Indian culture has always held the guru in high esteem. Having a master was not just considered a matter of pride, but it was mandatory to have a guru. Not having a master was looked down upon as being an orphan, being poor and a sign of misfortune.

The word anatha in Sanskrit means one without a master. An acharya (teacher) gives shiksha, which means knowledge; Guru gives diksha, which means heightened awareness.

(See also: Sri Sri Ravishankar , Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Sri Sri Ravishankar: Guru, God and Self are Synonymous  

The Guru Gita says: ''If Shiva is angry with you, the guru will take care of you, but if the guru is cross with you, even Shiva will not be able to protect you against the wrath of your guru.''

How strange, I thought. Shiva is the creator, sustainer and destroyer of the universe; he is the vital principle from which all objects emerge. How can a living guru be more powerful than the lord of the universe?

(See also: The Guru Principle , Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » The Guru Principle: Total Surrender to The Guru Principle  

One of Rabindranath Tagore's most memorable poems begins with the line: The world is insane with violence, every day there emerges a new kind of cruel conflict. He goes on to pray to the Almighty to instil love and wisdom into a world afflicted with myriad ills. This reflects the core of Tagore's spiritual humanism.

Stressing the need for spiritual freedom, he referred to the uncontrolled excesses of passion that upset our balance and obscure the underlying harmony between the individual and universal spirit. This malady, which he called 'sin', distorts our freedom in the realms of matter, mind and spirit.

(See also: Rabindranath Tagore , Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Rabindranath Tagore: Spiritual Insight in Tagore's Works  

Everyday during Ramzan, for one lunar month from sunrise to sunset, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking and smoking.

Why do Muslims undertake to fast during Ramzan? The common answer is that the Qur'an ordains it: ''O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self- restraint (2:183). Socially and personally, fasting has great relevance.''

(See also: Ramzan , Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Ramzan: Social Relevance of Ramzan Fast  

Every year on Makara Sankaranthi , a unique phenomenon takes place at Sabarimala, the popular pilgrim centre on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. A light of extraordinary brightness appears on the horizon in the north-eastern side of an adjacent mountain top called Kantamala. The beacon, called Makara Jyoti , lasts 15 to 20 minutes and marks the climax of the 41 days of the Sabarimala pilgrimage.

This 'light' miracle, in fact, follows yet another unexplained annual event. The ornaments of Lord Ayyappa, presiding deity of Sabarimala, are kept in the custody of the erstwhile Prince of Pandalam in his palace, 90 km from the temple. These are taken to the temple every year in a three-day-long procession. As the procession approaches the temple, an eagle is seen hovering over it, guiding it towards the sanctum sanctorum. Once the ornaments reach the temple, the eagle mysteriously disappears.

(See also: Makara Jyoti , Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Makara Jyoti: Unique Makara Jyoti In Sabarimala Hills  

Leadership is often associated with power. Today, the term has acquired negative connotations, particularly in politics. One has come to question the relative importance of being recognised as a "leader" when what we sorely need are individuals who both lead by their service and example and follow the universally accepted principles of responsible living.

We are beginning to see that traditional autocratic and hierarchical models of leadership are slowly yielding to a newer model. This model - of leaders as servants - will simultaneously enhance the personal growth of the led and improve the quality of our many institutions through a combination of individual and community teamwork in decision-making infused with ethical and caring behaviour.

(See also: Leadership , Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Leadership: Inverting the Pyramid - Leaders as Servants  

Lord Krishna's influence on our lives far exceeds that of any other God-incarnate. Krishna is depicted not only as an embodiment of wisdom and selfless action, but also as a humane liberal and practical philosopher with foresight.

Krishna's mysticism and activism have greatly inspired poets, painters, writers, dramatists and dancers. The advice he rendered to a disheartened Arjuna at Kurukshetra - immortalised in the Bhagavad Gita - greatly influenced philosophers and continues to inspire millions of people worldwide.

