Finding God Without Faith - A Personal Reflection - Based on Advaita Vedanta

Swami Tadatmananda's journey from being "allergic to religion" to a contemplative life of prayer, scriptural study, and meditation. God or Ishvara is a reality that can be clearly known through Vedantic teachings and your own power of reasoning.
Ishvara is not merely a matter of faith, shraddha. The teachings of Advaita Vedanta provide a surprisingly clear definition of Ishvara as the "abhinna nimitta upadana karana" the efficient and material cause for the universe that is non-separate from it. Material and efficient cause are philosophical terms used to describe the two main factors necessary for any act of creation. To make a pot, the material cause is clay. But in addition to clay, a pot maker is also required. The potter is the efficient cause, the maker, the intelligent agent needed to make a pot.
Whereas the potter, efficient cause, is different from the clay, material cause, Ishvara is both the efficient and material cause for the universe. How? The Mundaka Upanishad gives a brilliant example of a spider, who possesses both the knowledge (jnana) and skill (shakti) needed to make the web, as well as material to make the web, which is spun from it's own body. In this way, the material out of which jagat, the universe is woven, is a manifestation of Ishvara himself. A spider can abandon its web, but Ishvara is abhinna, non-separate from the universe, so he can never abandon his creation. The Chandogya Upanishad says "sarvam khalvidam brahma," all this, the entire universe is nothing but brahman or Ishvara.
These teachings not only impart knowledge of Ishvara, but they also gradually lead to bhakti, devotional feelings of love and reverence. As Sri Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita, "The wise realize my divine nature and worship Me with devoted hearts after gaining knowledge of Me as the imperishable source of all beings." (9.13)
mahātmānas tu māṃ pārtha daivīṃ prakṛtim āśritāḥ .
bhajanty ananya-manaso jñātvā bhūtādim avyayam .. 9-13..
0:00 Problem of Dogmatism
8:04 Knowledge of Ishvara
20:09 Cultivating Devotion
Swami Tadatmananda is a traditionally-trained teacher of Advaita Vedanta, meditation, and Sanskrit. For more information, please see: www.arshabodha.org/

[@meithuu1975]

I am a Muslim. I am 47 now. Since childhood the apparent contradiction and antithesis of religions plagued me a lot. I read Buddhist philosophy extensively, then Sankara, Ramanuja, Chaitanya, Ramakrishna , Mahavir, Tao, Moses, Confucius,Ibn Arabi, Mulla Sadra , wide variety of Sufi literature and many apart from the Bible (both old and new), the Upanishads, the Bhagvat Gita, the Quran. Today I am at harmony with myself. No religion can disturb me any more. I have experienced the inherent truth that binds all religions together despite appearing astoundingly contradictory and antagonistic to one another. Today I have the right to say that what I seek has long been seeking me. The same truth is embedded in all the religions. It is up to the seeker to find out.

[@sallybalkin8507]

I have lived amongst Kashmiris, in Kashmir, Delhi and Darumsala. It's wonderful to see the amalgamation of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam, (plainly obvious in Sufism) and as you go further south in India, Christianity, even if people who claim to be from a certain religion don't recognise that's what's happening. An amalgamation, and common goal, to a certain degree. Many do. I was considering the word "revert" as pertaining to Islam when I was listening to the video. That we are all born with the knowledge of God, but have to re-discover/remember it. I think the organised religion part of Islam has put a different slant on that term though. I have had a lot to do with a lot of religions. And I have seen individuals at the top of the hierarchies of all religions put their own bias and agendas on the "must-do list". (Spiritual hierarchy is an oxy-moron I think) It's always amusing and somewhat frustrating telling people I am Muslim but also Buddhist, with my base fondness being the ancient Hindu philosophies. Sufis and Tibetan Buddhists, mainly, don't seem to have a big issue with it though. I believe in Allah, and that Mohammed (Peace and blessings upon him) was a prophet. I just have an issue with numerous Hadith that, if we're completely honest here, came from men, from another time in an antiquated culture, where women were still seen as goods and chattels, and physically, mentally and spiritually lesser than men. Even though Mohammed (peace and blessings upon him) disagreed. And some newer hadith are just overtly agenda driven. The prophets must all be rolling in their graves when they see their messages politicised and used for ignorant or selfish agendas, and not just the prophets of Islam. In saying all this, I know what you mean when you say "What I seek has long been seeking me". I love that phrase and hearing your outlook has given it even more meaning for me. Thank you for reminding me of the words to express that in the future. I think we are both currently seeing the same things when it comes to religion. It's always nice to hear when someone expresses a similar outlook to oneself.

[@niccolop.carlyle4621]

"I have experienced the inherent truth that binds all religions together despite appearing astoundingly contradictory and antagonistic to one another." I have reached a similar position (though in my case, it is only through much study rather than a direct experience of the truth). I am curious about one clause in what I quoted from you above: "...despite appearing astoundingly contradictory and antagonistic to one another." How do you as, as a Muslim, deal with and resolve the apparent contradictions between religions? For example, several passages in the Quran state that disbelievers will be sent to the Hellfire. According to the consensus of the ulama, after the promulgation of the Quran, "disbelievers" are those who do not accept the entirety of its message, including the tawhid. Obviously, this appears to contradict other religions, such as Orthodox Christianity, which holds that Christ, the Son of God, is the only savior. Thank you.

[@mlg1279]

@@niccolop.carlyle4621 Good question. The Abrahamic religions are opposite to the dharmic religions. There's no way of reconciling the two.

[@KnzoVortex]

@@niccolop.carlyle4621 Maybe not the perspective of the original commenter, but Ramakrishna, one of the greatest seers of recent time and considered to be an avatar, had a very thorough concept of religious pluralism based on his honestly groundbreaking mystical experiences, which is worth looking into if you find the topic interesting. Swami Medhananda of the Vedanta Society of Southern California recently put out a book on it. This question, however, is actually quite simple. It is just this: The great religions of the world may not be necessarily true in every statement they make, but the value they hold as paths towards spiritual progress is real. Ramakrishna held the idea that god reveals himself in different parts of the world in a way which fits the nature of the society around. Some societies may have been able to find benefit in great fear and blind faith as a motivator for doing spiritually good practice. Emotions are maybe the strongest force in the human mind after all, and this it is a very good tool to put to spiritual use. Thus some religions become threatening and dogmatic - or at least this is Ramakrishna's idea as I understand it from that I've seen, which admittedly isn't too much, but should be generally accurate. I think religion has a tendency to become corrupted as time passes and the ideas transfer the hands of more and more un-spiritually realized people, and evolve and reinvigorate if it is able to produce new enlightened personalities.

[@lightmystic3792]

you look wise...what you think of kuran saying earth is flat and you will get 72 virgin in your heaven ?? you still believe in fake book ?

[@raghavganesan3490]

Below is another Tamil poem by an Advadic poet Bharathiyar .kaakai siraginile nandhalala - nindran kariya niram thondrudhaiye -nandhalala; 2.paarku marangalellam nandhalala - nindran pachai niram thondrudhaiye nandhalala 3.kekum oliyil ellam nandhalala - nindran geetham isaikudhada nandhalala; 4.theekkul viralai vaithal nandhalala - ninnaith theendum inbam thondrudhada nandhalala --Bharathiyar I see your black colour in crow's feather Nandalala (krishna) i see the green colour in all the trees i see Nandalala In all the sounds I hear your songs Nandalala If i put my fingers in fire i feel the touch of you nandalala

[@dallasjackson6269]

As a long time devotee of Sri Ramakrishna and follower of Advaita Vedanta here in California, I have wanted for some time to thank you for your videos. Your gentle, clear and encouraging way of presenting these complex subjects that are so often misunderstood has helped me dive even deeper on my spiritual path. I am now a regular viewer and am very thankful to have found you.

[@rram4772]

You brught the words out of me. Thanks!

[@Pallasathena-hv4kp]

This was wonderful. I too was raised as a Christian and spent over a decade (later in life) as an atheist. Then, like you, I began to read the works of Swami Vivekananda and found a Vedanta Society near me. Things have gone on happily sense then. 😊🌺🙏

[@alukuhito]

