by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 24, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Aversion, Awareness, Body, Brahman, Consciousness, Craving, Direct Path, Illusion, Love, Mind, Sensations
The master key to Bliss! Question: The foundation of the mind was already shaken a little, by the close manner in which you are guiding us, from afar. I have not read about such a thing anywhere, and I’ve read many spiritual seekers’ and sages’ autobiographies/...
by Gnyana Sangha | Dec 11, 2022 | Advaita, Atmananda, Aversion, Body, Brahman, Consciousness, Craving, Dreams, Ego, I, Karma, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Personality, Raaga/Dvesha, Thoughts
When Nisargadatta Maharaj says, “My world is full of myself”. What does he actually mean? Question: When Nisargadatta Maharaj says, “My world is full of myself”. What does he actually mean by it? Answer: Let me start with what it does...
by Gnyana Sangha | Dec 1, 2022 | 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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 16, 2022 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Aversion, Craving, Direct Path, Doubts, Ego, Impressions, Knowledge, Meditation, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Self-Effort
Do impressions get released during contemplation meditation as well? Question: While doing the Nisargadatta Contemplations [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwOB9CZXOf9TFFu5ayJGJHYpb6SW0xj5G], I noticed a release. Do impressions get released during contemplation...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 25, 2022 | Aagami, Animal, Anxiety, Ashtavakra Gita, Attachment, Aversion, Bhagwad Gita, Consciousness, Craving, Desire, Emotions, Enlightenment, Feverishness, Gunas, Guru, I, Karma, Karmaphalam, Maaya, Maya, Niyati, Prarabdha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sanchita, Satvik/Rajasic/Tamasic, Scriptures, Self, Soul, Types of Karma, Upanishad, Vedic
Beyond the realm of right and wrong… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHArGdiJR3c&feature=youtu.be 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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 31, 2022 | 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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 28, 2022 | 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 Gnyana Sangha | Aug 3, 2022 | Anger, Attachment, Depression, Ego, Emotions, Feverishness, Freewill, General Spiritual, Girlfriend/Boyfriend, Hurt, I, Mind, Misery, Raaga/Dvesha, Relationship, Soulmate, Stress, Suffering
Become Mortgage-free from relationship patterns Question: JGD Ektaji, I have been dumped by my boyfriend and I just cannot find the courage to let go and move on. My ego is hurt and I really want to know why? Why has this happened to me? I want to still make it happen...
![Difference between the Gnyani [self-realized] and the Acharya [learned one]!](https://ektabathija.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/sun-tree-1080x675.jpg)
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 21, 2022 | Advaita, Awareness, Bhagwad Gita, Body, Brahman, Consciousness, Desire, Direct Path, Dreams, Ego, Enlightenment, Expectations, Gnyani, Greed, Guru, I, Illusion, Kabir, Knowledge, Masters, Mind, Name/Roles, Personality, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara, Self- Realization, Service, Truth, Upanishad, Wealth, You
Difference between the Gnyani [self-realized] and the Acharya [learned one]! Question: In chapter 4 verse 34 of the Bhagavad Gita it says:”Learn the Truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him with reverence and render service unto him. Such an...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 14, 2022 | 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 my Guru a Raaga? Will it bring us back in next lifetime with him? what if one does not seek Mukti but only want to be with their Guru in every life? Answer: Then one has not progressed spiritually at all. One has just...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 22, 2022 | Attachment, Aversion, Craving, Desire, Dispassion, Feverishness, General Spiritual, Karma, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sensations, Types of Karma, Vasana
What is attachment? Question: When it comes to moving from karma to akarma, What is the difference between indifference and dispassion? If karma is not about right and wrong action but rather forming an attachment towards an action, shouldn’t a murderer who does not...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 1, 2022 | Attraction, Aversion, Birth, Craving, Death, Greed, Impressions, Karma, Parents, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sanchita, Soul, Thoughts, Types of Karma, Vedic
