We now have new channel - Vedanta New York Archives: https://www.youtube.com/c/VedantaNewYorkArchives Here you will find: • Audio lectures on Mandukya Karika and Bhagavad Gita given by Swami Sarvapriyananda Ji. • Audio lectures by late Swami Pavitrananda Ji and Swami Tathagatananda Ji (previous swamis of the Vedanta Society of New York) • Future uploads will also include audio lectures on Pancadasi and Vedantasara taught by Swami Sarvapriyananda Ji. Please subscribe to this channel to remain connected to the spiritual discourses given at the Vedanta Society of New York. Q&A session lead by Swami Sarvapriyananda as part of a spiritual retreat at the Vedanta Society of New York on June 28th, 2020. List of questions with timestamps: 01:00 - What does Vedanta say about justice in society? 16:15 - How do we drop identification with the body? 26:55 - Why does the Quran say that Prophet Muhammad is the last prophet? 37:44 - If I am Brahman, who is under delusion? And If Brahman is fulfilled, what need does Brahman have for power? (Second question repeated at 42:05) 51:06 - What is Vedanta's approach to the Anatman of Buddhism? 01:16:25 - Is the reflected consciousness the same as the pramata (the knower)? 01:25:32 - How can the law of Karma explain the sudden loss of so many lives in the current pandemic? ► To support the Vedanta Society of New York: http://bit.ly/SupportVedantaNY Web: http://vedantany.org Soundcloud: http://Soundcloud.com/VedantaNY iTunes Podcast: http://bit.ly/vedanta-talks-itunes Google Play: http://bit.ly/vedanta-talks-google-play Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VedantaNY 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.

Q&A session lead by Swami Sarvapriyananda as part of a spiritual retreat at the Vedanta Society of New York on June 7th, 2020. List of questions with timestamps: 2:30 - What is the difference between individual and cosmic consciousness? How can we realize the reality of one consciousness? 34:18 - Why is private spirituality not spirituality? 39:25 - I am in school and have lost interest in studies. I would rather seek the spiritual truths. What are my options? 47:27 - How can the formless Brahman produce a universe of forms? 56:16 - How can Brahman in Sri Ramakrishna's Vijnana Vedanta be beyond cause and effect if the universe is a real manifestation of shakti? 1:08:11 - I was brought up in a christian tradition but have become interested in Vedanta. Is is possible for a person to be pulled into Vedanta by no conscious effort? ► To support Vedanta Society of New York: http://bit.ly/SupportVedantaNY Web: http://vedantany.org Soundcloud: http://Soundcloud.com/VedantaNY iTunes Podcast: http://bit.ly/vedanta-talks-itunes Google Play: http://bit.ly/vedanta-talks-google-play Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VedantaNY 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.

Q&A session lead by Swami Sarvapriyananda as part of a spiritual retreat at the Vedanta Society of New York on May 3rd, 2020. List of questions with timestamps: • 6:25 -- How to know the Self when It cannot be objectified? Is inference sufficient? • 27:30 -- While we agree that waking, dreaming, and deep sleep are experienced in consciousness, why can't we say that they are real instead of unreal since they are indeed experienced? • 44:50 -- If the realization of atman is an experiential reality, then why is there a logical conflict between different spiritual traditions? Does it mean that the realized master's have different experiences? • 54:35 -- If consciousness illumines Maya, then why does it need the support of Maya to realize itself? ► To support Vedanta Society of New York: http://bit.ly/SupportVedantaNY Web: http://vedantany.org Soundcloud: http://Soundcloud.com/VedantaNY iTunes Podcast: http://bit.ly/vedanta-talks-itunes Google Play: http://bit.ly/vedanta-talks-google-play Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VedantaNY 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.

Q&A session lead by Swami Sarvapriyananda as part of a spiritual retreat at the Vedanta Society of New York on February 9th, 2020. List of Questions with Timestamps: 5:07 - 1) To whom does enlightenment happen if we are already Brahman? 2) How can we be responsible for all the pain and suffering if we are already Brahman? 3) How can Brahman have no characteristics? 37:50 - If we have family, friends, and relationships can we also reach enlightenment? Can we have both? 41:05 - How can Maya be both real and unreal? 45:58 - How to reconcile the ultimate reality with Maya? 54:20 - A discussion on free will inspired by the Bhagavad Gita. 1:07:53 - 1) Does the Vedanta philosophy evolve? 2) Do new insights from science get integrated? 1:21:00 - Can you say more about the differences between Buddhist teaching and Vedanta teaching? 1:34:18 - Can we not measure in a quantitative way how much we understand? ► Support the Vedanta Society of New York: http://bit.ly/SupportVedantaNY Web: http://vedantany.org Soundcloud: http://Soundcloud.com/VedantaNY iTunes Podcast: http://bit.ly/vedanta-talks-itunes Google Play: http://bit.ly/vedanta-talks-google-play 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.

Swami Sarvapriyananda conducts a Q&A session followed by his discourse on 'Realization'. List of Questions with Timestamps: 0:08 - How do desires transmigrate after death? 11:50 - A step-by-step examination of the challenges one faces in grasping the ‘Witness’ 23:03 - The spiritual heaven in Vedanta. 25:16 - How to manifest the knowledge of Advaita? 46:00 - Who made God? ► To support the Vedanta Society of New York: http://bit.ly/SupportVedantaNY Web: http://vedantany.org Soundcloud: http://Soundcloud.com/VedantaNY iTunes Podcast: http://bit.ly/vedanta-talks-itunes Google Play: http://bit.ly/vedanta-talks-google-play 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.

