Light of the Spirit Podcast

In this January 2026 Satsang, Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Swamiji) reflects on the teachings of Anandamayi Ma, the nature of meditation, and the necessity of direct spiritual experience rather than belief alone. Topics include the meaning of satsang as the association of the holy, the role of mantra as a living seed of realization, meditation in nature and city life, and whether belief in God must be tied to formal religion. Swamiji also addresses questions about Jesus, including his teachings on non-resistance and possible contact with Greek philosophy. Personal stories, traditional wisdom, and practical guidance are woven together, offering clarity for sincere...

Swami Nirmalananda Giri answers a wide range of spiritual questions in the November 2025 Satsang. These monthly Q&A sessions explore meditation, karma, reincarnation, the afterlife, authentic yoga practice, and the universal truths found in all great spiritual traditions. This satsang includes reflections on the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the nature of thought-forms, the practice of Soham sadhana, Jesus as a yogi, the destiny of animals, Vedanta, idolatry, and the deeper purpose of spiritual life. Swamiji also speaks about discouragement on the path, synchronicity, and what it truly means to seek God beyond theology or dogma. Chapter Markers 00:00 Introduction 00:33 News about...

This month Swamiji introduces a new book: An Eagle's Flight: A Yogi's Spiritual Autobiography (https://amzn.to/4ojXlAg), and reflections on Spirit & Life: Commentaries on the Four Gospels questions on karma, diet, Neem Karoli Baba, Soham japa, and more. Highlights and Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 00:39 Spirit & Life: Commentaries on the Four Gospels 02:20 An Eagle’s Flight: A Yogi’s Spiritual Autobiography 06:29 The “crazy” yogini — The Daughter of the King 11:48 What karma does the “deliverer” of karma have? 14:57 Eggs and a vegetarian diet 18:10 Nath Yoga and Tamil Siddha traditions 18:46 Black or African Yoga traditions? 20:58 Those around Anandamayi Ma who became something 27:35 Swami Sivananda on milk and ah...

In this month’s online satsang, Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) answers questions from seekers on diverse spiritual topics—ranging from the practice of Soham sadhana and the meaning of Navaratri, to karma, diet, compassion, and what is a guru. #Satsang #YogaPhilosophy #SohamMeditation Highlights include: 00:00 Introduction 00:44 What is Navaratri? 02:29 What is the goal of Soham Sadhana? 12:36 The book “Philosophy of Gorakhnath” on Soham and Om 14:29 Tinnitus and meditation 15:50 About “finding a guru” 17:26 Thoughts about a “fish diet” 21:59 Benefit of bathing in the Triveni 27:33 Dealing with a horrible person in your life 28:16 “Attunement ceremonies” 28:29 About the Essenes 35:05 When did karma begin? 37:43 Panthei...

Join Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) for the September 2025 Satsang, offering practical and profound answers to spiritual questions sent by seekers around the world. Topics include: • The newly released Spirit & Life volumes • Karma, meditation, and spiritual awakening • Babaji’s Cave and Yogic science • The Cathars, astrology, and the science of yoga • Soul origins, free will, dreams, and more Order the new book “Spirit and Life: The Four Gospels for Awakening” now on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mPXkCR Skip to the topics that interest you with these timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:35 New books: Spirit and Life 03:54 Points for success: making yourself an individual 07:16...

In this illuminating August 2025 Satsang, Swami Nirmalananda Giri responds to deep spiritual questions with insight, humor, and clarity. Topics include: • How to recognize the voice of God vs. ego • Yogananda’s surprising experience with Divine trickery • The value (or not) of past-life recall • Dharana, Dhyana & Samadhi in Soham Yoga • Life after death, and what the soul truly journeys through • Astrology, dreams of saints, and spiritual chants • Marriage vs. monastic life—and what Ramana Maharshi reveals • How to live with gratitude without grief Includes stories of Anandamayi Ma, Ramana Maharshi, and Yogananda, plus reflections on India, the Ganga, and the ever-present Self. Chapters are...

About Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) Swami Nirmalananda is a monk of the ancient Swami Order and founder of Atma Jyoti Ashram (Light of the Spirit Monastery). With deep roots in both Eastern and Western spiritual traditions, he has authored over 30 books on meditation, Vedanta, and the mystical life of Christ. His teachings reveal the essential unity of Sanatana Dharma and original Christianity, drawn from decades of contemplative experience, pilgrimage in India, and study with great spiritual teachers such as Swami Sivananda and Anandamayi Ma. In this month’s satsang, Swamiji answers questions from students on a range of sp...

Join Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) for the June 2025 Satsang, a deep and wide-ranging spiritual conversation flowing from Soham meditation to the mysteries of saints, sannyas, the caste/purushartha connection, the question of virgin birth, and the soul’s entry into the stream of Sanatana Dharma. Swamiji speaks on: • Cremation or Burial: the pros and cons of both • The four castes and purusharthas as inner archetypes • How and why spiritual masters incarnate • The value of dying consciously and holy company (satsanga) • Whether meditation affects dreams, and more With his signature clarity, Swamiji weaves together insights from Eastern and Western mysticism, s...

Join Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) in this May 2025 Satsang to elevate your spirit by growing your knowledge of meditation, yoga, and spiritual awakening. Listen to his new Talks on the Bhagavad Gita here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzUa3GQViSbVFbfQW_yugfTi5u9x8W7bb In his many pilgrimages to India, he had the opportunity of meeting some of India’s greatest spiritual figures, including Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh and Anandamayi Ma. During his first trip to India he was given sannyas by Swami Vidyananda Giri, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, who had himself been given sa...

