Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (American Hindu Teacher)

Satguru Śivaya Subramuṇiyaswami (1927–2001,) known as Gurudeva to his followers, born Robert Hansen, was an American Hindu leader and the publisher of the Hinduism Today magazine. A proponent of the non-dualist Śaiva Siddhānta branch of Hindu philosophy, he succeeded Yogaswami of Jaffna as the spiritual leader of 2.5 million Śaiva Tamiḻ people worldwide.

Born in Oakland, California, Subramuṇiyaswami joined the San Francisco Ballet Company, becoming a danseur by age nineteen. Inspired by the life and works of Swami Vivekananda, he visited India and Sri Lanka. There he met Yogaswami in 1949, who gave name Subramuniya, initiated him into saṃnyāsa (asceticism,) and ordained him into the Śaiva Siddhānta lineage.

Subramuniya sailed back to America and embarked on seven years of intensive sādhanā (spiritual practice of yoga and meditation) in Denver, Colorado. In 1956, he opened the Śaiva Siddhanta Church (America’s first Hindu temple) in San Francisco, and later the Himalayan Academy. In the 1970s, he established a Hindu monastery in Kauai, Hawaii, and founded the Hinduism Today magazine.

In 2001, Subramuṇiyaswami had been diagnosed with incurable intestinal cancer. He died in the company of 23 members of his monastic order after a self-imposed 32-day fast.

Subramuṇiyaswami was the author of more than 30 books on Hindu metaphysics, Śaivism, mysticism, yoga, and meditation. His notable works include Rāja Yoga (1958,) The Self-God (1959,) and Śaiva Dharma Śāstras (1986.)

More: Wikipedia READ: Works by Sivaya Subramuniyaswami

I’ve always been a supporter of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.
Sivaya Subramuniyaswami

When you react to a situation, do not re-enact it. Wait until the emotional nature has completely composed itself, then study your reaction.
Sivaya Subramuniyaswami

A spiritual man always has to have the upper hand on the lower nature.
Sivaya Subramuniyaswami

There are only two things you can really depend on: one is the changeableness of life, and the other is the unchanging Self within you.
Sivaya Subramuniyaswami

Everything is permanent, until it changes.
Sivaya Subramuniyaswami

Listen for silence in noisy places; feel at peace in the midst of disturbance; awaken joy when there is no reason.
Sivaya Subramuniyaswami

If you want to know how much you have progressed in your spiritual life, just look back and reflect on the changes.
Sivaya Subramuniyaswami

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