Devotional love, a concept in Indian religions
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"Everything on the earth has a purpose. Every disease, an herb to cure it. And every person, a mission." Morning Dove — the first Native American women to publish a novel — called this the Indian theory of existence. In this episode Raghunath and Kaustubha explore that alongside Bhakti's idea of Dharma and its different levels - temporary and eternal. We all have to embrace different temporary roles, but beyond that there is a divine purpose that every living being shares. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.38.1-11 ******************************************************************** LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 *********************************************************************
Send us Fan MailThis is a reading of Dada Shamitanandaji's book titled Baba Unparalleled: 102 Stories. Stories 70-76From the back cover of the book:Dada Shamitananda's stories portray the sublime and the mundane with equal beauty, making this book a great read for anyone on a spiritual path.Most of the stories in this book come from a blissful two-year period in Dada's life, during which he massaged Baba several times a week. Through close contact with his guru, Dada experienced the delight of devotion, as well as the pain that comes with traversing the difficult path of Tantra. Dada also shares the teachings of his guru, who guided him through thick and thin.About the AuthorDada Shamitananda is a yogic monk and a devoted follower of Shrii Shrii Anandamurti, the founder of Ananda Marga and affectionately known as Baba by His followers. Dada was ordained at the age of seventeen, not long after receiving Baba's call in his dreams.Support the show
Host / Platform: Dharmavani Podcast | Dharmavanimedia.comShow SummaryStep into a profound exploration of divine play, celestial alignment, and supreme devotion as the Dharmavani Podcast uncovers the sacred details surrounding the birth of Shri Hanuman. Far beyond a simple origin story, this episode illuminates how the cosmic design of the universe wove together penance, grace, and divine incarnation.We begin with the mysterious Suvarchala Katha. Discover how an Apsara cursed into the form of a bird intercepted the sacred Khir (prasadam) from King Dasharatha's Putrakameshti Yagna. Learn how this divine portion, carried on the currents of Vayu Deva, reached the waiting hands of Mata Anjana following her twelve years of intense penance to Lord Shiva, blessing her with the Ansh of Mahadeva.Drawing from scriptural insights shared by Pt. Tulsiram Narin, we dive deeper into the nuanced details of Hanuman Ji's birth and his charming early childhood leelas, from his innocent leap toward the sun to his early displays of boundless energy and divine power. The discourse concludes on an uplifting note of surrender with a classic, devotional bhajan rendered by the late legendary vocalist Pt. Ramdath Vyasa.What You Will Learn in This EpisodeThe Sacred Mystery of the Khir: How King Dasharatha's Putrakameshti Yagna linked the births of Shri Rama and Shri Hanuman through a single cosmic offering.The Suvarchala Katha: The role of the divine bird in carrying the prasadam and breaking her ancient curse.Mata Anjana & Kesari's Devotion: The 12-year tapasya that moved Lord Shiva and Vayu Deva to bestow the ultimate gift of devotion.Childhood Leelas & Scriptural Insights: Rare commentary by Pt. Tulsiram Narin on the early life and playful exploits of young Hanuman.Devotional Finale: A soul-stirring bhajan performance by the late Pt. Ramdath Vyasa celebrating the glory of Bajrangbali.Listen & SubscribeExplore more scriptural discourses, epic retellings, and Bhakti teachings at Dharmavanimedia.com.Primary Keywords: Birth of Hanuman, Suvarchala Katha, Lord Hanuman Birth Story, Putrakameshti Yagna, Mata Anjana, Vayu Deva, Pt Tulsiram Narin, Pt Ramdath Vyasa bhajan, Dharmavani Podcast, Bhakti Yoga, Vedic Scriptural Discourse
Send us Fan MailThis is a reading of Dada Shamitanandaji's book titled Baba Unparalleled: 102 Stories. Stories 64-69From the back cover of the book:Dada Shamitananda's stories portray the sublime and the mundane with equal beauty, making this book a great read for anyone on a spiritual path.Most of the stories in this book come from a blissful two-year period in Dada's life, during which he massaged Baba several times a week. Through close contact with his guru, Dada experienced the delight of devotion, as well as the pain that comes with traversing the difficult path of Tantra. Dada also shares the teachings of his guru, who guided him through thick and thin.About the AuthorDada Shamitananda is a yogic monk and a devoted follower of Shrii Shrii Anandamurti, the founder of Ananda Marga and affectionately known as Baba by His followers. Dada was ordained at the age of seventeen, not long after receiving Baba's call in his dreams.Support the show
Mariano Rivera — the greatest closer in baseball history — was willing to teach his rivals exactly how to throw his most devastating pitch. He knew that, regardless of their strength or skill, unblessed they were blessed by God to throw they wouldn't be able to. The Stoics understood it. They called it "amor fati" — love of fate. There are things within our control and things outside our control. The wise person focuses entirely on what's within their control and releases entirely what's outside. In this episode Raghunath and Kaustubha explore how doing one's best and then accepting one's fate is favorable for Bhakti, alongside the Bhagavad-gīta's five factors of action and the Mahabharata's story of Drona, who taught the military arts to the student who he knew was fated to kill him. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.36.9-40 ******************************************************************** LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 *********************************************************************
Mariano Rivera — the greatest closer in baseball history — was willing to teach his rivals exactly how to throw his most devastating pitch. He knew that, regardless of their strength or skill, unblessed they were blessed by God to throw they wouldn't be able to. The Stoics understood it. They called it "amor fati" — love of fate. There are things within our control and things outside our control. The wise person focuses entirely on what's within their control and releases entirely what's outside. In this episode Raghunath and Kaustubha explore how doing one's best and then accepting one's fate is favorable for Bhakti, alongside the Bhagavad-gīta's five factors of action and the Mahabharata's story of Drona, who taught the military arts to the student who he knew was fated to kill him. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.36.9-40 ******************************************************************** LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 *********************************************************************
Send us Fan MailThis is a reading of Dada Shamitanandaji's book titled Baba Unparalleled: 102 Stories. Stories 57-63From the back cover of the book:Dada Shamitananda's stories portray the sublime and the mundane with equal beauty, making this book a great read for anyone on a spiritual path.Most of the stories in this book come from a blissful two-year period in Dada's life, during which he massaged Baba several times a week. Through close contact with his guru, Dada experienced the delight of devotion, as well as the pain that comes with traversing the difficult path of Tantra. Dada also shares the teachings of his guru, who guided him through thick and thin.About the AuthorDada Shamitananda is a yogic monk and a devoted follower of Shrii Shrii Anandamurti, the founder of Ananda Marga and affectionately known as Baba by His followers. Dada was ordained at the age of seventeen, not long after receiving Baba's call in his dreams.Support the show
Send us Fan MailThis is a reading of Dada Shamitanandaji's book titled Baba Unparalleled: 102 Stories. Stories 50-56From the back cover of the book:Dada Shamitananda's stories portray the sublime and the mundane with equal beauty, making this book a great read for anyone on a spiritual path.Most of the stories in this book come from a blissful two-year period in Dada's life, during which he massaged Baba several times a week. Through close contact with his guru, Dada experienced the delight of devotion, as well as the pain that comes with traversing the difficult path of Tantra. Dada also shares the teachings of his guru, who guided him through thick and thin.About the AuthorDada Shamitananda is a yogic monk and a devoted follower of Shrii Shrii Anandamurti, the founder of Ananda Marga and affectionately known as Baba by His followers. Dada was ordained at the age of seventeen, not long after receiving Baba's call in his dreams.Support the show
Send us Fan MailThis is a reading of Dada Shamitanandaji's book titled Baba Unparalleled: 102 Stories. Stories 44-49From the back cover of the book:Dada Shamitananda's stories portray the sublime and the mundane with equal beauty, making this book a great read for anyone on a spiritual path.Most of the stories in this book come from a blissful two-year period in Dada's life, during which he massaged Baba several times a week. Through close contact with his guru, Dada experienced the delight of devotion, as well as the pain that comes with traversing the difficult path of Tantra. Dada also shares the teachings of his guru, who guided him through thick and thin.About the AuthorDada Shamitananda is a yogic monk and a devoted follower of Shrii Shrii Anandamurti, the founder of Ananda Marga and affectionately known as Baba by His followers. Dada was ordained at the age of seventeen, not long after receiving Baba's call in his dreams.Support the show
