Yoga Wisdom With Swami Satchidananda

In this hugely popular series of questions and answers during a talk in 1980, Swami Satchidananda shared what was most meaningful to him and what led to his own experience of unending peace and joy in his life—including what he learned from his own Guru, Sri Swami Sivananda. Ⓟ© 2020 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville

Swami Satchidananda addresses the fear expressed during another health crisis—AIDS. He said that no matter what the disease or condition we face, "The fear of the disease is worse than the disease itself. Many people lose their life because of the fear. Not because of the disease." These words of inspiration, wisdom, and comfort, from a world renowned and beloved Yoga master apply as much today as they did in the 1980s. Ⓟ© 2020 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

"Hari Om" chant led by Yoga master Sri Swami Satchidananda. Hari Om is a universal chant and does not belong to any particular religion. Begin with the sound “ha” at the naval. By repeating that sound, the abdomen contracts and you will feel something at the naval area. Try it: Repeat “ha.” Your energy is sleeping at the naval and the repetition of the sound wakes it up. You can feel the “kick” at the naval when you repeat that sound. It’s the best way of giving yourself an energy boost. When you repeat “Ha,” you feel it in the abdomen and when you repeat the second syllable spelled “ri” but pronounced, “re,” the sound comes up to your throat. Then the moment you begin repeating the “O” sound of Om, the entire head vibrates above the throat. And when you close the lips to repeat “mmmmm,” the vibration rises up into the crown of the head and even above the head. You are literally lifting yourself up and above to have communication from above. This is a very simple, but efficient practice to have communicatio

Swami Satchidananda answers questions about the nature of Tantra Yoga in Yoga practice, how Tantra Yoga differs from Tantra in Buddhism, and the role devotion plays in spiritual practice. He also answers a question about meditation. Ⓟ© 2019 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Swami Satchidananda simplifies Yoga philosophy, theory & practice in this talk. He gives the entire key to Yoga in one teaching: Realize you are happiness personified and then there’s no need to seek or run after anything.

In his opening talk during one of the first Integral Yoga Retreats (early 1970s), Swami Satchidananda speaks about the aim behind all the Yoga Practices: mastery over the mind. He explains why this is the real goal of Yoga and how it is achieved. Ⓟ© 2019 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Swami Satchidananda is asked several questions about how to deal with challenging situations and people. He advises us to learn how to cultivate an inner witness that enables us to maintain equanimity and balance of mind under all conditions. Ⓟ© 2019 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

In this talk, Swami Satchidananda explains the nature of God or Cosmic Consciousness. He gives an example of how a consciousness higher than ourselves is interested in our living as evidenced by the breath sent back into our bodies every time we exhale. This shows that we are not living by our own capacity and Yoga can help us become well-tuned instruments in the hands of the Divine. Ⓟ© 2019 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Swami Satchidananda clarifies a teaching he had given about not making appointments so you don't get disappointed. He says this teaching is not to be misunderstood as saying one shouldn’t have any goals. He explains that we can have goals but we should see that our motivation is unselfish in whatever we strive to achieve. Ⓟ© 2019 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Swami Satchidananda is asked a question about why in the Yoga teachings it is recommended not to receive gifts. The questioner is concerned this could hurt a gift-givers feelings and thus violate principles of ahimsa or non-hurting. Swamiji addresses this in teachings that are very timely in relation to school shootings in America today. Ⓟ© 2019 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

During a silent Yoga retreat in the early 1970s, Swami Satchidananda speaks about the nature of personal liberation, meditation, and the inner witness who is the “one that knows.” Ⓟ© 2019 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Swami Satchidananda answers a question about what his special technique is to make progress in Yoga. He explains that Integral Yoga isn’t a special technique, but boils down not complicating our lives, cultivating a childlike mind and having humility and faith in a Higher Power. Ⓟ© 2019 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Swami Satchidananda is asked how one works with a mantra. Is there a way to lose oneself in the mantra? He gives instructions on how to work carefully with a mantra and the technique that will bring the most benefit. He goes into cultivating the optimal attitude for working with a mantra.

Swami Satchidananda is asked a question about whether being selfless is really selfish and how we can be more motivated to want to be selfless. He also explains the root of disappointment. Ⓟ© 2019 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

How to Link to the Higher Power: Swami Satchidananda explains the problem with being human: free will that leads to selfishness. He explains, through the parable of the silk moth, how to instead use the free will to ultimately liberate ourselves. Ⓟ© 2019 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Swami Satchidananda speaks about the difference between pure love and attachment. He explains the subtle points of Yoga philosophy regarding detachment, a desireless or actionless state, compassion and liberation. Ⓟ© 2019 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Swami Satchidananda is asked about how to be detached from material things. He answers by explaining the key concepts of viveka and vairagya (discrimination and detachment) in Yoga philosophy and how the pull of the mind’s desires and the need to possess things creates endless unhappiness and suffering. He gives the remedy by explaining how to be in right relationship with people and possessions. Ⓟ© 2019 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Swami Satchidananda is asked if the Atma has karma. This leads into an examination of what the Atma actually is and how it differs from the soul, as well as how to realize your true nature rather than identifying with your mind. Ⓟ© 2019 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

In this wonderful audio (from archival reel-to-reel from 1968), Swami Satchidananda is asked why he became a swami and what sannyas (monkhood) is all about. He explains how he became a swami and what it really means to be a renunciate—which doesn't involved running away from one's family or the world (which was often what his young students thought in those early days...). Ⓟ© 2018 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

On Swami Satchidananda's 84th birthday (in 1998), his students gathered to celebrate the occasion and offer their love and gratitude for his teachings. He addressed the gathering in a sincere and humble way, expressing his appreciation for his students and explaining how it is the greatness of the student--not the teacher--that is to be admired. Ⓟ© 2018 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville