Introduction
by Swami Akhandananda
When I think of Baba Muktananda’s teachings, the image of an ocean comes to mind. Like an ocean, Baba’s wisdom is awe-inspiring in its depth and power. Baba’s teachings are timeless. They are enlivened by Baba’s grace. And when you study and practice Baba’s teachings, they become alive for you. Then, in moments when you are wondering what your next step should be, you can turn within, and Baba’s teachings are right there to light your way. Baba’s teachings are for everyone, no matter one’s age, profession, or nationality. They are teachings to live by.
Each day of May, Baba’s Birthday Month, the Siddha Yoga path website is featuring a teaching by Baba. Each teaching will be accompanied by a dharana, a guided centering technique, with which to meditate on the teaching. The dharanas are available as audio recordings, and each one is followed by ten minutes of meditation with the sound of the tamboura.
Each dharana includes instructions for breathing and posture. As you follow the instructions, pay attention to your own body and make any adjustments you need to. The movements should always be easeful and comfortable for you.
In honor of Baba Muktananda’s Birthday Month, set aside time to meditate on Baba’s teachings. You can participate in a dharana each day—listen to them in sequence or revisit one you are drawn to, again and again. As you meditate and reflect on Baba’s teachings, discover how they illuminate your life.
Every morning I meditate with Baba’s teachings and the beautiful dharanas. They have allowed me to merge in Baba’s grace and open my heart to understanding his teachings.
Mexico City, Mexico
I have been listening to one of these “Teachings to Live By” from Baba daily, ever since I first saw them on the Siddha Yoga path website last year. I am very grateful for the support and guidance they offer me. They never fail to bring me back to my center and to restore a sense of peace and divine connection.
California, United States
I am so grateful for these “Teachings to Live By” from Baba Muktananda. They are a treasure trove of thirty-one sublime gems. For the last two years, I have made it a practice to conclude each day with one of these beautiful dharanas, after offering prayers and chanting the mantra.
Every time I reach the thirty-first dharana, I decide to start again because they are so profoundly beautiful and meaningful. Each time I repeat one of the dharanas, I find that I reach deeper insights and awakenings.
My life feels so much richer, thanks to the generosity of Shri Guru.
Every time I reach the thirty-first dharana, I decide to start again because they are so profoundly beautiful and meaningful. Each time I repeat one of the dharanas, I find that I reach deeper insights and awakenings.
My life feels so much richer, thanks to the generosity of Shri Guru.
New York, United States
I love the dharanas that accompany Baba’s “Teachings to Live By.” They have drawn me back to establishing an eager, regular meditation practice. I am so grateful for the Siddha Yoga path website, to which I can go—over and over again—to study, grow, and fortify my connection to the Self.
Massachusetts, United States
I am very grateful that these teachings of Baba’s and the accompanying dharanas remain available on the Siddha Yoga path website, even after the month of Baba’s Birthday. They are for me an incredible help to go inside, to get in touch with my inner Self, to illumine my day, and to feel joy.
Rome, Italy
My heart is overflowing with gratitude and love for the “Teachings to Live By.” I had the good fortune to be able to meditate with all the dharanas and to practice each of Baba’s teachings in my daily life. By the end of the month, it seems that I can feel a transformation in my attitudes and a deepening of my sadhana. I am so thankful for Baba’s precious teachings. I am committed to live by them.
Sao Jose do Rio Preto, Brazil
For me, these wonderful dharanas are an immense gift. They have helped me every day this month to be able to directly experience the Guru’s teachings, as well as better understand and experience my true nature. Baba’s teachings and the accompanying dharanas have moved me and made me want to go deeper in my sadhana. They have brought light into my life and fueled the flame of my heart.
Sesto San Giovanni, Italy
I am so very grateful for the delightful support that I received this month from my daily practice of Baba’s “Teachings to Live By,” each one accompanied by a precious dharana. As this month comes to an end, I feel that I have been cultivating my inner garden. I have sown, watered, and tended this garden with great love, joy, and curiosity. Doing this, I have discovered within myself a source of infinite inner love, joy, and peace.
Quebec, Canada
During Baba’s Birthday Month, I started each day by reading Baba’s teaching and listening to the accompanying dharana. What an incredible month it was. Within a matter of minutes, I usually experienced that the dharana would take me deep within myself to a place of stillness. From this space, flashes of insight would often emerge—sometimes in words and sometimes in images. As a discipline, I started to draw and paint what I experienced in meditation through the inspiration of these dharanas. I was often stunned at the art that revealed itself through this process. Sometimes, just looking at what I had painted would once again drop me right back into that inner space of quietude.
Pune, India
“Teachings to Live By” has been one of the most powerful Siddha Yoga teaching and learning events for me. It has been infusing my days with the stillness and joy of meditation and with the power of Baba’s teachings. Every morning I wake up wondering what will be the gift of knowledge and meditation that I will unwrap for that day. It makes this moment sparkle with a sweet anticipation.
It has also supported me in establishing a more regular meditation practice. I want to thank Gurumayi and Baba for the many teachings in these postings, and for their generosity in offering them in this format.
It has also supported me in establishing a more regular meditation practice. I want to thank Gurumayi and Baba for the many teachings in these postings, and for their generosity in offering them in this format.
