How much does a yoga class cost?

Although we have an idea of how much a class costs, what the Vedic tradition has to say about this often goes unnoticed. Whether you are an instructor or student, the cost of a yoga class is always a hotly debated question. Some say it is too little given the proposed result, while others say that in general yoga and spiritual knowledge should be free. There are students who only value classes when the price is high and instructors who charge little and regard this as the fate of the yoga instructor. Lastly, there are those instructors who are able to make a living from yoga classes and students who pay for classes with pleasure. What is the truth behind all of this? Should yoga be free?

In the West, the idea that spiritual knowledge should be free prevails. This idea may have emerged due to influence of the Church, seeing that its defense of the “right of man to the heavens” and work of “salvation” for the sake of fellow man, created a type of dissociation in our minds between money and the “heavens”, which for many represents the concept of spirituality. Money is still referred to as “demon or temptation”, and monks take a vow of poverty, despite living in one of the richest institutions in human history. We gain nothing from criticizing history or the Church and, surely, there are honest people and various types of administration for this institution, it would be unfair to condemn, however we cannot deny that these concepts are well rooted in our Western culture and on realizing this, we regain consciousness on this matter and can change.

Notwithstanding this religious influence, the capitalist mentality also exerts influence. In general, capitalism produces two effects: the overvaluation of money, making it so strong that it becomes a kind of treasure of which life revolves around; and a collective paranoia, in which we think everyone just wants to take what is ours or fool us all the time.

Indeed, in today’s age, money is an important issue for those seeking self-knowledge, seeing that it plays an important role in our minds and, naturally, in our lives. The inappropriate use of money is a disorder, since it is the inappropriate use of our own selves. Money represents “our sweat”, days worked, effort… And it is so strong and subtle that on a piece of paper we can write a check that represents all of the money we made in an entire lifetime. Thus, for a yogi, good relations with money are essential in order to balance the mind. And having good relations with money means that money “flows” proportionately to what the person considers valuable.

We spend 200 reais on a bag or eating out, but consider that same amount too much for a yoga class. We spend 10,000 reais on a trip to India and we are unable to give the beggar at the temple door 10 rupees. And we want to do big business even with our alleged friends and relatives where “you give me everything and I don’t give you anything”; we want free consultations, services and solutions to our lives. The “nerve” sustained by the fantasy that we are doing a big favor or that we will pay back later in other ways. We are under the impression that we are saving, but we are saving in the heart and becoming more alienated from the world, separated by this barrier of the “demon”, money.

According to the Vedas, money is considered a Devata, a divine aspect often referred to as Maha Lakshimi – the Goddess of Wealth. In this tradition, she has to be treated well at all times in order for our endeavors to be successful whatever they may be. Perhaps some masters do not set a price or a monthly fee, but even in the heart of India, according to the Vedas, there are no free classes. A life of a student, “brahmacari”, is a life of seva, service to the master, where one works a lot. This happened not only because master and students lived together, but also because while they study students are often unable to pay for their expenses. And this is why, traditionally, upon completing the study, in order to get married and proceed with one’s life, the student had to work for a few years to pay the master, the place of study and for all that was received.

Similarly, everything is exchangeable in the Vedic tradition. While this exchange may not be financial, it is always present. When you go to an ayurvedic doctor, you pay. When someone performs a ritual, the pujaris and even the people who help, receive money. When you go to an astrologist, you pay for the consultation. And you even pay when it is your birthday. In India, people celebrating their birthday do not get presents, the birthday is seen as an opportunity to offer food to all of the person’s friends and the community. And even through them, who ritualistically represent their ancestors, the person thanks for all that was received in life.

This vision and the way money is handled does not transform spirituality into a business, but if people are able to spiritualize their money, their own lives no longer turn into a business. The truth is that life is composed of many things that cannot be bought and much less of things that money can buy. What is a father worth? And a mother? How much do peace and happiness cost? How much does it cost to know the right medicine to take when someone is sick? What is a hug worth? And a smile? How much would you pay for one more year of life?