You chose your parents! How? Question: In the karma video you have mentioned that the soul selects his/her parent for a new body and environment. Does the soul make this decision guided by a certain thing (if it is guided by our sanchita? are we aware of our sanchita...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 28, 2022 | Attachment, Aversion, Choice, Craving, Emotions, General Spiritual, Kriya, Love/Hate, Preference, Raaga/Dvesha, Seeking, Suffering
The vicious cycle of Likes & Dislikes! Question: Dear Ekta Di, if getting rid of karma is the sole purpose and to then to get enlightened is what we want, then how should we deal with this present life? I mean what should we do with this life ? If I should not...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 22, 2022 | Aversion, Craving, Impressions, Karma, Memory, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Sub-conscious, Vedic
How are karma impressions formed? Question: Is there any science on how impressions form in the mind? What are impressions exactly? Answer: Impressions are formed by multiple exposure of the mind to the same stimulus repeatedly. For example: You feel that you...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 17, 2022 | 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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 10, 2022 | Consciousness, Expectations, Feverishness, Flow with Life, God, Karma, Karmaphalam, Land/Bhoomi, Let go, Misery, Parents, Suffering, Universe, Vedic
Parents Karma! Question: My parents are old and they live alone in their country and I live here in the US. I want them to come here but they do not like to live here. They are really suffering as they are old and I cannot leave my family here and go there to take...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 25, 2022 | Anxiety, Attachment, Dispassion, Doership, Expectations, Feverishness, Karma, Mind, Niyati, Present Moment, Vedic
True meaning of dispassion! Question: Jai guru dev Ekta didi, I am a student..How do I study dispassionately? Somehow i have had to create an impression that if i study well then i will get leisured lifestyle..And that causes little anxiety in me…What is the key to...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 18, 2022 | Anxiety, Aversion, Craving, Emotions, Fear, General Spiritual, Independent Spirituality, Intuition, Meditation, Mind, Present Moment, Thoughts
Does planning happen in present or future? Question: Some more explanation on ‘planning happens in the present moment’ will be helpful to me. Often, when I am walking [morning walk] or meditating, a thought or an idea arises on what needs to be done to resolve a...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 13, 2022 | Aagami, Attachment, Aversion, Bhakti Sutra, Craving, Doership, Impressions, Intellect, Karma, Prarabdha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sanchita, Vedic
Learn the skill to act without doer-ship Question: How to deal with a dishonest business partner and at the same time be able to drop doer-ship and act without creating any Agami Karma [future karma]? Answer: First, let’s understand how Sanchita Karma becomes...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 1, 2022 | 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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Dec 16, 2021 | Animal, Body, Craving, Desire, Freewill, General Spiritual, Intellect, Liberation, Maaya, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Senses, Viveka
How is ‘human life’ different from ‘animal life’? Question: I am wondering that the ideal way to live is: be in the present moment without worrying. No desires even desire for liberation is not necessary as it may become a craving ragga...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 28, 2021 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Craving, Desire, Direct Path, Enlightenment, Feverishness, Just Be, Knowledge, Memory, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Scriptures, Senses, Silence, Surrender, Thoughts, Upanishad, Wisdom
Agamya – Inaccessible through words! Question: I wanted to also share that I really found the question and answers helpful after the explorations yesterday where Ektaji was speaking with Shailaja. That mind is only limited to the perception of five senses and...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 23, 2021 | Advaita, Atmananda, Consciousness, Desire, Direct Path, I, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Surrender, Thoughts, Upanishad
What is the locus of the ‘longing to understand the highest’? Question: Dear Ektaben, One paradoxical observation of the screen of ‘knowingness’ is that it knows(!) that the mystery of the whole screen of ‘knowingness’ is simply...
