When understanding who we are, we mix up our divinity with the other layers of our personality. It’s why we can think we are powerful and capable beings, but also that we always fall short or make mistakes and the wrong choices. In these moments, our spiritual journey is about putting in a little extra effort. When life hands us a difficult situation and we rise to the occasion, we can separate our thoughts that are reflecting divinity from those that are reflecting our attachment to our persona...
Aug 25, 2021•10 min
Divinity is devoid of a form, but just as a crystal vase takes on the colour of whatever we put around it, we take on the qualities or characteristics of that around us. For example, we believe to be the body and its shape. Or, as emotions or desires surface in the mind, and opinions or logic in our intellect, we take them and each nuance on so strongly. But every single one of these descriptions belongs to the body, mind, or intellect, not us; not divinity.
Aug 11, 2021•8 min
Just as the same 8 musical notes can come together in different ways to produce thousands of songs, all of our diverse selves are made of the same 5 elements (space, air, fire, water and earth). Even our most basic desires can make up such a variety of thoughts or reactions to things!
Aug 04, 2021•7 min
In all-pervading divinity, we put up divisions of “me” on our body, and “not me” to all that outside of us. We then build on that limited entity, using color (culture, skin, lineage, etc.) to define the person as “better” or “worse”. But while we can accept that we’re not just pretty faces, it’s harder to see that we give importance to other superficial aspects as well and overlook our essence. Our personality, values, habits, intellectual achievements, or emotional temperaments is not all that ...
Jul 28, 2021•7 min
Everywhere around us, there’s space. All-pervading, it’s both inside and outside everything. So whatever we create is in that space. For example, walls create boundaries of the space in a room. But space is not conditioned by what is created as it is pervasive, untouched and indivisible. The truth and divinity that we are trying to understand is the same. We feel we are distinct and separate, but everything is inside of truth and therefore, not separate. Nothing can divide the truth, or us....
Jul 21, 2021•8 min
Each jewelry, whether it be a necklace, earring, nose ring, or bangle, has a different shape, size, design, or thickness. But in essence, all of it is the one same gold. In creation too, when we see things, we see it all as unrelated and distinct individuals. For example, when we look at buildings, oceans, or each other, we see me (one entity) and you (separate entity). But it is all from the same oneness; tied together in existence and in our ability to see, know or understand it (ie. conscious...
Jul 14, 2021•8 min
All creation comes from, plays in and dissolves into the unaffected substratum of truth, Supreme Self or divinity. For example, dreams are created by our mind, live in our mind and dissolve back into our mind. Even in terms of our own world, whether it be a belief, value or emotion that we create, it comes out of us. It exists for as long as we choose for it to before it goes back into us. So what exactly are we creating, how long do we want it to last and when are we going to be ready to let it...
Jul 07, 2021•9 min
We’re constantly projecting onto things, a value, belief or attitude that’s not there. In Vedanta, this is explained as superimposition on the substratum, after which, we see only the superimposed as real. For example, we superimpose gender, personality or aspirations on ourselves, seeing that as who we are. We even make sense of the world all based on our superimposed thoughts! Notice how quickly we assume something to be correct, important, or true when we haven’t even questioned it?
Jun 30, 2021•9 min
Despite having experienced our dream or an argument to have all been in our head, we still assume everything we’re experiencing is real. We feel the same palpitations, anxiety and dread every single time until it ends. Similarly, we passionately hold on to our likes and dislikes, let them grow into love and aversion and give them so much control over us. But they are as real as the dream for they change, and their hold is only for as long as it ends. Is that worth letting every thought direct us...
Jun 23, 2021•9 min
When we listen to Satsang or study the scriptures, uplifting thoughts are introduced. Despite adding more thoughts into a mind that’s already filled with them, the quality of the new thoughts changes the entire texture of our mind. This also changes who we are and what we experience as the purifying thoughts of the higher clear away all other useless or unnecessary ones. So in a mind free from pettiness, likes, dislikes or judgements, we enjoy what the scriptures explain to us is our true nature...
Jun 16, 2021•8 min
The Sun’s always there and shining, but when clouds come to cover the Sun, we wonder, “There’s no Sun today!” In the same way, our true nature of bliss, love and joy is always there and self-effulgent, but our own thoughts rise in our mind to block us from seeing our truth. And just as the wind blows away the clouds so that we see the Sun shining brightly in the sky once again, we meditate to quieten our mind. Upon letting go of every single thought, in the blissful silence, we come to know ours...
