Ayurveda & Spirituality with Alakananda Ma

More than 300 million people worldwide, or 1 in 17, live with a rare disease. This means that rare diseases, while individually uncommon, collectively affect a significant portion of the global population. Learn about the many dismissive labels that can be given to patients with a rare disease, how Ayurveda sees rare diseases and how to move forward with your wellbeing when doctors discount y...

In the aftermath of the Boulder arson attack, which Sadananda narrowly survived, let’s think about safety and belonging, Zionism, Antizionism and Antisemitism. Who belongs in Boulder? Who belongs in America? How do we find safety? Can we make common cause among marginalized groups? Where Do I Belong If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave us a 5 star review, and share it with a friend. For m...

But he who understands this aum to consist of three measures, should, with this Imperishable syllable, meditate on the Supreme Puruṣa alone, for thereby he would reach the tejas or the sun. As a snake becomes fully liberated from its old skin, thus he verily becomes liberated from all his sins . Prashna Upanishad Ch 5 Today Ma concludes her discussion of Prashna Upanishad by reviewing what we have...

As the Land of the Free prepares to celebrate Independence Day, let’s take a look at what true freedom really is. Alakananda Ma delves into the manifestations of freedom in the Four Worlds of Kabbalah—the world of action, the relational world, the conceptual world and the spiritual world. What are our rights, our aspirations and the dangers we face of losing our hard-won freedom? What is True Free...

Whether it is a divorce, death of a loved one, a miscarriage or a missed career opportunity, all of us are faced with losses during our life journey.  Ma shares how we can become deepened and enriched rather than narrowed and embittered by loss.   Getting some basic awareness Learning how to practice self-compassion Transforming your grief Broadening it out Making Peace with Loss and Gri...

Summer combines two seasons described in Ayurveda, grishma , the hot season and varsha , the rainy season. Learn how to take care of yourself during the summer heat and the summer storms and downpours. Summer Health good If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave us a 5 star review, and share it with a friend. For more enlightening discussions and practical wisdom on Ayurveda and spirituality,...

“ What is it in a person that goes to sleep? What part of a person stays awake? Who is the god that sees the dreams? Whose is happiness?” Prashna Upanishad. Explore Prashna Upanishad with Ma as she delves into the perennial wisdom. Learn more about the Five Pranas and the subtle body Explore the deep meaning of sleep and dreams Prashna Upanishad 4(1) If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave u...

As Khalil Gibran says, “Your children are not your children, they are the sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, and though they are with you, yet they belong not to you; you may give them your love but not your thoughts, for they have their own thoughts; you may house their bodies, but not their souls. For their souls dwell in the house of tomorro...

“For most of human history and pre-history, we have worshipped, honoured, and relied upon our ancestors. It has only been from our ancestors that we have learnt how to live on this earth.  It was from our ancestors that we learnt how to feed, house and take care of ourselves in a sustainable way upon our land. It was due to our ancestors that we were born into a network of social and relation...

Sage Pippalyada unfolds the mysteries of our body, including the earliest detailed description of the Five Pranas. The Fivefold Prana is important in both Yoga and Ayurveda, yet is is here, in the Upanishads, that we see the earliest origin of this vital teaching, engagingly explained by Alakananda Ma. Prashna Upanishad 4 If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave us a 5 star review, and share...

Alakananda Ma shares the Ayurvedic perspective on Holistic weight management and offers Ayurvedic herbs and foods that act similarly to Ozempic, but more gently. Ayurvedic Perspective on GLP1 Drugs If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave us a 5 star review, and share it with a friend. For more enlightening discussions and practical wisdom on Ayurveda and spirituality, subscribe and join our...

Whether you are female, male, non-binary or trans, the qualities of spiritual motherhood are essential for you. In this podcast, you will learn about the seven qualities and how to develop them. Support Nurturance Protection Love Truth telling Wisdom Initiation Spiritual Motherhood If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave us a 5 star review, and share it with a friend. For more enlightening d...

“The peace that we’re talking about is not the peace that is part of a dichotomy; it’s not the peace that’s part of a duality, it’s not the peace that alternates with conflict. The kind of peace that is made by the treaty of Versailles or by a ceasefire, the peace that’s the opposite of war—this is not real peace, this is just part of an alternation. The real peace, the peace that passeth understa...