(See also: Krishna , Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Krishna: Krishna The Cowherd - The Perfect Avatar  

Religion has nothing to do with the practice of goodness, according to Sri Narayana Guru.

Narayana Guru preached the recondite message of the Vedas and Upanishads in a lucid, uncomplicated style. He advocated a formless, non-dual metaphysics and would advise seekers to meditate by sitting in front of a looking-glass.

According to Hindu belief, the Atman - which is evolved from the Supreme - resides in every living being. It was the latent divinity in man that the Guru wished to awaken by his exhortation.

(See also: Sri Narayana Guru , Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Sri Narayana Guru: Narayan Guru - Social Revolutionary  

Adi Sankaracharya's life was dedicated to a quest for spiritual truth. His views on Advaita are best summed up in his own words: Brahma satyam jagat mithya, Jiva brahmaiva naparah; the Brahman alone is real, the world is illusory, the individual and Universal Soul are one.

This pronouncement is in contrast to other thought-systems of the time, like Ramanujacharya's Vishishtadvaita which treads a middle ground by focusing on the relation between the world and God; and Madhva's dvaita or dualistic world-view.

(See also: Adi Sankaracharya , Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Adi Sankaracharya: Sankara's Path of Self-inquiry  

When Nelson Mandela was released, he was told by some to get even for the monumental wrong that was done to him - but he refused to be swayed by hatred. He said he had already been a physical prisoner of his opponents for long and did not wish to live the rest of his life as their emotional captive.

The idea of ahimsa or non-violence is an emancipatory one. Yet it is not just a concept. It begins as a feeling and can grow into an all-encompassing life approach. The idea morphs into a feeling.

(See also: Mahavir , Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Mahavir: Cycle of Opposites And Anekantvada - about Mahavir  

The individual's moral fibre had to be strengthened through basic convictions. With this farsightedness, the tenth and last Guru, Gobind Singh, set about honing the faith's dynamics through innovation and personal example. His rigorous self-discipline and inner fortitude were exemplified by his equanimity and poise in the face of tragedies few encounter in their lifetime.

He was nine when he received the head of his father Guru Tegh Bahadur, beheaded in Delhi on the orders of the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb. His father had chosen martyrdom to demonstrate to Aurangzeb - and the people of India - that a man convinced of his moral purpose and inalienable right to practise his own religion, is unafraid to die.

(See also: Guru Gobind Singh , Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Guru Gobind Singh: A Glowing Tribute To The Tenth Guru  

The path of spiritual progress leading to Self-realisation, propagated by Gurudeva Mangatram is the Surat Shabd Yoga, the path advocated by a number of spiritual teachers like Vasisht and Patanjali in ancient times and saints like Kabir and Guru Nanak in mediaeval times.

Gurudeva's teaching includes the themes of bhakti yoga, gnana yoga, nishkam karma yoga and surat shabd yoga . At this stage of experience, the moolmantra was revealed unto young Mangat: Om Brahman alone is being, without shape and form, One without a second, all pervasive, blessing incarnate. To him, the Supreme Lord, we offer our salutations.

(See also: Gurudeva Mangatram , Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Gurudeva Mangatram: Principle of Samata - about Gurudeva  

Today, as the vernal equinox bathes the universe in a golden glow and Spring dances in seen and unseen splendour, it is amply clear that once you are with God, everything's possible.

Today is Jamshedji Navroze , the original new year. It is celebrated by Parsees today - as it was by the people of ancient Iran - with good reason. The day marks the birth of Creation and therefore, your birth and mine too. It also celebrates Prophet Zarathushtra's profound pronouncements, the beauty and truth of which I've gleaned with my own limited vision from the scriptures.

(See also: Jamshedji Navroze , Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Jamshedji Navroze: Nothing's Impossible When God is Present - about Jamshedji Navroze  

Every festival in India is celebrated with a divine purpose so as to receive the grace of the Almighty. Science explores the law of gravitation while religion unfolds the law of grace. One can grow horizontally with the help of scientific knowledge. Horizontal growth involves more of everything that can provide comfort but not inner satisfaction. Religion invites us to grow vertically, exploring deeply love, devotion and contentment.

