Positive Reframing of Self-Condemnation (SWA-NINDA)

April 16, 2024

Self-condemnation (swa-ninda in Sanskrit) is a state that is linked to the emotions of guilt, shame, anger, regret, disappointment, and distress. It entails being reproachful of one’s behavior to the extent of despising it. It can happen because of indulging in a behavior that one does not approve of and...

Embracing serenity: A guide to cultivating peace in your life

April 9, 2024

In a world filled with constant noise, demands, and distractions, the pursuit of peace has become more crucial than ever. Amidst the chaos, finding tranquility and inner calm can seem like an elusive dream. However, cultivating a peaceful life is not only possible but also essential for our well-being and...

Eliminating Hatred (Ghrna) – A Barrier on the Spiritual Path

April 9, 2024

Hatred (ghrna in Sanskrit) or an intention of malaise against someone is a huge barrier in our spiritual journey toward perfection and among the most difficult emotions to eliminate. Swami Sivananda Saraswati (1887-1963, a renowned yoga teacher) has described three stages of hatred. This emotion usually starts with prejudice or...

Avoiding guilt in the spiritual journey

April 2, 2024

Guilt (atyaya in Sanskrit) is an emotion that arises when someone does or believes they are committing something wrong. In legal parlance, guilty refers to having been found to have committed an offense or crime. Guilt is focused on the past, unlike fears that are future-oriented. Guilt has several underlying...

Overcoming being selfish on the spiritual path

March 5, 2024

Selfishness (matsara or swartha) is an action in which one is concerned exclusively or overly with one’s profit, pleasure, or gain without regard for the welfare of others and often at the expense of others. Selflessness, on the other hand, is placing the welfare of others before one’s own. One...

Overpowering fears (Bhaya) in everyday life

February 27, 2024

Fear (Bhaya) is an emotion that results from the belief that something or someone is hazardous and is likely to induce pain or discomfort. The operative word in this conceptualization is that it is a belief or a perception that may not be factual. It is a hindrance on the...

Surrendering the ego (Ishwar Pranidhana)

February 20, 2024

In Sanskrit,Ishwar means the omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent Almighty while Pranidhanameans surrender. TheYoga Sutra (Ch. II, Verse 45) says, “Samadhi Siddhir Ishvara Pranidhana” or by total surrender to the Almighty, Samadhi is attained.Ego (Ahankara) is the barrier in the process. The ego is defined as an individual’s sense of self-importance.Sometimes, the...

Escaping Jealousy (Irshya) for the Spiritual Aspirant

February 13, 2024

Jealousy (Irshya in Sanskrit) is an emotion that is also known as envy or covetousness which is common to almost all human beings. It’s often called as “the green-headed monster.” It is not a single emotion but consists of a complex of fear, anger, humiliation, feelings of loss of status,...

Gaining acceptance (kshanti)

December 12, 2023

Kshanti appears in the Bhagavad Gita as accommodation or acceptance (Chapter 13, Verse 8) as a spiritual quality. In Buddhism, both in Theravada and Mahayana, it is one of the paramitas or means of perfection associated with higher spiritual beings. In life, we have often wished that things, situations, or...

How much security does one need on the spiritual path?

December 5, 2023

Having security is a fundamental requirement for life. We want food, clothing, and shelter security; we want security against the weather; we want financial security; we want security for old age; we want security against sicknesses and other difficult times; we want security against harm from animals as well as...