Yasodhara Ashram Blog & Podcast

When Grief is Born of Love: A Spiritual Reflection on Impermanence and Community
There is the old Buddhist parable about Kisa Gotami, a grieving mother whose only son has died. In her anguish, she asks the Buddha to restore him to life. He instructs her to bring him a single mustard seed from

Yoga Is Now: Reconciling Spiritual Longing with Everyday Life
In this new episode of Ask A Swami, Swami Samayananda discusses life inside and outside of the Ashram, and how Karma Yoga can be woven into everyday living. Reflecting on her own experience of working in the world, she shares the

Courage to Change: Weaving Qualities of the Heart
Dear Reader: Shortly after writing this blog, two amazingly courageous women of the East Shore community in which the Ashram is situated, passed away. Janet Wallace, creator of Barefoot Handweaving and community organizer for artisans, businesses and non-profits alike, died

Karma Yoga: Walking the Path to Wisdom
At the Ashram we are in a transition time, which the season of fall is mirroring. Each day there is change—the snowline creeps down from mountain tops, a cool wind stirs up waves on the lake, the golden and flame

A Swami’s Advice to Younger Self
In this podcast episode of Ask A Swami, Swami RadhaTarananda, a disciple of Swami Radha, reflects on the advice she would give to her younger self at the beginning of her spiritual journey. She speaks about what faith means to her

Abundance and Gratitude: The Gifts of a Spiritual Life
It’s autumn now at the Ashram. A few days after the Equinox the seasons suddenly shifted from a summery warmth to cool crisp days. And now the sun is setting at 6:30 so that by the time I walk to