Spirit Matters: Integrate Your Spiritual Awakening for Mindful Living | Teachings of Sri Chinmoy

Spiritual Guidance on Mindful Living by Vajin and Abhinabha | Grounded Practices
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Spirit Matters is a weekly show for modern seekers of spirituality who have had a spiritual awakening, yet struggle to integrate their experience into daily life. Hosts Vajin and Abhinabha are here to take you from the confusion, frustration and loneliness to a grounded practice rooted in heart-based wisdom. Every episode offers spiritual guidance for mindful living. Become the wise and centered soul you know yourself to be! Vajin and Abhinabha are meditation teachers with over 25 years of experience. Both are students of Sri Chinmoy, a modern day spiritual master.

  1. Jun 4

    The 3 False Narratives Around Gurus That Stunt Your Spiritual Growth | The Guru Episode | Spiritual Guidance for Mindful Living | Ep.45

    Are Gurus still relevant today? Why do I need a spiritual teacher? These are crucial questions when the dust has settled after spiritual awakening. Without the proper spiritual guidance you may fall back to false fears and misguided notions about guru's. But if you're unapologetic about spiritual growth, you need to make an informed choice. That's what this episode is all about! We dive deep into the question of the necessity and value of a guru or teacher in your spiritual practice. We address the often false narratives and generalisations about false gurus and cults. And we talk about our own experiences of being on a guru-guided path for over 25 years. ⁠Spirit Matters⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a show that helps you integrate a spiritual awakening experience into your daily life. We take you beyond the confusion, frustration and spiritual loneliness to a grounded practice of mindful living centred in heart-based wisdom. What you learn in this episode: a quick and easy way to distinguish a cult from a genuine spiritual pathwhy true spiritual teachers strengthen your agency instead of diminishing ithow guru-devotion differs from personality-worship, and how it can be a fast track to the DivineDrawing from lived experience, ancient traditions, and the raw honesty of our own paths, we look at what actually happens when you’re learning from a guru — the expansion, the challenges, the breakthroughs, and the moments that push you out of your comfort zones. If you’ve ever wondered whether you can walk the path alone or whether the right teacher could change everything — this conversation will give you clarity, courage, and a deeper understanding of what real spiritual guidance looks like. _____________________________________________________________ If you enjoy our content please subscribe and rate us! We love and appreciate you for it. For more information about our spiritual path and the Sri Chinmoy Centres worldwide: https://srichinmoycentre.org Who is Sri Chinmoy https://srichinmoy.org Videos and interviews: https://srichinmoy.tv Spiritual music by Sri Chinmoy and his students: https://radiosrichinmoy.org Free meditation classes in Amsterdam: https://meditatieamsterdam.com/en

    1h 1m

  2. May 28

    7 Spiritual Growth Signs You Can't Afford To Miss (How to Know You’re Spiritually Growing in Everyday Life) | Spiritual Guidance for Mindful Living | Ep.44

    Your spiritual awakening experience is actually useless if you don’t do anything with it. But how do you know if you’re doing the right things in your meditation practice to really grow spiritually? In this episode we unpack seven signs of how you know you’re making good spiritual progress. If you don’t have a spiritual teacher to guide you directly, this conversation will give you grounded wisdom to know if you’re on the right track. ⁠Spirit Matters⁠⁠⁠ is a show that helps you integrate a spiritual awakening experience into your daily life. We take you beyond the confusion, frustration and spiritual loneliness to a grounded practice of mindful living centred in heart-based wisdom. In this episode you'll learn how to: Break the loop — stop living on autopilot and interrupt the destructive reactions that have ruled your life for years. This is the moment where your future stops repeating your past. Drop the dead weight — learn how jealousy, worry, and fear start dissolving when real growth kicks in Choose your moment — discover the tiny pause between stimulus and response that can save your relationships, your peace, and your sanity. Without this, you’ll keep detonating emotional grenades you never meant to throw. See the world come alive — understand why spiritual growth makes ordinary days feel fresh and electric again — and why losing this newness is the first sign your inner life is drying out. Take back the pen — how to stop blaming others and reclaim authorship of your life. If you skip this, you’ll stay trapped in a story someone else wrote for you. Build unshakable faith — You’ll feel what it’s like when faith moves from your soul into your mind — when doubt stops running the show and your inner life finally has room to breathe. We break down the real signs of spiritual growth — the ones that actually show up in your day‑to‑day life, not the ones you read about in books. You’ll hear what truly changes during spiritual growth, how to know you’re spiritually growing even when your mind insists nothing is happening, and why certain painful phases are actually proof that your consciousness is expanding. This is a spiritual awakening podcast episode for anyone who wants to get their bearings on the journey. We explore how to grow spiritually through grounded and lived experience — through your reactions, your choices, your mindset, your capacity to pause before you speak. If you care about growth mindset spirituality and you want to understand the subtle inner shifts that mark real evolution, don’t miss this episode. It might be the one that finally helps you see the progress you’ve didn't know you were making.

