The Saptarishi or Seven Seers
The Rig Veda, the oldest existent text, is composed primarily of the cognitions of a small group of rishis or seers. 10 families of rishis account for 95% of the verses in the 10 mandalas …
Category: Vedic
To Retire
There is a word in the Rig Veda, Nivartadhvam. It means to “twist within” or return or retire. We retire from the world through samadhi or transcendence. Then we return to the world by …
The Apaurusheya Bhashya
One of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s gifts to the world was a simple technique to go beyond the mind and transcend. This is pure Yoga. Another great gift was of understanding. He brought a vision to …
Inherent Intelligence
When we talk about origins, it’s important to recognize the intelligence embedded in the process of all experience and expression. Pure Divinity seeps into everything. For example, in the origins of consciousness, when liveliness stirs …
The Mahamarmas
I’ve spoken many times about the body’s energy system. I’m not an expert but there are worthwhile observations to make. A set of 7 universal chakras or energy wheels is inserted into the bliss body …
The Bull of Dharma
I’ve spoken before about dharma in the 4 areas of life. Also that dharma means that which sustains. In other words, dharma is actions (karma) in life that sustain it and the world in which …
The Brahmasthan
The brahmasthan is a term from the Vastu Shastra or Sthapatya Veda, the guidelines for Vedic architecture. Vastu recognizes that a properly designed building will amplify the presence of the building and support its occupants. …
Offer it Back
If we’re struggling in some area of life, it may be due to the cycles of time, the collective, or unfolding karma. But it’s also useful to look at how we are with circumstances. If …
We Are A Community
In the west, our culture has been very focused on individuality. This is a step up from tribal mode but, like being a teenager, should be seen as a transitional step. We live in a …
What are the Perfections?
If you read the Yoga Sutra or about the siddhis, you often see them translated as powers or abilities. I’ve used variations on that myself. But siddhi actually means perfection. Often this is taken to …
The Origin of Fundamental Qualities (Gunas)
One of the fundamental principles of the Vedic perspective is the three gunas or qualities. I described them in some detail in About the Gunas but here is a basic outline: Sattva: purity or clarity …
The Right Time for Right Action
Things happen when it’s time. Not time for you but time for the whole. Time for challenges to unfold, time for benefits, time for birth, time for awakening, time for peace. When it’s time, the …