The Way to the Goal of Life

Cover of Self-Knowledge Journal Winter Issue

Part of a lecture given by Hari Prasad Shastri I offer you some practical teachings that, if applied in daily life, will enable you to discover the highest Good in the mind itself. There are two worlds: the external world extended and divided by time and space, and the inner world of thoughts, emotions, ideals,…

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Freeing the Will

Cover of Self-Knowledge Journal Winter Issue

It was fashionable, at one time, to divide the mind into a number of distinct faculties, like the will, reason and emotions. Immanuel Kant, for instance, speaks of the mind in this way. But since William James, Western psychology has come much nearer to the yogic teaching, which is that these different parts of the…

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Poem: My Friends

Cover of Self-Knowledge Journal Winter Issue

God in His mercy, has favoured me with many precious gifts which I hardly deserve. Among them He has given me friends. The world is my friend because it is a good instructor in patience, forgiveness and forbearance. Nature is my friend because in it I see a reflection of the infinite beauty of my…

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Contentment: How Much is Enough?

Cover of Self-Knowledge Journal Winter Issue

The practice of contentment is widely recommended on the paths to inner illumination. The Buddha taught that the way to freedom from suffering is freedom from craving. And according to the gospel, Christ told his followers that whatever happens, the best prayer is: ‘Thy will be done’. Contentment, or Santosha, as it is called in…

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Golden Opportunities

Cover of Self-Knowledge Journal Winter Issue

The human mind is the real wonder of the world, but its normal processes, however erudite and versatile, fail to yield lasting satisfaction, nor do they shed light on life’s ultimate meaning and purpose. The self-training prescribed by the yoga of self-knowledge rectifies this omission. Through the practices and way of life revealed by this…

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Poem – Light a Candle

Cover of Self-Knowledge Journal Autumn Issue

Light a candle in your dark room. It is dangerous to move about in darkness, Which hides the beautiful vases, The Japanese scrolls, the Moghul miniatures. Darkness conceals the odes of Hafiz, The sublime poetry of Valmiki. Is it still dark? Is not the light of one candle adequate? Then light another candle, and yet…

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An Emotive Issue

Cover of Self-Knowledge Journal Autumn Issue

What is the strongest drive that moves the human heart? It is our need for emotional comfort. This need or craving is at the basis of all human partnerships. It would seem that life’s difficulties would easily overwhelm us without some comforting element, and this is most obviously provided by discovering or forming a deep…

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A Parable

Cover of Self-Knowledge Journal Autumn Issue

The fox knew the orchard was rich in luscious fruits, but it was strongly walled and there was no way in—apart from a small hole that was too tight for his body to squeeze through. However, after some careful deliberation, he reckoned that it might be possible to pass through if he slimmed sufficiently, so…

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Truth-Speaking and Meditation Practice

Cover of Self-Knowledge Journal Autumn Issue

A presentation given by the Warden of Shanti Sadan There is a practice and a quality of mind that will help us on our path to discovery of our own true innermost Self, whose nature is bliss and fearlessness. The practice is to make it a principle and habit to always do our best to…

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