Vedanta and the Near Death Experience by Swami Mahayogananda

[@khileshjairamdas8410]

Swami Yogananda's chanting is so powerful.

[@ruchiramitra8081]

Amazing discourse! Especially the conclusion - we don't have to wait for death to realize our divine nature - 'here and now' we have the possibility of experiencing this - if we implement the Vedanta teachings in our life. While listening to this discourse I was remembering Thakur, Ma, Turiyanandaji's frequent conscious experiences of this sort. Pranam to Maharaj for this affirmation of scriptural truths experienced by ordinary people, and also to Vedanta Society for uploading this.

[@dakshinahasini5578]

Excellent comment

[@californiasocialmarketing1210]

I had NDE and i can confirm that whatever Swami says perfectly explains my experience too. Note that i had no interest or belief about spirituality- awakening-enlightenment etc. I m Mathematician therefore for my analytical mind, took a lot of time to understand what happened to me. Life changing experience. Permanent peace and silence in the mind is available for all. Blessings

[@johnerickson9276]

this is great! i was hit by a car and died almost two years ago. I remember death and like this says, it was beautiful. It is amazing how much we have in common in death

[@fyisaharayoutube1695]

IF YOU LIVE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA I COULD YOU TUBE A RECOUNTING OF YOUR NDE [e-mail]

[@johnerickson9276]

@@fyisaharayoutube1695 I live in mpls,mn but that would be cool to get it out there

[@multitimmytiger2]

This was one of the most beautiful talks I have ever heard! Thank you!

[@vinodsahajpal594]

Amazing... how time flew... oh! I feel so free... how I wished him to continue on and on... Swamiji’s persona is so loving and compassionate... thousand pranams..

[@jpmarques7]

A treat. I think it’s a matter of time before this really gets out and makes us rethink our de facto default worldview

[@amanitamuscaria7500]

I don't talk about it bc of the reactions ....some right here in comments...people who have not had the experience, feel qualified to dismiss those who have. Once you know, there's no imperative to persuade sceptics.

[@wilhelmbeck8498]

Very clear discourse . I enjoyed every word. Thank you !

[@sumanaghosal5072]

pranam Swamiji ...it seems that all those thoughts are already in my memory... thank you for recollection

[@neerajamurali7354]

Suman

[@cro888]

Everything that one experiences even in the subtle body (i.e. spirit) in one plane or another is essentially an apparent reality according to Advaita Vedanta and ultimately cannot be defined as real or as a place where we truly belong as souls. These spiritual dimensions just function as to show us that we aren't mere humans; until the time of realization that you are none other that the ultimate truth itself:GOD/BRAHMAN.

[@kamalagopinath64]

Very interesting and uplifting speech. Thank you maharaj.

[@preba5954]

Thank you so much Swamiji. Excellent!

[@mokshajetley9244]

Jai Sri Ramakrishna

[@caviper1]

Thanks for the teaching.

[@mythiligurram6696]

Great talk!!🙏🏽

[@priyaa6107]

Amazing! A glimpse in to the unknown

[@YogeshSharma-dq7bp]

Increased my faith in God

[@bradstephan7886]

Wonderful, thank you!

[@YogeshSharma-dq7bp]

Beautiful lecture

[@Tonithenightowl]

Thank you I have enjoyed this teaching/ talk. I intend to study it further.:o)

[@tesla45]

Truth is eternal. awesome.

[@anirbanmukhopadhyay6902]

Pranam, Swamiji

[@anandb7185]

Nice explanation for vendatas it's really great to watching

[@ramita5565]

how beautiful...!!!!

[@S_alva]

How amazing!

[@rupasunar7094]

Really Amazing!

[@lindamckenzie1537]

In the life review, we don't hear about how people's actions have affected animals. Everyone who is not vegan; who is unnecessarily exploiting animals for food and other uses, is participating in inflicting immense suffering on other sentient beings, no less so than those who hunt animals or engage in other gratuitous violence towards them. This is undeniable. So why do we hear nothing about this, but only how the NDE people's actions affected other humans? This seems biased, as if one were to recall only harm inflicted on men and not women, or white people and not people of colour, and does not seem to fit with the general spirit of what's being described. Can Swami Mahayogananda address this?

