A Welsh Myth Concordance

The following concordance is based on the four branches of the Welsh "Mabinogi", as retold in the four books by Evangeline Walton: "Prince of Annwn", "The Children of Llyr", "The Song of Rhiannon", and "The Island of the Mighty".

For more dictionary entries, see » Previous Lives Dictionary

Vastu Shastra: Role of Destiny

All the defects, blasphemy and curses by sages on the house site should be expiated by performing suitable purification ceremonies and worships before one attempts to start the construction work of a house on such a site. Maya, the celestial architect, had explained the easy ways and means of identifying the nature of the soil. According to Maya, the master of the house who is going to construct the house should with his own hands dig out a square pit one cubit side and one cubit depth at the eastern direction or at the middle of the site (Brahmasthala).

Read more here: » Vastu Shastra: Role of Destiny

The issues of "suffering" and "life problems" should only be deliberated with people who are at the moment relatively happy and carefree. We can then expect some measure of objectivity. It's just too easy to sneer sardonically when you're depressed and watching some overly cheery, toothy, five-hundred-dollars-per-workshop, "successful living" multi-millionaire entrepreneur filling you with platitudes and urging you to pull up your socks ... (Yeah right, buddy. Up yours, and that goes double for your "inner child!")

Read more here: » Spiritual Growth: Spiritual Labor Pains

A great article about the Venus Transit by Gururattan Kaur Khalsa, Ph.D, packed with background information, astrological references (including the implications of the full moon june 2, 2004) suggestions for participation and much more.

Read more here: » Venus Transit: New Millenium Being

Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word derived from two roots: ayur, which means life; and veda, which means knowledge. It has its roots in ancient vedic literature. Ayurveda, a system of diet, healing and health maintenance, is probably the oldest science of life, just like the science of Yoga.

Read more here: » Ayurveda – an introduction - I

Shivaratri

THIS FALLS on the 13th (or 14th) day of the dark half of Phalgun (February-March). The name means "the night of Shiva". The ceremonies take place chiefly at night. This is a festival observed in honour of Lord Shiva. Shiva was married to Parvati on this day.

From Hindu Fasts & Festivals by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Shivaratri: Hindu Rituals and Ceremonies - Shivaratri

Bardo

The intermediate existence between death and reincarnation -- a stage varying from seven to forty-nine days, after which the Karmic body from previous lives will certainly be reborn.

 (See also: Bardo , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Previous Lives Dictionary

There are four Asramas or stages in life, viz., Brahmacharya or the period of studentship, Grihastha or the stage of the householder, Vanaprastha or the stage of the forest-dweller or hermit, and Sannyasa or the life of renunciation or asceticism. Each stage has its own duties. These stages help the evolution of man

The four Asramas or orders of life are Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha and Sannyasa.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Dharma in Hinduism: The Four Asramas in Hindu Dharma

The question of rebirth, of life after death, has remained an enigma through the ages. Human knowledge is hardly capable of answering all the problems that life foreshadows, and as Gautama Buddha would say, “In this world of forms and illusions created by our senses according to our illusions, a man either is or is not, either lives or dies, but in the true and formless world this is not so, for all is otherwise than according to our knowledge, and if you ask, does a man live beyond death, I answer No, not in any sense comprehensible to the mind of man which itself dies at death, and if you ask, does a man altogether die at death, I answer No, for what dies is what belongs to this world of form and illusion.”

The death and dying and the life after death has always fascinated man. This is an excerpt from the book What Becomes Of The Soul After Death by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » What Is Death?: Rebirth And Evolution Of Man

In the series, Evolving Towards Enlightenment I-V, Carl Johan Calleman explains the links between the Mayan Calendar Enlightenment and the significance of the year 2012.

Read more here: » Mayan Calendar: Evolving Towards Enlightenment - III

Man can be compared to a plant. He grows and flourishes like a plant and dies in the end but not completely. The plant also grows and flourishes and dies in the end. It leaves behind it the seed which produces a new plant. Man leaves when dying his Karma behind—the good or bad actions of his life. The physical body may die and disintegrate, but the impressions of his actions do not die. He has to take birth again to enjoy the fruits of these actions. No life can be the first, for it is the fruits of previous actions, nor the last, for its actions must be expiated in the next life following. Therefore, Samsara or phenomenal existence is without beginning and an end. But there is no Samsara for a Jivanmukta or liberated sage who is resting in his own Sat-Chit-Ananda Svarupa.

