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RAMAKRISHNA ANANDA

Crossing the River of Maya

How to enjoy greater wisdom, clarity, courage and steadfastness

Sri Ramakrishna taught the principles of yoga to help people live in greater awareness, happiness and freedom. He explained that the attributes of buddhi (witness consciousness) and grit are needed to grow in spiritual awareness. The buddhi is the first stage of enlightenment. With its development comes courage and steadfastness — grit. Learn a yoga practice to develop the witness. You can be inspired, strengthened and renewed through the practice of yoga.

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Buddhi and Grit

Sri Ramakrishna shared yoga in order to empower seekers to live fuller, freer, more abundant lives. The one thing needful in life, he explained, is to cross the river of the world and arrive safely on the other side. By river, he meant the confusion and delusion of maya which tends to sweep away our happiness and freedom.

We need both the buddhi and grit on our journey to spiritual awareness. As we grow, we realize that we are distinct from our thoughts/feelings and are able to witness them at any time. We find undisturbed peace and clarity. Our main goal is to find and grow in spiritual awareness.

  • Buddhi awareness frees us to go beyond thoughts/feelings and witness the mind
  • The initial stage of buddhi grows into a higher awareness called the purusha
  • Buddhi awareness brings wonderful states — insight, wisdom, peace and clarity
  • Access to the buddhi helps us release painful memories stored in the subconscious
  • As the buddhi develops, one also grows in courage and steadfastness — grit
How to Thrive with Yoga's Precious Gifts
How to enjoy greater wisdom, clarity, courage and steadfastness
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We are spiritual beings
“Yoga is changing the world as we see that human beings, deep inside, are actually spiritual beings.”

— Ramakrishna Ananda

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