Spirituality
- In the vast ocean of Buddhist wisdom, few teachings are as fundamental and transformative as the understanding of the Five Aggregates. “ACCORDING TO BUDDHISM, a human being is composed of Five Aggregates (skandhas): form, feelings, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness. The Five Aggregates contain everything — both inside us and outside of us, in nature and in society.” — Thich Nhat Hanh 1. Form (Rupa) The physical aspect of our existence - our body, the material world around us, and all tangible phenomena.
- Have you ever felt completely lost, even though deep down you knew you weren’t? We all experience moments when we need to return to basics, to find solid ground beneath our feet. Today, I’d like to share a fundamental concept from Buddhist philosophy that has helped countless individuals find their way: The Three Jewels. Why Learn About the Three Jewels? I often encounter friends and colleagues who approach me with questions about meditation, typically when they’re already stressed or overwhelmed.
- Like the ancient temples that undergo restoration while preserving their sacred essence, this humble digital space has undergone a quiet transformation—both aesthetic and technological—while maintaining its core purpose as a vessel for spiritual exploration. The external changes you might notice are subtle: cleaner lines, refreshed typography, and a more contemplative flow that mirrors the inner journey we all undertake. But beneath the surface, the technological foundations have been completely renewed, much like how inner spiritual work often requires restructuring our mental frameworks while keeping our heart’s intention pure.
- In the vast expanse of the universe, patterns emerge that echo both in the heavens and on Earth. This concept, often encapsulated in the phrase “As above, so below,” suggests that the microcosm reflects the macrocosm, and vice versa. This idea isn’t just philosophical; it finds resonance in various fields, from spirituality to science. One of the most profound expressions of this concept comes from the Hermetic tradition. The Emerald Tablet, attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, states: “That which is Below corresponds to that which is Above, and that which is Above corresponds to that which is Below, to accomplish the miracle of the One Thing” (source).
- After many years, I picked up Yoga and Mantra by Loretta Zanuccoli again. Even though I knew it well, I decided to go through it with fresh eyes, as if I had never read it before. And I was truly impressed. It would be too simplistic to call it just a basic guide to Yoga and Mantras. This book creates a structured narrative about Yoga, gathering knowledge from multiple sources that usually present only partial or isolated aspects.
- In July, I kept reading the amazing book “Talks on Agni.” by Torkom Saraydarian and I found this really interesting idea: “The Secret Doctrine says that an atom wants to become a person, and a person wants to become a god.” I’m still thinking about what this really means, but it keeps making me wonder. Maybe it explains why we always want to get better at things. This idea suggests that everything, from the tiniest bit to the biggest thing, wants to grow and improve.
- Today, we honor Mahatma Gandhi, also referred to as the “great soul,” whose teachings of non-violence, or “ahimsa,” altered the path of Indian history and had a global impact. We mourn the killing of Mahatma Gandhi Punyatithi on January 30, the 78th anniversary of his death, and his conviction in nonviolent resistance and tolerance. Gandhi was crucial in helping to secure India’s independence, but his impact extended well beyond that, as he ignited a global movement for nonviolent means of achieving justice and peace.
- Some texts seem to never cease to amaze, and every page you turn unveils a new treasure. This is the case with “The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching”, a masterpiece written by Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk and a true Master of contemporary Buddhism who has devoted his life to teaching mindfulness and compassion as tools for personal transformation and social peace. I should mention that I’m not a Buddhist, but I maintain an eclectic approach and am more interested in spirituality than in religions, although I understand how it was necessary to formalize certain teachings to preserve them and to reach a greater number of people.
- “The ocean of suffering is immense, but if you turn around, you can see the land. The seed of suffering in you may be strong, but don’t wait until you have no more suffering before allowing yourself to be happy. When one tree in the garden is sick, you have to care for it. But don’t overlook all the healthy trees. Even while you have pain in your heart, you can enjoy the many wonders of life — the beautiful sunset, the smile of a child, the many flowers and trees.
- “There is a story in Zen circles about a man and a horse. The horse is galloping quickly, and it appears that the man on the horse is going somewhere important. Another man, standing alongside the road, shouts, “Where are you going?” and the first man replies, “I don’t know! Ask the horse!” This is also our story.” (Thich Nhat Hanh, The Heart of Buddha’s Teaching) Riding through life without knowing where you’re going?
- “Life is like an echo! when you give something, it comes back to you many, many times.” ― Master Choa Kok Sui, Achieve the Impossible It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment, but one thing is clear: understanding the law of Karma sooner would have saved me from many struggles. Knowing about it for years, it was only when I truly grasped its power and daily significance that my life changed for the better.
- When asked what his first deed would be if he were to be made Emperor of China, Confucius replied, “I would re-establish the precise meaning of words.“He knew that words have a dynamic power to kill or to cure, and should be used carefully. All religions, cultures, and civilizations have known and taught that your word is your power. Your words are constantly doing one of two things: building up or tearing down; healing or destroying.
- I am publicly posting this (slightly adapted) message that I have shared with the TSG Ashram Group this month. Recent events in the Middle East and other global crises have really struck a chord with me. As I ponder potential solutions, I came across a quote that resonated, found in “Challenge for Discipleship” by Torkom Saraydarian (page 36). “In cooperation, one slowly learns to understand the values of others and to adjust oneself to others in such a way that they and others become more productive.
- Se tu comprendessi quanta pace daresti a te stesso e quanta gioia procureresti agli altri, e vivendo una vita dedita al bene, sono certo che saresti più sollecito nel tendere al tuo profitto spirituale. Tommaso da Kempis
- Finalmente in vendita! Si è concluso il lavoro di traduzione, revisione, impaginazione e creazione della copertina di uno dei gioelli di Torkom Saraydarian: New Beginnings. New Beginnings è disponibile in italiano: Nuovi inizi. 🌟 Il desiderio è quello di far conoscere le opere di questo incredibile personaggio che ha vissuto con i sufi, con mistici e maestri, visitando monasteri, templi antichi e scuole misteriche. Torkom Saraydarian è autore, musicista, compositore, conferenziere internazionale, mentore e docente degli insegnamenti dell’antica saggezza.
- The Great Invocation is a spiritually inspired text written by Alice Bailey. This worldwide prayer was given to humanity by the Tibetan Master in the period between 1935 and 1945, in three parts. The version given below, and that I recite after my daily meditations, is the third stanza in its original form and is the one most used today. It is a prayer or invocation that aims to promote peace, unity and the spiritual growth of humanity.
- In the mystical journey of self-discovery, the ancient Sanskrit term “param-guru” holds a profound significance. This term, translating to “the supreme master” or “the ultimate Guru,” symbolizes a spiritual mentor of exceptional wisdom and insight, a beacon guiding seekers on the path to enlightenment. Like a school curriculum where teachers change as we ascend to higher grades, each with their own unique wisdom, our spiritual voyage is dotted with various mentors.