about being a crystal. Is being a crystal different from Sampragnyata samadhi?Answer:Being a crystal means living as if you don’t exist. Just letting Karma flow. Just like a leaf would flow with...
Dealing with people of a different type than you

Dealing with people of a different type than you

by | Mar 6, 2019 | Aagami, buddha, Company/Association/Sangha, Compassion, Emotions, Ignorance, Independent Spirituality, Let go, Life, Opinion/Behavior/Judgement, Patanjali Yogs Sutra, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Scriptures, Viveka

Dealing with people of a different type than you Question: Hello Ektaji, how do we deal, on a day to day basis, with people who are relatively unconscious or ignorant?  For e.g. at work, my colleagues are ignorant about proper diet and healthy lifestyles, such as...
What has to happen has already happened!

What has to happen has already happened!

by | Mar 6, 2019 | Aagami, Aversion, Emotions, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Girlfriend/Boyfriend, Just Be, Karma, Love/Hate, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Relationship, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Suffering

What has to happen has already happened! Question:There is only one possibility in the way things happen, right?To be specific – at this point I am going through an emotional turmoil. I could choose to wait for my girlfriend and see where it takes me OR I could...
Observing the mind and getting out of problems!

Observing the mind and getting out of problems!

by | Mar 6, 2019 | Awareness, buddha, Buddha, Consciousness, Depression, Emotions, Knowledge, Let go, Mind, Present Moment, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self-Effort, Thoughts, Vedic, Viveka

Observing the mind and getting out of problems! Question:I understand that we have to maintain an observer’s attitude towards our mind. But sometimes, trying to observe what is going on in my mind creates more turmoil in my mind since an inner dialogue starts...
Are you crazy or wise?

Are you crazy or wise?

by | Mar 6, 2019 | Aagami, Awareness, Destiny, Doership, Flow with Life, Impressions, Just Be, Karma, Karmaphalam, Life, Love/Hate, Niyati, Prarabdha, Problem/Struggle/Calamity, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Relationship, Sanchita, Self- Realization, Soulmate, Surrender, Vedic, Wisdom

Are you crazy or wise? Question:I met a guy for a matrimonial alliance but he left saying I feel a pull towards u so if it’s meant to be then destiny will get us back together! I don’t know how to deal with this. Is it really all destiny? Or it’s just a name...
Stop saying ‘why is this happening to me?’ Eat fresh!

Stop saying ‘why is this happening to me?’ Eat fresh!

by | Mar 6, 2019 | Aagami, Attachment, Awareness, Buddha, Emotions, Just Be, Karma, Let go, Mind, Niyati, Prarabdha, Reaction, Sanchita, Thoughts, Wisdom

Stop saying ‘why is this happening to me?’ Eat fresh! Question:Hello Ekta didi, sometimes I wonder how come some people don’t have to let go of anything in life. They have been blessed with things others aren’t. Why is it so? Is it all karma again? How come some...
Thought body and Intuitive body

Thought body and Intuitive body

by | Mar 1, 2019 | 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 clearly, if you...
Surrender

Surrender

by | Mar 1, 2019 | 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...
Karma in babies

Karma in babies

by | Mar 1, 2019 | 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...
Dealing with Suicidal thoughts

Dealing with Suicidal thoughts

by | Mar 1, 2019 | 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...
Stop struggling and float with Life!

Stop struggling and float with Life!

by | Feb 28, 2019 | Anxiety, Awareness, Awareness, Buddha, Concepts, Doubts, Emotions, Equanimous, Fear, Flow with Life, Gnyani, I, Just Be, Knowledge, Let go, Love/Hate, Matter, Mind, Misery, Present Moment, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self- Realization, Sensations, Stress, Suffering, Surrender, Viveka, Wisdom

Stop struggling and float with Life! Question:At times I feel like I have dropped a desire, but again it pops up with more intensity. And at times I feel I am dropping the desire but doubt arises if I am just resisting it. How to differentiate between dropping a...
Dealing with Anxiety

Dealing with Anxiety

by | Feb 28, 2019 | Aagami, Awareness, Bhakti, Craving, Divine, Emotions, Enlightenment, General Spiritual, Gnyana, Impressions, Intellect, Karma, Karmaphalam, Knowledge, Meditation, Mind, Patanjali Yogs Sutra, Prarabdha, Reaction, Sanchita, Self- Realization, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Tapas, Types of Karma, Vedic, Wisdom

Dealing with Anxiety Question:Dear Ektaji,How should one deal with anxiety through Karma Yoga? I understand the role of gyana and bhakti/surrender when we are anxious about something in future but it is still prabhava gyana. Therefore I end up reasoning with my racing...
Why do I feel stagnant in my spiritual growth?

Why do I feel stagnant in my spiritual growth?

by | Feb 28, 2019 | 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...
Journey from external to internal

Journey from external to internal

by | Feb 28, 2019 | Awareness, Breath, Commitment, Courage, Faith, Flow with Life, Guru, Guru, Guru, Guru/Disciple, Independent Spirituality, Intellect, Knowledge, Let go, Life, Masters, Meditation, Meditation, Mind, Pranayama, Rumi, Samsara, Self, Self, Self-Effort, Truth, Wisdom

Journey from external to internal Question: Dear Ektaji, I have been with Guruji 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 from external...
Life is a flow of events on account of Karma

Life is a flow of events on account of Karma

by | Feb 28, 2019 | Aagami, Anger, Ashtavakra Gita, Bondage, Doership, Emotions, Fear, Flow with Life, Freewill, Guilt, Jealousy, Karma, Karmaphalam, Knowledge, Let go, Life, Love/Hate, Mind, Niyati, Prarabdha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sanchita, Scriptures, Types of Karma, Vedic

Life is a flow of events on account of Karma Question:If life is a flow of events, where everything that is happening has to and we have nothing to do with it, then how does the karma theory play in with the above statement, where we alone are responsible for our...
If everything is a play of Destiny, then what is Freewill?

If everything is a play of Destiny, then what is Freewill?

by | Feb 28, 2019 | 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...
Is sex divine?

Is sex divine?

by | Feb 28, 2019 | Attachment, Attention-Seeking, Attraction, Brahman, Consciousness, Craving, Desire, Divine, Divine, Enlightenment, Food, Greed, Raaga/Dvesha, Self, Self, Sex/Passion/Celibacy, Soul, Soul, Vedic

Is sex divine? Question:I have a very personal question. What is significance of sex in our marriage? If I am not the body, and only the consciousness, then how do I define sex or lovemaking with my spouse? Is sex divine? Or is it more of us not able to control our...
Craving for Guru!

Craving for Guru!

by | Feb 25, 2019 | Attachment, Awareness, Craving, Desire, Dispassion, Ego, Feverishness, General Spiritual, Guru/Disciple, Liberation, Masters, Moksha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Tapas, Thoughts

Craving for Guru! Question: Is love for GURUJI, Raaga? Will it bring us back in next lifetime with him? what if one do not seek Mukti but only want to be with Guruji in every life? Answer: Then one has not progressed spiritually at all. One has just substituted his...
Prisoner of past or Pioneer of future!

Prisoner of past or Pioneer of future!

by | Feb 23, 2019 | Dukkha, Emotions, General Spiritual, Impressions, Karma, Let go, Mindfulness, Misery, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Self, Sensations, Suffering

Prisoner of past or Pioneer of future! Question:Didi, how to overcome the bad habit of reacting to other people. I always react and then regret that I should not have behaved so. Please guide me.Answer:Very few people realize that the actual problem is ‘with their own...
Dealing with difficult people & situations

Dealing with difficult people & situations

by | Feb 23, 2019 | 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,...
Baby dying in womb attains liberation or not?