Join Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) in this April 2025 Satsang to elevate your spirit by growing your knowledge of meditation, yoga, and spiritual awakening. Listen to his new Talks on the Bhagavad Gita here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzUa3GQViSbVFbfQW_yugfTi5u9x8W7bb In his many pilgrimages to India, he had the opportunity of meeting some of India’s greatest spiritual figures, including Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh and Anandamayi Ma. During his first trip to India he was given sannyas by Swami Vidyananda Giri, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, who had himself been given sa...

Here is a summary of the talk "Qualities of Brahman" by Swami Nirmalananda Giri, based on the 13th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita:

In this talk, Swami Nirmalananda Giri explores the nature and qualities of Brahman, the all-encompassing divine reality, as described in the Bhagavad Gita. He emphasizes that Brahman is the essence of everything—both animate and inanimate—permeating all existence as the sustainer, creator, and absorber of life.

The talk highlights the need for a yogi to refine their consciousness to perceive Brahman’s subtle presence, which is bot...

Join Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) in this March 2025 Satsang to elevate your spirit by growing your knowledge of meditation, yoga, and spiritual awakening.

Listen to his new Talks on the Bhagavad Gita here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzUa3GQViSbVFbfQW_yugfTi5u9x8W7bb

In his many pilgrimages to India, he had the opportunity of meeting some of India’s greatest spiritual figures, including Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh and Anandamayi Ma. During his first trip to India he was given sannyas by Swami Vidyananda Giri, a...

Join Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) in this February 2025 Satsang to elevate your spirit by growing your knowledge of meditation, yoga, and spiritual awakening. Listen to his new Talks on the Bhagavad Gita here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzUa3GQViSbVFbfQW_yugfTi5u9x8W7bb In his many pilgrimages to India, he had the opportunity of meeting some of India’s greatest spiritual figures, including Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh and Anandamayi Ma. During his first trip to India he was given sannyas by Swami Vidyananda Giri, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, who had himself been given sa...

Join Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) in this January 2025 Satsang to elevate your spirit by growing your knowledge of meditation, yoga, and spiritual awakening. Listen to his new Talks on the Bhagavad Gita here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzUa3GQViSbVFbfQW_yugfTi5u9x8W7bb In his many pilgrimages to India, he had the opportunity of meeting some of India’s greatest spiritual figures, including Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh and Anandamayi Ma. During his first trip to India he was given sannyas by Swami Vidyananda Giri, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, who had himself been given sa...

Join Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) in this December 2024 Satsang to elevate your spirit by growing your knowledge of meditation, yoga, and spiritual awakening. Listen to his new Talks on the Bhagavad Gita here: https://gitatalks.ocoy.org In his many pilgrimages to India, he had the opportunity of meeting some of India’s greatest spiritual figures, including Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh and Anandamayi Ma. During his first trip to India he was given sannyas by Swami Vidyananda Giri, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, who had himself been given sannyas by the Shankaracharya of Puri, Jagadguru Bharat Krishna Ti...

Join Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) in this November 2024 Satsang to elevate your spirit by growing your knowledge of meditation, yoga, and spiritual awakening. Listen to his new Talks on the Bhagavad Gita here: https://gitatalks.ocoy.org In his many pilgrimages to India, he had the opportunity of meeting some of India’s greatest spiritual figures, including Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh and Anandamayi Ma. During his first trip to India he was given sannyas by Swami Vidyananda Giri, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, who had himself been given sannyas by the Shankaracharya of Puri, Jagadguru Bharat Krishna Ti...

Join Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) in this October 2024 Satsang to elevate your spirit by growing your knowledge of meditation, yoga, and spiritual awakening. Listen to his new Talks on the Bhagavad Gita here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzUa3GQViSbVFbfQW_yugfTi5u9x8W7bb In his many pilgrimages to India, he had the opportunity of meeting some of India’s greatest spiritual figures, including Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh and Anandamayi Ma. During his first trip to India he was given sannyas by Swami Vidyananda Giri, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, who had himself been given sa...

Join Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) in this September 2024 Satsang to elevate your spirit by growing your knowledge of meditation, yoga, and spiritual awakening. Listen to his new Talks on the Bhagavad Gita here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzUa3GQViSbVFbfQW_yugfTi5u9x8W7bb In his many pilgrimages to India, he had the opportunity of meeting some of India’s greatest spiritual figures, including Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh and Anandamayi Ma. During his first trip to India he was given sannyas by Swami Vidyananda Giri, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, who had himself been given sa...

Join Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) in this uplifting August 2024 Satsang. Elevate your spirit by growing your knowledge of meditation, yoga, and spiritual awakening. Also, watch his new Talks on the Bhagavad Gita here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzUa3GQViSbVFbfQW_yugfTi5u9x8W7bb In his many pilgrimages to India, he had the opportunity of meeting some of India’s greatest spiritual figures, including Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh and Anandamayi Ma. During his first trip to India he was given sannyas by Swami Vidyananda Giri, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, who had himself been given sa...

Join Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) in this uplifting July 2024 Satsang to elevate your spirit by growing your knowledge of meditation, yoga, and spiritual awakening. Listen to his new Talks on the Bhagavad Gita here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzUa3GQViSbVFbfQW_yugfTi5u9x8W7bb In his many pilgrimages to India, he had the opportunity of meeting some of India’s greatest spiritual figures, including Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh and Anandamayi Ma. During his first trip to India he was given sannyas by Swami Vidyananda Giri, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, who had himself been gi...

July’s online satsang with Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) will be held on Saturday, July 6th, at 12 noon, EST. You can go to the registration page and sign up using this link, or use the signup button below. When registering, you can submit any questions which you would like Swamiji to answer during the satsang.

In a podcast interview with our friend Jonathan Mahoney, Swami Nirmalananda discusses the kind of life we need to live in order to die as yog...

