NonDual Vedanta Five Fundamental Concepts

Ira Schepetin / Atma Chaitanya is a student of the ancient Indian Philosophical-Spiritual Tradition of Advaita Vedanta, which teaches the Non-Dual Nature of the Self. For over 45 years he has studied with eminent Indian and Western Scholars of the subject. He has undergone many years of ‘discipleship’ and instruction, in the original Sanskrit, with orthodox Renunciate Swamis belonging to this Non-Dual tradition. He has presented academic papers internationally and has published numerous articles on Non-Duality in various Philosophical Journals.
This talk was filmed by [ Bill Alves ] on July 11,2016 in East Hampton, N.Y.

[@yosivin1]

This is a great summary of the five fundamental concepts of Advaita Vedanta. Here's a breakdown of what the speaker discussed, along with some additional insights: 1. Atman (Self): The Witness: The true self is not the ego or the "I" concept, but the pure consciousness that witnesses all thoughts and experiences. Unchanging and Non-Dual: This witness is timeless, without qualities, and beyond duality. It's the same for everyone. Self-Evident: The witness is always present and doesn't need anything to light it up. 2. Avidya (Ignorance): Misidentification: The root of suffering is mistaking the transient ego and the world for the true self. Superimposition: We attribute qualities of the witness (existence, consciousness, bliss) to the objects of experience (body, mind, world). Discrimination: The path to liberation is to discriminate between the subject (witness) and the objects (everything else). 3. Relative and Absolute Perspectives: Relative Truth: The world of duality, where we experience time, space, and suffering. Absolute Truth: The ultimate reality of non-duality, where there is only one, unchanging Brahman. Reconciling the Two: Vedanta recognizes the validity of the relative perspective while pointing towards the ultimate truth. 4. Karta Tantra (Action) and Vastu Tantra (Knowledge): Action Dependent on Ignorance: All actions arise from the mistaken identification with the ego and are ultimately ineffective in removing ignorance. Knowledge a Direct Realization: Realization is a direct recognition of the truth, not a result of effort or action. Sadhana (Spiritual Practice): The purpose of spiritual practice is to purify the mind and make it fit for understanding the truth. 5. The Method of Advaita: Neti Neti (Not this, Not this): The Upanishads use a method of negation to point towards the self, which is beyond all concepts and descriptions. Deliberate Superimposition: Concepts like the witness are used as tools to guide the mind away from gross identifications, but eventually even these are negated. Silence: The ultimate teaching is silence, as it aligns with the nature of the self, which is beyond all words and thoughts. Key Takeaways: Liberation is a State of Being: The true self is always free and liberated. Ignorance creates the illusion of bondage. The Importance of the Teacher: The role of the guru is to guide the student through the process of removing ignorance. Self-Inquiry is Essential: Vedanta encourages introspection and questioning the nature of the self. Remember: This is just a brief introduction. Understanding Advaita Vedanta requires deeper study, reflection, and the guidance of a qualified teacher.

[@ugc1784]

Now I am seriously pondering on it. This guru really delves it deep. You have to listen to it in bits & pieces to fully understand what he preaches. I have been listening to many preachers, and of course they too are very good. But he is delving it deep and bringing it home. And finally you have to have stomach for all this. Intellect & intelligence is not going to get us there.

[@quantumhealingtools]

Clearest, most concise overview and explanation I’ve come across in years! Brilliant in its simplicity. A true teacher!

[@VirendraSingh-iu2nc]

Brief and Very right teaching. Non dual vedanta teaching is supreme teaching out of all teaching in the world. Thank you very much👌🌹.

[@prantasaha1206]

I am very happy. because of, the first time I have listened Vedanta by English man

[@toohdvaetihom7088]

Are u stupid ? What English has do with anything

[@vinayakprabhu7935]

There is a special thrill in listening to a Westerner outpouring such a highest wisdom in so simple words. His pronunciation is good even for Asians, Westerners as well as for the people from the Far East. Salutations to you Sir! 🕉

[@MrResearcher122]

He is speaking an Aryan language, from the West, when he speak Sanskrit. So it is easy for an intelligent Westerner.

