Introduction to Vedanta Part 6 - Swami Sarvapriyananda - March 22, 2016

vedanta.org In a series of talks, Swami Sarvapriyananda lucidly unfolds the fundamentals of Advaita Vedanta presented in Drg Drsya Viveka. This talk - delivered on March 22, 2016 at the Vedanta Temple in Hollywood, CA - covers verses 15 to 17 in "Drg Drsya Viveka: An Inquiry into the Nature of the Seer and the Seen".

[@Rakshitha2024]

I wonder at his depth, knowledge and keen passion in reaching out 🙏🏽. Could not have come across this series at a better time.

[@premhejmadi]

Logically took me from way outside to deep inside. Views and opinions, I find, are changing on their own. Thanks to the exposure to light. 🙏🏻💖🙏🏻

[@abhishekbiswas1995]

1:06:20 "The whole purpose of philosophy is to show the fly the way out of the fly bottle. It's not to give a solution to the question but to dissolve the question itself." Mesmerizing!

[@urmilapandey1]

Best explanation, I feel such joy just listening as Swami ji has made it so easy to understand

[@arxhitgarg]

This particular lesson is one of the dopest so far. The level of self awareness of everything we are studying here is insane.

[@aviralsrivastava3409]

So beautifully explained, in depth. I feel blessed to have found swamiji and his teachings.

[@adv.madhusudananmp9045]

Pranams Swamiji ❤

[@daniillebedev3929]

Thank you so much for this knowledge

[@seemaboyd9671]

Thank you swamiji for helping us understand our true nature Everything you say is so profound and has impacted my life in a positive manner

[@kamesh7818]

Swami Sarvapriyananda jee, Your are an excellent teacher. Thanks to all who uploaded lectures.

[@santhoshgopinath816]

Namaste My mananam - When I wake up from deep sleep, I become like Lord Brahmaji with my four heads that is ahamkara, chitta, manas, buddhi. The four heads get switched on, and I become aware of what my identity is as the jiva, I remember what I need to do today, ideas and emotions rush in to do them, and I decide what needs to be done as a final plan to start the day. Like Lord Brahmaji created the world, I create my world for the day till my next deep sleep, when the absence of my four headed antakarana will be experienced. Please correct me at the errors.

[@ashutoshkachare2534]

Very good lecture. It clearly gives explanation that this duality started by error and repeatedly we shall tail the truth that,"Tatvamasi" until we realize it.Time required for this is immaterial because we are immortal by true nature

[@ksoldestaccount7654]

38:34 body and mind is superimposed on Brahman!!!!! The individual destined to be born and suffer in life and pass away is superimposed on my infinitude ....

[@LokeshSharmaa]

The examples are very beautiful like that of sun reflected on various objects.

[@ortiesmom8519]

This is magnificent. Thank you.

[@ankushmanhas4228]

Great wisdom Swami ji.

[@sarthakgoyal8578]

As Swamiji recommended about the three steps of learning, Shravanam, Mananam and Nididhyaanam. My attempt to recall all the things discussed in this lecture: The focus point of this lecture has been to understand more deeper about the veiling power of Maya. - The lecture builds upon the understanding of Maya, discoursed in previous lecture. Maya is an inherent power of Brahman, and maya itself has got it's own two powers, Power of Projection (Vikshep Shakti), and the Power of Veiling (Aavaran Shakti). - The projection power of maya projects the gross body, as well as the subtle body. The projected subtle body comprises of three categories, pranamayakosha, manomayakosha, and vigyaanmayakosha. - Everything borrow existence from the Brahman. - The subtle body (a part of above mentioned everything) borrows existence, and not only that, also borrows consciousness from Brahman. - The concept of pramaata pramey, where pramaata means the knower, and pramey means the known. In my contemplation, this knower here corresponds to all the living beings, while the pramay here refers to all non-living beings (This is my interpretation after some contemplation) - The veiling power of Maya is the major cause of suffering. The projection power is not at all the problem. Also, the veiling power doesn't obscure the Brahman. It obscures the difference between Brahman and the Gross bodies (For external body), and the difference between brahman and the subtle bodies (for our internal sense). We see right now a mixed reality. Let's understand with an example. When we mistake a rope for a snake, the characteristics of rope such as length & shape is still visible in the snake, which we perceive. These belongs to the real thing rope. Though some other characteristics are added, such as the poison of the snake, which doesn't belong to the rope. Hence, actually the rope is there, it's some characteristics are also very clearly visible, it's just that the difference between the rope and the snake is not visible. - An example of a hollywood movie is given. What we're experiencing is actually a movie, and our reality is something else. The problem is, that we, as the characters of the movie, have realized this to be our true nature, and hence, limited ourselves. A statement is mentioned in the text, which says that the limited body & mind (the jiva), has been super-imposed on the infinite consciousness. - This super-imposition is an important concept, and the centre point of the remarkable verse which marks the beginning of the Shankaracharya's commentaries on Brahmasutras. - A recall from one of the previous lectures, the three states, the Waking State, the Dream State, and the Deep Sleep state, are all the states of mind. And, when one transgresses into the waking state, i.e. when we wake up in the morning, first the consciousness illumines the mind, and since the mind-body are interconnected, the mind further illumines the body. - Some Miscellanous points: - The basic precept of religion has been faith. One begins with faith. Faith in God, and devotion, and some time, maybe in this birth or the next birth, or whenever, the person may realize God. - The Sankhya Yoga precept: This philosophy says, that it's a Hollywood movie ongoing actually, and way to understand that is to switch off the movie, and go into Nirvikalpa Samadhi. - The Adwaita Vedanta Precept: The philosophy says, that it's a hollywood movie ongoing, and the idea is to realize that it's a hollywood movie, and then, enjoy the movie. It's just to understand that the discrimination between the projecting screen and the movie itself, and then enjoy the movie. Similarly, another analogy. One is wearing a uniform, and one has forgotten that it's a uniform, and thinks that person to be the uniform itself. But, the idea is to understand that it is the uniform, and then enjoy the uniform, keep wearing it, it's a good uniform😛 . Swamiji also gives the quote of Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa Ji, who called this hollywood movie as a mauja (Something was there).. which means a place of intense delight. We gotta realize our true nature, and enjoy the ongoings of the world!