Join Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) in this uplifting June 2024 Satsang to elevate your spirit by growing your knowledge of meditation, yoga, and spiritual awakening. In his many pilgrimages to India, he had the opportunity of meeting some of India’s greatest spiritual figures, including Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh and Anandamayi Ma. During his first trip to India he was given sannyas by Swami Vidyananda Giri, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, who had himself been given sannyas by the Shankaracharya of Puri, Jagadguru Bharat Krishna Tirtha. In the United States he also encountered various Christian saints, including Saint Jo...

In this recording of the May 2024 online satsang with Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke), Swamiji answers questions submitted by the attendees (see the timestamps below for the topics discussed). To get word of future online satsangs and get a FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more, sign up at: https://ocoy.org/signup 00:00 Introduction 00:20 About Orthodox Pascha (Easter) 04:15 Soham Meditation and the breath 07:33 The Origins of the Hebrews from India 12:47 About Brahmacharya 13:35 Meditating on Divine Forms 15:15 Dealing with pain due to emotional trauma 18:28 Forgiving one’s self 18:56 How do I practice the yoga of Jesus Christ? 19:17 Ho...

There are a number of important reasons why spiritual imagery is valuable for the aspiring yogi. In a recent online Satsang, Swami Nirmalananda Giri explained the value of holy imagery in the practical spiritual life of those wishing to grow their inner life. He shows the imagery at Atma Jyoti Ashram (Light of the Spirit Monastery) and how the presence and symbolism of such sacred images effects us on a day-to-day basis.

Religious imagery can be found on many sites online, and we have also collected a wide range of sacred images which can be...

Every month we have an online satsang with Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) where he answers question submitted when people register. This months topics are listed in the timestamps below: 00:00 Introduction 00:46 Rogue Creators; Lucifer 08: 45 Interpreting Scriptures 16:00 Loosing salvation? 18:33 Avoiding spiritual egotism 20:15 Spiritual dryness during meditation 20:30 Healthwork: payment or not? 31:35 What is Transmigration? 33:56 What is it that awakens to enlightenment? 38:57 What is Consciousness? 43:45 The value of spiritual imagery for the yogi #satsang #spiritualawakening #spiritualrealization OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org...

Podcast and Video: Reminiscences of Anandamayi Ma by Swami Nirmalananda Giri (with archival film and photos)

In this recent satsang excerpt, Swami Nirmalananda shares unique perspectives about Ma from his own experience. Here are some of the topics discussed in the podcast and video:

Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) answers questions on practical spirituality submitted in the March monthly online satsang. See the timestamps below for the topics of the questions. #satsang #spiritualawakening #spiritualgrowth 00:00 Introduction 01:40 The effect of weather on meditation 02:39 A Yogi can affect his atmosphere 10:04 What is good for purification of the mind? 13:09 The Vijnana Vedanta of Sri Ramakrishna 15:14 Two different ideas of "I" 23:28 Differentiating between impulses of the higher and lower selves 27:58 Recommended practices beside Soham sadhana 29:11 Best time of day for meditation 33:50 Shaktipat, right and wrong 3925 The value of sacred imagery 44:13 Anandamayi Ma, what yogis said about her 54:26 How...

The new Rama Temple in Ayodhya was consecrated on January 22nd, 2024. The grand ceremony, known as the Ram Mandir Prāna Pratishtha, marked a significant moment in Hindu history.

For centuries, Hindus have revered the site in Ayodhya as the birthplace of Lord Rama, the Divine Incarnation embodying righteousness and dharmic governance. Following Indian independence in 1947 many Hindus hoped for and worked for the return of many traditionally Hindu religious sites to Hindu control, including the site in Ayodhya, which had been stolen from the Hindus, a...

In this online satsang from November Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) answers questions submitted by the online webinar attendees. The questions are shown below with timestamp links to where they occur in the satsang. 00:00 Introduction 00:35 Is the astral world heaven? 02:07 Is Sri Ma Sarada Devi an avatar? 05:05 Is it possible, having lost something, to move on in life without attachment? 06:24 Do you ever fear for the future? 11:52 If one has a non-dual perspective, how should one view worship? 14:27 The Pranapratishta of Ramlal in Ayodhya 18:00 Jesus and India: did he also learn from the Essenes? 20:12 Can intermittent fasting help meditation? 23:14...

In this podcast, Swami Nirmalananda discusses how to deal with the decline of a loved one from a spiritual perspective. Illness and death can bring immense sadness, but if we become strong spiritually we can bring comfort and help to ourselves, others, and those who are dying during such difficult times. Swamiji shares advice on how to gain this inner strength and personal stories of how this has helped others.

If you do not see the player above, click here to listen to How to Deal with the Decline of a Loved One. The podcast is 4 minutes 30...

In this online satsang, Swami Nirmalananda (Abbot George Burke) answers a wide range of questions, discussing the initiations of Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh, the humor of Paramhansa Yogananda, meditation practices, what is Dharma, and much more. You can read more of his writings at https://ocoy.org. Below is a list of the topics discussed, and links to where in the satsang they are. 00:54 Sanatana Dharma book doing well. 04:21 What is the definition of Dharma? 06:20 Is reincarnation only forward in time? 08:10 Baptism of the Holy Spirit in other religions? 09:54 Initiations by Swami Sivananda. 14:20 Is out-of-body experience necessary? 16:25 Om Meditation and...

We have now posted all of our past satsangs on our Youtube Channel (YouTube.com/@LightoftheSpirit) where you can view both full satsangs and excepts, as well as other spiritual videos (we now have 96 videos!)

Below is our latest upload, from the follow-up to the October satsang, where Swamiji addressed the following topics not covered in the live satsang. We include the timestamps on the video so that you can find what interests you:

This satsang with Swami Nirmalananda consists of follow-up questions not covered in the October monthly online Satsang. Topics covered are below with their timestamps for ease of viewing. 00:00 Intro 00:30 The symbolism of the Cross 12:16 Some insights into Royalty 15:34 Reminiscences of Anandamayi Ma 48:11 Stories of Mahavatar Babaji 51:47 Kriya, Bhakti, and Jnana Yogas 56:23 Coping with the decline of a loved one 1:00:49 Gratitude 1:01:48 Sri Ramakrishna's Parable–Go Forward #satsang #babaji #anandamayima OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Pr...

