What is the Purpose of Life if I am 'That'? | Swami Sarvapriyananda

If I am already Brahman, what is the purpose of appearing as a sentient being and trying to realize Brahman? Swami Sarvapriyananda helps answer this important question.
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ABOUT VEDANTA
Vedanta is one of the world’s most ancient religious philosophies and one of its broadest. Based on the Vedas, the sacred scriptures of India, Vedanta affirms the oneness of existence, the divinity of the soul, and the harmony of religions.
ABOUT US
Vedanta Society of New York is affiliated with the Ramakrishna Order of India. In fact, this is the Order's first Center started by Swami Vivekananda, in 1894. It was a historic event, for the seed of the world-wide Ramakrishna Movement was sown here in New York over a century ago. Swami Sarvapriyananda is the present Resident Minister and Spiritual Leader of the Vedanta Society of New York.

[@senk2352]

Profound. As Nisargadatta Maharaj said, "Within the mind there's no answer, beyond the mind there's no need for an answer" (near words).

[@janakj2251]

@@krishnaradha1233 Nisargdatta Maharaj and Ramana maharshi always talk from subjective point of view. Maya is mere objective representation of subjective Mind.

[@janakj2251]

@@krishnaradha1233 in previous comment, I used word Maya as a world, in shaivik tradition, it is used in comprehensive way. Maya as a mind, matter and everything. But Maharaj and Maharshi, foucsed on mind in their teaching. And when question is asked Like 'If mind itself is Maya, how mind will help in realising ones self'. Maharshi used to reply, When mind is turned inward, it dissolves in self, and becomes self. Mind is also a expression of self. In book vigyan bhairva it is made clear that, Maya is not different from shiv, Maya is mere reflection of awareness through mind. My point is Mind is primary. It is mind that help us go beyond mind

[@janakj2251]

@@krishnaradha1233 debatable. But all the best.

[@dunnoesam3749]

Very good, and yet words are used by Nisargadatta (and not the other way around) indicating that words are meant to be used as pointers but not to be believed as the Reality itself just like the Map is not the Terrain nor the Menu, Dinner. In the same manner, the entire Lila of Samsara serves a hidden purpose ... The I am is That but That is only the expression of the Source. The final understanding is of the Source not just its expression which is labeled 'That'.

[@Yogi-dz3eh]

....who's is Nisargadutta...as if he is ultimate...you can find more than dozen such people in every town in India...but it is not the expression of ideas...it is realization...it is living wisdom that matters ...such people are rare...

[@thebeast49216]

"There is no reasonable logical answer within the dream for a dream" - just wowed!!

[@theperfectcelibate8669]

For a foolish mind.. yes it is to be wowed.

[@thebeast49216]

@@theperfectcelibate8669 o the wise one, maybe you should spent your time somewhere else rather than wasting it in foolish lectures; ain't it? 😑

[@theperfectcelibate8669]

@@thebeast49216 why are you being angry at me, it's a dream only. Did You understood fool?

[@thebeast49216]

@@theperfectcelibate8669 angry 😁 are you stupid? I'm suggesting that maybe you should spend your time wisely rather than being among fools.

[@theperfectcelibate8669]

@@thebeast49216 again, fool don't be heated up its a dream; whom you are talking to!

[@shreejilpv2537]

Before enlightenment chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment chop wood, carry water. - Zen koan

[@fourtwentythree]

I feel like after all these years things might have changed -KZbin commenter

[@vajrapromise8967]

"In the dream, the lion was chasing me, where did he come from?" " There is no lion, you are dreaming, wake up!"...

[@regardsk3815]

Why did you dream first? Lion was not chasing the dreamer- Lion was chasing the dream object of the dreamer

[@toharpyo]

🤣👍

[@kamalkiran9798]

@@regardsk3815 the dreamer identifies himself with the dream object perhaps

[@regardsk3815]

@@kamalkiran9798 who is the ultimate dreamer you think? Please don't say we. We are already result of the original dream. Who is he ultimate?

[@kamalkiran9798]

@@regardsk3815 you

[@adriannegrean1252]

Thank you for this beautiful and concise explanation! As a physicist and seeker on the path this was a profound explanation. May we all realize the Self and reach that state where there are no more questions.