    57 min

  3. May 21

    Why You Can Never Compromise With Ignorance (And How To Recognize Falsehood) | Spiritual Guidance For Mindful Living | Ep.43

    The real danger isn’t a big moral collapse. It’s the tiny, everyday moments when you abandon your deepest values. Most of us don’t fall by making one dramatic mistake. We fall in the hundreds of small, invisible ways, such as laughing along while someone is being torn down. Pretending not to care about our spiritual awakening because the room feels cynical. Or sensing a clear inner nudge — a piece of spiritual guidance — and ignoring it because it’s inconvenient. Those moments seem harmless. But inside, something tightens. Your conscience pinches you. Your spiritual candle flame flickers and dims. That’s the problem this episode tackles head‑on: the erosion of integrity that happens when we compromise with ignorance. And the stakes are real. Every time you betray your own values, you weaken the connection to your own soul. You compromise the version of yourself that longs for mindful living, wants a grounded practice and longs to grow into someone who can stand tall and speak truth even when it’s uncomfortable. Sri Chinmoy’s teaching of no compromise with ignorance doesn’t mean you should become rigid or self‑righteous. It’s about protecting the integrity of your inner life. It’s about recognizing subtle crossroads — the ones that appear in conversations, in choices, in moments where no one is watching — and choosing the path that leaves you feeling strong and aligned. In this episode, we explore: Why small compromises drain your inner strengthHow to recognize the exact moment you should speak up The Greek concept of ‘parrhesia’ or speaking truth even if it is terrifying — and why it’s the doorway to freedomHow grounded practice prepares you for the “big moments” long before they arriveWhat Sri Chinmoy meant by justice‑light, and how it operates in real lifeAbhinabha shares two personal stories of when he felt he betrayed how own truth and also when he stuck to it. And Vajin reveals the magic moments when you recognize your soul’s script and speak your truth when the situation asks for it.  If you’ve ever felt the sting of betraying your own heart — or the joyful strength of standing for what you know is right — this conversation will resonate. Join the conversation and share in the comments at what moment you compromised your deepest values or had to stand up to protect your integrity.   Visit our website: https://spiritmatters.fm

    52 min

  4. May 14

    Why You Must Go Through Hell To Reach Heaven After Spiritual Awakening | The Dark Night Of The Soul Episode | Spiritual Guidance For Mindful Living | Ep.42

    Has life lost its joy, lustre and meaning after your spiritual awakening? You are going through what is called ‘the dark night of the soul’. This depressing, confusing and often lonely time is a painful but necessary phase in your spiritual awakening journey. It’s important to get spiritual guidance on your bearings, because groping in the dark alone sets you up for failure. This episode will steer you through to the other side. Spirit Matters⁠ is a show that helps you integrate a spiritual awakening experience into your daily life. We take you beyond the confusion, frustration and spiritual loneliness to a grounded practice of mindful living centred in heart-based wisdom.In this episode: The first commentary on the dark night of the soul by 16th century Spanish mystic St. John of the CrossHow Mother Teresa’s dark night of the soul lasted 49 years (yes, 49 years!) yet she never lost faithStrategies that keep you grounded when all feels unmooredHow a single poem can offer hope and consolation when the night feels darkestHaving gone through the dark night ourselves we know how tough and lonely it can be. But there is ancient wisdom to guide us. We talk about symptoms and remedies of the dark night of the soul: what to do and also what NOT to do to reach the new dawn. Mindful living isn’t all rainbows and unicorns. Spiritual life has rough patches and we need to talk about them, accept them and then go beyond them. Just remember you’re not alone. We’ve all been there.Join the conversation and leave a comment about your own experiences with the dark night of the soul.

