Why Do We Not Touch Papers, Books and People With the Feet?

All Things and Beings are Worshipful In Indian homes, we are taught from a very young age, never to touch papers, books and people with our feet. If the feet accidentally touch papers, books, musical instruments or any other educational equipment, children are told to reverentially touch what was stamped with their hands and then…

Why Do We Prostrate Before Parents and Elders?

Prostration is considered as the greatest sanskara in the Indian culture. Indians prostrate to their parents, elders, teachers and noble souls by touching their feet. The elder, in turn, blesses them by placing their hand on or over our heads. Prostration is done daily; when we meet elders and particularly on important occasions like a…

A Life of Insipiration and Service – Swami Chinmayananda, the Master

“Only in the silence of quiet mind can you realise your oneness with the supreme reality [Brahman].” –  Swami Chinmayananda Swami Chinmayananda: How He Taught In early years, Swami Chinmayananda held Marathon discourses of 41-100 days duration. Later, as he crisscrossed the globe, delivering one lecture series after another without respite, his jnana yajnas settled…

A Life of Inspiration – Balan to Swami Chinmayananda

Swami Chinmayananda’s Formative Years “The future is carved out of the present moment. Tomorrow’s harvest depends upon today’s ploughing and sowing.” – Swami Chinmayananda In Kerala, the birthplace of Adi Shankara and many other spiritual giants, was born Balakrishnan Menon (Balan), who was to become Chinmayananda. He was born in the city of Ernakulam on…