[@BillSikes.]

This guy has the best explanation of Vedanta and advaita I've ever heard, he's an enlightened being, and its a shame there are so few of his talks on KZbin...I salute you Ira

[@austin426512]

strake750 Watch Introduction to Vedanta by Swami Sarvapriyananda on KZbin. He explains much more deeper in 10 parts

[@karthikcind1981]

Google Advaita Vedanta Ajit vadakayil

[@divyadeepwadhwa6175]

Swami Yugpurush Paramanand Maharaj is an enlightened being. Www.DirectRealizationOfBrahman.com

[@pacoarias8378]

Yea, Ira is great. I am definitely not a Vedantin, but I luv listening to his explanations.

[@vertbeke7977]

Yeah

[@Sincere-c]

It is a very great explanation. Ira is so calm in explaining all the things scientifically and also spiritually. Its indeed our Good Fortune to receive more from Ira. What a treat indeed. Can't wait to listen to more of his talks.

[@ninakaintal2451]

AJOY CHOUDHURY of course

[@vertbeke7977]

He's a very good teacher

[@RaviShankar-kv8jn]

The more I hear more layers open up.. I heard this many times.. almost as a reference source. Now after 4 to 5years, hearing this seem to reveal a deeper level understanding and connection. Love you Gurudev…❤

[@lazaroortiz9546]

Such a wonderful person...cannot thank you enough.. appreciate it so so much sir 🙏🙏

[@BRAVEONPRECIOUS]

✨So simple, so obvious. The most clear, elucidating Advaita Vedanta mentorship. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!! ✨🙏🏼✨

[@mojamurphy4905]

So excited to see you on KZbin again Teacher Ira Schepetin. Your last video opened new doors in my experience of myself. Changed my world, it did. I searched and searched for more from you..... to no avail.... and now this!! Thanks for sharing again.... and more please. Namaste. _/\_

[@frialsharefabdo7715]

Namaste from Syria 💚

[@djakonmiroslav]

Fantastic teaching and fantastic teacher. I'm glad to have an opportunity to watch it. Deep and useful. Thank you 🙂

[@vanianup]

One of the most profound talks on Vedanta. It always baffles me that me who is born in Hindu culture, brought up in Hindu culture really know nothing at all about Upanishad teachings and here is someone who was born and brought up away from it and found this knowledge. Again near and far also is my illusion isn’t it ?

[@obowurx6625]

This gentleman deserves a wider audience.

[@vertbeke7977]

Yeah

[@vertbeke7977]

It seems so ..

[@AndrasNagy2001]

The thing is, as a true Advaitan, he never promoted himself, no website or anything on him. I have searched!

[@SBha30]

This lecture is amazing. Probably the best explanation of the key concepts of Advaita Vedanta.

[@WaterSeesWater]

I like this guy. His words come into my heart easily unlike other Vedanta teachers' , which is very strange ....

[@AstralHobo]

Wow, what a treat to have more of Ira to listen to, thank you very much for this upload *gets comfy*

[@stefos6431]

Don't "get comfy".........Question ahead ruthlessly "Who am I?"

[@AstralHobo]

When one understands "Who I am not", there may be great comfort marinating in the awareness of "I am".

[@d1427]

+ bill esquire Gesundheit!

[@daverose1458]

nah, it was just an illusion

[@d1427]

dave rose yeah, better check his pants...

[@nageshwarraokondapi1428]

I overheard about Vedantic concepts from your childhood, kind of understood & agreed to them but still have some gaps, he is the right place to fill. Thank you, He has all capabilities of a right Guru (although he says he is not).

[@absolutetraders]

Great thanks Ira for explaining Non dualism Vedanta theory in perfect words. Best part is that he added nothing but explained what it is.

[@mLKauai]

Thank you Ira S. for your western experience helps bridge the cultural gap in explaining Advaita Vedanta. Not to mention your humility and easy going manner. I have been studying your talks and welcome these new additions. Seems to me there is an upsurge in non duality lately, and its good to see where it comes from.

[@Hvavildi]

What can I say but thank you for this great presentation !!! Here are really subtleties to the practice which I have really missed from other teacher.

