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

Nayaswami Jaya

Ananda India

Answer

Paramhansa Yogananda defined meditation as "one pointed concentration upon God or one of His aspects." Raja Yoga typically defines the "aspects" of God as: sound, light, love, wisdom, peace, calmness, power and bliss.

Each of these can be expressed in multiple ways but, in essence, are experiential - not imaginings or mental images.

Nayaswami Jaya

Ananda India

Answer

I think most kriyabans experience a tug-of-war between the outward pull of responsibilities and an inner call to maintain attunement and a regular sadhana. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Try to keep God and Gurus in your consciousness during your outward service. Serve them through whatever it is you are called to do. Include them and ask for their guidance in your outer duties. Let them work with you and through you as your partner during the day. In other words, don't make too rigid a separation between your inner and outer life.

Nayaswami Jaya

Ananda India

Answer

Dear Friend,

A disciple who was reprimanded by Paramhansa Yogananda once asked, "Will you forgive me, Sir?" The Master replied, "What else can I do?" In that loving spirit, certainly Jesus forgave Judas and included him in his statement on the cross, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."

Nayaswami Jaya

Ananda India

Answer

Dear Mangesh,

Was Mahavatar Babaji or Ramakrishna Paramhansa an incarnation of Lord Krishna?

I think some questions, such as this one, must remain unanswered until we, ourselves, attain omniscience. Until we have direct realization, we can only go by what the Masters have passed down to us, thus making our knowledge tentative. I wonder if it really matters.

Nayaswami Jaya

Ananda India

Answer

Dear Friend,

Swami Kriyananda explains in this book "The Art and Science of Raja Yoga" that any positive feeling stimulates an upward movement of energy in the spine and can be considered a spark of kundalini rising.

It is useful for the aspiring yogi to pay attention to these feelings of upward movement as they attune us to an inner awareness that the source of our joy is within, not in outward circumstances or things.

Nayaswami Jaya

Ananda India

Answer

Prashanth,

There are a number of issues here. No one has a right to threaten another with violence and physical harm. If what you relate is as you say, I recommend you take this man's threats to the proper authorites for resolution and not confront him on your own or with your family. Were there witnesses to his threats? What was their perspective? Was the man speaking seriously? If so, let there be a record of the incident as a deterent to his doing it again.

Nayaswami Jaya

Ananda India

Answer

Dear Ab,

I sympathize with your desire to be a cricketer but I suspect your parents realize your chances of reaching the top ranks are heavily against you. That's why they want you to be a doctor.

Their wish is rooted in their desire for you to pursue a path more likely, in their minds, to bring you success and long-term happiness. Becoming a doctor is difficult but less risky than pursuing the path of a sportsman because the former can be attained through your own study and hard work whereas success in sport depends not only upon your personal efforts but also upon your natural, God-given talent measured against very stiff competition.

Nayaswami Jaya

Ananda India

Answer

Dear Friend,

When practicing the technique of watching the breath as taught in the Ananda Lessons, your physical eyes should be gently inclined upward with your "inner gaze" directed toward the point between the eyebrows. Your concentration should be upon the breath, not upon that physical point toward which your eyes are directed.

Nayaswami Jaya

Ananda India

Answer

Mental disease is a term that covers a broad range of maladies. You might say that we are all a little bit "peculiar" in our own, idiosyncratic way and that the term "mentally ill" is but a definition of degree of "abnormality." All souls can, and do, spiritually "evolve" in the sense of expiating and resolving past karma whether one's challenges are physical, mental or spiritual. Souls incarnated with mental illnesses or diminished capacities have unique obstacles and should be helped to overcome whatever they face, just as we would help those with physical disabilities.

Nayaswami Jaya

Ananda India

Answer

Dear Subir,

It is said that public speaking, even in small groups, is the most commonly held fear. Most of us have at one time or another felt nervous in social situations or in meetings when asked to contribute. We can find ourselves "tongue-tied" and overly self-conscious. If persistent, such fears can gradually degrade our relationships, job performance and self esteem.