[@hsram1985]

Read ajit vadakayil sanathana dharma blogs. You will find answers.

[@desperteifabulosa7117]

I am a physicist too 😃

[@thecarnaticmahesh]

This clarified a doubt which had been troubling me since the last 6 months, Swami. Thank you so much. Pranams. 🙏🏻

[@catiarodrigues8492]

Same here!

[@VikramSingh-vg7gv]

Had been with me since at least 6 to 7 years....I m 20yo now.. I don't know if it will come back again or not!!

[@ArunachalamMurugan]

Great wisdom...Clear explainations.. thank you so much swamiji

[@tomrhodes1629]

In fact, there IS a logical answer within the dream for the dream. But it is the most esoteric answer in this entire material Universe. And the Meaning of Life - the reason why you are experiencing a world of limitation - has finally been revealed. This answer helps tremendously in reaching Enlightenment - if you are ready for the answer. Are YOU ready? Click and ye shall find. Elijah has returned, as prophesied, and all mysteries are revealed. I communicate only through my sites.

[@sajithchannadathu7902]

He didnt give an answer bcos he has none . read donald welshs " ocnversations with god you will find good answer "

[@MarioGonzalez-mx3mk]

Thank You Swami.! I wish one day to see you in person to hug and thank you...are you ever planning to visit Florida.? If not, Live long and keep on teaching...🤘✌🙏

[@SrikanthIyerTheMariner]

Lol we all love the swami so much that we want possess him

[@thyagarajant.r.3256]

@@SrikanthIyerTheMariner yes ,he is the bhashyakara of swami vivekananda specially sent for this 21 st cent bu Divine mother whom Ramakrishna paramahamsa called MaKali and Madrasis like me as. Parashakti

[@jkd6969]

The question: where did the lion in my dream come from, hits the nail on the head! Thank you Swami ji for sharing your wisdom with all. What a great Sewa! ❤️🙏❤️

[@sudarshankj]

Absolutely!

[@stiv66630]

Your imagination some build their life trough that

[@selfseeker143]

That lion came from your subconscious mind, your mind stored the image of lion/forest and projecting it as dream. But Why athman/Brahman/ the absolute conciouness have such maya(illsuional power) ? Does maya is part of Brahman ? May be Yes. Maya(Shakti/prakruti) is the part of Brahman(Shiva/purusha). But Brahman is not effected by it.

[@kenkaplan3654]

I'm a dream specialist and the problem is the dream analogy is a bad one. Every aspect of every symbol and the narrative has express and explicit purpose in communication from the unconscious to heal. What the lion represents and were it came from have crucial importance as EVERY aspect of the dream is the dreamer. As above, so below.

[@Vision_Of_Realities]

We are family; having kids … now they are young…. But we are following Vedic Science principles too some extent but due to the bliss of Thakur ji we are seeing that one can attain oneself…. Yog is best path…. One can have extraordinary inner vision to counter the things…, even these false hood of modernisation!!! Jai Sri Ramakrishna 🌟🙏🌺

[@malladiprasad2143]

I never come across anyone who can answer these complex questions so eloquently 🙏🙏🙏than this swami.

[@sajithchannadathu7902]

He didnt give an answer bcos he has none . read donald welshs " ocnversations with god you will find good answer "

[@ryuk5310]

He gives so much real and daily life example which we didn't even give thought to...

[@minaldave7198]

Very well explained Swamiji! As a child ,when I was tol that the Universe is infinite, I would further ask ' But what is beyond that infinity?' I just couldn't imagine something as "infinite"!

[@michaeldillon3113]

Our beloved Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi said that the world is like the child of a barren woman 🕉️

[@regardsk3815]

Then who are u saying this statement to? Even after you knowing that world does not exist , you ask yourself why are u not able to stop communicating to the world?