[@douggyG1]

Very clear and precise explanation of a liberating subject. Excellent talk lesson Ira, and we thank you.

[@vickysharma8101]

Great explanation. Blessed to be able to listen. Pranam.

[@portlandbubba7184]

thank you for taking the time to make this video....namaste!

[@davide8012]

I am so grateful for this third video.

[@francoisegregoir6474]

❤️🌹🌎🌹❤️thank you ,thank you thank you , to guide us to awareness ,shanti shanti shanti

[@prashantnair9250]

Amazing explanation!! Superb !! The last part really pulls the carpet from our feet. Thank you very much.

[@vb2556]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5u6YoavgK-chtU

[@AndrasNagy2001]

Ira is no spring chicken but can talk over an hour, and make a lot of sense. I wish our politicians were this deep.

[@kamalkhanal8239]

So persuasive. Great!

[@mandalorian4620]

Advaita vedanta is so close to zen, it's actually amazing

[@robbiepeterh]

So many concepts, so much studying, so many practices and philosophy. And yet, life is the most simple thing.

[@shreeyoga]

Very deep knowledge explained in plain words and lovely examples. Thank you for uploading this video. Namaste!

[@pradabpunnotok4377]

Shree Vinayak Kaurwar v

[@vertbeke7977]

Yes

[@iloverumi]

this is a great talk! thank you

[@olotbesalu2258]

Magnificent exposition .. thank you 🙏

[@jimmacdonald4131]

Yes many thanks for posting! Please more if possible.

[@8armwrap]

Thank you Ira. You have a great clarity and ease of explanation on this subject. And it's all incredibly helpful.

[@viorb]

Only one word ‘Amazing’ Much obliged

[@azizsadiwala6303]

Well Explained we appreciate 😘

[@lnbartstudio2713]

Thank you very much for this!

[@MrKreinen]

Not the idea we have of ourselves, but the witness of that idea. Im been frustrated waiting through less developed notions of the self among programers, and western christians, and western skeptics (of christianity, and faith based religion) for so long it was so refreshing and invigorating to hear talk of the Atman and Advita Vedanta's clarity. I'm sure there must be a relationship between my exhilarated, almost like relieved reaction to hearing these and that I was raised in it, with the satsang of experiencing the knowledge, and its likely that my emotional reactions are bias confirmation form hearing the voice of wisdom I recognize from childhood, long quiet all around me, and disparaged by more popular, and less developed thinking- or so I'm biased to think :/

[@Privacy-LOST]

*REFERENCE + LINK :* @29:39 Ira refers to a book to get a full understanding of theses concepts, in more depth. It is *Sankaracaria's Introduction section to the Brahma Sutras, called AdyasaBhasyam* (hard to spell when he says it, so here you go) I also found the full book including sanskrit, word for word meaning, translation, and explanatory comment I prepared a short link to the downloadable PDF or EPUB : bit.ly/Adhyasa-Bhashyam Good Luck and Enjoy. Namaste.

[@seethegalaxy]

Very interesting stuff.

[@dobromirzlatev435]

Jesus: Before Abraham was, I am Jesus also pointed to the Self beyond space and time, I don't understand why it is being stressed so much that only Vedanta teaches this. It's just perhaps more hidden in other traditions, but all have, in the mystic traditions the pointing to the Absolute truth of the universal I am. Other than that, this talk is golden

[@balak7161]

Right. But how come we don't see a method or road to enlightenment? Abrahamic religions don't have a method or a practice that eventually says you are God yourself. It is said surely, Be still and know that I am God, but Abrahamic theology has made sure that it is dualistic, there is you and there is God.

[@aryamallik3935]

Pranam guruji 🙏

[@AXharoth]

i love this guy so magical

[@michelbisson6645]

GongsunXin wich guy

[@frialsharefabdo7715]

@@michelbisson6645 Ira Schepetin he means .

