What is mantra meditation? Mantra meditation is basically thinking or saying a word or a phrase during your mediation or even throughout the day. This mantra can be something that was given to you by a teacher or it can be a phrase that makes you feel better about your day, or about yourself. So why do you need a mantra? Why do people use mantras during meditation? A common misconception about meditation is that you need to completely clear your mind during meditation. A lot of people, when I talk to them about meditation, they’re like “oh my mind…
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When I started my blog over 7 years ago I would have never thought my writing focus would shift to meditation and yoga. I have always liked yoga and knew I should meditate. I just never had the focus and discipline to meditate or practice yoga on a regular basis. I always thought my mind was to busy and I was too busy to meditate. Sound familiar? It should because I have heard these things from many of my readers, friends and family. I hear so many people give me the exact same reasons I gave a few years ago…
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Aparigraha is defined as the practice of non-attachment. What does non-attachment mean in the modern life? Non-attachment is obviously different culture to culture and decade to decade. Non-attachment in general means to not hold onto more wealth than necessary for a comfortable way of life. This definition varies from person to person. While some people are comfortable living a minimalist lifestyle with a smaller house, living off of food that they grow and clothes that they make, others consider a comfortable life something far different. Some people need technology in order to do their jobs, nicer clothes for their meetings…
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Brahmacharya literally means conduct consistent with Brahma. What does is mean to have conduct consistent with Brahma? This practice can vary from culture to culture. I will examine how we can practice Brahmacharya in an American culture. In many Indian cultures and religions Brahmacharya is the virtue of celibacy when unmarried and fidelity when married. In Hindu, Jain and Buddhist traditions, Brahamcharya can also imply the mandatory renunciation of sex and marriage. These things are considered mandatory for a spirtitual path. But there is a flip side to celibacy. According to guru Shrii Shrii Anadamurti, “A suppression of the sexual…
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Just last year my meditation practice was drastically changed. I went from focusing on my breathing while meditating to focusing on a beautiful universal mantra while meditating. This universal mantra is Baba Nam Kevalam. Baba Nam Kevalam is a sanskrit mantra. Baba means beloved. Nam means name. Kevalam means only. So it translates to “Only the name of the beloved”, or more simply “Love is all there is”. As a universalist this mantra really resonated with me and continues to resonate with me. While focusing on this mantra during meditation, I am able to focus on the beauty of love.…