Month: September 2025

Mantra is a Spiritual Guide – Remember

Posted on by Divya - Administrator

Mantra is a syllable or word or set of words. When the mantra is remembered consciously, it automatically is stored in the unconscious mind. At the time of parting, the mantra which is stored in the unconscious mind becomes one’s guide. This period of separation is painful to the ignorant. This is not the case with a spiritual person who has remembered the mantra faithfully. The mantra serves as a guide through this period of transition. Mantra is a spiritual guide that dispels the fear of death and leads one fearlessly to the other shore of life.

For yogis and sages death is a minor event. To them it is merely a habit of the body, a change like other changes that occur in the process of growth. If everyone realized this, there would be less misery as people grow old and approach death. Death and birth are two gates of the same mansion. Coming out from one gate is called birth and passing through another gate is called death. Fortunate few know the mystery of birth and death.

Editor’s note

This is an excerpt from Sacred Journey by Swami Rama, published by Himalayan International Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy, 1996, page 113.

Living Fully in the World – Serve

Posted on by Divya - Administrator

Living a spiritual life does not require escaping from the world. It is not useful to look at the flaws of the world and say it is ugly and sinful. Turning away from the world will not lead to spiritual happiness. Live in the world. By living fully in the world with all of its apparent imperfections one can attain spiritual perfection.

Along with the effort toward balance and nonattachment, practice selflessness. Selflessness is an art that requires much practice to perfect. Strength, nonattachment, love, and fearlessness grow from the practice of selflessness.

Make it a part of your daily life to do things for others without anyone knowing. To be selfless and attentive toward others is not so much an effort as it is a very natural way of being. At the same time, do not forget yourself. In the observances of yoga the first principle is ahimsa, nonharming. This principle is not meant to be applied only to others. Ahimsa should first be applied toward yourself. You should not harm yourself or allow yourself to be harmed by others. Be sensible in your nonattachment and love. While it is not helpful to be ego-or me-centered, it is also not beneficial to be exclusively you-centered. The Upanishads teach that all is One.

Approach your life wholeheartedly. Whatever you do, do with your whole heart and fullest attention. When you are with your children, be with your children, not your work. When you are at work, be with your work, not your children. Be in the moment at hand, not in the moment or day that has passed, or in the moment or day yet to come.

Editor’s note

This is an excerpt from Sacred Journey by Swami Rama, Himalayan International Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy, 1996, pages 73-74

The Goal of Life is Spiritual – Love

Posted on by Divya - Administrator

The goal of life is spiritual. Understand that as the guiding principle of your life. With an attitude of cheerfulness and with full attention, do your duties in life in your role as student, worker, child, parent, member of the community, and so on. Then let go and leave the rest up to the timeless process of spiritual unfoldment. It won’t seem like work or duty, and everything will be in harmony.

This approach simplifies life and expands it; it purifies the seeker from karmas and attachments. There is no longer any concern for collecting odds and ends from your actions, piling up belongings, or needing reinforcement from others for what you’ve done. Your needs become less. Your sense of owning and having grows less and less. At the same time you become increasingly selfless. You do your actions greased with love. Great joy comes when actions are done with love. Personal gain is not the motivation behind your actions. Slowly you learn to do your actions selflessly. To do this is a spiritual discipline, a spiritual practice.

Editor’s note

This is an excerpt from Sacred Journey by Swami Rama, published by Himalayan International Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy, 1996, pages 70-71

Announcements for the AHYMSIN Sangha Gathering 2026

Posted on by Divya - Administrator

We are members in the spiritual body of the Gurus. Their life-force, their grace flows through us. Our own minds grow in this grace only when we remember that in all our work we are serving as members, as organs, of that Spirit. – Swami Veda Bharati

As constituents of this Sangha, this body of the Guru, we aspire to come together regularly for the pursuit of our spiritual goals, to take stock of our progress, as well as chart the way ahead to prepare ourselves for a deeper commitment to our sadhana, and to the Mission.