In this satsang, Swamiji talks about Babaji (of Autobiography of a Yogi) and his sister and much more (see timestamps below) #satsang #babaji #spiritualawakening 00:00 Beginning 00:21 New Sanatana Dharma Book 01:01 Babaji and Babaji’s sister at Dashashwamedh Ghat 07:44 Where to get good vegetarian recipes 10:03 How difficult to attain spiritual awakening? 13:58 Is anything known about Jesus’ guru? 15:01 A question about slavery 18:09 Where do unwanted thoughts come from? 24:06 Swami Sivananda on Soham Sadhana 33:30 A question about disturbances in meditation OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy...

The afterlife of any individual depends on the life of that individual. Each life is unique, and what happens afterwards depends on how a person lived that life, and the lives before. Learn how our karma (our actions) will determine where we go after death, and more in this podcast and video.

If you do not see the player in the email, listen to the podcast here: What Happens to the Sould After Death?

The post Podcast: What...

Every month Swami Nirmalananda has an online satsang in which he answers questions that have been suggested by attendees. Go get word of future online satsangs, visit https://ocoy.org/signup/ #satsang #spiritualawakening #dharma OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more: https://ocoy.org/signup FOLLOW US ON...

Every month Swami Nirmalananda has an online satsang in which he answers questions that have been suggested by attendees. Go get word of future online satsangs, visit https://ocoy.org/signup/ #satsang #spiritualawakening #dharma OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more: https://ocoy.org/signup FOLLOW US ON...

Every month Swami Nirmalananda has an online satsang in which he answers questions that have been suggested by attendees. Go get word of future online satsangs, visit https://ocoy.org/signup/ #satsang #spiritualawakening #dharma OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more: https://ocoy.org/signup FOLLOW US ON...

Every month Swami Nirmalananda has an online satsang in which he answers questions that have been suggested by attendees. Go get word of future online satsangs, visit https://ocoy.org/signup/ #satsang #spiritualawakening #dharma OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more: https://ocoy.org/signup FOLLOW US ON...

Every month Swami Nirmalananda has an online satsang in which he answers questions that have been suggested by attendees. To get word of future online satsangs, visit https://ocoy.org/signup/ OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more: https://ocoy.org/signup/ #satsang #spiritualawakening #dharma FOLLOW US ON...

At our monthly online Satsangs (the first Saturday of each month–sign up here to get notices, and much more) there are many more questions that can be answered in an hour. So we are going to be regularly posting answers to the extra questions. Here are Swami Nirmalananda’s answers to the questions left over after the September Satsang. You can listen to the audio podcast or watch the Youtube videos below.

To see previous satsangs, visit our Video Satsang page.

The post Questions & Answers with Swami Nirmalananda from...

At our monthly online Satsangs (the first Saturday of each month–sign up here: https://ocoy.org/signup/) there are many more questions that can be answered in an hour. So we are going to be regularly posting answers to the extra questions. #satsang #dharma #spiritualawakening OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL http...

At our monthly online Satsangs (the first Saturday of each month–sign up here: https://ocoy.org/signup/) there are many more questions that can be answered in an hour. So we are going to be regularly posting answers to the extra questions. #satsang #dharma #spiritualawakening OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL http...

Swami Nirmalananda was under Anandamayi Ma’s guidance from 1963 until her leaving this world in 1982. He made many trips to India during this time and knew many of the people in her orbit. In this video and podcast he shares some stories about her unique nature.

If you do not see the player above, click here to listen to The “Mind” of Anandamayi Ma – Satsang With Swami Nirmalananda Giri.

The podcast is 6:30 minutes long.

T...

Podcast: What is Aparigraha? (The Yoga Term for Non-Possessiveness) – Satsang With Swami Nirmalananda Giri Watch the podcast here:

If you do not see the player above, click here to listen to What is Aparigraha? (The Yoga Term for Non-Possessiveness) – Satsang With Swami Nirmalananda Giri.

The podcast is 14:20 minutes long.

The post Podcast: What is Aparigraha? appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

Today, we share both an audio podcast and a video podcast made from a recent Zoom Satsang with Swami Nirmalananda (Abbot George Burke).

In this podcast, Swami Nirmalananda answers the question, “Can you talk about how Jesus is the Savior, knowing that our liberation is our personal responsibility?”

First, he talks about what a Savior is, and what they do. And he speaks about our own personal responsibility for our own spiritual welfare and advancement.

Among the stories he tells are:

In our effort to continue to make OCOY.org a true “practical resource for the spiritual student,” we have added more valuable content which we hope you will explore, with our new articles, new videos, new books in our free eLibrary, and in our monthly Zoom satsangs, starting with a new Podcast from a recent satsang.

Podcast of Satsang Excerpt: Great Yogis I have Known

Here is a direct link to the Podcast: Great Yogis I Have Known.

First, we have added two useful articles:

Swami Sivananda composed many songs in English to convey his teachings, the most famous being the Song of Ities listing such virtues as Simplicity, Purity and Charity. Others were advice and inspiration for spiritual endeavor. This Song of Admonition is the best known. Below is a transcript of the song.

(The quality of the audi...

In today’s podcast, our friend Jonathan Mahoney asks Abbot George, “Could you tell us the difference between Satan and Mara, and how we should respond to outer and inner negativity and evil?”