The majority of Americans say no one truly knows them. Research shows that warm, real connection correlates directly with physical health and peace of mind. We are relational beings by nature. The question is whether we've found the right object of love. Raghunath and Kaustubha explore that question alongside the Yugala Gīta — where Bhakti Vedānta paints a picture of spiritual relations in perfection: Krishna moving through the forest with his arm over the shoulder of an affectionate friend, wearing a garland of Tulsi flowers bearing the fragrance of his beloved, surrounded by cows, companions, and lovers, all drawn to him by different flavors of love. This is what we are built for. And it is an open invitation. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.35.12-19 ******************************************************************** LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 *********************************************************************
The majority of Americans say no one truly knows them. Research shows that warm, real connection correlates directly with physical health and peace of mind. We are relational beings by nature. The question is whether we've found the right object of love. Raghunath and Kaustubha explore that question alongside the Yugala Gīta — where Bhakti Vedānta paints a picture of spiritual relations in perfection: Krishna moving through the forest with his arm over the shoulder of an affectionate friend, wearing a garland of Tulsi flowers bearing the fragrance of his beloved, surrounded by cows, companions, and lovers, all drawn to him by different flavors of love. This is what we are built for. And it is an open invitation. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.35.12-19 ******************************************************************** LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 *********************************************************************
Send us Fan MailThis is a reading of Dada Shamitanandaji's book titled Baba Unparalleled: 102 Stories. Stories 30-38From the back cover of the book:Dada Shamitananda's stories portray the sublime and the mundane with equal beauty, making this book a great read for anyone on a spiritual path.Most of the stories in this book come from a blissful two-year period in Dada's life, during which he massaged Baba several times a week. Through close contact with his guru, Dada experienced the delight of devotion, as well as the pain that comes with traversing the difficult path of Tantra. Dada also shares the teachings of his guru, who guided him through thick and thin.About the AuthorDada Shamitananda is a yogic monk and a devoted follower of Shrii Shrii Anandamurti, the founder of Ananda Marga and affectionately known as Baba by His followers. Dada was ordained at the age of seventeen, not long after receiving Baba's call in his dreams.Support the show
Many spiritual traditions lack a personal conception of the Divine. Other's do, but offer little description of what that means. The Bhakti tradition's Srimad Bhagavatam goes further — painting an incredibly detailed picture of the Absolute Truth, and doing it through poetic exchanges of love. In this episode Raghunath and Kaustubha enter Canto Ten, Chapter Thirty-Five — the Yugala Gīta. Pairs of verses, each describing Krishna in the forest, followed by the world's response to his beauty. The rivers tremble. The trees overflow with fruits and flowers. The bees sing to him — and he answers them with his flute. The cranes and swans close their eyes in deep meditation. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.35.1-11 ******************************************************************** LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 *********************************************************************
Jahnavi Harrison is a Grammy-nominated artist, musician, and practitioner of Bhakti Yoga who has spent her life exploring sound as a path to the divine. Raised at Bhaktivedanta Manor in England, she grew up inside one of the world's most dedicated devotional communities, and in this conversation we trace how that formation shaped her relationship with voice, identity, approval, and what it means to offer your life as a prayer.What We Dive Into:1. Most of us were told at some point to be quiet, to sound better, or to wait until we were good enough. That conditioning runs deep. Reclaiming the voice, whether through kirtan, song, or simply speaking truthfully, is one of the most direct paths back to a self that stopped performing and started expressing.2. Bhakti is not a feeling you arrive at and maintain. It is a daily offering, something you return to moment by moment, especially when you have drifted. Jahnavi's framing is simple: make space for prayer in whatever form feels alive to you, and that space will become a source of nourishment that compounds over time.3. The desire to be accepted can masquerade as discernment, as wisdom, even as calling. Jahnavi traces how much of her own journey involved slowly distinguishing the voice of genuine inner knowing from the much louder voice that simply wanted to be liked. That distinction is not resolved once. It is worked on for life.Know Thyself, but not by yourself. A guided space to return home to yourself.https://www.knowthyselfcollective.com✨THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:https://www.timeline.com/KNOWTHYSELF Save 20% off your Mitopure® Gummieshttps://www.mudwtr.com/knowthyselfUse code KNOWTHYSELF for up to 43% off sitewide___________00:00 Intro01:36 What Devotional Music Actually Is03:12 Sound as a Direct Path to the Divine06:42 Sound as the First and Last Sense09:15 The Sensitivity of Sound and Its Transformative Power12:28 Why We Lose Our Voices: Fear, Shame, and the Voice Unsung16:22 Finding Your Voice and Speaking Your Truth20:17 Discerning Your Own Voice from the Noise of Others23:46 The Missed Flight: Choosing Calling Over Convention29:00 Life as an Offering: Dharma and Letting Go of Outcomes31:54 The Intelligence of the Heart in Bhakti36:22 Nature, Silence, and the Inner Life42:39 Prayer vs. Meditation: Are They the Same?48:32 Prayer as Relationship, Not Request57:54 Kirtan, Mantra, and the Dissolution of Self1:03:25 Kirtan at a Funeral: Sound as Communal Holding1:06:15 Losing and Reclaiming Faith: The Reckoning with Tradition1:13:33 The Role of Trusted Counsel Through Doubt1:15:28 The Grammys and the Tension of Devotional Art in Industry1:21:37 Fame, Ego, and Staying on the Right Track1:25:40 Expanding Beyond Tradition: The Rise Album with Willow1:35:36 Art as Revolution and Service1:38:31 The Coldplay Concert and the Power of Mass Gathering1:43:17 Current Projects and Dreaming Bigger1:51:37 Closing Message: Make Space for Prayer Every Day___________✨MORE FROM JAHNAVI↳Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jahnavi_harrison↳YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/JahnaviHarrisonMusic↳https://www.jahnavimusic.com
Many spiritual traditions lack a personal conception of the Divine. Other's do, but offer little description of what that means. The Bhakti tradition's Srimad Bhagavatam goes further — painting an incredibly detailed picture of the Absolute Truth, and doing it through poetic exchanges of love. In this episode Raghunath and Kaustubha enter Canto Ten, Chapter Thirty-Five — the Yugala Gīta. Pairs of verses, each describing Krishna in the forest, followed by the world's response to his beauty. The rivers tremble. The trees overflow with fruits and flowers. The bees sing to him — and he answers them with his flute. The cranes and swans close their eyes in deep meditation. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.35.1-11 ******************************************************************** LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 *********************************************************************
Send us Fan MailThis is a reading of Dada Shamitanandaji's book titled Baba Unparalleled: 102 Stories. Stories 30-38From the back cover of the book:Dada Shamitananda's stories portray the sublime and the mundane with equal beauty, making this book a great read for anyone on a spiritual path.Most of the stories in this book come from a blissful two-year period in Dada's life, during which he massaged Baba several times a week. Through close contact with his guru, Dada experienced the delight of devotion, as well as the pain that comes with traversing the difficult path of Tantra. Dada also shares the teachings of his guru, who guided him through thick and thin.About the AuthorDada Shamitananda is a yogic monk and a devoted follower of Shrii Shrii Anandamurti, the founder of Ananda Marga and affectionately known as Baba by His followers. Dada was ordained at the age of seventeen, not long after receiving Baba's call in his dreams.Support the show
Send us Fan MailThis is a reading of Dada Shamitanandaji's book titled Baba Unparalleled: 102 Stories. Stories 24-29From the back cover of the book:Dada Shamitananda's stories portray the sublime and the mundane with equal beauty, making this book a great read for anyone on a spiritual path.Most of the stories in this book come from a blissful two-year period in Dada's life, during which he massaged Baba several times a week. Through close contact with his guru, Dada experienced the delight of devotion, as well as the pain that comes with traversing the difficult path of Tantra. Dada also shares the teachings of his guru, who guided him through thick and thin.About the AuthorDada Shamitananda is a yogic monk and a devoted follower of Shrii Shrii Anandamurti, the founder of Ananda Marga and affectionately known as Baba by His followers. Dada was ordained at the age of seventeen, not long after receiving Baba's call in his dreams.Support the show
