In Quest of Truth - Q&A with Shri Babaji

Shiva Rudra Balayogi
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  • RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Anyone interested in meditation will find this series of questions and answers of interest. A Realized Meditation Master, Shri Babaji (Shri Shivarudra Balayogi Maharaj), answers questions from people around the world on meditation and spirituality. His spontaneous answers are based on the wisdom gained from his own direct, first-hand experience of years of intense meditation (Tapas) and the teachings of his Guru, Shri Shivabalayogi Maharaj. He explains how meditation works and the purpose and benefits of spirituality in clear, simple terms. These recordings are taken from a live online meditation class that Babaji holds every Saturday. They are precious opportunities to receive direct guidance from a Realized Master. To register please visit: https://www.shivarudrabalayogi.org/en/online-satsang

  1. 2D AGO

    Oneness | In Quest of Truth - Babaji Q&A, No. 270

    Send us Fan Mail Register your free place for the live online meditation and Q&A with Babaji: https://www.shivarudrabalayogi.org/online-satsang  Oneness | In Quest of Truth - Babaji Q&A, No. 270 Recorded on 25 April 2026 with worldwide participants 0:00 Can Babaji comment on Kabir’s couplet “‘I’ is there when God is not there, God is there when ‘I’ is not there”? and explain it further in context of ‘oneness’? 1:31 If you are aligned with and one with your true nature to realise and drop your ego, what is that true nature? 2:41 How can we stay in this state of oneness while being in this world? 7:06 If we keep observing our thoughts continuously, do they disappear, or are we taking control of ourselves? 8:19 So the truth of the mind is not the truth? 8:34 What happens when we come out of meditation into the world? 9:59 Which practice dissolves the senses of separation most effectively? Is meditation enough or is self-inquiry necessary on a regular basis? 10:57 Who is the one practising if ultimately there is no separate self? 11:36 When we are aware and very conscious that ‘I am That’, can we again fall into the trap of desires?  13:35 When we say we are one is that because we are made up of all the same elements and consciousness? 17:44 How to solve the problem of your relations not being prepared to join you in your journey of becoming detached and achieving oneness? 19:47 Why is it we cannot reach the true love which is non-transactional? 28:02 Is it selfish to say our time has come to realise the truth, or do we say it is our destiny which got us here and other people who have not realised will get their time in due course?  31:15 When Babaji met His Master Swamiji the sense of ‘I’ disappeared. Why then was it still necessary to do Tapas? 32:35 After merging in Nirvikalpa samadhi, what happens now when Babaji goes into samadhi, is it deepening all the time, not just a static sense of bliss? 33:11 Sometimes we encounter arrogant or rude people even in family situations.  I try to remain unaffected, but sometimes it’s hard – how to achieve oneness with such people? 34:40 I don’t show my anger outside, but sometimes I get affected internally.  35:20 Is the space, consciousness of existence and silence the same? 37:20 I was advised not to practice this meditation, but I want to; should I? 39:41 Can we consider all Gurus to be the same being, in oneness? 40:55 Sometimes the mind creates a confusion when trying to see the same Guru in other forms. 42:04 How is undergoing hardships in life related to progress in meditation and spiritual life?  43:51 What is the form of the soul? 46:11 After death does a person hear or see us? 47:50 Is God the divine, or a person who has attained the true nature of mind? 49:02 Do sages who have been in samadhi get angry? 50:36 So God doesn’t have an ego and doesn’t get angry? 51:31 In meditation is it the stabilising of the eyes that is the key point rather than where they are looking? 52:21 How is it possible to drop all ideas of the mind? As long as the ‘I’ exists, the mind exists and you are in separation. 55:16 So all my thoughts, imaginations are not me? 58:03 Ashtavakra says the Self cannot be experienced as long as the mind is clinging on. 59:23 How do You see God? What is God for You? 1:00:52 Do You ever objectify God as an entity or does it just exist to You eternally? 1:01:53 When I listen in satsangs, my mind listens very attentively and I feel at peace, but when I close the eyes in meditation it is more difficult. 1:03:34 When the samskaras of the mind are so strong, how can we win? 1:05:55 When you keep staring at the space, there is nothing there.  1:06:51 What is the importance of the physical initiation and presence of the Guru? ___ Website: http://www.srby.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shivarudrabalayogi Twitter: https://twitter.com/SRBYmission Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivarudrabalayogi/ Register your free place for the live online meditation and Q&A with Babaji: https://www.shivarudrabalayogi.org/en/online-satsang  Website: http://www.srby.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shivarudrabalayogi Twitter: https://twitter.com/SRBYmission Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivarudrabalayogi/

    1h 9m

  2. MAY 13

    "The True Knower", Pt3- Ashtavakra Samhita | In Quest of Truth - Babaji Q&A, No. 269

    Send us Fan Mail Register your free place for the live online meditation and Q&A with Babaji: https://www.shivarudrabalayogi.org/online-satsang  "The True Knower", Pt3- Ashtavakra Samhita | In Quest of Truth - Babaji Q&A, No. 269 Recorded on 15 March 2026 with US participants 0:00 Intro 1:11 How does a Yogi view the world or life? 6:30 Does a Yogi no longer see himself as a person? 7:03 Does a Yogi see himself as the witness, as just the consciousness? 7:36 How do you jump across the abyss between the changing world and desires, to the desireless, changeless reality? 10:23 Verse 13. "A Yogi is free from attachment to all objects and actions." 13:56 "Once liberation is achieved, a need for anything else never occurs." 17:58 When the mind becomes completely silent, it shines forth with this true knowledge. It wasn't learned from books. 22:35 Is there a point when the mind becomes silent, where true knowledge just appears, or comes to you? 23:51 And does all ignorance, and false belief, just vanish at that time? 24:38 If you quiet your mind and you lose all desire and there's nothing to achieve in the world, what allows the body to move, to function and perform action? 26:49 Why does knowing the Self bring Supreme Peace and perfect contentment to the mind?  28:43 Verse 15. "A Yogi always sees the Self everywhere." 31:03 The Yogi identifies with being pure consciousness. How does he see the world? 32:08 Verse 16.  From the standpoint of just being a person, it sounds pretty callous, but from the standpoint of a Yogi, everything seems all proper. 33:34 It seems that you still have thoughts, ideas and imaginations? 35:30 Do Yogis daydream? 36:33 Dreams can come up because the brain generates those? 37:28 Verse 17.  A Yogi's consciousness is always detached. 40:15 Could you elaborate on the consciousness of existence, what that is and how it merges into the Self? 41:42 The abyss between the changing world and non-changing existence. 44:09 A Yogi does not perform activities, though it might appear that they act. 47:08 Verse 20.  For a Yogi, no depression or dullness would ever occur. 49:23 The state of a Yogi and a guru, are these two terms synonymous? Like, is every Yogi a guru? 50:38 Is the importance of a guru always in the faith of the disciple? 51:29 If Babaji suggests something to a disciple, is that because the disciple was looking for that suggestion? 52:09  If a Yogi does not have compassion, why do Yogis bless people? 53:13 For a householder, if they reach samadhi and there is no motivation left, how would they care for their family? 55:00 Is it true that some Yogis take the body with them when they pass? 55:44 Does black magic exist? ___ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6YHFKcPK_XT96VO7xuk6RQ Website: http://www.srby.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shivarudrabalayogi Twitter: https://twitter.com/SRBYmission Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivarudrabalayogi/ Register your free place for the live online meditation and Q&A with Babaji: https://www.shivarudrabalayogi.org/en/online-satsang  Website: http://www.srby.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shivarudrabalayogi Twitter: https://twitter.com/SRBYmission Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivarudrabalayogi/

