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Let go of the story!

Let go of the story!

Let go of the story! Question: While yoga and Buddha’s path made me feel more calm and secure, I feel it was the mind still finding security and solace in some concept/activity, albeit more socially acceptable. Answer: What is the mind? It is simply...
Happy Paryushana! Approaching rites and rituals the Advaitic way!

Happy Paryushana! Approaching rites and rituals the Advaitic way!

Happy Paryushana! Approaching rites and rituals the Advaitic way!   Question: Di, I finally had the experience and recognition, that everything is awareness, everything is Brahman! I am Brahman and everything is Brahman. Only Brahman is. And there is no karma....
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?

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...
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!

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...
Benefits of Vipassana or Satipatthana

Benefits of Vipassana or Satipatthana

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

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

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

Am I cheating my Guru if I follow somebody else?

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...
Why is there a pinch experienced in doing right?

Why is there a pinch experienced in doing right?

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

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

Is being a witness and being 100% aware the same? Question 1: I was practicing 100% awareness for most of the day. But it seemed to me that as I was 100% aware, I was also totally aware of what I was experiencing through the senses – I was totally aware of what my...
Decision-making – Everything is a happening!

Decision-making – Everything is a happening!

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...
Life is a flow of events on account of Karma

Life is a flow of events on account of Karma

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...
Stop struggling and float with Life!

Stop struggling and float with Life!

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...
Journey from external to internal

Journey from external to internal

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

Apaatra Daanam – Charity to the unworthy!

Apaatra Daanam – Charity to the unworthy! 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...
Storm of Emotions in Relationships

Storm of Emotions in Relationships

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...
Life is flowing, just flow with a smile!

Life is flowing, just flow with a smile!

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...
The script of life is always perfect!

The script of life is always perfect!

The script of life is always perfect! Question:Didi,What did/do you do when you witness that everybody is living in their own heads with their own stories and are suffering unnecessarily because of not being able to see the drama?   Answer: Every single human on...
How to manage job, family, Seva without getting overwhelmed?

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

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...
Intense longing for self-realization

Intense longing for self-realization

Intense longing for self-realization Question:I have a strong and a very old habit of indulging in story creation and I realized it only after studying Chapter 12. This is the reason why I am not able to move ahead on the path, I am still at the level of doer and...
What if the Karma theory is wrong?

What if the Karma theory is wrong?

What if the Karma theory is wrong? Question: I am getting a feeling of missing out. What if this Karma Theory is wrong and I wake up 40 years from now realizing that I missed out on people, places and things that at least gave me short-term pleasure. Now I have to...
Karma affects both Material life and spiritual goals?

Karma affects both Material life and spiritual goals?

Karma affects both Material life and spiritual goals? Question: We do not choose where we are born or what profession we choose, but we choose whom we get married to or have kids. Also, the kind of people who come into our life is a result of our past karmas – good or...
What is seeking?

What is seeking?

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...
Overwhelmed by to-do’s? Naah!

Overwhelmed by to-do’s? Naah!

Overwhelmed by to-do’s? 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...
Karma in babies

Karma in babies

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

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

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

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

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

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,...
Mahaa Maaya, Moha Maaya and Yoga Maaya

Mahaa Maaya, Moha Maaya and Yoga Maaya

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?  We have the free will not to create agami karma but what has to happen will happen irrespectively. Unless agami...
Leave the mind alone!

Leave the mind alone!

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...
What has to happen has already happened!

What has to happen has already happened!

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...
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?

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

Why are Buddha’s Suttas not easily accepted?

Why are Buddha’s Suttas not easily accepted? Question:Why are Buddha’s Suttas not easily accepted? I notice that NOT ONLY in Hindu monks but also in the Buddhist sects. Why can’t man accept the Truth?Answer:Your question is valuable and will help many others.Buddha’s...
Can I continue vedic chanting along with Buddha’s & Ramana’s path?

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

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....
What is the purpose of life?

What is the purpose of life?

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?

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...
Be with reality as it is! But how?

Be with reality as it is! But how?

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!

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...
The essence of Mourning period after death.

The essence of Mourning period after death.

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

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...
Is there a benefit in knowing about planetary movements?

Is there a benefit in knowing about planetary movements?

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...
Are you crazy or wise?

Are you crazy or wise?

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...