Disruption, destruction, disintegration and ultimately getting dissolved is the nature of everything born in this world. Everything is degrading or changing. In short, we may say that change is the only unchangeable reality of this world.

Similarly, the recommended places for performing Yoga as instructed in the Yog sutras for the practicing yogis have undergone major changes and most of the places are not suitable for Yoga. The mountains where yogis are instructed to meditate have become a sporting ground. The forests where transcendentalists used to experience Brahman in silence, have become places of mafia and mountain sports activities. Many places of spiritual and educational importance which were meant for life transformation have become merely place of tourism.

If these are the conditions of the places where yoga was favorably practiced as recommended in Gita and yoga sutras, then one can imagine the degradation of the condition of cities and the struggles of residents of the these cities who have some inclination to practice yoga? Human restlessness is at its peak and the places favorable for meditation are scarcely available. The cities which never sleep used to be a simple statement to describe the liveliness of the residents, but now days it is the sad reality where people actually can’t sleep. So is it possible to practice yoga sutras in the midst of constant dazzle of modern cities?

Yes, Indeed, An expert teacher who has the inkling of the past, experience of the present and the vision of the future has the ability to train the students to practice the principles of yoga sutras in the any situation without compromising the end result

Even though there are countless limitations but one of the advantage of this modern age is the facility of interacting with great teachers and availability of huge source of knowledge which helps in adjusting one's Yoga practices and achieving steady progress on this path. Therefore, Sri Krishna recommends Arjuna to practice karma yoga instead of merely performing the yogic meditation. The modern lifestyle is very hectic but If someone is able to tweak one's daily schedule, it is possible to include time for little meditation, few minutes of pranayama, little time for gaining knowledge and finally the time for mantra meditation with devotional heart.

Taking small steps towards achieving the steady practice of Sadhana is one of the easy way. Following this way the practitioner starts experiencing success in every step towards achieving steady sadhana, and he becomes more hopeful and determined to make further advancement. Sometimes It is observed that the enthusiastic people get emotional and targets bigger goal in the first step itself without assessing their own capabilities. This emotional approach is sure to fail which gives rise to the feeling that they are not made for such practices. But advancing step by step and experiencing small success is one of the best way to eventually increase one's practice and achieve end result. Therefore, city dwellers may desire for greater results but advancing in smaller steps in the path of Yoga practice in the beginning is recommended so that there is feeling of achievement in every small step.

It is therefore important for the practicing Yogi to learn to adjust the Yog sutras as per the circumstances without compromising the principles to experience everything prescribed in the Gita and Yog sutras.

It is also recommended to take small steps towards following the Yama and Niyama by slowing down on learning aspects to regulate life. To experience the rise of little yogi inside, one can start by trying to avoid intoxication one's in a week and gradually increase the level of restrain. At times may try avoiding meat for few days so that they can feel the power of goodness. Or to further the experience, one can actively participate in mantra meditation and join Kirtanprograms. One can also try affection devoid of carnal pleasure on a regular basis. In this way, with constant practice and small detachment the yogi in the city can rise as high as the city skyscraper symbolically.

If one cares for the whole picture, the little details can be adjusted to blend with the whole, but if one loses sight of the whole picture, little things assume all-importance and cause strife. – Radhanath Swami

Yoga means to bring together, to harmonize, to unite. It’s highest expression is the union of the individual soul with the Supreme Soul God. Union is to become one in love. Unconditional and unmotivated love for God brings about true Yoga.

From a spiritual standpoint, marriage is something more than man and woman living together; it brings together two souls on a much higher level. The husband sees the wife as God’s beloved daughter entrusted by Him to his care. God will appreciate the husband based on how responsibly and protectively he treats the wife, how he respects and honors her as God’s gift. The wife looks upon the husband as God’s child entrusted to her care. God will appreciate her based on how faithful, loving, and caring she is. When this is the relationship’s mood, rapid spiritual progress follows.

As partners in life, the sacred principle is to help each other to become pure. The higher principle is to help each other love God, to help each other become instruments of God’s love for the world. If marriage is to love and protect each other for this divine purpose, then such coming together in marriage is really Yoga. No wonder, Radhanath Swami notes, all different societies traditionally conducted their marriage ceremonies in spiritual places to consecrate the partnership in the service of God.

Anything great is difficult, cheap things come easy. Cheap relationships are easy, but they break in difficult times. Strong, deep, and growing relationships are found on and supported by higher principles. The mind and senses are flickering. Relationships based on their ever changing demands are superficial and short of substance. But by focusing on the divine principles that have brought them together, the spouses can maturely deal with the unavoidable disagreements that arise in any close relationship by harmonizing everything with the higher principles.

Most marital problems germinate from something insignificant and unimportant. If one doesn’t focus on higher principles, unimportant things get importance. If one cares for the whole picture, the little details can be adjusted to blend with the whole, but if one loses sight of the whole picture, little things assume all-importance and cause strife.

The diamond is but a piece of coal that has transformed from crude blackness to multifaceted brilliance under millions of years of high pressure, remarks Radhanath Swami. Similarly, (i) the good and bad times spent together remaining faithful to each other and (ii) negotiating the pressures of married life for the sake of higher principles, are meant to transform the spouses into brilliant gems radiating love of God. This essential principle defines the Yoga of Marriage.

One of the most powerful and unparalleled contributions of Sri Krishna to this world is the Bhagavad Gita. The Gita’s distinction amongst various doctrines and schools of thought can be attributed to its fundamental purpose of guiding with the notion of actions and their reactions, as opposed to right or wrong. Herein, we explore this concept and a few additional significant traits of this deep reservoir of knowledge that distinguishes it from other literature.

Firstly, the Bhagavad Gita is the only wisdom that was imparted or discussed in a battlefield; most books, especially those presenting some spirituality or existential philosophy, are spoken or written in ashramas, maths, temples or holy places.

Additionally, while nearly all scriptures usher towards the renunciation of actions and emphasize a focus on a world beyond this world, Sri Krishna guides Arjuna to harmonize between this world and the next. He urges Arjuna to focus on this world in such a way that the other world is naturally taken care of when he says, “Tasmad Sarveshu kaleshu mam anusmara yuddacha (think of me and perform your duty of fighting on behalf of Dharma)”. Sri Krishna teaches Arjuna to be a sage within and king without. In essence, Sri Krishna impresses the need to cater towards the body and senses as long as they exist. However, one should act in such a way that despite appearing as the doer externally, one is well established as an observer internally. This principle of Nishkama Karma Yoga is exceptional to the Gita; a multitude of different ideologies command either action with passion, or inaction based on an overemphasize on the fleeting nature of this material creation. Many philosophers take extreme stands of either pure spiritualism, or straight materialism.

Another unique feature of the Gita is an in depth discussion of the three Gunas. Everyone and everything in this world is under the influence of the three modes, namely Sattva, or substance; Raja, which is the power to act for results; and Tama, or darkness that involves minimal action in the present, and blatant disregard for tomorrow or even the next hour.

Moreover, Sri Krishna does not instruct on ideas of what is right or wrong; His teachings are about actions and their consequences. A myriad of popular beliefs are either extremely liberal, where one is allowed carte blanche without any considerations of responsibilities and consequences, or they are rigid doctrines that are violently imposed by individuals who judge the right and wrong of everyone based on the limited lens of a particular surrounding. Both extremes have devastating social consequences, the liberals promote recklessness and the conservative instill fear and mental slavery where any independent thinking is crushed by a destructive concept of eternal damnation to hell as supported by their “law books”. In contrast, the Gita is honorably courageous in providing the options for individuals to make choices insync with a healthy balance between their personal and universal natures. Hence, at the end of the Gita, Sri Krishna bravely gives Arjuna the complete freedom to decide on his available options; the Gita is not a law book, but a book of thinking and logically driven Realities

Yama : The word, yama, means “to harness” or “to restraint” These practices are related to disciplining the self on external or social levels. These are the methods of applying the behavioral codes of yoga on how the Yogi deals with the external world or the people in general. It relates to externally visible discipline or etiquette.

Niyama : Niyama is related to disciplining the self from within while keeping the connection with external realities with no attempt to deny them. It is the act of disciplining the emotions within, even if the external situation does not change. However, one should try to change the external difficulties, if it is logical and real.

Asana (posture or position) : Interestingly, asanas are closely related to yama and niyama. One can experience the ease of performing Asanas only when one follows the first two limbs of Yoga properly. Therefore, perfection of asanas are linked to proper harmony between Yamaand Niyama. This is the reason a real Yoga teacher does not push the student to stretch to his limits while performing Asanas but in contrast, the teacher asks the student to be alert and stretch only according to his capacity. It is called as, “sthiram sukham asanam,” which means stability and satisfaction while performing the asanas. In fact if one starts performing the asanas properly under the guidance of good teacher then the first two previous principles also become a requirement for yoga student. So following the first two limbs are important before performing the asanas, as it’s not possible for a disturbed person to even stand in one place, what to speak of performing any asanas.

Pranayama (balancing the vital energy) : When we see a person heavily panting in the start of an uphill trekking itself, we can easily deduce that the lungs of that person have not opened up clearly. Trekking is natural only when the lungs are open. So Breathing is very much important to one's movement and pranayama deals with this aspect. Those who breathes nicely, not only the brisk walking becomes possible for them but it also helps them in making clear decisions. It is also observed that a person who is confused or excited state, they experience the breathing troubles. Pranayama teaches to control the breath and learning pranayama enables practitioner to strike a proper balance in all aspects of life including physical levels, mental levels, speech, decision-making and in execution of his work.

Pratyahara : Pratyahara means to withdraw. The withdraw here does not refer to retiring.It actually refers to cultivating the ability of performing the action at one’s own will. To hold back the action when not required, and release them whenever required. It is the art of detached involvement.

Dharana : It is the art of focusing on one thing for very long time. Dharana from practical perspective is an ability to keep doing something for very long time.

Dhyana : The word dhyana means to contemplate or meditate. It requires one to sit down and have complete absorption on the object of meditation. Same dhyana can also be achieved when someone is deeply involved in some activity for long time with expertise, just like Arjuna was focused in the art of archery.

Samadhi : During Samadhi the action, the actor and the experience merges as one, when one is in absorbed reality. In other words we can say that, though the doer, the activity and the experience, are different to each other, but when the doer is completely involved in activity than all the three experience become one.

Bhagavad Gita describes four varieties of Yoga, namely Bhakti, Jnana, Karma and Astanga.

One may be curious to know the hierarchy of these Yogas to decide which one is most appropriate for them to practice. But these are the doubts of the people who fail to understand the logic of life. One can not quantify the Yoga ladder like currency notes to decide which one is better.

Certainly a thousand rupees bill has more value as compared to a hundred rupees bill, but this is not applicable in case with Yoga. So, one cannot make the distinction of these yoga ladders from a mundane view point.

Everyone wants to practice yoga through a particular path as per their preferences. Even though one may give emphasis on the progress through one particular path but one cannot completely avoid the other Yogic paths. When one understands yoga in proper guidance, he realizes that each type of Yoga has common foundational principle and in reality all the four Yogas are integrated.

In the sixth chapter of Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna teaches Arjuna the foundational principle of becoming a Yogi-the knowledge to perform the activities like eating, sleeping, recreation, working and wakefulness in proper moderation without causing conflict amongst them.

For example one may want to work for longer hours, but he or she cannot do that without proper sleep, food or recreation. So having a right balance in these activities makes one qualified to practice Yoga.Therefore, Sri Krishna says, “Be a yogi in every condition.”

Each Yoga system springs from the one particular faculty of human system while engaging other faculties of the body. Asthanga Yoga is the art of meditation based on achieving the proper posture through asanas, and pranayama.The main aim of this Yoga is to gain mind control to make the mind steady and focused.

The Buddhi yoga or Jnana Yoga springs from intelligence or buddhi, It prescribes the use of buddhi to study, discern and ascertain things in their right perspective. Jnana yoga involves the study of scriptures and participating in discourses with others. Eventually in this process of churning such knowledge, Jnana Yogi realizes the absolute truth.

Karma yoga springs from active senses such as hands, legs, mouth etc. where in practitioner learns the process from the predecessor teachers. In other words, it is the process of performing precise action based on the experience gained by practical learning from the previous generation.It is similar to a daughter learning the cooking skills from her mother by seeing, experiencing and eventually tasting the particular preparation.

Ultimately the Bhakti yoga is the heart of all yogas, because, it springs from one’s consciousness.The fundamental of Bhakti Yoga is that the Living being is ultimately ruled by love, while using senses and intelligence in pursuit of success. In essence, when we love the supreme absolute with all our heart, then it is called as bhakti yoga.But when that love is not so permeated but engages one to perform only actions, is called Karma yoga where one performs the work with a sense of duty. One who pursuits behind knowledge, finds God in his knowledge and moves ahead in life with gratitude is considered as Jnana yogi.

So, Bhakti is doing all the three simultaneously but with addition of the element of love emanating from the heart.

In Reality one is encouraged to naturally follow his particular path and his sampradaya with the right spirit, he grows with the right legacy and then all of above have the potential to harmonize.

The conclusion of every chapter of Bhagavata Gita describes itself as a Yoga sastra (scripture of yoga) and ends with, “Sri Krishna Arjuna samvade, yoga sastre, atah….” Therefore, the Gita is a genuine source of principles of yoga for sincere seekers. Moreover, Sri Krishna aptly describes yoga in the second chapter as he advises a bewildered and hesitant Arjuna, “Perform your duty equipoised, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called yoga” (Bhagavad-Gita 2.48).

The Lord essentially describes yoga as the process of creating a balance between failure and success; a harmonization between opposites – because duality is a basis of the world. Duality can be found in every action and aspect of life. For instance, success may be tainted with pride and arrogance, while failure may be enhanced by humility and growth. Understanding and reconciling such contradictions is true yoga according to Sri Krishna. To emphasize, Krishna further elaborates, “A man engaged in work with intelligence flavored with yoga (Buddhi yoga), rids himself of both good and bad reactions even in this life. Therefore, strive for yoga, which is the art of all work” (2.50). Herein, Krishna clearly discourages the notions of being excessively absorbed in matter resulting in bhoga (enjoyment), or over-exaggerated fear leading to tyaga (inactivity). There are those that fear everything and so do nothing to avoid being bounded by the shackles of material existence and then we have those that are so deep into their mundane illusion that the idea of “bondage” is non-existent – these people can be likened to drunkards who are totally unaware of their surroundings while lying in an open gutter somewhere. Hence, the Lord explains yoga as the art of balancing.

Similarly, certain asanas in yoga such as the Shrishasana (head standing pose), require delicate equilibrium. With time and perseverance, one develops the central gravitational force needed to stabilize and stand on their head. Likewise, physical balancing and equanimity in life are interconnected; through understanding Gita’s philosophical yoga combined with yoga asanas, one can experience the real yoga of life and calibrate all aspects of survival. Sri Krishna creates a thread between asanas and life to establish a wholesome balance. It is only when one is able to successfully sync habits and meditation, that they can benefit from the real fruit of yoga. Sri Krishna further explicates, “When the yogi, by practice of yoga, disciplines his mental activities and becomes situated in transcendence – devoid of all desires, he is said to be well established in yoga” (6.18). The perfect stage of yoga is when one’s life, habits, asanas, mental stability and intelligence, assimilate into a complete circle that can travel at great speeds with perfect stability. Furthermore, in the 6th chapter, entitled “Dhyana Yoga”, Sri Krishna actually explains some specific aspects of correct yoga postures and a stable life as He states, “To practice yoga, one should go to a secluded place and should lay kuśa grass on the ground and then cover it with a deerskin and a soft cloth. The seat should be neither too high nor too low and should be situated in a sacred place. The yogī should then sit on it very firmly and practice yoga to purify the heart by controlling his mind, senses and activities and fixing the mind on one point. While meditating, one should hold one’s body, neck and head erect in a straight line and stare steadily at the tip of the nose” (6.11-13). Sri Krishna clearly defines a yoga process similar to the Dhyana practice described by Patanjali muni. He repeatedly speaks of equilibrium, i.e., “one should not sit too high or too low…one should neither bend forwards or backwards, or side to side but be…straight”. Additionally, in the same chapter Krishna continues, “There is no possibility of one’s becoming a yogi, O Arjuna, if one eats too much or eats too little, sleeps too much or does not sleep enough. He who is regulated in his habits of eating, sleeping, recreation and work, can mitigate all material pains by practicing the yoga system” (6.16-17). Hence, Krishna speaks about a stable lifestyle because asanas without a fitting regime are nothing but acrobatic postures fit for a circus - only good for some financial gain.