AHYMSIN Sangha Gathering 2026

Swami Ritavan Bharati has announced that the theme for AHYMSIN Sangha for 2026-29 will be “vasudeva sarvam”—That indwelling One is All. There is no other in relation-to, or conditioned-by. “I would like to extend again the invitation to continue living in the vasudeva principle, the principle of the in-dweller, the single in-dwelling deity, the in-dwelling force.”  – Swami Veda Bharati

The upcoming AHYMSIN Sangha Gathering from 1-10 March 2026 will mark the beginning of our sangha practice based on this theme of “vasudeva sarvam”.

As we prepare for the Sangha Gathering, we are happy to share details on the various activities:

  • Yajna (fire offering) and Purnahuti (conclusion of the practice) of the current AHYMSIN Sangha Mantra—akhandamandalakaram mantra.
  • Swami Ritavan will guide the AHYMSIN Sangha into the new practices for the next 3 years.
  • Yajna and Japa with the new AHYMSIN Sangha Mantra.
  • Receive many blessings and a beautiful meditation shawl from Swami Ritavan and the Guru Lineage.
  • Special Sessions on our theme – “vasudeva sarvam—That indwelling One is All” with Swami Ritavan and other senior teachers.
  • Guided Meditations with Swami Ritavan and members of the AHYMSIN Spiritual Committee in the Initiation Room
  • Opportunity for silence practice and guidance on deepening one’s personal practices.
  • Advanced classes on Hatha yoga, Pranayama, Contemplative Walking with senior teachers.
  • Group Discussions on the Mission of AHYMSIN
  • AHYMSIN Executive Committee Elections
  • An excursion and pilgrimage to an ancient temple.
  • Cultural Programmes
  • Celebration of the Festival of Colors – Holi!!

We also take this opportunity to express our encouragement to participants who would like to arrive a couple of days prior to, and/or to stay beyond, the gathering to deepen their practice.

Registration for the gathering is open (only for initiates). As many of our family members have already confirmed their presence for the gathering, only limited spots are now remaining. If you would like to join the gathering, kindly reach out to us soon at ahymsin@gmail.com

We lovingly await for the pleasure of your divine presence at the gathering.

In service of the Guru Lineage,

Divya, AHYMSIN Office,

Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama

Update about the 2026 AHYMSIN Sangha Gathering: Dated 1 November, 2025

We’re delighted to share that the ashram is fully booked for the AHYMSIN Sangha Gathering, and a waiting list has been started. For those on the waiting list, we are trying to arrange comfortable accommodation outside the ashram, so that everyone can still participate in the event and enjoy all the activities together.

We’re deeply grateful for the overwhelming response and enthusiasm from our global family. This gathering is a very special opportunity for us to come together in practice, reflection, and joyful connection—to renew our inspiration and strengthen our shared commitment to the teachings of the Himalayan Masters.

We are working with great care to ensure a smooth and meaningful experience for all our international family members joining us at SRSG. We eagerly look forward to welcoming you soon and to sharing this sacred time together in the presence of Swami Ritavan Bharati and the entire AHYMSIN global sangha.

What Is Knowledge

Posted on by Mandala

Always remember that there is a difference between information and knowledge. You have read something, that is information. You are debating about it in the mind. That is also based on information. Most people think that that information is knowledge and they say to themselves “I have read so much, so I know”. But that information is not knowledge. Knowledge is a personal experience.

That you have read about non-violence, that is not knowledge of non-violence. That you have experienced non-violence, practised it, that is the knowledge of non-violence. You have learned how to use non-violence in situations which will otherwise invoke violence. That is non-violence. You have read about advanced techniques of meditation, that is not knowledge. When you have the experience that those techniques give you, then even without the technique, you have knowledge. Your goal should be that knowledge.

You have read about God in many books, in many religions. That is not knowledge of God. You believe in God, that is not knowledge of God. That you know God personally, that is knowledge. So practice your meditation with that knowledge as your goal.

