Introduction by Ramana Maharshi

Since Brahman is the sole reality, according to advaita, how is it that Brahman is not apparent to us, whereas the prapancha (world, i.e., non-Brahman) is so vivid?

We have some basic needs: food, water, shelter, good sanitation, love...

But even though we may have the privilege of satisfying these basic necessities, a good education, a good job and more... we still feel unsatisfied, unfulfilled, depressed, anxious, suffer ill health etc..

Is Yoga a Spiritual Practice and if so Why?

At the heart of yoga is the idea of transformation. Everyone who starts practicing yoga feels the desire for change on some level. These changes we seek are usually both physical and mental - broadly speaking, we look for better health and more peace.

But how does yoga change us? We experience both physical and psychological transformation through yoga - how does this happen?

"He who constantly practices uddiyana bandha as taught by his guru, and as it occurs in a natural way, becomes young though he may be old. He should draw back the intestines below or above the navel, and within a month he will conquer death, without a doubt. Of all the bandhas, uddiyana bandha is the most excellent. When mastered, liberation (mukti) follows naturally." - Hatha Yoga Pradipika