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Pratyahara is, simply put, the withdrawal of the senses, or “to withdraw oneself from that which nourishes the senses,” according to T.K.V. Desikachar, the son of the man responsible for bringing yoga to the West,...
The word pranayama contains two parts: prana and ayama. Prana refers to the life force, vitality, or energy that sustains us, and indeed, sustains the entire universe. Ayama means “extension” or “expansion.” Pranayama, therefore, means “extension of life force.” Prana...
By Jennifer French I often reflect on how fortunate I am to be on this yogic path. It has provided me with tools and skills that help keep me afloat when the day to day challenges of life get even more challenging. It’s a blessing to have mentors to go to, teachers...
by Gwen Burdick The dualistic theory of creation or causation is called Sankhya Philosophy and it appears in texts as ancient as the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. Its founder was the sage Kapila who is considered by scholars to be older than Buddha. It is also the...
The Gayatri mantra, the most ancient of the mantras found in the Rig Veda, is considered to be the mother of the Vedas. The sound “gai” in Sanskrit means sing and “trai” means protect. Gayatri therefore translates to “she who protects the singer.” The practice of the Gayatri mantra allowed the Rishis, or seers, to receive the revelation of all other mantras.
The practice of the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra sends forth vibrations from body to mind to soul. It awakens the internal healing forces and Nature’s healing forces together so that we may receive the full nourishment of any discipline undertaken for well-being. Strengthening the powers of will, knowledge and action, it unblocks the flow of courage and determination.
The Fourth Aim: Moksha Our investigation of the four Purusharthas, or aims of life in the Vedic tradition, concludes with Moksha, which means release, liberation or self-realization. The harmonious interactions of the first three aims, Dharma, Artha and Kama, are the...
The Third Aim: Kama As our investigation of the Purusharthas continues, we come to the third aim, Kama, which means longing, wish, or desire. Kama pertains to the enjoyment of life and needs to be in balance with Dharma (duty) and Artha (means) if we are to experience...
The Second Aim: Artha The second Purushartha or aim of human existence as described in the Vedic texts is Artha, which means "wealth," "means" or "goal" in Sanskrit. Artha is kept in check by Dharma. The Purursharthas are not to be considered in a stand-alone fashion....
The First Aim: Dharma The regulating moral principles of the Universe are described in the ancient Vedic texts to be the four Purusharthas, ususally translated as "aims of human existence." Specifically, they are defined as Dharma (duty), Artha (wealth), Kama...
By Gwen Burdick In Yogic philosophy, when the intention of the heart and intention of the mind merge with resolve and determination in search of Truth, we have what is called Sankalpa in Sanskrit, or solemn vow. “Kalpa” means vow and “san” means truth. It refers to...
by Lisa Ahrens For centuries, fires have been used by ancient and native cultures around the world to create ceremonies. Fire, or Agni in Sanskrit, is a transformational force of purification and creation, and indigenous cultures have been infusing this sacred element...
by Gwen Burdick Fire, or Agni in Sanskrit, is one of the five basic elements of creation. It dominates the Pitta dosha of Ayurveda. Agni allows for heat, light, color and vision and is essential for combustion, cooking and our ability to digest food. When the element...
In Vedic Astrology, Rahu and Ketu are the important Lunar Nodes. Unlike the seven visible planets, Grahas in Sanskrit, they are massless yet potent mathematical points in space, sometimes referred to as the shadow planets. Our solar system is structured such that it...
October 9th - 18th, 2018 by Gwen Burdick Navratri, a nine night-long celebration of the Divine Feminine, occurs every year on the New Moon in the Vedic month of Ashwin (usually our September, but not always) near the autumnal equinox. Worship of the Goddesses Durga,...
The technology through which Spirit takes form as the manifest world commences with sound vibration traveling through the Akashic realm of space. The shortest possible sound in Sanskrit, the ancient language of the Vedas, is the mono-syllabic sound or Beej Mantra. The...
In the Vedic tradition, the ancient root of yogic philosophy, the concept of God or Supreme Reality is understood in a three-fold manner. The triple function of God, Trimurti in Sanskrit, is expressed as Brahma the creator, Vishnu the sustainer and Shiva the...
Our most recent exploration of the yoga sutras ends with sutra 3.7, which states, trayam antarangam purvebhyah: These three [dharana, dhyana, and samadhi] are more internal than the preceding limbs. Following last month’s sutra, also focused on the last three...
Yoga sutra 3.4 states: trayam ekatra samyama: The three [dharana, dhyana, and samadhi] as one is called samyama. The last three limbs of the eight limbs of yoga are considered those limbs that happen naturally, whereas the first five limbs are actively...
Yoga sutra 2.46 states, sthira sukham asanam: The posture for yoga meditation should be steady, stable, and comfortable. You may have heard this yoga sutra in class—at least in its English translation. The yoga postures are to be done with steadiness and ease....