Abbot George discusses:

In today’s podcast Jonathan Mahoney asks Abbot George, “What is Satan?” Though this is a topic some people find fascinating, it is one that we should not dwell on, for Abbot George says “talking about negativity can bring the mind into the orbit of negativity.” On the other hand, talking about spiritual topics has a positive influence on the mind.

But it is good to have a basic understanding of evil so that we can be on our guard against inner and outer evil.

Abbot George illumines these ideas with apt illustrations and storie...

In today’s podcast our friend Jonathan Mahoney asks Abbot George “What is Maya?” Abbot George’s answer covers various aspects of Maya:

He stresses that the Shakti of creation is real, it is our perception or understanding that is unreal. Maya, illusion, is in our minds. Abbot George shares a number of stories to illumine these ideas.

Recently our friend Jonathan Mahoney visited us, and he had a number of questions for Abbot George during that time, which we recorded and will share in the coming months as podcasts. His first question was “what is Mahashakti?”

In his answer, Abbot George discusses the “Great Power” (the meaning of Mahashakti) as the entire range of relative existence, composed of vibrating energy. There is nothing but Consciousness. But when Consciousness does not move, we call it spirit. When Consciousness moves, we call it energy or shakti or power.

He talks about Mahashakti as a manif...

In this podcast Abbot George continues his discussion concerning how Lucifer could stand to be in the presence of Jesus, and how the status of master yogis is often hidden. He begins by giving his own experiences with spiritual figures in India, and continues with what he had heard of others.

In one of his many trips to India, Abbot George saw the great vedantic teacher and head of the famous Kailash Ashram in Rishikesh, Chaitanya Giri, and was stunned at his spiritual presence. Then Abbot George shares the story of his meeting, so...

Recently our friend Jonathan Mahoney asked Abbot George Burke how Lucifer could tempt Jesus if evil spirits cannot stand high spiritual vibrations. In this first of two podcasts Abbot George answers this question, showing how the status of master yogis is often hidden, giving examples from the lives of Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh, Ananadamayi Ma and others.

This podcast is just over 22 minutes long. If you do not see the podcast player above, you can listen here: The Hidden Status of Master Yogis, Part 1

The post Podcast: The Hidden Status of Master Yogis...

In today’s podcast, Abbot George Burke talks about how diet affects consciousness, and the importance of a pure diet for the yogi.

Abbot George shares these stories:

We have updated this podcast to include a YouTube video version of the podcast at the bottom of this page. We hope you enjoy it.

Click here to listen to Swami Sivananda’s Humor if you do not see the player above. The podcast length is 16:06 minutes.
Swami Sivananda’s joyful sense of humor are evident in this podcast. This includes the following incidents:

One of Yogananda’s early disciples was named Brahmacharini Radhalila. She was a person with a very strong personality. And she frequently would say, during the last years of her life, “One day I am going to write a book called The Real Yogananda.”  She was living at the SRF headquarters, and everyone would panic at the thought of what she might write, because she was the type of person she was, and also because they wished that a public image of Yogananda be created that would supposedly fit in with people’s spiritual ideas. And just also with the i...

“Am I more sensible, or less sensible, as a result of this practice and this experience?”

In this 4th podcast on Spiritual Experiences and Abilities, Abbot George delineates the very real and very extreme dangers of imbalancing experiences that fake yoga can produce, contrasting this with his observation of the cardinal qualities of real yogis he met.

If you do not see the player above, listen to Part 4 of What the Beginner Yogi Know About Spiritual Experiences and Abilities. This podcast is about 16 minutes long.

Listen to the earlier parts of this...

“Have I learned anything? Has this spiritual experience changed my awareness, my meditation?” In the third part of the podcast series on Spiritual Experience and Abilities, Abbot George contrasts the effect of real spiritual experience with examples of people who were deluded by visions and dreams – like the American he met in India who “realized” that he was the king of India, and that his child bride would give birth to the next avatar (!).

If you do not see the player above, visit What Should the Beginner Yogi Know About Spiritual Experience and Abilities?–Part 3 to listen. T...

The state of perfected beings like Buddha, Krishna, and Jesus is far greater than most people’s concept of God. Abbot George tells the story of Catholic stigmatist and visionary Therese Neumann’s response to Christian who were overwhelmed with Christ’s miracles, as an example of how we are satisfied with so little in our aspirations. And how much is required to really trod the path to God, as shown in the story of encounter between Anandamayi Ma and the devotee who “wanted to know God.”

If you do not see the player above, click here...

“What should the beginner yogi know about spiritual experience and abilities?” Abbot George draws on a lifetime of study and personal experience and observation to present a many-facted answer to this important question.

Since the “yoga boom” of the 1960’s and even earlier, Western seekers have been regaled with and fascinated by all that glitters in fake yoga — a circus of thrills, chills, and supposedly higher states of consciousness.

In this four-part podcast Abbot George expounds on the attraction and many dangers of these kind of practices and the experiences they produce, and most importa...

Below is an edited transcript of the podcast. We strongly recommend you listen to the podcast to understand the correct pronunciation of the Soham mantra. The podcast is just under 7 minutes long. If you do not see the player above, listen to How to Meditate Using the Soham Mantra here. The practice of Soham Yoga is very simple. Making ourselves aware of our breathing, when we inhale we mentally intone So throughout the inhalation, and when we exhale we mentally intone Ham throughout the exhalation. And we do this continuously. When we are doing other things at the same time...

Darshan: Literally “sight” or “seeing;” vision, literal and metaphysical. Darshan is the seeing of a holy being as well as the blessing received by seeing such a one. Satsanga: Literally: “company with Truth.” Association with godly-minded persons. The company of saints and devotees. Asatsanga: the company of the unholy and the worldly–in the form of people who have no interest in spiritual life, as well as books, magazines, television, radio, and motion pictures that are centered on material consciousness. In today’s podcast, Abbot George discusses the inner mechanism of how the senses affect us, and how external connections influence our in...

