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Light of the Spirit Podcast

Light of the Spirit Podcast

By: Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke)
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 A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student. Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom. This podcast channel offers you a wealth of practical and thought-provoking knowledge about the Oriental origins of Christianity, the simple and classic tradition of Yoga and the Yoga Life, the practical messages of the Bhagavad Gita and other scriptures, and much more. Journey beyond the forest of cliches, contradictions, and confusion about Yoga, Hinduism, Christianity and metaphysical thought, through the unconventional wisdom of Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke), director of Light of the Spirit Monastery.Copyright 2025 Light of the Spirit Podcast Christianity Hinduism Spirituality
Episodes
  • What Is Meditation? God-Experience & Anandamayi Ma Stories | January 2026 Satsang

    What Is Meditation? God-Experience & Anandamayi Ma Stories | January 2026 Satsang
    Jan 4 2026
    In this January 2026 Satsang, Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Swamiji) reflects on the teachings of Anandamayi Ma, the nature of meditation, and the necessity of direct spiritual experience rather than belief alone. Topics include the meaning of satsang as the association of the holy, the role of mantra as a living seed of realization, meditation in nature and city life, and whether belief in God must be tied to formal religion. Swamiji also addresses questions about Jesus, including his teachings on non-resistance and possible contact with Greek philosophy. Personal stories, traditional wisdom, and practical guidance are woven together, offering clarity for sincere seekers drawn to meditation, Soham Yoga, and the universal core of spiritual life. This satsang is especially valuable for those seeking: • Practical understanding of meditation • Insight into Anandamayi Ma’s life and sayings • A universal approach to God-experience beyond dogma • Guidance on meditation practice, timing, and environment Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 00:40 A saying of Anandamayi Ma 01:27 Satsang: the association of the holy 10:09 Those who challenge you to prove God exists 12:05 The necessity of experience 12:31 A mantra as a seed to something bigger 15:52 Yoga: the flight of the alone to the Alone 17:22 Did Jesus have contact with Greek philosophers 18:47 Jesus’ saying “resist not evil” 22:16 How long and at what times should one meditate 26:49 Is meditating in nature beneficial? 28:30 Meditating in the city: the story of Luthur McKinney 32:15 Is it OK to believe in God but not follow a religion? 34:13 Is there benefit to meditating with others? 35:42 From Eastern Orthodox monastic life to Soham Yoga 37:41 Anandamayi Ma identified as a sannyasini — Dr. Ghosh 40:19 What is meditation? 44:06 Your life is your own — not determined by others’ opinions 45:27 Would a self-realized person still meditate? 49:53 Commentary on the sayings of Anandamayi Ma 50:45 About Brahmacharini Atmananda 51:33 Anandamayi Ma’s multi-language capacity 54:51 Getting Ma to answer definitely 57:56 Anandamayi Ma and the black magician #AnandamayiMa #Meditation #Satsang OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more: https://ocoy.org/signup FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL https://www.facebook.com/light.of.spirit/ https://twitter.com/Light_of_Spirit https://instagram.com/lightofthespirit/
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Ayodhya Temple, Thought Forms & More: Dec 2025 Satsang with Swami Nirmalananda

    Ayodhya Temple, Thought Forms & More: Dec 2025 Satsang with Swami Nirmalananda
    Dec 7 2025
    Swami Nirmalananda Giri answers a wide range of spiritual questions in the November 2025 Satsang. These monthly Q&A sessions explore meditation, karma, reincarnation, the afterlife, authentic yoga practice, and the universal truths found in all great spiritual traditions. This satsang includes reflections on the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the nature of thought-forms, the practice of Soham sadhana, Jesus as a yogi, the destiny of animals, Vedanta, idolatry, and the deeper purpose of spiritual life. Swamiji also speaks about discouragement on the path, synchronicity, and what it truly means to seek God beyond theology or dogma. Chapter Markers 00:00 Introduction 00:33 News about the Ram Temple in Ayodhya 04:33 About thought-forms 06:51 Soham answering questions 11:04 Inner mental dialog during meditation 12:25 Someone who bought An Eagle’s Flight 13:18 About synchronicity 14:33 Was Jesus a yogi? 17:42 Idolatry and worshipping a deity or saint 21:22 What happens to a pet when it dies? 26:18 Does hell exist? 29:38 What is Vedanta? 37:20 How much does the afterlife concern a yogi? 39:11 How important is a belief in karm and reincarnation? 40:00 What about a belief in heaven and hell? 40:36 How important is theology or formal philosophy? 41:54 Can the Infinite God really be known? 44:35 What is the difference between the Spirit and the Soul? 45:05 What determines who is born as one’s children? 47:50 Is knowledge learned in one life carried to the next? 48:10 Discouragement in spiritual life 49:24 Does true spirituality still exist in India? 53:35 Concern about drifting from a Christian background 54:36 How can we become better if we don’t remember our past lives? #Satsang #YogaWisdom #Vedanta OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more: https://ocoy.org/signup FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL https://www.facebook.com/light.of.spirit/ https://twitter.com/Light_of_Spirit https://instagram.com/lightofthespirit/
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    58 mins
  • November 2025 Satsang with Swami Nirmalananda Giri — Eagle's Flight Stories

    November 2025 Satsang with Swami Nirmalananda Giri — Eagle's Flight Stories
    Nov 7 2025
    This month Swamiji introduces a new book: An Eagle's Flight: A Yogi's Spiritual Autobiography (https://amzn.to/4ojXlAg), and reflections on Spirit & Life: Commentaries on the Four Gospels questions on karma, diet, Neem Karoli Baba, Soham japa, and more. Highlights and Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 00:39 Spirit & Life: Commentaries on the Four Gospels 02:20 An Eagle’s Flight: A Yogi’s Spiritual Autobiography 06:29 The “crazy” yogini — The Daughter of the King 11:48 What karma does the “deliverer” of karma have? 14:57 Eggs and a vegetarian diet 18:10 Nath Yoga and Tamil Siddha traditions 18:46 Black or African Yoga traditions? 20:58 Those around Anandamayi Ma who became something 27:35 Swami Sivananda on milk and ahimsa 30:27 Variations of the Soham mantra 34:32 Does time exist outside the human mind? 35:14 Meeting Neem Karoli Baba 43:41 A question about Gnosticism 46:14 Are there inappropriate times for Soham japa? 47:44 Oliver Black and Babaji — a spiritual story 52:18 Can prarabdha karma obstruct sadhana? 59:30 Rudraksha beads in meditation 1:05:34 How to deal with predators in small communities #satsang #spiritualstories #spiritualjourney OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more: https://ocoy.org/signup FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL https://www.facebook.com/light.of.spirit/ https://twitter.com/Light_of_Spirit https://instagram.com/lightofthespirit/
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    1 hr and 13 mins
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