General Articles 
The Mahasamadhi of Swami Veda Bharati
6 July, 2015 @ 2:27 am
There is a river in the sky that flows down into each and every one of us. Sometimes a master appears and takes you by the hand like a small child straight into that stream. I believe that many of the spiritual children of Swami Veda Bharati and his master, H.H. Swami Rama, felt this. Once when he was about to leave for his big trek through Asia and the West, Swami Veda, observed a few fretting faces and said so sweetly “I don’t know what all the fuss is about. I never go anywhere.” One of my Italian friends, upon hearing of Swami Veda’s departure from the body, expressed feelings of loss. Then she asked how I was, remembering how sad I could get when he went away for just a few days. I was always too attached to his physical form.
The Jal Samadhi
6 July, 2015 @ 2:23 am
Initially preparing to sit in the small yajñaśhālā and meditate a little bit before the final darśhan, as I approached the small building the sound of Vedic chanting lured me towards the meditation hall. The saṁnyāsis from Nirañjana akhara were bathing and preparing the body of Swami ji, serenaded by the eternal word and rhythm. No ladies allowed, so I stood around the corner, faced the distant hills in the east, and listened. An energetic “Haara Haara Mahaadev!” announced the completion of the rites. Seated on a palanquin, supported by more men than memory can recall, and completely covered in orange garb and flowers so that only his face was visible, Swami ji’s remains made their way around the corner and into public view. A chorus of “Kashi Vishwanatha Gange”, a popular pilgrimage song, was taken up for the short procession to the courtyard in front of the meditation hall, where Swami ji’s body would be installed for final darśhan.
Impermanence
6 July, 2015 @ 2:18 am
My mom passed away in 1990. Sometimes I think of all the things that have happened in the 25 years since she left. If she could come back and see everything, she would be in shock trying to take in all the differences. The concept of impermanence can be seen very clearly when you contemplate this. The term expresses the Buddhist notion that all of existence, without exception, is in a constant state of flux. If you live long enough, the large amount of ongoing change becomes very clear. She would notice right away that in 1990 I was single and now I am married. Many other obvious changes come to mind. For example, I can walk by a house in my neighborhood and see that in the last 25 years several different people have lived there.
Eulogy for Swami Veda Bharati
6 July, 2015 @ 2:15 am
In an intuition, I sensed that I’d meet a man who would lead me to my true self. Then I met you, and I knew you were that man. The first time I saw you I loved you. Never before had I experienced feelings like that for anyone. Looking at how grounded you were, how much integrity you had, such vast wisdom you imparted, I didn’t want to leave. But how could I stay? So I made my way home, the whole way craving to return to your feet.
The Silent Teacher
6 July, 2015 @ 2:13 am
For the last many years I have been in Rishikesh every spring. However, in 2014 I hesitated to travel to India. The reasons were primarily financial, but including a trip to India in my complicated plans for that particular summer would have also meant that I would be away from home for quite a long time. I had to be at my son’s wedding in the Philippines at the end of March and then with my husband’s family in England at the end of June. Flying back and forth from the States to Asia and then to Europe was out of the question – I had no money for more than one expensive ticket. The only option was to stay in India between the wedding and England for about three months.
What are the possibilities for spiritual learning after finishing TTP?
30 June, 2015 @ 12:25 am
The best thing to do would be to spend some time at Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama (SRSG) and receive counsel from the Swamis there about undertaking meditation and spiritual practices.
Where does the soul live?
27 May, 2015 @ 12:39 am
“Where does the soul go after death?” “What happens to the soul after death?” – as though something can happen to a soul.
Do you have any suggestions on managing pain from a yogic perspective?
27 April, 2015 @ 12:42 am
A Yogic perspective is focused in helping a person of any condition to move closer to their true self. All problems create pains that keep us from or block our path towards this deeper realization within.
Guru Purnima Retreat, 23rd – 31st July 2015
17 April, 2015 @ 10:20 pm
With akhanda-patha (24 hour non-stop recitation) of Guru-Gita, the Song to the Guru. The mantras (1) Gurur brahma gurur vishnur… and (2) akhanda-mandala… are two of the verses from Guru-gita. The recitation done by a team of Pandits will be nonstop.
Why is my illness always coming back? I am curious of the spiritual point of view.
21 March, 2015 @ 12:49 am
My formula is: do not make body conditions into mind conditions.