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 21, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Body, Direct Path, Freedom, I, Mind, Suffering, Upanishad, Vasana
You cannot claim the object that you illumine! Question:Ektaji, could you please clarify whether vasanas are a hindrance to freedom? Answer:Until you consider the body-mind as yours, Vasanas belong to you. Until Vasanas belong to you, personhood cannot cease....
by Gnyana Sangha | Nov 11, 2021 | 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 Gnyana Sangha | Oct 31, 2021 | Advaita, Body, Desire, Direct Path, Doership, Ego, Enlightenment, Feverishness, Flow with Life, Jealousy, Just Be, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self- Realization, Truth
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 24, 2021 | Advaita, Attachment, Body, Death, Desire, Direct Path, Fear, Food, Fullness, Life, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, No-Mind, Pleasure/Pain, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara, Thoughts, Universe
Does the sage not have a mind? Question:Maharaj says, ‘Pleasure and pain do not sway me. I am free from desire and fear. I am full. I need nothing.” I understand that he is speaking as Pure Consciousness. Is it correct to assume that thoughts/desires like this can...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 21, 2021 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Desire, Direct Path, Doership, I, Illusion, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Universe
Primordial Awareness is Stillness itself! Question:When there is no I, there will be no witnessing, only Primordial Awareness or Universal witness (as Maharaj describes it). Instead of “I am seeing” (witnessing), there will be only, “Seeing is happening” (Primordial...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 17, 2021 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Desire, Direct Path, Ego, Existence, Happiness, Illusion, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Pleasure/Pain, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self
The mind is an old broken mirror! Question:Hello Ekta, I have a question. Nisargadatta was saying that ‘how can restless mind can calm itself’ or something similar…Then you were explaining this point and at some point, you said Mind and body are reflections of the...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 12, 2021 | 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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 5, 2021 | Aagami, Attachment, Aversion, Buddha, Conscious, Consciousness, Craving, Desire, Expectations, God, Impressions, Karma, Life, Mind, Niyati, Parent/Child, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Seeking, Vedic
Expectations are Attachments! Question: My 14 year old son is terrible to live with. He is disrespectful, hurtful, vengeful without any provocation… even when I come from a space of love, the reaction from him is horrible. I tell myself that it’s my karma and to go...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 28, 2021 | 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 is said in it still repeats in my ears. It is mentioned “you don’t know who you are”. I started thinking how...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 23, 2021 | 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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 19, 2021 | Ashtavakra Gita, Bondage, Drama, Feverishness, Flow with Life, Just Be, Karma, Maaya, Maya, Niyati, Seeking, Vedic, Wonder
When will I progress spiritually? Question: I have been attending all sessions of Ashtavakra, at times I feel I have all the “theoretical” knowledge but wonder why it is not sinking in deeper! Lately, my mind is just jumping from one thing to another…I have not even...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 24, 2021 | Aagami, Ambition/Career, Causation, Company/Association/Sangha, Compassion, Competition, Consciousness, Desire, Doership, Drama, Emotions, Games/Play/Fun, God, Karma, Karmaphalam, Life, Maaya, Maya, Name/Roles, Pleasure/Pain, Prarabdha, Problem/Struggle/Calamity, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Relationship, Samsara, Seeking, Serious, Spontaneous, Vedic, Wealth
To Act, or Not To Act? Question: With today’s knowledge, I know I should take life as a game but I was cheated in business. Should I drop it too, or should I pursue the case I filed with the lawyer? Question: I work for a profit oriented company and there is a...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 8, 2021 | Ambition/Career, Attention-Seeking, Death, Desire, Doership, Drama, Emptiness, Expectations, Flow with Life, I, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Mind, Non-Doership, Present Moment, Thoughts