When we are dealing with yoga, not strictly speaking of postures, but all that this name embraces, meditation, mantras, pujas, lifestyle and self-knowledge, do all these things really have a monetary value? If no one can really pay for classes, perhaps we could pay for the instructor’s time, or the rent of the room, but this knowledge has been crossing the millennia in each Japa mala seed (Buddhist prayer beads), which have been passing from person to person, from master to disciple. Actually, no one can charge for it because it does not belong to anyone, and no one can pay for it because it is priceless. Therefore, the instructor charges enough to have an acceptable standard of living and dedicates his entire time for this task, like in any other class. The instructor’s contribution is to be the best he can for students and those who study contribute according to their abilities, and their contribution is to make sure that this knowledge continues to flow to others, much like in any other matter that is valued. This contributory attitude transforms payment into what is referred to as “dakshina”. Dakshina is an offering, a contribution, our share, our retribution, the recognition of what was given to us in each aspect of our lives and the respect with our own values and the people around us.

And this is how it goes in this tradition, if in the form of wealth God is Maha-Lakshimi, in the form of the one who provides knowledge, God is called Dakshinamurti.

ओम् नमो भगवते दक्षिणामूर्तये नमः॥

This article was written by Jonas Masetti at satsangaonline.

Discover more about our proposal and how to contribute.

Read also:

• There are four …
• The Crescent Moon yearns for fullness – the trip to happiness!
• How much does a yoga class cost?
• Life in an ashram with Jonas Masetti on Globo Reporter

• Or visit our archive

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Durga Puja and Navaratri in West Bengal – The Tale of Pitu (2)

Some say that the monsoon season is sad and depressing, because everything gets wet, gray and cold. However, rain in India is a sign of abundance with children playing in the streets, peacocks dancing in the forest, and – especially in West Bengal – women prepare to celebrate Navaratri. Navaratri literally means “nine nights”. In Hindu mythology, this name refers to the nine nights of battle between Durga and the Asuras. Symbolically the goddess Durga represents the feminine energy of transformation and destruction, and the Asuras represent everything that robs us of our purpose, meaning the desires that dominate us. It is said that Durga fights the Asuras during nine nights and these days are celebrated every year with much festivity.

It had been over 2 years that Shanti had left home to work in Calcutta. Although she talked to her mother almost every night, the distance from home and the social pressure of the modern world had made her into what everyone would call a dedicated and focused person. She worked tirelessly and was able to suppress her individuality to deal with the abusive behavior of her colleagues. In two years of work, she went from being a sales assistant to assistant manager of the store of saris where she worked. Perhaps, if she had not been so far from Durgapur, her hometown, there would not be all the pressure to survive and her story would be different, but that is not how it happened and behind that strong and determined woman, there was still a desperate and homesick girl ready to emerge at any moment.

That is when a very special customer left the newspaper on the counter. And on the back page there was a gorgeous photo of the goddess Durga. The colors were so lush and the outline so relevant that Shanti froze at that moment. With her mind concentrated, her eyes filled with tears, she remembered her childhood and celebrating Navaratri, how she prepared the clay dolls with her mother, who adorned the altar and how things were simple and how she was spontaneous and happy.

Then, the bell on the counter rang 3 times and the manager shouted:

“Shanti! Are you deaf?!”

The old man looked angrily and Shanti ran towards him.

“We’re at the end of the month, the people at the head office need the reports! You cannot lose your focus, girl. Our company has clear rules, you’re the assistant maaaaaaaaanager. We still have to count all the merchandise and close the books for the entire month. The stock of silk saris is running low, the new shipment from Coimbatore has arrived…”

After a few seconds, Shanti looked into the manager’s eyes, who was moving his mouth and saying something, but the words were not making sense to her. Something had happened to her. She did not feel like doing anything and did not feel aversion to anything, she was still in a state of shock. She shook her head as if she had understood everything that was said and said to herself: “I came to Calcutta to make something of my life, but I’m living as if I were dead”. She picked up the newspaper like someone who cleans the counter and put it in her bag. One thing she was certain of, this year she would not miss Navaratri, even if she had to work overnight, she was going to go to the festival.

