Swami Satchidananda (1914–2002,) born C. K. Ramaswamy Gounder, was an Indian yoga guru and spiritual teacher, best known for founding Integral Yoga, which blends physical, mental, and spiritual practices. His teachings emphasized interfaith harmony and selfless service.
Born in Chettipalayam, Coimbatore, Tamiḻ Nadu, he pursued a business career before turning to spirituality after personal loss. He studied under Swami Sivananda in Rishikesh and was initiated into sannyasa, receiving the name Swami Satchidananda.
In 1966, he moved to the U.S., gaining recognition for promoting yoga and interfaith dialogue. He founded Integral Yoga International, establishing centers worldwide, including Yogaville in Virginia. His teachings integrated Hatha, Raja, Bhakti, Karma, Jnana, and Japa Yoga, offering a holistic approach to spiritual growth.
Notable works include The Living Gita: The Complete Bhagavad Gita—A Commentary for Modern Readers (1988,) Beyond Words (1996,) and The Golden Present (1997,) providing insights into yoga philosophy and daily practice. His translations and commentaries on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali remain widely studied.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Swami Satchidananda
Make your life very exciting, but always think of it as fun. Adversities as well as the harmony should be enjoyable. Don’t become sober and morose and have a castor oil face in the name of spirituality. Just be happy. Even if you make a mistake, say, “Hey, I did this? Great! What a wonderful lesson I learned!”
—Swami Satchidananda
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