Welcome to Day 16, where we reflect on the line of: “Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya” – from darkness, lead us to light. From negativities, lead us to nobilities. At first glance, light is that in which we can see. But to go deeper means to signify light as our awareness of our surroundings. Today, as we meditate, focus on increasing your abilities to see by paying more attention, by being more aware. Whenever we stay in awareness, more and more details are revealed to us. Practice the skill of being awa...
Jan 16, 2020•10 min
The more we understand the mantra, the deeper we may dive into it and the more potent the silent of meditation we embody. “Asto Ma Sagmaya”. From untruth lead us to truth. We start with ourselves – to see ourselves accurately and then look out into the world more objectively. We often see things clouded by our likes and dislikes and adapt to our surroundings based on these judgements. The truth is neither an opinion, perception nor a point of view. The truth sees the person for what the person i...
Jan 15, 2020•11 min
“Mrityorma Amritam Gamaya” explains that we view death as an end, and so we are bound by the limited time we have on this earth. On the one hand, we occasionally are stuck in contemplation where we feel as though we don’t have enough time to get things done. But on the other hand, we also feel that time is moving far too slow – that we have too much of it and we don’t know what to do with it. Use this session to free yourself from the feeling of being controlled and restricted by time. Meditate ...
Jan 14, 2020•11 min
Day 13 further explores the meaning of light. We previously established that “light” carries meanings of knowledge and fearlessness. Today, we place specific focus on the meaning of goodness. Darkness is often associated with negative traits in our personality born out of ignorance and selfishness. But our good qualities take us into light – they bring light into both our hearts, and into the lives of others. Meditate to nurture the goodness and dispel the darkness – to replace negativities with...
Jan 13, 2020•10 min
After seeing and mastering the literal meaning of the mantra, we must now go beyond this first step, in order to truly be one with its value. “Asto Ma Sagmaya”. From untruth lead us to truth. Going deeper, we question: how honest really are we with ourselves? The quieter the mind, the more easily we can see our reaction, and the more clearly, we see how and why the mind is working the way it is. Whilst you implore for clarity of vision during your meditation today, open your awareness to noticin...
Jan 12, 2020•10 min
From death lead us to immortality. We’ve seen death as an end, but now, we may take this further and really question what the “end” is? We learn that nothing really ends, it just changes into something else, it transforms. Therefore, death is not an end – it is just a concluding of one phase and the beginning of another. It means we continue – our souls continue. The constant changing bring upon its own strains. In the changing there is fear, restlessness, strain. In the changeless, there is pea...
Jan 11, 2020•11 min
Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya: from darkness lead us to light, from ignorance take us to knowledge. When there is darkness, it is very natural to feel fear. Since we cannot see, there is more uncertainty – this is the unknown that often induces such dreads. Using this session, meditate with the aim of banishing away this fear caused by ignorance and darkness. With courage, conquer all these fears and uncertainties, and be led into the light of fearlessness. Dispel the distresses and remain in peace. Wh...
Jan 10, 2020•11 min
Today we revisit the first line of this powerful, mantra, “Asto Ma Sagmaya - from untruth lead us to truth”. Truth is when we live up to our convictions. But to take it one step further, it signifies our speech being a result of our thoughts, and so to complete this cycle, the truth is when we are in complete alignment in thought, word and deed. Meditate to see a noble thought become a powerful speech, and see the truth flow from you to the world around you. Retune your own inner equipments, so ...
Jan 09, 2020•11 min
The mantra acts as a calling for us to make our lives more meaningful. “Mrityorma Amritam Gamaya - from death lead us to immortality”, acts as a strong reminder that our lives are short and limited. Our inevitable death makes the time of our lives so much more precious that we learn to prioritize on what is truly important. Each and every day presents an opportunity to do so, therefore one should take this session and use this as an opportunity to meditate on and go deep within ourselves to make...
