Sunday Wisdom Sessions by Vedantin

E63 Questions and Answers

E62 Freedom and Frustration

0:00 Irreplaceable 50:47 Q&A Q1: Why are we so resistant towards thinking? Is the intellect a 'muscle' to be developed based only on our intention? 53:20 Q&A Q2: When we're emotionally overwhelmed, we often make impulsive decisions that we later regret. What is the Vedantic approach to acting wisely when the mind is not peaceful? How do you calm an agitated mind? 55:45 Q&A...

E60 The Ego

00:00 E59 Insanity 53:17 Q&A Q1: Are our likes and dislikes created by our inner unfulfilled desires, and does the intellect help keep that in check? 55:41 Q&A Q2: If we use our intellect for every decision, won't we lose the joy of spontaneity? 57:06 Q&A Q3: If we are under the influence of the mind, how do we begin to retake control, because the mind does not come under control w...

0:00 E58 Redefining Education53:08 Q&A Q1: Being in academia, we want to impart liberal education, but what if the participants are interested in education which is servile?55:16 Q&A Q2: What are some of the ways to reflect individually on the matter one has studied?57:22 Q&A Q3: In trying to do this differently against the system, are we not to be alienated and therefore will be unhap...

Live in London 2026 00:00 Wisdom for Life (Recording of live session with young professionals in London – May 2026) 54:20 Q&A Q1: Can use of the intellect lead to “overanalysis”? 56:00 Q&A Q2: We may doubt our own ability to make a good choice due to the inherent uncertainty of future events. How does one manage this? What is the role of “gut feel”? 57:56 Q&A Q3: Can contentment lead t...

00:00 Intelligence is not Intellect 54:01 Q&A Q1: Can the intellect also be a function of our vasanas? Are some people born with a stronger intellect than most others? 54:55 Q&A Q2: What does intelligence quotient (IQ) mean? As IQ measurement instruments stand today, are they measuring intelligence or intellect (as defined by Vedanta)? Is there any overlap of IQ and intellect? 56:07 Q&...

00:00 Inspiration & Success 51:58 Q&A Q1: Is it possible to work by initiative alone? Can we get rid of incentives altogether? What about a paycheck? 56:48 Q&A Q2: One of the ways to have more initiative is to work for a higher ideal – something beyond our selfish desires. But when you work for a larger cause, since it affects more people, could that create more anxiety? 59:00 Q&A...

00:00 Relating 52:50 Q&A Q1: How is making an effort to relate to people different to letting people treat you badly? 58:02 Q&A Q2: How is assessing and relating different to manipulation? 1:00:30 Q&A Q3: Do parents require a special formula for relating to teenagers? 1:03:48 Q&A Q4: In an area where emotions are involved, how do you know if you are accurately assessing the other p...

00:00 Objectivity52:59 Q&A Q1: How do I know whether I am being objective as opposed to being indifferent or giving up?55:15 Q&A Q2: In areas where we have strong attachments, when something negative happens, it is often difficult to remain objective. For example when a loved one is hospitalised or is in danger. In such situations, what can one do to return back to objectivity or minimise...

00:00 Intellect and Faith49:09 Q&A Q1: Is intelligence the same as intellect? I know a lot of intelligent people have sharp minds and question everything. Everything is black or white to them. But they lack the power of self-examination and suffer their intelligence. Their sharp intellect seems to rob them of their humanity. Please explain 52:21 Q&A Q2: What was the second definition of fa...

This is a recording of a live session with Vedanta class members in Nairobi, where Sudhakar explains the importance of five key disciplines—tapah (austerity), ahimsa (non-injury), ksantih (forgiveness), satyam (clarity), and manana (reflection). He explores how these practices help us live with greater clarity, purpose, and compassion by integrating spiritual insight into everyday life.

00:00 Love without Attachment: Parents and Children 48:30 Q&A Q1: Is there a sacred contract with our parents? 50:20 Q&A Q2: In the relationship between grown-up children and their parents, how does one distinguish between duties and attachment? 54:07 Q&A Q3: My daughter feels that she has to parent me more than the other way around and as a result feels that certain tasks and decision...

00:00 Introduction to Detachment and Desires6:30 Poem discussion: “The Pineapple and the Bee” by William Cowper46:40 Poem discussion: “The Toys” by Coventry Patmore

00:00 Attachment Stories 46:45 Q&A Q1 – How does one use the intellect in a relationship? 49:45 Q&A Q2 – In the Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13 Verse 10, there is a mention of "asaktih" or non-attachment. Is there a subtle but important difference between non-attachment and detachment? 51:55 Q&A Q3 – When we expand our feelings beyond the home to outer circles such as the office or...

00:00 Indulgence and Attachment 57:05 Q&A Q1 – Please explain the concept of not being able to get lasting satiation. 58:00 Q&A Q2 – How do we identify attachments that are very subtle/deceptive so we can address them before they become entrenched? 59:40 Q&A Q3 – In our effort to reduce attachment, how do we ensure that we don’t go to the other extreme and become indifferent? 1:01:36 Q...

E46 Endless Desires

The Anxious Mind 00:00 The Anxious Mind 58:22 Q&A Q1 – If a person\child has a weakness for something that is harmful to them, how do we help them not overindulge? 1:01:32 Q&A Q2 – What is the best way to learn how to meditate effectively? 1:05:40 Q&A Q3 – When one realises that one have a strong desire for something (say dessert), we are advised to try and moderate the consumption. Do...

6 Reasons

Thinking and Feeling 00:00 Thinking and Feeling 56:15 Q&A Q1 – Sometimes, we end up overthinking a situation and get paralysed. In such a situation, is it beneficial to rely on intuition instead of relying on your intellect?  1:00:05 Q&A Q2 – How important is it for us to manage how we are perceived? 1:02:25 Q&A Q3 – Is intuition the accelerator of intelligence? 1:03:50 Q&A Q4 – Wh...

00:00 The Fall of the Human52:25 Q&A Q1 – Is conscience a part of or the same as the subtle intellect? Sometimes this inner voice is too soft to hear or it is wrong. What makes it so?55:35 Q&A Q2 – How do we know if our conscience is good? How do we distinguish between what’s good and bad?58:15 Q&A Q3 – Is it difficult\does it take a long time to become a healthy human being?

Setting Self As Supreme 00:00 Quality of a Seeker #35 – “Mat Paramah” or “Me as Supreme”

Having Faith 00:00 Quality of a Seeker #34 – “Sraddhadhanah” or “Endued with Faith” 47:40 Q&A Q1 – Currently there are recommendations to increase protein consumption for better health and longevity. This could conflict with the recommendation by Vedanta to consume predominantly sattvik food. What is your recommendation in this regard? 53:35 Q&A Q2 – We occasionally encounter “toxic” peopl...

Steady-minded 00:00 Quality of a Seeker #33 – “Sthiramatih” or “Steady-minded” 55:25 Q1 – Swamiji (Swami A. Parthasarathy) has said that sleep can contribute to a steady mind and also that a person with a more agitated mind will require more sleep. Could you elaborate on this?