Yoga Wisdom With Swami Satchidananda

Swami Satchidananda answers questions and clarifies some foundational concepts in Yoga philosophy, including the witness attitude, the Self, and the jivanmukta (living liberated soul), and mastering our minds. He explains that in order to realize the true Self, we need to learn who we essentially are—not the mind or the body. (c)2017 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Swami Satchidananda talks about our spiritual origins, the spiritual goal of dissolving into the Divine, and the obstacles. He explains subtle philosophical and spiritual concepts through the story of the “salt doll” and the challenge of the ego. He also leads “Om Shanti” peace chanting & meditation.

Swami Satchidananda explains how to apply the philosophy of Vedanta to problems we face when we identify with our minds, our bodies, or our circumstances in life. He shows how in a statement such as “I know my mind is crazy today” we can extract ourselves from the misidentification that can lead to depression and anxiety. We are not our minds, our bodies, our problems. We have minds, bodies, and challenges in life. He also explains the beauty of Yogaville’s vision: to be an oasis—a village of people living together harmoniously and celebrating the unity in their diversity. (c)2017 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Swami Satchidananda answers a variety of questions on spiritual topics. He explains that all spiritual practice isn't to give you enlightenment but to reveal the inner light that is there. He is asked about the many benefits of pilgrimage. During his answer he mentions the shrine in Yogaville named for the famed Mount Kailash. He compares the practice of Yoga and its benefits to taking a pilgrimage. He answers a question on how to maintain one’s balance. (c)2017 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Swami Satchidananda answers two questions during this program. The first is about handling challenges in love and marriage and how to love selflessly vs. selfishly. With examples drawn from nature, he talks about the benefits of living a selfless life: peace and happiness. He also addresses a question about whether anything and everything is okay in moderation. He offers a foundational teaching about what constitutes a beneficial action. (c)2017 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Swami Satchidananda is asked a question on the relationship between sound vibrations and prana (vital energy). He discusses the esoteric understanding of inner sound (anahata) and its relationship to the breath, as well as how sound is the expression of prana. He also answers a question on how to repeat a mantra continuously.

Swami Satchidananda answers questions, among them: What path to follow? How to have time for Yoga practice in an overscheduled life? What is Yoga really? He explains how to apply a yogic, balanced mind to everything you do n life. (c)2017 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

During this talk, students of Swami Satchidananda asked him various questions about advice he'd give to someone on their deathbed, the most significant thing that happened to him in his life, the most important thing he has learned, the most important thing to him, and other revealing questions. (c)2017 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Swami Satchidananda offers keys to developing a successful meditation practice and living a balanced and peaceful life. He explains the purpose of meditation: to make the mind calm. Meditation is the final practice in the 8-step Yoga ladder. Yoga starts with handling your day-to-day life, postures, pranayama, keeping control over the senses, trying to fix the mind on one thing at a time. When you do all these, the 7th is meditation. The 8th step (samadhi) is an experience. Preparation for meditation is very important. Without these steps, meditation will be a constant struggle. Life itself becomes a meditation when the mind is always calm and doesn’t get agitated. The mind is not calm due to anxieties and worries.

Swami Satchidananda answers a question about how he maintains his equanimity and balance. He explains his philosophy of life, which is centered on complete surrender to the divine. In this way, he is not affected by praise or blame, or any of the dualities—instead, he feels he is only an instrument in the hands of the divine—and maintains his inner peace and joy in all conditions.

Swami Satchidananda gives a talk about the three qualifications that turn an action into a yogic act. He answers a question about the connection between social equality and the doctrine of karma that leads into an in-depth explanation of the nature of karma.

During a Raja Yoga Teacher Training course, Swami Satchidananda is asked, “What is the most important sutra in Raja Yoga?” He explains that the essence of Raja Yoga is to teach us what Yoga is and how to be a yogi. He reminds the trainees that real Yoga is learning to keep the mind well balanced and undisturbed always. He gives several key sutras and notes that the 2nd sutra alone is enough because it explains the very goal of Yoga and all the other sutras elaborate on this essential sutra. He also responds to questions regarding the practice of brahmacharya and regarding facing fears. (c)2017 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Swami Satchidananda answers questions about giving advice to others, the nature of karma, and how to develop faith. (c)2017 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

A student asks Swami Satchidananda a question about using a mantra to attune to one’s inner sound. He explains the origins of “OM” and the pranava, or inner hum. He also talks about the incredible power of a having a one-pointed mind, one of the goals of Yoga practice.

Swami Satchidananda is asked a question about meditating on something vs. nothing. He discusses the benefit of utilizing a mantra. He also answers a question about how to understand God’s guidance. He advises that prayer is the only way to know.

Swami Satchidananda answers a question about discovering one’s purpose in life. He explains why humans beings were created, the role of free will, how to find out why you are here, and how to best learn life lessons.

Swami Satchidananda is asked a question about the nature of moksha or liberation. He explains that real liberation is being free from bondage. What binds us? Attachments in the mind. He also discusses why God created human beings and how to live life in the present moment. (c)2017 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Swami Satchidananda answers a question about meditation that leads to a discussion of its purpose: to know your true Self. He also addresses a question about coping with the death of a loved one and a question about having a childlike mind. (c)2017 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Swami Satchidananda begins this talk with a story about a temple in India and a lesson learned about inner silence. The purpose of all the Yoga practices is to keep the mind quiet and calm so as to cultivate awareness of the inner witness and to listen to the higher Self. (c)2017 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Swami Satchidananda is asked a question about meditating on something vs. nothing. He discusses the benefit of utilizing a mantra. He also answers a question about how to understand God’s guidance. He advises that prayer is the only way to know and that "as you think, so you become." (c)2017 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org