Baby dying in womb attains liberation or not?

by | Feb 21, 2019 | Awareness, Awareness, Birth, Death, Enlightenment, Impressions, Karma, Liberation, Mind, Miscarriage, No-Mind, OM, Raaga/Dvesha, Soul, Unconscious, Vedic

Baby dying in womb attains liberation or not? The key to liberation is ‘awareness’. Being ‘Aware at the point of death is the secret code!For an ‘unenlightened soul’, birth and death both happen in a ‘deep sleep state devoid of awareness’. Because of this lack of...
Impressions related to body and sex

Impressions related to body and sex

by | Feb 21, 2019 | 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...
Mahaa Maaya, Moha Maaya and Yoga Maaya

Mahaa Maaya, Moha Maaya and Yoga Maaya

by | Feb 21, 2019 | 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?  You have explained free will earlier, but somehow I am not able to connect it. We have the free will not to...
Life is flowing, just flow with a smile!

Life is flowing, just flow with a smile!

by | Feb 20, 2019 | Brahman, Buddha, Choice, Consciousness, Doubts, Flow with Life, Mind, Non-Doership, Purusha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Spontaneous, Truth

Life is flowing, just flow with a smile! Question:I have to make a decision. How do I let “Life take its course”, how do I flow with it and where does my Purushartha come into play? What do I have to do to stop pretending to be a doer? With all the decision making and...
Happy NEW perspective!

Happy NEW perspective!

by | Feb 20, 2019 | 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...
Is Ambition also a seeking?

Is Ambition also a seeking?

by | Feb 20, 2019 | Aagami, Ambition/Career, Commitment, Desire, Doership, Ego, Feverishness, Karma, Mind, Purushartha, Purushartha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sanchita, Seeking, Seeking, Vedic, Yoga Vasistha

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 ambition?  Or are they the same?...
Is there something like “too much spiritual knowledge”?

Is there something like “too much spiritual knowledge”?

by | Feb 20, 2019 | Bhakti, Brahman, Consciousness, Devotion, Ego, Gnyana, Guru, Intellect, Knowledge, Knowledge, Kriya, Meditation, Meditation, Mind, Upanishad, Vedic, Wisdom

Is there something like “too much spiritual knowledge”? Question:All who worship what is not real knowledge, enter into blind darkness: those who delight in real knowledge, enter, as it were, into greater darkness.This is excerpt from Ishavasya Upanishad,...
Karma and its ways

Karma and its ways

by | Feb 20, 2019 | Alcohol, Ashtavakra Gita, Commitment, Emotions, Happiness, Hurt, Karma, Karmaphalam, Knowledge, Let go, Life, Love/Hate, Marriage, Meditation, Memory, Mind, Misery, Pleasure/Pain, Present Moment, Problem/Struggle/Calamity, Purushartha, Scriptures, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Spouse, Suffering, Temporary, Thoughts, Vedic

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...
Storm of Emotions in Relationships

Storm of Emotions in Relationships

by | Feb 20, 2019 | 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 is the...
Reacting in Dreams

Reacting in Dreams

by | Feb 18, 2019 | Anger, Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Body, Dreams, Emotions, Equanimous, General Spiritual, Impressions, Jealousy, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sensations, Sub-conscious, Types of Mind

Reacting in Dreams Question:During the daytime a thought came to me, to say something nasty to my colleague in office. But I stopped myself and I let go of that dvesha [aversion] and I also forgot about it. By the time it was evening and I came home, I felt very...
How to manage job, family, Seva without getting overwhelmed?

How to manage job, family, Seva without getting overwhelmed?

by | Feb 16, 2019 | 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...
From scenery to seer!

From scenery to seer!

by | Feb 16, 2019 | 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 scenerySeer: You are the seer....
Karma affects both Material life and spiritual goals?

Karma affects both Material life and spiritual goals?

by | Feb 16, 2019 | 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...
How to overcome loneliness and depression?

