Articles
Articles about the Esoteric Teaching by David Bruce Hughes (Gaurahari Dāsānudās Bābājī). They were written over a long span of time, from the mid-1980s to just a few weeks ago.
The first principle of Vedānta is to inquire into Absolute Truth. Absolute Truth, for the purpose of this discussion, is defined as the source from which everything emanates, or Brahman. The domain of inquiry into Absolute Truth of Vedānta is therefore, in the broadest sense, the field of ontology or the study of origins.
Read more...
Consciousness is the primary issue in human life. Indeed, without consciousness, there are no other issues. Consciousness and its corollaries are fundamental to every thought, word and action. Yet how strange it is that no universally accepted, comprehensive theory of consciousness exists in Western science. The reason for this is clear: until recently, science intentionally restricted its domain to empirical investigations of the manifest objective world, while consciousness is intrinsically subjective and immanent.
Read more...
The essence of Vedānta is not so much a particular philosophical or theological interpretation of some obscure ancient scriptures, but a fresh and living approach to solving the real problems of life for everyone’s practical benefit. We therefore abstract the principles of Vedāntic exegesis and apply them to subjects of paramount concern to everyone: the problems of suffering and death.
Read more...
This is a true story: the real-life spiritual adventure of establishing our Esoteric Teaching rural retreat center in a tiny, remote Mexican village, accompanied by my disciples Florian and Conor. This pastime represents the fruition of a dream long in coming into reality from its origin in the confidential instructions received from my spiritual Master Teacher Srila Prabhupada in 1978, at the time of his leaving this world. Includes many photos.
Read more...
A groundbreaking thesis on spiritual music and sacred sound written in 1986, when David was co-Chariman of the Music Department at the Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir Gurukula in West Bengal, India. Forms the basis of the RagaJazz composition system. 35 pages, 8.5 x 11", many illustrations.
Read Sapta Svarah [312 KB PDF]
Extends the explication of the Vedic system of musical tonality first described in Sapta Svarah into the realm of scales and chords, the practical materials of musical improvisation and composition. Contains 24 pages, 8.5 x 11", many charts, tables and musical examples with MP3s (contact Bābājī for links).
Read Vedic Scales, Chords and Tonalities [1.2 MB PDF]
The Vrndavan-lila Recording Project is a major work in progress. Based firmly on the spiritual principles of Vedic music, it is an outgrowth of over 30 years of training and experience as a bhakti-yogi in the holy places of India and around the world. You are invited to become involved with this project as an investor or performer.
Read The Vrndavan-lila Project [261 KB PDF]
The true story of how Babaji gave up the material world, retired to an isolated beach on the island of Kauai, and chanted for six months in seclusion. At the conclusion of this time he had a vision of Lord Krsna in Vrndavan, and a dream in which his spiritual master instructed him to restore the original meaning of his teachings.
Read more...
We all have problems. Although the problems of life are innumerable, nevertheless they have a simple, natural solution.
Read more...
A comprehensive listing of the manifestations of the three modes of material nature and the transcendental mode (akarma or naiskarma) as described in Bhagavad-gita and other Vedic scriptures.
Read Laws of Karma [169 KB PDF]
Gives a perspective on yoga rarely heard in the West: an overview of the complete yogic source literature.
Read more...
This essay by David Bruce Hughes explains the ultimate purpose and effect of the original Vedic yoga system.
Read more...
You might think you believe it, and might even defend it if someone were to call it a lie. Of course, you’ve never seen any proof for the big lie, but that’s because there isn’t any.
Read more...
Is the current war World War III? The end of the world? What is its spiritual significance?Written by David Bruce Hughes (Gaurahari Dāsānudās Bābājī) in 2002.
Read more...
A simplified version of the Narayana-kavaca spiritual armor that gives protection from gross and subtle material attacks.
Read more...
This short essay describes the actual inner state of the sannyasi or renunciant.
Read more...
This prayer illustrates the sentiments of an advanced devotee of Kṛṣṇa in the stage of spontaneous devotional service.
Read more...
Bhakti-yoga is the most important of all the yoga teachings. Pure bhakti is the greatest good, the most valuable gift, and the most confidential knowledge.
Read more...
Religion is not an end in itself; it is a means to an end. That end is our unique personal relationship with God.
Read more...
An astonishing, intimate view of an advanced devotee's relationship with his Lord.
Read more...
An illuminating email dialogue with an old friend who raises intelligent questions on the nature of the Absolute Truth.
Read more...
Our search for relief from the suffering of life goes through six well-defined stages of consciousness. All states of consciousness experienced in human life fall somewhere in this spectrum of six stages of solutions.
Read more...
There are ten offenses in the chanting of the Holy Nme of the Lord. This article contains some hints on how to avoid them.
Read more...
When we create in conflict with the purpose of the universe, we experience difficulty and pain. When we create in harmony with the actual purpose of the universe, the pleasure and joy we experience are precursors of enlightenment .
Read more...
Near the end of the 19th century, a small group of sages met in a small village near the bank of the sacred Ganges. After the usual formal greetings, prayers and devotional chants, they turned their attention to the most pressing problem facing their ancient Vedic ways of spiritual life.
Read more...
Anyone who is actually performing transcendental devotional service according to the process given in the Esoteric Teaching will be happy. If someone claims to be advanced in the Esoteric Teaching or spiritual life, but is not happy, then he’s not performing the process properly.
Read more...
Religion teaches that “God is good, God is great,” but that is just external. To actually know the science of God requires a much deeper level of teaching and realization. By studying Bhagavad-gītā, we can understand not only that God is great, but we see what kind of God He is, and come to know His real form, sac-cid-ānanda-vigrahaḥ. Why do we accept Kṛṣṇa as God?
Read more...
Love is ultimately the most important theme in spiritual life. Not knowledge, good works, salvation, enlightenment, self-realization or even liberation from material existence. These are very nice, but they are subordinate to love. Love of Godhead is the source and the consummation of all spiritual paths, methods and endeavors. This is the conclusion of the Esoteric Teaching.
Read more...
The lineage of the Esoteric Teaching begins from Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and continues down to the present day. What is so unique and interesting about our lineage is that it is the only living mystery school that accepts, understands and develops the mood of conjugal love with Kṛṣṇa, or God: mādhurya-rasa, or śṛṅgāra-rasa.
Read more...
(From the preface of the book Here Be Wisdom)
The Absolute Truth is the essence of what is.
Who can know the Absolute Truth?
Only one who perfectly understands the true nature of the soul, and God, and has developed Divine Love.
Read more...
What is the Absolute Truth? Would we recognize the Absolute Truth even if we stumbled across it? Here is an essay excerpted from our book Search For The Absolute Truth.
Read the essay here. [152 KB PDF]
What if all that is knowable could be boiled down to a single concise, easy-to-understand formula? Read The Hard Questions [16KB PDF]
Science now knows that many of the pillars of Darwinian theory are either false or misleading. Yet biology textx continue to present them as factual evidence of evolution. What does this imply about their scientific standards? An article by Jonathan Wells. Read the PDF
here.