The region of Bengal is known in India for some characteristics: the special taste of the food; the ideological debates on every street corner; the beautiful, well-dressed women with large and expressive eyes; and, especially, for the particular way in which Navaratri is celebrated. It is the most anticipated date of the year, stores close, people organize large events with lots of food and dance and of course many rituals to worship the female Deities.

The date was coming up. While Durga fought the Asuras, Shanti fought the figures and reports for the head office. She placed a small, bright sticker of the Goddess in the bottom part of her computer and fulfilled her purpose on the eighth day. Shanti had no doubt that she would be able to execute all of her tasks on time, but closing the month always brings surprises, but this time the old man had no chance.

“Shanti, I’m glad you’ve delivered the reports. I just wanted to ask you for a favor, I will not be able to tend to the store this weekend, can you take care of everything for me here?”

She would have tended the store on any other weekend, but this time she could not, so she had to improvise – and she was much sharper than one would imagine.

“Ji! Sure I can, I just need to take care of a problem … I promised Durga that I was going to the festival this year.”

“Oh Damn! Then you’re going to have to break the promise, this is work, girl.”

“You’re right, work always comes first. So if you, my boss, asks me to stay I’m sure there is a good enough reason and Durga will understand. In this case, my part will be taken care of, and you will have to keep my promise with Durga. Is that okay with you?”

“Well, in this case, I can ask someone else to stay, you know how it is?! Stores close, but someone has to answer the phone. That’s the only reason why I asked you.”

Before the old man had the chance to change his mind, she closed her laptop, put it in her bag and went home.

The newspaper talked about an event that was going to be held in a gym in the center of town. For the Durga festival, the red sari with golden bangles that her grandmother had given her was chosen. She prepared an arrangement of flowers in a basket to place at the Goddess’ feet and went to the festival excitedly.

Horns, bang snaps, fire works, screams and more horns were everywhere, rickshaws (3-wheeled taxis in India) like a cat walking through traffic, made the miracle of locomotion possible in India. At the gym door next to the curb, an ocean of sandals and slippers, everyone left their shoes there before going in. At the door, a man with a big mustache smiled. “Namaskaram! Welcome.”

Holding a flyer of the event, looking at the children running around, the music playing loudly and raucously, she gradually became more relaxed and turned into a child once again. Within a few minutes, she was smiling spontaneously – not because she was in a spiritual ecstasy or anything of the sort – she was smiling because she did not see herself as detached from anything that was going on about her. She felt at home again and was happy to be back.

She did not even know why, but she just knew that she was there to deliver those flowers. She walked to the altar and saw that huge image made of clay with many arms and colors, and prayed:

“Divine Mother, it’s been so long since I’ve seen you. I’ve strived to do everything that I must do. However hard it may be, I’m here in Calcutta, managing to survive with your blessings. But, Mother, give me a sign. What is the truth of it all? Where is this life going to lead me? What am I doing here? What do I have to do to be happy and at peace? Please show me the truth of it all.”

She rubbed the flowers in her heart as one who deposits all her love and threw them at the feet of the image, which in Shanti’s mind, was the Goddess herself.

At that moment, the music stopped and in a weird tongue, the announcer introduced the next attraction a swami, who came to do a “Satsang”, talk openly about everyday issues in the vision of the Vedas. Shanti sat at the feet of the Goddess and turned to see that bald, orange-colored man take the stage with the help of a boy. Slowly, the microphone passed from person to person in the crowd asking about various things. “Why is there so much injustice in the world? … Is it necessary to take a shower to pray? … What is the purpose of Yoga? … What is needed to become a successful yogi?”

She was finding everything a bit repetitive, at which time someone asked:

What do I need to be happy?” – The audience laughed, but the swami knew the question was relevant and decided to test the seriousness of the individual.

Well, that depends. For how long do you want to be happy? 1 hour, 1 day, 1 month? Do you have a specific place where you search for this happiness? At home or at work?

The individual laughed, having not expected a counter question, and said: “I didn’t know it was so hard to be happy. I didn’t want to provoke or disrespect you”…

The swami kept looking at the individual, he did not feel challenged, and did not think that the answer was complicated, but he wanted the person to be available to hear it, because a question like that requires full attention of the listener in order for it to be understood otherwise it is a waste.

