How to Cultivate Greater Concentration and Focus
The author reminds us of the immense significance of one’s capacity of concentrated attention in the overall well-being and shares some practical guidance.
Purpose Gives Focus; Concentration Gives the Ability
Narendra Murty speaks to Chirasree Mitra, a psycho-social counsellor who shares some insights on the topic from a scientific point of view.
Education of the Body and Food Habits
While discussing physical education the Mother highlighted the need for developing healthy habits related to food. Children must be taught to eat according to hunger, neither more nor less, and not to make meals an occasion to satisfy their greed or gluttony.
Quick Read: The What and Why of Sattwic Food
We feature here a few letters of Sri Aurobindo which he wrote in response to some food related queries from the disciples at the Ashram. Some of the queries were about the kinds of food that a spiritual aspirant should avoid.
Quick Read: The Need for Sleep and Rest
Sri Aurobindo emphasizes that sufficient sleep is important for a normal healthy life as well as for one’s sadhana until one is advanced in his sadhana.
How to Experience Real Rest
True restorative rest in sleep happens only during a few minutes which is a sort of Sachchidananda experience. One can consciously prepare oneself to experience such refreshing sleep.
Preparing for Conscious Sleep
Sri Aurobindo emphasises on becoming more conscious in our sleep. The Mother gives us a step-by-step process to enter into a higher consciousness during sleep.
“How to Bring Up a Child”: A Practical Compilation
Read excerpts from ‘How to Bring Up a Child’ which is primarily a compilation of practical guidance on parenting given by the Mother.
The Mother on Bodily Equality
The Mother speaks of the necessity of equanimity in the body to receive the divine forces. She explains how to practice bodily equality at the cellular level.
सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः – May All be Free from Illness – 12
Our ancestors added various regimens to maintain physical and mental discipline before and during the yatra to ensure the holistic well-being of the yatris.
सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः – May All be Free from Illness – 11
Read how walking or padayatra has been used traditionally and purposefully used in our culture with a deeper psychological or spiritual intent.
Arka, the ‘Courage’ Crown Flower
This flower-meditation on Arka, the ‘Courage’ flower beautifully blends some profound reflections on faith and sadhana with a story from the Mahabharata.
सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः – May All be Free from Illness – 10
Offering physical service for the Divine can be a means to elevate the individual’s consciousness. We explore here some seva rituals at temples.
Cancer-buster Rosy Periwinkle
Did you know about the cancer-busting chemical produced by the humble periwinkle, the flower which was given the spiritual significance ‘Progress’ by the Mother? Read all about it here.
सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः – May All be Free from Illness – 9
Read about Ćaturmāsya Sankalpam, which like other traditional wellness practices was tied to dharmic duties to ensure people would follow and benefit from it.
Sri Aurobindo’s and the Mother’s Force for Healing
Sri Aurobindo helps us understand the conditions under which the spiritual force works to cure illnesses. We also get a glimpse of how the Mother and Sri Aurobindo were using the Divine Force to help sadhaks in their healing process. The faith and inner receptivity of both the patient and the instrument that is used to apply such force, namely the doctor, are important factors.
How to Receive the Mother’s Force and Universal Energies
We present here some insightful conversations between the curious disciples and The Mother which throws light on how to receive The Mother’s force and universal energies.
सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः – May All be Free from Illness – 8
Ever wondered why our elders called out ‘Shiva!’ or ‘Hari!’, when either they themselves or someone else sneezed? Can sneezing be a blessing?
सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः – May All be Free from Illness – 7
Ever wondered why are we sometimes told to let the baby cry for some time? Does it have anything to do with balancing the elements within?