Light of the Spirit Podcast

About Light of the Spirit Podcast

A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student. Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom. This podcast channel offers you a wealth of practical and thought-provoking knowledge about the Oriental origins of Christianity, the simple and classic tradition of Yoga and the Yoga Life, the practical messages of the Bhagavad Gita and other scriptures, and much more. Journey beyond the forest of cliches, contradictions, and confusion about Yoga, Hinduism, Christianity and metaphysical thought, through the unconventional wisdom of Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke), director of Light of the Spirit Monastery.

Publisher

Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke)

Category

religion & spirituality · religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

22 Aug 2015

Latest episode

4 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

101 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   4 Oct 2026

   October 2026 Satsang

   In this October 2026 satsang, Swami Nirmalananda Giri answers questions on the four Yugas and their relationship to human consciousness. He explains the traditional progression of consciousness through Kali, Dwapara, Treta and Satya Yuga, and then brings the teaching back to the individual seeker: whatever the age in which we live, spiritual realization depends upon what we do with our own consciousness. Swamiji also discusses the use of a hand mala for japa, memories of Oliver Black and Luther McKinney, Anandamayi Ma and Soham sadhana, whether AI is conscious, temporary glimpses of Reality, escaping the mind, why time seems to speed up, Yogananda's vision of other worlds, flying saucers, and why any time we begin genuine spiritual practice is the right time. The underlying message throughout the satsang is practical: don't wait for ideal circumstances. Begin the work of spiritual transformation now. Near the conclusion Swamiji summarizes the Bhagavad Gita's teaching as: “Therefore... become a yogi.” Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) is the founder and abbot of Light of the Spirit Monastery and the author of numerous books on meditation, yoga, and spiritual life. Spiritual teachings and resources: https://ocoy.org Books by Swami Nirmalananda Giri: https://lightofthespiritpress.com Subscribe to Light of the Spirit for monthly satsangs and teachings on meditation, yoga, karma, and the spiritual life. 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Using a Hand Mala for Japa 04:07 Memories of Oliver Black and Luther McKinney 07:56 Why Saints Are Like Piñatas 09:57 A Story of Sri Ramakrishna 13:42 Why Didn’t Anandamayi Ma Teach Soham Sadhana? 17:58 Maya, Consciousness and AI 18:57 A True Spiritual Teacher Gives Freedom 23:06 Anandamayi Ma and Glimpses of Reality 24:59 How Do You Escape the Mind? 26:40 Why Does Time Seem to Be Speeding Up? 29:47 “Get Off Your Spiritual Rear!” 31:24 Yogananda’s Vision of Other Worlds 32:54 Are Flying Saucers Real? 35:05 What Are the Yugas—and What Do They Mean for Us? 44:59 The Story of “The Three Sillies” 50:23 Any Time You Begin Sadhana Is the Right Time #KaliYuga #Yoga #Spirituality OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more: https://ocoy.org/signup FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL https://www.facebook.com/light.of.spirit/ https://twitter.com/Light_of_Spirit https://instagram.com/lightofthespirit/

2. 

   8 Sept 2026

   Let It Go: The Spiritual Secret to Inner Freedom | Swami Nirmalananda Giri

   What do we really need to let go of in order to grow spiritually? In this month's satsang, Swami Nirmalananda Giri answers questions on yoga, meditation, karma, relationships, self-realization, and the practice of Soham meditation. Again and again, one central truth emerges: spiritual life is not about accumulating more—it is about letting go of whatever keeps us from God. Topics include: • Letting go of toxic influences • Why being "nice" is not the same as being spiritually strong • Can all religions lead to the same goal? • The purpose of Soham meditation • Karma and creating your future • Why you cannot save someone who does not want to change • The meaning of Ramakrishna's "toys" parable • Freedom from attachment through spiritual practice • Practical answers to common questions about meditation and spiritual life Throughout the discussion, Swamiji reminds us that every obstacle to spiritual realization can ultimately be overcome through sincere sadhana and the practice of Soham Yoga. If this video has been helpful, please Like, Subscribe, and share it with others seeking authentic spiritual life. #LettingGo #Meditation #SpiritualGrowth 00:00 Introduction 01:27 Improve your sadhana (spiritual practice) 07:13 Do all religions lead to the same destination? 09:00 Getting beyond the causal world Sriyukteswar revealed in Autobiography of a Yogi 10:48 Do advanced yogis need to practice astral projection to obtain more knowledge? 12:31 Are breathing exercises before meditation recommended? 13:45 Is time in the astral world the same as on earth? 14:47 Is there a secret to being in the world but not of it? 16:24 Children who disregard their parents: what is the cause? 19:20 Sri Ramakrishna’s parable of the child growing beyond toys 28:33 Overcoming the problem of not following up on spiritual aspiration 38:34 The return of given-up desires in dreams 43:21 What does the future bring? OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more: https://ocoy.org/signup FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL https://www.facebook.com/light.of.spirit/ https://twitter.com/Light_of_Spirit https://instagram.com/lightofthespirit/

3. 

   3 Aug 2026

   Why Spiritual Life Isn't Complicated | August 2026 Satsang with Swami Nirmalananda Giri

   Spiritual seekers often assume that enlightenment requires increasingly complex methods, secret practices, or extraordinary experiences. In this August Satsang, Swami Nirmalananda Giri explains why the opposite is true. Answering a wide range of questions, he discusses: • why spiritual realization is fundamentally simple • the true purpose of yoga and meditation • Soham meditation and why he considers it one of the most direct practices • sacred imagery and its place in spiritual life • miracles, siddhis, and why they are not the goal • karma, death, rebirth, and liberation • patriotism, duty, and the yogic life • practical advice for overcoming obstacles in meditation Throughout the discussion, Swamiji repeatedly returns to one essential truth: Realization comes through awakening consciousness—not accumulating techniques. If these teachings are meaningful to you, please Like, Subscribe, and share this video with others seeking authentic yoga and Self-realization. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:38 Two recommended books on Nityananda of Ganeshpuri 04:31 New book: Immortal Words of Anandamayi Ma 06:23 No such thing as a stupid question 08:05 Why is there confusion in spiritual systems? 16:17 A story of Kabir and Tulsidas 21:53 About the desire to leave the body at will at the time of death 28:21 Sri Ramakrishna’s homely story 31:15 Yogananda quote: the desire for God is the Way to God 32:37 Where is the best place for religious imagery? 41:37 Will all mantras lead to the same result? 42:42 Tips on avoiding dozing off in meditation 46:35 More about sacred imagery 56:00 How is Soham japa done? What is the difference between japa and meditation? 59:47 If all is an illusion, can a yogi support a country? 1:09:01 Karma: the kids story of the echo OCOY.org RESOURCES Get FREE pdf spiritual ebooks at our E-Library: https://ocoy.org/site/e-library/ Listen to Podcast on practical spiritual topics: https://ocoy.org/podcasts/ Website: https://ocoy.org A Practical Resource for the Spiritual Student–Discover the timeless wisdom of India and the yoga path to freedom FREE Meditation Guide and weekly blog updates, podcasts and more: https://ocoy.org/signup FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL https://www.facebook.com/light.of.spirit/ https://twitter.com/Light_of_Spirit https://instagram.com/lightofthespirit/

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Spotify

4.2 / 5

5 ratings

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Guest appearances

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