The death and dying and the life after death has always fascinated man. This is an excerpt from the book What Becomes Of The Soul After Death by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Reincarnation: Theory Of Rebirth

Spiritual Psychology is based on an understanding of humans being multi-layered entities with a mind, body and Soul. How do we awaken the Soul Aspect of our being and how come we could meditate on a mountaintop for eons without significantly touching our underlying emotional traumas? Likewise, how come we could do psychoanalyze ourselves for a lifetime without moving a step closer to enlightenment. How do we reconcile this uneasy alliance between our emotional and spiritual selves?

Read more here: » Spiritual Psychology: Spiritual Psychology and Samskara Shuddi

The Age Of Aquarius

Many astrologers herald April of 1995 as the actual beginning of the "Age of Aquarius," for that is when Uranus entered Aquarius, and of course Uranus rules the sign of the water bearer. It's tricky to define and describe the general nature of Aquarius and the energies of its counterpart Uranus, for by their natures, they move beyond definition and transcend restrictions and expectations.

Read more here: » Age Of Aquarius: The Age Of Aquarius

Hinduism and Jiva: The Constitution of Man - The Jiva

In Hinduism man is the microcosm who contains within himself all the constituents and manifestations of the Universal Self. It is by looking into oneself, by knowing and understanding oneself, one can experience the Truth of the Supreme Self. In the Katha Upanishad, Lord Yama declares to Nachiketa that it is through self-contemplation (adhyatma-yogadhigamena) that the wise man realizes the Primal God and leaves behind him both joy and sorrow (mortal existence).

Read more here: » Hinduism and Jiva: The Constitution of Man - The Jiva

According to the theory of transmigration, even if the individual is to take another birth immediately after his death, the performance of Sraaddha adds to his happiness in his new birth. So it is the imperative duty of everybody to perform Sraaddha ceremony for his parents and forefathers.

This is an excerpt from the book What Becomes Of The Soul After Death by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Sraaddha And Prayer For The Dead: Importance Of Sraaddha Ceremony

Death is only a change of form. Death is only separation of the astral body from the physical body.
Birth follows death just as waking follows sleep. You will again resume the work that was left off by you in your previous life. Therefore, do not be afraid of death.

This is an excerpt from the book What Becomes Of The Soul After Death by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Conquest Of Death: What Is Death And How To Conquer It

Sacred Geometry: YANTRAS - What is a Yantra?

All ancient cultures had sacred geometric designs representative of their Gods, which had a mantra (or sacred sound vibration) that corresponded to it. The Indians, Egyptians, Jews, Chinese, and Mayans all had systems of "planetary yantras" used to combat malefic influences. Yantra is the ultimate "symbology". In the Vedic culture we find much power and energy said to be held within sacred geometric symbols. They are to be found throughout sacred scriptures, carved in stone, hidden within paintings and in temples.

Read more here: » Sacred Geometry: YANTRAS - What is a Yantra?

Meditation Experiences by Sarasvati Buhrman PhD - Part I

Sometime after 350 B.C. a great yogi sage wrote the "Yoga Sutra". This brief translation should wet your appetite. This describes the transformation of mind that will unfold over a course of sadhana (spiritual practice), focusing on the relationship between the mind and the object of meditation.

Read more here: » Meditation: Meditation Experiences According to the Ashtanga Yoga Tradition with Commentary on Patanjali's Yoga Sutra

Brahmacharya is very very essential Even in dreams you must be free from lustful thoughts. It requires long practice and careful watch over the mind and Indriyas. Foolish people hastily jump up to the higher courses in Yoga in vain without having this important item which is very useful for spiritual Sadhana.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Yoga: Hints On Yoga

Karma yoga is the yoga of action or work; specifically, karma yoga is the path of dedicated work: renouncing the results of our actions as a spiritual offering rather than hoarding the results for ourselves.

Karma is both action and the result of action. What we experience today is the result of our karma--both good and bad--created by our previous actions. This chain of cause and effect that we ourselves have created can be snapped by karma yoga: fighting fire with fire, we use the sword of karma yoga to stop the chain reaction of cause and effect.

Read more here: » Karma Yoga: The Path of Work - Karma Yoga

The Venus Transit of June 2004 during the Venus Retrograde phase is a rare cosmic event that this year is laden with spiritual significance. Richard Giles examines this remarkable phenomenon.

Read more here: » Venus Transit: The June 2004 transit of Venus - a Unique Harmony Event

Olivia Mathis from Australia describes her experiences from attending Samskarashuddhi and Mukti 3 at The World University of Consciousness after The Oneness Festival August 2003. Olivia also received a diksha for Enlightenment from Kalki, The Founder of The Golden Age Foundation.

Read more here: » Enlightenment: Diksha for Enlightenment by Olivia Mathis