Light of the Spirit Podcast

Swami Nirmalananda Giri answers a wide range of spiritual questions in the November 2025 Satsang. These monthly Q&A sessions explore meditation, karma, reincarnation, the afterlife, authentic yoga practice, and the universal truths found in all great spiritual traditions. This satsang includes reflections on the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the nature of thought-forms, the practice of Soham sadhana, Jesus as a yogi, the destiny of animals, Vedanta, idolatry, and the deeper purpose of spiritual life. Swamiji also speaks about discouragement on the path, synchronicity, and what it truly means to seek God beyond theology or dogma. Chapter Markers 00:00 Introduction 00:33 News about the Ram Temple in Ayodhya 04:33 About thought-forms 06:51 Soham answering questions 11:04 Inner mental dialog during meditation 12:25 Someone who bought An Eagle’s Flight 13:18 About synchronicity 14:33 Was Jesus a yogi? 17:42 Idolatry and worshipping a deity or saint 21:22 What happens to a pet when it dies? 26:18 Does hell exist? 29:38 What is Vedanta? 37:20 How much does the afterlife concern a yogi? 39:11 How important is a belief in karm and reincarnation? 40:00 What about a belief in heaven and hell? 40:36 How important is theology or formal philosophy? 41:54 Can the Infinite God really be known? 44:35 What is the difference between the Spirit and the Soul? 45:05 What determines who is born as one’s children? 47:50 Is knowledge learned in one life carried to the next? 48:10 Discouragement in spiritual life 49:24 Does true spirituality still exist in India? 53:35 Concern about drifting from a Christian background 54:36 How can we become better if we don’t remember our past lives? #Satsang #YogaWisdom #Vedanta OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more: https://ocoy.org/signup FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL https://www.facebook.com/light.of.spirit/ https://twitter.com/Light_of_Spirit https://instagram.com/lightofthespirit/

This month Swamiji introduces a new book: An Eagle's Flight: A Yogi's Spiritual Autobiography (https://amzn.to/4ojXlAg), and reflections on Spirit & Life: Commentaries on the Four Gospels questions on karma, diet, Neem Karoli Baba, Soham japa, and more. Highlights and Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 00:39 Spirit & Life: Commentaries on the Four Gospels 02:20 An Eagle’s Flight: A Yogi’s Spiritual Autobiography 06:29 The “crazy” yogini — The Daughter of the King 11:48 What karma does the “deliverer” of karma have? 14:57 Eggs and a vegetarian diet 18:10 Nath Yoga and Tamil Siddha traditions 18:46 Black or African Yoga traditions? 20:58 Those around Anandamayi Ma who became something 27:35 Swami Sivananda on milk and ahimsa 30:27 Variations of the Soham mantra 34:32 Does time exist outside the human mind? 35:14 Meeting Neem Karoli Baba 43:41 A question about Gnosticism 46:14 Are there inappropriate times for Soham japa? 47:44 Oliver Black and Babaji — a spiritual story 52:18 Can prarabdha karma obstruct sadhana? 59:30 Rudraksha beads in meditation 1:05:34 How to deal with predators in small communities #satsang #spiritualstories #spiritualjourney OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more: https://ocoy.org/signup FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL https://www.facebook.com/light.of.spirit/ https://twitter.com/Light_of_Spirit https://instagram.com/lightofthespirit/

In this month’s online satsang, Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) answers questions from seekers on diverse spiritual topics—ranging from the practice of Soham sadhana and the meaning of Navaratri, to karma, diet, compassion, and what is a guru. #Satsang #YogaPhilosophy #SohamMeditation Highlights include: 00:00 Introduction 00:44 What is Navaratri? 02:29 What is the goal of Soham Sadhana? 12:36 The book “Philosophy of Gorakhnath” on Soham and Om 14:29 Tinnitus and meditation 15:50 About “finding a guru” 17:26 Thoughts about a “fish diet” 21:59 Benefit of bathing in the Triveni 27:33 Dealing with a horrible person in your life 28:16 “Attunement ceremonies” 28:29 About the Essenes 35:05 When did karma begin? 37:43 Pantheism and Panentheism, and philosophy in general 42:21 Yoga sutras and compassion? 44:05 About the antichrist 46:02 How do I know I am progressing in meditation? 55:10 How to “save ourselves from satan” 57:47 What makes a holy scripture either holy or a scripture? 1:07:25 About everyone being on the path to God OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more: https://ocoy.org/signup FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL https://www.facebook.com/light.of.spirit/ https://twitter.com/Light_of_Spirit https://instagram.com/lightofthespirit/

