Goraksha Shataka is Traditionally Attributed to the Sage Gorakshanath

The Goraksha Shataka (गोरक्ष शतक) is an early text on Haṭha yoga text from the 11th-12th century, attributed to the sage Gorakṣa.…

Ethics is the Philosophical Study of Moral Phenomena

Ethics (नैतिकता) is the philosophical study of moral phenomena. Also called moral philosophy, it investigates normative questions about what people ought to do or…

Dukkha is One of the Three Marks of Existence

Dukkha (दुःख), “suffering”, “pain,” “unease,” and “unsatisfactory,” is an important concept in Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism. Its meaning depends on the context and…

Hatha Yoga Pradipika is One of the Foundational Texts

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika (हठ योग प्रदीपिका) is a classic fifteenth-century Sanskrit manual on haṭha yoga, written by Swami Swatmarama, who connects the teaching’s lineage to…

Artha is One of the Four Goals of Human Life

Artha (अर्थ) is one of the four goals or objectives of human life in Hindu traditions. It includes career, skills,…

Kama is the Concept of Pleasure, Enjoyment, and Desire

Kama (काम) is the concept of pleasure, enjoyment, and desire in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It can refer to “desire,…

Purushartha Helps Individuals to Navigate the Complexities of Life

Purushartha (पुरुषार्थ) means “object(iv) of men”. It is a key concept in Hinduism and refers to human life’s four proper goals or…

Anapanasati Sutta is an Initial Focus for Meditation

The Anapanasati Sutta (अनापानसति सुत्त) or Anapanasati Sutra (अनापानस्मृति सूत्र), “Breath-Mindfulness Discourse,” Majjhima Nikaya 118, is a discourse that details the Buddha’s instruction…

Anapanasati Meditation Focuses on the Breath to Develop Mindfulness

Anapanasati meditation (अनापानसती ध्यान), meaning “mindfulness of breathing”. Anāpāna refers to inhalation and exhalation), Sati means mindfulness, and meditation means Dhyana, which is paying attention to the…

Maitri and Metta Refers to Benevolence Towards all Beings

Maitri (मैत्री) or Metta (मेटा) means benevolence, loving-kindness, friendliness, amity, goodwill, and active interest in others. It is the first of the four sublime states…