The Bhagavad Gita: Literal or Symbolic (or Both)?
December 9, 2023
For us who are sitting with Arjuna listening to Krishna’s revelation, the Bhagavad Gita must be seen as both literal and symbolic–simultaneously.
A Practical Resource
for the Spiritual Student
D
iscover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom. This site offers you a wealth of practical and thought-provoking knowledge about the Oriental origins of Christianity, the simple and classic tradition of Yoga and the Yoga Life, the practical messages of the Bhagavad Gita and other scriptures, and much more.
Journey beyond the forest of cliches, contradictions, and confusion about Yoga, Hinduism, Christianity and metaphysical thought, through the unconventional wisdom of Swami Nirmalananda Giri, director of Light of the Spirit Monastery.
What You Will Discover on This Site
Original Christianity
Original Christianity is the teaching of both Jesus of Nazareth and his Apostle Saint Thomas in India. Learn about Jesus’ life in India, and the inevitable conclusions that must be drawn about The Real Jesus and His Real Teachings, which were really the classical, traditional teachings of the ancient rishis of India. Read Articles about Original Christianity.
Original Yoga
With all that is called “yoga” nowadays, it is hard to winnow the wheat from the chaff. Swami Nirmalananda clarifies what real yoga is both as a philosophy and as a liberating practice in its classic form of Soham Yoga, and gives practical advice on the Yoga Life that facilitates this practice. Read Articles about Original Yoga.
Dharma for Awakening
Most people intuit that the greatest wisdom comes from the East. With penetrating insight Swami Nirmalananda presents the practical value of the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, the Dhammapada, and other classic scriptures in an easily intelligible fashion. Read Articles about Dharma for Awakening.
Featuring the writings of Swami Nirmalananda Giri
Most of the articles and books on this site were written by Swami Nirmalananda Giri, (Abbot George Burke) the founder and director of the Light of the Spirit Monastery (Atma Jyoti Ashram) in Cedar Crest, New Mexico, USA.
“The scriptures contain a mixture of sand and sugar, as it were. It is extremely difficult to separate the sugar from the sand. Therefore one should learn of the essence of the scriptures from the teacher or from a sadhu.”
–Sri Ramakrishna
Swami Nirmalananda has spent a lifetime helping spiritual aspirants separate the sand from the sugar. Grounded in the perspective of classic Indian thought, directly taught by such luminaries as Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh and Sri Anandamayi Ma, and blessed with the clarity and originality of thought that can only come from years of spiritual practice (sadhana), his answers to his inquirers’ questions are unique, fresh, and authoritative.
How to Use This Site
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Purchase our books from Amazon, and read at your leisure. Make notes. Give to friends.
Spiritual Life Podcasts and Videos
Visit our Podcast Page to listen to talks by Swami Nirmalananda Giri about various aspects of practical spiritual life, and remarkable spiritual people he has known. These podcasts include talks on Original Christianity and Original Yoga, Soham Yoga Meditation, the Yoga Life, the connection between Jesus and India, monastic life, and much more.
We also have a Video Satsangs page which we encourage you to explore.
Atma Jyoti Ashram
(Light of the Spirit Monastery)
Atma Jyoti Ashram (Light of the Spirit Monastery) is a monastic community for those men who seek direct experience of the Spirit through yoga meditation, traditional yogic discipline, Sanatana Dharma and the life of the sannyasi in the tradition of the Order of Shankara. Our lineage is in the Giri branch of the Order. Read about Light of the Spirit Monastery and monastic life.
The Light of the Spirit Blog
Below are our latest blog posts. Explore our Blog, with hundreds of always-relevant posts on practical spiritual life.
7 Things You Can Do About Those Who Say You Are a Godless Heathen
November 30, 2023
Do people call you a godless heathen? Congratulations! If you weren’t on the right track those on the wrong track would not be so hysterically fearful of you and your spiritual path.
Podcast: What Happens to the Soul After Death?
November 23, 2023
The afterlife of any individual depends on the life of that individual. Each life is unique, and what happens afterwards depends on how a person lived that life, and the lives before. Learn how our karma (our actions) will determine where we go after death, and more in this podcast and video.
Monastery Bookstore
Though you can explore or read the books from our website online or as free PDF downloads, you can also purchase them as ebooks and paperbacks to add to your permanent spiritual library
Below is a sampling of the titles available, and they can be purchased on Amazon or other online retailers.
What Our Readers Say:
Abbot George’s writing is
"as informed and informative as it is inspired and inspiring"
James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief, Midwest Book Review
"[His] writing is well crafted and stocked with anecdotes, humor, literary references, and beautiful quotes... I found it to be entertaining as well as illuminating."
Reverend Gerry Nangle
President of Johrei Fellowship
"Highly recommended for earnest spiritual aspirant, especially those who might need a prod to keep them moving."
Anna Hourihan
Publisher/Editor at Vedantic Shores Press.
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