Embarrassed, the individual said, “Swami, I don’t know if it’s possible and forgive me if I’m talking nonsense. I’d like to be happy all the time and anywhere.”

The swami smiled and everyone waited for an answer to judge the individual, but the master wasted no time. Upon noticing the openness in people’s minds to transmit a deeper message, he began:

… dear friend,  your question is very pertinent to this occasion. Take a look at this gorgeous image of Durga, so many colors, how expressive?! Despite of all the details, it is only made of clay. It was built piece by piece during the entire month, and many people participated in this task. Today it is here, whole, but three days after navaratri, it will be immersed in the river again and all of this beauty will be gone…

And that’s how we try to be happy, that’s how we build our project of happiness. We always visualize something and work to build it. We may not succeed due to many factors because there are many people involved, other elements that are beyond our control and even our own abilities are limited. However, with persistence, intelligence and hard work, we build different images like these in our lives, but the truth is that they are made of clay. And, as a result, we sometimes we have it all: a good job, money, a good family and friends, but there is still a feeling that something is missing. However beautiful the image may be, regardless of how organized situations are, we know that it will be immersed back into the river, because this is the nature of clay images. People change, situations change, and with them feelings also change and we live an apparent enigma, where we are working tirelessly to produce situations, then we enjoy them a little and suffer afterwards when they’re gone…

When we least expect it we are stuck in this “chakra” (wheel) which is called samsara. We are stuck there going back and forth, but we don’t really go anywhere. We are living, but we’re still the same needy, helpless person trying to be happy. And what to do?…

Well, first of all, this is not anyone’s problem in particular, this is the dilemma of human life that is lived since the beginning of time and there is a solution for this, when this problem is seen with clarity…

The solution is called self-knowledge, which is also called liberation, because the idea is that knowledge frees you from samsara. It removes us from this learned behavior of having to change the world to become whole. Now how can knowledge release me from something?

I imagine that all of you want to know how knowledge can release us. Let’s put it this way… there are two kinds of problems: one that requires a change and the other that does not.

The problems that require a change or the acquisition of something in order to be happy – such as hunger or the need for shelter – cannot be solved with knowledge alone. Action is necessary; time is needed in order to the change people or situations in order to get the result desired.

However, there is another kind of problem that requires no such change, and therefore, knowledge alone is sufficient to solve the problem. For example, think of the moment that we thought we had lost our pen, and we ask for it, after searching incessantly for it, and someone responds: “It is in your pocket!” Apply knowledge and the problem is instantly solved. Or, we became angry about something that didn’t happen and everything is solved the moment we are aware of the truth. Or even in the traditional example of the story of the 10 boys that everyone already knows…

If happiness were always dependent upon a change in ourselves or in the people around us, no one would even be able to laugh at a simple joke, since the humor in a joke is only dependent upon the capacity of a person to understand it. No change is necessary. How long does it take to laugh at joke? It doesn’t even require time; it just requires comprehension, right? Even if we don’t understand it at the time, we might have a revelation later when taking a bath and we will have a laugh in that very moment. Am I right?

Everyone laughed. The individual had sat down and everyone looked attentively at the master’s movement. He did not want to convince anyone, let alone convert them to some kind of belief. He spoke of himself and each one got what they needed.

“..my name is Shanti, I’d like to know how to acquire this knowledge.”

“Like any other knowledge whoever wants to learn it must be prepared and have the means to acquire it.”

There are 2 means. First, you need a teacher with whom you connect, trust and who is able to teach. And that’s important. Because many masters may be part of the spiritual journey of a person, but not all of them have the same role. Some are sources of inspiration, great people who may already be dead. Others can cure illnesses and talk about the future and the past. Some only bless us, either with a hug, a look or a smile. However, for self-knowledge it is necessary someone who has already gone through the same process that we want to go through, more of a student than a teacher and that takes a while for us to understand. Our spiritual fantasies lead us to chase after those who have the longest white beard or those who talk about abstract things that are beautiful and inspiring, but the real problem is that on seeing ourselves, we are not complete and happy and it is only this view that needs to be corrected. Therefore, the first step is to have a good teacher who is able to reproduce what he went through.

