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Time of India
10-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Guru Purnima: Time to celebrate sacred bond
By Anandmurti Gurumaa Also known as Vyas Purnima, Guru Purnima is a truly significant day for seekers and disciples. It is a time when we express our love, devotion, feelings, gratitude to our revered guru. The celebration prompts us to reflect honestly: 'Have i fulfilled my duty as a good disciple, or have i been dishonest? Have i followed the guru's words in my life, or have i, driven by delusion and laziness, chased worldly pleasures, befriended the impermanent world by mistaking it to be stable, and forgotten the friendship i forged with my guru?' If i have, then this day serves as a reminder to introspect and ask, 'Where am i?' Have we given importance to the material world, to objects, money, position and prestige? Or have we practised meditation before sleep and thanked the guru? Have we woken up every morning, resumed our spiritual practice, and lived each day in such a way that we neither harm nor hurt anyone, be it through words, thoughts, or actions? Have we maintained a constant awareness within, an unbroken vigilance, recognising that life is not for accumulating material comforts? This life is not for fulfilling desires or creating a materialistic sense of purpose, but for understanding desires and releasing our attachment to them. Even as we engage with the world, our sense of discernment must remain active. Get married, adorn yourself as a bride, but remember that the one you are marrying and the body that participates in the marriage ceremony are both transient. They are impermanent, and you must not lose yourself in the pursuit of bodily pleasures. For householders, this understanding becomes essential, as they often surround themselves with a world where honour and respect are granted only to those with wealth and power. A seeker lives knowing that life's duration is unknown, and so is the breath's continuity. Time is limited. Those who adhere to the discipline of morning and evening practice may accomplish several tasks in a day. Yet, within them, remains an unshakable joy, a subtle fragrance, an enduring happiness. An excellent householder can only be someone who practises diligently. Without such practice, one can be consumed by greed, anger, or pride, which can destroy relationships. A person who never finds time for meditation, contemplation, or breathing exercises cannot be considered a disciple. The sacred bond is fractured. Guru Purnima reminds us that life is a precious opportunity for self-realisation, for strengthening discipline and perseverance. Bodies will perish, but knowledge endures. The tradition of knowledge, beginning with Mahadev, was carried forward by Sage Ved Vyas, who shaped the Vedas, gave us Brahmasutras, and illuminated the essence of the Bhagwad Gita. Sage Vyas traversed the whole country, preparing sages and teachers to disseminate wisdom of Vedanta. Thus, Guru Purnima is the day of Sage Ved Vyas. Today, we remember him and all spiritual luminaries who have held the title of guru. We bow before them, seeking their blessings, aspiring to become a sage or a seer ourselves. May we not squander our lives in indulgence or false pride but make them meaningful. This is a day of prayer and supplication to the Guru, a time to seek divine grace, so that no obstacle may hinder our spiritual path. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.


Time of India
19-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
The Transformative Power of Yog Nidra in Sports
In the high-stakes world of competitive sports, athletes are always searching for ways to gain an edge—whether through advanced physical training, cutting-edge nutrition, or innovative mental conditioning . Among the most powerful tools emerging in sports psychology is Yog Nidra , an ancient yogic practice of conscious deep sleep. This technique is rapidly gaining recognition for its ability to enhance athletic performance and personal well-being, offering benefits that extend far beyond the playing field. Yog Nidra, often described as 'yogic sleep,' is a state of deep relaxation where the practitioner remains fully conscious. Unlike ordinary sleep, which can be restless or filled with dreams, Yog Nidra provides profound rest and restoration at the physical, mental, and emotional levels. Rooted in the classical tradition, Yog Nidra is considered a technique of pratyahara, the fifth limb of Ashtanga Yoga. Pratyahara refers to the withdrawal of the senses from external distractions, allowing the practitioner to turn inward and cultivate deep awareness and inner peace. For athletes, this practice offers unique benefits: Enhanced Recovery: Intense training and competition place significant physical and mental demands on athletes. Yog Nidra accelerates recovery by reducing stress hormones and promoting deep rest, allowing athletes to train harder and more consistently. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Best X-Ray Diffractometers Mexico (See The List) X-Ray Diffraction | Search Ads Undo Mental Clarity and Focus: The practice helps athletes clear mental clutter, sharpen concentration, and stay present—qualities that are essential during high-pressure matches. By training the mind to remain calm and focused, Yog Nidra supports peak performance under stress. Emotional Resilience : Sports are as much about handling setbacks as they are about celebrating victories. Yog Nidra equips athletes with tools to manage anxiety, frustration, and self-doubt, fostering a mindset of resilience and positivity. Improved Sleep Quality : Many athletes struggle with sleep, especially before major events. Regular Yog Nidra practice improves sleep quality, ensuring athletes are well-rested and ready to perform. Recent scientific studies have validated the efficacy of Yog Nidra for both physical and mental health. Research conducted by the National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR), Hyderabad, inspired by Anandmurti Gurumaa, demonstrated that regular Yog Nidra practice leads to significant improvements in blood pressure, stress, anxiety, and depression. Participants also experienced reductions in harmful biochemical markers like cortisol and triglycerides, while beneficial substances like adiponectin increased. Importantly, Yog Nidra has no negative side effects—making it a safe and natural intervention for athletes and non-athletes alike. The integration of Yog Nidra into sports training reflects a broader shift in athletic development—one that recognizes the critical importance of mental and emotional well-being alongside physical conditioning. Coaches and athletes worldwide are increasingly adopting mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation techniques to enhance performance and overall quality of life. Yog Nidra, with its roots in ancient yoga and now supported by scientific evidence, offers a structured, evidence-based approach to achieving inner calm, focus, and resilience. Authored by: Anandmurti Gurumaa Why Arjun Was Chosen: The Untold Secret of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 3


Time of India
17-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Pullela Gopichand Inspires Youth at Rishi Chaitanya Ashram, Shares Transformative Role of Yog Nidra in Life and Training
Pullela Gopichand Gannaur, Sonepat Celebrated badminton champion and coach Pullela Gopichand visited Rishi Chaitanya Ashram , Gannaur, Sonepat, to meet revered master Anandmurti Gurumaa and address participants of the Summer Youth Retreat 2025 . His guest lecture was a source of inspiration for the young attendees, as he shared the profound impact of Yog Nidra on his own journey and now on the training of his students. Gopichand recounted the challenges and triumphs of his career, illustrating how Yog Nidra, as taught by Anandmurti Gurumaa, became a cornerstone of his routine. He detailed how regular Yog Nidra practice helped him maintain calmness under pressure, recover from setbacks, and sharpen his focus during high-stakes matches. He credited this ancient technique with not only supporting his victories but also with sustaining his mental resilience throughout his professional life. Now, as a mentor to India's next generation of badminton stars, Gopichand shared that he has made Yog Nidra a mandatory part of daily training at his academy. He requires students to practice it twice daily, emphasizing its benefits for mental clarity, emotional balance, and overall well-being—qualities essential for both athletic and personal growth. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Men Over 50: Frequent Urination & Weak Stream? Do this Before Bed healthydayscare Click Here Undo During his address, Gopichand congratulated all the retreat participants, expressing that they are fortunate to learn life lessons from Anandmurti Gurumaa at such a young age. He highlighted the unique opportunity the youth have to integrate practices—such as yoga, meditation, and Yog Nidra—into their lives, setting a foundation for future success and fulfillment. Gopichand's visit underscored the importance of blending traditional wisdom with modern training, inspiring the youth to explore their full potential through both physical and mental discipline. Why Arjun Was Chosen: The Untold Secret of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 3