[@VedantaOrg]

Hi there, Linda. Yes, a few near-death experiencers have reported that their life review included how their actions affected animals; but these are rather few in number. I don't know why. Some people also report becoming vegetarian or vegan after their NDE. Thanks for your message; glad I saw it (I don't usually check the messages). Best wishes, Mahayogananda

[@lindamckenzie1537]

Thanks for your reply, Swami Mahayogananda. One would hope that people become vegan if they develop moral concern for animals since vegetarianism involves animal exploitation, entailing great suffering and death. It does not reject the commodification of animals for purposes other than meat--i.e. dairy, eggs, wool, fur, silk, leather, down, product testing, etc., which are morally indistinguishable from meat. On another note, apparently some people do experience dark realms, or hell realms, in their NDEs. These seem to be in the minority, though. What is your view on this? Do you think these are authentic, or could they be propaganda from Christian fundamentalists? Also, have you read Eben Alexander's 'Proof of Heaven'? I guess you have. For anyone who hasn't, it's a remarkable and fascinating account of an NDE.

[@graceunderfire941]

Linda McKenzie I have been searching youtube with this very question & it is driving me bonkers..finally someone asking same question ( & i have to go to work now !) Have u found more of the answer..seems 'proper' psychics mediums too dont mention it ...nde s dont mention it .. ( unless it is to say they met their pet in the afterlife) Ive been trying to find vaishnave nde , hindu ( hardly any in english & they dont mention topic ) Why do people cross over & not return shouting with realisation we should not be perpetuating all these horrors on all other sentient beings.! I have always believed in karma but with nde s they all talk of the unconditional love of humans that surpasses everything...( havent had time to finish watching this video yet just wanted to connect with you before work .

[@graceunderfire941]

ps finished listening to Swamijis video..very good ..so pleased I found it.These nde s do seem to talk of many people entering into a place of spiritual knowing like a kind of Brahman without having seemingly practiced austerities & study in this world..interesting, I would have liked to hear Swamijis input on that, also no mention of chanting of holy names though yes it all correlates with Veda, & my wondering veiw is that these experiences are at an entry point where beyond lies Krsnas/ Gods pastimes to be seen by those that have evolved more? This question of the animals & karma is still baffling .I would have thought this would be a hot topic in the life review..but no mention. Is perhaps Mayas illusion keeping that side unseen from us. , to carry on the cycle.

[@graceunderfire941]

Just another thing i heard on a very credible nde where the woman was clinically braindead one hour & all documented at hospital..she asked her spiritrealm guide if the white light was God..was told it is Gods exhalement !

[@bharatichakraborty2866]

Pronam

[@archanagupta7694]

And what experiences we have of getting a soul into a womb to develop into a new life?

[@jailsonlima3047]

Gratidao pela traducao para o portugues.Om

[@ozzozz3529]

thank you g

[@agnespohl4504]

Great!

[@annilanta4583]

This is awesome but as spirit how can one see and hear

[@latagupta5671]

Pronam mj.

[@archanagupta7694]

And what's this ego? Why we won't be able to sustain this body without it?

[@lnbartstudio2713]

Something oddly dualistic about this. Do these people think they return to a "body"? While they may be forever changed in important and psychologically conditioned ways, why do they first insist that they left a body and then returned to one? If they really don't mean this in these words, then why would it be taught this way also? What, really, did they leave...and what left....and where did it go....and leave from from where......? Respectfully, this seems a narrative that materialistic science can run with. Again. Maybe a little viveka would be good here? Discrimination. Again. Really interesting stats in any case! I would love to find a nondual talk on this. Thanks!