[@WaterSeesWater]

He is an excellent teacher !

[@ketakimunshi3354]

🙏🙏

[@girish3011]

Great discourses. Could the questions also be please made audible?

[@swastikpruseth2941]

Ameging, waiting for next lecture

[@dreamliner2]

Profound & Beautiful.

[@rajaninambiar6444]

Thanks Swamiji 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@mokshajetley9244]

Jai Sri Ramakrishna Jai Sri Ramakrishna Jai Sri Ramakrishna Jai Sri Ramakrishna Jai Sri Ramakrishna

[@rekhav4757]

🙏🙏🙏 Guruji

[@cedarraine7829]

Gratitude 🙏

[@Soumenghoshroy100]

excellent session

[@advaita_ml]

Thank you

[@diptichatterjee5436]

প্রণাম মহারাজজী।

[@kavithanagaraj6034]

Please upload part 7.... I am waiting for that...

[@ksoldestaccount7654]

50:40 this philosopher mastered Indian and Western philosophy ... says Shankaracharya's opening sentence of the Brahma Sutra Bhashya is the most profound sentence in all of philosophy

[@rangarajandeepa]

Wonderful! It will be good if could hear the questions clearly...

[@rohitnikalje409]

Its the same talk which was previously uploaded. Please do upload part 7 . Thanks for all the talks . Sri Ramakrishna!!

[@willdejoya5071]

Swami, In my analysis of Advaita philosophy, I have come with the understanding that, if we follow the philosophy of Advaita, it will imply that we, the Jiva (reflected consciousness-mind complex) are not eternal, for our existence relies upon the operation of the mind, the one that reflects the pure consciousness (Brahman). Then it also implies that we the Jiva, the reflected consciousness-mind complex only exist for as long as the mind is in operation. If we separate the pure consciousness from the reflected consciousness-mind complex, then it is only with respect to Brahman. We cannot say that we are Brahman because of two reasons, first is, Brahman is the pure consciousness, while we the Jiva are the reflected consciousness-mind complex. Brahman is Brahman and we are we. However, we can say that Brahman is the cause of my dependent, borrowed, reflected existence. Also another important concern is, if through the process of extinguishing the mind, Brahman shines forth, it only means one thing, we have extinguished our existence, the reflected consciousness-mind complex, or the ego. It will not be possible to make the statement " I am Brahman" for that requires the operation of the mind. The "I-ness" is a product of the operation of the mind reflecting the consciousness, hence a borrowed consciousness, or not the pure consciousness itself, but we are rather the "derivative" of Brahman or the pure consciousness, and we know that the derivative is not the same with the original substance. Another analogy is that, we the Jiva can be said as an "alloy", a combination of the borrowed consciousness plus the mind. If by the process of meditation or Jnana, we separate the borrowed consciousness from the mind, then it implies that the enity which is the alloy, doesn't exist anymore, there will only be the consciousness, which is Brahman, but like I pointed out, we really can't say that we are Brahman because we are the I-ness, and to say I am Brahman will require the operation of the mind that makes rise for the I-ness or the ego. So through Advaita, we come to an understanding that there is only Brahman alone, and we are just being dreamt by Brahman. It will also not be possible to "merge" one's being with Brahman. So what we as the Jiva can do is to come to the understanding that we are only being dreamt by Brahman, and that this whole play of the Maya should continue to exist if we want to preserve our existence, for without Maya, there is only God or Brahman. Swami, I would appreciate if you could make a comment on my observation. Thank you very much. Your lectures are helping me a lot... By the way Swami, I have gone to our Ramakrishna center here in the Philippines and was able to meet Swami Medhasananda when he visited here. He was amazing, although his time here is very limited. But the Philippine center do not have an in-house monk.