Join Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) for the September 2025 Satsang, offering practical and profound answers to spiritual questions sent by seekers around the world. Topics include: • The newly released Spirit & Life volumes • Karma, meditation, and spiritual awakening • Babaji’s Cave and Yogic science • The Cathars, astrology, and the science of yoga • Soul origins, free will, dreams, and more Order the new book “Spirit and Life: The Four Gospels for Awakening” now on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mPXkCR Skip to the topics that interest you with these timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:35 New books: Spirit and Life 03:54 Points for success: making yourself an individual 07:16 About Brahmamuhurta 08:51 How many stages are there in spiritual awakening? 11:48 Story of a spiritual man in Vrindavan) 15:51 A question about early retirement and spiritual dedication 17:43 Narayan Das and Ma Anandamayi 20:18 A question about the Cathars 21:53 Sources of negative dreams 25:45 Is it necessary to engage in “intimacy” to get rid of the karma? 29:33 Yogananda and the annoying vegetarian 33:12 Babaji’s Cave 34:38 About Universal Spiritual Core Values 35:58 Will God sometimes mitigate karma? 43:30 Do all religions lead to the same goal? 46:39 Why is yoga considered a science rather than a religion? 49:43 How long must I meditate to see God? 51:25 Theresa Neumann story 57:00 Where do new souls come from? 1:01:49 About free will 1:03:30 Can a swami be released from his vows? 1:10:47 Did Lahiri Mahasaya say no one should become a sannyasi? 1:13:05 Is yoga good for mentally ill people? 1:15:42 About astrology OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more: https://ocoy.org/signup FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL https://www.facebook.com/light.of.spirit/ https://twitter.com/Light_of_Spirit https://instagram.com/lightofthespirit/

In this illuminating August 2025 Satsang, Swami Nirmalananda Giri responds to deep spiritual questions with insight, humor, and clarity. Topics include: • How to recognize the voice of God vs. ego • Yogananda’s surprising experience with Divine trickery • The value (or not) of past-life recall • Dharana, Dhyana & Samadhi in Soham Yoga • Life after death, and what the soul truly journeys through • Astrology, dreams of saints, and spiritual chants • Marriage vs. monastic life—and what Ramana Maharshi reveals • How to live with gratitude without grief Includes stories of Anandamayi Ma, Ramana Maharshi, and Yogananda, plus reflections on India, the Ganga, and the ever-present Self. Chapters are included for easy navigation. 00:00 Introduction 00:23 A story of Anandamayi Ma 03:04 The nature of spiritual questions 03:58 Is it possible for God to speak to you in your mind in English? 05:33 God plays a trick on Yogananda* 07:05 How do you distinguish God’s voice from your ego? 12:03 Is there spiritual value in trying to remember your past lives?* 16:58 Progress in Soham Yoga: Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi? 18:37 Where is the safest place to bathe in the Ganga? 21:39 The nature of India 31:31 Does the sun cause cancer? 32:21 Being thankful for people and pets without being overwhelmed at their passings? 37:11 Is it possible to be blissed-out all the time? 40:58 What is the process and journey of the soul after death? 43:01 Can one listen to spiritual chants during meditation? 44:06 Marriage or monastic life? 44:13 A story of Ramana Maharshi 50:13 “Enlightenment” that goes away 52:23 Are dreams of sages of the past of any value? 54:05 Is astrology beneficial in spiritual life. 55:57 What does a liberated soul do in the afterlife 58:16 What decides where a person goes after death? 59:50 Should we try to keep in mind that we are ever perfect? #SpiritualQuestions #Satsang #spiritualteachings OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more: https://ocoy.org/signup FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL https://www.facebook.com/light.of.spirit/ https://twitter.com/Light_of_Spirit https://instagram.com/lightofthespirit/

About Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) Swami Nirmalananda is a monk of the ancient Swami Order and founder of Atma Jyoti Ashram (Light of the Spirit Monastery). With deep roots in both Eastern and Western spiritual traditions, he has authored over 30 books on meditation, Vedanta, and the mystical life of Christ. His teachings reveal the essential unity of Sanatana Dharma and original Christianity, drawn from decades of contemplative experience, pilgrimage in India, and study with great spiritual teachers such as Swami Sivananda and Anandamayi Ma. In this month’s satsang, Swamiji answers questions from students on a range of spiritual topics, including: Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 00:29 New book: Christian Non-Dualism 03:22 Gita Talks Project (GitaTalks.ocoy.org) 04:22 Are there hierarchies of souls? 08:30 Thoughts on magnetic and vibrational therapy 13:12 The greatness of Lalla Yogeshwari 22:21 The correct pronunciation of Soham 24:45 A typical day at Atma Jyoti Ashram 47:37 A saying of Anandamayi Ma 49:51 Can a guru take away karmas? 54:24 The war of good and evil: what lies ahead? 1:02:05 Jesus: “Greater things shall you do…” 1:07:11 Sanatana Dharma in the West 1:15:00 The Gita Mahatmyam (Glory of the Gita) 1:16:28 Dharma, organ transplants, and the subtle body To learn more, visit: https://ocoy.org https://gitatalks.ocoy.org https://lightofthespiritpress.com Books by Swamiji: https://amazn.so/9FN0kcr FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL https://www.facebook.com/light.of.spirit/ https://twitter.com/Light_of_Spirit https://instagram.com/lightofthespirit/

Join Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) for the June 2025 Satsang, a deep and wide-ranging spiritual conversation flowing from Soham meditation to the mysteries of saints, sannyas, the caste/purushartha connection, the question of virgin birth, and the soul’s entry into the stream of Sanatana Dharma. Swamiji speaks on: • Cremation or Burial: the pros and cons of both • The four castes and purusharthas as inner archetypes • How and why spiritual masters incarnate • The value of dying consciously and holy company (satsanga) • Whether meditation affects dreams, and more With his signature clarity, Swamiji weaves together insights from Eastern and Western mysticism, sharing stories from saints he knew and teachings from scriptures he lived. Timestamps for Key Topics 00:00 Introduction 00:33 Why is cremation better than burial? 06:01 Satya Sai Baba and the Soham mantra 06:40 Soham mantra and sannyas initiation 07:40 The St. Thomas cross 07:31 The Triadic heart of Siva 08:05 What is the best way to help others? 10:23 The correspondence of the four castes and pursharthas 15:27 Why do masters come into the world? 19:52 About the “thoughtless state” 23:44 Entering the stream of Sanatana Dharma 33:09 Would a virgin birth be against natural laws? 38:38 Dying in an unconscious state 47:02 What is the value of holy company? 51:38 Does meditation affect dreams? 54:18 Can you recommend a Gita translation? 56:18 GitaTalks.ocoy.org 56:33 What is a “master”? 1:00:18 Light of Soham #spiritualawakening #satsang #soham OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more: https://ocoy.org/signup FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL https://www.facebook.com/light.of.spirit/ https://twitter.com/Light_of_Spirit https://instagram.com/lightofthespirit/

Join Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) in this May 2025 Satsang to elevate your spirit by growing your knowledge of meditation, yoga, and spiritual awakening. Listen to his new Talks on the Bhagavad Gita here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzUa3GQViSbVFbfQW_yugfTi5u9x8W7bb In his many pilgrimages to India, he had the opportunity of meeting some of India’s greatest spiritual figures, including Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh and Anandamayi Ma. During his first trip to India he was given sannyas by Swami Vidyananda Giri, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, who had himself been given sannyas by the Shankaracharya of Puri, Jagadguru Bharat Krishna Tirtha. In the United States he also encountered various Christian saints, including Saint John Maximovich of San Francisco and Saint Philaret Voznesensky of New York. #satsang #hindudeity #spiritualawakening Use these timestamps below to navigate to topics which he discusses in this month's satsang: 00:00 Introduction 00:31 New book: Christian Non-Dualism 01:32 Interview with Narendra Modi by Lex Hixon 04:42 Hindu Deities: imagery and symbology 06:47 Recommended book: Hinduism–The Universal Religion 07:44 The meaning and symbolism of Sri Ganesha 09:20 The meaning and symbolism of Brahma, the Creator 11:46 The meaning and symbolism of Vishnu 14:56 The meaning and symbolism of Siva 23:39 The meaning and symbolism of Saraswati 25:33 The meaning and symbolism of Lakshmi 27:57 The meaning and symbolism of Durga 34:44 The meaning and symbolism of Kali 41:46 The meaning and symbolism of Krishna [43:25] Krishna’s flute-mantra [end 44:25] 45:10 The meaning and symbolism of Rama 52:26 Differences between Theosophy and Rosacrucianism? 57:13 The difference between Supreme Father and Supreme Soul 1:03:39 Is the 5th dimension emerging? 1:08:31 What is the difference between hypnotism and meditation 1:13:19 Soham or Sa Ha? OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more: https://ocoy.org/signup FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL https://www.facebook.com/light.of.spirit/ https://twitter.com/Light_of_Spirit https://instagram.com/lightofthespirit/

