Light of the Spirit Podcast

The state of perfected beings like Buddha, Krishna, and Jesus is far greater than most people's concept of God. Abbot George tells the story of Catholic stigmatist and visionary Therese Neumann's response to Christian who were overwhelmed with Christ's miracles, as an example of how ... Continue reading The post Podcast: Spiritual Experience and Abilities–What Should the Beginning Yogi Know?–Part 2 appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

In this four-part podcast Abbot George expounds on the attraction and many dangers of these kind of practices and the experiences they produce, and most importantly, presents the important questions the meditator needs to ask himself in assessing his spiritual practice and its effects. The post Podcast: What Should the Beginner Yogi Know About Spiritual Experience and Abilities? appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

Soham Yoga is based on the science of spiritual sound. A mantra is a series of sounds whose effect lies not in an assigned intellectual meaning, but in an inherent sound-power that can produce a specific effect physically or psychologically. The post Podcast: How to Pronounce the Soham Mantra in Meditation appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

Darshan: Literally “sight” or “seeing;” vision, literal and metaphysical. Darshan is the seeing of a holy being as well as the blessing received by seeing such a one. Satsanga: Literally: “company with Truth.” Association with godly-minded persons. The company of saints and devotees. Asatsanga: the ... Continue reading The post Podcast: The Esoteric Side of Good and Bad Association appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

In today’s podcast our friend Jonathan Mahoney asks Abbot George about the Bhagavad Gita, its story and its value for the spiritual seeker. Abbot George discusses Vyasa, the pivotal figure in early Hinduism, and the author of many works, including the epic Mahabharata, from which the Bhagavad Gita is taken. The post Podcast: What Is the Bhagavad Gita, and Why Is It So Valuable? appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

In today’s podcast our friend Jonathan Mahoney asks Abbot George about the Bhagavad Gita, its story and its value for the spiritual seeker. Abbot George discusses Vyasa, the pivotal figure in early Hinduism, and the author of many works, including the epic Mahabharata, from which the Bhagavad Gita is taken. He tell the story of the […] The post Podcast: What Is the Bhagavad Gita, and Why Is It So Valuable? appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

In today's podcast our friend Jonathan Mahoney asks Abbot George about Jesus' role as guardian of the Earth. Listen and you will discover: How Lucifer fell and how it affected the earth; What was the special mystery of the Crucifixion; The Buddhist master who had two Saviors, And much more. The post Podcast: Jesus as Guardian of the Earth appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

In today’s podcast our friend Jonathan Mahoney asks Abbot George about Jesus’ role as guardian of the Earth. Listen and you will discover: How Lucifer fell and how it affected the earth. Who were Adam and Eve and where was Paradise. Who were the “Matrikas.” What was the special mystery of the Crucifixion. The Buddhist […] The post Podcast: Jesus as Guardian of the Earth appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

In today’s podcast, Abbot George is asked a question about Moksha. He then talks about arguments regarding levels of consciousness: are there seven levels of consciousness, or five levels, or fourteen levels? Then he discusses the seven levels of consciousness or lokas (worlds or main divisions) in which the whole range of evolutionary relative existence […] The post Podcast: Moksha, the Seven Levels of Consciousness, and Avatars appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

If you do not see the player for “How to Become an Angel” above, listen to the podcast here. Today our friend Jonathan Mahoney asks Abbot George, “How does a human being evolve into an angel in this lifetime? How do they ‘get out of the game’”? In this podcast Abbot George talks about the […] The post Podcast: How to Become an Angel (and More) appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

  (If you don’t see the player above, visit this link to listen to the podcast: Evolution (Material and Spiritual) and What It Means for the Yogi. The podcast is 40 minutes long.) In a new podcast, our friend Jonathan Mahoney asks Abbot George Burke the following question: From Robe of Light, we have the […] The post Podcast: Evolution (Material and Spiritual) and What It Means for the Yogi appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

For our Christmas offering we share again a podcast from three years ago about Christmas, and about Christ being born in us. This podcast is from an interview of Abbot George Burke by our friend Bianca Vlahos of radio station FIVEaa in Adelaide, Australia. Listen to The Symbolism of Christmas and Its Universal Message if you […] The post The Symbolism of Christmas and Its Universal Message | Podcast appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