[@michaeldillon3113]

@@regardsk3815 Yes , yes , when I am asleep I can't stop myself dreaming 🕊️🕉️

[@regardsk3815]

@@michaeldillon3113 Thus you are giving birth to the dream world. While you are dreaming you that dream is real. Please don't say- When I am awake the dream world will vanish- but it will be replaced with the Waking world. YOu cannot say that when I reach Turiya both will go. This is just a statement made by Shankaracharya according to his philosophy. You are one of your characters in the dream. Can any of your dream characters know themselves? Even processing of knowing themselves is a dream only. Ramana Maharishi is also part of the dream only- his preaching is also dreaming only. Dream objects cannot remove the wholesale dream. If you say dream objects are the same as the dreamer. Dreamer would have removed it yesterday. why today? Brahman can never be the same as Jivatma. Brahman is the inner soul of Jivatama

[@michaeldillon3113]

@@regardsk3815 Could you sit in front of Sri Ramana and say " You are wrong " ?

[@regardsk3815]

@@michaeldillon3113 Sri Ramana himself knows it. They experience something and say another thing.

[@deepshikharajput3599]

Pranaam guruvar

[@fraser4004]

Swami smashing it out the park again 💪

[@1959geetha]

Swamiji when I listen to you I feel I have touched Brahman. Though not.

[@bishalakshipaulchowdhury1126]

Swamiji can we have a special series on Narada Bhakti Sutra? Gyan feels dry after a while. Would love to listen to you !

[@riteshnets]

This answer actually puts rest to any other question in my mind ! Thank you swamiji

[@sajithchannadathu7902]

He didnt give an answer bcos he has none . read donald welshs " ocnversations with god you will find good answer "

[@akgupta144]

Swamiji you are great. You have done miracle in my life.

[@shreyasn3078]

Thanks a lot swami. I've had this question since long and although I'd heard u answer this some time back, I hadn't understood it properly then. Now it's a little more clear. You have changed me and my life Swami.

[@sajithchannadathu7902]

He didnt give an answer bcos he has none . read donald welshs " ocnversations with god you will find good answer "

[@shreyasn3078]

@@sajithchannadathu7902 Ha Ha....answers that are convincing or simple enough may not be the real answers. What Swami is saying is true from the pure advaitic perspective. But other ppl of different philosophies may give answers that suit their own perspectives.

[@VishalKhedkar]

I love your lectures so much. Only started watching about a month ago, thanks to my friend who recommended you to me. ❤️☺️

[@jasasyiken5561]

I believe the greatest being is the one who doesn’t know. “I don’t know” is such a great state of being, where everything and nothing co-exists. The problem with us is to be ok in that state. Floating in space is not comfortable. By nature of the mind, we want to be attached to something..be it a body, an existence, anything because our mind needs a physical manifestation, a logic for the pause. 🙏 Namaste.

[@doge4646]

A very beautiful mind, great teacher/mentor, thank you.

[@doge4646]

aham brahmasmi

[@BlaCK_HaT.]

@@doge4646 doge bhramsmi 🤣

[@doge4646]

Doge has been realized

[@BlaCK_HaT.]

@@doge4646 😂

[@Krishnasarda85]

The example of lion and even the wet grass was so apt and beautiful. Explained the concepts clearly

[@deepshikharajput3599]

dhanyavaad

[@swamivedantanandapuri1322]

Wonderful. Many thanks. Pranaam maharaj🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@sensiblespeaker]

Swamiji, prostration to you on the occasion of Guru Poornima! You are one of the special Guru among many Gurus in my Life. You made my roots strong in Vedanta Philosophy. I pray, "Let God strengthen you to illuminate many more people across the world...!"

[@SpiralMystic]

Got it! There is no ‘this life’. 🙏🏼

[@Traderhood]

Seriously? How about there is only this life.

[@cosmiclifeist4875]

Namaste and love from a Hindu from India! I hope that peace and love prevail in the world! 🙏🇮🇳🇮🇳☮️

[@sandycarter5300]

I love you, Oneness, my one true Self.

[@mohanlalrampersad490]

Keep hoping my friend😊

[@cosmiclifeist4875]

@@mohanlalrampersad490 It's the least (and yet also sometimes the most) one can do. Without hope, I doubt that things such as vaccines and the elimination of widespread slavery would have become a reality. May you have a wonderful day, friend.

[@mohanlalrampersad490]

@@cosmiclifeist4875 is slavery eliminated from the world? You are dreaming my friend. Just look at your India. And in America and Canada there is something called "modern day slavery". They don't bring you in boats and they don't beat you.