Consequently, Sri Krishna concludes the sixth chapter with urging Arjuna to be a yogi in all circumstances, “A yogi is greater than the ascetic, greater than the empiricist and greater than the worker with expectations. Therefore, O Arjuna, in all circumstances, be a yogi” (6.46). Thus, as per the Gita, life is yoga, and yoga is actually real life; without a yogic life, existence is undoubtedly ejected by the power of time. Additionally, those who follow the path of yoga, experience a level of reality where leaving or living are irrelevant, because in all conditions, they remain yogis.

The Yog Sutras written by Patanjali gives the detail and deeper philosophical concept of Yoga and for this reason it is widely accepted and translated in so many languages. In these YogSutras Patanjali did not describe the Yog asanas in detail, instead he enumerated the psychological disposition for the Yoga practitioner. He listed down do’s and don’ts for the Yoga practitioner while practicing the asanas and described the required support system for Yoga practice. He further wrote about the byproduct of such practices and ultimately described the final destination of the practitioner.

In the Samadhi pada, the first section the Yog sutras, the knowledge of achieving the complete absorption or intense state of concentration is described because only in complete absorption one can practice the Yoga. Even if a person wants to win the game he or she has to be in complete absorption while playing the game otherwise he may be out of the game in no time. Similarly, without stable mind one cannot practice anything in this world. Therefore, in the Yoga practices controlling the mind is most important for achieving the steady samadhi and to achieve this state one must take the shelter of ishwara while practicing Yoga.

In the Sadhana pada, the second section of yoga sutras, the act of internal and external discipline caused by determination (Samadhi) to practice the Yoga is described. Sadhana padabasically describes the process of action with determination. It explains the external discipline yama and internal discipline niyama. This section also consists the knowledge of various asanas, pranayamas, and other elemental activities.

The Vibhuti pada, the third section, talks about the transactional consequences of Sadhana with contemplation. The regular practice with steady mind and deep concentration the practitioner experiences the changes in his abilities. One who reaches this threshold of vibhuti pada, steadily gets the ability to control the surrounding. The perfect yogi’s can manipulate the nature, live a longer life, read the mind and increase memory to extraordinary levels. As one goes higher and higher, one actually becomes smaller than smallest, lighter than the lightest, getsthings from distant places without physical movement. But the beauty of yoga sutras is that, they do not intend to impress the practitioner to settle down to such Siddhis, in fact PatanjaliMuni advises the true practitioner to consciously shun such display of siddhis. One who is able to control the temptation of siddhi, is accepted as the top most Yogi. Therefore, the sincere and determined Yogis feel that such siddhis are the distraction from their goal, and they consciously move ahead to experience the last pada i.e. Kaivalya Pada.

The Kaivalya Pada describes the perfect experience of ultimate reality. Kaivalya means the oneness of consciousness. The practitioner with Bhakti yoga leaning, starts experiencing the love of his beloved deity or Bhagavan. For the astanga yogi, it is the perception of paramatma in the heart and the Jnan Yogi sees the brahaman everywhere. One who has karma yoga inkling, sees divinity in his work and in his relationships. Therefore, Kaivalya means having harmony with the natural laws and the law maker.

The Yoga sutras are not arranged leanearly, they are arranged in a circular form like a wheel. All the four pada or sections have different level of depth. As one progress in the path of yoga the wheel of depth goes deeper and deeper and the student experiences deeper levels of samadhi, sadhana, vibhuti and Kaivalya. In this way the wheel keeps moving and carrying one to experience the deeper levels of reality. Therefore, in the tradition of sanatana dharma the practice and perfection are one, and the same. The journey and destination are endless but in this endless journey itself one can experience the perfection. Therefore, it is said, that there is perfect, more perfect and most perfect.

From the beginning of creation, the three syllables om tat sat have been used to indicate the Supreme Absolute Truth [Brahman]. They were uttered by brahmanas while chanting Vedic hymns and during sacrifices for the satisfaction of the Supreme."

Throughout all the Vedic literatures the glories of omkara are specifically mentioned. Srila Jiva Gosvami, in his thesis Bhagavat-sandarbha, says that in the Vedic literature omkara is considered to be the sound vibration of the holy name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Only this vibration of transcendental sound can deliver a conditioned soul from the clutches of maya. Sometimes omkara is also called the deliverer (tara). Srimad-Bhagavatam begins with the omkara vibration: om namo bhagavate vasudevaya. Therefore omkara has been described by the great commentator Sridhara Svami as tarankura, the seed of deliverance from the material world. Since the Supreme Godhead is absolute, His holy name and His sound vibration omkara are as good as He Himself. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says that the holy name, or omkara, the transcendental representation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, has all the potencies of the Personality of Godhead.

namnam akari bahudha nija-sarva-saktis

tatrarpita niyamitah smarane na kalah

All potencies are invested in the holy vibration of the holy name of the Lord. There is no doubt that the holy name of the Lord, or omkara, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. In other words, anyone who chants omkara and the holy name of the Lord, Hare Krishna, immediately meets the Supreme Lord directly in His sound form. In the Narada-pancaratra it is clearly said that the Supreme Personality of Godhead Narayana personally appears before the chanter who engages in chanting the ashtakshara, or eight-syllable mantra, om namo narayanaya. A similar statement in the Mandukya Upanishad declares that whatever one sees in the spiritual world is all an expansion of the spiritual potency of omkara.

On the basis of all the Upanishads, Srila Jiva Gosvami says that omkara is the Supreme Absolute Truth and is accepted as such by all the acaryas and authorities. Omkara is beginningless, changeless, supreme and free from deterioration and external contamination. Omkara is the origin, middle and end of everything, and any living entity who thus understands omkara attains the perfection of spiritual identity in omkara. Omkara, being situated in everyone's heart, is isvara, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita (18.61): isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrid-dese 'rjuna tishthati. Omkara is as good as Vishnu because omkara is as all-pervasive as Vishnu. One who knows omkara and Lord Vishnu to be identical no longer has to lament or hanker. One who chants omkara no longer remains a sudra but immediately comes to the position of a brahmana. Simply by chanting omkara one can understand the whole creation to be one unit, or an expansion of the energy of the Supreme Lord: idam hi visvam bhagavan ivetaro yato jagat-sthana-nirodha-sambhavah. "The Supreme Lord Personality of Godhead is Himself this cosmos, and still He is aloof from it. From Him only this cosmic manifestation has emanated, in Him it rests, and unto Him it enters after annihilation." (Bhag. 1.5.20) Although one who does not understand concludes otherwise, Srimad-Bhagavatam states that the entire cosmic manifestation is but an expansion of the energy of the Supreme Lord. Realization of this is possible simply by chanting the holy name of the Lord, omkara.

Yoga is often misunderstood as merely breath control, asanas or exercises; for some it is about practising some rules and regulations based on morality and for others it is cultivation of scriputral knowledge. But the real purpose of Yoga is to fix our mind on the Supreme.

According to Bhagavad-gita, yoga can not be practiced unless we practice mind control. An uncontrolled mind restricts the soul from reaching its natural blissful state, which a practioner is trying to acheive through yoga.

Our mind works like a television set. A television set is just some plastic, metal, and glass fitted with circuits inside. This box can tune into waves of energy transmitted by a satellite to produce images and sounds.

The pleasure that we are looking for in this world is compared to the energy emitted by the satellite. Satellites can transmit energy that can be received through millions of televison sets, but not every television is tuned into same channel. For human beings, the senses are just like an antenna, receiving whatever station the tuning device chooses. The tuning device is the mind. We tune into what our mind focuses on, and what we are tuned into is what affects us and our life.

People are affected by watching advertisements. They tune into the product, get attracted to it and then buy it. Similalry, we will be affected by whatever we tune into. This is the law of nature – “We become like whatever we associate with”. For example, if we put an iron rod in fire, it becomes red hot like fire. If we put that same iron rod in ice, due to its association with ice, it becomes as cold as ice. So, yoga simply means tuning our mind into a spiritual channel.

In Bhagavad-gita [BG 2.62], it is mentioned that while contemplating the objects of the senses, one developes attachment. Contemplation is the mind’s way of tuning in. Our whole direction in life is based on what we contemplate, or what station or channel we choose to tune our mind into. The mind contemplates and then activates the senses. The most beautiful sense object may be kept right next to us, but if our mind is absorbed somewhere else and we don’t even look at it, we will not be affected. Therefore Bhagvad-gita states, “For one who controls the mind, the mind is the best of the friends, but for one who is unable to control the mind, the mind is the worst enemy.” The only enemy a person can have is his or her own uncontrolled mind. If our mind is controlled, there are no enemies outside.

We should try to avoid tuning in to negative forces because everytime we do, our receptivity to positive forces reduces. If we avoid all these other stations, and we tune into the channel of Supreme power then our receptivity for spirituality becomes much deeper.

What is the identity of practicing a yogi? This is a common question for those who want to actually practice the Yoga in his life. It is natural for a person to become greatly enthusiastic in his practices when he or she discovers something mystical in nature. They tend to break all the barriers of the physical and mental levels, and assume that they are progressing in their chosen path and feels that they require no other identity other than being a yogi. It is truly idealistic and lofty feeling. But such a false identity is a result of imagination and cannot sustain for long time. Also, it is not supported in Yoga practices. It is actually harmful and results in loss of faith. Sri Krishna instructs in the Bhagavad Gita to his student of Yoga, Arjuna, to proceed steadily with determination in this journey, so that he remains in the path forever and achieve the perfection. Sri Krishna assures Arjuna that in this path there is no diminution or fall, wherever one leaves the path in this life gets the chance to proceed from same level in the next life. In other words being actively involved in the process of Yoga is more important than rushing for perfection. The quicker one desires to achieve perfection, the faster one gets disillusioned and ultimately gives up the practice of Yoga. Therefore, a practitioner focuses on the journey instead of destination.

The practicing Yogi, is complete in oneself. His identity is based on the four aspects of his life namely the dharmik identity (global), cultural identity (national) local identity (race and regional) and ultimately his own sadhana based upon his faith (personal identity).

Each of these identities are complex to understand but can be experienced in one’s daily life. The experiences are subtle which works on subconscious levels which are not easily observable on gross level but starts to make sense when explained properly. Dharmik identity basically relates to universal laws which are applicable on everyone beyond the boundaries of race, religion, faith and prevailing customs. Everyone is experiencing the same sun, moon, water and fire and has the same blood in their body. Everyone in this world takes birth, gets sick, procreates and eventually gets old and dies. This is observed globally and submission to this principle is dharma and accepting this truth is dharmik identity, as even though there are millions of diversities in this world but these laws are foundational and unchangeable. Cultural identity is based on geographical location, affected by ones surrounding in a particular region and constitutes national identity. Here the National identity should be understood as a cultural identity instead of political. The present day India was called as the land of Bharata because it has the connection with nature. The Vishnu purana mentions the Bharat is spread from the Himalayas to Kanyakujmari. The word India was coined later, as originally the people living on the other side of Sindhu river were identified as Sindhu. Then Sindhu became indhu to indic and then eventually India. One’s place of residence shapes the nature. In fact, it is said, that as water changes from place to place the language also changes. Every region has different taste of water and So the people residing there also act differently. This cultural identity is not to become proud, but to be responsible. One should know one's cultural identity and be rooted in them but not at the cost of denying the identity of other's. Every country which has long civilizational history of thousands years, act differently even though they belong to same religion. The Persian’s are different from the Arabs. The Germans have great differences from the British, even though they are from same religion. China is so close to India, but their language, behavior and food habits are completely different.

In India the regional identity is extremely diverse. People from Kerala region have a different custom compared to Punjab. Therefore, the Hindu identity is based upon accepting the diversities. A Hindu does not have problem with diversity. In every region in India, the customs of marriage as well as every aspect of life is different; the way food is prepared, worshiping of different devatas or worshiping same devatas and so many unique flavors compared to others. Hindus have hundreds of languages, many varieties of calendars. This is the emblem of Hindu diversity.

Once a person who was unaware of Hinduism asked a learned man, “why Hindus do not have one scriptures like other?,” the learned man asked back, “why we should have one scripture? We should have library. Having a single scripture is a narrow view of oneself and the world at large. So here we have scriptures according to one’s taste of learning and one can choose accordingly,” Hence, accepting such diversity foster unity.

Finally, the identity of personal faith or shraddha is very private, just like one’s bank balance, treasury and wealth. One does not talk about them openly, disclosed in privacy only to those who are very close to the heart. Faith when publicized and used for conversion of masses creates threat, violence and broken society. Faithful person remains loyal to his path, but equally he or she appreciates others for their journey as long as it is not illegal and does not undermine any other faith.

The true Yogi practices such harmony and moves on, just like one practices shirshasana. Shirshasana is difficult asana to practice, but eventually one can do that as long as one wants it. Balancing these four identities is the asana of the intellect and the mind, and the one who does it properly sees great power of divinity everywhere.

In our life we observe that all our interactions are based upon certain layers of realities. Though All interactions are real but Some are external and superficial and some are very deep and rare.Therefore, those which are in abundance are called as natural and practical and those which are rare are called as poetic, idealistic, far fetched ideas which can be rarely be experienced in real life.

One real layer of interaction is the interaction of punishment and reward, which is found in abundance in our normal course of interaction. The punishing interactions are sometimes referred as hellish experience and when the interaction is related to reward, it is referred as heavenly experience. The history of mankind reveals that the Religion is successfully used to control the population based upon the principle of fear of God and hell for a long time. Even today some civilizations still control their population by the power of punishment. The principle of reward is promised in the form of heaven but experience of real heaven is difficult to fathom for most of the people in their present situation, whereas hell is experienced by them almost every day. Those who are powerful, throw some tiny rewards to the underprivileged for keeping them grateful and remain subservient to them as their master. The history of organized religion is filled with the examples of such phenomenon.

The next layer of interactions with the world and God is based upon the principle of duty and love. Being dutiful for long time is not easy without the promise of rewards or the fear of punishment. In the Modern days we observe that whenever the population is kept under constant fear for long time, it has resulted in the reckless rebellion for the freedom from oppression. And the allurement of reward is not enticing for an educated person. The heavenly rewards are rejected by the logical and self-made people. Therefore, when we see someone is worshiping God and has a good relation with friends and family, then it is only because of their dutifulness. Such dutiful people can be compared to the movement of the sun and the moon, always rise on time and setting on time. For such people being dutiful itself is the greatest reward, beyond that they do not aspire anything else. If something comes to them on its own accord, it’s a bonus. Their philosophy is “I act because I need to act.” Some sincere spiritual practitioners grow because they are duty bound.

The fourth and deepest layer of interaction is based on the principle of love or prema. In this world we observe that all relationships are based upon the realities based only on transaction. There is no love, its all co-operative transactions, beyond exploitation, dedication and competition. But only with God there can be deeper relationship based upon love. This interaction is beyond fear, reward and duty.

Sri Krishna is called as God of prema. He taught the world the act of Love through the villagers of Vraja. They were willing to do anything and everything for Sri Krishna. This is the most evolved concept of God realization. Similarly, Sri Krishna interacted with every living entity in Vrindavana, including the deer, peacock and cows. Such loving interactions are called as Bhakit yoga, sharanagati or Prema bhakti. Therefore, when one relates with God, having no other motivation, other than love and without any interruption, such relationship is very relish able, because there is no expectation, other than love.

Such loving descriptions are scattered in all the vedic literature especially in Bhagavatam and Ramayana. When our senses, mind, intelligence and ego are engaged in doing what they are supposed to be doing with heart filled with love for God, then one becomes a perfect Yogi.