The subject of past life recall is a broad topic. So this interview of Abbot George Burke by our friend Bianca Vlahos of PBA-fm radio in Australia is a long one—just over 53 minutes. Among the questions Bianca asks is “What is the main value in understanding our past lives?” Here are some of Abbot […] The post The Benefits of Past Life Recall | Podcast appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

In a followup interview with Bianca Vlahos of PBA FM radio in Adelaide, Australia, Abbot George discusses the importance of understanding karma as the basis of reincarnation. With this understanding, we can begin to comprehend our present situation in life, and we can become empowered to create our future. Abbot George says in the interview, we […] The post Understanding Karma as the Basis of Reincarnation | Podcast appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

Last month our friend Bianca Vlahos of the Australian radio station PBA-FM interviewed Abbot George Burke on the broad topic of reincarnation. They discussed the source of  reincarnation (karma—our actions, both positive and negative) and the purpose of reincarnation: our spiritual evolution and growth. Abbot George likened reincarnation to school. We can choose to learn the lessons […] The post Reincarnation: Its Causes and Consequences | Podcast appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

In part 2 of the recent interview with Abbot George about Buddha’s everyday wisdom as recorded in the Dhammapada, Bianca Vlahos of radio station PBA-FM in Adelaide, South Australia, inquired further about how to lead an effective and uplifting life in the world applying the principles which Buddha advocated. The catalyst of this interview was when […] The post Everyday Wisdom from Buddha: Part 2 of Bianca Vlahos’ Interview with Abbot George appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

How can Buddha’s wisdom as recorded in the Dhammapada be applied in our every-day lives? That was the topic of the latest radio interview of Abbot George Burke by Bianca Vlahos of radio station PBA-FM in Adelaide, South Australia a couple of weeks ago. Bianca read a copy of Abbot George’s book The Dhammapada for […] The post Buddha’s Wisdom for Every Day: A Podcast Interview of Abbot George by Bianca Vlahos appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

In a followup to the interview about vegetarianism that Bianca Vlahos (facebook.com/bianca.vlahos) did with Abbot George in late September on the radio station PBA-FM in Adelaide, South Australia, she again interviewed Abbot George last week on October 22nd. The subject was vegetarianism again, as the topic is so vast and important. Below you can listen to […] The post Vegetarianism: an Interview of Abbot George on Australian Radio, Part 2 appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

About a month ago, Bianca Vlahos of Adelaide, Australia, became a vegan for a multitude of reasons. She researched the topic exhaustively and found several articles about aspects of vegetarianism on our website (See Spiritual Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet and Humans: Are We Carnivores or Vegetarians by Nature?) She is a radio announcer and […] The post Vegetarianism: an Interview of Abbot George on Australian Radio appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

Click here to listen to How to Gain the Vision of God if you do not see the player above. The podcast length is 20:34 minutes.   When I was very young there was a television program called The Big Picture. Most people live in The Little Picture with small ideas and small goals, all short term. […] The post How to Gain the Vision of God | Monastic Life Podcast 3 appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

Click here to listen to How to Become a Friend of God if you do not see the player above. The podcast length is 17:48 minutes. “The first time I wrote to Mother Anandamayi, in her reply she referred to me as “my friend,” which she only did in relation to monastics. Others she called […] The post How to Become a Friend of God | Monastic Life Podcast 2 appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

Click here to listen to Reflection on Monastic Life, Part 1 if you do not see the player above. The podcast length is 16:46 minutes.   Who should lead a monastic life and who shouldn’t, and what motivates a monk. I would like to share with you my reflections on monastic life as I approach the fifty-second anniversary […] The post Reflections on Monastic Life – Part 1 | Podcast appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

Click here to listen to My Friend Jugavati, and the Vishnupur Train Platform Swami if you do not see the player above. The podcast length is 6:35 minutes. The next treasure I want to tell you about lived right in the midst of the bustle of Delhi, but beyond it all. One morning my friend Shyam Lal Sharma […] The post My Friend Jugavati, and the Vishnupur Train Platform Swami | Podcast appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

Click here to listen to Swami Rama of Hardwar (Ram Kunj) if you do not see the player above. The podcast length is 11:06 minutes. Late one afternoon when I was staying for a while with Srimati Rani Bhan and her family in Delhi she told me that we (Rani, her son and I) would be going […] The post Swami Rama of Hardwar (Ram Kunj) | Podcast appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

Click here to listen to Four First-Class Sadhus if you do not see the player above. The podcast length is 16:00 minutes. Sadhu: a seeker for truth (sat); and a person who is practicing spiritual disciplines. Usually this term is applied to monastics. In this podcast, Abbot George relates his experiences with four monks he met in India […] The post Four First-Class Sadhus | Podcast appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