    58 min

  3. MAY 3

    Mastery of the mind | In Quest of Truth - Babaji Q&A, No. 268

    Send us Fan Mail Register your free place for the live online meditation and Q&A with Babaji: https://www.shivarudrabalayogi.org/online-satsang  Mastery of the mind | In Quest of Truth - Babaji Q&A, No. 268 Recorded on 11 April 2026 with worldwide participants 0:00 Intro 0:07 When things happen that are not according to our expectations, why do we lose control of our mind and experience tension and unhappiness? 6:30 Swamiji said, "Meditate, know your Self, and don't be prejudicial."  How to avoid being prejudicial? 14:54 How to improve our observation power and understanding capability? 21:11 Peculiar relationship between the brain and the mind and how one must never stop the learning process. 31:21 How does meditation enable the consciousness to gain control of itself? 40:52 Stopping all identifications of the world 45:47 The stages during Babaji's 25 years of sadhana at the Ashram 46:56 How to master the emotions of the mind in a healthy way. 48:50 How to know that the mind is watching itself, and who is watching the 'I'? 49:51 Can one do meditation anytime, anywhere and without taking a shower beforehand?  Also, do I need to get initiated? 51:01 What is the difference between acceptance and loss of hope? 52:08 Is hope a desire? 52:36 If life is like a long dream, it will end one day - so why the special sadhanas to become one with the Ultimate? 54:15 Is there a witness behind the witness when you are watching in meditation? 55:11 What is the difference between Parabrahman and Paramatma? 55:31 When things don't happen according to our expectations, finally the mind gives up criticising itself and self-esteem drops.  What is the best way to rebuild self-confidence? ___ Website: http://www.srby.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shivarudrabalayogi Twitter: https://twitter.com/SRBYmission Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivarudrabalayogi/ Register your free place for the live online meditation and Q&A with Babaji: https://www.shivarudrabalayogi.org/en/online-satsang  Website: http://www.srby.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shivarudrabalayogi Twitter: https://twitter.com/SRBYmission Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivarudrabalayogi/

    58 min

  4. APR 28

    The True Knower, Pt1 | In Quest of Truth - Babaji Q&A, No. 267

    Send us Fan Mail Register your free place for the live online meditation and Q&A with Babaji: https://www.shivarudrabalayogi.org/online-satsang  The True Knower, Pt1 | In Quest of Truth - Babaji Q&A, No. 267 Recorded on 18 January 2026 with US participants 0:00 Intro 0:33 Verse 1. Someone who's attained Self-realization is fully contented, attaining the fruit of all knowledge. 2:52 For a Self-realized soul, solitude is not loneliness or missing something.  6:43 The most that knowledge can do is bring peace, which is the fruit of all Knowledge and the goal of Yoga. 7:58 What does it mean to purified the senses? 9:59 Verse 2.  What does it mean, that the entire universe filled with nothing but the Self? 14:28 A Self-realized soul is fully aware that this all-pervasive space is nothing but the Self. 16:11 Is the mind is just the thoughts arising in consciousness?  18:14 How consciousness got trapped into it's own illusion. 21:46 Verse 3. None of the senses please One who rests delighting in the Self. 26:00 What's the different between a Self-Realized person and a Self-Realized soul? 27:38 How does a Yogi perceive people? 28:34 Verse 4. A Yogi is no longer a victim of the past memories. 30:35 Are you destroying your mind, the imprints and memories? 31:47 Are the imprints and memories erased from the mind but not erased from the brain? 33:25 What is the fastest way to realise that what you are seeing is not the truth? 34:21 Verse 5.  What motivates a Yogi to get up in the morning if they are completely contented?  39:15 Attaining Yoga, union with the Self, is that beyond desire, and even the idea of liberation? 40:50 Do you get carried across the threshold spontaneously? 41:45 Are you training the mind to surrender until the point of going beyond the 'I am'?  43:46 At that time when you're completely engrossed in the experience, do you still have an awareness of yourself? 44:58 The story of Angulimala and Buddha in today's context. 47:07 Is it recommended to practice sitting on the ground in meditation? 48:01 How do we carry on with our daily lives and at the same time remove the ego and thoughts? 49:39 Why is it we have to keep our back straight in meditation? 51:04 A personal decision about whether to stay and help family members or to move away, helping more people elsewhere. 53:19 Can a Guru give an experience of Samadhi to the disciple? 55:38 How to practice consciousness in daily activity? 58:35 People who do some magic work and cheat people of this world claiming they are gods.  What knowledge of the Self can these gods impart? ___ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6YHFKcPK_XT96VO7xuk6RQ Website: http://www.srby.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shivarudrabalayogi Twitter: https://twitter.com/SRBYmission Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivarudrabalayogi/ Register your free place for the live online meditation and Q&A with Babaji: https://www.shivarudrabalayogi.org/en/online-satsang  Website: http://www.srby.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shivarudrabalayogi Twitter: https://twitter.com/SRBYmission Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivarudrabalayogi/

    1h 3m

  5. APR 20

    Yoga Vasistha - Creation Pt2 | In Quest of Truth - Babaji Q&A, No. 266

    Send us Fan Mail Register your free place for the live online meditation and Q&A with Babaji: https://www.shivarudrabalayogi.org/online-satsang  Yoga Vasistha - Creation Pt2 | In Quest of Truth - Babaji Q&A, No. 266 Recorded on 14 March 2026 with worldwide participants 0:00 Intro 0:29 The story of Leela from the Yoga Vasistha 9:51 The story of the 10 sons from the Yoga Vasistha 21:46 "When the tree dies, the seed doesn't die, but when the seed dies, the tree perishes with it." 29:23 Why does this creation idea have to exist? 32:00 The story of the man with many hands beating himself in the dense forest. 39:27 Apprehension about facing the thousands of thoughts in meditation. 43:04 Does the resolution power to achieve Self Realisation have to be finally dropped before achieving it? 45:57 If I sit for 1 hour meditation and there are constantly thoughts in the mind, is that time wasted? 46:50 Is it possible to overcome negative choices, even after repeated failures? 48:35 If unable to sit upright due to a broken leg, how to avoid falling asleep? 50:17 I dream of previous lives, different characters - why does the monkey mind play these games? 52:24 How to overcome bodily discomfort in meditation. 53:52 Breathing suddenly stops during meditation. 56:19 How to ensure the mind stays calm for 1 hour and beyond that? ___ Website: http://www.srby.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shivarudrabalayogi Twitter: https://twitter.com/SRBYmission Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivarudrabalayogi/ Register your free place for the live online meditation and Q&A with Babaji: https://www.shivarudrabalayogi.org/en/online-satsang  Website: http://www.srby.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shivarudrabalayogi Twitter: https://twitter.com/SRBYmission Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivarudrabalayogi/