Yoga, with its extraordinary health benefits, has achieved global acclaim today. The word ‘yoga’ comes from the root ‘yug’, which is similar to the English word ‘yoke’ and means to ‘connect’ or ‘link'. The Patanjali Yoga-Sutra, which is the foundational guidebook for yoga, explains that yoga in its completeness comprises eight stages and so is called ashtanga-yoga (ashta – eight, anga – limbs). What is today popular as yoga is actually just one of the eight stages named asana. The ancient Indian wisdom-tradition that is the source of yoga explains that yoga has much more to offer than what we are currently receiving. In its most evolved form, yoga does much more than heal the body. Its potential goes far beyond even calming the mind. The highest yoga fulfills the need of our innermost being, our heart. More than treasures and pleasures, positions and possessions, our deepest longing is for love. All of us want to love and to be loved. In our times, love is a much talked, little understood word. Often love is misunderstood to be the physical relation between two people, but real love goes beyond the body, beyond the mind, to the real person, the spiritual being. True love enables us to connect with others at an eternal dimension by centering our relationship on the origin of all love.

This art of centering and connecting our love is what bhakti is all about. That’s why bhakti is often called the yoga of love. Bhakti is the universal wisdom that underlies and unifies all the great wisdom-traditions of the world. Bhakti efficaciously fulfills the ultimate purpose of yoga by devotionally connecting our hearts with the Supreme Lord, who is origin of all love and the pivot of all loving relationship. That’s why Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita after describing states explicitly that bhakti-yoga is the most complete of all yogas: “Of all yogis, the one with great faith who always abides in me, thinks of me within himself, and renders transcendental loving service to me is the most intimately united with me in yoga and is the highest of all.” The Patanjali Yoga-Sutra also states that the culmination of yoga is samadhi, complete, loving, trancelike absorption in the divine.

The yoga of love empowers us to tune our consciousness so that we can receive the love that is at the heart of the creation and then radiate that love to all whom we contact, thus enriching many, many love-starved hearts with warmth and joy. The easiest way to practice this yoga of love is by chanting the mantra of love, the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.

One of the most common statements we get to hear within the Yoga circle that, “being one with God, or being one with divine. Which gives rise to few questions such as “What does it mean to be one with God?” Or “Is it possible to become one with God?”

In response to these questions the srutis are quoted to justify. Though the srutis do mention, "aham Brahmasmi” but Brahman cannot be exactly translated in English as God. As per Vedic Srutis Brahman is different as compared to God.

The definition of God as per English dictionary is given as God (noun)

1. (in Christianity and other monotheistic religions) the creator and ruler of the universe and Source of all moral authority; the supreme being.

2. (god)(in certain other religions) a superhuman being or spirit worshiped as having power over nature or human fortunes; a deity: a moon god | an incarnation of the god Vishnu.

• An image, idol, animal, or other object worshiped as divine or symbolizing a god.
• Used as a conventional personification of fate: he dialed the number and, the gods relenting, got through at once.

3] (god)an adored, admired, or influential person: he has little time for the fashion victims for whom he is a god.

On the other hand the description of Brahman as per Upanishads (Indian sacred texts) is “supreme existence or absolute reality”. The etymology of the word Brahman, which is derived from Sanskrit, is uncertain. The variety of views are expressed in various Upanishads, but they all concur on the definition of brahman as eternal, conscious, irreducible, infinite, omnipresent, and the spiritual core of the universe of finiteness and change.

The difference between the definition of God and Brahman is clearly visible from the definition. Therefore, the word God cannot be translated as Brahman and vise versa. The two have completely different meaning, and they do not complement each other in regards to meaning of the word.

Every word in a particular language also represents a concept and it is not just a noun. Every word denotes some idea. The God in the western culture represent something completely different and Brahman cannot be translated in any other language unless that language has same concept and word to represent.

Therefore, it doesn’t make any sense when in Yoga circle “Aham Brhamasi” is translated as “I am god”. In fact many yogic paths consider this translation to be offensive.

"When you pay attention to boredom, it gets unbelievably interesting." – John Kabat-Zinn (Professor of Medicine and Mindfulness and author of ‘Wherever you go there you are’)

‘What will make me happy now’ is a terrible question to ask oneself. The mind will run riot while answering this. Better to ask, ‘What is the right thing to do now.’

Nothing will make the mind happy. Once you make a basket of things to do that define you, or that genuinely represent your vision and purpose in life, you have a variety of actions to choose from. It could be a morning walk, prayers, reading, exercise, writing, etc. You may have a range of ten things to do that make you happy. But there would be moments when none of them would inspire you. So what?

Why this obsession with ‘feel good.’? Why do we always need to ‘feel’ and then ‘act’? Why not change the paradigm: let our actions drive our feelings instead.

The difference between the two questions is: happiness drive would keep us unsteady whereas the importance of values and vision would help us contribute meaningfully.

And the nature of habits is it’s an unconscious party of our lives; there are no emotions in the practice. Therefore next time you are bored doing your exercise, congratulate yourself; it’s becoming a habit! Habits- good or bad- are unconscious patterns and they don’t necessarily give happiness, but the result of healthy habits is it improves the overall quality of our lives, and that brings more contentment in the long run.

Therefore next time you find melancholy or boredom gripping you, remind yourself that you need to do the right things and that’s a small price to pay now for a better life tomorrow. You have to pay: it’s either now or later. You could pay now and play then or play now, and pay later.

A smart person knows if you pay later, it usually costs a lot more!

It is a known fact that yogis are naturally attracted to Lord Shiva. As the story goes, even the great Lord Narayana was fascinated by Lord Shiva’s yogic life. One time Narada muni was describing to Sri Narayana how Lord Shiva was constantly absorbed in meditation and yoga. He even suggested to Narayana that He should learn yoga and meditation from Lord Shiva, otherwise His devotees would accuseHim of always taking service from Laxmi, His consort, while resting in the causal ocean. Sri Narayana took the words of Narada Muni very seriously and came down to Kedarkantha, the part of the Himalayas where Lord Shiva was absorbed in meditation and yoga.He took the form of Nara Narayana rishi and eventually settled in Badrinath performing meditation and yoga

Lord Shiva has many postures which are worshiped by numerous followers. The meditating posture of Lord Shiva denotes the act of indifference to the external world. Of course indifference is not the right word, the more accurate word is “udasinavat”. The word “udasina” is commonly used amongst the followers of Lord Shiva, so much so that manyof His sects are known as “udasina akhada”. Udasina denotes "Uta asina," which means one who is sitting on a realm higher than that of ordinary vision and observation. Lord Shiva has the ability to be “udasina.” Practicing yogis need to learn the art of becoming unattached from the results of their endeavors. The yogi who practices meditation in the manner of Lord Shiva experiences a rise in internal peace, even while dealing with the uncertain world, which is full of limitless layers of realities and being diverse, conflicting and complex. Studies have constantly shown that those who are able to simultaneously live externally with action and internally like Lord Shiva achieve greater stability in their lives and success in their professions.

Even though Lord Shiva is responsible for the destructive part of the creation, the posture of Lord Shiva meditating represents His inner peace. Creation has three aspects: bringing things to reality, maintaining that reality and eventually destroying that reality. Lord Shiva always deals with the destruction part.

Although His role is to destroy, He remains ever composed.

The greatest and most turbulent times of life-broken relationships, business failures, forsaken partnerships and closures - are all signs of that destructive energy of Lord Shiva.

But the ability to handle such situations can only be possible if the followers of the yogic path understand the nature of Lord Shiva and the nature of His meditative posture. With this knowledge, then life’s turmoils cannot adversely affect one’s existence in the world.

Anyone who simply sits and breathes rhythmically will observe and experience a calming down of their emotions. Furthermore, if one actually chants the omakara mantra while sitting in siddhasana, padmasana or sukhasana, they experience complete calmness of emotions. Therefore, it is said that the meditative posture of Lord Shiva should be one’s ultimately posture in life. One may actively be engaged in all kinds of activities but if one is internally able to sit peacefully,breathing rhythmically, then one’s yoga practice becomes beautiful and peaceful.

There is no possibility of one’s becoming a yogī, O Arjuna, if one eats too much or eats too little, sleeps too much or does not sleep enough.

Regulation of diet and sleep is recommended herein for the yogīs. Too much eating means eating more than is required to keep the body and soul together. There is no need for men to eat animals, because there is an ample supply of grains, vegetables, fruits and milk. Such simple foodstuff is considered to be in the mode of goodness according to the Bhagavad-gītā. Animal food is for those in the mode of ignorance. Therefore, those who indulge in animal food, drinking, smoking and eating food which is not first offered to Kṛṣṇa will suffer sinful reactions because of eating only polluted things. Bhuñjate te tv aghaṁ pāpā ye pacanty ātma-kāraṇāt. Anyone who eats for sense pleasure, or cooks for himself, not offering his food to Kṛṣṇa, eats only sin. One who eats sin and eats more than is allotted to him cannot execute perfect yoga. It is best that one eat only the remnants of foodstuff offered to Kṛṣṇa. A person in Kṛṣṇa consciousness does not eat anything which is not first offered to Kṛṣṇa. Therefore, only the Kṛṣṇa conscious person can attain perfection in yoga practice. Nor can one who artificially abstains from eating, manufacturing his own personal process of fasting, practice yoga. The Kṛṣṇa conscious person observes fasting as it is recommended in the scriptures. He does not fast or eat more than is required, and he is thus competent to perform yoga practice. One who eats more than required will dream very much while sleeping, and he must consequently sleep more than is required. One should not sleep more than six hours daily. One who sleeps more than six hours out of twenty-four is certainly influenced by the mode of ignorance. A person in the mode of ignorance is lazy and prone to sleep a great deal. Such a person cannot perform yoga.

Yoga is a time-tested process for experiencing our universal spiritual essence and harmonizing with it–a harmonization that can bring physical health benefits as well. Within the spiritual process of yoga, as outlined in Patanjali’s classic treatise, the Yoga-Sutra, physical postures, called asanas, are the third among the eight limbs of yoga. For a cricketer, standing in a posture is not an end in itself; it is a means for hitting the ball well. Similarly, the asanas in yoga are not ends in themselves; they are launching pads for catapulting human consciousness on a spiritual journey.

This deeper purpose of yoga is conveyed by ancient yoga texts through the various definitions they give of yoga: for example, “sense control” (Katha Upanishad), “control of the mind” (Yoga-sutra), “skill in action” (Bhagavad Gita), “union between the individual self and the Supreme Self ” (Yoga Yajñavalkya). Significantly, none of them equate yoga with postures alone–to the contrary, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika (4.79) categorically declares that practicing asanas without striving for mind control is not yoga practice at all. To illustrate how the current meaning of yoga as postures has strayed far from its original meaning, consider the English word ‘lady.’ It stems from the Middle English lavedi, which comes from the Old English hlaefdige “kneader of dough.” In contemporary Western usage, kneading dough is the work of servants, not ladies.

Perhaps the meaning of “yoga” that best reflects its universality is its standard dictionary meaning: connection. Yoga enables us to connect with our spiritual side, to experience our spiritual connectedness as parts of the same spiritual tree, to rejoice in our shared spiritual purpose: to love and to be loved. The Bhagavad-gita (06.46) declares intrepid yogis as the best among all human beings, and further deems (06.47) as consummate those yogis who link in love the finite human consciousness with the infinite divine consciousness.

If we strive to savor and share this yogic spirit of connectedness, we can go beyond political and physical posturing to progress towards lasting fulfillment.

If one cares for the whole picture, the little details can be adjusted to blend with the whole, but if one loses sight of the whole picture, little things assume all-importance and cause strife.

Yoga means to bring together, to harmonize, to unite. It’s highest expression is the union of the individual soul with the Supreme Soul God. Union is to become one in love. Unconditional and unmotivated love for God brings about true Yoga.

From a spiritual standpoint, marriage is something more than man and woman living together; it brings together two souls on a much higher level. The husband sees the wife as God’s beloved daughter entrusted by Him to his care. God will appreciate the husband based on how responsibly and protectively he treats the wife, how he respects and honors her as God’s gift. The wife looks upon the husband as God’s child entrusted to her care. God will appreciate her based on how faithful, loving, and caring she is. When this is the relationship’s mood, rapid spiritual progress follows.

As partners in life, the sacred principle is to help each other to become pure. The higher principle is to help each other love God, to help each other become instruments of God’s love for the world. If marriage is to love and protect each other for this divine purpose, then such coming together in marriage is really Yoga. No wonder all different societies traditionally conducted their marriage ceremonies in spiritual places to consecrate the partnership in the service of God.

Anything great is difficult, cheap things come easy. Cheap relationships are easy, but they break in difficult times. Strong, deep, and growing relationships are found on and supported by higher principles. The mind and senses are flickering. Relationships based on their ever changing demands are superficial and short of substance. But by focusing on the divine principles that have brought them together, the spouses can maturely deal with the unavoidable disagreements that arise in any close relationship by harmonizing everything with the higher principles.

Most marital problems germinate from something insignificant and unimportant. If one doesn’t focus on higher principles, unimportant things get importance. If one cares for the whole picture, the little details can be adjusted to blend with the whole, but if one loses sight of the whole picture, little things assume all-importance and cause strife.

The diamond is but a piece of coal that has transformed from crude blackness to multifaceted brilliance under millions of years of high pressure. Similarly, (i) the good and bad times spent together remaining faithful to each other and (ii) negotiating the pressures of married life for the sake of higher principles, are meant to transform the spouses into brilliant gems radiating love of God. This essential principle defines the Yoga of Marriage.

For succeeding or even surviving in the world, we need to work. Simultaneously, when we become spiritually aware, we understand that worldly actions bind us to this material world, which is a place of distress. So, we strive to disentangle ourselves from this world.

How can we be engaged without becoming entangled? By doing karma-yoga for Krishna.

Karma refers to our various actions. Yoga refers to the process that connects us with our spiritual essence. Karma-yoga infuses our worldly actions with detachment, thereby transforming them into steps towards disentanglement. The Bhagavad-gita (03.09) cautions that any other kind of work – work done with attachment – causes bondage. When doing karma-yoga, we do our worldly duties in a mood of dutiful detachment, thereby realizing our spiritual identity as souls and progressing towards disentanglement.

However, becoming materially disentangled is itself not complete liberation. We long to love and be loved – and do so freely, eternally, unlimitedly. The supreme liberation fulfills this longing by linking us with the supreme soul, Krishna in a bond of immortal love.

When we do karma-yoga for Krishna, we do our worldly duties in a mood of loving service to him (09.27). By such actions, we become purified and attached to him, thereby freeing our consciousness from worldly allurements (09.28). Such karma-yoga rises seamlessly to bhakti-yoga, wherein we don’t just work for Krishna, but we live for him; our entire being becomes devoted to him. When we live in a mood of uninhibited devotional surrender, Krishna, being the controller of the law of karma, frees us from all karmic reactions (18.66).

Therefore, rather than worrying about staying disentangled while being engaged, we can focus on devoting all our actions to Krishna. And he will take our karma and give us the yoga of eternal love.

Lord Shiva is considered the destroyer. What does he destroy? Destruction is mostly seen from the point of view of being fierce in nature, cruel in disposition and desensitized in action. Yet from another point of view, Lord Shiva's destruction is an integral part of universal laws. Nothing in this world is eternally existing. Every thought, thing, idea and relationship appears at some point of time (creation), stays for some duration (maintenance) and eventually disintegrates (destruction). There is nothing in this world which does not go through these three stage of realities. These three aspect are delineated in great detail in the Vedic literatures and are represented by Brahma for creation, Sri Vishnu for maintenance and Lord Shiva for destruction.

Thus Lord Shiva’s role as destroyer plays a fundamental part in the laws of universal creation. Furthermore, this destruction is more than simply fierce or cruel.

Lord Shiva could certainly destroy auspicious things, but He can also destroy those things considered inauspicious.

In other words, He destroys both good and bad. And ultimately as time he destroys all.

