by Ekta | Jan 16, 2020 | Ashtavakra Gita, Body, Buddha, Death, Ego, Fear, Impressions, Karma, Karmaphalam, Niyati, Paths, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
Niyati brings to you what you deserve ! Question: In AG13 – Fear is like salt, Ashtavakra says a little bit of fear is needed to maintain orderliness and protecting life. Beyond that it engulfs the mind and body. Main fear is to lose this body. So in essence,...
by Ekta | 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...
by Ekta | 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...
by Ekta | 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...
by Ekta | Oct 10, 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
Why are Buddha’s Suttas not easily accepted? Question:Why are Buddha’s Suttas not easily accepted? I notice that NOT ONLY in Hindu monks but also in the Buddhist sects. Why can’t man accept the Truth?Answer:Your question is valuable and will help many others.Buddha’s...
by Ekta | 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...
by Ekta | Oct 10, 2019 | Buddha, Causation, Consciousness, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Personality, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You
Dealing with disrespectful people using Buddha’s principles of observing sensations! Question:At work, few people are disrespectful in team meetings. I understand emotions arise due to1] my dvesha [I do not have a powerful physical voice or authoritative position,...
by Ekta | Oct 10, 2019 | Causation, Doership, Ego, Faith, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You
Dealing with sadness… Question:There are instances when someone just blurts out anger for nothing I did (some people have anger management issues and I know that) and my reaction usually tears, going in silence and feeling hurt. Is that my bucket of anger too? If not,...
by Ekta | 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 "collapse of craving" Question:I have searched with many schools of thoughts and still cannot figure out why I still crave for things. In fact, I understand when you explain about the feverishness that arises because of craving. I totally...
by Ekta | Aug 2, 2019 | Buddha, Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You
Results for "law of nature" Question:Is it okay to think negative about someone but not really do any action to hurt them? The negative thought was planted in me by another friend. I keep thinking about the negativity again and again, but I am not doing or...
by Ekta | Aug 2, 2019 | Buddha, Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You
Results for "when in anger" Question:I am a novice Buddhist. I admit that killing any living beings leads to negative karma production. Is there any explanation in karma formation in killing microorganisms? I had this debate with my friend, he claims...
by Ekta | Aug 2, 2019 | Buddha, Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, Illusion, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You
Results for "spend an afternoon" 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 time with and learn the Truth. I want to...
by Ekta | Aug 2, 2019 | Buddha, Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You
Results for "are you ready" Question:I am deeply interested to understand the meaning of “Enlightenment”.Answer:Interest in knowing something is called curiosity. It is not sufficient to help one attain the highest possible goal for a human called...
by Ekta | Aug 2, 2019 | Buddha, Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You
Results for "buddha became" Question:Why my daughter died of cancer at a very young age, she was very enthusiastic about life, still unmarried and why I had to go through her cancer battle, to see her pain, agony for 5 years? Nobody knows what it feels like...
by Ekta | Aug 2, 2019 | Buddha, Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You
Results for "are you ready" 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 teachings?Answer:First you must evaluate yourself by...
by Ekta | 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....
by Ekta | Aug 2, 2019 | Buddha, Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You
Why is there a pinch experienced in doing right? Question:I have a question regarding the previous knowledge on Apaatra Daanam!We have faced that situation many times with extended family. Using my Viveka, it’s obviously ‘apaatra’! But why I still feel a pinch? Just...
by Ekta | 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...
by Ekta | 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....
by Ekta | Aug 1, 2019 | Buddha, Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You
Volition is Karma! Question:Didi, silly question, I used to sometimes pluck the flowers from our backyard and put them in an arrangement in water or in a vase, but now when I go to pluck them I feel like I am hurting them and I don’t want to do it, so I haven’t been...
by Ekta | 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
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...
by Ekta | 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...