Jan 08, 2020•11 min
Day 7 reflects on “Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya”: from darkness lead us to light. Light represents knowledge whilst darkness represents ignorance, therefore this line can be advanced to mean: “from ignorance lead us to knowledge”. Knowledge is power and is empowering. Through meditation, we can turn inwards and we can gain insight into how our mind works and how it controls us. We can discover our thoughts and how they affect us. Use this session to further help yourself transform and grow. Let go of ...
Jan 07, 2020•10 min
Delve into this shanti mantra that brings peace and freedom: “Asto Ma Sagmaya” - From untruth lead us to truth. The truth extends beyond its simple meaning of being “factual”. It extends into the future – to act in accordance of what was said, so what is said in the present remains true in the future. We are not only speaking the truth, but by our conduct we create the truth. This mantra reminds and re-inspires us to make a commitment to truth. Become aware of the truth, become aware of speaking...
Jan 06, 2020•11 min
This session focuses on “Mrityorma Amritam Gamaya”, from death lead us to immortality. The Bhagavad Gita affirms that whatever has a beginning must have an end. There are multiple beginnings in our lives, and so, subsequently, there must be multiple ends. This occurs when we reach a limit – a point where we cannot go further. That is our end. This line potently provides the meaning of being able to transcend from these limitations and to not put an end to the potentials we find within ourselves....
Jan 05, 2020•10 min
We all naturally seek the light for we find in it comfort, therefore this line of the mantra resonates with us “From darkness, lead us to light”. Darkness and light cannot coexist; where there is light, there no longer is darkness. Meditation is a process where we turn inwards, quieten the mind, and discover that the light is in fact within us. It shines from oneself to the world around us. With this session, see the darkness in your life disappear as the light of divinity permeates your entire ...
Jan 04, 2020•11 min
Embrace the meaning of the mantra: “Asto Ma Sadgamaya”, lead us from untruth to truth. This line is the first of many that reflects upon the various layers of truth. Inviting you to notice the areas where you have neglected the truth, or have deviated from it, utilise this session to assess yourself on how established in truth you really are. This session is guiding us to let go of our untruths, and to become more honest and truthful. The first step may seem simple but is always a necessary step...
Jan 03, 2020•11 min
Shanti mantras are an ancient tradition that enables us to invoke peace into our lives. All of the Shanti mantras are effective, but this series will contemplate, reflect, and meditate on the “Asto Ma Sadgamaya” mantra. Today’s session captures an overview of the meaning of this mantra, as a mantra that invites transformation of our personalities and realities. The mantra is asking for a change within us. Therefore to be truly blessed by the mantra we need to be open to, and willing to making ad...
Jan 02, 2020•10 min
We live in a world of matter, a world made of particles, a world of vibrating energy. This same energy is embedded throughout our body, especially our minds. For our mind are made of thoughts, which are of words taking the form of inner sounds. The world is vibrating, our bodies are and minds are vibrating. Understanding this, the great Rishis have created sounds, called Mantras that mimic and channel specific vibrations. The ancient mantra is filled with so much power in its vibrations that eve...
Jan 01, 2020•10 min
A key to calmness. A step in the right direction towards peacefulness. Meditation. As part of the Chinmaya “How To” Challenge, the notion of meditation has been identified as the foundation of inner peace — for one needs to be serene within in order to feel a sense of stableness. Indulge into the 21-day guided meditation sessions, reflect on these mantras, and gain insight into the inner-workings of your mind with the Chinmaya Ashram’s “10 minutes of Tranquility”. The Chinmaya Ashram brings to y...
Dec 28, 2019•10 min
We're trying a long form series of episodes for the next six weeks. Swamini Supriyananda talks about how our phones have become a crucial part of our lives and talks about its pros and cons from a spiritual and self help standpoint. She also tells us how we could beat the addictive nature of certain applications that aren't helpful or good for us.
Nov 09, 2019•45 min
Satsang is the company of whom you keep. Satsang helps us grow in our spiritual paths. We all learn learn from copying. We learn from the people we look up to. Swamini Supriyananda gives us great examples of how satsang with our role models really helps us grow. We learn from watching great masters and following great examples. They inspire us and show us that perfection is possible.