São Paulo, Brazil
I am so grateful for all the wonderful “Teachings to Live By” from Baba and their presentation in this format. I loved hearing all the different speakers, reminding me of the universality of these sacred truths. It was easy to carry them with me during the day, and to pause for a moment and reflect on them in whatever circumstance I was in.
West Busselton, Australia
The “Teachings to Live By” are among the greatest gifts I have ever received during my many years on the Siddha Yoga path. The voices of the teachers conveying Baba’s teachings have been ever so loving and kind.
Washington, United States
In the past, I used to sometimes get impatient during dharanas. Now I realize it is my resistance to slowing down and getting in touch with my breath. I have noticed that if I just sit and listen, there is now a point of surrender and I sink into the peace and the sound of the tamboura.
So my goal now is to catch up and do every dharana from Baba’s Birthday Month as I recognize that the dharanas are the Guru’s prasad!
So my goal now is to catch up and do every dharana from Baba’s Birthday Month as I recognize that the dharanas are the Guru’s prasad!
Hawaii, United States
For me, engaging with the daily “Teachings to Live By” is sublime. Though the dharanas and meditations are relatively brief, the feeling for me is almost as if I am taking part in an ongoing Shaktipat Intensive. Each day, I feel a bolt of shakti infusing my entire sadhana. Also, with each passing day, I experience more strength, ease, and lightheartedness in my life. As I assume the steadiness of the daily dharana, I feel as though I can see the tapestry of my sadhana and perceive the Guru’s grace weaving my life into a more complete and authentic expression of God’s love. The extraordinary power of this continuous thread also seems to link me to other devotees. I imagine a radiant shawl, a divine cloak of love, grace, and power being knitted around the globe through the individual and collective practice of these teachings and dharanas.
Rhode Island, United States
I am filled with gratitude for these dharanas and Baba’s profound teachings. As a result of this daily practice, I feel that my meditation is being strengthened and my days are being enhanced with new understandings.
Washington, United States
I have been reading Baba’s teachings and practicing the dharanas as the start to my morning meditation. The dharanas magnify Baba’s words for me. Afterwards, I continue to sit in silence, letting my learnings sink in. The teaching and dharana permeate my thinking and observations for the rest of the day, often shifting my experience of daily life.
California, United States
As I focused on the breathing and posture instructions, a pure, sweet taste came into my mouth. I enjoy the dharanas because my mind becomes still prior to the meditation.
Erina, Australia
Participating in these dharanas helps me to go deeper into meditation and also into Baba’s teachings. As I follow the dharanas, it feels like the teachings take on another dimension, and they start to reside in me.
Madrid, Spain
I am enjoying contemplating Baba’s words every morning, along with the dharana. I feel this practice is taking me deeply into Baba’s presence and love. For me, this is a perfect way to celebrate Baba’s Birthday Month. It is truly a boon to have this opportunity. The Siddha Yoga path website is a treasure. It is the backbone of my daily practices.
New York, United States
There is such an abundant feast on the Siddha Yoga path website! I love the series “Teachings to Live By” and the accompanying dharanas. Gurumayi is showering us with so much love during Baba’s Birthday Month!
I listen to a teaching and practice the accompanying dharana every day. I contemplate the teaching throughout the day, and often I will listen to it again at the end of the day. In each teaching, I feel Baba is speaking directly to me. I journal how I will implement the teaching.
What an extraordinary gift!
I listen to a teaching and practice the accompanying dharana every day. I contemplate the teaching throughout the day, and often I will listen to it again at the end of the day. In each teaching, I feel Baba is speaking directly to me. I journal how I will implement the teaching.
What an extraordinary gift!
New Mexico, United States
Celebrating each day of Baba’s month of May with his teachings has been like taking a daily bath in a heavenly pond. Their Truth emanates Baba’s love and leaves the sublime fragrance of his blessings. The dharanas are exquisite vehicles for being with and imbibing the teachings.
California, United States
Today, as I was thinking of the daily dharanas we have been receiving in the series Teachings to Live By, the image of soft petals came to mind. I felt these dharanas were like rose petals filled with divine energy, falling from the sky and filling our lives with bliss—Baba’s bliss.
I want to thank Gurumayi for this magnificent shower of grace.
I want to thank Gurumayi for this magnificent shower of grace.
Guadalajara, Mexico
I have been listening to the daily dharana on Baba’s “Teachings to Live By” every morning for meditation. It has been so helpful to listen to the meditation instructions and Baba’s words to start the day. His words come back to me throughout the day. I feel grateful to receive Baba’s teachings this way.
Hawaii, United States
My experience of these wonderful dharanas based on Baba Muktananda’s teachings can be expressed in one word: gratitude— infinite gratitude for the help I receive every day for my sadhana and my life.
Rome, Italy
A whole month of Baba’s teachings with dharanas and meditation is the best birthday gift I could have received!
I am in the process of moving thousands of miles to live near my daughter and her family. It is a hectic and challenging time. A daily reminder of the Self that dwells in all and the helpful nudge to be persistent with my meditation practice are just what I need! I can’t wait to see what each day brings!
I am in the process of moving thousands of miles to live near my daughter and her family. It is a hectic and challenging time. A daily reminder of the Self that dwells in all and the helpful nudge to be persistent with my meditation practice are just what I need! I can’t wait to see what each day brings!
Oregon, United States