What is “Spirit”?
We are gods within God, finite spirits within the Infinite Spirit. But what is spirit? Yoga tells us that spirit is consciousness. We are eternal consciousnesses, each of us individual and distinct. Yet we are more. Each of us takes our being from God as … Continue reading
Your Two Selves: The Individual Self and the Immortal Self
“Who am I?” is the age-old question asked along with “Who is God?” The true “I” of each sentient being is the individual spirit, the Self (atman). But there is more. God (Brahman) is the Self of the Self–as the ocean is the “self” of … Continue reading
Holy Mother, Sri Ramakrishna and Mahendranath Gupta (“M”) about Renunciation
We have often collected the sayings of the wise here at Atma Jyoti Ashram, so that we can benefit from their frequent study. Here are a few quotes about renunciation from Holy Mother, Sri Ramakrishna and Mahendranath Gupta (“M”). Holy Mother Sarada Devi: Whether a … Continue reading
How to Develop Intuition
An article by Paramhansa Yogananda from the October 1939 Inner Culture Magazine Intuition is that directly perceiving faculty of the soul which at once knows the truth about anything. Unless you have the power of intuition, you cannot possibly know Truth. It is the knowing … Continue reading
Karma and Reincarnation: Fundamental Spiritual Laws
Q: How important is belief in karma and reincarnation? Comprehending the two principles of karma and rebirth is not needful just because they are facts of universal life, but because they give us a right perspective on all facets of life itself. Without knowledge of … Continue reading
Ten Bits of Wisdom from Paramhansa Yogananda
From the Lectures of Paramhansa Yogananda How can you nourish yourself by only listening to a talk on food? You must apply your knowledge. To know food only theoretically, is to always remain hungry. So he who seeks new doctrines continuously–but does not put them … Continue reading
How to Choose Your Spiritual Name
Q: Can you help me find or choose a spiritual name, one that will express my understanding? Since you are interested in a name that indicates your inner spiritual life, you can go about it in two ways. 1) You can choose a proper name, … Continue reading
What Is Life on the Astral Plane Like?
There are many levels in the astral world, and they are all much more stable than the earth plane. Spending time in the astral plane is exactly like living within the earth plane, though in some of the higher worlds thought is more evidently a … Continue reading
How to Become a Sage
A commentary on the verse from the Mundaka Upanishad which says, “Having known the Self, the sages are filled with joy. Blessed are they, tranquil of mind, free from passion. Realizing everywhere the all-pervading Brahman, deeply absorbed in contemplation of his being, they enter into him, the Self of all.”