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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 3, 2021 | 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 Gnyana Sangha | Jul 22, 2021 | Aversion, Awareness, Courage, Craving, Independent Spirituality, Maya, Mind, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha
Kapti Mann Question: If my entire life, I keep on thinking about my raagas and dveshas and try to remove all the karma that I have created in the past, it will take billions of lifetimes and I will never be able to empty my karma bag. Is that the purpose of the raaga...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jul 18, 2021 | 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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 8, 2021 | Ashtavakra Gita, Aversion, Craving, Equanimous, Facebook, General Spiritual, Knowledge, Meditation, Mind, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Self-Effort
To Facebook or not? Question: With the advent of social media and uncontrolled use of it, we have added immensely to the list of Raagas and Dveshas especially on viewing people’s profiles, photos or posting messages. In a very subtle way, it impacts the mind and...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 30, 2021 | Aagami, Attachment, Causation, Emotions, Expectations, Feverishness, Karma, Karmaphalam, Krishna, Let go, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Seeking, Surrender, Surrender, Vedic
Karma and Karmaphalam Question: Is karma about keeping your intentions positive or is it about keeping your intention and thoughts neutral? Answer: Karma is not created just by action, it is created by speech, it is created by thoughts too. But not by every...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 13, 2021 | Brahman, Consciousness, Desire, General Spiritual, Illusion, Maaya, Samsara, Self
Sab Moha Maaya hai! Question: Dear didi Your what’sapp dp is “Sab moh maaya hai”. Means except self everything is moh maaya? Like my body, my mind, my ego is MAAYA? People around me, their body, their ego, their mind is also Maaya. And I should let go of it? Answer:...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 11, 2021 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Craving, Direct Path, Ego, Illusion, Mind, Senses, Silence, Thoughts
Thought is the father of the World! Question:Why does the mind make me feel that this illusory world is real? Answer:That’s because Perception is inside out, not outside in. The senses do not gather information correctly because reality is colorless,...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 30, 2021 | Anger, Attachment, Aversion, Craving, Death, Fear, Guilt, Impressions, Jealousy, Kabir, Knowledge, Love/Hate, Maya, Meditation, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Scriptures, Seeking, Self-Effort, Seva, Silence, Thoughts, Vedic
Fear of the ‘last thoughts at death’ Question: Ektaji – Is it fair to have Dvesha to control the last impression (not to think certain thing)? If it is something out of control why not make it like “come as it comes” like spontaneously? Can we train our subconscious...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 16, 2021 | Consciousness, Desire, Emotions, General Spiritual, Gnyani, Knowledge, Meditation, Memory, Mind, No-Mind, Paths, Raaga/Dvesha, Satvik/Rajasic/Tamasic, Self- Realization, Sensations, Sex/Passion/Celibacy
Wanting to look good….. Raaga or not? Question:I have a desire to have clear pretty skin. I was wondering if it is Raaga or it is part of nature? Is it a bad karma or a bad desire to want to look pretty not with make-up but with normal skin?Answer:You are the...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 7, 2021 | Aagami, Ashtavakra Gita, Desire, Freedom, Happiness, Misery, Pleasure/Pain, Present Moment, Vedic
How to handle joy? Question: Ektaji, at present, I am on the verge of going through a big change in life. Whatever I have known till now is suddenly being metamorphosed into something larger. All three aspects of people, situation and things are in transition. From a...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 29, 2021 | Anger, Craving, Desire, Dispassion, Equanimous, Independent Spirituality, Intellect, Just Be, Knowledge, Meditation, Mind, Present Moment
Dispassion is not Suppressing Desires Question: Is dispassion accepting what has come our way and not longing for a certain outcome? Answer: Dispassion is a natural maturity of the intellect that comes after dissolving yourself in self-introspection or spiritual...