In today’s podcast our friend Jonathan Mahoney asks Abbot George about the Bhagavad Gita, its story and its value for the spiritual seeker. Abbot George discusses Vyasa, the pivotal figure in early Hinduism, and the author of many works, including the epic Mahabharata, from which the Bhagavad Gita is taken. He tell the story of the events leading up to the Mahabharata war, and how Krishna became Arjuna’s charioteer, and how they came to Kurukshetra and surveyed the Pandava and Kaurava forces before the beginning of the great battle. He tells of Arjuna’s sorrows and reservations, and how Kri...

In today’s podcast our friend Jonathan Mahoney asks Abbot George about the Bhagavad Gita, its story and its value for the spiritual seeker. Abbot George discusses Vyasa, the pivotal figure in early Hinduism, and the author of many works, including the epic Mahabharata, from which the Bhagavad Gita is taken. He tell the story of the events leading up to the Mahabharata war, and how Krishna became Arjuna’s charioteer, and how they came to Kurukshetra and surveyed the Pandava and Kaurava forces before the beginning of the great battle. He tells of Arjuna’s sorrows and reservations, and how Kri...

In today’s podcast our friend Jonathan Mahoney asks Abbot George about Jesus’ role as guardian of the Earth. Listen and you will discover: How Lucifer fell and how it affected the earth. Who were Adam and Eve and where was Paradise. Who were the “Matrikas.” What was the special mystery of the Crucifixion. The Buddhist master who had two Saviors. And much more. Two books are referenced in the podcast. You can find out more about them here: * The Rosicrucian Cosmo Conception, by Max Heindel * Robe of Light: An Esoteric Christian Cosmology, by Abbot George Burke Listen to Jesus as Guardia...

In today’s podcast our friend Jonathan Mahoney asks Abbot George about Jesus’ role as guardian of the Earth. Listen and you will discover: How Lucifer fell and how it affected the earth. Who were Adam and Eve and where was Paradise. Who were the “Matrikas.” What was the special mystery of the Crucifixion. The Buddhist master who had two Saviors. And much more. Two books are referenced in the podcast. You can find out more about them here: * The Rosicrucian Cosmo Conception, by Max Heindel * Robe of Light: An Esoteric Christian Cosmology, by Abbot George Burke Listen to Jesus as Guardia...

In today’s podcast, Abbot George is asked a question about Moksha. He then talks about arguments regarding levels of consciousness: are there seven levels of consciousness, or five levels, or fourteen levels? Then he discusses the seven levels of consciousness or lokas (worlds or main divisions) in which the whole range of evolutionary relative existence (rungs on the evolutionary ladder) is encompassed, corresponding to the seven chakras. He discusses the nature of consciousness in each of these realms, and their gradations or levels. Then he illumines the much-misunderstood topic of avatars: what is the purpose and nature of avatars? An...

If you do not see the player for “How to Become an Angel” above, listen to the podcast here. Today our friend Jonathan Mahoney asks Abbot George, “How does a human being evolve into an angel in this lifetime? How do they ‘get out of the game’”? In this podcast Abbot George talks about the ideas of the processes of evolution in Christian and Hindu cosmologies. He then discusses the two paths of evolution: the natural path by “accumulating a lot of goodness,” and the deliberate path of evolution through yoga and meditation. He also talks about evolving to “tapa lokas,” realms whi...

In a new podcast, our friend Jonathan Mahoney asks Abbot George Burke the following question: From Robe of Light, we have the quote: "The drama of creation simply stated is this. God breathes forth this vast universe. Slowly, it comes out and evolves according to set patterns. Then, after a precise measure of time, he breathes it back in again, involves it and vanishes. This he does eternally." So could you give us your definition of evolution and how it relates to the individual? Abbot George begins by describing the ages-long process of "involution," the manifestation into and mastery of...

The subject of past life recall is a broad topic. So this interview of Abbot George Burke by our friend Bianca Vlahos of PBA-fm radio in Australia is a long one—just over 53 minutes.

Among the questions Bianca asks is “What is the main value in understanding our past lives?”

Here are some of Abbot George’s comments from the interview:

“When you understand what has caused the present situation, you can often understand that situation. Often also it will tell you, or you understand then, the way you should respond to the present si...

In a followup interview with Bianca Vlahos of PBA FM radio in Adelaide, Australia, Abbot George discusses the importance of understanding karma as the basis of reincarnation. With this understanding, we can begin to comprehend our present situation in life, and we can become empowered to create our future. Abbot George says in the interview, we are meant to take charge of our lives, but we cannot take charge of what we do not understand. Dr. Morris Netherton, founder of "Past Lives Therapy," often said that we rarely respond to an actual event in our lives but that we are...

Last month our friend Bianca Vlahos of the Australian radio station PBA-FM interviewed Abbot George Burke on the broad topic of reincarnation. They discussed the source of  reincarnation (karma—our actions, both positive and negative) and the purpose of reincarnation: our spiritual evolution and growth. Abbot George likened reincarnation to school. We can choose to learn the lessons of life and graduate to higher classes and new lessons, and thereby hasten our spiritual growth. Or we can dawdle along the way, refusing to learn the consequences of our actions, choosing to blame others for our faults and failures and suffering, and t...

For our Christmas offering we share again a podcast from three years ago about Christmas, and about Christ being born in us. This podcast is from an interview of Abbot George Burke by our friend Bianca Vlahos of radio station FIVEaa in Adelaide, Australia.

Listen to The Symbolism of Christmas and Its Universal Message if you do not see the player above. The podcast is 23:07 minutes long.