The second is that the teacher is like a gardener who takes care of the plants, which are us. He knows how to do his part, but if the necessary conditions are not present, the plant will not grow or germinate and may even die. The condition to grow is called yoga, a life of yoga. Remember that yoga is not asanas (physical postures) – although they may be way into this lifestyle. In fact, yoga is a vision, an attitude toward life that brings space and balance. This is the second half. Then first comes yoga and then comes the teacher to teach knowledge.

Therefore, I end this satsang by quoting a verse from Katha Upanishad who talks exactly about this point:

मृत्युप्रोक्तां नाचिकेतोऽथ लब्ध्वा विद्यामेतां योगविधिं च कृत्स्नम्।

ब्रह्मप्राप्तो विरजोऽभूद्विमृत्युरन्योऽप्येवं यो विदध्यात्ममेव।

“… Therefore, having fully comprehended the teaching of the Lord of Death, a life of yoga, and self-knowledge, Naciketas (his disciple) attained Brahma and became pure and immortal, as all those that acquire yoga this knowledge shall also do…”

The announcer stepped in and placed a garland of flowers on the swami, who was duly thanked him before leaving the stage. While helping the teacher to get off the stage, the boy asked him why had not told the people where he taught and the times of the classes when he was asked how to study. And the master smiled and said. “This is a study that needs to be chosen and in order to choose there must be complete freedom. For some all that was said will suffice and those who need to learn more will know where to find me or will find another teacher.”

This article was written by Jonas Masetti at satsangaonline.

Discover more about our proposal and how to contribute.

Leia também:

• There are four …
• The Crescent Moon yearns for fullness – the trip to happiness!
• How much does a yoga class cost?
• Life in an ashram with Jonas Masetti on Globo Reporter

• Or visit our archive

What is the meaning of Mahalakshmi Gayatri – verse dedicated to the Goddess of Wealth?

Mahalakshmi Gayatri meaning: We meditate upon “Mahalakshmi”, the consort of Vishnu, that she may bless our minds.

This is a popular verse known as Mahalakshmi Gayatri. Gayatri is the name of the metre in which this verse was composed, just like the sonnet in English, gayatri is the name of this metric, which contains 24 syllables. Every deity, which is a divine aspect present in Hindu culture, has a gayatri. This verse is composed of small striking features of the deity in question, as is described in the Puranas, stories from Hindu mythology. This gayatri was composed for Mahalaksmi (commonly referred to as Lakshmi also) and it describes her as the wife of Vishnu, he who sustains creation. Within the context of self-knowledge, Vishnu is the creator and Lakshmi symbolizes his shakti power, the raw material of creation, resources and wealth. The idea is that consciousness alone does not create; it needs the blessings of shakti, the creative power, symbolized in the form of Laskshmi.

Ritualistically, a verse such as this is used in complex rituals, which involve other chants like Sri Suktam or Purusha Suktam and therefore it is associated with Rig Veda, where they come together. But this addition of Mahalakshmi Gayatri is attributed to Rshi Brgu and is not a verse of the Vedas on its own. Occasionally, this verse is chanted at the end of these more elaborate chants. This process is not dictated by logic and should not be analyzed academically. The ritualistic procedures, as well as the verses, were received by the rshis (wise ones) in meditation, in a manner that they should be performed to obtain a certain result. It is said that the practices to access this type of visualization are currently unknown, and it is further said that the creator provides this ability to people at the right time.

The beauty of these types of verses, composed in gayatri and attributed to a specific deity, is not only in the deity to which it refers, but also in what is being asked. It is asked that the Creator blesses our minds. The mind is the individual, it is his history, and his future depends entirely on a mind able to make the right decision. Like most prayers of the tradition this is also a collective prayer, emphasizing the fact that we are a single species and it is no use for one person alone to be on the right track. Our lives are interconnected and, therefore, we also pray for one another. Children pray that their parents make the right choices, parents pray for their children’s health, then the children pray for the health of their aging parents, parents pray for the happiness of their children and finally the children pray for their parents who are no longer here and who cannot pray for themselves anymore. It is a cycle, a synchronization that is expressed in: “O, MahaLakshmi bless our minds”.

