The Meaning of Adhyatma Yoga
Yoga is a Sanskrit word which derives from the verbal root ‘yuj’ which means ‘to yoke’ or ‘to unite’. In the course of time, the name of yoga has come to be applied to almost any form of practice which has for its aim a yoking or uniting of apparently conflicting elements, with the result…
Read MoreI Adore Thee
In the silent, tranquil temple of my heart, lit by the lamps of forgiveness, patience, charity and compassion, I adore Thee. The roof of the temple is faith; it is supported by the pillars of inner and outer control; it is adorned by the altar of devotion, and here, O Lord, O Life, O Love,…
Read MoreThe Greatest Freedom of All
Let us remind ourselves of life’s supreme possibility—that of freeing our mind from fear, doubt, sorrow and frustration, and awakening to the greatest freedom of all—the freedom of enlightenment. Nowadays, we may think of freedom as a feature of a civilised and benevolent society. Sadly, we are all too aware that many societies do not…
Read MoreAchieving Inner Stillness
Everything in nature is on the move: the earth gliding and spinning through space; the bemusing choreography of the sub-atomic world; the hidden systems in the body; the continuous generation of thought. ‘The tree of man was never quiet’, said the poet, A E Housman. Yet those who pursue the science of meditation tell of…
Read MoreMeditation Practice: the Light and Freedom
A session led by the Warden at Shanti Sadan Meditation is concerned with bringing to light the freedom and peace of our deeper nature. An ancient classical writer, Marcus Aurelius, has said: ‘Nowhere can we find a quieter, more untroubled retreat than in our own soul.’ But actually, when we do turn within, we find…
Read MoreQuest for Fulfilment
The man of keen intelligence restrains his mind from the objective world and focuses it on his true Self, Atman, which is most ancient, hard to perceive, and abides secretly in the innermost cave of the intellect. He transcends joy and grief by realising this Atman, which appears to be seated in the dark surroundings…
Read MorePoem: The Soul of Nature
Fleecy cloudlets purple and silver Sail leisurely on the deep blue, Breezes charged with the fragrance of roses Sweep over the daisy-strewn lawns. Like contemplatives, the mountains Stand under the sun Calm, serene and fixed in peace. A cuckoo flies from tree to tree Filling the valley with its note. By the slow gliding river…
Read MoreReflections on the Hadith from the Non-Dual Perspective
The Hadith are records of things said or done by the Prophet Muhammad, as witnessed by his close companions. They are central to the Islamic religious and spiritual tradition and several touch on the same themes as the non-dual teachings. In Islamic teachings and culture, the Hadith are second only in importance to the Quran…
Read MoreThoughts on Buddha Day
Some thoughts offered at a meeting by the Warden of Shanti Sadan At this time of year, people around the world are remembering and celebrating what is widely known as Vesak or Buddha Day. We recognise the non-dual teaching at the heart of all the world’s wisdom traditions, and so we too will focus a little on…
Read MoreChuang Tzu
An article on the Taoist philosopher Chuang Tzu, by Hari Prasad Shastri. The sixth century BCE was marked by an unprecedented upheaval in the world of philosophy. Discarding the old and no longer suitable authoritarianism of the ancient writers, humanity made reason its sole guide and entered the realm of investigation with an open mind.…
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