YOGABHARATI

We might wonder- ‘why does it matter anyway?’. After all, how will this change my life? I believe that our way of being with others plays a role in our positive growth. It is important that in all our interactions with people, we can try seeing the person as a “whole person” rather than objects. Let us think about the experiences we have had in the past few days. Think of one person and recall the conversations you have had with them just recently. To make it easy let us together think of a common situation in most of the households - an argument with our child.You wanted your child to do something and the child doesn't,  or talks back. From your side, you expected the child to behave or talk or act in a particular manner, and when it does not happen, check your train of thoughts.You might observe that your heart is at war and you could end up saying things which might be hurting / insulting / demanding to the child. The child reacts hearing these words and then the child beh...

Shraddha, What do we mean?   Humans are equipped with INTELLECT , an instrument that analyses, cognizes, logically deduces and brings knowledge. Knowledge, known as “VIDHYA” can be looked at from two angles , the knowledge of the outer or the matter, APARA VIDHYA and the other one as knowledge of the inner or the supreme sprirt, PARA VIDHYA. Intellect that gives Apara Vidhya just analyses, understands and thinks logically. This can also be termed as the gross intellect. Intellect that gives Para Vidhya also analyses, cognises to understand the Supreme reality. This intellect can also be termed as a subtle intellect.   Subtle intellect helps in one acquiring the Para Vidhya in the background fabric of an emotional dimension. Before we get into this emotional dimension, let us understand the true emotions that every life comes with.   Love, ISHA is one true emotion that is part and parcel of any life and this emotion is beyond the i...

Vairagya means giving up. What is it that we need to give up in our spiritual journey? It is giving up identity. It is like catharsis. It is like the seed giving up its seed-ness. We know that a seed has to give itself up to be a tree and give rise to many seeds but the seed itself does not know. It only knows that it is getting lost. That it has to give up its seed-ness. From the seed’s perspective “being “a seed feels safe. It requires courage and an adventurous spirit to let go. Our present situation in this world might feel safe and secure. Holding on to the objective world looks safe and sound whereas Vairagya looks very adventurous. We are aware that there are material things outside and we are in need of people too to lead this life but in the state of Vairagya we might become a loner. It does not mean lonely physically but in our heart of hearts we would know that we are alone. People will be with us yet away. You are within you with your original qualities. Love, a sense of ...

From the ‘want-it-all’ frenzy of the nineties and early 2000s, many are turning away from materialism to minimalism. The new buzz words are finding your ikagai, decluttering, the Mary Kondo way and following a minimalistic lifestyle is gaining popularity because more and more people are finding that acquiring and hoarding clothes, curios, cars and other small and big things cannot fill the emptiness within. The realisation is slowly dawning that having bigger houses or more goods will not give us peace and contentment.  Minimalism and yoga intersect at aparigraha. Aparigraha, as I understand it, means non-possessive, non-greedy or non-clasping. This is a key concept in reducing the interaction of the senses and their objects. This frees up the mind and purifies the chitta. Aparigraha comes from the root word Graha- to hold. To not hold is aparigraha.  What is interesting is, that which we hold, holds us. As vigilant practitioners we need to constantly question and ...

What makes us empowered is the question we all wonder as there are galore  articles written on Women empowerment.  I think  if  women are able to take charge of life with grace , strength , confidence and self acceptance then we can be on the journey of being empowered.  Am I having  a loving , empathetic  relationship with Myself ?  Once we are  conscious of what is going on in the mind then it shines light on things which are actually depleting our energies.  We can actually see the forces which pull us down confusing us, loading us with demotivating & critical thoughts. Self relationship lays a solid foundation where everything else rests on it.  If this foundation is unsteady then everything around us  is shaken too. It is like the bed of the ocean being steady. But what if the ocean bed keeps telling itself   "you are so stupid " "you are so plump and unattractive " , " nobody loves me but only use...