    59 min

  5. May 7

    Don't Ignore These 3 Essential Ingredients For Meaningful And Lasting Spiritual Growth | Mindful Living & Spiritual Guidance | Ep.41

    If you feel stuck in your spiritual practice, you may lack one of the 3 ingredients or conditions that make the spiritual journey wholesome, grounded and fulfilling. In today's solo episode Abhinabha takes you through these 3 essentials without which your spiritual practice may feel stale and uninspiring. Spirit Matters⁠ is a show that helps you integrate a spiritual awakening experience into your daily life. We take you beyond the confusion, frustration and spiritual loneliness to a grounded practice of mindful living centred in heart-based wisdom. In this episode: * a practical exercise for finding your spiritual teacher and path * why reading spiritual books helps you through dark and confusing times * which of these 3 ingredients the Buddha valued most highly Abhinabha has practiced meditation for 30 years and has been on a spiritual path for the last 28 years. His grounded wisdom and insights into spiritual life and mindful living have helped thousands of modern seekers. Check out our back catalogue where we have over 40 episodes about a wide range of spiritual subjects and challenges. Visit us online: https://spiritmatters.fm

    20 min

  6. Apr 23

    Overcoming Jealousy: 8 Spiritual And Psychological Strategies To Kill The Green-Eyed Monster | Spiritual Guidance on Mindful Living | Ep.40

    If you’ve ever suffered from the sting of jealousy, you’ll know why this negative quality tops the list of spiritual growth obstacles. When you become jealous of someone, that person effectively becomes your God, as you incessantly obsess about them in your mind. Jealousy estranges you from your real self and poisons your sweet, subtle connection to the Divine. If mindful living is what you want, it’s time to overcome jealousy. In this episode we provide no less than 8 ways how to overcome jealousy both psychologically and spiritually.  Spirit Matters is a show that helps you integrate a spiritual awakening experience into your daily life. We take you beyond the confusion, frustration and spiritual loneliness to a grounded practice of mindful living centred in heart-based wisdom. After this episode you’ll know: why the most valuable real estate in any city is the graveyard (for reasons that will surprise you!)how the simple ‘crossing out’ technique is the quickest way to remove the sting of jealousywhy deep meditation cures not only the symptoms, but the very root of jealousyWe’re no strangers to jealousy ourselves. Abhinabha shares a story of how he became super jealous of a classmate of his and how he solved the obsession. Vajin unpacks the comparison-game that provides the fuel of jealousy and how the right combination of action and silence can stop the destructive behaviours.  It’s time to do some serious shadow work surrounding jealousy! Dive into an episode with spiritual guidance on jealousy triggers and how to heal them.

    50 min

  7. Apr 16

    Why You Lost Faith In Your Friends, The World and God (And How To Regain It Today) | The Doubt Episode | Spiritual Guidance For Mindful Living | Ep.39

    Doubt is a slow poison that sneaks into your spiritual practice unnoticed and shakes the very foundations of your spiritual beliefs. Without proper counter measurements doubt can destroy everything you built up so carefully over the months and years of your spiritual awakening. In this episode we clarify when and why doubt becomes problematic. And we offer practical spiritual guidance to prevent the doubt-monster from sinking its fangs too deep into your spiritual practice. Spirit Matters is a show that helps you integrate a spiritual awakening experience into your daily life. We take you beyond the confusion, frustration and spiritual loneliness to a grounded practice of mindful living centred in heart-based wisdom. After this episode you’ll know: how the ‘Santa Clause problem’ lies at the root of the emergence of doubt in our liveswhy silence is the best medicines against doubthow to recognize when doubt arises and what to do to counteract ithow some spiritual traditions use doubt in a positive senseIf you’re going through a spiritual awakening or navigating a dark night of the soul, doubt will not only slow down your progress but will make you question the very reality and usefulness of your spiritual practice. But if you take the right actions, it doesn’t have to derail your journey.  We offer five spiritual strategies as practical tools for overcoming spiritual doubt, especially during those moments when your inner world feels wobbly and you’re wondering what to do when you lose faith. Tune in, breathe, and let’s walk through this together. Chapters: 00:00 – Opening: What Is Doubt? 04:00 – Where Doubt Comes From 08:00 – Healthy Doubt vs. Destructive Doubt 12:00 – Why Self‑Doubt Is the Most Dangerous 16:00 – How Early Betrayals Create Lifelong Doubt 20:00 – Doubt as a Slow Poison 24:00 – How Doubt Spreads Like a Virus 28:00 – Faith, Evidence, and Spiritual Experience 32:00 – Mind vs. Heart: Two Ways of Knowing 36:00 – When Life Shakes Your Faith 40:00 – The Friendly vs. Hostile Universe 44:00 – The Dark Night of the Soul 48:00 – Rebuilding Faith From Within 49:25 – Closing Reflections