Lakshmi alone is the Goddess of wealth, beauty and power. It is not that Hinduism has many Gods, but it can afford the luxury of separately invoking the divine aspect that is needed at that moment. In this case, Lakshmi is this aspect. There are several forms of wealth and Lakshmi can be used to invoke divine blessings in all of these forms. The first blessing is the raw material, food, cotton, wood, the resources of our society. Then we have the animals, the cattle that produce milk, that plow the land, that produce wool and all its byproducts. We also have minerals, ores, gems, gold and money.

Once a priest was talking to a Swami about faith and was bragging that in his country even the money has “In God We Trust” written on it. And he asked if the same was done in the Swami’s country. The Swami replied that this is not written on his money because for them money itself is Mahalakshmi and God is not a matter of faith. Money is not separate from God, or any of the world’s wealth. This is a completely different and unique vision of this tradition.

In the West, it is common to associate money to worldly pursuits, even to the point of believing that spirituality cannot be linked to money: as if the relationship between master and disciple had somehow been tainted once money was involved. However, in Hindu society, even in places where the teaching is not demanded directly, students work hard to help the teacher, which is called seva. In some cases, they have to do seva for more than 6 months continually to be able to step into the classroom. The Veda itself says that the student, after having been taught, can only move to the next stage of life, get married and have children, when he makes an appropriate donation to his teacher and to the place of learning – since, for a long time, he just consumed. Therefore, the idea that money and work are contrary to spirituality is false. It is just a fantasy that is sustained by a sense of security that money provides. Nobody wants to give up even a small part of their money or wealth; it is very easy to say that everything should be free. Sometimes we spend 50 dollars to go to the movies, but we do not invest the same in a course in order to improve the quality of our life. This is just an inversion of values. If we look objectively, being able to pay for courses and contribute to maintain the tradition where one studies is a sign of maturity and appreciation of knowledge. This attitude is important in the spiritual path and it is very natural. We consume and therefore we contribute in return, simple as that.

And wealth does not stop with money, we have knowledge, technology and the ability to properly assess and then decide our actions. In another sphere, we have children and family who are also seen as Lakshmi and in some ways are more powerful than money and other forms of wealth. The value of being a parent, of rearing a child and having a family goes beyond what money can provide. Moreover, if money is not used correctly, it shuns the family and the individual is not content and at peace.

Finally, Lakshmi is wealth, the resources in all these spheres that are used in our lives. Just like all resources, it has an independent purpose from itself, which is why wealth, Lakshmi, is the wife of Vishnu, and she serves him. That is the right way to view wealth. When your wealth serves you, even if you do not have much, you are a Swami, a master, and it becomes “one more”, a luxury, and with or without it you are at peace. On the other hand, when you serve your wealth, even if you have a lot, you become a slave. You work tirelessly to ensure its wishes, which are endless, and in the long-term, you become a supporting character in your own story. In this case, though there is an apparent satisfaction, luxury and beauty, there is no real peace.

Some people will conclude and defend that money does not buy happiness and that, therefore, your search should be abandoned, but this is also a childish position. If accumulating money does not help the person to be happy, not having money makes matters worse. In the past, the person was dissatisfied with comfort and now in the name of spirituality the person abandoned everything and turned into the same dissatisfied person; however, discomfort means no home, no family and depending on others. This is not a smart move. Wealth is Lakshmi, it must be respected, and when used correctly it is a tool for living well, with a life that leads to the discovery of the Self that is free of comforts and discomforts.

Wealth is that which should be used to live better and this involves much more than money and objects. It involves living a full life, having values that give us the freedom to come and go in the world, without having to avoid people or fraying to support lies. It involves accepting our emotions, our past, and rediscovering the spontaneous child within ourselves, able to smile and love people. And why not have the humility to accept our own limitations to solve problems? In seeking help? Undoubtedly, this is a great wealth that we lack today. The more subtle the wealth, the more valuable it is because there is nothing more valuable than peace, which is what is most subtle in our minds. That is why this peace is seen as the wealth of riches. All our actions culminate in finding this simple and happy person, which is the wealth of riches, without which, no other wealth has real value. This is not just something to be understood intellectually, it is something to be seen as true in our hearts, it is the purpose of yoga.