Oct 30, 2019•12 min
Meditation is single pointed concentration. It gives us capability to change who we are. There is an upliftment of mind because we focus on the higher. When we get good at it, we can lift ourselves above our body, mind and intellect. We start to see things with depth and context. It helps us create understanding of ourselves which is what the spiritual journey is all about.
Oct 26, 2019•11 min
The bhaja govindam in verse 27 gives us a to-do list. Chanting the Bhagavad Gita is the start to create interest in us trying to understand the Gita and the path to happiness. It helps us resolve all of our internal battles, it's a guide for all our battles, emotions and life. It teaches us how to think. It makes us understand the effects of our actions. We may not always understand or remember it. It doesn't matter, repetition is key. The power of the Gita is such that it cleans the mind....
Oct 17, 2019•7 min
Hell is typically described as the terrible place where we are punished. In bhaja govindam, it says that we are in hell when we experience anger, desire, greed, and delusion. Renounce desire, anger, greed, and delusion and then we will experience bliss: our true nature. Hell is something that takes us away from our true nature. It's something that takes us away from Soham.
Oct 08, 2019•10 min
Desire is quite a force. It makes us have a tunnel vision and make us overbearing. It transforms into anger, greed and delusion. When desire is obstructed, it becomes anger. In anger we can lose our perspective and ourselves. Quenching a desire can become greed. Greed can lead to delusion if its directed to relationships and money. They are all intertwined and create a web of thoughts that prevent us to see who we really are. We need to pause, we will see Soham. The infinite that we are....
Sep 24, 2019•8 min
We spend so much time making up and breaking up. We exhaust ourselves and we lose our peace. We get angry at one action and write off the whole person and relationship, often over something small and petty. We can be so rash and impatient from time to time. Do not snap the stings of love and haste, it cannot be joined easily. How we response becomes who we are and who we want to be.
Sep 20, 2019•7 min
We're all very similar to each other. Today's verse is about seeing oneness in all beings and things. The emotions we feel are the same. When we watch a movie or read a book, we identify with the characters because we're all going through the same things.
Sep 04, 2019•8 min
A line questions many of us ask ourselves are where do we come from and why are we here. All of these questions lead us to the infinite truth. Sometimes, the answers to questions aren't directly visible and we need to apply logic to get the answers.
Aug 25, 2019•8 min
Do you think God talks to you? It's one of the symptoms of someone diagnosed with psychosis is that they hear someone speaking to them and telling them what to do. The similarities between a man of enlightenment and someone with mental conditions is talked about in verse 22 of Bhaja Govindam. The person of perfection is childlike in terms of their happiness. They are so spontaneous and uninhibited. They are totally present in the moment and are extremely spontaneous.
Aug 17, 2019•8 min
We come into this world with all the right tools to get moksha but we lose our way. Our determination dwindles and things become hopeless. In this state, we prey. It's extremely powerful, it opens our heart to receive the lord's grace. Holding onto a chant helps people get through extreme difficulties. When our hearts really yearn, we will get what we want.
Aug 07, 2019•8 min
In verse 20 of Bhaja Govindam, we learn that we need to study the Bhagavad Gita and to workship Lord Krishnaso that we can gracefully accept death when it comes - we could possibly go beyond death. Symbolically, the flow of the Ganga represents the flow of knowledge and devotion. To take a sip of that devotion is what we are urged to do. Workship is described in the Gita as to serve mankind. Service is true worship.
Jul 18, 2019•7 min
Swamini Supriyananda talks about the importance of studying the Bhagawad Gita. Many of us may not have the dispassion to stay in the Himalayas the way swamis do. We don’t need to anymore, technology has enabled this for us. The student of the Gita is for us. It was also taught in the battlefield - in the middle of an extremely stressful situation. Gurudev even called it the Arjuna disease. Repetition of the Gita helps us make spiritual progress. We need to keep listening so that we don’t forget....
Jul 09, 2019•8 min