by Gnyana Sangha | Dec 27, 2020 | Aagami, Ambition/Career, Commitment, Desire, Doership, Ego, Feverishness, Karma, Mind, Purushartha, Purushartha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sanchita, Seeking, Seeking, Vedic, Yoga Vasistha
Is Ambition also a seeking? 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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Oct 17, 2020 | Attachment, Bondage, Commitment, Consciousness, Courage, Craving, Desire, Doership, Ego, Enlightenment, Feverishness, Freedom, Illusion, Independent Spirituality, Liberation, Life, Maya, Moksha, Non-Doership, Problem/Struggle/Calamity, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Samsara, Self, Self- Realization, Self-Effort, Soul, Tapas, Temporary, Truth, Vedic, Viveka, Wisdom
The life of ‘maximum relief’ Question: My friend somewhere read that the life before liberation is the toughest, is there any truth to this? Answer: I don’t think that the last life before liberation is the toughest. It is just that in that life, you will...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 29, 2020 | Awareness, Body, Breath, Buddha, Buddha, Desire, Emotions, Feverishness, Gossip, Meditation, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Satipathana, Sensations, Senses, Silence, Thoughts, Truth, Wisdom
Preparation for a long Buddha retreat Question: Didi, please would you advise on how to prepare for my upcoming 10-day long Buddha retreat? Answer: Irrespective of whether you are enrolled in the Satipatthana retreat or the Jhana retreat or the Metta retreat, everyone...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 20, 2020 | Awareness, Awareness, Body, Buddha, Buddha, Craving, Desire, Dispassion, Doership, Elements, Feverishness, Gunas, Impressions, Karma, Non-Doership, Pleasure/Pain, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Satvik/Rajasic/Tamasic, Self- Realization, Sensations, Senses, Sex/Passion/Celibacy, Truth, Vairagya, Vasana
Dealing with Sexual desires on the spiritual path! Question: What should be the effort from our side to get over sexual desire on the spiritual path, if we should not suppress it? If we express it aren’t we making those impressions stronger? What should be our...
by Gnyana Sangha | Sep 8, 2020 | 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,...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 25, 2020 | Attachment, Awareness, Awareness, Bondage, Buddha, Buddha, Concepts, Craving, Desire, Equanimous, Freedom, Ignorance, Just Be, Knowledge, Let go, Meditation, Mind, Misery, No-Mind, Pleasure/Pain, Present Moment, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Samsara, Satipathana, Seeking, Sensations, Silence, Suffering, Temporary, Thoughts, Wisdom
What is taught in a Buddha retreat? Question: Please would you explain what is taught in the Buddha retreats? I have statues of Buddha at home but am totally unaware of his teachings. Please enlighten me about what is Vipassana, Samatha, Jhanas, etc. Answer: Here is a...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 20, 2020 | 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:...
by Gnyana Sangha | Aug 9, 2020 | Buddha, Courage, Desire, Maaya, Misery, Temporary
Desires put you in a catch 22 situation! Question: How does one deal with desires? Whereas some desires may be frivolous like clothes, jewelry, material things and others seem to be existential like taking an extra leadership role at work or leading a volunteering...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jun 2, 2020 | Aversion, Awareness, Awareness, Birth, Buddha, Craving, Death, Just Be, Mind, Moksha, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Samadhi, Self, Space-Time, Time-past/present/Future
Time does not exist! Question: As you said, we will be born again and again until we attain moksha from the cycle of birth and death. How to understand the paradigm of time here i.e. after this life, can I be born back in time? Does time exist really? If no, then...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 26, 2020 | Attraction, Awareness, Craving, Ego, Intellect, Life, Maaya, No-Mind, Senses, Vedic, Viveka
At what level are you in the Game of LIFE? Question:JGD Ekta Di, today in our modern society, we see people dressing in all kinds of ways for different social situations. Is there a spiritual perspective on how we should dress and what kind of clothes we should wear?...
by Gnyana Sangha | 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...
by Gnyana Sangha | 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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Apr 11, 2020 | Bhagwad Gita, Feverishness, God, Illusion, Just Be, Life, Present Moment, Vedic, Wonder
God is on a morning walk! Question: You said life has no purpose. Does God also have no purpose? Why did he create us? Why did he make this entire creation? Is it all purposeless? Maybe God has some purpose. Please clarify if I am thinking correctly.Answer:That is...
