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…

Nonattachment is not About Renouncing the World Entirely

Nonattachment (अनासक्ति), non-attachment, or detachment is a state in which a person overcomes their emotional attachment to or desire for things, people,…

Bhagavad Gita is Part of the Epic Mahabharata

The Bhagavad Gita (भगवद्गीता), often referred to as the Gita, is a 700-verse Hindu scripture, which is part of the epic Mahabharata. It forms the chapters…

Anatman Challenges the Belief in a Permanent, Unchanging Self

Anatman (अनात्मन) in Sanskrit means “which is different from atman” or “non-self”. In Hinduism, the former definition is found in some…

Sakam Karma Means to Act with Self-Interest

Sakam karma (सकाम कर्म) means to act selfishly, or with personal gain and self-interest in mind. From Sanskrit, sakam means “together,” “jointly”…

Viveka Means the Capacity to Make Wise and Clear Decisions

Viveka (विवेक) is a Sanskrit and Pali term translated into English as discernment or Discrimination learning. It means properly knowing what essence and…

Sahaja Yoga Awakens and Balances the Kundalini Energy

Sahaja Yoga (सहज योग) is a religion founded in 1970 by Nirmala Srivastava (1923–2011). She is known as Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi (trans:…

Nishkama Karma Concept is Found in the Bhagavad Gita

Nishkama Karma (निष्काम कर्म), self-less or desireless action, is an action performed without any expectation of fruits or results, and…