For more Christmas inspiration, read the following Christmas articles:

For our Christmas offering we offer you a podcast about Christmas, and about Christ being born in us. Today's podcast is from an interview by our friend Bianca Vlahos of radio station FIVEaa in Adelaide, Australia.

For our Christmas offering we offer you a podcast about Christmas, and about Christ being born in us. Today's podcast is from an interview by our friend Bianca Vlahos of radio station FIVEaa in Adelaide, Australia.

In part 2 of the recent interview with Abbot George about Buddha’s everyday wisdom as recorded in the Dhammapada, Bianca Vlahos of radio station PBA-FM in Adelaide, South Australia, inquired further about how to lead an effective and uplifting life in the world applying the principles which Buddha advocated. The catalyst of this interview was when Bianca read a copy of Abbot George’s book The Dhammapada for Awakening (available on our site here and on Amazon here). One aspect of the discussion was the necessity to have patience and perseverance in spiritual endeavor, with Abbot George talking about the saying, “Li...

In part 2 of the recent interview with Abbot George about Buddha's everyday wisdom as recorded in the Dhammapada, Bianca Vlahos of radio station PBA-FM in Adelaide, South Australia, inquired further about how to lead an effective and uplifting life in the world applying the principles which Buddha advocated. The catalyst of this interview was when Bianca read a copy of Abbot George’s book The Dhammapada for Awakening (available on our site here and on Amazon here). One aspect of the discussion was the necessity to have patience and perseverance in spiritual endeavor, with Abbot George talking about the saying, "Li...

In part 2 of the recent interview with Abbot George about Buddha’s everyday wisdom as recorded in the Dhammapada, Bianca Vlahos of radio station PBA-FM in Adelaide, South Australia, inquired further about how to lead an effective and uplifting life in the world applying the principles which Buddha advocated. The catalyst of this interview was when Bianca read a copy of Abbot George’s book The Dhammapada for Awakening (available on our site here and on Amazon here). One aspect of the discussion was the necessity to have patience and perseverance in spiritual endeavor, with Abbot George talking about the saying, “Li...

How can Buddha’s wisdom as recorded in the Dhammapada be applied in our every-day lives? That was the topic of the latest radio interview of Abbot George Burke by Bianca Vlahos of radio station PBA-FM in Adelaide, South Australia a couple of weeks ago. Bianca read a copy of Abbot George’s book The Dhammapada for Awakening (available on our site here and on Amazon here) and as usual had very good and practical questions for Abbot George on how to best apply Buddha’s wisdom. Here is what Bianca wrote on Facebook about her interview: “This is one of the w...

How can Buddha’s wisdom as recorded in the Dhammapada be applied in our every-day lives? That was the topic of the latest radio interview of Abbot George Burke by Bianca Vlahos of radio station PBA-FM in Adelaide, South Australia a couple of weeks ago. Bianca read a copy of Abbot George’s book The Dhammapada for Awakening (available on our site here and on Amazon here) and as usual had very good and practical questions for Abbot George on how to best apply Buddha’s wisdom. Here is what Bianca wrote on Facebook about her interview: “This is one of the w...

Bianca Vlahos interviewed Abbot George Burke regarding his book "The Dhammapada for Awakening" and as usual had very good and practical questions for Abbot George on how to best apply Buddha's wisdom.

In a followup to the interview about vegetarianism that Bianca Vlahos (facebook.com/bianca.vlahos) did with Abbot George in late September on the radio station PBA-FM in Adelaide, South Australia, she again interviewed Abbot George last week on October 22nd. The subject was vegetarianism again, as the topic is so vast and important. Below you can listen to the interview.

In a followup to the interview about vegetarianism that Bianca Vlahos (facebook.com/bianca.vlahos) did with Abbot George in late September on the radio station PBA-FM in Adelaide, South Australia, she again interviewed Abbot George last week on October 22nd. The subject was vegetarianism again, as the topic is so vast and important. Below you can listen to the interview. Click here to listen to Vegetarianism: an Interview of Abbot George on Australian Radio, Part 2  if you do not see the player above. The podcast length is 33:59 minutes.

In a followup to the interview about vegetarianism that Bianca Vlahos did with Abbot George in late September on the radio station PBA-FM in Adelaide, South Australia, she again interviewed Abbot George last week on October 22nd. The subject was vegetarianism again, as the topic is so vast and important. Below you can listen to the interview. Click here to listen to Vegetarianism: an Interview of Abbot George on Australian Radio, Part 2 if you do not see the player above. The podcast length is 33:59 minutes.     Limited Time Sale: Dhammapada for Awakening, only 99¢ This week we are offering the ebook version of The...

bout a month ago, Bianca Vlahos of Adelaide, Australia, became a vegan for a multitude of reasons. She researched the topic exhaustively and found several articles about aspects of vegetarianism on our website (See Spiritual Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet and Humans: Are We Carnivores or Vegetarians by Nature?) She is a radio announcer and producer at PBA-FM in Adelaide, and decided to contact Abbot George about doing a radio interview on the subject of the “connection between the Clarification of Morals & Ethics in relation to the food we eat.” So a few days ago we arose before 3:00 a.m. to p...

bout a month ago, Bianca Vlahos of Adelaide, Australia, became a vegan for a multitude of reasons. She researched the topic exhaustively and found several articles about aspects of vegetarianism on our website (See Spiritual Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet and Humans: Are We Carnivores or Vegetarians by Nature?) She is a radio announcer and producer at PBA-FM in Adelaide, and decided to contact Abbot George about doing a radio interview on the subject of the “connection between the Clarification of Morals & Ethics in relation to the food we eat.” So a few days ago we arose before 3:00 a.m. to p...

