Author: Swami Nirgunananda Giri

Teacher of Vedanta, Meditation and Yoga.

Seven Stages of Wisdom & Self-Realisation

Reflections on the teachings from Yoga Vasistha By Swami Nirgunananda The path to personal transformation or the spiritual path is outlined in seven stages by Sage Vasistha to his student, Lord Rama, in the scripture Yoga Vasistha. These are referred to as the seven bhumikas (stages) of Jnana (Self-knowledge). Nowhere in the teachings of Yoga … Continue reading Seven Stages of Wisdom & Self-Realisation

Sannyasa, Principles & Practices

This booklet on Sannyasa captures the key principles and practices related to the ancient tradition. वेदान्तविज्ञानसुनिश्चितार्थाः संन्यासयोगाद् यतयः शुद्धसत्त्वाः । ते ब्रह्मलोकेषु परान्तकाले परामृताः परिमुच्यन्ति सर्वे ॥ Having well ascertained the Self, the goal of the Vedantic knowledge and having purified their minds through the practice of sannyasa, the seers, in the end, gain the world of Brahma, and liberating themselves from everything gain the supreme immortality

A Yogi’s Non-dual Realization

An Insight into Paramahansa Yogananda's Poem on Samadhi In the realms of spirituality, it is commonly asserted that mere knowledge, without experience and insight, cannot lead one to personal realization. However, within recognized philosophical systems, many of the Yogis’ mystical experiences are denied the necessary ontological status due to such experiences being subjective in nature. Furthermore, they are rarely given any epistemic value outside the subject’s dedicated following as the means to its replication is not commonly available. Nevertheless, an experience such as Samadhi is regarded with certain degree of interest across all the varied Indian philosophical schools.

Spiritual Symbolism of the Himalayas and Ganga

A complete version of this work along with pictures has been published into a small booklet (46 pages). It is available on Print on demand basis at this online portal (delivered anywhere within India). The Himalayas and Ganga in their varied display of nature’s glory personify the medley of inner calmness and outer activity, which … Continue reading Spiritual Symbolism of the Himalayas and Ganga

Renunciation and the Art of Letting Go

At a time when many of us are going through some kind of loss or another, due to the Pandemic, reflecting on renunciation can be helpful in learning to let go and accept the changes in our lives. My earlier post has already introduced this topic of Sannyasa to some extent and a blog about formal … Continue reading Renunciation and the Art of Letting Go

What is Sannyas? Why does one renounce?

It has been a long time since I posted anything on my site. I have writing and putting together a PDF file that has information and insights into the Indian monasticism of Sannyas (co-authored with a knowledgeable teacher). It should soon be available on this site for free download. In the meantime, I wanted to … Continue reading What is Sannyas? Why does one renounce?

Thoughts running your life? Watch them!

Liberating art of witnessing your thoughts - part II

Does it ever happen to you that you are working on an important assignment and you begin to think about something else….maybe about the upcoming holidays or about some recent argument with someone?

Wouldn’t it be great if you could schedule a time when thoughts are allowed to “disturb” you rather than them distracting you every now and then from your task at hand. It is like setting up an appointment time when these thoughts can come in and you will not try to chase them away!

The liberating art of witnessing your thoughts

It’s one of those days when hundreds of thoughts course through my mind. Among them self-doubt, worries, past follies, perniciously seek out my mental energy. Feeding on each other and fueling emotions at large, these thoughts spiral on in my mind mostly painting a dark and bleak future. Then again, in the ever-changing landscape of … Continue reading The liberating art of witnessing your thoughts