I grew up in a relatively secular, but Christian environment. I was baptized and my family often went to church. In my early teens I became very devout, reading the whole bible. You could've called me "born again". I considered myself that. I continue into my late teens, always thinking of Jesus, and studying the bible. Then I gave it all up. It didn't seem to be serving me well. I saw myself becoming more and more judgmental of non-Christians and questioned just how "Christian" my fellow Christians were. There were also certain rules that didn't make sense, and contradictions in the bible that bothered me. I basically gave up on religion altogether and considered myself an atheist for next couple of decades. I stumbled upon Vedanta after a good decade of Tolle and similar teachers, then they all dropped off quickly. I think my family and friends now all think I'm slightly crazy. To the Christians, I probably seem as if I've lost my way. To the majority of others, who are not religious, they probably think I believe all sorts of things that I don't, and that I believe in some sort of fairy tale god, yet I don't. As Swami Dayananda said, God isn't a matter of belief. Generally, for God or Isvara, I use the definition of "all that is". Anyway, thank you for the video, Swami-ji.

[@jonasespinoza6967]

I also became a born again christian I also like to learn different things so I have been studying eastern philosophy, phycology of CG jung, classic or greek philosophy and reform theology. I think we can obtain the same knowledge of the creator that it's been described here and a relationship the problem is the we don't look for it with intensity. In the evangelical church they talked about prayer but you can hardly find someone that really practice prayer. So, we can accomplish the same thing namely a connection with the divine through prayer or meditation like it's called here in this video.

[@alukuhito]

@@jonasespinoza6967 Yeah, but Christianity seems to fail when it comes to actually realizing who you are. It doesn't seem like Christianity or any other non-Hindu religion provides any means to self realization.

[@whoopsie5]

I agree @alukuhito, that although I was also on a similar road as what you say you were - the contradictions, hypocrisy, judgmentalism and ultimately the lack of self-realisation or freedom from suffering, meant that I walked away from it all. It took me a few years to clear my mind of the indoctrination of “faith.” And then I found Advaita Vedanta. Even on this path, I’ve encountered a lot of “dross” or mis-information or delusion and incomplete teaching. Really grateful for the clarity that Swamiji is bringing through this teaching. I would say that I recognise the reality and truth of Advaita, but I now can surrender fully to it, as these discussions resolve some last traces of doubt.

[@parallel4th598]

@@alukuhito I think the problem with Catholicism and Christianity is that Jesus apparently realized his oneness with God (Moksha, like the ancient and modern richis) but the early church said ok, that's it, Jesus was it - nobody else gets to do that. Was this was a veiled political move to control the masses? Jesus said that "I and the father are one" while admonishing his opponents who picked up stones to stone him that it says in their own scripture that "I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High." -Psalm 82. Ancient Rome simply couldn't have the masses running amok finding out they're God now, could they? Heaven forbid!!

[@swamivedantanandapuri1322]

Sastanga pranaam 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@nid2598]

I am born into a Hindu family where i had heard a few stories from Purana but I could never make sense of them. Vedanta speaks to me.

[@wokeymcwokeface1974]

The stories of Purana are another way of transmitting the wisdom of Vedanta. They’re not mutually exclusive. They speak to different people who learn differently.

[@honestal2684]

I thank you for all your wisdom, I live in a place where there are no temples or places to go to learn about Advaita Vedanta, so I'm very happy that you put out amazing videos for people like me to learn so I can better myself and help people around me 🙏📿🕉️ Thank you so much

[@vaishnavighuge6411]

You can also see swami sarvapriyananda.

[@terencedavid3146]

I too was born into a Catholic family and was raised Catholic much like you dear Swami. I was a good Catholic until I was not, that is, until I started questioning the dogmas, rituals n customs. Needless to say but this questioning did not go down well with my Catechism teachers. I'm happy to say that I am no longer Catholic. I am a recovering Catholic or a Catholic in remission.😢😅 In my quest for truth, l've researched most of the major monotheistic world religions like Judaism, Catholicism/Christianity n Islam, Zoroastrianism, Gnostricism, Mithraism and the Indic religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism n Sikhism a bit of Daoism n Confuscianism. I must admit that "Advaita Vedanta" has the most logical & rational answers to my questions about God and spirituality. I just love the bombshell truth at the end that .."There is not ONE GOD, but ONLY GOD".

[@aarjukr]

This video by Swami Tadatmananda ji aptly captures why I hv fallen in love with Vedantic teachings…. and specially how Swamiji is teaches us … millions of thanks are not enough… just grateful to have found him 🙏

[@kiwinartosabdo2591]

These statements are so true especially to those who are born seekers.