(See also: Navaratri , Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Navaratri: Another Perspective On Navaratri  

Shraddha and saburi form the crux of Shirdi Sai Baba's message. By shraddha , he meant absolute faith in the guru, to look upon the teacher as God, an avatar of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Baba said: ''Do not try to get mantras or discourses from anybody. My guru never taught me any mantra. But having faith and confidence in your guru is everything. Look at me wholeheartedly and I in turn look at you similarly.''

(See also: Sai Baba , Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Sai Baba: Sai Baba's Words of Mercy, Action, Love  

According to Jain tradition, among the 12 types of penances, the first four - anshan (fasting), unodari (eating less), vritti-sankshepa (selective eating) and rasa-parityaga (taste-selection) - are particularly good for health.

Fasting is more than mere abstinence from food. US scientist Selton says: "Food intake leads to accumulation of toxicants in the body which adversely affect health". Fasting is one way of getting rid of toxic substances from the body since it provides rest to the digestive system. A faulty digestive system can have a negative effect on the functioning of the respiratory system, leading to breathing problems.

(See also: Paryushan Parva , Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Paryushan Parva: Festival of Fasting - Paryushan Parva  

Sri Madhvacharya, the 13th century dvaita philosopher, is believed to have his divine origin from Mukhyaprana or Vayu, who had in earlier yugas been born as Hanuman, the attendant of Lord Rama and Bhimasena, celebrated in the Mahabharata as the mightiest man, the destroyer of asuras born as kings.

Sri Madhva was a dualist who believed in the verity of God, jeeva and matter existing eternally as distinct entities. His philosophy is a realistic and theistic philosophy. He advocated an active life emphasising duty, devotion and dedication.

(See also: Sri Madhvacharya , Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Sri Madhvacharya: Madhva Siddhant - Bhakti and Gnana  

Sarada Devi, Ramakrishna Paramhansa's spouse and spiritual companion, showered endless love on all. Ramakrishna called her "My Shakti" and worshipped her as the Divine Mother. He said that she was the incarnation of Goddess Saraswati.

Sarada Devi's mission was to uplift all without bias of caste or religion. Among her devotees was Amzad, who went to jail for thieving. When Amzad came to see her after a long stint in jail, the Mother simply said: "Amzad, I have been really worried."

(See also: Sarada Devi , Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Sarada Devi: Ma Sarada Devi, Universal Mother  

January every year, devotees throng the Sabarimala temple situated in the Sahayadri ranges in Kerala, to participate in the renowned Mandala Puja conducted during Makara Sankaranti.

The deity worshipped here, Lord Ayyappa, is believed to be an incarnation of Vishnu and is also known as Sastha and Harihara Sutha. The basic concept of incarnation is that God descends in order to let man ascend.

(See also: Makara Sankaranti , Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Makara Sankaranti: A Different Kind of Pilgrimage - about Makara Sankaranti  

Diwali is a time of the year when families, friends and communities come together in a spirit of celebration and joy. Diwali is the time, according to the version popular north of Vindhyas, when Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after spending 14 years in exile.

However, the deeper meaning of Diwali is celebration of the message of Lord Rama's life of sacrifice and dharma.

(See also: Diwali , Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Diwali: The Significance of Celebrating Diwali  

It's not surprising to see both Hindus and Muslims praying at the dargah of the thirteenth century sufi, Shaikh Nizamuddin Aulia (1244-1325), in New Delhi. A refugee who had sought shelter here along with his parents, when Bukhara was subjected to repeated Mongol invasions, Nizamuddin never went back to the Central Asian Republic. Living here amongst the common people, he stressed that a mystic should transcend all barriers of religion, race and language in dealing with human beings.

(See also: Shaikh Nizamuddin Aulia , Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Shaikh Nizamuddin Aulia: Healing the Human Heart of Pain