    58 min

  6. APR 13

    Babaji's Life Story | In Quest of Truth - Babaji Q&A, No. 265

    Send us Fan Mail Register your free place for the live online meditation and Q&A with Babaji: https://www.shivarudrabalayogi.org/online-satsang  Babaji's Life Story | In Quest of Truth - Babaji Q&A, No. 265 Recorded on 21 March 2026 with worldwide participants 0:00 Intro 0:07 What were the characteristics that Babaji's parents demonstrated that helped impact the development of His character? 7:57 Innate characteristics of Babaji's personality as a young boy that were unusual compared to those around Him? 13:24 After Babaji first heard the song 'Bhaja Govindam', would the people around him have noticed a change in His behaviour or temperament? 19:43 What was the attraction that Babaji had to the Hanuman temple near His home? 37:18 How Babaji came to enter Swamiji's service after waiting for 3 years. 46:16 Stories that there are other lokas where you can achieve god realisation. 49:42 How to get over the fear that one will be reborn into the world again. 52:59 If we want Self Realization will we all have to do Tapas for many years? 55:39 How should one look at an appearance of either Swamiji or Babaji in a dream? 56:52 For Babaji, what kind of association is there to the memories of early life, considering that no ego is now left? 59:14 During Babaji's 5 year Tapas, did Babaji stretch out His legs, changing posture? 59:53 An experience of hearing a heavenly voice chanting 'narayana' - what was that? 1:01:11 Why did Babaji seek a Guru and not god? 1:02:13 The difference between a devotee and merging with the Self. 1:03:09 The worry that moving the eyes to the centre and meditating is unsafe for people who are impure. 1:05:25 In meditation, how to go beyond the witness, the observer. 1:06:04 How to overcome past sing and guilt? 1:07:22 Who was Swamiji's master? ___ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6YHFKcPK_XT96VO7xuk6RQ Website: http://www.srby.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shivarudrabalayogi Twitter: https://twitter.com/SRBYmission Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivarudrabalayogi/ Register your free place for the live online meditation and Q&A with Babaji: https://www.shivarudrabalayogi.org/en/online-satsang  Website: http://www.srby.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shivarudrabalayogi Twitter: https://twitter.com/SRBYmission Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivarudrabalayogi/

    1h 8m

  7. APR 4

    Special Instruction Pt1 - Ashtavakra Samhita | In Quest of Truth - Babaji Q&A, No. 264

    Send us Fan Mail Register your free place for the live online meditation and Q&A with Babaji: https://www.shivarudrabalayogi.org/online-satsang  Recorded on 9 November 2026 with US participants 1:16 "..one cannot become established in the Self unless everything is forgotten." 3:10 You don't have to erase all your memories, but stop all the thoughts? 3:44 "Reading and listening to the teachings of great Masters alone cannot give Self-realization." 6:50 "By habits only, consciousness goes out of control, and by habit only, it can be brought under control. That's the practice of sadhana." 9:13 What happens to those people who meditate for a long time, but they don't progress? 11:19 Bringing the attention back to focusing when the mind goes off onto thoughts. 13:12 You start meditating, you focus, and then shortly you're off on thoughts. 14:13 No matter what you acquire, the mind will never be satisfied. 17:16 How can you become quiet mentally all the time and be active in the world? 20:17 A Self Realized person can be engaged in activity, but at the same time they're always aware they are the absolute. 20:46 "While trying to do sadhana, often, seekers are likely to be in a rush and force it upon themselves" 24:45 You say there's nothing coming to the mind, but you're talking to us. Isn't there something in the mind? 26:00 All these answers are just coming out spontaneously? They're not coming from your mind? 26:29 Is there anything we can do during the day to help us quiet our mind or keep it quiet? 27:39 Though a yogi remains in the Self at all times, a yogi will show compassion. 31:11 The difference between detachment and indifference 32:13 Would it be true to say that true detachment requires true compassion? 34:00 If a Yogi is not involved in any way, then who's doing it? 36:36 What are karmas? 38:00 What does prārabdha mean? 39:10 "There will not be any imagination of doership, and there shall not be any desire to achieve anything." 40:53 It says that abiding in the Self, there's no need for anything? 41:44 So the body, the mind, just responds to what is necessary at the moment without any additional craving? 42:28 Would any Self-realized person want their body to live indefinitely?  43:34 When doing your tapas, did time go by very fast? 44:41 "That one who neither likes nor dislikes is neither attached nor unattached." 46:35 The body moves during meditation, and the eyes will open. What can I do to dissolve this habit? 50:14 The mind keeps trying to go into imaginations and doesn't stay silent.  Why is this? 52:06 If there is an idea of peace or losing all desires, why does the mind go into a depression? 53:58 Body can go through prarabdha of pain, but Babaji is not involved in it? 55:30 Is there a technique that we can use to disconnect from our body, so pain and suffering doesn't come up? 57:15 Is there a technique where our mind is focused on Self Realisation and our body is mechanically doing the day to day activities? 1:00:02 I feel the past all the time so it is hard to meditate. 1:01:37 Does a Yogi not differentiate individuals, only the one Self is seen? 1:03:37 How much effort should you make to concentrate your mind and sight between the eyebrows?  1:06:01 What is the connection between our breath and the mind?  1:07:08 If the mind shifts to the breath during meditation, is this ok? ___ Website: http://www.srby.org Register your free place for the live online meditation and Q&A with Babaji: https://www.shivarudrabalayogi.org/en/online-satsang  Website: http://www.srby.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shivarudrabalayogi Twitter: https://twitter.com/SRBYmission Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivarudrabalayogi/

