Ask Ananda’s Experts
Questions and answers about meditation, yoga, the spiritual life, and more

Nayaswami Anandi

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Robin,

Please understand that I have no medical background. I know spiritual people who have been helped through rough spots by antidepressants. On the other hand, to take a medication is not the right choice for everyone. I can’t answer your question about medicine altering brain chemistry and your relationship with God.

Nayaswami Mangala

Ananda Village

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Dear Glenda,

Congratulations on your doing Yogananda’s Cleansing Diet! Yes, his instructions do say 2 pounds of "good bath salts." However, when we offer the Cleansing Diet program here at the Expanding Light, we suggest that people use at least 2 cups. This is less than 2 pounds, but it does seem to be enough for most people to feel the cleansing effect. Two pounds a night can be fairly expensive, but if you wanted to follow his instructions to the letter, then that is what he said.

Mary Kretzmann

Ananda Village

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Thank you for your question regarding healing. Yes — it is all right to attempt to heal someone; in fact, it is very good to have the compassion and empathy to want to do so.

Paramhansa Yogananda gave many Healing Prayer techniques for that purpose. As devotees it is paramount that we not seek God only for ourselves, but share His blessings with all, for He is in all.

Tyagi Hanuman

Ananda Laurelwood

Answer

Dear Diana,

Being present with anyone is, of course, most important.

What does it mean to be present? To be aware. Be aware of your feelings as well as the feelings of the one you are with. Focus your attention at the point between the eyebrows and listen to your heart. What needs to be said? How can you be of service? Be aware of the breath. It is a very good indicator of how we are reacting to a situation.

Tyagi Hanuman

Ananda Laurelwood

Answer

Dear CJ,

Caring for loved ones can be very trying. We generally don’t expect to become caregivers, and yet more and more people are finding themselves taking care of mom or dad, the grandchildren, or each other.

You have to ask the question, how did I get into this situation? And the answer, of course, is karma. Nothing comes our way that is not ours to deal with. It is a universal law.

Nayaswami Gopal

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear One,

You ask a very good question that I get asked a lot in my Tai Chi classes.

Here are some ways I answer the question.

• There is nothing wrong with practicing Tai Chi. In many cultures Tai Chi is considered meditation in motion. And it can be taught and used as a healing art. Many teachers teaching Tai Chi don’t even teach it as a martial art. They only teach it as a healing art.

• As a self defense system it has both non-violent self defense techniques and “violent” self defense techniques. The important consideration is the mind set of the practitioner.

• If you respond to a violent act with violence then you were “being” violent. It doesn’t mean you’re a violent person. If you have to use violence as soon as possible ask the Good Lord that many blessings be sent to all involved. Now you are “being” a healer, a saint, a good person.

• If you use a “violent” technique to keep yourself or someone from being injured or worse then you are a hero. Remember, bad things grow because good people do nothing.

• In my reality God is the Doer. First and foremost, I am His humble channel for peace, love and joy. Because I am a personal body guard I am placed in situations where evil must be stopped or good/innocent people get injured. So before entering a confrontation I say the prayer, "Lord, if at all possible let this cup pass. But not by my will Lord, let Thy will be done.” By the grace of God, 98% of the time I’ve had to enter an interesting situation nothing has happened, 1% of the time I may have had to raise my voice, and less than 1% God’s Grace saw to it that very little harm was done.

I welcome your comments.

Nayaswami Anandi

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Krishnakripa,

Thank you for this question. It’s very important to work energetically to uproot fear and unwanted imagination. Of course, the two go hand in hand.

If we imagine the worst, it will make us fearful. And if we are fearful, we tend to imagine the worst.

Nayaswami Sadhana Devi

Ananda India

Answer

Dear Kisan,

Those of us who are naturally introverted have to consciously work at being sociable.

Set yourself a goal of going out every day, even for a few minutes. Then, visit at least one shop or interact in some way with at least one person. Greet the shopkeeper in a friendly way, consciously sending blessings or good wishes. This is a good start.