Prem Prakash

The Real & The Unreal

From the unreal, lead us to the real. From darkness, lead us to light. From death, lead us to immortality. Above is an ancient prayer from the yogic tradition that is fascinating to me for several reasons. First, it states that our current level of consciousness is unreal, dark, and morbid. Second, it suggests there […]

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Monkeys and Cubs

Tulsi  Dass, best known as the author of a popular version of the Indian epic, Ramayana, was a great believer in the potency of the practice of japa, repetition of the names of God, as a method of spiritual accomplishment. So great was his faith, it is said he cured people of their diseases by

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Crooks and Yogis

I recently read an interview with a guy who had been a life-long criminal. He tried living an honest life but felt he was working too hard and wasn’t earning enough money. He turned to a life of crime because he wanted more wealth, and he wanted it faster. Eventually, he also found his criminal

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Excuses and Reasons

You know how when you go out to eat at a restaurant, there’s a coat-rack by the door? You take off your jacket or sweater and hang it on a hook. The people with you hang their stuff on other hooks. Doesn’t matter what hook you choose, right? As long as it does the job.

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Revenge

My son, Jahnu, was eight years old, in third grade. We were in the car together and he was obviously in deep thought. I knew he had experienced a hassle at school. I waited and, sure enough, he opened up and told me he had something on his mind. “Dad,” he asked, “you seem like

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Spanda Karikas

Spanda Karikas is an important scripture of Kashmir Shaivism from the 10’th century AD. Translation by Prem Prakash – May 2020 Section I: Svarūpaspanda The Primal Creative Impulse as One’s True Nature 1. Yasyonmeṣanimeṣābhyāṁ jagataḥ pralayodayau Taṁ śakticakravibhavaprabhavaṁ śaṅkaraṁ stumaḥ We extol Shiva Shankara, The Generator of Auspiciousness — the One Soul in the heart

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