Join Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) in this April 2025 Satsang to elevate your spirit by growing your knowledge of meditation, yoga, and spiritual awakening. Listen to his new Talks on the Bhagavad Gita here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzUa3GQViSbVFbfQW_yugfTi5u9x8W7bb In his many pilgrimages to India, he had the opportunity of meeting some of India’s greatest spiritual figures, including Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh and Anandamayi Ma. During his first trip to India he was given sannyas by Swami Vidyananda Giri, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, who had himself been given sannyas by the Shankaracharya of Puri, Jagadguru Bharat Krishna Tirtha. In the United States he also encountered various Christian saints, including Saint John Maximovich of San Francisco and Saint Philaret Voznesensky of New York. #satsang #spiritualityyoga #spiritualawakening Use these timestamps below to navigate to topics which he discusses in this month's satsang: 00:00 Introduction 00:21 Easter, Yogananda, and the King of Kings 04:42 Book recommendation: Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception 09:28 Was Swami Sivananda married? 10:17 Sound and Breath for yogis 18:17 Soham Yoga Meditation metholology 21:39 Attitudes during Soham Meditation? 25:48 A question about dreaming 26:57 The difference between Sanatana Dharma and the Bible regarding prophecy 28:49 “Forget and Forgive” in the Shastras? 32:50 Spelling of Soham: Soham or Sohum? 34:55 Are there real yogis and saints in India today? 44:30 Experience with a sadhu at a railway station 50:30 Meditation sickness? 54:17 Regaining an experience in meditation 55:06 What happens to the soul in the afterlife? 1:00:27 Discovery of Gajanana Maharaj and Soham Yoga 1:03:08 Light of Soham and Inspired Wisdom of Gajanana Maharaj OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more: https://ocoy.org/signup FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL https://www.facebook.com/light.of.spirit/ https://twitter.com/Light_of_Spirit https://instagram.com/lightofthespirit/

Here is a summary of the talk "Qualities of Brahman" by Swami Nirmalananda Giri, based on the 13th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita:In this talk, Swami Nirmalananda Giri explores the nature and qualities of Brahman, the all-encompassing divine reality, as described in the Bhagavad Gita. He emphasizes that Brahman is the essence of everything—both animate and inanimate—permeating all existence as the sustainer, creator, and absorber of life.The talk highlights the need for a yogi to refine their consciousness to perceive Brahman’s subtle presence, which is both near and far, undivided yet appearing divided. Brahman is presented as the source of all light, knowledge, and existence, beyond darkness, and seated in the heart of all beings.The discussion also touches on the interplay of Purusha (pure consciousness) and Prakriti (vibrating energy or material creation), the inevitability of karma, and the importance of self-realization through practices like mantra repetition (e.g., "Soham") and meditation.Main Points:Brahman as All-Encompassing: Brahman exists both outside and inside all beings, encompassing everything—animate and inanimate—since all is composed of living, moving particles, embodying life itself.Subtlety of Brahman: Brahman is incomprehensible due to its subtlety, requiring a yogi to refine their consciousness to perceive its presence, which is both far and near.Unity and Multiplicity: A true yogi perceives both the unity of Brahman and the apparent multiplicity of existence simultaneously, aiming for omniscience as the ultimate goal.Sustainer of Beings: Brahman is the foundation of all existence, sustaining everything, shining as the life within all, without which nothing could exist.Creator and Absorber: Brahman generates and withdraws all creation cyclically, as exemplified by Krishna’s statement in the Gita about sending forth and retracting beings helplessly within this process.Light of Light: Brahman is the source of all light, enabling existence and manifestation, existing beyond darkness as the singular, eternal light.Knowledge and the Known: Brahman embodies wisdom, being both the process of knowing, the knower, and the object of knowledge, seated in the heart of all beings.Spiritual Practice: The yogi uses practices like "Soham" meditation and japa (mantra repetition) to align with Brahman, recognizing it as the primal word or sound of creation.Purusha and Prakriti: Creation arises from the interplay of Purusha (pure consciousness) and Prakriti (material energy), both eternal aspects of Brahman, with Prakriti driving action and manifestation.Karma and Responsibility: All experiences, including pleasure and pain, stem from individual karma, reflecting personal choices and actions, not external blame; self-awareness dissolves karmic ignorance.Self-Realization: True knowing comes from experiencing Brahman, not just theorizing about it, and devotees who comprehend this approach the divine state of being.Humility in Learning: Swamiji critiques superficial knowledge, encouraging persistent effort and humility in the spiritual journey, rather than assuming mastery from minimal understanding.The talk concludes with a call to deepen understanding of the Gita through Swami Nirmalananda’s book, The Bhagavad Gita for Awakening, emphasizing practical spirituality and self-awareness.