[@iamparkash]

for me you are the shankara thank you

[@vb2556]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5u6YoavgK-chtU

[@AjitPatel53]

If this body, senses, mind/brain, skin etc are not 'ME', who feels the pain when these objects are injured. Who screams out? ME or the mind, body? The pain of the body is felt by the mind, and the feeling by the mind sends out screams of pain. What is the ME feeling and doing when the mind is hurting and the body is screaming out on behalf of the mind which knows not how to scream or express the emotion of pain or pleasure? Is ME simply ignoring the pain of the body, senses, mind?

[@contemporaryclassicalguita8355]

thank you very very much. As a follower of Guru of Kasmir Shavism for 35 years I found your description of the differences between that and Advaita Vendanta very interesting. I have recently changed towards Advaita Vendanta but feel Kasmir Shaviism has opened my heart, and never had to strive towards satisfying all my desires, It just opened my heart. My question is what benefits do you see Kasmir Shavism providing. Laird Mintz thank you

[@ViolentLucius]

Thank you very much Guruji. :) Hari Om.

[@Am5634]

Great talk

[@victoriav9342]

Thank you! MUCHAS GRACIAS!!!!

[@aldrichsusanto]

It's always there yet hard to reach It's within us yet we hardly feel it It's empty yet so full It's so real yet so absurd It's only one yet it's countless It's advaita vedanta

[@frialsharefabdo7715]

Namaste from Syria 💚

[@pratik6342]

Wonderfully explained :)

[@MaheshSethAHA]

Authentic,Magical,Great.😉

[@ChrisLively]

Greetings from Chattanooga, TN. I'm a little new to this teaching, about one year in now, but I'm not new to Buddhism at all. I know I am not my body and I am Braham. How do you say that without the "I"? Thanks for sharing you knowledge and wisdom. Nameskar.

[@talk2kumar]

Thank you guru ji.

[@vb2556]

Amazing

[@billyranger1236]

I think it might be worth your while to check out the Vedanta society. Swami sarvapriyananda. Very lucid on this subject.

[@Panavali1]

Those who are interested Sri Ramana Masharshi was the self realised master who lived In the last century and he his famous method is called "self enquiry"to realise your true self .His works are true words of wisdom to clarify non duality or "advitha..Please do read "Who Am I , Reality in fourty verses (collection of poems) .Many people had reported getting the glims of the self by his mere presence .(please do read Paul Brunton book " A search in secret India")

[@Joe-pe6qi]

Really create lecture! Do you have a good recommendation for a Upanishad book that includes the Adi Shankara commentary?

[@davide8012]

Beautiful

[@contemporaryclassicalguita8355]

Dear Ira. First off, Love ya..thank you for you videos. Thought of you with this question: Is Kasmir Shavism a waste of time . 40 years with Baba Muktanada. Now following non dualism . Whats the difference. Even if you were to point out shortcomings of Kasmir Shaivism it at least gave me the energy to meditate for 40 years. Thank you Brother. Laird

[@vertbeke7977]

​@@ankurmishra7773Like Ira Schepetin says in this video there are relative views (views or/and truths) and an absolute view (view or/and truth) in Advaita Vedanta. From the perspective of the absolute truth maybe you're right from the perspective of the relative truths you're probably wrong ..

[@marcpelletier1366]

Sanskrit, so revolutionary that woman were not allowed to learn it. But yet lets relive their wisdom. Please do share oh man stuck in the past.

[@rakeshjha153]

Marc Pelletier The Upanishads have some great Women philosophers debating with men, and yes they did it in Sanskrit.

[@Harshal......]

Nice video Mr Dumbledoor

[@gregjustsitting]

This is very good stuff....el grego

[@cvadodaria07]

Drs. Moschetta, Simply want to thank you for your explanation! Only one suggestion that like done by Swami Sarvapriyanand ji can you create your lectures on various Vedas and Upanishads like Bhashyas to cover one by one for one to go thru to learn Vedantic teachings! An online course kind of thing in these teachings! I feel I understand this but am dealing dying of close relative - its with all knowledge still its creating little sadness and sense of loss of one person. Is there vedantic way addressed this specifically? Can you please throw some light on this?

