Just as the roots and stems of the lotus remain under the water and only the leaves and flowers float above it – and although it is born in the mud, it sustains its love for the stars – in the same way, people sitting in the lotus posture and in remaining in the world, can keep their minds above their mundane environment. – Anandamurti/Nama Shivaya Shantaya
One should be as humble as the grass and as tolerant as the trees, one should give respect to those whom no one respects, and always do kiirtan to the Lord. – Anandamurti Definition & Origin The mind cannot remain vacant. Whenever there is no important job to do, do not waste your time in idle thinking, because idle thinking means mental deterioration, mental degradation,… Read More »Kiirtan Quiz: What Do Ya Know?
By MahaJyoti Glassman What is Kiirtan The practice of kiirtan is simple repetitive chanting for 2-5 minutes or more. This method of rhythmic singing is called kiirtan. Singing kiirtan supports kids in preparing their minds and bodies for meditation by engaging the sensory organs (eyes, ears, touch) and motor organs (arms and legs) towards the Goal. The power of mantra, a collection of sacred sounds,… Read More »How to Spice up Kiirtan with Kids
In today’s fast-paced world, the importance of mental and physical well-being cannot be overstated. As we navigate our daily lives, many are searching for ways to enhance their overall health and happiness. One practice that has gained significant attention is meditation.
“Oh tranquil spiritual aspirant! Spiritual practice (sadhana) is your great bow. Set the arrow of your mind, sharpened with meditation, on this bow. Now, inclining your mind toward Him, pluck and twang the string of the bow and pierce your target – that indestructible Supreme Soul.” – Anandamurti (Subhasita Samgrapha II, 34) If you did sadhana for 2 hours and concentrated on your mantra for… Read More »Remember When Meditating
Meditation is a way of keeping our inner balance when the outer balance has been lost. Teaching these practices can be the greatest gift you may give a child. While it strengthens emotional intelligence and intuition, it also reaches into the higher layers of mind (subconscious, unconscious, etc.) of mind. ** For the 3-10 year old child to engage in meditation, the practice needs to… Read More »What Can Kids’ Meditation Look Like: Some Possibilities
Enhancing Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Well-being By Didi Ananda Sainjana Here is the outcome of the survey done with thirty practitioners of yoga and meditation recently. The practitioners consist of both male and female ages from 20 to 55 years. They have each been meditating for a duration of ten months to ten years. In today’s fast-paced world, the importance of mental and physical… Read More »A Study of the Transformative Benefits of Meditation
The Emperor’s Quest Once upon a time, the Emperor of China had no children so there was no one to become the next ruler when he was gone. The Emperor loved plants more than anything, everyone knew this and so they were not surprised when he issued a very special challenge: “I will hold a contest to choose my heir,” he said. “Anyone who wishes… Read More »Spiritual Stories for Children
The Whistling Bird Stories of Prabhat’s unusual ways spread through his school. Many of children were very curious about him. Odd stories about young Prabhat were whispered. Whispered tales circulated—some said Prabhat could understand the songs of birds. Others swore they had seen him talking with animals. One afternoon, Prabhat was sitting under a large tree with his friends when a heated argument broke out… Read More »Stories from the Life of of P. R. Sarkar/Anandamurti
By Jalaluddin Rumi This being human is a guest house.Every morning a new arrival.A joy, a depression, a meanness, Some momentary awareness comesAs an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all!Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,Who violently sweep your houseEmpty of its furniture.Still treat each guest honorablyThey may be clearing you outFor some new delight. The dark thought, the shame, the malice,Meet them… Read More »The Guest House
Once upon a time in the 1950’s a group of monks from a monastery had to relocate a Buddha statue made of clay from their temple to a new location.
There are no ‘good’ or ‘bad’ meditations. All that matters is that you seriously engage the meditative process, regardless of the content that arises. Every meditation is a step toward greater inner freedom.
In Anandamurti’s home in Calcutta, before going for his morning walk, every day he would look at all the plants. The woman who was taking care of the plants told me that one day he went on to the roof and was looking at one plant which had a small flower.
Sit in a comfortable position.Disconnect your senses from the external world.Create a relaxing mental nature landscape.Focus your awareness on breathing in and breathing out. Concentrate on something greater than yourself: Your Inner Voice or The Great. Superimpose Baba Nam Kevalam on the rhythm of the breath.Baba Nam Kevalam means that Great One which is the nearest and dearest to you, or Love is All There… Read More »Some Pointers for Teaching Meditation to Adults
For the next time you are forest bathing or walking in the woods or walking around town. Try this. Walking meditation can be practiced alone or with a small group in the park. When practicing in this way, everyone is silent and walking in single file. It is designed to synchronize body and mind while in nature. If you are not one to sit and… Read More »The Neohumanist Practice of Walking Meditation. Walk for all beings.
May the road rise to meet your feet.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again
May the Supreme hold you in the palm of his hand.
Be clear in your dream for the future. Engage in the well-being of the world. Dream a new narrative. Dream a new story for the year. Do not look back. Look forward into the future. Miss no opportunity for growth. Create a new image … a new vision. Feel and know that you are precious. Feel and know that you are whole. Feel and know… Read More »A Guided Adult Meditation or Shavasana
A grandfather was talking with his grandson, and he told him of the two wolves that live inside each one of us. They are always at war with each other. One is a good wolf who is kind brave, and loving. The other is a bad wolf who is greedy, mean, and fearful. The grandson thinks of what his grandfather has spoken and then he… Read More »The Tale of the Two Wolves
Long ago there lived a farmer and his son. The boy worked hard on his father’s farm and one day he happened to capture a strong, beautiful wild horse. All the neighbors told the farmer how fortunate he was. The farmer replied, “Ya never know.” He looked at the distant mountain and he smiled. The boy spent his days tending to the farm and the… Read More »Ya Never Know
One day a woman was walking along a beach. The entire beach was littered with hundreds of starfish who had been washed up by the tides because of a fearsome storm that had happened the night before. Every time she came to a starfish, she picked it up, and threw it back into the ocean. After a while, her friend who had been watching and… Read More »The Starfish
The Hummingbird & the Elephant Once upon a time, an elephant was walking down a road in a great jungle in south-eastern China when, suddenly, he saw a tiny hummingbird in the middle of the road. The bright little bird was motionless, belly up, with her tiny legs stretched toward the sky. She was so little that the elephant had almost stepped on her. ‘Is… Read More »Spiritual stories for adults