A Lotus In The Mud

09/16/2025

In her book, ‘Home At Last’, Sarada Chiruvolu shares her spiritual experiences and offers some simple tips for your progress on the path. Sarada will meet Lotus readers in Edison, NJ, on Sept 20, after a successful webinar on Sept 13.
Read an extract from her book here: https://alotusinthemud.com/sarada-chiruvolo-enlightenment/

09/12/2025

Last chance to join a free webinar to interact with Sarada Chiruvolu, author of 'Home at Last' who has had the experience of Self-realization through meditation. Brought to you by A Lotus In The Mud. To join on Zoom Sept 13, EST: 10 am, India time 7.30 pm: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84533943222?pwd=BgElwvIYaw2Ed3W65TBdaJtDEMAbXo.1 /
To register, https://tinyurl.com/4f668e8n

09/05/2025

Indian/Vedic astrology, known as Jyotish shastra, was always intended to guide individuals toward self-realization and alignment with the cosmic order by interpreting planetary patterns at the time of birth. Of course, these days, astrologers only get such queries - "when will my daughter get married", "when will I get a promotion in my job'.
Western astrology, I don't know much about. However, here comes an interesting article by Lotus' writer-at-large, Ashish Virmani, introducing the evolutionary astrology school. In an accompanying piece, he even interviewed Steven Forrest, the key figure in developing this paradigm that incorporates Eastern concepts of karma and reincarnation.

Explore Evolutionary Astrology with insights from Steven Forrest and Jeffrey Wolf Green. Learn how past lives, karma, and Pluto’s influence shape your soul’s journey toward healing and spiritual growth.

09/01/2025

In Sikhism, the clergy are householders. Among groups like the Nirankaris and Radha Soamis, their spiritual head is usually a married male. The spouse will then have a limited role, apart from accompanying the guru at public events.
So it was interesting to note that the current Satguru of the Sant Nirankari Mission is the young Mata Sudiksha Ji. And her husband, Nirankari Rajpita Ramit ji travels the world to give discourses. In his lucid talk at Hofstra University on Long Island the other day, he stated that many of the world's problems stem from righteous individuals and communities attempting to impose their own belief systems on others. Read on for more

In this profound discourse he gave in New York recently, Nirankari Rajpita Ramit Ji explores how we have become numb to the pain we cause others and what true spirituality means beyond a quest for a future reward.

08/21/2025

In Herman Hesse’s novel ‘Siddhartha’, the title character attempts the path of denial, similar to Gautama Buddha before his enlightenment. Desolate, he comes across a ferryman named Vasudeva, who advises him to learn from the river. Not to try to force his life along specific paths. Just Be.

08/14/2025

Borders can be drawn on a map.
But true freedom? It’s drawn in the mind—and erased by the heart.
This Independence Day, step into your own spiritual sovereignty.
Here link to story: https://alotusinthemud.com/independence-day-inner-freedom/

08/14/2025

This story by Lotus' Director Conscious Content is not just for Indians celebrating their Independence Day on August 15 but for people everywhere in the world.
https://alotusinthemud.com/independence-day-inner-freedom/

08/13/2025

Forget the gospel of perfection. Embracing our inner bumbler is the most direct path to joy, authenticity, and true connection.
Besides Charlie Chaplin, this new story on Lotus also features Indian showman Raj Kapoor, Mrs Malaprop, and the Laughing Buddha: https://alotusinthemud.com/saints-of-stumble-imperfection/

This article is written by the enigmatic P.S. Wasu. The only bio he has allowed us to use is that he is an atheist, and he lives on Madh Island near Mumbai. However, we know that he has written several books, including "The Wisdom of Being Flawed and Fragmented", which includes many of the essays he chose to publish first on ALotusInTheMud.com. He has also been a hotshot ad director, corporate trainer, and Zen guy. Atheist or not, he is the gentlest, most compassionate, and self-effacing person you will come across. His writing is exquisite, and the original ideas he conjures make you warm up to him more. Search PS Wasu on the Lotus website, and you will get the full flavor of his oeuvre.

08/05/2025

Science and Spirituality are quite compatible, says this Swami from the Vedantic tradition.
Swami Nirviseshananda Tirtha beautifully bridges the gap between logic and faith, showing how science and spirituality are not opposing forces but complementary paths to understanding reality. To read his exposition, go to: https://alotusinthemud.com/science-and-spirituality-swami-nirviseshananda-tirtha/
And if you are in India, check out his residential retreat in September near Delhi.

07/28/2025

Discover how young generations are redefining spirituality beyond dogma, creating rituals rooted in meaning, inclusivity, and self-discovery.

To read the full story, click on link in bio.
# but not religious

07/24/2025

The Indian community media, which I am still part of, carried reports on many regional and other orgs' conventions around July 4, but somehow they (except The South Asian Times) missed a massive JAINA meet in Chicago. Please read about it on Lotus, https://alotusinthemud.com/jaina-convention-2025-chicago-jain-dharma/

Experience the spiritual awakening of the biennial JAINA Convention 2025 in Chicago. Discover how thousands celebrated Jain Dharma’s timeless principles of peace.