Mountain Retreat Yoga Sangha

“That Absolute energy, in manifestation or movement, when it begins to work, is called Shakti. When it is in its potential form, absolutely at rest, without a single movement – That completeness is Shiva, the Absolute Being.” ~ Sri M

“The Energy and the Power that is manifested all over the world, right from the energy that you see in a tiny amoeba that moves, gets its food and eats it, is a constantly renewing force, which is also called Para Shakti. It is the highest power!” ~ Sri M

“We human beings have one unique capacity to be aware that there is consciousness, which is through meditation. When the mind is still something takes over which you cannot actually call brain. You can call it intuition or presence or essence. But it is necessary to bring the mind to that state of stillness through meditation to recognize that there is something beyond itself. The process to realize the existence of consciousness also frees you from all conditionings.” ~ Sri M

“Consciousness and soul are two sides of the same coin. You cannot think of a soul without consciousness but consciousness can be there without the soul. The soul is the subtlest element in the universe which can perhaps connect to the consciousness. We can say that Consciousness is the father the soul is the Son.” ~ Sri M

“Religion starts very pure and then sometimes it gets sidetracked and gets diluted by human impulses. Go to all the universal religions, of course as far as Hindu system of thought is concerned it is not even a religion. It is a system of thought because there were many Rishis or teachers. Look at the other religions. Let’s say who has one teacher, one book, all of them started with the mystical experience of one individual but then when it became formalized and then it got connected with imperialistic designs. It became more and more suited to that purpose, this is where it became diluted.” ~ Sri M

“You cannot say that I am a spiritual person and not do service. That’s not possible. Look, if I see a light inside of me, it cannot be that I am peculiar and that only I have that light. The light is in everybody’s heart. It may be covered, it may be hiding, but it’s there. So if you serve somebody, you are actually serving God. Every human being is a walking speaking temple of God. We can build temples with concrete and stone but this is a living temple. You can ring the bells and do service there, but this is real service. I think this kind of service on one hand helps the other, who are getting served, and on the other it deepens your own spiritual journey.” Sri M

“I am of the opinion that once the trees disappear from this Earth, we are finished. The earth does not exist really if we don’t have greenery. People plant trees but then they don’t take care of them. People should adopt a tree and take care of it.” ~ Sri M

“I think Jesus was an extraordinary person, an extraordinary being, I won’t say biologically Son of God or anything of that sort, I can’t say that. But metaphorically Son of God, Yes. I think he was an individual who was a typical wandering Yogi, moving from place to place, not having a place to stay. You know that famous quote that ‘Foxes have dens and the snakes have holes but the son of man knows not where to lay his head.’ In Bhagavad Gita such a Yogi is called Aniketa, one who has no home.” ~ Sri M

“If you look at the sermon on the Mount only, you find the essence of what one would call a spiritual being and spiritual life being beautifully explained there. In fact it appears more akin to Hindu and Buddhist teachings.” ~ Sri M

“The universal message at the heart of the Hindu teachings, Buddhists teachings and Christian teachings is Care, Love and Service and to seek peace in the depths of your being. Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God. Nobody said blessed are the Christians for they shall be called the children of God. The moment you cease to be a peacemaker, you are no more a Christian from that point of view.” ~ Sri M

“There is as such no spiritual content in the school curriculum. This is the reason why the young people face the problems of anxiety, depression, addiction and loneliness. If they knew there is more to life than earning a living then perhaps they will want to explore more. They might start to think that there may be an alternate way of living. They will start to reflect more on spirituality and start their spiritual journey.” ~ Sri M

"One should not rejoice on attaining what is pleasant. In the course of one’s life, one may attain many pleasant things. When one attains what is pleasant, one should not suddenly become exhilarated, for it's possible that it may soon disappear. It is the way of the world – high one day and low the other.“ ~ Sri M

“Each one of us is a lovely stream flowing into the great ocean of love and compassion, of goodness and energy, the Supreme Reality, which is God. Different we may be, but we emanate from the same source and to the same source we return.” ~ Sri M

“Patience is of the essence because when everybody is swimming along the stream and allowing themselves to be carried away by the stream in one direction, one person in a million is changing direction and trying to swim against the stream, so it is not easy. So, therefore, to get it done, one has to have infinite patience, there is no other way but to have infinite patience. “ ~ Sri M

“AUM covers everything. According to the Upanishads AUM is the bridge between this world and that which is beyond. Which means it is a link that makes us realize that it is not only there but also here and it’s a pure sound.”~ Sri M