[@cosmiclifeist4875]

@@mohanlalrampersad490 I never claimed that things were perfect. At the same time, that word currently applies to something that is much better than what once existed (in which people had absolutely no rights and there was pretty much no sympathy for them). In India, millions have been lifted out of poverty as well. But it is true that we have to resolve plenty of problems (including excessive consumerism and materialism). India has also seen tremendous progress in ending extreme caste-based discrimination. In my own family, I have seen attitudes shift from not wanting to be near the shadow of someone to acknowledging all the good that the so-called lower castes do for us. Sometimes, dark dreams can lead us astray from a better reality.

[@jeremyczeck9112]

The stimulation of the most subtile aspect of the nature is the purpose of the life... Eternity is long... what we observe as the phenomenon of existence is better than nothing 😁🕉️🕉️🕉️🙏

[@hamen03soft]

Your positivity is infectious😇u r a true gift to the people in ur life nd I really appreciate everything that u do.

[@brunoborma]

That is such a beautiful explanation. Thank you Swami. I want to add that, as the lion in the dream is a refference to a real lion like force acting in thr dream plan, Maya may exist in refference to a more real state of being "outside" the causation plan we experience, being transffered to our reality by an unknowable "proccess". I use quotes because "outside" our reality these concepts probably don't meet correlates, even the concept of concept may be wrong or insufficient to try to describe it. But I have this intuitiom our Maya lion-ish reality may be a reffernce to "something" else. No appearance comes from nowhere. It is assumed in relation to something more real, at least as long as our reality is somewhat analogue to an upper reality from where it derives, as the dream is analogue to the upper woken up state.

[@kripaharris237]

🤔

[@anagha.aniruddha16]

Jai ShriRamkrisha 🙏🏻 Pranam Maharaj🙏🏻

[@mousumibanerjee59]

On the auspicious occasion of 'Guru Purnima', i humbly bow down to you Swamiji. You are my virtual guru of vedantic knowledge. Feeling relieved listening your discourses in this difficult covid situation. Blessed through your profound teaching. Pranam. 🙏🙏

[@mrinmoypatra271]

I think now I found the answer to what a noncausal system is,, so it is practically realizable 🤔 wow

[@tomrhodes1629]

FOR EVERY EFFECT THERE IS A CAUSE. And in fact, there IS a logical answer within the dream for the dream. But it is the most esoteric answer in this entire material Universe. And the Meaning of Life - the reason why you are experiencing a world of limitation - has finally been revealed. This answer helps tremendously in reaching Enlightenment - if you are ready for the answer. Are YOU ready? Click and ye shall find. Elijah has returned, as prophesied, and all mysteries are revealed. I communicate only through my sites.

[@sathyaganapathipuranik-ov1zo]

Great.

[@anoridinaryhumanbeing70]

It's pure logic. ❤️🙏

[@chitrapolansky]

love these short videos..thank you!

[@suhaslimaye3388]

Great 🙏

[@kanduri0912]

Beautiful..🙏🙏🙏

[@TheGuiltsOfUs]

Beautiful!

[@mukuljoshi9]

Brilliant!

[@desertportal353]

Brilliant.. Absolutely.

[@pplusk.]

This is gold. 🙇‍♀️

[@Rama-Rama74]

Simply *brilliant* !

[@umapathivikram]

Absolutely brilliant!!

[@soumighosh4635]

So beautifully explained

[@Thenarayanaclips]

Charan Sparsh, Gurudev. Thank you so much for this wonderful and much helpful answer!

[@bhupendratomar4575]

Thank you so much swami ji

[@nagarjungopal]

one of the best ! thank you for sharing this :)

[@ramakrishnahari6976]

Namaste Swamiji🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@user-yt4qi6in9o]

The best channel

[@SonOfMeme]

Very valuable!

[@ashurajvanshi10]

Thank you ❤

[@gb893]

That was the best explanation to this nagging question 🙏🙏🙏

[@skumesh8814]

This is something like a charecter in a dream asking why am I suffering or enjoying? Is he really there?

[@jonhumble7199]

Great wisdom, thanks.

[@jaishrikrishna70]

Great video 😮

[@SilitaDas-ts9fn]

Nice 👍

[@atuld]

Beaultifully explained! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@ranaarjun10]

This clip idea is amazing .. Thankyou for the effort

[@dare-er7sw]

A Course in Miracles fills in this gap. Ken Wapnick and Gary Renard are the two teachers to go to for better understanding.