Click here to listen to The Healer, the Raja, Neem Karoli Baba, and the Unnamed Master if you do not see the player above. The podcast length is 19:37 minutes. It might seem strange that I am writing about Neem Karoli Baba because I have no stories about him. But I did see him, and since it was […] The post The Healer, the Raja, Neem Karoli Baba, and the Unnamed Master | Podcast appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

Click here to listen to Three Remarkable Indian Saints if you do not see the player above. The podcast length is 27:15 minutes. Swami Sivananda-Hridayananda The next heart-treasure I want to tell you about is Swami Sivananda-Hridayananda of Sivananda Ashram. Her name means Bliss of Sivananda’s Heart, and it was very appropriate. In the ashram she was simply […] The post Three Remarkable Indian Saints | Podcast appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

Click here to listen to Memories of Sri Maitri Devi if you do not see the player above. The podcast length is 15:03 minutes. My first trip to India I was always in walking distance of at least one saint. And sometimes I was living with them. Late one morning Rani Bhan said to me: “I am taking […] The post Memories of Sri Maitri Devi | Podcast appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

Click here to listen to The Monk That Challenged Lenin: Yogeshwar Brahmachari if you do not see the player above. The podcast length is 15:48 minutes. I first saw Sri Yogeshwar Brahmachari at the birthday celebration of Anandamayi Ma in 1971. He was sitting on the speakers’ platform along with Ma and many spiritual figures of […] The post The Monk That Challenged Lenin: Yogeshwar Brahmachari | Podcast appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

Click here to listen to Raihana Tyabji, the Moslem Saint Who Worshiped Krishna if you do not see the player above. The podcast length is 25:48 minutes. One afternoon in India in a conversation my friend Rani Bhan told me about Raihana Tyabji, a Moslem saint, an associate of Gandhi, who lived in Delhi. She told me […] The post Raihana Tyabji, the Moslem Saint Who Worshiped Krishna | Podcast appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

Click here to listen to Memories of Didima (Swami Muktananda Giri), Mother of Anandamayi Ma if you do not see the player above. The podcast length is 16:55 minutes. Swami Muktananda Giri, the mother of Anandamayi Ma In America before I first went to India in 1962 I had felt strongly that either Anandamayi Ma or Swami […] The post Podcast: Didima (Swami Muktananda Giri), Mother of Anandamayi Ma appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

Click here to listen to Tips for Successful Meditation if you do not see the player above. The podcast length is 18:28 minutes. In this the seventh podcast on the Yoga Life, Abbot George gives tips for success in meditation. You will hear about: how to deal with inner negativity “getting rid of the ego”? the […] The post The Yoga Life Podcast 7: Tips for Successful Meditation appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

Click here to listen to How to Tell if You Are Making Progress in Meditation if you do not see the player above. The podcast length is 15:20 minutes. Today’s podcast concerns how to gain a greater understanding of spiritual life through study of the Bhagavad Gita, and how to tell if you are making progress in […] The post Podcast: How to Tell if You Are Making Progress in Meditation appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

Click here to listen to Swami Sivananda’s Humility if you do not see the player above. The podcast length is 9:45 minutes. This podcast is the last in the series of Abbot George’s Reminiscences of Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh, focusing on incidents showing Swami Sivananda’s humility. In this talk you will hear about: The woman who […] The post Podcast: Swami Sivananda’s Humility appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

Click here to listen to Days with Swami Sivananda if you do not see the player above. The podcast length is 15:19 minutes. What was it like to spend time with a spiritual giant like Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh? In today’s podcast Abbot George shares some of his experiences with Sivanandaji when he visited him […] The post Podcast: Days with Sivananda appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

Click here to listen to Swami Sivananda and Jesus if you do not see the player above. The podcast length is 14:24 minutes. “One of the most memorable experiences of my life was hearing Swami Sivananda sing every day in the evening satsang: O my Jesus, O my Jesus, Lord Jesus, Come, come to me! […] The post Podcast: Swami Sivananda and Jesus (and More) appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

Click here to listen to Swami Sivananda’s Humor if you do not see the player above. The podcast length is 16:06 minutes. Swami Sivananda’s joyful sense of humor are evident in today’s podcast. This includes the following incidents: Sivananda’s riddle and the over-serious student. The rare color film photos of Swamiji. Sivananda’s omniscience regarding what […] The post Podcast: Swami Sivananda’s Humor appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

