True bliss is experienced on the inside. The story of Lord Ram is a great example of how it didn't matter whether he was in his grand palace or during exile in the forest. We judge sages by their external traits such as their appearance and access to wealth but they don't judge themselves or us by that. They are firmly rooted in the infinite joy. When we judge, we forget to see inside and only see the outside. If we could see inside, we will forget the outside.
Jun 27, 2019•6 min
We all have desires; desires we seek to fulfill. The ratio between the number of desires we fulfill to the total number of desires we have can be a measurement of our happiness. Swamini Supriyananda explains how the solution to infinite happiness lies within the denominator (our total number of desires); and how reducing that number guides us to the idealistic state of dispassion.
Jun 17, 2019•8 min
We can make spiritual progress only by preparing and training our mind so that its ready to gain the knowledge. There are many techniques to prepare the mind. Swaminiji shares many examples of the same with us. It's important to remember that the techniques are the means to help us prepare the mind for knowledge. People get stuck in the means and forget the rest. Without getting the knowledge, discipline in 100 lifetimes will not get us to moksha.
Jun 09, 2019•9 min
As a follow up from the previous episode, now that we know that desires can really harm us and that we should get over them, we learn methods to get over our desires. One such method is to delay gratification. An extended version of delayed gratification is tapas. The problem with tapas in isolation is that our mind will try to fulfill the desire in another shape or form. A combination of tapas and attachment to a higher cause is the surest way to get over desires.
Jun 02, 2019•10 min
Have we ever felt as if we have outgrown certain desires? What do we do about desires we have that are extremely bad for us? Swamini Supriyananda talks about the importance of acknowledging the desires we have and the importance of us letting go of them.
May 24, 2019•9 min
It’s not what’s outside, but what’s inside that counts. Our superficial desires sometimes make us false pretenders to seek glory; without necessarily working towards actually experiencing that glory. Listen to Swamini Supriyananda narrate a transformative tale of a thief to learn more about the path of renunciation.
May 16, 2019•9 min
Swamini Supriyananda narrates a story about seeking happiness from motives of desire and how this will lead to nothing. If we learn to release our cravings in the search for contentment, we will find it. Listen to this tale about an Old Monk’s lesson to learn more.
May 09, 2019•11 min
We as humans tend to be dissatisfied with what we have and want things that we don't have. We often chase things we don't need, because we tell ourselves that its the next thing we get will give us happiness. Swamini Surpiyananda very thoughtfully draws up the parallel between our infinite and never-ending quest for materialistic things to the infinite ocean. With this in mind, we learn that the boat that will help us navigate through the ocean is Satsang. We learn the importance of surrounding ...
May 02, 2019•7 min
Swamini Supriyananda talks about our love-hate relationship with stress. We think we thrive under stress and we are more productive, we also associate our work's importance based on how stressed we are. We say and know that we don't want to be stressed. This verse in Bhaja Govindam teaches is that we are really not in control, nobody is. There is a power far greater looking after each one of us. We stress about things so much even though they aren't in our control. So much is already being taken...
Apr 26, 2019•11 min
Swamini Supriyananda talks about how time can play tricks on us. Sometimes we think we have plenty of time, so we go about planning to use that time - and before we know it, the time runs out. Other times, we think we have no time, therefore we cannot achieve what we need to get done. We learn how to optimize the time we have in any situation, by using it to find what is timeless.
Apr 17, 2019•7 min
There are many ‘rags to riches’ stories you may have heard, but there are countless ‘riches to rags’ stories that you may have not. Swamini Supriyananda describes how ‘pride’ is a robber. Pride in temporary and superficial traits only sets us up for disappointment in the future, binding us to what is ‘finite’. Learn to see clearer who we really are, (the ‘infinite’), by letting go of your pride.
Apr 11, 2019•11 min
Swamini Supriyananda talks about how we can remove everything that we know to not be true, so that all that remains is the truth and nothing more. The truth also referred to as knowledge, is what removes sufferings and will lead us to enlightenment.
Apr 08, 2019•11 min
Swamini Supriyananda talks about how our attachments prevent us from seeing things or people for what they are. Our ultimate attachment is to our body, and to who we think we are. We learn that we are nothing but infinite truth, and that the only obstacle stopping us from being infinite is our attachment - how willing are you to let go?
Apr 04, 2019•8 min
Have you ever thought about how we are attached to simple things and habits? Swamini Supriyananda talks about how our attachments and habits can blind us and make us do things that are not correct. We learn how to detach from the lower.
Apr 03, 2019•9 min
You are what you eat, and the company that you keep. This episode talks about the importance of carefully choosing the company we keep, especially in our thoughts. Swamini Supriyananda explains the meaning of truth, and why our thoughts and presence should be centered around what is true.
Mar 28, 2019•8 min
This episode talks about the importance of surrounding ourselves with the right kind of people and how much of an impact this can make in our life. Swamini Supriyananda talks about the story of sage Valmiki, one of the most influential sages of India.