Therefore, this is the meaning of this verse: “O, Mahalaksmi you who exist in the form of all these riches, you who are the wife of Vishnu, please bless our minds and allow us to find the peace that is the wealth of riches”.

This article was written by Jonas Masetti at satsangaonline.

Discover more about our proposal and how to contribute.

Read also:

• There are four …
• The Crescent Moon yearns for fullness – the trip to happiness!
• How much does a yoga class cost?
• Life in an ashram with Jonas Masetti on Globo Reporter

• Or visit our archive

How many types of Yoga are there?

The word Yoga comes from Sanskrit, from the verbal root “yuj” which means “unity”. Although it is used colloquially to refer to postural and physical exercises, the origin of the word has little to do with such exercises.

O que é yoga? Quem é um yogi?

É comum se referir aos praticantes de ásanas (posturas/exercícios físicos) como yogis, contudo nem todo praticante de ásana é necessariamente um yogi e existem pessoas que nunca praticaram, mas são. Ao que remete esse termo “yogi”? Qual a sua relação com yoga? E afinal de contas, o que é o yoga?

Qual o papel da psicologia na espiritualidade?

O termo espiritualidade é amplamente usado para se referir a prática de terapias, conhecimento das emoções, análise dos fatos marcantes dessa vida e até de outras. Embora essas atividades e conhecimentos advindos delas sejam úteis na vida de uma pessoa, a espiritualidade não tem o mesmo campo de atuação que os trabalhos psicoterapêuticos. Qual a diferença entre os dois? E até que ponto cada um pode nos levar? Como a psicologia e suas ferramentas podem colaborar na busca pelo autoconhecimento?

Maha Linga Vibho – Nova Composição do Swami Dayananda

Apresentação imperdível  da nova composição do Swami Dayananda – Maha Linga Vibho, acompanhada de Bhaje Vignarajam Vinayakam e o famoso Bho Shambo! O primeiro vídeo é um fragmento de uma apresentação que ocorreu no aniversário do ashram de Coimbatore.  As interpretações são feitas pelos músicos e discípulos do Swami que capricharam nos solos, como podemos conferir. Essa música foi criada com a inspiração do Maha Linga Swami, que podemos ver na foto – o Swami reativou uma tradição de levar a deidade desse templo em procissão em um carro enorme do tamanho de um prédio de 5 andares.

Por que insistimos tanto em causas perdidas?

Por que só me interesso por quem não presta? Por que não consigo me livrar do que faz mal para mim? Por que parece que estou a mercê dos meus desejos? Por que eu sou tão burro? Por que minha vida parece um teatro? Por que sustento tantas falsas esperanças? Todas essas perguntas e muitas outras fazem parte do nosso cotidiano e nos fazem acreditar que a mente possui algum tipo de defeito. Porém, é exatamente esse “defeito” que nos faz humanos e o que move a roda da vida – o samsara.

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Como ser um Yogui de sucesso?

É comum se referir as pessoas dentro da espiritualidade como um grande mestre, uma pessoa muito evoluída, estudioso ou até mesmo iluminado. Como identificar uma pessoa evoluída? Como faço para ter sucesso no meu caminho espiritual?

Qual o significado da palavra OM – ॐ ? Sr Yama (Deus da Morte) responde…

Na Katha Upanishad, o professor é o próprio Senhor Yama, a deidade que representa a “morte” e também  aquele que dá o fruto das ações aos indivíduos, sendo a vida humana apenas mais um deles. O aluno é o famoso Naciketas, um garoto sincero que por inocência foi mandado pelo próprio pai para servir o Senhor da Morte. Lá é conferido a ele o grande conhecimento que é chamado pelo próprio Yama de “OM”!

Como lidar com a gula, o cigarro, álcool e outros vícios?

Como ser humano ninguém está livre das obsessões e do comportamento compulsivo. Todos carregam na sua história um conjunto de atividades através das quais a personalidade se desliga da realidade, ou se nutre para se sentir querida, amada ou simplesmente “alguém”.  Lidar com esses comportamentos cíclicos é um desafio para todos. Se o problema é o “sobre peso”, devemos saber que antes do corpo ser gordo, a mente deve estar gorda. O corpo apenas acompanha o estado da mente, de fato, não existe um “corpo gordo”.