Send us Fan MailJack Westerholt is a dedicated yoga practitioner and instructor based in Dallas, Texas. As a passionate advocate for a holistic yoga practice inclusive of asanas, pranayamas, and meditation, Jack integrates a wealth of knowledge from spiritual texts such as the Bhagavad Gita into his teachings. He has been influenced by renowned teachers like Dharma Mittra and explores various facets of yoga, including Bhakti and Jnana paths. Jack is also actively involved in the vibrant yoga community at YogaZama and brings a rich background in marketing and advertising into his approach to yoga education.Visit Jack here: https://www.instagram.com/jackwesterholt/Key Takeaways:Integration of Spiritual Study: Jack underscores the role of texts like the Bhagavad Gita in deepening yoga practice, emphasizing the Jnana path or the knowledge path.Holistic Practice Approach: Incorporating meditation, pranayama, and asanas, Jack maintains that a balanced practice enhances spiritual and personal growth.Power of Devotion: Jack discusses Bhakti Yoga and the joy of serving the divine within and outside us, highlighting how devotion removes ego and expectations.Teaching Challenges and Rewards: The episode explores the diverse experiences and growth gleaned from teaching yoga in different environments, emphasizing authenticity and patience.Personal Growth and Reflection: Jack shares insights on self-improvement, focusing on the continuous journey of being better each day while letting past challenges serve as lessons.Check out:
The mantra artist and Bhakti yoga teacher discusses his Lightfall EP, meditation, the power of mantra music, and how ancient spiritual practices can create deeper connection in the modern world
Send us Fan MailThis is a reading of Dada Shamitanandaji's book titled Baba Unparalleled: 102 Stories. Stories 15-23From the back cover of the book:Dada Shamitananda's stories portray the sublime and the mundane with equal beauty, making this book a great read for anyone on a spiritual path.Most of the stories in this book come from a blissful two-year period in Dada's life, during which he massaged Baba several times a week. Through close contact with his guru, Dada experienced the delight of devotion, as well as the pain that comes with traversing the difficult path of Tantra. Dada also shares the teachings of his guru, who guided him through thick and thin.About the AuthorDada Shamitananda is a yogic monk and a devoted follower of Shrii Shrii Anandamurti, the founder of Ananda Marga and affectionately known as Baba by His followers. Dada was ordained at the age of seventeen, not long after receiving Baba's call in his dreams.Support the show
The mantra artist and Bhakti yoga teacher discusses his Lightfall EP, meditation, the power of mantra music, and how ancient spiritual practices can create deeper connection in the modern world
Jan 01, 2006 HawaiiContinued from Part 1-
Jan 01, 2006 HawaiiTo be continued in Part 2
What is yoga — really?Most practitioners and teachers can answer that question with a pose, a breath, or a feeling. Far fewer can answer it with the philosophical depth the tradition actually deserves. This week's episode does just that.Drawing on academic scholarship, Sanskrit etymology, and nearly 30 years of teaching and study, Jason identifies the six core teachings that appear consistently across the diverse spectrum of yoga traditions — from Hatha to Jnana, from Karma to Bhakti, from Patanjali to modern practice. Not a single reductive definition, but a genuine philosophical framework that holds up across lineages, eras, and approaches.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Send us Fan MailThis is a reading of Dada Shamitanandaji's book titled Baba Unparalleled: 102 Stories. Stories 7-14From the back cover of the book:Dada Shamitananda's stories portray the sublime and the mundane with equal beauty, making this book a great read for anyone on a spiritual path.Most of the stories in this book come from a blissful two-year period in Dada's life, during which he massaged Baba several times a week. Through close contact with his guru, Dada experienced the delight of devotion, as well as the pain that comes with traversing the difficult path of Tantra. Dada also shares the teachings of his guru, who guided him through thick and thin.About the AuthorDada Shamitananda is a yogic monk and a devoted follower of Shrii Shrii Anandamurti, the founder of Ananda Marga and affectionately known as Baba by His followers. Dada was ordained at the age of seventeen, not long after receiving Baba's call in his dreams.Support the show
ਬਿਲਾਵਲੁ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ਛੰਤ ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ ਮੰਗਲ ਸਾਜੁ ਭਇਆ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਅਪਨਾ ਗਾਇਆ ਰਾਮ ॥ ਅਬਿਨਾਸੀ ਵਰੁ ਸੁਣਿਆ ਮਨਿ ਉਪਜਿਆ ਚਾਇਆ ਰਾਮ ॥ ਮਨਿ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਲਾਗੈ ਵਡੈ ਭਾਗੈ ਕਬ ਮਿਲੀਐ ਪੂਰਨ ਪਤੇ ॥ ਸਹਜੇ ਸਮਾਈਐ ਗੋਵਿੰਦੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਦੇਹੁ ਸਖੀਏ ਮੋਹਿ ਮਤੇ ॥ ਦਿਨੁ ਰੈਣਿ ਠਾਢੀ ਕਰਉ ਸੇਵਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਕਵਨ ਜੁਗਤੀ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ ਬਿਨਵੰਤਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਰਹੁ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਲੈਹੁ ਮੋਹਿ ਲੜਿ ਲਾਇਆ ॥੧॥ ਭਇਆ ਸਮਾਹੜਾ ਹਰਿ ਰਤਨੁ ਵਿਸਾਹਾ ਰਾਮ ॥ ਖੋਜੀ ਖੋਜਿ ਲਧਾ ਹਰਿ ਸੰਤਨ ਪਾਹਾ ਰਾਮ ॥ ਮਿਲੇ ਸੰਤ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਦਇਆ ਧਾਰੇ ਕਥਹਿ ਅਕਥ ਬੀਚਾਰੋ ॥ ਇਕ ਚਿਤਿ ਇਕ ਮਨਿ ਧਿਆਇ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਲਾਇ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਪਿਆਰੋ ॥ ਕਰ ਜੋੜਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਪਹਿ ਕਰਿ ਬਿਨੰਤੀ ਮਿਲੈ ਹਰਿ ਜਸੁ ਲਾਹਾ ॥ ਬਿਨਵੰਤਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾਸੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਮੇਰਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਅਗਮ ਅਥਾਹਾ ॥੨॥ ਸਾਹਾ ਅਟਲੁ ਗਣਿਆ ਪੂਰਨ ਸੰਜੋਗੋ ਰਾਮ ॥ ਸੁਖਹ ਸਮੂਹ ਭਇਆ ਗਇਆ ਵਿਜੋਗੋ ਰਾਮ ॥ ਮਿਲਿ ਸੰਤ ਆਏ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਧਿਆਏ ਬਣੇ ਅਚਰਜ ਜਾਞੀਆਂ ॥ ਮਿਲਿ ਇਕਤ੍ਰ ਹੋਏ ਸਹਜਿ ਢੋਏ ਮਨਿ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਉਪਜੀ ਮਾਞੀਆ ॥ ਮਿਲਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਜੋਤੀ ਓਤਿ ਪੋਤੀ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਭਿ ਰਸ ਭੋਗੋ ॥ ਬਿਨਵੰਤਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਭ ਸੰਤਿ ਮੇਲੀ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਕਰਣ ਕਾਰਣ ਜੋਗੋ ॥੩॥ਭਵਨੁ ਸੁਹਾਵੜਾ ਧਰਤਿ ਸਭਾਗੀ ਰਾਮ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਘਰਿ ਆਇਅੜਾ ਗੁਰ ਚਰਣੀ ਲਾਗੀ ਰਾਮ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਚਰਣ ਲਾਗੀ ਸਹਜਿ ਜਾਗੀ ਸਗਲ ਇਛਾ ਪੁੰਨੀਆ ॥ ਮੇਰੀ ਆਸ ਪੂਰੀ ਸੰਤ ਧੂਰੀ ਹਰਿ ਮਿਲੇ ਕੰਤ ਵਿਛੁੰਨਿਆ ॥ ਆਨੰਦ ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਵਜਹਿ ਵਾਜੇ ਅਹੰ ਮਤਿ ਮਨ ਕੀ ਤਿਆਗੀ ॥ ਬਿਨਵੰਤਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਰਣਿ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਸੰਤਸੰਗਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਗੀ ॥੪॥੧॥This hymn (Chhant) from Gurbani (Bilaval Mahala 5, composed by Guru Arjan Dev Ji) uses the traditional metaphor of a wedding—the union between a bride and her groom—to describe the soul's deep yearning and ultimate spiritual union with the Divine (Prabhu).Here is a concise summary of its key themes and spiritual teachings:1. Yearning and Searching for the Divine HusbandThe soul (Jeev-Ishtri or "soul-bride") longs to be reunited with the eternal, imperishable God-husband. Upon hearing the praises of the Lord, her heart fills with delight, awe, and an overwhelming desire to meet Him. She humbly seeks guidance from her holy companions (Sakhi) on how to attain spiritual poise (Sahaj) to become worthy of this union.2. The Role of the Holy Company (Sadh Sangat)The precious jewel of God's Name cannot be found in isolation; it is discovered through the company of the Saints (Sant-Jana).The Saints share stories of the incomprehensible Lord and guide the seeker toward loving devotion (Bhakti).Through sincere prayer, deep focus (Ek-Chit), and total humility, the soul earns the ultimate profit of human life: praising and remembering the Lord.3. The Divine Wedding CeremonyGuru Arjan Dev Ji beautifully compares spiritual realization to a traditional Indian wedding celebration:The Wedding Date (Saha): An eternal, unshakeable moment determined by divine grace when separation ends and supreme bliss arrives.The Wedding Guests (Jaanji): The holy Saints function as the wondrous wedding procession (Baraat), coming together in spiritual poise to support the bride.The Feast: Just as lavish feasts are served at a wedding, the soul is treated to the sublime, all-satisfying nectar of the Divine Name (Har Naam).The Union: The seeker's individual light (Jot) merges seamlessly with the Supreme Light like threads woven tightly into cloth.4. Blessed Union and FulfilmentWhen the Lord enters the "home" of the heart, the seeker surrenders their ego (Ahang-Mat) and humbly grasps the Guru's feet. Every worldly and spiritual desire is fulfilled, inner harmony sounds like continuous celestial music, and the long-separated soul rests peacefully in eternal union with God.Key TakeawayTrue spiritual fulfillment comes from abandoning one's ego, seeking the guiding wisdom of the Saints, and immersing oneself in devout remembrance (Simran). Through divine grace, the long-separated soul merges into the Eternal Lord, achieving everlasting peace and bliss.
