In his opening talk during one of the first Integral Yoga Retreats (early 1970s), Swami Satchidananda speaks about the aim behind all the Yoga Practices: mastery over the mind. He explains why this is the real goal of Yoga and how it is achieved.

Ⓟ© 2019 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Swami Satchidananda is asked several questions about how to deal with challenging situations and people. He advises us to learn how to cultivate an inner witness that enables us to maintain equanimity and balance of mind under all conditions.

Ⓟ© 2019 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

In this talk, Swami Satchidananda explains the nature of God or Cosmic Consciousness. He gives an example of how a consciousness higher than ourselves is interested in our living as evidenced by the breath sent back into our bodies every time we exhale. This shows that we are not living by our own capacity and Yoga can help us become well-tuned instruments in the hands of the Divine.

Ⓟ© 2019 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Swami Satchidananda clarifies a teaching he had given about not making appointments so you don't get disappointed. He says this teaching is not to be misunderstood as saying one shouldn’t have any goals. He explains that we can have goals but we should see that our motivation is unselfish in whatever we strive to achieve.

Ⓟ© 2019 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Swami Satchidananda is asked a question about why in the Yoga teachings it is recommended not to receive gifts. The questioner is concerned this could hurt a gift-givers feelings and thus violate principles of ahimsa or non-hurting. Swamiji addresses this in teachings that are very timely in relation to school shootings in America today.

Ⓟ© 2019 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

During a silent Yoga retreat in the early 1970s, Swami Satchidananda speaks about the nature of personal liberation, meditation, and the inner witness who is the “one that knows.”

Ⓟ© 2019 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Swami Satchidananda answers a question about what his special technique is to make progress in Yoga. He explains that Integral Yoga isn’t a special technique, but boils down not complicating our lives, cultivating a childlike mind and having humility and faith in a Higher Power.

Ⓟ© 2019 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

Swami Satchidananda is asked how one works with a mantra. Is there a way to lose oneself in the mantra? He gives instructions on how to work carefully with a mantra and the technique that will bring the most benefit. He goes into cultivating the optimal attitude for working with a mantra.

Swami Satchidananda is asked a question about whether being selfless is really selfish and how we can be more motivated to want to be selfless. He also explains the root of disappointment.

Ⓟ© 2019 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org

How to Link to the Higher Power: Swami Satchidananda explains the problem with being human: free will that leads to selfishness. He explains, through the parable of the silk moth, how to instead use the free will to ultimately liberate ourselves.

Ⓟ© 2019 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Inc. / www.integralyoga.org