Daily Inspirations


A Small Bowl of Water and a Needle

The person who wrote the great South Indian scripture, the Thirukkural, is Thiruvalluvar. He had a wife named Vasuki. Every day when he sat to eat, along with a plate and glass, his wife placed a small bowl of water and a needle on the table. And every…


Your Foremost Duty: Concentration

Sri Shankara writes that a man’s duty consists in the control of the senses and the concentration of the mind. As long as one’s thoughts are not thoroughly destroyed, through persistent practice, a man should ever be concentrating his mind on one truth…


Let Us Play Our Roles Well

Peace, contentment, not running after anything is what you call the kingdom of God. Once you achieve that kingdom of God, what will happen? Everything else will be running after you. Know that by knowing which everything else is known. Instead of runni…


Withdraw the Mind

Pratyahara is abstraction or withdrawal of the senses. From it starts the real inner spiritual life and the external world is shut out. Yama, niyama, asana, pranayama – all prepare the aspirant for the practice of pratyahara. The mind is rendered calm…


It’s Available to Everyone

Contentment is God. A contented mind is a peaceful mind; it’s not disturbed. That’s why we say, “Contentment is golden.” If you are contented, your mind is always peaceful, serene. Then you are a yogi automatically. That’s the only qualification. The s…


Develop Will Power

Attention, power of endurance, overcoming aversion, dislikes and irritations, fortitude in suffering, tapas, fasting, patience, command of temper, forbearance, clemency, mental power of endurance, firmness in meeting danger, power of resistance in atta…


The Whole World Is an Altar

Question: What did Jesus mean when he said, “Take, eat; this is my body which was given for you.” Answer: When he says, “It’s my body,” that means the bread itself is the manifestation of that spirit. Whatever you eat, eat it with the feeling that, “It…


Memory Culture

Take up memory culture. Take to any exercise that suits you best and put it into daily practice. Keep a daily record – this is very important. Mere skipping over the pages will not do. You will not be benefitted. If you really want rapid improvement, i…


 The Master’s Presence

Question: How should a disciple approach the master in thought and during meditation? Answer: Think of the teachings and try to apply them in your life. Then the master is with you always. A teacher is not some person; the teaching is the real teacher.…


Develop Your Sight

Whenever you meet a person, look at his figure carefully from top to bottom. Mentally note his peculiar features – the condition of his eyes, eyebrows, teeth, arms etc., the sort of dress he is wearing, what kind of cap he wears, whether he has a moust…


The Conscience Is the Same in Everyone

Question: Should I ask, “What is Thy Will?” for every decision, every day? Is that self-help, or am I being too dependent? Answer: In the beginning, until we learn what God’s Will is, we have to be dependent. Who is the One who wills, and who is the on…


Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini shakti is the coiled up, dormant, cosmic power that underlies all organic and inorganic matter. It is the primordial energy that lies at the basal centre (muladhara chakra) in a dormant, potential state. Kundalini yoga treats of Kundalini sha…