For Seekers by Seekers

In this episode, we revise the first few chapters of Swami Dayananda's book, The Teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. We discuss: 1. What is the human problem? Can we live with conflicts? 2. What is the sorrow of Arjuna? 3. Why did Arjuna search for solution? Are we also searching for a solution? 4. Is happiness found outside us? Inside our body? If not, then what is happiness? We also discuss why some...

In this week's episode, we discuss Bhakti or devotion. We cover the following broad topics (not in any particular order): 1. When does one externalize 'God'? In what form does one externalize it? Is there any specific form? 2. Is there anything wrong to not even 'externalize' God? If one does not externalize, then why they don't do it? 3. Does Gita recommend externalizing God? And for whom is it a...

This episode is my chanting of Chapter 2. I encourage you to listen to this with a copy of Gita Ch 2 verses ALONG with translation of meaning. You will surely enjoy it. Krishna summarizes the entire Gita in Chapter 2 to Arjuna's problem statement expressed in Chapter 1 (how can I kill folks I rever & respect?) . The rest of the chapters 3-17 elaborate the summary of Chapter 2 and then in chapt...

The entire visible, invisible universe is described in many ways in Vedas. Purushasukta is one of the ways where the entire world is described as a 'self-sacrifice' of that Unmanifested Conscious Being to create a variety of spaces - physical, mental, emotional for us to experience. The physical space includes 'objects' that move /stationary, the mental space includes all the emotions, intelligenc...

In this episode we discuss 'Vibhuthi Yogah' - God's divine glories and also discuss the concept of 'Vishwaroopa darshana' - the show and tell of the universal form of Lord to Arjuna. Both these have relevant spiritual takeaways as well as psychological takeaways for those who are not inclined spiritually. As discussions progress you will notice we end up talking of not glories but of dharma and ka...

In Gita Chapter 3, 20-3.25, Krishna explains why he - despite not having need to do any work, is still engaged in work. And he also says why wise men should do their work even if there is no need to: great management lesson: to be like a role model for others.

In this episode, we mull on the following topics: 1. Why is knowledge of Brahman /Awareness known as 'raja vidya' - king of all knowledge (s)? 2. Is any 'creation' a name, shape (or a name for a shape)? 3. What is the difference between jiva-srishti and ishwara-srishti? 4. Why is this knowledge also known as 'raja guhyam' - secret among all secrets? Is it a 'closed' secret or an 'open' secret? 5....

Hello! In this episode, all participants meet and share our experiences on Chaturmasa - the seasonal fasting that some of us are doing. In the second month that just ended a week back, we abstained from eating yoghurt. We specifically discuss some of the learnings we have had about ourselves, our relationship to food and what we have learnt about how /when we will continue to adopt this in our lif...

We initially update about the Chaturmasa month 2 progress done by few of the participants. Then we begin discussing 'who is God?, and understanding that the 'Self' (Atma) is the Brahman. We discuss if someone else can 'take over' somebody else's karma. We discuss how people are graded: atheists and theists. And, the four categories in theists - arthi, artharthi, jignasu & jnani. We mull throug...

This is a recording of the regular meditation online practice on Saturdays. I choose to record this week's meditation recording (on 08292020) as there were a few instructions that are slightly different from earlier recordings. I hope you can use this as a possible audio guide to doing your meditation practice. My apologies in advance as the audio recording is not that great!

In this episode I talk about some feedback I received on the chariot analogy I used (from the Upanishad) to represent the human psychology.

We begin by sharing a few tips on japa practice [thanks to not pressing the record button on time, we lost a few minutes of recording....] Then we discuss Who is God? We talk of Upadana karana (material cause) and Nimitta karana (intelligent cause). If the universe that we see exists today, working intelligently then there must be an intelligent creator behind. We conclude that 'God Exists' and 'b...

In this we talk of the futility of seeking happiness in youth, wealth, relationships.

I answer a few questions posed by a reader of my book, Happiness beyond Mind. He asks me about Soul, Mind, Death...

We continue our discussions on meditation (or dhyana) and clarifying several questions the participants had. The power of group discussions!

In this episode, we share inputs on what meditation  truly is. We discuss what it means to meditate. We share our thoughts on how helpful the current mindfulness programs are and what purpose they serve. We discuss what exactly is the 'meditation' technique prescribed in Gita. We reconcile meditation from Vedanta perspective and also from Yogashastras perspective. We explore how Aparokshanubh...

In this episode of 'from seekers to seekers',  we discuss: - What is creation - is it real/ unreal? - What is Maya? How is it different from real /unreal? - What is the difference between Ishwara, Jiva, Brahman - What is prarabda, sanchita, agami karma - What is our musings (of four of us) from completing one month of Chaturmasa fasting?  

In Chapter 10, upon Arjuna’s request Krishna reveals his glories - this is a very memorable chapter and I loved learning how to chant under my Guru. Here is my rendition - and please pardon my mistakes.

In this we talk of  - Creation as per Scriptures & what is Maya?  - The various explanations that we can use to understand creation /universe  - Pancha Maha bhuta (space, air, fire, water, earth) and where they came from - Gross pancha maha bhuta / subtle pancha maha bhuta - We talk about death - what it means,  - We talk about suffering - why it should happen - We talk a b...

One of the great prakarna granthas written to help understand the Truth in Upanishads is Tattva Bodha, by none other than the Shri. Adishankara Bhagavatpada.... In this episode, 'from seekers to seekers' we discuss few topics on the Tattva Bodha - Pancha kosha viveka [The five sheaths of a human being - annamaya, pranamaya, manomaya, vignanamaya, anandamaya] - Avastha traya viveka [The three state...

In Brhadaranyaka U, while analyzing an important statement my Guru explains that there are two tests before analyzing any situation, event - is there a confusion / doubt and two, is there a utility value in analyzing? I loved this as it can be applied in our day to day life too!

In this discussion, we discuss: 1. We discuss how Chaturmasa food restrictions & the 'sankalpa' some of us have taken, we mapped it to Sadhana Chatushtaya. Like for example, how not eating some food item - is it damah, titikshah or vairagya? We discuss our perspectives. 2. We then discuss what is causal body - the discussion goes on for a long time. This is actually a complicated topic, but an...

In this episode 'from seekers to seekers' we discuss the following: - Sadhana Chatushtaya (four folded qualifications) - Vivek, Vairagya, Shama-dama-di, Mumukshu - Meaning of antahkarana - Vivek - atma /anatma: subject /object distinction - Vairagya - if we do it forcefully, it will come back with vengeance Shama - quieting the mind Dama - reducing external influence Uparati - to observe more of i...

In this episode, we discuss the classic text by Shankaracharya, Tattva Bodha. Tattva means the TRUTH. Bodha means KNOWLEDGE. The first few pages summarize the key qualification to even understand Tattva Bodha. It is known as the four folded qualification [Sadhana Chatushtaya]. The Sadhana Chatushtaya qualification is discussed as - Vivekam (ability to separate real from unreal), Vairagyam (being d...

Following up on the group discussions 'from seekers to seekers', in this GD, we focus on the broad following topics: 1. Two lifestyles - Karma yoga lifestyle, Sannyasa yoga lifestyle & Krishna's recommendation for us. 2. What is the true meaning of renunciation? 3. Does age have any bearing on one's ability to renounce? 4. Clues for why the theory of reincarnation is a valid theory 5. Anchorin...