On September 8, 2023, we celebrate the 136th Jayanthi (Birth Anniversary) of Sri Swami Sivananda, the Guru of Sri Swami Satchidananda. In honor of this occasion, we offer this video during which Swami Satchidananda is asked to explain this well-known teaching of his Guru: "Bear insult, bear injury, highest sadhana (spiritual practice)."
The Fourfold Sadhana of Jnana Yoga consists of viveka, vairagya, shadshampat or sixfold virtues and mumukshutva or strong yearning for liberation. Viveka dawns in one who, through the grace of God, has done virtuous actions in their previous births as offerings unto God without expectation of fruits and without egoism. Viveka is the discrimination between the real and the unreal, the permanent and the non-permanent, Atman and Anatma. MORE
On August 26, 2023, seven months after her 105th birthday, Mrs. Rukmini (Amma) Rasiah passed peacefully surrounded by beloved family members. The Ashram offered 108 Tryambakam Mantras on behalf of Amma's devoted, dedicated, precious, noble soul and for the peace and comfort of the entire Rasiah family during this time of loss of their beloved Matriarch and Mother. During the many years that Amma's health was more robust, she lived in Yogaville... MORE
The month of September contains two of the most important holy days in the Jewish tradition, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah begins a 10 day period of introspection and repentance that culminates in Yom Kippur, known as the Day of Atonement. These holy days remind us that seeking forgiveness from and offering forgiveness to those that have offended us, are two of the most important ways to free our hearts from the past and the psychic knots that can restrict... MORE
The kleshas form a narrative, the conditioning of thought and belief, that is invisible because it is taken as the norm. They limit our happiness, hijack our minds, and promote the very suffering we try so hard to prevent. I don’t mean to be depressive and gloomy, but rather just the opposite. I relish getting at the problem because it gives understanding and guidance, and for me that produces hope. I like to know what is in the way, i.e., what is keeping me from experiencing the fullness of my capabilities. MORE
In this episode, host Avi Gordon discusses with Amma Kidd the significance of collective prayer, the transformative influence of a Guru, surrendering to God's will, and the interconnectedness of all creation. Amma emphasizes the importance of going within and always rising above. Amma Kidd is a former secretary to and long-time devotee of Swami Satchidananda, and a beloved pillar of love and faith in the Yogaville community.
Spinal health, circulation, digestion, elimination, inflammation reduction, and hormone balance are our main focus areas for the asanas to support immune function. We will breathe deeply through the nose, increasing production of nitric oxide, which is a health booster, and de-stress our nervous system for resilience and healing. Utilizing the expansive muscles of the breath, we will learn to reset the nervous system out of a chronic stress response and rewire our system...MORE
Over the years, I’ve spent time in various spiritual communities, from traditional Hindu and Buddhist communities to so-called New Age communities. In this time, I became increasingly concerned with the role platitudes played in these communities and how they often took the place of the challenging but rewarding work of deep inner contemplation. In the most egregious examples (which were commonplace in my experience), people used these platitudes (disguised as wisdom, of course)...MORE