Join Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) in this March 2025 Satsang to elevate your spirit by growing your knowledge of meditation, yoga, and spiritual awakening. Listen to his new Talks on the Bhagavad Gita here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzUa3GQViSbVFbfQW_yugfTi5u9x8W7bb In his many pilgrimages to India, he had the opportunity of meeting some of India’s greatest spiritual figures, including Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh and Anandamayi Ma. During his first trip to India he was given sannyas by Swami Vidyananda Giri, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, who had himself been given sannyas by the Shankaracharya of Puri, Jagadguru Bharat Krishna Tirtha. In the United States he also encountered various Christian saints, including Saint John Maximovich of San Francisco and Saint Philaret Voznesensky of New York. #satsang #spiritualityyoga #spiritualawakening Use these timestamps below to navigate to topics which he discusses in this month's satsang: 00:00 Introduction 00:41 What is satsang? 01:59 Good spiritual books to read 03:21 About Mabel Collins 10:17 What is the soul, and where is it located? 16:31 Questions about the caste system 23:46 Reflections on Gandhi 29:08 Do all religions and wisdom traditions lead to the same goal? 33:48 Do we need a master to give the soham mantra? 39:35 Do you pray or only do Soham sadhana? 41:00 How does one navigate the intersection of this world and the next? 42:15 A technical question about Soham sadhana 43:25 A question about the teachings of Emmanuel Swedenborg 45:04 A question about Swami Muktananda on Soham 46:16 Were Buddha’s original teachings atheistic? 50:00 Vivekananda story and yogi’s having integrity 55:43 Swami Sivananda’s marriage before he took sannyasa 56:28 How to dispose of old rudradksha and tulsi malas 58:26 Balancing spiritual duties and social interaction 1:00:39 Appraising Yogananda’s wisdom and the meditation methods ascribed to him OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more: https://ocoy.org/signup FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL https://www.facebook.com/light.of.spirit/ https://twitter.com/Light_of_Spirit https://instagram.com/lightofthespirit/

Join Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) in this February 2025 Satsang to elevate your spirit by growing your knowledge of meditation, yoga, and spiritual awakening. Listen to his new Talks on the Bhagavad Gita here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzUa3GQViSbVFbfQW_yugfTi5u9x8W7bb In his many pilgrimages to India, he had the opportunity of meeting some of India’s greatest spiritual figures, including Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh and Anandamayi Ma. During his first trip to India he was given sannyas by Swami Vidyananda Giri, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, who had himself been given sannyas by the Shankaracharya of Puri, Jagadguru Bharat Krishna Tirtha. In the United States he also encountered various Christian saints, including Saint John Maximovich of San Francisco and Saint Philaret Voznesensky of New York. Use these timestamps below to navigate to topics which he discusses in this month's satsang: 00:00 Introduction 02:02 A long question on karma 21:49 What is Swadharma? 26:00 Is taking pain medicine avoidance of karma? 31:18 Difficulty having a positive attitude towards all 35:07 Can humans reincarnate as humans or plants? 42:48 How much does Grace figure in spiritual development? 44:29 What are your favorite quotes from Anandamayi Ma? 52:04 Mental pronunciation of the Soham mantra. 1:02:49 Overcoming sexual and drug addiction to walk the spiritual path 1:07:48 Yogananda’s most important teaching 1:11:45 A question about dreams (unanswered) 1:13:32 Closing remarks OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more: https://ocoy.org/signup FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL https://www.facebook.com/light.of.spirit/ https://twitter.com/Light_of_Spirit https://instagram.com/lightofthespirit/