[@anukiduniya222]

Thank you Swami ji!😊

[@SaiKrishna-hj4ci]

Thank you dear Swamiji

[@sabyasachibasu6837]

WoWonderful !!

[@footballian1384]

Legend is back 😀❤️😘

[@user-yt4qi6in9o]

The best of the best

[@jalajamenon8664]

Thank you Guruji🙏🙏🙏

[@mandardahi]

Thank you so much !!!!!

[@alecmisra4964]

Space time and causaality are fundamemtal prerequisites for experience itself according to the Kantian system. I suppose that is why his system also has the Brahman like concept of noumenon, a sort of transcendental experiencer. Hegel and Schopenhauer associated this noumenon with mind. But there is not the same analysis of the true depths of self in these systems as in the Advaira system. Very interesting.

[@neximo]

Such a beautiful and logical answer.

[@manojkamat2984]

Wow! Just too good no further questions..👍

[@nikhileshchitnis]

Mind blowing! Thank you Swamiji ❤️❤️🙏🙏

[@cordeliaodendaal2656]

Excellent explanation!

[@hanifamenen1082]

Nicely summarized! Thank-you and Hari Om Swamiji!

[@bhabatoshpaul689]

মহারাজ আপনাকে আমার ভীষন ভাল লাগে, আপনার মধ্যে আমি Swami ji Moharaj কে দেখতে পাই

[@Say-an22]

Interesting

[@ranadebray5440]

Brilliant teachings, Swami ji.

[@spg6651]

Very profound .. Pranamam Swamiji

[@SoftSpokenSecrets]

Wonderful explanation Swamiji 🙏🏻

[@jamesjosheph3006]

Thanks Swamiji....When suffering all around you see, a fall occurs....Now this rascal got it🙏🐢🌳

[@sajithchannadathu7902]

He didnt give an answer bcos he has none . read donald welshs " ocnversations with god you will find good answer "

[@meeranow]

Love you Swamy.... We are blessed to listen to you... 🙏🙏🙏

[@rupesh_sahebrao_dhote]

Without knowledge of existence there cannot be existence and without existence there cannot be knowledge of existence. That Knowledge can only be achieved through eternal cyclic movement with division of subject and object in it. 😊

[@edelweisssymons7444]

Listening&Learning in Australia. Heartfelt thanks Swami-ji.

[@NareshAhuja]

Wonderful explanation on Maya and Brahman 🙏💕💕🙏

[@abhinavsingh3228]

Now i got it!

[@hemakumar629]

Listening to you swamiji, feel blessed. Thank you.

[@coolbanda5446]

Really nice video!! 🕉️

[@espiritualidadyvedanta]

Thanks for this wonderful videos of Swami Ji... Om hari... 🙏💓🕉🌱 God bless us always...

[@biswanathbanerjee4951]

Love listening to you . Your talks are life changing . Trying to realize bit by bit .Thank you Maharaj .🙏🙏🙏

[@kissoonkissoon1355]

Very profound and enlightening! My favourite Guru

[@prashanth597]

Pranamas to guruji

[@pareshprajapati7916]

World Earth humans is never ending story.

[@sridharm3827]

Great explanation for such a difficult question 👌.

[@tanmaydatta86]

Thank you for such interesting explanation, I was being reminded of Gödel's incompleteness theorem . It's always a pleasure listening to you swami ji.

[@rameshsanghani2248]

Koti koti Pranams.

[@rameshsanghani2248]

Purpose to know I m that. Thats all😂😂😂😂

[@fionahart45]

Finally

[@onetwozeroyt]

So convincing answer. Swamiji🙏

[@sajithchannadathu7902]

He didnt give an answer bcos he has none . read donald welshs " ocnversations with god you will find good answer "

[@marinasocol3557]

Very effective explanation! We want to encompass with our limited reasoning, the limitless! ❤

[@haradhandhak6145]

Hari 🕉 pronam sawmije

[@brotatimridha3259]

I was just thinking about this question that I found this video 🙏🙏🙏🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️ Thank you Swamiji 🌹🌹🌹