The practicing Yogi, while following yogic dharma, sees these principles even in his daily activities. The disappearance of disease happens because Shiva Shakti becomes activated in one's yoga practices. The yoga practitioner may also start experiencing his mind becoming equipoised, his ego becoming more and more transparent or his body getting thin. In this way a Yogi sees utility in destruction; such vision is the aspect of seeing Lord Shiva. Eventually the yogi's own yoga practice and his body becomes destroyed by the power of time. Such destruction is also the act of Shiva tattva.

In Hindu philosophy, all the Puranas, itihasas and other literatures demonstrate the Rudra Shakti aspect being used by the warrior class.

These people invoke the power of destruction by reciting 'Har Har Mahadeva.' The warrior cannot attack unless he has the destructive force within himself, and this power and ability to destroy is the force of Lord Shiva.

By the power of time, that which was existing falls or disintegrates, giving rise to new things and eventually over time these new things grow old and get devoured by fresh things.

Imagine if no one died, fruits did not rot, vegetable remained as fresh as ever, humans didn’t grow old, and ever green youth became reality in this world. Such a phenomenon would certainly cause a great disturbance in the universal cycle. Therefore, Lord Shiva always invokes destruction to create balance. Let the destructive force of Lord Shiva always be active at the appropriate time so that we can always experience new creation.

We become what we repeatedly do. Therefore, habits can either make us or break us. Nearly 90% of our daily activities are based out of our habits. There can be two types of habit – physical (such as watching TV) or mental/ attitudinal (such as worrying too much). We must consciously create the right kind of habits and nourish them, while simultaneously avoid creating new bad habits and with determination break our existing bad habits. A strong person is someone who has successfully conquered his bad habits.

Habits are formed by repetition of particular acts. Approximately, if an act is done for 31 days or so, it becomes a habit. From the Vedas, we find excellent treatise of yoga contained in the yoga sutras of Patanjali. The mechanisms of habits can be understood based on the concepts of

• Citta (consciousness, heart or mind)
• Klesa (hindrances/afflictions of the mind)
• Vritti (thought, emotion, sensation or idea)
• Samskara (sensory impressions or imprints made on citta)
• Karma (our actions)

Every object that has ever been experienced forms a samskaara. The mind is thus a storehouse of these recorded samskaaras, deposited and accumulated in the citta over countless lifetimes. These strong samskaaras impel one to act in certain ways, again and again, thus impeding the exercise of one’s free will or choice. Samskaras thus account for personality traits, habits, compulsive and addictive behaviours.

A strong samskaara induces one to perform a certain type of activity. Repeated performance of that activity makes the samskaara even stronger, and becomes a more powerful impetus to act similarly again and again. Finally, it becomes compelling force – a strong HABIT. Samskaras of previous lives determine almost 50% of one’s nature (Svabhava) in next life.

Good habits have to be taught and bad habits have to be checked right from childhood. Moreover, good habits can formed even before conception (through the process of Garbhādhāna Samskara).

The correlation between our beliefs, habits and ultimately our destiny was also described. Our BELIEFS/VALUES guide our THOUGHTS, which get translated into our WORDS/ACTIONS. Repeated ACTIONS form our HABITS, which over time govern our CHARACTER. Our CHARACTER induces our NATURE. We act according to our nature, those karmic activities, ultimately determine DESTINY.

Our beliefs/values depend on our association. So to take control of our habits and then destiny, we must always ensure that we keep good company.

Cultivating the mode of goodness and resisting temptations automatically form good habits and easily break bad habits.

Good habits lead to peace, auspiciousness, spiritual progress. We should ponder over how important cultivating good habits are to create your desired destiny. They are as addictive as bad habits but much more rewarding. We need to closely examine our daily routine and begin developing good habits in the small things we do, and then repeat these acts.

In essence, we have to make the right choices in life. The responsibility lies with us.

realize the power of habits and make your life perfect!

Human relationships are riddled with argument, quarrel and conflict. It’s a symptom of the age. But that’s not a problem per se, since every disagreement is pregnant with positive and negative potential. Differences of opinion can bring enlightenment, transformation, wisdom and growth – they can also be the cause of anger, frustration, resentment, and bad feeling. Developing progressive responses in argumentative situations can be a liberating experience. Here are some tips:

• Tolerance - the first moments of a conflict situation can determine the entire conversation. Be tolerant and patient. The art of conversation is not only to say the right thing in the right place, but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment. Adopting an adversarial approach erects barriers which block the meeting of hearts.
• Circumstance – beyond the perceived irrationality of actions and words, try to understand why someone is doing what they do. Then you hold the key to progress. In interpersonal relations the golden rule is this: seek first to understand, then to be understood. To do that you have to listen with an open heart and an open mind.
• Acceptance – did you ever consider that there may not be a right or wrong answer? Conflict comes from difference, but diversity is not necessarily bad. Fear of difference is fear of life itself. By accepting that we're all individuals, we can more appreciate that conflict is often a case of different ‘angles of vision’ illuminating the same truth.
• Importance – keep disagreements in perspective and properly evaluate their importance. Question whether the tenacious pursuance and resolution of a conflict is really necessary. Issues can easily be dropped or ignored, but often our emotional involvement keeps us doggedly fighting till the last breath.
• Transcendence – we love to be right, but the spiritual principle is to transcend right and wrong. The real aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress. If a concession of ‘defeat’ improves our relationships, helps us develop character, and opens up opportunities for progressive solutions, then where is the loss?

Arguments, conflict and unsavory confrontation can disturb our mental state and make spiritual practice incredibly difficult. Learning to mediate our conflicts can help us to meditate in peace.

We don't sleep at the right time, we will sleep at the wrong time (Based on Gita 06.16)

When practicing spiritual life, we may equate spiritual advancement with denying our bodily needs such as sleep. We may deprive ourselves of sleep to demonstrate our spiritual advancement.

However, spiritual advancement centers not on physical deprivation, but on spiritual absorption. To grow spiritually, we need to become conscious of our own spiritual identity and of the supreme spiritual reality, Krishna. The more we become lovingly absorbed in Krishna, the more we advance spiritually.

We can cultivate divine absorption by practicing bhakti-yoga. For such yoga practice, our body is a vital tool. It's like a vehicle; if it isn't fuelled, it can't function. Food and sleep are basic needs of the body. If we don't sleep adequately, we won't be able to think clearly or act properly – and we won't be able to practice yoga. Pertinently, the Bhagavad-gita (06.17) states that even forest-dwelling yogis who have renounced the world need to be regulated in their sleeping. If we deprive ourselves of sleep, we will find ourselves sleeping at the wrong time, for example when we are studying scripture or chanting holy names – or, dangerously, when we are driving. If we sleep inadequately, our mind will go crazy. If we sleep excessively, our mind will become lazy. Either way, our mind won't be receptive to yoga practice.

Still, don't we need to restrict bodily gratification? Yes, but gratifying the body is different from caring for it. Gratifying the body is like getting so obsessed with the car that we forget about driving to our destination. When we are balanced, we don't pander to the body so much that we forget our spiritual purpose; but we keep it fit to pursue our spiritual purpose.

To conclude, don't deprive the body – and don't let the body deprive the soul.

Verse 06.16 – "There is no possibility of one's becoming a yogi, O Arjuna, if one eats too much or eats too little, sleeps too much or does not sleep enough."

Foods dear to those in the mode of goodness increase the duration of life, purify one’s existence and give strength, health, happiness and satisfaction. Such foods are juicy, fatty, wholesome, and pleasing to the heart.

Foods that are too bitter, too sour, salty, hot, pungent, dry and burning are dear to those in the mode of passion. Such foods cause distress, misery and disease

Food prepared more than three hours before being eaten, food that is tasteless, decomposed and putrid, and food consisting of remnants and untouchable things is dear to those in the mode of darkness.

The purpose of food is to increase the duration of life, purify the mind and aid bodily strength. This is its only purpose. In the past, great authorities selected those foods that best aid health and increase life’s duration, such as milk products, sugar, rice, wheat, fruits and vegetables. These foods are very dear to those in the mode of goodness. Some other foods, such as baked corn and molasses, while not very palatable in themselves, can be made pleasant when mixed with milk or other foods. They are then in the mode of goodness. All these foods are pure by nature. They are quite distinct from untouchable things like meat and liquor. Fatty foods, as mentioned in the eighth verse, have no connection with animal fat obtained by slaughter. Animal fat is available in the form of milk, which is the most wonderful of all foods. Milk, butter, cheese and similar products give animal fat in a form which rules out any need for the killing of innocent creatures. It is only through brute mentality that this killing goes on. The civilized method of obtaining needed fat is by milk. Slaughter is the way of subhumans. Protein is amply available through split peas, dāl, whole wheat, etc.