by Ekta | 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
Results for "dwindling" Question:There is an expectation to take up additional tasks (at work) as the role requires it.As a spiritual practitioner, I have noticed desires reducing in me automatically and now I have no desire to do extra/more tasks aiming at...
by Ekta | 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
Spiritual Restlessness Question:Didi, quoting from your message “Constantly remind yourself that ‘this restlessness is a reality’. Let me try NOT to suppress it or cover it up”. Does one have to get past the struggle to just ‘BE’ with the restlessness? I have always...
by Ekta | 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...
by Ekta | Aug 1, 2019 | Buddha, Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, You
How to do the Jhanas optimally? Question:How to do the Jhanas optimally?Answer:One must experiment with his mind while in the Jhanas.Experiment 1 – Make an attempt to maintain it:To maintain it longer requires a stable and non-reactive mind. If you jump at the...
by Ekta | 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...
by Ekta | Aug 1, 2019 | Buddha, Causation, Doership, Faith, Flow with Life, Illusion, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, Vedic, You
Srimad Bhagwatam condemns Con-Men! Question:Didi, This verse is from the Srimad Bhagwatam. It criticises the people who earn a livelihood by accepting money on behalf of the Lord. All the new-age spiritual Gurus and Masters are doing the same except for a few.Doesn’t...
by Ekta | Mar 10, 2019 | 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
Results for "in sickness" 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...
by Ekta | Mar 10, 2019 | General Spiritual, Just Be, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Thoughts
Statue Bhatakti Atma! Question:I have come to realize lately that my mind has learned my trick of taking a step back to go into witness consciousness during meditation. These days when I want to practice it anytime throughout the day, my mind cunningly jumps in and...
by Ekta | Mar 10, 2019 | Awareness, Buddha, Concepts, Ego, Enlightenment, Intellect, Karma, Karmaphalam, Knowledge, Liberation, Meditation, Purushartha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara, Self- Realization, Vairagya, Wisdom
Results for "Intellectualization" 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 advaita?Answer:It is a...
by Ekta | 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...
by Ekta | Mar 8, 2019 | Aagami, Aversion, Karma, Mind, Niyati, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Vedic
Was Ravana enlightened? Question:Why did the enlightened Ravana slip and commit an error in lust? An enlightened person knows for sure that he is not the body nor the mind. But, there is still the possibility of lust taking charge. Why so? Is the enlightenment not...
by Ekta | Mar 8, 2019 | Awareness, General Spiritual, Intellect, Just Be, Maaya, Mind, No-Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence
Results for "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...
by Ekta | Mar 8, 2019 | Anger, Ego, Elements, General Spiritual, I, Impressions, Just Be, Reaction, Relationship, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Spouse
Results for "when in anger" Question:I have been working on my spiritual knowledge yet could not deal with a big fight with my spouse. How to deal with anger? After that fight, I realized that I valued winning more than my relationship.Answer:That’s the...
by Ekta | Mar 8, 2019 | Awareness, Awareness, Consciousness, Drama, I, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Meditation, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Silence, Temporary, Thoughts
Results for "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...
by Ekta | Mar 7, 2019 | Aagami, Craving, Desire, Impressions, Karma, Karmaphalam, Maaya, Mind, Niyati, Prakriti, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Vedic
How does Prakriti cause turmoil in the body-mind complex ? Question:’Janaka realizes that all events, all happenings, all people that were leading to all the feelings that were rising and falling was all on account of the Prakriti (3 Gunas – Rajas, Tamas...
by Ekta | Mar 7, 2019 | Awareness, Meditation, Patanjali Yogs Sutra, Present Moment, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Scriptures, Vedic
What is Open Eye Meditation? Question:In the Patanjali Yogasutra Chapter 1 we talked about the 5 different modulations of the mind. And when our mind is not occupied in these 5 modulations it is at that moment we are meditating. Well then aren’t we all...