[@yogi5482]

I was raised protestant/Lutheran and never felt any emotions towards God and the church. As a teenager in confirmation, the priest wasn't able to answer basic questions about contradictions, I became an atheist. I started yoga with a purposeful wall against anything spiritual and just wanted lower back pain relief. Then one of the teachers had the absolute audacity to recommend I be nice to myself for the hour I was there. After years of yoga with no intention, I fell ass backwards into the endless love of Krishna, during the cultivation of my friend ship with Krishna, I was eventually brought to my knees and cried my eyes in the awe and glory in the face God. I tried to ignore this revelation for 6 months and fell into absolute madness, I've accepted my new life and guide my path by enveloping my heart with the love of the lord, life has never been better.

[@els1f]

I love the way you described that! 🤣 I feel largely the same way, but made my way there through anxiety/depression and mindfulness meditation. Same origin and trajectory, different body part 😋

[@yogi5482]

@@els1f I am grateful that there are so many paths, as we can all find our own. I thought I had anxiety and depression but it turns out that it's bipolar type 2, bipolars less funny, more depressed version. I'm glad that you've found relief and that you have ways to keep getting better

[@gridcoregilry666]

Thank you for sharing this Swami! Powerful line: "Iśvara is never more than one thought away"

[@rsr9200]

I echo your sentiment above. Perhaps a less pithy restatement of it is “We are never away from Ishvara even if thoughts seemingly separate us from Ishvara”.

[@wetti2004]

Thanks very much for this wonderful teaching, that spoke from my heart, because I made similar experiences, being a rational person with a Christian background, not satisfied by myths and teachings which are based on faith alone. Seeking in different religions and philosophies, the transcendental and non-sectarian wisdom of Advaita Vedanta helped me to discover the highest truths (which are also included in every religion). May you all stay blessed! Warm greetings from the lake of Zurich, Switzerland

[@adityaranjit9564]

Babe, wake up, Swamiji’s dropped a new video! All jokes aside, God bless you Swamiji for making another informative video!

[@user-rf7uj5vt3i]

What an exceptional presentation of Hinduism! See how beautifully the Ishwara is describing itself well with in the framework of science and logic!! My uncountable 👃 pranamams to you Ishwara!!!

[@political-social]

Swamiji...that's amazing. I was also raised like you, Catholic and went to catholic schools. I would love to admire it from afar, but I don't find anything in it. Just heaven and hell and yes, we were not allowed to ask questions either and we would get in trouble. Such similar background to you. Thank you for this wonderful explanation too Swamiji 🙏📿

[@prakashshiwakoti9727]

I generally bow down to feet to those in whom I see a reflection of Ishwara but bowing you down would simply be an honor. Darsan Swami. Your revelation of Atma and Ishwara definitely is a profound work in the field of Discovering Divinity. I thank you each day in my prayers since I am connected with your videos last year. It has transformed my life and learnt to endure the biggest pain that came from material life which ultimately landed me to your videos again to seek further. From your videos I learnt that Ishwara is dwelling everywhere and in everything and is worthy of praise and devotion. To see a reflection of Ishwara, one has to see in himself and discover it and then suddenly see the reflection in others and everything. I meditated 4 years regularly each morning out of which first 3.5 years were just a blind seeking. But after I watched your videos of Atma Bodha and meditated, moments of silence came without much efforts. Definitely, you are a treasure for the world and won't be wrong to say you are one of the greatest Gurus.

[@neildmedia]

Swamiji is such a wonderful teacher. I too, was brought up a Catholic, an altar boy, devout. However from 15 onwards, completely of my own volition I became interested in Yoga. First the asanas, only 1/8th of the path, then the game changer was The Upanishads at 19 then meditation the same year. What is strange is there was absolutely nothing in my background to be inclined to any of it. Evidence if anything of strong inclinations from a previous life. Like trying to find my way home again. 45 years later Im still meditating and Advaita Vedanta makes the most sense, plus SRF Kriya Yoga where Christ is also revered. The circle is complete. 🙏

[@RaiseTheWorldProjectNow]

Thank you 🙏🏼❤

[@jorgetfreitas3167]

Each time I hear Swami Tadatmananda's brilliant words, they place another bright star in my sky of understanding. Thank you Swamiji for your wise and enlightening words.

