What exists beyond the body, mind, and emotions? That question is the central question of Yoga and one’s answer to that question continues to evolve as they progress along the path. Yoga starts when one sincerely attempts to answer that question. Regardless of how many asanas one performs, asana is only a preparatory stage of Yoga. Asana prepares one for …
The tendency to seek fulfillment of desires in the external world lead to a mix of both pleasure and pain and the fulfillment is only temporary. The actions performed to fulfill our desires create karma and inevitably lead us into bondage. Even though we are never fully satisfied with external fulfillment, the force of habit propels us to continue seeking …
The wise ones tell us that we should perform our actions selflessly . . . but what does that really mean? First, we must discover the source of our urges and desires to act. Are they driven by selfish motives or by a higher inspiration? Many times we doubt our urges to take action even if they are not inspired …
Jnana Yoga – The Path of Knowledge and Intellect “Jnana Yoga is the path of Vedanta philosophy in which – knowledge of the self – is the way of realization. Knowledge of the self means knowledge of the whole being in its totality and entirety. There are two sides of our being. One is the mortal aspect and the other …
One of the biggest challenges to maintaining a consistent meditation practice is learning how to manage the mind. The mind can be the doorway to the inner peace of deep meditation, or it can be an obstacle. A restless mind can be a formidable foe to meditation practice. My teacher would say “the mind can be your best friend or …
In the first part of this article, we discussed the four aspects of the mind and the importance of managing these aspects. We also talked a little about breath awareness as a tool for preparing the mind for meditation. Now let’s talk further about the breath and describe the foundation for all yogic breathing practices. The Yogis approached spirituality as …
The term Vedanta literally means “the end” of the Vedas (or sometimes referred to as “the cream” of the Vedas). The Vedas are the ancient sacred text of India. The term Veda means wisdom or knowledge. The Vedanta is comprised of specific texts referred to as the Upanishads. The Upanishads are considered “revealed” text, which is concerned with the knowledge of …
Yoga means “union” or “yoke” in Sanskrit. It is the unity of the body, breath, and mind and ultimately the spirit with the divine. Yoga can be practiced anywhere and by anyone. As one begins the hatha yoga journey he or she can hope to find improved posture, joint flexibility, strength, improved balance, improved concentration and better emotional balance. We …
Meditation is the central practice of Yoga. In the Raja Yoga system codified by Sri Patanjali, meditation is the seventh rung on the ladder to self-realization, preceded by withdrawal of the senses and concentration. Meditation leads to Samadhi – levels of enlightenment. On a practical level, meditation helps us organize our mind and emotions. It leads to greater self-awareness and …
Asheville Meditation Center – Meditation/Satsang (w/Pandit Jerome) Please join us for a weekly meditation (Satsang). This hour-long session will include guided relaxation, seated meditation, and time for questions or discussion. Beginners are welcome, along with experienced practitioners who wish to meditate in a group setting. Please wear comfortable clothing and feel free to bring your own mat and meditation cushion. …