General Articles 
Willem Meijer, 1952 – 2014
9 September, 2014 @ 3:12 pm
So these two souls somewhere in their journey though time, through many incarnations have silently said to each other our paths must cross for such a deep relationship and we shall keep this rendezvous in time. We shall meet at a place that is appropriate for the fulfillment of our karma. At a time which is appropriate for us to pick up from where we have left off and invite another soul or two to join us.
We Live in Two Worlds
8 September, 2014 @ 10:22 pm
Swami Rama used to say “We live in two worlds.” He was referring to the outer world and the inner world. And he would say that the inner world is vaster than the outer world. So what are we to make of these statements? The first point is that many of us tend to pour most of our life force, and sometimes our entire identities, into the outer world at the expense of our inner life. Perhaps I love the Internet, and you spend most of your time socializing. Or perhaps you prefer spending time with family, and I am a work-a-holic. We say “I am a scientist”, or “I am a mother,“ or “I am a Democrat.” We tend to identify with our outer roles and preoccupations. Swami Rama is reminding us that the inner world remains largely unexplored because our life force has been flowing to the external world.
Yoga from my Experience
8 September, 2014 @ 10:19 pm
During these lovely days of late spring my mind has turned to flowers. A beautiful garden brings joy to the heart and quiet to the mind. One distinctive symbol of yoga is a flower, the lotus. Nelumbo nucifera, the most sacred plant in India, is richly symbolic and at the center of much lore.
What I Wanted Was Inside All Along
8 September, 2014 @ 10:16 pm
Both before and after being initiated by Swami Veda Bharati (who was then known as Dr. Usharbudh Arya) in 1988, I felt a strong desire to be in his presence. I wanted to be around him, to hear what he had to say, and to be a focus of his attention. Perhaps my wish to be near him was an attraction to the love and wisdom he emanated. I don’t know. Whatever the reason, the desire was compelling.
Santosha – Happy to Breathe
8 August, 2014 @ 10:31 pm
Attention to the subtlety of the breath gives an insight into contentment. Sitting one day I felt very quietly contented within myself and as I sat there the word santosha came to mind and my thoughts started to elaborate on the word. If you don’t mind I would like to share my thoughts on this with you.
When the Student Is Ready, Guru Appears
8 August, 2014 @ 10:25 pm
It is the Guru’s (Swami Veda) instruction that lead me to the path to HYT and today I strongly believe that I did not choose the Himalayan Tradition by a game of chance. I truly experienced this maxim of the sages: when the student is ready, the Guru appears. Now I really understand the deep meaning of the sentence of Swamiji when he answered to my first e-mail correspondence: This is all the game of samskaras. I have no doubt that I was bound to meet him and be in the tradition and consequently to HYT. Planned from previous birth? May be.
As a Chinese I have limited access to the English language. How would you advise that I follow the teachings of the tradition?
15 July, 2014 @ 6:23 pm
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?
Beauty That No Cosmetic Can Imitate
10 June, 2014 @ 11:18 pm
A Kind, Loving, and Happy Mind Gives Beauty That No Cosmetic Can Imitate. These days, people are so focused on external appearance, and vast industries are supported by our insatiable hunger for good looks and beauty. However, there are no clothes, no cosmetics, and no plastic surgeries that can compare with the beautifying power of an empowered, clear, calm and happy mind. I learned this from Swami Veda Bharati. He didn't teach this in words, but by example. You see, there is an inner-beauty about Swami Veda that is so powerful that I've always found it hard to see anything else when I'm in his presence. He's a nice looking person too, and in the presence of the inner-beauty that flows from him, the appearance of his physical body seems irrelevant.
Guru Vandana, Guru Prayer
26 May, 2014 @ 2:44 pm
The Guru Vandana, Guru Prayer, is from the Guru Gītā in the Skanda-Purāṇa. The Guru Vandana, Guru Prayer is in the Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama Handbook if you have a copy.
Maintenance and Repair Work at Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama
8 May, 2014 @ 3:41 pm
Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama (SRSG) will begin much needed maintenance and repair work on the entire campus in mid-May 2014. We thank you for your past contributions to SRSG, which serves to fulfill the mission undertaken by Swami Veda Bharati and as a retreat center for sadhakas such as yourself.