[@krishveena]

This is perhaps the most honest explanation of Ishvara I have ever heard. And it comes without any sense of 'I know all, so you better listen' kind of superior attitude. I feel blessed to have listened to this awesome presentation. Thank you so much Swamiji.

[@gkariga6842]

In our dream,one doesn't attract any karma,but in life attracts severe repercussions of bad karma,how it is explained .Hats off to your Humility,Sir thank you

[@3ggshe11s]

Always enjoy your videos, swamiji. I was the first cradle Catholic born into my family, and I left in frustration when no one could answer my questions. Catholicism still has something of an appeal to me, but more in the comfort of the rituals and the goodness of the ethics in the Sermon on the Mount. I went on to be an armchair Buddhist for many years, and my wife considers herself a Taoist. Studying the words of Krishnamurti, Jung, Alan Watts, Bernardo Kastrup, and many, many others over the years has led me to form my own worldview, one that's not terribly dissimilar to Advaita. I guess I don't feel the need for a devotional relationship because I'm content thinking in terms of Atman=Brahman and marveling just at what that alone means. For me, that's enough.

[@dangem5022]

25:45 - Beautifully said, Swamiji 🙏

[@dustianna11]

This couldn’t have come at a better time… Thank you Swami ji🌱

[@TheBeardedMysticPodcast]

I was going to share this with you! Swami ji is amazing!!!

[@dustianna11]

@@TheBeardedMysticPodcast I can always count on you to point me in the direction of self realization. Namaskar Rahul ji. Thanks to you(pointing ) I’m here subscribed to this channel now learning and absorbing all that is given by Swami ji✨ See you Saturday Rahul ji for meditation 🧘‍♀️

[@TobiasSebastien]

I am as well very grateful to Ishvara that he blessed you with your intellect, skills and gift to teach and that you make use of it to help us on our pass. Thank you! 🙏

[@janetownley]

I loved this. I’ve been so curious about Ishvara. I already have a positive, reverent devotion to the One I call God, and I wasn’t yet sure if He is the same as the Hindu Ishvara, but you’ve answered that question. Thank you for another quality video teaching.

[@adityasaboo6074]

Very Saimply Explained A Very Complex. Subject ....Wonderful Truly .Beautiful ...Naman Pranaam

[@karenb2552]

🙏I am grateful to Ishvara for you Swamiji🕉

[@leegrass6954]

You are so brilliant! Your explanations are so crystal clear and even someone who has achieved self realization well recognize the truth of every word you speak!

[@mangalaprasad8901]

Thank you Swamiji🙏🌷.Such profound subject you explained in understandable simple words.

[@ravish05]

Another amazing video swamiji. Though born in a Hindu family having been raised to have a scientific rational worldview I connect with your videos very well. Both the spider and the dream metaphors are absolutely amazing. Thank you.

[@michaelbenmoshe5445]

In was lost and find myself in the obscure memories of things that happened in the age of bronze in Sumeria, my real love was Goddess Ishtar, who is known in India as Kali. Now I surrender to Her and She became my Guru and protector

[@muthucumarasamyparamsothy4747]

Thanks,Swami a religion made easy.After reading and practicing many schools of thoughts.

[@deliadelia5280]

Thank you very much for sharing your experience. It helped me a lot to disolve the doubts about myself. When you said: "I don,t have a devotional bone in my body", you made me smile. Many times I felt the same. 😊

[@vasumathigovindarajan2139]

Honest to the core Leading the desired to the spiritual shore

[@vanianup]

What a beautifully simplified concept video!!

[@deliaguerra2014]

I admire your Humility! Thank you for sharing xxx

[@kanishkajoshi563]

🙏🙏 Thank you Swamiji....

[@Julia-zj2ch]

Beautiful, Swami T. Thank you so much for making and sharing this!

[@felixuu]

Thank you, Swami!

[@onenessi]

This is absolutely beautiful swamiji

[@alphadragon1948]

Beautifully explained as always Swamiji 🙏🏼🕉

[@animeshyellow]

Thank you very much Swamiji 🙏🙏

[@vaidhyanathanbalasundaram1224]

Thank you Swamiji ,🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@robyogashakti5661]

Wow, what a heartwarming, inspirational personal sharing of knowledge and love for Ishvara🙏💫

[@miscellaneous404]

Thank you for including subtitles, it helps me greatly in understanding the teaching.