[@ramakrishnatellakula2974]

Great Analysis, I am coming to know of very late that His Holiness Sri Sri Sachidanandendra Saraswathi Swamiji Holenarsipur has disciples all over the world

[@philipmeyers7827]

Thank you, and I believe having absorbed this I'm ready to begin. I would like to know how I'd going about finding a teacher of advaita vedanta in my area. I'm in the US in an area with some Hindu temples, but I'm not sure how to go about it. Can anyone offer me some clues?

[@alislain]

Swami Bodhananda Saraswati teaches in both USA and India.

[@Raj-yr4fw]

Search Swami Sarvapriyananda

[@inamutham]

Will be helpful if someone lists the five fundamental concepts (titles) that are elaborated in the video.

[@garypuckettmuse]

take notes?

[@inamutham]

Great summary in the end of the talk! "These are the five fundamental concepts the self (Atman) ignorance (avidya) the absolute point of view in the relative point of view what is dependent on the agent and what is dependent on knowledge? And what is the method of Advaita: deliberate superimposition for the purpose of teaching and in the end the total negation of everything that was said previously. These are the five concepts. With these tools, you'll be able to begin begin your study of Advaita Vedanta. I wish you all the best. Harihi Om "

[@arindamghatak]

Ok, so the 5 fundamental concepts that I gather from this excellent exposition of Advait Vendant and some of my own individual interpretations (based on reading Tattvabodham) are as follows: 1. Non-Duality: The Atma (our consciousness / life force) is part of the Supreme consciousness called Brahman (though Brahman also includes the entire universe and all the matter and energy in it). Therefore, since Atma and Brahman are not two different things, that's why this philosophy is non-dualistic in nature. Rather, an Atma is an aspect of the Brahman. We are not the body we possess or any of the worldly things we possess, but rather, we are the Atma. So, 8 billion Atmas in the world, all part of the Parmatma (Brahman). Essentially, we, the Atmas, use our respective bodies to just interact with the rest of the Brahman. 2. Getting rid of ignorance: The sole objective is to realize point #1 thereby removing our ignorance where we think we are separate from each other. This ignorance is the source of all problems that we face. 3. Attaining bliss: To attain bliss, stop seeking other things to make you happy, because they are already a part of you. They are part of the Brahman and so are you. The chith (brain) corrupts the Atma by thinking about worldly things, but Atma has to realize it is one with the Brahman which means it already has everything (attain Moksha). 4. Training our minds: We have to train our minds (chith) with Saadhna to be able to attain Moksha. Kartu tantra and vastu tantra, meaning wanting to do things a certain way and wanting to possess certain things, is not going to help us attain Moksha. We have to settle our mind down so that ego, anger, anxiety, jealousy etc. (that cause us to want to do things a certain way or possess certain things) can be eliminated. 5. Method of teaching: Atma has no qualities. It is pure nothingness. Ego and other emotions are ephemeral and not real. Method of teaching in the Upanishads is to treat the Atma as a witness to the life of the body in which it is in while we slowly eliminate what we are not. We are not the body, we are not the ego or our emotions, we are not the blood flowing through our veins or the breaths we take. We are nothing.

[@MrResearcher122]

I'm reading Ramana Maharashi, and I listened to Ira last year, but finally I'm getting to grips with this rather luminous idea about non-duality. If I can be dualistic a bit, it seems to me Ira is against the view of non-dualism preached by men like Rupert Spira. He might also have a different interpretation from Maharashi himself.

[@jbonthestreets5749]

This is the best spiritual video I have seen upto now and anyone can easily understand this, be interested to hear Albert Einsteins view on this video.

[@XOXO-mb2vh]

Pretty words for Death. No identity, no response. No will, no doing. No mind, no anything. Life is for the living. A-live.

[@l.rongardner2150]

Esoteric spiritual traditions other than Advaita Vedanta also teach that there "has never been a single thing," that there is only a single Spontaneously Arising Absolute. For example, the Zen Master Huang Po taught this.

[@picsman03]

L. Ron Gardner what is Zen? The Japanese word Zen, is a transmutation of the Chinese word Chan. What is Chan? It is the transmutation of the Sanskrit word Dyan. And Dyan means Meditate. To "do" Dyan is to meditate. To be aware, to be conscious, without reacting, to be the Witness is what real meditation is. Hence one can see how Zen seems to saying the same thing as Advaita Vedanta because it originated from Dyan. And Dyan is a practice within Advaita Vedanta.

