The Wisdom of Shri Shankara
Shri Shankara was a great teacher and enlightened sage, who formulated the non-dual teachings as the true interpretation of the upanishadic wisdom. One of the cardinal features of Shri Shankara’s thought is that it is concerned, not with abstract principles, but with the analysis of experience itself. In his introduction to the Brahma Sutras he…
Read MoreThe Sufi Path from Fear to Love
This article is about Hasan al Basri, who lived from 642 to 728 of the common era, and Rabia Basri (about 715-801 CE), both of whom in their different ways exemplified qualities associated with the Sufi tradition of Islamic mysticism. Their expressions and teachings were bound up with the circumstances in which Hasan al Basri…
Read MorePerfection
By Hari Prasad Shastri We all love perfection in virtue, truth and beauty, some in themselves and some in others—mostly in those who are dead. The ordinary view of perfection is an abundance of some great power, talent, wealth and so forth. But what is the yogic view of perfection? In a relative sense, we…
Read MoreLight from the Upanishads
Let us explore some of the ideas that are transmitted to us through these ancient, yet modern, sources of wisdom, the Upanishads. In their written form they are ancient, dating back to the millennium before the common era, but the teachings could be much older, having been passed on by word of mouth and memorised.…
Read MoreThe Cave of Meditation
Many people comment that they have made several attempts down the years to practise meditation, but that each time their thoughts tended to run ‘here, there and everywhere’, and so regular practice is postponed. It does seem that, in spite of the promise of peace and depth, the would-be meditator encounters an internal barrier that…
Read MoreMeditation Practice: the Light that Reveals
A session led by the Warden at Shanti Sadan When we practise meditation, the initial aim is to bring our mind to a state of relaxation. In relaxation our body and mind function at their best. When we are tense or anxious, this puts a strain on our body and interferes with the free flow…
Read MoreOur Higher Mind—A Power for Peace
My children, I have lived lovingly, I have cherished beauty, I have meditated on the one Supreme Truth—and I am fully satisfied with my life… All honour is due to One only, the all-pervasive, immanent and transcendent Reality. Shri Dada of Aligarh ‘I am fully satisfied with my life.’ Anyone, whether one is a saint,…
Read MoreThe Song of the Flute
From the Archives: the following article first appeared in the Winter 1953 issue of this Journal There is a story told by the Sufis of Islam. It is said that one day the Prophet called Ali to him alone, and revealed to him all the spiritual mysteries, placing him under a vow not to divulge…
Read MoreThe Supreme Secret of Giving: Bhagavad Gita Chapter Four
Chapter Four of the Bhagavad Gita begins with the teacher speaking to the pupil, saying, in effect: I gave these teachings to the first people, who passed them on in succession. In time, these teachings were lost. Now, I am giving them to you, who are my devotee and friend. This is the supreme secret.…
Read MoreShakespeare—Verging on the Non-Dual
There are at least four instances where lines of Shakespeare echo aspects of the non-dual teachings. Two concern the highest love, and two emerge from an identity crisis. Subscribe or enrol for free guest access to read all of this article and Self-Knowledge online. Already subscribed or enrolled? Log in:
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