[@nikhileshchitnis]

Thank you swamiji 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@susheelapanekat7756]

Thankyou Swamiji 🙏🙏

[@careermission6655]

Shyamapada dey I am grateful to yoy for imparting me wisdom

[@abiramisenthilkumar7056]

Amazing Swamiji... Thank you

[@prakashrath9797]

Thanks Swamiji for yet another brilliant discourse 🙏🙏🙏

[@wisdombyumeshmishra2535]

I simply love you. You are living knowledge.

[@lmletalheadcrab]

Thank you for sharing this wisdom. Best wishes.

[@yonadel347]

Would love listening to more such inner revelations of divinity 🙏

[@prithiphillips4746]

Beautiful. Your videos are wonderful. Thank you!

[@premachandransk4974]

Pranamam. I bow down to Swamiji for the most truthful sharing of your spiritual journey. It inspires and endorses the path. Thank you!!

[@vs9324]

Another brilliant video from Swamiji! Bhagwat Gita is a compendium of Hindu spiritual practices. It uses Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Jnana Yoga to teach spirituality. It uses concepts from Sankhya, Uttara Mimansa and Vedanta. The objective of Gita is to make people spiritual whatever path they want to take. Everyone can take away something from Gita whatever is their proclivity although the underlying theme of Gita, with it's setting on a battlefield, is karma yoga.. You will find better books on bhakti yoga or Jnana Yoga than Gita but it's karma yoga where Gita excels. For me, Karma Yoga and Jnana yoga works best. P.S.: Actually, bhakti is also a form of karma. However, bhkati yoga is drenched in davita while karma yoga helps us in transcending dvaita.

[@jackdeclan1192]

Hehe Bhakti yoga also takes you to a stage where the Eshwara and his devotee becomes one

[@vs9324]

@@jackdeclan1192 Actually, my view is that you don't have to do anything to become one with SatChitAnand. You already are. But if it gives you bliss, why not?

[@jackdeclan1192]

@@vs9324 agreed

[@watersprite333]

Hey, would it be possible pls, to share the name of those books on bhakti yoga and Jnana Yoga, many thanks. Namaste, love & light!

[@jackdeclan1192]

@@watersprite333 they are part of Bhagavad Gita.

[@MettleHurlant]

Thank you for making this video. I relate to your story very much. Learning about Advaita Vedanta completely reframed my perspective.

[@chironsthea607]

Namaste, om shanti. Thank you for describing some of how you beautifully discovered Advaita Vedanta.

[@maheshseshadri490]

Thanks Swamiji for beautiful explanation 👌👌🙏🙏🙏

[@anandkatakwar912]

Amazing! So clean so scholarly every video. This is probably the only one where you are giving some personal discoveries and a glimpse of your journey. For me in last 4 years I have learned the art of being immersed totally in the "Mundane" act of this worldly karmas as dictated by my Dharma. When at that point i was totally immersed in the all encompassing nature of me I was finding it next to impossible to get involved in the worldly activities any more.

[@pramodalagharu]

Thank you swamiji for this wonderful topic covered in this video.

[@marripallihemaraj7394]

Wonderful teaching I have no words to express my gratitude namaste

[@harishankar7038]

Truly wonderful to see / hear this video. Thank you, Swami Ji.

[@oneomself]

Thank you Swamiji! Every one of your thoughtful teachings through these videos are a gift. These teachings indeed are results of Ishvara's intelligent order! 🙏

[@Svillase]

This is something very important to me. I am very thakful Swamiji. Thank you very much 🌻

[@georgiachen2875]

You make me understand that I really need spend all the time that I could to approach the truth of everything!! Nothing is important than that.

[@jagshah381]

Profound teaching Swamiji! Very grateful for this simple yet powerful teaching🙏

[@venkyneel]

What a heartfelt, personal yet insightful presentation Swamiji. Inspired by your commitment to help spiritual seekers, and more so by your humility. What rung in my head during this presentation were the brilliant words of Ramana Maharishi, that the path of knowledge and devotion are but one. Which I think I am only just starting to appreciate.

[@jshdhdyjfjdjfhfyyene731]

If you have to choose, choose devotion. For only the greatest wisdom that is beyond knowledge is born of prayer, worship and devotion. Mere knowledge alone can only go so far. Oh Lord let me only have that knowledge which is born of prayer and worship - Saint Francis of Assissi

[@chandrashekharswamy3109]

Greetings and Salutations. Superb. Felt as though you were describing the Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram.

