The Bearded Naked Blog

In the vast library of yogic philosophy, certain principles arrive like a subtle whisper, easily overlooked by those seeking grand gestures and bold truths, yet they hold the power to change everything. Anātman, the doctrine of “no-self,” is one such whisper. It sits quietly at the heart of yogic traditions, pointing not to the acquisition of some greater identity, but to the profound freedom found in the dissolution of identity itself. Anātman doesn’t invite you to become so

There are words within the yogic tradition whose simplest translations can accidentally make them sound almost superhuman. Abhaya is commonly translated as fearlessness, and at first glance this might suggest a state in which fear has somehow been conquered, extinguished or transcended altogether. It can conjure an image of the spiritually accomplished person standing untouched by uncertainty, danger or vulnerability, possessing a kind of permanent inner courage that ordinary

There are certain Sanskrit words that resist easy translation because the English equivalent seems somehow smaller than the idea it is attempting to contain. Śraddhā is one of them. It is frequently translated as faith, but that word can carry associations of unquestioning belief, religious obedience, or accepting something without evidence. Within the yogic tradition, Śraddhā is subtler and more intimate than this. It is a quality of trust born through experience; a quiet co

The Silent Intelligence Behind All Knowing In the hustle of modern life, we tend to measure wisdom by what we can explain, understand, or articulate. Degrees, data, facts, and frameworks - these are the currencies of a mind that believes knowledge is power. And yet, yoga teaches us that true wisdom arises not from accumulation but from stillness and from the spaces between thoughts. From that subtle whisper of awareness that knows without needing to prove: this is Prajña. In

The Yogic Principle of Effort In the vast and intricate philosophy of yoga, there exist guiding principles that shape not only our practice but also our very approach to life. Among these, Virya stands as the embodiment of effort, perseverance, and courageous energy. It is the fuel that drives us forward in the face of difficulty, the unwavering commitment to growth, and the force that transforms intention into action. Without Virya, the path of yoga remains an untraveled roa

Despite the countless challenges, injustices and horrors that apparently fill the world, let it be with a heart firmly rooted in the spirit of optimism that we continue our journey into the “virtues” of Yoga; the core set of principles and practices that serve as both a compass and a guiding light for navigating the chaos of modern life. Yoga, with its emphasis on harmony, self-awareness, and ethical living, has always provided practical tools to navigate the complexities of

Over the next few weeks we will take a journey into the “virtues” of Yoga; a set of principles and practices that serve as both a compass and a guiding light for navigating the chaos of modern life. Yoga, with its emphasis on harmony, self-awareness, and ethical living, has always provided practical tools to navigate the complexities of life in the modern world - and however challenging or confusing our own path to self-development can seem, Yoga’s virtues remain profoundly r

It is safe to say that since starting my teaching practice as The Bearded Naked Yogi, our world has changed. The fluctuations in global relationships and leadership, the ceaseless technology and societal challenges, and the deepening environmental concerns that dominate across the media ensure that the stresses of life grow more each day. And those stresses have an impact; on you, on me, on everyone. We live in the modern age and, for many, it is not an easy time in which to

Arriving at the end of our examination of the five Kleshas, my hope remains that these posts have been enlightening in a way that shines a little light upon these most common aspects of the human condition. Again, we have discussed a lot in these articles about ‘suffering’ and about what that means within the context of Yoga - but let’s not get too caught up the language and words here; suffering is absolutely part of the human experience and not something to be rejected or r

We are well over halfway through our examination of the five Kleshas and I hope these posts have been enlightening in a way that shines a little light upon these most common aspects of the human condition. We have discussed a lot in these posts about ‘suffering’ and about what that means within the context of Yoga - but let’s not get too caught up the language and words here; suffering is absolutely part of the human experience and not something to be rejected or run from; it

The Kleshas (or “Five Hindrances”) are discussed within the Yoga Sutras as the fundamental causes of human suffering. The Yogis of ancient times examined the root causes of all suffering within the human experience, deeply exploring the nature of the mind and its fluctuating vibrations in order to find the absolute truth of what it means to be human… and what it means to become your true, unhindered Self. As briefly discussed already, there is a universal and timeless quality

The Kleshas (or “Five Hindrances”) are discussed within the Yoga Sutras as the fundamental causes of human suffering. We may all be able to offer up various situations and circumstances in our individual lives that contribute to our “suffering”, but the Yogis of old went deeper into the science of understanding suffering than perhaps even the Buddha Himself. There is a universal and timeless quality to the Kleshas that transcend time, location or social status. We all suffer;

The Kleshas, also known as the Five Hindrances, are an important concept in various Indian philosophies, and have a preeminent position within the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and in the philosophy of Yoga itself. This eminence is given due to their universal occurrence within the human mind, with the Kleshas representing the primary obstacles or mental disturbances that hinder spiritual progress and cause suffering. The term "Klesha" originates from Sanskrit and can be translate

As we have explored the opening intricacies of Yoga philosophy and begun our examination of its profound understanding of the nature of...

As we delve deeper into the nuances of Yoga philosophy, it becomes evident that its scope extends far beyond conventional understanding....

As we continue our exploration of the more subtle aspects of Yoga philosophy, we are hopefully beginning to understand that there is far...

Viparyaya is the second of the canonical vrittis within yogic philosophy and is a term that translates to " misconception ," "...

Last week we dived head first into one of the most fascinating teachings of Yoga philosophy; the teachings of the ‘ Vrittis ’ - the...

In the profound realm of Yoga philosophy, the " vrittis " gracefully reveal to us the intricate dance of the mind's fluctuations. Derived...

“Wherever you go, you carry your light with you” ~ Yogi Ashokananda, my Beloved Teacher Over the last few weeks, we have shared a journey...