Mar 06, 2019•11 min
Swamini Supriyananda talks about how we associate our identity with our profession or our net worth. She brings to light the concept of disconnecting ourselves from our body, mind and intellect. She so cheerfully tells us how to think about who we really are.
Feb 28, 2019•9 min
We tend to be attached to things whose importance significantly deplets over time. Only later do we realize that being attached to those things weren't in our best interest after all. Swamini Supriyananda gives us great examples on these things and also tells us what we're trading off for these attachments.
Feb 20, 2019•8 min
Good things, just like everything else, comes to an end. Every living creature dies. Swamini Supriyananda talks about how to prepare for the inevitable. If death is the destination, she tells us how we should treat the journey.
Feb 13, 2019•8 min
We tend to use objects for as long as they have a value, and the moment it is worthless, we discard it. Swamini Supriyananda shines light on our inner selfishness and reminds us to keep our higher goal in mind.
Feb 08, 2019•8 min
What type of king would you be? Swamini Supriyananda vivaciously retells one of his timeless stories: a powerful annecdote reminding us to think about how we we choose to live our lives.
Jan 31, 2019•10 min
Our lives are uncertain as we don’t know what will come next. Everyday the news is filled with natural disasters, political unrest and economic crisis. We see our loved ones suffer through health issues or relationships. Bhaja Govindam keeps reminding us that we don’t know what tomorrow holds. The past is gone - so be present in the moment. Swamini Supriyananda invites us to reflect on some thought provoking questions and leaves us pondering on whether we are preparing ourselves for that which i...
May 04, 2018•10 min
We all get so easily distracted by things that we even know we don't want. When there's something we really want, we talk ourselves into it, and if there's something we don't want, we talk ourselves out of it. In the text, Bhaja Govindam, Adi Shankaracharya recognizes that we often have that internal conversation, but shifts us into a deeper practice of repeated action, so we do things that are conducive for us. Not just saying it once, but over and over again. Swamini Supriyananda explains that...
Apr 09, 2018•8 min
Thinking about sex takes up so much energy. With a limited amount of time and resources, we end up allowing it to consume our thoughts and giving it more importance than it deserves. It's definitely necessary for so many reasons, but Swamini Supriyananda helps us understand how we can optimise our life with it.
Mar 03, 2018•10 min
So many of our life goals are defined by wealth. Wealth is necessary to keep us within our needs, but often the desire for wealth means we quickly want to upgrade our standard of living. The desire for wealth very quickly turns into greed. Nothing is then enough. Swamini Supriyananda uplifts us, reminding us to truly value the smallest things we have. Running after something we don't have, is indeed foolish, whilst we can just choose to enjoy what we already do have.
Mar 02, 2018•7 min
So many of our life goals are defined by wealth. Wealth is necessary to keep us within our needs, but often the desire for wealth means we quickly want to upgrade our standard of living. The desire for wealth very quickly turns into greed. Nothing is then enough. Swamini Supriyananda uplifts us, reminding us to truly value the smallest things we have. Running after something we don't have, is indeed foolish, whilst we can just choose to enjoy what we already do have.
Feb 02, 2018•8 min
We spend so much of our life preparing, acquiring and accomplishing. We spend so much time learning the sciences of life, the economic markets of different countries, the improvements in technology; yet are any of these going to help us at the most crucial times of our life? Whilst analysis of markets, improvement in medicine and technology make our life more efficient and thus improve the 'standard of living'. What will help us improve our 'standard of life'? What will help us deal with our pas...
Jan 29, 2018•8 min
We have so many foolish notions in our head that need to be clarified. One of the greatest masters , Adi Shankaracharya, brings to our attention all the fallacies we may have through his composition, Bhaja Govindam. Swamini Supriyananda will be reflecting on the essence of these verses and points on what should have been obvious, but we don't quite notice. The commentary by Swami Chinmayananda can be purchased on these platforms: Kindle | iTunes | Google Play...
Jan 27, 2018•6 min
Wouldn't it be so beautiful if we see God in everything? Easier said than done. If we like something, we can see God in them. If we have to see God in things we don't like, or hate ; our minds translate dislike into un-divine. If we can change our minds or forgive those people who we hate, then in that person we can see hints of goodness. As we reduce our impurities, we will see that Self in all people. Swamini Supriyananda expounds on how this feeling of one-ness can only bring about love and n...
Dec 28, 2017•7 min
Unknowingly we have actually made the goal of our life sorrow. Our desires normally stem from objects that will not give us eternal happiness. We know it can't be eternal because if it has a beginning, and so it has to have an end. That end is the birth of sorrow. Swamini Supriyananda explains this thoroughly, through a beautiful humorous story. To connect with joy, we have to disconnect with sorrow, and disconnect with our attachment.
Dec 21, 2017•7 min