    49 min

  8. Apr 10

    Why Criticizing Others Hurts Your Spiritual Growth (And 4 Ways To Avoid It) | The Criticism Episode | Spiritual Guidance For Mindful Living

    Does your conscience pinch you when you criticize others? Your soul knows that gossip and criticism swell up your ego and hurt your spiritual growth. In this episode we give you 4 spiritual strategies to avoid the criticism trap. ⁠Spirit Matters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a show that helps you integrate a spiritual awakening experience into your daily life. We take you beyond the confusion, frustration and spiritual loneliness to a grounded practice centred in heart-based wisdom. After this episode you'll know: why criticism hurts both the victim and the criticthe origins of gossip as an evolutionary strategy for survival a grounded practice to see the divine in the world and helps you to see the light in othersthe best way to block out unjust criticism directed at you Our teacher Sri Chinmoy's philosophy for the new millennium directly addresses the problem of criticism in a spiritually grounded life. Only by seeing the light in others and in ourselves can we make real spiritual progress. Why not practice living without your criticizing mind for a while? You'll soon feel much lighter, brighter and happier. Chapters: 00:00 – Opening: Why Criticism Fails Spiritually 02:00 – How Criticism Harms Others and Ourselves 03:00 – Why Pointing Out Faults Never Works 04:00 – Loving Guidance vs. Ego-Based Criticism 05:10 – Gossip: Criticism on a Social Scale 06:00 – The Tribal Origins of Gossip 07:20 – Ego’s Secret Joy: Feeling Superior 08:30 – Strategy #1: You’d Do Worse in Their Shoes 09:20 – Trauma and the Roots of Harmful Behavior 10:20 – Why People Value Different Things 11:20 – Who Made You the Judge? 12:30 – Awareness: The Real Path to Growth 13:30 – Life Mirrors Your Weaknesses 14:30 – You Would Choose Your Own Problems 15:30 – Sri Chinmoy’s Teaching: See Only the Light 16:30 – Is Seeing Only the Light Naive? 17:40 – Mind vs. Heart: Two Ways of Living 18:40 – Living in the Heart: A Retreat Experience 19:50 – The Mind’s Dopamine Addiction 20:48 – The Heart as the Source of Joy 21:30 – The Mind’s Negative Bias 22:30 – Training the Heart Takes Practice 23:36 – The Grooves of Habitual Thinking 24:35 – Making the Heart Faster Than the Mind 25:36 – Joy Comes From Connection, Not Thought 26:25 – Strategy #2: Speak to the Soul 27:28 – Weaknesses Are Not the Real Person 28:20 – Why Criticism Blocks Spiritual Growth 29:10 – How to See Others’ Light in Daily Life 30:05 – The Subtle Ego Traps Around “Helping” 31:00 – When Silence Is the Higher Response 32:00 – The Difference Between Discernment and Judgment 33:00 – How to Hold Compassion Without Enabling 34:00 – Why the Heart Never Criticizes 35:00 – The Energetic Cost of Negative Thinking 36:00 – How to Redirect Critical Thoughts 37:00 – The Power of Inner Oneness 38:00 – Seeing Others as Extensions of Yourself 39:00 – Why Spiritual Growth Requires Humility 40:00 – The Hidden Arrogance Behind Criticism 41:00 – How to Build the Habit of Heart-Seeing 42:00 – Replacing Criticism with Curiosity 43:00 – The Transformative Power of Empathy 44:00 – How to Uplift Others Without Words 45:00 – The Spiritual Discipline of Non‑Reaction 46:00 – Why Criticism Weakens Your Inner Light 47:00 – Becoming a Source of Encouragement 48:00 – The Joy of Seeing Only the Good 49:00 – Closing Reflections on Compassionate Living

    49 min
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Spirit Matters is a weekly show for modern seekers of spirituality who have had a spiritual awakening, yet struggle to integrate their experience into daily life. Hosts Vajin and Abhinabha are here to take you from the confusion, frustration and loneliness to a grounded practice rooted in heart-based wisdom. Every episode offers spiritual guidance for mindful living. Become the wise and centered soul you know yourself to be! Vajin and Abhinabha are meditation teachers with over 25 years of experience. Both are students of Sri Chinmoy, a modern day spiritual master.

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