General Articles 
Symbolism of Kamandalu & Kalasha
20 September, 2020 @ 10:33 am
Kamandalu In this story, the King Shikhidhvaja becomes disillusioned with his life of luxury at the palace and decides to renounce his royal position to live the austere life of a renunciate monk. He goes to the forest, builds himself a meditation hut, and keeps only a staff, a dinner plate, a cup, a tray, mala beads, a garment to cover his body, a deerskin to meditate upon, and a kamandalu.
How to deal with the deep historical trauma and violence of racial prejudice?
8 September, 2020 @ 4:45 pm
This practice of noticing thoughts and impulses that arise from the depths of the subconscious mind and choosing whether it is a thought or impulse worth strengthening or weakening is a good yoga practice. We strengthen that to which we pay more attention, that which we act out, that with which we identify.
Appreciation for All Living Beings
20 August, 2020 @ 10:53 am
Wolfgang Bischoff, Spiritual Director of the "Himalaya Institute Germany", has been dealing with the topic of shaping fate for a long time. YOGA AKTUELL asked him for his assessment of recent global events in their significance for the destiny of mankind.
Is it true that we should not practice any special mantras between midnight and 3 am and between noon and 3 pm?
15 August, 2020 @ 6:24 pm
With respect to appropriate hours for japa, one explanation of these rules is that these are the hours when the devas are resting. But by what clock? 12 midnight here is 7 AM in Europe.
How can the non-enlightened ones guide others?
18 July, 2020 @ 6:49 pm
The idea is that the un-embodied, timeless Guru can teach us in many ways, through many people, and especially through initiated teachers. If you refuse all the help that comes to you, insisting that the Guru personally appear before you, you may miss essential lessons and have a very long wait.
How can a personal mantra be effective if it is given by a non-enlightened initiator?
25 June, 2020 @ 7:04 pm
What’s important to understand is that the mantra does not come from the initiator; it comes from the Guru. Swami Rama was known as Gurudeva— a person who has brought his mind to the level of the Guru. But the Guru is not a body, is not a person.
2020 Festival of the Spirit
25 May, 2020 @ 11:36 pm
We are reminded that since this annual event began in 1983, we have accrued an abundance of wealth for every beautiful thought is worth saving. We have saved a small treasure enhancing the treasures of non-violent, beautiful, and beneficial sentiments. During the festival, we are reminded to renew the spiritual focus of our life. And with the challenges we have all experienced through the Covid-19 Pandemic, it is of utmost importance to again cultivate the soil of mind to become abundant in/with the fruits of kindness and compassion for all. What we have done together as sangha and kalyana-mitras in the past years have awakened the transforming energies of emotional purification and pure spirituality to remind us of our goal and purpose of life.
Infinity Is Six Years Old
20 May, 2020 @ 11:20 am
We were sitting around a table en famille when my six-year old grandson piped up: Granddad what’s infinity plus three? The wee fellow is fond of numbers. The bigger the better. We talked round it a bit and got on to other things. I knew I had an answer, it just wasn’t there yet.
The Story of Sai Om
20 May, 2020 @ 11:16 am
Many of you might have heard of this story already. A wise old man in ancient China lost his horse which ran off into wilderness. Friends and neighbors came to comfort him. The old man just said, “How does one know it is not a lucky omen?” Indeed, a few days later the horse returned, and brought a herd of wild horses with it. People gathered to congratulate the old man.
How can I control my anger?
5 May, 2020 @ 7:29 pm
Do not suppress your anger. Strive to convert it into compassion and acceptance...Gradually you will find mental tools to help you alter your choices.