Baptized, letting go of old ideas, deep hard lessons, falling upward.
The Dharma Vani Podcast: Episode# 719Topic: The Origin of Vali & Sugriva | Preparing for Shri Rama's GraceJai Shri Ram!In this week's Satsangh, we join in devotion with the Sanatan Dharm Mandir (12918 Player St, Houston, TX 77045). Together, we elevate our minds and hearts through divine Bhajans, Kirtan, Chalisa, and Aarti, surrendering to the divine name.In our scriptural discourse (Katha), we dive into the sacred narrative of the Ramayana:The Sacred Heritage: The miraculous birth and divine lineage of Vali and Sugriva.Brotherhood & Destiny: The legendary strength, bond, and inevitable turn of events that set the stage for Kishkindha's future.The Path to Divine Grace: Preparing the way for Shri Rama's arrival and His sacred meeting with Hanuman Ji and Sugriva.Immerse yourself in the nectar of Bhakti and timeless scriptural wisdom.
When we think of spirituality, we often think of meditation, prayer, or pilgrimage - but what if one of the most transformative spiritual practices begins in the kitchen?In this talk, we explore the Bhagavad Gita's profound teaching that food is more than nutrition. The consciousness, intention, and devotion behind how it's prepared can shape our own consciousness. Discover why offering food to Krishna is central to the Bhakti tradition, why prasadam is far more than a vegetarian meal, and how every meal can become an act of remembrance and devotion.00:23 – Why food is a spiritual practice02:02 – What the Bhagavad Gita teaches about offering food05:21 – Consciousness is contagious06:00 – The kitchen becomes an extension of the temple07:35 – Turning every meal into communion with God08:10 – The real miracle of prasadamProduced by: Sunni Sharma and Viraj Limbachia Filmed by: Filmwork Studios Edited by: Hannah BrownWant to connect further?Instagram: www.instagram.com/radhika_dasa/Facebook: www.facebook.com/radhikadasmusicYouTube: www.youtube.com/c/RadhikaDasWebsite: www.radhikadas.comPatreon: www.patreon.com/radhikadasKomi: radhikadas.komi.io
Send us Fan MailThis is a reading of Dada Shamitanandaji's book titled Baba Unparalleled: 102 Stories. Stories 1-6From the back cover of the book:Dada Shamitananda's stories portray the sublime and the mundane with equal beauty, making this book a great read for anyone on a spiritual path.Most of the stories in this book come from a blissful two-year period in Dada's life, during which he massaged Baba several times a week. Through close contact with his guru, Dada experienced the delight of devotion, as well as the pain that comes with traversing the difficult path of Tantra. Dada also shares the teachings of his guru, who guided him through thick and thin.About the AuthorDada Shamitananda is a yogic monk and a devoted follower of Shrii Shrii Anandamurti, the founder of Ananda Marga and affectionately known as Baba by His followers. Dada was ordained at the age of seventeen, not long after receiving Baba's call in his dreams.Support the show
A new dawn was breaking. And its light would reach far beyond its time. Rebellion in Verse unfolds a journey that goes back to the sixth century CE; a time when many yearned for a reprieve from the constraints of Vedic orthodoxy and caste hierarchies. The Tamil Bhakti movement emerged as their clarion call, a grassroots surge of devotion that redefined spirituality and the social fabric itself. The saints of this movement were poets of the people, composing their hymns in Tamil and their verses, brimming with simplicity and profundity, wrestled divine wisdom from the elite grip of Sanskrit and handed it to the masses. This conversation around Raghavan Srinivasan's book Rebellion in Verse, explores how poetry has long served as a space of defiance: challenging hierarchy, authority, and inherited social orders. Drawing from Bhakti and other traditions, the discussion reflects on how verse carried ideas of equality, desire, and resistance, and why these voices continue to matter today. A Q&A with the audience will follow. In this episode of BIC Talks, Raghavan Srinivasan and Sharada Srinivasan will be in conversation with Karthik Venkatesh. This is an excerpt from a conversation that took place in the BIC premises in Feb 2025. Subscribe to the BIC Talks Podcast on your favourite podcast app! BIC Talks is available everywhere, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Castbox, Overcast, Audible, and Amazon Music.
This episode featured a conversation with Rahul Sonpimple, founder of the All-India Independent Scheduled Castes Association. Our conversation began with Rahul's conception of Indian history and the place of anti-caste struggle within it. We delved further into Rahul's own understanding of “anti-caste” as deeply rooted in Ambedkar's own argument about the necessity of force in emancipatory social transformation. Rahul was especially forthright about the political cost of elevating meekness as a moral condition, a choice that he associates with the rise of a Dalit middle class focused primarily on securing its own representational authority. This took us to a discussion of the need for an independent and consolidated Dalit politics rooted in the lives of the Dalit poor with sufficient leverage to negotiate terms with the state. The last part of the episode focused on Rahul's critique of both Ambedkarites and Indian Marxists for their disregard of caste as a material question. He spoke at particular length about the failure of Indian Marxists to advance a materalist critique of caste and how their analytical separation of caste and class has played into the hands of the Hindu Right. We ended the episode with Rahul laying out his own definition of Ambedkarism as a material and spiritual politics that recognizes the Dalit poor as a revolutionary class with the potential to rebuild society. Read the transcript here Guest Rahul Sonpimple is author and founder of the All-India Independent Scheduled Castes Association. References B.R. Ambedkar, The Buddha and his Dhamma, 1957. B.R. Ambedkar, Small Holdings in India and their Remedies, 1918. B.R. Ambedkar, Buddha or Karl Marx, 1956. B.R. Ambedkar, “Mr. Russell and the Reconstruction of Society,” 1916. Rahul Sonpimple, “Against Hindu Rashtra: Ambedkar's Buddhist Rashtra as Nation,” The Ambedkarian Chronicle, May 4, 2026. Rahul Sonpimple, “Remembering Babasaheb Ambedkar: The Unfinished Task of Burying Manu,” The Ambedkarian Chronicle, April 14, 2026. Rahul Sonpimple, “Kanshi Ram Sahab: Beyond Bureaucratic Dalit Passivity,” The Ambedkarian Chronicle, March 15, 2026. Rahul Sonpimple, “Spontaneity in Ambedkar: Beyond the Passivity of Popular Dalit Discourse,” The Ambedkarian Chronicle, April 16, 2025. Rahul Sonpimple, “The End of Independent Ambedkarite Dalit Politics?” Round Table India, July 12, 2024. Rahul Sonpimple, “Dalit conversions: An act of rebellion against caste supremacy,” Al Jazeera, 14 June 2018. Himsa and ahimsa are foundational ethical concepts in Buddhism. Himsa refers to injury, harm, or violence and ahimsa to non-harming, non-violence, or compassion. Ambedkar critiqued extreme, blanket doctrines of ahimsa as unworkable and often hypocritical. Chokhamela was a saint-poet from Maharashtra, India who belonged to the Mahar caste and was a devotee of Vitthala. Bhakt: devotee Vitthala: Hindu deity worshipped mainly in the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka as an avatar of Vishnu. Kabir and Ravidas: medieval poet-saints who were part of the Bhakti movement (7th-17th century), which emphasized devotion to a personal god, rather than rituals and scriptural knowledge, as the path to spiritual liberation. Samata Sainik Dal: a social organization founded by B. R. Ambedkar in 1927 with the objective of safeguarding the rights of all oppressed sections of Indian society. Bhima Koregaon: a village in Maharashtra that was the site of an 1818 battle between the army of Peshwa Baji Rao II and an East India Company force comprised mainly of Mahars, a Dalit caste. This battle has attained legendary status for Dalits who view it as a victory of Mahars over the Brahminical Peshwas. Baniya: refers to mercantile castes primarily from the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Kanshi Ram: Indian social reformer and politician who founded the All India Backwards and Minorities Communities Employees' Federation (BAMCEF) in 1971 and the Bahujan Samaj Party in 1984. Jogendra Nath Mandal: Bengali politician and Dalit leader who held the law portfolio in the 1946-47 Interim Government of India and served as the Minister of Law and Labor in Pakistan from 1947-50. Rajah: M.C. Rajah was a Tamil politician and Dalit leader who served on the Madras Legislative Council in the 1920s and founded the All India Depressed Classes Association in 1925. Kamble: B.C. Kamble was a Marathi politician and Dalit leader who led the Republican Party of India for decades. BAMCEF: All India Backwards and Minorities Communities Employees' Federation UGC Bill: officially the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, is a set of regulations aimed at ending discrimination against marginalized communities in higher education. Following widespread protests and a public interest litigation (PIL), the Supreme Court of India stayed the regulations in January 2026. Bhagwa kapda: saffron clothing Scheduled Caste Federation: a political organization founded in 1942 by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar dedicated to advocating for the rights and political self-representation of the Dalit community. Republican Party of India: a political party established by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in 1956. PESA: Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act, 1996 is a landmark legislation enacted by the Government of India to ensure self-governance for tribal communities living in Fifth Schedule Areas. Manusmriti: a text that served as a foundational legal and societal framework in ancient India. EWS: refers to the Economically Weaker Section, a government classification referring to those within the unreserved (general) category eligible for a 10% quota in government jobs and educational admissions. Karan Johar: an Indian filmmaker, producer and television personality. Dharavi: a residential area in Mumbai (Bombay) considered one of the world's largest slums. Adani: Gautam Adani is an Indian billionaire and chairperson of the multinational conglomerate, the Adani Group. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