    1h 8m

  8. MAR 28

    Paths of Spirituality | In Quest of Truth - Babaji Q&A, No. 263

    Send us Fan Mail Register your free place for the live online meditation and Q&A with Babaji: https://www.shivarudrabalayogi.org/online-satsang  Paths of Spirituality  | In Quest of Truth - Babaji Q&A, No. 263 Recorded on 7 March 2026 with worldwide participants 0:00 Intro 0:35 What are the different paths of spirituality? 7:59 What is the right path for a rational, scientific temperament? 12:00 In Yoga Vasistha, through explanations only, Rama is able to achieve Self Realization.  Is that a valid path for this Kali Yuga? 15:08 What kind of mindset is needed for one to be successful in Dhyana marga (path of meditation)? 23:59 How does the path of self-enquiry, as recommended by Ramana Maharshi, compare to Jangama Dhyana? 26:20 Some saints recommend the path of Nama Japa, repetition of a chant.  Is this a valid path and how does it relate to Jangama Dhyana? 31:13 Some teachers advocate pranayama techniques, controlling of the breath.  Is this a valid path for Self-Realization? 36:11 Institutions established by Shankaracharya recommend the traditional Vedic path; learning the vedas, following the various ritual etc. Is this a valid path in this current age? 41:18 Is the path of tantra a valid path for Self-Realization? 44:37 Can one follow multiple paths simultaneously? 46:21 How do I know what is the best and quickest path for me for Self-Realization? 50:42 Has 'yearning' for the truth of existence more depth to it than intelligence or rational thinking? 52:08 Is wisdom through the path of enquiry through intelligence? 54:23 In meditation is our attention on the attention? 56:08 Where to focus in meditation 57:06 If we make our body absolutely still, our mind becomes still. How to avoid our attention being divided between attention on the point in-between our eyebrows and on our body being still? 58:22 Do we need to put some effort in to keep the body still? 59:01 How to eliminate pain in the body so that we can keep our attention in-between the eyebrows? ___ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6YHFKcPK_XT96VO7xuk6RQ Website: http://www.srby.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shivarudrabalayogi Twitter: https://twitter.com/SRBYmission Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivarudrabalayogi/ Register your free place for the live online meditation and Q&A with Babaji: https://www.shivarudrabalayogi.org/en/online-satsang  Website: http://www.srby.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shivarudrabalayogi Twitter: https://twitter.com/SRBYmission Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivarudrabalayogi/

    1h 1m
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About

Anyone interested in meditation will find this series of questions and answers of interest. A Realized Meditation Master, Shri Babaji (Shri Shivarudra Balayogi Maharaj), answers questions from people around the world on meditation and spirituality. His spontaneous answers are based on the wisdom gained from his own direct, first-hand experience of years of intense meditation (Tapas) and the teachings of his Guru, Shri Shivabalayogi Maharaj. He explains how meditation works and the purpose and benefits of spirituality in clear, simple terms. These recordings are taken from a live online meditation class that Babaji holds every Saturday. They are precious opportunities to receive direct guidance from a Realized Master. To register please visit: https://www.shivarudrabalayogi.org/en/online-satsang

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