Travel, to me, is about learning and sharing. Karma yoga (selfless service) has been integral to my trips over the last ten years. The yamas and niyamas also surface when I travel. No cruises or resorts. I enjoy homestays and support ethical tourism. Likewise, when I shop, I prefer to buy from artisans or non-profits. […]
Candramauli Swami is one of the Men in Orange who sat with us at our wall-free classrooms in India. He has been wearing his orange robe for five decades. However, he spends much time with men that some of us picture wearing black and white stripes. Five decades ago he became a direct disciple of […]
One of the many reasons why I chose to travel to India, earlier this year, was to visit the holiest of places. Vrindavan was top of the list, and my group stayed in Vrindavan for four nights. Throughout our journeys, we were accompanied by two men in orange, about whom I previously published six […]
Part Six of Journeys with Men in Orange is the last that features two monks. My group was fortunate. We literally traveled with two men in orange for much of our trip. Shyamananda Das and Chaitanya Charan Das shared their words of wisdom, in open-air classrooms. They spoke about love, religion, karma , and more […]
Discussing Spirituality versus Materialism Yoga teaches us to detach from the material world. Of the primary yoga tenets, two focus on releasing ourselves from the ever-present materialism surrounding us. So, it was to be expected that Men in Orange* spoke about spirituality versus materialism in my recent trip to India. Caundramauli Swami is an American […]
Learning about spirituality from monks in Vrindavan If you read my last three articles, you know that I recently spent one month nurturing my spirituality in India. More than one week was spent traveling with monks. I don’t mean seeing men in orange in trains, temples, or fire ceremonies. Rather, briskly passing through airport security […]
When you take your driver’s license test, or renewal, in the United States, you may be asked what the color orange means. Caution. Possible dangers ahead. Construction. For many in the spiritual world, orange can have a similar meaning. Caution, and beware of possible dangers i.e. maya (illusion) and ego. The construction, however, can equate […]
It’s not the color of your juice. Nor the rays of a setting sun. This muted orange is called saffron. My travels to India with men in saffron, revolved around Radhanath Swami, about whom I’ve written before. Originally from a Chicago suburb, Richard (his birth name) left the States after his freshman year in college […]
Let it be known, I have a short attention span. Think 60 second sound bytes or max five-minute comedy schticks. My body needs to move frequently. I can walk for eight to ten hours and feel great. But sit me down to listen to a talking head, even as part of my journey to India, […]
Costa Rica is the go-to place for yogis. For example, there are dedicated yoga centers popping up everywhere. Every day of the year, yogis flock here to get centered and grounded. Now, bhakta yogis can find their sangha and relish their kirtan practice in Costa Rica. Set in an eco-hotel by the University of […]
The Western Wall is considered one of the holiest places. It attracts people from all over the world, of different faiths, to pray here. During my first visit, the meaning and history behind the stones and traditions didn’t really resonate. My second trip was not the same. The divine energy was visible and palpable. I […]
For as long as I’ve been a yoga teacher, I’ve enjoyed the sangha. Frequently, I mention to my students why I enjoy being a part of the YMCA family. First, it is not about the facilities. Second, it’s not about the pay. Neither is it about the location. It’s all about the sangha. Community. Additionally, […]