About a month ago (September 2016), Bianca Lagonik Vlahos of Adelaide, Australia, became a vegan for a multitude of reasons. She researched the topic exhaustively and found several articles about aspects of vegetarianism on our website (See Spiritual Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet and Humans: Are We Carnivores or Vegetarians by Nature?) She is a radio announcer and producer at PBA-FM in Adelaide, and decided to contact Abbot George about doing a radio interview on the subject of the "connection between the Clarification of Morals & Ethics in relation to the food we eat." So a few days ago we arose before 3:00...

When I was very young there was a television program called The Big Picture. Most people live in The Little Picture with small ideas and small goals, all short term. But some live in The Big Picture, considering their life as a whole extending through many years, realizing that the small aspects will be forgotten, but the overall character of their life will determine their future beyond this world as well as within it. Having this perspective, I wanted to be a living sacrifice, a living offering to God! I wanted to be able to stand unashamedly before the face...

When I was very young there was a television program called The Big Picture. Most people live in The Little Picture with small ideas and small goals, all short term. But some live in The Big Picture, considering their life as a whole extending through many years, realizing that the small aspects will be forgotten, but the overall character of their life will determine their future beyond this world as well as within it. Having this perspective, I wanted to be a living sacrifice, a living offering to God! I wanted to be able to stand unashamedly before the face...

The first time I wrote to Mother Anandamayi, in her reply she referred to me as “my friend,” which she only did in relation to monastics. Others she called “father” or “mother.” To his disciples who had left everything to follow him, Jesus, too, had said: “I have called you friends.” The relationship of father and mother is not by (conscious) choice. A friend, however, is ours by choice. Everyone was related to Mother by nature, but only the monastics were hers by choice, therefore she called them “friend.” The most striking evidence of Mother’s attitude toward secular life was her absolute refus...

The first time I wrote to Mother Anandamayi, in her reply she referred to me as “my friend,” which she only did in relation to monastics. Others she called “father” or “mother.” To his disciples who had left everything to follow him, Jesus, too, had said: “I have called you friends.” The relationship of father and mother is not by (conscious) choice. A friend, however, is ours by choice. Everyone was related to Mother by nature, but only the monastics were hers by choice, therefore she called them “friend.” The most striking evidence of Mother’s attitude toward secular life was her absolute refus...

I would like to share with you my reflections on monastic life as I approach the fifty-second anniversary of my taking sannyas. How does one know if he should lead the monastic life? The great twentieth-century Indian sage, Sri Ramana Maharshi, had left home at the age of seventeen. After years of solitary life, he became the most renowned spiritual figure of India, his fame spreading widely into Europe and America, as well. One day a young man came to speak with him. “Should I leave home and become a monk?” the young man asked. “No!” was the Mararshi’s immediate...

I would like to share with you my reflections on monastic life as I approach the fifty-second anniversary of my taking sannyas. How does one know if he should lead the monastic life? The great twentieth-century Indian sage, Sri Ramana Maharshi, had left home at the age of seventeen. After years of solitary life, he became the most renowned spiritual figure of India, his fame spreading widely into Europe and America, as well. One day a young man came to speak with him. “Should I leave home and become a monk?” the young man asked. “No!” was the Mararshi’s immediate...

The next treasure I want to tell you about lived right in the midst of the bustle of Delhi, but beyond it all. One morning my friend Shyam Lal Sharma said he wanted me to meet a special person, a woman named Jugavati who was the sister of a famous Vaishnava guru of Brindaban. So off we went. Sharmaji was a man of very modest means, with whose family I always stayed when in Delhi, always sleeping in the living room. So I was surprised when we arrived at a three-story mansion in a new and prosperous neighborhood. The surprises...

The next treasure I want to tell you about lived right in the midst of the bustle of Delhi, but beyond it all. One morning my friend Shyam Lal Sharma said he wanted me to meet a special person, a woman named Jugavati who was the sister of a famous Vaishnava guru of Brindaban. So off we went. Sharmaji was a man of very modest means, with whose family I always stayed when in Delhi, always sleeping in the living room. So I was surprised when we arrived at a three-story mansion in a new and prosperous neighborhood. The surprises...

Click here to listen to Swami Rama of Hardwar (Ram Kunj) if you do not see the player above. The podcast length is 11:06 minutes. Late one afternoon when I was staying for a while with Srimati Rani Bhan and her family in Delhi she told me that we (Rani, her son and I) would be going to see a Kashmiri saint in a nearby neighborhood. The length of the walk belied the description of “nearby” but I trusted Raniji’s respect for the saint who was simply named Swami Rama. He was not a Shankara swami but one who had taken wh...

Click here to listen to Swami Rama of Hardwar (Ram Kunj) if you do not see the player above. The podcast length is 11:06 minutes. Late one afternoon when I was staying for a while with Srimati Rani Bhan and her family in Delhi she told me that we (Rani, her son and I) would be going to see a Kashmiri saint in a nearby neighborhood. The length of the walk belied the description of “nearby” but I trusted Raniji’s respect for the saint who was simply named Swami Rama. He was not a Shankara swami but one who had taken wh...

Sadhu: a seeker for truth (sat); and a person who is practicing spiritual disciplines. Usually this term is applied to monastics. In this podcast, Abbot George relates his experiences with four monks he met in India that were definitely of the first class. These were: • The Ganges island swami • My friend in black • The Swami who would not be a pet, and his guru who laughed. Below is a transcription of his encounter with the first sadhu: The Ganges Island Swami and His Sandy Mansion At the beginning of 1963, Sri Anandamayi Ma instructed me to find a kutir in either Hardwa...

It might seem strange that I am writing about Neem Karoli Baba because I have no stories about him. But I did see him, and since it was one of the most memorable events of my life, I want to add my voice to those who speak of his greatness. (If you do not know about his life, please read some of the books about him. They are a great inspiration.) I was in Brindaban with some of the members of our ashram for the Samyam Sapta with Anandamayi Ma. After a few days quite a number of Americans and...