by Ekta | Mar 7, 2019 | Aversion, Awareness, Awareness, Independent Spirituality, Meditation, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
How to apply Sakshi Bhav in everyday life ? Question:I often try (or at least do it when I am aware) to be a sakshi of whatever I am doing. This is easier in meditation but difficult when I not meditating. How do I practice this with my eyes open when I am in...
by Ekta | Mar 7, 2019 | Aagami, Flow with Life, Impressions, Impulsive, Just Be, Karma, Karmaphalam, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Spontaneous, Vedic
Does Karma have a say in Greencard processing ? Question:How should I look at this situation. We has filed for Green Card in 2013 and the labor is still in Audit since the response sent in Nov 2013. Don’t know when the Audit would be cleared. According to the...
by Ekta | Mar 6, 2019 | Aagami, Aversion, Karma, Mind, Niyati, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Vedic
Love is independent of attachment Question:If I am going to have baby soon, am I going to build more karma? Because I know I am going to have emotional attachment, or how can I deal with this situation, how can I give 100 percent affection without emotional...
by Ekta | 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...
by Ekta | 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...
by Ekta | Mar 6, 2019 | Fear, Guru, Just Be, Knowledge, Meditation, Meditation, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Surrender, Thoughts, Vedic, Wisdom
How do you tell the difference between fear and intuition ? Question:I have been chanting and meditating continuously. However I’ve been feeling extremely anxious (more than normal). I try to resist negative thoughts, but they keep coming up. How do I handle...
by Ekta | Mar 6, 2019 | Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Emotions, Guru, Liberation, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Vedic
Identifying yourself with your thoughts and emotions, thinking that you created them, is utter ignorance ! Question:Guruji dropped this tweet a few weeks ago (which I’ve since added to my “Daily Reminders”): “Identifying yourself with your...
by Ekta | 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...
by Ekta | Mar 6, 2019 | Animal, Consciousness, Devas, Doership, Energy, Formless, Human, Karma, Karmaphalam, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Vedic
Is karma responsible for significant number of deaths due to natural calamities? Question:So if body is inside prana, when we hear about suppose earthquake or any other natural phenomenon where so many people die, is it because the prana of that area was low or is it...
by Ekta | 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...
by Ekta | 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...
by Ekta | 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...
by Ekta | 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...
by Ekta | 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...
by Ekta | Feb 28, 2019 | Awareness, Awareness, Flow with Life, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Let go, Mindfulness, Present Moment, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Wonder
Not my circus, not my monkeys! Question:Dear Ektaji, Can you please advise how we can both be in wonder and saakshi bhaav? Aren’t these two opposite states? Or does it mean when we are in sadhana, we have to be in saakshi bhaav and other times in the state of...
by Ekta | 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...
by Ekta | Feb 28, 2019 | Aagami, Aversion, Craving, Karma, Mind, Niyati, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Scriptures, Vedic
Can animals get enlightened? Question:If in a non-human life form you don’t do things that are out of your nature and do only things as a part of that life, how can it be that Raaga(likes)/Dvesha(dislikes) had developed becoming the seed for a next life? Is it...
by Ekta | Feb 28, 2019 | Awareness, Just Be, Karma, Liberation, Mindfulness, Present Moment, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Self, Self, Self- Realization, Vedic
Be a witness to all that is happening Question:Jai guru dev Ektaji – Di, we are not the body. Though this body will finish one day but we are not destroyed as we are the energy which is making this body work. Di, I want to know that whatever karma we do, we do it...
by Ekta | Feb 28, 2019 | 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...
by Ekta | Feb 28, 2019 | 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...
by Ekta | 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...
by Ekta | Feb 27, 2019 | Aagami, Buddha, Karma, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Vedic
Sit on the fence! Question:Dear Ektaji, What to do when you have conflict in picking among two different things(raagas) in life ? It seems like dropping one and picking another is like choosing one of your Raagaa & creating dvesha for another.What is the flow of...