[@californiasocialmarketing1210]

It might sounds dualistic but it`s not for those who had NDE. I had NDE and i can say whatever Swami says perfectly explains my situation too. Only those who had NDE can understand this experiences. Just like Master Rumi Says “He who tastes not, knows not.” I m goin to try to answer a few questions of you. But know that mind can`t grasp the truth. Its impossible. (One must directly experience it, words are useless) ----- - Do these people think they return to a "body" -> They do NOT think but they experienced it. -why do they first insist that they left a body and then returned to one? -> They have to left mind and body for being free for understanding the truth that their existence has nothing to do with body and mind. Without leaving they cant understand it. Once they left they ``Realized!`` that they are still existing without mind and body therefore they lost the attachment to mind and body. So, no more fear! - What, really, did they leave -> Mind and Body - what left? -> The Self, Consciousness, Truth (many different names for same thing) - where did it go....and leave from where.? -> No where. Mind has no existence therefore can`t come and go. Mind is Just bundle of thoughts. Has no real existence. Illusion of egoistic mind fades away. Simply they see that Truth was always there. Nothing new but ``new perception about everything``

[@mkh2799]

🙏

[@vchandrashekar3653]

After all this, wonder why does the soul again jump into another new body???

[@fernandomaron87]

I also wonder about this everyday

[@tamy815]

Why the monks wear what they wear? What the orange color symbolizes? Why to wear something special? This makes the whole thing as another religion. All religions have some laws how to behave, wear, etc.

[@Nishant_1313]

They wear this because traditionally in india the monks engage in activities to connect with god all day and then go on to beg food . Nobody would feed a man without the 'gerrua ' colored robes. There are other reasons but mostly this .

[@pb1248]

If at all I was glorious afterlife I would leave this body asap But what about hell and the karma you have commited good or bad??

[@manasmukherjee180]

❤❤❤

[@ksoldestaccount7654]

28:02 Sri Ramakrishna and keshav Chandra sen

[@geeta3101]

👌👍👏❤🌹🕉

[@MarceloSiqueiraLima_CdC]

The true skeptic neither affirms nor denies, because he does not take sides; he has a strong sense of lack of knowledge on the subject. The false skeptic - and the scientific environment is infested with this intellectual plague - is an ideologue who systematically and biasedly denies everything that is opposed to his materialistic belief: that is, he suffers from confirmation bias. He is a hypocritical joke, because he denies everything except the premises of skepticism. His materialistic bent runs so deep that even after the death of the physical body he will probably convince himself that he is hallucinating.

[@tamy815]

In hindu philosopies (if it is correct to say), monks shave their heads and some other gurus does not shave at all. On the contrary, for ex. Sadhguru. Why there are such contradicting differences?

[@Nishant_1313]

All depends on the tradition they were initiated in i guess.

[@vanamatrika..]

It is the following lineage n tradition... Just like in christianity, Catholic priests n nuns are said to be celeb, unmarried, but protestants padre can marry...

[@ksoldestaccount7654]

16:02 deep!

[@Sushilkumar92]

sweet

[@ksoldestaccount7654]

8:10 the sledgehammer

[@muralinair4527]

Wow..

[@ksoldestaccount7654]

30:33 yes connection

[@shantih8853]

💗💗💗💗💗💗

[@ksoldestaccount7654]

37:05 yesss

[@ksoldestaccount7654]

33:03 Amita Murujani

[@ksoldestaccount7654]

15:00 nderf website

[@raghavsandhu7204]

Well, I think NDE actually contradicts the theory of Vedanta. U see a spirit doesn't have five senses of its own. Spirit being an observer, observes the outer world via the senses of the body. Now when it leaves the body, how can it observe anything ..!! Moreover, our brain has the memory cells where everything that is being observed by the five senses of the body is stored, then how can spirit's observations be stored in the brain in NDE!!!! Kindly clarify :)

[@MTHunter777]

After non-dual bliss one realizes that spirit and body are the same thing. There is only one energy in reality that makes up everything experienced, you can call this energy whatever you want. In very deep meditation you may eventually sense this creative energy which sounds like a hum everyone calls 'om.'

