Swamiji meets up with TTC students in Rishikesh on his way to Uttarkashi

Swami Sivananda's Yoga Questions and Answers: What is Yoga?

Q: What is Yoga? A: Yoga means “union” – union of the individual soul with the Cosmic Soul, fusing of the limited consciouness in the Supreme Consciouness. Balance of the mind is Yoga. Freedom from attachment, egoism and imperfections is Yoga. Q: What is Hatha Yoga? A: It is the Yoga by which the body is rendered strong and healthy by the practice of Asanas and Mudras, and the Prana united with Apana is taken through the Sushumna to the Sahasrara Chakra at the crown of the head.

Taken from: Yoga Questions and Answers

Swami Sivananda

A Divine Life Society Publication

In Indian Culture: Why do we…. 1 - CHANT OM?

Why do we chant OM? Taken from: In Indian Culture: Why do we.... By Swamini Vimalananda & Radhika Krishnakumar

Om is one of the most chanted sounds symbols in India. It has a profound effect on the body and mind of the one who chants and also on the surroundings. Most mantras and vedic prayers start with Om. All auspicious actions begin with Om. It is even used as a greeting – Om, Hari Om etc. it is repeated as a mantra or meditated upon. It’s form is worshipped, contemplated upon or used as an auspicious sign.

Why do we chant Om?

Om is the universal name of the Lord. It is made up of the letters A (phonetically as in “around”), U (phonetically as in “put”) and M (phonetically as in “mum”). The sound emerging from the vocal chords starts from the base of the throat as “A”. With the coming together of the lips, “U” is formed and when the lips, “U” is formed and when the lips are closed, all sound ends in “M”. The three letters symbolize the three states (waking, dream and deep sleep), the three deities (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva), the three Vedas (Rig, Yajur and Sama) the three worlds (Bhuh, Bhuvah, Suvah) etc. The Lord is all these and beyond. The formless, attributeless Lord (Brahman) is represented by the silence between two Om chants. Om is also called pranava that means “that (symbol or sound) by which the Lord is praised”. The entire essence of the Vedas is enshrined in the word Om.

It is said that the Lord started creating the world after chanting Om and atha. Hence its sound is considered to create an auspicious beginning for any task that we undertake.

The Om chant should have the resounding sound of a bell (aaooommm). It fills the mind with peace makes it focused and replete with subtle sound. People meditate on it’s meaning and attain realization.

Om is written in different ways in different places. The most common form symbolizes Lord Ganesha. The upper curve is the head; the lower large one, the stomach; the side one, the trunk; and the semi-circular mark with the dot, the sweet-meat ball (modaka) in Lord Ganesha’s hand. Thus Om symbolizes everything – the means and the goal of life, the world and the Truth behind it, the material and the Sacred, all forms and the Formless.

Daily meditations by Swami Sivananda 2: Discrimate and Become Wise

April 7th – Discriminate and Become Wise: The pleasure derived from sensual objects gives pain to the man who discriminates. Worldly-minded people, who have lost the faculty of discrimination, rejoice in sense-objects. People without discrimination weep in old age. We weep when we are born; we weep when we are about to die; we weep in the interval also. Where then is pleasure in the world? Learn to discriminate. Become a Yogi, for Yoga puts an end to all pains. OM

Swami Sivandanda Pocket Spiritual Gems 1: Who is Happy?

Who is Happy?

He alone is happy Who has controlled his mind and other senses, Who is free from egoism, lust and pride, Who is resting on is own Atma. Therefore realise this all-blissful Atma. Taken from Pocket Spiritual Gems

Swami Sivananda A Divine Life Society Publication OM