This episode featured a conversation with Rahul Sonpimple, founder of the All-India Independent Scheduled Castes Association. Our conversation began with Rahul's conception of Indian history and the place of anti-caste struggle within it. We delved further into Rahul's own understanding of “anti-caste” as deeply rooted in Ambedkar's own argument about the necessity of force in emancipatory social transformation. Rahul was especially forthright about the political cost of elevating meekness as a moral condition, a choice that he associates with the rise of a Dalit middle class focused primarily on securing its own representational authority. This took us to a discussion of the need for an independent and consolidated Dalit politics rooted in the lives of the Dalit poor with sufficient leverage to negotiate terms with the state. The last part of the episode focused on Rahul's critique of both Ambedkarites and Indian Marxists for their disregard of caste as a material question. He spoke at particular length about the failure of Indian Marxists to advance a materalist critique of caste and how their analytical separation of caste and class has played into the hands of the Hindu Right. We ended the episode with Rahul laying out his own definition of Ambedkarism as a material and spiritual politics that recognizes the Dalit poor as a revolutionary class with the potential to rebuild society. Read the transcript here Guest Rahul Sonpimple is author and founder of the All-India Independent Scheduled Castes Association. References B.R. Ambedkar, The Buddha and his Dhamma, 1957. B.R. Ambedkar, Small Holdings in India and their Remedies, 1918. B.R. Ambedkar, Buddha or Karl Marx, 1956. B.R. Ambedkar, “Mr. Russell and the Reconstruction of Society,” 1916. Rahul Sonpimple, “Against Hindu Rashtra: Ambedkar's Buddhist Rashtra as Nation,” The Ambedkarian Chronicle, May 4, 2026. Rahul Sonpimple, “Remembering Babasaheb Ambedkar: The Unfinished Task of Burying Manu,” The Ambedkarian Chronicle, April 14, 2026. Rahul Sonpimple, “Kanshi Ram Sahab: Beyond Bureaucratic Dalit Passivity,” The Ambedkarian Chronicle, March 15, 2026. Rahul Sonpimple, “Spontaneity in Ambedkar: Beyond the Passivity of Popular Dalit Discourse,” The Ambedkarian Chronicle, April 16, 2025. Rahul Sonpimple, “The End of Independent Ambedkarite Dalit Politics?” Round Table India, July 12, 2024. Rahul Sonpimple, “Dalit conversions: An act of rebellion against caste supremacy,” Al Jazeera, 14 June 2018. Himsa and ahimsa are foundational ethical concepts in Buddhism. Himsa refers to injury, harm, or violence and ahimsa to non-harming, non-violence, or compassion. Ambedkar critiqued extreme, blanket doctrines of ahimsa as unworkable and often hypocritical. Chokhamela was a saint-poet from Maharashtra, India who belonged to the Mahar caste and was a devotee of Vitthala. Bhakt: devotee Vitthala: Hindu deity worshipped mainly in the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka as an avatar of Vishnu. Kabir and Ravidas: medieval poet-saints who were part of the Bhakti movement (7th-17th century), which emphasized devotion to a personal god, rather than rituals and scriptural knowledge, as the path to spiritual liberation. Samata Sainik Dal: a social organization founded by B. R. Ambedkar in 1927 with the objective of safeguarding the rights of all oppressed sections of Indian society. Bhima Koregaon: a village in Maharashtra that was the site of an 1818 battle between the army of Peshwa Baji Rao II and an East India Company force comprised mainly of Mahars, a Dalit caste. This battle has attained legendary status for Dalits who view it as a victory of Mahars over the Brahminical Peshwas. Baniya: refers to mercantile castes primarily from the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Kanshi Ram: Indian social reformer and politician who founded the All India Backwards and Minorities Communities Employees' Federation (BAMCEF) in 1971 and the Bahujan Samaj Party in 1984. Jogendra Nath Mandal: Bengali politician and Dalit leader who held the law portfolio in the 1946-47 Interim Government of India and served as the Minister of Law and Labor in Pakistan from 1947-50. Rajah: M.C. Rajah was a Tamil politician and Dalit leader who served on the Madras Legislative Council in the 1920s and founded the All India Depressed Classes Association in 1925. Kamble: B.C. Kamble was a Marathi politician and Dalit leader who led the Republican Party of India for decades. BAMCEF: All India Backwards and Minorities Communities Employees' Federation UGC Bill: officially the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, is a set of regulations aimed at ending discrimination against marginalized communities in higher education. Following widespread protests and a public interest litigation (PIL), the Supreme Court of India stayed the regulations in January 2026. Bhagwa kapda: saffron clothing Scheduled Caste Federation: a political organization founded in 1942 by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar dedicated to advocating for the rights and political self-representation of the Dalit community. Republican Party of India: a political party established by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in 1956. PESA: Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act, 1996 is a landmark legislation enacted by the Government of India to ensure self-governance for tribal communities living in Fifth Schedule Areas. Manusmriti: a text that served as a foundational legal and societal framework in ancient India. EWS: refers to the Economically Weaker Section, a government classification referring to those within the unreserved (general) category eligible for a 10% quota in government jobs and educational admissions. Karan Johar: an Indian filmmaker, producer and television personality. Dharavi: a residential area in Mumbai (Bombay) considered one of the world's largest slums. Adani: Gautam Adani is an Indian billionaire and chairperson of the multinational conglomerate, the Adani Group. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory
This episode featured a conversation with Rahul Sonpimple, founder of the All-India Independent Scheduled Castes Association. Our conversation began with Rahul's conception of Indian history and the place of anti-caste struggle within it. We delved further into Rahul's own understanding of “anti-caste” as deeply rooted in Ambedkar's own argument about the necessity of force in emancipatory social transformation. Rahul was especially forthright about the political cost of elevating meekness as a moral condition, a choice that he associates with the rise of a Dalit middle class focused primarily on securing its own representational authority. This took us to a discussion of the need for an independent and consolidated Dalit politics rooted in the lives of the Dalit poor with sufficient leverage to negotiate terms with the state. The last part of the episode focused on Rahul's critique of both Ambedkarites and Indian Marxists for their disregard of caste as a material question. He spoke at particular length about the failure of Indian Marxists to advance a materalist critique of caste and how their analytical separation of caste and class has played into the hands of the Hindu Right. We ended the episode with Rahul laying out his own definition of Ambedkarism as a material and spiritual politics that recognizes the Dalit poor as a revolutionary class with the potential to rebuild society. Read the transcript here Guest Rahul Sonpimple is author and founder of the All-India Independent Scheduled Castes Association. References B.R. Ambedkar, The Buddha and his Dhamma, 1957. B.R. Ambedkar, Small Holdings in India and their Remedies, 1918. B.R. Ambedkar, Buddha or Karl Marx, 1956. B.R. Ambedkar, “Mr. Russell and the Reconstruction of Society,” 1916. Rahul Sonpimple, “Against Hindu Rashtra: Ambedkar's Buddhist Rashtra as Nation,” The Ambedkarian Chronicle, May 4, 2026. Rahul Sonpimple, “Remembering Babasaheb Ambedkar: The Unfinished Task of Burying Manu,” The Ambedkarian Chronicle, April 14, 2026. Rahul Sonpimple, “Kanshi Ram Sahab: Beyond Bureaucratic Dalit Passivity,” The Ambedkarian Chronicle, March 15, 2026. Rahul Sonpimple, “Spontaneity in Ambedkar: Beyond the Passivity of Popular Dalit Discourse,” The Ambedkarian Chronicle, April 16, 2025. Rahul Sonpimple, “The End of Independent Ambedkarite Dalit Politics?” Round Table India, July 12, 2024. Rahul Sonpimple, “Dalit conversions: An act of rebellion against caste supremacy,” Al Jazeera, 14 June 2018. Himsa and ahimsa are foundational ethical concepts in Buddhism. Himsa refers to injury, harm, or violence and ahimsa to non-harming, non-violence, or compassion. Ambedkar critiqued extreme, blanket doctrines of ahimsa as unworkable and often hypocritical. Chokhamela was