Sant Kabir Das and the Bhakti Movement
Kabir was a great mystic-poet saint of India. He lived from 1140 to 1518 A.D. He spent much of his life enraptured by divine grace. Many…
Yoga and Positive Psychology
A positive psychology mentor (whether this person is a counselor, personal mentor or a Yoga teacher), will help to nurture the talents…
Insight Into The Upanishads
One integral symbol, the Upanishads, has roots in Indian culture as deep as the religion it is aligned with. But what are the Upanishads…
What Is the True Purpose of Yoga?
The purpose of Yoga is to allow us to know who exactly we are and to be able to experience the freedom to be that person. As I have heard…
Why Do People Practice Yoga?
If you are practicing Yoga on your own, you may wish to set aside a period of time after you have completed the active portion of your practice to rest in the spaciousness of your own being. Allowing you a dedicated period of time to meditate is one of the keys to establishing a regular meditation practice. If you meditate at approximately the same time everyday and in the same area of your home, the meditative energy will begin to build, and this energy will enable you to more easily dissolve into the light of Shiva residing in your own heart.
Prana Vidya – Energy Knowledge
There is no doubt that we have been making mistakes on the mental plane, that we have ignored the mind; and this is how we have become sick and unhappy. When we take to the path of Yoga, the most important thing for us is the spirit, then the mind, and then the body. In the materialistic philosophy, body is alpha and omega, but in Yogic philosophy, body is not the first and last. This physical body is not everything; it is just a small portion of our infinite existence. We have to maintain this body correctly, but not through medicines, tranquilizers, and nutritious food alone. We have to supplement right thinking, philosophy, principles, and beliefs. More than that, we have to develop the art of Dhyana Yoga, wherein the eyes are closed, but the mind is expanding and becoming more and more brilliant – more aware. Where this little world of name and form alone is not there – but where the infinite existence is before us in an ever expanding vision of universal life.
The Purpose of Yoga: Finding Yourself
Some people claim to find themselves after practicing Yoga faithfully – but how can this be? Yoga is an art of living. In fact, Yoga is a…
How Does Yoga Philosophy Fit Into Our World?
While I am sure that the philosophy of yoga will vary according to who you speak to, my basic version can enhance your life. The simple philosophy of yoga can be applied even in our lives over 3000 years after yoga was documented. Yoga is a practice of developing your mind and body’s energies to produce a happier and healthier lifestyle. My philosophy? Be good to yourself and share the good with others.
Yamas and Niyamas – The Eight Fold Path of Yoga
The Yamas and Niyamas are self-disciplinary qualities that everyone should have and observe for their own spiritual development. One may practice Asanas and have a fit body. One may practice Pranayama and balance the Pranic energy, the Nadis. One may practice Pratyahara and Dhyana and reach deeper state of consciousness, but what use is that if one does not practice the Yamas and Niyamas. The Yamas and Niyamas create a fit and balanced mind.
What are the Benefits of Heart Opening Yoga Poses?
If you have taken or seen a Yoga class you may have heard “Lead with your Heart Center” (or something else similar). The Heart Center in Yoga refers to the Heart Chakra. The Heart Chakra is the 4th of 7 Chakras (or Energy Centers in the body). These centers are often used as reference points in Yoga, Chinese Medicine, Thai Massage or other traditional healing methods.