“What is the Truth that can be found in everything? Nonduality or the satchidananda principal: the One Being appearing to be many. The ocean appears to be many waves, foam and bubbles. But these are only the appearance of the same water. If we could understand this basic truth behind all the dualities we won’t get upset over all the changes in names and forms. We will realize that everything is Consciousness appearing in a variety of forms and names and that will keep the mind steady.”–Swami Satchidananda
(photo: Swami Satchidananda, mid-1980s, during Island of Hawai'i Integral Yoga retreat)
If we want to make all our days holy days we should think of the inspiring thoughts of the great sages and saints. Otherwise, when we celebrate this holiday season, it will be just once a year fun. Instead, let us utilize the season to reaffirm that we wish to lead lives filled with love and with our minds filled with peace. Then you are truly a religious person, a spiritual person—whether you are a Jew, a Christian, or you are celebrating Kwanzaa and honoring the meaningful principles of a beautiful culture.MORE
The Ramakrishna Mission is celebrating its 125th anniversary. In honor of this milestone, the documentary "Blooming Lotus of Humanity" tells the Mission's story. The Mission is named after Sri Ramakrishna and was founded by his chief disciple Swami Vivekananda. Swami Satchidananda received his own pre-Sannyas diksha at Sri Ramakrishna Thapovanam in Tiruparaithurai, South India, in the mid-1940s. Congratulations to the Mission on this milestone anniversary!
For 32 years, I had the great good fortune to sit at the feet of Sri Swami Satchidananda (Gurudev). There were happy times and sad times, countless comings and goings, many ups and downs, but through it all, he remained the same: peaceful, patient, balanced, loving. He was always ready to forgive and forget; ever there to comfort and guide. When I think back on those days, I feel that there are no words big enough, deep enough, strong enough or sweet enough to really describe those times. MORE
I crunched through the leaves toward the trailhead. A chill wind chased the clouds from the turquoise face of the sky. I paused under the maple tree to chant Om before my morning walk. In the branches overhead, yellow leaves fluttered like prayer flags. One released and slowly rode the wind before settling at my feet. I used to have a love/hate relationship with autumn leaves. Love for the season and its cozy fireside nights, chunky sweaters, and sweet apple cider steaming in my mug.MORE
In this podcast, Avi Gordon and Lucy Luckshmi Cannon discuss the balance between service and self-care, overcoming the need for approval, rigidity and growing in authenticity. Following her school studies, she moved from Portugal to London where she worked at the fashion house Gucci for three years. In 1999, she returned to Portugal to follow her love and curiosity of Yoga. She serves there as a certified Integral Yoga teacher, teacher trainer, and Yoga therapist.
In the early 1970s, I was in the dance department at UC, Berkeley, and when I passed from my apartment to the campus there was the Integral Yoga Institute. I went in there, long story short, to take a Yoga class. The postures were super easy to me. But when I left, I glided out on a wave of peace. I remember, at age 16, writing home to my parents that day—and this will bring me to tears—and I said: “Today I found myself.” And what I mean by that is I felt the deep peace of my own true nature. MORE
Integral Yoga Media is happy to announce that many of the albums and singles of Swami Satchidananda chanting and leading Yoga practices are now widely streaming. These include: Swami Satchidananda (the original double album), Songs of Grace, the Sacred Mantra Series, Guided Relaxation, Guided Meditation, Integral Yoga Kirtan, among others. Find these on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, among many other popular streaming platforms.