[@marcelo.m.l.l]

I believe the answer to your question is Vedanta's Three Bodies Doctrine. When people have an NDE, I believe they are free only of the gross body. They are experiencing the world through the causal body and the subtle body. Further, I believe that even if the Three Bodies Doctrine is not accepted, the NDE reports are compatible with Vedanta. If we are Pure Consciousness, this means that we have the ability to know objects. We are the observer. The witness of all things. As a witness, our inherent capacity is to observe, to know. And this is independent of bodies (physical, subtle or causal). Bodies are actually limitations. They limit our experience. We do not depend on them to know, to observe. When we get rid of the physical body, our capacity for knowledge and perception increases, it does not diminish. This is why people report having increased hearing and vision when they are out of the body. But this is only my humble opinion. I am an ignorant, devoid of knowledge of the reality, so I may be wrong.

[@alecmisra4964]

@@marcelo.m.l.l sounds about right.

[@RK-ln5kx]

Annamaya kosha, pranamaya kosha, manomaya kosha, vijhanamaya kosha, aanandamaya kosha. These are the five sheaths covering the jeevathma or the soul. Annamaya kosha is the physical body and the remaining are part of the subtle body. Mind and intellect are part of the subtle body. During death, subtle body leaves the physical body and the person remains intact.

[@ksoldestaccount7654]

25:56 verification

[@ksoldestaccount7654]

5:10 book

[@ksoldestaccount7654]

23:01 he saw what happened

[@patrickisfree]

4200 religions, faiths and beliefs in the world. Why is it that when most people experience an N.D.E (Near Death Experience) regardless of whether they are religious, non-religious or atheists the person they see the most from a religious perspective is Christ? Not all people see Christ when they have a NDE, but when people do have a religious type N.D.E experience it is almost always Christ that they encounter. Which is extraordinary when you take into account that the people that see Christ in a N.D.E are not always people who believe in Christ. Many of them are from other religions, faiths, beliefs and non-beliefs and many of them don't even like Christ. I do, due to picking up on this so much in Near Death Experiences, have come to believe that Christ is real, but not in the religious sense, but was sent to earth by God to guide us and that his teachings are of a spiritual nature and not a religious one. One only has to study N.D.E's and Gnosticism and a person can quickly make the connection about who Christ really is..

[@garypuckettmuse]