[@pranabmukherjee938]

Jaya,let me try. Jaya is playing a role of a queen in a drama and somehow forgot that she is jaya. All the sadness, happiness everything of that queen will be that of Jaya.Now somehow she gets back her real identify of Jaya. So what will happen, will the queen will vanish,will cease to exist. Nooooo. Jaya will be playing the same role,but now with the difference. Similarly, removal of Maya is not removal of mind,it's the same mind which will call 'I' am so on so,but it also knows that is just his role in the play on this earth but deep within, originally it is Brahman.

[@varisthashaw9368]

the ego being a good reflector of the witness consciousness identifies "naturally" with the reflected consciousness. the I-ness is thus limited to the mind. when brahman is realised, the intellect is able to distinguish between the reflected and the witness consciousness. the ego still bears its natural relationship with the reflected consciousness but "I" becomes different from the ego. I become the brahman or rather, brahman becomes the "I".

[@samitsaini226]

I agree , a bit muddled up or we do not see the whole picture due to limited knowledge .Pranab and Varistha 's reply just flew over my head .They must be more advanced guys .

[@niladridas3506]

Bullshit understanding. See the one who is aware of your understanding.

[@yuvraz810]

Saying 'I am Brahman' is Maya, but being Brahman is not Maya, it's Truth. You don't cease to be Brahman by not saying it. You think that world after the dawn of self-knowledge doesn't exist, but actually it exists, you also exists but it's appearance, appearance doesn't mean it doesn't exist it simply means it's unreal(not non-existent)like a dream. Now tell me, doesn't dream exist? yes it exists. But is dream real? No it's not real. This world-appearance is like dream(not literally)

[@anilagupta6008]

Thank you.

[@claudiacremonin2615]

Grata pela tradução em português.

[@peterday3253]

Good question - who is seeking liberation? If One is Brahman the Witness consciousness, then who is seeking freedom? This one can be seen. And if it can be seen then it belongs to time, to the mind. In that case then liberation can only be ephemeral. Ephemeral liberation is freedom for the ego, freedom for the seeker identity of the mind. Swamiji repeats himself some during this episode and his pointings are not as clear as on earlier videos (from my perspective). Little bit muddled. Distinction between the Real and the apparent is not clear.

[@sanjogzawar6964]

Thank you very much for uploading all the lectures... Request you to please upload subsequent lectures soon.

[@tejwatisaxena2494]

Qwality of lecture is not only interesting it sustains to listen as long

[@adrianstratulat22]

So is the purpose to make the observer observed? Would that lift the illusion of separation?

[@LuAr82-pe]

Obrigado!

[@ksoldestaccount7654]

37:38 Individuality is superimposed on infinitude

[@LokeshSharmaa]

I remember a real story when a sage got angry and cursed someone by which he/she got converted to a stone. So, now I am wondering where does his/her consciousness went for the time he/she became stone?

[@chaitanyag.8415]

When you see a dream, you see lot of immovable objects (like stones) there. Does your mind disappear at that time? It is the mind that appears as a stone. Similarly it’s consciousness that was earlier appearing as human(mind and body) now appears as stone.

[@ksoldestaccount7654]

36:00 you the Pure Consciousness

[@ramuh.s7818]

ಶ್ರೀ ಗುರುಭ್ಯೋ ನಮಃ

[@ravijhirwal2073]

Hiii I have question As we know conciousness is all pervading but I(conciouness) am here not there thn how can I everywhere???

[@abhinavaprasad8065]

What u r referring to as I is your ego(ahankara). In Pure consciousness u cannot claim I because there is no mind. There is just awareness

[@sandeepsaxena3364]

Please differentiate between the 'i' (individual) and the 'I' (Universal). In fact the 'I' limited by one body becomes the 'i'.

[@av1421]

OPening statement of Brahma Sutra

[@ksoldestaccount7654]

45:51 Siddhanta and Prakriya: conclusion and pedagogy

[@ksoldestaccount7654]

35:40 next verse!

[@keshavbhatta5894]

Can you please upload more lectures .. and I think one chapter is mistakenly repeated

[@soulofbengal8539]

🙏

[@sukeshmishra7916]

50:40 Prof. Gustav Husserl

[@ksoldestaccount7654]

22:19 "Some call this world a fraud and a deceit. I call it a mansion of delight." Sri Ramakrishna. The Holy Fun of the world ... this is the vision of the seer, otherwise it is a horror story ... ever religion has to answer if God exists why is there so much suffering

[@ksoldestaccount7654]

23:49 why is there suffering in the world?

[@ksoldestaccount7654]

34:02 famous French writer circle of fire

[@ksoldestaccount7654]

39:27 Witness question

[@jaredrileysmith]

First 😂😂😂