The evolution of the soul is the evolution of consciousness from a dull, covered material consciousness ‘I am the body, this world is my home, I am the enjoyer, I can be happy here,’ and on and on, to an awareness of ‘I’m not the body, I’m spirit soul.’ I begin to direct my mind, and I direct my body to facilitate my evolution...
Read More13. Astanga Yoga
There are different yoga systems, like I said. Hatha yoga is a part of a system, known as astanga yoga. You start off regulating your life; you clean up your act, so to speak. You stop your bad habits; you start regulating your schedule, when you get up and so on. Dropping off the bad habits – sometimes it’s called Yama and Niyama. You give up the...
Read More14. Bhakti Yoga
The only solution according to the highest level of yoga teaching is Bhakti Yoga and it is declared that this is the culmination of all yoga. ‘Bhakti’ means devotion or union with God, but union in a devotional relationship, a loving relationship. Just like in our material relationships, the more the devotion, the more the love – the more the...
Read More15. Mantra Meditation: an Inward Journey and the Best Help
What we just did, GAU–RA–ANG–GA, that is transcendental sound. That is sound that comes from the spiritual world, that is the sound that affects the heart, the soul. This is food for the soul. It looks like another word, “Oh you can do Baa–na–na. What’s the difference? Gau-ra-ang-ga – Baa-na-na. One is as good as the other.” But it is...
Read More16. Achieving Inner Perfection
This is the teaching of Bhakti yoga. That is why we are promoting this mantra meditation: because we know what it does, we know this is the Supreme Lord’s instruction. “Okay, you live in the most difficult age, Kali yuga. You’ve had a hard go just by being born in Kali yuga. You’re going to live a very difficult life, but this process...
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