Vedanta - The River of Wisdom

The one trying to raise self esteem and the one whose self esteem requires to be raised is one and the same self, ahankara. And hence self esteem is not sustainable. On the other hand, if one actually sees that the self one refers to is permeated by Bhagavan's presence, one will not struggle with self esteem issues. What is self esteem and how does it acquire a depth through Karma Yoga?  For...

Since many of our expectations were not fulfilled, beaten by life, we declare that we will have no expectations.  However, that too is an expectation! How can we look at our expectations in the light of Vedanta? This is a repost from a Feb 2019 episode. Enjoy!   For the podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/category/podcast/ Our monthly newsletter will bring to you more happiness...

Acceptance starts with deliberateness in giving up resistance and glides into you being the accepting person, the one who is ever awake to what is.  This is part 3 of the series of 3 on Acceptance in celebration of Pujya Swamiji Dayananda ji's wisdom through his morning meditation prayers. We celebrate his blessings and teachings of freedom.   For the podcast transcript - https://discove...

It seems like if we accept readily we are absolving people who 'were' responsible for our pain.  We unpack the dynamic of acceptance and blaming the other with the help of Pujya Swami Dayananda 's wisdom. These excerpts are from his book titled - Morning Meditation prayers. This is in celebration of his 92nd Birth Anniversary on 15th August.  For the podcast transcript - https://discover...

How do we know what to change and what to accept ? We dwell on this question in the context of our relationship to the past with the help of Pujya Swami Dayananda 's wisdom. These excerpts are from his book titled - Morning Meditation prayers. For the podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/category/podcast/ Our monthly newsletter will bring to you more happiness, more wisdom and more freedo...

Generally we try to control, suppress and resist our emotions. What if we listen to the wisdom our emotions whisper? For the podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/category/podcast/ Our monthly newsletter will bring to you more happiness, more wisdom and more freedom. To subscribe to Aarsha Vidya Bharati - https://mailchi.mp/cea95b9ad987/aarsha-vidya-bharati Our July 2022 newsletter - &nbsp...

In recent times, emotions have been problematised.  But Naatya Shastra, a classical ancient text, the source of performing arts in India speaks about Navarasa (Nine emotional states) and its related Bhaava. Only a suhridaya can enjoy life by experiencing all emotions which are a gift from Ishvara. For the podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/category/podcast/ Our monthly newsletter w...

On the eve of Guru Purnima, we dwell on the meaning of Guru Ashtakam, a set of eight verses which speak not so much about the guru, but the need for shraddha and one-pointedness in the moksha pursuit. Prayers that all may be continue to be blessed on this glorious Guru Purnima, the day we celebrate the lineage of all Gurus, a celebration unique to the Vedic tradition.  For the podcast transcr...

The vision of Vedanta is that there is only one Atma, without a second. But modern society thrives on individuality, which means that one is separate from the other. How can we reconcile the need to be special in the vision of the oneness?    For the podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/category/podcast/ Credits for Vande Mataram (flute) - Rajesh Cherthala for ring tone. Join to...

Break the habit of being unhappy. Break the habit of postponing happiness to the future or staying in a shaky place also called nostalgia.  For the podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/category/podcast/ Dhyaanam - Meditation and the Meditator course offered under the aegis of the Hindu University of America - https://www.hua.edu/product/dhyaanam-meditation-and-the-meditator/ Learn ho...

9 lessons that we can draw from the game of karma as well as the ancient game of snakes and ladders.  For the podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/category/podcast/ Dhyaanam - Meditation and the Meditator course offered under the aegis of the Hindu University of America - https://www.hua.edu/product/dhyaanam-meditation-and-the-meditator/ Our monthly newsletter will bring to you more...

Happiness - is it an object, a person, a place, an action. Vedanta reveals that it is you.  For the podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/category/podcast/ Dhyaanam - Meditation and the Meditator course offered under the aegis of the Hindu University of America - https://www.hua.edu/product/dhyaanam-meditation-and-the-meditator/ Our monthly newsletter will bring to you more happiness,...

In Sanaatana Dharma we do not tip toe around our desires. We state them with clarity and a powerful, prayerful intention. A sankalpa is just a thought form but much stands transformed. With just a small change at the start of the day, karma becomes karma yoga.  For the podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/category/podcast/ Dhyaanam - Meditation and the Meditator course offered under...

