Guru Mai Ram

Dear disciples,

Today, on February 17, there is New Moon and an Annular Solar Eclipse.
The eclipse begins at 11:56, reaches its maximum at 14:12, and ends at 16:27 (EET).

During the eclipse, turn your mind inward. As Rahu and Ketu “swallow” the Sun and the Moon, Ida and Pingala should merge into Sushumna. At that time, in India, no one goes to temples. During the eclipse period, attention should be given to inner practices, stillness, and meditation. External activities should be reduced to a minimum.

I do not recommend observing the eclipse directly during its peak hours, nor cooking or eating food at that time. It is important to practice japa (at least in mind), inner contemplation, or meditative pranayama during this period.

With light,
Guru Mai Ram

Blessed Maha Shivaratri to all!

In the Shiva Purana it is said that this night is the most precious of all nights, because on this night even the smallest conscious touch upon Shiva’s name becomes a seed that leads to liberation.

With light,
Guru Mai Ram

Dear disciples,

The teaching of Yoga does not turn a person into an “impersonal being.” Yoga practice makes a transparent character.
The danger of practice is the “spiritual ego” - it is the biggest obstacle on the path. The “spiritual ego” is ahamkara dressed in the robes of holiness.

How can it be recognized?

Such a person thinks:
“I am advanced,”
“I understand everything more deeply,”
“I am already awakened,”
“I have already transcended the ego, and others do not yet understand it.”
They believe that they no longer need practice.
They defend themselves in the name of “truth” and seek recognition.

Yoga practice teaches the liberation of consciousness from attachment to the “I.” For this, regular and unchanging practice is essential - practiced at the same time and in the same way, regardless of mood, inspiration, or experiences. This reduces the influence of the ego. Therefore, improvisation is not permitted in the tradition, and practice must be precise.
While practicing sadhana, the practitioners must not adjust the sadhana according to sensations. They do not evaluate and do not “record results” - their experiences come and go.

With light,
Guru Mai Ram

Dear disciples,

If a person says that they no longer have an ego, their ego is usually very active. The ego in itself is not a problem. The problem is when it occupies a place in the structure of consciousness that does not belong to it (the place of buddhi).
In the Mai Ram Yoga tradition, within the structure of consciousness buddhi signifies wisdom, clear seeing, and intellectual purity; ahamkara is the ego, the “I” function; and manas is the mind that responds to the senses and gathers their information. The problem arises when ahamkara begins to lead instead of serving buddhi.

With light,
Guru Mai Ram