Jun 09, 2021•6 min
When we don’t know, we feel we are lacking and incomplete. We then want what we think we don’t have, prompting us into action. But when action is a product of our ignorance, it can never be the solution for it. Only knowledge is what opposes ignorance and can remove it. Thus, while Japa and service to mankind is important, they’re not going to give us knowledge but simply prepare our mind. So are your actions encouraged by your fears and desires or are they bringing you closer to getting knowled...
Jun 02, 2021•7 min
We already are divine. We already have whatever it is we are looking for, but don’t know it. We have forgotten as the mind is so busy thinking or doing a gazillion things. It’s like when we go around looking for a missing pair of glasses or keys that we had on us this whole time. Ultimately, our spiritual journey is to just stop and remember our nature; that we have it all. Doing spiritual practices help us to quieten the mind and remove the obstructions keeping us being able to see what is alre...
May 26, 2021•8 min
Just like how food cannot cook without fire, we cannot transform without knowledge. Knowledge however, is not merely looking up, obtaining, and collecting information. Knowledge is imbibing that information. For instance, knowing why we are doing the spiritual practices we do lets us manage our energy and time so the actions serve their place and we don’t get distracted. Understanding the importance of knowledge in our spiritual evolution ensures we get what is important right.
May 19, 2021•9 min
We often first prepare ourselves for things we want, be it our goals, a job, or a relationship. So naturally, when we are seeking the highest that we can as human beings, some preparation, aka tapas, is required. Self-effort to lift ourselves is tapas. To put in self-control to become less dependent on comforting objects of the world is tapas. To detach from the body to find, nurture, strengthen and abide by what is inside is tapas. Prepare at the level of body, speech or thought, and feel the d...
May 12, 2021•10 min
Despite feeling like we can do anything we’d like to, all of us are still on the same quest to find freedom. We seek it from our emotions, like anger or hurt. We seek it from wanting things we know we can’t have. We seek it from thought processes we think we can change but feel we cannot. Whether we realize it or not, we are seeking love, happiness and peace within ourselves. The clearer we are about what we are desiring, the more we benefit from this knowledge and the less distracted we get fro...
May 05, 2021•11 min
Most of us don’t really know who we are. Even when asked to describe our personality, we get confused for we all feel we are one and the other, no matter how contradictory. We all also feel as if we’re always trying to fix something. There’s so much about our life we want to improve. But before going out and improving the world, we turn to this knowledge to understand our essence. We give it attention so that it creates impressions in our mind. Our mind holds that new form and as the mind change...
Apr 28, 2021•10 min
Time is movement, and the second that you think is the present, is gone and lost the next. But being present doesn’t mean staying still and focused. It’s a gentle sense of being and truth where we actually slip out of the bondage of time. In eternal, there’s fullness of experience; no divisions, no “me”. And only our conscious effort put into understanding who we are and adjusting our thinking process will set us free.
Apr 21, 2021•44 min
It’s human nature to get attached. But when we don’t let go, when we continue to do when we should have stopped, our worldly joy becomes sorrow, fear, or anger. This mantra empowers us to be free from the limiting, free from the fear of change. May we enjoy deathlessness and changelessness. Then, there is only compassion, kindness, love, empathy, and ripeness of character. Everything happens with ease; we are not forcing anything. And the sweetness that we experience, we share with the world aro...
Apr 16, 2021•51 min
Each one of us has a unique bundle of things we fear, and in general, all of us fear death, rejection, or loss. So it does not matter how big we grow from the outside, for inside, we all have the same scared heart that governs our actions and thoughts. This mantra’s sounds bring about nourishing vibrations within us that build courage so that we can outgrow this fear. Chanting this mantra may or may not solve our immediate problems, but it definitely gives us a far deeper strength that lets us f...
Apr 08, 2021•47 min
Life’s about seeing there is a greater force and that each one of us plays a part in the grand scheme of things. We don’t have to live life like limited entities who only eat, drink, make money, struggle, feel unappreciated and die. Start by loving Shiva, and oneness won’t seem so far off. When we worship that which creates, sustains, and destroys this creation, we lift ourselves to feel more like Shiva himself does. We can then work our way towards becoming one with Him and thus one with all of...
