In the aftermath of the London bombings and Hurricane Katrina, as well as the fourth anniversary of 9/11, the age-old question naturally arises: “Why do bad things happen to good people.” Sri Swami Satchidanda addressed this issue many times, under a variety of circumstances. Here is an excerpt from one talk in which he speaks…
Interfaith dialogue is designed to bring people together so that we can remember the unity behind the diversity. It is not saying that there should be one religion to which we should all belong. And it is certainly not asking that you leave your religion to join another religion. It doesn’t believe in that kind…
Prana is the vital energy that makes up the entire cosmos. Even the movement in an atom is due to the prana within it. When you see a flame, and you see the heat in that, that is the prana. Your car moves with prana. Your gasoline is a liquid form of prana. You need…
In the Eastern philosophy we have a belief in principles such as karma and reincarnation. But in the West, there is less acceptance or understanding about these things. The Judeo-Christian belief is that when the body dies that is the end of it. But, in Eastern philosophy we believe that the soul never dies. When…
Somehow my life has been continuously directed by a Higher Will. I didn’t have any interest in coming to America. I didn’t have any interest in going to Sri Lanka. Somehow, Providence put me in various places. It just pushed me here, there, here, there, one place after the other. As if some unseen hand…
Trials, difficulties, troubles and sufferings are necessary for your purification and to strengthen your will and power of endurance. Face them bravely and come out triumphantly. Press on. Strive on with all your will; only then is the grace of God bestowed. God helps those who help themselves. If bad thoughts enter your mind, simply…
The one and only thing that will keep a marriage going is to think: “God has brought me a partner. No matter what he or she is, I am learning to serve that person unconditionally. It’s for that reason I am marrying someone, not for anything else.” He or she may seem to be nice,…
Every aspirant in the spiritual path becomes a victim to the mood of depression in the beginning. You have to overcome this mood through discrimination, reflection, singing God’s name, prayer, etc. This mood is like a passing cloud. It will pass off if you are vigilant. Do not mistake emotion for devotion. Whenever you get…
Question: Could you suggest a prayer that a sick person might say? Swami Satchidananda: There’s no need for a suggestion. If he or she is really sick, the prayer will come. You don’t need to worry about the words. God will know what you mean. And remember, a really hearty cry relieves a lot of…
There is only one Light Of Truth Universal Shrine now, a place like this where people of all faiths and beliefs can come together and silently worship in their own way under the same roof. But this is only a beginning. I know that once people see the beauty and benefit of understanding among all…
Even from a scientific or technical standpoint we find that this kind of communion or communication is possible only when two things are attuned to the same level. Let’s look at an example of this from our daily life. When you turn on the radio as you drive to work in the morning, where does…
So, by witnessing ignorance, racism, and violence, if you lose your serenity, in what way you are going to help? You will become another problem. And you are not the cause for the violence or racism or ignorance. You make sure that you don’t become the cause for those things. If it is there, if…