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Sivananda Yoga FAQ

Q: Why should we believe in God?
A: Belief in God is an indispensable requisite for every human being. It is a sine qua non. Owing to the force of Avidya or ignorance, pain appears as pleasure. The world is full of miseries, troubles, difficulties and tribulations. The world is a ball of fire. The Antahkarana (mind, intellect, ego and the subconscious mind) charged with Raga (attachment), Dvesha (hatred), anger and jealousy are a blazing furnace. We have to free ourselves from birth, death, old age, disease and grief. This can be done only by faith in God. There is no other way. Money and power cannot give us real happiness. Even if we exercise suzerainty over the whole world, we cannot be free from care, worry, anxiety, fear, disappointment, etc. It is only faith in God and the consequent God-realisation through meditation that can give us real, eternal happiness and free us from all kinds of fear and worries which torment us at every moment. Faith in God will force us to think of Him constantly and to meditate on Him and will eventually lead us on to God realisation.

This marvellous world is a great University of wisdom. Learn your lessons and become wise. – Sri Swami Sivananda

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Spiritual Calendar

JANUARY 2023
02 Ekadasi
06 Full Moon
18 Ekadasi
21 New Moon

FEBRUARY 2023
01 Ekadasi
05 Full Moon
16 Ekadasi
18 Sri Maha Sivaratri
20 New Moon

Desire causes misery and anxiety. Abandon all desires. Be serene and happy. – Sri Swami Sivananda

Glossary

Abhaṅga – A devotional poetic composition
Abhimāna – Ego-centred attachment
Abhyāsa – Spiritual practice
Ācārya – Preceptor
Ādhāra – Support
Ādhāra Śuddhi – Purification of the Mūlādhāra, centre of spiritual energy located at the base of the spinal column
Adharma – Non-righteous conduct
Adhikāri – A qualified person
Ādhyātmic – Spiritual
Ādi Śakti – The Primeval Power
Advaita – Non-duality
Āgāmi – Current action, Karma now produced to be enjoyed in the hereafter
Agni – Fire

2023-01-09T06:16:13+00:00