Apr 02, 2021•44 min
In Hinduism, heaven and hell exist both in this life and in the hereafter. Here, they are realms of consciousness that we experience in our own minds. We either daydream positive scenarios or replay negative reactions of our actions in our head. Just like Arjuna, we too, glorify our weaknesses or just want to escape. We too, lose clarity when faced with our attachments. However, when we accept we don’t know and can no longer see clearly, our sorrow transforms. With surrender, we can detach and m...
Mar 26, 2021•54 min
Most of our thoughts centre around “me” and we become egocentric individuals as we think we are separate from everyone else. More importantly, we start thinking we are separate from the Lord, the light or the Supreme truth. But when we bow down and sincerely surrender ourselves, no thought of “me” or “I am” exists. Our mind is completely tuned into the Supreme, and we feel connected. The Geeta Dhyanam are such invocation mantras that help us in establishing that connection and staying there....
Mar 18, 2021•51 min
When fear, other emotions, and attachments creep into the mind, it automatically becomes weak. A weak mind looks for reasons to blame our sorrows, difficulties, and problems on. A weak mind loses clarity on why we are acting and what it is we want. A weak mind uses wise quotes or scriptures to justify its weakness. This is why we can relate to Arjuna. And when emotions get the better of us this way, it is sometimes better to watch the movement of the mind as a wave and simply let it pass.
Mar 10, 2021•49 min
Be it at the level of body, mind or intellect, anything that gives us joy attracts us. Thus, what attracts us the most is that which would give us the greatest joy. But instant gratification of our desires empowers us to go after temporary pleasures. And when faced with a situation that directly conflicts with our attachments, we become weak. Our resolve breaks and we can become complacent. This behaviour is what we are trying to be more aware of so that we can grow to be the very best we can be...
Mar 03, 2021•48 min
Chapter 1 lays the foundation so that when Krishna speaks, we can understand. But most front covers of published Geetas (i.e., Arjuna’s chariot) depict a great philosophy. In short, the chariot is our body, 5 horses our senses, reins our mind and charioteer our intellect. Plus, Arjuna represents the Jiva (us) who is Sattvic. Empowered by purity, selflessness, and other virtues, surrender it all and let Lord Krishna take the reins. Only once emptied can then we be filled with knowledge and feel H...
Feb 24, 2021•53 min
Swami Tejomayananda ji jokes, “What does it mean when a man opens the car door for his wife? Either it’s a new car or a new wife!” Attachment to objects and people changes the way we see the world and act in it for we add onto them a value. So during decision-making, we get swayed towards our attachments and away from Dharma, what we know is right. By repeatedly choosing Adharma, Dhritarashtra and Duryodhana were so weakened that they couldn’t accept grace into their lives. Shouldn’t we choose t...
Feb 17, 2021•49 min
Our minds are blinded by attachments, but our intellect can see. We are constantly making decisions that shape who we become and the destiny we face. Do we listen to the mind or intellect? Though Arjuna was faced with the epic Mahabharata war, this is the war that is eternally waged in our hearts. Our war is but the battles we face minute-to-minute, hour-to-hour, day-to-day and week-to-week. This new series is a discourse on the Bhagavad Geeta, rooted in the commentary of Pujya Gurudev, Swami Ch...
Feb 10, 2021•50 min
With Day 30, we come to the end of our Gratitude Challenge. But please do not let this mark the end for your gratitude practice as we must always remember: gratitude is limitless. Over the last month, you have creatively practiced to keep various things in your awareness. Having done so, you would have seen some benefits, and the consequences of which will continue to come to you. As this would help you stay committed to gratitude, be inspired to continue. Be sincere, be aware, be grateful....
Jan 30, 2021•7 min
“We don’t experience the world, we experience only our minds,” has been said by numerous philosophers. Our mind is the most powerful tool. It creates our lives and our worlds. It allows us to overcome our limitations in the world and in our bodies. And it enables us to have crucial skills which we often overlook but are nonetheless vital to our survival. As we near to a close with this challenge, notice how much we are capable of and be grateful for our mind.
Jan 29, 2021•7 min
