Category Archives: PERSONAL

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People of intelligence examine their own mind! ~ Sri Ramana

. ADVAITA & YOGA, Advaita and Yoga, INSPIRATIONAL, LIFESTYLE, Meditation, PERSONAL, TEACHERS, Yoga . , , , , , , , , ,

People of intelligence examine their own mind! ~ Sri Ramana

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People of intelligence examine their own minds

This quote can be found in the “Letters from Ramanasramam” ~13th August, 1946. In this simple comment made in the conversation, Bhagavan teaches us that intelligent and reflective aspirants focus their energy in scanning their own mind and consciousness. It is only by carefully examining the mind, one realizes the ultimate nature of perception.

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I Entered the Heart a Stranger: By Dr. Harsh K. Luthar

. ADVAITA & YOGA, INSPIRATIONAL, LIFESTYLE, Meditation, PERSONAL, TEACHERS, Yoga . , , , , , , , , , ,

The Experience of the Heart.

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For many years, I have been sharing the following quote on Facebook.

“I entered the Heart a stranger and saw that I myself am the Heart.”

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We are all One Heart

. Advaita and Yoga, ART & POETRY, INSPIRATIONAL, LIFESTYLE, PERSONAL, TEACHERS . , , , , , , ,

The most precious thing we give to each other is our sincere attention and presence.

When we come together, let us do so in the spirit of love and reverence for all life.

When we part, let us do so in the spirit of peace and goodwill towards each other.

Ultimately, we carry each other in the Heart because we are all One Heart.

All Smiles

 

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Ahimsa Is The Highest Virtue

. ADVAITA & YOGA, Advaita and Yoga, INSPIRATIONAL, LIFESTYLE, PERSONAL, TEACHERS . , , , , , ,

No teaching higher than Self Realization

Ahimsa (nonviolence) is the primary ideal and the virtue to be cultivated on the yogic path to Self-Realization. This is a subtle, deep, and fundamental psychological and spiritual truth.

Why such an emphasis on Ahimsa by the sages?

It is because the perfect and calm state of relaxed awareness is only possible in a mind that is free of all violence.

It is in this state that Grace takes over and allows the pure devotee to surrender fully to God who sits in the Heart, as the Universal Heart, and recognize it to be the Self, one’s very own Self.

 

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What is fear? It is only a thought. ~ Sri Ramana

. Advaita and Yoga, INSPIRATIONAL, LIFESTYLE, PERSONAL, TEACHERS

Bhagavan's smile

“What is fear? It is only a thought. If (only) there is anything besides the Self, there is reason to fear”.  Sri Ramana in Talk 146 (Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi). Highlighting the role of ego as an impediment on the spiritual path, Sri Ramana concludes, “All bad qualities center around the ego. When the ego is gone Realisation results by itself”. 

Sri Ramana’s teaching is that all fear and suffering is ego based. Because the ego views itself as separate from God (the Universal Intelligence), all its energy goes towards maintaining its existence, its identity. The ego based attachments essentially constitute our individual personality. The more intense our attachments to people and things, the more intense our suffering will be.

The natural peace and happiness inherent in the Self dominates when ego identification with actions and thoughts disappears. 

Sri Krishna tells Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita that although the mind is difficult to control, with repeated practice, it gradually subsides. Outlining the path of Karma Yoga to purify the mind, Sri Krishna advises Arjuna to take action but to not be attached to the fruits of the action. In this way also, identification with the ego thins out and one attains Realization of one’s true nature.

Sri Krishna says to Arjuna, “Therefore, always perform your duty efficiently and without attachment to the results, because by doing work without attachment one attains the Supreme. (BG 3.19).

Sri Ramana used to say that spiritual practice should be carried out until the Self becomes spontaneously and effortlessly self-evident in all states of consciousness as being the natural state. 

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Give Up The Sense Of Doership ~ Sri Ramana

. Advaita and Yoga, INSPIRATIONAL, LIFESTYLE, PERSONAL, TEACHERS . , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Give up the sense of doership

Bhagavan Ramana says in Talk 41 (Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi) that one should give up the sense of doership in order to be free from the bondage of birth and death. Bhagavan is saying that karma pertains to the body/mind. If we give up the sense of doership, the karma will go on or drop away. Either way, it is not our concern.

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“Mind Your Own Business”, said Ramana Maharshi

. ADVAITA & YOGA, Advaita and Yoga, INSPIRATIONAL, LIFESTYLE, PERSONAL, TEACHERS . , , , , , , , , , , ,

The sun is simply bright


One day, one of the devotees came to Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi and said in an excited whisper, “Look, Bhagavan! Just look at that man! ” Everyone turned to look. We saw a gentleman who was asleep, swaying back and forth. The devotee who had approached Bhagavan complained, “I have been watching him for the past few days. He always sleeps in Bhagavan’s presence.”

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God Looks After You Unasked! Said Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi

. ADVAITA & YOGA, Advaita and Yoga, INSPIRATIONAL, LIFESTYLE, Meditation, PERSONAL, Yoga . , , ,

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Selected portion of A Devotee’s remembrance. Shantammal speaks of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi.

One of the visitors was leaving the Ashram. He stood before Bhagavan with folded hands and prayed: “I am going far away. I do not know when I shall be coming back, and if at all I shall be allowed to see your holy face again in this life. I am so much less fortunate than those who have the benefit of your constant presence. How can you help me, a sinner in a distant corner of the world, unless you think of me? I implore you, give me a place in your mind.”

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The Mother of all Chai: By Dr. Harsh K. Luthar

. HEALTH & NUTRITION, INSPIRATIONAL, LIFESTYLE, PERSONAL, TEACHERS . , , , , , , ,

This morning I skipped breakfast and made instead the “Mother of all Chai”, my special Vegan Chai recipe.

I grated fresh ginger root, grated fresh turmeric root, added five cinnamon sticks (maybe more) and a lot of whole black peppers as well as lot of Fennel seeds, Anise seeds, and Ajwain seeds. Not stopping there, I added many whole Cloves and Cardamom seeds.

The I put the mix in a large pot of water and brought the pot to a boil.

After letting it simmer on low for ten minutes, I added loose black Darjeeling tea to the mix and let it simmer for 5 more minutes.

Using a strainer to pour the liquid in my Chai mug, I added Soy milk and then sweetened the mixture with stevia.

Finally, I sat down and sipped the Chai slowly and watched as this magical potion gently energized me and made me smile and sing.

Mother of all Chai

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Ramana Satsangs in NY and Boston

. Advaita and Yoga, INSPIRATIONAL, LIFESTYLE, PERSONAL, TEACHERS . , , , , , , ,

The Arunachala Ashram is a non profit organization that functions in the U.S. and Canada. They have two formal Ashrams. One is in Jamaica, NY and the other is in Nova Scotia, Canada. Devotees can stay in these Ashrams as guests and enjoy Satsang.

Recently the Arunachala Ashram, with help from the Florida devotees, has started holding annual retreats on Bhagavan’s teachings in Tampa, Florida.

I have visited both the Nova Scotia and the NY Ashrams with my daughter. Being with Bhagavan devotees is like being with family and it is always an enriching and a nourishing time. The Arunachala Ashram website lists Satsangs which are held monthly or weekly around the U.S. and Canada. if one is interested in Bhagavan’s teachings and wants to enjoy Satsang, some of the Satsangs are listed below.

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