आनन्द Bliss Ananda Definition Ananda is a term that is used across Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. In yogic theory, ananda is used to mean pure joy or bliss. Ananda Deep Dive Ananda is divine joy, one of the highest states of being. You may have heard it as part of the phrase ‘satcitananda‘, referring to … Read more
नमस्ते Nama (bow) + Te (to you) Namaste Definition Namaste comes from the Sanskrit nama which means “bow” and te which means “to you” Literally it means “I bow to you” and it is a common salutation. Namaste is normally heard at the end (and sometimes the beginning) of a yoga practice and is used … Read more
जपमाला Jaap (to utter in a low voice) + Mala (garland) Japa Mala Definition Japa Mala, Jaap Mala, or Japamala, is a meditation technique that uses a mala (a string of beads) as a tool to count the repetition of mantras, or Japa. You might have seen people wearing or holding these and thought that … Read more
अनिच्च (Pali) / अनित्य (Sanskrit) Anicca / Anitya (impermanent/unstable) Anicca Definition Anicca is the Pali term for impermanence, claiming that all of existence is transient. It refers to the Buddhist concept that all things, internal and external, are subject to change and are inconstant. Buddhists believe that the only end to this impermanence comes through … Read more
अहङ्कारः The ego Ahankara Definition Ahankara is the Sanskrit term for the ego. Essentially it’s our conscious mind, the part of our ‘self’ that we identify with and become attached to. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar calls this the ‘cage of matter’. Ahankara Deep Dive Ahankara is a vritti that arises in the mind. A vritti, … Read more