General Articles 
Interview with Dr. Mohan Swami
26 October, 2015 @ 6:50 pm
Dr. Mohan Swami, a disciple of Swami Rama, is the President of both the Association of Himalayan Yoga Meditation Societies International (AHYMSIN) and Dhyana Mandiram Trust (DMT). He was appointed to these positions by Swami Veda Bharati.
Swami Veda’s Intention for AHYMSIN
27 September, 2015 @ 8:01 pm
Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama (SRSG) should be a centre of learning and sadhana to create a stable mind-field. Through stability within each mind, a spiritual community creates a stable mind-field, like the gentle ripples on a calm lake. Swami Veda himself mentioned that he had prolonged his life to allow further guidance of his students and disciples to take them to this next step: Personal lives become stabilized; mind fields become stabilized, and this becomes Sangha. We must carry it forward with greater zeal. To permeate with love all that we do will assure the continuity of AHYMSIN for many years-to-come, and this mission must be shared with our Youth Leaders.
The So Ham mantra is stuck in my mind and my skin is shimmering or vibrating. Is this normal?
26 September, 2015 @ 11:54 pm
The experiences are normal, should be ignored, not dwelt upon unnecessarily. Otherwise they become distracting and disturb the flow of deep meditation. These sorts of feelings come from the practice of the physical manifestation of the mantra sound - and like any outflow of mind either outer or inner can mis-lead into egoistic ballooning causing further distraction.
Application of Yoga Psychology to Daily Life
12 September, 2015 @ 5:18 pm
This course is followed by a Pilgrimage to Jageshwar. Recitation of the healing Mahamritunjaya mantra in one of the largest and oldest temples in the complex is said to be very auspicious and gives a unique experience.
Unexpected Guest
6 September, 2015 @ 1:55 am
Early Morning Complaint Interrupted I awoke early feeling a rough edge with someone, an old friend, and someone also loved by my teacher and master. Then somehow I stumbled onto this online, that, today, September 17, 2015, was the Jaina Day of Forgiveness. I reflected how important forgiveness was to Swami Veda, not just during this one period of time, but always. Then I learned that according to other sources, Kshamavani, the Jaina Day of Forgiveness, falls on September 27, 2015. Some even say that it is on September 28th. To many Jainas today is the day.
Lama Doboom Tulku Visits SRSG
6 September, 2015 @ 1:49 am
The venerable Lama Doboom Tulku, Founder and Managing Trustee of the World Buddhist Culture Trust, on September 4th, presented Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama (SRSG) with a bhandara, a special feast, and a concert “in cherished gratitude for the communion with the beloved Swami Veda Bharati.” The Rinpoche is very interested in music and its profound spiritual effects. He believes that there is something in music that transcends and unites. The sign posting the event said “chanting of mantras and verses is important in many spiritual traditions. They are believed to have a special power on people in relieving anxiety, tension, depression and diseases. And when chanted en masse it is thought that the power multiplies….and has a soothing effect on people and helps in generating compassion and wisdom. Faith plays an important part in achieving benefits from mantra chanting.”
1000 Thoughts
6 September, 2015 @ 1:42 am
Each time we take our meditation seat, we can be sure that thoughts will arise. This is a given. Because of the nature of how the mind works, it cannot be avoided. However, through the practice of meditation it is possible to increase our awareness of the thoughts, and eventually slow them down. With practice we can more quickly become aware of when the thought pulls us off our point of focus. Each time it pulls us off point, we can bring our attention back gently, steadily, patiently, and gratefully. Each time we bring our attention back to the task at hand, it is a celebration of our capacity to wake-up. It is something for which to be thankful. Over and over again, it is done with gratitude to acknowledge the accomplishment.
Home from Home; Heart to Heart
6 September, 2015 @ 1:39 am
Even if the trip was already planned - I’ve booked the plane ticket on 29th April – during the process when it has realized, I felt that there is a great bliss beyond the planning. I am grateful to my mother and to my friends for their support as well. I was preparing to practice 10 days of silence during the Guru Purnima Celebration. My plan was to turn inward mostly, to face with my divorce and get conclusions if it’s still needed, and I also wanted to know where am I standing now in my life. Of course, almost everything happened differently…
Chariot of Sadhana Retreat
5 September, 2015 @ 7:33 pm
Chariot of Sadhana (spiritual practice): Sri Swami Rama’s metaphor of a chariot with two wheels: dispassion (vairagya) and practice (abhyasa) as described in the first chapter of Patanjali’s Yoga-Sutra, the core text of Raja Yoga. Both wheels must turn together for the chariot to advance.
In Memory of Swami Veda Bharati
6 August, 2015 @ 2:03 am
It is around 1975 my wife and I met our beloved Swamiji when he was Dr. Usharbudh Arya, as a disciple of Swami Rama of Himalayas. Dr. Arya considered himself blessed as a disciple of a great master of our times. During his short stay as a professor at the University of Minnesota, he received the highest reward from the University of Minnesota as an educator.