• Table of Contents
  • To That Guru
  • Guru Purnima Message by Swami Rama
  • Guru by Swami Rama
  • Mastering Yoga Nidra by Swami Veda Bharati
  • Anniversary Celebrations by Dr. Shirin Venkat
  • The End of Children's School Year by Mónika Bertalan
  • The Grace of the Guru by Aditi M. Gaur
  • An Intangible Beauty by Daniele Belloni
  • Dear Yoga Mentor, My Question Is ...
  • Walk Up to Guru Purnima 2014 by Joanne Sullivan (Divya)
  • What Is Mastery in Yoga? by Swami Veda Bharati
  • New Book Published: Anant Ki Khoj by AHYMSIN Publishers
  • Some Coming Attractions at SRSG
  • 2014 Events and Beyond
  • Full Moon Meditation Dates
  • Location of our SRSG ashram
• AHYMSIN Newsletter Archive

Dear Yoga Mentor, My Question Is…

Sometimes students write to or ask Swami Veda and other senior teachers in our tradition questions about practice.  When this happens, Swami Veda may answer the question himself or ask a senior teacher to do so, or if the question is asked directly to a senior teacher, the senior teacher will respond.  This is one such “Question and Answer,” or Q&A.

Question:

As a Chinese I have limited access to the English language. How would you advise that I follow the teachings of the tradition?

Answer:

Dear seeker,

One must recognize that the essential teachings in spirituality are the same across all culture, religion and language divides. Isn’t the principle of non-violence taught in the Chinese language? Isn’t the necessity of stillness spoken of by the Chinese sages?

Nevertheless, having access to the English language is a convenience, to certain degree. If you have the opportunity to do so, improve your English.  But we should never forget that the most effective language for a true spiritual seeker is the language of silence. Improve on our silence, which is an end in itself.

If you have time and the means to do so, go and learn silence at our ashram in Rishikesh where Swami Veda is currently teaching, silently. When one is in for a silence retreat, what other language is needed?

In service,

Shi Hong