Join Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) in this January 2025 Satsang to elevate your spirit by growing your knowledge of meditation, yoga, and spiritual awakening. Listen to his new Talks on the Bhagavad Gita here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzUa3GQViSbVFbfQW_yugfTi5u9x8W7bb In his many pilgrimages to India, he had the opportunity of meeting some of India’s greatest spiritual figures, including Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh and Anandamayi Ma. During his first trip to India he was given sannyas by Swami Vidyananda Giri, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, who had himself been given sannyas by the Shankaracharya of Puri, Jagadguru Bharat Krishna Tirtha. In the United States he also encountered various Christian saints, including Saint John Maximovich of San Francisco and Saint Philaret Voznesensky of New York. Use these timestamps below to navigate to topics which he discusses in this month's satsang: 00:00 Introduction 00:50 Does God pay personal attention to our needs? 06:18 Is God a He, a She or an It? 07:36 What is the Atman? 09:46 Being overwhelmed by how little one knows spiritually 10:18 Is it possible to help others through prayer? 15:43 What is your opinion of suicide? 20:27 Can others really help us, or is it just up to us? 21:50 Did Jesus learn much of what her taught in India? 27:26 Were Jesus, Buddha, and Krishna only myths? 31:05 What if I have no faith in yoga? 32:40 Yogananda meet Charlie Chan 38:14 What are visions? 40:30 What are miracles? 45:10 Is it necessary to be married or single to succeed in yoga? 47:21 What does the Gita mean by “devil, asura”? #satsang #spiritualgrowth #spiritualawakening OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more: https://ocoy.org/signup FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL https://www.facebook.com/light.of.spirit/ https://twitter.com/Light_of_Spirit https://instagram.com/lightofthespirit/

Join Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) in this December 2024 Satsang to elevate your spirit by growing your knowledge of meditation, yoga, and spiritual awakening. Listen to his new Talks on the Bhagavad Gita here: https://gitatalks.ocoy.org In his many pilgrimages to India, he had the opportunity of meeting some of India’s greatest spiritual figures, including Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh and Anandamayi Ma. During his first trip to India he was given sannyas by Swami Vidyananda Giri, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, who had himself been given sannyas by the Shankaracharya of Puri, Jagadguru Bharat Krishna Tirtha. In the United States he also encountered various Christian saints, including Saint John Maximovich of San Francisco and Saint Philaret Voznesensky of New York. Use these timestamps below to navigate to topics which he discusses in this month's satsang: 00:00 Introduction 00:38 Gita Talks notice 01:40 The body’s need for water 04:00 Book–Hinduism, the Eternal Religion 05:37 Reminders for spiritual living 09:07 A question about vegetarianism 14:07 Is it possible to change after years of a wasted life? 15:59 Eye position in meditation 19:36 Can people refuse to reincarnate? 24:21 Is image worship wrong? 38:01 Is Yoga just stopping thoughts in the mind? 41:44 Can God be realized by meditation without ritualistic worship? 43:34 Are Advaita and Monism the same? 45:21 Can past mistakes be erased? 49:31 Can scriptures be fully trusted? 1:02:50 Stories of Anandamayi Ma, and her mother, Didi Ma #satsang #spiritualawakening #spiritualgrowth OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more: https://ocoy.org/signup FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL https://www.facebook.com/light.of.spirit/ https://twitter.com/Light_of_Spirit https://instagram.com/lightofthespirit/

Join Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) in this November 2024 Satsang to elevate your spirit by growing your knowledge of meditation, yoga, and spiritual awakening. Listen to his new Talks on the Bhagavad Gita here: https://gitatalks.ocoy.org In his many pilgrimages to India, he had the opportunity of meeting some of India’s greatest spiritual figures, including Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh and Anandamayi Ma. During his first trip to India he was given sannyas by Swami Vidyananda Giri, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, who had himself been given sannyas by the Shankaracharya of Puri, Jagadguru Bharat Krishna Tirtha. In the United States he also encountered various Christian saints, including Saint John Maximovich of San Francisco and Saint Philaret Voznesensky of New York. Use these timestamps below to navigate to topics which he discusses in this month's satsang: 00:00 Introduction 00:48 Notice: Talks on the Bhagavad Gita 02:50 Avoiding the distractions of family life 05:27 Sri Ramakrishna’s parable of the snake 09:52 Story of Mother Krishnabai 13:33 Pursuing spiritual life while living with an agnostic spouse 21:18 A philosophical question 22:27 What is Shakti and how does it affect us? 25:05 What is the difference between Iswara and Parameshwara? 33:51 How can I attain samadhi? 37:52 How does one know whether to lead a monastic life? 41:16 Gurus and their supposed infallibility 45:43 What do you advise for a daily spiritual routine? 48:48 Leading a spiritual life in a family situation 49:47 Learn Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) 52:48 Praying for departed souls 56:20 How to understand the teachings of Jesus better #satsang #spiritualgrowth #sanatandharma OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more: https://ocoy.org/signup FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL https://www.facebook.com/light.of.spirit/ https://twitter.com/Light_of_Spirit https://instagram.com/lightofthespirit/