How to overcome loneliness and depression?

by | Feb 16, 2019 | Ashtavakra Gita, Commitment, Depression, Karma, Knowledge, Let go, Marriage, Mind, Patanjali Yogs Sutra, Purushartha, Relationship, Scriptures, Spouse, Vedic

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 very hard for me. I feel extremely lonely...
Birthday Message!

Birthday Message!

by | Feb 15, 2019 | 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- relationship class,...
What is the difference between Tolerance and Surrender?

What is the difference between Tolerance and Surrender?

by | Feb 15, 2019 | 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 time....
How do I experience Silence during meditation ?

How do I experience Silence during meditation ?

by | Feb 7, 2019 | 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...
Who am I?

Who am I?

by | Feb 7, 2019 | 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 Guruji said still repeats in my ears. He said “you don’t know who you are”. I started thinking how and when will...
Dealing with Possessiveness

Dealing with Possessiveness

by | Feb 7, 2019 | 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...
Vasanas

Vasanas

by | Feb 7, 2019 | 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,...
There is no happiness in this world!

There is no happiness in this world!

by | Feb 6, 2019 | 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...
Your name does not belong to you!

Your name does not belong to you!

by | Jan 16, 2019 | Birth, Body, Bridge, Causation, Death, Divine, Divine, Doership, Drama, Dreams, Flow with Life, Human, I, Independent Spirituality, Karma, Karmaphalam, Maaya, Mind, Parent/Child, Parents, Physical, Relationship, Sanchita, Self- Realization, Truth

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...
Free will is a misnomer!

Free will is a misnomer!

by | Jan 16, 2019 | 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....
What is seeking?

What is seeking?

by | Jan 16, 2019 | 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...
How to experience the spiritual knowledge?

How to experience the spiritual knowledge?

by | Jan 16, 2019 | 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...
What if the Karma theory is wrong?

What if the Karma theory is wrong?

by | Jan 16, 2019 | 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 give...
Connect with the Master internally instead of the external physical body!

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

by | Jan 13, 2019 | Attention-Seeking, Devotion, Dhyana, Dispassion, General Spiritual, Gnyana, Guru, Guru, Guru, Just Be, Knowledge, Meditation, Meditation, Mind, Purushartha, Self, Self- Realization, Self-Effort

Connect with the Master internally instead of the external physical body! Question: I did feel a strong connection to my Guru when I did the course. But 3 years later now, I don’t feel anything. When I go to Ashram, I see people in crowds getting excited about Guruji,...
No decision is wrong if it is devoid of raaga/dvesha!

No decision is wrong if it is devoid of raaga/dvesha!

by | Dec 13, 2018 | Anger, Aversion, Craving, Desire, Expectations, Feverishness, Flow with Life, Intellect, Karma, Karmaphalam, Marriage, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Spouse, Vedic

No decision is wrong if it is devoid of raaga/dvesha! Question:I have a very difficult marriage and a temperamental husband who drinks and blames me for his drinking. I am lonely and in pain. I understand this knowledge. I know everything is temporary but I still...
Yardstick to measure spiritual progress

Yardstick to measure spiritual progress

by | Dec 8, 2018 | 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...
Marriage or Seva?

Marriage or Seva?

by | Dec 8, 2018 | Attachment, buddha, Buddha, Choice, Commitment, Courage, Dispassion, Enlightenment, Equanimous, Guru, Marriage, Present Moment, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Self-Effort, Seva, Surrender, Vedic

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

How do thoughts generate in the mind?

by | Jun 10, 2018 | Awareness, Company/Association/Sangha, Elements, Food, General Spiritual, Meditation, Meditation, Mind, Prakriti, Present Moment, Purushartha, Satvik/Rajasic/Tamasic, Self-Effort, Sub-conscious, Thoughts

Questions:How does the thought generate in our mind?Answer:Thoughts generate out of the subconscious. Now what is the quality of your subconscious? It depends on the conditioning of your mind from:Associations [people] – associations are the types of people you...