“As human beings we occupy this strange position that we are the angel in the body of the beast.  It’s because of this strange fact that the Koran says, “the angels bow in awe before the human soul.”  Because the angels don’t have to reconcile anything, they’re just angels, but we are the angel and the monkey.  The angel who’s an ape at one and the same time.  So that’s why we...

“How many powers support the created world? And who among them is the greatest?” In response to the questions of the sages, Sage Pippilada unfolds the mysteries of the universe. Today Alakananda Ma continues to discuss Question One, “Whence are all these creatures born,” and then delves into Question Two, “How many powers support the created world? And who among them is the greatest?” Prashna Upan...

Spring is here with all its beauty—and all its pollen. Learn how to have a happy spring. You will learn: Features of vata, pitta and kapha allergies Home remedies for allergies How an Ayurvedic Practitioner can help with allergies The value of panchakarma for allergies Ayurveda for Allergies If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave us a 5 star review, and share it with a friend. For more enli...

“Truth is God; Non-violence is Love in Action; Peace is the Fruit of satyagraha , unwavering search for the Truth” Mahatma Gandi Learn the final step of the Way of the Peacemaker, satyagraha , and how it relates to ahimsa , love and sacrifice. How can you apply these principles to meet the challenges of today’s world and stand up for what you believe in? What does it mean to Resist? The Way of the...

“Swaraj” Gandhi once wrote, "is the abandonment of the fear of death.” What are the qualities you can develop to help bring peace to our troubled and war-torn planet? Alakananda Ma gives a contemporary take on the first three steps of Gandhi’s Peace Process: 1.     Swaraj : Autonomy, total freedom from every type of bondage, deep democracy. 2.     Swadeshi :...

How does Sage Pippalyada answer the question, “ Bhagavan, from where are all these creatures born?” Prashna Upanishad tells us about a series of questions a group of sages ask the Sage of Sages, Pippalyada. Hear Alakananda Ma’s humorous and enthralling take on the first question as she brings this ancient text to life. Prashna Upanishad 1 If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave us a 5 star r...

Kapha which has undergone increase in winter becomes liquified by the heat of the sun in Vasanta (spring), diminishes the agni and gives rise to many diseases; hence kapha should be controlled quickly. Ashtanga Hridaya You will learn The importance of a spring cleanse How to control kapha How to have a happy spring Preparing for Spring If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave us a 5 star revi...

“Yoga is far more than a workout, an exercise program, a sport or a hobby. Yoga means to yoke the mind--to yoke the small self who runs around worrying to the Self that never changes. This is yoga for the mind. Bhagavad Gita , the conversation between Arjuna, representing the individual self, and Krishna, representing the changeless Self, is the instructional manual of yoga for the mind.” You will...

"At first a yogi feels his mind Is tumbling like a waterfall; In mid-course, like the Ganges It flows on slow and gentle; In the end, it is a great vast ocean, Where the lights of son and mother merge in one." From Tilopa’s Song to Naropa Learn how to work with thoughts at each stage of your meditation journey. Tumbling Like a Waterfall If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave us a 5 star rev...

When the gods get too big for their boots, Brahman decides to teach them a lesson. What happens next? Hear Alakananda Ma expound the fascinating third chapter of Kena Upanishad. Kena Upanishad 2 If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave us a 5 star review, and share it with a friend. For more enlightening discussions and practical wisdom on Ayurveda and spirituality, subscribe and join our fac...

In the age of monasticism, spirituality and worldly life were seen as incompatible. Today, most mystics and seekers must work in an environment alien to their values.  How can you bring your workday to the path? Learn a step by step process for bringing your work life to path. Spirituality and Your Work Life(1) If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave us a 5 star review, and share it wit...

“The most important way to help people with Long Covid is to listen to them and believe what they say.” Alakananda Ma You will learn: How covid may have affected your long term health What to do to protect your longevity What viral persistence is How S ARS-CoV-2 affects other lingering viruses How to regain your health if you have Long Covid Ayurveda for Long Covid If you enjoyed this episode, be...