a saint-poet from Maharashtra, India who belonged to the Mahar caste and was a devotee of Vitthala. Bhakt: devotee Vitthala: Hindu deity worshipped mainly in the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka as an avatar of Vishnu. Kabir and Ravidas: medieval poet-saints who were part of the Bhakti movement (7th-17th century), which emphasized devotion to a personal god, rather than rituals and scriptural knowledge, as the path to spiritual liberation. Samata Sainik Dal: a social organization founded by B. R. Ambedkar in 1927 with the objective of safeguarding the rights of all oppressed sections of Indian society. Bhima Koregaon: a village in Maharashtra that was the site of an 1818 battle between the army of Peshwa Baji Rao II and an East India Company force comprised mainly of Mahars, a Dalit caste. This battle has attained legendary status for Dalits who view it as a victory of Mahars over the Brahminical Peshwas. Baniya: refers to mercantile castes primarily from the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Kanshi Ram: Indian social reformer and politician who founded the All India Backwards and Minorities Communities Employees' Federation (BAMCEF) in 1971 and the Bahujan Samaj Party in 1984. Jogendra Nath Mandal: Bengali politician and Dalit leader who held the law portfolio in the 1946-47 Interim Government of India and served as the Minister of Law and Labor in Pakistan from 1947-50. Rajah: M.C. Rajah was a Tamil politician and Dalit leader who served on the Madras Legislative Council in the 1920s and founded the All India Depressed Classes Association in 1925. Kamble: B.C. Kamble was a Marathi politician and Dalit leader who led the Republican Party of India for decades. BAMCEF: All India Backwards and Minorities Communities Employees' Federation UGC Bill: officially the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, is a set of regulations aimed at ending discrimination against marginalized communities in higher education. Following widespread protests and a public interest litigation (PIL), the Supreme Court of India stayed the regulations in January 2026. Bhagwa kapda: saffron clothing Scheduled Caste Federation: a political organization founded in 1942 by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar dedicated to advocating for the rights and political self-representation of the Dalit community. Republican Party of India: a political party established by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in 1956. PESA: Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act, 1996 is a landmark legislation enacted by the Government of India to ensure self-governance for tribal communities living in Fifth Schedule Areas. Manusmriti: a text that served as a foundational legal and societal framework in ancient India. EWS: refers to the Economically Weaker Section, a government classification referring to those within the unreserved (general) category eligible for a 10% quota in government jobs and educational admissions. Karan Johar: an Indian filmmaker, producer and television personality. Dharavi: a residential area in Mumbai (Bombay) considered one of the world's largest slums. Adani: Gautam Adani is an Indian billionaire and chairperson of the multinational conglomerate, the Adani Group. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/anthropology
This episode featured a conversation with Rahul Sonpimple, founder of the All-India Independent Scheduled Castes Association. Our conversation began with Rahul's conception of Indian history and the place of anti-caste struggle within it. We delved further into Rahul's own understanding of “anti-caste” as deeply rooted in Ambedkar's own argument about the necessity of force in emancipatory social transformation. Rahul was especially forthright about the political cost of elevating meekness as a moral condition, a choice that he associates with the rise of a Dalit middle class focused primarily on securing its own representational authority. This took us to a discussion of the need for an independent and consolidated Dalit politics rooted in the lives of the Dalit poor with sufficient leverage to negotiate terms with the state. The last part of the episode focused on Rahul's critique of both Ambedkarites and Indian Marxists for their disregard of caste as a material question. He spoke at particular length about the failure of Indian Marxists to advance a materalist critique of caste and how their analytical separation of caste and class has played into the hands of the Hindu Right. We ended the episode with Rahul laying out his own definition of Ambedkarism as a material and spiritual politics that recognizes the Dalit poor as a revolutionary class with the potential to rebuild society. Read the transcript here Guest Rahul Sonpimple is author and founder of the All-India Independent Scheduled Castes Association. References B.R. Ambedkar, The Buddha and his Dhamma, 1957. B.R. Ambedkar, Small Holdings in India and their Remedies, 1918. B.R. Ambedkar, Buddha or Karl Marx, 1956. B.R. Ambedkar, “Mr. Russell and the Reconstruction of Society,” 1916. Rahul Sonpimple, “Against Hindu Rashtra: Ambedkar's Buddhist Rashtra as Nation,” The Ambedkarian Chronicle, May 4, 2026. Rahul Sonpimple, “Remembering Babasaheb Ambedkar: The Unfinished Task of Burying Manu,” The Ambedkarian Chronicle, April 14, 2026. Rahul Sonpimple, “Kanshi Ram Sahab: Beyond Bureaucratic Dalit Passivity,” The Ambedkarian Chronicle, March 15, 2026. Rahul Sonpimple, “Spontaneity in Ambedkar: Beyond the Passivity of Popular Dalit Discourse,” The Ambedkarian Chronicle, April 16, 2025. Rahul Sonpimple, “The End of Independent Ambedkarite Dalit Politics?” Round Table India, July 12, 2024. Rahul Sonpimple, “Dalit conversions: An act of rebellion against caste supremacy,” Al Jazeera, 14 June 2018. Himsa and ahimsa are foundational ethical concepts in Buddhism. Himsa refers to injury, harm, or violence and ahimsa to non-harming, non-violence, or compassion. Ambedkar critiqued extreme, blanket doctrines of ahimsa as unworkable and often hypocritical. Chokhamela was a saint-poet from Maharashtra, India who belonged to the Mahar caste and was a devotee of Vitthala. Bhakt: devotee Vitthala: Hindu deity worshipped mainly in the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka as an avatar of Vishnu. Kabir and Ravidas: medieval poet-saints who were part of the Bhakti movement (7th-17th century), which emphasized devotion to a personal god, rather than rituals and scriptural knowledge, as the path to spiritual liberation. Samata Sainik Dal: a social organization founded by B. R. Ambedkar in 1927 with the objective of safeguarding the rights of all oppressed sections of Indian society. Bhima Koregaon: a village in Maharashtra that was the site of an 1818 battle between the army of Peshwa Baji Rao II and an East India Company force comprised mainly of Mahars, a Dalit caste. This battle has attained legendary status for Dalits who view it as a victory of Mahars over the Brahminical Peshwas. Baniya: refers to mercantile castes primarily from the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Kanshi Ram: Indian social reformer and politician who founded the All India Backwards and Minorities Communities Employees' Federation (BAMCEF) in 1971 and the Bahujan Samaj Party in 1984. Jogendra Nath Mandal: Bengali politician and Dalit leader who held the law portfolio in the 1946-47 Interim Government of India and served as the Minister of Law and Labor in Pakistan from 1947-50. Rajah: M.C. Rajah was a Tamil politician and Dalit leader who served on the Madras Legislative Council in the 1920s and founded the All India Depressed Classes Association in 1925. Kamble: B.C. Kamble was a Marathi politician and Dalit leader who led the Republican Party of India for decades. BAMCEF: All India Backwards and Minorities Communities Employees' Federation UGC Bill: officially the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, is a set of regulations aimed at ending discrimination against marginalized communities in higher education. Following widespread protests and a public interest litigation (PIL), the Supreme Court of India stayed the regulations in January 2026. Bhagwa kapda: saffron clothing Scheduled Caste Federation: a political organization founded in 1942 by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar dedicated to advocating for the rights and political self-representation of the Dalit community. Republican Party of India: a political party established by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in 1956. PESA: Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act, 1996 is a landmark legislation enacted by the Government of India to ensure self-governance for tribal communities living in Fifth Schedule Areas. Manusmriti: a text that served as a foundational legal and societal framework in ancient India. EWS: refers to the Economically Weaker Section, a government classification referring to those within the unreserved (general) category eligible for a 10% quota in government jobs and educational admissions. Karan Johar: an Indian filmmaker, producer and television personality. Dharavi: a residential area in Mumbai (Bombay) considered one of the world's largest slums. Adani: Gautam Adani is an Indian billionaire and chairperson of the multinational conglomerate, the Adani Group. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology
This episode featured a conversation with Rahul Sonpimple, founder of the All-India Independent Scheduled Castes Association. Our conversation began with Rahul's conception of Indian history and the place of anti-caste struggle within it. We delved further into Rahul's own understanding of “anti-caste” as deeply rooted in Ambedkar's own argument about the necessity of force in emancipatory social transformation. Rahul was especially forthright about the political cost of elevating meekness as a moral condition, a choice that he associates with the rise of a Dalit middle class focused primarily on securing its own representational authority. This took us to a discussion of the need for an independent and consolidated Dalit politics rooted in the lives of the Dalit poor with sufficient leverage to negotiate terms with the state. The last part of the episode focused on Rahul's critique of both Ambedkarites and Indian Marxists for their disregard of caste as a material question. He spoke at particular length about the failure of Indian Marxists to advance a materalist critique of caste and how their analytical separation of caste and class has played into the hands of the Hindu Right. We ended the episode with Rahul laying out his own definition of Ambedkarism as a material and spiritual politics that recognizes the Dalit poor as a revolutionary class with the potential to rebuild society. Read the transcript here Guest Rahul Sonpimple is author and founder of the All-India Independent Scheduled Castes Association. References B.R. Ambedkar, The Buddha and his Dhamma, 1957. B.R. Ambedkar, Small Holdings in India and their Remedies, 1918. B.R. Ambedkar, Buddha or Karl Marx, 1956. B.R. Ambedkar, “Mr. Russell and the Reconstruction of Society,” 1916. Rahul Sonpimple, “Against Hindu Rashtra: Ambedkar's Buddhist Rashtra as Nation,” The Ambedkarian Chronicle, May 4, 2026. Rahul Sonpimple, “Remembering Babasaheb Ambedkar: The Unfinished Task of Burying Manu,” The Ambedkarian Chronicle, April 14, 2026. Rahul Sonpimple, “Kanshi Ram Sahab: Beyond Bureaucratic Dalit Passivity,” The Ambedkarian Chronicle, March 15, 2026. Rahul Sonpimple, “Spontaneity in Ambedkar: Beyond the Passivity of Popular Dalit Discourse,” The Ambedkarian Chronicle, April 16, 2025. Rahul Sonpimple, “The End of Independent Ambedkarite Dalit Politics?” Round Table India, July 12, 2024. Rahul Sonpimple, “Dalit conversions: An act of rebellion against caste supremacy,” Al Jazeera, 14 June 2018. Himsa and ahimsa are foundational ethical concepts in Buddhism. Himsa refers to injury, harm, or violence and ahimsa to non-harming, non-violence, or compassion. Ambedkar critiqued extreme, blanket doctrines of ahimsa as unworkable and often hypocritical. Chokhamela was a saint-poet from Maharashtra, India who belonged to the Mahar caste and was a devotee of Vitthala. Bhakt: devotee Vitthala: Hindu deity worshipped mainly in the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka as an avatar of Vishnu. Kabir and Ravidas: medieval poet-saints who were part of the Bhakti movement (7th-17th century), which emphasized devotion to a personal god, rather than rituals and scriptural knowledge, as the path to spiritual liberation. Samata Sainik Dal: a social organization founded by B. R. Ambedkar in 1927 with the objective of safeguarding the rights of all oppressed sections of Indian society. Bhima Koregaon: a village in Maharashtra that was the site of an 1818 battle between the army of Peshwa Baji Rao II and an East India Company force comprised mainly of Mahars, a Dalit caste. This battle has attained legendary status for Dalits who view it as a victory of Mahars over the Brahminical Peshwas. Baniya: refers to mercantile castes primarily from the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Kanshi Ram: Indian social reformer and politician who founded the All India Backwards and Minorities Communities Employees' Federation (BAMCEF) in 1971 and the Bahujan Samaj Party in 1984. Jogendra Nath Mandal: Bengali politician and Dalit leader who held the law portfolio in the 1946-47 Interim Government of India and served as the Minister of Law and Labor in Pakistan from 1947-50. Rajah: M.C. Rajah was a Tamil politician and Dalit leader who served on the Madras Legislative Council in the 1920s and founded the All India Depressed Classes Association in 1925. Kamble: B.C. Kamble was a Marathi politician and Dalit leader who led the Republican Party of India for decades. BAMCEF: All India Backwards and Minorities Communities Employees' Federation UGC Bill: officially the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, is a set of regulations aimed at ending discrimination against marginalized communities in higher education. Following widespread protests and a public interest litigation (PIL), the Supreme Court of India stayed the regulations in January 2026. Bhagwa kapda: saffron clothing Scheduled Caste Federation: a political organization founded in 1942 by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar dedicated to advocating for the rights and political self-representation of the Dalit community. Republican Party of India: a political party established by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in 1956. PESA: Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act, 1996 is a landmark legislation enacted by the Government of India to ensure self-governance for tribal communities living in Fifth Schedule Areas. Manusmriti: a text that served as a foundational legal and societal framework in ancient India. EWS: refers to the Economically Weaker Section, a government classification referring to those within the unreserved (general) category eligible for a 10% quota in government jobs and educational admissions. Karan Johar: an Indian filmmaker, producer and television personality. Dharavi: a residential area in Mumbai (Bombay) considered one of the world's largest slums. Adani: Gautam Adani is an Indian billionaire and chairperson of the multinational conglomerate, the Adani Group. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/south-asian-studies
In this episode, Swami Revatikaanta sits down with Sarvamohini Dasi (Kristina Margolin) to discuss the role of numerology and astrology in understanding our nature and purpose.In this personal discussion, Sarvamohini Dasi opens up about her realization that while these ancient sciences can explain the patterns of our lives, they cannot fully satisfy the heart's ultimate desire for divine love. We discuss what it means to honor these tools that help us navigate this world, while ultimately giving our hearts to the spiritual practice that takes us beyond it—a graduation that led her to the shelter of Paramahamsa Vishwananda and the path of pure Bhakti.Connect with the Community:
"Love separates all things from the soul." Meister Eckhart — fourteenth century Christian mystic, so radical the Pope investigated him for heresy — arrived at the same place as the Bhakti Vedāntins. Both jñāna and bhakti dissolve material attachment. Jñāna does it through relentless intellectual negation. Bhakti does it through love. And love, as the Rāsa Dance shows, does it beautifully. In this episode Raghunath and Kaustubha continue through Canto Ten, Chapter Thirty-Three — Krishna caressing the tired gopīs' faces, the demigods showering flowers from their airplanes, Krishna and the gopīs entering the Yamuna together under the autumn moon. The highest object of meditation, delivered into this universe so we would stop looking for love and beauty in all the wrong places. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.33.12-25 ******************************************************************** LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 *********************************************************************
The mind, unless trained to take special care when chanting, will take interest in many other things. Rūpa Gosvāmī says boys are naturally interested in girls. Girls are naturally interested in boys. People are naturally interested in money; they think of it all the time. They look at it on the screen: "That's how much money I have." So, this yoga process is taking interest in Kṛṣṇa. And the most interesting thing is that Kṛṣṇa comes in sound vibration, and we can take an interest in the sound itself because it's non different from Kṛṣṇa. That's where all the progress takes place—when you take special care to listen. In Latin, interest means "it is important." So, we think so many things are important, but the yogi—the Bhakti yogi—thinks only the holy name is important; everything else comes from that. You are showing that by showing up to programs like these. It may seem like a little thing, but it's not. The fulcrum of all power is to take special time and practice coming back to the holy name again and again. (07:26) ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://vaisesikadasayatra.blogspot.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://thefourquestionsbook.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #japajolt #makejapagreatagain #chantharekrishnaandbehappy #mantra #mantrameditation #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose
"Love separates all things from the soul." Meister Eckhart — fourteenth century Christian mystic, so radical the Pope investigated him for heresy — arrived at the same place as the Bhakti Vedāntins. Both jñāna and bhakti dissolve material attachment. Jñāna does it through relentless intellectual negation. Bhakti does it through love. And love, as the Rāsa Dance shows, does it beautifully. In this episode Raghunath and Kaustubha continue through Canto Ten, Chapter Thirty-Three — Krishna caressing the tired gopīs' faces, the demigods showering flowers from their airplanes, Krishna and the gopīs entering the Yamuna together under the autumn moon. The highest object of meditation, delivered into this universe so we would stop looking for love and beauty in all the wrong places. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.33.12-25 ******************************************************************** LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 *********************************************************************