by Ekta | Feb 27, 2019 | Aagami, Aversion, Independent Spirituality, Karma, Mind, Niyati, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Vedic
Results for "cycle" Question:Patanjali said that smriti is also a vritti. My grandmother passed away last year and I miss her a lot. If I try to ignore her thoughts my mind says if you will forget her you will not meet her ever. And yes I wish to meet her...
by Ekta | Feb 27, 2019 | Aagami, Aversion, General Spiritual, Karma, Mind, Niyati, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
Likes and Dislikes Have questions? Reach out to Ekta by clicking on the “Ask a Question” button on the left sidebar. For attending Ekta’s online knowledge sessions, click the “Gnyana Sangha” button on the left sidebar. Have a Spiritual Question? Ask Ekta First...
by Ekta | Feb 27, 2019 | Aagami, Aversion, Karma, Mind, Niyati, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Vedic
Why get out of the cycle of Birth and Death? Question:Why do we want to get out of this birth and death cycle?Answer:If you are still not tired of the world, then get tired. How long do you want to continue this drama. Every day you do exactly the same things. You...
by Ekta | Feb 27, 2019 | Aagami, Aversion, Buddha, General Spiritual, Karma, Mind, Niyati, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
Dispassion connects you to the present moment.. How? Question:In spite of my readings and video watching, I am still trying to understand the concept of dispassion. My friends tell me that when I talk about certain things, they can see how passionate I am. This can...
by Ekta | Feb 27, 2019 | Aagami, Aversion, General Spiritual, Karma, Mind, Niyati, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
Play with awareness! Question:Dear Ekta, I am involved in this direct marking company. This is how they encourage you to achieve your goals:Write your goals with a time line. Your underlying goal should be one that touches you emotionally at a deep level. Such as...
by Ekta | Feb 27, 2019 | Aagami, Aversion, Karma, Mind, Niyati, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Vedic
Results for "consistent" Question:I am practicing “It’s Okay” for every situation. But If some one is sarcastic and if I do not react to them, that always revolves in & around my mind until I do something. I will be free only if I answer back. What to...
by Ekta | 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...
by Ekta | Feb 23, 2019 | 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 | Feb 23, 2019 | Commitment, Courage, General Spiritual, Life, Maaya, Maya, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
Did you miss the boat? Question:JGD Ektaji, As you are aware, I have been in knowledge for about 3 years now. I have also been involved with some seva and regular sadhana but I feel like I am not growing. I watch my self all the time (sakshi Bhaav) and as an outsider...
by Ekta | 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...
by Ekta | Feb 20, 2019 | Ashtavakra Gita, Buddha, I, Karma, Maaya, Maya, Non-Doership, Purushartha, Purushartha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self-Effort, Service, Seva, Vedic, Yoga Vasistha
Question:We have mentioned before that through meditation and seva we are able to get rid of some of the karmas in our bags, however, knowing that I am not the doer and no matter what I do the ball will keep rolling, how do those 2 thoughts work together? Is the ball...
by Ekta | Feb 20, 2019 | Awareness, Independent Spirituality, Mind, Mindfulness, Present Moment, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sankalpa/Intention, Thoughts
Mindfulness in daily routine Question:Should I apply 100% focus (be consciously aware / be in sakshi bhav / practice mindfulness) in whatever I am doing moment to moment, even to routine daily chores like washing, brushing, restroom, cleaning? MIND is going away...
by Ekta | 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?...
by Ekta | Feb 20, 2019 | Ashtavakra Gita, Dispassion, Dukkha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara, Seeking, Vedic
Dispassion is natural on the path! Question: We learnt in Yoga Vasishtha that seeking is the cause of Dukha in this Samsaara. I have been applying this knowledge and walking sincerely on this spiritual path for over 5 years now. I am feeling stuck in my career and...