Join Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) in this October 2024 Satsang to elevate your spirit by growing your knowledge of meditation, yoga, and spiritual awakening. Listen to his new Talks on the Bhagavad Gita here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzUa3GQViSbVFbfQW_yugfTi5u9x8W7bb In his many pilgrimages to India, he had the opportunity of meeting some of India’s greatest spiritual figures, including Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh and Anandamayi Ma. During his first trip to India he was given sannyas by Swami Vidyananda Giri, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, who had himself been given sannyas by the Shankaracharya of Puri, Jagadguru Bharat Krishna Tirtha. In the United States he also encountered various Christian saints, including Saint John Maximovich of San Francisco and Saint Philaret Voznesensky of New York. Use these timestamps below to navigate to topics which he discusses in this month's satsang: 00:00 Introduction 00:28 Notice: Talks on the Bhagavad Gita 01:21 Sanatana Dharma: The Eternal Religion 02:34 Hinduism The Universal Religion 05:27 Yogananda and the Candles story 17:38 A special thanks to our friends 25:00 Ahimsa & Satya: handling conflict resolution 33:00 The difference between Spirit and Soul 35:51 Stories of Mahatama Gandhi 39:02 Karma Yoga in our daily lives 40:57 Long hair vs. shaving the head for the yogi 45:32 Why do monks wear a monastic habit? 56:28 “Emptiness” in the Heart Sutra 58:23 Asking personal advice 1:03:10 Question about pranayama 1:04:30 Question about Gajanana Maharaj 1:06:38 Stories of Swami Nirmalananda’s healing grandmother 1:23:07 What is the difference between Jiva and Atman? 1:25:00 What is the Witness Consciousness? 1:28:13 Does the personality survive death? #spiritualawakening #satsang #spiritualgrowth OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more: https://ocoy.org/signup FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL https://www.facebook.com/light.of.spirit/ https://twitter.com/Light_of_Spirit https://instagram.com/lightofthespirit/

Join Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) in this September 2024 Satsang to elevate your spirit by growing your knowledge of meditation, yoga, and spiritual awakening. Listen to his new Talks on the Bhagavad Gita here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzUa3GQViSbVFbfQW_yugfTi5u9x8W7bb In his many pilgrimages to India, he had the opportunity of meeting some of India’s greatest spiritual figures, including Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh and Anandamayi Ma. During his first trip to India he was given sannyas by Swami Vidyananda Giri, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, who had himself been given sannyas by the Shankaracharya of Puri, Jagadguru Bharat Krishna Tirtha. In the United States he also encountered various Christian saints, including Saint John Maximovich of San Francisco and Saint Philaret Voznesensky of New York. Use these timestamps below to navigate to topics which he discusses in this month's satsang: 00:00 Introduction 00:20 Recommendations 03:31 Gita Talks 05:09 What are the gunas? 13:36 Soul contracts? 14:33 Humor in spiritual life (tag link to referred Gita talk in youtube) 25:54 Is it OK to teach others Soham Yoga? 28:12 Comment on Jesus’ words in the Gospels 36:18 Is it OK to skip japa? 37:52 Who is the Supreme Being, Krishna or Siva? (short 38:15-38:41) 39:32 Stories of Warren Vickerman, Yogananda’s early disciple 43:20 Why would a practicing yogi reincarnate? 50:20 Sri Ramakrishna’s story 51:53 Tapah lokas–world’s for spiritual discipline 56:47 Saying of St. John Vianney #satsang #spiritualawakening #spiritualgrowth OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more: https://ocoy.org/signup FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL https://www.facebook.com/light.of.spirit/ https://twitter.com/Light_of_Spirit https://instagram.com/lightofthespirit/