O que fazer se me sinto desconfortável com rituais e orações?

Algumas pessoas são “devotas natas”, são naturalmente absorvidas por rituais, missas, orações ou qualquer prática religiosa. Outras pessoas são indiferentes às práticas ritualística pela falta de exposição ou de oportunidade não desenvolveram esses aspecto da sua personalidade. Existem ainda aqueles, que não se conectam, não gostam, não tem o desejo de participar ou até mesmo tentam, mas internamente identificam algum tipo de desconexão e não se sentem confortáveis com rituais, orações, rezas ou qualquer atividade associada a religião.

Qual a diferença entre espiritualidade e religião?

Entendemos por “religião” um conjunto de crenças, valores, estilo de vida e práticas devocionais que é regida sob um nome e uma figura institucional. Os costumes e regras são os mais variados: alguns são vegetarianos, outros não comem a noite, alguns tem o compromisso de disseminar sua filosofia e outros fazem voto de silêncio, para uns imagens são sagradas e para outros locais são sagrados e cada um em sua própria língua atribui um nome a Deus. Cada religião possui uma bandeira, uma proposta filosófica e um conjunto de regras que tem como origem um contexto sócio-cultural.

Apresentação de “vina” tradicional e dança no Gurukulam

Apresentação imperdível de um pandit discípulo do Swami Dayananda que mantém viva a tradição da vina, tal qual era tocada para acompanhar o canto dos vedas. Essa tradição é proveniente dos brahmanes da Kashimira.

Quantos tipos de Yoga existem?

A palavra Yoga vem do sânscrito, da raíz verbal “yuj”, que tem o sentido de “união” e apesar de ser utilizada coloquialmente para se referir a práticas de posturas e exercícios físicos, na sua origem, pouco tem a ver com isso.

Por que existe tanta injustiça no mundo?

Todo ser humano tem um senso de justiça e igualdade, que quando ameaçado causa muito desconforto. Gostaríamos que todos tivessem as mesmas oportunidades, o mesmo acesso a educação e aos recursos. Contudo, quando observamos o mundo, vemos tantas disparidades que fica difícil de acreditar que possa existir um “Deus”, que esteja tomando conta de tudo isso e que seja tão parcial. Por que tanta violência contra pessoas indefesas? E os animais? E o tráfico de drogas e os crimes hediondos como pode tudo isso?

Sw Paramarthananda dá dicas para lidar com a vida de ashram…

Para lidar com as nossas emoções e as pessoas no ashram, a primeira sugestão é diminuir as interações para o mínimo necessário, mantendo o foco no que devemos fazer. Durante esse período de estudo mantenha uma relação apenas com um grupo pequeno de pessoas com quem você pode interagir. Quando houver aquelas relações inevitáveis que provocam dor, encare como um tapas, que tem que ser feito para passar por esse curso.

Quando o “V” tem som de “U” nas palavras em sânscrito? Sw Saksat explica…

A explicação clássica é que o “v” quando precedido por consoante tem som de “u”. Entretanto essa explicação por si só muitas vezes não é suficiente para compreender o som emitido por alguma combinações de letras.

Sw Dayananda explica como se faz vibhuti – Homenagem ao Sai Baba

É comum encontrarmos na Índia pessoas com marcas na testa de diversas cores. Dentre elas, existe uma listra branca, que as vezes está sozinha ou em 3 como na marca da “adidas”. Esse pó branco é chamado de “vibhuti” e basicamente são cinzas de rituais. Apesar das cinzas de qualquer ritual de fogo poderem ser usadas como vibhuti, tradicionalmente existem certas prescrições para obtê-lo.

Qual é o significado da expressão “autoconhecimento”?

O termo “autoconhecimento” é amplamente utilizado para se referir ao propósito da espiritualidade, porém nos textos tradicionais não encontramos o “carimbo”: autoconhecimento, como é utilizado no ocidente. Este é apenas um dos termos utilizados e que visto separadamente pode levar à confusão.