Yoga Wisdom with Swami Satchidananda

In this wonderful audio (from archival reel-to-reel from 1968), Swami Satchidananda is asked why he became a swami and what sannyas (monkhood) is all about. He explains how he became a swami and what it really means to be a renunciate—which doesn't involved running away from one's family or the world (which was often what his young students thought in those early days...). Ⓟ© 2018 Satchidananda As...

On Swami Satchidananda's 84th birthday (in 1998), his students gathered to celebrate the occasion and offer their love and gratitude for his teachings. He addressed the gathering in a sincere and humble way, expressing his appreciation for his students and explaining how it is the greatness of the student--not the teacher--that is to be admired. Ⓟ© 2018 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville

Swami Satchidananda is asked about Satya Yuga, the golden or Aquarian Age. He describes how we are moving toward that time and what it will be like in that age. Before this question, he is asked about offering help to someone who is mentally and spiritually weak. Does it really help or can it harm us to try to do this? Ⓟ© 2018 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Swami Satchidananda is asked this question in 1968 in New York. He explains the philosophical difference as well as the practical difference between loving spiritual love vs. worldly love. Through stories and examples, he illuminates how to have both a divine and personal love relationship that endures. Ⓟ© 2018 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

In 1969, while the Vietnam war was still underway, the youth that were coming to hear Swami Satchidananda's weekly talks at the Universalist Church in New York, were desperate for the war to end and for peace to prevail. Instead of "fighting" for peace, Sri Swamiji began to instruct them about the power of positive affirmation and peace chants in the vibrational and healing language of Sanskrit. T...

Swami Satchidananda is asked to speak about why he has set certain guidelines for ashram living. He explains the essentials of a yogic lifestyle and how by having a strong support system of like-minded people, who share our values, it will be easier for us to grow spiritually. He describes his own spiritual journey. Ⓟ© 2018 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville

"Realizing the Spirit": In this talk, Swami Satchidananda is asked some questions about how the mind and spirit relate in terms of the process of enlightenment. And, what role kundalini plays in awakening. Ⓟ© 2018 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Swami Satchidananda is asked why abstinence or denying the senses is needed in spiritual life. He explains that what is needed is discipline and mastery of the body and mind. He warns desires and greed in the mind, which leads to imbalance. He explains how a contented mind will convert everything into gold and then you can live a balanced in which you will enjoy everything. Ⓟ© 2018 Satchidananda A...

This recording is a rare and special gift. It is the voice of Swami Satchidananda chanting the 12th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita on Bhakti Yoga. Swamiji recommended that his students learn this chapter by heart as it conveys the essence of the Yoga of devotion. This track is part of a re-release of "Songs of Grace," an album first recorded in the 1980s in California. The master tape was recently f...

Swami Satchidananda answers various questions including the time it takes to change one’s body and mind into a yogic body and mind, the meaning of dreams, and the distinction between male and female monks. Ⓟ© 2018 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Swami Satchidananda is asked about his essential beliefs that he bases his teachings upon. He is asked a series of questions including: What is important to you? What makes you happy or sad? What do you believe in, What truths do you base your life on?, among others. Ⓟ© 2018 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Swami Satchidananda gave this talk in the 1990s to a group of health practitioners taking a program at the Wellness Center in Yogaville. He speaks about complementary medicine. He also talks about how hope, positive thinking, and the power of meditation are powerful tools in healing. Ⓟ© 2018 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

See God Within: In this talk that Swami Satchidananda gave in Singapore, he speaks about the difference between temporary and permanent happiness. Lasting happiness comes from knowing one’s inner, True Self—the God within. He describes how to experience this, referencing the Yoga of Patanjali, the Bhagavad Gita, and the teachings of the Bible regarding “Blessed are the pure in heart, they shall se...

Swami Satchidananda speaks about the nature of the mind, how the thought waves can wreak havoc in an unbalanced mind, and how to rise above the waves in order to experience inner peace. Ⓟ© 2018 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

In this talk recorded in India in 1981, Swami Satchidananda explains Yoga’s view of the nature of turbulence that arises in the mind. He compares the mind to a weighing scale—if the scale isn’t balanced to zero, it can’t weigh things properly. Similarly, if we don’t have a balanced mind, we can’t keep it on the zero point. The zero point enables us to be understand nothingness and fullness. Ⓟ© 201...

Swami Satchidananda was asked to give a talk about universal love, which leads him to speak about the nature of God’s love and that is the example we have of universal love. He compares this to a mother’s pure love for her child and explains how nature and the world teach us hard lessons, but these are sourced in God’s love. Ⓟ© 2018 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

After Swami Satchidananda talks briefly about the essence of Yoga, he is asked a series of questions about the Judgment Day of the Bible, burial vs. cremation, and how to avoid rebirth. Ⓟ© 2018 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Recently, Integral Yoga teacher Carole Kalyani Baral was interviewed on Unity Online Radio's "Main Street Vegan" program by its host Victoria Moran. In this excerpt from the show, Kalyani talks about her Integral Yoga journey, becoming a vegetarian (and, later, vegan), and the health challenges that culminated in a life-threatening diagnosis. Kalyani discusses how a liver transplant, Yoga, and a h...

During an Integral Yoga retreat in Bali, Swami Satchidananda is asked a series of questions: about Jesus being in India, how to free oneself from karma and desires, and the purpose of our Yoga practices. Ⓟ© 2018 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Swami Satchidananda explains that an important part of anyone’s spiritual path is to have a clear idea of their goal. This leads into a discussion about what we all seem to share in common: a search for happiness. During this talk, he also discusses a new documentary that has been produced about the interfaith ideals that he is shares with some of his fellow clergy and Sri Swamiji’s plan to build...

During an Integral Yoga retreat in Bali, Swami Satchidananda speaks about the human tendency to worry about things over which we have no control. He gives advice, referring to prayers he repeated as a child that were helpful to him. He is also asked about his experiences in meeting Mother Theresa and the Pope. Ⓟ© 2018 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Part 2 of talk by Swami Satchidananda, followed by questions and answers (with Greek translation). Μια συζήτηση από Swami Satchidananda, ακολουθούμενη από ερωτήσεις και απαντήσεις 28 April 1979, Athens, Greece Ⓟ© 2018 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org (F1176)

A Talk by Swami Satchidananda, Part 1 Μια συζήτηση από Swami Satchidananda, Μέρος 1 28 April 1979, Athens, Greece Ⓟ© 2018 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org (F1175)

In honor of Guru Poornima 2018, we offer this compilation of devotional bhajans by various artists who have dedicated these tracks to Sri Swami Satchidananda. Sri Swamiji founded Integral Yoga International (headquarters: Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, in Virginia). Our deepest respect and gratitude to Swami Satchidananda for the teachings of Integral Yoga and his unconditional love and guidance...

In honor of Guru Poornima 2018, we offer this compilation of devotional bhajans by various artists who have dedicated these tracks to Sri Swami Satchidananda. Sri Swamiji founded Integral Yoga International (headquarters: Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, in Virginia). Our deepest respect and gratitude to Swami Satchidananda for the teachings of Integral Yoga and his unconditional love and guidance...