by Gnyana Sangha | 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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 14, 2020 | Desire, Expectations, General Spiritual, Home, Just Be, Karma, Karmaphalam, Land/Bhoomi, Niyati, Vedic
Time Karma is boss! Question: We have not been able to buy property in the state that we live in and now my husband is planning to shift to a different state. It is our mistake that we did not invest in the property on time. Is this also karma? I am trying to stay...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 11, 2019 | Aversion, Birth, Choicelessness, Death, Desire, Dispassion, Enlightenment, Equanimous, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Liberation, Meditation, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Samadhi, Self- Realization, Silence
How to make sure not to be born again? Question:How to make sure not to be born again? How to stop the cyclical nonsense of birth and death?Answer:That’s an invaluable question, dear. But, It does not have a straight answer. There is NO way to ensure not to be born...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 10, 2019 | Desire, Dispassion, Flow with Life, Karma, Karmaphalam, Let go, Paths, Raaga/Dvesha, Seeking, Vedic
Bhavanga – The flow! Question:I started recognizing doing things naturally without application of the mind (application of the mind feels like there is a raaga/dwesha). There is a flow outside the involvement of the mind. I come to work, because I have to work and it...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 10, 2019 | Desire, Destiny, Doership, Ego, Feverishness, Flow with Life, Freewill, General Spiritual, I, Karmaphalam, Mind, Purushartha, Sankalpa/Intention, Thoughts
Is it the Flow or my desire? Question:How to account for business goals and personal goals you want to achieve ? It has to start with a desire, correct?Answer:When you recognize that the flow brings in all that is needed to run your life whether personal or business...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 8, 2019 | Aversion, Buddha, Desire, Dispassion, Gunas, Karma, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Samsara, Seeking, Vairagya
True Dispassion or mind’s game? Question:Jgd Ekta Didi,Recently I have noticed a change in my mindset as I go deeper into the spiritual path. Earlier I used to enjoy going to the gym and swimming because I had the desire to stay fit. But recently I have lost...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 8, 2019 | Desire, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Impressions, Meditation, Mind, No-Mind, Silence, Suffering, Surrender, Thoughts, Truth, Unconscious
Results for "root cause" Question:Desires and tendencies – it’s one thing being aware as they come up, suppress them, reduce them, possibly even eliminate them. But there is always a danger lurking of reviving them. I am going through one right now. It’s a...
by Gnyana Sangha | 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 Gnyana Sangha | 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 Gnyana Sangha | Mar 6, 2019 | Attachment, Bhagwad Gita, Buddha, Craving, Desire, Feverishness, Karma, Karmaphalam, Knowledge, Krishna, Raaga/Dvesha, Sankalpa/Intention, Vedic, Wisdom
What is the difference between intention and craving? Question:Dear Ektaji, what is the difference between an intention and raaga/dvesha?Answer:Beautiful Question! Intention is a plan to do an action. Raaga/Dvesha is the emotion behind the action.Intention is a...
by Gnyana Sangha | Mar 6, 2019 | Awareness, Buddha, Ego, Emotions, Feverishness, Hurt, Independent Spirituality, Intellect, Knowledge, Let go, Mind, Surrender
It’s OK! Question:If someone deeply insults and plays drama for their needs or hurts, how to get away from it saying, ‘it’s OK’? Mind doesn’t allow due to self-respect. How do I do it?Answer:Right from the moment you are born, the play that is life brings...
by Gnyana Sangha | 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...
by Gnyana Sangha | Feb 27, 2019 | Abortion, Attachment, Birth, Death, Ego, Emotions, Feverishness, Just Be, Karma, Let go, Pregnancy, Present Moment, Purushartha, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction
Abortion Karma Question:Dear Ektaji, I just keep wondering about karmas. About 9 years ago we took medicine to end my pregnancy. I was completely against it but my husband said it is his responsibility & his karma. This action never really pinched me as I felt I...
by Gnyana Sangha | Jan 17, 2019 | Children, Children, Desire, Destiny, Freewill, Karma, Karmaphalam, Marriage, Parent/Child, Sanchita, Sex/Passion/Celibacy, Vedic, Yoga Vasistha
To have a child or adopt? Question: JGD Ekta di, I have a question from YV. (Page 12 para 3) Lord Rama says-“Though the child may appear to be innocent, the truth is that all sorts….happy period” My question is what is the point of having kids? When childhood is like...
by Gnyana Sangha | May 8, 2018 | Aversion, Buddha, Craving, Emotions, Gnyani, Mind, Pleasure/Pain, Reaction, 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...