[@frialsharefabdo7715]

@@picsman03 Our essence and true nature is pure Love , peace , bliss , pure Infinite Consciousness and pure Awareness ....there Is only One Source and One Reality .

[@picsman03]

@@frialsharefabdo7715 True! 🙏

[@vertbeke7977]

Great teacher and great teachings. But he seems to be complicating things a little too much. In spirituality especially in spirituality one should seek to simplify things as much as possible in order to be well understood ..

[@rhinohippo]

I think you've got it, by george you've got it. Advaita in a nutshell. Terrific, I am glad awareness experienced this vid. I am glad the witness observed me listening. Terrific!!!!!!

[@VedranaAtmaTais]

There is no any witness, only witnessing..pure consciousness :-)

[@irinaalion8949]

except Sat Chit Ananda which is bliss as always existing background bliss

[@camaradael2424]

Can I learn and practice the teachings of Advaita Vedanta without converting to Hinduism?

[@চলচ্চিত্রকথা]

no u cant, conversion is must

[@balak7161]

Absolutely you can. Advaita has little to do with religion. Nirguna Brahman is all there is. I know a Jesuit priest who is a strong adherent of Advaita. To the point that his Christian-ness is not discernible. He is a Jesuit priest for an occupation, just as one would be lawyer or a doctor. In spirit he is an Advaitin

[@vertbeke7977]

I think yes

[@waiataaroha]

Hi ... How Can I contact Ira Schepetin?? any website or email ?? I am travelling to India and would like to meet the him! Please let me know thank you

[@talk2kumar]

Upanishad extract from 4 vedas. 4 veda are core books, nothing should contradict to vedas, there is no contradiction exist in vedas(for book: vedarisi.com). Upanishad is 5th veda, it also called vedanta. You can study to understand difference between vedas and other religion books, you can read satyaprakash book from Dayananda sarasawti. You can also study vedic physics(books like brahmana, nirukta etc) in youtube, but you have to know hindi language.

[@tanoymukherjee8983]

What a great personality he looks like exactly a great indaian monk name loknath baba

[@Blankportion]

4th part is about the will of the vessel (false self) versus spirit guided action. perhaps.

[@Blankportion]

also having to do with what is known (taught) versus what is experienced to be true.

[@Blankportion]

just watched as you said the same haha

[@eileenlohrer5876]

What is it?

[@StarNumbers]

How would one account for the human brain having two hemispheres/parts, which have different functions -- that is, the hemispheres operate differently? Tough to explain, easy to ignore.

[@Selvakumar-cd5gr]

👍

[@Bombed8myelbow]

I am struggling with the logic of the point at 38.00. The idea appears to be that we are ignorant and in order to attain this peaceful state we are required to attain knowledge. So on the one hand we are already the self in our natural state but then we have to attain knowledge to be aware of this. If you lived on a secluded island and you had no chance of obtaining this knowledge how would you naturally be the self as you would have no one to remove your ignorance?

[@Bombed8myelbow]

@Avdhoot Mohite Having awareness that you exist, I believe is different to knowing yourself as consciousness. The guru infers that we are ignorant of ourselves as consciousness and that we are required to obtain knowledge in order to realize this so we don't (as you mention) identify with our body/mind persona. But at the same time it is stated that our natural state is having an awareness of the self as consciousness. This to me is contradictory. If our natural state was an awareness of the self as consciousness, most people on the planet would reside in this state and would not require knowledge from others and only a few would identify with the body/mind as this would be unnatural but in reality the reverse appears to be true.

[@vertbeke7977]

Maybe it comes or can come with age

[@dineshvarma44]

thanks

[@reginamorai1456]

Wow Thank you

[@esneliamunoz4475]

NAMASTE.....GRACIAS...

[@bjk7797]

We love you

[@khan30905]

Namasty. Vedas is A Book of One God. And upanishads Are Interpretations The Man Words.