When you have that knowledge, it shows itself in you. It shows itself in how you look. Do you have a loving look on your face? That a stranger looks at you and feels loved, a complete stranger looks at you and feels loved? That is the knowledge of God.

Your knowledge shows in the way you speak. Does your voice soothe others when you speak, then you have knowledge of God. Does it calm others when you speak, that is knowledge of God.

The way you move your body, inspires in others and appreciation for grace. That is the knowledge of God. Or knowledge of Christ, or knowledge of Buddha, or knowledge of Tao. All these phrases mean the same thing.

Many people who sit in meditation look for many experiences. The only experience that you need to look for is a state of calmness inside you. You have read that in meditation one will see lights and one will hear sounds. Forget about that. Does your body become calm and still? Does your heart become free of disturbed emotions? Does your breath slow down? How long does your mind remain calm and undisturbed even after you have opened your eyes from meditation? That shows whether you are meditating or not. That is knowledge of God.

When you see God not only in your friend, when you see God in your enemy and you act accordingly – that is the knowledge of God. When you enter a state of meditation, what you call meditation at this time, that initial stage will be left behind. You will go further. You will go deeper. You will become even calmer and greater illumination will come to you. Knowledge will start coming to you from within you.

Editor’s Note

This passage has been taken from the book Kundalini: Stilled or Stirred? by Swami Veda Bharati.

Knowledge of Brahmavidyā

Posted on by Mandala

In some of the Upanishads, the word Īśa or Īśvara, which is roughly translated as God, is used. But the concept of God as preached by religion is not found in the Upanishads. In the Upanishads, the word Īśvara is used to denote a state of collective consciousness. Thus, God is not a being that sits on a high pedestal beyond the sun, moon, and stars; God is actually the state of Ultimate Reality. But due to the lack of direct experience, God has been personified and given various names and forms by religions throughout the ages. When one expands one’s individual consciousness to the Universal Consciousness, it is called Self-realization, for the individual self has realized the unity of diversity, the very underlying principle, or Universal Self, beneath all forms and names. The great sages of the Upanishads avoid the confusions related to conceptions of God and encourage students to be honest and sincere in their quests for Self-realization. Upanishadic philosophy provides various methods for unfolding higher levels of truth and helps students to be able to unravel the mysteries of the individual and the universe.

Knowledge of Brahmavidyā, the direct experience of Supreme Consciousness, is the common theme of all Upanishadic literature. “I am Brahman; the whole universe is Brahman; Thou art That” – such statements are foundations for all its theories, principles, and practices. All philosophical and psychological discussions are meant to make the students aware of their true nature – Brahman, the Supreme Consciousness. For a realized one, there is perennial joy in the universe, but for the ignorant there is only misery everywhere. The moment a student realizes his essential nature, the darkness of ignorance is dispelled, but before that the individual mind travels to the groove of self-created misery and thus projects the belief that there is misery everywhere. In reality, this universe is like a great poem of joy, a beautiful song, and a unique work of art. The moment one unfolds and realizes one’s human capacity and ability, one becomes aware that, “That art that – Brahman.”

Here lies the difference between a Self-realized person and a religionist. The religionist does not know and yet believes in God, but the realized person is directly aware of the self-existent Ultimate Reality of life and the universe. First, he knows the truth, and then he believes it. If God is the Ultimate Truth hidden behind many forms and names, then it should be realized, and, for realizing the Truth with mind, action, and speech, one needs to practice truth rather than being a hypocrite and a fanatic. It is not necessary to believe in God to attain self-enlightenment, but it is very necessary to know the various levels of consciousness and finally to realize the ultimate source. The manifest aspect and the unmanifest aspect of consciousness (Brahman) should be realized, for that alone can enlighten aspirants.

Editor’s note

This is an excerpt from Mandukya Upanishad, Enlightenment without God by Sri Swami Rama, The Himalayan International Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy of the U.S.A., 1982, pages 22 – 24.