Through the fire, transformation, surrender, illusion, Krishna is the captain of the ship
Why do we get angry, even when we're trying to live a spiritual life? In this roundtable conversation, Radhika, Nama and Stine explore the nature of anger through the lens of Bhakti, discussing its deeper causes, the role of therapy alongside spiritual practice, and how self-awareness can transform our reactions. Drawing from the Bhagavad-gītā, personal experiences, and the story of Ambarīṣa Mahārāja and Durvāsā Muni, they reflect on how humility, compassion, and steady practice help us respond rather than react.02:35 – Can anger have a place in Bhakti?07:17 – Personal experiences with anger, therapy & healing10:49 – Prayer, compassion and practical ways to respond to anger39:44 – How the Bhagavad-gītā explains the root of anger43:56 – Is anger viewed differently for men and women?59:13 – Final reflections & key takeawayWant to connect further?Instagram: www.instagram.com/radhika_dasa/Facebook: www.facebook.com/radhikadasmusicYouTube: www.youtube.com/c/RadhikaDasWebsite: www.radhikadas.comPatreon: www.patreon.com/radhikadasLinktree: linktr.ee/radhika_dasa
#6 awkward outfits all at once#fear and faith#we are not the body#bare witness#the right size
We want unlimited happiness. In this world we get advertisements for "some" happiness, and it causes us more distress. Then, we try to take some medicine; it comes with a long list of warnings that this could really mess you up. What we want is the real thing, and it's our birthright. We were born from nectar, we belong in nectar, and it's available. We can take it at any time. So, this Ratha-yātrā festival—it means we're all marching back to the spiritual world, and we're not going to take it anymore, right? We're just not going to take it anymore. This material world, we're done; finished. We're on our way back to the spiritual world. That's the Festival of the Chariots. It's a very feeling festival. We're grabbing those ropes, saying, "Kṛṣṇa, we're with You. We want You to be with us always." We're pulling them into our hearts, saying, "We won't settle for any substitutes." The whole material world is one big substitute, but we want to go back home, back to Godhead, and we want to bring everybody in New York with us. How many people are here in New York? Can you name them all? Who they are? Everybody needs individualized attention in this world; otherwise, they die of loneliness in their heart—failure to thrive. They can't make it in this world without some love. So, we have to give it to them, because we have it. We've approached the ocean of love, and we can take it out in buckets, or even one drop will do, but we have to sprinkle it everywhere. We have to go into the boroughs and then we have to go to the Bronx. We have got to go to the Bronx and sprinkle everybody with this name of Kṛṣṇa, which is the kind of nectar from the spiritual world that awakens people to this pure love. Unfortunately, we ran out of time. If you want to continue, then just join the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement—there's nobody who can stop us. We're free souls, every one of us. It's not time; it's taste. And if we get a taste, then we'll spend more and more time entering into this realm that Lord Caitanya invited us to come into—of chanting, hearing, and deepening our connection to Kṛṣṇa in the spiritual world. That's the purpose of life; there's no other. Everything else is—well, I don't want to sound fanatical, but it's kind of a waste of time. We do have to maintain ourselves and be balanced and healthy, eat good food, drink water, try to find some air somewhere on the planet to breathe, and keep the transcendental vibration going. (35:40) ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://vaisesikadasayatra.blogspot.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://thefourquestionsbook.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #rathyatra #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna
A full moon (Kabir Jayanti) special lecture on the ecstatic devotional poetry of medieval India talking Bhakti, Tantra and the liminality of both as my offering at the feet of the baddies of this world, Mira & also Emma Goldman, whose birthday it happened to be that day!Hit Me Up xSupport the showLectures happen live every Monday at 7pm PST and again at Friday 11am PST Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrM
You can help us celebrate 10 years of Be Here Now Network and support the next chapter of Ram Dass Here and Now by donating to our 10th anniversary fundraiser. Exciting news! Dollar-for-dollar gift matching has been extended to match the first $60k in donations through June 30. Learn more and give here: BHNN 10th Birthday FundraiserWith his classic combination of heart and humor, Ram Dass guides us through an exploration of being on other planes of reality and getting comfortable with having nowhere to stand.Ram Dass Here & Now is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/ramdass and get on your way to being your best self.This episode of Here and Now is from the first part of a talk Ram Dass gave at the LA Whole Life Expo on February 18, 1989. Check back soon for the conclusion of this lecture.Ram Dass begins with the story of having a kidney stone, and the delight he felt in watching his consciousness flicker. Thus begins an exploration of consciousness and being on other planes of reality.With some classic stories and his unique humor, Ram Dass talks about what happens when we awaken and start to recognize these other planes. As we get more comfortable in these other planes of reality, it can be easy to lose our ground on this plane.In the end, we can't push away this plane because it doesn't feel as good as others. Ram Dass shares how he saw it wasn't about getting high, it was about getting free and being comfortable with having nowhere to stand. We must embrace our humanity along with our divinity. The Ram Dass community gathers regularly to engage in meaningful discussions about the podcast. We invite you to join us and share your curiosities, insights, and wisdom. Sign up for the General Fellowship to receive event invitations directly in your inbox.About Ram Dass:Ram Dass's spirit has been a guiding light for generations, carrying millions along on the journey. Ram Dass teaches that through the Bhakti practice of unconditional love, we can all connect with our true nature. Through these teachings, Ram Dass has shared a little piece of his guru, Maharaj-ji, with all who have listened to him. Learn more at ramdass.org.“You've had this as your basecamp. You go into these other planes, and then you come back, and you go in, and you come back, and you go in. And you start to get comfortable being in other planes of reality and functioning here.” – Ram DassSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Alignment, good orderly decisions, patience
Phil Jackson won eleven championship rings — the most of any coach in NBA history. His secret wasn't more effort. It was less noise. "If you have a clear mind and an open heart, you won't have to search for direction. Direction will come to you." In this episode Raghunath and Kaustubha explore that insight alongside one of the most beautiful verses in the bhakti tradition: pure love for Krishna is not something to be gained from outside. It is eternally present in the heart. The practice of bhakti — hearing, chanting, remembering — doesn't import something new. It removes what's covering what was always already there. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.30.35-10.31.2 ******************************************************************** LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 *********************************************************************
If creation is God's play, why do we suffer? It's one of the oldest questions in philosophy — and the Srimad Bhagavatam answers it through the Rāsa Līlā. A full cup doesn't drink. It overflows. Krishna doesn't enjoy with the gopīs the way we pursue romance — trying to fill something missing. He's imparting what's already overflowing. We're different. When we try to enjoy others, we're trying to enjoy what was never ours. Raghunath and Kaustubha explore that distinction alongside one of the deepest questions in Vedic thought — and the answer that only bhakti can give. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.30.32-34 ******************************************************************** LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 *********************************************************************
How do you keep bhakti fresh, sweet and progressive for the rest of your life — fueled by genuine love rather than institutional guilt or a rigid checklist? In this special Q&A episode recorded live in Torgau, Germany with the Shelter crew, Raghunath and Kaustubha tackle that question alongside two others that go just as deep. What remains of our relationship with Krishna when everything we identify with falls away? And what is your favorite place in Vrindavan — and what made it that? The answers range from practical to profound. ******************************************************************** LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 *********************************************************************