St Augustine and the Interior Light
St Augustine lived from 354-430 CE, the time of the gradual disintegration of the Roman Empire. He was born in north Africa, of parents either of Carthaginian or Berber descent and he lived all his life in north Africa, apart from two years spent in Italy when he was in his early thirties—years of importance…
Read MoreThe Passing and the Permanent
Reality is two-fold. One aspect is passing and the other is permanent. That which is passing is called phenomenal and that which is permanent is called Truth. What is permanent? Truth is permanent; consciousness is permanent; blissfulness is permanent. These are the three permanent states or values of our life which are called the spiritual…
Read MoreRealise Your Centre
Our body and mind function in the world of time, but the roots of our being are in eternity. We seem to be limited, but there is something in us which is not at all limited, and which is at the root of our being. Hari Prasad Shastri The seeming truth about human nature is…
Read MoreThe Undivided Light
Those familiar with the religious history of the Far East, notably China, will know the expression ‘the three religions’ or ‘the three teachings’. It refers to Buddhism, Taoism and the Way taught by Confucius. A scholar was expected to be learned in all three. The three teachings were competitive, each vying for pre-eminence, but the…
Read MoreMeditation Practice: Peace and Bliss of my True Self
A recent session led by the Warden at Shanti Sadan Meditation is an essential part of the focused life that culminates in Self-realisation. Through the power of attention and inner peace we cultivate in our meditation practice, our mind will gain a deeper understanding leading to lasting fulfilment. We will come to realise that our…
Read MoreSayings of Saints Universal (Four)
A further selection from the Sant Vānī, compiled by Hanuman Prasad Poddar and translated by Hari Prasad Shastri One who wants to be freed from the mundane entanglements, from the sufferings caused by birth and death, should subdue the mind, prevent it from wandering here and there, and employ it in contemplation of the maker…
Read MoreLines of Light—The Poetry of Zen
This article explores some of the teachings of Zen, through examining a few short examples of the poetry of Zen, or poems inspired by the Zen spirit. Zen is a development of Buddhism that flourished in China from about the seventh century CE and later spread to Japan where it has become a potent influence…
Read MoreVerses from the Kena Upanishad
An extract from Verses from the Upanishads, translated by Hari Prasad Shastri with his commentary. By whose will and direction does the mind move? Under whose orders does the vital force (prana) move? Whose will is it that causes men to speak? Whose light directs the eye and the ear? 1:1 In this verse, the…
Read MoreTranscending the Pairs of Opposites
A discourse given at a recent meeting by the Warden of Shanti Sadan We often find that certain great qualities are spoken of in pairs. Thus we speak of truth and beauty, peace and goodwill, wisdom and compassion, and in the Chinese tradition, benevolence and righteousness. The Sanskrit word for a pair is ‘dvandva’, related…
Read MoreBhagavad Gita Chapter Five: Renunciation and Action
The Bhagavad Gita begins with the pupil in a crisis and declaring that he intends to withdraw from active life and become a spiritual recluse. Far from approving this idea, the teacher says that he should not try to avoid his duties in life and ought to fulfil them with care. The way to inner…
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