Indian Freedom Struggle (1857-1947) In ancient times, people from all over the world were keen to come to India. The Aryans came from Central Europe and settled down in India. The Persians followed by the Iranians and Parsis immigrated to India. Then came the Moghuls and they too settled down permanently in India. Chengis Khan, […]

When the mind drops its perceptions of sense objects and stops identification with its thought dances, at that stage in meditation, the mind is no-mind. When thoughts rush out in their mad fury to hug objects of pleasure, they are called extrovert thoughts, and to quiet these is the sacred function of the path of […]

The mind has three defects, namely, impurity, tossing and veil of ignorance. The impurities could be removed by the practice of Karma Yoga and selfless service; the tossing by devotion and chanting; ignorance by the practice of Jnana Yoga, that is, inquiry, analysis, service and meditation. Then Self-realisation is possible.    Action, emotion and intelligence […]

How do we develop concern for others and for ourselves? Analyse and make comparisons, and then develop a conviction for change. You could start by analysing the value of negative feelings or ill-feeling towards others. Then you can consider what that means to you and how you feel about yourself.    Then probe the value […]

Today, the natural resources of the earth are being mindlessly exploited globally far beyond need, resulting in a poor state of their regeneration and causing irreversible damage to the planet. This year’s World Environment Day theme – ‘Seven billion dreams. One planet. Consume with care.’ —  therefore, is highly relevant.  Starting from space, a Vedic mantra, […]

The United Nations has declared that June 21 will be celebrated every year as International Yoga Day. The resolution was co-sponsored by 175 of the 193 member nations, and was so popular that it did not have to go for a vote and was adopted by an acclamation. Here is Sadhguru’s message on this important […]

Birth and childhood: Sankara was born to the nambUdiri brAhmaNa couple, Sivaguru and AryAmbA, in a little village called kAlaDi in Kerala. The couple had remained childless for a long time, and prayed for children at the vaDakkunnAthan (VRshAcala) temple in nearby Trichur. Siva is said to have appeared to the couple in a dream […]

In many contemplative traditions, learning from an enlightened teacher is considered an important means of advancement on the spiritual path… Many illumined beings and mystics, especially those from Hindu, Sufi and the Zen and Tibetan Buddhist lineages, have maintained lifelong connections with their teachers and are in agreement that the student-teacher relationship is essential to […]

Birth and childhood: Sankara was born to the nambUdiri brAhmaNa couple, Sivaguru and AryAmbA, in a little village called kAlaDi in Kerala. The couple had remained childless for a long time, and prayed for children at the vaDakkunnAthan (VRshAcala) temple in nearby Trichur. Siva is said to have appeared to the couple in a dream […]

Doing karma, engaging in action, is inevitable for anyone. If that be so, how about using karma as an instrument of yoga? Karma yoga offers this option. The term ‘karma yoga’ is used often by different people differently. A rich businessman, who is busy making money for self and family, claims that he is doing […]