Author: Arun Ganesan

Amrita Yoga, from perfect posture to perfect alignment with the Divine

Amrita Yoga, from perfect posture to perfect alignment with the Divine

Jan 17, 2020 | , |

In July 2019, I was very much looking forward to the first 28-day silent retreat at Amritapuri. Amma initiated these retreats out of her Sankalpa (divine resolve). They are a rare opportunity to step out of the hustle and bustle of daily life and go on an inner adventure. But it was not to be. I had a severe fall in Dublin, fracturing my back, and giving myself a bad concussion. Luckily, Amma was due in Europe in October, and I would get a chance to see her. I was longing forward to her caring back rub and a...

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Opening Our Hearts to New Seeds of Faith

Opening Our Hearts to New Seeds of Faith

Jan 9, 2020 | |

The Amrita Yoga Beginner’s Retreat was four days of bliss by the sea at Amritapuri. Our group came together from all over the world, places like France, Germany, USA, and Brazil, to share in this experience. It was a complete exploration of yoga in all its facets including two asana classes a day; hour long talks by swamis on various topics relating the practice of yoga to the Vedic scriptures, meditations on the beach at sunset, morning archana (chanting the thousand names of the Divine Mother), purification through seva (selfless service) and ending the day with joyous bhajans (devotional singing) with...

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A New Chapter in my Life with Amrita Yoga, India

A New Chapter in my Life with Amrita Yoga, India

Dec 27, 2019 | , |

I would be the last person you would expect to do Hatha Yoga. I’ve never been the athletic type nor had the desire to move my body any more than absolutely necessary. In school, physical education was a nightmare. The teacher and the other students always teased me for my pathetic performance. But then in 2011, a few renunciates were asked if we would be willing to teach the children in Amrita Vidyalayam Schools the Surya Namaskarah. At first I said, “No way! I’m much too busy.” However, the next morning, to my great surprise, I woke up with...

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Let us Be a Loving Example

Let us Be a Loving Example

Oct 4, 2019 | |

  When we find a treasure, we have a tendency to share our discovery. At the beginning of my spiritual path, I felt very enthusiastic about sharing the truths I was experiencing with others, especially my dear ones. But soon I discovered that apparently they were not receiving this information with the same intensity as I was. I also noticed that I used lots of effort and energy trying the difficult task of changing their points of view and widen their minds. I realized that this effort was in vain. It is necessary to have an inner longing, an...

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Where Amma is, there is Amritapuri

Where Amma is, there is Amritapuri

Sep 25, 2019 | , |

It was the beginning of dawn, but the sun seemed hesitant to rise. The Ayodhyavasis, dwellers of Ayodhya, were praying that the sun never rose. This day would take away Lord Rama. All Ayodhyavasis mourned their immanent loss. Many were agitated at the injustice of Rama’s exile. He was their God in human form. Only three people enjoyed divine peace: Lord Rama, His inseparable divine consort, Sita, and His beloved brother, Lakshman. They were a family who cared nothing for luxury, sensual enjoyment or personal comfort. Theirs was a life of duty, dharma and sacrifice. Even Valmiki, the author of the...

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