“Gradually gain mastery over your senses. It’s like training a horse—you don’t put a big load on the horse overnight, you add to it gradually. In this way, you train your mind to not be continually pulled by desires and cravings. Start with easily achievable steps: one less cup of coffee per day or getting up 15 minutes earlier in the morning for sadhana, and gradually expand your self-discipline.”–Swami Satchidananda
Have you ever seen your own face? No. What you see in a mirror is not your face. It’s a reflection. If, to your great surprise, your face looks horrible and distorted in the mirror, do you jump up and run to the hospital? No, you get another mirror. You know that the problem is with the mirror and not your face. A distorted mirror will make your face appear distorted. To see your face as it really is, you need a clean, straight mirror.MORE
As March 2022 begins, it feels like our world is in a state of upheaval. The seasons are changing and many places in the world are lifting COVID restrictions, trying to transition back to a more “normal” way of life. But the seasons and the pandemic are overshadowed by the war waged by Putin on Ukraine and peoples all over the world are watching the tremendous suffering that war creates. With such tumultuous events and the resulting hyper-alertness that arises, it becomes even more important to stay anchored in a personal center of balance. MORE
These two old friends—a Buddhist monk and a Benedictine monk—talk about their common work for peace; gratefulness bringing one into the now; the powers to let go, to forgive and to understand; and the power of community. Also included: The young monks at Plum Village speak to Anthony Chavez about their spiritual practice. Watch here.
This teaching by Patanjali is quite instructive for us today, especially if we delve briefly into the historical context of these teachings. As scholar/practitioner Dr. Edwin Bryant notes, “We can’t extract Patanjali from his time. We have to situate him in his landscape.” And what was this landscape at that time? It was one where access to these teachings depending on being a member of the brahmin caste—a caste of priests, intellectuals, acharyas. MORE
Throughout history there have always been human beings who felt there must be more to life and they sought a higher wisdom or spiritual enlightenment. Many have found themselves in need of someone who has traveled the spiritual path successfully and could guide them toward the understanding they were seeking and to the Guru within. Enjoy this new addition to the "Peter Max Cover Art Series" of books by Swami Satchidananda. Available here (and from Amazon soon.)
In this podcast, Integral Yoga Master teacher, Nalanie Chellaram and her son Shaman (senior director of advisory services for a leading hotel & commercial real estate firm) are interviewed by the Business Innovation Leadership Forum on balancing life, spirituality and business. Nalanie was recently appointed as special advisor to the Forum. Congratulations Nalanieji! During the interview, they also reflect on the one book Steve Jobs asked to be given to every person at his funeral. Listen here.
The Integral Yoga Institute of San Francisco is hosting the 2nd year of its Integral Yoga Teacher Training for Black, Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC). This 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) provides a great foundation for practicing, teaching and understanding the science of Yoga and yogic lifestyle. Whether you are seeking a YTT program or would like to offer your support through the scholarship fund, find all the info here. Your donations provide scholarships for future BIPOC Yoga teachers.
