Category Archives: Blog

Meditation: Searching for the Real You

Meditation: “Guru- The Guide” – chapter 6

As spiritual seekers, you and I face many challenges. For example, our daily life may not encourage or support meditation or the desire for inner awakening. If people see you sitting for a long period with your eyes closed, they may think you are just trying to cut yourself off or to escape from the world. When faced with these questions I explain that my meditation is helping me come in touch with the whole garden of life; I’m learning to see more than the small path in one corner of the garden where I’ve always walked. We may face inner doubts as well as outer distractions. I meet meditators who seem to have set some sort of timeline for success in meditation. They seem to think they must make a certain level of progress by a certain date. If not, it means the meditation is not good for them (or that they just can’t do it). However, as I suggested earlier, we do not always have Continue reading Meditation: Searching for the Real You

Bramacakra – The Cycle of Creation according to Yoga philosophy

Brahmacakra: The Origin and Destiny of Creation from Didi Devapriya on Vimeo.

According to the ancient teachings of yoga, everything in the universe moves consciously or unconsciously around the Cosmic Nucleus – the Supreme Soul, or Brahma. Each and every atom that enters into the cycle of creation passes through a gradual evolution of consciousness. Ultimately human consciousness has the possibility to fully reflect Cosmic Consciousness and merge back into the Supreme state – in the blissful union known as Yoga Samadhi. This cycle from bliss and back to bliss, is known as the Brahmacakra.

This is a creative, artistic representation of the Brahmacakra based on the Ananda Sutram, the seed of the philosophy of Ananda Marga, as given by the great spiritual teacher Shrii Shrii Anandamurtii.

The video was made by trainee yogic nuns of Ananda Marga in the Sweden Training Center in 2001, in collaboration with Hitendra from Innervision Studios.

Interview with Dada Chandranath about meditation

Dada Chandranath was one of the first disciples of Shrii Shrii Anandamurtii and learned meditation directly from the master. He was also one of the first “acaryas” of Ananda Marga. Acaryas are spiritual teachers authorized by the master for the traditional oral transmission of the spiritual practices in an authentic manner. Dada attained high level of realization in his practice and radiated serenity and wisdom. Continue reading Interview with Dada Chandranath about meditation

Jyosna in Brazil – beautiful yogic devotional song

Jyosna – is one of my good friends and sisters on the path of bliss. Seeing this made me miss her – and the moments we have shared, in Italy, Sweden, Copenhagen, Germany – singing and dancing together to the mantra “Baba Nam Kevalam”. Cultural programs at retreats often end with a special kiirtan sung to all of the directions – and when she plays, such a sweet flow of blissful energy is created that I never want it to stop. Often indeed, it would be well past midnight when she stopped and we sat to meditate.

Continue reading Jyosna in Brazil – beautiful yogic devotional song

Songs of the New Dawn

 

The founder of Ananda Marga, Prabhat Rainjan Sarkar composed a body of poetic, devotional songs known as “Prabhat Samgiita” – Songs of the New Dawn. Each song captures a particular inner feeling in our relationship to that Supreme Entity. Some songs are full of sadness and longing, others filled with bliss, reflecting the ups and downs of the spiritual journey. Many of the songs are reflective meditations on the beauty of nature and the metaphors it evokes.

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Seven secrets of spiritual success

What does success really mean? Dada Madhuvidyananda explores the spiritual definition of success in this talk. He also reveals – that spiritual secrets are secret, not because someone is shrouding them purposefully in mystery – but rather because they are subtle. This talk is based on an ancient teaching, given in the form of a dialog between the yogi Shiva and his wife Parvati, 7000 years ago.

I first saw Dada speak when I was a very new meditator – and found his talks extremely accessible and clear. Here he introduces the first of the seven secrets. His book can be found on Amazon.uk – click here.

In January, I will be presenting a seminar on the Seven Secrets at Morningstar Center!

Didi A. Devapriya

10 benefits of yoga asanas for health

The regular practice of even a short 15 minute routine of yoga asanas provides multiple levels of benefit to all of the systems of our body. This two part article will cover ten benefits of yoga:

1. Strengthening yoga postures increase bone density

Many yoga exercises, or asanas are considered excellent weight bearing exercises. Our bones reach their maximum density at around 30 years old, and all of us will naturally begins to lose some bone mass with aging. However, especially in women,  this loss can be as dramatic as 20% in the first 5-7 years after menopause,* (1) leading eventually to the painful, degenerative condition of osteoporosis.
Integrating weight bearing exercises into your daily routine is important to prevent bone loss. Yoga postures that support the body’s weight and are held isometrically, such as the plank pose, cakrasana (wheel), sahajasana (chair pose)  not only strengthen the muscular system, but also increase bone density.  Asanas increase the pressure on bones without stressing the joints as movements are slow, deliberate and careful attention is given to proper alignment.

2. Yoga benefits the heart and circulation

While most of us tend to think that only aerobic training benefits the heart, recent research demonstrates that as little as 10 minutes of a regular stretching routines improves heart health. *(2)
Asana practice, which includes not only stretching and but also breath-awareness, deep relaxation and gentle movements improves blood pressure, calms the mind and increases resistance to stress. “A recent review of yoga and cardiovascular disease published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology indicates that yoga may help lower heart disease risk as much as conventional exercise, such as brisk walking.” (3)

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