Join Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) in this uplifting August 2024 Satsang. Elevate your spirit by growing your knowledge of meditation, yoga, and spiritual awakening. Also, watch his new Talks on the Bhagavad Gita here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzUa3GQViSbVFbfQW_yugfTi5u9x8W7bb In his many pilgrimages to India, he had the opportunity of meeting some of India’s greatest spiritual figures, including Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh and Anandamayi Ma. During his first trip to India he was given sannyas by Swami Vidyananda Giri, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, who had himself been given sannyas by the Shankaracharya of Puri, Jagadguru Bharat Krishna Tirtha. In the United States he also encountered various Christian saints, including Saint John Maximovich of San Francisco and Saint Philaret Voznesensky of New York. Use these timestamps below to navigate to topics which he discusses in this month's satsang: 00:00 Introduction 00:27 The book “Hindu America” 03:38 Talks on the Bhagavad Gita 04:05 Sacred Places (Pithas) 14:38 Reincarnation in the Gita and Buddhist teachings 17:17 Maya vs. Mara 29:47 Life as a training film 31:30 Imagining God? 33:30 Soham as Nirguna Brahman 36:20 How to pray 42:44 About mantras 44:29 Continuing spiritual practice in the next birth 50:37 What is a Sad Guru? 1:07:57 Being free from karma 1:09:09 Defining the Second Coming #satsang #spiritualawakening #spiritualgrowth OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more: https://ocoy.org/signup FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL https://www.facebook.com/light.of.spirit/ https://twitter.com/Light_of_Spirit https://instagram.com/lightofthespirit/

Join Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) in this uplifting July 2024 Satsang to elevate your spirit by growing your knowledge of meditation, yoga, and spiritual awakening. Listen to his new Talks on the Bhagavad Gita here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzUa3GQViSbVFbfQW_yugfTi5u9x8W7bb In his many pilgrimages to India, he had the opportunity of meeting some of India’s greatest spiritual figures, including Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh and Anandamayi Ma. During his first trip to India he was given sannyas by Swami Vidyananda Giri, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, who had himself been given sannyas by the Shankaracharya of Puri, Jagadguru Bharat Krishna Tirtha. In the United States he also encountered various Christian saints, including Saint John Maximovich of San Francisco and Saint Philaret Voznesensky of New York. Use these timestamps below to navigate to topics which he discusses in this month's satsang: 00:00 Introduction 00:36 The use of incense in meditation 02:23 New talks on the Bhagavad Gita 03:24 The Importance of a sense of humor 08:29 Appreciation for the questions 09:25 Can you explain the law of rebirth? 16:05 Will the "world" ever get better? 20:04 How to maintain self awareness during conversation 22:41 Like minded communities around? 23:19 Can you progress spiritually with parents who are not spiritual? 26:20 The best amount of time for meditation 31:49 What is Buddhi? And What is Buddhi Yoga? 38:36 The story of Matsyendranath, Gorakhnath, and the Nath Yogis 48:58 Is Brahman, the formless, active or passive? 50:42 A question about Brahmacharya 54:01 What are the different levels of our being? 55:10 What is the difference between intellect and emotions? 56:52 What separate man from God? 59:50 Some observations about Astrology 1:06:04 Observations about Soham Yoga practice #satsang #spiritualrealization #spiritualawakening OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more: https://ocoy.org/signup FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL https://www.facebook.com/light.of.spirit/ https://twitter.com/Light_of_Spirit https://instagram.com/lightofthespirit/

July’s online satsang with Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) will be held on Saturday, July 6th, at 12 noon, EST. You can go to the registration page and sign up using this link, or use the signup button below. When registering, you can submit any questions which you would like Swamiji to answer during the satsang.   Podcast and Video: Living (and Dying) as a Yogi In a podcast interview with our friend Jonathan Mahoney, Swami Nirmalananda discusses the kind of life we need to live in order to die as yogis, and have a real spiritual boost in the afterlife. Listen to the podcast here, or watch the Youtube podcast below. The podcast is 53 minutes long. (The podcast player will not show if you get this by email, so you can listen to Living (and Dying) as a Yogi here.) Please make sure you subscribe to our YouTube channel – which doesn’t just ensure you’ll see our videos when they are posted; it also encourages YouTube to show our videos to more spiritually oriented people, and is the best way to support our channel. The post July Online Satsang Signup | Podcast: Living and Dying as a Yogi appeared first on Original Christianity and Original Yoga.