“Kriya or any spiritual practice is also like storing for a rainy day. So while we pass through our lives, many times everything is okay but there are times when there are some difficult situations and sorrow. If you start your spiritual practice even when you are happy, then you are storing honey for a rainy day. If there comes a time when there is difficulty and trouble then you have something to hold on to and sail this boat of life across the rough seas.” ~ Sri M

“Samadhi means that state, that super conscious state into which one goes through the practice of yoga, any yoga. That ultimate samadhi is Kaivalya, freedom. You are not practicing yoga to fly in the air or walk on the water or to produce rudrakshas or any such things. You are practicing yoga or Kriya to reach a high level of consciousness which is a part of your own inner being. Which is blissful and which will complete the process of your life.” ~ Sri M

“The mind when it is still and quiet, this is not an easy thing but when it is, it enters into a state of Samadhi, where it understands that it is not the limited entity that it thinks it is, but something more than that. Where it has access to infinite sources of energy.” ~ Sri M

“If you discover that under all circumstances you remain unperturbed, at least most of the circumstances. Second your joy does not depend upon something external, it is within you. Three, you recognize the divine in all beings, fourth you don’t hate anyone. These are some of the signs of your progress in the spiritual field. One more step is you realize the impermanence of everything around you so whatever is happening, in some way it doesn’t affect you. To accept the principle of life in which constantly something is coming in and something is going out is a sign of going deeper into your own self. “ ~ Sri M

"Mind is only a collection of thoughts. When the mind learns to pull away from the senses outside and enjoys what is inside then slowly it becomes free, but you can’t keep it blank like you cannot have a vacuum. Where a vacuum is created, the air tries to rush in, similarly if you say I want to keep my mind blank, it won’t work. You have to engage it in something as enjoyable as in the outside world. This is where all Aradhna or worship comes in; then you have something to fix your attention to. Then when the mind gets purified it becomes quiet.” ~ Sri M

"We all know that anger does no good. It destroys, it doesn’t create. If you look at it yourself you will find that you would have done something better if you had not got angry. It’s an attitude of mind. For the peace of mind, meditation and tranquility it is not good." ~ Sri M

"A yogin whose spirit has attained contentment through knowledge and through the spiritual experience of oneness, who is unperturbed in the midst of all agitations, who has subdued his senses, the senses are not overpowering his mind, for such a yogi a lump of earth and a bar of gold are alike." ~ Sri M

"To a Yogi, with what affection, what emotion a gift is given is more important than what is given. The attitude is more important than the stuff." ~ Sri M

"For a yogi the value is more of the mindsets, of how and why? It is not a question of what you have or what you don’t have but the attitude with which you keep it or not keep it. The mind state is far more important in spiritual sense. How is your mind, is it attached and agitated or calm and tranquil. If it is agitated, no matter what you have, it is of no use." ~ Sri M

"A Yogi’s mind when it has reached the state of spiritual communion, there is no friend and no stranger. Everybody is a friend for him. A Yogi considers everybody as his friend because everyone carries the same Self. He does not have an enemy but if someone has enmity towards him, he still looks at that person with friendship, love and affection. In his heart there is no hatred." ~ Sri M

"A Yogi should constantly practice spiritual communion by residing alone in a solitary spot, desireless and position-less and be disciplined in body and mind. Consistent practice is very important for any Sadhana because you are trying to change the patterns of your mind and if you don’t practice consistently you will fall back to the same old pattern." ~ Sri M

"The inner self which is our true essence is something which is never born and therefore cannot die, it is timeless. This timelessness is real characteristic of our inner self, the body has time of course; it comes and it goes. Actually in deep meditation when you have touched the inner core of your being, there is no time, when you come out of it then you reckon time." ~ Sri M

"Solitude is very important for spiritual practice at least in the beginning. Once a week or twice a week if possible go to a solitary spot. The main problem is our phone!! Sometimes switch it off, nothing will happen believe me! You are not going to die if you switch off your phone. Switch it off for a while, sit quietly and do your Kriya and don’t have bad thoughts about anybody." ~ Sri M

"When you sit for meditation, do not allow your senses to indulge. Close your eyes, because they are also senses. Fix your attention on bhrumadhya; when you fix your attention on one point the mind also becomes one pointed. It needs practice, it is Abhyasa Yoga. The main action is happening in the spine. The spine should be kept erect. Keep the body and mind still." ~ Sri M

"A good disciple is a good friend, it is interesting, just like Arjuna is a great friend of Krishna but also his disciple." ~ Sri M

“Renunciation is same as yoga and so is selfless action. Any action which is not for oneself only but also for others is called in the Gita as selfless action. The mind gets purified in dong such selfless actions and such purified minds automatically becomes the mind of a Yogi. This is also yoga, not just standing on your head. That’s physical Yoga.” ~ Sri M