The Two Ways of Life and Death from Three Teachers
When Buddha first spoke to others the knowledge gained through his enlightenment, the first principle he gave was: “There is suffering.” This is the fundamental fact of relative existence. What did Buddha then say about ending suffering?
The Four States of Understanding: Wisdom from the Gita
Discover how the number four has significance in many ways in the scriptures of India and other mystical writings. How does this apply to you?
The Bhagavad Gita: Literal or Symbolic (or Both)?
For us who are sitting with Arjuna listening to Krishna’s revelation, the Bhagavad Gita must be seen as both literal and symbolic–simultaneously.
Our Changeless Self
We are encased in five bodies: annamaya, pranamaya, manomaya, jnanamaya, and anandamaya koshas–coverings… The idea is that no matter what our consciousness is encased in or what kind of external force is “working” on us, our true self, our true nature, cannot be altered in any manner whatsoever.
False Experience and Wrong Intent
It is not just our mistaken perceptions that prevent our escape from bondage. Rather, they give rise to another ingredient in the stew of our samsaric misery: wrong intention. Our whole purpose is wrong. What should it be?
Believing in What You Can’t See
We must progress beyond intuition to direct experience of the fundamental realities of Existence. That is what Yoga is all about. Without a viable sadhana, these things cannot be known.