[@TheKinix13]

Hari Om

[@moesypittounikos]

Wow, another dynamic teaching from a master. However, towards the end, I felt a ting of a cult. Is Adi Shankara really the last word? Adi Shankara says that his is the only way and every other way is suspect? Ramana Maharshi got there by not following Ira's steps or Shankara's lineage. Nisargadatta Maharaj was from an independent lineage altogother. I would love to hear Ira's opinion on those guys. I also find Ira slightly dogmatic about other forms of spirituality. There is a charismatic man in the buddha corner, there is another charismatic man in the shaivism nonduality corner, and too dualism, psychelicic experiences and many branches of mysticism. Are we really to believe Adi Shankara is calling all these branches avidya, mere halfway houses for the characters in this Matrix, and acept Shankara as neo?

[@Avisado]

Good points but Ramana, Nisargadatta & many others were "ripe for the plucking" so to speak... doesn't mean the odds are in the common aspirants favor if you do what they did, read what they said, etc... Meher Baba stated he was the Avatar or Christ for last century, maintained silence for 44 yrs, washed the feet of lepers and "masts" (those drunk on God who had lost touch with the world and their bodies) he shampooed their hair & face... he was more about action while not speaking but did write many books and discourses... all FREE on the net including GOD SPEAKS which explains creation & reincarnation... i'm not a devotee of him but influenced... Frankly Matt Kahn offers practical moment to moment ways of stepping out of the i, me, mine greedy, selfish state... but he isn't for those still believing in thousands of years old traditions or lineages... Peace to you...

[@krishnamurthyhunagund1049]

Shankara being a wise and realised person would never showed such arrogance. He never said I am the last word.

[@68halima]

Not at all. If we are trapped in a building, and I told you there is only one available exit, does that mean I have a cult where it's my way or the highway? No- I'm just pointing out to you the way out. And to be fair, he continually makes it abundantly clear that you don't need a guru to tell you what's what or what to do.

[@rpodury]

I argued with some traditional advaitins who assert that Realizations is possible only through Advaita Vedanta as detailed in Upanishads. I think what is said in the Upanishads is misunderstood by those who assert that vedanta is the only way. After all Upanishads are those concepts on Truth which are supposed to have been revealed to seers of lore. When it could have happened to those seers there is no bar for their revelation to others like Ramana Maharshi and Nisargadatta or greats from many other paths who emerged later in time. It can be understood in another way also. The same Upanishads contain dwaita and visishta advaita concepts also Probably Sankara was declaring that the Truth could be recognised through only Advaita and not through any other path

[@moesypittounikos]

yes you are absolutely right. Ira was studying it for years so he's bound to be a little dogmatic isn't he. I also didn't agree when he said that all other ways are false.

[@Blankportion]

Ignorance too must be seen dualistically. two ignorances: Greater Ignorance: to impress the subjective story upon another, in transgression. Lesser Ignorance: to live as the spirit, a vessel of Atman, an avatar in knowing that it is silly to think one knows all, but that what must be known will.come as needed while in spirit. Om Tat Sat

[@noname-by3qz]

Does anyone else have a hard time getting anything done after you've experienced no mind?

[@noname-by3qz]

@Alfonso is that a yes?

[@108shadow108]

Upanishads are the end of the Veda or they preceded Veda. I thought Upanishads are supports of Veda, Veda is final Dharshan of Narayana Supreme Being, Upanishad is Bramavada.

[@pallavmishra]

108shadow108 Upanishads came after the vedas..

[@Fumblingpioneersofficial]

This guy knows.

[@earthtribe786]

What did he say at the end? Adi ho?

[@ajmac2255]

Earth Tribe hari om

[@jesusarteagafernandez991]

be still and know that i am

[@SteveG123]

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

[@IlluminatusPythagoras]

Hmmm...but duality and nonduality is itself a duality. So Brahman must be beyond the duality of duality and nonduality. ;-) Excellent talk. I enjoyed listening.

[@NextGenAge]

Illuminatus Pythagoras Everything is a duality of you "think". Non-duality doesn't have thoughts, just experience thats is always happening