We are in a tantric tradition. Tantra goes about it completely differently. Tantra says, “Let’s just shred anava mala.” Through Shaktipat, I will open you up from the inside out. Shred anava mala so you have experiences of your own Self. You know who you are. Go ahead…
— Gurudevi Nirmalananda
From Gurudevi’s full discourse “From the Inside-Out“
When you’re comparing what’s happening to what you think should be happening, you’ll be lost in your reactions.
What you need to do – let’s be very simplistic about this – if what’s happening doesn’t match your plan, then you need to…
— Gurudevi Nirmalananda
From Gurudevi’s full discourse “Bondage & Freedom“
By Gurudevi Nirmalananda
Born into bondage, your life’s task is to fly free. You begin the process like a caged bird who keeps flexing its wings, wanting to fly. Your cage door is opened by one who is already free.
This is the Shaktipat Guru’s task, to set you free by opening up the inner arising of Consciousness. Thus you discover the truth that has been hidden for so long, that your essence is Divine.
The not-knowing of your own Self is what causes all your pain. It is the result of Shiva’s decision to become individually and uniquely you. He does this by hiding himself in multiple levels of contraction.
It puts you on a merry-go-round, locked down by Shiva, going round in circles for lifetimes. What you have to do is grab the brass ring! Get Shaktipat, the inner awakening that sets you free.
The inner bolt of I-Consciousness bestowed by the Guru shatters the not-knowingness, setting you free.
Udyamo bhairavah. — Shiva Sutras 1.5
Prior to receiving Shaktipat, I had a few expansive experiences. Though they were rare and never lasted long. I wanted more. Some of my friends used substances to get there, but I preferred spending time in nature, as well as…
Atma, your own Self, is all pervading. You probably think of your own Self as being inside your body, but it’s the other way around. Your body is inside your own Self. You may think of your own Self like your soul, that your soul is found…
— Gurudevi Nirmalananda
From Gurudevi’s full discourse “Atma & Svaroopa“
You are so much more than you think you are. It is all summarized in this one sutra:
Your own Self is Consciousness-Itself.
Chaitanyam atma. — Shiva Sutras 1.1
This is the first sutra, in the first chapter of the first text of Kashmiri Shaivism, our yogic tradition. The first sutra is the most important one.
— Gurudevi Nirmalananda
From Gurudevi’s full discourse “Your Divine Essence“
Are you thinking about improving your nutrition? The beginning of a new year is a good time to make this change.
Fortunately, Gurudevi is soon teaching her popular online Yogic Nutrition course. Learn how to eat like a yogi.
Drawing on yoga, Ayurveda and scientific nutritional guidelines, she gives you easy ways to improve your nutritional profile. These classes take place online, including a kitchen segment — from the Ashram kitchen to yours!
You learn straightforward, yummy meal preparation with vegetarian protein featuring the six Ayurvedic tastes. The purpose is to achieve health as well as pleasure and (most importantly) spiritual development as yogis feed themselves consciously.
In the first “Yogic Nutrition” class, my taste buds came alive. I was in shock! Gurudevi guided us through making toast with all six tastes on it. A huge light bulb went off. Food can be good and good for me! — Sheralee H.
It was Baba that gave me God. That’s the Guru’s job – to give you access to what is already there inside. But you haven’t been able to find it. It can be hard to understand God and Guru. They are One, while being different. I’ll compare it to the front door of your house. It’s part of your house. You wouldn’t want that wall to be solid. You wouldn’t want your house to be without an entry portal. The Guru is the door by which you enter into…
— Gurudevi Nirmalananda
From Gurudevi’s full discourse “For the Love of God“
By Debbie (Antarajna) Mandel
Twice I contracted Covid, in 2021 and 2023. Each time it turned into long Covid.
Then I had multiple physical issues. My whole body was in reaction: heart, lungs, eyes, toes, fingers, cancerous growths on my face, insomnia and more.
I asked Gurudevi about it. She recommended I do three hours of Ujjayi a day. My first reaction: that is impossible! I wasn’t consistent with 20 minutes a day.
My next reaction was how stupid it would be to not follow my Guru’s directions! Why would I even consider not doing what she suggests?
So, over a month, I slowly built three hours of Ujjayi a day into my life in fifteen-minute segments. After several months, Gurudevi added me getting Embodyment® Yoga Therapy sessions. What? But I did it.
Yes, my health issues disappeared — lungs, heart, insomnia, and all the other Long Covid symptoms. And a few months later I contracted Covid again and had no residual effects.
I always have a choice to make — bumble along on my own or follow my Guru’s direction. Choosing the latter has never led me astray. It has enhanced my inner state and, therefore, my external life benefits.
As if that wasn’t enough, I received a bonus. With Ujjayi, time has expanded exponentially, so I always have enough time to do everything. And more.
Through following my Guru, I have expanded exponentially! I live deeper in Self. I have the stamina back to go to India again on our Ashram’s upcoming India trip “Coming Home to Self.” And that is truly a yoga miracle.
Your spiritual practices change you in such a way that you radiate Consciousness into the world. Especially your family is uplifted, even without them doing yoga. How great! And it means you’re doing yoga for two — yourself and your spouse or partner. Or maybe you’re doing yoga for three…
— Gurudevi Nirmalananda
From Gurudevi’s full discourse “Unconditional Love“
By Gurudevi Nirmalananda
Yoga warns about living in the pairs of opposites, and offers you another way to live — see God in everyone and everything.
You go through stages as you become able to see what is already in front of you, the Divine fully present within the mundane. Your process speeds along when you cooperate with it, and even more smoothly when you understand it.
Begin by considering that others have good reasons for doing what they do, thinking the way they think and living the way they live. While you don’t have to agree with them, you feel better within yourself when you allow them to have their perspectives.
When you invest your mental and emotional energy in seeing others as wrong, or in seeing yourself as wrong, you are the one who is churning over it. You are the one listening to your negative thoughts. You are the one who has to live with your mind.
The condition of your mind is of the greatest importance, yoga says. It is not your own Self that you need to worry about. Your svaroopa, your innermost essence, is already Divine. You don’t have to uplift your own Self.
Yoga is about finding your Self, not perfecting your Self. Yoga’s practices give you the experience of your own inherent divinity.
– Excerpt from A Yogic Lifestyle, page 7
practice & grace: giving you your Self
revealing the mystery
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