[@mikhailreitneprak9]

Thank you very much for your brilliant explanations and teachings !!! 🙏 🕉️

[@tayrowell]

On a bad day I am a Zen Buddhist and on a good day, Vedantic, so life is pretty damn good.

[@hawktalk639]

Thank you for your words and example, Swami. Ram ram.

[@wrognOne]

have watched this video .....6 times .... with breaks and gaps. This 29:33 piece is ..... the best, for yogs walking this path. I bow to you. This is ...such a distilled wisdom .....handholding the yogi, trying to find a way out of the maze. pranaam. namaste

[@hrishikeshmoghe]

Really loved this video! Pranam Swamiji 🙏🙏

[@shivsivaram9872]

Pranam Swamiji 🌺🙏🌹

[@madeyasa5379]

Itu is true... Grateful to true source, Iswara, thanks a lots

[@ranganasarmaduvvuri9007]

beautifully put across…Pranams swamiji and a heartfelt thank you for this video

[@onetwozeroyt]

Thanks Swamiji. Though you sit far away from us we are lucky to have you and listen to you on KZbin. Your videos, language and presentation are superb with so much clarity.

[@sumanaghosal5072]

I just love your truthful confession. 🙏🙏🕉🕉want to meet you Maharaj 🙏

[@vikramsinghrana7134]

awesome,beautiful rxn.

[@tmasaitis]

Thank you for a great teaching !!!

[@souravmukherjeemononyogame5582]

Swamiji... I simply love and adore your presentations... Truly blessed by Ishwara... Thanks & gratitude from India 🙏

[@DP-jj5fp]

What a wonderful lesson!

[@lunar2277]

thank you so much for sharing 🙏🌺

[@kamalkhanna56]

Great discourse. Influences the jumbled answered doubts of mind with clarity. Balancing the rituals and Advait Vedant in clouded confusions. Feel blessed to get the chance to listen to your valued explanations. First direct benefit has been a quiet , peaceful and lesser reactive mind. Great regards.🙏🙏

[@P.p]

Thank you Guruji that was a very clear and concise description of ishwara and the question I had that I keep getting into worldly thoughts and forget ishwara now it’s clear that we are just one thought away from him thank you

[@stargoldenqueen1021]

Thanks for sharing swami 🙏 thanks to your teachings I have been able to better understand the bhagavad gita,blessings 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙌

[@cvf3197]

Namaste Swamiji, Thank you for sharing with us part of your personal process of spirituality. It is very useful to show us a path. I share some of your young spiritual struggles, though in my case, I have been considering myself atheist until very recently. One thing that began to change my personal view were your comments on the Gravity Law or the way in which sun appears every day at the same time, in the same location, as part of the “intelligent order of Ishvara”, I began to think of Ishvara in the different manner. Now, I have my little altar with my ”Ishta Devata” who helps me when I try to meditate and I am increasing my feeling of bakhti through Mantra Japa. And I feel better, my mind is more quiet. Pranaams.

[@sdutta8]

This was very helpful for a faith-challenged, reason-enamored spiritual seeker. I have exactly the same doubts and questions you describe.

[@bbat2822]

So amazing. Beautiful description 🙏🏾

[@vibs99]

How true.🙏🙏yet another wonderful lecture.

[@SethRamesh]

Wow. Touching video. ❤

[@edelweisssymons7444]

Absolutely Brilliant!

[@ponderosadelasierra]

Superb clarity and depth. Thanks so much

[@ciscoguru2007]

no words to express 🙏

[@jens6754]

This video was very very helpful to me, especially the second half. As a hyper-rational person, I struggle with anything that doesn't fit into the materialist world view I've carried for decades. It was when I accepted my own limitations as a material human being that I accepted there might be 'more'. I'm just beginning to accept the likelihood that along with my human limitations, and evidenced by them, there is divinity as well. It's still a journey and often a struggle for me, but I'm keeping on! ❤️

[@ron403b]

I resonate deeply with this. I have had a strong devotional tendency throughout many of my 77 years. What blunts it in recent years is empathy for apparent innocents who suffer, especially children. How can I retain that empathy and take the depth of devotion to a deeper level?

[@venkateswaranv6326]

What a great exposition swamij?My shastanka namaskarams to you.