Q&A session lead by Swami Sarvapriyananda as part of a spiritual retreat at the Vedanta Society of New York on June 2nd, 2019. List of Questions with Timestamps: 0:33 - Is consciousness present in non-living things? Are they also Brahman? 12:18 - What is the nature of bliss? Is it dependent on the mind? Does a pure being experience bliss all the time? 26:15 - Does your liberation depend upon your karma? 31:50 - Does the presence of Maya imply duality? 36:25 - Does suffering bring us closer to spirituality? Can people who are mentally week resort to spirituality as an escape route? 46:45 - Is it difficult to stay in the non-dual path when the path of knowledge is considered difficult to follow in the current age? 59:25 - Advice for somebody who has experienced a flash of spiritual bliss and is trying to understand and sustain it. 1:02:56 - Explain the verse from the Taittiriya Upanishad: "He who is here in man and he who is in yonder sun—both are one." Web: http://vedantany.org Soundcloud: http://Soundcloud.com/VedantaNY iTunes Podcast: http://bit.ly/vedanta-talks-itunes Google Play: http://bit.ly/vedanta-talks-google-play 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.

Questions for future talks can be sent to: [email protected] Q&A session lead by Swami Sarvapriyananda as part of a spiritual retreat at the Vedanta Society of New York on May 5th, 2019. ► To support Vedanta Society of New York: http://bit.ly/SupportVedantaNY List of Questions with Timestamps: 0:36 - Difference between the ego and the witness. Is consciousness a creation of the brain. 24:34 - Difference between the views that the universe never existed vs the universe is brahman. If we are one consciousness, why do we react differently in different circumstances. 39:18 - If I do not “exist”, how do I approach the demands of the world. 47:18 - How is it possible to attain God while living in the world? How do I choose a guru? Is enlightenment possible without mantra diksha? 56:47 - Distinguishing between vairagya (dispassion) and tamas (darkness). How to practice non-injury but still protect ourself? 1:08:20 - Are your tendencies from past life part of a bigger purpose in the universe? 1:19:40 - What is Advaita Vedanta’s standpoint on karmic liability that leads to rebirth? 1:27:05 - Difference between Jnanindriyan and Buddhindriyan. 1:32:00 - Do Sat, Chit, and Ananda refer to the same thing? Web: http://vedantany.org Soundcloud: http://Soundcloud.com/VedantaNY iTunes Podcast: http://bit.ly/vedanta-talks-itunes Google Play: http://bit.ly/vedanta-talks-google-play 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.

Q&A session lead by Swami Sarvapriyananda as part of a spiritual retreat at the Vedanta Society of New York on April 7th, 2019. List of Questions with Timestamps: 0:00 - On Vedantic meditation. 9:20 - How to overcome the fear of unknown and revel in the silence. 19:36 - In Nirvanashatakam, bliss is first negated but then accepted. Which is it? Difference between Ananda and happiness. 28:47 - Do negative emotions persists after Enlightenment? 48:10 - Should we trust our own insights? 50:28 - How to combine Vedantic meditation with the practice of Mantra meditation. 58:20 - How can the universe come out of nothing? Does Advaita Vedanta recognize an Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent God? 1:10:18 - Which meditation should we practice - Vedantic or Mantra? 1:11:32 - Is the presence of a life force (Prana) an illusion? ► To support Vedanta Society of New York: http://bit.ly/SupportVedantaNY Questions for future talks can be sent to: [email protected] Web: http://vedantany.org Soundcloud: http://Soundcloud.com/VedantaNY iTunes Podcast: http://bit.ly/vedanta-talks-itunes Google Play: http://bit.ly/vedanta-talks-google-play 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

Questions for future talks can be sent to: [email protected] Q&A session lead by Swami Sarvapriyananda as part of a spiritual retreat at the Vedanta Society of New York on March 17th, 2019. ► To support Vedanta Society of New York: http://bit.ly/SupportVedantaNY List of Questions with Timestamps: 0:33 - How can one remember their past lives? 6:43 - Are we many or one? Is ignorance in Brahman or java? 19:56 - Different categories of spiritual seekers as per the Gita. 28:50 - Is one’s attitude towards God a part of maya? How is it different for the liberated? 40:07 - How can I apply Vedanta to family life? 51:55 - How can one be aware of ones desires bubbling up in the mind? 1:05:33 - How to introduce the concept of Atman to children? 1:09:52 - How can I establish my goals in life? 1:15:00 - How do we contemplate and approach the topic of death? Web: http://vedantany.org Soundcloud: http://Soundcloud.com/VedantaNY iTunes Podcast: http://bit.ly/vedanta-talks-itunes Google Play: http://bit.ly/vedanta-talks-google-play 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

Question and Answer session lead by Swami Sarvapriyananda as part of a spiritual retreat at the Vedanta Society of New York on Jan 6th, 2019. Questions/times-stamps in comments. ► To support Vedanta Society of New York: http://bit.ly/SupportVedantaNY List of Questions with Timestamps: 2:35 - How does the One appear as the many? What is Maya? 21:19 - Is awareness experienced as an object? 34:19 - Does Sri Ramakrishana’s Vijnana Vedanta imply dualism? 44:43 - Is the Anahata Sound (unstruck sound) same as Brahman? 48:20 - Are the universe and the Absolute the same thing? Is the universe real? 59:07 - How can I be aware of my true nature at all times? 1:17:12 - Dealing with disturbances during meditation. 1:29:35 - Is faith needed in Advaita Vedanta? Web: http://vedantany.org Soundcloud: http://Soundcloud.com/VedantaNY iTunes Podcast: http://bit.ly/vedanta-talks-itunes Google Play: http://bit.ly/vedanta-talks-google-play 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