I couldn't agree with you more! I hope this isn't boring to you but I had an experience possibly of interest. I've never been a Christian the main reason being I couldn't believe the Jesus story in the way you vow to believe it to be a Christian. I grew up with no religion, became a Buddhist in the 70's, a Jewish convert fifteen years later and now I am old and I do Buddhism/Vedanta. Ok, background. So I was at the moment of dying by my own hand (long story) and JESUS appeared! I was so freaked out i said there must be some mistake here you must hav so many other people who need your help right now and he said no don't worry about it and then implied something about there being no time for him that everything happened at once. Then he said I'm here because I can help you because I want through the same experience of being betrayed as you have. I said, well now, Iz wouldn't put it that way and anyway I'm not a believer so you really should not be here someone else must need you. Then he says he was betrayed by his father and when he was on the cross he cried out "father why have you betrayed me" and he died but he came back to life and he was a totally different person after that and that I can go through that transformation without actually dying and he knows this will work because it worked for him. H spoke to me in a very contemporary colloquial way and he was very informal and I could see him although he seemed to be hovering above the ground and was sort of transparent . I felt his presence more solidly than I saw it and when we spoke it was mind to mind at least most of it. Again I said why are you here I am not even a Christian and don't deserve your attention and again he explained something that sounded basically like he could be everywhere at once, doing everything at once and he didn't cater to Christians, he helped anyone he thought he could help and he was sure he could help me, He said my life would go on but it would be so transformed it would be like a new life so in a sense my old life would have died . . .that's about the crux of it. Strangely after the initial shock of it I immediately assimilated the experience as if it were ordinary. And he really did save my life. Immediately after I decided to go into a three or four day contemplative meditation -- I started right that moment --to use my Buddhist training in finding the truth of the situation believing that the truth WILL set you free and that although Iz had done a lot of work looking at my truths I needed to go further because I had turned back when the view got to be more than I could handle and that's when I decided death was a way out. What followed the next few days in this meditative state was like a slow motion version of what people describe as NDE's, My WHOLE life went by in front of me! For me it was in pictures which were stacked up on top of each other like transparencies so you could sort of see through them as they stacked up. Every picture told a really complex story which I understood en toto in an instant. I completely understood my whole life as one long drama that all made complete sense and I understood completely all the other characters in my life and also understood my life fully. It was like ten years of analysis plus a great spiritual awakening all in a few days. I also understood, all this knowledge was like dropped into me, not like I figured anything out, so i also knew then what the rest of my life would look like and it would look totally different from my current life. Then there was some sort of fire in me. I was literally burning up. I felt like my soul was burning up but it was not unpleasant, it was just very intense but I accepted it completely. And I thought oh my soul is on fire, it's all that suffering and agony burning up. And at the end of the fire I felt that I had burned up completely that there was nothing left of me and it seemed like i had made some sort of passage. So there I lie on my bed in a meditative state and just allowing everything that the fire took to leave me and I thought this is the time I have to be completely open, totally surrender, let go of everything about my life and my story and whatever and not take that with me into my new life. So I meditated on surrender for I don't have any idea how long, maybe a day or two and I felt everything slipping away --everything was being dropped and I was heading into my new life when BAM I must have let go so thoroughly that I just passed through "something" is all I can call it and I experienced what I could only call enlightenment. And it didn't happen in language and it's taken me a long time to even try to think about it in words and it doesn't really matter because you can't tell anyone anyway. I definitely crossed over, it seemed like my consciousness flew through a glass window above me and it was propelled up very fast -- like crystal shards were flying everywhere and on the other side was eternity. vMy body wasn't there, just my consciousness. It was completely silent. There were no features and no people It was light, clear even light, not from the sun. there was no space there was just infinite openness and somehow I was aware of knowing everything. Not in the conventional linear way of facts and form and name. It was just knowing. And there was no "love" and "peace" and all that. This was a non dual place -- it just was -- and I was disembodied, no senses, no thoughts or feelings I was in some other dimension I am positive. It was infinite. There weren't any subjects or objects and there weren't any verbs. There was STILLNESS and some conscious awareness that this was what there was. It was free of all qualities all action all desire. Then i was back in my body on my bed. it took me a few days to kind of move back into it which was totally mellow. And I am reborn, thanks to JESUS. I go every year around easter to a church and walk the stations of the cross and stand before him on the cross and, wow. He bore witness to my suffering and that set me free. And I take heed of that. As for what happened to me, my whole life did change and I am much more dedicated to my spiritual pursuits and to engaging with nature and the arts and I feel content. The only bad after effect is I do not like using my personality anymore -- I just hate bothering with it. And I don't really like to talk anymore. I just have nothing to say because, well, what can I say after that? I do talk to people of course but it's more perfunctory and I do have to resist hanging a sign on my chest sometimes that says "observing silence" so I can avoid it. This from a super sociable chatterbox so, go figure,. So I hope that wasn't too boring. I've never told that story before. You inspired me. This is the first NDE video I've ever watched. I didn't know this was controversial! Every culture and every religion on every continent throughout history has had an afterlife for heaven's sake! Anyway now you owe me one -- what do you mean when you say studying NDE's and gnosticism and it's clear WHO Christ is -- WELL, who is he then! Spit it out a lot of people would be interested to know, right? Cheers.

[@noellesavidou1688]

@@garypuckettmuse wow, what a wonderful story 🙏

[@garypuckettmuse]

@@noellesavidou1688 What a wonderful response!

[@osvaldovaldes10009]

Hell testimonies? There are hundreds...

[@graceunderfire941]

OVL true , & many after experiencing a portion & returning are horrified to have to go to sleep in case they slip back...not all those that have nde s are void of the fear of death ..but they seem surprisingly in minority.

[@epiphanydrums5427]

Hell and punishment are reflections of our own darkness. Not the Divine

[@harikrishnaraghuraman3348]

🙏