Acoustic Roots
Do you know what a saying is? It is a collection of words. And what is a word? A collection of syllables. And what is a syllable? A collection of letters. And what is a letter? A [sound having a] particular wavelength, or a particular acoustic expression. Everything comes out…
On the Nature of Vrittis (Emotions) and Cakras – The Phenomenology of Tantra (Excerpts)
by Vishal 3-Sept-1996 “Vrttis set the mind in motion (hence the name emotion) so as to understand, act, and react to various external and internal cues as it passes along it’s evolutionary journey from animality to humanity and eventually, to divinity. The actional expression of the vrttis unfolds in pairs…
The Ascent of the Mind
Everything in this universe, manifest or unmanifest, abstract or matter, is the playful creation of Prakrti. All entities are the different expressions of the endless dance of Shakti (Supreme Creative Principle) on the vast body of Shiva. Is Puruśa a mute witness in this playful creation of Prakrti? Is it…
Struggle and Progress
The centrifugal movement that starts from the Macrocosmic Nucleus and moves towards crudity is called the process of Saiṋcara. What influence does the centrifugal force of Saiṋcara exert on the microcosmic body and Macrocosmic body? In the process of Saiṋcara (the first half of the Cosmic cycle) the centrifugal force…
The Base of Life
A finite entity requires a base for its existence. The base shall not only preserve its “I” feeling in physical form, but it shall also nourish the same every moment with vital energy for that entity. The subtle entity requires a base in exactly the same manner as a physical…
Why Are People Afraid of Intuitional Practice?
Intuitional practice, sádhaná, is the fundamental duty of everyone. Yet very few people perform this duty. Ordinarily people are afraid of doing sádhaná. It is fear that keeps them from doing intuitional practice. But how far their fear is justified remains to be seen. At the very outset they consider…
What Are the Noble Truths?
The subject of today’s discourse is, “What Are the Noble Truths?” Ánandádhyeva khalvimáni bhútáni jáyanteÁnandena játáni jiivanti ánandaḿ prayantyabhisaḿvishantiiti. This universe has emanated from the Supreme Bliss or Ánandam; it is being maintained in Ánandam, and will finally dissolve in Ánandam. Some people say that this universe is full of…
Which is the right path?
Many people ask themselves the same question: “Which is the right path?” Whenever scholars discuss this question together, they each give a different answer. So what should ordinary people do? Which path should they follow, and which one should they reject? Unable to discriminate between “shreya” (leading to welfare) and…
The Ten Characteristics of Dharma
Shreyán svadharmo viguńah paradharmatsvásvanuśtitátSvadharme nidhanaḿ shreyah paradharmo bhayávahah. Human beings should die a glorious death, a death worthy of a human being. They should never give indulgence to the crude animal propensities. “Svadharme nidhanaḿ shreyah”. It is better to die a glorious death than to continue living a life of…
The Base of Life
A finite entity requires a base for its existence. The base shall not only preserve its “I” feeling in physical form, but it shall also nourish the same every moment with vital energy for that entity. The subtle entity requires a base in exactly the same manner as a physical…