The principles of the yoga systems, karma-yoga, jñāna-yoga and haṭha-yoga, have some bhakti (devotion) added, as you can see from the practice that Om and Hare Krishna mantra are chanted by many teachers and students at Yoga studios in the U.S.; however pure bhakti-yoga, does not have any mixture of jñāna, karma or haṭha. Spirituality means something that pertains to the spirit. As eternal living entities we are spirit souls transmigrating from one body to other for a very long period of time. However, when in the human form we are given faculties to understand the purpose of life. As the student of yoga understands that the real purpose of life is to serve Krishna, he gradually gives up the lower forms of yoga such as karma-yoga, jñāna-yoga and haṭha-yoga and embraces devotional activities of Shravanam (hearing), Kirtanam (chanting and singing glories of God) which result in Vishnu Smaranam (remembrance of God’s presence in the heart along with the individual soul). Bhakti-yoga is very simple and pure and easy to perform. One can begin simply by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa which unlocks the secrets to self-realization and God-realization. Lord Krishna also explains the “Art of Dying” which is to not attain a life again in this complex material world. In chapter 8.12, Lord says “After being situated in this yoga practice and vibrating the sacred syllable oṁ, the supreme combination of letters, if one thinks of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and quits his body, he will certainly reach the spiritual planets”. A pure devotee cannot forget the Supreme Lord for a moment, and similarly the Supreme Lord cannot forget His pure devotee for a moment. This is the great blessing of the Kṛṣṇa conscious process of chanting the mahā-mantra – Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.
Mantra Meditation
A Mantra is defined as something that delivers the mind. Man trayate iti matrah. It is said in scriptures that names of god are non different from God. Various mantras have been given throughout the ages. Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya, Om Namo Narayanaya, Om Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
How to take care of soul
Normally we spend an inordinate amount of time taking care of the body from brushing, taking bath, eating, resting, massaging the body, going to the doctor for physical ailments etc. However we rarely take care of the inner person, the soul. Even when someone asks a philosophical questions we quickly dismiss those questions and continue with activities providing sensual enjoyment such a pleasing the eyes, ears, tongue, nose etc. The Vedic culture is so designed that while is soul fulfills its desire there is a gradual elevation of consciousness through the process of hearing from scriptures such as Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatham, etc. and chanting holy names of God, eating spiritual food first offered to supreme lord, etc.
Vedic personality test
Nature influences us in three ways through goodness, passion, and darkness. Just as red, blue, and yellow combine to form myriad colors, these three "modes of material nature," as Lord Krishna calls them, create the full spectrum of human instinct and behavior. This test is based on the chapter 14 of the Bhagavad Gita where Lord Krishna says “Material nature consists of three modes – goodness, passion and ignorance. When the eternal living entity comes in contact with nature, O mighty-armed Arjuna, he becomes conditioned by these modes.” So when we descend from the spiritual world into this world of matter we are conditioned by these three gunsa or modes. Lord Krishna also encorages us to transcend the three modes in order to liberate ourselves from the material conception of life. “The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O son of Pāṇḍu, he who does not hate illumination, attachment and delusion when they are present or long for them when they disappear; who is unwavering and undisturbed through all these reactions of the material qualities, remaining neutral and transcendental, knowing that the modes alone are active; who is situated in the self and regards alike happiness and distress; who looks upon a lump of earth, a stone and a piece of gold with an equal eye; who is equal toward the desirable and the undesirable; who is steady, situated equally well in praise and blame, honor and dishonor; who treats alike both friend and enemy; and who has renounced all material activities – such a person is said to have transcended the modes of nature”.
Vedic wisdom QA
Herbal teas have a range of medicinal benefits. For e.g. Alfalfa is rich in minerals and nutrients, so useful against heart disease and cancer, and good for cystitis or inflammation of the bladder, and rheumatism. Similarly Burdock is nature’s best blood purifier, said to help rid the body of excess water weight, soothes pain of arthritis, rheumatism and backache, and relieves skin irritations
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