Duality is the struggle of me and the other, whether the other is a person, a situation or my experiences.  Vedanta does not make the duality go away. Instead one appreciates the reality of oneness despite the experience of duality.  For the podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/category/podcast/ Our monthly newsletter will bring to you more happiness, more wisdom and more freedo...

Five year old Dhruva was denied from sitting on his father's lap. From feeling abandoned Dhruva goes on to heal and command a successful kingdom eventually being the North Star because of his tapasya and blessings. From this story in the Bhagavatam, what can we learn about healing in the lap of Bhagavan?  For the podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/category/podcast/ Our monthly news...

They tried to touch the elephant and expressed their different spirituals goal. But none of it was moksha. How come? To find out, listen and articulate your spiritual goal, if you haven't already. For the podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/category/podcast/ Our monthly newsletter will bring to you more happiness, more wisdom and more freedom. To subscribe to Aarsha Vidya Bharati - https...

In traditional Advaita Vedanta circles, Adi Shankaracharya is revered and worshipped for unlocking the profound truth of Vedanta.  Through the worshipful stotram (Totakashtakam) of his disciple, Totakacharya, we appreciate his glory and seek refuge in the guru of gurus.  Seeking refuge in the guru is seeking refuge in the knowledge that frees us. The full stotram of Totakashtakam sung be...

Akshaya means that which has no decline.  In the light of Vedanta, we enquire into the life that one has and the nature of the Atma, thereby answering the nagging question of 'Am I enough'?  For the podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/category/podcast/ Our May 2022 newsletter -  https://mailchi.mp/c5afb9ae5abb/aarsha-vidya-bharati-may2022?e=0e8b0c9cd4 Our monthly newslette...

We can go round and round the merry circle of feelings and not get anywhere.  Instead if we were to pay attention to that which is higher and is the universal framework and guide for our life, we would be happier.   For the podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/category/podcast/ Our April 2022 newsletter -  https://mailchi.mp/f5ba8803849f/aarsha-vidya-bharati-apr2022 Our mon...

Seeking refuge in Vedanta and escaping to Vedanta (from the living of life) sound similar but are different. How? For the podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/category/podcast/ Our April 2022 newsletter -  https://mailchi.mp/f5ba8803849f/aarsha-vidya-bharati-apr2022 Our monthly newsletter will bring to you more happiness, more wisdom and more freedom. To subscribe to Aarsha Vidya Bha...

After Bhagavan Rama Hanuman ji  is deeply loved and prayed to for his phenomenal power, courage, devotion and deep wisdom. Drawing from the many incidents in Ramayana we appreciate and revel in the the glory of Hanuman. This episode is offered in devotion for Hanuman Jayanti on 16th April 2022.   For the podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/category/podcast/ Our April 2022 newsl...

Yoga Vaasishtha written by Sage Valmiki is the teaching of self-knowledge by Rishi Vaashishtha to Sri Rama especially when he became despondent in his younger years. Much longer than Ramayana at 32000 verses, we get a glimpse of the beginning of the teaching in the lead up to RamaNavami.   For the podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/category/podcast/ Our April 2022 newsletter - &nbs...

9 life lessons about the reality of our roles which bring peace of mind that we long for. Complement with #54 - Getting over the hangover here - https://anchor.fm/the-river-of-wisdom/episodes/54-Getting-over-the-hangover-e51ams/a-al8urs For the nine day course on Dharma - The Heart of DhaRama - details to register are here -  https://discoveratma.com/live-courses/ For the podcast transcript -...

Modern teachings on non duality are quick to say that Atma is not the doer. Then how does one account for the doer, karma, the motivation to do or not do? Explained through a story.    For the podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/category/podcast/ For our March newsletter -  https://mailchi.mp/960223169681/aarsha-vidya-bharati-mar2022?e=0e8b0c9cd4 Our monthly newsletter wil...

Self mastery is not possible without the framework of Dharma and the blessings of Bhagavan.  To illustrate, we take the dharma of 'ahimsa', non harmfulness and santosha, contentment to see how we apply both willpower and wontpower for selfmastery.   Must read - The Value of Values - Swami Dayananda Saraswati - https://www.amazon.in/Value-Values-Swami-Dayananda-Saraswati/dp/8190363670/ref...