Introducing the Yoga Life: Laying the Foundations
This podcast [see below for player] is the beginning of a series on how to lead the Yoga Life. Today Abbot George discusses what is lacking in the yoga practice of many, and why people fail or do not persevere in the path of yoga. … Continue reading
Podcast: Why We Meditate and the Obstacles We Overcome
Why do we meditate? In this podcast Abbot George discusses the real reason to meditate as contrasted with wrong reasons. Then continuing with Patanjali’s instructions from the Yoga Sutras, he explains the obstacles to spiritual life and their effects. The obstacles Patanjali lists are as … Continue reading
Yoga, God, and Gurus: an Important Perspective
The last podcast about God was philosophical, so in this podcast Abbot George will go into the practical side. It is the goal of every sentient being to evolve and attain union with God. Evolution takes place naturally as we move up the ladder from … Continue reading
Kriya Yoga According to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Sutra 1 of Book Two of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Sutra 1. Austerity [tapas], self-study [swadhyaya] and resignation to Ishwara [Ishwarapranidhana] constitute Kriya Yoga. First let us define Kriya Yoga as Patanjali means it. Because many have read Yogananda’s autobiography they assume Patanjali means the … Continue reading
The Final Stages of Samadhi
Sutras 49 through 51 of Book One of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Sutra 49. The knowledge based on inference or testimony is different from direct knowledge obtained in the higher states of consciousness (I-48) because it is confined to a particular object (or aspect). That is, such … Continue reading
Dawning of the Spiritual Light
Sutras 47 and 48 of Book One of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 47. On attaining the utmost purity of the Nirvichara stage (of Samadhi) there is the dawning of the spiritual light [adhyatma prasadah]. In contrast to the samadhi spoken of in the prior … Continue reading