by Ekta | Feb 20, 2019 | Ashtavakra Gita, Craving, Drama, Expectations, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Service, Seva, Vedic
If life is a happening, then what do I celebrate? what do I strive for? Question:I understand that I am not the 5 elements, I am not the body, the mind or the intellect. I am not any labels, I am not male or female, young or old etc. I am a Sakshi, a witness and I am...
by Ekta | Feb 19, 2019 | Awareness, Buddha, Karma, Meditation, Purushartha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Self- Realization, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Truth, Vedic
Intention v/s Effort Question:How to be in Sakshi bhaav and master the mind when I don’t have any means of Sadhana, Seva and Satsang because of a personal situation? I am averse to 2 people in my office, my mind is getting trapped. Knowledge takes a back seat many...
by Ekta | Feb 19, 2019 | Aagami, Aversion, Independent Spirituality, Karma, Mind, Niyati, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Vedic
If you don’t drop dvesha, you might be born to it! Question:I have been trying to implement the discipline of non-reaction and being an observer in my life. My current land lady is a perfectionist, extremely organized, very picky with a complaining nature. I...
by Ekta | Feb 18, 2019 | 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...
by Ekta | Feb 18, 2019 | Body, Emptiness, General Spiritual, Karma, Mind, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, Silence, Spontaneous
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 witness is as simple as looking at your mind and...
by Ekta | Feb 18, 2019 | Awareness, Body, buddha, Buddha, Courage, Ego, Mind, Present Moment, Purushartha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self-Effort, Senses, Uncategorized
Can I be in Sakshi Bhava all the time? Question:Being lost in the object and withdrawing from the object and becoming a “sakshi”. I am able to do it for a split second especially when I am typing on a keyboard I can see my fingers moving and witness it without being...
by Ekta | 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...
by Ekta | 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....
by Ekta | Feb 16, 2019 | Aagami, Aversion, Awareness, Compassion, Craving, Emotions, Guilt, Gunas, Let go, Life, Mind, Opinion/Behavior/Judgement, Prakriti, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Vedic
What can I do to increase Awareness? Question:You mentioned law of attraction in our discussion. Is there anything we can do for the numerous times we have had knowingly/unknowingly grumbled upon others behavior and had bad thoughts about them? I am sorry for my ill...
by Ekta | Feb 15, 2019 | 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...
by Ekta | 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...
by Ekta | 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...
by Ekta | Feb 7, 2019 | 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 anger...
by Ekta | Jan 17, 2019 | Awareness, Consciousness, Dreams, Duality, General Spiritual, Illusion, Let go, Physical, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Satori, Self, Truth, Videha
Is it possible to drop duality? Questions: In Cosmos, it is said that there is no concept of time. My question though is, can you experience this while you are in a physical form. From Lila’s story(yoga vasishtha), she had to remove the duality completely? Please...
by Ekta | Jan 17, 2019 | 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...
by Ekta | 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...
by Ekta | 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...
by Ekta | Dec 8, 2018 | Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Enlightenment, Mind, Non-Doership, Purusha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Thoughts, Vedic, You
When “I” watch my thoughts, who is doing the watching? Question:When “I” watch my thoughts, is it my consciousness that’s doing the watching? Or another layer of the burrito altogether?Answer:You are watching the thoughts. You are not the mind, you are not the body,...
by Ekta | Dec 8, 2018 | Awareness, Awareness, Consciousness, Death, General Spiritual, Karma, Mindfulness, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
3 States of Consciousness Question:Ektaji, I have one question. You were saying that if one is established in 100% awareness of the subtle body at death, you become enlightened. Does this happen only at the time of death or can it happen even when you are in the...
by Ekta | May 8, 2018 | Body, Buddha, Death, Fear, God, Karma, Masters, Mind, Niyati, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Silence, Truth
Niyati brings to you what you deserve ! Question:In AG13 – Fear is like salt, Ashtavakra says a little bit of fear is needed to maintain orderliness and protecting life. Beyond that it engulfs the mind and body. Main fear is to lose this body. So in essence, realizing...
