Wisdom of the Ancients

Chanting which is part of the Vedic spiritual discipline has many benefits reduces stresses and increases energy raises positive energy which is beneficial for the nervous system especially those suffering with ADHD improves listening skills increases compassion and sensitivity towards others allows for spiritual growth raises one towards higher vibrations overall. There are chants in the Vedic Scriptures for many different purposes. Some have been highlighted below: Krishna

Who knows the Seer? Who sees the Self? No one’s help is required to see the Self. Just the way the sun does not need a lamp for light. It is self-illuminating. What is ignorance (Avidya)? Ignorance is considering non-Self to be the Self, considering the unchangeable as variable, and considering this world as “real”. What is Knowledge (Vidya)? Atma’s knowledge is Vidya. It is that which frees us from all sorrows, pain, bondage, conflict, illusions and fantasies. Vidya is that

What is the purpose of life? The purpose of life is to understand that consciousness is free from the limitations of life and death. Understanding that itself is called Liberation. What are the causes of birth? Unfulfilled desires and the results of one’s actions. Who is free from the bondage of life and death? The one who has realized one’s own Self (Atma). Why are there sorrows in the world? Greed, selfishness, and fear are the causes of sorrow in the world. Who creates sor

The Chakras, the main energy circles in the body are aligned along the Sushumna nadi in the body, and specifically other than the Crown and Root chakras, the rest are connected to the Ida and Pingla nadis which run along the Sushumna nadi. The Ilda and Pingala nadis connect the chakras to the body organs and can be related to the stalk of the lotus. Each chakra denoted as a lotus have a finite number of petals which co-relate to the energy frequency which are balanced on a vi

What is Hing/Asafoetida? It is a resin like gum which is extracted from dried sap of the stem and roots of the Ferula plant which is then crushed in between two heavy stones in the traditional way. Hing has been used since the ancient times in Indian cuisine (in dals, vegetables, khitchari, and also when making filled parathas) and is recommended by Ayurveda. For example, if you are making daal for two people just a single pinch of Hing powder is good but if you are making da

In the Mundaka Upanishad, Chapter II, Section 2, it has been stated: "The Omniscient, the all-wise, whose glory is reflected here on earth, is the self-enthroned in the luminous city of Brahman, his etherial heaven. Firmly established in mind, seated in the heart he controls life and body. The wise by the higher knowledge see him clearly as the radiant, blissful, immortal." The explanation of the above in the Upanishad is that the Brahman is "self-resplendent and luminous" an

In all ancient cultures, music has been extremely important – whether we consider the Vedic times where devotional songs or “bhajans” were sung in praise of the Gods and Goddesses or whether we consider chanting by the Buddhists and Tibetans in their monasteries. Let us look back to the biblical times and the Church where singing of hymns was a wonderful way to finish a service and leave the parishioners with a feeling of joy on a Sunday morning. We see the same in the Gurudw

In the ancient Vedic texts, there has been much importance given to the sense of sound for healing. In the Bhagavad Gita for example, as taken from the interpretation of Steven Robertson, “In the beginning was Brahman, with whom was the Word, and the Word was Brahman and Brahman said this world shall be and the world came into being.” The concept of word here is the sacred sound of OM which is considered to be essence of God that led to the creation of the Universe/Brahman. T

Ghee has been used in Indian cuisine for centuries and is really clarified butter. Regular butter is boiled and then the top butter mass is removed which makes this a healthier option than butter. Unlike certain oils, Ghee can be heated to 250 degrees without any breakdown in consistency. Ghee is known to be an elixir in Ayurveda and is considered to be the pure butter option that is served to the Gods, especially Lord Krishna as per Hindu tradition. Ghee contains Vitamins A,