Foods in the mode of passion, which are bitter, too salty, or too hot or overly mixed with red pepper, cause misery by reducing the mucus in the stomach, leading to disease. Foods in the mode of ignorance or darkness are essentially those that are not fresh. Any food cooked more than three hours before it is eaten (except prasādam, food offered to the Lord) is considered to be in the mode of darkness. Because they are decomposing, such foods give a bad odor, which often attracts people in this mode but repulses those in the mode of goodness.

Remnants of food may be eaten only when they are part of a meal that was first offered to the Supreme Lord or first eaten by saintly persons, especially the spiritual master. Otherwise the remnants of food are considered to be in the mode of darkness, and they increase infection or disease. Such foodstuffs, although very palatable to persons in the mode of darkness, are neither liked nor even touched by those in the mode of goodness. The best food is the remnants of what is offered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In Bhagavad-gītā the Supreme Lord says that He accepts preparations of vegetables, flour and milk when offered with devotion. Patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyam. Of course, devotion and love are the chief things which the Supreme Personality of Godhead accepts. But it is also mentioned that the prasādam should be prepared in a particular way. Any food prepared by the injunctions of the scripture and offered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead can be taken even if prepared long, long ago, because such food is transcendental. Therefore to make food antiseptic, eatable and palatable for all persons, one should offer food to the Supreme Personality of Godhead

By good behavior and freedom from envy one should counteract sufferings due to other living entities, by meditation in trance one should counteract sufferings due to providence, and by practicing haṭha-yoga, prāṇāyāma and so forth one should counteract sufferings due to the body and mind. Similarly, by developing the mode of goodness, especially in regard to eating, one should conquer sleep.

By practice, one should avoid eating in such a way that other living entities will be disturbed and suffer. Since I suffer when pinched or killed by others, I should not attempt to pinch or kill any other living entity. People do not know that because of killing innocent animals they themselves will have to suffer severe reactions from material nature. Any country where people indulge in unnecessary killing of animals will have to suffer from wars and pestilence imposed by material nature. Comparing one’s own suffering to the suffering of others, therefore, one should be kind to all living entities. One cannot avoid the sufferings inflicted by providence, and therefore when suffering comes one should fully absorb oneself in chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. One can avoid sufferings from the body and mind by practicing mystic haṭha-yoga

As humans we have responsibility - etymologically, that means the ability to respond. We can thus cooperate with nature. Nature always looks to restore balance. Whether it is an ecological crisis, a crisis in relationships, or a health crisis, the cause is always that something has gone out of balance. The equilibrium has been disturbed. And to attain wellbeing means to re-establish balance. Modern civilization has learned to seamlessly assimilate vice - mass scale violence and slaughter of animals, exploitation of women, excessive intoxication, and rampant lying – even in highest circles of leadership. Nowadays, this is so customary, it’s often not even considered objectionable. Nevertheless, the imbalance of values has left us with a massive karmic debt. In ancient Greece the priests of Apollo at the temple in Delphi would remind visitors of an important principle: Nothing in excess. Living in balance is either done voluntarily or involuntarily. When we live in balance, all is well. The Bhagavad-gétä (6.17) recommends: “One who is balanced in eating, sleeping, working and recreation attains freedom from all miseries.”

THE MAIN MESSAGE OF ANY CRISIS

Life clearly teaches an open-minded person to search for inner satisfaction over illusory, outer enjoyment, by looking for balance in four areas of life:

1. ON A SPIRITUAL LEVEL – take care of your soul’s nourishment everyday with sacred practices.
2. ON A PHYSICAL LEVEL – establish robust physical health and a resilient immune system.
3. ON AN EMOTIONAL LEVEL – look for meaningful personal relationships and stop the negative inner noise by remaining focused on your positive goals
4. ON A SOCIAL LEVEL - give back to society by actively contributing to the wellbeing of others.

To willfully integrate such habits is like learning a new language - at first it’s very difficult, but after some time, one enjoys the benefits.

From one day to the next, this virus had the power to close places of worship that may have never before closed doors in centuries. And because these venues were where people seek help for their life problems from God, atheists smugly mock, “God has betrayed His people by retreating, and so now they run to health care workers who are risking their own lives to protect the faithless and faithful”.

On the other hand, theists claim this chaos to be the wrath of God for undisciplined and sinful lives. They profess this to be a small sample of the harsher punishments yet to come lest human beings learn their lessons.

Similarly, the environmentalists profess the current situation to be a direct result of the karma of pollution fueled by greed and insensitivity towards the Environment. From economists to socialists, everyone has some opinion on the “why” of Corona. There are numerous conspiracy theories of geopolitical and chemical warfare doing the rounds on social media.

Additionally, the pharma industries fiercely compete with each other to claim the credit for a potential big breakthrough in finding the cure and vaccine for the virus. Ofcourse, along with the credit, will come the lucrative global cash flows.

Whatever the “why” may be, the “what” is that the entire world has come to an unrecognizable halt. For the first time in history, sports events and their related hysteria are at a complete standstill - no more adrenal rushes, just the silence of empty stadiums. Likewise, movie theaters, pubs, night clubs, race courses and other places of entertainment have come to an uncomfortable stillness. 

Furthermore, despite not being able to meet emergencies; cancelling important meetings and business transactions; and indefinitely postponing festivals, travels and events, nobody is protesting against the state or government. A conventionally debating world is now in unison for the purpose of overcoming the deadly Coronavirus. 

Now the question is, within this overwhelming whirlwind of doubts, challenges and accusations, what is God doing? Why has he sent this Corona? Is He really compassionate? ….Or is nature more powerful than God?

The Dharmic scriptures give us some hints on how to understand God’s involvement in such natural disasters. Let us see below how scriptures answer these questions. 

nāsya karmani janmādau

parasyānuvidhīyate

Kartṛtva-pratiṣedhārthaṁ

māyayāropitaṁ hi tat

TRANSLATION

There is no direct engineering by the Lord for the creation and destruction of the

material world. What is described in the Vedas about His direct interference is simply to

counteract the idea that material nature is the creator.

-(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (Bhāgavata Purāṇa) SB 2.10.45)

In other words, the Supreme Brahman is not directly involved in the workings of  the Material Nature (prikriti).  

In Bhagavad Gita Sri Krishna says, 

“bhümir äpo 'nalo väyu

kham mano buddhir eva ca

ahankära itiyam me

bhinnä prakrtir astadh”

Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego—all together these eight

constitute My separated material energies. (Bhagavad Gita 7.4)

Essentially, the creation of srtsti or prakrti is not created like a blacksmith making some metal equipment. The world parkriti is not synonymous to creation. Contrarily, in the Abhramic faith, God actually creates the world for the first 6 days and He is personally involved in the reactions to misbehavior. In Sanatana Dharma, however, prakriti is “prakrista rupena kriti”, or operating on its own, without the interference of outside forces - but with the supervision of God. God’s supervision does not mean to impose, control, interfere or react to the ways of the world. 

What to speak of God! Even prakriti does not exercise spiteful revenge out of anger; she does not take the stupidity of people seriously. She is not small-minded,  she simply responds to people as per how they treat her; if one abuses nature, they experience abuse themselves. For example, if one puts their finger in a fire and it burns, the burning is not because the fire wanted to punish them - it is just the nature of fire to burn. Similarly, prakriti responds to whatever one chooses to do. In conclusion, all our pain is caused by our own irresponsible behaviour and blaming God is simply another stupidity. 

The philosophy of Dharmic scriptures teaches us to be thoughtful at the experience of suffering and grateful to Parama Brahman at the experience of happiness. The only unalloyed will of God is to not exploit his dear prakriti. As a famous philosopher once said, “Nature cannot be commanded except by being obeyed. Let us learn the laws of nature we shall be her masters (without taking advantage).”