Articles by Swami Rama 
Guru Purnima Message
11 July, 2014 @ 3:30 pm
This day, Guru Purnima, is celebrated with great encouragement by aspirants who follow the spiritual path. No matter which path is followed, whether it is raja, bhakti, jnana, laya or any other path, all celebrate this day.
Ego
21 May, 2014 @ 12:33 pm
A person walking on the path of self-transformation should be aware of the dangers of egoism. Even while practicing the great virtues of truthfulness and nonviolence, a person can feed the ego. The ego related to the realm of spirituality is more subtle and injurious than the ego related to one’s worldly success.
First Steps toward Self-Transformation
4 March, 2014 @ 11:13 am
Do not concern yourself with the rewards of meditation. There is a scientific law that every action has are action; it is not possible for an action to not have benefits. Even if you do not see conscious benefits, there are unconscious results. At the very least you will develop muscle relaxation, rid yourself of tension and stress, and learn to use the mind for spirituality.
Brahman and Brahma-Vihāra
25 February, 2014 @ 12:04 pm
The word Brahman is derived from the Sanskrit verb root bṛha or bṛhi meaning expansion, knowledge, or all-pervasiveness. This word is always of a neuter gender; it represents Absolute Reality beyond the concept of male or female and all other dualities. Brahman is omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent; it is the very nature of one’s true Self. That Absolute Reality, that Supreme Consciousness, which is never affected by the ever-changing nature of the world, is Brahman. That which alone exists and allows the entire universe to appear within itself is called Brahman.
Svadhyaya
4 January, 2014 @ 2:59 pm
The Niyamas are the observances for oneself and are five in number. They are Saucha or purity, Santosha or contentment, Tapas or practices that lead to perfection of body and mind and senses, Svadhyaya or study that leads to knowledge of the Self and Ishvara-pranidhana or surrender to the Ultimate Reality.
Yoga Is Skillfulness in Actions
18 November, 2013 @ 3:19 pm
A person with a dissipated mind is unable to comprehend the limitless joy that is experienced by the aspirant who is tranquil, performing his duties selflessly and skillfully. But when the mind is tranquil, pure reason (buddhi) is able to function.
Imparting the Knowledge of Brahma Vidya
21 December, 2012 @ 11:44 am
Five or ten minutes of practice may give one a bit of solace, but sadhana that is not motivated toward the attainment of constant consciousness does not lead to experiential knowledge. For lack of direct experience, one knows yet does not know. The Upanishads say, “One who believes that Atman can be comprehended through the knowledge of the mind is ignorant.”
Like a Tortoise Withdrawing His Limbs
5 August, 2012 @ 12:28 pm
When one gives up his desires, a whole new horizon of awareness opens to him. But those who hold on to their desires are not able to experience the higher dimensions of life. Fulfilling desires gives birth to many more desires, and there is no end to that cycle. When one learns to give up desires, however, he is elevated to the next step of experience. There is a mental law that if you give up what you have, you receive something new.
Parents, Children, and Spirituality
3 July, 2012 @ 12:02 pm
When you make meditation a part of your life, your children will follow your example. Exemplary education is very important for children. Children imitate their parents; you don’t have to teach them to meditate. Never do that. You should teach your children through example how to sit quietly and make their minds one-pointed. When you sit in meditation, your child will also come and sit next to you and pretend to do what you are doing. In this way the child will come to know what you are doing and will also form the habit of sitting with you.
Why Families are Important
5 April, 2012 @ 3:56 pm
I also talked with many sincere people who sought to follow a spiritual path while creating loving family lives in the world. Sometimes I have found in these married people a greater level of spiritual awareness and sincerity than in those who live monastic lives. There are many sincere and dedicated people in the modern world, East and West, who are trying to follow the path of a practical spirituality. They meditate and also fulfil their responsibilities to their partners, children, and the society in which they live through their selfless, active lives.