In this new series of podcasts about Swami Sivananda, Abbot George relates his memories in a much fuller form than in previous podcasts. Click here to listen to I Meet Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh if you do not see the player above. The podcast length is 14:32 minutes. I met God in flesh both in […] The post Podcast: I Meet Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

Click here to listen to The Yoga Life 5: The Importance of Vegetarianism for the Yogi if you do not see the player above. The podcast length is 15:41 minutes. Since we have considered shaucha in the last podcast which includes purity of diet, let’s take a brief look at the spiritual benefits of being […] The post Podcast: The Yoga Life 5: The Importance of Vegetarianism for the Yogi appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

Having finished Yama, the “Don’t”s of Yoga, in the last podcast, we now consider Niyama: the “Dos” of yoga. Shaucha: purity, cleanliness Santosha: contentment, peacefulness Tapas: austerity, practical (i.e., result-producing) spiritual discipline Swadhyaya: introspective self-study, spiritual study Ishwarapranidhana: offering of one’s life to God Click here to listen to The Yoga Life 4: Niyama, the […] The post Podcast: The Yoga Life 4: Niyama, the “Do”s of Yoga appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

In today’s podcast Abbot George finishes the consideration of Yama, with its last three elements: asteya, brahmacharya, and aparigraha, and the sidesteps that people will take to avoid a strict adherence to these important principles. Then he considers the “Great Vow” of the Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. Below is a brief summary of the major topics of […] The post Podcast: The Yoga Life 3: Asteya, Brahmacharya, and Aparigraha, and the Great Vow appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

In this podcast Abbot George begins a practical and detailed analysis of the first of the components of Yama: Ahimsa (harmlessness) and Satya (truth), which it is essential for the aspiring yogi to understand. Ahimsa is not willfully causing any harm or pain whatsoever to any being whatsoever, in any degree whatsoever. Ahimsa includes strict […] The post The Yoga Life 2: a Practical Understanding of Harmlessness and Truthfulness appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

This podcast [see below for player] is the beginning of a series on how to lead the Yoga Life. Today Abbot George discusses what is lacking in the yoga practice of many, and why people fail or do not persevere in the path of yoga. Then he outlines the beginning of what the essential steps […] The post Introducing the Yoga Life: Laying the Foundations appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

Why do we meditate? In this podcast Abbot George discusses the real reason to meditate as contrasted with wrong reasons. Then continuing with Patanjali’s instructions from the Yoga Sutras, he explains the obstacles to spiritual life and their effects. The obstacles Patanjali lists are as follows: Vyadhi: Disease of the body. Styana: Dullness; languor, debility; […] The post Podcast: Why We Meditate and the Obstacles We Overcome appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

The last podcast about God was philosophical, so in this podcast Abbot George will go into the practical side. It is the goal of every sentient being to evolve and attain union with God. Evolution takes place naturally as we move up the ladder from birth to birth until the level in reached in which […] The post Yoga, God, and Gurus: an Important Perspective appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

In this week’s podcast, Abbot George discusses who God is, and what man is, and the importance of making God an immediate reality in our daily lives. Abbot George bases his talk on Paramhansa Yogananda’s valuable book, The Science of Religion. Here Yogananda says: “We should take religion and God out of the sphere of belief […] The post Podcast: Plain Talk About God appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

In this week’s podcast, Abbot George Burke speaks of the necessity of experience in spiritual life, and the fact that too often mere theory is offered as a substitute. The talk is from a satsang in which he comments on the preface to Raja Yoga, Swami Vivekananda’s analysis of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. He gives living […] The post Beyond Theory and Belief to Actual Experience appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

During his first trip to India in 1962 Abbot George Burke (Swami Nirmalananda Giri) was blessed to spend time with the great Swami Sivananda at his ashram in Rishikesh. In this three-part podcast Abbot George shares his memories of this saint with visitors to our ashram. Among the many saints that Abbot George met in […] The post Remembering Sivananda, Podcast Part 2 appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.

With this post, we begin our new Podcast section, which will be added to on a regular basis. These will be talks on meditation, practical aspects of spiritual life, memories of remarkable spiritual figures Abbot George has met, and much more. During his first trip to India in 1962 Abbot George Burke was blessed to spend […] The post Podcast: Remembering Sivananda, Part 1 appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.